Few masks, much excitement: High school football returns with look of pre-COVID era
PHOENIX – Unlike the start of the 2020 season, when masks, hand sanitizers and social distancing was the norm, the COVID-19 pandemic seemed to be an afterthought for many at Friday’s high school football games.
Game on: Judge refuses to block new Arizona sports betting law
PHOENIX – A judge refused to block a new Arizona law allowing sports gambling to be run by professional sports teams. The Yavapai-Prescott Indian Tribe tried to sue the Department of Gaming and Gov. Doug Ducey over violations surrounding the new sports betting laws
Preach: Fans excited as rivalry between Catholic schools Brophy, St. Mary’s returns
PHOENIX – A long-running rivalry makes its return as Brophy College Preparatory and St. Mary’s face off in Week 1 one of the high school football season.
Rise of the underdog: Undrafted free agent Michael Stefanic knocking on Angels’ door
PHOENIX – Michael Stefanic is on the last rung of the minor league baseball ladder, waiting for the call to join the Los Angeles Angels. His professional career started in Arizona.
Despite the background noise, Arizona State excited to kick off football season
PHOENIX — NCAA investigation. A Top 25 ranking after playing just four games in 2020. The uncertainty of what might come in another year of pandemic football. It’s an unusual year for the Arizona State football team, which opens its season tonight against Southern Utah.
Snakes alive: Passionate fan base has Rattlers close to another championship
PHOENIX – Since 1992, the Arizona Rattlers have maintained a strong and loyal fan base through league changes and a pandemic. The “Snake Pit” gives the Rattlers a unique edge and excellent home-field advantage through playoffs.
Street Warriorz brings ‘Fast and Furious’ experience to Tucson Dragway
TUCSON – Street Warriorz, which started in Florida and has come to Arizona for the first time, provides a “Fast and Furious” experience to amateur street racers, keeping them and bystanders safe.
Phoenix Rising at midseason: Experts weigh in on expectations, challenges
PHOENIX – Phoenix Rising has reached midseason with 41 points in their 20 games. They sit comfortably atop their division but still face road tests and a battle for top seed and home-pitch advantage in the USL playoffs.
Sandra Day O’Connor’s hands-on sports medicine program teaching athletic trainers of the future
PHOENIX – With over 700 athletes at Sandra Day O’Connor High School, the task of providing treatment to everyone can be demanding. But the school has three athletic trainers who double as teachers leading a hands-on program that provides treatment while preparing aspiring sports medicine professionals.
Have app, will gamble: Arizona online sports betting sites open registration Saturday
PHOENIX – Online Sports betting sites open Saturday, moving one step closer to the launch date for sports betting in Arizona on Sept. 9.
Temporarily knocked out, RUF Nation returns strong, features card at Celebrity Theatre
PHOENIX – This time last year, RUF had a different name, struggled to hold events due to the pandemic and had a much darker outlook for the future of Arizona MMA. This year, a lot has changed and business is booming, including a card Sunday at the Celebrity Theatre.
Taurasi’s return helps Mercury surge as WNBA playoff picture comes into focus
PHOENIX – After a lukewarm start to the season, the Phoenix Mercury have caught fire with five wins in a row. With the playoffs less than a month away, their timing is ideal.
