by Tim DahlbergAP Sports Columnist (AP) —Mikhail Prokhorov got a chance to meet Larry Bird the other night, though he could be forgiven if he didn’t recognize him. The Bird he knew, after all, was the young blond he saw in grainy videotapes wearing tight shorts and taking on Magic Johnson. A lot has changed in 30 years, not the least of which is the shorts. Back then, the Cold War was still raging. The U.S. and Soviet Union boycotted each other’s Olympics, and the idea that one day they might compete in sports without political overtones seemed preposterous. ‘I COME IN PEACE’—New Jersey Nets new owner Mikhail Prokhorov, of Russia, speaks to reporters during a news conference, May 19 in New York.
On May 21, Rayco “War” Saunders, and Rayco War Promotions put on a boxing card at the Monroeville Convention Center billed as “War in the East.” The main event featured “War” Saunders who promoted, sold tickets and defended his WBF light heavyweight title by stopping Bruce Rumbolz, of Sterling, Ill., in the eighth round. From the first round Saunders was the aggressor. He came in with lefts to the body followed by rights to the head, leaving Rumbolz to cover up most of the fight. RAYCO SANDERS and son, JELANI, show they are champions.
by Terhea DoatyFor New Pittsburgh Courier My younger sister, Taylor Doaty, a senior at Oakland Catholic High School, won’t be walking across the stage with her graduating class on Friday. Although the seniors of Oakland Catholic will participate in the commencement ceremony for their high school careers, she will be in Shippensburg, Pa., for the PIAA state track meet. Taylor Doaty
In August 2009, the Pennsylvania track and field community lost Norm Crawford. Last week, it was his fellow officiating icon, Len Johnson. Johnson, 67, of sewickley, died May 16 at The Good Samaritan Hospice House in Wexford. He started officiating after graduating from Michigan State University while living and working in Michigan and Illinois in computer sales and service for companies such as Hewlett Packard and IBM before moving back to western Pennsylvania. PIAA TRACK LEGENDS—Leonard Johnson, left, is shown with Norm Crawford, who died last summer.
Though you may not drive a great big Cadillac, gangsta whitewalls, TV antenna in the back. You may not have a car at all, but remember brothers and sisters, you can still stand tall. Just be thankful for what you got. Diamond in the back, sunroof top, diggin’ the scene with a gangsta lean. (William Devaughn, 1974). I met a few friends for dinner a little while back and the first thing they wanted to discuss was the current state of the Pittsburgh Pirates. One buddy, who demanded that he remain anonymous, said through a mouthful of steak, “Man, I would rather run through hell wearing gasoline “draws” than waste my time going over to PNC Park to see those sad ass Pirates play.” This was one day I did not feel like joining the crowd in stepping on a man’s neck or in this case, a team’s neck when they were down.
On a soggy Sunday afternoon in May, Pittsburgh residents gathered at the Westin Convention Center Hotel Downtown to attend the third annual New Pittsburgh Courier All-City Awards Luncheon, honoring the best players and coaches in football and basketball. GIVING SUPPORT—Judge Dwayne Woodruff with wife Joy. The luncheon, which was re-established in 2008 at the behest of Assistant to the Publisher Stephan Broadus, honored inner-city high school athletes and their coaches for outstanding performances in football and basketball. Courier Managing Editor, Ulish Carter, Advertising Manager Eric Gaines, and Editor and Publisher, Rod Doss, joined Broadus to hand out trophies and medals; Gaines also gave the invocation.
by Jeff LatzkeAssociated Press Writer TULSA, Okla. (AP)—Marion Jones made a mistake and paid the price for it. Her prison term completed, she could have found a quiet place and stayed away from the scrutiny and all the questions about being stripped of her Olympic medals. Instead, she wants to make amends for what she did wrong. RETURNS TO ROOTS—Marion Jones prepares to throw the ball inbounds during a team practice for the Tulsa Shock in Tulsa, Okla., May 7.
by Matt PaulsonAssociated Press Writer PHOENIX (AP)—Phoenix coach Alvin Gentry has two words for the multitudes who aren’t giving his Suns any chance in the Western Conference finals against the defending champion Los Angeles Lakers: “Pittsburgh Penguins.” Last year’s Stanley Cup winner and the favorite this season was bounced in the second round of the NHL playoffs May 12 by the No. 8 seed Montreal Canadiens. NOTHING TO LOSE—Phoenix Suns head coach Alvin Gentry instructs his team during the first quarter of Game 1 of an NBA second-round playoff basketball series against the San Antonio Spurs May 3, in Phoenix.
by Aubrey BruceFor New Pittsburgh Courier Last week I attempted to impart some insight regarding certain NCAA coaches having little or no regard to honoring contracts or commitments to the universities that employ them and the student-athletes that perform for them. Parents are tickled pink when their child is awarded a scholarship to attend an institution of higher learning because of their athletic prowess. I did a little legwork for you guys and dolls but I need you to figure the rest out on your own. I am confident that you will. I will give you just a few examples of tuition costs and coaches salaries to serve as indicators of how perverted and unbalanced the economics have become in college athletics.
by Alan RobinsonAP Sports Writer PITTSBURGH (AP)—It’s fans like Becky Rickard that Ben Roethlisberger has lost. The 33-year-old Rickard is a Pittsburgher and a fan of every team in town. She’s come out to see the Pittsburgh Pirates play, even though they haven’t had a winning season since 1992, when Roethlisberger was just a backyard quarterback. She should love the Steelers and their six Super Bowl titles, including two under the direction of Roethlisberger. Right? SIGN OF THE TIMES—This April 22 file photo shows a sign in the windows of a building on Pittsburgh’s North Side displaying one opinion of what the Steelers should do with quarterback Ben Roethlisberger.
