University of Miami pitching coach Laz Gutierrez (center) is one of several mental skills or performance directors who have earned doctorates from Grand Canyon University. (Photo by University of Miami) As a former major league baseball scout, Laz Gutierrez recognized that a player’s mental game is what separates most Division I college athletes. So when […]
University of Miami pitching coach Laz Gutierrez (center) is one of several mental skills or performance directors who have earned doctorates from Grand Canyon University. (Photo by University of Miami)
As a former major league baseball scout, Laz Gutierrez recognized that a player’s mental game is what separates most Division I college athletes.
So when he wanted to study why pitchers suffered from the yips – the sudden and unexplained loss of ability to execute certain skills, such as throwing the ball – he enrolled at Grand Canyon University.
Gutierrez, who spent five years as the mental skills coordinator for the Boston Red Sox and serves as the pitching coach and mental skills director at the University of Miami, is one of several current or former major league mental skills or performance directors who have earned doctorates from GCU.
St. Louis Cardinals performance coach Carl Kochan delivered a speech to his fellow online doctoral graduates in fall 2024. (Photo by Ralph Freso)
After being a part of five World Series championships with the San Francisco Giants and Los Angeles Dodgers, Carl Kochan was hired as director of performance for the St. Louis Cardinals in December, around the same time he graduated after successfully defending his doctorate, titled “The Longitudinal, Grounded Theory Study on Psychological Resilience and Professionals.”
Kellen Lee is in his third season as the mental skills coach for the Seattle Mariners, five years after earning his doctorate from GCU in 2020 and serving as a master resilience trainer/performance expert for the U.S. Army.
Chad Bohling, who is scheduled to earn his doctorate this year, is in his 21st season with the New York Yankees, currently serving as the senior director of organizational performance.
And Justin Su’a, who is on track to earn his doctorate from GCU next spring, was the head of mental performance for the Tampa Bay Rays for five years before starting the Performance Advisory Group, which assists coaches, players and executives in professional sports.
The groundswell of mental skills staffers in baseball over the last 20 years illustrates teams’ efforts to address their players’ well-being, as well as their physical tools.
Performance coach Carl Kochan was part of five World Series championship teams. (Photo by St. Louis Cardinals).
“Remember, this is a people-person industry,” Kochan said. “So before a player is ever an athlete, he’s a human being. So, really, making sure that we have that human connection is priority No.1.”
He added, “Ultimately, getting to know somebody and understanding what they value, versus balancing what the organization needs, both as a player and as a staff member – that’s the fine line that we get to walk every day. And then, oh, by the way, try to win baseball games, too.”
One of the biggest ingredients is trust, and it didn’t hurt that Gutierrez knew Chris Sale – the 2024 National League Cy Young Award winner with Atlanta – when Sale pitched at Florida Gulf Coast University and Gutierrez scouted the South Florida region for Boston.
Sale was drafted by the Chicago White Sox, but the two connected quickly after Sale was traded to Boston after the 2016 season, when Gutierrez already transitioned to the mental skills department.
“He’s an easy guy to talk to because he was in the game and knew both sides of the ball,” Sale said. “He knew how to get information out of people and make them feel comfortable, but he also knew the game and knew when was the right time to go about it.”
Cy Young Award winner Chris Sale credits Laz Gutierrez (pictured) as a mental skills coach with Boston. (Photo by University of Miami)
Before one of Boston’s off-days, Sale planned to fly to Naples, Florida, to visit his wife and three children and invited Gutierrez, who then could rent a car to drive about 100 miles to see his family.
“There might have been only 14 seconds of silence the entire time,” Sale recalled of the flight. “We spent the whole time talking about anything and everything. Laz is one of my guys.”
As a former strength and conditioning coach, Kochan sought ways to improve his craft and marveled at how mental skills coach and former major league pitcher Bob Tewksbury and sports psychologist/former minor league manager Derin McMains conveyed tough and easy conversations and getting players to view things in a different light while with the Giants.
