Cronkite Sports Stories

Solomon Asante (left) and Gladson Awako have been playing together since 2011 before both joined th...
Josh Martinez | Cronkite News

From Ghana to Rising: Friendship of Asante, Awako helps play on field

For midfielders Solomon Asante and Galdson Awako, there is a relationship and friendship that stretches back to before the two’s time with Phoenix Rising.
6 years ago
(AP Photo/Roy Dabner)...
Jade Hanson | Cronkite News

Tillman, Grace headline 2018 Arizona Sports Hall of Fame induction class

The late Pat Tillman and former Diamondback Mark Grace, among others, to be inducted into the Arizona Sports Hall of Fame.
6 years ago
Arizona Diamondbacks' A.J. Pollock connects for a run-scoring double against the Washington Nationa...
Ben Leibowitz | Cronkite News

Broken thumb hasn’t stopped A.J. Pollock from being key D-backs player

Dbacks outfielder A.J. Pollock eclipsed his home run total from last season in nearly 200 fewer at-bats, setting himself up for a big free-agent payday.
6 years ago
Arizona State head coach Herm Edwards pauses while speaking at the Pac-12 Conference NCAA college f...
Margaret Naczek | Cronkite News

ASU off to strong in-state recruiting start with 2019 class

Four of the 11 recruits come from the Valley and look forward to staying close to home for college football.
6 years ago
Arizona State quarterback Manny Wilkins throws a pass agiainst UCLA during the first half of an NCA...
Jorge Ramos | Cronkite News

ASU’s Manny Wilkins, N’Keal Harry have high expectations for 2018

ASU quarterback Manny Wilkins and wide receiver N’Keal Harry enter the 2018 season with high expectations under new ASU football head coach Herm Edwards
6 years ago
Arizona Diamondbacks closer Brad Ziegler fires one of his submarine pitches while saving the Diamon...
Ben Leibowitz | Cronkite News

Trade deadline additions position D-backs with depth for postseason push

Despite not making any blockbuster moves, the Arizona Diamondbacks were busy at the 2018 trade deadline. What do those moves mean going forward?
6 years ago
Devin Booker was the youngest of the 38 players invited to the USA Basketball minicamp in Las Vegas...
Jordan Kaye | Cronkite News

Devin Booker impresses Griffin, uses time at Team USA minicamp to learn

Devin Booker is using his time with USA Basketball to learn. He’s had conversations with Coach K and played one-on-one games with Kevin Durant and Paul George.
6 years ago
Arizona Diamondbacks' Zack Greinke (21) hits a single scoring Nick Ahmed during the sixth inning of...
Ben Leibowitz | Cronkite Sports

Diamondbacks hold mixed opinions about DH rule

MLB’s designated hitter rule could soon be coming to the National League, but many Diamondbacks don’t agree with the potential rule change.
6 years ago
Pac-12 Commissioner Larry Scott speaks at Pac-12 NCAA college football Media Day, Wednesday, July 2...
Jack Harris | Cronkite Sports

Larry Scott defends Pac-12’s shaky year, eyes future changes

After a shaky year in football, basketball and financially, Pac-12 commissioner Larry Scott defended his conference on Wednesday.
6 years ago
Newly appointed Arizona State University NCAA college football head coach Herman Edwards smiles dur...
Jack Harris | Cronkite News

Difference between Edwards, Sumlin highlighted at Pac-12 Media Day

New coaches Kevin Sumlin and Herm Edwards shared the stage on Wednesday at Pac-12 Media Day. The differences between the two new hires were on full display, setting the stage for a new era of college football in the state
6 years ago
Arizona State’s women’s triathlon program won back-to-back national championsihps after becomin...
Max Kelley | Cronkite News

ASU women’s triathlon program setting blueprint for success

ASU women’s triathlon has won back-to-back national championships since their inaugural season and the rest of the nation is chasing their success.
6 years ago
Arizona head coach Kevin Sumlin speaks at the Pac-12 Conference NCAA college football Media Day in ...
Jorge Ramos | Cronkite News

First Manziel, now Tate: UA’s Sumlin excited about another dual-threat QB

First-year Arizona coach Kevin Sumlin inherited another dual threat quarterback in Khalil Tate.
6 years ago
Left: Arizona Cardinals offensive lineman Alan Faneca weighed as much as 315 pounds when he played ...
Nathanael Gabler | Cronkite News

