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Southeastern's Burns, Nicholls' VandenBout Named Jersey Mike's SLC Softball Players of the Week
FRISCO, Texas, April 1 -- The Southland Conference issued the following news:
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Southeastern's Burns, Nicholls' VandenBout Named Jersey Mike's SLC Softball Players of the Week
FRISCO, Texas -- Southeastern's Hallie Burns and Nicholls' Molly VandenBout have been named this week's Jersey Mike's SLC Softball Players of the Week, the conference office announced Monday.
Softball Hitter of the Week: Molly VandenBout, Nicholls - Sr. - 1B - Temple, Texas (Academy)
VandenBout led Nicholls to a 5-0 week, hitting safely in all five games while batting .647 with 14 RBIs, five doubles and two home
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FRISCO, Texas, April 1 -- The Southland Conference issued the following news:
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Southeastern's Burns, Nicholls' VandenBout Named Jersey Mike's SLC Softball Players of the Week
FRISCO, Texas -- Southeastern's Hallie Burns and Nicholls' Molly VandenBout have been named this week's Jersey Mike's SLC Softball Players of the Week, the conference office announced Monday.
Softball Hitter of the Week: Molly VandenBout, Nicholls - Sr. - 1B - Temple, Texas (Academy)
VandenBout led Nicholls to a 5-0 week, hitting safely in all five games while batting .647 with 14 RBIs, five doubles and two homeruns. She totaled six hits, including both of the Colonels' homers in the sweep of Lamar. VandenBout celebrated Senior Day by going 3-for-4 with a homer and 6 RBIs in the run-rule win finale.
Softball Pitcher of the Week: Hallie Burns, Southeastern - R Fr. - RHP - Booneville, Miss. (Booneville High School)
Burns threw the 12th no-hitter in program history in Friday's 5-2 victory over Texas A&M-Corpus Christi. She struck out five and walked two in the first complete-game no-hitter by a Lady Lion since 2021 and the first no-hitter ever by a Southeastern pitcher in Southland Conference play. Burns is 9-3 with a 1.81 ERA and has held opponents to a .190 batting average in her debut season in Hammond.
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2025 Southland Conference Softball Players of the Week
Date ... Hitter ... Pitcher
Feb. 10 ... Veronica Harrison, Lamar ... Macie LaRue, Southeastern
Feb. 17 ... Haylie Savage, HCU ... Alexis Telford, SFA
Feb. 24 ... Claire Sisco, Nicholls ... Ryann Schexnayder, McNeese
March 3 ... Maria Detillier, Southeastern ... Madison Guidry, Lamar
March 11 ... AB Garcia, HCU ... Macie LaRue, Southeastern
March 17 ... Jada Munoz, McNeese ... Julia Sanchez, East Texas A&M
March 24 ... Claire Sisco, Nicholls ... Mailia Williams, A&M-Corpus Christi
March 31 ... Molly VandenBout, Nicholls ... Hallie Burns, Southeastern
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Southland weekly award winners are nominated and voted upon by each school's sports information director. Voting for one's own athlete is not permitted. To earn honorable mention, a student-athlete must appear on 25 percent of ballots.
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Original text here: https://www.southland.org/news/2025/3/31/southeasterns-burns-nicholls-vandenbout-named-jersey-mikes-slc-softball-players-of-the-week.aspx
[Category: Sports]
FIFA: Messi and Lloris Ready for Concacaf Reunion
ZURICH, Switzerland, April 1 -- The International Federation of Association Football (FIFA) issued the following news:
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Messi and Lloris ready for Concacaf reunion
The last time Lionel Messi and Hugo Lloris met was in arguably one of the greatest World Cup finals. Now they will lock horns in continental action.
