Author Archives: ianbethune

NESN Announces 2014 Red Sox Spring Training Coverage

NESN

February 6, 2014 – NESN, the official home of the defending World Series Champion Boston Red Sox, will deliver 44 consecutive days of live Boston Red Sox Spring Training coverage. NESN’s coverage will be highlighted by 12 Grapefruit League games and NESN Sports Today live from JetBlue Park in Fort Myers. NESN’s continuous coverage begins on Friday, February 14 at 10:00 pm on NESN Sports Today. NESN then adds 11 consecutive days of Red Sox LIVE from Fort Myers presented by Jordan’s Furniture starting February 16 at 6:00 pm and six days of WEEI’s The Dennis and Callahan Morning Show from JetBlue Park beginning February 19.

44 Days of NESN Sports Today from Fort Myers presented by People’s United Bank          

NESN’s unparalleled coverage of the Red Sox begins on Friday, February 14 at 10:00 pm as players begin to arrive in Fort Myers. Co-anchor Adam Pellerin and Red Sox host Tom Caron will highlight the first week of coverage, which will also include a special 6:00 pm edition of NESN Sports Today on Saturday, February 15. The network’s coverage will expand to include over a dozen on-air personalities, including exclusive one-on-one interviews by NESN’s Red Sox play-by-play announcer Don Orsillo and color analyst Jerry Remy, features from NESN reporters, and coverage from Red Sox writers who are with the team every day. 

11 Days of Red Sox LIVE from Fort Myers presented by Jordan’s Furniture

NESN expands Spring Training coverage when pitchers and catchers report on Sunday, February 16 at 6:00 pm with Red Sox LIVE from Fort Myers presented by Jordan’s Furniture. NESN’s Red Sox host Tom Caron will look ahead to the 2014 season with players, coaches, and executives on 11 consecutive days at 6:00 pm from JetBlue Park.

6 Days of WEEI’s The Dennis and Callahan Morning Show presented by Town Fair Tire

NESN’s live coverage from Fort Myers will also include six days of WEEI’s The Dennis & Callahan Morning Show beginning Wednesday, February 19 at 6:00 am. John Dennis, Gerry Callahan and Kirk Minihane will be at JetBlue Park at Fenway South to deliver exclusive interviews with players, coaches, and experts who cover the team.

12 Spring Training Games presented by Southwest Airlines

NESN’s coverage of 12 Red Sox Spring Training games presented by Southwest Airlines will begin Sunday, March 2 at 1:00 pm when the Red Sox host the Baltimore Orioles at JetBlue Park at Fenway South. Don Orsillo and Jerry Remy will team up for their 14th season together in the NESN broadcast booth to deliver the action.

The game schedule includes a special Red Sox Foundation Game Night on March 20 when the Red Sox host the New York Yankees. Coverage begins at 6:30 pm with a 30-minute pre-game show that will tell stories of the foundation’s impact on families in New England.  The game telecast will include Red Sox Foundation Chairman Tim Wakefield in the broadcast booth, and concludes with a special 30-minute, Foundation-focused post-game show.

NESN’s Red Sox LIVE from Fort Myers Telecasts

DATE PROGRAM TIME
Sunday, Feb. 16 Red Sox LIVE from Fort Myers 6:00 PM – 7:00 PM
Monday, Feb. 17 Red Sox LIVE from Fort Myers 6:00 PM – 7:00 PM
Tuesday, Feb. 18 Red Sox LIVE from Fort Myers 6:00 PM – 7:00 PM
Wednesday, Feb. 19 Red Sox LIVE from Fort Myers 6:00 PM – 7:00 PM
Thursday, Feb. 20 Red Sox LIVE from Fort Myers 6:00 PM – 7:00 PM
Friday, Feb. 21 Red Sox LIVE from Fort Myers 6:00 PM – 7:00 PM
Saturday, Feb. 22 Red Sox LIVE from Fort Myers 6:00 PM – 7:00 PM
Sunday, Feb. 23 Red Sox LIVE from Fort Myers 6:00 PM – 7:00 PM
Monday, Feb. 24 Red Sox LIVE from Fort Myers 6:00 PM – 7:00 PM
Tuesday, Feb. 25 Red Sox LIVE from Fort Myers 6:00 PM – 7:00 PM
Wednesday, Feb. 26 Red Sox LIVE from Fort Myers 6:00 PM – 7:00 PM

WEEI’s Dennis & Callahan Morning Show in Fort Myers

DATE PROGRAM TIME
Wednesday, Feb. 19 Dennis & Callahan in Fort Myers 6:00 AM – 9:00 AM
Thursday, Feb. 20 Dennis & Callahan in Fort Myers 6:00 AM – 9:00 AM
Friday, Feb. 21 Dennis & Callahan in Fort Myers 6:00 AM – 9:00 AM
Monday, Feb. 24 Dennis & Callahan in Fort Myers 6:00 AM – 9:00 AM
Tuesday, Feb. 25 Dennis & Callahan in Fort Myers 6:00 AM – 9:00 AM
Wednesday, Feb. 26 Dennis & Callahan in Fort Myers 6:00 AM – 9:00 AM

