Kansas City Star: Sports

New coordinator Daboll wants Chiefs to attack on offense

Tue, 07 Feb 2012 05:00 CST

Brian Daboll said the right things, leaned on his impressive set of influences, and introduced himself to Kansas City as an offensive coordinator who's confident and comfortable -- and who might break from the pack and stay a while.

Gordon, Royals appear close on one-year deal

Tue, 07 Feb 2012 05:00 CST

The Royals appear close to an agreement with left fielder Alex Gordon on a one-year contract that would eliminate the need for a Feb. 16 arbitration hearing in Tampa, Fla.

Missouri hangs on against Oklahoma

Mon, 06 Feb 2012 05:00 CST

All eyes were on the shooter dressed in crimson and cream, a dangerous scorer who, as fate would have it, had just released a beautiful shot that could tie the game and force overtime.

Sluggish K-State beats Texas Tech

Tue, 07 Feb 2012 00:00 CST

Given Texas Tech's status as the only team in the Big 12 without a conference victory, no one expected its game with Kansas State on Tuesday at Bramlage Coliseum to be a thriller. Still, few could have predicted K-State's 65-46 win being as dull as it was.

Facing Baylor, KU hopes to avoid second straight loss

Tue, 07 Feb 2012 05:00 CST

Five full seasons and parts of two others have passed since the Jayhawks owned that thing where one loss follows another. Oh, right, a losing streak. But lose tonight in Waco, Texas, and the Jayhawks will have followed Saturday's gut-wrenching 74-71 loss at Missouri with another defeat.

Haley lands in Pittsburgh

Tue, 07 Feb 2012 13:41 CST

Former Kansas City Chiefs head coach Todd Haley has been named the offensive coordinator for the Pittsburgh Steelers.

New offensive coordinator has faith in Chiefs' leadership

Tue, 07 Feb 2012 05:00 CST

Brian Daboll, The Chiefs' new offensive coordinator, is saying nice things about the people giving him his chance, and maybe there is nothing to be taken from that. Then again, maybe the whole thing can be explained with that answer.

Sporting KC begins to hit its preseason stride

Tue, 07 Feb 2012 05:00 CST

San Jose Earthquakes forward Chris Wondolowski scored in the third minute of Sporting Kansas City's preseason opener Saturday, a game that manager Peter Vermes' team would rally to win 2-1. That goal seemed to jolt Sporting KC back to reality. After all, the regular-season opener March 10 at D.C. United is barely a month away.

Kansas State 65, Texas Tech 46

Tue, 07 Feb 2012 22:10 CST

Dollar General to serve as NHRA title sponsor in Topeka

Thu, 02 Feb 2012 05:00 CST

The NHRA's Full Throttle Drag Racing Series event at Heartland Park Topeka has a new title sponsor.

Sports court strips Contador of 2010 Tour title

Mon, 06 Feb 2012 05:22 CST

Three days after U.S. prosecutors dropped their investigation of doping claims against Lance Armstrong, fellow Tour de France champion Alberto Contador was stripped of his 2010 title when sports' highest court rejected the Spanish cyclist's story that contaminated meat caused him to fail a drug test.

NBA Four Quarters:

Sat, 04 Feb 2012 05:00 CST

1. The stars didn't share. LeBron James and Dwyane Wade scored 40 and 23 points, respectively, but took 41 of the team's 73 shots in the loss to the Bucks.

Hockey fix: A weekly look at the NHL

Sat, 04 Feb 2012 05:00 CST

• Player: Edmonton's Sam Gagner. He had four goals and four assists in the last two periods of the Oilers' 8-4 win against Chicago on Thursday. The 22-year-old Gagner joins franchise legends Wayne Gretzky and Paul Coffey in the eight-point club, and he is the first in the NHL to record eight points since Mario Lemieux in 1988.

Closure of Armstrong probe could affect feds

Fri, 03 Feb 2012 16:07 CST

The federal government pursued a drug case against home run king Barry Bonds for more than seven years. The end result: a guilty verdict on just one count and a sentence of 30 days confinement at Bonds' estate in Beverly Hills.

