Vai Sikahema: What President Hinckley Said That Night Thrilled Us All
President Hinckley offered words of encouragement to the Cougars that night – words that would remain with kick returner Vai Sikahema twenty-five years later.
By Kelly L. Martinez
Torah Bright's Olympic Pipe Dream
Torah Bright, a 2006 Olympian who finished fifth in Turin, Italy, is seeking a return in 2010.
By Doug Andersen
BYU Television to Air Utah State University vs. BYU Football Game Live
The no. 7 ranked BYU Cougars to take on the USU Aggies at 6 pm MDT.
Five Inducted into Ricks College Athletic Hall of Fame
A former coach and four former athletes have been inducted into the Ricks College Athletic Hall of Fame at Brigham Young University-Idaho.
The Circle of Life
A former NFL quarterback makes the most important move of his career on his knees.
By Kelly L. Martinez
LDS Athlete Gets 15 Minutes of Fame
A self-proclaimed loudmouth sports fan gets his 15 minutes of fame on the television show, "Pros vs. Joes."
By Mike Morrow
BYU Rugby Team Wins Games and the Respect of Opponents
At first look, BYU is the antithesis of rugby. Clean cut, polite and respectful versus disheveled, crude and unseemly. There are other differences, too.
By Mike Morrow
From the Wrestling Mat to the Rugby Field
Kimball Kjar never could imagine that “tackling low” and “take down” could be so much a part of his day-to-day vocabulary.
By Mike Morrow
Naval
Academy Coach Appreciates Gospel Life
The first-year head
football coach at the U.S. Naval Academy has all the self-help
coaching books, along with game videos, notebooks and a big white
board for the X's and O's. Ken Niumatalolo also has something
else — the Gospel.
by Mike
Morrow
BYU
Television to Air BYU vs. Portland Game Live
On Saturday,
Dec. 1, BYU Television will provide live coverage of the BYU men’s
basketball team’s match-up against the University of Portland.
Tip-off is at 8 p.m. (MT).
Just
Say No on Sunday
Is it possible to be a sports professional, or even a sports fan,
if you don't play or even watch sports on Sunday? A growing
number of sports fans and participants say it is.
by Mike
Morrow
Steps
In the Right Direction: Is The NBA Religiously Sensitive?
Although total elimination of spectator
and participant sports on the Sabbath may seem impossible, it
is heartening to note that there seems to be some progress being
made towards this idyllic goal.
By Kelly L. Martinez
Pathway
to the NBA: A Road Less Traveled
A chance encounter with Cougar basketball
star Michael Smith in 1988 told 10-year-old Brandt Andersen he
wanted to be involved in basketball for the rest of his life.
Today he is making that dream come true.
By Craig Earnshaw
Note
to BCS: Go Away! (Or At Least Give My Way a Try)
The annual post-season college football schedulings
are a royal mess, with only a few favorite teams being recycled
from one major bowl game to another. Here is a rational way to
solve the problem and level the playing field.
By Kelly L. Martinez
Bronco’s
Big Brothers: Two by Two
Key to the BYU football
team's success this year is second-year head coach Bronco Mendenhall.
He feels that he is being led by the Spirit to make his players
better men.
By Craig Earnshaw
Utah’s
Eric Weddle: In Good Hands
When a college football player wondered why
his teammate was so happy, he soon found the answer.
By Bruce Woodbury
Gifford
Nielsen: The Best Life in the World
Gifford Nielsen, who started as a third-string
quarterback, has achieved a first-string life.
by Todd Beckstead
BYU
Running Back Joins a New Team
Curtis Brown, senior running back at BYU,
has had a lot of big days in his life. But he says the biggest
days of his life have occurred off the playing field.
By Craig Earnshaw
Meridian
Sports — Back on the Block
After a considerable layover, Meridian Sports
is back on the runway and, hopefully, headed to new heights. In
order to achieve liftoff, however, we are going to need a little
help from our readers in two key areas.
