The Genz

Pittsburgh said goodbye today to arguably its greatest wide receiver ever - Hines Ward. I remember the first time I saw Ward play. It wasn't as a Steeler but as a member of the Georgia Bulldogs in the 1995 Peach Bowl. As a sophomore wide receiver/running back, he stepped in at quarterback and set numerous records. He completed 31-of-59 passes for 413 yards (469 total yards) in Georgia's 34-27 loss to Virginia. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=N4a8o1h0XgM I didn't know it then but Ward would someday wear the Steelers colors and become one of my favorite players in the NFL - ever. When he was drafted by Pittsburgh in the third round of the 1998 NFL Draft, I remember thinking, "just another special teams guy, who might be a little like Slash (Kordell Stewart), a guy who could catch, run a bit and maybe throw an occasional ball." To become the greatest receiver in Steelers' history - no way. Boy, I was wrong. He did all those football things an...

The USD women's basketball team (20-7, 11-6, 3rd, Summit League) has a lot at stake when they take on on IPFW tonight (7 pm) at the DakotaDome. While USD is ineligible to participate in the upcoming Summit League Tournament and a shot at the NCAA Tournament, the Coyotes will try clinch third place in the league. USD wraps up conference play tonight as they seek their 21st win, which would be the most victories for USD in the DI transition. It would also represent the most wins since the 2007-08 campaign when they advanced to the NCAA DII title game in a 33-2 season. It is also vital that USD continues to win in order to build a resume for a possible WNIT bid. The NCAA's RPI ranking released today placed USD 90th, up 10 spots from last week. USD, which owns a win over Summit League champion SDSU (#60 on the RPI rankings) and Idaho State (#74 in RPI), is ahead of Oral Roberts at 103. ORU is second in the Summit. The Coyotes defeated Idaho State, 66-54, in Pocatello, Idaho, ea...

Sometimes, it is easy to get wrapped up in wins and losses, and forget about the student-athletes that even in tough times, have their head in the right place. One such athlete is Louie Krogman of The University of South Dakota men's basketball team. On Saturday night against Oakland at the DakotaDome, he will wrap up his career as a one of the best to put on a Coyote uniform. Even during a 10-17 (5-12 in the Summit League) season that has produced USD's first losing season in men's basketball in 24 seasons, Krogman  has exhibited leadership for a young Coyote team, which graduates just three seniors (Krogman, Charlie Westbrook and Rico Andreotti). As he culminates his career, the senior guard stands sixth all-time in scoring with 1,627 points and his 287 three-point field goals ranks third on the career charts. A starter for 101 games, he is one of two players in school history with 1,600 points and  over 280 3-pointers (Josh Mueller, 1,991 points, 307 3's).  ...

"Each time we say a word, think a thought or create an action; we evolve into who we are destined to become. So with each shift we are continually changing never to be that same person again." ~ Author Kaoru Shinmon I'm not sure why some people see life as a glass half-full and others with a glass half-empty. I do know this; it takes less energy to smile than frown.   Smiles, positive thinking and living life with their glass half-full define Mike Henriksen and Mark Ovenden, the co-hosts of Calling All Sports, a Sioux Falls, S.D., based sports talk show. Each day, the duo helps make our lives a little better with their fun and informative sports talk radio show that adds something new every day. It is a show that provides a powerful human interest niche to the local market. Whether Mike H. and Mark O. are interviewing a rising musical star, a high school sports standout, a new media professional in the area, analyzing the relevance of the State-U rivalry, or a ...

It will not be long before win and advance will be the order of the day in South Dakota preps hoops. Looking ahead, the Districts will start on Feb. 27 in the various classes of both boys and girls hoops. The girls state tournament will be held on March 8-10 with Class B in the Huron Arena, Class A at the Young Center in Spearfish and AA at Frost Arena in Brookings. Meanwhile the boys tourneys are set for AA at the Rushmore Plaza Center in Rapid City with Class A in the Sioux Falls Arena and Class B at the Barnett Center in Aberdeen on March 15-17. From my perspective, it would be better for the state to congregate these tournaments at one site, preferably Sioux Falls, which has the greatest capacity to hold such a tournament. However, that issue is for another time and blog discussion. For now, let's just look at the classes across the boys and girls divisions and see who stacks up as favorites. O'Gorman Ready to Defend AA Title In Class AA Boys, Sioux Falls O'Gor...

My fervor for baseball is year around. Every day, I check the Detroit News and Detroit Free Press, mlb.com and a few other assorted websites for fresh news about baseball and particularly my Detroit Tigers. I am not sure what drives my passion for the Tigers or the game itself, but it is a fever that stays hot and intensifies in February.  My spirit and optimism grows as opening day hits and culminates with the World Series, after which I feel some effects of withdrawal with the end of the season. But, then before you know it, February has arrived and pitchers and catchers report. Baseball is back. No matter what words I use to describe my feeling for the game, the best I can offer is that baseball is a blessing. Day-by-day, I, and millions others, receive an opportunity to experience the ups and down of a team - my team, my Tigers.  Ah, precious baseball returns. And, that my friends, makes me smile. I know, it isn't long befo...