Cronkite Sports Stories

Niki Jackson focuses on scoring goals and creating opportunities for his teammates. (Photo by Ben H...
Ben Halverson/Cronkite News

Valley soccer standout Niki Jackson helps build GCU program

One of the top players in Arizona, Niki Jackson received numerous offers to play for top-tier programs. Instead, Jackson decided to play soccer at GCU.
8 years ago
Jordan Masters (17) shoots on goal during Arizona State’s 2015-16 opener against the University o...
Ryan Decker/Cronkite News

ASU hockey looks to show improvement in first full NCAA season

Arizona State was expected to struggle last season, its first as an NCAA hockey program. And the Sun Devils did, winning only five games against NCAA teams.
8 years ago
Michael Versteeg said that while he’s done long-distance runs before, nothing compares to the cha...
Michael Boylan/Cronkite News

Ultra-runner targeting record for 800-mile Arizona Trail run

Running 800 miles may seem like insanity to some people, but Michael Versteeg knew he’d get around to trying it one day.
8 years ago
A 1950s quarter midget located in the museum. (Photo by Tyler Rubin/Cronkite News)...
Tyler Rubin/Cronkite News

Legacy lives on at Arizona Open Wheel Racing Museum

There is a lot of racing history packed within the walls of the Arizona Open Wheel Racing Museum in east Phoenix.
8 years ago
Suns gaurd Devin Booker poses with some of the participants in the Big Buddies Arizona program. (Ph...
Alexis Ramanjulu/Cronkite News

Suns’ Booker delivers surprise and a big check

Devin Booker presented a check for $10,000 to Best Buddies, an organization dedicated to supporting people with intellectual and developmental disabilities.
8 years ago
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Nicole Vasquez/Cronkite News

Tailgating even more important than the game for some

Rick Inmon’s Arizona Cardinals tailgating crew has one rule: Everything must have bacon. That’s the scene on Sundays around University of Phoenix Stadium.
8 years ago
This Looney Tunes-themed mask was the first that artist David Arrigo produced for goalie Mike Smith...
Madalyn Heimann/Cronkite News

Coyote goalie Mike Smith’s mask a canvas for Canadian artist

GLENDALE – Every hockey goaltender must wear a protective mask, but the masks often do more than protect the goalie from slap shots flying toward the net at more than 100 mph. Today’s masks, with their elaborate artwork, can also tell a story about the people behind them. David Arrigo, David Gunnarsson and Diel Leroux are […]
8 years ago
Mercury forward Penny Taylor returned to the Phoenix Mercury on a hunt to bring home one last champ...
Lindsey Wisniewski and Giselle Cancio/Cronkite News

Mercury embrace underdog role heading into series against Lynx

PHOENIX — The Phoenix Mercury have entered uncharted territory. Every time they’ve brought home a WNBA championship in the past, the Mercury were the top-seeded team in the playoffs. This year, the eighth-seeded Mercury snuck into the playoffs during the final week of the season, despite a losing record (16-18). And now, the Mercury hope […]
8 years ago
Nicole Vasquez and Alexis Ramanjulu/Cronkite News

Arnold Palmer leaves lasting imprint on Arizona golf courses

Arnold Palmer left his design touch on five courses in Arizona – three in the Valley, one in Tucson and one in Yuma.
8 years ago
Bruce Clark-Frye and his mom embrace after a successful night at the D-backs Go Gold for Cancer Awa...
Giselle Cancio/Cronkite News

Goldschmidt, Diamondbacks trying to make life easier for kids with cancer

The Diamondbacks, first baseman Paul Goldschmidt and his wife, Amy, are trying to make life easier for children through Goldy’s Fund 4 Kids.
8 years ago
Campers scrimmage during the 2016 NBA Basketball Without Borders camp, in Luanda, Angola. (Photo by...
Jonathan Saxon/Cronkite News

A game without borders: Suns’ Bledsoe helps grow basketball overseas

A a group of NBA stars that included Eric Bledsoe of the Phoenix Suns took part in the league’s 14th Basketball Without Borders camp in Angola.
8 years ago
Geordie Hackett expects the facility’s expansion to play a major role in landing potential recrui...
Ben Halverson/Cronkite News