Report: Haley Steelers' next offensive coordinator

Mon, 06 Feb 2012 17:27 CST

The Steelers will hire former Kansas City Chiefs coach Todd Haley to be their offensive coordinator, according to an ESPN report.

Despite Gisele, Patriots say no finger-pointing

Mon, 06 Feb 2012 15:22 CST

The Patriots say there's no finger-pointing after their Super Bowl loss, even if supermodel Gisele Bundchen won't abide by that code.

Giants' Manning looks forward to more success

Mon, 06 Feb 2012 05:00 CST

New York Giants quarterback Eli -- as in eli-te -- Manning joined some distinguished company in winning his second Super Bowl MVP award in Sunday night's 21-17 victory over New England.

Rangers' Hamilton confirms alcohol relapse

Fri, 03 Feb 2012 23:32 CST

Josh Hamilton shed no tears and used no prepared statement as he apologized and shared few details about his relapse with alcohol. Still, it was clear he was upset by what he had done.

Legacy Awards are a sign that Negro Leagues museum has found some stability

Thu, 26 Jan 2012 05:00 CST

Picture this: A crowded Gem Theater. National League MVP Matt Kemp moving about. Texas manager Ron Washington talking baseball after two straight trips to the World Series.

Curt Schilling pitches his new role as a video game creator

Wed, 25 Jan 2012 13:00 CST

Curt Schilling, the former Boston Red Sox pitching ace, has created a big video game, and it's not about baseball. In 2006, he founded 38 Studios with the goal of launching many games. Its first release on Feb. 7 is a single-player, role-playing action game of fantasy lore, combat and magic, called "Kingdoms of Amular: Reckoning."

Starting Times

Mon, 30 Jan 2012 05:00 CST

To be included in the Starting Times, please register at www.eventful.com. After registering, click on "Add Event" and fill out the form. You must type "local sports" in the tag field located in the More Options section for your ad to appear in the print version of Starting Times.

On the air: TV/radio schedule

Tue, 07 Feb 2012 05:00 CST

• Connecticut at Louisville, 6 p.m., CBSSN

Five-game planner

Tue, 07 Feb 2012 00:00 CST

Mavericks

Talking Points | Has the regular season become irrelevant?

Mon, 06 Feb 2012 10:12 CST

The New York Giants barely squeezed into the playoffs, yet they won the Super Bowl. Has the regular season become irrelevant in the NFL?

Top 75 NAIA Tournament moments

Tue, 17 Jan 2012 00:00 CST

The Star and Randy Covitz, in conjunction with the NAIA, will celebrate the 75th year of the Division I Men's Basketball Tournament by selecting the top 75 moments in NAIA history.

Brett's company sued over necklaces' health claims

Tue, 07 Feb 2012 05:00 CST

A lawsuit against a company led by Royals legend George Brett alleges that the firm misrepresented the health benefits of wearing its jewelry. The lawsuit resembles legal action last year that crushed a leader of the so-called "performance jewelry" industry.

Alex Gordon hearing date approaching

Fri, 03 Feb 2012 05:00 CST

It's now 12 days and counting until left fielder Alex Gordon and the Royals are scheduled to head to an arbitration hearing on Feb. 16. The two sides exchanged figures on Jan. 17. Gordon is believed to have asked for $5.45 million, while the Royals countered at $4.15 million. Both parties can agree to a settlement up until the point in which the arbitrator issues a ruling.

Missouri-Oklahoma notes

Mon, 06 Feb 2012 05:00 CST

• Key play: It was early, but Marcus Denmon's first three-pointer, which came fewer than 3 minutes into the game and cut Oklahoma's lead to 6-5, helped set the tone for a big shooting night. He followed a 29-point performance against Kansas with a 25-point effort against the Sooners.

K-State notes

Tue, 07 Feb 2012 05:00 CST

In the middle of a difficult stretch of four games in nine days, Frank Martin decided to take it easy in practices the past few days. He had players stay off their feet and mentally prepare for Texas Tech's defensive schemes. Though the move conserved energy, it didn't show in the game. Practices might pick up leading up to the Texas game on Saturday.

Kansas at Baylor preview

Tue, 07 Feb 2012 05:00 CST

• WHEN/WHERE: 6 tonight at the Ferrell Center in Waco, Tex.