* Lionel Messi and Hugo Lloris to meet in Concacaf Champions Cup
* Inter Miami face Los Angeles FC in quarter-finals of continental competition
* The last time the duo locked horns was the 2022 World Cup final
It was the scene of the sublime. The last time Lionel Messi and Hugo
... Show Full Article
ZURICH, Switzerland, April 1 -- The International Federation of Association Football (FIFA) issued the following news:
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Messi and Lloris ready for Concacaf reunion
The last time Lionel Messi and Hugo Lloris met was in arguably one of the greatest World Cup finals. Now they will lock horns in continental action.
* Lionel Messi and Hugo Lloris to meet in Concacaf Champions Cup
* Inter Miami face Los Angeles FC in quarter-finals of continental competition
* The last time the duo locked horns was the 2022 World Cup final
It was the scene of the sublime. The last time Lionel Messi and HugoLloris faced each other, they were rival captains in arguably one of the greatest FIFA World Cup(TM) finals of them all.
In the white-hot atmosphere of Lusail Stadium at FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022(TM), the Argentinian maestro was looking to win the one major trophy that had eluded him over his illustrious career. Meanwhile, France captain Lloris was aiming to become the first player to lead his national team to two men's World Cups.
Over the course of an unforgettable evening in Qatar, the match surpassed all expectations with Messi getting the better of Lloris -- and cementing his status as one of the world's greatest-ever players -- as Argentina held their nerve in the penalty shootout after a thrilling 3-3 draw to claim the FIFA World Cup.
"Given how the match panned out, the magnitude of it all and the emotional rollercoaster we went on, it took quite a while to come to terms with it," Lloris told FIFA in an exclusive interview in 2024.
Almost two and a half years later, Messi and Lloris are ready to renew their rivalry in the Concacaf Champions Cup. Inter Miami and Los Angeles FC will meet in the first leg of their quarter-finals in the City of Angels on 2 April before heading back to South Florida for the return fixture a week later.
Messi has missed a number of games recently for both club and country through rest and then injury but it appears he is ready for the reunion with Lloris this week. The Inter Miami forward came off the bench to score in the 2-1 victory over Philadelphia Union at the weekend.
Over the course of his career, Lloris has got the better of Messi before, most notably at the 2018 FIFA World Cup Russia when France defeated Argentina 4-3 in the Round of 16 on the way to lifting the coveted trophy. But Lloris is all-too aware of the danger that Messi still poses.
"I prepare especially when I play against Leo. And it's always a very difficult task," Lloris told La Nacion. "Besides, there are very good players at Inter Miami... there's also Luis Suarez, [Sergio] Busquets, Jordi Alba, etc. You have to prepare, without a doubt.
"I could never keep Messi's jersey... I have a lot of admiration for Leo. For me, he's at the top of the list of the best players, without a doubt. I'm from the generation that got to watch and play against Leo."
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Original text here: https://www.fifa.com/en/tournaments/mens/worldcup/articles/messi-lloris-concacaf-champions-cup
[Category: Sports]
FIFA: Cherundolo - Soccer and Fun in LA is the Perfect Combo
ZURICH, Switzerland, April 1 -- The International Federation of Association Football (FIFA) issued the following news:
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Cherundolo: Soccer and fun in LA is the perfect combo
The LAFC coach talks about his city as a Club World Cup and World Cup destination, plus his memories of playing in the global finals.
* Steve Cherundolo is the head coach of Los Angeles FC
* The former Hannover defender played in two World Cups with USA
* He talked about what visitors can expect in LA during the Club World Cup and World Cup
Stability is not a word usually associated with the soccer world. Players
... Show Full Article
ZURICH, Switzerland, April 1 -- The International Federation of Association Football (FIFA) issued the following news:
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Cherundolo: Soccer and fun in LA is the perfect combo
The LAFC coach talks about his city as a Club World Cup and World Cup destination, plus his memories of playing in the global finals.
* Steve Cherundolo is the head coach of Los Angeles FC
* The former Hannover defender played in two World Cups with USA
* He talked about what visitors can expect in LA during the Club World Cup and World Cup
Stability is not a word usually associated with the soccer world. Playersfrequently change clubs, while teams often run through coaches often at the first sign of adversity. But both the playing and now coaching career of Steve Cherundolo flies in the face of that.
