S PORTS L EDGER Read Free Online at www.TheSportsLedger.com The Bruce Pearl inks 5.4 million 8 year deal to stay at Auburn
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February 2022
Jacksonville State University and the City of Oxford will host the 2022 Alabama High School Athletic Association's State Baseball Championships from May 16- 21 at Jim Case Stadium and Choccolocco Park. TheAlabama High School AthleticAssociation Central Board of Control recently approved moving the 2022 State Baseball Championships from Montgomery to Oxford’s Choccolocco Park and JSU's Rudy Abbott Field at Jim Case Stadium. Both moves were made due to conflicts with the scheduled sites in Montgomery. “We appreciate the city of Montgomery and the cities of Oxford and Jacksonville and Jacksonville State University for working with us,” said AHSAA Executive Director Alvin Briggs. Briggs added the AHSAA has been impressed with the baseball facilities at Choccolocco Park and the newly renovated stadium at JSU. “Both fields are outstanding,” said Briggs. Choccolocco Park, which was opened in 2016, will host the first game of each of the seven baseball championship series with games two and three, if needed, set for JSU’s Rudy Abbott Field at Jim Case Stadium. “I want to thank our AHSAA staff, especially Jamie Lee and Brandon Dean, and the Central Board Competition Committee for the guidance it has given,” said Briggs. “The communities are excited, and we think we have worked out a very good plan for this year’s championships.” Coach Rudy Abbott Had Successful Career at Jax State JSU and Oxford to host AHSAA State Baseball Finals Jacksonville State University Hall of Fame Baseball Coach Rudy Abbott passed away on Wednesday, February 9, 2022. Abbott spent 32 years as head coach of the Gamecocks and became just the 29th coach in NCAA history to win 1,000 games, winning 1,003 in his tenure. He was named JSU's Sports Information Director in 1964 and took over the baseball program in 1970. Abbott led the Gamecocks to two NCAA National Championships, claiming back-to-back titles in 1990 and again in 1991. During his tenure at JSU, he was named NCAADistrict Coach of the Year six times. His teams won five Gulf South Conference titles and 11 GSC Conference Division titles. "This is a sad day for Jacksonville State University and the Calhoun County Community," said JSU Athletics Director Greg Seitz, who served as Abbott's SID from 1994 to his retirement in 2001. "Coach Abbott built the foundation for our baseball program and won over 1,000 games, but his contributions to JSU and his community go much farther than wins. He loved JSU and our community and continued to serve long after his career ended. I, along with so many whose lives he impacted, will miss him dearly. Our thoughts and prayers are with his wife Sue, his children and the rest of his family." Abbott has been enshrined into several Halls of Fame, including the JSU Athletics Hall of Fame, the Alabama Sports Hall of Fame, the Gulf South Conference Hall of Fame and the Calhoun County Sports Hall of Fame. After his coaching career came to an end, he continued to serve as a volunteer youth coach and as an elected member of the Calhoun County Commission. Bengals Fall To Rams In Super Bowl Hall of Fame Coach Passes Away
Auburn men’s basketball coach Bruce Pearl has agreed to a new eight-year contract that runs through 2030. The contract will pay Pearl $5.4 million annually with a $250,000 annual escalator. “By leading Auburn’s men’s basketball program to unprecedented heights, Coach Bruce Pearl has earned this contract extension that’s commensurate with his level of achievement within the Southeastern Conference. We are thrilled to agree on terms that will keep BP on the Plains for many years to come while investing in his assistant coaches and support staff,” Director of Athletics Allen Greene said. “In addition to Auburn’s remarkable on-court success under his leadership, Coach Pearl has tirelessly championed Auburn Athletics and Auburn University while serving our community in countless ways. This extension ensures that Auburn’s commitment to Coach Pearl matches BP’s commitment to Auburn.” In his eighth season, Pearl has directed the Tigers to a 19-1 record and the No. 1 ranking nationally for the first time in program history. Off to their best SEC start since 1958- 59 with an 8-0 record, the Tigers have won 16-conseuctive games, the longest active streak in the country. “I am grateful to our Director ofAthletics, Allen Greene and our administration, Dr. Jay Gogue, General Burgess and Rich McGlynn, for their continued commitment to Auburn Basketball and helping us build a competitive program,” head coach Bruce Pearl said. “My intent when I came to Auburn was to have enough success for this to be my last coaching job. My family and I love Auburn University, the
Photo by Matthew Shannon, Auburn Athletics
