Sports Spectrum

• Breaking Free

  By Stephen Copeland

  

  A glimpse into the mind of the 2012 U.S. Open champion, Webb Simpson…

  Webb Simpson had fallen into a trap, a spiritual and psychological snare.

  As he stood on the putting green before the final round of the 2011 Wyndham Championship in Greensboro, NC—with a two-stroke lead, still winless on the PGA Tour with an opportunity to earn his first victory close to his hometown of Raleigh—he still had one foot stuck in the snare… Continue reading →

• From the Archives — Chronicling the Spiritual Journey of 1999 U.S. Open Champion Payne Stewart

  By Sports Spectrum

  

  The putt only covered 15 feet, but it seemed more like 100 to the gallery gathered at the eighteenth hole at Pinehurst No. 2 on that early Sunday evening in June 1999. It traveled uphill, broke ever so slightly to the right…and slipped gently into the cup.

  Payne Stewart, wearing his trademark knickers and argyle socks, hoisted the ball up to the heavens. The crowd roared. And for the second time in his career, Stewart was crowned champion of the U.S. Open–the most prestigious event for American golfers. The victory would be his last on the PGA Tour.

  Four months later, on October 25, 1999, Payne Stewart entered the gates of heaven after his private jet plowed into a dirt field in Minot, South Dakota, taking the lives of Stewart and three business associates. His death at only 42 years old shook the golf world and the entire nation… Continue reading →

• Devotional of the Week — Success won’t change Webb Simpson

  By Stephen Copeland

  

  I went to hear Webb Simpson speak at Forest Hill Church in Charlotte, N.C., one evening this past winter. He spoke transparently about his faith, family and success. The pastor of Forest Hill, David Chadwick, asked Simpson about temptations on the PGA Tour. Simpson talked about how he stepped on Tour and everyone started treating him like he was special. People wanted him to sign autographs. He had 60-year-old volunteers calling him “Mr. Simpson.” When he had his breakout season in 2011 and won the U.S. Open in 2012… Continue reading →

• Video of the Week — Big week for driver Trevor Bayne

  By Sports Spectrum

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• May 2013 DigiMag Now Available!

  By Sports Spectrum

  

  View our 46-page, interactive May DigiMag! This issue includes features on boxers Robert Guerrero and Frankie Filippone, PGA Tour golfer Kevin Streelman, and an incredible account of a blind surfer named Derek Rabelo.

  Read the cover story early by clicking here, or flip through the entire DigiMag by logging in here. View on your computer, iPad, tablet, iPhone or Android… Continue reading →

• Mike Fox builds empire, instills values

  By Sports Spectrum

  

  The story was written after North Carolina’s baseball program made it to the final series two times in three years (2006, 2007), losing both to Oregon State. Mike Fox took over in 1999 and has led North Carolina to the College World Series (final eight teams) five times (2006, 2007, 2008, 2009, 2011) in his 14-year tenure. Previously, North Carolina had only made it four times (1960, 1966, 1978, 1989) in 41 years (since 1948). Fox also played on the 1978 team as the starting shortstop… Continue reading →

• From the Archives — Just Getting Started

  By Sports Spectrum

  

  The thing I’ll remember most about my career is how much I grew up as both an athlete and a man, not to mention how much I learned about what it takes trying to be the best.

  I really started to learn that mentality and that attitude at the 1992 Olympics, being on the original Dream Team with guys like Michael Jordan, Magic Johnson, and Larry Bird. I learned by seeing how intense they were about their sport, about their training, and about their commitment to what they do.

  Up until that time, I always enjoyed basketball, but I always looked at it as a sport. You come out and you play basketball. You know, it’s fun, but that was it. But those guys took it to another whole level for me. It wasn’t just learning how to be intense and having commitment, it was also seeing the responsibility you have for your teammates… Continue reading →

• Devotional of the Week — Dwelling on joy

  By Brett Honeycutt

  

  Major League Baseball knuckleball pitcher R.A. Dickey had the best year of his career last season. He made his first All-Star Game appearance, had career-bests in victories (20), ERA (2.73) and strikeouts (230), and he won the National League Cy Young award—the highest achievement for a pitcher. And all of that came after releasing his autobiography, Wherever I Wind Up: My Quest for Truth, Authenticity and the Perfect Knuckleball… Continue reading →

• Toby Mac talks golf at K-LOVE Fan Awards

  By Brett Honeycutt

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• Airing It Out — Disagreement equals hate?

  By Brett Honeycutt

  

  It’s official. The media is the new czar of morality.

  Your Bible? They say it’s no longer valid. And what you individually believe? It’s no longer relevant either.

  If you go against the media’s moral code, whether you are a liberal or a conservative, you are now bigoted and hateful… Continue reading →

• Devotional of the Week — Living intensely

  By Sports Spectrum

  

  My youngest daughter stood in line for three hours to get an autographed copy of “One Last Strike” by Tony LaRussa. It is his story of the improbable 2011 World Series run by the St. Louis Cardinals.

  She gave it to me for Christmas. I read the whole book in two days. It paints a good picture of how LaRussa thinks. Simply put, his philosophy for competing is “win through process.” On offense, play to make one run by making each at-bat count… Continue reading →

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