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Norfolk Admirals 5, Connecticut Whale 4 (SO)

By Brian Ring

Hartford, CT, January 21, 2012 – The Connecticut Whale were defeated by the Norfolk Admirals, 5-4 in a shootout, Saturday night at the XL Center before a crowd of 5,557. Scott Tanski scored twice for the Whale and Kelsey Tessier added two assists, but it would not be enough to surpass the Admirals. The Admirals scored twice in the third period and the Whale once to send the game to overtime tied at four.

CT WhaleRichard Panik would score the shootout winner for Norfolk, also picking up one assist in the contest, and Carter Ashton had a goal and an assist for the Admirals.

“We had a good lead in the first, they got one back in the second,” said Whale head coach Ken Gernander. “We put the emphasis on finishing the game strong, not sitting back. We were unable to maintain that third-period lead.”

The Admirals had taken a quick lead just 39 seconds into the game, when Tyler Johnson’s shot from the right circle seemed to fool Whale goaltender Chad Johnson (30 saves), deflecting off his stick and into the net. Ashton and Cory Conacher both assisted on the goal.

Andre Deveaux would get the goal right back on the power-play, as he tipped a Kris Newbury feed past Norfolk starting goaltender Dustin Tokarski at 1:26. Deveaux’s 12th goal was also assisted on by Erik Christensen, who gathered his third point in as many games (2-1-3).

The Whale would take a 2-1 lead on Tanski’s breakaway goal 3:49 into the period, as he flew down the left wing boards before beating Tokarski high to his glove side. Tanski’s third of the season was unassisted.

Ryan Bourque would cash-in just under three minutes later, roofing the puck for his third goal and chasing Tokarski from the game after he allowed three goals on three shots to start the night. Bourque was fed in the slot by Tessier. Jaroslav Janus (25 saves) would replace Tokarski.

The Admirals would get one back at the 3:58 mark of the second period, as Ondrej Palat fired a close-in shot past Johnson to close the Whale lead to 3-2. The goal was the third of the season for Palat, coming unassisted.

That would be all of the scoring in the second period, with the shots winding up identical to the first frame with Norfolk outshooting their hosts, 8-7.

Norfolk would tie the game at three 6:10 into the third period, as an open Carter Ashton received a pass from Richard Panik and backhanded a shot past Johnson. Scott Jackson received the secondary assist on the goal.

A quick power-play goal just 18 seconds later from the AHL’s leading goal-scorer Cory Conacher would put the Admirals briefly on top, 4-3. Conacher’s wrist shot from the left wing boards got past Johnson, and the Whale found themselves trailing for the first time since the opening minutes of the game.

Tanski, however, would bury his second of the night 8:13 into the third to tie the game at four. Tommy Grant passed the puck across the slot to Tanski at the far post, and he promptly one-timed it past Janus. Jordan Owens picked up the secondary assist on the goal.

Neither team could pull ahead in the rest of the third period or in overtime, and the teams headed to the shootout.

Erik Christensen would give the Whale a quick lead in the tie-breaker after the first round, but Mike Kostka would tie it and Panik would score the shootout winner in the tenth round to seal the victory and send the Whale to their ninth straight defeat (0-5-2-2).

“We’re gonna have a good week of practice, we’ve got two more big games next weekend headed into the All-Star break,” said Gernander. “We’d like to get some points headed into the All-Star break so everybody can relax and have a good feeling.”

The Whale are now off until “Trading Card Weekend” at the XL Center Friday and Saturday.  This Friday, January 27, when the Whale entertain the Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Penguins (7:00 PM faceoff), 5,000 fans will receive the Whale’s second set of player trading cards, sponsored by Webster Bank.  The featured players for this set are All-Star Jonathan Audy-Marchessault, Cam Talbot, Bourque, Tessier, Owens and, in a historical tribute, former Hartford Wolf Pack star Ryan Callahan, now captain of the parent New York Rangers.  Then the next night, Saturday, January 28, when the Springfield Falcons visit the XL Center for a 7:00 game, will feature a giveaway of additional sets of the first group of Whale trading cards.  That array included cards of All-Star Mats Zuccarello, Wade Redden, Newbury, Johnson and Carl Hagelin.  Also, after the game on January 28, selected Whale players will conduct an autograph session to sign their cards.

