Sports Quote of the Day:
"Adversity causes some men to break, and others to break records," ~ Source Unknown
How 'bout them Chicago Blackhawks? Red Wings top Blackhawks 2-0, take 3-1 series lead, Uh-Oh, Don't give up, Don't give out and Don't give in. Never say die, just say damn and keep on pushing because you're a winner Blackhawks!!!
By
Jakub Kindl scored on a power play in the second period, Daniel Cleary had an empty-net goal and Jimmy Howard made 27 saves to help the Detroit Red Wings hold on for a 2-0 victory over the Chicago Blackhawks on Thursday night, putting the NHL's best team during the regular season on the brink of elimination.
After losing Game 1, the seventh-seeded Red Wings have surged into control of the second round series by handing Chicago its first three-game losing streak of the year.
Game 5 is Saturday night in Chicago.
The Blackhawks desperately need captain Jonathan Toews to score and lead after he extended his goal drought in a composure-crumbling performance.
Toews was called for three penalties in the second and could've gone to the box a fourth time in the period for slashing Red Wings captain Henrik Zetterberg while an official stood between them.
The Red Wings took advantage of the second power play Toews gave them when Kindl sent a low shot to the near corner from the top of the left circle.
Chicago had killed its first 30 penalties of the playoffs and matched the 2001 St. Louis Blues' feat of playing eight postseason games without giving up a power-play goal, the longest such streak since 1988.
The Blackhawks had a power play with 4:45 left in the game when Kindl was called for hooking, but they couldn't tie the game.
Corey Crawford had in a strong performance in goal for Chicago after giving up seven goals in the previous two games.
Howard was just a little bit better, earning his first shutout of this postseason and the second of his career in the playoffs.
Kindl scored his first goal of his first postseason, keeping up a trend that has helped the rapidly improving Red Wings pull within a win of their first trip to the Western Conference finals since 2009 when they got past Chicago and went on to lose Game 7 in a Stanley Cup finals rematch against Pittsburgh.
Detroit's young players - six of which hadn't been in the playoffs before this year - have been contributing to help out stars Pavel Datsyuk and Zetterberg.
Red Wings rookie Brendan Smith scored the winner in Game 2 at Chicago to even the series. First-year player Damien Brunner and Gustav Nyquist, who was pointless in his first four postseason games last year, had goals in overtimes against second-seeded Anaheim in the first round.
Chicago's 25-year-old captain, Toews, should seemingly be in the prime of his career, but he is in a slump against a team that appears to be getting to him physical and mentally. Toews was called for three penalties in the first 11 minutes of the first time in his career, according to STATS.
He has gone 10 postseason games without a goal - dating to last year's playoffs - in what is the longest scoring skid for a former Conn Smythe winner since Claude Lemieux went 20 games without a goal from 2000 through 2009, according to STATS.
NOTES: Detroit D Danny DeKeyser, who broke his right thumb in the first round and was ruled out for the playoffs, said he is holding out hope that he can come back if his teammates can advance. ... Since winning the Stanley Cup in 2010, Chicago has lost in the first round twice and is a loss away from a second-round exit.
Jakub Kindl scored on a power play in the second period, Daniel Cleary had an empty-net goal and Jimmy Howard made 27 saves to help the Detroit Red Wings hold on for a 2-0 victory over the Chicago Blackhawks on Thursday night, putting the NHL's best team during the regular season on the brink of elimination.
After losing Game 1, the seventh-seeded Red Wings have surged into control of the second round series by handing Chicago its first three-game losing streak of the year.
Game 5 is Saturday night in Chicago.
The Blackhawks desperately need captain Jonathan Toews to score and lead after he extended his goal drought in a composure-crumbling performance.
Toews was called for three penalties in the second and could've gone to the box a fourth time in the period for slashing Red Wings captain Henrik Zetterberg while an official stood between them.
The Red Wings took advantage of the second power play Toews gave them when Kindl sent a low shot to the near corner from the top of the left circle.
Chicago had killed its first 30 penalties of the playoffs and matched the 2001 St. Louis Blues' feat of playing eight postseason games without giving up a power-play goal, the longest such streak since 1988.
The Blackhawks had a power play with 4:45 left in the game when Kindl was called for hooking, but they couldn't tie the game.
Corey Crawford had in a strong performance in goal for Chicago after giving up seven goals in the previous two games.
Howard was just a little bit better, earning his first shutout of this postseason and the second of his career in the playoffs.
Kindl scored his first goal of his first postseason, keeping up a trend that has helped the rapidly improving Red Wings pull within a win of their first trip to the Western Conference finals since 2009 when they got past Chicago and went on to lose Game 7 in a Stanley Cup finals rematch against Pittsburgh.
Detroit's young players - six of which hadn't been in the playoffs before this year - have been contributing to help out stars Pavel Datsyuk and Zetterberg.
Red Wings rookie Brendan Smith scored the winner in Game 2 at Chicago to even the series. First-year player Damien Brunner and Gustav Nyquist, who was pointless in his first four postseason games last year, had goals in overtimes against second-seeded Anaheim in the first round.
Chicago's 25-year-old captain, Toews, should seemingly be in the prime of his career, but he is in a slump against a team that appears to be getting to him physical and mentally. Toews was called for three penalties in the first 11 minutes of the first time in his career, according to STATS.
He has gone 10 postseason games without a goal - dating to last year's playoffs - in what is the longest scoring skid for a former Conn Smythe winner since Claude Lemieux went 20 games without a goal from 2000 through 2009, according to STATS.
NOTES: Detroit D Danny DeKeyser, who broke his right thumb in the first round and was ruled out for the playoffs, said he is holding out hope that he can come back if his teammates can advance. ... Since winning the Stanley Cup in 2010, Chicago has lost in the first round twice and is a loss away from a second-round exit.
Bears LB Urlacher announces his retirement.
By
Brian Urlacher wasn't sure how dominant he could be any longer, so he's calling it a career after 13 seasons with the Chicago Bears.
And what a career it was:
-Eight Pro Bowl seasons;
-Defensive Player of the Year in 2005
-A trip to the Super Bowl as 2006 NFC champion.
And now, it's over. The eight-time Pro Bowler announced his retirement through social media accounts Wednesday.
''After spending a lot of time this spring thinking about my NFL future, I have made a decision to retire,'' Urlacher said in a statement. ''Although I could continue playing, I'm not sure I would bring a level of performance or passion that's up to my standards. When considering this, along with the fact that I could retire after a 13-year career wearing only one jersey for such a storied franchise, my decision became pretty clear.
