New look, same objective: Revamped ASU softball team believes Oklahoma City attainable

TEMPE – Despite a new coach and a new mix of players, the Arizona State softball team has big Women’s College World Series aspirations.

The biggest challenge for Arizona State’s new softball coach, Megan Bartlett, will be unifying a team that is a mix of freshmen, transfers and experienced veterans. (Photo courtesy Sun Devil Athletics)

’Best decision I ever made’: Fall League’s Shane Loux turns to coaching after injury plagued career

SCOTTSDALE – Shane Loux had an unconventional playing career because of two Tommy John surgeries and two major gaps during his time in Major League Baseball. Now as a High-A pitching coach and Salt River Rafters pitching coach in the Arizona Fall League, Loux inspires other pitchers to make their dreams a reality.

Salt River Rafters pitching coach Shane Loux was drafted by the Detroit Tigers in 1997 and made his major league pitching debut in 2002 at just 22. (Photo by Grace Edwards/Cronkite News)

6-week convergence of major sporting events could make Arizona betting capital of the world

PHOENIX – Sports gambling is expected to hit a crescendo when the Super Bowl, Phoenix Open and a CFP semifinal game are played within a six-week stretch in Arizona.

Arizona has embraced the legalization of sports betting, and sites including FanDuel at Footprint Center have helped the state become second fastest in the nation to reach a billion dollars in total wagers. (File photo by James Franks/Cronkite News)

Arizona men’s tennis hopes offseason work leads to an NCAA championship

PHOENIX – The Arizona men’s tennis team is staying sharp with two months of fall tournaments. The team hopes the match experience gained this fall will improve the team in order to accomplish big spring goals.

Arizona senior Jonas Zivert earned first-team All-Pac-12 honors last season. As one of the more experienced members of the team, Zivert is working on his physique this offseason. (Photo Courtesy of Mike Christy/Arizona Athletics)

Owning the crease: Arizona Coyotes goalie Karel Vejmelka poised to take over in net

SCOTTSDALE – Karel Vejmelka enters his second year with confidence and assurance in his game. With the team rebuilding, the Coyotes are committed to Vejmelka to anchoring them during this phase.

Arizona Coyotes goalie Karel Vejmelka, who proved himself as a capable leader last season during the second half of his rookie campaign, enters the 2022-23 NHL season with high hopes. (Photo by Nikki Pica/Cronkite News)

Young Arizona Diamondbacks build hope for the future

PHOENIX – Last year the D-backs had little to no hope going into the 2022 season after recording their second worst franchise record. This year has shown that there is hope for the D-backs, who had 10 debutants in this season alone. A few of these rookies are potential franchise cornerstones.

Arizona Diamondbacks rookie Corbin Carroll is one of many reasons for fans to remain optimistic about the future of the franchise. (Photo by Christian Petersen/Getty Images)

Mesa High athletes memorialize former student with local cemetery cleanup

MESA – Mesa High students who participate in sports or clubs make a trip each fall to the City of Mesa Cemetery to clean up the grounds. It’s a way to give back to their community and honor the late Jackrabbit Zedo Ishikawa, who is buried there. Ishikawa’s dying words, “Carry on,” became the school’s motto, and today’s students aim to carry on the cemetery tradition.

In honor of Zedo Ishikawa and the “Carry On” movement, Mesa High School students help clean the City of Mesa Cemetery. (Photo courtesy of Steven Lewis)

Home, sweet home: ASU volleyball is back after a grueling five weeks on the road

TEMPE – ASU volleyball’s five weeks on the road featured a mixed bag of wins, losses, and a sprint through the airport.


Arizona College Prep standout Ashlyn Tierney learns the ultimate swimming lesson through anxiety disorder

CHANDLER –After losing feeling in her legs, Ashlyn Tierney was diagnosed with conversion disorder. Two years later, she’s back in the pool and breaking school records in her first year at Arizona College Prep High School.


Is Pinnacle High’s Duce Robinson one of Arizona’s top recruits ever?

PHOENIX – Duce Robinson from Pinnacle High School is a multi-sport athlete and possibly one of the best recruits Arizona has produced. The five-star football recruit, with offers from the top football programs in the nation, also plays baseball and basketball.


In the rise and fall of Arizona junior college football, the long fight continues

PHOENIX – In 2018, the Maricopa County Community College District shut down its football programs, leaving Arizona with no junior college football teams. Athletes and coaches have spent years picking up pieces, and a new conference rose in the Valley.


ASU president lauds interim football coach despite USC loss – but he won’t halt search

LOS ANGELES – ASU President Michael Crow speaks with Cronkite News about the search for a permanent head coach and praises Sun Devil football and interim head coach Shaun Aguano after a competitive loss to USC.