'Golf course fees, fine dining and college tuition'
No criminal charges have been filed against Reina in Sacramento County as of Thursday morning, according to a search of the county’s criminal case portal. Updated 4:56 p.m. CapRadio made no fewer than four attempts to reach Reina’s lawyers, Bird & Van Dyke, Inc., for a response to the lawsuit, but did not hear back […]
No criminal charges have been filed against Reina in Sacramento County as of Thursday morning, according to a search of the county’s criminal case portal. Updated 4:56 p.m. CapRadio made no fewer than four attempts to reach Reina’s lawyers, Bird & Van Dyke, Inc., for a response to the lawsuit, but did not hear back as of Thursday afternoon.
Though he was the only individual identified by name, Reina is not the only defendant of the lawsuit. CapRadio is also suing an additional 50 individuals, referred to as “DOES 1 through 50” (in reference to John/Jane Doe) in the complaint. What followed has been an extensive look into CapRadio’s finances, sparked by an audit commissioned by the California State University Chancellor’s Office detailing years of financial mismanagement by previous leadership at the public media station — which is an auxiliary of Sacramento State. These details span nearly 130 pages of exhibits and attachments, as well as the names of all subjects, board members, individuals and businesses included in the examination. Two months later, CapRadio laid off 12% of its staff and canceled four longtime music programs. Reina was hired by CapRadio in 2007 as its chief financial officer. His role grew in 2013 to include chief operating officer and he was subsequently promoted in 2020 to executive vice president and general manager. He resigned in June 2023. The public media station in November also explained progress on its debt repayment plans. Most of CapRadio’s debt — an estimated .7 million — is owed to Sac State, which it will pay back a portion of through hourly on-air messaging promoting the university. The agreement does not technically require CapRadio to spend any money, in what’s called an “in-kind” service. CapRadio provides a trusted source of news because of you. As a nonprofit organization, donations from people like you sustain the journalism that allows us to discover stories that are important to our audience. If you believe in what we do and support our mission, please donate today. The lawsuit was filed in Yolo County Superior Court last month in connection with a 2023 audit that found significant financial mismanagement at the public media station. In November 2024, CapRadio released its audited financial reports, revealing million in debt — the majority of which is tied to two costly Downtown projects. Key details that were blocked out upon initial release in August — like credit card statements and emailed correspondence between Reina and others — were included in Wednesday’s update.
CapRadio’s main allegations
As Chief Financial Officer, and later while holding all of CPR’s executive titles, Reina had access and control over CapRadio’s bank accounts, station lawyers argued. Reina is accused of opening corporate credit cards in CapRadio’s name, over which he gave himself exclusive access and control, without the knowledge or authority from CapRadio’s Board of Directors.
Reina is accused of transferring more than $370,000 of CapRadio funds to his personal accounts from 2017 until his resignation in 2023 as well as using corporate credit cards to pay for family plane tickets and vacations, personal memberships and golf course fees, fine dining, personal groceries and alcohol, home utilities, personal vehicles, charitable donations in his name, college tuition, entertainment tickets, as well as home mortgage payments and taxes.
In addition, Reina is accused of using CapRadio credit cards to pay for more than $100,000 in improvements to his West Sacramento home.
CapRadio lawyers argue Reina hid his unauthorized use of the public media station’s bank accounts and credits, submitting no expense reports or supporting receipts for nearly all of his personal use of corporate credit cards.
Response from Jun Reina
When asked for a response to the lawsuit and allegations against Reina, Eytcheson said in an email, “This is the first I’ve heard of it. I really can’t comment.” CapRadio is an auxiliary of Sac State. The university holds the licenses to the public media station, which includes CapRadio Music, North State Public Radio (NSPR) based at Chico State and KHSU at Cal Poly Humboldt.