''I want to thank all of the people in my life that have helped me along the way. I will miss my teammates, my coaches and the great Bears fans. I'm proud to say that I gave all of you everything I had every time I took the field. I will miss this great game, but I leave it with no regrets.''
Urlacher was the face of the Bears, and he ranks among the best middle linebackers to suit up for a franchise with an impressive list that includes Hall of Famers Bill George, Dick Butkus and Mike Singletary.
In March, Urlacher and the Bears were unable to reach a contract agreement and he became a free agent.
''In the pantheon of Bears, Brian has earned his place alongside Halas, Grange, Nagurski, Ditka, Payton - and yes, Bill George, Butkus and Singletary,'' Bears chairman George McCaskey said. ''We congratulate Brian on a brilliant career and he will continue to be a welcomed member of the Bears Family in retirement.''
Added receiver Earl Bennett on Twitter: ''Great player... Great teammate... Awesome person!!!!''
Former Bears linebacker Hunter Hillenmeyer posted on Twitter: ''(at)BUrlacher54 was the most coachable superstar, best locker room leader I ever played with. Proud to call him a teammate for 8 seasons.''
And defensive end Israel Idonije, a free agent, wrote, ''It was an honor & privilege to work and learn from (at)BUrlacher54 over the past 10 years. (hash)ThanksBruh.''
Urlacher started 180 games from 2000-2012, and made a team-record 1,779 tackles. He has 41 1/2, 22 interceptions, 16 fumble recoveries and 11 forced fumbles.
Last year, he was slowed by a knee problem and then missed the final four games with a hamstring injury.
Urlacher had posted pictures on Twitter indicating he was working his way back into shape before the split with the Bears. But when they announced he would not be back, it was hardly a surprise.
Urlacher told the team's flagship radio station at the time that he was not shocked and the offer he received was ''more like an ultimatum'' in which they were telling him, ''Sign this contract or we are going to move on.''
The split with Urlacher was just one of many moves in a busy offseason for the Bears.
They fired coach Lovie Smith after a second straight late collapse left them out of the playoffs for the fifth time in six years, even though they did finish with 10 wins.
They replaced him with the offensive-minded Marc Trestman, hoping he could get the most out of quarterback Jay Cutler, and revamped their offensive line.
On defense, the only starting linebacker returning is Lance Briggs. Veteran free agent acquisition D.J. Williams and second-round draft pick Jon Bostic are expected to compete for the middle linebacker job with Urlacher gone.
A safety with lightning speed when he was drafted out of New Mexico, the 6-foot-4 Urlacher initially lined up at strong side linebacker for the Bears, but lost the job to Roosevelt Colvin. He made the switch to middle linebacker during his first season when Barry Minter was injured, and went on to become the 2000 Defensive Rookie of the Year, the start of a long run that saw him anchor a defense that consistently ranked among the league's best.
But he clearly wasn't his old self last year. The speed and quickness that allowed him to wreak havoc for years simply wasn't there.
Urlacher sprained his medial collateral ligament and partially sprained the posterior cruciate ligament in his left knee during the 2011 regular-season finale against Minnesota, He hasn't been the same since then.
He barely participated in training camp, had an arthroscopic procedure in mid-August to relieve the swelling, and spent most of the season trying to regain his old form.
Then, he came up lame in coverage on the second-to-last snap of the Bears' overtime loss to Seattle in early December, an injury that ended his season and, ultimately, his career.
''He was a guy that you respected from a coaching standpoint because of what he could do on the field,'' Detroit coach Jim Schwartz said. ''I know he was respected by players and among his peers. Different kind of linebacker, you know? There are not many guys who are 6-4 playing middle linebacker. It's generally a position that shorter guys have had a lot more success, guys like Mike Singletary, who probably wasn't six feet tall; Ray Lewis about the same way.
''But Urlacher, in a lot of ways, changed the position. His range at the middle linebacker position, the speed that he played with, he was super fast.''
Brian Urlacher wasn't sure how dominant he could be any longer, so he's calling it a career after 13 seasons with the Chicago Bears.
And what a career it was:
-Eight Pro Bowl seasons;
-Defensive Player of the Year in 2005
-A trip to the Super Bowl as 2006 NFC champion.
And now, it's over. The eight-time Pro Bowler announced his retirement through social media accounts Wednesday.
''After spending a lot of time this spring thinking about my NFL future, I have made a decision to retire,'' Urlacher said in a statement. ''Although I could continue playing, I'm not sure I would bring a level of performance or passion that's up to my standards. When considering this, along with the fact that I could retire after a 13-year career wearing only one jersey for such a storied franchise, my decision became pretty clear.
''I want to thank all of the people in my life that have helped me along the way. I will miss my teammates, my coaches and the great Bears fans. I'm proud to say that I gave all of you everything I had every time I took the field. I will miss this great game, but I leave it with no regrets.''
Urlacher was the face of the Bears, and he ranks among the best middle linebackers to suit up for a franchise with an impressive list that includes Hall of Famers Bill George, Dick Butkus and Mike Singletary.
In March, Urlacher and the Bears were unable to reach a contract agreement and he became a free agent.
''In the pantheon of Bears, Brian has earned his place alongside Halas, Grange, Nagurski, Ditka, Payton - and yes, Bill George, Butkus and Singletary,'' Bears chairman George McCaskey said. ''We congratulate Brian on a brilliant career and he will continue to be a welcomed member of the Bears Family in retirement.''
Added receiver Earl Bennett on Twitter: ''Great player... Great teammate... Awesome person!!!!''
Former Bears linebacker Hunter Hillenmeyer posted on Twitter: ''(at)BUrlacher54 was the most coachable superstar, best locker room leader I ever played with. Proud to call him a teammate for 8 seasons.''
And defensive end Israel Idonije, a free agent, wrote, ''It was an honor & privilege to work and learn from (at)BUrlacher54 over the past 10 years. (hash)ThanksBruh.''
Urlacher started 180 games from 2000-2012, and made a team-record 1,779 tackles. He has 41 1/2, 22 interceptions, 16 fumble recoveries and 11 forced fumbles.
Last year, he was slowed by a knee problem and then missed the final four games with a hamstring injury.
Urlacher had posted pictures on Twitter indicating he was working his way back into shape before the split with the Bears. But when they announced he would not be back, it was hardly a surprise.
Urlacher told the team's flagship radio station at the time that he was not shocked and the offer he received was ''more like an ultimatum'' in which they were telling him, ''Sign this contract or we are going to move on.''