For an incredible 15 years during his playing days, the San Diego-raised defender called German club Hannover home. That continuity was reflected at international level, with Cherundolo amassing 87 caps with USA and two FIFA World Cups(TM) at Germany 2006 and South Africa 2010.
After his playing days ended, he eventually found his way back to southern California, taking the reins of Major League Soccer (MLS) side Los Angeles FC in 2022. By the looks of it, Cherundolo will be in the City of Angels for the long haul, having already won an MLS Cup and a US Open Cup, along with reaching a Concacaf Champions Cup final.
Cherundolo's voice carries plenty of weight in US Soccer circles, and his viewpoint of the current national team is bullish, as is the growing excitement of both the FIFA World Cup 26(TM) and FIFA Club World Cup 2025(TM) in his backyard.
FIFA: You have just started your fourth season in MLS already. Does it feel like time has gone by quickly?
Steve Cherundolo: I think we've been really busy over the first three seasons, now fourth, with the first team. There are so many games, a lot of travel, a lot of competitions. It really just flies by. It's so much work that we really haven't had the time to sit back and reflect, regrettably. It's important in this process to reflect.
You have two FIFA World Cup winners on your team in Hugo Lloris and Olivier Giroud. What stands out to you about those two players?
Hugo's timing, as far as what he says, how he verbally adds to the group and what he says to the group, is spot-on and a clear indication of his experiences and success. When we need him most, he steps up. His left foot in build-up is world-class and that really calms the team down.
Olivier a guy who has a great personality, is well-liked, is also willing to fight and compete. His competitiveness, ability to score goals, especially in the box, is something that hasn't come to fruition yet, but we believe it will.
You spent your entire career at Hannover and it's such a special club to you. Is it a goal of yours to go back there and coach one day?
I wouldn't go as far as saying it's a goal. I think I'm more interested in finding the right projects at the right time. If I find one that is really good for myself, my personal growth, but also professional growth and for the club, then I'm all about it. I'm less concerned with the name, the colours, the badge, or the level. But having been a part of an organization or a city for two decades, it would be silly not to say that I can't imagine that not being another part of my life at some point.
Do you sense a lot of excitement there in LA about World Cup 26?
I'd say that will come in the next month or so when advertising picks up, but the soccer community is very interested and very excited about the upcoming big events in our city. Overall, it's picking up, and I expect it to pick up rapidly over the next couple months.
As a California native, how special is it to see FIFA staging Club World Cup games at the Rose Bowl?
It's great. It's an iconic venue, especially for our sport. I remember watching a game there as a kid in the 1994 World Cup. I've played there myself in big matches, like the final of the Gold Cup against Mexico. And then I've coached a couple games there as well. It's a great sign for the traditionalists in our game in the United States to maintain that iconic venue and to keep having the world's best compete in that stadium, so I'm really looking forward to it.
As a former US men's national team player, what does it mean to you that the World Cup is coming here in 2026?
It's incredible. It's a huge opportunity for us to push the world's game forward in our country and we need to take advantage of it. I think our domestic league is in a great spot to do that. It has invested continuously over the past 30 years to make the level a lot of fun to watch and I still think there's plenty of room to grow. Having a World Cup here will help attract attention, attract players and gives us all goals to strive for. I think the Club World Cup also helps that. Seeing the best of the best here gives us all a model to follow.
What can people expect from LA when they go to visit the city during the Club World Cup and World Cup?
There's so much to see and do that there's not enough time in the day to do it. Mixing in these top-notch international matches is like icing on the cake. You might go watch a match and then maybe go see other sporting events here, or comedy shows, concerts, the theatre, all the iconic tourist spots, the beaches, museums... It's an incredible city with so much to offer, so if you're planning a trip to LA to watch international soccer and you sprinkle in the cultural events as well, it's going to be a vacation you'll never forget.
Switching gears to your time with the national team, what was it like playing your first World Cup at Germany 2006, the country when you spent your entire professional career?