After an August 2024 forensic examination of the station’s finances that found Reina had received nearly 0,000 in unsupported payments, Mary Ann Bird, his attorney, emailed a statement suggesting all of CapRadio’s management “needs to be scrutinized” and that “the issues are under investigation and NO charges have been filed.” As for the lawsuit against Reina and Does 1 through 50, a case management conference is scheduled for April 21.
Sac State response
Some information in the document is still redacted, including the names of four individuals listed as Witness #1-4. On Wednesday, Sacramento State released a mostly-unredacted version of the forensic examination it first released in August 2024. The release comes after lawyers for The Sacramento Bee in December sent a letter to the university demanding the release of the full document, which was prepared by the Roseville firm CliftonLarsonAllen. One of the two projects is a Downtown office space CapRadio had planned to make its new headquarters. The station scrapped plans to make that move this year. The other project is a live event space on 8th Street. CapRadio is partnering with Sac State to use it as a learning lab when it opens sometime this year.
Others played role in station accruing debts
Both the university and the CapRadio Board of Directors are charged with overseeing the station’s financial management. The board during the time of Reina’s employment included several Sac State administrative officials, including the university’s former chief financial officer and a director of academic affairs resources.
“Our intent has always been to update the site once law enforcement confirmed that the release of the information would no longer hamper their investigation,” university spokesperson Lanaya Lewis said in an email. In August 2024, a spokesperson for the Sacramento County Sheriff’s Office confirmed to CapRadio it was investigating Reina, but would not give further details about the basis of the investigation. CapRadio reached out to the Sheriff’s Office on Wednesday for an update on the investigation, but did not get a response.
Sac State releases largely-unredacted forensic examination
The complaint says CapRadio is seeking at least 0,000 in damages, as well as for Reina’s home to be placed in a trust. Bruno said CapRadio management officials would not comment further, citing the ongoing litigation. When CapRadio reporters asked Sac State to comment on the lawsuit this week — and discuss how one employee became the sole executive at the public media station, plus clarify what checks and balances were in place during Reina’s tenure — the university declined to comment. The 0,000 CapRadio is seeking in the lawsuit is a fraction of the overall debt the public media station faces following years of financial missteps. Reporters reached out to CapRadio attorneys for comment. They declined, adding they were “bound to the attorney-client privilege” and “must maintain the confidentiality of any advice I have given the client as to what will occur in the future regarding this and/or any other claims my client may have against others not named in this lawsuit.” The West Sacramento home is currently for sale. Attorneys for CapRadio believe Reina may leave the state with proceeds from his residence, according to the lawsuit. “Sacramento State is not a party in this litigation and won’t be commenting,” university spokesperson Lanaya Lewis said in an email. The lawsuit was filed in Yolo County, where Reina owns a home and lives. Reina is identified in the suit by his full name, Fidias “Jun” Reina, Jr.
Next steps
Capital Public Radio has filed a lawsuit against its former general manager Jun Reina, alleging he stole hundreds of thousands of dollars from the NPR member station “to secretly enrich himself,” using the station’s funds for “personal expenses that had no business purpose,” including home improvements, family vacations and mortgage payments, according to the civil complaint. You can read our independent ongoing coverage of financial issues at Capital Public Radio here. “CapRadio is actively pursuing all avenues to ensure that there is remediation and accountability for past actions that have impacted the station,” Chris Bruno, CapRadio’s chief marketing and revenue officer said in an emailed statement. Sac State published an earlier version of the largely-unredacted forensic examination — without the exhibits or attachments — on their website by Dec. 23.
