Author: Bob Young

From low-level recruit to preseason All-American, shortstop Alika Williams blossoming at ASU

by Bob Young
  • Slug: Sports-ASU Baseball Alika Williams, about 930 words.
  • Photos available.

By Alex Weiner
Cronkite News

TEMPE – Alika Williams was not considered a top-tier baseball recruit when he arrived at Arizona State.

He was the 32nd-round draft pick out of Rancho Bernardo High School in San Diego in 2017, but he chose to postpone turning professional to attend ASU.

At the time, Perfect Game rated him the 39th best shortstop and 219th overall college recruit in the country.

As Williams begins his third collegiate season, major college baseball sites D1 Baseball and Baseball America predict that he will be an All-American this year. D1 Baseball put him on its first-team as the best shortstop in the country.

Continue reading “From low-level recruit to preseason All-American, shortstop Alika Williams blossoming at ASU”

Prudhomme does double duty as tennis coach for men, women at GCU

by Bob Young
  • Slug: Sports-GCU tennis family affair, about 1017 words.
  • Photos available.

By Griffin Fabits
Cronkite News

PHOENIX – How many days did he take off last year? How many days did he truly spend not working? Greg Prudhomme had to stop and think about that.

He tilted his head back, and looked upward, as if the answer might be etched under the brim of his hat.

“I did take a couple days here and there,” he said, finally. “I would say time off is days, not weeks.”

Rest is hard to come by, and days off are few and far between for Prudhomme, the head tennis coach for both the men’s and women’s team at Grand Canyon University. He travels with both teams, practices with both, recruits for both.

Continue reading “Prudhomme does double duty as tennis coach for men, women at GCU”

A good walk shared: D.J. Gregory making strides alongside PGA Tour stars

by Bob Young
  • Slug: Sports-Golf-Phoenix Open walker, about 1300 words.
  • Photos available.

By Christopher Gleason
Cronkite News

SCOTTSDALE – Born 10 weeks premature, D.J. Gregory has had 11 surgeries in his lifetime, five on his legs and six on his eyes. One of those involved having the abductor muscles in his legs cut, leaving Gregory without the ability to balance.

As a result, he went from army crawling on his stomach around the house as a child, to using a walker, then using two canes. Such is the life of someone who has cerebral palsy, a congenital disorder of movement, muscle tone or posture.

Now at 42 Gregory needs just one cane. And does it ever get a lot of use.

Continue reading “A good walk shared: D.J. Gregory making strides alongside PGA Tour stars”

‘I’m ready!’ Volunteers with disabilities lend a helping hand at Waste Management Phoenix Open

by Bob Young
  • Slug: Sports-Phoenix Open children with disabilities, about 660 words.
  • Photos available

By Carson Field
Cronkite News

SCOTTSDALE — Aaron Wise approached the driving range at TPC Scottsdale, looking for a spot to set up before a Tuesday practice round at the Waste Management Phoenix Open. Not missing a beat, someone approached and led the PGA Tour golfer in the right direction.

“I’m ready!” said Christina Clapp, who held Wise’s nameplate in her hands and led him to his spot on the range.

Clapp, a 19-year-old with Down syndrome, was one of 10 children and young adults with disabilities who assisted with the tournament. Those volunteers were members of Arizona Young Life Capernaum, a program devoted to teaching children with disabilities the core beliefs of Christianity and preparing them to serve in the future.

Continue reading “‘I’m ready!’ Volunteers with disabilities lend a helping hand at Waste Management Phoenix Open”

Former UA tight end found niche on defense along the road to the Super Bowl

by Bob Young
  • Slug: Sports-UA Mitchell Super Bowl, about 1,050 words.
  • Photo available.

By Griffin Fabits
Cronkite News

PHOENIX – Earl Mitchell’s long, winding road to the NFL’s ultimate event has featured several starts and stops and what appeared to be an early dead end.

Now, the former University Arizona tight end-turned defensive lineman is preparing to play in a Super Bowl for the San Francisco 49ers.

It’s a long way from where his journey began in Tucson, 12 years ago when he was a forgotten player in the Wildcats’ offense.

Continue reading “Former UA tight end found niche on defense along the road to the Super Bowl”

Arizona State faces critical men’s hoops game against rival Arizona

by Bob Young
  • Slug: Sports-ASU-UA basketball,625
  • Photo available (thumbnail, caption below)

By Edith Noriega
Cronkite News

TEMPE – When Arizona State faces the Arizona Wildcats Saturday, the basketball rivalry on its own will put an electric charge through the crowd at Desert Financial Arena.

