Sports Columns
- Sports Columns
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RAMBLIN’ RECK: Another unforgettable tournament
Another Pizza Hut Wabash Valley Classic is history and, once again, was a smashing success.
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TRACKSIDE: 2012 a good year in auto racing in Wabash Valley
The 2012 Wabash Valley racing season avoided the potential pitfalls of a sluggish economy and inclement weather to provide fans one of their best and most promising campaigns in recent years.
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TODD GOLDEN: No beauty but ISU was beast in Hawaii
This just in … Hawaii is beautiful.
The crystal blue waters of the Pacific Ocean entice you. They are contrasted by the volcanic browns of Diamond Head and the lush greens of the mountains of Oahu that can be seen in the distance from Honolulu. -
RAMBLIN RECK: ISU looks ready to begin Missouri Valley Conference play
The first big snow has fallen in the Valley just in time for the return of Indiana’s State’s basketball team from the sunny climes of Hawaii.
The Sycamores had a great showing in the Diamond Head Classic, beating two good teams and losing a tough one to a tough, ranked San Diego State team. -
Book review: Thumbs up for ‘Trophies and Tears’
Now might be too late for giving Christmas presents, but the book “Trophies and Tears: The Story of Evansville and the Aces” is a fascinating read for longtime Indiana basketball fans, particularly those older than 40.
Written by award-winning Kyle Keiderling of Henderson, Nev., and released in hardcover format in mid-December, the 480-page “Trophies and Tears” documents the rich tradition of the University of Evansville men’s basketball program through recent interviews and research of old yearbooks and newspaper/scrapbook clippings.
The book contains many cheery moments — behind-the-scenes details of all five NCAA College Division (now known as Division II) championships won in the 1950s, 1960s and early 1970s by the Purple Aces and their legendary coach Arad McCutchan — although some of those moments don’t seem so cheery from an Indiana State perspective when the Sycamores found themselves on the losing end of scores. -
Sycamores blossom on Hawaii trip
Quick quiz … what’s the state flower of Hawaii?
Don’t worry. I can’t just rattle state flowers off the top of my head. I had to look it up too, even though I’ve seen them all over the place in Honolulu.
I didn’t even know that Indiana’s state flower is the peony, which replaced the apparently unloved zinnia in the 1950s.
Hawaii’s flower, and they’re ubiquitous in Waikiki tourist shops and in actual flora on Oahu, is the yellow hibiscus.
The yellow hibiscus is big, bold and bright. I’ve never seen one blossom, but I imagine it has to be a beautiful sight.
What I have seen blossom — and it’s the only reason flowers would be brought up in my column — is the Indiana State basketball team at the Hawaiian Airlines Diamond Head Classic. -
Old friend missing as Pizza Hut Wabash Valley Classic begins
It occurred to me late last month, as I opened my morning newspaper to read up on the draw for this year’s Pizza Hut Wabash Valley Classic, that when I walk through Terre Haute South’s doors on Wednesday it will be the first time that I won’t find my old buddy Dean Kendall sitting at one end of the gym, a smile on his face a good while before the first whistle is blown or the first shot is taken.
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REDNECK QUAKER: Wabash Valley lady takes her first deer with bow
As Seth and I arrived at swim practice the other night, I saw the smile on a young lady’s face that gave away what she was about to tell me.
I took my first deer! -
Hughes, News & Views: Wishing for Colts-Broncos playoff matchup from Santa
There’s plenty of tragedy in the world to bring us down if we let it, so let’s have a light-hearted column today — my annual Christmas gift requests for Santa Claus.
I already know one of my gift wishes is becoming less likely to happen. That would be for the Indianapolis Colts to face the Denver Broncos in the AFC playoffs. -
RAMBLIN’ RECK: Marian reigns in NAIA; 3 unbeaten preps remain in Valley
Rockville has a date with Frankton this week.
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Terre Haute Sporting Clays good experience for Wabash Valley shooters
I experienced a gratifying time at a local shooting range some of you may not have heard of yet, the Terre Haute Sporting Clays Range.
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RAMBLIN' RECK: Gonna be tough going in MVC, Big Ten
To no one’s surprise, really, competition should be tough as ever for men’s basketball teams in the Big Ten and Missouri Valley.
