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News Headlines
Updated: Friday, July 3,
2009 - 11 p.m.
CATS
COMPLETE SWEEP OF FRESNO
WEST SACRAMENTO, Calif.
(July 3, 2009) -The River Cats completed a three-game sweep of the rival
Fresno Grizzlies with a 3-1 victory Friday night before a sell-out crowd
(14,414 fans) at Raley Field. Sacramento scored all three of its runs in
the fifth inning – Tommy Everidge doubled home Eric Patterson and Daric
Barton followed with a towering two-run homer to right field. Sacramento
pitching preserved the lead by escaping two bases-loaded, no-out jams with
minimal damage. In the fifth, starter Dana Eveland induced a force out at
home and an inning-ending double play to escape without any runs against.
In the sixth, Eveland again loaded the bases and allowed one run to score
before handing the ball to reliever Sam Demel. The right-hander struck out
two batters and got Eugenio Velez to ground out to end the inning with no
further damage. Jeff Gray struck out the side in the ninth to record his
team-high 11th save of the season. The sell-out was Sacramento’s third of
the season and 51st in team history.
Next Game at Raley Field: Thursday, July 16th – Reno
at Sacramento, 7:05 p.m. (gates open at 6:05 p.m.) – Miller Lite ‘Que &
Brew (fans can enjoy $2 Miller Lite beer specials!).
Saturday’s probable starting pitchers: Sacramento: RHP
Jerome Williams (0-3, 6.03) at Reno: RHP Cesar Valdez (6-4, 3.91).
SIMMONS
PITCHES FIRST COMPLETE-GAME VICTORY
WEST SACRAMENTO, Calif.
(July 2, 2009) - Right-hander James Simmons pitched Sacramento’s first
complete game of the season as the River Cats toppled the Fresno Grizzlies
5-1 on Thursday night at Raley Field. Simmons (4-4,
4.89)
allowed six hits and one run over 9.0 innings, throwing the team’s first
complete game since July 29, 2008, when Kirk Saarloos did it in a 1-0
loss. Left-handed hitter Chris Denorfia hit an opposite field solo homer
in the second inning, and Aaron Cunningham hit a two-run blast in the
third. Simmons, who had a 6.16 ERA after a rough June 6 outing, has
allowed only six runs in 27.0 innings (2.00 ERA) over his last four starts
with a 2-0 record. To accommodate Friday’s crowd, which is a sell-out, the
team will open gates early at 5:00 p.m. and encourage all fans to arrive
early.
Next Game at Raley Field: Friday, July 3rd – Fresno
at Sacramento, 7 p.m. (gates open at 5 p.m.) – Independence Day
Celebration, presented by U.S. Army.
Friday’s probable starting pitchers: Fresno: LHP Steve
Hammond (4-7, 5.67) at Sacramento: LHP Dana Eveland (6-1, 3.62).
KINGS TO
PLAY IN NBA SUMMER LEAGUE IN LAS VEGAS
SACRAMENTO, Calif.
(July 1, 2009) - The Sacramento Kings will field a team for the fifth
straight year to compete in the 2009 NBA Summer League in Las Vegas from
July 10-19 at the Thomas & Mack Center and Cox Pavilion. Sacramento will
play five games in eight days. Fifteen players will be on the team,
including veterans Spencer Hawes, Jason Thompson, and Donté Greene and the
Kings’ draft selections, Tyreke Evans, Omri Casspi, and Jon Brockman.
Assistant Coach Pete Carril will be responsible for coaching the Kings’
summer league entry. The Kings will hold a mini-camp in Las Vegas on
Wednesday and Thursday before opening their Summer League schedule against
Detroit on Friday. Kings.com will
provide comprehensive coverage of Summer League beginning July 8 and will
webcast all five Kings games. Fans interested in attending NBA Summer
League games can purchase tickets through
UNLVtickets.com.
A'S
RECALL BUCK FROM SACRAMENTO RIVER CATS
OAKLAND, Calif.
(June 29, 2009) -
The Oakland A’s recalled outfielder Travis
Buck from Triple-A Sacramento and optioned infielder Jack Hannahan to
Sacramento, the club announced today. Buck is expected to arrive in time
for tonight’s game against Detroit.
Buck was on the A’s Opening Day roster and hit .235 with
three home runs and nine RBI in 28 games before going on the disabled list
on May 30 with a strained left oblique. He homered in each of his final
two games before the injury and has made 22 starts for the A’s this year,
all but one against right-handed pitchers. Buck has not committed an error
in his career and has a 141-game errorless streak, which is third longest
in Oakland history by an outfielder.
