Michael Jordan has brought his Celebrity Golf Tournament to Las Vegas for the first time. Since the Michael Jordan Celebrity Invitational was founded in 2001 it has raised over $5 million dollars for charity. Jordan spoke Tuesday with reporters, including our own Seat Williams, about the upcoming invitational and his passion for the various sports he has played.
Jordan’s years in the spotlight have led to an incredibly smooth demeanor on the microphone and has developed a playful nature with the media. His playful nature was on full display when a question was asked about if there would be any gambling taking place on the course. Jordan has been linked to many gambling stories throughout his career in the spotlight and handled this question in perfect stride.
The MJCI begins tomorrow March 31 and will last until April 3 at the beautiful Shadow Creek Golf Course.
As the days until the Final Four draw near, experts find themselves torn between predicting what teams will advance to the National Championship. The same could be said for our experts at Plant World. On Monday, we traveled back to Plant World to visit our prophetic friends, Mr. Nelson and Ziggy, to find out who will advance to the National Championship game. This time we pit the two head to head and found that they had differing opinions.
Mr. Nelson, who went 2-0 in the opening round, chose Butler to make a return trip to the National Championship to face the UCONN Huskies. Nelson went on the predict that UCONN would take the 2011 National Championship and send Butler home just short of their dream for the second year in a row.
Ziggy predicted that Kentucky will advance to the National Championship and meet the team that took the hardest and longest road to the National Championship, VCU. In a Hollywood style finish, Ziggy predicts that VCU’s journey will culminate with a National Championship win over the Kentucky Wildcats.
Fans of the Cucuta Deportivo soccer team decided to pay tribute to their murdered friend by reenacting the greatest Jonathan Silverman movie of all time, on Sunday.
The video below is from the funeral reception, I hear.
The kids seem to be taking it well, but there is no word on whether or not he led them to the money.
Dana White has frequently contested that the major weakness of female MMA is the lack of depth of a female MMA roster.
His point may have been proved when the victor of this one sided slobber-knocker was granted a title fight with Cristiane “Cyborg” Santos.
These two women have names and apparently one of them is a reality TV star, but no one really cares about any of that.
Therefore I will reference them by the fight names I’ve assigned them.
The blonde will be referenced as Bimbo Slice and her opponent will be called the female Dan Hardy (FDH).
This front yard fracas starts off like any good fight with FDH on her phone and not wanting any part of the fight when suddenly a member of the crowd starts things off with a shove.
The fight is now officially on.
Bimbo displays her patented aggression that has won her the affections of the many men in the trailer park when she attacks with the right cross.
She gets some good power behind it, but fails to land the KO because she simultaneously lifted her right foot in the air.
FDH tries to retaliate with some dangerous girl slapping, which is reciprocated by Bimbo and they end up in the clinch.
This was FDH’s fatal mistake as Bimbo is known for her dangerous throws from the clinch.
Bimbo secures the headlock and manages to knock FDH off balance and secures side control almost immediately.
Much like the male Dan Hardy, FDH has no ground game and has no answer for Bimbo’s ruthless top game.
Bimbo begins to smother FDH’s mouth and then heeds the raucous crowd’s pleas for elbows.
Bimbo throws 5 hammer fists and lands three.
FDH is clearly in danger and the refs move in to warn that the fight may be stopped.
FDH makes a last ditch effort to shrimp out, but Bimbo is much too experienced to give up her position.
Bimbo goes knee to belly and lands several big shots and then smoothly moves to mount.
The refs can sense the fight is about to end and are moving in.
Bimbo finishes with a trademark flurry otherwise known as the Bimbo Barrage and finishes the fight with 25 unanswered shots when the ref finally pulls her off by her hair.
The criminal charges are preventing Bimbo Slice from being able to solidify her fight with Cyborg and Strikeforce has frozen her contract, but fight fans everywhere can hop that this legal matter gets cleared up quickly so these two X-chromosomed titans can give us the female MMA championship bout that is really the only fight left to make.
We did it for football and we're bringing it back for baseball.
It's your chance to play fantasy baseball against the "experts" from ESPN1100.
On Wednesday Apr. 6, twenty-six of our lucky listeners get a chance to play fantasy baseball against the ESPN1100 crew. We're meeting at Jackson's Bar & Grill on Wednesday at 6:30 p.m. PT.
