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June 18 - June 24, 2021 Vol. 19, Issue 43 www.sportspagdfw.com FREE 2 June 18, 2021 - June 24, 2021 | The Page Weekly | Volume 19 Issue 43 | www.sportspagedfw.com | follow us on twitter @sportspagdfw.com Follow us on twitter @sportspagedfw | www.sportspagedfw.com | The Sports Page Weekly | Volume 19 - Issue 43 | June 18, 2021 - June 24, 2021 3 June 17, 2021 - June 24, 2021 AROUND THE AREA Vol. 19, Issue 43 LOCAL NEWS OF INTEREST sportspagedfw.com Established 2002 Doncic earns All-NBA first team Cover Photo: AROUND THE AREA the league MVP Nikola Joki led Denver in history to average at least 35-7-10 in a 4 all three this ). playoff series. RANGERS REPORT After recording a league-high 50 20-5-5 Doncic led Dallas outright in points and 5 BY DIC HUMPHREY in 2019-20, Doncic finished second assists in all seven games, joining Oscar , ETC to Joki (50) with 49 such games in 2020-21. Robertson (1963 conference finals vs. 6 BY TOM WARD The former MVP also finished BOS) and James (2018 first round vs. U.S OPEN CHAMPIONSHIP second to Portland’s Damian Lillard (60) IND) as the only players in league history 7 BY PGATOUR.COM Luka Doncic earns second consecutive with 57 20- games and ranked third in to lead their team in points and assists in NINE THINGS TO KNOW ABOUT All-NBA first team selection 25-point games (45) and fourth in 30-point all seven games of a series. 8 TORREY PINES Mavericks guard Luka Doncic was efforts (26) and triple-doubles (11). Doncic is now averaging 33.5 points, BY PGATOUR.COM named to the 2020-21 All-NBA First Doncic climbed into 11th place on the 8.8 rebounds and 9.5 assists through 13 HOLE BY HOLE LOOK AT Team, marking the second straight year he NBA’s all-time triple-doubles list in 2020- career playoff games. Not only is he the 9 TORREY PINES BY PGATOUR.COM has garnered All-NBA First Team honors. 21 (36) and is eight triple-doubles shy of sole player in NBA history with career Doncic becomes the youngest player in passing Fat Lever (43) for 10th place all- playoff averages of at least 30.0 points, 8.0 2021 COLLEGE 10 PREVIEW league history to earn multiple All-NBA time. He scored 25-plus points in a career- rebounds and 8.0 assists per , but he BY NCAA.COM First Team selections. He joins Kevin high 14 straight games (1/22-2/14), setting has now surpassed (33.4 ONE WIN AWAY FROM THE Durant, and Max Zaslofsky as a new franchise record for most consecu- ppg) for the highest career scoring average one of four players to garner multiple All- tive 25-point efforts. He also hit two game- in postseason history (min. 10 games). 12 BY BO CARTER NBA First Team accolades before age 23. winning 3-pointers with under a second 2021 NCBWA ALL-AMERICA The third-year guard also joins George remaining (2/23 vs. BOS; 4/14 at MEM). 13 TEAM BY NBWA.COM Gervin, David Thompson, Larry Bird, The 22-year-old started his second Mavs and Donnie Nelson mutually agree , Penny Hardaway and Tim straight All-Star Game in 2020-21, becom- to part ways NEWS AND 14 NOTES Duncan as one of seven players since the ing the sixth player in NBA history to start DALLAS — The Mavericks and BY BO CARTER ABA/NBA merger (1976-77) to earn two- multiple All-Star games before their 23rd Donnie Nelson have mutually agreed to or-more All-NBA First Team selections birthday (LeBron James, , part ways. Nelson, who owns 36 years of 18 THE TICKET WINDOW within their first three seasons. Isiah Thomas, Shaquille O’Neal, Barry). NBA experience, came to Dallas on Jan. 2, Doncic (6-7, 230) averaged a team-best He was also named the Western Conference 1998 and recently completed his 24th sea- AUTO REVIEW 27.7 points, 8.0 rebounds, a team-high 8.6 Player of the Week three times (1/4-1/10; son. 19 BY KBB.COM assists and a team-high 34.3 minutes in 66 3/29-4/4; 4/19-4/25), joining Dirk Nowitzki During his tenure, the Mavericks have games (all starts) this season. He ranked (four times, 2009-10) as the only players in made the in 17 of the last 21 sea- sixth in the NBA in scoring, 21st in franchise history to garner the award three- sons, been to the Western Conference Follow us on rebounding and fifth in assists, finishing in or-more times in a single season. Finals three times, advanced to the NBA the top 25 for all three categories for the In the postseason, Doncic increased his Finals twice, captured three division titles Twitter & Facebook second year in a row. scoring average to a league-best 35.7 (2007, 2010, 2021) and won their first The Slovenian led the NBA in 30-point, points to go along with 7.9 rebounds and a World Championship in 2011. Since twitter.com/sportspagedfw five-rebound, five-assist games (22) and team-high 10.3 assists while logging a Nelson joined the franchise the Mavericks 25-5-5 efforts (38). He led Dallas in points, team-high 40.2 minutes in seven first have won 58.0% (1,087 of 1,873) of their facebook.com/sportspageweek- rebounds and assists in the same game 22 round games against the L.A. Clippers. 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4 June 18, 2021 - June 24, 2021 | The Sports Page Weekly | Volume 19 Issue 43 | www.sportspagedfw.com | follow us on twitter @sportspagdfw.com RANGERS WITH DIC HUMPHREY Pitchers not happy with new rules

agreement this off season. played with one set of rules for most of the The memo that MLB issued earlier this first half, and another set of rules for the week lists rosin as the only acceptable sub- rest of the season. stance for pitchers. Many pitchers have The Dallas Morning News’ Evan Grant used sunscreen in the past, which has not has dubbed the situation “spin gate”. been shown to increase spin rates, but sun- Perhaps the threat of enforcement will be screen was banned. The reaction of play- enough to keep the pitchers from cheating. ers particularly on social media was out- The intent is to bring more offense to the rage. One thought was that this could be game. Hopefully, that will happen. With dangerous for hitters. Pitchers fear their hitters largely concentrating on the three control will not be as good without using outcomes Ð , walk, and home grip enhancing substances such that more Ð the old fashion rally is almost a thing of batters will get hit. One counter to that the past. Perhaps this brings it back. argument is that hitters are already getting Ultimately, the best solution to the hit by pitches at a record high rate this sea- problem is a stickier ball. MLB is said to son. be working on this at high speed. That still The enforcement of these new anti-grip begs the question as to why it has taken so rules will be done by umpires. It is not a long? The problem has been obvious for responsibility that they want. Umpires are years. Why is that simple solution not already under fire as television continues to already in place? Spin gate is the biggest show pitches they called incorrectly during cheating scandal since the Astros electroni- games. Even a league official was quoted cally stealing signs in the World Series. saying, “It’s impossible to ask umpires to When the crack down came on that situa- distinguish between substances in real tion, Astros’ players were not punished. time.” This time around, the players that cheat The new rules go into effect this will be penalized. The whole situation has Monday, June 21. The umpires will be “trouble” written all over it. randomly checking pitchers for foreign NOTABLE: substances on their glove, cap and uniform. ¥ The traded for Dodgers’ If a pitcher is caught with a banned sub- pitcher Dennis Santana this week and The new rules go into effect this Monday, June 21 stance, he will be ejected from the game assigned him to AAA Round Rock. Los and suspended for 10 games with pay. Angeles received left-handed pitcher the .230-.235 range and could easily end Note that the rules do not allow teams to Kelvin Bautista in return. To make room up being the all-time low. Unquestionably, replace suspended pitchers on their roster for Santana on the 40-man roster, Hyeon- MLB is looking into ways to increase while suspended. They will be playing Jong Yang was designated for assignment. offense to make the game more fan with a short roster. Santana has appeared in 32 Major League friendly. This whole situation adds up to a mess. games since the 2018 season without much A is slick. Pitchers are not happy. Umpires are not success, but he has an intriguing three pitch Pitchers have forever been allowed to use a happy. The randomness of checking pitch- repertoire. All of his Major League rosin bag to give pitchers a better grip on ers seemingly invites inequities in enforce- appearances have been in relief, but he was the ball. With the spin rate revolution, ment. These new rules come in the middle usually a starting pitcher in the minor pitchers have turned to other substances of the season. Certainly, MLB had notified leagues. BY DIC HUMPHREY that allows pitchers to increase the spin teams something like this will likely be [email protected] rate. MLB told teams in coming, but basically, the season will be MEMBER: USBWA that they were studying the issue of using foreign substances to increase spin rates The recent poplar statistic in the realm and warned that rule modifications in this of pitching is “spin rate”. That is the rate area could be coming. This week, MLB of the spin on the ball coming out of the issued new protocols in a nine-page memo- pitchers’ hand. The realization of higher randum. It has not been received well by spin rates adds velocity has led pitchers to players. seek chemical enhancements to maximize First, there is a tremendous amount of the spin rate. They have been successful. distrust between players and management. The average Major League fastball these Fans certainly saw that last season as man- days is more than 94 miles per hour, an agement and players worked through how increase of five miles in a very few years. to have a season considering the COVID- The high water mark for pitching domi- 19 pandemic. Once again on this foreign nance is 1968. Batting averages were low substance issue, players reacted negatively. as pitchers dominated hitters as never They had no input into formulating these before. After that season, the mound was new protocols, heightening the distrust. lowered to give less advantage to pitchers, On the other side of the coin, MLB has and ultimately the was indicated that they invited the Players instituted to increase offense in the game. Union to give input, but the invitation was This season may match 1968 for offen- never accepted. This can not bode well for sive ineptitude. The overall batting average agreeing on a new collective bargaining in Major League baseball now hovers in

Follow us on twitter @sportspagedfw | www.sportspagedfw.com | The Sports Page Weekly | Volume 19 - Issue 43 | June 18, 2021 - June 24, 2021 5 GOLF, ETC. WITH TOM WARD A conversation with