Buck began a rehab assignment with Sacramento on June 8 and
hit .357 in five games before he was reinstated from the DL and optioned
to Sacramento on June 14. He went on to hit safely in each of his first 11
games with the River Cats and batted .350 with six doubles, two home runs
and eight RBI in 17 games overall.
Hannahan was batting .193 with a home run and eight RBI with
the A’s. He was recalled from Sacramento on April 24 and appeared in 52 of
the A’s 58 games since then, including 51 at third base.
CAPITALS
& KASTLES TRADE IN FOUR PLAYER DEAL
NEW YORK, New York
(June 29, 2009) - The Sacramento Capitals and the Washington Kastles
announced a four-player trade this afternoon, just days before the start
of the Advanta World TeamTennis Pro League season. The teams swapped their
2009 second and third round draft picks with Sacramento sending 2008
Female MVP Rennae Stubbs and Olga Puchkova to Washington for 2006 Female
MVP Angela Haynes, 17-year-old CoCo Vandeweghe, and financial
compensation.
The Capitals open their 2009 season at home when they host the Kastles on
July 3. Sacramento plays in the Western Conference while Washington is in
the Eastern Conference.
Stubbs' new team includes another doubles standout in 8-time
Grand Slam doubles champion Leander Paes, giving the Kastles one of the
most formidable mixed doubles teams in the League. Stubbs is a WTT
veteran, returning for her 10th season. She led the League in women's
doubles last season and finished second in the mixed doubles rankings.
This is the third season of WTT action for Haynes, a resident
of Irvine, Calif. Haynes excels in the WTT format, winning the Female MVP
Award during her rookie season in Delaware in 2006. Haynes has won
seven ITF doubles and two ITF singles titles since turning pro.
At 17, Vandeweghe is one of the rising stars of American
tennis. The native Californian captured the 2008 US Open Junior Singles
championship and has an impressive athletic lineage. Her uncle Kiki was
an NBA standout and her mother won Olympic silver medals in swimming
(1976) and volleyball (1984).
Puchkova is making her WTT debut in 2009. The 21-year-old
Russian has won five ITF singles titles and has been ranked as high as No.
32 in singles on the Sony Ericsson WTA Tour (June 2007).
The 2009 Advanta WTT Pro League season runs July 2-26 in 10
U.S. markets, and concludes with the Advanta WTT Finals on July 26 in
Washington, D.C.
LIMITED
RIVER CATS TICKETS LEFT FOR JULY 2-3 EVENTS
WEST
SACRAMENTO,
Calif.
(June 29, 2009) -
The
Sacramento River Cats announced today that only limited tickets remain for
the team’s Independence Day Celebration presented by U.S. Army this
Friday, July 3rd, at Raley
Field (6:35 p.m. against the Fresno
Grizzlies, Triple-A affiliate of the San Francisco Giants). Based on the
limited number of tickets remaining and the popularity of this event in
years past, the team anticipates a sell-out crowd on Friday. In response
to the popularity of this event, the team has added an additional Sutter
Health Post-Game Fireworks Show on Thursday, July 2nd.
Thursday’s game, which also features Miller Lite ‘Que and Brew (with $2
Miller Lite specials), offers fans the opportunity to kick off their 3-day
holiday weekend at the ballpark and see the first fireworks show of the
holiday weekend.
Fans still interested in purchasing tickets for Friday’s game should do so
immediately at the Raley Field Ticket Office or online at Rivercats.com.
To accommodate the expected large crowd, the team will open gates early at
5:00 p.m. on Friday and encourage all fans to arrive early.
River
Cats Schedule for Upcoming Holiday Weekend
Thursday,
July 2nd – 7:05 p.m. (gates open at 6:00) vs. Fresno Grizzlies
(San Francisco Giants) **POST-GAME FIREWORKS SHOW ADDED**
Friday,
July 3rd – 6:35 p.m. (gates open at 5:00) vs. Fresno
Grizzlies (San Francisco Giants)
Individual tickets for Thursday, Friday and all games this season at Raley
Field are currently available at the Raley Field Ticket Office or online
at Rivercats.com. Premier seating at every River Cats game throughout the
2009 season can be secured through purchase of River Cats Full Season
Tickets, Mini Plans or Group Packages. 2009 River Cats Season Tickets or
Mini Plans can be purchased at the Raley Field Ticket Office or by calling
the River Cats Ticket Hotline at (916) 371-HITS (4487). For more
information about the 2009 River Cats season, visit
Rivercats.com. For
information on other events at Raley Field, visit
Raleyfield.com.
