Sports & Athletics
See also: 2010 Vancouver Winter Olympics
From NCPR Blogs:
Yesterday’s really shocking and horrifying bomb blasts at the Boston Marathon continue to be a mystery, and I’m not going to go into it here except to send you to NPR’s ongoing coverage of the story. There’s been some really...
(4/10/13) Update on the big game:
USA 3, Canada 2.
Some losses are loudly attributed to bad calls from suspect officials. By most accounts, this game simply showcased a strong, motivated US team that carried the day.
CBC reports:
The Canadians got...
Two cultural moments converged this month in American sports that bear thinking about.
The first was the scandal that erupted around Rutgers college basketball coach Mike Rice, who was filmed physically, verbally and emotionally abusing his...
It’s a trying time to be a hockey fan.
As David Sommerstein reported in mid-October, a stand-off between owners and players has lead to no games and frustrations galore.
CBC’s Hockey Night in Canada has been a cultural institution...
Monday night’s big NFL game between the Packers and the Seahawks drove a stake through the heart of anyone still trying to pretend that a group of third-tier referees could officiate a sport that involves guys the size of appliances who move...
Sports
May 18, 2013 — Host Scott Simon talks to ESPN's Howard Bryant about the NBA playoffs, Washington Nationals outfielder Bryce Harper's collision with a wall, and David Beckham's retirement from soccer.
May 17, 2013 — The apparent drowning death of British sailor Andrew Simpson has some questioning the safety of cutting-edge catamarans that are difficult for crews to control.
May 17, 2013 — The amazing tale of two sisters from a poor neighborhood — who play tennis unlike anyone before them and each reach No. 1 in the world — is one we're not likely to see again.
May 17, 2013 — As America's Cup officials investigate the tragic drowning of Olympian Andrew Simpson last week in San Francisco, some in the sailing community are questioning the safety of the ultra-fast high tech catamarans featured in the upcoming race.
May 17, 2013 — The Portland Thorns women's soccer team drew 17,000 screaming fans to its recent home opener. That's a huge number and one that dwarfed turnout for the other seven teams in the new National Women's Soccer League (NWSL). The NWSL is the latest attempt to bring sustainable women's pro soccer to the U.S. Soccer federations in the U.S., Mexico and Canada help fund it. NPR's Tom Goldman examines how the Thorns and the NWSL have done so far.
Canada Sports
NCPR Special Reports
Donkey Basketball in Edwards
The loopy sport of donkey basketball has been used by North Country schools as a fundraiser since the 1950s. Visit a game in the St. Lawrence County town of Edwards. David Sommerstein reports.
Demolition Derby on Ice
A bang-up guilty pleasure. Lucy Martin takes us to Kars, Ontario for a winter variation on the theme of automotive destruction.
Sens fans rally for Stanley Cup
Thousands of Stanley Cup-thirsty Senators fans took over Festival Plaza at City Hall in Ottawa for a lunchtime rally in May 2007. Lucy Martin joined the jubilant crowd.
Jonathan Hammond: interpretive freestyle canoeist
Defending his title in Ohio at the National Interpretive Freestyle Canoeing championships is the youngest canoeist to win top honors in the sports 20-year history 10th grader Jonathan Hammond of Alexandria Bay. David Sommerstein has this profile.
Photographer Nancy Battaglia Covers the Torino Winter Olympics
At the Winter Olympics in Turin, Italy more than a dozen North Country athletes will be competing in everything from mens hockey to biathlon. Nancy Battaglia is a freelance photographer covering the games for North Country Public Radio.
Slideshow 1 | Slideshow 2 | Slideshow3
NASCAR on Ice
NASCAR veteran Geoff Bodine has raised more than a million dollars to build better bobsleds in the US. He invited other NASCAR drivers to race the Olympic bobsled track in Lake Placid. David Sommerstein reports.
Team NCPR Hits the Pits
Team NCPR battles for racetrack glory in a gritty expose of epic rivalry and staggering loss.
Fishing on the St. Lawrence
Walleye and northern pike season opened the first Saturday in May. David Sommerstein spent a morning with two veteran guides.
International Rutabaga Curling Championship
Behind every winter sport, theres probably a founder who was just trying to stay warm and alert through the dark months. Thats the history behind one of the more obscure sports Rutabaga Curling. David Sommerstein came across the 5th Annual International Rutabaga Curling Championships in Ithaca. He sends this tuber-tossing postcard.
A Fading Tradition: The November Hunt For Whitetail Deer
In the north country, deer hunting is a family tradition. The passion and the skills are passed along through generations, usually from father to son. But these days, many hunters worry that their tradition is fading.