At Sunflower swim meet, SM East wins but spotlight falls on Olathe Northwest diver Clark Thomas

Sat, 04 Feb 2012 05:00 CST

Shawnee Mission East won its ninth consecutive Sunflower League Boys Swimming and Diving championship Saturday at Mission Trail Middle School in Olathe, but a history-making performance by Olathe Northwest senior Clark Thomas stole the show.

Kansas Speedway hits the jackpot with Hollywood Casino

Fri, 03 Feb 2012 05:00 CST

The visionaries who breathed life into Kansas Speedway more than a decade ago dreamed that the racetrack would give rise to a surrounding megaplex of retail chains and restaurants as well as sports and entertainment options.

Two archers on national circuit overcome disabilities with style, grit

Sat, 04 Feb 2012 05:00 CST

Maybe Matt Stutzman and Chuck Lear are overcoming far more than the able-bodied archers they compete against, but they don't ask for pity. In their eyes -- and the eyes of many others -- they are simply tournament archers who are forces to be reckoned with at every meet

Pierce passes Bird in Celtics' win over Bobcats

Tue, 07 Feb 2012 21:07 CST

Paul Pierce passed Larry Bird for No. 2 on the Celtics' career scoring list, finishing with 15 points as Boston increased its winning streak to five straight with a 94-84 victory over the Charlotte Bobcats on Tuesday night.

Fomer Chief Willie Roaf elected to Pro Football Hall of Fame

Sat, 04 Feb 2012 05:00 CST

Kansas City gave Willie Roaf the boost he needed to be elected into the Pro Football Hall of Fame. Roaf, a towering offensive tackle who spent the last four seasons of his career with the Chiefs after nine years in New Orleans, was among six players voted into the Hall of Fame on Saturday night.

Roaf's road to Canton

Sat, 04 Feb 2012 05:00 CST

Personal and career highlights in the life of former Chiefs and Saints tackle Willie Roaf, 41, who on Saturday was elected to the Pro Football Hall of Fame:

Cassel is familiar with Chiefs' target for offensive coordinator

Sat, 04 Feb 2012 05:00 CST

Chiefs quarterback Matt Cassel doesn't make a habit of studying the offenses of opposing teams. But he admits to paying some attention when he's watching the offenses of Brian Daboll, who was the Patriots' receivers coach for a couple of seasons while Cassel played in New England.

Haley reportedly lands job as Steelers offensive coordinator

Mon, 06 Feb 2012 16:27 CST

Reports surfaced Monday that former Chiefs coach Todd Haley will be named the Pittsburgh Steelers' offensive coordinator, replacing Bruce Arians, who wasn't retained after the 2011 season.

Haith tries to keep Mizzou focused

Sun, 05 Feb 2012 05:00 CST

Just minutes after Saturday's win over archrival Kansas -- easily one of Missouri's most thrilling victories in recent memory -- Missouri coach Frank Haith revealed a surprising plan: The Tigers would be staying in a hotel, even though the game had been played in Columbia.

MU's Denmon is Big 12 player of week

Mon, 06 Feb 2012 12:28 CST

Missouri senior guard Marcus Denmon was named Big 12 player of the week Monday after scoring 29 points in Saturday's 74-71 win against Kansas.

Mizzou No. 4, KU No. 7 in AP poll

Mon, 06 Feb 2012 05:00 CST

Missouri held onto its No. 4 position in the Associated Press college basketball poll after Saturday night's Border War victory against Kansas, while the Jayhawks moved up one spot to seventh.

Campus Corner | Fan's Border War letter to Self

Mon, 06 Feb 2012 12:19 CST

Here is one fan's passionate explanation of why Kansas should agree to continue playing Missouri.

Wildcats should have three guards in top form against Tech

Mon, 06 Feb 2012 05:00 CST

Coming off an important win over Texas A&M on Saturday, Will Spradling said he felt confident and Angel Rodriguez said he was happy. Add a healthy Rodney McGruder to the mix today, and Kansas State should enter tonight's game against Texas Tech at Bramlage Coliseum with the perfect mind-set.

