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Franklin’s hiring was to spark football, boost athletics

CHARLOTTE, N.C. — New Virginia Tech coach James Franklin knows the Hokies’ proud history going back to the Frank Beamer era. Annual bowl bids. A trip to the national championship game. Special teams play so reliably good that it spawned the name “Beamer Ball,” and the beaten-up metal ...

Reality sets in for US soccer team

Any frustration associated with the failure of the United States Men’s National Soccer Team to advance past the round of 16 in the World Cup should not be laid at the feet of the players. The win over Bosnia and Herzegovina in the round of 32 was just the second-ever for the U.S. men in the ...

Coach, mentor feels blessed

I would like to thank John Hartsock of the Altoona Mirror sports department for the spot-on masterpiece (“Trio celebrates enduring bond of friendship” Altoona Mirror, June 20-21 edition) that he wrote about the 50-year friendship that I’ve had with Dr. Zane Gates and Carl Fochler, that began when I was their Little League Baseball coach. As a counselor, coach and volunteer, I have been blessed to work with many wonderful boys and girls, and in turn, I would like to thank my family, friends and mentors that I’ve had over the years. I would also like to thank everybody from my ...

PIAA wrestling regionals facing major changes

STATE COLLEGE — The PIAA revealed its plan to change the Class 2A boys high school wrestling regional format at its meeting at the Penn Stater Conference Center Hotel on Wednesday. Under the proposed new format, District 6 wrestlers would compete against District 10 wrestlers in the ...

MacCarty savors his local golf roots

One of Pennsylvania’s finest PGA golf professionals, and a man who also left his mark here in central PA nearly five decades ago, is currently enjoying retirement life along Florida’s Atlantic Coast. Jack MacCarty, now 78 years old, began his golf career in State College at Centre Hills ...

Messi believes nothing was handed to Argentina

Lionel Messi has a message for Argentina’s detractors: “Nothing was handed to us.” The Argentina superstar responded to critics who have been bashing the reigning World Cup champions over perceptions of beneficial officiating and favoritism by the soccer establishment. He said the ...