Where Are They Now? — Charlotte Smith

It is called “The Shot” and, according to ESPNW writer Mechelle Voepel, it is “the most memorable moment in women’s NCAA Tournament history.” That shot, by Charlotte Smith in the 1994 NCAA women’s basketball tournament, was a three-pointer at the buzzer that gave North Carolina a stunning 60-59 victory against then-perennial national power Louisiana Tech. But Smith has accomplished more than just “The Shot” that people watch replays of each year during the NCAA Tournament. She was the most outstanding player of that tournament, she was named to the ACC’s 50th Anniversary Team, and she was an All-American, two-time All-ACC player, and the recipient of an ESPN ESPY as the Best Female College Basketball Player in 1995. She went on to a successful 10-year ABL and WNBA professional career, was an assistant at North Carolina for 10 years, and she just finished her second season in her first head coaching Read More

Arena Football League Closeup — Lawrence Samuels

Lawrence Samuels won three championship rings with the Tampa Bay Storm during a brilliant 16-year playing career in the Arena Football League. These days, however, his usual choice of jewelry is a rubber wristband with a reminder from Jeremiah 29 of a promise from God for prosperity, hope and a future. Samuels is immensely grateful for the blessings that helped him become one of the premier two-way players in AFL history. The former wide receiver and linebacker, now in his first full season as the Tampa Bay offensive coordinator, doesn’t dwell on his notable statistics and honors. “It’s all secondary,” he says. “I don’t really want to put a lot of focus on material things or accomplishments. I more like to let people look at my life than things that I did in my life.” For the record, the four-time All Ironman selection retired in 2010 as the league’s all-time Read More

Xtreme Wisedom

David Wise stood on deck at the top of the superpipe in Aspen, Colo. Before him stretched the perfectly groomed ice and snow tube carved 567 feet long into the mountainside. As he mentally prepared, Wise watched competitor Justin Dorey smash into the lip in what ESPN called “one of the gnarliest crashes in years.” (Thankfully, Dorey walked away with only an injured shoulder.) It wasn’t the kind of precursor you want before beginning your own high-speed attempt at defying gravity in a giant geographic playground… Continue reading

The Heart Of A Man

On Tuesday, Ben Crane and the “Golf Boys” released their second single, “2.Oh,” as they continue to revolutionize the image of the PGA Tour. Our feature on Crane, “The Heart Of A Man,” was published in the Summer 2012 issue of Sports Spectrum.

Ben Crane was walking off the green after a birdie on the par-5 15th in the final round of the Wells Fargo Championship in Charlotte, NC… Continue reading

The Year That Changed Him

Blessings tend to make life’s imperfections dissipate like a cloud of smoke. That is, if you let them, if you focus on them, if you realize you’re blessed. If not, you’ll end up like most people, trapped in the smoky thickness with bloodshot eyes, probably coughing and complaining, your vision clouded, lacking sufficient depth and perspective… Continue reading

Fisher and Underwood have strong foundation in marriage

Mike Fisher is used to defending the goal. He’s known for doing so with hard, physical play on the ice. Fisher is also accustomed to defending his beliefs. He’s never shied away from sharing the Christian values that set him apart within much of the NHL community.

But on February 10, 2011, Fisher was put in the unusual position of defending his character and his motives. On that day, the 10-year veteran Ottawa center was traded to the Nashville Predators… Continue reading

TobyMac, ‘Eye On It’ and golf

Review: Eye On It TobyMac writes hit albums in his sleep. At least that’s what I’ve decided. I mean he’s had hit albums dating all the way back to 1992 with dc Talk’s “Free At Last.” And “Eye on It” is no different. It debuted as the top album on the Billboard Top 200 list, only the third Christian album to accomplish that feat. I could just give you those stats and you would know enough to buy this album, but I guess I’ll give you a little review. Musically, TobyMac has always been able to evolve with the times. From grunge in Jesus Freak with dc Talk, to more heavy metal influences infused with rap on his debut solo album “Momentum,” he’s never one to stay stale with his sound from album to album. Eye On It has a bit of influence from Owl City (who Tobymac has collaborated Read More

Another Angle — Life is a hard drive

Cigarette smoke sunk into my skin like cologne.

I was in a random man’s garage—I think his name was Bob—and I had just met him. Bob had wrinkles in his face like he had been tanning and smoking for decades and an unbuttoned shirt that revealed his skinny, almost sickly, chest and stature. I’ve never met a mass-murderer, but if I ever do, I imagine him looking like Bob… Continue reading

Lesson Learned

Vernon Davis had just made a seven-yard catch, and after being tackled he slapped the helmet of a Seattle Seahawks defender that resulted in a 15-yard unsportsmanlike penalty.

Normally that would be the end of the story, with a few mentions on ESPN that day or in the sports section the following day. But for Davis it was only the beginning… Continue reading

Uncommon Challenge