Tickets for these, and all Whale home games, are available at the Public Power Ticket Office at the XL Center, as well as on-line at www.ctwhale.com and through TicketMaster Charge-by-phone at 1-800-745-3000.

To continue reading, click on the read more button below if you’re on the home page.

Norfolk Admirals 5 (SO) at Connecticut Whale 4
Saturday, January 21, 2012 – XL Center Veterans Memorial Coliseum

Norfolk 1 1 2 0 – 5
Connecticut 3 0 1 0 – 4

1st Period-1, Norfolk, Johnson 14 (Ashton, Conacher), 0:39. 2, Connecticut, Deveaux 12 (Newbury, Christensen), 1:26 (PP). 3, Connecticut, Tanski 3 (Tessier), 3:49. 4, Connecticut, Bourque 3 (Tessier, Parlett), 6:33. Penalties-Ouellet Nor (slashing), 1:16; Angelidis Nor (roughing), 9:03; Owens Ct (roughing), 9:03; Bell Ct (interference), 10:55.

2nd Period-5, Norfolk, Palat 3   3:58. Penalties-Conacher Nor (goaltender interference), 0:19; Newbury Ct (goaltender interference), 5:41; Johnson Nor (boarding), 14:39.

3rd Period-6, Norfolk, Ashton 16 (Panik, Jackson), 6:10. 7, Norfolk, Conacher 24 (Kostka), 6:28 (PP). 8, Connecticut, Tanski 4 (Grant, Owens), 8:13. Penalties-Jackson Nor (fighting), 6:10; Nightingale Ct (fighting), 6:10; Voros Ct (cross-checking), 6:10.

OT Period- No Scoring. Penalties-Angelidis Nor (roughing), 3:40; Newbury Ct (roughing), 3:40.

Shootout – Norfolk 2 (Gudas NG, Ashton NG, Kostka G, Barberio NG, Conacher NG, Ouellet NG, Fornataro NG, Dimmen NG, Johnson NG, Panik G), Connecticut 1 (Christensen G, Audy-Marchessault NG, Bell NG, Newbury NG, Tanski NG, Bouchard NG, Thuresson NG, Bourque NG, Deveaux NG, Erixon NG).
Shots on Goal-Norfolk 8-8-13-5-1-35. Connecticut 7-7-11-4-0-29.
Power Play Opportunities-Norfolk 1 / 3; Connecticut 1 / 3.
Goalies-Norfolk, Tokarski 17-9-0 (3 shots-0 saves); Janus 8-6-2 (26 shots-25 saves). Connecticut, Johnson 10-8-5 (34 shots-30 saves).
A-5,557
Referees-Terry Koharski (10).
Linesmen-Derek Wahl (46), Luke Galvin (2).

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UConn Women Shellack DePaul 88-44

If Geno Auriemma’s UConn Huskies women’s basketball team keeps beating his friends’ teams badly, he’s going to end up with no friends.

Last Saturday, it was Harry Perretta’s Villanova Wildcats squad. This Saturday, it was his Olympic assistant coach and good friend Doug Bruno’s DePaul Blue Demons.

Connecticut's Kaleena Mosqueda-Lewis left, goes up for a shot against DePaul's Jasmine Penny right, in the second half during an NCAA college basketball game in Chicago, Saturday, Jan. 21, 2012Kaleena Mosqueda-Lewis scored 25 points to help the Huskies to a relatively easy 88-44 win over the Blue Demons in front of 4,001 at McGrath-Phillips Arena in Chicago, IL.

The No. 3 Huskies, who completed a 3-0 week which included wins over two ranked teams, improve to 17-2 (6-1 Big East). The injury-depleted Blue Demons fall to 15-5 (3-3).

Besides tying her career-high of 25 points, KML pulled down seven rebounds. Tiffany Hayes added 14 points, five rebounds, four assists and three steals while Stefanie Dolson had 10 points, seven rebounds and three blocked shots. Bria Hartley chipped in with 10 points and six steals but had five turnovers.

As usual, Kelly Faris had a nice all around game with eight points, seven rebounds, six assists, two steals and three blocked shots.

Brittany Hrynko led the Blue Demons with 18 points and four rebounds but she did turn the ball over nine times.  Jasmine Penny added seven points while Deanna Ortiz had six. DePaul’s leading scorer, Anna Martin, was held scoreless.

As the game of basketball goes, so do the runs.