That swayed Kochan to pursue his doctorate in hopes of understanding what makes players and coaches tick when faced with adversity on a daily basis.
Lee has worked with service members who were thinking about their family and with college student-athletes concerned about an examination, so he recognizes the importance of helping a player direct their focus toward the task at hand and remain fully present.
“Being able to control their focus and focus on essentially what they can control in the moment is a key skill, a key tool in their toolkit to be able to optimize performance in the moment,” said Lee, who played baseball at UC San Diego, served as director of baseball operations at Santa Clara University and taught mental skills and physical education at Presentation High School, an all-girls school in San Jose, California.
Seattle mental skills coach Kellen Lee worked with U.S. Army members.(Photo by Seattle Mariners)
Lee’s dissertation focuses on the mental component of injury rehabilitation.
“I just saw that particular subgroup of athletes could seriously benefit from just making sure that their mind is good, super confident going back into sport,” Lee said. “Because fear of injury is really common. Fear of like, ‘Oh no, like, am I going to be as good as I was before?’”
Lee’s sounding board includes wife Jaclyn, who is an athletic trainer in San Jose, and brother Korey, a catcher with the Chicago White Sox and his spring training roommate, thanks to the proximity of their spring facilities.
“I tell our players that I feel like I have the answers to the test, because my brother will tell me everything about what players are thinking about, what the pressure are at the high level, and I’m able to use some of those stories to connect what I spent years and years and years studying and understanding and being able to apply it in a very real way,” Lee said. “I’m using real-life examples coming directly from a player.”
Lee liked that GCU professors emphasized that he choose a topic he was passionate about, rather than be steered in a certain direction.
“I felt the power to be able to determine where I wanted to go and how I wanted to go about it,” he said.
GCU News senior writer Mark Gonzales can be reached at [email protected]
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Former HBCU Football Player Killed, Current Student Charged
Police say a “parking garage dispute” at the Mac4460 apartments near South MacGregor Way and Calhoun in Houston, Texas, ended with the fatal shooting of a former HBCU athlete Friday evening. The victim, 24-year-old Tyler Martinez, played four seasons as a defensive tackle at Texas Southern University. Martinez completed his football career in 2023. He […]
Police say a “parking garage dispute” at the Mac4460 apartments near South MacGregor Way and Calhoun in Houston, Texas, ended with the fatal shooting of a former HBCU athlete Friday evening. The victim, 24-year-old Tyler Martinez, played four seasons as a defensive tackle at Texas Southern University. Martinez completed his football career in 2023.
He suffered multiple gunshot wounds and died at the scene. Police arrested 22-year-old Isaac Robinson, who is enrolled as a sophomore at Texas Southern University and is a fellow resident of the apartment complex, after he reportedly returned to the scene. Authorities charged Robinson with first-degree felony murder and set his bond at $100,000. If released, he must wear a GPS monitor, follow a nightly curfew, avoid weapons, drugs, and alcohol, and stay within Harris County or adjacent counties.
#93 Tyler Martinez, Courtesy of Texas Southern Athletics
Details of the Incident and Legal Proceedings
Houstonstringer.com reports that Robinson admitted to his involvement in the shooting in court records. Prosecutors said a woman connected to Robinson handed him a firearm during the altercation. Witnesses said Martinez had begun to withdraw when Robinson “allegedly fired three shots into Martinez’s torso.” Robinson appeared overnight in Harris County Probable Cause Court. He currently attends Texas Southern University as a sophomore and works for a local security company.
Martinez, a Houston native and Humble High graduate, joined the TSU Tigers in 2019. Standing 6-3 and weighing 283 pounds, he played every season through 2023. He recorded 57 tackles in 20 games, including four sacks. HBCU football analysts recognized his steady performance. The Bluebloods network called him “the best DT in the SWAC,” reflecting his significant impact on the field.