By Kelly L. Martinez
Readers Talk LDS Sports:
“Why Should I Care?”
"We cheer for the ones who
are honorable in their respect of their priesthood and their religion.
I think we hold them to a higher standard, but we also invest
our emotions in their successes and failures."
By Kelly L. Martinez
Why
Should I Care?
Why do we care so much about LDS athletes
and celebrities? What makes them more deserving of our attention
than any other actor, singer, athlete or coach?
By Kelly L. Martinez
Missing
(and Hitting) the Mark
The
dilemma of the LDS athlete and Sunday sports is highlighted as
Johnny Miller's son, Todd, wouldn't play golf on the Sabbath.
by
Kelly L. Martinez
Good
Folks Win Too
Nice folks always finish last? Not this time.
Natalie Quilter dispels the old myth.
By
Shane Roe
NCAA
Football Tournament: An Imagined Solution to a Real Problem
Kelly as Football Championship Commissioner? Here's what
he would do if he were king.
by Kelly L. Martinez
Cougar Mom
For the past 23 years Shirley has been 'mom' to
the BYU football team. She's been through it all - from glory
years to losing seasons - and still calls the Cougars her own.
By
Shane Roe
What’s
In a Name?
What
do the Cairo Syrup Makers and the Lakeland Dreadnaughts have in
common? For that matter, who and what are they?
by Kelly L. Martinez
Summer
Debriefing
Martinez is back! And with prognostications
about this year's sports season.
by Kelly L. Martinez
Labor
and Delivery
If
you’ve ever had a baby in a hospital then you understand the value
of a good labor and delivery nurse. The chaotic atmosphere of
the delivery room is easier to manage with the kind, decisive
and soothing care of a good nurse.
by
Kelly L. Martinez
Is
There a Pharmacist in the House?
St.
Louis. Gateway to the West. Home to a gritty group of athletes
that, according to the college basketball dictionary, have no
business competing at the NAIA Division II level.
by
Kelly L. Martinez
Where
We Stand
In a culture where sports is ubiquitous, it seems
that sports has been written about, analyzed, talked about, dissected,
and digested to death. What can I possibly write that would interest
the Meridian audience?
by
Kelly L. Martinez
Weir-d
… and More
Rumors put to rest by our readers.
Updated list of LDS Athletes. And news I'd like to see.
by Kelly L. Martinez
We
called …You Replied
The
types of comments sent in response to our call for help in compiling
a comprehensive list of LDS athletes and coaches were quite interesting.
Some were critical; some were less-than-willing to lend a helping
hand; some loved the idea and were grateful such a list is being
compiled. In spite of the varied reactions, many of you answered
our call (A
Call for Help) and we thank you.
by
Kelly L. Martinez
Triathlon-The
Nemesis Within
Approaching my 30th birthday,
and realizing my metabolism is slowing faster than I want, I am
guided to the New World of multi-sports … triathlons! Unless
I’m a part of a relay team, everyone in a triathlon is my
opponent.
By Peter Herget
The
Eagle Has Landed
In
southern California stands one of the most recognized Major League
ballparks in the country – Dodger Stadium. World Series have
been played there; rock icons have performed there; the Pope has
edified there. Not far from that historic ball yard a boy was born
who was destined to become one of the premier head coaches in the
NFL.
by
Kelly L. Martinez
A
Call for Help
Since
Meridian has become a premier gathering place for Latter-day Saints
online, I am in the process of ‘gathering’ lists of
LDS athletes and coaches at the collegiate and professional levels.
Here’s my goal: I want to compile the most comprehensive list
of LDS athletes anywhere on the Web. Can you help me?
by Kelly L. Martinez
Missing
in Action: The Greg Clark Story
If you’re like me, there’s
a small list of LDS athletes to track. They’re the bigger
names, the ones that stand out. Greg Clark was on my short list
of LDS players in the NFL for several seasons.
by Kelly L. Martinez
My
Take on Sports
Our nation is saturated with sports.
