More than just fun and games, this and that…

I’ve always maintained that at its core, sports is meant as a distraction. I call it, “the candy store” because that’s what it is. Get away from the pressures, stresses, and heartbreak that life throws at all of us. 

Rudy Burgoz has been a Sun Devil since 1959. By his count, he’s missed just “3 or 4” ASU football games in that time.  He’s fondly known to many of us as “Sun Devil Rudy or ASU Rudy”. Rudy unexpectedly lost his wife of 58 years last week. We spoke by phone for a half hour  on Wednesday night about the loss and the memories. “We traveled to all 50 states. We would follow the Sun Devils to wherever they played and go in a few days before and stay a few days after, It’s what we did.” Understandably his loss is still very fresh, but moments like the Sun Devil Network radio broadcasters Tim Healey and Jeff Van Raaphorst sending condolences on the air during the Kansas State victory, have been more than helpful “It meant so much.”.  “I bought a ticket to the Legends Lunch this Friday, I’ll take my grandson to the BYU game “. We finished the conversation with him reminding me, ” Brad, give your wife a big hug tonight and tell her you love her because you just never know”. Section 29, row 31 will be blessed to have Rudy cheering vs the Cougars on Saturday…

Doug Tammaro is a Sr. Associate Athletic Director, Media Relations  for Arizona State. He and his staff work 24/7 to get the word out on the abundance of Sun Devil sports. Wednesday night we were texting while he was working the ASU basketball game. But this isn’t about him, it’s about his sister, who was recently diagnosed with breast cancer.

Time to kick cancer’s butt 👊🏼#BreastCancer #chemotherapy #fucancer #NeverGiveUp #Warriors #Godisgood #Ironwood #StayPositive pic.twitter.com/GyhZPbBTcO

— Brooke Tammaro-Villone (@brooke_villone) November 20, 2024

You don’t know what someone else is going through in the seat next to you, or the sporting event that you’re taking in. Rudy losing his wife, Doug’s sister taking on cancer are just two examples. Grace…

This and that…

Chandler Unified School District did the right thing by reinstating football coach Bobby Newcombe at Casteel. He has a sterling reputation within the district. He goes about his business the right way, which isn’t easy in this day and age of high school coaches…

Happy trails to Chandler head football coach Rick Garretson who retired earlier this week. Good things happen to good people… 

Employee ID numbers on a spreadsheet seem to be the way that big media companies make poor decisions. First, the talented Sarah Kezle at 98.7 FM last week, and this Friday will be the last day we hear Jeff Munn’s voice on 92.3 FM. Talented people delivering the content is supposed to matter.All I’m hearing in our biz since the elections is “layoffs”. Funny, once the political ad dollars stop flowing in, how media groups chopped away on their staffing. What’s worse, is talking to a few of my former Cronkite interns who are now in the workforce and are hearing about cuts within their stations. They aren’t prepared for that side of the business.When I got cut it was simply, “You’ve been here too long, you’ve been too loyal, you make too much money”. Best thing that could’ve happened to me. At the time I didn’t know it, but looking back all these years later it was an absolute blessing. Same will be true for Sarah and Jeff…

How about that Suns defense!  110 points allowed to the Knicks through three quarters Wednesday night. The NBA in November, it’s “FAAAAANNNTAAAASSSSTICCCC”…

What’s more important, getting crushed by the Knicks or looking cool in a new uniform design? Those who go off of social media buzz were loving the uniforms last night because the basketball was horrendous…

Northern Arizona football(7-4) hasn’t lost since Ocotber 12th. Lumberjack basketball team is off to a quick 4-1 start with former Basha high star Trent McLaughlin the leading scorer(24 ppg.) …

Still seeing political signs up around the Valley in my travels. Can we find a way to fine and punish these people. It’s littering…

I’d let Christian Walker go. I need deep pitching more than I need a solid, everyday first baseman. Economics of the game force you to make tough calls. Put the dollars into the arms on the mound…

Wedding bells coming for one of our own. Congratulations to Jordan Spurgeon, getting hitched in 2025…

I played golf with “Spurge” and Cody Cameron last Friday at the Biltmore. Talk about two guys that hit the ball a lonnngg ways(to the right and the left)…