Concerns Raised for HBCU Student Safety
This case highlights concerns about safety in off-campus student housing and emphasizes the need for conflict resolution efforts within the Houston community. We will continue monitoring the situation and provide updates as they become available.
Canada outlasts Thailand 3-2 in women’s Volleyball Nations League
By Canadian Press on July 13, 2025. ARLINGTON — The team from the Land of the Smiles went home disappointed after dropping a tough match to Canada in the women’s Volleyball Nations League tournament on Sunday. Canada defeated Thailand 3-2 in the best-of-five match, played at College Park Center in Arlington, Texas. Thailand won the […]
ARLINGTON — The team from the Land of the Smiles went home disappointed after dropping a tough match to Canada in the women’s Volleyball Nations League tournament on Sunday.
Canada defeated Thailand 3-2 in the best-of-five match, played at College Park Center in Arlington, Texas.
Thailand won the opening set 25-17, but the Canadians bounced back with 25-23 and 30-28 wins to take a 2-1 lead. Thailand forced a fifth set with a 25-23 win in the fourth.
Canada won the tiebreaker 15-13.
Hilary Howe Johnson led all Canadian scorers with 25 points, while Emily Maglio had 19. Kongyot Ajcharaporn led Thailand’s scoring with 27 points, while Kokram Pimpichaya had 23.
Canada committed more unforced errors in the match (24-20) and had more blocks (14-7). Thailand led in digs (166-144) and attacks (84-66).
Canada remains 16th in the 18-team preliminary round robin with three wins, while Thailand is 17th with just one win.
This report by The Canadian Press was first published July 13, 2025.
Spartan Chosen sends 11 athletes to the AAU Junior Olympic Games
When Forest track and field head coach Brett Stanley started Spartan Chosen ten years ago, he had one goal: giving his athletes the foundation to compete at the highest level of sport. “We had 38 All-Americans last year and six national championships last year,” Stanley said. “We’re running the same course this year.” Of those […]
When Forest track and field head coach Brett Stanley started Spartan Chosen ten years ago, he had one goal: giving his athletes the foundation to compete at the highest level of sport.
“We had 38 All-Americans last year and six national championships last year,” Stanley said. “We’re running the same course this year.”
Of those six national champions nine-year-old Joseph Sorrentino III holds the AAU nationals record for the Turbo Javelin in the 7- and 8-year-old divisions. Sorrentino along with Terry Holloway, Jakari Thomas, Troy Rushing, Ariana Damon, Amiyah Damon, Taraji Rushing, Jarod Palmer, Tyrail Moore Jr., Nicolas Sorrentino, and Amiya Cogdell all qualified for the AAU Junior Olympics Games in Humble, Texas on July 28 – August 2.
Love and discipline drive the Spartan Chosen program. Way before you suit up for an event with Spartan Chosen you have to meet strict GPA requirements to toe the line. Creating a component few AAU programs regardless of sport rarely enforce.
“Just understanding workflow, how to train the body, what the body needs and honestly man loving on the kids, man we have to,” Stanley said.
The benefits of having children as young as five-years-old partner with Chosen Spartan chosen to train and discipline their bodies for any sport they play in the future. The team is another support system every young athlete needs on their journey.
With Stanley’s program functioning as a training ground for at least five of the seven public schools in Marion County, Spartan Chosen isn’t the only program that benefits from their youth development.
“We’re developing and building relationships because track and field as a whole, not just in Marion County, is an afterthought,” Stanley said. “We’re trying to expose kids to track and field and build that relationship. Spartan Chosen has a home in family.”
Koi Davis comes from a family of sprinters. Now he’s taking the track
Koi Davis comes from a family of sprinters. Now he’s taking the track
Spartan Chosen’s developmental status doesn’t hinge on the Junior Olympic performances. While that title holds weight, its the personal improvements Stanley sees in his team on-and-off track that give his athletes a head start.
