Sports

A Fan's Notes: Under The Spell

Stephen Steigman and Victor Wishna — Fri, 24 May 2013 19:52:00 +0000

Next week, while the NBA and NHL playoffs drag on, ESPN will turn its attention to the Scripps National Spelling Bee. Many will again wonder, "What's a kid's classroom activity doing on the quintessential sports network?" Commentator Victor Wishna has an answer, in this latest edition of "A Fan's Notes."

Watson Has Eyes On Another Senior PGA Championship

Greg Echlin — Thu, 23 May 2013 12:46:00 +0000

Because of a hand injury last year, Tom Watson was unable to defend the last tournament he won, the Senior PGA Championship. But he’s healthy now and in the frame of mind to win another championship.

This year’s Senior PGA Championship takes place at the Bellerive Country Club in St. Louis, MO.

Though Tom Watson is 63 now, he’s not ready to give in easily to age. He compares his attitude to another legendary golfer, Arnold Palmer.

KU Basketball Signs Top High School Recruit

Greg Echlin — Tue, 14 May 2013 22:16:48 +0000

The prospects for next season's Kansas Jayhawks' basketball season got a huge boost Tuesday.

Andrew Wiggins, the consensus pick as the nation's top-ranked high school basketball player signed a letter-of-intent to play for KU.

Wiggins is a 6-foot-7 forward who can score. He grew up in Canada, but spent last season at Huntington Prep in West Virginia.

Wiggins chose KU over Kentucky, Florida State and North Carolina.

He announced his decision in a private gathering in West Virginia, one day before the deadline to sign a letter-of-intent this spring.

Chiefs Pick Eric Fisher

Greg Echlin — Fri, 26 Apr 2013 14:21:07 +0000

The Kansas City Chiefs made Eric Fisher, an offensive lineman from Central Michigan, the NFL’s first overall selection.

Four of the top seven picks in the NFL draft were offensive lineman. As a former lineman, that suits Chiefs coach Andy Reid well.

Fisher stands 6 feet 7 inches tall, and he’s talking about adding a few pounds to current weight of 306 pounds.

Reid says Fisher will help the Chiefs.

Belton's Tate Stevens Steals The Show At Sprint Cup

Greg Echlin — Mon, 22 Apr 2013 14:19:58 +0000

In Sprint Cup race at Kansas Speedway on Sunday, Matt Kenseth was the winning driver. But one of the most popular figures yesterday didn't wear a racing helmet.

Tate Stevens, as an employee of the city of Belton two years ago, attended meetings at Kansas Speedway. Wearing a cowboy hat Stevens, now 38, appeared at the track as a professional country music performer.

In a life-changing experience, Stevens was the winner last year in season two of "The X Factor," a network television show singing competition.

A Fan's Notes: Still Running

Stephen Steigman and Victor Wishna — Fri, 19 Apr 2013 16:48:06 +0000

The road to answers on why someone would bomb the Boston Marathon, the nation’s oldest annual one, remains long, and difficult.

In this edition of "A Fan's Notes," commentator Victor Wishna looks for inspiration in the marathon itself.

Kansas Speedway Focuses On Security This Weekend

Greg Echlin — Thu, 18 Apr 2013 14:20:56 +0000

This weekend marks the first of two NASCAR weekends at Kansas Speedway in Kansas City, Kansas. In the wake of the deadly explosions at the Boston Marathon on Monday, security measures will be in full-effect at the speedway.

Kansas Speedway president Pat Warren says details of security precautions aren't fully disclosed. However, it will be clear to spectators that coolers and backpacks will be inspected.

Royals Win Home Opener

Greg Echlin — Tue, 09 Apr 2013 14:03:31 +0000

Seven games into their 2013 baseball season, the Kansas City Royals have a winning record for the first time. The home opener against the Minnesota Twins at Kauffman Stadium took a dramatic turn late in the game.

Unlike last year when the Royals gave up seven runs in the first inning of the home opener, they kept the game close. Down 1-0 in the eighth, Lorenzo Cain doubled and scored in an inning that produced all the Royals' runs in their 3-1 victory.

Going Out To The Ballgame

Beth Lipoff and Steve Kraske — Fri, 05 Apr 2013 23:00:00 +0000

With a record number of spring training games won, the Royals started the regular season in Chicago last week with two losses and a win.

Wichita State Shocks Kansas

Bill Anderson, Matthew Long-Middleton and Claire McInerny — Thu, 04 Apr 2013 20:09:31 +0000

The NCAA Men's Basketball Tournament is notorious for its unpredictability year after year, and as March Madness winds down, one Kansas university gets to claim the biggest upset of the tournament; Wichita State University making it to the Final Four for the first time since 1965 to play first seated Louisville.

Taking A Look Back To 1988's NCAA In Kansas City

Greg Echlin — Thu, 04 Apr 2013 14:33:26 +0000

Though Atlanta is this year’s host city for the NCAA’s Men’s Final Four, Kansas City still holds the record as the city with the most championship games. This year, the NCAA is celebrating the 75th anniversary of the men’s basketball tournament.

Two Of Four: Syracuse, Wichita State Headed To Atlanta

Steve Mullis — Sun, 31 Mar 2013 13:28:47 +0000

Syracuse and Wichita State won their games on Saturday to become the first two teams to make it to the Final Four this season, one step closer to the NCAA men's basketball title.

In the first game of the day, No. 4-seeded Syracuse dominated No. 3 Marquette 55-39 in the East Regional final.

Michigan Rallies To Beat KU 87-85

Maria Carter — Sat, 30 Mar 2013 12:44:14 +0000

The University of Kansas men's basketball team ended their season Friday night in Arlington, Texas, losing to Michigan 87-85. KU led most of the game but a late rally by the Wolverines sent the game into overtime.

Michigan moves on to the Elite Eight game on Sunday. The Jayhawks finish their season with a 31-6 record.

KU Advances To Sweet 16

Greg Echlin — Mon, 25 Mar 2013 14:26:36 +0000

Two days after upsetting Kansas State in the NCAA men's basketball tournament, LaSalle closed out its weekend in Kansas City with another surprise.

A Fan's Notes: Happy Together

Beth Lipoff and Victor Wishna — Fri, 22 Mar 2013 16:45:00 +0000

For the 29th time, the annual NCAA Division I Basketball Championship -- that is, "the tournament" -- has arrived in Kansas City. With thousands upon thousands of fans expected, the March Madness is spilling out of the Sprint Center and clogging the downtown streets. Commentator Victor Wishna tries to make sense of the maddening crowd in this month's edition of A Fan's Notes.