But for the Sun Devils, it’s a must-win game no matter what the atmosphere is like.

“We know that it’s going to be a battle in there,” ASU coach Bobby Hurley said Thursday. “I’m excited that Romello (White) is at full strength, and hopefully he’ll be who he normally is. But it’s a collective thing. They (the Wildcats) have great size around the basket and a lot of talent.” Continue reading “Arizona State faces critical men’s hoops game against rival Arizona”

Phoenix Open officials disappointed Phil Mickelson won’t play, optimistic show will go on

by Bob Young
  • Slug: Sports-Mickelson Phoenix Open, about 600 words.
  • 1 photo attached.

By Erica Block
Cronkite News

PHOENIX –  The news that Phil Mickelson will skip the Waste Management Phoenix Open in 2020 shook the Arizona golf world Monday, but tournament officials remain optimistic fans will still arrive in droves for the golf spectacle at TPC Scottsdale.

Mickelson, a fan favorite who first competed in the tournament in 1989 as an Arizona State student, has won three Phoenix Open titles and is the tournament’s all-time leading money winner.

His decision to play the Saudi International tournament in Saudi Arabia instead of returning to the PGA Tour event in the Valley surprised many local fans who regard the former Scottsdale resident as a hometown hero and the unofficial face of the tournament.

Continue reading “Phoenix Open officials disappointed Phil Mickelson won’t play, optimistic show will go on”

What’s next? As women’s wrestling grows, the landscape of opportunities changes

by Bob Young
  • Slug: Sports-ASU female wrestler, about 1900 words.
  • Photos attached below.
  • Map: https://www.google.com/maps/d/viewer?mid=1rOXhYJA9A8B1K5RbL9khVQHa8smCICkg&usp=sharing
  • Medal count: https://public.flourish.studio/visualisation/962927/?utm_source=showcase&utm_campaign=visualisation/962927

By Sarah Farrell
Cronkite News

TEMPE – Trailblazing must be in Marlee Smith’s DNA. One day, while cheering on her dad’s football team, the squad found itself a player short and an unexpected opportunity arose for the 8-year-old.

“He looked at me and he said, ‘I’m taking Marlee,’” her mom, Christie Smith, said. “He took her off the sideline, threw pads on her and put her on the football field.”

It didn’t end there. Marlee followed her male teammates to wrestling, a popular activity in her hometown of Wantage, New Jersey. She thrived in the sport, which led to a difficult choice many female wrestlers face after high school: choose a school where she could continue to wrestle other women or try to join a men’s roster at a school that offered the major she wanted?

Continue reading “What’s next? As women’s wrestling grows, the landscape of opportunities changes”

It’s all about Benjamin: ASU back breaks out in rivalry victory

by Bob Young
  • Slug: Sports-ASU-UA Football, 1000 words.
  • 2 Photos attached.

By Matthew Roy
Cronkite News

TEMPE – After the final seconds had ticked off the clock and fans had streamed out of Sun Devil Stadium to celebrate Arizona State’s 24-14 Territorial Cup victory over rival Arizona, a few ASU players filed into an interview room to meet with the media.

In came freshman quarterback Jayden Daniels, junior defensive back Evan Fields and sophomore defensive lineman Jermayne Lole.

There was one obvious omission.

“Can we get Eno?” a member of the gathered media asked Mark Jezek, ASU’s assistant director of athletic communications, who said, “Yeah, I’ll go get him.” Continue reading “It’s all about Benjamin: ASU back breaks out in rivalry victory”

Cardinals try to pick up pieces after fifth straight loss

by Bob Young
  • Slug: Sports–Cardinals lose again, 587 words.
  • Photo attached

By Jacob Rosenfarb
Cronkite News

TEMPE – The Arizona Cardinals have begun their search for answers following a puzzling 34-7 loss Sunday to the Los Angeles Rams. The defeat, Arizona’s fifth straight, was especially painful because the 28-point margin is the largest defeat the team has experienced in what is fast becoming a lost season.

“The product, in all three phases, was not acceptable yesterday,” coach Kliff Kingsbury said Monday at his weekly news conference. “Our focus – it starts with me – is to get better, and that’s on me to make sure all three phases improve dramatically this week.”