hitting all 18 greens brought more credibil- ity to my game. It got a lot of attention because of the way I played on Sunday. I think the first major of your career impacts you more than the second one. TW: During that period of time you were playing very well. Did you make any major adjustments in your golf swing? TOM WARD DG: Gary Player was very instrumental in [email protected] telling me to start swinging a weighed club. He felt that my swing was a little bit This weekend, the best golfers in the too short. I wasn’t quite getting the club all world will battle it out at the 121st U.S. the way back to parallel. He thought I Open, which is being contested at Torrey would play better golf and longer and have Pines in San Diego. A new champion will more longevity if I got the shaft back fur- be crowned on Sunday, but the winner will ther. So I worked on that for quite some be hard pressed to replicate what happened time. I got a little closer to the ball, but I 40 years ago during the final round of the think lengthening my swing was the most David Graaham won the 1981 U.S Open at Merion Golf Club 1981 U.S. Open at Merion Golf Club in important thing. Philadelphia. TW: When you arrived at Merion Golf think I birdied 14 and 15, so I was a couple ety golf shaft called the ‘Apex’. It was the Australian David Graham entered the club for the 81’ U.S. Open was that the in front. I knew coming down the stretch first light weight shaft to come out on mar- final round three shots behind the leader first time you ever played the course? 16, 17 and 18 were maybe the most diffi- ket by True Temper and it was very popu- George Burns. He proceeded to make up What were your impressions? cult holes on the course. The tee shot I hit lar. He had an Apex 5 which was a very those shots in the first four holes and went DG: Yes. I played Thursday morning and at 16 was a good one right in the middle of stiff lightweight shaft and a lot of people on to win by two shots, shooting a 67 and shot 67 or something. Then, the fairway. I hit a great 2nd shot to about wanted it. I won both of my majors with missing only the first fairway off the tee and I jumped into a car and went over to 15 feet from the pin. The hardest shot was Apex shafts. Hogan would allow me to get and hitting all 18 greens in regulation. play Pine Valley. I liked Merion, which is the drive at 18. I still had memories of hit- shafts at his factory and we would go into Graham put on a dazzling display of one of the great golf courses in the world. ting my tee shot to the right at Oakland his office to chat or go have lunch. I had a precision shot making that hasn’t been seen At the time, it was a good style of golf Hills (site of 79’ PGA Championship). It’s very nice relationship with him. ever since. With his win, he became the course. You’ve got to keep the ball on the unbelievable what creeps into your head. TW: Will you watch this year’s U.S. first Australian to win the U.S. Open and fairway which is conducive to good iron There was out of bounds on the left, so it Open? would go on to win eight times on the play. Putting there was difficult because was a hard drive. I drove it right into the DG: Yes. I watched the last 18 of the PGA PGA Tour with his most significant victo- you couldn’t run the tables on the greens. middle of the fairway. Burns( George) hit it seeing Phil(Mickelson) win. I watched with ries being the two majors he won at 79’ Trying to keep saving pars getting it up and to the right into the junk and it was just great interest on Saturday and Sunday at PGA Championship and the 81’ U.S. Open. down there was very difficult that’s why about impossible to play a good shot out of Muirfield (Memorial which After turning 50, Graham would win hitting greens and getting two putts was that thick rough. It wasn’t until then, that I Graham won in 1980). I felt bad for Jon five times on the Champions Tour. important. felt I had won. Rahm (withdraw because of testing posi- Graham’s career accomplishments in TW: You always appeared calm under TW: After your last putt dropped and you tive for Covid). professional golf would take up an entire pressure. Did you incorporate any tech- won what happened next ? Any particular TW: What are your thoughts on the cur- column and then some. His game traveled niques to help yourself relax down the memories sticks out? rent players and who do you like at the well as he won all over the globe with 37 stretch when things got intense? DG: A lot of things actually. The letter U.S. Open this week? wins on 6 different continents. In 2015, DG: Not really. From 1976 to until 1982, I that Jack Nicklaus put in my locker which DG: I’m surprised (Rory) McIlroy hasn’t Graham was inducted into the exclusive played 90% of my practice rounds with was really nice. Bruce Devlin (Australian) done more in majors. I really like his golf World Golf Hall of Fame in Scotland. Jack Nicklaus. We would go to Augusta was in the locker room and came over to game and I think he has the best golf swing David and his wife Maureen have every Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday a shake my hand. I remember buying every- out there. The young boy from Dallas Will called Dallas home since 1980. Recently, I week before the Masters. I got to watch body champagne. I remember Jim McKay Zalatoris is a candidate to win something spoke with Graham to talk about his epic him and talk to him and I asked him a lot (ABC Sports anchor) saying some nice soon. There are so many good players out U.S. Open. of questions. He was always I thought, the things about me. Bob Rosburg (ABC there. When we played, there were 16 to 20 TW: David, This is the 40th anniversary most level headed player because he never Sports) was the walker with us in the last good players to watch out for, now there of your U.S. Open victory. Does it feel showed a lot of expression with highs or group. He was the one that commented are over a hundred good players that can that long ago to you? lows. He was just very calm and I think about me hitting all 18 greens. I was com- win. Marc Leishman (Australian) is a good DG: No, I can’t believe how time flies. I playing with him helped me. Just seeing pletely oblivious to that. It sounds a bit player without a major. It’s nearly impossi- think good lord where has all that time his methodical preparation and under pres- cliché’, but I was a one shot at a time kind ble to pick a winner. Dustin Johnson and gone. sure he seemed to always be relaxed. of player. Later, Maureen and I went to the Justin Thomas are some other ones. TW: Prior to winning the 81’ U.S. Open, TW: Going into that final round at airport and got on our flight and flew back Whoever ends up hoisting the trophy on you won your first major, the PGA Merion how were you feeling? to Dallas to be with our two boys. We were Sunday will join an elite group of players Championship in 79’. Do you think that DG: The only thing I knew was that I was lucky that there was a later flight. to hold the prestigious title of U.S. Open win had an impact on your career? playing well. I was three shots behind and I TW: Merion G.C. is where Texans Ben Champion. It’s highly unlikely that the DG: No question about it. That win gave think that I was very fortunate that I got off Hogan (‘50) and Lee Trevino (‘71) both winner will match Graham’s feat of hitting me a 10 year exemption. With that, I knew to a good start by birdieing the first hole won U.S. Open’s. You and Lee are good 18 greens in a row in a major in the final I was going to be able to play on the tour and then the second hole. All of a sudden, I friends. Did you get to know Hogan at round. Perhaps, the eventual champion will for 10 years. That allowed me and my fam- was tied for the lead and I think that made all? go on to great things in his career that ily to develop a more normal life. I don’t a big difference. I kept looking at the DG: I never saw Hogan play golf. I had a could lead him down a similar path which think I would have won the U.S. Open if I scoreboard because Nicklaus’s name was number of lunches with him at Shady ultimately took him into the World Golf hadn’t won the PGA (Oakland Hills). The about 4th on the board. I kept thinking if Oaks. I went to his factory there in Ft. Hall of Fame. Happy Father’s Day! Open gets more recognition and in my case he makes two birdies we’re all in trouble. I Worth. In those days, Hogan had a propri- Tom can be contacted at teetimewithtom.com

6 June 18, 2021 - June 24, 2021 | The Sports Page Weekly | Volume 19 Issue 43 | www.sportspagedfw.com | follow us on twitter @sportspagdfw.com GOLF PGA TOUR This Week on TOUR: U.S. Open Woods, who is recovering from injuries sustained in a single-car accident earlier this year. 72-HOLE RECORD: 268, Rory McIlroy (2011 at Congressional CC). 18-HOLE RECORD: 63, Johnny Miller (4th round, 1973 at Oakmont), (1st round, 1980 at Baltusrol), Jack Nicklaus (1st round, 1980 at Baltusrol), Vijay Singh (2nd round, 2003 at Olympia Fields), Justin Thomas (3rd round, 2017 at Erin Hills), Tommy Fleetwood (4th round, 2018 at Shinnecock Hills). LAST TIME: The 2020 U.S. Open was the first event of the 2020-2021 PGA TOUR season last September. Bryson DeChambeau and Matthew Wolff made up the final pairing Sunday, and while Wolff would finish with a 5-over 75, bulked-up DeChambeau stayed steady, overpowering the iconic New York venue. His 3-under 67 saw him reach 6 under for the championship. He beat Wolff by six shots for his maiden major Bryson DeChambeau will bring his power game to the west coast title and was the only golfer to finish the week under par. Louis Oosthuizen (2 Morikawa, and Masters winner Hideki COURSE: Torrey Pines GC (South), par over), Harris English (3 over), and Matsuyama will aim for their second major 71, 7,652 yards (yardage subject to Xander Schauffele (4 over) rounded out title, while Viktor Hovland, Jason Kokrak, change). The storied PGA TOUR host the top five. Tiger Woods won the 2008 and San Diego native Xander Schauffele course is a 36-hole municipal facility that U.S. Open at Torrey Pines in a 19-hole seek their first … World No. 1 Dustin sits on coastal cliffs overlooking the Pacific playoff over Rocco Mediate. It was Johnson seems to have regained his usual Ocean. The South Course, a William F. Woods’ third U.S. Open title and he form just in time for the U.S. Open. He Bell design that was renovated by Rees would go on to have season-ending knee U.S. Open was in second through 36 holes at the Jones in 2001 and 2019, is hosting the surgery eight days later. June 17 - June 20, 2021 Palmetto Championship at Congaree… Of tournament for the second time (2008). the 14 golfers in the field at the 2008 U.S. STORYLINES: Phil Mickelson comes Torrey Pines Golf Course Open at Torrey who are back in the field into the week as the most unlikely and HOW TO FOLLOW San Diego, California for 2021, Lee Westwood, who finished most talked-about recent major winner. (All times Pacific) Purse - 12,500,000 third 13 years ago, leads the way… A Mickelson, who will turn 51 on Winners share: $2,250,000 handful of golfers who are near the top of Wednesday, won the PGA Championship Television: Thursday, 7:45 a.m.-10:30 2020 Champ - Bryson DeChambeau the Korn Ferry Tour Points List Ð and who in May and in the process became the old- a.m. (Peacock), 10:30 a.m.-5 p.m. (Golf have already secured a PGA TOUR card est major winner in history. He has a Channel), 5 p.m.-8 p.m. (NBC), 8 p.m.-9 By Adam Stanley for next season Ð qualified for Torrey. They record six runner-up finishes in the U.S. p.m. (Peacock). Friday, 7:45 a.m.-10:30 PGATOUR.COM include Greyson Sigg (3rd), Taylor Open, the one major between him and the a.m. (Peacock), 10:30 a.m.-4 p.m. (Golf After a rare fall date due to the pan- Pendrith (4th), Will Zalatoris (6th, although career Grand Slam. He had earned a spe- Channel), 4 p.m.-7 p.m. (NBC), 7 p.m.-8 demic, the U.S. Open returns to its regular Zalatoris earned a spot thanks to his T6 in cial exemption this year, but with his PGA p.m. (Golf Channel), 8 p.m.-9 p.m. spot on the PGA TOUR schedule and will Winged Foot in 2020), and Paul Barjon victory, he didn’t need it… Patrick Reed, (Peacock). Saturday, 9 a.m.-7 p.m. (NBC), finish up at Torrey Pines South on Father’s (8th)… Cameron Young won back-to-back who won the at 10 a.m.-6 p.m. (NBC). Day. starts on the Korn Ferry Tour and made it Torrey earlier in the year, is looking for his Radio: Thursday-Friday, 5 p.m.-10 p.m. Bryson DeChambeau, who turned the through sectional qualifying in New second major championship title. He will ET. Saturday, 4 p.m.-9 p.m. Sunday, 3 golf world upside down with his U.S. Open York… Seven amateurs made the field, try to join Ben Hogan, Tiger Woods, and p.m.-8 p.m. (SiriusXM 92) victory at Winged Foot last September, will including Cole Hammer, who also played Jack Nicklaus as the only golfers to win a For more live streaming information, bring his power game from East to West in the 2015 U.S. Open at Chambers Bay, PGA TOUR event and the U.S. Open on check the official USGA Viewing Coast as Torrey Pines hosts the tournament when he was 15… Sahith Theegala, who the same course in the same year… The Schedule. for the first time since Tiger Woods’ victo- swept the 2020 Haskins, Ben Hogan, and 10-day isolation period for Jon Rahm, who NOTE: The USGA, who owns and oper- ry in 2008. Nicklaus Awards as college golf’s top play- withdrew from the Memorial as the 54- ates the U.S. Open, controls all digital FIELD NOTES: FedExCup leader er, will play his first major as a profession- hole leader due to testing positive for streaming and broadcast rights to this Patrick Cantlay is coming off a victory at al... Garrick Higgo, up to No. 39 in the COVID-19, will end on Tuesday of U.S. event. For more information on how to the Memorial and looking for his first world after his win at the Palmetto Open week… Two sets of brothers made watch this week, please visit the U.S. major triumph… Brooks Koepka was the Championship at Congaree, is in the field the field Ð Alvaro and Carlos Ortiz; Open’s website. PGA TOUR LIVE cover- last golfer to defend his U.S. Open title along with another exciting young South Edoardo and Francesco Molinari Ð for the age will resume on Thursday, June 24 at (2017-18). Prior to Koepka, Curtis Strange African, long-hitting Wilco Nienaber. first time since 1990… Two eligible play- the Travelers Championship. was the last man to go back-to-back 30 FEDEXCUP: Winner receives 600 ers won’t tee it up: Mikko Korhonen of years ago… Justin Thomas, Collin FedExCup points. Finland and 2008 U.S. Open winner Tiger

Follow us on twitter @sportspagedfw | www.sportspagedfw.com | The Sports Page Weekly | Volume 19 - Issue 43 | June 18, 2021 - June 24, 2021 7 Nine things about Torrey Pines South