The Huskies started this game out with an 11-0 run before DePaul finally got on the scoreboard on a Katherine Harry jumper with 16:14 to go in the half. UConn followed that run with an 11-3 run to open up a 17 point lead.

Over the next six or so minutes the play was a little helter skelter as both teams had trouble scoring and taking care of the ball. DePaul would work UConn’s lead down to 12 a few times before things started clicking for them.

With a 32-16 lead, the Huskies seized control of the game with a 21-4 run to push their lead to 33 points at 53-20. Hrynko hit two free throws just before halftime to cut UConn’s lead to 31 points.

Within the first six minutes of the half, UConn worked the lead up to 40 points and allowed Auriemma to rest his starters and get the bench some more work.

The one bad thing to come from the game was the fact that Caroline Doty tweaked her knee in the first half after playing just two minutes. There wasn’t any noticeable play where she did it but it could have come from the fact that UConn just played on Thursday night and then had an awful travel day on Friday with the weather that plagued the Midwest before hitting the Northeast on Saturday.

The Huskies couldn’t land in Chicago due to the inclement weather so they were forced to Indianpolis and then took a five hour snowy bus ride to get to Chicago. So without speculating, I’m going to say that’s probably what helped force Doty from the game. Hopefully, it turns out to be nothing and she’ll be back on the court next time out.

That next time out will come on Wednesday night when the Huskies head to upstate New York for a matchup with the Syracuse Orange. Tip is scheduled for 7 p.m. and the game will be televised locally in Connecticut on CPTV.

To continue reading the UConn Huskies @ DePaul Blue Demons recap, click on the read more button below if you’re on the home page.

Notes and musings:

UConn Huskies @ DePaul Blue Demons 1.21.12 box score

UConn ended DePaul’s 28-game home winning streak. Ironically enough, UConn was the last team to beat them at home back on February 10, 2010.

The starters for the Huskies were the usual five of Bria Hartley, Caroline Doty, Tiffany Hayes, Kelly Faris and Stefanie Dolson.

Tiffany Hayes has now scored in double figures in eight straight games.

UConn shot 54.7% (29-53) from the floor while the Blue Demons shot 27.8% (15-54).

The Huskies had 19 assists on their 29 made baskets.

UConn shot 47.4% (9-19) from beyond the arc while DePaul shot 30.8% (8-26).

The Huskies went 21-of-26 (80.8%) from the charity stripe.

UConn dominated the glass, outrebounding the Blue Demons 48-22.

The Huskies scored 33 points off of 23 DePaul turnovers. The Blue Demons nine points off 19 UConn turnovers.

UConn outscored DePaul 30-8 in the paint and just 4-2 on the fast break.

The Huskies had 20 second chance points to eight for the Blue Demons.

UConn’s bench had 46 points.

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Photo credit: AP Photo

Tennessee Upsets UConn, 60-57

Connecticut's Roscoe Smith, left, and Brendan Allen look on in the final seconds of an NCAA college basketball game against Tennessee on Saturday, Jan. 21, 2012, in Knoxville, Tenn.

Given the inconsistent play from his UConn Huskies team at times this season, it makes you wonder if Jim Calhoun is thinking that maybe he should have retired on top after they won the 2011 NCAA Men’s Basketball Championship.

Jarnell Stokes, playing in just his third collegiate game, scored 16 points to help the Tennessee Volunteers to the 60-57 upset win over the Huskies in front of 21,114 at Thompson-Boling Arena in Knoxville, TN on Saturday afternoon.

It’s the second straight loss for the Huskies, a feat that’s been accomplished twice now this season, who fall to 14-5. The Volunteers ended their three-game losing streak and improve to 9-10.

Jeremy Lamb woke up from his slumber to lead UConn with 23 points. Shabazz Napier added 18 points, four rebounds and four assists while Andre Drummond had six points and a team-high nine rebounds.

Besides his 16 points, Stokes added 12 rebounds for a double-double and also had two blocks. Cameron Tatum was the only other Volunteer in double figures with 15 points.

The Huskies jumped out to a 4-0 lead in the first two and half minutes of the game before the Volunteers responded with a 7-2 run to take a one point lead. After an exchange of baskets, Tennessee went on a 6-0 run to open up a five point lead.

UConn bounced back with a 5-0 run capped off by a Napier three to tie the game back up. The two teams would stay close for the rest of the first half with Tennessee’s biggest lead coming at three points and UConn’s at two points. They’d also have four more ties as well.