Obviously it didn't go our way as far as results go and performances, but it was very emotional for me. It was familiar because I know that country very well and all of those stadiums. And overall, it was just a very special moment in my life and certainly one that I'll never forget.
Did you get goosebumps when you debuted?
Absolutely. When you're warming up, you see your friends and your family in the stands having the times of their lives while you're working, so it can be emotionally overwhelming, but if you can channel your emotions and use them in a positive manner, it actually gives you quite an advantage.
Do you feel like the group from South Africa 2010 is a bit underrated in terms of USA World Cup teams?
I think we certainly got the most out of our group, we were a very tight group on and off the field and I think that was a big portion of our success. I'm not sure about being underrated, but I do think it was a very difficult team to beat. For me personally, it was some of the best football I played in my life and to do that in that team on such a big stage was very special. It was the high point of my career. I was 31 at the time, so I was physically still able to compete with all of the more athletic players, but emotionally, tactically and mentally, I was at a position where I felt very comfortable in my career.
What are your thoughts on the current USA team under Mauricio Pochettino?
I think you first have to go back to Gregg [Berhalter] and his tenure. Gregg did a great job of preparing a lot of players for this moment and expanding the roster to maybe three teams deep. Mauricio will benefit from that. From what I've seen so far, he has upped the intensity and the competitiveness in the group in the short time he's been the coach and I think that is the last bit that the team needed. I'm really looking forward to seeing them compete at a World Cup with tenacity, with intensity and with the idea that nobody's going to beat us on our home soil.
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Original text here: https://www.fifa.com/en/tournaments/mens/worldcup/canadamexicousa2026/articles/steve-cherundolo-usa-lafc-interview
[Category: Sports]
FIFA: Castro - There's a Beach Soccer Boom in Guatemala
ZURICH, Switzerland, April 1 -- The International Federation of Association Football (FIFA) issued the following news:
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Castro: There's a beach soccer boom in Guatemala
Los Chapines coach talks about the excitement of the Central American country's first FIFA Beach Soccer World Cup qualification.
* Guatemala qualified for their first FIFA Beach Soccer World Cup
* It has set off a boom for the sport in the country
* Head coach Farley Castro will guide Los Chapines at Seychelles 2025
Beach soccer is all the rage right now in Guatemala. For the first time ever, the Central American country
... Show Full Article
ZURICH, Switzerland, April 1 -- The International Federation of Association Football (FIFA) issued the following news:
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Castro: There's a beach soccer boom in Guatemala
Los Chapines coach talks about the excitement of the Central American country's first FIFA Beach Soccer World Cup qualification.
* Guatemala qualified for their first FIFA Beach Soccer World Cup
* It has set off a boom for the sport in the country
* Head coach Farley Castro will guide Los Chapines at Seychelles 2025
Beach soccer is all the rage right now in Guatemala. For the first time ever, the Central American countrywill participate in a FIFA Beach Soccer World Cup(TM) after qualifying for Seychelles 2025 following their runners-up finish in Concacaf qualifying last month in Bahamas.
The team, headed up by coach Farley Castro, departed Guatemala for the Caribbean in relative anonymity and returned as heroes after they defeated the host nation 3-2 in the semi-finals thanks to a Pablo Crocker wondergoal to punch their World Cup ticket.
Now the attention for Los Chapines shifts to the 16-team tournament, which runs from 1-11 May in the Indian Ocean archipelago. Guatemala are relishing the fact that their first World Cup is coming in paradise, but make no mistake, Castro tells FIFA that it will be all business on Mahe Island.
What was the welcome home like after qualifying for the World Cup?
We were in Bahamas and focused on the competition, so we didn't grasp it at first. Beach soccer was irrelevant in our country, people didn't really watch it that much, but someone in our delegation there told us, 'Coach, the country is going crazy'. When we landed in the country, it was insanity. There were people at the airport, our press conference lasted 4-5 hours. There were interviews, sponsors, the players benefitted from all of it. Sponsors brought gifts and new sponsors are appearing. It's a boom for beach soccer here.
