“We’re fired up to have (Smith) lead our women’s gymnastics program,” Clemson athletics director Graham Neff said when introducing Smith, who has spent the last five seasons as the head coach at Utah State.
Author: Ray Maloney
A native of Bismarck, N.D., Ray is a graduate of North Dakota State University where he began studying athletic training and served as a student trainer for several Bison teams including swimming, wrestling and baseball and was a trainer at the 1979 NCAA national track and field championship meet at the University of Illinois. Ray later worked in the sports information office at NDSU. Following his graduation from NDSU he spent five years in the sports information office at Missouri Western State University and one year in the sports information at Georgia Tech. He has nearly 40 years of writing experience as a sports editor at several newspapers and has received numerous awards for his writing over the years. A noted sports historian, Ray is currently an assistant editor at Amateur Wrestling News.
Kansas State’s Bill Snyder Succeeds Where No One Else Had
Snyder resuscitated a once-moribund program, dubbed “Futility U” in a Sports Illustrated article a short time before Snyder’s arrival. The school had appeared in just one bowl game in school history and Snyder turned the Wildcats into one of the most consistent programs over the course of the next three decades.
College Softball Legend Honored at Arizona
Everyone knew it was just a matter of time, but officials at the University of Arizona wasted little time in assuring Mike Candrea’s name will forever be remembered at the school.
Columbia Women Claim First WNIT Victory
In the concrete jungle of New York City, and not far from the noisy subway system that transits millions of patrons to points throughout the city each day, from the standard continued to be raised as Columbia achieved another milestone in the history of the women’s basketball program.
Gillespie Clutch as Wildcats Win Big East Crown
The six-foot, two-inch guard, who was held scoreless in the first half, ended the game with 17 points, with eight of those coming in the final three minutes of play as Villanova rallied to defeat Creighton 54-48 to win the Big East championship on March 12 at Madison Square Garden.
Creighton, Villanova to Battle for Big East Supremacy
“We beat a really good team … and we did it our way,” McDermott said after watching his team’s impressive performance. “We did it with defense.”
Top Seeds Survive to Meet in Big East Semifinals
Despite all efforts to the contrary, the top four seeds all survived to remain alive in the 2022 Big East Tournament, albeit in mostly dramatic fashion, being held at Madison Square Garden.
Butler, Seton Hall Win Thrillers in First Round of Big East Tournament
There has never been a shortage of exciting games at the Big East Tournament and the 40th edition of the tournament at the world’s most famous arena continued that long line of drama.
Sherri Coale Establishes Sooners as National Power
Coale’s decision to close her coaching career in 2021 caught many by surprise, but she says it had been on her mind for the past few seasons.
Columbia Matmen Sweep Harvard, Brown
On a night when Columbia University honored its senior class, it was easy to see the future looks bright for the Lions on the wrestling mat.
Black History Month: Simon Roberts Helped Pave Way for African-American Success in Wrestling
Long before Black History Month was officially recognized in the United States, Simon Roberts made a name for himself and began to kick in doors that were previously closed to African-Americans in the sport of wrestling.
Pirates Ward Off No. 25 Musketeers 73-71
Seton Hall defeated No. 25 ranked Xavier 73-71 in a men’s basketball game on Feb. 9 at the Prudential Center.
Ford, Sun Devils Look to Return to WCWS
ASU coach Trisha Ford is hoping to end a title drought in June with her Sun Devils hoisting the coveted trophy on the field at USA Softball Hall of Fame Stadium in Oklahoma City, Okla.
Fordham Withstands Rhode Island in Battle of Rams 61-55
Fordham did just enough of the little things to eek out a 61-55 win over visiting Rhode Island on Feb. 2 at historic Rose Hill Gym in A10 men’s basketball action.
QB Sonny Jurgensen Etches Name in NFL History
Knowing and being aware of his own physical limitations made the goal simple enough in Sonny Jurgensen’s mind as to what would make him successful as a quarterback in the National Football League.
Landrus, Wolfpack Look for Breakout Gymnastics Season
The landscape is continuing to change is women’s collegiate gymnastics. And Kim Landus and her N.C. State team remain a visible part of those changes.
