Danny Groner
Oklahoma State Women’s Basketball Coach Kurt Budke Killed in Plane Crash
Oklahoma State, which dealt with the tragic deaths of 10 people in a 2001 plane crash, including some men’s basketball players, is reeling from another crash that took the lives of women’s basketball coach Kurt Budke and an assistant coach, Miranda Serna.
Rex Ryan Will Play a Patriots Fan in New Adam Sandler Movie
New York Jets’ coach Rex Ryan will make his movie debut in an upcoming untitled Adam Sandler comedy that cast Ryan as, of all things, a New England Patriots’ fan.
‘Field of Dreams’ Property in Iowa Sold, Will Be Preserved
The baseball diamond immortalized in the 1989 film ‘Field of Dreams’ is being sold, but it will remain intact, thanks to Go the Distance Baseball LLC, which will turn the Dyersville, Iowa, property into a baseball and softball complex.
IndyCar Driver Dan Wheldon Dies in Fiery Pileup [PHOTO, VIDEO]
Two-time Indianapolis 500 winner Dan Wheldon was killed on Sunday after his car collided with others during the IndyCar Series season finale at Las Vegas Motor Speedway. His death was pronounced approximately two hours after he was airlifted to University Medical Center.
Hawaii Makes Surfing a High School Sport
Surf’s up.
Hawaii became the first state to officially recognize surfing as a high school sport, which will take effect by the spring of 2013. Funding for the program will come from the private sector and the community.
“Surfing has been a really big part of my life and has taught me a lot of valuable lessons: what hard work and perseverance can do, time management and how to stay organized,”
Jay-Z Reveals Brooklyn Nets Name, Concerts to Celebrate New Barclays Center
Rapper and businessman Jay-Z has announced that he’ll be doing a series of concerts next fall at the new arena where the NBA’s Nets will soon call home. Jay-Z, of course, is part owner of the team.
An all-access pass to events at The Barclays Center will go for up to $15,400 per season. It’s set to open on Sept. 28, 2012.
Texas A&M Will Join the SEC in 2012
After weeks of rumors, Texas A&M is set to leave the Big 12 and to join the SEC, the league said on Sunday. The move will go into effect next July.
“We are excited to begin competition in the nation’s premier athletic conference,” Texas A&M President R. Bowen Loftin said in a statement.
Tom Cruise Drives 181 MPH in a Race Car, Called ‘The Real Deal’
This was no movie stunt.
Tom Cruise got to test drive a race car at a track in California this week, where the actor did 24 laps in the Red Bull F1 car. Former driver and 13-time Grand Prix winner David Coulthard instructed the ‘Days of Thunder’ star before he let Cruise take hold of the wheel of the 850-horsepower car, reaching speeds of 181 mph.
Bubba Smith, ‘Police Academy’ and NFL Star, Dead at 66
Charles Aaron “Bubba” Smith, who was a feared defense end for the Baltimore Colts and found a Hollywood career in retirement, was found dead at his home on Wednesday. He was 66. The cause of death has not yet been announced.
Perhaps best known for his role as Lt. Moses Hightower in the ‘Police Academy’ film series, the 6-foot-7 Smith was the number one overall pick in the 1967 National Football L