RIVER
CATS RALLY FALLS SHORT IN 9TH
WEST
SACRAMENTO,
Calif.
(June 27, 2009) - Sacramento ended a 28-inning scoreless streak in the
ninth inning but fell short in a 3-2 loss to Colorado Springs on Friday
night at Raley Field. The River Cats scored two runs on the
ninth
(Tommy Everidge and Matt Carson hit RBI singles), but left the tying and
go-ahead runs on first and second when Chris Denorfia struck out and
Gregorio Petit lined out to short to end the game. Sacramento starter
Shawn Chacon (1-1), the former National League All-Star, allowed only
three hits and one run over 7.0 innings but took the loss. Colorado
Springs starter Jason Hirsh (5-4) threw 6.2 scoreless innings for the win.
Sacramento reliever Henry Rodriguez allowed two runs to score in the top
of the ninth, which gave the Sky Sox the three-run cushion.
Next Game at Raley Field: Wednesday, July 1st –
Fresno at Sacramento, 7 p.m. (gates open at 6 p.m.) – Irish Heritage
Night (A celebration of the Irish Culture, which will include singing and
dancing contributions from the Sacramento Irish Community).
Saturday’s probable starting pitchers: Sacramento: RHP
James Simmons (2-4, 5.54) at Las Vegas: LHP Fabio Castro (3-2, 3.11).
KINGS
AND BLAZERS TRADE
SACRAMENTO,
Calif.
(June 25, 2009) - The Sacramento Kings tonight acquired 6-3 guard Sergio
Rodriguez, the draft rights to Jon Brockman (38th overall) and cash
considerations from the Portland Trail Blazers in exchange for the draft
rights to Jeff Pendergraph (31st overall), it was announced by Kings
President Basketball Operations Geoff Petrie.
Rodriguez, who has played all three NBA seasons with
Portland, has posted career averages of 3.6 points (.391 FG%, .304 3pt%,
.759 FT%), 1.3 rebounds and 2.9 assists per game in 219 contests. Last
season, Rodriguez averaged 4.5 points (.392 FG%, .325 3pt%, .792 FT%), 1.6
rebounds, 3.6 assists and 15.3 minutes per game in 80 appearances for
Portland. Hailing from Spain, Rodriguez was drafted by the Phoenix Suns
with 27th pick in the first round of the 2006 NBA Draft. He was traded to
Portland for cash considerations on June 28, 2006.
Brockman, a 6-7, 255-pound forward, averaged 13.8 points
(.534 FG%, .612 FT%), 9.8 rebounds and 1.0 assists per game in 131 career
games spanning four years (2005-06 – 2008-09) for University of
Washington. He finished his collegiate career as the Huskies’ all-time
rebounder with 1,283 boards and second-leading scorer with 1,805 points.
Brockman became the first player in school history to record more than
1,800 points and 1,200 rebounds, a feat achieved by only four players in
Pac-10 history.
KINGS
SELECT EVANS IN NBA DRAFT
SACRAMENTO,
Calif.
(June 25, 2009) -
The Sacramento Kings tonight (Thursday, June
25th) selected Memphis’ Tyreke Evans (4th overall) and Israel’s Omri
Casspi (23rd overall) in the first round of the 2009 NBA Draft and
acquired the draft rights to Jon Brockman (38th overall) from Portland.
Evans, a 6-6, 220-pound guard, was the 2009 Conference USA Freshman of the
Year after averaging a team-high 17.1 points and 5.4 rebounds per game in
his freshman season. He was also named to the All-Conference USA First
Team and was the MVP of the Conference USA Tournament.
An early entry candidate, Evans scored in double-figures 33
times and tallied 20 points or more in 12 games during the 2008-09 season.
His 632 points were the second-most by a freshman in school history and
his 77 steals set a freshman record. Evans dished out 143 assists, the
third-highest single-season total for a freshman. In three NCAA Tournament
games, Evans averaged 22.3 points, 4.0 rebounds and 4.7 assists. He
tallied a season-high 33 points against Missouri in the Sweet Sixteen.
As a senior for American Christian School in Aston, Penn.,
Evans was named the 2008 Pennsylvania Player of the Year by the Associated
Press and 2008 Parade Magazine All-America First Team. He was named MVP of
the 2008 McDonald’s All-America Game in Milwaukee. In his senior season,
Evans averaged 32.1 points, 8.8 rebounds, 5.7 assists and 4.3 steals per
game. Evans was a varsity starter on American Christian’s team since the
seventh grade.