Dave Cokin, Steve Cofield, Mitch Moss and Dug Dugless head up two leagues of 15. The winner or highest finisher aside from an ESPN1100 employee wins $250.
The cost to get in? Zippo. That's right, it's free if you're randomly chosen on 4/6 at Jackson's.
Jackson's is located at 6020 W. Flamingo. That's Flamingo and Jones. Come out show off your knowledge and add to Cokin's fantasy sports losing streak.
Check below for rules and format.
*Straight draft (order chosen night of the draft)
*Eligible players - AL and NL
*Roster - C, C, 1B, 2B, 3B, SS, CI, MI, OF, OF, OF, OF, OF, Util, SP, SP, SP, RP, RP, P, P, P, P, BN, BN, BN, DL, DL
*Scoring categories (10) - Runs, HRs, RBI, SB, AVG, W, SV, K, ERA, IP
*Scoring style - Rotisserie
*Max. innings - 1500
*Max. games - 162
*Max. moves - 90
*Trade Deadline - Aug. 14, 2011
UConn dominated Purdue 64-40 last night in front of 5,729 people.
Auriemma noticed all the empty seats during the game and then ripped the fans in his post game press conference suggesting that UConn fans have been spoiled by all the winning his team has done.
I think Auriemma needs to take his anger down a notch and realize that he coaches women's college basketball and not in the NBA.
Johns Hopkins has one of the best lacrosse programs in the country and their mens program only drew an average of 3,036 fans in 2009, according to collegeconfidential.com.
Geno should just be happy with the fact that the UConn women, who draw an average of 10,182 fans (according to courant.com), were able to get half of that for a blowout during spring break.
Kelly Gneiting, a 400-pound sumo wrestler, set a Guiness World Record when he completed the Los Angeles Marathon with a time of 9:48:52.
"I did it, but it was hell. Pure hell," Gneiting told the Los Angeles Times.
The 40-year-old Gneiting surpassed his previous best time of 11:52:11 and squashed the previous world record for marathon weight, which was 275-pounds.
"I honestly think I'm one of the best athletes in the world."
Gneiting is not content with just running marathons as he also wants to swim the English Channel, win a spot on an NFL roster with the Philadelphia Eagles, and hike from the Dead Sea to Mt. Everest.
I applaud Gneiting for his accomplishments and am puling for him to accomplish his hefty goals, but how long can this guy's heart hold up?
The animals at Plant World had a successful first round of March Madness. The final tally for our friends at Plant World was an impressive 5 and 3. The most impressive of the bunch was Mr. Nelson.
Nelson, 17, was undefeated choosing San Diego State and the surprise-upset victory for George Mason. Next up was Ziggy the tortoise who went one and oh, but we are confident that if we had more time in the day he would have also went two and oh. Ziggy called the Richmond upset over Vanderbilt. Ruby the bird was stunned by Tennessee’s surprise loss to Michigan and also Clemson’s loss. Not a good day for Ruby. Delilah stuck with Mountain West teams and hit on BYU, but let her hometown ties blur her vision for the UNLV Rebels.
Ziggy and Mr. Nelson will move on and attempt to guess the winners for the Final Four this Tuesday at Plant World. Mr. Nelson (2-0) Ziggy (1-0)
Last night at Green Valley Ranch in the Grand Ballroom the Las Vegas Locos received their championship rings. It was a blast to get back and talk to the team. TE Adam Bergen says his knee is feeling fine and will be ready for the upcoming season. RB Hakim Hill has continued to work out and is ready to come back and help lead the Locos to there 3rd consecutive UFL title.
RB Hakim Hill and Dug
Commisioner Michael Huyghue is hoping next year's schedule will be announced sometime in late April, so until then Chugga Chugga CHOO CHOO!
Dick Vitale's people have sent out a cease and desist order to PM Sports, the creators of the video, for using Vitale's name and likeness in the video.
I think they're overreacting.
This video is the most tolerable Dickie V has been in the last 20 years.
(from left) Don Logan, Christina Hixson, and Tasha Schwikert
On Tuesday, the Galleria Mall held the announcements for the 2011 Southern Nevada Hall of Fame. This year’s class welcomed five new inductees, which included the 1944 Las Vegas High Football team, Christina Hixson, Don Logan, Tasha Schwikert, and Steven Jackson.