Beth Mowins: From Three-Sport Athlete To Sportscasting Pioneer
The daughter of a high school basketball coach, Mowins was introduced to basketball at an early age and was introduced to a whole other world while sitting on the floor in the family living room on Sunday mornings watching Phyllis George talk football.
Vince Dooley’s Plan Leads to Legendary Status
No celebration of Georgia’s recent national football championship can be complete without looking back on the foundation Vince Dooley began putting in place more than half a century ago and culminating when Dooley and the Bulldogs won the national championship in 1980 by defeating Notre Dame 17-10 in the Sugar Bowl.
Montana State Head Coach Brent Vigen Knows A Thing Or Two About Bison, Frisco
Montana State has spent nearly half a century panning for another national title in football and it’s taken a graduate of North Dakota State to lead the Bobcats to the threshold of achieving that goal.
Former Georgia Tech Head Basketball Coach Bobby Cremins Lives Out Dream
The platinum blond hair made Bobby Cremins one of the most easily recognizable figures in college basketball. The success he had in turning collegiate basketball programs around made him one of the best coaches in the history of the game.
Rare Matchup on Tap in America’s Heartland
The scene that will unfold at a sold-out Hilton Coliseum (14,267) on New Year’s Day will likely have a party atmosphere when Iowa State entertains Baylor and figures to be one of the most electric afternoons in college basketball history. And with good reason.
“Spin Doctor” Chuck Foreman Remains One of Football’s Greats
Despite the fact he has no formal medical training, Chuck Foreman will forever be known as a doctor to a legion of National Football League fans. Spin doctor, to be more precise.
Women’s Basketball, Men’s Basketball to Share Same Court In Never Forget Tribute Classic
A unique college basketball doubleheader returns to the hardwood with the renewal of the Never Forget Tribute Classic.
Jimmy V Classic: Villanova Controls the Boards in Defeating Longtime Rival
The renewal of a longstanding rivalry between two former Big East Conference foes put all the is good about college basketball on full display in front of nearly 15,000 fans as No. 6 Villanova defeated Syracuse 67-53 on Nov. 9 in the nightcap of the 2021 Jimmy V Classic at famed Madison Square Garden.
College Basketball Returns to Famed Madison Square Garden for Jimmy V Classic
In a city known for its rich basketball tradition on the asphalt courts that abound on nearly every street corner, college basketball takes center stage once again with the annual Jimmy V Classic.
Iowa State Impressive in Winning NIT Tip-Off
Behind the play of three players to score in double figures, ISU ran all over No. Memphis 78-59 to claim the championship at the NIT Season Tip-Off Nov. 25 at Barclays Center in downtown Brooklyn.
St. Francis-Brooklyn Women Notch Historical Triumph
St. Francis-Brooklyn coach Linda Cimino conjured up some classic Norman Dale after her Terriers scored the final six points of the game, all in the last 45 seconds, to overtake and stun Michigan State 66-63 to record what is believed to be the biggest win in the history of the program at the school.
NIT Season Tip-Off Returns After Brief Absence
After a one-year absence from the college basketball landscape things take a giant step in a return to normal with the 2021 NIT Season Tip-Off.
No. 4 Michigan Roars Past Columbia 34-3
Two teams looking to climb the ladder of powers in collegiate wrestling took to the mat and one team learned just how arduous that ascent will be.
Downey Sparks Fordham Past Spartans
Fordham proved that as Kaitlyn Downey connected on a trio of 3-pointers in a span of 1:42 in the third period to help break open a close game before withstanding a late rally by Michigan State for a 71-68 win over the visiting Spartans on Nov. 21 at Rose Hill Gymnasium in the Bronx.
Culp Stands Alone as Wrestling, Football Great
Growing up in the searing heat of the desert surrounding Yuma, Ariz., a young asthmatic boy spent plenty of time helping out around the family home before finding an escape into a world that eventually led him to immortality.
Big Second Half Propels Holy Cross To Another Patriot League Crown
Holy Cross ran the ball well … and passed the ball well … and its defense did what needed to be done as the Crusaders overcame a 24-17 deficit by scoring 35 unanswered points on the way to defeating Fordham 52-24 on Nov. 13 in the Bronx.