Reina’s attorneys did not respond to multiple requests for comment. Station lawyers wrote that they will update the complaint when they have more information about these 50 individuals. They added that CapRadio management “is informed and believes” each of these people or groups “was in some manner responsible for the debt” accrued by the station. “The names and capacity of the Defendants sued herein as DOES 1 through 50 … are unknown to the Plaintiff at this time, and therefore, the Plaintiff sues said Defendants by such fictitious names,” the complaint reads. Lawyers added that these 50 defendants could include individual people, corporations or associations. Following NPR’s protocol for reporting on itself, no CapRadio corporate official or news executive reviewed this story before it was posted or broadcast. Editor’s note: CapRadio is licensed to Sacramento State, which is also an underwriter. Andrea Clark, who led CapRadio’s Board of Directors during Reina’s time as general manager, did not respond to a request for comment. CapRadio also reached out to Rick Eytcheson, who was the president and general manager of the station from 2006 until retiring in 2020, then served as President Emeritus until 2023. Disclosure: This story was reported and written by Insight Host Vicki Gonzalez and Politics Editor Chris Nichols. It was edited by Assignment Manager Claire Morgan, Producer Sarit Laschinsky and Producer Jen Picard.
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CapRadio also requested the full forensic examination under the Public Records Act on Aug. 5. The request was denied on Aug. 15.
Three Dirtbags Named All-Conference – Long Beach State University Athletics
LONG BEACH, Calif.—The Big West announced Tuesday that three Long Beach State baseball players were awarded All-Conference honors. The conference’s 11 head coaches voted on all awards. Kyle Ashworth was named second-team All-Conference. Ashworth was the leading Long Beach State hitter this season. The graduate student hit .330 and had a team-high 11-game hitting streak. […]
LONG BEACH, Calif.—The Big West announced Tuesday that three Long Beach State baseball players were awarded All-Conference honors. The conference’s 11 head coaches voted on all awards.
Kyle Ashworth was named second-team All-Conference. Ashworth was the leading Long Beach State hitter this season. The graduate student hit .330 and had a team-high 11-game hitting streak. Ashworth was the club leader in runs scored (43), hits (64), doubles (12), triples (2 with three others), total bases (86), and on-base percentage (.456). Ashworth recorded 20 multiple-hit games in 2025 and nine multiple-RBI games. He did not commit an error in 117 chances (111 PO-6A). In Big West only play, Ashworth led the league in on-base percentage (.507). He was fourth in hitting (.393), fourth in walks (22), tied with two others for fourth in hits (46), tied for sixth with three others in doubles (10), and 12th in stolen bases (60). A 2024 honorable mention All-Conference selection, Ashworth moved to fourth in school history in career walks, completing his career with 99. Former MLB All-Star Jason Giambi holds the school mark with 116. Ashworth led the team in walks in 2025 with 37 and was second in the Big West in the category.
Albert Roblez earned second-team All-Conference honors. Roblez led the team in ERA (2.78), saves (4), strikeouts (79), and strikeouts per nine innings (12.19). His strikeouts per nine innings tally is the fifth-best in school history. At 4-3, he was third on the team in victories. Opponents hit 168 (the sixth best in school history) against him in 2025. In league-only play, Roblez was the Big West leader in earned run average (1.97), opposing batting average (.146), fewest hits allowed (23), fewest runs allowed (12), and fewest earned runs allowed (10). He was fourth in strikeouts (61) and tied for fifth with five others for fifth in saves (5). In the May 19 NCAA Division I statistical report, Roblez was fourth in hits allowed per nine innings (5.25), 22nd in strikeouts per nine innings, 36th in ERA, 47th in WHIP (1.06), 93rd in strikeouts, and 149th in saves.
Kellan Montgomery was chosen as an honorable mention All-Conference. Montgomery finished the season with a team-high nine wins (9-4) and a team-high 76 innings pitched. He was second on the club in strikeouts with 60. He was named Big West Pitcher of the Week on April 14. Montgomery retired the final 19 Cal State Bakersfield batters he faced as he tossed a complete game four-hitter as Long Beach State defeated the Roadrunners 3-2 on April 13. Montgomery threw the first Long Beach State complete game since May 12, 2023, when Nico Zeglin blanked UC Santa Barbara 1-0. He struck out eight and walked two. He got 15 ground ball outs to go along with the strikeouts. Montgomery threw 122 pitches, 82 of which were for strikes. In conference-only statistics, Montgomery was third in wins (6) and fifth in innings pitched (58.1). Entering the May 19 NCAA Division I statistical report, Montgomery is 12th in victories, 11th in starts (14), and 56th in complete games.
