• Slug: Sports–Phoenix Rising New Coach, 1,140 words.
• 3 photos available.

By Cooper Burns
Cronkite News

PHOENIX – The new coach of Phoenix Rising FC comes from a different league, and the roster he is taxed with improving before the United Soccer League season begins in March is still in a state of flux. But Pa-Modou Kah has a resume as unique as the situation he is inheriting.

Kah has a wealth of experience not only on the field but off it. The Gambia native has experience in both European and North American soccer and speaks seven different languages. Kah is fluent in Wolof, Norwegian, English, Spanish, French, Dutch and Arabic. Kah’s mastery of diverse languages should help him form genuine connections with his players quicker than most.

Just four days after Phoenix lost a quarterfinal playoff game to New Mexico on Nov. 3, ending Rising’s bid to defend their USL title, the team announced that interim coach Diego Gomez would not return. Gomez stepped in after the firing of first-year coach Danny Stone in June. Continue reading “New coach Pa-Modou Kah brings global expertise to Phoenix Rising FC amid roster uncertainty”

• Slug: Sports–CFP Ranking ASU, 760 words.
• Photo available.

By Fletcher Anderson
Cronkite News

PHOENIX – Defeat Kansas State? Check.

Land in the College Football Playoff rankings? Check.

The CFP committee placed Arizona State at No. 21 in the third ranking of the year Tuesday, its first appearance since the inaugural year in 2014 as they continue their improbable run at 8-2. Continue reading “Look who’s 21: Arizona State checks into CFP rankings for first time since 2014 as BYU looms”

• Slug: Sports–Ability 360 Phoenix Summit, 850 words.
• Photo available.

By Keller Brown
Cronkite News

TEMPE – On a slightly overcast Saturday at Papago Park, which is sandwiched between Tempe and Phoenix, a group of three hikers gathered to take on their second hike of the day, with two more trails still to follow.

The three hikers, accompanied by at least one guide per person at all times, were not ordinary hikers, and not just because they were willing to hike four trails in a day.

Two sat in wheelchairs, another recently suffered a partial loss of her vision. Continue reading “Breaking Barriers: Ability360 opens Phoenix Summit Challenge to all abilities”

• Slug: Sports-Royal Caglianone Fall League, 1,900 words.
• 2 photos available.

By Tyler Bednar
Cronkite News

PHOENIX — Dennis Braun has been Plant High School’s baseball coach for 20 years, and he runs a tight ship when it comes to uniforms. Every player wears the same thing. For former Plant Panther and current MLB.com’s No. 17 prospect Jac Caglianone, the uniform wouldn’t fit. The team wears Nike baseball cleats, and the company doesn’t make cleats his size.

Located in Tampa, Florida, Plant High School is known for its plethora of players to make their mark at the highest level of baseball. There was a solution to Caglianone’s size.

“The shoe he wore in school was (Aaron) Judge’s,” Braun said. “Mychal Givens, a former big leaguer who played here, talked to Judge, and Judge gave a couple pairs of shoes to Jac every year, and that’s what he wore here.” Continue reading “Kansas City Royals top prospect Jac Caglianone makes waves in Arizona Fall League debut”

• Slug: Sports-Arizona High School Transfers, 1,110 words.
• 2 photos available.

By Sebastian Mondaca Sepulveda
Cronkite News

PHOENIX – Some high school athletes are chasing a trophy. Some might want to pad their statistics for college scouts, while others hope a change in scenery could help them land a lucrative NIL deal.

Then there are the athletes who, through no fault of their own, must switch high schools because of family dynamics or hardship.

No matter the reason, transfers between Arizona high school sports teams have become more of a trend throughout the years. And with athletes looking for better opportunities, these transfers continue to reshape and redefine the culture of the sport. Continue reading “Chasing opportunity: For Arizona high school athletes, transfers offer new paths and new challenges”

• Slug: Sports-CFP Big 12 ASU, 880 words.
• Photo available.

By Fletcher Anderson
Cronkite News

PHOENIX – A team that’s not even in the Top 25 with three weeks remaining in the regular season could play a significant role in how the College Football Playoff 12-team field shakes out. 

Enter Arizona State.