Additionally, the picturesque, 195-yard third hole, which plays downhill into the prevailing wind, is still the signature par 3. With multiple teeing areas and wind direc- tions, it can call for anything from a pitch- ing wedge to a long iron. As in ’08, the dogleg-right sixth hole, which plays as a 560-yard par 5 during the Farmers Insurance Open, will be converted to a 515-yard par 4. The easiest hole in ’08 was the 568- yard, par-5 18th (4.79 average), the site of the do-or-die Woods’ putt, and Dan Hicks’ call: “Expect anything different?” Expect it to be the easiest this time around, as well. 7. Torrey Pines Lodge has transformed, too The sprawling hotel nestled up against the 18th hole has also changed appearances. It was originally built as a 74-room inn Tiger Woods putts on the second hole during the 108th U.S. Open at the Torrey Pines Golf Course in 2008. (Doug Pensinger/Getty Images) in 1961. It was closed in 2000 for a total remodel, and reopened in ’02 as a 170- room luxury hotel in early California It’s a slightly different course from the of “A Flora of New York State.” Torrey father’s contributions to Bel-Air, Riviera craftsman style, with two restaurants and one that hosted the 2008 U.S. Open never visited the region, but Parry sent him and Los Angeles country clubs, and the lounges. It has AAA Five Diamond rating. samples of the tree. son’s involvement in Sandpiper and 8. Tiger isn’t the only big name there By Cameron Morfit 2. It was a military training camp Industry Hills golf clubs, and Bermuda In addition to winning the ’08 U.S. PGATOUR.COM Camp Callan opened on what is now Dunes Country Club. Open, Woods has won the Farmers The 121st Open returns to Torrey Pines Golf Course in 1941, just 5. It has had many redesigns Insurance Open seven times Ð including Torrey Pines South this week, bringing prior to the Pearl Harbor invasion. It was Rees Jones (2001, 2019) isn’t the only four straight from ’05 to ’08 – at Torrey memories of Tiger Woods’ playoff victory used for anti-aircraft artillery replenish- one to have a hand in transforming Torrey South. over Rocco Mediate in 2008. ment, and roughly 15,000 people lived on South. But Tom Weiskopf is another big name A lot of things have changed 13 years site. There were movie theaters and Billy Casper, perhaps the most famous at Torrey. He redesigned the North Course later Ð the most jarring being Woods’ chapels, among other conveniences. golfer in San Diego history, and architect in 2016, and won what would become the absence due to injuries sustained in a sin- After WWII, the government sold the David Rainville oversaw the first redesign Farmers in its first year using Torrey South gle-car accident in February. Xander land and buildings back to the city of San in the mid-1970s. Stephen Halsey and Jack in 1968. (It used a variety of sites, primari- Schauffele, one of the pre-tournament Diego. Lumber from the buildings would Daray, Jr., redid it in ’88. ly Stardust Country Club, before that.) favorites this week, was a teenage fan be used to build housing for veterans. In the spring of ’99 the City of San Jack Nicklaus won in ’69, so you could watching from a tree in ’08. 3. It was a racecourse Diego Parks and Recreation began a five- say Torrey South got off to a solid start. The golf course, which Rees Jones ren- The term “driver” once meant some- year capital improvement program for the 9. Phil Mickelson still has good vibes ovated again in 2019, is also different. It thing completely different at Torrey. After courses. Jones moved four green structures Phil Mickelson, who is coming off a has hosted the San Diego City Amateur, Camp Callan, the land was repurposed to and added 10 new tees to stretch the course stunning victory at the PGA Championship the Junior World, the Farmers Insurance build a grand prix racecourse, hosting car- from 7,000 to nearly 7,600 yards. last month and needs only to win the U.S. Open, and now, for the second time, it will racing contests that included some of the The most difficult hole in ’08 was the Open to complete the career Grand Slam, be the setting for the U.S. Open Ð playing biggest names in driving. Among them narrow, 501-yard, par-4 12th, which often has admitted to struggling at Torrey South at 7,652 yards as a par 71, with a few sub- were Carol Shelby, who was played by plays into the wind coming in off the since Rees Jones redesigned it in 2001. tle changes. Matt Damon in the movie “Ford vs. Pacific Ocean. Two new bunkers were Paul Azinger speculated on an NBC con- Here are nine things about Torrey Pines Ferrari.” The last race was held in 1956. added in the ’19 Jones redesign, but that’s ference call that he lost his advantage of South. 4. A father-son team built the courses not all he changed. knowing the greens. Mickelson faulted his 1. It is named for a tree and a man William P. Bell, who was born in 1886 A new tee and two new bunkers down too-aggressive style of play, especially on The Torrey pine Ð which is featured in and apprenticed under Willie Watson and the left side have added a new wrinkle to approach shots. the trophy for the Farmers Insurance Open, George Thomas, Jr., was a turf consultant the 612-yard, par-5 13th hole. A new tee Still, it’s worth remembering that he the annual PGA TOUR stop Ð is native for the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers dur- has added 37 yards to the par-4 15th hole, won what we now know as the Farmers only to the 36-hole golf complex, Torrey ing WWII, and shortly after that was joined as has a new low chipping area front-left of Insurance Open in 1993 and 2000 Ð halting Pines State Reserve next door, and Santa by son William F. Bell in the family golf the green, which will collect errant shots. Tiger’s six-tournament winning streak Ð Rosa Island (near Santa Barbara). course design business. A new tee has been added to the left of and 2001. The tree features clusters of five pine A special city election in ’56 led to the the previous tee on 17, creating a new “I tried to force it,” Mickelson said needles, and because it is protected, when dedication of roughly 100 acres of the for- angle that favors a draw into the fairway. recently of his struggles since then. “A lot some 30 Torrey pines were removed from mer Camp Callan being set aside for the The hole features the shallowest par-4 of pins you can't go to, you have to play the South Course they were simply relocat- creation of a golf course. William P. had green, 26 yards. 60, 50 feet away and a lot of holes I get ed and transplanted. the original vision for Torrey Pines, but he 6. There will be similarities to ’08 overly aggressive, obviously that's my Although early Spanish explorers cer- had died by the time Torrey Pines was The fairways and rough are still mostly nature. There's a proper way to play it, and tainly knew of the tree, Dr. Charles built. His son, William F., oversaw its cre- kikuyu, the greens poa annua. Devlin’s I've seen it and I want to have the disci- Christopher Parry, a botanist for the U.S.- ation in the late 50s. Billabong, the large bowl of soup fronting pline to do it and so I want to spend some Boundary Survey, officially dis- The City of San Diego Parks & the 18th green, is still the only water haz- time out there to develop a good game covered it. He named it for his mentor, Dr. Recreation has called them “California’s ard (other than the Pacific Ocean). The plan.” John Torrey, who had co-written “A Flora First Family of Golf Course Design,” not- 387-yard second hole is still the only par 4 of North America” and was the solo author ing their work on Torrey Pines, but also the under 400 yards.

8 June 18, 2021 - June 24, 2021 | The Sports Page Weekly | Volume 19 Issue 43 | www.sportspagedfw.com | follow us on twitter @sportspagdfw.com left of the fairway, players need to play the ball safely out to the right, probably with a fairway wood. The most difficult hole loca- tion will be back right, but any shots missed long could result in bogey or worse, as there are hazards just off the back of the green.

HOLE #15 PAR 4, 513 Yards Players who shape their shots will not find much room here. Eucalyptus trees pro- tect both sides of this tight fairway and the slightly uphill green slopes aggressively from right to left. Shots coming from the right had better land softly if a player wants to have putter in hand for his third shot.

HOLE #16 PAR 3, 223 Yards Two teeing grounds will have a dramat- ic effect on how this hole is played. The shorter tee, to the left, brings two greenside bunkers into play, but players can aim right The first hole ranks among the hardest opening holes anywhere on the PGA TOUR and ride the prevailing breeze. The front of the green is open from the longer tee, but HOLE #1 ficulty on the second shot will be getting a HOLE #12 the wind can complicate the angle. PAR 4, 446 Yards long approach to land softly on the green. PAR 4, 501 Yards The tee shot on this slight dogleg right A generous fairway invites players to be HOLE #17 should favor the left of the fairway, leaving HOLE #7 aggressive off the tee. Anything less than a PAR 4, 440 Yards a clear path to a green that slopes up and PAR 4, 460 Yards well-struck drive won't allow golfers to A high draw from the tee will take the away from the approach. The green is pro- A precise tee shot that avoids the single reach in two. The ideal position for those fairway bunker on the right, 275 yards tected on both sides by bunkers. fairway bunker left and the canyon along who miss the green is short, since the away, out of play. That will leave a middle- the right will set up an approach to an green, which runs some 35 yards deep, is to-short-iron approach to an elevated, wide HOLE #2 uphill green that is deceptively narrow, receptive to uphill chip shots. and severely undulating green protected by PAR 4, 387 Yards especially in the back. two bunkers in front. The safe play is a tee shot down the left HOLE #13 that should find a flat part of the fairway HOLE #8 PAR 5, 612 Yards HOLE #18 from which players can hit full shots of PAR 3, 173 Yards The championship tee, which is back PAR 5, 568 Yards about 130 into a green that slopes severely A middle iron will be needed to reach and to the left, calls for a drive of at least The par 5 closing hole is basically from back to front. an undulating, two-tiered green that is not 240 yards to carry the canyon. Should straight but with a twist in the drive zone, fully visible from the tee. Avoiding a large players choose to go for the green in two, where anything can happen. Just ask Bruce HOLE #3 front bunker and reaching the proper level they will need to carry the second shot Devlin. In contention for the 1975 Andy PAR 3, 195 Yards is a must, as it will be difficult to get a long some 260 yards as the green is elevated Williams San Diego Open, the Australian Each day will present a different look, lag putt close to the hole. and protected by bunkers and rough in took six hacks to get his ball out of the as two teeing grounds, with more than 50 front. water in front of the green on his way to yards difference in length, will be used. HOLE #9 making a 10. The pond is now called The two-level putting surface, falling dra- PAR 5, 609 Yards HOLE #14 Devlins Billabong. matically from left to right, is deceptively The par 5 is reachable by only the PAR 4, 434 Yards difficult. The shorter days will get the longest hitters, so most players must hit the With the canyon running all along the tougher hole locations. fairway from the tee to allow an aggressive lay up, which in turn will allow an accurate HOLE #4 third shot and a chance to make birdie. PAR 4, 486 Yards The approach should be a long iron or HOLE #10 utility club to a narrow putting surface that PAR 4, 449 Yards sits hard by the cliffs on this ocean-side par The best way to start the inward nine with a birdie is to hit left center of the fair- HOLE #5 way from the tee, then hit a short iron to a PAR 4, 452 Yards sloping green that is guarded by bunkers on The key on this relatively straight hole the front left and right. is the approach. The ball should come to rest on the front portion of the sloping HOLE #11 green to give any chance of birdie. PAR 3, 222 Yards This par 3 usually plays several yards HOLE #6 longer than its official yardage because it PAR 4, 515 Yards plays into and across the prevailing wind. Players can attack this par 5 by carrying Don't look for many approach shots to the canyon on the right with a high draw. come to rest in the center of the green, as a Otherwise, the prudent tee shot is down the severe slope will filter shots from right to left, avoiding five fairway bunkers. The dif- left. Most consider the eighteenth hole to be the easiest on the course

Follow us on twitter @sportspagedfw | www.sportspagedfw.com | The Sports Page Weekly | Volume 19 - Issue 43 | June 18, 2021 - June 24, 2021 9 COLLEGES COLLEGE WORLD SERIES 2021 College World Series Preview

Stanford Cardinal (31-13) What an impressive super regional win for the Cardinal. Stanford went into Lubbock and swept Texas Tech on its home turf, a home field that the Red Raiders were 4-for-4 in super-regional wins during the Tim Tadlock era. The series- clinching win was a dominant one at that: Alex Williams struck out 10 in a complete- game shutout, while Brock Jones (above) smashed three home runs, knocking in six of the Cardinal's nine runs. Stanford The 2021 Men's College World Series Arizona's lineup has simply been sensa- regional appearance... under four different returns to Omaha for a 17th time and first preview and schedule for Omaha tional all season long. The Wildcats — now head coaches. Chris Lemonis has settled in, since 2008. is making his dubbed the WildBats — enter Omaha with a perfect 2-for-2 in CWS appearances as first trip as Stanford's head coach, but he By Wayne Cavadi the top scoring offense in the field, cross- head coach. The Diamond Dawgs hope has plenty of CWS experience as a NCAA.COM ing home plate 8.6 times per game. They Omaha is deja vu all over again: Cardinal:Esquer played for The 2021 Men's College World Series also have the highest batting average (.329) Mississippi State opened the season with on the 1987 national champion squad. field is set. Stanford and the super-regional on-base percentage (.428) and slugging an 8-3 win over Texas, the same team it surprise NC State Wolfpack will get things percentage (.513) of any of the eight opens against in Omaha. started from TD Ameritrade Park on remaining teams. Arizona advances to NC State Wolfpack (28-15) Saturday, June 19. Before first pitch in Omaha after a 16-3 blowout of Ole Miss in That Wolfpack win was something. Omaha, Neb., let's take a look at the last the super regionals and are making its 18th Plenty has been made about the hurdles eight teams standing in the 2021 college appearance in the CWS. This should set up this team overcame, starting 1-8 in ACC baseball season. a fantastic opening night from Omaha as play but then making it all the way to the So, what do we know about the Omaha the Wildcats' offense draws the pitching of ACC tournament final. Then, after a 21-2 8? Five super regional host seeds — Vanderbilt on June 19. bludgeoning in its super-regional opening Arizona, Mississippi State, Tennessee, game, NC State kept its composure and Texas and Vanderbilt — advanced while took down No. 1-seeded Arkansas in two Arkansas and Texas Tech were ousted. The thrilling one-run games. And it wasn't sim- SEC leads the way with three schools with ply No. 1-seeded Arkansas — it was a both the ACC and Pac-12 represented by team that was headed to one of the greatest two apiece. The state of Tennessee, by the seasons in history, opening way, leads all states with two teams left in the season with three-straight victories (42-14) the hunt. against super-regional hosts and not losing It's been a long time coming, but the Here's a quick look at this season's a weekend series all year. Jose Torres and Volunteers are back in the College World eight teams in Omaha: the Pack didn't seem to care, and NC State Series for the first time since 2005. They is Omaha bound for the first time since reached Omaha on the heels of a 15-6 vic- 2013. tory over SEC adversary LSU, a game in Here's an interesting tidbit. This past which Tennessee set the NCAA tournament Mississippi State Bulldogs (40-13) Saturday in the DII baseball championship program record with six home runs. Jake Omaha is becoming a home away from game, Wingate — a small school from Rucker led the way with two blasts as five home for the Diamond Dawgs. This is the North Carolina — took down the No. 1- different Vols homered. The win also kept third consecutive trip to TD Ameritrade seeded Central Missouri Mules in a historic Tennessee a perfect 5-0 against LSU this Park for Mississippi State, which is the upset for its first-ever national champi- season, the first time a team beat LSU five longest current streak in college baseball. onship. Later that day, NC State — also a times in a season since 1984. Blake The Starkville faithful certainly helped, school from North Carolina — took down Tidwell sealed the deal, picking up his packing Field with 40,140 No. 1 Arkansas. But wait, there's more. tenth win of the season. He joins Chad Arizona Wildcats (38-14) fans over the weekend series with Notre Central Missouri, one of the most storied Dallas as just the third duo in Tennessee Apologies if we sound like a broken Dame, the new NCAA record for an on- programs in DII history, won its first title history to each have -digit wins in a record because we have admittedly written campus three-game series. It was also in 1994. Their head coach? Arkansas' cur- season. about this offense ad nauseam. But Mississippi State's fifth-straight super rent skipper, .