“What we do in the summer is to make sure we give back,” Stanley said. “Once you start seeing these accolades from these young kids who are going to eventually be at high school level. If the county is starting to see these kids progress right now on this level and becoming national champions out of 10,000 athletes. Just imagine how good they get on the high school level with the proper facility in place.”
ATLANTA – The 2025 MLB Draft is here! ESPN and MLB Network will have full coverage of the first three rounds of the draft, which is set to begin at 5 p.m. CT Sunday, July 13. Day 1 of the draft consists of 105 picks: the first three rounds, compensatory rounds, competitive balance rounds and […]
ESPN and MLB Network will have full coverage of the first three rounds of the draft, which is set to begin at 5 p.m. CT Sunday, July 13. Day 1 of the draft consists of 105 picks: the first three rounds, compensatory rounds, competitive balance rounds and prospect promotion incentive selections.
Coverage of Day 2 of the draft — consisting of rounds 4-20 on Monday, July 14 — will be streamed on MLB.com beginning at 10:30 a.m. CT.
MLB Draft Schedule Day 1 (Rounds 1-3) » 5 p.m. CT Sunday, July 13 » Watch on ESPN & MLB Network
Day 2 (Rounds 4-20) » 10:30 a.m. CT Monday, July 14 » Watch on MLB.com
By The Numbers 6 – program record for most position players selected in a single draft (1985) 7 – program record for most pitchers selected in a single draft (2013) 10 – Razorbacks selected in the first round of the draft 11 – program record for most total selections in a single draft (2013 & 2018) 267 – all-time draft selections in Razorback history
Razorback Draft Notes » Since 1975, Arkansas has had at least one player selected in each of the past 50 MLB drafts. » Since 2018, no school in the country has more overall draft selections than Arkansas (53). » Arkansas has had double-digit players selected in a single draft on three occasions: 1985 (10), 2013 (11), 2018 (11). » Since Matt Hobbs’ first season as pitching coach in 2019, Arkansas has had 23 pitchers selected in the MLB draft, including 16 pitchers taken in the first 10 rounds. » Since Nate Thompson’s first season as hitting coach and recruiting coordinator in 2018, Arkansas has had 24 hitters selected in the MLB draft. No program in the country has had more hitters selected in the MLB draft than Arkansas since Thompson’s first year on the job.
For complete coverage of Arkansas baseball, follow the Hogs on Twitter (@RazorbackBSB), Instagram (@RazorbackBSB) and Facebook (Arkansas Razorback Baseball).
PHOTO GALLERY: Summer Bash at Brite Lake offers cool time | Lifestyle
Families enjoyed games, food and lots of great music Saturday as Tehachapi Valley Recreation & Park District hosted its Summer Bash at Brite Lake. Several families came from Ridgecrest and Rosamond, saying they came to “cool off” from the summer heat of the flat lands. As a cool evening breeze came off the lake, attendees […]
Families enjoyed games, food and lots of great music Saturday as Tehachapi Valley Recreation & Park District hosted its Summer Bash at Brite Lake. Several families came from Ridgecrest and Rosamond, saying they came to “cool off” from the summer heat of the flat lands.
As a cool evening breeze came off the lake, attendees played beach volleyball, horseshoes, balloon tennis or tossed bean bags in a cornhole competition. They ate. They listened to local band “42 Out,” so named as its members live in the Tehachapi area, which just happens to be 42 miles from Bakersfield.
Along with TVRPD, the afternoon had a corporate sponsor, Tehachapi Cement Co.
