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Fighting Irish fans’ hoops hopes fade
N
by
Eli Kaberon
ormally, when the words ‘disappointment’ and ‘Notre Dame’ are in the same sentence, the topic is football. Examples of this would be “Charlie Weis has been such a disappointment as Notre Dame’s football coach.” or “I wish Jimmy Clausen wasn’t Notre Dame’s quarterback, he has been a Charlie Weis-sized disappointment.” (Maybe there’s a theme here?) But in 2009, it hasn’t been spotty tackling and a weak running game that has lead to the demise of the Fighting Irish. It hasn’t even been in the shadow of Touchdown Jesus where the problems have taken place for the green and gold. It’s been basketball, a usual afterthought in South Bend. At the start of the season, predictions of great things were placed on Notre Dame. Instead, all it has been is disappointment. Last year, Notre Dame was the surprise of the Big East, finishing 24-7 overall and 14-4 in the conference, which tied for second in the league. Leading the way was sophomore big man Luke Harangody, who in just under 30 minutes a game was putting up 20 points and 11 rebounds. Harangody helped the Irish to a number five seed in the 2008 NCAA tournament and a trip to the second round. Following the season, the All-American announced he was returning for his junior season, and many predicted that 2009 was going to be the year Notre Dame competed for the National Championship. Instead, as the 2009 calendar rolls from February to the important month of March, the Irish have regressed. They currently (as of Feb. 28) rest at 16-12 overall, 7-9 in the Big East and on the outside looking in when it comes to the NCAA tournament. But what’s the reason? Sure, the conference as a whole is tougher this year than it was last, but shouldn’t Notre Dame have improved along with everybody else? The downfall definitely hasn’t been the fault of Harangody. He’s putting up even better numbers this year, going for 24 points and
Photo
by
Chris Williams/Icon SMI
Notre Dame’s Luke Harangody and teammates watch in frustration game play against UCLA at Pauley Pavilion in Westwood, Calif. Saturday February 7, 2009. High hopes for the Irish this season have dwindled.
13 rebounds a game, both of which rank top ten nationally. In the Irish’s biggest win thus far this season, February 12 over Louisville, Harangody was a monster with 32 points and 17 rebounds, both season-highs. Another first-team All Big East selection is likely. But his supporting cast has struggled. Without center Rob Kurz, who graduated after posting 13 points and seven rebounds a game in 2008, the Irish haven’t been able to get much low-post scoring. And the defense, which was a strong point a year ago, has been a weakness this season. Blocks, steals and rebounds have all decreased in ’09, and the Irish, who have averaged scoring about 79 points a game in each season, have had game’s this year where they allowed 102 point to North Carolina) and 93 points three times, to Syracuse, Pittsburgh and Cincinnati. Not surprisingly, Notre Dame is 0-4 in those contests. Thankfully for coach Mike Brey and his team, the month of March can redeem all past mistakes. A few wins to wind down the regular
season, then a few more in the Big East Tournament, and the Irish could be a nice dark horse in the NCAA’s. With Harangody’s all-around play and a few lucky breaks, Notre Dame could be one to watch. But if the season continues on its current path, and the Fight-
ing Irish don’t put together the victories they need to advance into the field of 64, they will only have themselves to blame. And Notre Dame fans will have to sit around for the next five months waiting for football, thinking about the disappointment.