NESN’s 2014 Red Sox Spring Training Game Telecasts

DATE OPPONENT TIME*
Sunday, March 2 Baltimore 1:00 PM
Saturday, March 8 Baltimore (Sarasota) 1:00 PM
Sunday, March 9 Pittsburgh (Bradenton) 1:00 PM
Monday, March 10 Tampa Bay 1:00 PM*
Saturday, March 15 Philadelphia 7:00 PM
Sunday, March 16 Tampa Bay (Port Charlotte) 1:00 PM
Wednesday, March 19 Pittsburgh 7:00 PM
Thursday, March 20 New York Yankees 7:00 PM
Saturday, March 22 Atlanta (Orlando) 1:00 PM
Sunday, March 23 Tampa Bay 1:00 PM
Tuesday, March 25 Tampa Bay (Port Charlotte) 1:00 PM*
Friday, March 28 Minnesota (Hammond Stadium) 1:00 PM*

*Select Spring Training day games will be replayed in their entirety at 7:00 pm as the schedule permits.

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Paw Prints – The Daily UConn Roundup – 2/6

UConn Huskies Daily Roundup

Paw Prints is our daily look at the happenings for the UConn Huskies football, men's basketball and women's basketball teams as well as the other sports the student-athletes engage in. We will do our best to bring you the links from all of the media that covers the Huskies on a daily basis. As always, links can be found by clicking on the read more button below if you're on the home page.

Thank you for stopping by and making SOX & Dawgs your home for UConn Huskies news.

It's game day for the UConn Huskies men's basketball team as they are in the Queen City for a matchup with the Cincinnati Bearcats. Tip is scheduled for 7 p.m. and the game will be televised nationally on ESPN. You can also catch the game online on WatchESPN. If you can't catch the broadcast, you can always listen on the UConn IMG Sports Radio Network.

To open the links up in a new tab or window, use Control+click

UConn Men's Basketball links

DeAndre Daniels Dealing With Back Spasms, Ankle Injury, But Ollie Says He’s ’75 Percent’ To Play Vs. Cincinnati [dom amore – hartford courant]

DeAndre Daniels "About 75-Percent" for Cincinnati Game; Shabazz Napier Draws Kobe Bryant Comparison [david borges- new haven register]

UConn Getting it Done in the Classroom, Too [david borges – new haven register]

Ollie talks about Daniels, Cincinnati, etc. [gavin keefe – the day]

Daniels “75 percent” for Cincinnati game [william paxton – ct post]

Leftovers from UConn, Cincy prior to Thursday’s game [william paxton – ct post]

Jackson's improvement energizes No. 7 Cincinnati [ct post]

Cincy defense a stiff test for UConn [ct post]

No. 22 UConn Can Make A Statement Against No. 7 Cincinnati [hartford courant]

UConn vs. Cincinnati represents AAC's marquee matchup [new haven register]

First-place Cincinnati to take on gritty UConn men [the day]

UConn Women's Basketball links

Video: UConn Women's Basketball Traditions [sox & dawgs]

Notebook: Auriemma supports Williams [carl adamec – snyuconn.com]

Lynne Reif And The Hint From Field Hockey [john altavilla – hartford courant]

Paige Sauer And The Nykesha Sales “Moment” At Villanova [john altavilla – hartford courant]

Carol Callan And The First Impression [john altavilla – hartford courant]

Lori Kulo-Mathieu And Learning To Do Things Geno’s Way [john altavilla – hartford courant]

Meghan Pattyson-Culmo And The House Guest [john altavilla – hartford courant]

Huskies Enjoying Success On And Off The Court [rich elliott – ct post]

Big Second Half For Huskies Vs. SMU; Commits Honored By ASGR [rich elliott – ct post]

Kaleena Mosqueda-Lewis Displays Confidence Against SMU [uconnhuskies.com]

Auriemma Proud Of UConn Women's Success In The Classroom [hartford courant]

UConn women know it won't be as easy against No. 4 Louisville [new haven register]

Geno’s Legacy: Sue Bird [snyuconn.com]

UConn Football links

UConn Football Receives 14 Letters of Intent for 2014 [sox & dawgs]

Video: Bob Diaco's Challenges At UConn [sox & dawgs]

Video: Inside UConn Football's 2014 Signing Day [sox & dawgs]

The ratings game [jim fuller – new haven register]

Report: UConn/Tennessee game in 2015 not happening [jim fuller – new haven register]

Diaco wraps up Signing Day [john silver – snyuconn.com]

Don’t get too starry eyed over recruiting rankings [ct post]

UConn's Bob Diaco Plays Up Size In Incoming Class [hartford courant]

After Shoveling, Newsome Signs UConn Commitment Letter [hartford courant]

Star Search? Diaco Dismisses Recruiting Sites' Assessments [hartford courant]

UConn football gets all 14 recruits they expected on signing day [new haven register]

2013 Opponent Review: UConn Huskies [maize n brew]

Other UConn related links

M. Ice Hockey. Huskies Set for AHA Clash with Bentley [uconnhuskies.com]

Follow Ian on Twitter @soxanddawgs. And be sure to like us on Facebook as well.

Wolf Pack’s Bourque More than Just an Energy Guy

Ryan Bourque

By Bob Crawford

Ryan Bourque’s work ethic, effort and tenacity have stood out from day one of his career with the Hartford Wolf Pack, but until recently he has never been looked to as a source of consistent offense.