Six artistic swimmers reveal how they stay mentally sharp
A methodical approach to mental training may help, but it’s ultimately up to the individual to determine what works best. That process takes time, and 18-year-old Barbara Coppelli of Chile admits that she hasn’t quite figured it out. Image Source: Barbara Coppelli competes with Macarena Vial Mella in the Duet Free Final at the World […]
A methodical approach to mental training may help, but it’s ultimately up to the individual to determine what works best.
That process takes time, and 18-year-old Barbara Coppelli of Chile admits that she hasn’t quite figured it out.
Image Source: Barbara Coppelli competes with Macarena Vial Mella in the Duet Free Final at the World Aquatics Artistic Swimming World Cup 2025 in Markham, Canada (Steph Chambers/Getty Images)
“I have really bad concentration problems,” Coppelli says. “In training, I get yelled at ALL the time. Sometimes I’m listening to the coach, but I’m actually just seeing her, not paying attention to her.”
Coppelli, who does double-duty on the junior and senior national teams, says, “Right now, I’m just understanding when I am getting distracted. It’s like, ‘Okay, you’re dissociating. Pay attention now.’ Sometimes I do understand but I don’t do anything about it.”
Unfortunately, resources are limited. “Being a tiny country,” she says, “we don’t have the financial stuff. You see all the big countries bringing physiotherapists, massage people, photographers, psychologists [to a competition like the World Cup in Canada]. It’s, like, we were fighting to get both of our coaches here. It’s very challenging. That’s kind of stopping us a bit from moving forward in our sport.”
Image Source: Tomoka Sato competes with Moe Higa for Team Japan in the Duet Free Routine at the Paris 2024 Olympic Games (Maddie Meyer/Getty Images)
Japan’s Tomoka Sato, 23, says that her mental fortitude comes from “repeated practice.”
“I do image training. I close my eyes and imagine the underwater scenery,” says the 2023 world champion in mixed technical duet. When the competition grows near, “I imagine judges and spectators at the match venue, too. I add that.”
Then, just before the performance, she will incorporate music and envision a supportive atmosphere.
Image Source: Team Japan competes in the Mixed Team Acrobatic Final at the Doha 2024 World Aquatics Championships (Quinn Rooney/Getty Images)
“I swim thinking everyone is watching, including judges, coaches and the audience is on my side. This helps me relax,” she says.
Then, in the water, “even when I think, ‘It’s no good, it’s no good,’ I have to push myself. I will swim with faith in the accumulated practice I have gained,” Sato says. “If I’m nervous, I believe in my practice and keep swimming.”
Still, Sato admits, there have been moments when pressure has reduced her to tears. When that happens, she says, “I write in my diary.” And, she says, “I call my younger brother, Yotaro, who understands me the most.” (Yotaro is also her mixed-duet partner.)
After switching nationalities from Mexico to the US, Ana Martinez, 23, says the mental game is harder than ever.
Due to a three-year waiting period to represent her new nation, Martinez says, “Last time I competed, the sport was called synchro, had different rules, and no base marks, so I have been preparing a lot. I’ve been visualizing what I need to do. When you’re eight people in the water, you have to think in patterns. Maybe it’s a line. Maybe it’s two lines.
“You also have to be tighter on the counts. We count one through eight. Sometimes we move on every count, or maybe we move on one count, then hold it for another two counts. It depends on the choreography. But the judges are very strict. If we’re not on count, you can get a ‘minor’ [error which carries a 0.1 penalty], an ‘obvious’ [error which costs 0.5 points], or a ‘major’ if it’s too off,” which yields a 3.0-point deduction.