The split with Urlacher was just one of many moves in a busy offseason for the Bears.
They fired coach Lovie Smith after a second straight late collapse left them out of the playoffs for the fifth time in six years, even though they did finish with 10 wins.
They replaced him with the offensive-minded Marc Trestman, hoping he could get the most out of quarterback Jay Cutler, and revamped their offensive line.
On defense, the only starting linebacker returning is Lance Briggs. Veteran free agent acquisition D.J. Williams and second-round draft pick Jon Bostic are expected to compete for the middle linebacker job with Urlacher gone.
A safety with lightning speed when he was drafted out of New Mexico, the 6-foot-4 Urlacher initially lined up at strong side linebacker for the Bears, but lost the job to Roosevelt Colvin. He made the switch to middle linebacker during his first season when Barry Minter was injured, and went on to become the 2000 Defensive Rookie of the Year, the start of a long run that saw him anchor a defense that consistently ranked among the league's best.
But he clearly wasn't his old self last year. The speed and quickness that allowed him to wreak havoc for years simply wasn't there.
Urlacher sprained his medial collateral ligament and partially sprained the posterior cruciate ligament in his left knee during the 2011 regular-season finale against Minnesota, He hasn't been the same since then.
He barely participated in training camp, had an arthroscopic procedure in mid-August to relieve the swelling, and spent most of the season trying to regain his old form.
Then, he came up lame in coverage on the second-to-last snap of the Bears' overtime loss to Seattle in early December, an injury that ended his season and, ultimately, his career.
''He was a guy that you respected from a coaching standpoint because of what he could do on the field,'' Detroit coach Jim Schwartz said. ''I know he was respected by players and among his peers. Different kind of linebacker, you know? There are not many guys who are 6-4 playing middle linebacker. It's generally a position that shorter guys have had a lot more success, guys like Mike Singletary, who probably wasn't six feet tall; Ray Lewis about the same way.
''But Urlacher, in a lot of ways, changed the position. His range at the middle linebacker position, the speed that he played with, he was super fast.''
Mass. Little Leaguer banned from pitching following debate that he throws with ‘too much power’. What's your take?
12-year-old Tanner Beebe is no longer allowed to pitch because of his power
— Don Treeger:MassLive.com
Little League is a sports association of inclusion, with teams finding ways to accommodate those who might not play elsewhere. There’s even an entire division for players who are mobility impaired.
Yet a Little League in Massachusetts has taken a hard line against one 12-year-old, and not because of anything he’s lacking. Rather, he’s just too good on the mound … or at least with "too much power.”
As reported by MassLive.com, the web home of the Springfield Republican, 12-year-old Westfield, Mass. native Tanner Beebe is a member of a team in the Westfield
“Minor League” division, in which all his friends and other 12-year-olds play. Like any number of players in the division, Beebe is an aspiring pitcher, and appeared dominant early in the season. That’s when a league official clocked him tossing 60 mile-per-hour strikes from the traditional Little League mound -- roughly equivalent to an 80 mile-per-hour MLB changeup -- the league stepped in and banned him from pitching.
The reason for the ban is that technically Beebe is too old to pitch in the Minors division. Yet the Westfield League has traditionally let 12-year-olds continue to pitch regardless of age or size.
Beebe isn’t a threat for his size -- he stands approximately 5-foot-1 and 90 pounds -- but he is for his talent. Yet, rather than see him promoted to the higher “Majors” division, Beebe and his father, with support of league officials, agreed that he should continue playing in the Minors. There’s a good reason for that, too; before this year Beebe had focused on lacrosse, so he is only making his baseball debut at age 12.
Beyond that, Beebe’s father, Chris Beebe, serves as his coach in the Minors, meaning that the 12-year-old would have to leave his father’s team to continue pitching legally. Chris Beebe vociferously defends the family’s decision to place their novice son in the Minors, pointing out that developmentally he was “a full five years behind the 12-year-olds in the majors.”
That the youngster emerged as a pitching phenom was a surprise to everyone, yet now it has landed the league in hot water. When Westfield Little League officials appealed to the Eastern regional chapter of Little League in Bristol, Conn, the Connecticut association refused to grant any leniency and allow him to continue pitching.
The report to the Little League Eastern office followed a slew of complaints about Beebe's dominance on the mound, with parents reportedly taunting the 12-year-old during games.
Instead, I supporting the Beebes attempt to regain his pitching eligibility, Little League threatened to take back the league’s Little League charter if Beebe continued to pitch.
The entire snafu has left Beebe playing in the field and outfield, all while his arm sits idly by, for at least another year. While disappointed, the youngster appears to be keeping the right attitude about the entire unfortunate situation.
“I’m getting in trouble and being punished because I’m too good,” Tanner Beebe told the Republican.
“My goal was to get better at pitching this year. Now, my goal is become the best shortstop and catcher I can. That’s all I can do.”
CS&T/AA's Take: Injustice for one is injustice for all. The rules state that technically he is to old to pitch, however, it should be noted that the league has traditionally let 12 year olds pitch regardless of age or size. Follow the rules as they apply to everyone or circumvent the rules and have total chaos. Why punish the kid, he did nothing wrong. If the league had followed the rules, they wouldn't be in this situation. They're probably not going to let the youngster pitch because of the threat of losing their Little League charter. Another fine example of adults screwing up a terrific program. When will we ever learn? We will follow the kid's progress because who knows, he could be a future Cy Young winner!!! Should he be allowed to pitch or not? What's your take?
Yet a Little League in Massachusetts has taken a hard line against one 12-year-old, and not because of anything he’s lacking. Rather, he’s just too good on the mound … or at least with "too much power.”
As reported by MassLive.com, the web home of the Springfield Republican, 12-year-old Westfield, Mass. native Tanner Beebe is a member of a team in the Westfield
“Minor League” division, in which all his friends and other 12-year-olds play. Like any number of players in the division, Beebe is an aspiring pitcher, and appeared dominant early in the season. That’s when a league official clocked him tossing 60 mile-per-hour strikes from the traditional Little League mound -- roughly equivalent to an 80 mile-per-hour MLB changeup -- the league stepped in and banned him from pitching.
The reason for the ban is that technically Beebe is too old to pitch in the Minors division. Yet the Westfield League has traditionally let 12-year-olds continue to pitch regardless of age or size.
Beyond that, Beebe’s father, Chris Beebe, serves as his coach in the Minors, meaning that the 12-year-old would have to leave his father’s team to continue pitching legally. Chris Beebe vociferously defends the family’s decision to place their novice son in the Minors, pointing out that developmentally he was “a full five years behind the 12-year-olds in the majors.”