Bourque contributed six goals and 14 points in 69 games his rookie year of 2011-12 and then had eight goals and 15 points in 53 games last season.  This year the son of Hall of Fame defenseman Ray Bourque has already fired home ten goals and added seven assists for 17 points, with the season only just past the halfway point.  His newfound offensive production began to blossom around the turn of the New Year, and recently he has thrived playing left wing on a line with J.T. Miller at center and Jesper Fast on the right side.  That has been the Wolf Pack’s top offensive line as of late, and being expected to fill a major offensive role has made all the difference for Bourque.

“Going through the first half of the season, it was kind of a defensive role, and PK (penalty-killing), and still getting an opportunity here and there in an offensive role, but I think as it’s progressed, it’s quickly developed into kind of a two-way role,” Bourque said this week.  “And I’m definitely relishing it, and trying to make everything of the opportunity I’ve been given.”

His two linemates, both of whom have been more well-known for their offensive potency throughout their development than has Bourque, have relished having his brand of hustle and desire on their left flank.

“His work ethic shows the most,” Miller said of Bourque.  “He provides energy for our line, and there’s always kind of a positive vibe when he’s around.  He’s pretty even-keeled, and obviously he’s been putting the puck in the net lately.  He’s doing it all, really.”

“It’s been awesome,” Bourque said.  “When you have the opportunity to play with two guys like that, it’s pretty simple out there.  You’ve just got to get in on the forecheck, hustle and try and get in the right areas, because they’ll find you.  Both of them have played in the NHL for long periods of time this season, and I think J.T., if he were in a lot of different areas in the league, he’d be in the NHL, he’s definitely that caliber of a player, and (Fast) is the same way.  He’s just so quick, and he gets in there and he gets the puck and he wins his one-on-one battles in the corner.  And he’s got the skill and the playmaking abilities to find you out there.  When you’re playing with guys like that, you’ve just got to go in and work hard and you’ll have success, night in and night out.”

Gernander added, “He (Bourque) forechecks, so he gets in and creates turnovers, and puck recovery he’s been very good at.  He just enables that line to have more puck possession, and allows them to use their skills more offensively.”

That element of forechecking is an interesting calling card for Bourque, as his small stature (5-9, 178 pounds) does not put him in the category of a typical crashing, banging power forward.  Bourque is truly relentless on the forecheck, though, and tirelessly works the hard areas of the ice, often turning the tables on bigger defenders.

“I think that a guy his size can be extremely effective against bigger players, if he uses his quickness and he’s willing to get in underneath those players,” Gernander asserted.  “If you stay on the perimeter, it often allows those bigger players to use their reach and their size to their advantage, but if you get right in their kitchen and you’ve got body position and leverage and you’re using your quickness, I think you can be even more effective.”

Bourque feels that both he and Fast, who is only slightly bigger than Bourque at six feet and 185 pounds, have been consistent in causing problems for bigger opponents. 

“It’s definitely just trying to make the most with what you have,” Bourque said.  “We’re both smaller guys, but we both have the assets of quickness.  And we’re short in stature, but it’s not like we’re small in strength or anything like that.  I think we have the strength that you need to play in this league at a smaller size, but with that quickness you need to go in the corners and enjoy winning those battles, and not be afraid to mix it up.  And fortunately for me and Jesper, we share that quality, and if you can use your size to your advantage, it helps out a lot.  You have the ability to be a little more slippery out there, and also to get lower on guys, and it almost makes it harder for them to be able to move you.  So as long as you’re doing the right things and making the most with what you have, then I think that’s why we can have the success we have.”

Bourque’s success has always gone back to his consistent effort.  He never takes a shift off on the ice, and, according to Gernander, his energy level is the same in practice as well.

“He tries to win every drill,” the Wolf Pack bench boss said, “or he’s first in line, usually one beat before the whistle blows.  But that’s part of his makeup or part of his character, one of his assets that he can draw upon.”

For Bourque, that is a way to motivate both himself and his teammates.

“It’s not only the games that you’re competing in,” he said.  “If you have a competitive attitude, you definitely want to make the players around you, and your teammates, the best that they can be too.  And it’s not only that, it’s trying to be the best that you can be on a daily basis.  I hate losing to those guys.  Obviously I hate losing more in the real competition, but in practice if you can try and set those things in place, day in and day out, it’s not only going to make you better, but it’s going to make everyone around you better.”

Now that Bourque has latched on to a spot among the Wolf Pack’s top six forwards, the challenge now is to hang on to that role, and solidify the notion that he has turned a corner in his career.

“At this level, I definitely think it’s just that once you get that opportunity, once you get comfortable and are doing it on a daily basis, if you have the right attitude and work ethic with it, you can definitely fit in and make the most of it,” he said.  “I’ve gotten more and more comfortable with it.  At first it was kind of newer to me because I was doing things that I really haven’t done since Junior, but it’s definitely the most fun I’ve had as a pro, and I’m just trying to make the most of it.”

As far as those things that hadn’t been part of his role since his Junior days in the Quebec League, Bourque elaborated, “In some situations in the past, you’re always thinking defense first, but while still having that responsible attitude, and definitely that responsibility in your game, you can still try to take a few more chances because you know you’re going to have that leeway offensively.  And sometimes when you make a read or two offensively it can definitely go in your favor, and if you have the hustle and the work ethic to get back if you do make a mistake, then that makes up for it a lot too.”

