Sports

'Great man, great person'

Published

8 months ago

April 26, 2025

DENVER — Cincinnati Reds bench coach Freddie Benavides was a minor-league coordinator when Walt Jocketty left the St. Louis Cardinals to join a Reds front office in 2008 for an organization that hadn’t seen the playoffs in more than a decade.

Benavides knew what was next.

Walt Jocketty with Jay Bruce at the media conference announcing Bruce's six-year contract extension in December 2010. Hiring future Hall of Fame manager Dusty Baker was also among Jocketty's impactful moves with the Reds.

“He comes in from winning a World Series with the Cardinals (in 2006), stepping in with instant credibility,” Benavides said. “He started putting those teams together. Signing guys. And wasn’t afraid to trade.”

Two years later, the Reds won their first division title since 1995 — the first of three playoff teams in four years.“Great man. Great person,” said Benavides, who first worked with Jocketty when Benavides was a player with the Rockies in the 1990s and stayed in touch over the years.“It was tough to hear the news today.”Jocketty, one of the most respected front office figures in baseball for decades, died Friday night after a long illness. He was 74. Walt Jocketty, center, with owner Bob Castellini and GM Nick Krall, served as the Reds’ president of baseball operations from 2008-2016 and had been an executive advisor to the owner since. The Colorado Rockies, who brought Jocketty as an assistant general manager in 1993, planned a moment of silence before Saturday’s game against the Reds.“He came in here and we won. We were in a drought and he brought us the playoffs,” longtime clubhouse manager Rick Stowe said. “He was a great boss. He’d take us out to dinner, wanted to get to know us better, knew everybody’s families. “He could really read people. He knew people. He was great.”Jocketty served as the Reds’ president of baseball operations from 2008-2016 and has been an executive advisor to the owner since.He inherited the just-hired manager, Dusty Baker, the future Hall of Famer, forging a winning partnership, took over general manager duties in April and by August had traded popular, aging sluggers Ken Griffey Jr. and Adam Dunn. The next year he traded for future Hall of Fame third baseman Scott Rolen. He signed homegrown slugger Jay Bruce to a six-year extension as he reached arbitration. And made Joey Votto the highest-paid player in franchise history with a 10-year deal, all but assuring Votto would spend his entire career as a Red.“When I got here Walt was still pretty involved,” said pitching coach Derek Johnson, who joined the staff from Milwaukee after the 2018 season. “Just a guy that everyone had a ton of respect for.“As I got to know him, it was pretty clear the guy had seen a lot, done a lot, and really meant a lot to the Reds. He’s definitely going to be missed.”Jocketty, who was born in Minneapolis and went to the University of Minnesota, began his career as a big-league executive in 1980 as owner Charlie Finley’s director of minor league operations and scouting for the Oakland A’s. He’s credited with overhauling the farm system that produced much of the talent on Tony La Russa’s Bash Brothers playoff teams later in the decade.After joining the Cardinals as general manager during the 1994-95 labor shutdown, he brought La Russa to St. Louis and built teams that won seven division titles, two NL pennants and a World Series during a 13-year run in St. Louis – assuring his place in baseball history.“If you’ve been around baseball at all for the last 30 or 40 years, you know Walt’s had a pretty big impact on the game,” Johnson said. With the Reds, he earned The Sporting News’ Major League Baseball Executive of the Year award in 2010, his third time earning that honor (also 2000, 2004).“He was a good solid guy and a good baseball guy,” said Reds bench coach Brad Mills, who had known Jocketty since managing in the Rockies minor-league system, and who stayed in touch over the years, including recent phone conversations.“He loved the game,” Mills said. “He loved watching guys improve. He loved signing guys and getting them in to play.“I really thought the world of Walt.”

Sports

South Carolina Gamecocks Defensive Back Plans to Enter the Transfer Portal

Published

33 minutes ago

December 28, 2025

Your Sports Nation

After transferring to South Carolina prior to the 2025 season, defensive back Myles Norwood will enter the transfer portal in hopes of finishing his last year of eligibility elsewhere next fall. Norwood began his career at Iowa State, transferred to Ball State, and then to South Carolina. He will be looking for his fourth home this offseason.

Norwood was a collegiate track star turned defensive back in his college career. His journey began at Iowa Western Community College where he was a track and field participant for the Reivers. Following his freshman year in track he moved on to Iowa State to play for then head coach Matt Campbell (now Penn State). He spent two seasons with the cyclones appearing in just one game against West Virginia in 2022. In 2024, he transferred to New Mexico State in February, but never played for the Aggies before transferring to Ball State just three months later.

At Ball State, Norwood appeared in all 12 games for the Cardinals making seven starts. He was credited with with 38 tackles including 2.0 tackles for loss, one fumble recovery and a team-leading 10 pass breakups. After his breakout season with the Cardinals, Norwood commited to the Gamecocks for the 2025 season. He appeared in 10 games, with two starts, in his time in Columbia as he racked up 19 total tackles this past season.