That the youngster emerged as a pitching phenom was a surprise to everyone, yet now it has landed the league in hot water. When Westfield Little League officials appealed to the Eastern regional chapter of Little League in Bristol, Conn, the Connecticut association refused to grant any leniency and allow him to continue pitching.
The report to the Little League Eastern office followed a slew of complaints about Beebe's dominance on the mound, with parents reportedly taunting the 12-year-old during games.
Instead, I supporting the Beebes attempt to regain his pitching eligibility, Little League threatened to take back the league’s Little League charter if Beebe continued to pitch.
The entire snafu has left Beebe playing in the field and outfield, all while his arm sits idly by, for at least another year. While disappointed, the youngster appears to be keeping the right attitude about the entire unfortunate situation.
“I’m getting in trouble and being punished because I’m too good,” Tanner Beebe told the Republican.
“My goal was to get better at pitching this year. Now, my goal is become the best shortstop and catcher I can. That’s all I can do.”
CS&T/AA's Take: Injustice for one is injustice for all. The rules state that technically he is to old to pitch, however, it should be noted that the league has traditionally let 12 year olds pitch regardless of age or size. Follow the rules as they apply to everyone or circumvent the rules and have total chaos. Why punish the kid, he did nothing wrong. If the league had followed the rules, they wouldn't be in this situation. They're probably not going to let the youngster pitch because of the threat of losing their Little League charter. Another fine example of adults screwing up a terrific program. When will we ever learn? We will follow the kid's progress because who knows, he could be a future Cy Young winner!!! Should he be allowed to pitch or not? What's your take?
NBA Roundup: James heads All-NBA team.
By The Sports Xchange
Miami Heat superstar LeBron James received 119 votes and was named first-team All-NBA on Thursday.
Kobe Bryant of the Los Angeles Lakers made the team for the 11th time, tying him with Hall of Famer Karl Malone for the most selections. He had been tied at 10 with Kareem Abdul-Jabbar, Elgin Baylor, Bob Cousy, Michael Jordan, Bob Pettit and Jerry West.
Joining James and Bryan on the first team are the Oklahoma Thunder's Kevin Durant, the San Antonio Spurs' Tim Duncan and the Los Angeles Clippers' Chris Paul.
The All-NBA second team is made up of guards Tony Parker of the Spurs and Russell Westbrook of the Thunder, forwards Carmelo Anthony of the New York Knicks and Blake Griffin of the Clippers and center Marc Gasol of the Memphis Grizzlies.
---The wave of euphoria after the successful battle to keep the Sacramento Kings in northern California led to the single-best day of ticket sales since the first day of the franchise's existence more than 30 years ago.
Kings spokesman Chris Clark told the Sacramento Bee that the franchise doesn't release ticket sales information but said calls were coming in every few seconds when new season ticket sales opened Tuesday. Thousands of Kings fans attended a rally downtown Sacramento on Thursday to celebrate the team's future.
Miami Heat superstar LeBron James received 119 votes and was named first-team All-NBA on Thursday.
Kobe Bryant of the Los Angeles Lakers made the team for the 11th time, tying him with Hall of Famer Karl Malone for the most selections. He had been tied at 10 with Kareem Abdul-Jabbar, Elgin Baylor, Bob Cousy, Michael Jordan, Bob Pettit and Jerry West.
Joining James and Bryan on the first team are the Oklahoma Thunder's Kevin Durant, the San Antonio Spurs' Tim Duncan and the Los Angeles Clippers' Chris Paul.
The All-NBA second team is made up of guards Tony Parker of the Spurs and Russell Westbrook of the Thunder, forwards Carmelo Anthony of the New York Knicks and Blake Griffin of the Clippers and center Marc Gasol of the Memphis Grizzlies.
---The wave of euphoria after the successful battle to keep the Sacramento Kings in northern California led to the single-best day of ticket sales since the first day of the franchise's existence more than 30 years ago.
Kings spokesman Chris Clark told the Sacramento Bee that the franchise doesn't release ticket sales information but said calls were coming in every few seconds when new season ticket sales opened Tuesday. Thousands of Kings fans attended a rally downtown Sacramento on Thursday to celebrate the team's future.
2014 NASCAR Hall of Fame class announced.
By NASCAR Wire Service
Any trip to the NASCAR Hall of Fame puts fans face-to-face with some of the sport's most remarkable artifacts, stories and legends.
Today, five more of those all-timers will live on forever, as NASCAR announced the inductees for the NASCAR Hall of Fame Class of 2014.
The five newest members of the NASCAR Hall of Fame that will be inducted on January 29, 2014 are Tim Flock, Maurice Petty, Dale Jarrett, Jack Ingram and Fireball Roberts.
Flock, who received 76 percent of the vote, was one of NASCAR's earliest superstars, winning the NASCAR premier series championship twice (1952, 1955). In only 187 starts, he had 39 victories, which ranks him 18th on the all-time wins list. He won eight races and posted 22 top fives in 33 starts while driving a Hudson Hornet to his first title in 1952. In 1955, his second championship season, he visited Victory Lane an amazing 18 times with 32 top fives and 18 poles in only 39 races.
He also won NASCAR's only sports car race in 1955. For Flock, racing in NASCAR's premier series was a family affair as he was joined on track by his brothers Bob and Fonty and sister Ethel. In 1998, he was named one of NASCAR's 50 Greatest Drivers.
Petty joins his father Lee, older brother Richard and cousin Dale Inman in the NASCAR Hall of Fame after receiving 73 percent of the vote in his first time on the ballot. As the chief engine builder at Petty Enterprises, he supplied the horsepower that propelled Richard Petty to most of his 200 victories in the NASCAR premier series, including seven titles and seven Daytona 500 victories.
The younger Petty also built winning engines for a number of other drivers, including his dad, Lee. As a teenager, he worked on his father's pit crew alongside his brother.
In 2001, he worked as a consultant to Dodge upon its return to NASCAR's premier series in 2001.
Jarrett, who was on the ballot for the first time this year, received 56 percent of the votes. The 1999 NASCAR premier series champion joins his father, Ned, as the third father-son combination to be enshrined into the NASCAR Hall of Fame behind the Frances and Pettys. In the younger Jarrett's championship season, he finished first four times and landed 29 top-10 finishes in only 34 races. He capped off the year with a run of eight consecutive top-10 finishes that propelled him to the title.