Furthermore, it’s not a situation of leaving one identity behind and assuming another.  Bourque is acutely aware that being a diligent defensive player and a source of energy is what got him to where he is, and he has no intention of forgetting that, no matter how many offensive numbers he manages to put up.

“That’s something definitely that I’ll always carry with me, and I know I won’t ever leave that side of my game behind,” he said.  “I think I’ve grown up being responsible defensively, with that work ethic, and I know that if I’m going to have the opportunity to play at the next level, it’s definitely going to be with those assets, with penalty-killing and the energy that I provide, and being responsible in both zones.  And although I can chip in offensively, it’s definitely with the responsibility of being a very good defensive forward, but also having that offensive capability as well.”

That, clearly, is just what Gernander has in mind, as the organization continues to foster Bourque’s rapidly accelerating development.

“The offensive play is always a benefit, regardless of who the player is,” Gernander said.  “We have to have some minimum requirements as far as forechecking, defensive responsibility, those types of things, but some excel at it, and I think he’s one that leads the way in those areas, as far as defensively responsible, penalty-killing, provide some energy, provide some forecheck.  And now, I think with just a change of linemates or a little bit more offensive opportunity, you’re starting to see more output from him.”

“I still think his future as far as an NHL career will be more of a third, fourth-line guy, penalty-killer, and he still has to be diligent in all those tasks, but any time you can get someone from that portion of your lineup that can score goals when the opportunity presents itself, that makes him that much more valuable of a tool.  He’s proving that, given the opportunity, he can be a significant part of our offense, and I think it’s been a great progression for him.”

photo credit: chris rutsch

Video: Inside UConn Football’s 2014 Signing Day

As we know, new UConn Huskies football coach Bob Diaco and his staff received 14 letters of intent on Wednesday from high school student-athletes.

Huskies All-Access gives us a behind the scenes look at what transpired on Wednesday. It's broken down into six parts.

Part 1

http://youtube.com/watch?v=qhhT3iJtUfc?rel=0

Part 2

http://youtube.com/watch?v=KxEO6eNDUe8?rel=0

Part 3

http://youtube.com/watch?v=vfGNub39jXM?rel=0

Part 4

http://youtube.com/watch?v=pSkip0yWXBU?rel=0

Part 5

http://youtube.com/watch?v=n6PW_w0y6fs?rel=0

Part 6

http://youtube.com/watch?v=6kaiSDswdkw?rel=0

Follow Ian on Twitter @soxanddawgs. And be sure to like us on Facebook as well.

UConn Football Receives 14 Letters of Intent for 2014

STORRS, Conn. (February 5, 2014) – The following is a list of football players who signed a National Letter of Intent on Wednesday to enroll at the University of Connecticut and player for the Huskies.

UConn HuskiesJames Atkins | DL | 6’5 | 255 | Saugus, Mass./Blair Academy (N.J.)

Alec Bloom | TE | 6’6 | 235 | Ligonier, Pa./Ligonier Valley Senior High

Luke Carrezola | LB | 6’3 | 230 | Langhorne, Pa./Neshaminy

Ryan Crozier | OL | 6’4 | 297 | Plantation, Fla./St. Thomas Aquinas

Vontae Diggs | LB | 6’4 | 215 | Downers Grove, Ill./Downers Grove North

Steve Hashemi  | OL | 6’5 | 260 | Trumbull, Conn./St. Joseph

Ron Johnson | RB | 6’0 | 215 | Naples, Fla./Palmetto Ridge

Sheriden Lawley | DL | 6’4 | 252 | Abbotsford, British Columbia/Lawrenceville Prep (N.J.)

Brice McAllister | RB | 5’11 | 195 | East Longmeadow, Mass./Suffield (Conn.) Academy

Arkeel Newsome| RB | 5’7 | 170 | Ansonia, Conn./Ansonia

Daniel Oak | OL | 6’3 | 265 | Fort Myers, Fla./Fort Myers

Tom Rodrick | LB | 6’3 | 240 | Leicester, Mass./Leicester

Trey Rutherford | OL | 6’4 | 290 | King City, Ontario/Kent School (Conn.)

Anthony Watkins | CB | 6’1 | 190 | Fort Meade, Md./Fort Meade/Lawrenceville Prep (N.J.)

Two other members of the 2014 signing class, Chris Britton (LB | 6’3 | 235)

Jamar Summers (DB | 6’0 | 180), have already enrolled at UConn for the spring 2014 semester.

The following are profiles of each player

James Atkins | DL | 6’5 | 250 | Saugus, Mass./Blair Academy (N.J.)

Played offensive and defensive line at Blair Academy (N.J.)…team went 6-2 during his senior season and won the Mid-Atlantic Prep League title.…named to the Newark Star Ledger All-Prep team on defense…awarded Blair Academy’s Frere Football Award following his senior season.

Alec Bloom | TE | 6’6 | 235 | Ligonier, Pa./Ligonier Valley Senior High

Following senior campaign, named to Pennsylvania Sportswriters Class AA All-State Team and earned a spot on the USA Today All-Pennsylvania team… first-team tight end on The Tribune-Democrat’s All-Area Team…selected to represent Pennsylvania in the Big 33 Classic on June 14 in Hershey, Pa. …finished his senior year with 45 receptions for 830 yards and 12 touchdowns…also rushed for 79 yards and a score…playing outside linebacker, recorded 57 tackles and a sack.