As a result, she says the team works on visualization every time it swims through the entire routine. And when they do, Martinez says, “Some people visualize themselves – like how do I want to look in the water?” so they imagine how high they want to be, how a limb should look, or maybe their facial expressions. In contrast, she says, “Some people visualize what they’re looking at when they’re swimming.”
Many athletes choose one point-of-view or the other, but Martinez – whose role as a “pusher” means she’s at the bottom of every team structure – does both.
“If it’s a new routine,” she explains, “I like to look what I’m looking at [in the water]. But if it’s a very worked [out] routine, I like to look at myself.”
In addition, the US team has studied and established breathing exercises.
“When you exhale fast, it makes you ready to perform,” Martinez says, “versus if you inhale fast and exhale slow, then it relaxes you. I don’t know if you’ve seen this – but that’s why, when swimmers are about to go on, they go, “HA!”
American flyer Elle Santana, 19, says it helps to be able “to feel your team – even on land,” so she appreciates when the US does its group breathing together “to calm ourselves and stay in our little bubble. It doesn’t matter what other teams are doing in the pool; as soon as we walk into the competition, we’re very honed in.”
Image Source: Halle Pratt of Canada competes during the Solo Free Routine Final at the Japan Open at Tokyo Tatsumi International Swimming Center in Tokyo, Japan (Matt Roberts/Getty Images)
Sometimes, switching the brain off can also be effective. The key to staying mentally sharp “for me,” says Canada’s Halle Pratt, 25, “is downtime, making sure you’re well-rested. I try to sleep 8½ hours every night, and a little more towards competition. But I’m not afraid to take a nap in the middle of the day. I think that’s super-helpful.”
Image Source: Diego Villalobos Carrillo competes with Itzamary Gonzalez Cuellar for Team Mexico in the Mixed Duet Technical Preliminaries at the Fukuoka 2023 World Aquatics Championships (Adam Pretty/Getty Images)
Mental training, however, is not universal.
Mexico’s mixed duet specialist Diego Carrillo Villalobos, 20, is an ex-diver who went from complete beginner to world championship silver medallist in just three years. “I don’t have any special mental training,” he says. “I visualise a little bit, but I think it stresses me. I just trust in my work, and that relaxes me.”
Image Source: Team Spain competes in the Team Technical Routine at the Paris 2024 Olympic Games (Clive Rose/Getty Images
Ultimately – whatever the method (or non-method) of mental training – most artistic swimmers agree on a few universal truths.
Martinez, the Mexican-American says, “I think confidence is key. The first step is to believe you can do it, right? Then, you look at the details. And, of course, trusting your preparation and all the training you have.”
After spending eight hours in the pool six days of the week, and about 80 run-throughs of a routine, it becomes second nature.
A&M-Texarkana athletes soar in the classroom and on the field
TEXARKANA, Texas — The Texas A&M University-Texarkana athletic department has announced that the overall GPA for all student athletes in the Spring 2025 semester was a 3.25. There were 319 student athletes enrolled at the university during the spring semester that ended on May 7, 2025. There were 45 student athletes who earned a 4.0 […]
TEXARKANA, Texas — The Texas A&M University-Texarkana athletic department has announced that the overall GPA for all student athletes in the Spring 2025 semester was a 3.25.
There were 319 student athletes enrolled at the university during the spring semester that ended on May 7, 2025. There were 45 student athletes who earned a 4.0 for the semester and qualified for President’s Honors, 101 who finished with a GPA higher than 3.5 and earned University Honors, and 239 who finished with at least a 3.0, which will earn them a spot on the Athletic Director’s Honor Roll.
“We are exceptionally proud of the dedication our student athletes have for their work in the classroom,” said A&M-Texarkana President Dr. Ross Alexander. “To have so many of them qualify for academic honors while competing at a championship level is a testament to their work ethic and drive. We have made adding additional sports and student athletes an integral part of our growth strategy at A&M-Texarkana, and this is precisely why. These are strong students who we know will excel not only during their time with us, but in their careers as well.”