By the time he hung up his driving gloves in order to pursue a successful career as a NASCAR commentator for ESPN and ABC, he had won 32 races in the premier series -- good for 21st on the all-time wins list -- including three Daytona 500s, two Brickyard 400s and a Coca-Cola 600.
Ingram, who only started 19 NASCAR premier series races, primarily found success in the NASCAR Nationwide Series and its precursor -- the Late Model Sportsman Division. Before the series as we know it today was formed, Ingram won three consecutive championships (1972-1974). He won the NASCAR Busch (now Nationwide) title in its inaugural season of 1982, and again in 1985.
After 10 years of racing in the NASCAR Nationwide Series, he had 31 wins, a record that stood until Mark Martin broke it in 1997. All but two of his wins came on short tracks. He was named one of NASCAR's 50 Greatest Drivers in 1988.
Fireball Roberts, who earned his nickname as a hard-charging high school pitcher, was the last inductee to be announced with 51 percent of the vote. During his career, which spanned 207 starts, he often came up big in the biggest events, winning the Daytona 500 in 1962 and the Southern 500 in 1958 and 1963. His driving style was a perfect match for Daytona International Speedway, where he won seven times.
In 1958, he only competed in 10 of 51 races, winning six and finishing in the top 10 in nine of them. Although he didn't compete in 41 of that season's races, he still finished 11th in the season-ending points standings. In 1998, he was named one of NASCAR's 50 Greatest Drivers.
The next top vote getters were Jerry Cook, Joe Weatherly and Wendell Scott.
The top five vote getters in the fan vote were (listed alphabetically) Richard Childress, Rick Hendrick, Jarrett, Benny Parsons and Fireball Roberts.
Any trip to the NASCAR Hall of Fame puts fans face-to-face with some of the sport's most remarkable artifacts, stories and legends.
Today, five more of those all-timers will live on forever, as NASCAR announced the inductees for the NASCAR Hall of Fame Class of 2014.
The five newest members of the NASCAR Hall of Fame that will be inducted on January 29, 2014 are Tim Flock, Maurice Petty, Dale Jarrett, Jack Ingram and Fireball Roberts.
Flock, who received 76 percent of the vote, was one of NASCAR's earliest superstars, winning the NASCAR premier series championship twice (1952, 1955). In only 187 starts, he had 39 victories, which ranks him 18th on the all-time wins list. He won eight races and posted 22 top fives in 33 starts while driving a Hudson Hornet to his first title in 1952. In 1955, his second championship season, he visited Victory Lane an amazing 18 times with 32 top fives and 18 poles in only 39 races.
He also won NASCAR's only sports car race in 1955. For Flock, racing in NASCAR's premier series was a family affair as he was joined on track by his brothers Bob and Fonty and sister Ethel. In 1998, he was named one of NASCAR's 50 Greatest Drivers.
Petty joins his father Lee, older brother Richard and cousin Dale Inman in the NASCAR Hall of Fame after receiving 73 percent of the vote in his first time on the ballot. As the chief engine builder at Petty Enterprises, he supplied the horsepower that propelled Richard Petty to most of his 200 victories in the NASCAR premier series, including seven titles and seven Daytona 500 victories.
The younger Petty also built winning engines for a number of other drivers, including his dad, Lee. As a teenager, he worked on his father's pit crew alongside his brother.
In 2001, he worked as a consultant to Dodge upon its return to NASCAR's premier series in 2001.
Jarrett, who was on the ballot for the first time this year, received 56 percent of the votes. The 1999 NASCAR premier series champion joins his father, Ned, as the third father-son combination to be enshrined into the NASCAR Hall of Fame behind the Frances and Pettys. In the younger Jarrett's championship season, he finished first four times and landed 29 top-10 finishes in only 34 races. He capped off the year with a run of eight consecutive top-10 finishes that propelled him to the title.
By the time he hung up his driving gloves in order to pursue a successful career as a NASCAR commentator for ESPN and ABC, he had won 32 races in the premier series -- good for 21st on the all-time wins list -- including three Daytona 500s, two Brickyard 400s and a Coca-Cola 600.
Ingram, who only started 19 NASCAR premier series races, primarily found success in the NASCAR Nationwide Series and its precursor -- the Late Model Sportsman Division. Before the series as we know it today was formed, Ingram won three consecutive championships (1972-1974). He won the NASCAR Busch (now Nationwide) title in its inaugural season of 1982, and again in 1985.
After 10 years of racing in the NASCAR Nationwide Series, he had 31 wins, a record that stood until Mark Martin broke it in 1997. All but two of his wins came on short tracks. He was named one of NASCAR's 50 Greatest Drivers in 1988.
Fireball Roberts, who earned his nickname as a hard-charging high school pitcher, was the last inductee to be announced with 51 percent of the vote. During his career, which spanned 207 starts, he often came up big in the biggest events, winning the Daytona 500 in 1962 and the Southern 500 in 1958 and 1963. His driving style was a perfect match for Daytona International Speedway, where he won seven times.
In 1958, he only competed in 10 of 51 races, winning six and finishing in the top 10 in nine of them. Although he didn't compete in 41 of that season's races, he still finished 11th in the season-ending points standings. In 1998, he was named one of NASCAR's 50 Greatest Drivers.
The next top vote getters were Jerry Cook, Joe Weatherly and Wendell Scott.
The top five vote getters in the fan vote were (listed alphabetically) Richard Childress, Rick Hendrick, Jarrett, Benny Parsons and Fireball Roberts.
Why does the Indy 500 run for 500 miles?
By Jay Busbee
The Indy 500. (Getty Images)
It's almost time for the greatest day in racing, three races that run from dawn to well after dusk. The centerpiece of the day is the Indy 500, the Greatest Spectacle in Racing and one of the most famous sporting events in the world. Here, we answer a few of your pressing Indy 500 questions. See you Sunday from the track!
The "500" in racing is a sacred number, as immutable as the 100 yards in football. In olden days, it was a test of drivers' nerve and cars' engineering; the odds were good that either man or machine couldn't go the distance. Now, though, both drivers and cars can sustain a 500-mile race. But how did we get to 500 miles in the first place?
The number dates back to 1911, when the Indianapolis Motor Speedway head Carl Fisher decided to have one major race, not a series of smaller ones. The idea was to have a race that would last the entire day. (Back in 1911, people hadn't had their attention spans demolished by their smartphones and video games, you know.) The race was slated to run from mid-morning to sundown. Cars averaged about 70 miles an hour back then, so with a projected seven-hour window, 500 miles was a nice round number. The track remains the same 2.5-mile, nine-degree-banked layout that it was the day it opened.