Evans becomes only the second freshman chosen by the Kings in
the lottery – Spencer Hawes (2007, 10th) – and only the third freshman
overall, joining Hawes and Gerald Wallace (2001, 25th). The Kings have
selected an early entry candidate in five of the last six drafts.
Casspi, a 6-9, 225-pound forward, averaged 10.1 points (.549
FG%, .391 3pt%, .714 FT%), 3.5 rebounds and 1.4 assists in 89 career games
through four seasons (2005-06 – 2008-09) in the Israeli League. He
averaged double-figures in scoring in each of the last three seasons. He
posted a career-high 12.8 points while shooting 64.7 percent from the
field in 19 games during the 2008-09 season. Casspi averaged 15.3 points
(.586 FG%, .679 FT%) and 3.2 rebounds per game in six games in the 2006-07
EuroCupChallenge. In Euroleague play, Casspi averaged 6.0 points (.509 FG%,
.688 FT%) and 2.4 rebounds per game in 39 appearances through three
seasons (2005-06, 2007-08, 2008-09).
Casspi grew up in Hapoel Holon but moved to Maccabi Tel Aviv,
playing in his native Israel his entire career. He becomes the first
Israel player to be drafted in the first round and has the opportunity to
become the first player from Israel to play in the NBA. Casspi becomes the
first European-born player to be drafted by the Kings since Hedo Turkoglu
(Turkey) was selected with the 16th overall pick in the 2000 NBA Draft.
Brockman was selected by the Portland Trail Blazers with the
38th overall pick and his draft rights were acquired by the Kings along
with guard Sergio Rodriguez and cash considerations in exchange for the
draft rights to Jeff Pendergraph, who the Kings selected with the 31st
pick. In four seasons (2005-06 – 2008-09) with the University of
Washington, Brockman averaged 13.8 points (.534 FG%, .612 FT%), 9.8
rebounds and 1.0 assists per game in 131 career games. The 6-7, 255-pound
forward finished his collegiate career as the Huskies’ all-time rebounder
with 1,283 boards and second-leading scorer with 1,805 points. Brockman
became the first player in school history to record more than 1,800 points
and 1,200 rebounds, a feat achieved by only four players in Pac-10
history. A two-time All-Pac-10 First Team selection, Brockman averaged a
double-double in each of his last two seasons (14.9 ppg and 11.5 rpg in
2008-09 and a career-best 17.8 ppg and 11.6 rpg in 2007-08). Brockman was
a teammate of current Kings center Spencer Hawes during the 2007-08 season
at Washington.
“Today with the fourth pick in the draft we took Tyreke
Evans,” said Petrie. “We think he has a chance to become a great player in
the league. He has great size. He has the ability to be a multi-position
player, and he is clearly physically ready to play. I think he will bring
us additional presence out there physically on the defensive end. He
wanted to be here and he was too good of a talent to pass on.
“We took Omri Casspi with the 23rd pick. He is very long,
very active and very aggressive and tough. He pretty much has a good
all-around game. He can really run and get up and down the court.
“With the 38th pick, we took Jon Brockman, who has led the
Pac-10 in rebounding the past two years. He is another incredibly
hard-working competitor, like Tyreke and Omri.”
“Sacramento is a great place to play at I am just really
excited,” Evans said. “I thought that it would be a good fit for me and
they are young. They are trying to build something together. I just want
to get in there, bring it together and try to win a lot of games.”
SOX SHUT
OUT RIVER CATS AGAIN
WEST
SACRAMENTO,
Calif.
(June 25, 2009) -
Colorado Springs shut out
Sacramento for the second consecutive game as the Sky Sox won 3-0 at
Raley
Field on Thursday night. The River Cats, winners of 10 of 13 games, could
only muster five hits and committed a season-high four errors. Sacramento
starter Chad Reineke only allowed two runs over 5.1 innings, but couldn’t
match Brandon Hynick’s 7.0 shutout innings for Colorado Springs.
Sacramento, which leads the Pacific Coast League with a 46-27 record, will
go for a series split Friday night at 7 p.m.
Next Game at Raley Field: Friday, June 26th –
Colorado Springs at Sacramento, 7 p.m. (gates open at 6 p.m.) – Family
Fun Fridays (Enjoy $1 hot dogs and $1 ice cream); Harry Potter Night (Come
dressed as your favorite Harry Potter character and you could win a
valuable prize!).
