Spring practices continue to roll on as the Ducks prepare for the upcoming season. Players are getting back into shape and coaches are beginning to formulate their rotations as newly hired head coach Mark Helfrich begins a new era of Ducks football. But for one player, this offseason has been nothing short of a pleasant surprise in addition to a much deserved reward.
After working hard to impress coaches and players mostly both as a running back and on special teams, back-up running back Ayele Forde was awarded a scholarship this last Monday for his fourth year at the University of Oregon after paying his own way the previous three years. Studying digital design, Forde was balancing both academics and athletics along with paying for his education and it has finally paid off.
“It’s what I’ve been working on for so long and I finally got it,” said Forde at practice. ”Nothing much has changed, just got free school and still going to work hard and get to the next level,” said Forde. In regards to his first experience as a scholarship awardee, Forde said, “I walked in to get some food with my chest pumped out, made a big meal and I ate it. It was great.”
Forde now joins an elite group of De’Anthony Thomas and Byron Marshall as the only running backs on scholarship.
Aaron Fentress of the Oregonian has the full story.
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The ever-so visually appealing Masters are rapidly approaching. From the freshly cut grass to the colorful polos, this year’s Masters will once again be among the spotlight during the hangover that are March Madness celebrations and Opening Day hiatus. Not only are the Masters the rare time when non-golf viewers chime in to watch a sport that isn’t among the main stream, it is also simply a time to relax and enjoy the fresh Spring air.
If you are one of the lucky few that will be in attendance at this year’s Masters, ESPN’s Rick Reilly has just what you need before heading to the green.
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When you think college basketball you think of Mike Krzyzewski. When you say women’s college basketball, you say Geno Auriemma. The two have been on the pinnacle of their respective sports for quite some time now and though Duke and Coach Krzyweski fell short of the title this year, Coach Auriemma and his UCONN Huskies are in the running for their eighth title.
UCONN has won all seven of their previous trips to the final and while their opponent Louisville is on a hot streak of their own, Coach Auriemma has no intention of giving up his perfect record in the finals. With the transitioning out of Pat Summitt due to cancer, Coach Auriemma truly does stand alone in the conversation for best coach and this upcoming finals matchup will simply serve as a gentle reminder that Auriemma has had one of the truly remarkable runs in NCAA history.
Mechelle Voepel of ESPN has the rundown of Coach Auriemma’s past and possibly future success in the final game.