The 2025 Wimbledon Championships underscored a stark reality for high-profile athletes: the UK’s aggressive tax regime for non-residents is reshaping how they manage their wealth. With prize money surging to £3 million for singles champions—only to face a 43% tax bite—the pressure on athletes to optimize their financial strategies has never been higher. For investors […]
The 2025 Wimbledon Championships underscored a stark reality for high-profile athletes: the UK’s aggressive tax regime for non-residents is reshaping how they manage their wealth. With prize money surging to £3 million for singles champions—only to face a 43% tax bite—the pressure on athletes to optimize their financial strategies has never been higher. For investors and wealth managers, this environment presents both challenges and opportunities to design tax-efficient portfolios that align with the unique needs of global celebrities and athletes.
The New Tax Landscape: A Heavy Burden, a Steep Price
The UK’s taxation of non-residents on Wimbledon earnings is a masterclass in fiscal rigor. Singles champions, for instance, face a £1.3 million tax bill on their £3 million prize, with nearly the entire sum taxed at the 45% Additional Rate due to the absence of a personal allowance. Even first-round losers see over 40% of their £66,000 payout whisked away in taxes. Add sponsorship income and image rights tied to the tournament—also taxable—and the financial strain becomes clear.
The reveals a stark contrast: while the UK imposes a 45% rate on top earners, Monaco charges zero income tax for residents. This disparity explains why athletes like Jannik Sinner, based in Monaco, face minimal UK tax leakage, whereas others from high-tax jurisdictions like Poland or the U.S. endure double whammy deductions.
Beyond Prize Money: Sponsorships and Global Reporting
The UK’s reach extends beyond direct earnings. Sponsorship deals and global endorsement contracts tied to Wimbledon participation are now subject to scrutiny. For example, a player’s £10 million global endorsement deal might see a portion taxed in the UK if promotional activities occur during the tournament. Combined with stringent reporting requirements—non-residents must file annual tax returns—the burden of compliance adds another layer of complexity.
Tax-Efficient Strategies: Mitigating the Fiscal Headwinds
For wealth managers, the solution lies in a multi-pronged approach:
Jurisdictional Arbitrage: Offshore residency in low-tax jurisdictions like Monaco or Singapore can dramatically reduce tax exposure. Athletes domiciled in these regions avoid the UK’s punitive rates, as seen in Jannik Sinner’s case.
Structuring Income Through Trusts and Entities: Using trusts or offshore companies to hold sponsorship income can shield assets from aggressive UK taxation. For example, routing earnings through a Luxembourg-based entity might reduce the taxable footprint in the UK.
Deductions Optimization: Maximizing allowable expenses—such as travel, coaching fees, and agent commissions—can lower taxable income. However, athletes must meticulously document these costs to avoid disputes.
Tax-Advantaged Investments: Allocating capital to tax-efficient vehicles like real estate investment trusts (REITs) or dividend-paying stocks in tax-friendly regions can minimize liabilities. The highlights the growing demand for professional tax planning, a sector poised for expansion.
Investment Opportunities in the Tax Complexity Era
The rise in tax challenges for athletes creates niches for investors:
Tax Advisory Services: Firms specializing in cross-border tax planning (e.g., PwC’s Global Mobility Services) are likely to see sustained demand.
Offshore Financial Centers: The shows regions like the Cayman Islands or Jersey growing at 2-3% annually, driven by demand for wealth management solutions.
Real Estate in Tax-Friendly Jurisdictions: Properties in low-tax areas—such as Monaco’s luxury apartments or Singapore’s high-rise condos—could attract athletes seeking both residency and investment returns.
Conclusion: Balancing Prestige and Profit
While Wimbledon’s allure ensures athletes will continue competing there, the financial stakes demand proactive wealth management. Investors should focus on tax-efficient structures, jurisdictional optimization, and professional advisory services to help clients navigate this landscape. For athletes, the path to preserving wealth lies not just in winning titles but in mastering the tax codes that follow them across the globe.
In an era where tax regimes are as dynamic as the athletes themselves, the winners will be those who turn fiscal complexity into strategic advantage.
BREAKING: NBA MVP Shai Gilgeous-Alexander signs the RICHEST annual salary in league history