“Our student athletes had an outstanding year both in the classroom and in competition,” said Ryan Wall, A&M-Texarkana Director of Athletics. “With over 40 students earning a perfect 4.0 GPA across multiple sports, it’s clear they’re excelling in every area. This success is a reflection of their hard work and discipline, as well as the commitment of our coaches who continue to recruit high-character individuals and hold them to high standards on and off the field. Kudos to both our student-athletes and coaches for setting the bar high and representing our institution with pride.”
Texas A&M University competes in the NAIA’s Red River Athletic Conference and currently fields 17 varsity sports including men’s and women’s basketball, soccer, cross country, track and field, and tennis, as well as baseball, softball, women’s volleyball, women’s beach volleyball, competitive cheer, competitive dance and esports. The Fall 2025 semester will see the addition of four new sports, with men’s and women’s bowling and golf joining the program.
Here are 15 minor league, independent baseball teams in Illinois
The Springfield Lucky Horseshoes gear up for their season opener May 27 against the Normal CornBelters, marking the centennial of historic Robin Roberts Stadium.The team, owned by Golden Rule Entertainment’s Capital City Baseball LLC, is part of the Prospect League, a collegiate summer league. There are more than a dozen minor league-affiliated and independent league baseball […]
The Springfield Lucky Horseshoes gear up for their season opener May 27 against the Normal CornBelters, marking the centennial of historic Robin Roberts Stadium.The team, owned by Golden Rule Entertainment’s Capital City Baseball LLC, is part of the Prospect League, a collegiate summer league.
There are more than a dozen minor league-affiliated and independent league baseball teams around the state.
Here’s where to catch a ballgame this summer.
Chicago Dogs (Rosemont)
League: American Association of Independent Professional Baseball
Of note: According to its website, the Dogs are named after “Chicago’s favorite and oldest culinary tradition.”…Infielder Zion Pettigrew played at the University of Illinois Springfield, signing with the Washington Nationals as a free agent.
League: American Association of Independent Professional Baseball
Stadium: Northwestern Medicine Field, 34W002 Cherry Lane, Geneva (seats 10,923)
Of note: The franchise’s immediate descendant is the Wausau Timbers, but the team played for more than 75 seasons as the Decatur Commodores, or Commies…On Aug. 2, the Cougars hold a “No Soup for You” promotion with actor Larry Thomas, “the Soup Nazi” from “Seinfeld.”
Of note: During an Aug. 21, 2016, game, Grizzlies outfielder Brandon Thomas launched a grand slam home run, which smashed the windshield of his own truck…The Grizzlies sell a burger with a Krispy Kreme doughnut substituting as a bun, topped by melted cheese and bacon and checking in at 1,000 calories.
Stadium: Slammers Stadium, 1 Mayor Art Schultz Drive, Joliet (seats 6,016)
Of note: The Slammers’ ownership includes Mike Veeck, architect of “Disco Demolition” at Comiskey Park; comedian Bill Murray and Veeck’s son, William “Night Train” Veeck…According to the Joliet News, duck and bacon-filled wantons are among new concession stand offerings.
Of note: The Boomers name honors the Greater Prairie Chicken, which was once prevalent around Schaumburg, but is now on the Illinois Endangered Species Protection Board. “Boomer” refers to the loud sound the bird makes as it “dances” to assert its dominance over other male birds during mating season…Wintrust Field has been named Stadium of the Year for the past three seasons.
Stadium: Ozinga Field, 14011 S. Kenton Ave., Crestwood (seats 4,200)
Of note: Former Chicago White Sox closer and 2005 World Series champion Bobby Jenks is the ‘Bolts field manager…The ‘Bolts were founded as the Cook County Cheetahs.