Continue reading “Cardinals try to pick up pieces after fifth straight loss”

Duck and cover: ASU football stuns No. 6 Oregon on national stage

by Bob Young
  • Slug: Sports-ASU football stuns Oregon, about 880 words.
  • photos available

By Matthew Roy
Cronkite News

TEMPE – On November 25th, 2001, then-Indianapolis Colts coach Jim Mora walked up to the microphone after a blowout loss and went on a rant that lives just a Google search away to this day.

“Playoffs? Don’t talk about playoffs?” Mora said, his voice rising. “You kidding me? Playoffs? I just hope we can win a game.”

Almost 18 years to the day from that rant, ASU receivers Brandon Aiyuk and Frank Darby channeled their inner Mora, but in a slightly different context.

Continue reading “Duck and cover: ASU football stuns No. 6 Oregon on national stage”

Perplexing season of Cardinals running back David Johnson raises questions

by Bob Young
  • Slug: Sports-Cardinals David Johnson, about 870 words.
  • Photo attached.

By Jacob Rosenfarb
Cronkite News

TEMPE – The perplexing season of Arizona Cardinals running back David Johnson took another turn Sunday when the former All-Pro back failed to record a single touch in the Cardinals 36-26 loss to the San Francisco 49ers.

Acting as the team’s backup running back behind newly acquired Kenyan Drake, Johnson was not on the field for 60 of the team’s 69 offensive snaps, marking the fifth straight game in which Johnson, who signed a three-year, $39 million contract earlier this year, was either inactive or saw limited action.

Sunday marked the first time in Johnson’s career that he played in a game without registering a single rushing attempt or pass reception. And what was possibly Johnson’s least productive performance as a pro came in the wake of what Cardinals coach Kliff Kingsbury called Johnson’s best week of practice this season.

Continue reading “Perplexing season of Cardinals running back David Johnson raises questions”

Suns have big plans for new training facility and franchise’s future

by Bob Young
  • Slug: Sports-Suns Practice Facility, about 875 words.
  • Photos attached below.

By Dylan Hunter Carter
Cronkite News

PHOENIX – Phoenix Suns owner Robert Sarver is investing heavily in his team, emotionally and literally.

Standing with General Manager James Jones, coach Monty Williams and other officials, Sarver officially broke ground on the team’s new state-of-the-art training facility last week. The ceremony took place amid a surprising start by the Suns, who took a 7-4 record into Monday night’s game against the Boston Celtics. Continue reading “Suns have big plans for new training facility and franchise’s future”

Charlie Turner Thorne’s ASU women return to fast and familiar form this season

by Bob Young
  • Slug: Sports-ASU Women’s Basketball, about 875 words.
  • 2 Photos attached.

By Nathan Hiatt
Cronkite News

TEMPE – With Kianna Ibis, Courtney Ekmark, Charnea Johnson-Chapman and Sophia Elenga gone from Arizona State’s 2019 NCAA Sweet 16 team, Sun Devil women’s basketball coach Charli Turner Thorne knew this season’s team would be different.

But also fast and familiar.

Turner Thorne said the Sun Devils will be a more perimeter-oriented team this season, and will have to shoot the ball well to succeed. She added, though, that the Sun Devils are deeper, especially at the guard position, which will allow them to play a more typical ASU style.

Continue reading “Charlie Turner Thorne’s ASU women return to fast and familiar form this season”

G League’s Highsmith shows perseverance whether in Phoenix or Philadelphia

by Bob Young
  • Slug: Sports-Highsmith Hoops, 1,475 words.
  • No photo available.

By Dylan Hunter Carter

Cronkite News

PHOENIX – Working to solidify his place in the professional basketball landscape, forward Haywood Highsmith maintains a humble and diligent mindset everywhere he goes, and for now that is to the G League affiliate of the Philadelphia 76ers.

Highsmith was expected to sign what is known as an Exhibit 10 contract with the Phoenix Suns and join them at training camp, but he had a change of heart and returned to the 76ers organization under the same kind of contract. Exhibit 10 deals are one-year contracts that pay the NBA’s minimum salary, but include bonuses.

It isn’t the first time that Highsmith has swallowed his pride to chase a basketball dream.

Continue reading “G League’s Highsmith shows perseverance whether in Phoenix or Philadelphia”

Fall League players aren’t big fans of ‘Robo Ump’

by Bob Young
  • Slug: Sports-Fall League Robo Ump, about 900 words.
  • Photos available.

By Nick Aguilera
Cronkite News

SCOTTSDALE – The 1987 movie “RoboCop” warned us of a future in which robots take over and police our every action.