PUBLISHED BY: The Chicago Sports Review The Chicago Sports Review is published monthly. The Chicago Sports Review is not responsible for display advertisements,and their contents. Reproduction in whole or in part without publisher’s written permission is prohibited. For questions or comments contact:: THE CHICAGO SPORTS REVIEW 13520 St. Mary Circle, Orland Park, IL 60462 708.403.3285 office | 708.774.4464 cell | 708.403.3280 fax To read more great sports articles visit chicagosportsreview.net Publisher, lead photographer & Editor in Chief Warren Wimmer
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Stats: What’s the point by
R
Eli Kaberon
eally, what’s the point of looking at statistics for college basketball teams? There must be a good reason numbers regarding offensive rebounds per game, defensive efficiency rating and assist-to-turnover ratio are thrown around a lot this time of year. Somebody seems to find value in examining a coach’s win-loss records on neutral courts or a teams winning percentage when their opponent shoots less than 13 free throws a game. But really what’s the point? Truth is, the real question should be who’s the point? No stat or trend plays as big of
a role in a college team’s success than their point guard. A solid ball handler, decision maker and team leader will result in a sold team, ajust as a exceptional player in those categories will lead to an exceptional team. Like a quarterback in football and a baseball team’s starting pitcher, the point guard plays the biggest role in determining if his squad will win and lose on any given night. Examine two teams in the Big East, Georgetown and Marquette. Both teams shoot 47% from the field, with the Golden Eagles holing a slight edge in three-point percentage (36% to 34%) and the Hoyas narrowly leading in free
throw percentage (72% to 71%). Defensively, the teams have the exact same number for steals per game, 8.1, and Georgetown blocks one more shot a game than Marquette (4 to 3.1). Rebounding goes to the Golden Eagles, who bring down 36 missed shots a game compared to Georgetown’s 33. And since they play in the same league, their schedules aren’t too different. So then why is Marquette 20-3 overall, 9-1 in the Big East and ranked #10 in the country compared to the Hoyas, who are 13-9 and 4-7 in the league? It’s all about the point guards. Dominic James, the primary ball handler for the Golden Eagles, is a senior who has been through the conference wars before. James has 117 assists to only 42 turnovers (a 2.8 assist-toturnover ratio) meaning he usually is making the smart play with the rock in his hands. It also helps that James plays on a team that has a bunch of quality scorers, a reason his nearly 12 points a game is forth among Golden Eagles. Compare that to Georgetown sophomore Chris Wright, who for the first time in his college career is running the show. With only 30 more assists than turnovers and more S A L E S •
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field goal attempts than his team’s best player, Wright hasn’t necessarily been right for one of the Big East’s most disappointing teams. For proof closer to home, examine the rise in play of point man Chester Frazier. Last season, when the Illini were in the midst of a 13-18 year that finished with the school missing the NCAA Tournament for the firs time in nine years, Frazier was often at fault. Though he wasn’t the only player wearing orange and blue who struggled, the Baltimore native’s five points, five rebounds, three and a half assists and two turnovers a game weren’t helping too much. This year, with the Illini at 19-5, the point guard has been a completely different player. His averages in points, assists, steals, field goal percentage, free throw percentage and threepoint percentage have all increased, while minutes and turnovers are both down. Frazier’s improved play and the team’s improved record are no coincidence. This isn’t a recent trend either. In the past four NBA Drafts, since 2005, six point guards have been taken as one of the first five picks (Chris Paul, Deron Williams, Raymond Felton, Mike Conley, Jr., Derrick Rose and OJ Mayo). Four of those players- Williams, Felton, Conley and Rose- played in the Final Four the season before they were drafted. And according to the website nbadraft.net, the top two college point guards in terms of draft potential are Jeff Teague of Wake Forest and Ty Lawson of North Carolina, both of whom are top-10 teams. Obviously, point guard play is not the only key to winning basketball. All those other stats previously mentioned have some meaning, and when the NCAA Tournament rolls around next month, nothing will have more importance on a team’s success than their matchup. But when it comes down to it, and a game is on the line, take the team with the better point guard.
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Aaron Heilman delivers a pitch during a spring training game against the White Sox at Cashman Field in Las Vegas Thursday March 5, 2009. The White Sox beat the Cubs by a score of 4-3 and sweep the two game preseason exhibition series.
The Chicago Cubs and the Chicago White Sox play a spring training exhibition game at Cashman Field in Las Vegas.
Lou Piniella and Jeff Cox (8) exchange line up cards prior to a spring training game.