The Sun Devils, 7-2 after beating UCF without running back Cam Skattebo, will be one of the most consequential teams in deciding who secures the Big 12 automatic conference bid to the playoff. With two of their remaining three games against top-20 opponents – a road game against No. 16 Kansas State (7-2) Saturday and a home meeting versus No. 6 BYU (9-0) Nov. 23 – everything is on the table for ASU, including a bid to the CFP itself via a Big 12 championship. The Suns Devils close the regular season against Arizona Nov. 30 in Tucson. Continue reading “How ASU could shape complexion of College Football Playoff in final weeks”

• Slug: Sports-Charles Schwab Cup, 600 words.
• Photo available.

By Keller Brown
Cronkite News

PHOENIX – Before the final golf pairing teed off on the 18th hole Sunday, a three-way tie for first place set the tone for the final day of the Charles Schwab Cup Championship. Bernhard Langer, Richard Green and Steven Alker were all vying for the victory at the Phoenix Country Club – but only one walked away as the champion

Langer, recovering from an Achilles injury at 67 years old, rolled in a dramatic 30-foot birdie putt on the final hole for a one-shot victory over Green and Alker to close out the PGA Tour Champions season.

Although Langer won the day, Alker came away with the season-long Charles Schwab Cup points race, firing a 5-under-par 66 to pass Ernie Els and win his second Cup win in three years. He missed a 10-foot putt on the final hole that would have forced a playoff with Langer for the tournament title. Continue reading “Drama on 18: Bernhard Langer’s clutch putt wins Schwab Cup Championship; Steven Alker secures season points title”

• Slug: Sports-MLB Payrolls, 2,700 words.
• Photo available.
• Graphic available

By Keller Brown
Cronkite News

PHOENIX – In the offseason leading toward the 2024 Major League Baseball season, all eyes were on one man – Shohei Ohtani. One of the biggest free agent names in the history of the sport, Ohtani can pitch and hit with the best of them.

And he didn’t even need to pitch this season following elbow surgery to still come away as a unanimous American League MVP award winner.

Ohtani signed a 10-year, $700 million contract with the Los Angeles Dodgers. Included in the contract is a record amount of deferred money, where he gets paid $2 million in salary over the 10 years, while getting $68 million a year the next 10 years after his Dodgers contract expires. Continue reading “Behind the diamond: How big MLB payrolls affect postseason success”

• Slug: Sports-Ethan Salas Fall League, 830 words.
• Photo available.

By Sean Brennan
Cronkite News

PEORIA – Whether behind the plate or in the batter’s box, Ethan Salas’ ability and maturity is evident even within a single at-bat.

At just 18 years of age, the San Diego Padres catching prospect already exudes composure and savviness that will make him an asset for any team – and it has been on full display for the Peoria Javelinas of the Arizona Fall League.

While Padres fans may not expect to see Salas making waves as the organization’s top prospect at such a young age, they might think differently after seeing him on the field. There, his poise and calm demeanor make his youth anything but obvious. Continue reading “Top Padres prospect Ethan Salas shows poise beyond his years in Arizona Fall League”

• Slug: Sports-G League Valley Suns, 1,630 words.
•  3 photos available.

By Koby Braunstein
Cronkite News

PHOENIX – The Valley is often regarded as a basketball hotbed, home to many of the sport’s greatest talents, but the city’s beloved Phoenix Suns have never hoisted the Larry O’Brien trophy.

The Suns, established in 1968, are the oldest NBA franchise seeking its first title.

A strong emphasis on player development spearheaded the launch of the G League’s Valley Suns, an in-house pathway initiative connected with the NBA Suns that opens their season Friday night on the road against the Santa Cruz Warriors. Continue reading “G League Suns open season with familiar names, from Collin Gillespie to TyTy Washington to David Stockton”

• Slug: Sports-Spoelstra Budenholzer Relationship, 820 words.
•  File photo available.

By Patrick Holleron
Cronkite News

PHOENIX – Longevity is never a given in any industry. Coaching jobs in the NBA are no exception.

The only current coaches to stay with a team for at least 10 seasons are Michael Malone (Denver Nuggets), Steve Kerr (Golden State Warriors), Erik Spoelstra (Miami Heat) and Gregg Popovich (San Antonio Spurs).