The Huskies did hold a two point lead at the half at 27-25 but the Volunteers would take the lead for good by opening up the half on a 9-0 run to open up a seven point lead. UConn would respond with a 6-0 run to cut the lead to one but that’s the closest they would get.

Tennessee would build their lead to 10 points at 53-43 with 3:15 to go before UConn would battle back. Part of the reason that UConn was able to get back in the game was the fact that the Volunteers couldn’t make a free throw.

But down the stretch run while Lamb and Napier would hit threes, Tennessee would hit 7-of-10 free throws to seal the three point win.

We know the Huskies really miss Ryan Boatright. It was definitely evident in the loss.

Sure it was nice to see Lamb get involved with the offense again but the problem was the only two who really could do anything were Lamb and Napier. The problem was that Napier looked tired at times and seemed to be forcing shots, more than likely a result of being fatigued. Having Boatright would have eliminated that.

UConn hasn’t been able to do much in their offensive sets in the two straight losses. The good news is they’ll have eight days to correct the problem.

The Huskies aren’t back in action until next Sunday, January 29th, when they’ll host the Notre Dame Fighting Irish at the XL Center in Hartford, CT.

To continue reading the UConn Huskies @ Tennessee Volunteers recap, click on the read more button below if you’re on the home page.

Notes and musings:

UConn Huskies @ Tennessee Volunteers 1.21.11 box score

UConn is now 6-3 without Ryan Boatright and 8-2 with him.

The starters for the Huskies were Shabazz Napier, Jeremy Lamb, Niels Giffey, Alex Oriakhi and Andre Drummond.

UConn shot 36.4% (20-55) from the floor while the Volunteers shot 42.3% (22-52).

The Huskies had just eight assists on their 20 made baskets.

Both teams were 6-of-18 (33.3%) from beyond the arc.

UConn was 11-of-17 (64.7%) from the free throw line. That’s not going to win ball games. Tennessee was 10-of-21 (47.6%) but as I said above, they hit 7-of-10 down the stretch.

The Volunteers outscored the Huskies 22-20 in the paint.

UConn outscored Tennessee 5-2 on the fast break.

The Huskies had nine points off of 10 Tennessee turnovers. The Volunteers had 11 points off of 11 UConn turnovers.

UConn outrebounded Tennessee 39-37.

The Huskies had nine second chance points to four for the Volunteers.

UConn got no production from its bench.

The Huskies wore shirts in pre-game warmups that support Tennessee women’s coach Pat Summitt who is battling dementia.

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Photo credit: AP Photo

Scu Scu Scutaro Traded To Rockies

Boston Red Sox base runner Marco Scutaro (R) is tagged out at home plate by Baltimore Orioles catcher Matt Wieters in the ninth inning of their MLB American League baseball game in Baltimore, Maryland September 28, 2011.

Yesterday, there were rumors out there that the Boston Red Sox were going to be shipping Marco Scutaro to the Colorado Rockies. Those rumors ended up being shot down just a few hours later.

24 hours later, it appears that the move is happening.

According to Troy Renck of the Denver Post, the Red Sox have traded Scutaro to the Rockies. In return, the Red Sox will receive relief pitcher Clayton Mortensen.

For the Red Sox, it’s a salary dump of $6 million which could mean that they possibly have something in the works for another starting pitcher whether it be a free agent or in a trade. They have had interest in free agent Roy Oswalt during the offseason but had been waiting for his price to come down.

Edwin Jackson is also available on the free agent market but the rumors are that he’s been looking for a long-term deal. That is something the Red Sox aren’t looking to do.

The big question right now is who will play shortstop for the Red Sox this season.

Unless they think Jose Iglesias is ready, the odds on favorites to play there are Nick Punto and Mike Aviles. Of course, Aviles is also being considered as part of the competition for the right field spot.

It’s also quite possible the Red Sox are freeing up money to go after another outfielder with the uncertainity of Carl Crawford for the season opener and the aforementioned open right field spot.

In Scutaro’s two years with the Red Sox, he hit .284 with 18 home runs, 110 RBIs and nine stolen bases.

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Photo credit: Reuters Pictures

Paw Prints – The Daily UConn Roundup – 1/21

Paw Prints The 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 some of the other sports. 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 Knoxville, TN for a matchup with the Tennessee Volunteers. Tip is scheduled for 4 p.m. and the game will be televised nationally on CBS.