It’s starting to look as if the future that the classic film depicted has arrived – at least in the Arizona Fall League.

During the 2019 AFL season, Major League Baseball tested out an automated ball-strike system, or ABS for short, for the first time in an MLB-affiliated league. Commonly known as “Robo Ump,” the ABS system was first tested in the independent Atlantic League before finding its way to Salt River Fields – the only stadium in the AFL equipped with the system and home to the Salt River Rafters and the Scottsdale Scorpions.

Continue reading “Fall League players aren’t big fans of ‘Robo Ump’”

With GCU setting the standard, Arizona is becoming a hotbed of college esports

by Bob Young
  • Slug: Sports-College Esports, about 785 words.
  • Photos available.

By Warren Younger
Cronkite News

PHOENIX – Arizona State and Arizona are regarded as the pillars of collegiate athletics in the state, and the same is proving true in collegiate esports. Both schools recently showed their potential at the inaugural Arizona Esports Collegiate Cup at the Arizona State Fair.

The Sun Devils defeated the Wildcats for first place in that tournament, but while ASU and Arizona may have the best Overwatch teams right now, their team leaders agree that it is Grand Canyon that is setting the standard for overall esports programs in the state.

Credit Albert Lee, GCU’s esports coordinator, for setting a high bar. Since he was hired to lead the school’s esports initiative in August 2018, he has overseen the construction of a massive esports arena and the implementation of new scholarships for the program’s most important teams. Creating these resources for the school’s 19 teams, Lee said, is new territory.

Continue reading “With GCU setting the standard, Arizona is becoming a hotbed of college esports”

Arizona Fall League is a showcase for future major league stars

by Bob Young
  • Slug: Sports-Arizona Fall League, about 865 words.
  • No photos available

By Alex Simon
Cronkite News

SCOTTSDALE — Maybe nobody in baseball enjoyed the epic 2019 All-Star Home Run Derby more than officials of the Arizona Fall League. The contest came down to rookies Vladimir Guerrero Jr. of the Toronto Blue Jays and Pete Alonso of the New York Mets, two sluggers who only months before had been playing in the Fall League.

Alonso beat Guerrero in the final 23-22, hitting a record number of home runs in the final round. It was familiar firepower to those in the Fall League, where Alonso tied for the league lead in home runs in 2018 and the duo tied for the lead in doubles.

Daniel Kurish, media communications coordinator for the Arizona Fall League, said the Home Run Derby was “perfect” exposure for the Fall League.

Continue reading “Arizona Fall League is a showcase for future major league stars”

Phoenix Rising’s Dumbuya warming up to life in the desert

by Bob Young
  • Slug: Sports-hoenix Rising Dumbuya, 875 words
  • Photos and caption attached below.

By Owain Evans
Cronkite News

TEMPE – The monsoon storm that blew through the Valley earlier this week was a welcome sight for at least one Phoenix Rising player.

“The heat’s been getting to me lately,” said Mustapha Dumbuya, who joined the Rising over the winter after playing a few seasons with Partick Thistle in Scotland’s top-flight and living in the cool, wet climate of Glasgow, Scotland.

“I’ve been crying out for a bit of rain.”

With rain comes lightning, and Dumbuya provides more than his fair share of that in the full-back position for the Rising, with speed that assistant coach Peter Ramage claimed is enough to “catch pigeons.”

Continue reading “Phoenix Rising’s Dumbuya warming up to life in the desert”

‘Madhouse on McDowell’ will serve as temporary home of Phoenix Mercury

by Bob Young
  • Slug: Sports-Mercury Coliseum. About 850 words.
  • Photos attached (thumbnails and captions attached below).

By Jacob Rosenfarb
Cronkite News

PHOENIX — Professional basketball returned to its roots near the heart of Phoenix Wednesday when the Phoenix Mercury announced that they will play their home games during the 2020 season at Arizona Veterans Memorial Coliseum as Talking Stick Resort Arena undergoes a $230-million renovation.

Dubbed the “Madhouse on McDowell” by longtime Phoenix Suns broadcaster Al McCoy, the Coliseum’s unique shape and rich history make it a fixture of the Arizona sports landscape. Seating approximately 14,000 for basketball, it served as the home of the Suns for 24 seasons and was known for its intimacy — and acoustics.

Continue reading “‘Madhouse on McDowell’ will serve as temporary home of Phoenix Mercury”