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The I-70 Scout & Eastern Colorado News

Category: Sports Hub

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    CSU Ag Day: Sept. 17 – Football, feast, farewell to Hughes

    FORT COLLINS — As the Colorado State University Rams prepare to take the field for their second home game on Sept. 17, a hungry crowd will take part in another Fort Collins tradition — Ag Day. This year’s Ag Day, the 35th since it began in 1981, will also be the last one at Hughes Stadium: Football games and the Ag Day tailgate move to the on-campus stadium in 2017.

    “Over the past 35 years, Ag Day has helped Colorado State University showcase the vast and unique diversity of Colorado agriculture,” said Ajay Menon, dean of the College of Agricultural Sciences. “Ag Day marries two quintessential American traditions — agriculture and football. At CSU, this tradition and the celebration of agriculture afford us another opportunity to provide students access to a world-class education, access made possible by resources raised for student scholarships.”

    Ag Day was created by “Fum” McGraw, a CSU football legend who served as athletics director from 1976 to 1986. Animal Sciences Professor John Matsushima suggested to McGraw that CSU partner with the beef industry to put on the very first Ag Day. In 1981, 10 commodity groups supported Ag Day, and the event’s proceeds contributed to one student scholarship. Since the event’s early days, more than 200 scholarships have been provided to students, totaling nearly $500,000.

    Some 3,500 people attend Ag Day each year and enjoy a pregame feast that includes a number of Colorado commodities including beef, pork, lamb, beans, dairy products, wheat, potatoes and more.

    In addition to live music, interactive exhibits will feature college student organizations, a forestry display and a number of farm implements.

    This year, Colorado 4-H also will be highlighted, with interactive, STEM-focused activities. 4-H is a community of young people across Colorado and the United States learning leadership, citizenship and life skills. 4-H raffle tickets will be sold for a chance to win a Ford F-150 truck, donated by local Ford dealers. The winning ticket will be drawn during Ag Day festivities. Proceeds from the raffle support Colorado 4-H programs statewide. During halftime of the football game, members of the Colorado 4-H Hall of Fame (www.colorado4h.org/hall-of-fame) will be recognized.

    Barbecue tickets are available at http://agday.agsci.colostate.edu/ and can be purchased on their own or in packages that include football game tickets. This year, a commemorative 35th anniversary T-shirt will be available along with the annual Ag Day hat for $15 each. Tickets can also be purchased on game day at Ag Day will-call.
  • NFL SEASON KICKS OFF TONIGHT — Kick off @ 6:30 p.m., Channel 9 KUSA

    NFL SEASON KICKS OFF TONIGHT — Kick off @ 6:30 p.m., Channel 9 KUSA

  • Bronco Defense Still Strong

    Bronco Defense Still Strong

    By ARNIE STAPLETON
    AP Pro Football Writer

    DENVER (AP) _ John Elway revamped his offense in the wake of the Denver Broncos’ third title, shedding both tight ends and three offensive linemen who started in the Super Bowl while bidding farewell to Peyton Manning and his longtime backup Brock Osweiler.

    Now, it’s Trevor Siemian and backup Paxton Lynch under center for Denver and neither has ever thrown a pass in the NFL that counted.

    That defense, though.

    Despite losing Malik Jackson and Danny Trevathan to free agency, Denver’s dazzling defense could be even better than the one that brought home the Lombardi Trophy seven months ago with a 24-10 win over the Carolina Panthers, whom they open the season against Thursday night in Denver.

    Super Bowl MVP Von Miller, who transformed himself from sports superstar to mainstream celebrity during a six-month victory tour that included four dozen TV appearances, missed the entire offseason program but showed up in fantastic shape after signing the biggest contract ever for a non-quarterback .

    Others who figure to be even better in 2016 are pass rushers Shane Ray and Shaq Barrett, defensive end Derek Wolfe and cornerback Bradley Roby. Todd Davis replaces Trevathan and free agent Jared Crick replaces Jackson.

    Oddsmakers say the Broncos, who averaged 11 wins during Manning’s four-year tenure, won’t even hit double figures this season as they become the first team since the 2001 Ravens to try to go back-to-back after losing its top two QBs.

    Roby said the rest of the country may view the Broncos as a one-hit wonder, but he’s pretty sure the Broncos can sustain their dominance and carry the team to another trophy regardless of who’s throwing the ball to Emmanuel Sanders and Demaryius Thomas.

    “Because defense wins championships and I think people are just saying (that) because we lost two quarterbacks” so they “automatically have doubts,” Roby said. “But we know that defense was a big reason why we got to the game and why we won the game. So, we are very confident that we’ll be better this year.”

