Latest from Lucas Gordon
More than the money: NIL deals provide career prep for ASU athletes beyond the field
TEMPE – With the introduction of NIL in June 2021, athletes have taken full advantage of the opportunity to make money off of their name, image and likeness. Some Arizona State students are even using their NIL deals to get a headstart on life post-grad.
Purdue’s season a success despite men’s national title loss to UConn
GLENDALE – The Purdue Boilermakers wanted nothing more than a national championship in front of a fan base that came out strong to support the team. But they walked away feeling good about the season they had.
National championship bound: Purdue’s supporting cast fuels victory over NC State
GLENDALE – For the first time since 1969, the Purdue Boilermakers are in the men’s national championship game after defeating NC State 63-50. Purdue will face Connecticut in the title game.
Walter Davis, Doug Collins, Michele Timms highlight Arizona ties to 2024 Naismith Memorial Hall of Fame class
GLENDALE – Saturday morning the 2024 Naismith Memorial Hall of Fame class that included Phoenix Suns legend Walter Davis was announced in Glendale. Of the 13 inductees, Phoenix played some role in a majority of their playing careers.
‘It’s going to be a bloodbath’: Purdue, NC State highlight battle of the big men in 2024 Men’s Final Four
GLENDALE– In a world of positionless basketball, Purdue and NC State are riding on the backs of big men Zach Edey and DJ Burns Jr. in the Men’s Final Four.
Back in Arizona: Men’s Final Four provides full circle moment for NC State’s DJ Horne
After spending two seasons at Arizona State, NC State guard DJ Horne is back in Phoenix, this time looking for a national championship with the Wolfpack.
Final Four updates: Purdue coach Matt Painter seeks fair treatment by officials for Zach Edey
GLENDALE – Updates: From travel delays to high ticket prices, the Men’s Final Four in the Valley is already making for an interesting weekend.
Downtown madness: Final Four countdown kicks off with Coca-Cola bracket reveal outside Phoenix Convention Center
PHOENIX – The Final Four is 18 days away, and the city of Phoenix joined the Madness Tuesday underway as the Coca-Cola bracket was unveiled downtown outside of the convention center.
Making the madness: An inside look at the NCAA’s tournament bracket-building
PHOENIX – On Feb. 21, members of Cronkite News participated in a mock NCAA men’s basketball tournament selection committee ahead of the Final Four in Phoenix. Members of the mock committee learned what it takes to make the bracket every March.
Sin City showdown: 49ers, Chiefs quarterbacks and coaches looking to make history Super Bowl Sunday
LAS VEGAS – With a win Sunday, members of both the San Francisco 49ers and Kansas City Chiefs are looking to enter unprecedented territory.
Purdy-pandemonium: 49ers quarterback Brock Purdy has massive hometown support before Super Bowl LVIII
GILBERT – 49ers quarterback Brock Purdy has hometown of Queen Creek and Gilbert showing support ahead of Super Bowl LVIII in Las Vegas.
Lights, camera, action: Las Vegas rolls out red carpet for 49ers, Chiefs ahead of 2024 Super Bowl
LAS VEGAS – On Monday, members of the San Francisco 49ers and the Kansas City Chiefs spoke to the media ahead of Super Bowl LVIII in Las Vegas.
Boo-SC: ASU men’s basketball, fans show Bronny James tough love in first visit to Tempe
TEMPE – Following years of hype on social media, Bronny James finally visited Tempe for the first time to face ASU and brought out a large crowd.
Bo-dacious: Oregon’s Nix ends storied college career with record-setting Vrbo Fiesta Bowl
GLENDALE – Oregon quarterback Bo Nix sets multiple school and bowl records in a convincing victory over Liberty at the Vrbo Fiesta Bowl in Glendale on New Year’s Day.
Oregon, Liberty prepare to showcase high-powered offenses in Vrbo Fiesta Bowl
SCOTTSDALE – On New Year’s Day, No. 8 Oregon will take on No. 23 Liberty in the 53rd edition of the Vrbo Fiesta Bowl at State Farm Stadium in Glendale. The Ducks and Flames both have top-three offenses in the country.
Digging for glory: ASU women’s volleyball’s unprecedented season leads to first NCAA Tournament since 2015
TEMPE – For the first time since 2015, ASU has clinched a berth in the NCAA Volleyball tournament. Led by first-year head coach JJ Van Niel and opposite hitter Marta Lavinska, ASU looks to continue its successful season Friday in Provo, Utah.
Take a Wif of this: Popular childhood game takes big leagues by storm at Goodyear Ballpark
GOODYEAR – Logan Rose, 17, led Big League Wiffle Ball’s fourth annual Western Wiffle Championship at Goodyear Ballpark in October. Inspired by his father during the COVID-19 pandemic, Rose has transformed the league into a popular tournament that recently featured teams from New York, New Jersey, California and Nevada.