Chris Britton | LB | 6’2 | 235| Harrisburg, Pa./Harrisburg

Linebacker at Harrisburg High School…had more than 125 tackles in his senior season of 2012…Harrisburg went 11-3 in his senior season and advanced to the quarterfinals of the Pennsylvania Class AAAA playoffs…played in the Big 33 All-Star Game on June 15 in Hershey, Pa….was also a standout basketball player in high school.

Luke Carrezola | LB | 6’3 | 230 | Langhorne, Pa./Neshaminy

Played tight end, defensive end and linebacker at Neshaminy High School…following senior season, named to Pennsylvania Football Writers Class AAAA All-State Team…helped Neshaminy High to a 13-2 record, culminating with a PIAA District 1 Class AAAA title and a berth in the state semifinals… selected to represent Pennsylvania in the Big 33 Classic on June 14 in Hershey, Pa. …had nine receptions for 121 yards and a touchdown in his junior and senior seasons…on defense, posted 56 tackles, 20.0 TFL and eight sacks as a senior…over his three-year varsity career at defensive end, notched 144 tackles, 40.0 TFL and 15.5 sacks.

Ryan Crozier | OL | 6’4 | 297 | Plantation, Fla./Saint Thomas Aquinas

Played tackle and guard in Florida at national powerhouse St. Thomas Aquinas…helped the squad to a 10-3 record in 2013, including the top spot in the 7A District 15 standings…offense averaged 35.8 points per game…as a junior and senior, named Class 7A All-State second team.

Vontae Diggs | LB | 6’4 | 215 | Downers Grove, Ill./Downers Grove North

Played defensive end, linebacker and quarterback at Downers Grove North…2013 Daily Herald DuPage County All-Area Team…a Pioneer Local West Suburan All-Conference Silver Division selection…notched 30 tackles during his senior season…also played basketball and high jumped for the track team.

Steve Hashemi  | OL | 6’5 | 260 | Trumbull, Conn./St. Joseph

Played offensive tackle at St. Joseph…named CHSCA All-State First Team following his senior season… Hearst Connecticut Newspapers Super 33 selection…All-FCIAC selection…All-Walter Camp Football Foundation team member…New Haven Register All-State…helped St. Joseph to a 13-2 record in 2013, winning the Class M state title…blocked for a rushing attack that averaged 8.8 yards a carry…part of an offense that averaged 475 yards per game…also played basketball at St. Joseph, helping the school to two state titles.

Ron Johnson | RB | 6’0 | 215 | Naples, Fla./Palmetto Ridge

Played running back and outside linebacker at Palmetto Ridge…named to the Naples Daily News All-Area team in 2013…rushed for 1,522 yards on 255 carriers with 16 touchdowns as a senior in 2013…also notched 18 tackles at linebacker…in three varsity seasons, rushed for 3,343 yards and 32 touchdowns, averaging 6.0 yards per carry…named honorable mention All-State by the Associated Press…also played basketball at Palmetto Ridge.

Sheriden Lawley | DT | 6’4 | 252 | Abbotsford, British Columbia/Lawrenceville Prep (N.J.)

Spent one year at Lawrenceville Prep in Lawrenceville, N.J. after his high school career in Abbotsford, British Columbia at W.J. Mouat Secondary…was a two-year starter at defensive end and guard at W.J. Mouat…first player from Mouat to receive a Division I scholarship…named to the Newark Star Ledger All-Prep Team after his season with Lawrenceville.

Brice McAllister | RB | 5’11 | 195 | East Longmeadow, Mass./Suffield (Conn.) Academy

Played a year at East Longmeadow High School before moving to Suffield (Conn.) Academy for three years…played defensive back and wide receiver in high school as well…following his junior season at Suffield in 2012, was named New England Prep School Class B Player of the Year…earned the same honor as a senior in 2013…rushed for 1,723 yards and 28 touchdowns in 2012 to lead Suffield to the Norm Walker Bowl title…added 1,188 yards and 19 touchdowns on the ground in 2013…team won the Arthur Valicenti Bowl during his senior year…Suffield had perfect seasons during his junior and senior campaigns.

Arkeel Newsome| RB | 5’7 | 170 | Ansonia, Conn./Ansonia

Parade Magazine All-American at running back in 2013, UConn’s first player to receive that honor…led Ansonia to the 2013 Class S Championship, its third straight…Ansonia went 43-0 in his final three seasons, reaching the No. 1 ranking in the state…three-time Walter Camp Football Foundation Player of the Year…in his senior season, carried 333 times, setting state records with 3,867 yards and 68 touchdowns (64 rushing)…holds Connecticut career records with 10,672 yards, 187 touchdowns and 1,162 points…led the country in rushing yards as a sophomore and senior…just the ninth player in United States high school football history to rush for more than 10,000 yards in a career…named a ‘Small School All-American’ by MaxPreps.com…New Haven Register 2013 All-State and Player of the Year… CHSCA All-State First Team…named U.S. Army All-American Bowl High School Player of the Week, for the week ending Oct. 19. after a 396-yard and six touchdown performance.