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TODD GOLDEN: ISU AD Prettyman keeps it close to the vest
Do you want to know who’s on the short list to become Indiana State's next football coach?
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REDNECK QUAKER: First deer taken down by Booker
After I returned to the hunting cabin on a cold morning deer hunt, the wood burner was warming me as the coffee pot was perking
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RAMBLIN’ RECK: Hoops are hot this week in Valley
High school basketball — boys and girls — is off to a nice start in the Valley, and some interesting games are on this week’s card.
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TODD GOLDEN: Trent Miles leaves Sycamores with giant legacy
To glean perspective on Trent Miles’ time as Indiana State’s football coach, I went back into the Tribune-Star’s archives to remind myself of what the football program was like when Miles arrived to rebuild it.
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REDNECK QUAKER: Veteran hunter bursting with pride as son gets first harvest
When Langdon Pounds said “Dad, I want to go deer hunting with you,” Jonathan Pounds took him seriously.
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FROM THE PRESS BOX: Scoreboard watching and the threat matrix for ISU
Indiana State football coach Trent Miles reaffirmed his belief Tuesday that a victory over Youngstown State on Saturday will propel the Sycamores into the Football Championship Subdivision playoffs for the first time since 1984.
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RAMBLIN’ RECK: Linton the last Valley team standing
Then there was one … and it is Linton.
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AMEY TAKES AIM: Nitpicking aside, West Vigo Hall of Fame selections spot on
I can’t imagine a better first class of inductees into the West Vigo High School Athletics Hall of Fame than the one that was feted Saturday night in the Jim Mann Green Dome.
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RAMBLIN’ RECK: North Vermillion, Linton, Casey remain unbeaten on gridiron
It’s a busy sports week for high schools in the Valley.
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Colts' loyalty tested by Manning, Broncos
We’re approaching the halfway point of the NFL season and so far it’s been surprisingly enjoyable.
I wasn’t sure how I would handle following two favorite teams — 1a.) the Indianapolis Colts and 1b.) Peyton Manning and the Denver Broncos — but the new arrangement hasn’t caused me any loyalty conflicts yet.
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Tough bunch of people
I’m getting my warm clothes ready for a trip to Linton this week, and if a few thrills from the Miners, Casey or North Vermillion happen the next couple of weeks, I hope I get to see them.
But high school football is over in Vigo County for the season — as coach Chris Barrett of Terre Haute North said, prematurely — and I’m sadder to see it go than usual.
Walking the sidelines and doing midweek or postgame interviews enables me to meet quite a few of the guys whose names you are about to read, and haven’t been more impressed than I was this fall. What outstanding groups of young men. What a tough, tough bunch of people.
Many know that one of my favorite athletic adjectives appeared consecutively in the previous sentence. -
LP Field Leap
Rookie Vick Ballard admits that he’s a little uneasy about all the attention Sunday’s LP Field leap into the end zone is garnering among Indianapolis Colts fans and the team’s media.
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RAMBLIN’ RECK: Diamond deliveries made many believers
As of midnight Sunday, the 2012 major league baseball season came to an end and the San Francisco Giants reign as World Series champs.
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GIVEN TO FLY: Come to expect new standards of excellence
Records are definitely meant to be broken; athletes today are faster and stronger than those in the past in many endeavors in athletics.
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FROM THE PRESSBOX: Lack of attendance could hurt ISU's chances of home playoff game
Over the years, I’ve ranted and raved about the apathy Indiana State’s fans and the Terre Haute community has demonstrated time and again when it comes to lack of attendance at ISU athletic events.
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REDNECK QUAKER: Valley girl has big first hunt
Folks, you’re not going to believe what I’m about to tell you of this young 11-year old lady's hunting experience.
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RAMBLIN’ RECK: Indiana sports fans treated to a successful weekend
Lots of sports fans around Hoosierland should have been in a good mood Monday morning as a result of action in Indianapolis on Sunday.
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TRACKSIDE: Successful season concludes at Terre Haute Action Track
Another season of racing at the Terre Haute Action Track is now in the record books and from all indications it was a highly successful one.
This was according to those overseeing operations of the racing programs at the half-mile dirt facility. - More Sports Columns Headlines
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RAMBLIN’ RECK: Another unforgettable tournament