Updated Transfer Portal Tracker

Cason Henry enters the transfer porta — South Carolina offensive lineman Cason Henry (75) blocks Louisiana State University defensive end Bradyn Swinson (4) during the third quarter at Williams-Brice Stadium in Columbia, S.C. Saturday, September 14, 2024. | Ken Ruinard / staff / USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images

In addition to Norwood, 11 other Gamecocks have entered the portal so far with the offensive line room taking the biggest hit. That list includes OL Tree Babalade, OL Cason Henry, WR Brian Rowe Jr., QB Air Noland, OL Mac Walters, OL Nick Sharpe, OL Trovon Baugh, DL Zavian Hardy, LB Jaron Willis, LB Taeshawn Alston, and K Peyton Argent.

A few others have already declared their move to the 2026 NFL Draft. Wide receiver Jared Brown was the latest to make his intentions known. He joins defensive tackle Monkell Goodwine, defensive tackle Nick Barrett, and defensive end Bryan Thomas Jr. as those entering their names in the 2026 NFL Draft, with tight end Jordan Dingle expected to be the next name as his eligibility is out.

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Sports

Tennessee Tech Closes 2025 with Tennessee State at Eblen Center

Published

3 hours ago

December 28, 2025

Your Sports Nation

By Jeff Bowe, TTU Athletics Media Relations

COOKEVILLE, Tenn. – Tennessee Tech (6-7, 1-1) men’s basketball plays its final game of 2025 against Tennessee State (7-5, 1-1) at Hooper Eblen Center at 7:30 p.m. CT on Tuesday, Dec. 30.

The Golden Eagles return to the hardwood after an extended break for the holidays to face the Tigers. TSU has won five of the last seven games but most recently fell, 91-82, to SEMO, opening OVC competition 1-1. Tech has won three of the last four games and opened conference play with an 85-74 victory over SEMO, then fell to UT Martin (L, 62-86).

TTU enters today’s game 4-2 at home this season with wins over SEMO, Bethel (101-69), Berea (86-64), and Va. Lynchburg (118-58), and losses to West Ga. (L, 59-61) and UT Martin (L, 62-86).

GAME INFORMATION
Matchup: Tennessee Tech (6-7, 1-1 OVC) vs. Tennessee State (7-5, 1-1 OVC)
Date & Time: Tuesday, Dec. 30 at 7:30 p.m. CT
Venue: Hooper Eblen Center
Watch: ESPN+ | Dylan Vazzano (PxP) and Frank Harrell (Analyst)
Radio: 106.1 The Eagle | Noah McKay (PxP) and Jacob Vinson (Analyst)
Promotion: Purple Haze – WEAR PURPLE!

INSIDE THE SERIES
Overall: TSU leads, 41-39
In Cookeville: Tech leads, 23-17
In Nashville: TSU leads, 18-22
Neutral sites: TSU leads 2-0
Current Streak: TTU won 1
Last Meeting: TTU won 77-74 in Cookeville (Feb. 22, 2025)

TECH NOTES
Dani Pounds leads Tech in scoring, averaging 12.5 points per game (19th in OVC), and Mekhi Cameron is second on the team with 12.2 points per game (20th in OVC). Pounds is fourth in the OVC in free-throw percentage, shooting 84.1 from the line. Pounds leads the Golden Eagles in rebounds with 4.8 per game (20th in OVC).

JaJuan Nicholls is second on the team in rebounds per game (4.7), which is 23rd in the conference.

Tennessee Tech’s 118 points against Va. Lynchburg (W, 118-58, 11/10/25) mark the third-most points scored in a single game by an OVC team this season.

Ty Owens is second in the OVC with 4.2 assists per game (54 total). Nicholls is tied for fifth in the conference in blocks per game (1.2) and fourth in the OVC in total blocks (16).

The Golden Eagles are second in the conference in points per game (79.7), as well as fourth in the conference in scoring margin (3.5). TTU holds the second-best shooting percentage in the OVC (47.0, 365-777), making three fewer shots than the conference leaders (Lindenwood, 47.4).

OPPONENT NOTES
Tennessee State (7-5, 1-1) leads the all-time series 41-39 as the teams split the last two matchups during the 2024-25 season.

The Tigers are coming off a hard-fought 91–82 loss to Southeast Missouri at the Gentry Center, while the Golden Eagles also enter the contest following a defeat.

The game marks the return to action for both programs after a 10-day break. Tennessee State will open the 2026 calendar year on the road at Little Rock on Saturday, Jan. 3.

Aaron Nkrumah leads the Tigers in scoring with 17.0 points per game, averaging 4.8 rebounds per contest and 2.6 assists per game. Travis Harper II is second on the team with 15.8 points per game, and Dante Harris is third on the squad per contest with 12.6 points on average.