10 June 18, 2021 - June 24, 2021 | The Sports Page Weekly | Volume 19 Issue 43 | www.sportspagedfw.com | follow us on twitter @sportspagdfw.com tournament. He dealt seven shutout innings to open the regional tournament and fol- lowed it up with 7.2 shutout innings against East Carolina in the supers. He's also struck out 20 in 14.2 innings pitched. Vandy is chasing the first repeat CWS title in 10 years, and a red-hot Rocker will cer- tainly help. NCAA tournament Kumar Rocker is just a different pitcher, and that's bad news for opposing lineups. Virginia Cavaliers The Cavaliers are back in familiar terri- tory. Head coach Brian O'Connor led Virginia to the NCAA regionals for 14 straight years from 2004-17, including back-to-back CWS championship series in 2014-15. But the Hoos had a three-season hiatus from the NCAA tournament, and it looked like No. 4 was on the way at the Texas Longhorns (40-13) end of March when Virginia was 11-14 Texas is back in the College World overall and an unimpressive 4-12 in the Series. It's the 37th time the Longhorns ACC. But that's been the story for Virginia have made it this far in a season. To put it all season. The Hoos dropped Game 1 in in perspective of how ridiculous that num- the Columbia Regional before reeling off ber is, the next closest team is Miami (FL) three straight wins in the face of elimina- with 25. Texas swept through both the tion, only to lose Game 1 to DBU in the regional and super regional tournament for super regional. The way Virginia is playing the first time since 2004, and as friend of in the face of elimination, it's not out of the NCAA.com Kendall Rogers pointed out, question that O'Connor and the Longhorns have trailed just one-half face off in Omaha for the third time since inning all NCAA tournament. Now it has a 2014. chance to add to more of its records. While College Baseball National Champions the Longhorns are tied for second for most 1947-2020 CWS titles all time (6), they hold the 2021 CWS Schedule 2020 Cancelled 1983 *Texas (66-14) over record for most CWS runners-up with six, 2019 Vanderbilt (59-12) over Michigan 1982 *Miami (Fla.) (55-17-1) over most CWS wins with 85 and most CWS Saturday, June 19 2018 Oregon St (55-12-1) over Arkansas Wichita St games with 146. Texas had the first-ever Game 1: Stanford vs. NC State 2017 Florida (52-19) over LSU 1981 Arizona State (55-13) over Ok.State College World Series Most Outstanding 2 p.m. ET | ESPN 2016 Coastal Carolina (55-18) over 1980 Arizona (45-21-1) over Hawaii Player in Tom Hamilton and have the sec- Game 2: Vanderbilt vs. Arizona Arizona 1979 Cal St. Fullerton (60-14-1) over ond-most MOPs all time with six. The 7 p.m. | ESPN 2015 Virginia (44-24) over Vanderbilt Arkansas long-awaited return to Omaha is finally Sunday, June 20 2014 Vanderbilt (51-21) over Virginia 1978 *USC (54-9) over Arizona State upon us — to have a little normalcy with Game 3: Tennessee vs. Virginia 2013 *UCLA (49-17) over Mississippi St 1977 Arizona St (57-12) over S. Carolina one of the all-time great programs is quite 2 p.m. | ESPN2 2012 *Arizona (48-17) over S. Carolina 1976 Arizona (56-17) over E. Michigan nice. Game 4: Texas vs. Mississippi State 2011 *South Carolina (55-14) over Florida 1975 Texas (59-6) over South Carolina 7 p.m. | ESPN2 2010 South Carolina (54-16) over UCLA 1974 USC (50-20) over Miami (Fla.) Monday, June 21 2009 LSU (56-17) over Texas 1973 *USC (51-11) over Arizona State Game 5: Game 1 loser vs. Game 2 loser 2008 Fresno State (47-31) over Georgia 1972 USC (47-13-1) Arizona State 2 p.m. | ESPNU 2007 *Oregon St. (49-18) over N.Carolina 1971 USC (46-11) over Southern Illinois Game 6: Game 1 winner vs. Game 2 win- 2006 Oregon St. (50-16) over N Carolina 1970 USC (45-13) over Florida State ner | 7 p.m. | ESPN 2005 *Texas (56-16) over Florida 1969 Arizona State (56-11) over Tulsa Tuesday, June 22 2004 Cal St. Fullerton (47-22) over Texas 1968 *USC (43-12-1) over S. Illinois Game 7: Game 3 loser vs. Game 4 loser 2003 Rice (58-12) over Stanford 1967 Arizona State (53-12) over Houston 2 p.m. | ESPNU 2002 *Texas (57-15) over South Carolina 1966 Ohio State (27-6-1) over Ok. State Game 8: Game 3 winner vs. Game 4 win- 2001 *Miami (Fla.) (53-12) over Stanford 1965 Arizona State (54-8) over Ohio St. ner | 7 p.m. | ESPN2 2000 *LSU (52-17) over Stanford 1964 Minnesota (31-12) over Missouri Wednesday, June 23 1999 *Miami (Fla.) (50-13) over FloridaSt 1963 USC (35-10) over Arizona Game 9: 7 p.m. | ESPN 1998 USC (49-17) over Arizona State 1962 Michigan (34-15) over Santa Clara Thursday, June 24 1997 *LSU (57-13) over Alabama 1961 *USC (36-7) over Oklahoma State Game 10: 7 p.m. | ESPN2 1996 *LSU (52-15) over Miami (Fla.) 1960 Minnesota (34-7-1) over USC Friday, June 25 1995 *Cal St. Fullerton (57-9) over USC 1959 Oklahoma State (27-5) over Arizona Game 11: 2 p.m. | ESPN2 1994 *Oklahoma (50-17) over Georgia Tech 1958 USC (29-3) over Missouri Vanderbilt Commodores (39-13) Game 12: 7 p.m. | ESPN 1993 LSU (53-17-1) over Wichita State 1957 *California (35-10) over Penn State Remember way back in 2019 when the Saturday, June 26 1992 *Pepperdine (48-11-1) over C.S 1956 Minnesota (37-9) over Arizona Vandy Boys won the College World Series? Game 13: 2 p.m. | ESPN (if necessary) Fullerton 1955 Wake Forest (29-7) over W. Michigan The Commodores freshman sensation Game 14: 7 p.m. | ESPN2 (if necessary) 1991 *LSU (55-18) over Withita State 1954 Missouri (22-4) over Rollins Kumar Rocker (above) came of age quick- CWS Finals (Best-of-3 series) 1990 Georgia (52-19) over Oklahoma St 1953 Michigan (21-9) over Texas ly that June. It started with that legendary Game 1: 7 p.m. | Monday, June 28 | 1989 Wichita State (68-16) over Texas 1952 Holy Cross (21-3) over Missouri 19-strikeout, no-hitter in the super region- ESPN2 1988 Stanford (46-23) over Arizona State 1951 *Oklahoma (19-9) over Tennessee als against Duke and continued in Omaha, Game 2: 7 p.m. | Tuesday, June 29 | ESPN 1987 Stanford (53-17) over Oklahoma St 1950 Texas (27-6) over Washington State where he won two games and the Most Game 3: 7 p.m. | Wednesday, June 30 | 1986 Arizona (49-19) over Florida State 1949 *Texas (23-7) over Wake Forest Outstanding Player of the 2019 CWS. ESPN2 (if necessary) 1985 Miami (Fla.) (64-16) over Texas 1948 USC (26-4) over Yale Rocker is up to his old tricks in the 2021 1984 Cal St. Fullerton (66-20) over Texas 1947 * California (31-10) over Yale

Follow us on twitter @sportspagedfw | www.sportspagedfw.com | The Sports Page Weekly | Volume 19 - Issue 43 | June 18, 2021 - June 24, 2021 11 COLLEGES COLLEGE WORLD SERIES Only one win away from a trip to Omaha

selves every day that is not what you accomplish but who you become. “We fell just short this time,” he said. “Our character has been tested, and it has grown. It has been a success in that regard. We know what our ultimate goal is to glo- rify God, and we won that. We really have no excuses; we lost to a fine Virginia team, and (Cavaliers pitcher) Matt Wyatt came in over the last six innings (eight , two walks) and just pounded the strike zone. Give him credit; we knew we could- n’t start a strike behind in the count because he was pounding it so well.” Glenn offered some honest opinions after producing the third-highest total Ð 21 Ð in a season since the Patriots moved into NCAA Division I. “We were one win away from Omaha,” he began. “We’re alright emotionally; obvi- ously, seeing the final out in the game was tough, and our goal at DBU every year is to go out and win the national champi- DBU was one win away from a first-ever trip to the NCAA World Series onship. Our higher goal is to glorify God. I’m so glad that I came back for my extra Win With Class, Lose With Class: Jackson Glenn’s 21st homer (2nd of the Carolina to watch this team. They just year, and I would have made decision 50 Motto Befitting DBU and Classy College Super Regional) in the second inning and erupted when we came out after the weath- times out of 50. DBU has a great track Baseball Program some solid pitching by starter Luke Eldred er delay to play the top of the ninth inning record in baseball, and, again, our goal and relief man Ray Gaither kept the lead Saturday, and the players and coaches when we get to the plate is to hit doubles. going until the bottom of the seventh heard it and responded. The home runs will come.” inning when freshman Kyler Teel of the “Monday I didn’t have to tell the guys For a school that is the only program to Cavaliers launched a 395-foot homer just to stay focused on the bench,” he said. “It win 40 games for seven consecutive full inches beyond the glove of Patriots center- was a one-run game for most of the after- seasons (dismissing the COVID-19 abbre- fielder River Town who had two of the noon, and we got some great pitching for viated campaign in ’20) and one of just six Patriots seven hits in the setback. the first several innings. This tournament is teams to qualify for a NCAA berth in It was a wrenching loss to a Virginia tough to put it into perspective right now, seven seasons in succession when the tour- team, which won 8 of its 11 games in but I could not be prouder of these guys. ney has been held from 2014-21, the final Atlantic Coast Conference and NCAA “We had five seniors who could have outcome might not have been one that left postseason play (6-2 from the Regionals to left, come back for their extra season,” anyone with a smile. the Super), and displayed a deep and tal- Heefner acknowledged, “and we had a cou- But the Patriots, coaching staff and sup- ented pitching while heading to the NCAA ple of times this year where it didn’t look port groups can return to Dallas or their By Bo Carter World Series in Omaha, Nebraska, at 35-25 good. There was one point this year when homes, look in their mirrors and know they [email protected] overall and 18-18 in the ACC. we thought we were letting down past gave it their all during one of the most his- DALLAS Ð Win with class…lose with But DBU head coach Dan Heefner kept Patriots. toric of DBU’s 52 seasons on the varsity class… a calm head and positive outlook through- “But this team persevered,” he said, baseball diamonds. That sums up an extraordinary cam- out one of the most pressure-packed Super “and we were just being DBU guys Ð the Teams in the 2021 NCAA World Series paign (41-18 overall, 18-6 Missouri Valley Regionals (three of the eight went into a way we won that first game, the way we field are: Arizona (18th appearance, four Conference, regular-season and postseason third, if-necessary contest) and added came from behind twice to win the region- titles), Mississippi State (12th appearance, tourney champs) for the DBU Patriots who insight after Games 1-3. al at Fort Worth. I’m just proud of them no titles); NC State (third appearance, no were the closest in school history (one win “I can’t say enough about the job Andres and the way that our seniors and other guys titles), Stanford (18th appearance, two away) from a first-ever trip to the NCAA Sosa has done filling in at first base and at led all year; they helped us get back on titles), Tennessee (sixth appearance, no World Series in Omaha, Nebraska. the plate,” Heefner noted after Game 1 in track when we were down. titles), Texas (NCAA-record 37th appear- Standing in the way was a pitching-rich Columbia. “He really came on the second “It is just so tough,” he added. “It is very ance, six titles), Vanderbilt (fifth appear- and streaking Virginia team, which enjoyed half of the season. Andrew Benefield not tough to get a team to Omaha. To watch a ance, two titles), and Virginia (fifth appear- a two-week stay in Columbia, S.C., for the only has hit those clutch home runs, but he team like Arkansas (2-1 loser in games to ance, one title). NCAA Columbia Regional and Super has made some outstanding plays at third NC State at Fayetteville after being the No. The opening round schedule Ð Saturday, Regional and was 6-0 in elimination con- base. During the four-hour rain delay last 1 seed in the tourney) not make it…We June 19: Game 1: Stanford (38-15) vs. NC tests over the last 11 days. Saturday, we told the players to put their were seven outs away from winning State (35-18) 1 p.m. (CDT), ESPN telecast; And after the Patriots edged the phones away and get together and talk.” Monday, and it just did not happen.” Game 2: Vanderbilt (45-19) vs. Arizona Cavaliers/Wahoos in the opening Supers’ “This team is very close and has been “This will make us better as a program,” (45-16), 6 p.m. (CDT), ESPN; Sunday, contest 6-5, UVa came back with big communicating well with each other all Heefner explained. “It’s hard right after- June 20 - Game 3: Tennessee (50-16) vs. innings and key homers to send DBU back year,” he continued. “The pitching staff has wards as emotions are high, but it was Virginia (35-25), 1 p.m., ESPN2; Game 4: to Dallas with back-to-back 4-0 and 5-2 done a great job of minimizing innings by important to give them (DBU players) Texas (47-16) vs. Mississippi State (45- triumphs. the opponents throughout the NCAA tour- some perspective. We knew coming in we 16), 6 p.m., ESPN2. In the latter contest DBU was clinging nament. It also was unbelievable that we were going to give it our all, and baseball -30- to a 2-1 lead for several innings after had the number of fans to travel to South serves a higher purpose. We remind our-

