Sunday, May 19, 2013

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Friday, July 20, 2012

Joe Paterno said, "I should have done more." The statement should have finished with "but I didn't". That is the truth of the matter.

We can argue Joe Paterno's legacy and all that he has done for the University till we're blue in the face. None of what JoePa has done for the University will ever be taken away. His drive for academics, his generosity, his genuine leadership and his stewardship of a football program that has never been scandalous in the ways that other programs have cannot be denied.

Friday, July 6, 2012

Good riddance 'Big Baby' Howard

By SHAWN MCFARLAND

"He is like LeBron James Jr., but worse."

Up until about two weeks ago, that was the phrase I used to describe the Orlando Magic's Dwight Howard.

Since then things have only gotten worse for the Magic and their fan base. So much so that I think Howard might be making a run at the award currently owned by John Edward. For those who have no idea what I am talking about, search South Park episode 615 and enjoy.

Friday, June 29, 2012

Shoop back at JT

There was no elementary school wrestling team when Ren Shoop attended Jim Thorpe High School.

In fact, Shoop had to wait until his sophomore year to take part in intramural wrestling and waited until his junior year to compete as a varsity wrestler, the first year for the program.

He's stayed around the sport long since graduating from Jim Thorpe High in 1966. And now he'll return to the wrestling program where his career started.

Friday, June 15, 2012

Feels like the Masters all over again

It feels like the Masters all over again.

Only 10 weeks ago this very column looked at all the great storylines golf fans could follow heading into the weekend of the Masters.

With one round in the books at the US Open, it seems many of the storylines haven't changed, while new ones have come about.

Once again, Tiger tops the list. He won two weeks ago against a strong field at the Memorial. His game looked better there than it looked in his win at Bay Hill two weeks before the Masters. Woods finished tied for 40th at Augusta.

Friday, June 1, 2012

Former Colt gridder now making a name in rugby

The history of Coal Region football is well-documented, but, in reality, not everyone who leaves area high schools with expectations of playing in college actually makes it to the field. Be that as it may, there's an alternative to it for those who want to continue to compete.

"Rugby is an amazing game," says Pat Boyle, a 2003 graduate of Marian High School who found his niche at Villanova University and continues to play the sport in "men's club" while coaching it at Temple University.

Friday, May 11, 2012

Zimmerman is now district's 'main man'

BY ED HEDES

Jason Zimmerman always seemed to light a fire under every part of the Northwestern Lehigh athletic program since he took over as athletic director years back.

He has worked his way up to being a league officer in the Colonial League and then on to the District 11 committee of the Pennsylvania Interscholastic Athletic Association.

On July 1, Zimmerman takes over as the main man in the district after being elected as the district chairman to succeed Jack Wabby, who is retiring after 33 years on the committee and as PIAA treasurer.

Friday, May 4, 2012

Heartache for Hope

BY SHAWN MCFARLAND

Over the last couple of years, concussions have been pushed to the front of the sports world. Concussion awareness has risen dramatically mainly due to the rapid growth of head injuries in football and hockey. Whereas years ago players would be able to talk themselves back into the game just minutes after taking a serious blow, now a plethora of tests must be done by a team's training staff before the player can even think about going back out and competing.

Friday, April 6, 2012

It could be a big weekend for golf

Golf's popularity peaked a few years back, when Tiger Woods was rewriting record books.

If the sport is ever going to regain that level of attention, this weekend could be when it starts.

The greatest tournament of the year started yesterday and the stage seems to be set for one of the best Masters we've seen in years. Storylines abound and more will surely be created over the next three days.

At the top of the list, of course, is Tiger's reemergence. His well-documented struggles on and off the course look to be behind him.

Friday, March 23, 2012

The PIAA needs to bring back balanced brackets

BY EMMETT MCCALL

With the PIAA basketball championships taking place today and tomorrow at Penn State University's Bryce Jordan Center, I thought it would be a good time to take a look at a few faults that I have with the way the state tournament is run.

I'd love to see a return to the days of separate Eastern and Western playoffs in the state.

Several years ago when Philadelphia teams joined the PIAA, the 32-team state tournament brackets in each of the classes were altered to reflect where the majority of the teams in each class were located.

Friday, March 9, 2012

State wrestling memories

BY ED HEDES

It's been a long time since I sat on press row at the PIAA Wrestling Championships.

In the past 25-plus years, I've made the trip to Hershey only twice.

Once was about 12 years ago when the PIAA still called the old HersheyPark Arena its home for the basketball and wrestling championships.

The other was in 2009 when THE TIMES NEWS had numerous wrestlers make it out of regionals.

Since I was scheduled to cover a PIAA Girls Basketball game that weekend in Leola, the trip out a day earlier was definitely on the bill.

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