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ABOVE: Chicago White Sox batter Jerry Owens lays down a bunt during the seventh inning of play against the Cubs. = White Sox pitcher Jeff Marquez delivers a pitch to Chicago Cubs left fielder Alfonso Soriano. Cubs’ outfielder Jake Fox signs autographs prior to a game against the White Sox.
Showdown at
glitter
Gulch Photos
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Warren Wimmer
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Four NHL Teams to open upcoming season in Europe New York/Toronto/ Stockholm/Helsinki – The National Hockey League (NHL) and the National Hockey League Players’ Association (NHLPA), in cooperation with Live Nation Sweden, IMG Sweden and Harry Harkimo/Jokerit HC Oy in Finland, announced today that the Detroit Red Wings, St. Louis Blues, Chicago Blackhawks and Florida Panthers will open the 2009-2010 NHL regular season in Europe. The Blackhawks and Panthers will play home-and-home games Friday, Oct. 2, and Saturday, Oct. 3, in Helsinki, Finland, at Hartwall Areena. On those same dates, the Red Wings and Blues will play a home-and-home series at Ericsson Globe Arena in Stockholm, Sweden. Finland and Sweden are the top ranked countries in terms of overseas visitors to NHL.com. The roster of the defending Stanley Cup champion Detroit Red Wings currently is comprised of numerous Swedish players – including captain Nicklas Lidstrom,
2008 Conn Smythe Trophy winner Henrik Zetterberg, Johan Franzen, Tomas Holmstrom and Niklas Kronwall. The Blues boast a dynamic Swedish player of their own in center Patrik Berglund, a first-round draft pick of the team in 2006 and participant in the 2009 NHL YoungStars Game on the rookie team. The Chicago Blackhawks will be playing in Europe for the first time in 17 years. The franchise played a two-game exhibition series against the Montreal Canadiens at London’s Wembley Arena in September, 1992. NHL
Premiere 2009 will be the first games ever played in Europe by the Florida Panthers organization and the first regular-season NHL games ever played in Finland. “The NHL Premiere games are a signature event for the League, our players and our fans,” said NHL Commissioner Gary Bettman. “Playing regular-season games overseas is an excellent way to further engage the passionate NHL fan base in Europe and encourage the growth of the game of hockey.”
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“The 2009 Premiere games continue an important tradition of showcasing NHL players to an international audience,” said Paul Kelly, NHLPA Executive Director. “Our members look forward to displaying their skills in front of the knowledgeable and enthusiastic hockey fans in Finland and Sweden.” The NHL opened the 200809 regular season in Europe in front of capacity crowds when the New York Rangers and Tampa Bay Lightning played two games in Prague, Czech Republic, and the Pittsburgh Penguins and Ottawa Senators squared off in a two-game set in Stockholm. The Anaheim Ducks and Los Angeles Kings opened the 2007-08 NHL regular season in front of two sellout crowds at O2 Arena in London. Previously, the NHL hosted three successful Game One events in Japan in 1997, 1998 and 2000.