12 June 18, 2021 - June 24, 2021 | The Sports Page Weekly | Volume 19 Issue 43 | www.sportspagedfw.com | follow us on twitter @sportspagdfw.com COLLEGES YEAR END BASEBALL AWARDS 2021 NCBWA All-America squad

2021 NCBWA All-America features five 0.90 , and Leiter and National Freshman of the Year utility play- is the 's only college media-related Houser Trophy finalists, Division 1’s Rocker enter Vandy’s trek to the World er Paul Skenes with a .410 batting average, organization, founded in 1962. most outstanding players Series Nos. 1 and 2 nationally in strikeouts 11 home runs and 11 saves in relief. The Howser Trophy was created in with 156 and 155, respectively. Jung, the This group sports some of the most 1987, shortly after Howser's death. By Bo Carter and Mike Montoro 2021 NCBWA Freshman Hitter of the Year, impressive pitching in the 23-year history Previous winners of the Howser Trophy are DALLAS Ð Paced by the five finalists also led the Big 12 in home runs with 21 of NCBWA All-America selections. The Mike Fiore, Miami, 1987; , for the 2021 Trophy present- for Tech’s Super Regional entry. starting pitching first teamers are a com- Oklahoma State, 1988; , ed by The Game Headwear, the National Fans and media will have a chance to posite 65-13 (combined .833 winning per- Texas, 1989; Alex Fernandez, Miami-Dade Collegiate Baseball Writers Association see many of these All-America choices in centage) with 10-plus strikeouts per nine Community College South, 1990; Frank 23rd Division I All-America baseball the World Series at TD Ameritrade Park in innings pitched. The first unit relief staff Rodriguez, Howard College (Texas), 1991; squads (first, second and third teams) fea- Omaha. Player of has a combined 21-5 mound record and 68 , Texas, 1992 and 1993; ture a true Who’s Who of the best in col- the Year of Mississippi State saves. , Georgia Tech, 1994; Todd lege baseball this spring. nailed down a first team outfield slot for The second team is equally impressive Helton, Tennessee, 1995; , Standouts from 47 different schools and his Omaha-bound Bulldogs while team- with starting pitchers logging a total of 65 Clemson, 1996; J.D. Drew, Florida State, 19 conferences join Howser Trophy final- mate and relief ace Landon Sims joined wins against just 16 losses and a relief 1997; , LSU, 1998; Jason ists Jace Jung of Texas Tech, him on the top unit. corps with a composite record of 16-12 in Jennings, Baylor, 1999; , of Arkansas, Jack Leiter and Kumar Outfielder Jonny Butler (second team) 133 appearances and 46 total saves. Georgia Tech, 2000; , Southern Rocker of Vanderbilt and Matheu Nelson of NC State, which upended No. 1 seed The 2021 All-America team announce- California, 2001; , Clemson, of Florida State Ð all first-team selections Ð Arkansas to make it to the CWS, Big 12 ment precedes the presentation of the 34th 2002; Rickey Weeks, Southern, 2003; Jered on this dream team of collegiate diamond- Conference Pitcher of the Year Ty Madden presented by The Weaver, Long Beach State, 2004; Alex men. of Texas (making a NCAA-record 37th trip Game Headwear. The winner will be Gordon, Nebraska, 2005; , Among some of the conference players to Omaha), pitcher Blake Bales of Virginia, announced on Friday, June 18, first on Houston, 2006; , Vanderbilt, of the year are FSU’s Nelson of the and pitchers Brendan Beck and Zach Grech MLB Network at 11:15 a.m., EDT, and 2007; , Florida State, 2008; Atlantic Coast Conference, Arkansas’ of Stanford all paced their teams to berths then at a national news conference via , San Diego State, 2009; Kopps (SEC Pitcher of the Year and in the Final Eight of Division I baseball. Zoom call at a time to be determined just , Rice, 2010, Taylor Collegiate Baseball magazine Player of the NCBWA national Freshman Pitcher of the prior to the 74th NCAA College World Jungmann, Texas, 2011, , Year), Big 12 Conference Freshman of the Year and the Co-National Freshman of the Series at TD Ameritrade Park in Omaha, Florida, 2012 and , San Diego, Year Jung, and probable consensus All- Year by Collegiate Baseball Andrew Taylor Nebraska. The announcement of the 2013; A.J. Reed, Kentucky, 2014; Andrew America righthanders Leiter and Rocker. of Central Michigan also was a first-team NCBWA 2021 Stopper of the Year and Benintendi, Arkansas, 2015; , Nelson is tied with South Carolina’s honoree. National Coach of the Year also will take Clemson, 2016; and Brendan McKay, Wes Clarke prior to the NCAA World The U.S. Service Academies also are place on Friday via online national release. Louisville, 2017; , Florida, Series June 19-29/30 in Omaha, Nebraska, represented on the first team by Air Force’s NCBWA membership includes writers, 2018; , Oregon State, for the national lead in home runs with 23. Mountain West Conference Freshman of broadcasters and publicists. Designed to 2019. Kopps tops all Division I hurlers with a the Year and Collegiate Baseball’s Co- promote and publicize college baseball, it

2021 NCBWA Division I All-America Team FIRST TEAM (Statistics Through June 15) Pos. Name School Class Avg. G AB R H 2B-3B-HR RBI BB SO SB/SBA C Matheu Nelson Florida State r-So.* .330 53 194 50 64 17-0-23 66 31 58 4/6 1B Tyler Hardman Oklahoma r-Jr. .397 55 224 49 89 19-2-12 49 34 59 3/5 2B Jace Jung Texas Tech Fr.* .337 56 208 55 70 10-1-21 67 49 45 4/6 SS Ryan Bliss Auburn Jr. .365 50 211 50 77 14-1-15 45 23 30 6/11 3B C.E-Strand Oklahoma State So.# .361 56 227 47 82 17-3-15 66 20 50 4/6 OF Tanner Allen Mississippi State Jr.* .392 60 232 64 91 15-5-10 62 22 30 9/12 OF E. Bradfield Jr. Vanderbilt Fr.# .356 60 216 57 77 8-3-1 36 42 36 46/5 OF M. McWhorter Georgia South. r-Sr.* .372 57 226 50 84 16-1-18 52 27 51 3/4 OF Aaron Zavala Oregon So.* .392 55 199 64 78 14-3-9 38 50 31 11/13 OF Kyler Fedko Connecticut So.* .398 52 196 57 78 14-2-12 53 28 37 7/11 DH Jacob Berry Arizona Fr. .359 61 237 53 85 18-5-17 70 33 54 2/4 UT Paul Skenes Air Force Fr.* .410 48 188 49 77 21-0-11 43 22 45 0/3 1-1, 2.70 ERA, 18APP, 0GS, 0CG, 0/1SHO, 11SV, 216.2IP, 20H,10R, 8ER,9BB, 30K, .208OPPBA

Pos. Name School W-L ERA APP GS CG SHO SV IP H R ER BB SO OPP BA SP Jack Leiter Vanderbilt, So. 10-3 2.16 16 16 1 1/1 0 96.0 41 27 23 41 156 .127 SP Kumar Rocker Vanderbilt, Jr. 13-3 2.46 17 17 1 0/4 0 106.0 59 32 29 36 155 .157 SP Gavin Williams E.Carolina, Jr.^ 10-1 1.88 15 12 1 1/3 1 81.1 57 18 17 21 130 .193 SP Doug Nikhazy Ole Miss, Jr. 12-2 2.45 16 15 1 1/2 0 92.0 62 30 25 31 142 .186 SP Andrew Taylor C.Mich, r-Fr.^# 11-4 1.81 15 15 5 2/2 0 94.1 64 21 19 24 125 .189 SP Matt Mikulski Fordham, Sr.^ 9-0 1.45 11 11 5 2/1 0 68.1 29 11 11 27 124 .127 RP Nick Jones Georgia S., Sr. 1-0 1.48 29 0001742.23487567.213 RP Taylor Broadway Ole Miss, Sr. 4-3 3.44 30 1 0 0/4 16 49.2 46 20 19 9 66 .242 RP Kevin Kopps Arkansas, r-Sr.^ 12-1 0.90 33 1 0 0/3 11 89.2 50 9 9 18 131 .162 RP Carson Palmquist Miami,Fr.1-10.68250001444.2221111875.143 RP Landon Sims, Mississippi St, So. 3-0 1.28 20 0 0 0/3 10 42.1 22 6 6 13 81 .149

Follow us on twitter @sportspagedfw | www.sportspagedfw.com | The Sports Page Weekly | Volume 19 - Issue 43 | June 18, 2021 - June 24, 2021 13 COLLEGES WITH BO CARTER College Football News and Notes

Mich.; (1892) Doug Bomeisler, , sprinters, are involved in qualification N.Y.; (1899) Herb McCracken, Pittsburgh, meets for the U.S. and Canadian Olympic Pa.; (1949) Dave Elmendorf, San Antonio, teams this month. Texas; (1983) Darren Sproles, Waterloo, Alabama head coach Nick Saban Iowa; June 21 (1905) Bill Edwards, received a three-year contact upgrade... Massillon, Ohio; (1929) Bob Gain, Akron, …Stetson named former defensive coordi- Ohio; (1977) Al Wilson, Jackson, Tenn.; nator Brian Young head coach for ‘21. The (1965) Jeff Bentrim, St. Paul, Minn. Hatters also bade goodbye to retiring soft- Notable anniversary death dates for ball coach Frank Griffin after 25 seasons... Hall of Famers are June 17 (1961) Josh …NCAA FBS head coaches were ques- Cody, Mt. Laurel, N.J.; (2015) John David tioned about some of the adverse effects of Crow, College Station, Texas; June 19 mass NCAA transfer portal entries and (1957) Tad Jones, Hamden, Conn.; June 21 spoke about the difficulty of continuity and (1973) Frank Leahy, Portland, Ore.; (1982) team chemistry. NFF College Hall of Fame Cotton Warburton, Culver City, Calif.; coach Mack Brown of North Carolina, (1988) Bobby Dodd, Atlanta, Ga. Wake Forest head coach Dave Clawson and Happy birthdays to NFF College Hall AD Shane Lyons were pri- of Fame members June 17 Bobby Bell (a mary interviewees…Members of other spry 81), Jason Hanson, June 18 Bob Texas varsity teams have been wearing the Jose Cruz Jr returns to his alma matre as head coach of the Rice Owl baseball program Reifsnyder (a spry 84), Bruce Smith (Va. now-trademarked “All Gas No Brakes” Tech), June 19 Rudy Hubbard (spry 75), expression purported by new Longhorns David Pollack, June 20 Dave Elmendorf, football head coach Steve Sarkisian. Honors Courts, which deliberate and select Darren Sproles, June 21 Al Wilson, Jeff Hometowns of more 2021 college head the class. The FBS Honors Court, chaired Bentrim… coaches Ð Connecticut: Randy Edsall, Glen by NFF Board Member and College BYU football has all-evening telecast Rock, Pa.; Cornell: David Archer, Ithaca, Football Hall of Famer Archie Griffin from and kickoff times for its first three contests: N.Y.; Cornell (Iowa): Dan Pifer, Celina, Ohio State, and the Divisional Honors Sept. 4 vs. Arizona at Las Vegas, 8:30 p.m. Ohio; Cumberland (Tenn.): Tim Mathis, Court, chaired by former Marshall head (PDT); Sept. 11, Utah, 8:15 p.m. (MDT); Statesboro, Ga.; Cumberlands (Ky.): Matt coach, longtime athletics director and NFF and Sept. 18, Arizona State, 8:15 p. (MDT) Rhymer, Harlan, Ky. Board Member , include an …Alabama and Boston College has set a Pennsylvania named Dr. Alanna elite and geographically diverse pool of two-game series in 2031 and ’34. The Shanahan as director of athletics…San Jose athletic administrators, Hall of Famers and Crimson Tide also will face Notre Dame in State’s new AD is former Northeastern AD members of the media. 2029 and ’30 and Oklahoma State during Jeff Konya…Gonzaga director of athletics The announcement of the 2022 College the 2028 and ’29 campaigns…The previ- Mike Roth retired after 34 years at the uni- Football Hall of Fame Class will be made ously slated Notre Dame-Wisconsin contest versity and will be replaced by former BO CARTER in early 2022, with specific details to be has been moved to 2026 at historic Bulldogs deputy AD and COO Chris [email protected] detailed in the future. The Class will be Lambeau Field in Green Bay, Wis...Cornell Standiford Sept. 1…Buffalo AD Mark officially inducted during the 64th NFF has added non-conference tests against Alnutt received a contract extension Deadline for the 12,000-plus members Awards Dinner on Dec. 6, 2022, and per- VMI, Colgate and Lehigh in 2022 and through May 2026 and added financial of the National Football Foundation from manently immortalized at the Chick-fil-A Colgate, Lehigh and Bucknell in ’23... compensation…UAPB promoted Chris 147 chapters in 48 states to vote for the College Football Hall of Fame in Atlanta. …Colorado State will host Vanderbilt on Robinson to fulltime AD from his previous NFF College Hall of Fame Class of 2022 is Some notable birthdates in NFF Sept. 11 in a newly-noted 9 p.m. (MDT) interim assignment…Sacred Heart AD and Friday, June 25. College Hall of Fame annals in the June telecast on the CBS Sports Network…The former Major League Baseball star and To be eligible for the ballot, players 15-21 period are June 15 (1889) John Montana State-Oregon State contest on Bobby Valentine is taking a leave must have been named First Team All- Kilpatrick, New York, N.Y.; (1892) Sean Sept. 17, 2022, has been mobed to of absence from his post and will be America by a major/national selector as Pennock, Syracuse, N.Y.; (1892) Wallace Portland, Ore., Providence Park – OSU’s spelled by interim AD and SHU executive recognized and utilized by the NCAA for Wade, Trenton, Tenn.; (1923) George first football tussle in Portland since 1986. director of budget/SWA Judy Ann Riccio their consensus All-America teams; played Brown, San Diego, Calif.; June 16 (1894) The Nebraska athletics and alumni cara- …Iowa's athletic training staff spoke of their last year of intercollegiate football at Eddie Casey, Natick, Mass.; June 17 van and whistle stops known as the Big multiple challenges in dealing with least 10 full seasons prior; played within (1886) , , Ill.; Red Blitz in various regional communities COVID-19 prevention and testing since the last 50 years; and cannot be currently (1891) Harvey Ketcham, Englewood, N.J.; begin Wednesday and runs for two weeks March 2020 as men’s trainer playing professional football. Coaches (1923) Elroy “Crazy Legs” Hirsch, throughout the region with special guests Brad Floy worked every day from Aug. 1, must have coached a minimum of 10 years Wausau, Wis.; (1940) Bobby Bell, Shelby, and large community gatherings…Area 2020-March 2021…Veteran Syracuse and 100 games as a head football coach; N.C.; (1970) Jason Hanson, Spokane, college departments of athletics have been men’s lacrosse head coach John Desko has won at least 60 percent of their games; and Wash.; June 18 (1893) John McEwan, working with the state of Mississippi gov- retired and will be succeeded by former be retired from coaching for at least three Alexandria, Minn.; (1912) Harrison ernment to remind people to get COVID- Orange women’s lacrosse head coach Gary full seasons. If a coach is retired and over Stafford, Wharton, Texas; (1921) Angelo 19 vaccinations after 872,000 doses were Gait…Ole Miss AD Keith Carter men- the age of 70, there is no waiting period. If Bertelli, West Springfield, Mass.; (1937) returned from the state in recent days…The tioned Mississippi student-athletes’ remu- he is over the age of 75, he is eligible as an Bob Reifsnyder, Brooklyn, N.Y.; (1963) 2022 USA Special Olympics celebrated its neration issues on the ESPN Paul Finebaum active coach. In all cases, the candidate’s Bruce Smith (Va. Tech), Norfolk, Va.; June one-year countdown with several updates Show last week as the state moves toward a post-football record as a citizen may also 19 (1906) Merle Gulick, Jackson, Mich.; and the selection of Academy Award win- July 1 starting date…Marshall associate be weighed. The ballot was emailed to the (1919) , , Mich.; (1946) ner Brie Larson and Golden Globe winner AD and chief of staff as well as interim AD more than 12,000 NFF members and cur- Rudy Hubbard, Hubbard, Ohio; (1982) Shonda Rhimes as ’22 Games Ambassadors Jeff O'Malley has received consideration rent Hall of Famers whose votes will be David Pollack, New Brunswick, N.J.; June …Dozens of former college student-ath- for the fulltime AD’s role after serving tabulated and submitted to the NFF’s 20 (1890) , Ann Arbor, letes, including several football and track Thundering Herd athletics for 19 years…