PURCHASE TICKETS
Tickets for Tennessee Tech Men’s Basketball are on sale now – call (931) 372-3940, visit the Hooper Eblen Center ticket office, or order online at TTUsports.com.

FOLLOW THE GOLDEN EAGLES
Fans can be sure to follow the Golden Eagles men’s basketball team on X (@TTU_Basketball), Instagram (TTUMBB), and Facebook (TTU MBB) for all of the news, notes, and updates.

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Sports

Top 25 Moments of 2025

Published

4 hours ago

December 28, 2025

Your Sports Nation

Helms, a transfer from Texas A&M, bested his previous Heptathlon score of 5394 which he earned at the Stan Scott Invite and Multis taking place on Jan. 30-Feb. 1, hosted by Texas Tech. He has had immense success in the Key City, posting three different splits at the Red Raider open in the 60m hurdles (8.30), 4x400m (3:16.21, 49.27 split) and pole vault (16-2/4.93m).

At the Mountain West Outdoor Track and Field Championships, Robertson has etched herself in the record books. At the NCAA Outdoor National Championships, she recorded the best finish by a Bronco since the 2022 campaign by finishing 53rd in a field of 254 total runners.

Robertson was the first Bronco woman to earn All-America honors in the 1,500 since 2019 (Emma Bates). Hanna Ackermann also posted a top finish while in Eugene. Ackermann recorded a time of 9:54.21 in the steeplechase. The time was the third-fastest time in Boise State history.

Helms registered a score of 7,696 in the decathlon. His mark ranks third in Boise State school history and improved his previous mark in the decathlon at the 2025 Mountain West Outdoor Track and Field Championships which were hosted by Fresno State in Clovis, California.

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Sports

Shondell Inks Transfer Lameen Mambu – Purdue Boilermakers

Published

4 hours ago

December 28, 2025

Your Sports Nation

WEST LAFAYETTE, Ind. – Outside hitter Lameen “Mimi” Mambu is set to transfer to Purdue volleyball, announced by head coach Dave Shondell. Mambu joins the Boilermakers after spending her freshman season at Georgia Tech, where she led the Yellow Jackets’ offense with 345 points and 304 kills.

“What a wonderful Christmas gift to get the commitment from a smart and dynamic student-athlete,” Shondell said. “We’re excited to have this hard-hitting high-flyer join our team after such a strong first season at Georgia Tech where she helped lead them to an NCAA tournament appearance. We watched Mimi play in high school and knew she would be a special player. Mimi learned so much about our program from Kash [Akasha Anderson] and Isabelle Bardin who are good friends from the D.C. area.”

2025 // AS A FRESHMAN AT GEORGIA TECH

Played in all 30 matches as a freshman, making 25 starts
Led Georgia Tech’s offense with 345 points, 304 kills and 854 attempts while averaging 2.92 kills per set
Posted 10 digs, seven kills and two block assists at Purdue in Georgia Tech’s 3-1 win at Purdue (9/3).
Averaged one dig per set with .46 blocks per set
Recorded a season-high 17 kills vs. Georgia (9/19)
Secured a career-high 20 points vs. Arkansas State (8/31), including a career-high 16 digs and 16 kills
Registered three double-doubles
Went nearly errorless on the attack in the sweep at Clemson (11/12), posting a .481 attack % behind 14 kills and one error on 27 swings
Saw at least 20 attacks in 25 matches and 40 attacks in four matches
Served up four aces in the season-opener vs. Wofford (8/29), a career-high
Totaled 14 kills, second-most on the team, along with four digs and a block assist in the five set loss to UCLA in the NCAA First Round

HIGH SCHOOL

Spent four years playing at Chantilly High School
A three-time District Player of the Year award winner (2022-2024)
Three-time All-State First Team honoree (2022-2024)
Four-time All-Region First Team honoree (2021-2024)
Led her to team to become three-time District Champions (2021, 2022, 2024) and two-time Regional Champions (2022 And 2024)
2025 Under Armor Next Volleyball All-American competitor
Won a silver medal with the United States U19 National Team during the summer of 2025

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Sports

Best of small school volleyball in Palm Beach

Published

4 hours ago

December 28, 2025

Your Sports Nation

Dec. 28, 2025, 10:54 a.m. ET

The 2025 Palm Beach Post All-County teams are here!

The Palm Beach County High School Sports Awards is proud to announce the Player of the Year nominees for small school volleyball.

Player of the Year winners will be announced at the South Florida Fair in a live ceremony on Saturday, Jan. 24. Nominees will be able to register to attend for free, thanks to sponsors. For more information about the show, please reach out to deputy sports editor Eric J. Wallace (ejwallace@pbpost.com).

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