The first winner, Ray Harroun, completed the race in six hours, 42 minutes and eight seconds, an average speed of just under 75 mph. For comparison's sake, last year's winner, Dario Franchitti, was more than twice as fast, finishing the race in 2:58:51, or 167.7 mph.
As for that famous tradition of drinking milk? That dates to the 1930s, when winner Louis Meyer regularly requested buttermilk. A local photographer captured the scene, the Indiana Dairy Council apparently spotted an opportunity, and a tradition was yanked into existence. Winners now get their choice of whole, 2 percent or skim ... well-chilled.
Memorial out to battle phone distractions.
By
There isn't a pro golfer who doesn't have a story about a ''Play That Funky Music'' ringtone coming from the gallery during a backswing, or the time a tourist with a flip phone was snapping photos in the middle of a critical putt.
The Memorial is the latest tournament to try to do something about it.
The event, which tees off next week, allows fans to carry cell phones on the course if they are put on vibrate. For the first time, a cadre of volunteers will follow the most popular groups, hoping to alleviate spectators' loud rings and the efforts of amateur photographers.
Jack Nicklaus, founder and host of the Memorial, applauds (but not during a shot) the steps taken.
''The tournament has achieved the balance between giving patrons the ability to use their mobile devices in the appropriate and permitted areas, while giving the players in the field the ability to compete without disturbance, distraction or interruption,'' he said.
Areas will be set aside to make and take calls. The patrolling volunteers will try to clamp down on any abuses everywhere else.
A year ago at the Memorial, Phil Mickelson cited ''mental fatigue'' for withdrawing after the first round at Muirfield Village. Most believe the real reason was his frustration with a flood of distractions from outside the ropes involving cell phones.
''It took Phil out of his game,'' said Bubba Watson, who joined Mickelson and Rickie Fowler in that rock-star grouping. ''Phil's a great player and a great champion and it just took him out of his game. It's sad. It's sad that cell phones can make or break a championship.''
As a result, the Memorial is trying to stave off a repeat.
''That group last year made us realize that we had work to do in improving our mobile-device policy,'' said Dan Sullivan, the Memorial's executive director. ''It wasn't isolated to that group.''
Nothing is isolated about the problem; it's everywhere.
Se Ri Pak was hitting a tee shot on the fourth hole of the 2012 U.S. Women's Open when a cell phone rang in the stands. During the Web.com tour event in Panama a couple of years ago, the phone of Alastair Presnell's caddie went off five times in seven holes. Presnell finally asked his caddie to throw the thing into a bush, which he did.
The PGA Tour and others are trying to meet people halfway. Bay Hill and The Players Championship also have volunteers who scour the crowds looking for possible problems.
At last year's PGA Championship, marshals would stop someone who was using their phone improperly and put a red check mark on the back of their ticket. If there was already a check mark there, meaning they had already been warned, the phone was taken away until the spectator claimed it upon leaving the course.
The British Open allowed cell phones for the first time last year but observers said there were continual abuses of fans using cameras during play. Adding to the confusion, The Open even offers tournament updates to mobile devices for those walking the course.
At the Masters, you must leave your phone at the gate. The prevailing opinion is that Augusta National will never, ever permit cell phones for spectators.
Just as cell phones have become a part of daily life, they've become a necessary evil for players.
Tiger Woods has won 14 major championships and is the defending champ at the Memorial, where he's won five times. He's grown accustomed to the snaps, clicks and rings - although many of his playing partners have not.
''When they've played with me on the weekend rounds, they're not quite used to the amount of movement and ... well, now the new thing is the cell phones going off,'' he said last year. ''It costs them a shot here and there, and that's what it's done to me in most of the tournaments I've played.''
Some places are worse than others for distractions. But not even the world's No. 1 player has an answer for how to combat them.
At Woods' own AT&T National last year, the crowds were large and particularly loud. Marshals regularly had to collect cell phones from fans caught taking pictures during the tournament.
Watson, the 2012 Masters champion, says the situation can be almost unbearable for players.
''When they make these marquee pairings, more people are going to follow them and more people want to take pictures. So it makes it very difficult,'' Watson said after Mickelson's upsetting round last year. ''Ever since they made that rule that cell phones are allowed, it's just not fun playing.''
It's an odd predicament for golf's ruling bodies. After all, the sport's financial lifeblood is large corporations which buy the most ad time and gobble up tournament sponsorships. Those are institutions run by businesspeople who need to be linked to their office by a cell phone. Yet most governing bodies disdain anyone having cell phones on the course during tournament play.
Irony of all ironies, the USGA offers its book of rules as an app for Android devices or iPhones - an app that can't be used during the U.S. Open by fans because the USGA prohibits phones on the course during the tournament.
''We put competition first and foremost,'' USGA executive director Mike Davis said in 2011. ''We're focused on fans, but if we were totally focused on fans you'd have the rope lines closer to play. We're more focused on the competition itself. And until we, as an organization, are convinced that we can conduct a U.S. Open, a Women's Open, U.S. Amateur, Girls' Junior, with spectators using cell phones, we're going to continue to prohibit them.''
On the other hand, most public events are a feeding frenzy for those with cameras on their cell phones. Been to a concert lately? Odds are, arrayed in front of you were hundreds of tiny screens all taking video or photos as the music plays.
It's just like that on the PGA Tour, except the players hate loud or sudden noises while plying their trade. They can mentally blot out the sounds of blimps overhead, birds chirping and roars elsewhere on the course but they jump 3 feet when a phone clicks somewhere on the other side of the ropes.
''The thing is, everyone thinks the players can't play with noise,'' said Peter Senior, who competes on the The Champions Tour. ''They can. But when it's really quiet and you hear it, that's the problem. If there's constant noise - even yahooing - the guys can play as long as it's constant. But when it's dead quiet and then something happens, the guys get upset.''
In another fitting irony, after Mickelson was angered by all of the cell phone distractions during his first-round 79 a year ago at the Memorial, what did he do? He whipped out his own phone on the sixth fairway and texted a message to PGA Tour Commissioner Tim Finchem about all the distractions on the course provided by ... well, cell phones like the one he had in his hand.
Even Woods has used his cell phone - during a pro-am, not a tournament - to call one of his representatives to get his 3 wood regripped at Quail Hollow in 2009.
So it's not just parents checking on the babysitter who think that it's handy to have a cell phone at all times.