Spradling, Rodriguez spark K-State past Texas A&M

Sat, 04 Feb 2012 05:00 CST

There was a moment during Kansas State's 64-53 victory over Texas A&M on Saturday at Bramlage Coliseum when the Wildcats' recent struggles seemed to fade away. No one knew exactly what was going to happen, but when Angel Rodriguez rebounded his own missed three-pointer and made a contested layup, everything suddenly fell into place.

K-State-Texas Tech basketball preview

Mon, 06 Feb 2012 05:00 CST

The Wildcats are coming off an important win over Texas A&M in which they pulled away from the Aggies in the second half.

K-State notebook | McGruder is ailing

Sat, 04 Feb 2012 05:00 CST

Rodney McGruder was so bothered by an injured toe on Saturday that he had to prove to assistant coach Brad Underwood he was fit to play in the second half during layup drills.

Jayhawks will live and die with starters

Mon, 06 Feb 2012 05:00 CST

Thomas Robinson came off the bench for Kansas last season. So did Josh Selby. In previous years, Markieff Morris was a top reserve, as was Cole Aldrich.

KU's Self finds some positives in loss

Mon, 06 Feb 2012 16:17 CST

KU coach Bill Self discusses the positives he took from Saturday's loss at Missouri.

Kansas can't hold an eight-point, late-game lead

Sat, 04 Feb 2012 05:00 CST

Until the final three minutes, Kansas played the game coach Bill Self deemed necessary to win at fourth-ranked Missouri. Missouri made every play and Kansas made none down the stretch.

Blue Valley North boys swamp the competition at EKL swim meet

Sat, 04 Feb 2012 05:00 CST

Blue Valley North is the defending champion in Kansas 6A boys swimming, and the Mustangs appear to be strong again as this year's state meet approaches.

Oversight leads to tie at Suburban Conference girls swim meet

Sat, 04 Feb 2012 05:00 CST

There was high drama at the Suburban Conference girls swimming championships on Saturday, where the difference between victory and defeat was a skinny hair tie.

Spring Hill girls get back at De Soto

Fri, 03 Feb 2012 05:00 CST

Spring Hill's girls would love to say revenge was the only motivation Friday against visiting De Soto, but the truth is that snapping a two-game skid was much more important for the Broncos.

Sporting KC, brimming with skilled players, may face roster problems

Sat, 04 Feb 2012 05:00 CST

Graham Zusi enjoyed a breakout camp last month with the U.S. men's national team, which is both a blessing and a curse for Sporting Kansas City.

Sporting KC rallies for 2-1 win in preseason opener

Sat, 04 Feb 2012 05:00 CST

Sporting Kansas City fell behind three minutes into its first preseason game Saturday against the San Jose Earthquakes at Kino Sports Complex in Tucson, Ariz.

Matt Besler diary from Sporting Kansas City training camp in Arizona

Fri, 03 Feb 2012 05:00 CST

The Kansas City Star will provide occasional player diaries from Sporting Kansas City's preseason training at the Kino Sports Complex in Tuscon, Ariz. Today is the first installment from defender Matt Besler. Sporting Kansas City's first preseason match is at noon today against the San Jose Earthquakes.

Wambach comes away inspired at KC Women's Sports Awards Celebration

Fri, 03 Feb 2012 05:00 CST

It was late Sunday night, and Abby Wambach was boarding a plane in Vancouver with the rest of her teammates on the U.S. women's national soccer team. Wambach, the team's star striker, had just scored two goals against Canada, becoming the second all-time leading scorer in women's international soccer, and the U.S. had concluded the CONCACAF Olympic qualifying tournament with a 4-0 victory.

Missouri bow hunters rewrite the records

Sat, 04 Feb 2012 05:00 CST

The 2011-12 Missouri bow hunting season will go down in the record books. And on more than one page.

Outdoors digest | It's snowing geese

Fri, 03 Feb 2012 00:00 CST

The season that Missouri snow goose hunters look forward to has arrived.

Missouri is banning some waders because of 'rock snot'

Thu, 02 Feb 2012 11:06 CST

JEFFERSON CITY | Missouri conservation officials say a new ban on some waders worn by freshwater anglers takes effect next month.

Fishing and hunting report for Feb. 2

Wed, 01 Feb 2012 05:00 CST

Brent Frazee's hunting and fishing report for Feb. 2, 2012.