The 1944 Las Vegas High Football team is a legendary team that coaches still reference today. That team allowed no points to be scored against them throughout the entire season as well as allowing no consecutive first downs all season wither. Their season culminated with a state championship and all this was done without throwing one forward pass.
Christina Hixson was inducted for her generous contributions to UNLV Baseball programs as well as being the sole trustee of the Lied Foundation.
Don Logan has been the driving force behind the Las Vegas 51s for mare than 25 years and is now a member of the Southern Nevada Sports Hall of Fame. Logan, a man who has every right to show some hubris, gave most of the credit to everyone else around him. He was gracious and acknowledged how blesses he has been in life.
Tasha Schwikert was a gymnast and a member of the 2000 Olympic squad. Schwikert began her career in Las Vegas before having a stellar colligate career at UCLA. Schwikert still lives in Los Angeles today and is planning on attending Law School next fall. Steven Jackson is an Eldorado Alumni and a Pro Bowler in the NFL. Jackson was unable to attend the ceremony, but will not doubt be in attendance when this class is officially inducted on June 10.
This kid has become something of an internet hero after going all Big Daddy Cool on his attacker, but his school is holding the opposing view.
Casey Heynes is not without support though as a friend of his has started facebook page backing Casey and websites have been created honoring his actions.
Anyone think Casey's suspension was just or should his actions be revered for standing up for himself?
Either way. The video below serves as one hell of an anti-bullying PSA.
(Author's Note: In the event that YouTube pulls the videos down, you can still view them on the links provided.)
Do you remember Paul The Octopus who kept picking the winners in the last World Cup? Well I do and I am always looking for an edge when filling out my bracket. So I went down to Plant World today to see if Ziggy the Tortoise, Mr. Nelson the 17 year old cat, Delilah and Ruby the birds could help me out. Who knows maybe one of these animals can become the next Paul The Octopus (my money is on Mr. Nelson!)
Now is the time all you Telephone Tough guys can prove your merit. Our free March Madness Pickum' Contest is up, our Final Four pickers all get prizes. Prize rundown is:
First place prize is a Two Night Stay in Big Bear, Ca AND Merit Megatouch Elite Edge ION Countertop game from Mountain Coin.
Second place prize is an IPad with $30 iTunes card courtesy of Land Rover Las Vegas and $500 Gift Card to Uniform Sports!
Third place prize is a LG Optimus M phone with 3 months of service from Metro PCS and a 6 Month Membership for four to the YMCA
Fourth place prize is a pair of tickets to see Rush on June 24th at the MGM Grand Garden Arena
I think we all lost a great opportunity to watch Cofield lose his mind when the awful Dallas weather canceled The Mountain's plans to use a student run broadcast for the UNLV/TCU game.
Hopefully these kids have a sense of humor about this and don't let it deter them from a future in broadcasting.
UPDATE: Apparently one of the kids does not have a sense of humor about this as evidenced by this tweet he sent out.
Look closely at the background of the footage used (16 second mark) while discussing the protests in Wisconsin and you'll see the native palm trees of the area.
FOX News has admitted to, inaccurately, using footage of a protest in California while discussing the protests in Wisconsin.
FOX News has a history of these types of mistakes, which makes the video below less surprising.
The kid's name is Stevo Poulin and he may be a future Division I national champion judging by these videos.
The technical ability he's demonstrating is unbelievably advanced for his age.
There is no word on what his policy is against wrestling a girl, but I'm guessing by that mean mugging he does (39 second mark) he wouldn't have a problem with it.
UNLV wrapped up their last day of Spring Ball without pads on Tuesday. On Wednesday the pads go on and the real work will begin. On Tuesday the Rebels worked on a few individual drills and there were a few standouts. I really wanted to get a look at the new recruits that were able to participate in Spring Ball and here is what I saw. Trent Allmang-Wilder is a huge Junior College transfer and he showed some power and quick feet. Wilder displayed his strength while throwing the sled around like it was a toy. Wilder also displayed quick feet and loose hips in his agility drills. Wilder can potentially help a defensive line that was poor against the run up the middle last year.
Eric Johnson is one of the four transfers from College of the Sequoias and he looked quick. Johnson displayed quick feet and soft hands, which makes him a great candidate for the screen pass. UNLV needs to have more production from their backs catching the ball out of the backfield and Johnson seems to have those qualities. The real test will be when pads go on and we see how tough of a runner he can be.