Health after the NFL: The highs and lows of a lineman’s weight journey

Maintaining optimal NFL weight of 300-plus pounds – especially for players in the trenches – often requires unhealthy practices.
6 years ago
Arizona Diamondbacks' Steven Souza Jr. hits an RBI double off Chicago Cubs starting pitcher Kyle He...
Ben Leibowitz | Cronkite News

Diamondbacks weathered impactful injuries to stay in postseason hunt

The Diamondbacks were able to weather injuries to All-Star talents in the first half and remain in the postseason hunt in the National League.
6 years ago
Jordan Kaye | Cronkite News

Cactus League economic impact makes double-figure jump

Four months after the 2018 Cactus League season ended, an ASU study found that the event provided Arizona with an economic impact of more than $644 million.
6 years ago
Jude Schimmel helped open the Fiesta Bowl Lori Piestewa National Native American Games. (Photo cour...
Nathanael Gabler | Cronkite News

Basketball standout Schimmel helps open Piestewa Games

Jude Schimmel has started in a Final Four game, interviewed President Barack Obama, written a book, Dreamcatcher, and starred in Nike commercials narrated by LeBron James. Now, as a 24-year-old Native American woman, she is using her platform to encourage Native Americans to go out and live healthier lifestyles.
6 years ago
Arizona Diamondbacks' Paul Goldschmidt reacts after striking out against Colorado Rockies starting ...
Ben Leibowitz | Cronkite News

Absolute power: Strikeout trend continues as homers become priority

Major League Baseball is on pace to see its single-season strikeout record broken for the 11th consecutive year. Will changes to the sport follow?
6 years ago
Josh Martinez | Cronkite News

High Arizona temperatures give Phoenix Rising edge at home

When it comes to playing in the heat, few teams in the United Soccer League experience what Phoenix Rising FC does on a regular basis.
6 years ago
Former Arizona guard Rawle Alkins averaged nine points for the Toronto Raptors during NBA Summer Le...
Jordan Kaye | Cronkite News

Alkins, Trier working toward NBA career after going undrafted

Former Arizona basketball standouts Allonzo Trier and Rawle Alkins both went undrafted but are trying to carve out a spot on an NBA roster.
6 years ago
Arizona State's Mickey Mitchell, left, covers a drive from Colorado's George King during the second...
Jack Harris | Cronkite News

Suns second-round pick George King plotting rare lengthy NBA career

George King is trying to become one of the few late second-round picks to carve out a lengthy NBA career. The Colorado product has the tools to break in the league.
6 years ago
Oliver Ekman-Larsson plays floor hockey at the Boys & Girls Club in Scottsdale. Ekman-Larsson r...
Max Kelley | Cronkite News

Coyotes’ Ekman-Larsson embraces ‘face of the franchise’ role

Oliver Ekman-Larsson signed an eight-year, $66 million extension, a long-term deal solidifying himself as the staple of Arizona Coyotes franchise.
6 years ago
New legislation that would legalize sports betting has raised concerns about increased gambling add...
Nate Fain

Cashing out: Legalized sports gambling raises addiction concerns

Forty states allow some form of legalized casinos. And as approval for gambling increase in Arizona, millions of Americans suffer from addiction.
6 years ago
Carl Woszczynski has been with Phoenix Rising for several years as the team’s goalkeeper. He is r...
Josh Martinez | Cronkite News

Field general: How Phoenix Rising’s Woszczynski plays goalkeeper

SCOTTSDALE — When defending his team’s goal, a lot runs through Phoenix Rising goalkeeper Carl Woszczynski’s mind. For example, when an opposing player breaks away during a match and races toward him with the ball, Woszczynski is yelling at his defenders to get back on defense. Then his minds starts running through a variety of […]
6 years ago
Representatives from the Phoenix organizing committee were in Boston Wednesday making a pitch for a...
Jordan Kaye | Cronkite News

Phoenix organizing committee in Boston, makes official Final Four bid

The Valley has been a standout when it comes to hosting sports mega events. A committee was in Boston Wednesday to make a pitch or a future Final Four.
6 years ago