14 June 18, 2021 - June 24, 2021 | The Sports Page Weekly | Volume 19 Issue 43 | www.sportspagedfw.com | follow us on twitter @sportspagdfw.com Highly-successful Georgia coach current contract, which goes through coach David Harris retired after last week’s Mackey Award, Rimington Trophy; Lu Harris-Champer has retired after 21 December 2022. He also addressed the NCAA Outdoor Championships…Northern Monday, July 26: Butkus Award, Paycom seasons and will be followed by interim opportunities for the coming academic year Colorado men's golf head Roger Prenzlow Jim Thorpe Award; Tuesday, July 27: head coach Tony Baldwin…Arkansas State and new NU facilities, which already are has finished his tenure at UNC…Arizona Bronko Nagurski Trophy, FWAA Outland AD Tom Bowen reflected on his initial underway…Several administrative posi- chose Bernard Lagat as head men’s and Trophy; Wednesday, July 28: Lou Groza tenure with ASU and how he had to replace tions in athletics have been advertised in women’s cross country coach…Radford Award, Ray Guy Award; Thursday, July 29: seven former staff members that moved recent days such as associate AD for softball head coach Hope Creasy has ended Paul Hornung Award, Wuerffel Trophy; onto UCF with new Knights AD Terry Development and Development Officer at her tenure at the university…Stanford Friday, July 30: Award... Mohajir as well as financial challenges... the University of San Diego, senior associ- lightweight rowing head coach Kate Bertko …Former Ole Miss star linebacker Jacquez …The Murray State Board of Regents ate commissioner for regulatory affairs in completed her contract with the Cardinal.. has transferred to Kentucky...Texas A&M extended the contract of Racers AD Kevin the America East Conference office and …Washington State president Dr. Kirk defensive back Elijah Blades entered the Saal to 2025, and baseball head coach Dan associate AD for marketing and engage- Schulz addressed developments where NCAA 2021 transfer portal…Mississippi Skirka and softball head coach Kara ment at Delaware as well as multiple open- Cougars AD Pat Chun was being sought by State freshman baseball standout Kamren Amundson now are under individual work- ings at San Diego, America East numerous schools and other athletics enti- James is the son of former Bulldogs foot- ing pacts through 2023…Arizona State Conference, Delaware, Yale, Illinois, ties nationally before Chun signed a con- ball punter Greg James and nephew of for- baseball head coach has fin- Villanova, Alabama State, Central tract extension through 2026 with WSU.. mer MSU punter Mike Riley…Former ished his seven-year tenure with the Sun Connecticut State, Drexel, Grambling, …Brown athletics added four new deputy Nebraska QB Luke McCaffrey has decided Devils. He was NCBWA College Coach of Temple, Toledo, and William & Mary... ADs’ positions for Colin Sullivan, to leave the Louisville football program... the Year while guiding the Indiana …Hawai’i baseball head coach Mike Shosanna Engel Lewis, Marvin Lewis, and ...Valor Christian (Colo.) standout TE Luke Hoosiers program in 2013 after guiding IU Trapasso will not return for the 2022 sea- Jake Silverman…Memphis AD Laird Meyer has committed to Air Force for 2022 to the NCAA World Series…Former son after 20 years at the helm…Maria Veatch also is now UM vice president and …Auburn transfer Desi Sills has decided to UNLV and TCU head coach Jim Feeley, University of Hartford general director of intercollegiate athletics..Harvard move to Arkansas State for the rest of his Schlossnagle is taking over the baseball counsel and interim AD, has finished her named Yulander Wells Jr. deputy AD for playing career…Greenland (Ark.) DL JJ program at Texas A&M. TCU has started a tenure in athletics…LEAD1 has created the external affairs, Nathan Fry deputy AD for Hollingsworth has made the first oral com- national search for a replacement, but fan Diversity Fellowship Program as a one- internal affairs and Caitlyn Prandato and mitment for Arkansas Razorbacks football and media speculation favors assistant head year program for female college adminis- Andrea Lapointe associate ADs…Former in 2022…Former North Texas standout coach Kirk Saarlos, a former Cal State trators and others of color in order to pre- Rice and MLB standout N’Yah Boyd has moved onto the Fullerton and MLB pitching star and top pare for upcoming ADs’ posts…George has become head baseball coach at Oklahoma State program. aide with the Frogs since 2012…San Diego Mason selected Todd Bramble as deputy Houston Baptist…George Washington America East Conference commissioner State AD John David Wicker moderated a AD for intercollegiate sports…Hartford executive vice president for academic Amy Huchthausen has accepted a position podcast about the effect of the one-time tabbed Sharon Beverly as acting vice presi- affairs Dr. M. Brian Blake has been select- as chief impact and culture officer at transfer rule on college athletics prior to dent of athletics and recreation…Temple ed as a finalist for the Georgia State presi- Stavvy, a financial tech group based in the 2021-22 academic year…Arizona soft- tabbed Dr. Jason Wingard as president dency. Boston, Mass….Outgoing Missouri Valley ball head coach Mike Candrea has retired effective July 1…Lamar named former The football website PFF.com continues Conference commissioner Doug Elgin after 36 seasons and eight NCAA champi- Marshall provost Dr. Jaime R. Taylor as its to rank the Top 10 college individual play- spoke about relying on the advice of a onships…UAPB president Dr. Laurence new president…Fan favorite Jose Cruz Jr. ers at each position, and lists these top solid senior staff and educated presidents, Alexander is the newest member of the is returning to his alma mater Rice as Owls offensive linemen for 2021: Tyler ADs and faculty athletics representatives to NCAA Division I Presidential Forum... baseball head coach…Minnesota-Duluth Linderbaum, Iowa; Thayer Munford, Ohio highlight a sterling, 33-year career as MVC …Several media outlets complimented out- AD Josh Berlo and women’s State; Darrian Kinnard, Kentucky; Evan commissioner Ð one of the longest terms of going Marshall AD Mike Hamrick for head coach Maura Crowell both received Neal, Alabama; Jamaree Salyer, Georgia; any Division I conference leader in college numerous accomplishments and overcom- contract extensions and remuneration Cain Madden, Marshall; Peter Skoronski, history…The American Athletic ing several challenges during his tenure... increases annually…San Diego State chose Northwestern; Jordan McFadden, Clemson; Conference governing board is working …North Alabama provost and executive Stacey Nuveman Deniz as softball head Jack Snyder, San Jose State; and Dylan with commissioner Mike Aresco about a vice president Dr. Ross Alexander coach…Texas A&M added former Houston Parham, Memphis…Former Washington possible extension years’ addition. The acknowledged the need to move forward woman’s head golf coach Gerrod Chadwell standout Hameir Wright has transferred to AAC continues a solid campaign to help aggressively to locate a new AD as the as the Aggies new mentor…Tennessee North Texas…Tennessee has been affected form a Power Six conferences’ alignment Lions continue to make the transition from tabbed Diana Cantu as new women’s golf by the transfer of 25 key standouts such as after one of the most successful overall NCAA Division II to DI as a member of head coach…Hofstra softball head coach 5-Star 2020 recruit Key Lawrence, starting academic years in the eight-year existence the Atlantic Sun and Big South Conferences Jay Miller is retiring after 34 seasons as a QB Jarrett Guarantano, RBs Eric Gray and of the American…Southwestern Athletic (football) in 2021-22…Louisiana Tech college head coach at after 34 seasons at Ty Chandler), starting WR receiver Conference presidents and ADs have noted added Josh Taylor as head softball coach Missouri, Mississippi State, Rutgers, and Brandon Johnson, and offensive tackles they are not involved currently in negotia- …St. Thomas (Minn.) named Joel Johnson Louisville in addition to HU. His wife is Wanya Morris and Jahmir Johnson). tions to join the Southland Conference. as women’s ice hockey head coach…U. of fellow National Fastpitch Coaches Kansas and Michigan State had 22 transfer CollegeAD.com noted that Texas Southern, New Orleans volleyball head coach Association Hall of Fame member, partings while Mississippi State and Prairie View A&M, Southern (Baton Millicent Van Norden is leaving after seven renowned sports publicist, author, NCAA Missouri had 20 players take to the NCAA Rouge), and Grambling may be are poten- years at the university… administrator, and former Delta State transfer portal from Oct. 20, 2020-June 1.. tial future members for Southland State head softball coach Brad Irwin has cheerleader Lacy Lee Baker Miller… Utah .…Texas A&M reported a solid contingent Conference expansion…The Big 12 completed his assignment after 11 years selected former Kentucky and Mississippi on its first weekend of live official football Conference is in the process of releasing …Hofstra head baseball coach John Russo State head coach Gary Henderson as Utes visits for the 2022 recruiting class. The Academic All-Big 12 teams for multiple has retired after 13 seasons at HU... baseball chief…Arizona State named for- Aggies’ standout returnee DeMarvin Leal spring sports, including 144 honorees in …Mississippi State AD and former MSU mer Sun Devils great as has been rated as one of the top defensive baseball…The 35 annual Lone Star and Kentucky head coach head baseball coach…Northern Kentucky linemen nationally in multiple publications Conference Scholar-Athlete Award winners commented on the hours the NCAA DI chose Dizzy Peyton as head baseball coach …The National College Football Awards are composed of one male and one female Baseball Committee (he is a member) …Wake Forest added years to women’s Association is denoting its 10th annual pre- scholar-athlete from each member and are spent on sites and 64-team selection. golf head coach’s Kim Lewellen contract season watch lists for 16 of its 25 NCAA based on accomplishments in the areas of Baylor was the ’21 first alternate in case …Oregon added new acrobatics and tum- FBS position players and service awards athletics, scholarship and leadership... any team had to disqualify itself due to bling head coach Taylor Sunsara…Loyola from July 19-30. The dates and awards .....Indiana State's Geremy Guerrero was COVID-19 or other concerns, but all 64 Marymount tabbed Jason Zarb-Cousin to include: Monday, July 19: Bednarik Award, tabbed as 2021 Missouri Valley Conference NCAA Regional diamond teams met play- men’s cross country and track and field Maxwell Award; Tuesday, July 20: Davey Baseball Scholar-Athlete of the Year…The ing criteria…Ohio State tabbed Jocelyn head coach and Chloe Curtis as women’s O'Brien Award; Wednesday, July 21: Doak Big 12 Conference confirmed 2022-24 Gates as senior associate AD…Nebraska head coach for the same sports…Nebraska Walker Award; Thursday, July 22: Phillips 66 Big 12 Conference Baseball AD Bill Moos may be re-negotiating his cross country and track and field head Biletnikoff Award; Friday, July 23: John (continued on page 16)