GCU investing in sports medicine as part of move to Division I

Grand Canyon University is adding 2,500 feet of space to the school’s sports medicine facility. It will cost between $500,000 and $1 million.
8 years ago
Coyotes forwards Dylan Strome, Ryan MacInnis and Nick Merkley are three of 29 rookies who atteneded...
Nicole Vasquez/Cronkite News

Coyotes rookies hope to leave lasting impression

The day of an Arizona Coyotes rookie begins at 8 a.m. and doesn’t end until 9 p.m.
8 years ago
Diamondbacks infielder/outfielder Kyle Jensen walks along the warning track during batting practice...
Matt Layman/Cronkite News

September an opportunity for minor leaguers to fulfill lifelong dream

Every September, MLB roster limits expand from 25 to 40 players, giving players like Matt Koch the chance to realize a lifelong dream.
8 years ago
The Lady Coyotes face off agaist the Jr Sun Devils. (Photo by Alexis Ramanjulu/Cronkite News)...
Alexis Ramanjulu/Cronkite News

Women’s hockey is growing in the desert

As women's hockey participation grows nationwide and explodes in Arizona, ASU and GCU are adding women's club hockey teams.
8 years ago
Mercury veteran Penny Taylor’s eyes welled up with tears during postgame tribute honoring her 13-...
Lindsey Wisniewski/Cronkite News

Curtain falling on career of ‘one of the best players in the world’

Penny Taylor wraps up a WNBA career in which she won three championships. Taylor, Diana Taurasi and others reflect on the Australian's impact.
8 years ago
Chad Moeller throws batting practice during a Team Dinger workout. (Photo by Trisha Garcia/Cronkite...
Trisha Garcia/Cronkite News

Former D-backs catcher Chad Moeller finds passion in teaching

Chad Moeller, who helped train Tim Tebow for his recent baseball tryout, hosts hitting, catching and pitching clinics along with baseball camps.
8 years ago
Phoenix Mercury center Kelsey Bone kneeled during the national anthem Thursday night, her third str...
Giselle Cancio and Lindsey Wisniewski/Cronkite News

Mercury’s Kelsey Bone to take anthem protests into WNBA playoffs

The Mercury's Kelsey Bone is taking her social justice protest to the WNBA playoffs.
8 years ago
A baseball card featuring former Arizona Gov. Rose Mofford was created for her induction into the C...
Brendan Kennealy and Jonathan Saxon/Cronkite News

Mofford saved Cactus League from extinction

Near the end of spring training in 1990, MLB Commissioner Fay Vincent came to Arizona Gov. Rose Mofford with an ultimatum, according to former Maricopa County Board of Supervisors Chairman Jim Bruner.
8 years ago
Todd Graham said that while there are areas that need improvement, the bottom line is that Arizona ...
Trisha Garcia/Cronkite News

ASU coach Todd Graham on Texas Tech game: ‘It should’ve been a blowout’

Arizona State coach Todd Graham said nearly half of Texas Tech's points came on "misalignments and things like that, all things we can correct."
8 years ago
Cardinals coach Bruce Arians said his team didn’t play well in any phase of the game. (Photo by N...
Nicole Vasquez/Cronkite News

‘Disappointed’ Arians on Cardinals loss to Pats: ‘Give us another week’

After coming up a kick short against the Patriots, questions of is-the- sky-falling descended on the shoulders of the Super Bowl favored Arizona Cardinals.
8 years ago
Northern Arizona's Kendyl Taylor (13) runs for a first down as he is forced out of bounds by Arizon...
Ryan Decker/Cronkite News

Arizona State pass defense faces big test vs. Texas Tech

Arizona State’s pass defense hopes to improve on a hit-or-miss 2015 season through coaching changes, new talent and greater attention to detail.
8 years ago
Arizona State's Zane Gonzalez (5) kicks a field goal from the hold of Matt Haack (26) as Northern A...
Lindsey Wisniewski/Cronkite News

ASU’s Zane Gonzalez on record-breaking course

Arizona State kicker Zane Gonzalez is used to breaking records. The four-year starter marks them off like notches in a belt.
8 years ago
Richard Bohus smiles at the Olympic Village in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. (Photo by Jaclyn Chung/Cronk...
Nicole Vasquez/Cronkite News

ASU swimmers bring Olympic experience back to Tempe

Two weeks ago, Sun Devil swimmer Katarina Simonovic glided through the water under a warm Tempe sun at the Mona Plummer Aquatic Complex.
8 years ago