Mormon Life - Saints & Sports

LDS football player going to the Super Bowl

Thu, 02 Feb 2012 10:13:00 -0700

source: deseretnews.com

He won't be in uniform or on a roster, but Christian Cox will be with the New England Patriots at Super Bowl XLVI in Indianapolis this weekend.

Cox, a former defensive end at the University of Utah, signed as an undrafted free agent with the Patriots last August, but ended up on injured reserve after one preseason game.

Despite the challenges he's faced, Cox is grateful for two things — how the organization has looked out for him and the experiences he gained this season.

Retiring BYU head swim coach Tim Powers featured on 'Morning Swim Show'

Wed, 01 Feb 2012 10:22:00 -0700

source: http://www.swimmingworldmagazine.com/

ON today's edition of The Morning Swim Show, we have retiring BYU head coach Tim Powers.

Powers, who has been the head swimming and diving coach at Brigham Young University for 37 seasons, will retire at the end of the season. He and his wife plan on serving a mission for The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints, more commonly known as the Mormon church. Be sure to visit SwimmingWorld.TV for more video interviews.

New DVD chronicles 'The Making of Jimmer'

Tue, 31 Jan 2012 11:39:00 -0700

source: MormonTimes.com

Mormon Life says: Don't forget to read LDS Living's cover story on Jimmer! As a rookie who recently completed his first full month of professional basketball, Jimmer Fredette has some chapters left to write in his basketball career.

But the story has been plenty compelling so far.

"The Making of Jimmer," a new release from Excel Entertainment, chronicles Fredette's journey from scrappy kid on the playground to college basketball icon to NBA lottery pick.

Mormon Architecture

Mon, 30 Jan 2012 09:08:00 -0700

source: bycommonconsent.com

Mormon Life says: I wish Vitruvian principles were still used in LDS meetinghouse designs. For bold new ideas in ecclesiastical architecture, the world might well look to the Mormon Church where there are no narrowly prescribed conceptions nor pre-determined structural plans, where the only limitations placed upon the architect are the canons of beauty, good taste, usefulness and the boundaries of his own mind as guided and directed by revelations to fulfill the job to which he is assigned by proper authority.

BYU track and field: Diane Stewart sets an American record in new event, the indoor 400m hurdles

Mon, 23 Jan 2012 08:41:00 -0700

source: deseretnews.com

Senior Diane Stewart set an American record in the indoor 400-meter hurdles to lead to BYU women’s track and field team at the New Mexico Cherry and Silver Invitational on Saturday.

“This was the first time in history that the indoor 400-meter hurdles has been ever been officially run in the United States,” assistant coach Corey Murdock said. “It was a unique opportunity for our athletes. Diane (Stewart) won the event and will therefore be the American record holder until the race is contested by professionals on this track in a few weeks.”

Mormon major leaguer catches on with Twitter

Fri, 13 Jan 2012 12:35:00 -0700

source: deseretnews.com

When Baltimore Orioles pitcher Jeremy Guthrie heard that Jay Mohr made some less-than-flattering comments about him on national radio, he decided to reach out to the comedian.

"I chose to take a positive approach and send a message to him on Twitter, more or less apologizing for not being as good as he thinks I should be or need to be," Guthrie said. "I guess he took a liking to me. … He thought it was clever or at least positive and not avoiding the truth."

BYU football ranked 25th in final USA Today Top 25 Poll

Tue, 10 Jan 2012 10:50:00 -0700

source: deseretnews.com

The USA Today Top 25 football coaches poll, with first-place votes in parentheses, final records, total points based on 25 points for first place through one point for 25th, and previous ranking:

BYU football: Jake Heaps transferring to Kansas

Thu, 22 Dec 2011 22:53:00 -0700

source: deseretnews.com

Mormon Life says: So, it's done. Good idea? Former BYU quarterback Jake Heaps is taking his talents to Lawrence, Kan.

Heaps announced Thursday that he is transferring to the University of Kansas.

Heaps, who took a recruiting trip to Lawrence last weekend, will play for new Jayhawk coach Charlie Weis.

Rick Reilly admits he was wrong about Jimmer Fredette

Thu, 22 Dec 2011 14:54:00 -0700

source: deseretnews.com

Mormon Life says: Go Jimmer. Last March, SI.com columnist Rick Reilly wrote an unflattering article about BYU star Jimmer Fredette and his NBA prospects.

Now, Reilly is eating crow. And paying up.

Blue roundup: Wall Street Journal lauds BYU coaches

Thu, 22 Dec 2011 00:28:00 -0700

source: deseretnews.com

BYU is one of the top producers of college coaches, according to the Wall Street Journal.

Iowa is No. 1 in that category, having produced 16 head coaches or assistant coaches working in Division I college football.

Jimmer fitting in well as King

Tue, 20 Dec 2011 11:21:00 -0700

source: deseretnews.com

Jimmer Fredette is already making a splash in his new home in Sacramento, but he hasn't reached superstar status there like he has maintained in Utah for quite a while — yet.

Fredette, who scored 21 points in his first NBA preseason game over the weekend, is still flying under the radar, relatively speaking, as a King, Sports Illustrated reports.

"By the time Fredette was becoming the nation's leading scorer in his senior season with the Cougars," writes Sam Amick, "he had given up on the idea of going out and even took his final semester of classes online so each and every session didn't become a celebrity appearance. Jimmer-mania hasn't hit Sacramento yet, and that's just fine by him."