Follow us on twitter @sportspagedfw | www.sportspagedfw.com | The Sports Page Weekly | Volume 19 - Issue 43 | June 18, 2021 - June 24, 2021 15 Championship sites as Globe Life Field in ESPN, Arlington, Texas tion... …Missouri State addressed its deci- help fund several capital projects with $70 Arlington, Texas, and AT&T Stadium in Saturday, Jan. 1 sion to offer partial in-person classes in fall million earmarked for Neyland Stadium Arlington for the Dr Pepper Big Football Noon, ESPN2, Tampa, Fla. 2020 and also mentioned a new communi- and the Anderson Training Center. The Championship from 2022-24…Big Sky Saturday, Jan. 1 PlayStation Fiesta Bowl cations’ department advisory board and fund already has raised $200 million-plus Conference commissioner Tom Wistrcill 1 p.m. ESPN, Glendale, Ariz. women’s empowerment campus commis- …INFLCR is preparing to use the SQWAD certified a new television and media rights’ Saturday, Jan. 1 Vrbo sion with national experts in their fields digital activation platform for the INFLCR pact with the ESPN family of networks for 1 p.m. ABC, Orlando, Fla. serving as special advisors…Women’s soft- Teamworks programs…Altius Sports the circuit. The Big Sky also denoted two Saturday, Jan. 1 Game present- ball coaches and college administrators Partners and Morgan Stanley are teaming new assistant commissioners Alex Kelly ed by Capital One 5 p.m. ESPN, Pasadena have vowed to work with NCAA to help provide resources for college stu- and Ty Singletary…Outgoing Pac-12 Saturday, Jan. 1 Allstate Championship directors about starting tour- dent-athletes...St. Bonaventure has acquired Conference commissioner Larry Scott 8:45 p.m. ESPN, New Orleans, La. nament games at wee hours in the morning. the services of CarrSports Consulting for addressed the need for football improve- A College Football Playoff subcommit- Several 2021 postseason clashes in softball its continued ADs’ search…Akron’s ment throughout the league and future tele- tee is hoping to prepare a new report on the and baseball were pushed back by weather, team won the Level Next Rocket vision rights’ agreements…North Texas strengths and weaknesses of the current and the NCAA Columbia, S.C., Baseball League Spring Showcase hosted by president Dr. Neil Smatresk has been elect- four-team ..The International Regional had an Old Dominion-Virginia Learfield IMG College with almost five ed as chair of the Conference USA Council Gold Soccer Cup competition again will be game that had to be played Tuesday morn- million followers watching on Twitch and of Presidents. The C-USA Board of held at Goodyear Cotton Bowl site - AT&T ing (and then went into extra innings) after 30 million people taking a look on various Directors also has eliminated the league’s Stadium in Arlington Ð with the quarterfi- the other seven NCAA Super Regionals social media platforms…East Carolina previous one-year redshirt for intraconfer- nal doubleheaders on Sunday, July 25th. were decided…Some state legislatures continues its quest to get to the NCAA ence transfers…Ball State president Dr. Tickets are available through SeatGeek... have made inquiries about the merger of World Series at Omaha, Neb., with an Geoffrey R. Means was chosen as chair of …The Goodyear Cotton Bowl also report- names, images and likenesses’ companion American Athletic Conference-record 30 the Mid-American Conference Council of ed an increase of 4.1 million social media companions Opendorse and Twitter.... team appearances in the NCAA diamond Presidents…The Power Five conference impressions in 2018 to 17.4 million …Installation of 40,000-plus seats has tourney. The Pirates had a tough road commissioners noted that patchwork laws impressions in 2020 for a rise of 323.5 per- started at UAB's Protective Stadium for the assignment at No. 4 seed Vanderbilt in the passed by states starting July 1 should cent over two years. inaugural contest in Birmingham on Oct. 2 NCAA Nashville Super Regional last require the NCAA to establish blanket sys- Western Michigan has received a $550 against Liberty…The D1Baseball transfer weekend…Starbucks has decided to tems for NCAA to organize the names, million donation from an anonymous alum- tracker indicated 1,246 players in the enhance trademark applications for promo- images and likenesses’ compensation for nus to support three areas Ð athletics, the NCAA transfer portal for all divisions as of tion of sports (college and professional) student-athletes with all due haste…The WMU School of Medicine and financial June 7…Alabama athletics has contracted and entertainment platforms.... …Stanford OVC Board of Presidents approved a five- aid. It is the largest individual gift ever pre- with COMPASS NIL for working with stu- senior swim and dicing teams’ student-ath- year contract update for commissioner sented to a public university…Florida ath- dent-athletes and staff to prepare for letes were presented their diplomas in a Beth DeBauche through 2025-26. Eastern letics has completed much of the $85 mil- names, images and likenesses’ compensa- remote graduation ceremony at the U.S. Illinois president Dr. David Glassman is lion Heavener Football Training Center, tion…California legislators are hoping to Olympic Team swimming and diving trials the new chair of the OVC Board of which will be occupied fully in spring move up the effective date for NIL inaugu- in Indianapolis, Ind ….Former UCF foot- Presidents…New Mexico State president 2022. NFF College Hall of Fame coach ration for college student-athletes to Jan. 1, ball student-athletes Blake Bortles and Dr. John Floros has been named the 2021- and player Steve Spurrier of UF and Gators 2022…Oregon athletics highlighted the Latavius Murray made a joint $500,000 22 WAC Executive Committee chair and current head coach Dan Mullen were on $270 million in renovations to Hayward donation to Knights athletics and the helped set divisions and postseason sched- hand for a topping off ceremony last week Stadium during last week’s nationally-tele- newly-named Bortles and Murray Athletic ules for the 2021-22 academic year at last …Youngstown State athletics has inaugu- vised (ESPN) NCAA Outdoor Men’s and Training Room…Purdue's Board of week’s WAC spring meetings. rated a $1 million, five-year contract with Women’s Track and Field Championships Trustees certified the Bob and Trudy Hull The College Football Playoff executive BSN Sports to utilize Nike apparel for all in Eugene…Iowa athletics will begin sell- All-American Marching Band Complex, committee is meeting this week in Chicago game days with $200,000 worth of compli- ing malt beverages at its 2021-22 home the Morgan and Kate Burke Southwest to consider a new, 12-team playoff format mentary game-day uniforms for football in events…Associated Press ran a survey Entrance of Mackey Arena, and the Dave with the top four seeds drawing byes... ’21…The Eastern Washington Board of answered by 23 colleges and universities and Jacque Owens Career Development …Among the all-time-high 44 postseason Trustees agreed to retain NCAA Division I about financial arrangements with Gateway for Boilermakers athletics.... bowls approved for 2021-22 by the NCAA membership in all sports…South Carolina Opendorse, INFLCR and related names, ...Southern Illinois athletics noted that few are (all airtimes listed are Eastern): has enhanced signage and lighting at its images and likenesses’ facilitators, when student-athletes had entered the 2021-22 Wednesday, Dec. 29 Fenway Bowl indoor football practice facility…Yale has the agreements were implemented and NCAA transfer portal and congratulated 11 a.m. ESPN, Boston, Mass. occupied its state-of-the-art Tsai Lacrosse when activities had begun in the campus head coaches and academic support mem- Wednesday, Dec. 29 Pinstripe Bowl Field House with a complete weight room, settings…The Louisiana Senate okayed a bers for retention rates.Robert Morris presi- 2:15 p.m. ESPN, Bronx, N.Y. training room, pools, X-ray machine, and NIL bill passed by the state house last dent and inaugural 1990 William V. Wednesday, Dec. 29 Cheez-It Bowl other perks…Tennessee’s enhancements to week …INFLCR started its launch tour for Campbell Award recipient Dr. Christopher 5:45 p.m. ESPN, Orlando historic Neyland Stadium/Shields-Watkins Ole Miss athletics recently…Connecticut, Howard explained more aspects of the Wednesday, Dec. 29 Valero Alamo Bowl Field will included additional premium Wisconsin, Nevada, UNLV, Cincinnati and decision to drop RMU's varsity men's and 9:15 p.m. ESPN, San Antonio, Texas seating, new lounge areas, party decks on Oregon State athletics are speeding up their women's ice hockey programs due to finan- Thursday, Dec. 30 Duke's Mayo Bowl the west and north sides, and a new video NIL procedures through Opendorse as July cial considerations… 11:30 a.m. ESPN, Charlotte, N.C. board near the North …Old 1 legislative deadlines are approaching in NFF College Hall of Fame QB Tommie Thursday, Dec. 30 Transperfect Music City Dominion is conducting a facility feasibili- several states…Purdue's John Purdue Club Frazier will be signing autographs on June Bowl 3 p.m. ESPN, Nashville, Tenn. ty study for the Bud Metheny Baseball has updated its website offerings and 30 at the Big Red of the Rockies store in Thursday, Dec. 30 Chick-fil-A Peach Bowl Complex constructed in ’83…The national opportunities for donations…After a 13-3 Estes Park, Colo…NFF College Hall of 7 p.m. ESPN, Atlanta, Ga. placement firm Challenger, Gray and vote, the Dixie State U. re-naming commit- Fame player and Omaha AD Trev Alberts Thursday, Dec. 30 SRS Christmas indicated that due to COVID-19 tee has dropped Dixie from the university was saluted for his role in the running of 10:30 p.m. ESPN, Las Vegas, Nev. conditions, job changes in major profes- name. Among the new names considered the NCAA Division I Baseball World Friday, Dec. 31 TaxSlayer sions and athletics fell five percent in 2020 are Utah Technological University, Utah Series as it returns to a regular schedule 11 a.m. ESPN, Jacksonville, Fla. and 4.2 percent from January-March 2021 University of Technology & Arts, Utah beginning Saturday through July 29/30... Friday, Dec. 31 Tony the Tiger Sun Bowl ...Watchfire Signs has been tabbed to University of Technology & Humanities, …NFF College Hall of Fame QB Joe 2 p.m. CBS, El Paso, Texas install digital scoreboards at the Rantoul Utah Polytechnic University, Utah Institute Theismann of Notre Dame was an interest- Friday, Dec. 31 Capital One Orange Bowl Family Sports Complex in Danville, Ill... of Technology, and Utah University of ed in-stadium observer as the Fighting Irish (CFP semifinal) 3:30/7:30 p.m. ESPN, ….The Slinger Bag Group added Darren Technology. The change eventually will played at Mississippi State in the Starkville Miami Lakes, Fla. Cahill as brand ambassador and is going to have to be approved by the Utah State NCAA Super Regional. Theismann was a Friday, Dec. 31 Goodyear Cotton Bowl have a presentation at the upcoming LD Legislature…Tennessee athletics has start- draftee by the MLB when Classic (CFP semifinal) 3:30/7:30 p.m. Micro Invitational XI virtual sports exhibi- ed the $500 million My All campaign to he finished at Notre Dame in 1971..Veteran

