Search result for James Ulrich

On heels of pandemic, Valley hospitality industry eyes potential windfall from Super Bowl 57

PHOENIX – The potential of a competitive game and nice weather have brought fans from around the country to the Valley. That excites hotels and restaurants who could use the economic boost.

Phoenix-area hotels and restaurants are excited about the prospect of an increased revenue stream with the presence of Super Bowl 57, scheduled for Sunday at State Farm Stadium in Glendale. (Photo courtesy of The Phoenician)

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)

Phoenix Suns acquire Kevin Durant in a blockbuster trade with the Brooklyn Nets

PHOENIX – Mat Ishbia has made a huge overnight splash in his first move as owner of the Suns, acquiring Kevin Durant from the Brooklyn Nets

The Phoenix Suns become overnight favorites to win the Western Conference after pulling off a trade with the Brooklyn Nets for superstar Kevin Durant.(Photo by Jonathan Bachman/Getty Images)

Snap, hold, kick and pray: NFL special teams are simply complex

SCOTTSDALE – For those who believe special teams is the easiest way onto a football field, the Kansas City Chiefs kicking unit begs to differ. The snap, the hold and the kick all depend on perfect execution in the blink of an eye.

Kansas City Chiefs place kicker Harrison Butker answers questions at a press conference.Kansas City Chiefs place kicker Harrison Butker speaking during Wednesday's media availability ahead of his third Super Bowl appearance on Sunday. (Photo by Spencer Gustafson/Cronkite News)

Valley’s boxing reputation grows as Emanuel Navarrete defeats Liam Wilson in thrilling scrap

GLENDALE - Emanuel Navarrete won the WBO junior lightweight title with a ninth round TKO of Liam Wilson. This marks the third title fight and fifth major boxing card held in the Valley in the past year.

“I like when there’s time, when I get to go a few rounds. It’s fun.” Nico Ali Walsh secured a unanimous decision victory after going the distance against Eduardo Ayala. (Photo by Damian Rios/Cronkite News)

‘The game needs us’: MLB has diversity problem and no easy solution

PHOENIX – With no United States-born Black baseball players featured in the 2022 World Series between the Houston Astros and Philadelphia Phillies, many felt as though baseball had taken a step away from building a diverse game. The next generation of players are growing within the youth community and the MLB DREAM Series in Tempe proved that the game still has more to learn.

Darrell Miller, right, a former major leaguer and coach at the Dream Series, believes that he was pushed to play in the outfield over playing behind the plate because he was “tall and ran a 6.60.” (Photo by Kelsey Grant/MLB Photos via Getty Images)

With owners including Larry Fitzgerald, Major League Pickleball launches season in Mesa

MESA – Major League Pickleball kicked off its first event of 2023 in Mesa, Arizona this past weekend. The sport is the fastest growing sport across the U.S. and the tournament was televised on the tennis channel from Jan. 26 - Jan. 29.

Major League Pickleball opened the 2023 season last weekend at Legacy Sports Complex in Mesa, Arizona. Players competed in a high-stakes four-day tournament. (Photo by Nikash Nath/Cronkite News)

Derrick Michael Xzavierro’s history-making odyssey lands him at GCU

PHOENIX – Derrick Michael Xzavierro’s journey to GCU has led him across the world from his home of Indonesia. Though he is taking a redshirt year this season, Xzavierro has already made an impact and history as Indonesia’s first Division I basketball scholarship player.

A long way from home, Derrick Michael Xzavierro has represented the country of Indonesia honorably on the basketball court and inside the Grand Canyon University locker room. (Photo courtesy of GCU athletics)

‘It’s changing’: As police officers quit the profession in droves, an opportunity for change emerges

PHOENIX – Police departments across the country are in a workforce crisis. Some leaders see this as an opportunity, and they’re trying harder to attract candidates who reflect the communities they serve, with a focus on women, people of color and members of the LGBTQ+ community.

Officer Ashten Hayes of the Iowa City Police Department checks her patrol car's computer before her shift begins on April 18, 2022. After going to school for nursing, Hayes switched career paths to law enforcement "because I saw law enforcement as a noble job.” (Photo by Kate Heston/News21)

Fighting hate: Approaches range from expanding hate crime definitions to gathering data

LOS ANGELES – The system for reporting hate in America is broken. The FBI’s database has limited scope, and people often don’t – or sometimes can’t – report hate crimes to authorities. But federal, state and local entities are tackling hate in a variety of ways – from expanding definitions and launching hotlines to capturing data.

A chalkboard filled with drawings of staff and a large rainbow hangs near the front desk at the TransLatin@ Coalition office in Los Angeles on July 5, 2022. Jimena Sandoval, the group’s communications and marketing coordinator, says it was drawn for Pride Month. (Photo by Jessica Alvarado Gamez/News21)

Double duty: Suns GM James Jones rewarded with promotion to President of Basketball Operations

PHOENIX – The Phoenix Suns announced James Jones as the team’s new president of basketball operations. This is the first time this job has been filled since 2015. It is a new position for Jones, however Jones’ impact on the organization made the ideal candidate for the job.

James Jones is tasked with elevating the Phoenix Suns to new heights while wearing two hats as the Suns general manager and new president of basketball operations. (File photo by Hope O'Brien/Cronkite News)

Pac-12/SWAC Legacy Series brings social justice issues, HBCUs to the forefront

PHOENIX – Arizona and Arizona State’s basketball programs are getting a chance to learn more about historically Black colleges and universities through a partnership between the Pac-12 and the Southwestern Athletic Conference.