ASU coach Kenny Dillingham reunites with old football friends when Oregon visits Tempe for Pac-12 clash
TEMPE – After spending last season as the offensive coordinator at Oregon, ASU coach Kenny Dillingham will have a lot of familiar faces in Tempe Saturday when the Ducks visit Mountain America Stadium.
Investing in a future: Boston Red Sox prospect Christopher Troye uses his platform to make money, impact world
GLENDALE – As Boston Red Sox prospect Christopher Troye competes in the Arizona Fall League, he is continuing to use his platform to make money and impact the world.
It takes a team: Moving ASU’s football equipment requires precise planning, herculean efforts by staff
TEMPE – A lot of preparation goes into moving all the necessary football equipment every time ASU football hits the road, with the team’s equipment staff working around the clock.
Deion Sanders, Colorado invade Tempe as ASU expects big crowds again at Mountain America Stadium
TEMPE – As Deion Sanders and the Colorado Buffaloes come to Tempe this weekend to play ASU, large crowds are expected again at Mountain America Stadium after the last game was a sellout.
Strength, stamina and suds: Tempe Brewery embraces Bavarian tradition of steinholding for Oktoberfest
TEMPE – Oktoberfest rolls in, bars around Arizona are bringing in the Bavarian tradition of steinholding to celebrate the occasion. The sport is not only growing in Arizona but around the United States.
Tempe-based small businesses thrive after signing ASU athletes to NIL deals
PHOENIX – As NIL continues to grow in college athletics, Tempe-based businesses are cashing in as they support Arizona State athletes. Companies such as Burrito Express and State Bicycle Co. are seeing increased business since signing ASU athletes.
Golf’s growth across Valley spurs $6 billion economic boost while staying environmentally friendly
PHOENIX – A report from Rounds Consulting Group and the Arizona Alliance of Golf have found that the golf industry in Arizona contributes more than $6 billion to the economy.
Stanford’s Rose Zhang continuing dominance at Pac-12 Women’s Championship as World’s No. 1 amateur
PHOENIX – Through her first two years at Stanford, Rose Zhang has done everything imaginable in amateur golf except winning a conference championship. Now she is in contention of winning the Pac-12 individual championship title.
Payday: Danny Lee earns more than $4 million by winning LIV Golf Tucson
MARANA – LIV Golf made its way to Tucson for the first time this past weekend. Over three days, many notable moments happened at the Gallery Golf Club but none bigger than Danny Lee's victory that netted him $4 million.
Phil Mickelson, other Sun Devil alums ready to return to Arizona for LIV Golf event
PHOENIX – Phil Mickelson and other former Sun Devils will be playing in Tucson’s LIV Golf event this weekend. This is the first event in Arizona for Mickelson since he made the switch to the controversial golf league.
World Baseball Classic’s return to Chase Field brings 2013 nostalgia
PHOENIX – This week, Chase Field is hosting the World Baseball Classic for the first time in 10 years. Team USA, Mexico, Canada, Great Britain and Colombia are playing on the world stage in Phoenix for the first time since 2013.
Tiger Woods’ newest business venture opens its doors in Glendale
GLENDALE – A new mini-golf course opened its doors on Thursday in Glendale. The course is co-owned and designed by golf legend Tiger Woods.
Time for change: MLB players, managers offer first impressions of pitch clock, new rules
SURPRISE – Several days into spring training, players and managers alike are forced to adjust to the pitch timer introduced for the 2023 MLB season. Key stakeholders in the change share their thoughts in this adjustment period.
Reality checks: MLB veterans hope one-year deals lead to major payoff
GLENDALE – Heading into spring training, many Cactus League veterans are on new teams after signing one-year contracts. There are many different factors that go into a MLB player's decision to sign a short-term deal, and a few players explained their reasoning at spring training.
Former ASU baseball coach Tracy Smith returns to Valley in MLB Desert Invitational
PHOENIX – Former ASU baseball coach Tracy Smith returns to the Valley when his Michigan Wolverines compete in the MLB Desert Invitational baseball tournament.
Chiefs or Eagles? WM Phoenix Open field enters Super Bowl predictions
SCOTTSDALE – With Super Bowl 57 and the WM Phoenix Open happening in Arizona at the same time this weekend, this year's field provided picks for the big game.
Music, food, gambling and – oh, yeah – golf all make up the WM Phoenix Open experience
PHOENIX – With the WM Phoenix Open coming up at TPC Scottsdale, event organizers are planning some special events. Plans include concerts headlined by Maroon 5 and The Chainsmokers and pro-ams featuring Michael Phelps and Larry Fitzgerald.