Bud Fowler as a member of the 1885 Keokuk, Iowa, baseball team. Photo courtesy the National Baseball Hall of Fame, Cooperstown, NY
A century later, African-American baseball hero gets his due
Cooperstown, NY, Apr 26, 2013 — Jackie Robinson is getting the big time Hollywood treatment with the new blockbuster "42". Meanwhile, a much lesser known African American baseball hero is getting his due in the cradle of baseball history.
In 1878, John Jackson - aka Bud Fowler - became the first African-American to play professional baseball with white men. His career spanned more than 30 years as a player, manager and entrepreneur.
Fowler grew up in Cooperstown, NY, the home of the Baseball Hall of Fame. Last weekend, the town recognized his story of perseverance in the face of bigotry. Go to full article
In 1878, John Jackson - aka Bud Fowler - became the first African-American to play professional baseball with white men. His career spanned more than 30 years as a player, manager and entrepreneur.
Fowler grew up in Cooperstown, NY, the home of the Baseball Hall of Fame. Last weekend, the town recognized his story of perseverance in the face of bigotry. Go to full article
Canton marathoner turned back by bombs
Boston, MA, Apr 16, 2013 — Federal investigators say no one has claimed responsibility for the Boston Marathon attack that killed three people and wounded more than 140.
Officials say the two bombs that went off near the finish line at the Marathon were about 100 yards and 10 seconds apart. They knocked people down, shattered windows and sent dense plumes of smoke rising over the street.
A senior U.S. intelligence official says as many as two unexploded bombs were also found near the finish line, but they were safely disarmed.
Canton native Laura Monroe-Duprey and her husband were running the race together. He was running with an injury, so at mile 18, she pulled ahead of him.
Julie Grant spoke with Monroe-Duprey last night. She said when the explosion happened, she was nearing the last turn in the course, about a tenth of a mile from the finish line. Go to full article
Officials say the two bombs that went off near the finish line at the Marathon were about 100 yards and 10 seconds apart. They knocked people down, shattered windows and sent dense plumes of smoke rising over the street.
A senior U.S. intelligence official says as many as two unexploded bombs were also found near the finish line, but they were safely disarmed.
Canton native Laura Monroe-Duprey and her husband were running the race together. He was running with an injury, so at mile 18, she pulled ahead of him.
Julie Grant spoke with Monroe-Duprey last night. She said when the explosion happened, she was nearing the last turn in the course, about a tenth of a mile from the finish line. Go to full article
Startup looks for a way around knee surgery
Apr 04, 2013 — Knee pain is among the most common medical complaints across age groups from young athletes to aging baby boomers. Often, the trouble is in the meniscus cartilage, and often, the prescription is surgery.
But recent studies comparing results of physical therapy to outcomes of surgery find PT to be equally effective in many cases. A Binghamton company is working on one less invasive treatment. Go to full article
But recent studies comparing results of physical therapy to outcomes of surgery find PT to be equally effective in many cases. A Binghamton company is working on one less invasive treatment. Go to full article
Adirondack Attic: an heirloom from baseball's early days
Apr 02, 2013 — Just in time for the start of baseball season, Andy Flynn visits the Adirondack Museum for a look at a baseball uniform from the 1870's. Go to full article
What's so great about roller derby?
Watertown, NY, Mar 18, 2013 — Roller derby has a surprisingly long history: It first emerged as a contact sport in the late 1930s; started broadcasting on TV in the late '40s; and had a bit of a TV... Go to full article
Titus Mountain makes a comeback
Mar 15, 2013 — With cold and snow back in the forecast, skiers and snowboarders will have a little more time to carve their last turns of the season.
It's been a comeback winter... Go to full article
It's been a comeback winter... Go to full article
Small outfitter says gun laws could cripple business
Potsdam, NY, Jan 18, 2013 — Gun sellers in the North Country are digesting the new state gun control laws passed this week. Most aren't happy with what they're finding out.
North Woods... Go to full article
North Woods... Go to full article
Review: girls in sports books
Jan 11, 2013 — Two new books by writers with ties to the Adirondacks feature girls in elite level sports. Betsy Kepes reviews Soccerland by Beth Choat and Sugar and Ice by... Go to full article
Bills to stay in New York for at least seven more years
Albany, NY, Dec 24, 2012 — The Buffalo Bills will likely be staying in New York for at least another seven years, now that state and team officials have worked out a new deal. Go to full article
Root, root, root for the rutabagas!
Dec 19, 2012 — This week, we're listening to some of our favorite food stories from NCPR news. Today, rutabaga curling. The farmers market in Ithaca is celebrating its 15th annual... Go to full article


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