basketball, MLB, and football misc.

First of all, an article about the candidates for the WBNA Rookie of the Year Award. This article's writer picks Sparks and former Tennessee guard Sidney Spencer, a Christian, as the favorite to win the award. Here's the article: http://www.cstv.com/sports/w-baskbl/stories/082307aad.html.

Here's an interesting article on NC State women's head basketball coach Kay Yow, a Christian, on recruiting players: http://www.cstv.com/sports/w-baskbl/uwire/082307aad.html.

Next, an article on Reds outfielder Ken Griffey, Jr.'s charity bowling tournament in Cincinnati next week for the Cincinnati Children's Hospital. He's also holding a charity golf tournament in Orlando to raise money for the Florida Children's Hospital. Here's the article: http://mlb.mlb.com/news/article.jsp?ymd=20070822&content_id=2163937&vkey=news_mlb&fext=.jsp&c_id=mlb.

Here's an article about retired Knicks guard Allan Houston, a Christian, trying to make a comeback to the NBA. He was talking about his comeback on the same day that he was sponsoring a Father Knows Best Retreat, "a faith-based event in Harlem designed to strengthen father-son and mentor-mentee relationships" through his foundation. Here's a quote about it:

Though Houston hasn't played in two years, this will be the fourth year for his Father Knows Best Retreat. He said the inspiration for the retreat came from his relationship with his father, Wade Houston, who was his coach at Tennessee.

"He's been a good example as a man, a father, a friend and the head of the household," Houston said. "People are starting to come back and treat the father role serious. … Our purpose is to bring light to that and encourage fathers and sons (who are) trying to do that."

Here's the article: http://www.usatoday.com/sports/basketball/nba/2007-08-23-AllanHouston_N.htm.

Also, an article about Colts rookie wide receiver Trent Shelton out of Baylor. He's trying to catch on with the Colts as a gunner who covers punts on special teams. Here's a quote from him about that:

“My focus is to do what I can do and put it in God’s hands,” Shelton said. “I can only do so much. I just go out and give it my all. On special teams, right now, I’m a gunner. If I can make a name for myself there, I know that’s the key to getting on this team, is at gunner.”

Here's the article: http://www.colts.com/sub.cfm?page=article7&news_id=aa7ec573-406e-4f1c-b620-f7731305bd29.

Here's a great article about different things that college football teams do to promote unity on the team. They varied from fun activities to helping out the community. Some examples from the article are Georgia Tech had "a four-part 'Team Time' series, run by team chaplain Derrick Moore". Michigan ran a women's football academy and car wash to raise money for head coach Lloyd Carr's Coach Carr Cancer Fund. Central Michigan played water polo to have fun and get in shape. Notre Dame had an Iron Man competition and took part in "'Tackle the Arts,' a community service event where underprivileged South Bend youth came to campus to participate in crafts, poetry, music and painting with the team." Vanderbilt had team bowling tournaments. Lastly, Middle Tennessee State helped to build a home for an elderly couple with Habitat for Humanity. There are many more examples given too. Here's the article (includes a link with more pictures too): http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/2007/writers/cory_mccartney/08/23/bonding/index.html.

Next, an article about Rockies utility man Jamey Carroll, a Christian, and his ability to play all over the field: http://mlb.mlb.com/news/article.jsp?ymd=20070823&content_id=2165581&vkey=news_col&fext=.jsp&c_id=col&partnered=rss_col.

Here's an article about Diamondbacks pitcher Brandon Webb's (a Christian) 42-consecutive inning scoreless streak that came to an end last week: http://mlb.mlb.com/news/article.jsp?ymd=20070823&content_id=2165701&vkey=news_mlb&fext=.jsp&c_id=mlb.

Also, an article about a baseball clinic that Mets outfielder Carlos Beltran, a Christian, ran for underprivileged children from East Harlem: http://mlb.mlb.com/news/article.jsp?ymd=20070823&content_id=2165993&vkey=news_mlb&fext=.jsp&c_id=mlb.

Lastly, an article about how Colts safety Matt Giordano, a Christian, has improved his play in the pre-season because of more playing time due to injuries to the starter: http://www.indystar.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20070824/SPORTS03/708240428.