It’s also game day for the UConn women’s basketball team as they are in Chicago, IL for a matchup with the DePaul Blue Demons. Tip is scheduled for 8 p.m. and the game will be broadcast locally in Connecticut on CPTV.

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

UConn Men’s Basketball links

UConn Supports Summitt, Still Missing Boatright [David Borges – New Haven Register]

Dom answered a questioned in his mailbag [Dom Amore – Hartford Courant]

Know Your Enemy: Tennessee [UConn Huskies Basketball]

Jim Calhoun Spends Thursday at “ESPN Car Wash” [UConnHuskies.com]

Men’s Hoops To Play At Tennessee Saturday at 4 p.m. [UConnHuskies.com]

UConn men next in line of tough foes for Tennessee [CT Post]

Tennessee In Transition, But Still Dangerous, Awaits UConn Men [Hartford Courant]

Showing Respect [Journal Inquirer]

Huskies, Volunteers both in need of a win [New Haven Register]

Huskies need Lamb to be more assertive [The Day]

UConn Men’s Basketball Glance — UConn at Tennessee [The Hour]

Guilty Until Proved Innocent [NY Times]

UConn Women’s Basketball links

Another huge game for Breanna Stewart [Jim Fuller – New Haven Register]

Bruno, Gillom, Meadors Named Olympic Assistants Under Auriemma [Rich Elliott – CT Post]

No. 3 UConn Travels To No. 21 DePaul On Saturday [UConnHuskies.com]

UConn’s Mosqueda-Lewis thrives in 6th-man role [CT Post]

Another Big East Game, Another One Of Geno’s Buddies [Hartford Courant]

Freshman Mosqueda-Lewis has 6th sense [Journal Inquirer]

No Maya Moore doesn’t make DePaul coach Doug Bruno feel any better [New Haven Register]

UConn Women’s Basketball Glance — UConn at DePaul [The Hour]

UConn Football links

Big East offseason to-do lists [Andrea Adelson – ESPN.com]

Other UConn related links

W. Lacrosse. Lacrosse Picked Sixth In Preseason Coaches Poll [UConnHuskies.com]

W. Ice Hockey. Slattery’s Goal Forces OT and Eventual 1-1 Tie at Maine [UConnHuskies.com]

M. Track. Huskies Finish First At Great Dane Classic [UConnHuskies.com]

M. Ice Hockey. UConn’s Four-Game Winning Streak Halted By Robert Morris, 4-3 [UConnHuskies.com]

W. Track. Women’s Track & Field Earns First Place [UConnHuskies.com]

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St. John’s IceCaps 2, Connecticut Whale 1 (OT)

By Brian Ring

Hartford, CT, January 20, 2012 – The Connecticut Whale were defeated in overtime, 2-1, by the St. John’s IceCaps Friday night at the XL Center. Jason Jaffray recorded the game-winning goal for St. John’s just 16 seconds into overtime on a tough deflection. Erik Christensen tallied the lone goal for the Whale in the contest.

CT Whale“We got better as the game went on, it was important to get a point,” said Whale head coach Ken Gernander. “It was a much needed point at this juncture.”

The IceCaps got on the board first, as Riley Holzapfel cashed in on the third St. John’s power-play of the opening period. Holzapfel would stuff defenseman Paul Postma’s rebound past Whale goaltender Cam Talbot (35 saves) with 2:29 remaining in the frame. Spencer Machacek also assisted on the goal, registering his team-leading 29th point (10-19-29).

Neither team would score in the second period, despite each side receiving a pair of power-play opportunities. St. John’s goaltender Edward Pasquale (26 saves) kept the IceCaps out in front with an incredible diving save midway through the period, gloving Kris Newbury’s point-blank try with a last-ditch effort.

Christensen tied the game with his second goal in as many games at 16:33 of the third period, deflecting Tim Erixon’s shot from the point under the crossbar past Pasquale. Tommy Grant set up the play, earning the secondary assist.

That would be all of the scoring through regulation, as for the second straight period the IceCaps outshot the Whale 11-9. Talbot, however, stood tall for Connecticut and Pasquale’s efforts kept the Whale from taking the lead on multiple chances later on in the third frame.

