Search result for Luke Runyon

En garde: Phoenix Fencing Academy fosters tradition, teaches excellence

TEMPE – The Phoenix Fencing Academy is one of the only places to participate in the sport and many of the former students have gone on to be successful Division I fencers along with national champions and others who have represented their countries internationally. The founder and head coach, Will Becker, grew up fencing and the family name is one of the biggest in the sport.

Gillian Harrill, who established her fencing roots at the Phoenix Fencing Academy, became a national champion at Cornell University. (Photo courtesy of Phoenix Fencing Academy)

Attorneys say Resolution Copper Mine would ‘destroy’ worship at Oak Flat

WASHINGTON - Attorneys for Apache Stronghold told a federal appeals court Tuesday that the proposed Resolution Copper Mine would lead to the "complete physical destruction" of sacred lands at Oak Flat, a clear violation of religious liberty laws.


Luke Voit, Tyler Naquin travel similar roads to arrive in Brewers camp

PHOENIX – Luke Voit and Tyler Naquin have followed similar paths in their baseball careers, and it led them both to the Milwaukee Brewers. The major league veterans signed minor league contracts on Feb. 21 and were invited to spring training as non-roster additions. They have about a month to carve out a niche that will earn them a roster spot on Opening Day.

After recently signing with the Brewers, Luke Voit is campaigning for a spot on the Opening Day roster as a non-roster addition. (Photo by Robert Crompton/Cronkite News)

Clouds may steal the sunshine on Super Bowl Sunday

PHOENIX – Signs of the Super Bowl coat the streets of the Phoenix metro area. But despite Phoenix’s sunny reputation, there's a chance travelers will have to deal with rain for the big game.

The State Farm Stadium roof in Glendale will likely be open for Super Bowl LVII, pending weather conditions. (Photo by Dylan Nichols/Cronkite News)

Season of change: ASU alum Darren Woodson’s defining year in Tempe

PHOENIX — Held to ASU’s modified enforcement of Proposition 48, Darren Woodson couldn’t play or practice with the program as an academically ineligible walk-on during the 1987-88 season — before he became a three-year starter, before he won three Super Bowls with the Dallas Cowboys, and before he was named a finalist for the Pro Football Hall of Fame. It was a transformational year, to say the least.

Darren Woodson (fifth row, second from left) starred on the Maryvale Panthers varsity football team before walking on at Arizona State University. (Photo by Robert Crompton/Cronkite News) Caption 3: Darren Woodson's Maryvale yearbook photo in 1985. (Photo by Robert Crompton/Cronkite News)

Fiery freshman Luke Potter energizes Arizona State men’s golf team

PHOENIX – After an immense amount of success in golf at the junior levels while living in California, Arizona State freshman Luke Potter’s impact on Sun Devil men’s golf has been felt since stepping on the course at the collegiate level.

Arizona State freshman golfer Luke Potter takes practice swings ahead on last month's Southwestern Invitational hosted by North Ranch Country Club in California. He will return to the course at The Amer Ari on Wednesday. (Photo by Kade Cameron/Cronkite News)

Hospitality, tourism and sports industries come together before the Super Bowl to fight human trafficking

PHOENIX – Up to 150,000 people are expected to visit the Valley for Super Bowl LVII, and It’s a Penalty is using the exposure to bring awareness to human trafficking and convene the hospitality, tourism and sports industries to raise awareness and continue the fight against trafficking.

Collette V. Smith, who was the first Black woman to coach in the NFL, and Arizona Cardinals player Jesse Luketa speak as part of a panel at the It’s a Penalty event in Phoenix Jan. 25, 2023. (Photo by Paula Soria/Cronkite News)

Super Bowl deals: Affordable events to attend leading up to the big game

PHOENIX – As the average ticket cost for the 2023 Super Bowl reaches $5,000, here are events fans on a budget can attend during the week leading up to the big game.

The Super Bowl Experience presented by Lowe's will invite attendees to participate in the "ultimate NFL experience." For $20, fans can kick a field goal and run the 40-yard dash, among other interactive activities, ahead of the big game. (Photo by Grace Edwards/Cronkite News)

GCU among universities offering scholarships to build successful esports programs

PHOENIX – As Esports scholarships become more common, Grand Canyon University tries to stay ahead of the game.

The GCU Esports Arena is often filled with students and is an attractive recruiting tool. (Photo by Susan Wong/Cronkite News)

Arizona slipped from top 10 in Pentagon spending, but defense economy still strong

WASHINGTON - Pentagon spending in Arizona fell sharply in fiscal 2021, part of an overall decline in expenditures nationally that bumped the state from seventh place among states to 13th, Pentagon data shows, but experts say the industry remains strong in the state.


Despite a losing season, University of Arizona football is building a winning program

TUCSON – The University of Arizona football team had a combined 1-23 record over its last 24 games coming into this season, but the Wildcats were able to put together a 5-7 season this year, which was capped off by their first Territorial Cup victory in six years. The Wildcats have a lot to build on heading into the future.

The Arizona Wildcats hoisted the Territorial Cup trophy for the first time in six years after defeating Arizona State 38-35. (Photo by Austin Ford/Cronkite News)

Appeals court gives Resolution Copper mine opponents another chance

WASHINGTON - A federal court said it will take another look at claims that the proposed Resolution Copper mine should be delayed because it sits on land sacred to the Apache and would violate their religious rights by destroying Oak Flat.