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Derby day toast to (my) dear old dad

Today is the Kentucky Derby, the greatest two minutes in sports. If you’ve been reading this column for a few years — actually a few decades now — first, thank you, and second, you’re aware that I make an annual derby pick. Since I know almost nothing about horse racing, I would consult the older and wiser. Years ago, I met Glenn Stevens through friends at Sinking Valley and learned he was an expert in racing. Glenn attended big races, performed blood testing for horses at West Virginia tracks and studied pedigrees. If he didn’t pick the derby winner, he could at least ...

By Neil Rudel nrudel@altoonamirror.com As longtime readers of this column know, there are special occasions or situations that call for the Mirror helicopter to fly in for a closer inspection. And surely anyone following Bishop Guilfoyle’s sudden dismissal of boys basketball coach Chris Drenning and its ensuing search for his successor would agree, this is definitely one of them. So after some preliminary paperwork and Mirror air-space clearances, we plotted a trip. It helps that BG is practically located right next to the Mirror and looks even closer from above. First ...

Application process set for doe licenses

At their regular quarterly meeting on April 15, the Pennsylvania Board of Game Commissioners gave final approval to a new system of how Pennsylvania hunters will apply for antlerless deer licenses. For generations, state law required all antlerless deer licenses to be issued only by county treasurers. Before the adoption of Wildlife Management Units, antlerless deer licenses were allocated on a county-by-county basis, and hunters were obligated to submit their antlerless deer license applications to the treasurer of the county where they desired to hunt. In the early 2000s, the ...

Franklin makes the right call on QB battle

UNIVERSITY PARK — Penn State coach James Franklin wants to make the first quarterback battle his team has had in four years a competition until the season opener. While it’s understandable and maybe even honorable to keep it open, Drew Allar was the favorite to win the job over Beau ...

First glimpse of ’23 Lions on display

UNIVERSITY PARK — Due to Covid and some personnel challenges the last couple of years, Penn State scaled back its Blue-White Game, but with the roster restored and sensing the anticipation of the upcoming season, James Franklin wanted to get back to a “traditional” spring game. Which means more real action and less of a controlled scrimmage. He wants to see how his young players react in front of a crowd in addition to rewarding the fans who make the trip as the game typically draws about 70,000. Kickoff/TV: The game kicks off at 2 p.m. today, and the Big Ten Network will ...

PGA Tour, LIV produced Masters just like any other

AUGUSTA, Ga. — The Masters had eight major champions finish among the top 10 and ties, and where they made a living became a mere footnote when Jon Rahm slipped into the green jacket. For the most part, it was a Masters just like any other. That includes the final hour. As much drama as Augusta National can create, this was the fourth straight year the winner had at least a four-shot lead with four holes to play. This wasn’t the first major with both PGA Tour and LIV Golf players. What caused so much anticipation was the Masters being the first major since the two tours began ...