Daniel Oak | OL | 6’3 | 265 | Fort Myers, Fla./Fort Meyers

Played offensive guard at Fort Myers High School… two-time Class 7A All-State second team…helped Fort Myers to a 7-3 record and a co-conference title as a senior, serving as a team captain…was named Team MVP at the end of the season…named a 2014 ‘Offensive Lineman To Watch’ by the Tampa-area recruiting site Big County Preps.

Tom Rodrick | LB | 6’3 | 240 | Leicester, Mass./Leicester

Played fullback, linebacker and defensive end at Leicester High…2013 ESPN Boston MIAA All-State…GoLocal Worcester All-Star……as a senior in 2013, recorded 79 tackles, 11 sacks and two interceptions….also carried 77 times for 779 yards and nine touchdowns, adding four more touchdowns through the air…served as a team captain…helped Leicester win the MIAA Division 5 Super Bowl title in 2011 and earned another title trip in 2012…in 2012, recorded 92 tackles and led Central Mass. with 14 sacks, also rushing for 437 yards and eight touchdowns.

Trey Rutherford | OL | 6’4 | 290 | Markham, Ontario/Kent School (Conn.)

Attended high school at Villanova College in Canada before moving to Kent School in Kent, Conn. …ranked as the top Canadian lineman prospect in the 2014 signing class by CanadaFootballChat.com…also threw shot put, javelin and discus in high school.

Jamar Summers | CB | 5’11 | 178 | East Orange, N.J./East Orange

Played high school football at Orange High School…was named honorable mention All-State by MSG Varsity and first team All-Essex County by the Newark Star-Ledger…spent the 2013 season at Milford Academy (New Berlin, N.Y.) and led the team in interceptions with five and had 20 tackles on the season…was also a standout track and field performer in high school.

Anthony Watkins | CB | 6’1 | 190 | Fort Meade, Md./Fort Meade/Lawrenceville Prep (N.J.)

Played one year of varsity football in high school at Fort Meade High in Fort Meade, Md., before moving to Lawrenceville Prep in Lawrenceville, N.J. for the 2013 season… named to the Newark Star Ledger All-Prep Team…made 49 catches for 872 yards and eight touchdowns in 2013 as a wide receiver…a 2012 Maryland Small School All-State Honorable Mention… hauled in 47 catches for 812 yards and 10 touchdowns in 2012 at Fort Meade…played three years of varsity basketball at Fort Meade.

Follow Ian on Twitter @soxanddawgs. And be sure to like us on Facebook as well.

Video: Bob Diaco’s Challenges At UConn

UConn Huskies football coach Bob Diaco took some time earlier on Wednesday to talk with Shae Peppler of Campus Insiders.

Diaco talked about the biggest recruiting challenges in his short amount of time in Storrs and how this year's incoming class will impact the program.

Follow Ian on Twitter @soxanddawgs. And be sure to like us on Facebook as well.

Four to be inducted into Red Sox Hall of Fame in 2014

BOSTON, MA – Former Red Sox players Roger Clemens, Nomar Garciaparra, and Pedro Martinez have been selected as the 2014 Red Sox Hall of Fame inductees. Joe Castiglione, Red Sox radio broadcaster since 1983, has been chosen as the non-uniformed inductee. Martinez's 1999 one-hit, 17-strikeout complete game against the New York Yankees at Yankee Stadium has been selected as the "Great Red Sox Moment," a memorable moment in Red Sox history that is regarded for its special significance.  

Boston Red SoxThe players were chosen by a 16-person panel, which includes club executives, print and broadcast media members, booster club representatives, and historians. Garciaparra was one of 15 position players under consideration. Clemens and Martinez were among 13 pitchers considered.

Clemens, a three time Cy Young Award winner with the Red Sox and 1986 AL and All-Star MVP, spent 13 seasons with Boston beginning in 1984. He is tied with Cy Young for the most career wins (192) and most career shutouts (38) as a Red Sox, and is the all-time franchise leader in strikeouts (2,590). Clemens had two 20-strikeout no-walk games, in 1986 against Seattle and 1996 in Detroit. He was named to the All-Star Game five times as a Red Sox, including the 1986 game that he started and won. Clemens is second in club history, behind Tim Wakefield, with 382 career games started and 2,776.0 innings pitched.

Garciaparra, the 1997 AL Rookie of the Year, was an All-Star in five of his nine seasons with the Red Sox from 1996-2004. The shortstop and right-handed hitter has the fourth-best career batting average (.323) and fifth-best slugging percentage (.553) in Red Sox history. He led the AL with 209 hits and 684 at-bats in 1997, the same year he had a 30-game hit streak. Garciaparra tied the club record on May 10, 1999 against Seattle when he hit two grand slams and collected 10 RBI. He had two 30-RBI months, with 33 in May 1999, and 33 in July 1998. His .372 average in 2000 is the fourth-highest in club single-season history.

Martinez was a two-time Cy Young Award winner and four-time All-Star in his seven seasons with the Red Sox from 1998-2004. He was a key part of the 2004 team that brought a World Series title to Boston for the first time since 1918. Martinez is the club's all-time leader with a .760 (117-37) career winning percentage and 72 10-strikeout games. He was named MVP of the 1999 All-Star Game at Fenway Park when he struck out five of the six batters he faced as the American League starter. That same year, Martinez led the AL with 313 strikeouts and 19 10-strikeout games. 