The Whale and IceCaps headed to overtime knotted at just a goal apiece, but Jaffray would end the game on the first shift of the extra period. Jaffray got his stick on an Aaron Gagnon shot, which knuckled the puck through the air and past Talbot for the game-winner. Brett Festerling also assisted on the goal, which sent the Whale to their eighth straight defeat in 2012 (0-6-1-1).  The Whale did, though, get at least a standings point for the eighth consecutive home game (5-0-1-2).

“We have another big opponent (the Norfolk Admirals) tomorrow night, but it’s a starting point,” said Gernander. “We need a bigger, more concerted effort to get over the hump here.”

Saturday night, January 21, features a doubleheader of hockey action at the XL Center.  At 3:00 PM, the Boston Blades of the Canadian Women’s Hockey League, the top league in women’s pro hockey, take on Team Alberta in a CWHL regular-season contest, the “International Women’s Hockey Challenge”, presented by Aetna.  Then, at 7:00, the Whale face off against the Admirals.  A ticket to the Whale game is also good for admission to the CWHL contest.  Also on Saturday night, 3,000 fans receive a Wade Redden bobblehead, courtesy of Click It or Ticket.

Tickets to that game, and all Whale home games, are available at the Public Power Ticket Office at the XL Center, as well as on-line at www.ctwhale.com and through TicketMaster Charge-by-phone at 1-800-745-3000.

To continue reading, click on the read more button below if you’re on the home page.

St. John’s IceCaps 2 (OT) at Connecticut Whale 1
Friday, January 20, 2012 – XL Center Veterans Memorial Coliseum

St. John’s 1 0 0 1 – 2
Connecticut 0 0 1 0 – 1

1st Period-1, St. John’s, Holzapfel 8 (Postma, Machacek), 17:31 (PP). Penalties-Klassen Ct (cross-checking), 1:49; Klassen Ct (boarding), 9:39; Christensen Ct (hooking), 15:48; Machacek Stj (hooking), 19:13.

2nd Period- No Scoring. Penalties-served by Gregoire Stj (bench minor – too many men), 5:52; Postma Stj (tripping), 7:59; Voros Ct (roughing), 12:31; Nightingale Ct (roughing), 17:28.

3rd Period-2, Connecticut, Christensen 2 (Erixon, Grant), 3:27. Penalties-Kulda Stj (fighting), 1:30; Newbury Ct (fighting), 1:30; Thuresson Ct (cross-checking), 7:02.

OT Period-3, St. John’s, Jaffray 12 (Gagnon, Festerling), 0:16. Penalties-No Penalties

Shots on Goal-St. John’s 14-11-11-1-37. Connecticut 9-9-9-0-27.
Power Play Opportunities-St. John’s 1 / 6; Connecticut 0 / 3.
Goalies-St. John’s, Pasquale 8-5-0 (27 shots-26 saves). Connecticut, Talbot 9-10-0 (37 shots-35 saves).
A-3,957
Referees-Jarrod Ragusin (54), Chris Brown (86).
Linesmen-Luke Galvin (2), Brent Colby (7).

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UConn Receives $1.05 Million in Donations For Basketball Practice Facility

UConn Practice Facility

Here’s the press release from UConn announcing that they have received $1.05 million in donations for the proposed basketball practice facility.

STORRS, Conn. – Continuing the momentum generated by the recent announcement of Peter and Pam Werth’s $4.5 million commitment to a new Basketball Development Center, UConn’s Division of Athletics is pleased to report that two additional gifts totaling $1.05 million have been received.

The donors, who have asked to remain anonymous, have each pledged approximately $500,000 to the project. Both are UConn alumni and long-time supporters of the University and the Division of Athletics. The two donors cited the legacy of men’s basketball coach head coach Jim Calhoun, associate head coach George Blaney and the rest of the basketball staff, along with the goal of future NCAA championships, as the primary motivation for the gifts.

“Our supporters continue to show their generosity and enthusiasm as we move closer to making this project a reality,” said Paul Pendergast, UConn’s Interim Director of Athletics. “These individuals are dedicated supporters of our programs and truly understand the value of providing top-notch facilities so that our student-athletes can perform to the best of their abilities in both academics and athletics.”

The Basketball Development Center will be a 70,000 square foot facility to be located on the current Memorial Stadium site, and is the first major construction project at UConn to be funded entirely through private donations. It will feature dedicated practice gyms for the men’s and women’s basketball programs, along with locker rooms, coaches’ offices and areas for academic support, video analysis, sports medicine and strength training.