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Fans visit track to get better seats, camping BROOKLYN, Mich. — When race fan David Bauer and two of his friends, David Weber and Jim Grinnell, started their journey at 5 a.m. they knew their 2 ½-hour trip would end at Michigan International Speedway. The three friends from the Saginaw, Mich., area are avid race fans and have attended NASCAR races at MIS since the early 1970s. They wanted to get to the Irish Hills track early Wednesday to take advantage of the upgrade/relocation period to obtain better seats and additional camping for the 2009 season. Little did the trio know that other fans would show up early, too — some from Canada, and many braving icy, snowy conditions. “This was the perfect time to
upgrade our seats in the center grandstands and get another campsite next to the two we already have had for many years,” Grinnell said. “All three of us have been coming to MIS for a long time and we always enjoy driving down and working with the ticket office, which does a great job.” Bauer, who resides in Zilwaukee, Mich., near Saginaw, has been attending races at MIS since 1972. Over time, they have upgraded seats throughout the years, hoping for the perfect view of the two-mile oval. “We attend the June and August race weekends every year and I think I’ve only missed three races in all these years of coming here,” Bauer said. “It took a long time to
get the seats we have after upgrading year after year, but it’s worth it. Additionally, the group camps at MIS to complete the NASCAR experience. “We love camping in the speedway’s Brooklyn Trails Campground. It’s been fun for all of us,” Bauer added. Many MIS race fans have had tickets since the speedway’s first NASCAR race in 1969. These longtime fans have upgraded their seats over the years giving them the best seats in the house. Grinnell, Bauer and Weber will eventually hand their seats down to their kids after years of upgrading. “We hope that all of us can hand our tickets down to the next generation,” Grinnell said. “We’ve enjoyed
Chicago Sports Review
this experience for many years.” Relocation is a tradition at MIS that race fans and MIS staff take very seriously and look forward to. Fans who upgrade seats in-person are greeted with hot coffee and a handshake from track President Roger Curtis, who tries to meet most of the fans and thank them for their support. Fans can also call the speedway’s toll-free number during the period to upgrade their seats until 9 p.m. every day. The ticket renewal process began last fall. Customers who renewed their seats, camping sites and/or hospitality packages now have the opportunity to relocate to better seats and campsite locations or simContinued
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Skating with the Pack
Minnesota Wild left wing Peter Olvecky (28) splits the Hawks defense of Duncan Keith (2) and defenseman Brian Campbell (51) and buries the puck while both teams were at even strength. Olvecky’s goal turned out to be the winning tally at the 3:30 mark of the third period of play to make the score of 2-1. The Blackhawks would not score for the duration of the contest. The Wild would go on to defeat the Blackhawks 2-1 in regulation at the United Center in Chicago Sunday Feb. 22, 2009. (CSR Photo by Warren Wimmer)
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Upper left: Blackhawks center Jonathan Toews (19) celebrates scoring the third goal of the night for his first career hat trick with teammate Troy
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February17, 2008 Blackhawks 4 Penguins 5 OT CSR Photos
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Brouwer (22). LOWER LEFT: Blackhawks right wing Patrick Kane (88) drives down the right wing. ABOVE: Blackhawks center Jonathan Toews
(19) is defended by Penguins defenseman Brooks Orpik (44) during at the United Center in Chicago Friday Feb. 27, 2009.
Chicago Blackhawks right wing Martin Havlat (24) looks to pass during play against the Pittsburgh Penguins.
Pittsburgh Penguins goalie MarcAndre Fleury (29) stops a shot by Hawks forward Patrick Kane (88).
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White Sox News & Notes Sox to broadcast 39 games in Spanish CHICAGO – The Chicago White Sox and Univision Radio’s La Tremenda (WRTO 1200 AM) have extended their agreement to broadcast a select number of White Sox games in Spanish for a fifth consecutive season in 2009. There are 39 scheduled Spanish broadcasts of White Sox games for the 2009 season. This season will feature the broadcast of a road game vs. the Milwaukee Brewers, along with home broadcasts of games vs. the Tampa Bay Rays, Los Angeles Dodgers, Chicago Cubs, New York Yankees and Boston Red Sox. La Tremenda will present its first Spanish-language broadcast of 2009 on Wednesday, April 8 at 7:11 p.m. (the first night game of the season at U.S. Cellular Field), when the Sox host the Kansas City Royals. Ozzie Guillen Jr. and Omar Ramos will provide play-by-play and color commentary for the Spanish radio broadcasts. Guillen Jr., son of White Sox manager Ozzie Guillen, enters his fifth season broadcasting for the White Sox in the Spanish radio booth. The partnership between Guillen and Ramos, who enters his first year in the Sox radio booth and is one of Univision Radio’s high profile on-air talents in Chicago, creates one of the freshest and youngest Spanish broadcasting tandems in Major League Baseball. “Spanish radio broadcasts of White Sox games are an important piece of the baseball experience for a large portion of our fan base,” said White Sox vice president/chief marketing officer Brooks Boyer. “Latinos are an integral part of White Sox baseball – from legends like Chico (Carrasquel), Minnie (Minoso), Louie (Aparicio) and Ozzie (Guillen), of course, to the great number of passionate Latino White Sox fans that visit U.S. Cellular Field every summer. This season, we will continue to aggressively develop and grow our relationship with the Latino community in Chicago.”