Do you feel like the team has made a connection with the Guatemalan people?
The country identified with the boys' effort and more because of their roots, of where they are from and who they are as people. They are fishermen, people who work on shrimp farms, bricklayers. One of the federation's physical trainers is our goalkeeper. So I think the people identified a lot with the story of these players, for the sacrifice we made. We didn't just play against anyone, it was Bahamas, a very tough team, so the country is going crazy about them, they want to come watch training sessions, they want to get involved in the league. It has all been very positive. We brought joy to the country.
How does it feel to do something so historic?
It's like a dream except you are living it while totally awake. The day that we qualified we couldn't sleep, we tried to turn off our phones, it was amazing. As a coach you live for something like this because you want to play one day in the national team and then maybe coach it just to get to a World Cup. At times it feels so far away, and then you see the growth and you see that it's close. When you are 36 minutes away from getting to the World Cup and the clock runs and the final whistle sounds, you can have mixed feelings because you think of how hard you fought and how you raised yourself up. It's rare that something like this happens in Guatemalan football. All of this is because of how hard we worked, because we risked a lot, we gave everything of ourselves just to get to a World Cup.
What went through your mind when you saw Pablo Crocker score that wondergoal?
The ball just seemed to stay in the air, like it was never going to fall. I saw Pablo and I didn't know if he was going to control it or hit it first-time. I didn't know if they would mark it as a goal or not, the referees were debating, and when they whistled it as a goal, you feel a sensation that is difficult to describe, because it gives you a calm, a happiness, it's fulfilling, and aside from all that it's a cracking goal. Pablo is someone who tried in futsal and it didn't happen, he tried in 11 v 11 football and it didn't happen and he has constantly tried in beach soccer. He's a very passionate person and I could say he's the most passionate player about this sport on the team, so I think that it was destiny for him to be the one to score that goal.
What stands out about this group of players?
I think more than anything it is their humility. They came in always wanting to learn, then when they were told they needed to do something a different way or improve, they were always willing to change. They got out of their comfort zone by adding extra sessions, improving their fitness, being professional in everything, analyzing matches from world class teams. They also learned to respect each other, each one with their virtues and defects. Sometimes teams can succeed without having a good relationship, but within this group there is a strong affinity for each other. Half of the guys come from the coast, the other half from the capital, so they had to get to know each other and come to respect each other.
How are you preparing for the World Cup?
We are doing camps and starting to increase the frequency of our training sessions. We're adding more trainings since this is our first time. The more solid we go into it, the better our performances will be. There is a sacrifice being made by the players of spending days and weeks away from the family, but I think that sacrifice will be compensated because the federation is giving economic support so they can work with that tranquility and focus purely on the World Cup.
Is there a particular opponent you want to face in the World Cup? Maybe Brazil or Portugal?
I always like to face the best because of the challenge of it, but regardless of who you play, one goes in search of their dreams, of playing against the best in the world. It is just an honour and a point of pride to be in the World Cup, so I'm sure that the other 15 teams that make up the field, we will want to play against any of them because anyone of them is a final. I want to go and if we play against the best, then we'll play against the best. We can see where we are and where we should improve, study them, analyze them and try to counter their attack. All of that will help us grow.
Does it make it extra special that Guatemala's first World Cup will be in an amazing place like Seychelles?
It's definitely worth it. Everyone here is saying how wonderful that our first World Cup is in the Seychelles. It looks so beautiful. I can say that Seychelles is already on great terms with Guatemala, the people look up where it is on the map and are finding out about the country. We knew that getting to our first World Cup was always going to be hard, so knowing that it's in such a marvelous place like Seychelles, what better thing than to go play your first World Cup in such a beautiful country.