Stadium: Dozer Park, 730 SW Jefferson Ave., Peoria (seats 8,500)
Of note:St. Louis Cardinals great Albert Pujols made his pro debut with the Peoria Chiefs on Apr. 6, 2000…In 2005, the team re-branded its indigenous imagery associated with the Chiefs name, going to a logo of a dalmatian as a fire chief.
Stadium: Robin Roberts Stadium at Lanphier Park, 1415 N. Grand Ave. E., (seats 6,000+)
Of Note: The ‘Shoes “Centennial Game,” making the park’s 100th anniversary, will be its opener, May 27 against Normal. Tickets are just $1…The ‘Shoes have gotten into the name, image, likeness (NIL) game, announcing a partnership last fall with NOCAP, which specializes in athlete branding…A Sam Antonacci Bobblehead Night (July 20) will honor the first ‘Shoes’ player to be drafted in the MLB draft.
Of note: “The Babe” (John Goodman) was filmed at the stadium in 1991… Gil Hodges, Duke Snider, Jackie Robinson and Pee Wee Reese were among the Brooklyn Dodgers to play against its minor league affiliate in Danville in 1947.
Stadium: The Corn Crib, 1000 W. Raab Road, Normal (seats 7,000)
Of note: The CornBelters share the Corn Crib with a team in the Kernal Collegiate League called the Normal GroundSloths…Former Major Leaguer Hal Lanier, the CornBelters’ manager for their inaugural season in 2010, piloted the Springfield Redbirds to the 1980 championship in the American Association.
Stadium: Schweickert Stadium at Veterans Memorial Park, 2600 Plank Road, Peru (seats 2,200)
Of note: A pistol shrimp uses its snapping claw to emit a powerful sonic blast to stun or kill its prey, including small fish, crabs and other invertebrates. The team’s mascot is Southclaw Sam.
Of note: Ownership adopted the team name the Doggy Paddlers after receiving over 1,000 name submissions. Its mascot is Barkley the Paddler…QU Stadium is known as “the Rockpile.”
Stadium: Lloyd Hopkins Field (Gordon Moore Park), 95 Arnold Palmer Rd., Cottage Hills (seats 1,800)
Of note: The team is having a Tall People Celebration at the park on June 12 in honor of Alton native son Robert Wadlow, who stood 8-foot-11-inches…The River Dragon team name comes from the Piasa bird, a mythical monster depicted in a painting on a cliff overlooking the Mississippi River north of Alton.
Stadium: Marion Stadium, 1000 Miners Drive, Marion (seats 7,000)
Of note: The team announced a $20 game ticket that includes unlimited access to ballpark food…The stadium has Sportexe Turf instead of regular grass and dirt.
Stadium: Rivets Stadium, 4503 Interstate Blvd., Loves Park (seats 3,279)
Of note: The “Rivets” nickname is a nod to Rockford’s once-thriving production of rivets, screws and other fasteners, made by companies like National Lock. Many companies nationwide that employed women became popularized as “Rosie the Riveters” during World War II…The Northwoods League is a summer collegiate league, like the Prospect League.
Reader imagines me as city parade director. I have higher aspirations
My column on how to plan a championship parade was well received by some of my literary contributors, one of whom suggested I become a city leader. Other readers are becoming less optimistic about Tennessee baseball, and one wondered why Joey Aguilar already has been anointed as UT’s starting quarterback. James writes: After reading your column […]
My column on how to plan a championship parade was well received by some of my literary contributors, one of whom suggested I become a city leader.
Other readers are becoming less optimistic about Tennessee baseball, and one wondered why Joey Aguilar already has been anointed as UT’s starting quarterback.
James writes: After reading your column on sports parades and noting your extensive experience with homecoming, I feel you should not only be on the city committee but be appointed the “Knoxville Director of Sports Parades”.
I’m sure you could put together a celebration no one would forget, no matter how hard they tried.
My response: I will ignore the sarcasm and thank you for the vote of confidence. However, your suggestion that I should become “Knoxville Director of Sports” is aiming too low.