White Sox Spring Training Schedule Day
Date
Opponent
Site
Time
Wednesday Feb. 25 LA Angels Tempe 1:05 p.m. Thursday Feb. 26 Colorado Hi Corbett Field 1:05 p.m. Friday Feb. 27 Arizona Tucson Electric Park 1:05 p.m. Saturday Feb. 28 Cubs Mesa 1:05 p.m. Sunday March 1 LA Dodgers Glendale 1:05 p.m. Monday March 2 SEATTLE GLENDALE 1:05 p.m. Tuesday March 3 OFF DAY Wednesday March 4 Oakland Phoenix 1:05 p.m. Thursday March 5 LA Dodgers Glendale 1:05 p.m Friday March 6 AUSTRALIA-WBC GLENDALE 1:05 p.m. Saturday March 7 Texas Surprise 1:05 p.m. Sunday March 8 LA DODGERS GLENDALE 1:05 p.m. Monday March 9 CLEVELAND GLENDALE 1:05 p.m. Tuesday March 10 OFF DAY Wednesday March 11 MILWAUKEE GLENDALE 1:05 p.m Thursday March 12 Kansas City Surprise 1:05 p.m. Friday March 13 San Diego Peoria 1:05 p.m. Saturday March 14 TEXAS GLENDALE 1:05 p.m. Sunday March 15 Seattle Peoria 1:05 p.m. Monday March 16 KANSAS CITY GLENDALE 1:05 p.m. Tuesday March 17 OFF DAY Wednesday March 18 LA ANGELS GLENDALE 1:05 p.m. Thursday March 19 San Francisco Scottsdale TBA Friday March 20 SAN FRANCISCO GLENDALE 1:05 p.m. Saturday March 21 CUBS GLENDALE 1:05 p.m. Sunday March 22 Oakland Phoenix 1:05 p.m. Monday March 23 OFF DAY Tuesday March 24 Cleveland Goodyear 1:05 p.m. Wednesday March 25 OAKLAND GLENDALE 1:05 p.m. Thursday March 26 ARIZONA GLENDALE 1:05 p.m. Friday March 27 Cubs Mesa 1:05 p.m. Saturday March 28 LA DODGERS GLENDALE 1:05 p.m. Sunday March 29 Arizona Tucson Electric Park 1:05 p.m. Monday March 30 LA Angels Tempe 1:05 p.m. Tuesday March 31 COLORADO GLENDALE 1:05 p.m. Wednesday April 1 SAN DIEGO GLENDALE 1:05 p.m. Thursday April 2 Milwaukee Maryvale 12:05 p.m. Friday April 3 TBA Saturday April 4 TBA All games are Arizona Time. Dates and times subject to change. HOME DATES IN BOLD
Chicago Fire News & Notes Single game tickets on sale March 12 BRIDGEVIEW, ILL – Chicago Fire Soccer today announced that individual tickets for the 2009 Major League Soccer season at
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TOYOTA PARK will go on sale to the public on March 12, at 10 a.m. Individual game ticket prices for the 2009 Chicago Fire Regular MLS Season start as low as $22. On March 12 at 10 a.m., individual tickets will be available at Continued
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all Ticketmaster outlets, online at www.ticketmaster.com, through the TOYOTA PARK Box Office, by calling 888-MLS-FIRE, or visiting www.chicago-fire.com. The Fire are also pleased to announce the full slate of games included in the Ten Game Plan. The package, which is on sale now, consists of eight MLS regular season matches against key Fire opponents, the Chicago Fire versus Club America international friendly, and the Fire’s first 2009 MLS Cup home playoff match. Among the MLS regular season matches included in the Ten Game Plan are: the Fire’s Opening Day at TOYOTA PARK on Sunday, April 5 (2 p.m.) against Eastern Conference Rival and MLS Cup finalist New York Red Bulls, the first-ever game against 2009 expansion side Seattle Sounders FC on Saturday, May 2 (7:30 p.m.), and the Fire’s match against the star-studded Los Angeles Galaxy on Wednesday, Aug. 19 (8 p.m. CT). The Chicago Fire’s Ten Game Plan starts at just $170 and can be purchased by calling 888-MLSFIRE or e-mailing tickesales@chicago-fire.com. For a complete list of the eight MLS regular season matches included in the Ten Game Plan visit tickesales@chicago-fire.com.