Castiglione has spent 31 seasons as the Red Sox play-by-play announcer (second only to Red Sox Hall of Fame broadcaster Ned Martin, 1961-1993). He has also covered the entire careers of this year's three Red Sox Hall of Fame selections. Castiglione became known nationally for his call of the 2004 World Series win as he broadcast the now famous words, "Can you believe it?" 

In addition to the players and non-uniformed inductees, a 'Great Red Sox Moment' is also chosen by the panel. This year's selection is Pedro Martinez's September 10, 1999 one-hit, 17-strikeout complete game win against the New York Yankees at Yankee Stadium. During the 3-1 game, Martinez had 17 strikeouts, the most ever by an opposing pitcher in Yankee Stadium, and retired the final 22 Yankees, 15 by strikeout.     

More information regarding the 2014 Red Sox Hall of Fame induction dinner to be held in August will be forthcoming. The dinner benefits the Fenway Park Living Museum Fund, a 501(c)3 supporting the preservation and display of historic elements and items at Fenway Park that showcase its rich history.

The Red Sox Hall of Fame was instituted in 1995 to recognize the outstanding careers of former Red Sox players and managers. To be eligible for nomination, players/managers must have played at least three years with the Red Sox and must also have been out of uniform as an active player/manager at least three years. The non-uniformed personnel and the memorable moment selected are chosen by a unanimous vote of the Boston Red Sox Hall of Fame Selection Committee.

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Paw Prints – The Daily UConn Roundup – 2/5

UConn Huskies Daily Roundup

Paw Prints is our daily look at the happenings for the UConn Huskies football, men's basketball and women's basketball teams as well as the other sports the student-athletes engage in. We will do our best to bring you the links from all of the media that covers the Huskies on a daily basis. As always, links can be found by clicking on the read more button below if you're on the home page.

Thank you for stopping by and making SOX & Dawgs your home for UConn Huskies news.

To open the links up in a new tab or window, use Control+click

UConn Women's Basketball links

Video: UConn Women Pound SMU, 102-41 [sox & dawgs]

KML flashes All-American form in rout of SMU [carl adamec – snyuconn.com]

Seven Huskies earn academic honor [carl adamec – snyuconn.com]

Tina Charles And The Concept Of Chasing Perfection [john altavilla – hartford courant]

Tammi Sweet And The Road To Mutual Respect [john altavilla – hartford courant]

Geno Auriemma And His Original UConn Time Line [john altavilla – hartford courant]

UConn’s Goal: Be No. 1 In The Classroom, Too [john altavilla – hartford courant]

Notes From Texas-Sized Rout [john altavilla – hartford courant]

With Eyes On Postseason, February A Key Month For Huskies [rich elliott – ct post]

Another Tweak Keeps Banks Out Of Action [rich elliott – ct post]

Auriemma In Favor Of Williams Having Surgery In Connecticut [rich elliott – ct post]

Game report: UConn women overwhelm SMU [ct post]

Dolson on top of her game for UConn [ct post]

No. 1 UConn Women Roll Past SMU, 102-41 [hartford courant]

Dolson Nears Rebounding Milestone [hartford courant]

Huskies show they're in a different class than SMU [new haven register]

Geno Overtime: On UConn’s rivals [snyuconn.com]

UConn Men's Basketball links

Cronin on UConn, Daniels … More on Will Jackson [dom amore – hartford courant]

Mick Cronin: "It's Got the Makings of a Great Game" [david borges – new haven register]

Cronin talks Huskies [neill ostrout – journal inquirer]

Daniels practices, “day-to-day” for Cincy game [william paxton – ct post]

Weekly AAC recap: The American starting to earn respect [william paxton – ct post]

UConn Prepares for Top-25 Showdown At Cincinnati On Thursday [uconnhuskies.com]

Cronin, Cincy carry 14-game winning streak into meeting with UConn [ct post]

Will 'Turtle' Jackson Coming To UConn; Averages 30 At Ga. HS [hartford courant]

UConn men add guard to 2015 class [journal inquirer]

UConn Football links

UConn Football Signing Day Event Cancelled [sox & dawgs]

Bradford won't be signing with UConn on Wednesday [jim fuller – new haven register]

Strong academic showing for UConn [jim fuller – new haven register]

UConn makes the grade [jim fuller – new haven register]

Stockpiling running backs [john silver – snyuconn.com]

Analyst: Diaco, New Staff Have A Better Handle On Recruiting [hartford courant]

Other UConn related links

 

M. Ice Hockey. Senior Sims Closing in On Milestone as Huskies Push Toward Postseason [uconnhuskies.com]

W. Swimming. Christine Pedersen Named Conference Female Swimmer Of The Week [uconnhuskies.com]

Follow Ian on Twitter @soxanddawgs. And be sure to like us on Facebook as well.

LeNeveu Helps Wolf Pack Past Phantoms, 4-1

Hartford, CT, February 4, 2014 – Oscar Lindberg and Danny Kristo had a goal and an assist each, and David LeNeveu made 24 saves Tuesday night at the XL Center, as the Hartford Wolf Pack defeated the Adirondack Phantoms by a score of 4-1.