Sean Reilly is a 6’4’’ quarterback from Saddleback College and he looked extremely accurate. Reilly has good size and looks like an ideal QB. Now I think Reilly should start, but Caleb Herring has been in Bobby Hauck’s system already and has an extra dimension with his mobility. Reilly will be a great back up or starter, but if the offensive line struggles then it would be best to have a mobile QB.
Last, but certainly not least, is Phillip Payne. I had a chance to see the receivers up close during drills and it was clear that Payne was the most seasoned and the most talented. Payne was mentoring some young receivers during the drills and for the most part they all showed soft hands. Now all Payne has to do is stay off Twitter and things should be smooth. I did notice that UNLV has more than a few “small” receivers that stand only 5’8”. I like a small receiver in the slot to take advantage of Payne drawing double coverage.
All in all, I like where Coach Hauck is going with the program and I am optimistic about this years recruiting class. The Rebels will have their Spring Showcase on Saturday, April 2, at Sam Boyd Stadium so go out and support the Rebels.
Meet Morgan Shepherd. He's a 69-year-old former Nascar driver and part time crime prevention specialist.
Shepherd observed three men fleeing from a Wal-Mart near the Las Vegas Motor Speedway as he was getting out of his car and took off after them.
Shepherd described the incident,
"I just got out and took off after them. I caught one of them just as they were getting ready to hop a little wall at the end of the parking lot. I yanked him down and got on top of him."
According to Shepherd, it was only a few moments later that a Las Vegas police officer tossed him a pair of handcuffs and asked him to restrain the would be thief to allow him to pursue the other two shoplifters.
The Nascar veteran had no problems obliging them.
"I told them he wasn't going anywhere."
Shepherd used his time with the shoplifter to inform him that he should make better choices, but chose not to humiliate the much younger man by telling him he just got outrun by a man three times his age.
The part time crime fighter also would like for others to learn from this incident and offer a helping hand when you see something wrong.
"So many people these days would just sit and watch those guys run away. People need to get up and help stop this type of stuff."
Shepherd and his wife concluded the incident by finshing up their shopping.
The Sacramento Kings are getting set to enter into a bitter custody battle between two California cities after the NBA granted them an extension to file an application for relocation next season.
NBA Commisioner, David Stern, confirmed that the Kings have had talks with officials in Anaheim about making the move.
Sacramento Mayor and former Phoenix Suns' point guard, Kevin Johnson, seems to think that the city of Sacramento does not have any control over the situation.
He responded to the NBA's granting of the extension at a City Hall news conference,
"I think it's clear they are looking to try to strike or create a deal in Anaheim. It leads me to believe that if they don't get a deal, they'll stay in Sacramento. It's not the ideal situation that they're choosing Sacramento."
Johnson also made it quite clear that he is not pulling for for Anaheim Mayor, Tom Tait, to get the Kings to play in the Honda Center,
"I'm wishing them ill will, let me be clear. We're wishing them ill will. I told that to the Anaheim mayor in a delicate way last week. I am rooting against him."
Tait has not commented on the matter.
The Kings will have until April 18 to decide if they will relocate for next season or not.
This seems like the perfect setup for a match for the upcoming WrestleMania, but CM Punk's interview about the situation seems to indicate this may be a legit feud.
Anybody thinking that Merriman will lace up the boots ala Lawrence Taylor?
Matt Barkley may be the first athlete who understands how to properly use twitter.
Barkley voiced his displeasure with recognizing same-sex marriages in the same way heterosexual marriages are recognized by retweeting a Yahoo News headline.
One of his followers, who clearly disagreed with Barkely on the subject, angrily attacked Barkley calling him a “homophobe” and directly tweeted Lane Kiffin about the issue.
Barkley’s response should serve as an example to all athletes as how to conduct yourself while amid a controversy when using social media.
Barkley directly tweeted his attacker and simply stated:
"look bro, I’m not discriminating and I’m not a homophobe. I’m standing up for what I believe. Cool down.."
And the winner of that twitter battle is… Matt Barkley.
I disagree with Barkley’s views on the subject, but as he correctly pointed out, he is allowed to have his opinions.
The professionalism with which Barkley handled this situation demonstrates a maturity that is beyond many of his fellow athletes, who have repeatedly embarrassed themselves through social media.