OVC 2021 Week 11 Preview
The OVC is currently paced by UT Martin which has won all four of its conference games this season.
Champions Classic Opens Men’s Hoops With Exciting Duke, Kansas Wins
The 2021-22 season tipped off Nov. 9 at Madison Square Garden with the 11th annual Champions Classic with Duke and Kansas both picking up victories to get their seasons underway in front of 18,132 spectators.
Emge Shines for Harvard in First Career Start
Harvard rolled up the yards and added more points to the scoreboard, and whatever hopes Columbia had of winning an Ivy League championship went in the other direction as the Crimson scored the first 42 points of the game on the way to a 49-21 win over the Lions on Nov. 6 at Robert K. Kraft Field at Lawrence A. Wien Stadium in Manhattan.
OVC 2021 Week 10 Preview
Polls and rankings make for good fodder at the water cooler and between rival fan bases, but the fact remains trying to rank teams still remains nothing but a guess.
Proof of that be seen by simply taking a look at the Ohio Valley Conference preseason poll and comparing it against where those same teams sit in the league standings as the regular season heads into the final three weeks of play.
College Basketball Blue Bloods Invade Big Apple for State Farm Champions Classic
There is perhaps no better place to tip off a new college basketball season than at the world’s most famous arena. Putting four of the most storied programs in history on full display only fuels the excitement as the nation continues reopening after nearly two years of uncertainty.
Magic in the Air as Fordham Rallies to Defeat Lehigh 35-28
While it’s long been said that a picture is worth a thousand words, the images racked up through 59 minutes of play between Lehigh and Fordham were enough to provide an endless supply of storylines.
OVC 2021 Week 8 Preview
The meat of the Ohio Valley Conference season begins this weekend and despite some unique scheduling, the results involving all seven league members should provide a glimpse of what to expect as the season continues to draw to a close in less than one month.
Dante Miller’s Long Run Sparks Columbia Past Quakers
It took some time, but Dante Miller infused electricity into the air and that proved to be the tonic as Columbia picked up a milestone win in the long history of the program.
OVC 2021 Week 7 Preview – Strange Season Unfolding in OVC
With Halloween looming on the horizon what has already taken place in the Ohio Valley Conference football landscape has been downright ghoulish compared to recent seasons.
DeMorat, Sneed Impressive As Fordham Trounces Seahawks
Fordham scored on all six of its possessions in the first half and was in command from start to finish en route to a 56-7 win over the Seahawks in a non-conference tilt at storied Jack Coffey Field.
OVC 2021 Week 6 Preview
The way the Ohio Valley Conference standings look heading into the sixth week of the season are likely not to be the same way the ledger will look when the dust settles on the regular season.
Dickie V Gives Back in A Big Way
“I grew up in a home filled with love,” Dick Vitale explained. “My parents both had a fifth-grade educations … but they both had a doctorate in love.”
OVC 2021 Week 5 Preview
Now that most of the fun and games are a thing of the past, things begin to heat up in the Ohio Valley Conference as plenty is already at stake as Week 5 prepares to get underway.
David Fulcher Gives Back to Community After Brilliant NFL Career
When the doorbell at the home rang on two days earlier Fulcher thought another package was being delivered for his wife via Amazon. Instead, it was a UPS delivery addressed to Fulcher that informed him of his selection into the Hall of Fame.
Kilmer Shines at UCLA and Later Enjoys Solid NFL Career
It’s a long-held belief that many will not dispute, but moms really do know what’s best.
OVC 2021 Week 4 Preview
After three weeks off taking on some very formidable foes at the FBS and FCS levels with a mixed bag of results, most of the Ohio Valley Conference teams jump into league play this weekend as the hunt for a postseason berth begins in earnest.
OVC 2021 Week 3 Preview
The final weekend of non-conference action is on tap this weekend for all seven Ohio Valley Conference teams as they prepare the annual grind toward a conference championship on Sept. 25.
Recap – OVC Football – Week ending September 11th, 2021
UT Martin was the only Ohio Valley Conference team to snag a win in Week Two of the 2021 college football season.