Friday’s probable starting pitchers: Colorado Springs:
RHP Jason Hirsh (4-4, 6.58) at Sacramento: RHP Shawn Chacon (1-0, 6.00).
KINGS
ANNOUNCE COACHING STAFF
SACRAMENTO,
Calif.
(June 22, 2009) - Sacramento Kings’ Head Coach Paul Westphal today
announced his coaching staff as the team has reached agreement in
principles with Jim Eyen, Mario Elle and Leonard “Truck” Robinson as
assistant coaches. Additionally, Westphal retained the services of Pete
Carril.
“I’m really excited,” explained Westphal. “I think we’ve put
together an outstanding staff. Pete Carril is going to come back and be
the one we all learn from. He’ll be around quite a bit. He won’t travel to
all of the games, but he’ll be a presence at practice, home games and
meetings and in helping all of us. I couldn’t be happier about that. Jim
Eyen, Mario Elle and Truck Robinson each bring great NBA experience.”
Eyen, an 18-year NBA veteran assistant coach, enters his first season on
the Kings’ bench, having spent the past six seasons as an assistant coach
for the Los Angeles Clippers.
With 30 years of coaching experience under his belt, Eyen
originally began his career with the Clippers in 1988 when he served as an
assistant coach under then head coach Don Casey. The following season, he
moved to the Lakers, assisting Pat Riley and was retained when Mike
Dunleavy was named Lakers' head coach in 1990. After three seasons with
the Lakers, Eyen followed Dunleavy to Milwaukee, where he remained through
1996. In 1997, Eyen again
joined Dunleavy, only this time in Portland, where he worked as an
assistant through the 2000-01 season. When Dunleavy was named head coach
of the Clippers prior to the 2003-04 season, he again asked Eyen to join
him as the team's lead assistant. Eyen also served as acting head coach on
April 12, 2005, guiding the Clippers to a 94-85 victory over the Utah Jazz
at STAPLES Center while Dunleavy was away from the team for personal
reasons. Eyen began his coaching career as an assistant coach at Santa
Barbara City College in 1979 where he helped lead the Vaqueros to the
state tournament three consecutive years. In 1982, Eyen was named head
coach of Dos Pueblos High School in Goleta, CA, and led his team to the
1984 CIF playoffs as well as coaching the county all-star team. Prior to
joining the Clippers' bench in 1988, Eyen served as an assistant for his
alma mater, the University of California at Santa Barbara for four
seasons, helping the Gauchos earn their first-ever trip to the NCAA
Tournament. Eyen's basketball interests also extend internationally. He
has served as a consultant to clubs in the Netherlands, Germany and Japan,
where in 1996 he worked with the Japanese National Team.
“Jim is one of the most well-respected long-time assistants
in the league,” said Westphal. “He’s been highly regarded by everyone that
I’ve talked to and we are very fortunate to add him to the mix.”
Elie, a 12-year NBA veteran, begins his first season with the
Kings after spending the last two campaigns as an assistant coach for the
Dallas Mavericks. During the 2006-07 season, he served as a pre- and
post-game host for the Houston Rockets FOX Sports Net telecasts after
serving as an assistant coach for the Golden State Warriors for two
seasons (2004-05 & 2005-06). Prior to joining the Warriors coaching staff,
he spent the 2003-04 season as an assistant coach with the San Antonio
Spurs.
Elie enjoyed a successful NBA playing career averaging 8.6
points, 2.8 rebounds and 2.6 assists in 732 regular season games with
Golden State, Philadelphia, Portland, Houston, San Antonio and Phoenix. He
also played in 116 career playoff contests, winning three NBA
Championships with Houston (1994 & 1995) and San Antonio (1999).
A native of New York City, Elie enjoyed some of his finest
playing moments as a member of the Houston Rockets. He started all four
games of the 1995 NBA Finals against Orlando, averaging 16.3 points, 4.3
rebounds and 3.3 assists en route to winning his second consecutive title.
Additionally, his best individual season came in 1996-97, when he averaged
11.7 points, 3.0 rebounds and 4.0 assists in 78 games for the Rockets. In
1998, he was named to the Rockets 30-Year Team as one of the top 10
players in club history.
After being drafted in the seventh round by the Milwaukee
Bucks (160th overall pick) in 1985 out of American International College –
a Division II school in Springfield, Mass. – Elie played in Portugal,
Argentina, Ireland, the USBL, the WBL and the CBA before making his NBA
debut with the Philadelphia 76ers in December of 1990. After appearing in
three games for the 76ers, Elie signed a 10-day contract with Golden State
on Feb. 23, 1991. Five days later, he signed a contract with the Warriors
through the end of the following season.