A glimpse through the TV listings will undoubtedly reveal several
athletic events. ESPN, ESPN2, Fox Sports, CNN Sports, ABC Sports,
NBC Sports, CBS Sports … you get the idea. Is there a day
without a commercial-laden sporting event somewhere in the world?
by Kelly L. Martinez
Where
Are They Now?: Janie Penfield
A top volleyball performer without
peer (except, perhaps, her own twin sister). Meridian follows Jane
Penfield across the world and back.
by Kelly L. Martinez
Saintly
Aztec
This
season, one can find a copy of the Liahona Magazine (the foreign-language
equivalent to the Ensign) in the Philippine dialect of Tagalog
on San Diego State University’s football road trips. While
most of the players are passing time with other forms of entertainment,
senior tight end Tyson Thompson chooses to occupy his time perusing
the Church magazine in the language he learned while on a full-time
mission to San Pablo, Philippines from 1997-99.
by Kelly L. Martinez
More
LDS Football!
Meridian
readers, once again, have been instrumental in keeping me apprised
of LDS football players that I’ve missed in my research. This
week, we identify some of those college football players that were
missed last time around. In addition, we’ll take a quick look
at the NFL to see how our fellow Saints in pro football are faring.
by
Kelly L. Martinez
LDS
Football Update: NCAA Division I Edition
A
couple of weeks ago, I attended my sons' Cub Scouts pack meeting
and it was noisier than the crowd at LaVell Edwards Stadium. Who
knew kids could raise the decibel level to such heights? The experience,
however, helped me realize we haven't done anything in the way of
tracking the LDS collegiate football players' progress this season
at Meridian. With that in mind, here's how some of them have been
doing ... and please feel free to let me know of any that I've missed.
I'm sure there's plenty.
by
Kelly L. Martinez
A
Search for Truth
In
theory, athletics is an excellent arena for missionary work. A mixture
of athletes from various backgrounds unite in the pursuit of athletic
excellence, which can provide participants with opportunities to
discuss things that are more important than the sport they share.
Good and bad examples are available to emulate and associate with
in the sporting world. Mostly, players will gravitate toward others
that are most like them -- ones that share common beliefs and values.
Such was the case on the Oakland Raiders in 1982, when free safety
Burgess Owens and tight end Todd Christensen were
teammates and, eventually, instruments in the Lord’s hands.
by
Kelly L. Martinez
The
Golden Bear
The
University of California at Berkeley has built a reputation for
being a melting pot of liberal ideas and even more liberal behavior.
Berkeley’s extant liberal mindset has survived the wear of
time and, in some ways, is more liberal than ever. A returned missionary,
it could be assumed, would not find Berkeley appealing, yet, that
is exactly where returned missionary and current place-kicker Mark-Christian
Jensen is making an imprint in the sporting world.
by
Kelly L. Martinez
LDS
Sports and the Sabbath: A Look Back and Forward
It's
been nearly five months since I wrote the article "A
Sobering Look: LDS Sports and the Sabbath." To date, the
article has generated over 250 e-mails. In the letters to the editor
follow-up on May 21, we shared a few of the comments made in regard
to the article. I have received requests to share some of the other
comments made about the article and the Sabbath day observance issue.
written and compiled by Kelly L. Martinez
Todd
Christensen: Raider in the Booth (October
4, 2002)
His
name became a name that was well-known in the sporting world; he
even went on to be a part of a Summer Olympiad. However, neither
of those accomplishments came in the way you might imagine.
by
Kelly L. Martinez
Conversion
by the Sea (September
20, 2002)
This
is not an article about my conversion. It’s a story about
Karla Ribeiro, who was a member of the BYU-Hawaii women’s
volleyball team from 1997-2001, and who had played professionally
in Brazil prior to that..
by
Kelly L. Martinez
Chambers
by the Bay (August
16, 2002)
NFL
hopeful Kirk Chambers has played on the Standford Cardinal offensive
line for 23 consecutive games since returning from Germany where
he served a full-time mission.
