Bob Acklin didn't sound too upset when he talked about getting laid off. That's because he's working more in an area he enjoys - officiating high school and youth sports games. According to the Arizona Interscholastic Association, a downturn in the economy usually results in an uptick in officials, and Acklin and many others went to the sidelines, where they are always hiring, after losing their jobs.
Volleyball tournament begins today - Arizona Daily Star - 09/04/09 Every weekend — starting today and spanning the next 10 — there is at least one major invitational or classic scheduled for the nonfootball fall sports — girls volleyball, cross country, swimming and golf.
FHS swim team reloads - Arizona Daily Sun - 09/03/09 In her first year as head coach, Flagstaff High swimming and diving coach Kelly Busche knows there are some important pieces missing from last year's boys state champion team and also some top-tier swimmers gone from the girls side.
Running on empty - Yuma Sun - 09/03/09 Rebuilding is part of high schools athletics. Kofa cross country coach Tom Spanton was one returning starter away from a literal complete rebuilding project.
Dorados start well - Arizona Daily Star - 08/29/09 When Canyon del Oro High School's Ka'Deem Carey scampered into the end zone for his third and final touchdown on Friday night, an Ironwood Ridge defender stripped the ball from his hands and shared some heated words with the running back.
Hamilton begins season by clobbering St. Mary's - Arizona Republic - 08/28/09 Top-ranked Chandler Hamilton scored 45 points in the first half, returned the second-half kickoff for a touchdown, had a 50-point lead with eight minutes left in the third quarter and played running clock the rest of the way in a 73-15 rout of visiting St. Mary's, the once-storied program.
Titans-Eagles one to anticipate - Arizona Daily Star - 08/25/09 Last year ended in misery for the Santa Rita football program, a close loss in the state championship to powerhouse Scottsdale Notre Dame Prep, leaving the school short of its first-ever title.
2009 prep volleyball preview - East Valley Tribune - 08/22/09 It’s a new year, but that doesn’t mean there will be a new crop of favorites as the 2009 high school volleyball season begins in Arizona. The programs that were the strongest in 2008 will likely be strong again, with precious little room for the up-and-comers.
Page hires new coaches - Arizona Daily Sun - 08/19/09 Page High School completed the hiring of new coaches for the 2009-10 school year Tuesday night, as coaches for baseball, track and boys soccer were approved by the school board.
Preview: Class 3A football at a glance - Arizona Republic - 08/17/09 Lakeside Blue Ridge. A double-overtime loser in the state finals last season, the Yellow Jackets lost several key players to graduation but remain experienced and talented. They are led by running back/defensive back Keevan Schimmel.
Preview: Class 2A football at a glance - Arizona Republic - 08/16/09 Chandler Valley Christian. The Trojans have a slight edge over five or six teams that can vie for the title this season, mainly because of a balanced offense and a solid defense, both led by coach Bill Morgan's son Jordan Morgan.
High schools hold first football practices - Arizona Daily Sun - 08/04/09 Members of the Coconino High School team huffed and puffed after a conditioning drill. Two miles south, Sinagua players had to learn the route from their locker room to the practice field. On the west side of town, two Flagstaff High players ran into each other on a busted play. Misfortunes such as those would typically beckon fire from a head coach's nostrils. Instead, local high school football players received a day of grace.
It’s happening in every corner of the country. Florida wants to reduce its high school sports schedule by 20 percent during the next two years to save money, a proposition that is being threatened by a Title IX lawsuit.
T birds shuffle their coaching staff - Mohave Daily News - 05/26/09 Mohave High School T-birds head football coach Dan Stickel's coaching staff will be pretty much the same this upcoming season as it was last year except it has been reshuffled a little bit and will feature one new assistant coach.
Shining Ray-der - Yuma Sun - 05/19/09 Shelly Baumann isn't a big fan of sports jargon, but the Cibola softball coach also knows an accurate term is an accurate term.
Southern Arizona's all-time high school athletes - Tucson Citizen - 05/19/09 Southern Arizona has produced a plethora of talented high school athletes through the years, some who went on to professional and Olympic careers. This list is the best of the best based on their dominance during their high school years.
5A-I softball: Basha tops Red Mtn. for 2nd title - Arizona Republic - 05/16/09 It took a little longer than anticipated, but Chandler Basha finally secured its second consecutive Class 5A Division I softball championship Friday night with a 5-2 victory in nine innings over Mesa Red Mountain at the Rose Mofford Sports Complex.
Seton softball captures 4A-II championship - East Valley Tribune - 05/15/09 A Chandler Seton Catholic softball season which began with sophomore ace Olivia Bergman's face being broken by a batted ball during tryouts ended Friday night with screams of joy, as the Sentinels won their first 4A Division II state championship, a 9-0 rout over Phoenix Greenway at Rose Mofford softball complex.
Bobcats lay the lumber to Falcons - Arizona Daily Star - 05/15/09 Even though Cienega starter Alexa Cash didn't have her best stuff in the circle against Catalina Foothills, the offense did enough to carry the No. 1 Bobcats to a date with Canyon del Oro in the 4A-I state championship game on Saturday.
Kenzie Fowler will be heading home to Tucson on Saturday for what she hopes will be the crowning achievement of her high school softball career.
Next stop: state - Yuma Sun - 05/14/09 If Lex Black, JC Baker, Rod Ford and Paul Corona's competitors weren't already aware of the crop coming from the Yuma area, they are now.
Kofa marches on to quarterfinals - Yuma Sun - 05/11/09 The Kofa baseball team reached the quarterfinals of the 5A-II State Baseball Tournament for the first time in at least six years with an 11-6 win against Tempe-Marcos de Niza on Saturday at the Phoenix Municipal Stadium.
Devils' playoff visions a mirage - Mohave Daily News - 05/06/09 As of the middle of Tuesday afternoon, the River Valley High School Dust Devils athletics department and the baseball team thought they were going to compete in the Arizona Interscholastic Association 3A State Baseball Tournament; however, the rug was pulled from beneath their feet.