Sam Stern
Sam Stern sam stern
Sports Reporter, Phoenix

Sam Stern expects to graduate in May 2024 with a bachelor’s degree in sports journalism and a minor in business. Stern has interned with Sports360az and Take it Easley Productions, and he is an editorial intern at the Phoenix Business Journal.

Latest from Sam Stern

Power trio: ASU EVP Chris Howard reflects on accomplished Air Force backfield

TEMPE – Who knew in 1989 that the U.S. Air Force Academy backfield would produce three accomplished leaders making an impact in the worlds of technology, academia and the U.S. government. The former players, including ASU Executive Vice President Chris Howard, reflect on that time.

Before he was named Arizona State’s executive vice president and chief operating officer, Chris Howard served as president of Robert Morris University. (File photo by Dylan Nichols/Cronkite News)

It’s official: ASU will open season with freshman quarterback Rashada

TEMPE – With the start of the Arizona State football season just eight days away, coach Kenny Dillingham confirmed Wednesday that freshman Jaden Rashada would take over as the starting quarterback to open the season.


‘We’re definitely on the map’: ASU women’s hockey club set for first national tournament

PHOENIX – With the Arizona State women’s hockey team notching its highest ACHA ranking in program history, discussions about the program following the same footsteps as the men’s team joining the NCAA are heating up. Players and coaches explain why they believe their program deserves that next step.

The Arizona State women’s hockey team is competing in the national tournament of American Collegiate Hockey Association (ACHA), which serves as an alternative to the NCAA for collegiate affiliated non-varsity programs. (Photo courtesy of Arizona State Women’s Hockey)

A gambler’s paradise? For some, the industry’s extreme growth leads to addiction and worse in the Valley

PHOENIX – With Arizona transforming into a gambler’s paradise during Super Bowl week, there is an opposite side to the giant industry that is causing clinicians and counselors to become worried.

The legalization of sports betting in Arizona has generated billions in revenue, thanks in part to mobile apps like DraftKings that allow gamblers easy access. (Photo Illustration by Budrul Chukrut/SOPA Images/LightRocket via Getty Images)

‘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)

Arizona Cardinals fire Kliff Kingsbury as head coach; GM Steve Keim steps away

TEMPE – Cardinals chairman and president Michael Bidwill spoke with reporters about the organization’s decision to move on from the former coach and general manager Monday after a dismal 4-13 regular season.

Kliff Kingsbury compiled a 28-37-1 record in four seasons as head coach of the Arizona Cardinals. (File photo by Tyler Rittenhouse/Cronkite News)

From Todd Graham to boosters to high school coaches, ASU’s hiring of Dillingham widely applauded

TEMPE – After an emotional and positive opening press conference for Sun Devil Head Coach Kenny Dillingham, all eyes are on what he’ll be able to do once he takes over.


Natasha Adair brings passion, spark to ASU women’s basketball team

TEMPE – Natasha Adair takes over for longtime ASU women’s basketball coach Charli Turner Thorne and hopes her former success at previous stops translates to returning the program to prominence.

ASU women's basketball coach Natasha Adair was all smiles after the Sun Devils beat Northern Arizona, 69-68, in Monday's season opener. (Photo by Susan Wong/Cronkite News)

Fan favorite Jock Landale brings versatility, Australian toughness to Suns frontcourt rotation

PHOENIX – During the offseason, the Phoenix Suns brought in former San Antonio Spurs big man Jock Landale, a 6-foot-11, 255-pound Australian. With a crowded rotation, the center has stood out for his versatility, toughness and ability to make teammates and reporters laugh.


6-week convergence of major sporting events could make Arizona betting capital of the world

PHOENIX – Sports gambling is expected to hit a crescendo when the Super Bowl, Phoenix Open and a CFP semifinal game are played within a six-week stretch in Arizona.

Arizona has embraced the legalization of sports betting, and sites including FanDuel at Footprint Center have helped the state become second fastest in the nation to reach a billion dollars in total wagers. (File photo by James Franks/Cronkite News)

Talk of Robert Sarver, Jae Crowder define unusual Suns Media Day

PHOENIX – From Robert Sarver to Jae Crowder, many questions at Phoenix Suns Media Day involved people who weren’t there. Coach Monty Williams general James Jones said he they are ready to look forward.


‘Unforgiving climate’: After strong pushback, Suns majority owner Sarver says he will sell team

PHOENIX – Following strong and swift criticism, Robert Sarver announces he will sell Phoenix Suns and Mercury.


Former NFL players start ‘Revenant’ to spark conversation around cannabis use

TEMPE – Former NFL players Jim McMahon, Kyle Turley and Eben Britton used a tour at Mint Dispensary in Tempe to promote their brand, Revenant. The hope is that their personal experience with cannabis sheds some light to its benefit toward athletes and everyday people.

Former NFL player Kyle Turley discusses the positive health effects of cannabis at his new dispensary, Revenant, and what the company provides its customers. (Photo by Adrian Chandler/ Cronkite News)