by
Kelly L. Martinez
Where
in the World is Jeremy Guthrie? (July
29, 2002)
Pac-10
Pitcher of the Year Jeremy Guthrie will don a major league uniform
in the near future.
by
Kelly L. Martinez
Conversation
with a Cougar (July
19, 2002)
Catching
up with Gary Crowton is as challenging as a fourth-and-goal situation...
but well worth the effort.
by
Kelly L. Martinez
Annie
(July
12, 2002)
Oklahoma
State University golfer Annie Thurman
never planned to be a star. Still doesn't, actually, though it may
happen anyway.
by Mike Morrow
Sonic
Boone (July
5, 2002)
Meridian
spotlights Aaron Boone, a senior wide receiver at the University
of Kentucky.
by
Kelly L. Martinez
Shall
the Youth of Zion Falter: Commitment to a Commandment
(June
21, 2002)
Another
in a periodic series spotlighting LDS youth in the sporting world
who are making valiant decisions and giving heed to President Hinckley’s
counsel to “stand a little taller.”
by
Kelly L. Martinez
Father-and-Son
Golf (June 14, 2002)
Not
all eyes will be on Tiger Woods at the U.S. Open Golf Tournament
in Farmingdale, N.Y. At least two—and probably a lot more—will
be on a long shot, who is such an outsider that his name isn't even
on the event's list of Who's Who—Andy Miller, son of golfing
legend Johnny Miller.
by Michael
Morrow
A
Family Affair
(June
5, 2002)
The Clark brothers – Ezra, Dallas,
Jordan, Stillman and Lincoln – have given new meaning to the
term “brother rat” at the Virginia Military Institute.
by
Amber M.B.Clark
Who,
What, Where and Vai (May
31, 2002)
Meridian talks with former
BYU football star and All-Pro NFL player Vai Sikahema.
by
Kelly L. Martinez
A
Sobering Look: LDS Sports and the Sabbath
(May
17, 2002)
Early
on, the idea of writing an article on this sensitive issue was one
I always knew I’d wind up doing, but had delayed because I knew
it would be a difficult undertaking … one that would ruffle some
feathers and rattle some cages. I feel compelled to write this article
now, in light of some of the e-mails I’ve received in regard to
this perpetually sensitive topic.
by Kelly
L. Martinez
Kicking
Back
(May 10, 2002)
BYU soccer star Aleisha
Cramer is "the most impactful player in women’s college
soccer today. She changed the game."
by Mike Morrow
Sir
Duke (May
3, 2002)
Duke
basketball player Matt Christensen
is graduating and moving on to the wide world of business.
by Kelly L. Martinez
The
All-American, All-Around Award (April
19, 2002)
If
I could create a new award, it would be the "All-American All-Around"
award and my first nominee would be Emily Darger Deans, captain
of the 2001 Colorado State University women's volleyball team.
by
M.E. Clayton
Ride
'em Cowboy! (April
16, 2002)
Imagine
my surprise when I received an e-mail from someone in the rodeo
business that informed me that cowboys did, indeed, still exist.
Not only do they still exist, but a certain LDS cowboy is taking
the sport of rodeo by storm.
by
Kelly L. Martinez
Title
Quest (April
11, 2002)
Meridian covers the University
of Utah's bid for a national gymnastics title and other LDS sports
news.
by
Mike Morrow
Shall
the Youth of Zion Falter: Face Off With a Decision
(April
5, 2002)
Another
in a periodic series that spotlights LDS youth in the sporting world
that are making valiant decisions and giving heed to President Hinckley's
counsel to "stand a little taller."
by
Kelly L. Martinez
Mad
About Mad Dog
(April
1, 2002)
"Interview
with a Mad Dog" was, by far, the most commented on article I have
written for Meridian. It's apparent that Meridian readers love the
Mad Dog.
by
Kelly L. Martinez
A
Legend in the Making (Mar.
