Lucas Gordon
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Sports Reporter, Phoenix

Lucas Gordon expects to graduate in May 2024 with a bachelor’s degree in sports journalism and a minor in business and digital audiences. Gordon has interned at The Arizona Republic.

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.

After benefiting from NIL rights, former ASU beach volleyball player and recent graduate Kate Fitzgerald plans to pursue a master’s degree in entrepreneurship and innovation at Arizona State. (Photo courtesy of Sun Devil Athletics)

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.

DJ Horne was a key contributor to the Arizona State men’s basketball team before he entered the transfer portal. (File photo by Julian Rosa/Cronkite News)

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.

The Alabama team bus awaits the arrival of players from the team hotel to take them to State Farm Stadium. (Photo by Brevan Branscrum/Cronkite News)

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.

The Coca-Cola NCAA Men's Tournament bracket stands in front of the Phoenix Convention Center, mar. (Photo by Ethan Briggs/Cronkite News)

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.

The NCAA Basketball Tournament Selection Committee meets in New York ahead of Selection Sunday to begin the process of selecting and seeding the field of 68 teams. (Photo by Drew Angerer/Getty Images)

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.

Allegiant Stadium Super Bowl Opening Night

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.

Bronny James, son of NBA legend LeBron James, draws a massive crowd eager to witness his on-court prowess Saturday at Desert Financial Arena. (Photo by Alyssa Buruato/Cronkite News)

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.

ASU volleyball team celebrating in team huddle.

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.

Wiffle ball player at bat.

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.

Kenny Dillingham running

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.

Christopher Troye leaning on the dugout railing

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.

Truck that moves all of ASU Football equipment on game day.

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.

ASU Quarterback throwing the football.

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.

Only 2% of Arizona’s daily water usage goes toward golf course irrigation for over 370 locations throughout the state. “The reason the daily usage is going down is that a lot of golf courses are using reclaimed water,” said Luis Cordova, the Vice President and COO of Rounds Consulting Group. (Photo by Susan Wong/Cronkite News)

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.

Stanford sophomore Rose Zhang is the second-round leader at the Pac-12 Women’s Golf Championship after firing back-to-back rounds of 67 and 68, respectively. (Photo by Dylan Nichols/Cronkite News)

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.

Danny Lee holds the LIV Tucson trophy above his head while standing on the LIV Golf champion podium at a golf course.

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.

Former Arizona State Sun Devil Phil Mickelson, who made the controversial jump from the PGA Tour to Liv Golf, returns to Tucson with "fond memories" of his first professional win in 1991. (Photo by Hector Vivas/Getty Images)

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.

A photo of Chase Field with flags for the U.S., Canada, Colombia, Great Britain and Mexico.

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.

PopStroke, a mini-golf course designed by Tiger Woods, opened in Glendale Thursday and offers the public a 36-hole experience. (Photo by Robert Crompton/Cronkite News)

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.

MLB will officially introduce a pitch clock on Opening Day as part of the league's rule changes aimed at improving pace of play. (Photo by Christian Petersen/Getty Images)

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.

Shelby Miller, who signed with the Dodgers this offseason, prefers the flexibility of one-year contracts as a 10-year major leaguer. "I don't want to be locked down on a second-year option," the veteran pitcher said. (Photo by John Cascella/Cronkite News)

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.

Tracy Smith, right, coached seven seasons at Arizona State before he was let go. Now the head coach at Michigan, he said, “I appreciated my time,” in Tempe. (File photo by Jordan Kaye/Cronkite News)

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.

Former MLB Alex Rodriguez, who participated in the Annexus Pro-AM earlier this week, predicts the Philadelphia Eagles to win Sunday's Super Bowl 57. (Photo by Grace Edwards/Cronkite News)

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.