“It’s a sobering reality of our profession,” Spolestra said Wednesday before the Heat faced the Suns at Footprint Center. “I’m forever grateful to the leadership of Pat Riley and the Arison family. They believe in a culture that has stability, structure and a family atmosphere. And there is business to be done. Sometimes there’s tough decisions to be made. Continue reading “From video coordinators to head coaches, history between Erik Spoelstra, Mike Budenholzer runs deep”

• Slug: Sports-Election Sports Reaction, 650 words.
•  Photo available.

By Fletcher Anderson
Cronkite News

PHOENIX – Social media has served as a powerful conduit for athletes to share their political beliefs. That was never more evident than after Tuesday’s presidential election.

Phoenix Suns center Jusuf Nurkić, who is from Bosnia-Herzegovina, spoke to reporters Wednesday about athletes using their social media platforms, while others used theirs to share strong opinions after Vice President Kamala Harris conceded the election to Donald Trump.

Chicago Sky forward Angel Reese posted on X several times Wednesday. “As a woman, im heartbroken for us all…” and  “I’m so disappointed in America….Some of you just couldn’t selfishly put your pride aside huh??!?!?” Continue reading “‘I’m heartbroken’ to ‘Nobody deserves this more’: Athletes deliver mixed reactions to Donald Trump presidential victory”

• Slug: Sports-Scottsdale Polo Championship, 720 words.
• 3 photos available.

By Patrick Holleron
Cronkite News

SCOTTSDALE – At the center of WestWorld, thumping hooves against the ground couldn’t be heard over the cauldron of nonstop activities. There was blaring live music, lavish fashion and dog shows, unique concession stands and a fleet of motor vehicles – all colliding for a single extravagant festival.

The 13th annual Bentley Scottsdale Polo Championships attracted a record-breaking turnout, with spectators from all corners of Arizona gathering to partake in the day’s lineup and watch the 10 best polo teams across the U.S. compete for the right to hoist the Molina Cup.

Though the sport has been around for centuries, polo moved to a new level in Arizona in 2011, when the championship matches started at WestWorld of Scottsdale with 2,500 people in attendance. Since then, popularity surrounding the event has grown tremendously, with 12,469 attendees present Friday for the first day of competition. Continue reading “Bentley Scottsdale Polo Championships celebrates sport and high fashion in record numbers”

• Slug: Sports-GCU MBB Preview, 1,070 words.
• Photo available.

By Brenden Paul
Cronkite News

PHOENIX – As the clock struck 7 p.m. before the ring ceremony began, the student section known as the Havocs started singing “Be Ready” by Sovereign Grace Music in complete unison and without music, engulfing Global Credit Union Arena with their voices.

The Havocs’ impromptu celebration carried Grand Canyon University’s men’s basketball team into its emotional Western Athletic Conference championship ring and banner reveal ceremony Tuesday night, a reminder of the Lopes’ accomplishments from last season and what they have on the line this year.

It’s safe to say GCU fans are more than ready for the start of college basketball season. However, the Lopes have work to do to live up to the hype expected from the Havocs this season.  Continue reading “Rebounds and turnovers: GCU men’s basketball eyes improvements, looks to defend WAC title”

• Slug: Sports-GCU Roller Hockey, 860 words.
• Photo available.

By Brenden Paul
Cronkite News

PEORIA – Kawena Lee was awakened by teammate Zach Hoffman while taking a nap on his couch with the news that Bethel University’s roller hockey team had folded due to financial issues.

“I’m all lethargic and drowsy from my nap still, and (Hoffman) says, ‘Did you hear about the news?’ I said no, and he told me to check my email because Bethel just closed their roller hockey program,” Lee said.

One year removed from making the National Collegiate Roller Hockey Association (NCRHA) semifinals, members of the Bethel University Wildcats, located in McKenzie, Tennessee, suddenly needed new places to play for the 2024-25 season, and a trio of players found a home in the desert with Grand Canyon University. Along with forwards Lee and Hoffman, defenseman Josh Little also joined the movement to Arizona. Continue reading “Transfer trio: GCU roller hockey championship team boosted by newcomers from Bethel University”