proud tradition, our alumni, student and fan support, as well as the close-knit community we have here on the Plains. I am grateful to all of my players, coaches and support staff for making history. Auburn will be our family’s forever home. I am humbled and blessed to be your head coach for a very long time. War Eagle!” Pearl has led Auburn to a pair of NCAA Tournament appearances, including Auburn’s first-ever Final Four in 2019 when the Tigers won a program-record 31 games. His 2019-20 squad won 25 games before the season was cut short by the COVID-19 pandemic. Under Pearl, Auburn has the best overall record in the Southeastern Conference in the last five years. Auburn Head Basketball Coach Bruce Pearl
The Boaz Pirates are the 2022 Class 5A Area 13 Champions. Boaz earned the title by claiming a 57-49 win over Marshall County foe Douglas in the Area Tournament championship game on Friday, February 11. To reach the title game, the Pirates defeated Sardis 79-70. Douglas advanced by defeating Crossville 84-25. The members of the Boaz varsity boys' basketball team include: (Front L-R) Kobe Korsmo (#24), EphraimDorzin (#4), Andre Kirkland (#22), Judd Oliver (#21), Eli Black, and Carson Jones (#10). (Back L-R) Nick Cornutt (#11) , Jesus Marcelino (#3), RJ Hampton (#30), Gael Vazquez (#13), Jaquan Kelly (#1), Gavin Smart (#5), Chadan Hamilton (#14) , and Evan Walls (#12). Class 5A Area 13 Champions Photo by Brandon K. Pierce, The Sports Ledger Crimson Standard Includes New Arena for both golf teams, housing coaches’ offices, bag storage and club fitting rooms, a team lounge and locker room, stretch room, putting studio and three indoor hitting bays. North of the clubhouse, the practice range would feature multiple regulation greens, while the short game practice area would be located west of the club house. The nine-hole golf course, east of the golf house, would offer multiple routing options for on-course practice.
By Brandon K. Pierce Alabama Ledger The Cincinnati Bengals fell to the Los Angeles Rams in Super Bowl LVI on Sunday, Feb. 13, 2022. With less than one minute remaining, the Rams defense made a game winning play, by sacking Cincinnati quarterback Joe Burrow on fourth down. The defensive stand helped lift the Rams to a 23-20 championship victory. Burrow finished the game with 263 yards and one touchdown, but could not escape on fourth down to make the Hollywood Miracle happen at the end. Cincinnati teammate, and Fort Payne native, Evan McPherson scored eight of the teams 20 points in the Super Bowl loss. He kicked two field goals for a prefect playoff record and add two extra points.
Alabama Athletics has formally proposed moving forward with phase II of The Crimson Standard Initiative, which includes a new competition Arena for basketball and gymnastics, as well as a practice facility for the golf programs. The Crimson Standard, unveiled in 2018, is Alabama Athletics’ 10-year, $600 million capital initiative created to comprehensively elevate the student-athlete experience, recruiting efforts and the overall game-day experience for all Crimson Tide fans. To date, over $470 million has been raised for The Crimson Standard Initiative. The new arena is projected to seat over 10,000 people and it will be designed to bring fans closer to the action on the court. Arena features would include student seating around the majority of the lower bowl in addition to new premium options in club, lounge, courtside and lower-level preferred seating. Coleman Coliseum will continue to serve as the day-to- day practice and preparation site for the programs and will also continue to house the multiple departments currently located within the building. The golf practice facility would be a first-of-its-kind, featuring a brand new nine-hole golf course, driving range, short game practice area and a golf house. The 18,000-square foot golf house would include a Hall of Fame lobby, golf heritage display and mirrored wings with dedicated space
Phase I of The Crimson Standard, completed prior to the 2020-21 season, included several enhancements to Bryant-Denny Stadium with the renovation and expansion of multiple seating areas, a relocated press box, improvements to all team areas and renovated recruiting areas. In addition, renovations were made to the lobby, football locker room and medical treatment area at the Mal M. Moore Athletic Facility, and the Sports Science Center was added. Rhoads Stadium also received several upgrades including enhancements to the team areas as well as improved amenities and concessions for fans. "With the support of the Board of Trustees, Chancellor St. John and our passionate donors, we continue to raise the bar and build upon a world-class experience for our student- athletes, coaches and fans. I want to commend Greg Byrne and his staff for achieving this significant milestone and for their continued leadership with The Crimson Standard," said Alabama President Stuart R. Bell.
Evan McPherson
Rams Quarterback MatthewStafford completed 26 of 40 passes for 283 yards and three touchdowns in the win. He had two interceptions. The win was just the second Super Bowl victory in the Rams franchise history. Cooper Kupp was named to Super Bowl MVP. He had 8 catches and 2 touchdowns in the win.
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