16 June 18, 2021 - June 24, 2021 | The Sports Page Weekly | Volume 19 Issue 43 | www.sportspagedfw.com | follow us on twitter @sportspagdfw.com NFL QB Ryan (La.)’s WBRZ-TV is adding a new sports FWAA Outland Trophy/NFF William V. World Series after 11 p.m. in case of Fitzpatrick of Tulsa has signed a one-year wagering programming for area viewers... Campbell Trophy recipient Joe Thomas of weather delays or lengthy earlier con- contact with the Capital City crew…PGA …The Lincoln (Neb.) Journal Star newspa- Wisconsin in its latest of a memory series tests…The NCAA Men’s and Women’s Tour standout and former Florida State stu- per speculated that future candidates for on these All-America stalwarts…CoSIDA’s Basketball Rules Committees and Playing dent-athlete Brooks Koepka utilized his the Nebraska AD’s position might be asso- 65th annual National Workshop virtually Rules Oversight Panels updated several private plane to bring current FSU golf ciate AD for football Matt Davison and from June 7-10 included presentations rules’ changes for the 2021-22 season. standout John Pak to Columbus, Ohio, to Omaha AD and NFF College Hall of Fame from executive director Doug Vance, Dr. The National Football Foundation & receive the Jack Nicklaus Award for 2020- member and Huskers standout Trev Alberts Ivan Joseph, Joanne Gerstner, and Jennifer College Hall of Fame continues to work as 21 collegiate player of the year…Former …The San Jose (Calif.) Mercury News Rodgers of the NCAA…CoSIDA president a key entity Preserving the Past, Promoting Iowa football and baseball standout and reported on various media and man-on-the- Sam Atkinson of Gallaudet, Steven Kramer the Present, Preparing the Future, and MLB manager Bo Porter streets’ opinions about how the Pac-12 of the MEAC, Joey Beeler of Davidson, Protecting the Game Through Programs was featured for his business entrepreneur- Conference should negotiate its upcoming Mary Gasior of Eastern Michigan, and and Initiatives that Support 765 Colleges & ial exploits in Houston, Texas… television and advanced media agreements Mark LaFrance of George Mason were fea- Universities, 81,000-plus College Football Former USC star Tyron Smith, Notre …The Los Angeles Times newspaper spec- tured subjects and opinion makers in the Players, 15,810 High Schools, and Over Dame’s Zack Martin and LSU’s La’el ulated on hos COVID-19 cutbacks and lack CoSIDA Open Forum online newsletter 1.04 Million Players. Collins were complimented for improve- of preparation time might affect perform- and magazine…Arizona State, Dartmouth, NFF corporate partners include Delta Air ment after offseason health challenges dur- ances in the Tokyo Olympics, which will Drexel, Cincinnati, Iowa, Kansas, Louisville, Lines, Fidelity Investments, Goodyear, ing the NFL Dallas Cowboys. Fellow limit spectators to the families of specta- Michigan State, Virginia, and Virginia Tech Jostens, the New York Athletic Club, the Cowboy and proud Mississippi State alum- tors, meet officials and some VIP and are working with NCAA enforcement and Pasadena Tournament of Roses and the nus Dak Prescott attended the MSU sponsorship seating…Sports Illustrated compliance officials concerning possible Sports Business Journal. Follow us on Starkville (Miss.) NCAA Baseball reported that the NCAA has not reached a issues and probes at their respective Facebook, Instagram and Twitter @NFF Regional to cheer on his alma mater national agreement for a third party NIL schools …The NCAA Division Baseball Network and footballfoundation.org. against VCU…Retired Texas AD DeLoss program administrator or group…ESPN Championship Tournament set a record for Dodds spoke during an interview about noted that international student-athletes, total home runs in the post-2011 bat veloc- Schedule with New Year’s Six Games proposals for a joint Texas and Texas A&M roughly 12 percent of NCAA Division I ity reduction era with 250-plus…NFL sen- (All Games Televised by ESPN, EST) sports network in the Southwest and offers athletes, are in a quandary because of not ior vice president for media strategy and from Fox Sports and ESPN. The two being about to accumulate NIL compensa- business development Kevin LaForce has Friday, Dec. 31, 2021 schools were not able to come to joint tion due to NCAA national and IRS regula- left to join RedBird Capital…Several NBA (CFP Semifinals & Championship Jan. 10) terms, Texas started the Longhorn tions. ESPN also recorded record audiences teams have raised ticket prices for 2021-22 Goodyear Cotton Bowl AT&T Stadium Network, and Texas A&M left the Big 12 for the NCAA Women’s College Softball while looking to regain profit margins after Arlington, Texas, 4 or 8 p.m. to join the Southeastern Conference start- World Series with 1.63 million viewers COVID-19-related attendance losses…The Capital One Orange Bowl ing with the 2011-12 competitive year... (second-highest prior to best-of-3 final U.S. Senate Committee on Commerce, Hard Rock Stadium …Former Navy standout CB Cameron round) in WCWS annals…The Athletic Science and Transportation hosted the Miami Lakes, Fla., 4 or 8 p.m. Kinley had his request for a delay in Naval told how the $9 million compensation for NCAA Athlete NIL Rights hearing on June Monday, Jan. 10 service denied, so he will not be joining the Alabama head coach Nick Saban generates 9 with NCAA president Dr. Mark Emmert CFP Championship, Semifinal Winners Tampa Bay Buccaneers for 2021. larger application pools for the university and Gonzaga men’s basketball head coach Lucas Oil Stadium Popular NFF member Phil Steele and millions more for the local economy Mark Few as part of those testifying. Sally Indianapolis, Ind., 8 p.m. reported last weekend that he is in the final due to the Crimson Tide’s continued Jenkins (daughter of late NFF historian and Thursday, Dec. 30. 2021-Jan. 1, 2022 stages of page proofs for the Phil Steele national football success…Former ESPN sports writing legend Dan Jenkins) also (Other New Year’s Six Bowls) College Football Magazine, which should senior vice president of college sports pro- commented on a business term known as Thursday, Dec. 30 mount the presses in coming days…U.S. gramming and events Pete Derzis has input bias that was a major theme of the Chick Fil-A Peach Bowl Rep. (Md.) and former Howard football joined the Bespoke Group as a senior advi- hearing…The NCAA Sport Science Mercedes-Benz Stadium, Atlanta,Ga.TBD standout Jay Walker worked again for sor…Thad Livingston is leaving the Institute has opened a Resocialization of Friday, Jan. 1 ESPN on its NCAA Baseball Regional Omaha World-Herald as sports editor…The Collegiate Sport: 2021 Summer Activities PlayStation Fiesta Bowl telecasts last week. Walker starred in col- Athletic pointed out that NIL state laws to help NCAA members with initial sum- State Farm Stadium lege football, played actually supersede NCAA regulations, mer activities…The NCAA Women’s Glendale, Ariz. TBD and had a brief stint in the NFL before which may cause some future legal or Basketball Oversight Committee is work- Friday, Jan. 1 beginning his political career…The New additional NCAA membership activities ing with Kaplan, Hecker & Fink LLP to Allstate Sugar Bowl Mercedes-Benz Superdome Yorker magazine opined on how NBA liv- …Sports Illustrated gained comments from discuss future branding and participation New Orleans, La., TBD ing legends LeBron James and Chris Paul several anonymous college administrators opportunities…NCAA managing director Friday, Jan. 1 have played major roles in college student- for high levels about the possibility of of championships and alliances Liz Turner Rose Bowl presented by Capital One Rose athletes' as well as professional athletes’ expansion of the four-team College Suscha addressed the media about having Bowl Stadium, Pasadena, Calif. empowerment…ESPN research pointed out Football Playoff to 12 teams. Two points of to schedule games in the Women’s College that former Oklahoma State, LSU and concern are the Rose Bowl presented by Kansas head coach is the only Capital One’s insistence on keeping its tra- collegiate mentor to defeat former ditional New Year’s Day late-afternoon Cincinnati, Utah, Florida, and Ohio State time location and the decision to play the (now head coach of the NFL Jacksonville additional contests on campus sites of the Jaguars) Urban Meyer…Bettor Capital’s higher seeds or within the usual postseason David VanEgmond offered some possible bowl games’ lineup…Sport and Story's is financial solutions for The Athletic and working with Arkansas athletics to help the similar online publications... OutofBounds The HogPod podcast ranks 44th among all .com reported how the NCAA COVID-19 sports podcasts…Amazon Prime Video Health Committee made numerous changes signed a contract to webstream Ligue 1 in football and other sports’ recruiting soccer in France. cycles and dead periods to try to avoid NCAA Final Four men’s basketball face-to-face contact and to help stop the media coordinator David Worlock was spread of the 2020-21 pandemic…The feted with 2021 CoSIDA Hall of Fame Field of 68 podcast spoke about continuing recognition last week at the groups virtual challenges for with cer- workshop…The FWAA featured 2007 tain AAU programs and shoe/apparel com- FWAA Outland Trophy winner defensive pany agreements VSiN and Baton Rouge tackle Glenn Dorsey of LSU and 2006

Follow us on twitter @sportspagedfw | www.sportspagedfw.com | The Sports Page Weekly | Volume 19 - Issue 43 | June 18, 2021 - June 24, 2021 17 AUTO REVIEW MERCEDES BENZ G CLASS The desirability of G-Class holds strong

add a back-to-basics feel, and even though the new G550 is a larger vehicle, it doesn’t look that much bigger. A high-mounted tubular grille guard, unique to the G550, adds to the rugged look. Mercedes-Benz G-Class standard twin- turbo V8, 9-speed automatic transmission and full-time 4-wheel-drive (4WD) system with three locking differentials aren’t enough, consider that the Mercedes-Benz G550 is also equipped with LED head- lights and taillights, Apple CarPlay/Android Auto, a sunroof and a handy 360-degree camera that helps a bunch when parking the G in tight lots. Also standard: Brake , Lane Keep Assist and Dynamic Select with five driv- ing modes (Slippery, Individual, Comfort, Sport and Sport +). The G550 is available with a $12,200 Exclusive Interior Package that includes diamond-stitched Nappa leather, a Designo headliner and front seats with active bol- sters and built-in massagers. You can also get a $3,470 AMG kit that includes AMG body styling, flared wheel arches, a sport exhaust and brake calipers emblazoned with the words “Mercedes-Benz.” If you’re looking for a blacked-out G550, the $1,990 Night Package should satisfy with exterior mirrors, spare tire cover, grille, brush guard and wheels all done in black, plus black- tinted headlights and directional signals. The Mercedes-Benz G550 is powered by a twin-turbo 4.0-liter V8 that produces 416 There’s an all-new Mercedes-Benz G- speeds, firms up nicely on the highway, meet driver preference. horsepower and 450 lb-ft of torque. That’s Class, available as a G550 and an AMG where there’s none of the wander you The Mercedes-Benz G-Class Interior good for a 0-60-mph sprint of 5.6 seconds. G63, the latter a substantially more power- might expect from such a large truck. Even Luxury has been heightened considerably Of note, the powerplant is a bit unusual in ful model that we cover elsewhere. While though the Mercedes-Benz G-Class is a in the 2019 G550, thanks largely to the use that its turbochargers are atop the engine, the rugged new 2019 G550 retains a boxy high-riding vehicle, body roll is kept in of top-quality leather and attractive wood in the vee of the aluminum as profile and looks much the same as before, check by its well-damped suspension with veneers. We’re glad Mercedes retained the opposed to outside of it. One transmission Mercedes says only three parts are carry- anti-roll bars. The flat-plane glass wind- prominent grab bar for the front passenger, is available, a 9-speed automatic that occa- over: the door handles, spare-tire cover and shield, so much a part of the G’s character, and we also like how the traditional instru- sionally skips ratios for added efficiency headlight washers. More significant, this makes it easy to see the road ahead, and ments have been replaced by an attractive during acceleration. go-anywhere Mercedes SUV, still built in the prominent fenders, topped by large and easy-to-read digital screen. The dash- 4.0-liter twin-turbocharged V8 Graz, Austria, has a stronger and all-new directional signals, help the driver sense board, with four prominent circular air 416 horsepower @ 5,250 rpm body-on-frame chassis with independent the front corners of the G550. One down- vents, also features a push-button starter 450 lb-ft of torque @ 6,175 rpm front suspension replacing the former G’s side of driving such a blocky-shaped vehi- and an integral analog clock, this last item EPA city/highway fuel economy:13/17 mpg live front axle. Three locking differentials cle on the highway is a fair amount of wind adding a touch of traditional ambience. The The Mercedes-Benz G550, which takes (center, rear, front) ensure that the new G noise. Off-road, the G550 unquestionably new G550 is 2.8 inches longer and rides on 100 hours to hand-assemble at the factory can still tackle legitimately tough terrain. is one of the most capable SUVs. With a wheelbase also increased by 2.8 in. As a in Austria, has a Manufacturer’s Suggested Moreover, the new G550 has lost about three locking differentials, excellent power result, Mercedes has found nearly six inch- Retail Price (MSRP) of $124,500, plus a 375 pounds, thanks to revised materials and stout suspension, it makes light work es more rear legroom than before, plus an destination charge of $995. Ordered with and a lighter body. Much of the new body of tough trails and climbs that would be extra 1.5 inches up front. There’s also 4.8 several options such as the Exclusive is steel, but the fenders, hood and doors are impossible in a crossover SUV. inches more shoulder room inside the new Interior Package, a G550 can touch aluminum. Varied competitors include the Three locking differentials via three G. All this extra space is much appreciated, $150,000. Take note: That exceeds the base Land Rover Range Rover, the Jeep buttons on the dash, the G550’s center, rear as is a new rear bench seat that folds and price of the almighty 577-horsepower Wrangler, the Lexus LX 570 and the and front differentials can be locked, but splits 60/40. Mercedes-AMG G63, which starts at Toyota Land Cruiser. only in that order. This gives the G550 an The Mercedes-Benz G-Class exterior $147,500. Rest easy, though, because the The Mercedes-Benz G550 cruises com- ability to climb hills like a mountain goat. has succeeded with the look of the new desirability of a G-Class (and therefore its fortably down the highway, with plenty of The dynamic select drive system has five G550. This new Mercedes SUV remains as resale value) holds strong and steady over power for easy passing. At light throttle, modes: Slippery, Individual, Comfort, boxy and upright as ever, still military in time. Before buying, check the KBB.com the 9-speed automatic shifts smoothly. Sport and Sport+. Basically, the response appearance and not mistaken for any other Fair Purchase Price to see what others in With more throttle, the shifts get crisper. of the G550’s engine, transmission, steer- vehicle. Items such as the flat glass, your area are paying for their new truck. Electric-assist steering, light at parking-lot ing and stability control can be tailored to exposed door hinges and external spare tire

18 June 18, 2021 - June 24, 2021 | The Sports Page Weekly | Volume 19 Issue 43 | www.sportspagedfw.com | follow us on twitter @sportspagdfw.com TICKET WINDOW

Follow us on twitter @sportspagedfw | www.sportspagedfw.com | The Sports Page Weekly | Volume 19 - Issue 43 | June 18, 2021 - June 24, 2021 19 20 June 18, 2021 - June 24, 2021 | The Sports Page Weekly | Volume 19 Issue 43 | www.sportspagedfw.com | follow us on twitter @sportspagdfw.com