Muirfield Village hosts the Presidents Cup in October, a team competition pitting the U.S. vs. an International side. Even such major events are immune from cell phone distractions.
At the 2009 Presidents Cup in San Francisco, a marshal's cell phone rang twice while the International team's Geoff Ogilvy was standing over a putt.
Maybe the Tour needs to provide more education about cell phones, informing fans that they want them to stay connected in this digital age. But they also cannot permit the golfers to be bothered.
Maybe there should be a spokesman.
A recommendation: Former PGA Championship winner Rich Beem.
Before he won a major or made a living at golf, he used to sell car-stereo equipment and cell phones.
There isn't a pro golfer who doesn't have a story about a ''Play That Funky Music'' ringtone coming from the gallery during a backswing, or the time a tourist with a flip phone was snapping photos in the middle of a critical putt.
The Memorial is the latest tournament to try to do something about it.
The event, which tees off next week, allows fans to carry cell phones on the course if they are put on vibrate. For the first time, a cadre of volunteers will follow the most popular groups, hoping to alleviate spectators' loud rings and the efforts of amateur photographers.
Jack Nicklaus, founder and host of the Memorial, applauds (but not during a shot) the steps taken.
''The tournament has achieved the balance between giving patrons the ability to use their mobile devices in the appropriate and permitted areas, while giving the players in the field the ability to compete without disturbance, distraction or interruption,'' he said.
Areas will be set aside to make and take calls. The patrolling volunteers will try to clamp down on any abuses everywhere else.
A year ago at the Memorial, Phil Mickelson cited ''mental fatigue'' for withdrawing after the first round at Muirfield Village. Most believe the real reason was his frustration with a flood of distractions from outside the ropes involving cell phones.
''It took Phil out of his game,'' said Bubba Watson, who joined Mickelson and Rickie Fowler in that rock-star grouping. ''Phil's a great player and a great champion and it just took him out of his game. It's sad. It's sad that cell phones can make or break a championship.''
As a result, the Memorial is trying to stave off a repeat.
''That group last year made us realize that we had work to do in improving our mobile-device policy,'' said Dan Sullivan, the Memorial's executive director. ''It wasn't isolated to that group.''
Nothing is isolated about the problem; it's everywhere.
Se Ri Pak was hitting a tee shot on the fourth hole of the 2012 U.S. Women's Open when a cell phone rang in the stands. During the Web.com tour event in Panama a couple of years ago, the phone of Alastair Presnell's caddie went off five times in seven holes. Presnell finally asked his caddie to throw the thing into a bush, which he did.
The PGA Tour and others are trying to meet people halfway. Bay Hill and The Players Championship also have volunteers who scour the crowds looking for possible problems.
At last year's PGA Championship, marshals would stop someone who was using their phone improperly and put a red check mark on the back of their ticket. If there was already a check mark there, meaning they had already been warned, the phone was taken away until the spectator claimed it upon leaving the course.
The British Open allowed cell phones for the first time last year but observers said there were continual abuses of fans using cameras during play. Adding to the confusion, The Open even offers tournament updates to mobile devices for those walking the course.
At the Masters, you must leave your phone at the gate. The prevailing opinion is that Augusta National will never, ever permit cell phones for spectators.
Just as cell phones have become a part of daily life, they've become a necessary evil for players.
Tiger Woods has won 14 major championships and is the defending champ at the Memorial, where he's won five times. He's grown accustomed to the snaps, clicks and rings - although many of his playing partners have not.
''When they've played with me on the weekend rounds, they're not quite used to the amount of movement and ... well, now the new thing is the cell phones going off,'' he said last year. ''It costs them a shot here and there, and that's what it's done to me in most of the tournaments I've played.''
Some places are worse than others for distractions. But not even the world's No. 1 player has an answer for how to combat them.
At Woods' own AT&T National last year, the crowds were large and particularly loud. Marshals regularly had to collect cell phones from fans caught taking pictures during the tournament.
Watson, the 2012 Masters champion, says the situation can be almost unbearable for players.
''When they make these marquee pairings, more people are going to follow them and more people want to take pictures. So it makes it very difficult,'' Watson said after Mickelson's upsetting round last year. ''Ever since they made that rule that cell phones are allowed, it's just not fun playing.''
It's an odd predicament for golf's ruling bodies. After all, the sport's financial lifeblood is large corporations which buy the most ad time and gobble up tournament sponsorships. Those are institutions run by businesspeople who need to be linked to their office by a cell phone. Yet most governing bodies disdain anyone having cell phones on the course during tournament play.
Irony of all ironies, the USGA offers its book of rules as an app for Android devices or iPhones - an app that can't be used during the U.S. Open by fans because the USGA prohibits phones on the course during the tournament.
''We put competition first and foremost,'' USGA executive director Mike Davis said in 2011. ''We're focused on fans, but if we were totally focused on fans you'd have the rope lines closer to play. We're more focused on the competition itself. And until we, as an organization, are convinced that we can conduct a U.S. Open, a Women's Open, U.S. Amateur, Girls' Junior, with spectators using cell phones, we're going to continue to prohibit them.''
On the other hand, most public events are a feeding frenzy for those with cameras on their cell phones. Been to a concert lately? Odds are, arrayed in front of you were hundreds of tiny screens all taking video or photos as the music plays.
It's just like that on the PGA Tour, except the players hate loud or sudden noises while plying their trade. They can mentally blot out the sounds of blimps overhead, birds chirping and roars elsewhere on the course but they jump 3 feet when a phone clicks somewhere on the other side of the ropes.
''The thing is, everyone thinks the players can't play with noise,'' said Peter Senior, who competes on the The Champions Tour. ''They can. But when it's really quiet and you hear it, that's the problem. If there's constant noise - even yahooing - the guys can play as long as it's constant. But when it's dead quiet and then something happens, the guys get upset.''
In another fitting irony, after Mickelson was angered by all of the cell phone distractions during his first-round 79 a year ago at the Memorial, what did he do? He whipped out his own phone on the sixth fairway and texted a message to PGA Tour Commissioner Tim Finchem about all the distractions on the course provided by ... well, cell phones like the one he had in his hand.
Even Woods has used his cell phone - during a pro-am, not a tournament - to call one of his representatives to get his 3 wood regripped at Quail Hollow in 2009.
So it's not just parents checking on the babysitter who think that it's handy to have a cell phone at all times.
Muirfield Village hosts the Presidents Cup in October, a team competition pitting the U.S. vs. an International side. Even such major events are immune from cell phone distractions.