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Original text here: https://www.fifa.com/en/tournaments/mens/beachsoccerworldcup/seychelles-2025/articles/farley-castro-guatemala-interview
[Category: Sports]
FIFA: Al Ahly, Esperance and Mamelodi Set for Quarter-Finals
ZURICH, Switzerland, April 1 -- The International Federation of Association Football (FIFA) issued the following news:
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Al Ahly, Esperance and Mamelodi set for quarter-finals
The last-eight line-up of the CAF Champions League features three sides who are set to grace the FIFA Club World Cup 2025.
* Continental showpiece resumes on Tuesday with quarter-final first-leg ties
* FIFA Club World Cup 2025 participants Mamelodi Sundowns and Esperance to face off for semi-final spot
* Defending champions Al Ahly poised to do battle with Sudan's Al Hilal SC
The 2024/25 CAF Champions League is
... Show Full Article
ZURICH, Switzerland, April 1 -- The International Federation of Association Football (FIFA) issued the following news:
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Al Ahly, Esperance and Mamelodi set for quarter-finals
The last-eight line-up of the CAF Champions League features three sides who are set to grace the FIFA Club World Cup 2025.
* Continental showpiece resumes on Tuesday with quarter-final first-leg ties
* FIFA Club World Cup 2025 participants Mamelodi Sundowns and Esperance to face off for semi-final spot
* Defending champions Al Ahly poised to do battle with Sudan's Al Hilal SC
The 2024/25 CAF Champions League isabout to enter its business end, with the first legs of the quarter-finals to take place on Tuesday. Three of the African quartet that will represent the continent at the FIFA Club World Cup 2025(TM), to be held in the USA in June and July, have reached the last eight, with two of the trio preparing to square off in what promises to be a riveting contest. FIFA gives you the low-down on the contenders for the continental crown.
Mamelodi Sundowns v Esperance
In a repeat of last season's semi-final, Mamelodi Sundowns will be itching to exact revenge when they take on Esperance. Winners of the 2016 instalment, the South Africans, whose frontline has recently been bolstered by the arrival of free agent Lebo Mothiba, were denied a place in the tournament decider by the Tunisians, who claimed 1-0 victories in both legs of the last-four tie before suffering heartbreak in the final. The Beast of Africa, who are joint-leaders of their domestic Ligue 1 and lifted the Tunisian Super Cup in February, will be hoping that the recently appointed Maher Kanzari can deliver the club's fifth continental title.
Former Esperance coach Miguel Cardoso, who took up the reins at the Pretoria-based outfit in December last year, predicts a hard-fought tie. "I'm sure they'll be close matches, just like they were in last year's competition, but I think they'll be a spectacle to behold," said the Portuguese. "Both teams play attractive football and have a positive approach to the game. Whenever there's a Champions League match on in Tunis, the atmosphere is wonderful, and I hope that our fans will fill the stands and give us that extra boost to see us into the semis."
Al Ahly FC - Al Hilal Omdurman
Al Ahly sit second in the championship play-off of the Egyptian Premier League, and despite failing to top Group C in the current edition of the continental finals, the 12-time African champions remain a formidable force. Indeed, they could become the first club to win three successive editions of the competition. Before the Red Devils can even begin to think about tasting glory, however, they will have to overcome Sudanese giants Al Hilal, who are yet to have ruled Africa despite having reached the final in 1987 and 1992.
Led by Swiss tactician Marcel Koller, the Cairo-based outfit were voted CAF Club of the 20th Century and lined up no fewer than nine times in the FIFA Intercontinental Cup(TM), taking the bronze medal on four occasions (2006, 2020, 2021 and 2023). The winners of this mouth-watering tussle will face either Mamelodi Sundowns or Esperance in the last four.
Pyramids FC - AS FAR
Egyptian league leaders Pyramids boast plenty of firepower in their ranks. Indeed, the New Cairo heavyweights' 14-goal haul made them the joint-top scorers during the group stage, along with domestic rivals Al Ahly. Krunoslav Jurcic's charges will be hoping to etch their names into the history books by clinching the club's first continental title, while AS FAR are aiming to capture the trophy for a second time, with their only previous triumph having come 40 years ago.