“Mario and I worked together in Dallas,” noted Westphal. “I
was very impressed with him. He was one of the first guys that I targeted.
He’s going to really help us with his defensive intensity and with his
experience as a successful and versatile perimeter player in this league.
The respect he has earned as a tough competitor will bring a lot to our
staff.”
Robinson enters his first season with the Kings upon spending
last season as a scout for the Washington Wizards. He was known for his
tenacious rebounding and offensive firepower as a player, standing at only
6-7. An 11-year NBA veteran, averaged 15.5 points and 9.4 rebounds per
game over 772 contests with Washington (1974-77), Atlanta (1977), New
Orleans (1977-79), Phoenix (1979-82) and New York (1982-85). A two-time
NBA All-Star (1978 and 1981), Robinson helped the Bullets win the 1975 NBA
Eastern Conference and was an integral player for Phoenix when the Suns
won the 1981 Pacific Division. He led the NBA in minutes played (3,638),
rebounds (1,288), defensive rebounds (990), and rebounds per game (15.7)
during the 1977-78 season.
Robinson was a second round selection of 1974 NBA Draft by
the Washington Bullets.
“Truck Robinson and I go way back,” said Westphal. “We played
together twice, once in Phoenix and once in New York. Truck is one of the
smartest, most accomplished players I’ve ever played with. He led the
league in rebounding once as a 6-7 forward. Even though he’s never coached
in the league, he’s been a specialist in working with big men. He helped
us in Phoenix in that regard and has since been active in scouting and Big
Man training. Hubie Brown was a big advocate of Truck’s after seeing him
teach and interact with young players. Our rebounding will improve and one
of the reasons will be because Truck’s on the staff.”
In a crowning achievement to his legendary collegiate
coaching career, Carril was rewarded with an induction into the Naismith
Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame on September 29, 1997. After coaching 30
years in the NCAA ranks, Carril joined the Kings prior to the 1996-97
campaign. His addition to the Kings' coaching staff reunited him with
Petrie, whom he coached at Princeton from 1968-70.
The winningest coach in Ivy League history (525-273, .658
winning percentage), Carril's career at Princeton included 13 conference
titles, 11 NCAA Tournament appearances, and just one losing season. Prior
to his retirement following the 1996 NCAA Tournament, he was the only
active NCAA Division I head coach to reach the 500-victory plateau without
athletic scholarships.
In his final season as head coach at Princeton, he led the
Tigers to the Ivy League Championship with a 22-7 record. In one of the
most thrilling moments of the 1996 NCAA Tournament, Carril's Tigers upset
defending champion UCLA in the first round, 43-41, on a signature Carril-designed
backdoor layup with only 3.8 seconds remaining in the game.
Carril played collegiately at Lafayette College under Head
Coach Butch Van Breda Kolff. Following his graduation from Lafayette in
1952, Carril began his coaching career at the high school level where he
stayed for 12 years. He went on to become head coach at Lehigh University
for one season before beginning his stay at Princeton in 1967.
QUAKES
HOST DOUBLEHEADER AUGUST 8
SAN JOSE,
Calif.
(June 18, 2009) -
The San Jose Earthquakes and Soccer United
Marketing (SUM) announced today that they will host a doubleheader
spectacular at Candlestick Park on Saturday, August 8. The Earthquakes
will take on the defending MLS Cup Champion Columbus Crew at 5:30 p.m. PT,
followed by UEFA Champions League winner FC Barcelona against Mexican
powerhouse Club Deportivo Guadalajara (more popularly known as Chivas).
The match will mark Barça’s first visit ever to the Bay Area. Barça and
Chivas have played twice before in the United States with Barça posting a
win and a tie.
“We are excited to host the ‘Night of Champions’ with the
two-time MLS Cup Champion Earthquakes, the reigning MLS Cup Champion Crew,
FC Barcelona, who won the Champions League this year, and Chivas, who have
11 Mexican league titles,” said Earthquakes Executive Vice President David
Alioto. “We are constantly working to bring big soccer events to Northern
California and this doubleheader is a perfect example of that.”