Fire add three to management team BRIDGEVIEW ILL. – The Chicago Fire today announced that Mike Humes, Scott Malaga, and Becky Carroll have been added to its executive management team. Humes joins the Fire as the Senior Vice President, Sales and Marketing, and is responsible for ticket sales, marketing and branding, ticket services and retention, and box office operations. As Vice President, Corporate Partnerships, Malaga will oversee revenue generation through the team’s core sponsorship inventory and all related managerial functions. Carroll steps into the position of Vice President, Communications, and will be responsible for developing strategy and executing tactics in all areas of communications, public relations, and media coverage. “I am very pleased to have Mike,
Cubs Spring Training Schedule DAY
DATE
Wednesday Feb. 25 Thursday Feb. 26 Friday Feb. 27 Saturday Feb. 28 Sunday March 1 Monday March 2 Tuesday March 3 Wednesday March 4 Thursday March 5 Friday March 6 Saturday March 7 Sunday March 8 Monday March 9 Tuesday March 10 Wednesday March 11 Thursday March 12 Friday March 13 Saturday March 14 Sunday March 15 Monday March 16 Tuesday March 17 Wednesday March 18 Thursday March 19 Friday March 20 Saturday March 21 Sunday March 22 Monday March 23 Tuesday March 24 Wednesday March 25 Thursday March 26 Friday March 27 Saturday March 28 Sunday March 29 Monday March 30 Tuesday March 31 Wednesday April 1 Thursday April 2 Friday April 3 Saturday April 4
OPPONENT
Los Angeles Dodgers Milwaukee Brewers Texas Rangers Chicago White Sox San Diego Padres Arizona Diamondbacks Oakland Athletics Cleveland Indians OFF DAY Los Angeles Dodgers Milwaukee Brewers Texas Rangers Kansas City Royals Seattle Mariners OFF DAY World Baseball Classic Seattle Mariners (ss) Los Angeles Angels (ss) Los Angeles Angels Arizona Diamondbacks Milwaukee Brewers Los Angeles Dodgers San Francisco Giants Seattle Mariners San Diego Padres Chicago White Sox Seattle Mariners Oakland Athletics Colorado Rockies OFF DAY San Francisco Giants Chicago White Sox Colorado Rockies Cleveland Indians Kansas City Royals Los Angeles Angels Oakland Athletics Cleveland Indians New York Yankees New York Yankees
SITE
1:05 p.m. 1:05 p.m. 1:05 p.m. 1:05 p.m. 1:05 p.m. 1:05 p.m. 1:05 p.m. 1:05 p.m.
Mesa Maryvale Mesa Mesa Peoria
1:05 p.m. 1:05 p.m. 1:05 p.m. 1:05 p.m. 1:05 p.m.
Mesa Mesa Tempe Mesa Tucson Maryvale Glendale Mesa Peoria Mesa Glendale Mesa Phoenix Mesa
1:05 p.m. 1:05 p.m. 1:05 p.m. 1:05 p.m. 1:05 p.m. 1:05 p.m. 1:05 p.m. 1:05 p.m. 1:05 p.m. 1:05 p.m. 1:05 p.m. 1:05 p.m. 1:05 p.m. 1:05 p.m.