Handily placed in second spot in the Moroccan top flight - two places ahead of Wydad AC, who are the fourth AFC representatives set to participate at this year's Club World Cup - AS FAR boasted one of the sternest defences at the conclusion of the group stage. The Rabat side have conceded just four times in an unbeaten tournament campaign that has featured a pair of commendable 1-1 draws against Mamelodi Sundowns.
MC Alger - Orlando Pirates
MC Alger possess the best defensive record in the current edition of the competition, with their backline having been breached only twice. In 1976, the capital club became the first Algerian side to secure the coveted continental prize, and the eight-time defending domestic champions will be hoping that their defensive solidity stands them in good stead when they lock horns with South African quarter-finalists Orlando Pirates.
The Happy People dream of adding a second piece of continental silverware to their trophy cabinet after having reigned supreme in the 1995 instalment. Currently occupying second place in the South African Premiership behind Mamelodi Sundowns, the boys from Johannesburg topped Group C ahead of Al Ahly and now have their sights firmly set on the ultimate prize.
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Original text here: https://www.fifa.com/en/tournaments/mens/club-world-cup/usa-2025/articles/caf-champions-league-quarter-finals-preview
[Category: Sports]
ASU, UC and KU Take Home Big 12 Baseball Weekly Awards
IRVING, Texas, April 1 -- The Big 12 Conference, a college athletic conference, issued the following news:
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ASU, UC and KU Take Home Big 12 Baseball Weekly Awards
Kansas' duo of Michael Brooks (co-player) and Dominic Voegele (pitcher) were joined by Cincinnati's Kerrington Cross (co-player) and Arizona State's Matt King (newcomer) as the Big 12 Baseball weekly award recipients for games ending March 30.
Cross reached base at least four times in all four of Cincinnati's games last week, posting a .773 on-base percentage against No. 18 Louisville and UCF. He started the week against the
... Show Full Article
IRVING, Texas, April 1 -- The Big 12 Conference, a college athletic conference, issued the following news:
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ASU, UC and KU Take Home Big 12 Baseball Weekly Awards
Kansas' duo of Michael Brooks (co-player) and Dominic Voegele (pitcher) were joined by Cincinnati's Kerrington Cross (co-player) and Arizona State's Matt King (newcomer) as the Big 12 Baseball weekly award recipients for games ending March 30.
Cross reached base at least four times in all four of Cincinnati's games last week, posting a .773 on-base percentage against No. 18 Louisville and UCF. He started the week against theCardinals with a double and a home run before opening the series against the Knights 3-for-3, with another homer and reaching base five times. Cross leads the Conference and sits at No. 12 nationally with a .448 batting average in 23 starts this season while having the second-highest on-base percentage in the league (0.566, No. 6 nationally).
Brooks homered in three of Kansas' five games last week and matched his career-high with a 7-RBI game in KU's 16-5 win over St. Thomas (Minnesota). The Wellington, Florida native scored a run in all five games and recorded multiple hits in three of the five contests. In the second matchup against St. Thomas, he finished 2-for-3 with two runs, one home run, seven RBI and two walks. To conclude the series against Oklahoma State, the redshirt senior infielder finished 3-for-4 with three runs, one double, one homer and three RBI. Brooks also extended his on-base streak to 18 games.
Voegele pitched a career-high 8.0 innings and tied a career-high with 10 strikeouts in the Jayhawks' series-opening victory over Oklahoma State. The 2025 Big 12 Preseason Pitcher of the Year retired 13 consecutive batters from the third inning through the seventh inning. The sophomore right-handed pitcher surrendered only two runs on three hits to finish with a 2.25 ERA on the day for his fourth win of the season. Voegele has struck out the fourth-most hitters in the Conference this season with 47 strikeouts through 40.1 innings pitched in seven games. The win helped Kansas sweep Oklahoma State for the first time since 2009 and improve KU's Conference record to 6-3, the best start in league play in program history.
