Tag: football

‘Pay to Play’ an increasing burden for parents of Arizona high school athletes

by Paola Boivin
  • Slug: Pay to Play, 1,400 words
  • Photo available

By BRITTANY BOWYER
Cronkite News

PHOENIX – When Denise Wilson’s children first approached her about participating in high school sports, she had no idea how much it would cost. She knew she would have to supply them with the proper shoes and attire, but she never imagined the total cost over the years would exceed $7,000.

“They don’t tell us where the money is going,” Wilson said. “They just keep asking for more money and we have to pay it.”

Ranking 49th nationally for education funding, Arizona’s budget for public schools is a controversial issue in the state. Low teacher salaries and elective cutbacks all are impacted. So, too, are extracurricular activities, and with fall sports under way, parents are facing a rude awakening: More and more schools districts are charging steep fees for athletics, more commonly referred to as “pay to play.”

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Supersize me: ASU’s new video board looks to enhance fan experience

by Paola Boivin
  • Slug: Sports-ASU VIDEOBOARD, approximately 500 words
  • Photo available

By REINERT TOFT
Cronkite News

TEMPE – Watching replays used to be a struggle for students seated in the south end zone of Sun Devil Stadium.

The video boards were behind them.

When they return to that same student section on August 31 against New Mexico State, they will be able to watch close plays on a new 5,400-square-foot video display behind the north end zone.

Continue reading “Supersize me: ASU’s new video board looks to enhance fan experience”

Tom Brady’s concussion silence triggers concern for Valley’s young football players

by Paola Boivin
  • Slug: Sports-Youth concussion, 650 words
  • Photo available

By FELISA CÁRDENAS
Cronkite News

PHOENIX — Gisele Bündchen, wife of New England Patriots quarterback Tom Brady, recently told a national audience on “CBS This Morning” that her husband had a concussion last year but “we don’t talk about it.”

Soon others players around the NFL acknowledged that they played with what the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention defines as a traumatic brain injury.

That behavior sends the wrong message to youth, according to a Valley sports psychologist and local football coach, and teaching self-reporting must take priority.

“I think coaches now a day have to be super aware,”  McClintock High School football coach Corbin Smith said. “Protect themselves and their kids, first and foremost.”

Continue reading “Tom Brady’s concussion silence triggers concern for Valley’s young football players”

Changes, competition highlight start of Arizona State spring football

by Paola Boivin
  • Slug: Sports-ASU football preview, 507 words
  • Photos available.

By CHRISTOPHER WHITCOMB
Cronkite News

TEMPE — The sound of whistles, plays being run and Todd Graham’s voice radiating from practice field speakers Tuesday signaled the beginning of spring practice for the 2017 Arizona State football team.

The Sun Devils are looking forward to a fresh start this season with changes to their coaching staff and the addition of touted quarterback Blake Barnett, who transferred from Alabama.

They are coming off a pair of disappointing seasons that resulted in sub .500 records and unfulfilled expectations.

Continue reading “Changes, competition highlight start of Arizona State spring football”