29, 2002)
From
a future wrestling legend to a legendary coach called to serve,
Meridian has the LDS sports beat covered.
by
Mike Morrow
McKay
in L.A. is Pretty Okay
(Mar.
22, 2002)
Spring has barely sprung, and already the Boys of Summer are hard
at work. Or is that play? Spring training facilities throughout
Arizona and Florida are abuzz with the anticipation of a new season
and, perhaps, the emergence of the next Derek Jeter or Alex Rodriguez.
by Kelly L. Martinez
Shall
the Youth of Zion Falter?: A Taller Stand (Mar.
18, 2002)
"The
time has come for each of us to stand a little taller. This is a
season to be strong." —President Gordon B. Hinckley
by
Kelly L. Martinez
Interview
With a Mad Dog (Mar.
11, 2002)
Meridian interviews Brother
Mark Madsen, former Stanford basketball star and current L.A. Laker.
by
Kelly L. Martinez
Sports
Stuff (Mar.
1, 2002)
Mormons in basketball, football,
olympics, and more.
by
Mike Morrow
The
Gift of Basketball (Feb.
25, 2002)
Stanford's
All-American standout Casey Jacobsen has a gift for basketball.
by Kelly L. Martinez
Lighting
the Fire Within (Feb. 22, 2002)
And
it shall come to pass in the last days, that the mountain of the
Lord's house shall be established in the top of the mountains, and
shall be exalted above the hills, and all nations shall flow unto
it. —Isaiah 2:3
by
Kelly L. Martinez
Sports
Stuff (Feb. 15, 2002)
A
few days ago, we were crowded around one of the televisions at the
office to watch the United States and Sweden meet in a women's curling
event. Yes, curling. Imagine the reaction of our in-the-field writing
staff when they heard we were switching between curling and the
Westminster Dog Show rather than a college basketball game or a
classic sports highlight.
by
Mike Morrow
Let
the Games Begin! (Feb. 8, 2002)
In
this article you will find a sampling of information about the Winter
Games. So keep this article handy; there will be a test prior to
the Closing Ceremonies!
by
Kelly L. Martinez
Olympic
Advance (Feb.
1, 2002)
To
those of us whose exposure to snow is limited to a snocone or ball
of coconut atop a hot fudge sundae, the Winter Olympics is somewhat
of a mystery. I mean, the Skeleton? Super G? Moguls?
by Mike Morrow
Alaskan
Companions (Jan. 18, 2002)
Two
special young men are the starting backcourt for the University
of Alaska at Anchorage (NCAA Division II) menís basketball team
and LDS athletes that are setting good examples.
by
Kelly L. Martinez
Getting
His Foot in the Door: Derek McLaughlin (Jan.
14, 2002)
A
year or so from now, punter Derek McLaughlin of the University of
Washington will be trying to get his foot in the door—that's
when he'll begin serving his two-year mission.
by
Mike Morrow
Sports:
Clearing out the notebook... (Dec.
28, 2001)
From BYU Football's terrific season
to Laker Boy Mark Madsen, Meridian covers the latest sports happenings.
by
Mike Morrow
The
Beast That Ate Bowl Day (Dec.
14, 2001)
Hereís
a po-em in-spiríd by a man, a jeen-yess,
About college football and its current big mess.
Sil-ly, it may be, to all of us and to you,
But true, it will ring, to the fans of B-Y-U!
by Kelly L.
Martinez
A
Good Example at Dixie State College (Dec.
7, 2001)
Croshaw
is what coaching should be. It's not about multi-million dollar
bowl game contracts, exclusive shoe contracts or even an image on
a Wheaties box.
by
Mike Morrow
A
Promise Kept: Book
Review (Nov.
30, 2001)
I
wish I had more time to read for pleasure. The bulk of what I read
is job-related and leaves me little time to do any other type of
reading. This book was a pleasure to read.
by
Kelly L. Martinez
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