    Other factors that will determine whether the Broncos can win a sixth straight AFC West crown and defend their Super Bowl title:

    BOUNCING BACK : Thomas is no longer bogged down by worries over his contract, his mother’s incarceration and a new offense. Despite his 105 catches for 1,304 yards in 2015, Thomas reached the end zone just six times, dropped 18 passes and was a non-factor in the playoffs. With President Barack Obama commuting his grandmother’s drug sentence this summer, Thomas has a clear head and promises to cut down on the drops.

    ANDERSON’S DURABILITY : C.J. Anderson signed a four-year, $18 million contract following his 90-yard performance in the Super Bowl. Elway told him with the payday comes higher expectations, specifically that he’ll finally put together a full season. Over the last two years, Anderson has rushed for 397 yards and one TD over the first two months and 1,112 yards and 12 TDs over the final two months.

    WARE’S BACK : DeMarcus Ware accepted a pay cut and a reduction of playing time but he’s still one of the team’s locker room leaders, especially with Manning retired. Ware is now a third-down specialist with Ray starting. The Broncos hope this will keep Ware’s bad back from acting up again like it did in 2015, when it cost him five games. Refreshed, he returned for a monster playoff run with 12 QB hits, teaming with Miller to harass Ben Roethlisberger, Tom Brady and Cam Newton.

    MARSHALL’S MOVE : Brandon Marshall, who collected a team-high 211 tackles since moving into the starting lineup two years ago, is sliding over to weak-side inside linebacker. That spot was vacated when Trevathan bolted to the Bears. Marshall, who was cut three times by the Jaguars before landing on Denver’s practice squad in 2013, signed a four-year, $32 million deal this summer.

    FIRST-RATE SECONDARY : The Broncos again sport the league’s deepest secondary in Chris Harris Jr., Aqib Talib, Roby, T.J. Ward and Darian Stewart that capitalizes on the pass-rushing prowess of Miller & Co. Although Talib has shown no ill effects of a gunshot wound to his right leg after getting shot in Dallas in June , police continue to investigate. Talib, who has had firearm incidents in the past, could be facing possible punishment from the NFL.

  • MLB AND ALL CLUBS TO COMMEMORATE CHILDHOOD CANCER AWARENESS MONTH WITH SPECIAL DAY ON SEPTEMBER 2ND

    MLB AND ALL CLUBS TO COMMEMORATE CHILDHOOD CANCER AWARENESS MONTH WITH SPECIAL DAY ON SEPTEMBER 2ND

    League-Wide “Childhood Cancer Awareness Day” will Feature a Variety of On-Field Elements, Including Wearing Gold Ribbon Decals and Wristbands
     
    Major League Baseball has launched a league-wide effort to raise childhood cancer awareness by dedicating a special “Childhood Cancer Awareness Day” at all MLB ballparks on Friday, September 2nd.  In partnership with Stand Up To Cancer (SU2C), MLB has encouraged Clubs to support this new initiative in commemoration of childhood cancer awareness month through a variety of special activations.  All Major League players, coaches, umpires and grounds crew members will wear gold ribbon decals and wristbands to further promote awareness for childhood cancer, which is the leading cause of death by disease in children aged 15 and under in the United States.  In Canada, more than 1,500 children will be diagnosed with cancer this year.  Every year, an estimated 250,000 new cases of cancer affect children under the age of 20 worldwide. 
    “Advocating for the health and well-being of young people affected by this terrible disease is a cause that Major League Baseball and our Clubs are proud to support,” said Baseball Commissioner Robert D. Manfred, Jr. “Through our league-wide effort, we will join Stand Up To Cancer and many organizations dedicated to this fight in a unified demonstration of our sport’s commitment to ending childhood cancer.”
    Clubs may choose to partner with local nonprofits, including hospital partners or organizations focused on childhood cancer, for their Childhood Cancer Awareness Day activations.  Additional options for Clubs to show their support for the effort include check presentations to nonprofits and hospitals, and youth cancer survivors’ participation in pregame ceremonies. Special guests will participate in pregame ceremony activities such as ceremonial first pitches and announcing “Play Ball!”  Clubs and players may also donate tickets, ballpark suites and funds to Stand Up To Cancer and local partner organizations. Below are a few Club examples around activation for MLB’s Childhood Cancer Awareness Day:
    ·         Chicago Cubs: Cubs players will don a special childhood cancer awareness batting practice shirt on September 2nd, in addition to gold wristbands and decals.
    ·         Seattle Mariners: For their first Childhood Cancer Awareness event at Safeco Field, the Mariners will partner with G1ve A Buck Fund to raise awareness and research funds for Seattle Children’s highly successful immunotherapy trial, Strong Against Cancer. Through a special ticketing offer, fans can receive a Mariners G1ve A Buck Night T-shirt and refreshments in a special pregame event.
    ·         Philadelphia Phillies: The Phillies are partnering with Nemours Alfred I. DuPont Hospital for Children and the Nemours Foundation for Childhood Cancer Awareness Day on September 2nd. Among the many initiatives that night, pediatric cancer patients will be involved as honorary groundskeepers, take part in a first pitch ceremony, and a special Lineup of Courage will feature nine kids battling cancer meeting players as they take the field. The Phillies will also provide a Gold Suite, specially decorated for the nine Lineup of Courage participants and their families.
    ·         Texas Rangers: As part of the Rangers’ activation on September 2nd, more than 300 individuals from over a dozen childhood cancer-focused charities will be part of a pregame presentation, forming a human gold ribbon in the outfield as part of the program. The Rangers Foundation and Derek Holland’s 60 feet 6 Foundation are providing the gold t-shirts for the ribbon.
     