Tickets to see the Spanish giant, whose honors include 19 La
Liga trophies, a record-setting 25 Copa del Rey championships and three
UEFA Champions League titles, will go on sale to the general public on
Monday, June 22. Season ticket holders will receive a comparable ticket to
the match and will receive new tickets to the match in the mail. A special
presale will be held for Earthquakes season ticket holders and other
Earthquakes partners from Wednesday, June 17-21. Season ticket holders
should contact the Earthquakes Front Office at 408-556-7700 to purchase
additional tickets or for any questions and concerns. Tickets prices start
at $30 and can be purchased by calling (800) 225-2277 or by logging on to
sjearthquakes.com.
FC Barcelona intends on bringing its heralded roster of
international superstars that currently includes Lionel Messi, Rafael
Marquez, Xavi, Carles Puyol, Thierry Henry and Andres Iniesta. The club
just finished their treble winning season. They won all three of their
major competitions: Spain’s La Liga, UEFA Champions League and Copa del
Rey. After finishing the season with 87 points and capturing the La Liga
title, Barça went on to defeat Manchester United 2-0 in the UEFA Champions
League Final with goals from Samuel Eto’o and Lionel Messi. Messi, a
21-year-old Argentinean, finished as the highest scorer, with nine goals,
and as the Most Valuable Player of the UEFA competition. He is also in the
running for the FIFA World Player of the Year Award for 2009. Barça also
defeated Athletic Bilbao 4-1 in the final of the Copa del Rey.
Guadalajara is one of the top teams in the Primera Division
de Mexico, the highest professional division in Mexico, and returns to the
U.S. to take part in what will be a rematch against FC Barcelona of the
1-1 tie played in 2008 in front of 92,650 fans at the Los Angeles Memorial
Coliseum. Chivas have won a Mexican Primera Division record 11 league
titles in their existence.
The Earthquakes have had great success hosting international
matches during the past three seasons. Mexico has played a number of
matches in recent years at the Oakland-Alameda County Coliseum, including
a match on January 28 against Sweden in front of 46,550 fans. The two
previous trips by Mexico to the Coliseum resulted in sellout crowds of
47,416. The Mexican national team defeated Ecuador 4-2 on March 28, 2007
and more recently on March 2, 2008, the Under-23 teams of Mexico and
Australia tied 1-1. Also, the Quakes hosted a sold-out SuperLiga match
between Mexican sides Chivas and Atlante at Buck Shaw Stadium in 2008.
San Jose has played one game in its history at Candlestick
Park. The Quakes tied Club America 1-1 in front of 22,512 fans on Sept.
18, 2002.
This trip will mark Barça’s third tour on American soil in
partnership with Soccer United Marketing. In 2006, the FC Barcelona USA
Tour registered the highest average attendance for any club tour in U.S.
history, averaging 80,734 in three matches. Barcelona played in front of
three sold-out crowds: at the Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum (vs. CD
Guadalajara, 1-1 on Aug. 6 in front of 92,650), at Houston’s Reliant
Stadium (vs. Club America, 3-3 on Aug. 9, with a crowd of 70,550), and at
Giants Stadium in E. Rutherford, NJ (vs. NY Red Bulls, 4-1 on Aug. 12, in
front of 79,002).
In 2008, FC Barcelona USA Tour visited two cities and
averaged 40,000 fans. On August 3, FC Barcelona defeated one of Mexico’s
most historic clubs, CD Guadalajara, 5-2 at Chicago’s Soldier Field. Three
days later, on Aug. 6, Barça defeated MLS’ New York Red Bulls 6-2 at New
Jersey’s Giants Stadium.
WESTPHAL TO BECOME NEXT KINGS COACH
SACRAMENTO,
Calif.
(June 9, 2009) - The Sacramento Kings today reached an agreement in
principle with Paul Westphal to become the team’s head coach, according to
Kings’ President of Basketball Operations Geoff Petrie.
“We are really excited to announce that we have reached an agreement in
principle with Paul Westphal to become the Kings Head Coach,” said Petrie.
“We set some parameters at the start of this coaching search to look for a
successful, experienced leader and Paul certainly meets those
qualifications. He has a wealth of experience in the
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Copyright 2009 NBAE (Photo by Rocky
Widner/NBAE via Getty Images)
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NBA as both a coach
and player having won 63 percent (267-159) of his career games as a coach
with winning records in both Phoenix and Seattle. He has been to the
Finals three times, twice as a player and once as head coach of the Suns.
He was very impressive during the interview process and in the subsequent
conversations we have had since the interview. Paul also was greatly
supported over the past few weeks by many of his former players and staff
and others around the NBA game.”