BYU coaches wanted Jake Heaps to come back

Tue, 20 Dec 2011 11:16:00 -0700

source: deseretnews.com

Perhaps nobody at BYU took the decision by sophomore Jake Heaps to transfer harder than offensive coordinator Brandon Doman.

Doman invested a lot of time recruiting Heaps, building a relationship with him, and developing him as a quarterback.

After the Cougars held their first practice Monday in preparation for the Armed Forces Bowl against Tulsa on Dec. 30 (10 a.m., MT, ESPN), both Doman and coach Bronco Mendenhall answered questions about Heaps' decision to leave the program.

Both said they wanted him to remain in Provo.

Talkin' with Trav: My Christmas wish

Wed, 14 Dec 2011 10:39:00 -0700

source: MormonTimes.com

It is inspiring to see a high-profile athlete who believes in God, isn't ashamed of his faith, stands up for his religion, and excels on the field.

Denver Broncos quarterback Tim Tebow is not only the talk of Denver, but the trend on ESPN's SportsCenter, Twitter and a hot topic among sports and non-sports writers and broadcasters alike. He is making game-winning plays.

I find it interesting that many continue to poke fun at Tebow over his faith — that he practices what he believes, tries to live a chaste life and believes in God.

Jimmermania begins as Sacramento Kings open camp

Mon, 12 Dec 2011 10:35:00 -0700

source: deseretnews.com

Jimmer Fredette shook fellow rookie Isaiah Thomas with a crossover dribble, spun back to his left and put up a pump fake that sent the defender tumbling to the ground. Fredette looked down at Thomas and swished a shot from above the free throw line that drew cheers from teammates.

Maybe the first time an NBA player got Jimmered.

Probably not the last.

BYU basketball: Jimmer Fredette bids former team adieu

Fri, 09 Dec 2011 10:01:00 -0700

source: deseretnews.com

Even though he has exhausted his collegiate eligibility and was the No. 10 pick overall in last June's National Basketball League draft, former BYU superstar Jimmer Fredette has spent a lot of time with this year's Cougar team.

Because of the NBA lockout, Fredette practiced occasionally with BYU players in recent weeks and he has been able to sit behind the team bench for a few games, including the Cougars' 94-66 blowout of Weber State Wednesday night at the Marriott Center.

BYU Football: Jake Heaps transfers, Cougars couldn't make it work

Tue, 06 Dec 2011 10:17:00 -0700

source: deseretnews.com

Two scenes tell the tale of the Jake Heaps saga in Provo.

There might be many other key anecdotes in the short career of the nation's No. 1 quarterback recruit of 2010, but the following will suffice in wake of his announcement Monday that he'll transfer from BYU effective Dec. 17.

In June 2009, Heaps joined receiver Ross Apo and linebacker Zack Stout at Iggy's in Salt Lake City and announced their commitment to sign with BYU and their desire to win a national championship. It was staged, choreographed and arranged by a private public relations person.

Mormons in sports: Of runners and wrestlers

Tue, 29 Nov 2011 13:30:00 -0700

source: MormonTimes.com

It’s time for a little break from football.

Today’s blog features a Mormon runner from Ireland, a pair of returned missionary brothers who are wrestling at Utah Valley University and the national champion Southern Virginia women’s cross country team.

Jason Smyth is the 100- and 200-meter Beijing Paralympian Champion and world record holder as well as the first Paralympic athlete to run in the European Championships, where he made the semifinals. He hopes to become the first athlete to compete in an Olympics and Paralympics in the same summer.

Pioneer in leadership: LaVell Edwards honored

Mon, 28 Nov 2011 13:37:00 -0700

source: ldschurchnews.com

Life isn't about football games or victories but about relationships, former BYU football coach LaVell Edwards said after being honored by the BYU Management Society Utah Valley Chapter during the fourth annual Pioneer in Leadership Award Gala on Nov. 18.

"Looking back over the experiences I have had over the years ... we have had a lot of great events, and a lot of great times in our lives," Brother Edwards said. "But, rarely do I ever think about games — I often think about relationships. That has always been the most important part of whatever we do in life."

Returned Mormon missionaries in college football, Part 2

Fri, 25 Nov 2011 11:48:00 -0700

source: deseretnews.com

Air Force linebacker Stephan Atrice used to dream about being a football star. The idea of serving an LDS mission was light years away.

“Mission, shmission,” Atrice told the Colorado Springs Gazette. “I didn’t even think about it.”

Then his big brother collapsed and died in a boxing ring.

Suddenly football wasn’t as important. Atrice became more serious about life and spirituality. His brother’s tragic death eventually led Atrice to want to serve a mission, and he was called to Puerto Rico and other locations in the Caribbean islands. Not only did he spread the gospel, but he said he found personal peace.

BYU football: Cougars won't be joining Big East

Wed, 23 Nov 2011 06:39:00 -0700

source: deseretnews.com

Mormon Life says: Too bad. All because of television rights. It appears the Big East's expansion plan to add BYU has fallen apart, and the Cougars have opted to stay the course as an independent in football.

According to multiple sources, negotiations between BYU and Big East have ended — mainly because they can't come to an agreement on television rights.

A source with knowledge of the talks between BYU and the Big East told the Deseret News on Tuesday night that deal is over and that the Big East will invite San Diego State instead, perhaps as soon as Monday.