King tallied three hits in each of Arizona State's three wins against Utah to finish 9-for-14 (.643) and help ASU pick up its first Conference sweep as a member of the Big 12. The senior infielder recorded a team-leading five RBI, three doubles and a .688 on-base percentage while adding two stolen bases in the series and added a diving play to save runs with the bases loaded in a series-clinching win on Saturday. He is the fifth Sun Devil to earn Conference recognition this season and the second to be named Big 12 Newcomer of the Week.
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Original text here: https://big12sports.com/news/2025/3/31/asu-uc-and-ku-take-home-big-12-baseball-weekly-awards.aspx
[Category: Sports]
2025 Convention Recap, Craig Stutzmann, San Jose State, Offensive Philosophy
WACO, Texas, April 1 -- The American Football Coaches Association issued the following news:
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2025 Convention Recap | Craig Stutzmann, San Jose State | Offensive Philosophy
Craig Stutzmann: Offensive Coordinator at San Jose State University
Craig Stutzmann is the Offensive Coordinator at San Jose State University, having recently completed his first season on staff. With a coaching career that began in Hawaii at the high school level, Coach Stutzmann has built an impressive resume with experience at multiple programs, including Hawaii, Portland State, Memphis, Rhodes College, Weber State,
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WACO, Texas, April 1 -- The American Football Coaches Association issued the following news:
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2025 Convention Recap | Craig Stutzmann, San Jose State | Offensive Philosophy
Craig Stutzmann: Offensive Coordinator at San Jose State University
Craig Stutzmann is the Offensive Coordinator at San Jose State University, having recently completed his first season on staff. With a coaching career that began in Hawaii at the high school level, Coach Stutzmann has built an impressive resume with experience at multiple programs, including Hawaii, Portland State, Memphis, Rhodes College, Weber State,Emory & Henry, Washington State, Utah Tech, and Texas State.
In the video below, Coach Stutzmann provides an in-depth breakdown of the San Jose State offense. He covers three key aspects of his coaching approach:
* Core Principles that define the team culture and contribute to success.
* Key Responsibilities of his offensive staff to ensure the team is well-prepared for game day.
* Offensive Philosophy and why having a clear strategy is instrumental.
Core Principles of the San Jose State Offense
Aloha Spirit
* Integrity: Strive for excellence while maintaining strong moral principles.
* Humility: Stay open to learning and improving by listening to others.
* Passion: Commit fully to your craft and the people around you.
Communication
* Verbal Skills: Use positive and engaging language to unify the team.
* Non-Verbal Skills: Be mindful of body language and interactions.
* Same Language: Ensure team-wide understanding by standardizing terminology.
Shoot Your Shot
* Be Confident: Trust in your skills, training, and preparation.
* Be Decisive: Make informed choices and stand by them.
* Have No Regrets: Leave it all on the field with no second-guessing.
Key Responsibilities in the San Jose State Offense
Lead
* Provide direction and inspire teammates.
* Motivate and hold one another accountable.
Love
* Foster a positive team environment through actions, not just words.
* Build meaningful relationships within the program.
Make Tough Decisions
* Coaches must navigate difficult choices to benefit the team.
* Value = Benefit over Cost: Always assess the assets each player and play bring to the table.
Offensive Identity at San Jose State
Style of Play
* Fast - Physical - Intelligent - Relentless
* Multiple Tempos: Keeps defenses guessing and forces them to adjust.
Key Offensive Concepts
* Streak Reads, Choice Reads, Double Post Combos, 9's
* Offensive Line Techniques: Jump sets, combos, and preparation against defensive line movements.
* RPO A-B-C's: Mastering reads at different levels (A-Level, B-Level, C-Level).
* Quick Release: Prioritizing fast decision-making and ball distribution.
Coach Stutzmann's approach emphasizes discipline, adaptability, and teamwork, ensuring that the San Jose State offense remains dynamic and competitive. Watch the video below for a deeper dive into his strategies and philosophies.
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Original text here: https://www.afca.com/2025-convention-recap-craig-stutzmann-san-jose-state-offensive-philosophy/
[Category: Sports]