Westphal brings 25 years of coaching experience at both the
professional and collegiate levels to the Kings’ bench. He spent last
season (2008-09) as the executive vice president of basketball operations
for the Dallas Mavericks after spending the previous campaign as an
assistant coach for the Mavericks (2007-08).
“I’m really excited,” explained Westphal. “This is a great
opportunity and I really appreciate the confidence the Maloofs and Geoff
Petrie are showing in me. I can’t wait to get to work.”
Westphal’s NBA coaching experience began nearly five years
after his career as a player in the league ended. In 1988, after coaching
for one season at Phoenix’s Southwestern Baptist Bible College and two
seasons at Grand Canyon College, Westphal joined the Suns’ bench as an
assistant coach. Four years later, in 1992, the California native became
the franchise’s head coach. As head coach, he led the Suns to three of
their most successful seasons. In 1992-93, the Suns clinched the Pacific
Division title, won a franchise-record 62 games and made their second
appearance in the NBA Finals. In 1995, Westphal became the second-fastest
coach to reach 150 wins, accomplishing the feat in just 208 games and just
five shy of the mark set by Phil Jackson. The Suns surpassed the 55-win
mark in each of Westphal’s three seasons.
Westphal remained in Phoenix as the assistant coach to Terry
Kearney at Chaparral High School to see his son, Michael, to graduation.
He returned to the NBA coaching ranks in the lockout-shortened 1998-99
season, leading the Sonics to a 25-25 record. The following season,
Seattle posted a 45-37 record and made the playoffs, losing 4-1 to the
Utah Jazz in a first round series.
Overall, Westphal’s NBA head coaching record stands at
267-159, and his .627 winning percentage ranks among the league’s best.
Prior to joining the Mavericks, Westphal served as the head
men’s basketball coach at Pepperdine University from 2001 to 2006. During
his five seasons at Pepperdine, Westphal guided the Waves to an overall
76-72 mark (.514), including a 38-32 (.543) record in West Coast
Conference (WCC) play. During the 2001-02 season, the Waves enjoyed a 22-9
record, a share of the WCC title and an at-large berth in the NCAA
Tournament.
Westphal began his NBA career when he was a first round (10th
overall pick) draft choice of the Boston Celtics in the 1972 NBA Draft
after graduating from USC. His career spanned 12 seasons,which included
stints with Boston, Phoenix, New York and Seattle. He earned a 1974
championship ring with the Celtics and played for Phoenix in the 1976 NBA
Finals.
A five-time All-Star, Westphal’s career ended with Phoenix in
1983 after he scored 12,809 points(15.6 ppg), grabbed 1,580 rebounds (1.9
rpg), delivered 3,591 assists (4.4 apg) and came up with 1,022 steals (1.2
spg) in 823 career games. Westphal scored 9,564 points as a member of the
Suns and his No. 44 jersey was retired by the franchise on April 15, 1989.
THUNDER ANNOUNCES 2009-10 SCHEDULE
STOCKTON,
Calif.
(June 9, 2009) - The Stockton Thunder and the ECHL announced the 2009-10
regular season schedule today, with the Thunder opening its Fifth
Anniversary ECHL season on Friday, Oct. 16, on the road against the Idaho
Steelheads starting at 6:10 p.m. from Qwest Arena. The Thunder will open
its home schedule with a rematch of last year's first round playoff series
against the Ontario Reign, starting at 7:30 p.m. on Friday, Oct. 23 at
Stockton Arena.
The Thunder has led the ECHL in attendance for four
consecutive seasons and drew 223,854 fans (6,218 average) to Stockton
Arena last season, prepared to reward Thunder fans for their unbridled and
passionate loyalty after drawing a total of 935,640 fans through four
seasons. For the Fifth Anniversary season, the Thunder is scheduled to
welcome its "One Millionth Fan" through Stockton Arena's turnstiles.
A complete announcement of the "One Millionth Fan"
festivities, in addition to 2009-10 promotions and giveaway nights, are
scheduled to be announced soon.
Thunder home games will begin at 7:00 p.m. PT on Monday
through Thursday, 7:30 p.m. PT on Friday and Saturday, and 4:00 p.m. PT on
Sunday. The 72-game schedule (36 home, 36 away) ends with a two-game road
trip against the defending National Conference champion Alaska Aces on
April 2-3. A total of 24 home games will be played on a Friday or Saturday
while the home schedule features 30 weekend dates (12 Fridays, 12
Saturdays and 6 Sundays).
For more information, visit
Stockton Thunder.
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