At the 2009 Presidents Cup in San Francisco, a marshal's cell phone rang twice while the International team's Geoff Ogilvy was standing over a putt.
Maybe the Tour needs to provide more education about cell phones, informing fans that they want them to stay connected in this digital age. But they also cannot permit the golfers to be bothered.
Maybe there should be a spokesman.
A recommendation: Former PGA Championship winner Rich Beem.
Before he won a major or made a living at golf, he used to sell car-stereo equipment and cell phones.
Time to start thinking about golfing in Chicago; a true hidden gem of diverse courses.
Chicago Sports & Travel/AllsportsAmerica wants you. Golf season is upon us and for you diehard golfers that want to try something different, come golf in Chicago. Our group at CS&T/AA, Golf Options Illinois Forever, is ready to accommodate you with some of the most diverse golf courses in one location. Regardless of your golfing ability, we have a group of courses for you to play. We arrange your transportation, lodging, tee times and any miscellaneous request that you might have. There is so much to see and do when you’re not on the golf course. Chicago has wonderful architecture, excellent museums, very good ethnic food, a great night life, remarkable professional sports teams, a diverse population with unlimited potential that has earned it several nicknames such as, “The city that works”, The city of big shoulders”, “The windy city”, “The second city” and “A true world class city.” It all works for us and we want to share it with you. Come golf in Chicago. Email us at chicagosportsandtravel@yahoo.com and let us see what we can do for you. We guarantee you that all of our packages are very rare but priced super fair. Try us, we’re sure you’ll like us. We sincerely look forward to hearing from you. In the meantime, “Have a great sports day!!!!!"
Chicago Sports & Travel/AllsportsAmerica wants you. Golf season is upon us and for you diehard golfers that want to try something different, come golf in Chicago. Our group at CS&T/AA, Golf Options Illinois Forever, is ready to accommodate you with some of the most diverse golf courses in one location. Regardless of your golfing ability, we have a group of courses for you to play. We arrange your transportation, lodging, tee times and any miscellaneous request that you might have. There is so much to see and do when you’re not on the golf course. Chicago has wonderful architecture, excellent museums, very good ethnic food, a great night life, remarkable professional sports teams, a diverse population with unlimited potential that has earned it several nicknames such as, “The city that works”, The city of big shoulders”, “The windy city”, “The second city” and “A true world class city.” It all works for us and we want to share it with you. Come golf in Chicago. Email us at chicagosportsandtravel@yahoo.com and let us see what we can do for you. We guarantee you that all of our packages are very rare but priced super fair. Try us, we’re sure you’ll like us. We sincerely look forward to hearing from you. In the meantime, “Have a great sports day!!!!!"
Krzyzewski returning to coach USA Basketball.
By
Duke coach Mike Krzyzewski just couldn't pass on ''the ultimate honor'' of representing his country again as the U.S. men's national team coach.
Krzyzewski is returning as coach through 2016, extending a run that included leading the Americans to two straight Olympic golds while helping reshape a program that needed a jolt to keep up with the growth of international basketball.
''I really thought I wasn't going to do it,'' Krzyzewski said during a news conference Thursday. ''But now that I am doing it, I can tell you I am doing it with 100 percent commitment and passion - but with seven years of experience of having done it before.''
Krzyzewski, 66, took over as coach as USA Basketball began its national-team program in 2005. Since then, Krzyzewski has led the U.S. men's team filled with NBA stars to Olympic gold medals in Beijing in 2008 and London in 2012. He also led the Americans to the gold at the 2010 FIBA World Championship, and the team has a 50-game winning streak dating back to 2006.
Krzyzewski - a graduate of the U.S. Military Academy and a former Army captain who also spent five years as coach at West Point - had said several times that London would be the final stop of his international coaching career. But USA Basketball chairman Jerry Colangelo wanted to wait on any discussion until after Krzyzewski finished his season with Duke.
His patience paid off, prompting Colangelo - speaking by teleconference - to say he was happy to continue what had been ''a heck of a ride and a great journey.''
''I'm kind of old-fashioned, I never really accepted the fact he wasn't coming back,'' Colangelo said. ''I felt time would be what he needed in terms of a tonic to ... weigh the positives and whatever negatives there may be. I just think it's a perfect fit for him.
''I think his legacy is very much tied to USA Basketball as it is certainly is to Duke University. I could not have picked a better guy to be in that foxhole with than Coach K.''
Colangelo apparently didn't miss an opportunity to persuade Krzyzewski to return. The coach said Colangelo took his wife, Mickie, to dinner as part of his push and once tried to sell him on returning over a meal of ''room-service pizza and some chicken fingers.''
''You got me pretty cheap,'' Krzyzewski quipped.
Krzyzewski said he conferred with his family before deciding to return. He has also said several times over the years that being the U.S. coach has made him better at his job at Duke, where he has won most of his 957 career victories to rank as the winningest coach in Division I men's basketball history. He's won four NCAA championships, reached 11 Final Fours and won 13 Atlantic Coast Conference tournaments with the Blue Devils.
Last year, Duke notched its 13th 30-win season before falling to eventual champion Louisville in the NCAA regional finals.
''I got better doing it,'' Krzyzewski said of his time as U.S. coach. ''Just like a player gets better from doing it, we all got better. And that energizes you because it's like a teacher learning new material. I'm 66. I don't know how you're supposed to feel at 66.
I never think of my age. ... But I feel energetic, passionate, wanting to achieve.''
Krzyzewski's commitment to coach the team means he will be on the bench for the 2014 FIBA Basketball World Cup in Spain as well as the 2016 Olympics in Rio de Janeiro. His oncourt work over the next four summers begins with a team mini-camp in Las Vegas in July.
With Krzyzewski in charge, the Americans are 62-1 over the last seven years.
NBA players were first used in the 1992 Olympics and an NBA coach had always led the team during that time. But as international competition steadily improved, once-invulnerable American teams finished sixth in the 2002 FIBA World Championship then lost three times en route to a bronze in the 2004 Olympics in Athens.
Krzyzewski's first U.S. team ended up with a bronze during the 2006 World Championship, but has won ever since. Along the way, NBA players like LeBron James have praised Krzyzewski's work melding a collection of stars into a cohesive team.
The coach sounds eager to get started again.
''I've loved it and I think the players have loved it, and I think people can see that,'' Krzyzewski said. ''And you want to do it again. I think people think that because we have all these guys, you just roll out the ball and you're going to win. That's a very arrogant way of looking at it, and it's that arrogance that got us into the spot we were before and thinking that no one's good.''
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