Scottsdale Mesa Tucson Mesa Surprise Mesa Phoenix Mesa New York New York
1:05 p.m. 1:05 p.m. 1:05 p.m. 1:05 p.m. 1:05 p.m. 1:05 p.m. 1:05 p.m. 12:05 p.m. 7:05 PM ET 1:05 PM ET
All games are Arizona Time. Dates and times subject to change. HOME DATES IN BOLD
Scott, and Becky on our executive management team,” said Fire president Dave Greeley. “All three have extensive experience in their areas of expertise and will help us share our wonderful story with Chicagoans and fans everywhere. They are important additions as we focus on strengthening our brand and building our asset base to help our team accomplish its number one goal,
which is to win championships.” Humes comes to the Fire from Seattle where he recently served as Vice President of Global Marketing at K2 Sports and Executive Vice President, Marketing for the Seattle Sonics. Previously, Humes worked at the NHL’s Washington Capitals and Columbus Blue Jackets. He has also worked for the NHL Player’s Association and the
Chicago Sports Review
TIME
Mesa Mesa Surprise Mesa Peoria Mesa Mesa Goodyear
American Hockey League. Humes received an undergraduate degree in Business and Economics from St. Thomas University and a Masters degree in Sports Administration from Concordia University in Montreal. Malaga joins the Fire as Vice President, Corporate Partnerships, from ISP Sports, the country’s Continued
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Steady stream of fans upgrading Three bring extensive experience Continued
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ply to add seats during their designated relocation/upgrade period. The relocation/upgrade period for customers who renew both NASCAR weekends is taking place until Jan. 11. After that, fans who renew just one weekend can relocate or upgrade from Jan. 12-16. All relocations and upgrades can be done by calling the MIS ticket hotline at 800-354-1010 until 9 p.m. every day or by visiting the ticket office from 8:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Friday. Ticket Director Linda Wyne said phone calls from race fans have been steady and asks guests not to get discouraged if they don’t get through to an operator right away. “Our phone lines are open until 9 p.m. for this very reason,” she said.
“Keep calling because now is the best time to move up to some of our best seats or secure a campsite in the popular Graves Farm Campground, which has electrical hookups.” For fans who have not secured tickets or camping for Michigan International Speedway’s 2009 season, tickets will go on sale Sunday, Feb. 15 during the season-opening Daytona 500. MIS has restructured some of its pricing for 2009 so fans who feel the economic pinch can keep MIS in their 2009 vacation planning. New in 2009 are general admission seats for NASCAR Sprint Cup races that start at just $40 in two grandstands. Children 12 and under may come to the races for free with their families in those seats. Restrictions apply, call for details.
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largest and fastest growing major college multimedia rights holder where he served as Senior Vice President and National Sales Director. Other experience for Malaga includes roles with Advantage International and Host Communications, on top of other marketing related firms including Kellogg Foodservice. Malaga attended Cornell University where he lettered in football and baseball and received his undergraduate degree in Business Management. He continued his education at Ohio University, earning a Masters Degree in Sports Administration. Becky Carroll steps into the role of Vice President, Communications, bringing 14 years of exper-
Chicago Sports Review
tise in strategic communications, crisis and project management, and message development, after a successful career in government and politics. Her experience in government includes senior communications management positions with the State of Illinois Budget Office, Office of Chicago Mayor Richard M. Daley and the Chicago Department of Planning and Development. She has also served in senior positions on several high profile political campaigns, including National Director of Women for Obama on the 2008 Obama for America campaign, Rahm Emanuel for Congress in 2002 and Al Gore for President in 2000. Carroll graduated from Loyola University Chicago with a degree in Political Science and Communications.
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Here’s to Ozzie Las Vegas mayor Oscar B. Goodman, right, compared White Sox manager, Ozzie Guillen to the first president of the United States, George Washington, as Guillen being the most honest MLB manager that he has ever met. Guillen and the Sox went on to defeat the Cubs 7-6 at Cashman Field, Las Vegas, Nev. Thursday March 3, 2009. (CSR photo by Warren Wimmer)
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