    Clubs that are away on September 2nd were able to continue the effort on another home date in September. Below are two Club examples of activation beyond Childhood Cancer Awareness Day:
    ·         Arizona Diamondbacks: The D-backs will once again team up with Phoenix Children’s Hospital to dedicate the September 16thand 17th home games to raising awareness and funds for Phoenix Children’s Hospital’s pediatric cancer center in conjunction with September’s Childhood Cancer Awareness Month. Together, the D-backs and PCH will encourage fans to “Go Gold” for childhood cancer awareness as well as welcome a special group of cancer warriors from PCH’s Center for Cancer and Blood Disorders to participate in various ballpark and baseball experiences.  These experiences include a special check presentation to the PCH Foundation, PCH kids in gold jerseys taking the field with D-backs players, lineup card delivery and the 7th inning stretch, among several other opportunities.  The D-backs have been encouraging their fans to “Go Gold” for childhood cancer awareness and to support PCH’s efforts to fight the disease since 2014.
    ·         Toronto Blue Jays: On Friday, September 9th, the Blue Jays will host families associated with Childhood Cancer Canada, who will be recognized during the game and in the game’s broadcast.  Additionally, several of these children will help lead the crowd in the 7th inning stretch. 
     
    Hall of Famer Tom Glavine and his wife, Chris, are advocates for the fight against childhood cancer and are long-standing supporters of CURE Childhood Cancer. They played an important role in the development of this new league-wide initiative. 
    Tom Glavine said: “For the 12 past years, Chris and I have been involved in the fight against Childhood Cancer.  One of the challenges we have experienced is the lack of awareness surrounding how different it is from cancer that affects adults.  We have made it our goal to leave no stone unturned in bringing awareness to a new level, and we are honored that MLB has brought the tragedy of Childhood Cancer to the national spotlight.  This initiative by MLB will go a long way in giving the kids battling this disease the voice they so deserve.  We thank Commissioner Manfred, MLB and all MLB Clubs for taking on this fight.”
    MLB Advanced Media will coordinate a digital effort to increase exposure of this effort by placing information and editorial features on MLB.com, Club sites and MLBCommunity.org.
    MLB and Clubs have supported the fight against cancer over the years.  As Stand Up To Cancer’s founding donor, Major League Baseball has provided both financial support (nearly $40 million) and countless opportunities to build the Stand Up To Cancer grassroots movement by encouraging fans around the world to get involved.  MLB has recognized SU2C at its jewel events since the 2009 World Series. Recent Club activations have included special gold pediatric cancer awareness batting practice t-shirts, online campaigns to empower fans to become fundraisers for pediatric cancer research and donations to local children’s hospitals. Previous league-wide efforts included a $1 million donation to the CureSearch National Childhood Cancer Foundation.

  • Bennett vs. Machebeuf

    The Bennett Tigers fell to 1-2 on the 2016 baseball season with a 3-1 loss to visiting Bishop Machebeuf in a non-conference contest April 5.
    The game, held on a cold, windy evening, featured a pair of outstanding pitching performances, led by Tiger junior Luke McClanahan, the tough-luck loser.
    Neither squad tallied a run in the first two innings, but matched each other’s one-run third. The 1-1 score remained etched on the scoreboard until the top of the sixth when Machebeuf pulled in front 2-1. The visiting Buffaloes added an insurance run in the seventh.

  • Indians paced by double event-winner at University

    GREELEY — The Strasburg and Bennett track squads got a good measure of where they stand against some of the top 3A and 4A teams in the state at the annual University Bulldog Invitational April 2.

    On the boys side, Strasburg finished in seventh place with 30 points while Bennett tallied 7 points, good enough for 21st.

    The girls meet saw Strasburg record 32 points for 10th place while Bennett was 12th with 22 points.