Grammy winners, downtown Phoenix fan fest headline College Football Playoff championship weekend events

Grammy Award-winning artists The Band Perry and Ciara, as well as Rock and Roll Hall-of-Famer John Mellencamp, are among the performers headlining a free, three-day outdoor concert series leading up to the College Football Playoff National Championship game Jan. 11 at University of Phoenix Stadium.


D-backs’ ‘Throwback Thursday’ campaign brought back rich memories for team, fans

In the fall of 2001, the Valley was painted purple and teal as the upstart Diamondbacks, just four seasons into their existence, were locked in a World Series battle with the storied New York Yankees.

Paul Goldschmidt stands in the on-deck circle in a game against the Colorado Rockies on Thursday, Oct. 1, 2015. (Photo by Torrence Dunham/Cronkite News)

ASU hockey’s first varsity game was a night to remember

It had been three years since Connor Schmidt netted an NCAA goal. On Saturday night, he ended that drought when he scored the first goal in Sun Devil hockey program history during Arizona State’s first NCAA game.


D-backs appeal to college crowd

Grand Canyon University senior Oliver Campo enjoys going to Major League Baseball games and wanted to share that experience with his foreign classmates so he went along with them to one of the Diamondbacks’ College Nights, a series of promotional games throughout the season.

Jessica Dennis and Geriece Jenkins enjoy the September 11 Diamondbacks game. They attending the game because it was a college game night. (Photo by Kevin Jimenez/Cronkite News)

Playworks program, Phoenix Suns volunteers battle school bullying

Children laughed and kicked the soccer ball around the playground at Loma Linda Elementary. They congratulated each other and gave high-fives. Volunteers played with them and helped to facilitate the games. One of those volunteers was Suns General Manager Ryan McDonough.


Cactus League expansion limited by funding, economic impact still significant

Greater Phoenix has increasingly become a destination for MLB teams to prepare for the season. Seven ballclubs called the Valley their spring training home in 2002.


Students combat bullying on the court as Mercury’s Bass shares experience

In middle school, Phoenix Mercury forward Mistie Bass needed a way to prevent the boys from laughing at her as she perspired while playing basketball with them.

Anthony Blakes Photo

Renovations at Sun Devil Stadium force 10,000 season-ticket holders to relocate

TEMPE – Sun Devil Stadium has stood between two mountain buttes overlooking Tempe since 1958.

Sun Devil Stadium Construction

Arizona high schools forced to seek creative funding solutions for athletics

Perry High School’s badminton team is good.

Coolidge High School photo

Mercury’s male practice squad a hidden key to team’s success

Former NCAA Division III Puget Sound forward Robert Krauel frequently squeezes in a workout on his lunch break from his job at Grand Canyon University.


Small UA program produces big results in horse racing industry

TUCSON — The well-dressed horse trainer with the signature white hair and dark sunglasses who was the darling of the sports media this spring got his start in the racing industry in the most unlikely of places. Before Bob Baffert trained the first Triple Crown winner in 47 years, he cultivated his tradecraft in Tucson.

horse photo

Cards’ coaching intern Welter can learn from female community college coach

More than 30 years ago, Dot Murphy, former All-American and women’s basketball coach at Mississippi University for Women, sat with her children at Hinds Community College football practice watching her husband, Gene, coach the Eagles defense.

Jen Welter photo