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Photo credit: UConnHuskies.com

Red Sox Announce 2012 Minor League Field Staffs

Here’s the press release from the Boston Red Sox announcing the coaching staffs for the minor league affiliates.

BOSTON, MA – The Boston Red Sox today announced the 2012 field staffs for each of their six minor league teams.

The announcement of managers, coaches and athletic trainers was made by Director of Player Development Ben Crockett.

The Red Sox have added three new individuals for assignment in the 2012 field staff alignment, hiring Gerald Perry as the hitting coach at Triple-A Pawtucket, Darren Fenster as the hitting coach at Single-A Greenville and Noah Hall as a coach at the club’s rookie level Gulf Coast League team.

BOSTON RED SOX 2012 MINOR LEAGUE FIELD STAFFS

Pawtucket Red SoxPawtucket (Triple-A, International League)
Manager: Arnie Beyeler
Pitching Coach: Rich Sauveur
Hitting Coach: Gerald Perry – Joins Pawtucket after serving as the Oakland Athletics hitting coach in 2011. Perry previously spent four seasons in the Boston organization as a minor league hitting coach with Single-A Michigan (1997) and Pawtucket (1998 and 2010) and was the club’s minor league hitting coordinator in 1999.
Athletic Trainer: Jon Jochim

Portland Sea DogsPortland (Double-A, Eastern League)
Manager: Kevin Boles
Pitching Coach: Bob Kipper
Hitting Coach: Dave Joppie
Athletic Trainer: Brandon Henry – Begins his first year with Portland after spending the last two seasons as athletic trainer for Salem. He enters his sixth season with the organization having also served as athletic trainer for Greenville (2009) and Lowell (2008-07).

To continue reading, click on the read more button below if you’re on the home page.

Salem Red SoxSalem (High-A, Carolina League)
Manager: Billy McMillon – Will serve as Salem’s manager after skippering at Greenville from 2010-11. He led the Drive to the South Atlantic League Championship Series in his 2010 managerial debut.
Pitching Coach: Kevin Walker
Hitting Coach: Rich Gedman – Joins Salem after serving last season as hitting coach for Lowell in his first coaching position in affiliated ball.
Athletic Trainer: David Herrera – Moves to Salem from Greenville, where he was the Drive’s athletic trainer from 2010-11. He also held that position for Lowell (2009) and the GCL Red Sox (2008).

Greenville DriveGreenville (Single-A, South Atlantic League)
Manager: Carlos Febles – Moves to Greenville after making his managerial debut with Lowell in 2011. He was Salem’s hitting coach from 2009-10 and held the same role for Single-A Lancaster in 2008.
Pitching Coach: Dick Such
Hitting Coach: Darren Fenster- Joins Greenville in his affiliated coaching debut after spending six seasons on the Rutgers University baseball staff, including three as an assistant coach (2009-11). He also served as an assistant coach for the Cape Cod Baseball League’s Orleans Cardinals in 2008. Selected by Kansas City in the 12th round of the 2000 First-Year Player Draft, Fenster spent five seasons in the Royals minor league system and was named a Carolina League All-Star in 2002 and 2004.
Athletic Trainer: Mauricio Elizondo- Enters his fifth season in the Red Sox organization and his first as athletic trainer with Greenville. He previously served as athletic trainer for Lowell (2010-11) after joining the system as an intern with the GCL Red Sox (2008-09).

Lowell SpinnersLowell (Short-A, New York-Penn League)
Manager: Bruce Crabbe – Returns to Lowell after serving as Salem’s manager in 2011. This will be his third season at the helm of the Spinners (also 2006 and 2010).
Pitching Coach: Paul Abbott
Hitting Coach: Nelson Paulino – Joins Lowell as hitting coach after serving in the same capacity for the Dominican Summer League Red Sox over five seasons from 2001-02 and 2008-11.
Athletic Trainer: TBA

GCL Red SoxGulf Coast (Rookie, Gulf Coast League)
Manager: George Lombard
Pitching Coach: Goose Gregson
Pitching Coach: Walter Miranda
Coach: Dave Tomlin
Hitting Coach: U.L. Washington
Coach: Noah Hall – Makes his coaching debut after playing parts of 13 seasons as an outfielder in affiliated minor league baseball from 1996-2009. He also played parts of five seasons in independent leagues (2001, 2007 and 2009-11).

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