Latest from Henry Greenstein
From housing football games to fire evacuees, Round Valley Ensphere has rich history
PHOENIX – The Round Valley Ensphere – so named for the atypical connector design implemented by the dome’s architects – purports to be the only domed high school football stadium in the country. But to focus on that label would be to sell it short. After all, it can fit more people than the combined population of the two towns it serves.
Sprint football? New Midwest league provides hopes for more westward growth
PHOENIX – Sprint football, which is college football with a weight limit, has been played as a varsity sport for decades but has been confined to the Northeast. A new league in the Midwest is providing hope that the sport might make it even further west.
Environmental remediation costs present challenge for Coyotes’ proposed Tempe arena site
PHOENIX – The Coyotes’ plan for a new stadium in Tempe will have to contend with a proposed $70 million payment for environmental remediation costs. Experts say they will encounter plenty of challenges in the cleanup process, but might be rewarded in kind by the city.
Former Wranglers preach patience, stability for new USFL
PHOENIX - The founder of The Spring League has announced his intention to bring back a new iteration of the 1980s United States Football League, to begin play in 2022. Players from the previous league have plenty of suggestions for the new USFL’s leadership.
Legislation to change Native American team names lacks momentum in Arizona
PHOENIX – Colorado and Nevada recently passed laws restricting team names and mascots that reference Native American culture. One former state legislator who tried to make progress in this area thinks changing Arizona will be a challenge.
Suns’ naming rights deal with Footprint provides chance to increase fans’ environmental awareness
PHOENIX - The Suns’ naming rights agreement with Footprint is the most recent of several deals between sports franchises and sustainability-focused companies. It provides a unique opportunity to encourage environmentally friendly behavior among fans.
Experts skeptical Suns’ statement condemning violence will curb disorderly fan behavior
PHOENIX - The Suns’ latest statement condemning violence at Phoenix Suns Arena came in response to a brawl at a watch party. Experts in the psychology of sports fandom question the real-life impact of such a statement.
All over the map: From Phoenix to Tucson, Arizona orienteering clubs embrace varied terrain
PHOENIX – Arizona’s varied terrain makes it a great state for orienteering, a sport in which competitors race from point to point while testing their navigational skills.
‘This funky game’: Korfball players struggle to grow sport in Arizona and U.S.
PHOENIX – In the 1980s, David Warren of Maricopa was part of the United States korfball team that earned a bronze medal at the World Games. Since then, the sport has faded even further into the background.
The Cam Payne trail: NBA G League experience in Texas prepared Suns guard for success
PHOENIX - Between January and March 2020, Cameron Payne used a stint with the Texas Legends of the G League to prove that he belonged in the NBA. He confirmed that again in Game 1 of the NBA Finals.
‘You’re it!’ Local parkour athlete plays, commentates competitive tag
PHOENIX - World Chase Tag is a competitive ruleset for tag that has increased rapidly in popularity in the U.S. A Phoenix-based parkour athlete, Fernando Arce, is the captain of Team Ollo and will provide color commentary at August’s tournament.
Money for tweets, autographs? Ahead of new law, Arizona’s NAIA athletes not capitalizing on compensation rules
Phoenix - The NCAA will have to deal with the consequences of a new Arizona law that allows athletes to profit off their name, image and likeness rights. However, the NAIA has allowed NIL deals for months, but Arizona athletes have not capitalized.
Baseball’s Arizona rookie league to return after yearlong absence – without rookies
PHOENIX – The Arizona League, where teams are usually composed of rookies, is coming back after Minor League Baseball was canceled in 2020. But because it begins before the draft, there will be no rookies to start.
‘Their dream starts now’: Section 7 high school basketball event attracts top teams, college coaches
PHOENIX – The Section 7 basketball tournament at State Farm Stadium begins Friday, and will feature three days of intense interstate basketball competition in front of prominent college coaches.
‘Basketball on grass’: Canadian Football League provides alternative path for Arizona athletes
PHOENIX – Arizona athletes are among those who have turned to the Canadian Football League as an alternative means of pursuing a professional football career.
Red tape and the ‘mask god’: Group looks back on successful PPE drive
PHOENIX - Sam Wang's "anti-epidemic diary” shows photos of grateful medical personnel, police and firefighters around stacks of boxes that hold some of the 158,000 masks secured for them at the pandemic's start by a volunteer group of Chinese Americans in Arizona.
Sister act: Sister cities, many in Arizona, step up if nations falter
PHOENIX - When President Dwight Eisenhower unveiled the forerunner to Sister Cities International, he saw the federal government as a sometime obstacle to world peace and encouraged local communities to do their part. When the pandemic hit, that’s exactly what they did.
After pandemic, renovations, road trip, Rattlers return to Phoenix Suns Arena
PHOENIX – When the Arizona Rattlers return to Phoenix Suns Arena for their 2021 home opener Saturday night, it will be their first game there in just under two years. Philip Rakoci, a Rattlers fan and self-described “wildlife comedian” from Casa Grande, knows exactly how long has passed.
Citing physiological benefits, experts say Coyotes shouldn’t lose sleep over move to Central Division
PHOENIX – The Coyotes are moving to the Central Division next season and will face teams who are much further east. Although the move may seem unintuitive to fans, academic research indicates that the Coyotes’ divisional opponents may be at a physical disadvantage when traveling to Gila River Arena.
Arizona Wildcats football to host capacity crowds, ASU ‘progressing’ in that direction
PHOENIX – The Arizona Wildcats announced Wednesday their intention to host the full complement of fans at Arizona Stadium. Arizona State said it is “progressing” in that direction.
Amid nationwide Daylight Saving Time push, Arizona golf industry content with standard time
PHOENIX – The golf industry has historically advocated for the expansion of Daylight Saving Time nationwide. But even as a movement for permanent DST ramps up around the country, Arizonans are content with Standard Time, due to the intense afternoon heat.
‘How to’ guide: Northern Arizona Wranglers built football team from scratch during pandemic
PHOENIX – From their expansion announcement in August to their first game in May, the Northern Arizona Wranglers of the Indoor Football League had to undergo all the steps of franchise creation amid a pandemic. Despite this, they still seek to build an authentic relationship with their local community.
Following year of challenges, ASU women’s golf begins NCAA championship play at Grayhawk
SCOTTSDALE – Arizona State is slated to host the next three years of men’s and women’s NCAA golf championships at Grayhawk Golf Club. It’s the first time the Sun Devils have hosted since 1992, and it’s an exciting opportunity for the women’s golf team, which began stroke play Friday.
Ramadan fast presents Arizona’s Muslim athletes with unique challenges, benefits
PHOENIX – The intermittent fasting that accompanies Ramadan presents unique challenges to Muslim athletes, especially amid Arizona’s torrid heat.
U.S. Senate: Martha McSally sets sights on economic comeback
Sen. Martha McSally advocated for cutting taxes, limiting regulations and bringing jobs back from China to engineer a “great American comeback.”