When my column-writing days are done, maybe I will run for mayor. Do I have your support?
Mike writes: I watched “Sports Source” and heard several opinions, thoughts and predictions about Vols ’25 football season/success.
All were predisposed to base opinions/thoughts etc. as if it had already been concluded that Joey Aguilar is the starting quarterback. No mention of freshman George MacIntyre. Is this in fact the consensus view … that he clearly is the pre-ordained winner of yet-to-be-held competition for the job? Do you hold that same view?
My response: Experienced quarterbacks don’t come cheap in this NIL era. Since the Vols invested financially in UCLA transfer quarterback Joey Aguilar, they obviously didn’t him sign to be a backup.
He’s a heavy favorite to win the starting job over redshirt freshman Jake Merklinger and MacIntyre, a freshman.
However, that doesn’t make him a sure thing.
In 2021, Tennessee signed Michigan transfer quarterback Joe Milton after spring practice. That told us coach Josh Heupel wasn’t sold on his other quarterback candidates.
Milton started the first two games before he was replaced by Hendon Hooker, who excelled in two seasons as a starter.
John writes: There is a rumor that there is a minor league team in Knoxville that plays at new stadium downtown. A couple of weeks ago, there were front page articles about the stadium and opening night activities.
I haven’t seen a thing about this team in the paper since. Are they still playing, what is their record, what are their standings in whatever league they play in?
Surely, the Sentinel could provide a little information about the Smokies. It would be nice to know the upcoming schedule without having to go to the team’s website.
My response: There is tremendous interest in the Smokies’ new downtown stadium. Not so much in the Smokies, though.
As you pointed out, you don’t even know the name of their league.
Minor league baseball is – for the most part – a party with a game as a backdrop. And in Knoxville’s case, Covenant Health Park also is a valuable addition to downtown business.
But it’s not as though fans invest emotionally in the outcome of games. Why would they? The goal of minor league franchises isn’t to win a championship. It’s to develop players for the major leagues.
Colorado Mark writes: Not sure how many fans are “lucid,” but your NIL column made more sense than the majority of them ever will, and I guess I have to include myself in that group at least from time to time.
By the way, I was dead wrong about the Vols baseball team. They just don’t have the dudes, or the mojo, or the motivation, or pitching, or hitting, or defense to win in Omaha or even in the SEC.
They are a good team that can beat the crap out of a lot of inferior teams (kind of like the football team). But they’re not a great or championship-caliber team.
There is always next year, though. And with NIL, we can keep hope alive.
My response: I agree with your assessment based on what we have seen so far. But I wouldn’t give up on this season just yet.
The Vols have plenty of talent and a great track record for postseason success under coach Tony Vitello. And the NCAA Tournament can be as unpredictable in baseball as it is in basketball.
Charlie writes: Could you do a column on how uncool it is to taunt the opposing pitcher after hitting a home run and convey your opinion to the UT baseball club? Never in my Little League or high school days of playing baseball did I even think of committing such an immature act.
The truth is it reflects juvenile behavior.
My response: Since I’m a huge proponent of free speech, it would be hypocritical for me to admonish players who scream at pitchers after a successful at-bat.
I assume you are referencing the antics of UT slugger Andrew Fischer, who became extremely chatty as he circled the bases following a home run against Vanderbilt. My guess is he was more interested in motivating his teams than taunting the Commodores.
But when you taunt and lose, you run the risk of looking foolish – and having viewers ridicule you in email columns.
John Adams is a senior columnist. He may be reached at 865-342-6284 or john.adams@knoxnews.com. Follow him at: twitter.com/johnadamskns.
The Springfield Lucky Horseshoes gear up for their season opener May 27 against the Normal CornBelters, marking the centennial of historic Robin Roberts Stadium.The team, owned by Golden Rule Entertainment’s Capital City Baseball LLC, is part of the 
My column on how to plan a championship parade was well received by some of my 