Hartford Wolf PackIt was the second straight win, and third in the last four games, for the Wolf Pack, who also got goals from Bretton Stamler and Darroll Powe.  Tye McGinn scored the only Adirondack goal.

“We had an early goal and some big saves and I think for the most part our defense was really strong,” Wolf Pack head coach Ken Gernander said.

The Wolf Pack (17-23-0-5, 39 pts.) have now won four straight in the season series with the Phantoms, against whom they are 6-1-0-1 in eight meetings on the year. 

The two clubs combined for three goals in the first 5:11 of the game, and the Wolf Pack would come out of the first period leading 2-1.

After the Phantoms had scored inside the first minute of the game the last two times they and the Wolf Pack had met, Hartford got a goal from Kristo only 23 seconds into Tuesday’s game.  Lindberg’s shot from the left circle was denied by Adirondack goaltender Cal Heeter, but Kristo pounced on the rebound, stickhandled around Heeter and slid the puck into the net.

The Phantoms tied the game only 3:13 later, at 3:36, on the game’s first power play.  With Kyle Beach off for elbowing, McGinn buried his sixth goal in the last six Adirondack games, off the rebound of a Jason Akeson shot.

LeNeveu made a sharp save on a one-timer from the left circle by Akeson, but LeNeveu could not control the rebound.  Both Ben Holmstrom and McGinn got whacks at the loose puck, and McGinn was able to jam it inside the post to LeNeveu’s left.

The Pack responded just 1:35 after that, when Lindberg scored at 5:11.  Kristo forechecked the puck loose behind the net to Micheal Haley, and Haley found Lindberg in front for the finish past Heeter.

LeNeveu preserved the lead with a left-pad save on a Chris VandeVelde shorthanded breakaway around the 12-minute mark.

Hartford would add a pair of goals to its lead in the second period, making it a 3-1 advantage at 7:48 on Stamler’s first career AHL goal.  Stamler came down from his defense position to help the forecheck in deep, and stopped between the hash marks on his way back to the blueline, jumping on the rebound of a J.T. Miller shot and snapping it through Heeter’s legs.

The Wolf Pack then chased Heeter from the game at 14:40 of the second, when Powe scored a shorthanded goal.  Powe took a pass from Danny Syvret and launched a rising shot off left wing that beat Heeter’s catching glove for a 4-1 Wolf Pack advantage.

Yann Danis replaced Heeter (four goals-against on 17 shots) at that point and held the Wolf Pack off for the rest of the way, stopping 14 shots, but the Phantoms were unable to cut into  the lead.

Tuesday night’s game finished a four-game homestand for the Wolf Pack, who play the first of three straight road games this Friday night, February 7 in Norfolk.  The Wolf Pack and Admirals face off at 7:30 PM on Friday, and all the action can be heard live on Fox Sports Radio 1410, and on-line at www.foxsportsradio1410.com and iHeartRadio.  Video streaming is available at www.ahllive.com.

The Wolf Pack’s next home game is Saturday, February 15, a 7:00 PM contest against the AHL-leading Manchester Monarchs. The first 3,000 fans into the XL Center that night will receive their very own Dylan McIlrath bobblehead.

Tickets for all Wolf Pack 2013-14 home games are on sale now at the Public Power Ticket Office at the XL Center, on-line at www.hartfordwolfpack.com and by phone at (877) 522-8499.  Wolf Pack tickets start as low as $12 for youth 12 years old or younger.  To speak with a representative about season or group tickets, call (855) 762-6451.

Adirondack Phantoms 1 at Hartford Wolf Pack 4
Tuesday, February 4, 2014 – XL Center

Adirondack 1 0 0 – 1
Hartford 2 2 0 – 4

1st Period-1, Hartford, Kristo 17 (Lindberg, Nash), 0:23. 2, Adirondack, McGinn 13 (Holmstrom, Akeson), 3:36 (PP). 3, Hartford, Lindberg 13 (Haley, Kristo), 5:11. Penalties-Beach Hfd (elbowing), 2:56; Syvret Hfd (closing hand on puck), 7:09; FitzGerald Adk (elbowing), 11:19.

2nd Period-4, Hartford, Stamler 1 (Miller, Fast), 7:43. 5, Hartford, Powe 8 (Syvret, McIlrath), 14:40 (SH). Penalties-Holmstrom Adk (high-sticking), 0:46; Nash Hfd (hooking), 4:17; Gervais Adk (tripping), 12:33; Allen Hfd (hooking), 12:50; McGinn Adk (holding), 18:41.

3rd Period- No Scoring. Penalties-Vaive Hfd (interference), 4:35; Stamler Hfd (delay of game), 11:19; Holmstrom Adk (fighting), 13:50; Powe Hfd (fighting, major – elbowing, game misconduct – elbowing), 13:50; Newbury Adk (boarding), 15:40.

Shots on Goal-Adirondack 12-6-7-25. Hartford 9-12-10-31.
Power Play Opportunities-Adirondack 1 / 7; Hartford 0 / 4.
Goalies-Adirondack, Heeter 15-16-0 (17 shots-13 saves); Danis 6-5-2 (14 shots-14 saves). Hartford, LeNeveu 3-4-0 (25 shots-24 saves).
A-1,659
Referees-Geno Binda (22), Ryan Hersey (8).
Linesmen-Paul Simeon (66), Kevin Redding (16).