Last Week around the Leagues
by Fran Stuchbury
Published on September 27, 2022 under Major Arena Soccer League (MASL)
This past week the NBA G League's Grand Rapids Gold named Andre Miller its new head coach, the Major Arena Soccer League's Ontario Fury rebranded as the Empire Strykers, and the Bowling Green Hot Rods won their third South Atlantic League Championship in the last four seasons. Highlights from this week come from the NBA G League, Women's National Basketball Association, Major Arena Soccer League, Major League Soccer, National Women's Soccer League, United Soccer League Championship, United Soccer League One, MLS NEXT Pro, Canadian Football League, North American Hockey League, National Lacrosse League, Premier Lacrosse League and Professional Box Lacrosse Association.
BASKETBALL
NBA G League
It was announced that the Denver Nuggets G League affiliate the Grand Rapids Gold has hired Andre Miller as their new Head Coach. Additionally, Nate Babcock who was an assistant coach with the Rapids last season has been named Associate Head Coach while former Nugget Jeff Trepagnier and James Fraschilla have been added as assistant coaches. Miller is a 17-year NBA veteran who brings extensive experience and basketball knowledge with him to Grand Rapids, having appeared in 1,304 career games, the 22nd most in NBA history. Miller spent seven of those seasons in Denver over two stints (2003-07, 2011-14), holding averages of 12.0 points, 6.7 assists and 3.8 rebounds while shooting 46.4% from the field. He currently sits fourth all-time in Nuggets NBA franchise history with 2978 assists.
Grand Rapids Gold hosts open tryouts to fill training camp roster
The Austin Spurs announced that Brent Barry has been named the team's General Manager, while Sean O'Gara will serve as Head Athletic Trainer. Barry has been part of the Spurs front office since 2018 and will continue as San Antonio's Vice President of Basketball Operations while leading Austin. Barry played four seasons for the Silver and Black from 2004-08, where he helped the Spurs to two titles in 2005 and 2007.
Women's National Basketball Association
As the exclusive home of the WNBA postseason, Disney Networks televised 49 games as part of the league's new expanded playoff format with the Las Vegas Aces securing the franchise's first championship, defeating the Connecticut Sun in the best-of-five series. After 23 games, the 2022 postseason averaged 456,000 viewers - up 22 percent over 2021's postseason - making it the most-viewed WNBA postseason since 2007.
Jalen & Jacoby react to WNBA Stars boycotting playing in Russia after Brittney Griner has been wrongfully detained there.
SOCCER
Major Arena Soccer League
On Saturday, September 17, in front of more than 7,500 fans online and in person, the Ontario Fury, now the Empire Strykers, turned in their jerseys for a new look and a new name. After nine years, and a strong fan following, trademark disputes led the Fury to undergo a major rebranding. "The Empire Strykers' rebranded name and logo represents everything that we want MASL to be," stated Shep Messing, Chairman of the Major Arena Soccer League. "Bold, fast, exciting, and explosive. We wish them well in both identifying where they play and connecting with their loyal fans."
'The Introduction'
The Major Arena Soccer League's Office of the Commissioner announced the format for the upcoming 2022-23 season. The Ron Newman Cup Playoff format will be announced next week. Eastern Conference - Baltimore, Florida, Harrisburg, Kansas City, Milwaukee, St Louis, Utica City. Western Conference - Chihuahua, Dallas, Empire, Mesquite, Monterrey, San Diego, Tacoma. All teams will play 24 games, 12 home and 12 away. Each team will play a balanced two home and two away out of conference games and 10 home and 10 away in conference games.
Major League Soccer
GOLAZO! Aaron Herrera hits from 70+ yards!
National Women's Soccer League
Budweiser Player of the Week - Kailen Sheridan, San Diego Wave - Week 18
Verizon Save of the Week Winner - Paige Monaghan, NJ/NY Gotham FC - Week 17
United Soccer League Championship
Birmingham Legion FC midfielder Enzo Martinez was voted the Championship Player of the Week presented by Konami eFootball for the second time this season. Martinez scored and assisted to overturn a halftime deficit against Pittsburgh Riverhounds SC to leapfrog them in the Eastern Conference Standings for the chance to earn a home playoff match.
United Soccer League One
A league-record 12 saves in a single match! - Adrían Zendejas - USL League One Player of the Week
MLS NEXT Pro
Nashville Soccer Club announced CEO Ian Ayre will also serve as President of the club's MLS NEXT Pro team in Huntsville, Ala. and introduced Chad Emerson as the Managing Director of Business Operations for the MLS NEXT Pro club. Emerson is the former founding CEO of Downtown Huntsville, Inc. (DHI), a champion for a vibrant and economically strong Downtown Huntsville, where he held that position since 2013.
The Nashville Soccer Club announced CEO Ian Ayre as President of the club's MLS NEXT Pro team in Huntsville and introduced Chad Emerson as the Managing Director of Business Operations for the MLS NEXT Pro club.
BASEBALL
South Atlantic League
Aberdeen, Maryland- Austin Vernon led the pitching staff in a historic shutout in the Bowling Green Hot Rods (2-1) 4-0 victory over the Aberdeen IronBirds (1-2) to win their third championship, and second SAL title in a row. The Hot Rods have won three championships in the last four seasons. The last team tow in back-to-back SAL championships was the Lexington Legends. They did it in 2018 and 2019.
Carolina League
The Charleston RiverDogs claimed their second consecutive league championship courtesy of a 6-2 win over the Lynchburg Hillcats at Bank of the James Stadium. Carson Williams and Brock Jones homered and JJ Goss tossed a career-hign 6.2 innings in the victory. The RiverDogs finished the postseason with a 4-0 record.
Minor League Baseball Plays of the Week
West Coast League
The West Coast League and Major League Baseball announced an agreement to jointly pursue initiatives of mutual interest, including player and coach development, technology innovation related to scouting and fan experience, and community engagement. "We continue to be impressed by Major League Baseball's enthusiastic support of amateur baseball," said West Coast League Commissioner Rob Neyer. "We take pride in the West Coast League's status as the premier collegiate summer league in the western half of North America, so we imagine many potential fruits of this relationship and we're eager to get started."
Northwoods League
The Lakeshore Chinooks have hired Trevor Cho as their next manager, the team announced. Cho returns to the club after serving as the hitting coach for Lakeshore in 2022. Cho, who currently serves as a graduate assistant for the Missouri State Bears baseball team, grew up in Mequon and was very familiar with the Chinooks before coming on as a coach. "I was in seventh grade when the Chinooks came to Mequon and all I can remember was the excitement they generated," Cho recalled. "The experiences, relationships, and memories of last summer are some of the highlights in my baseball journey. Today, I couldn't be happier to be named the new field manager; to continue being a part of the Lakeshore Chinooks organization."
FOOTBALL
Canadian Football League
CFL Plays of the Week
Indoor Football League
Northern Arizona Wranglers Head Coach Les Moss has appointed Jason Simpson as the defensive coordinator for the 2023 season. Coach Simpson is being added to the Wranglers staff to replace coach Rob Keefe, on the defensive side of the ball, after Keefe decided to move his coaching career forward with the Bay Area Panthers. Simpson brings a lot of Indoor/Arena Football experience to Northern Arizona. Simpson was on the Iowa Barnstormers coaching staff under Moss during the 2021 season, as he coached the offensive and defensive lines.
The Bay Area Panthers of the Indoor Football League have named Dixie Wooten as the team's offensive coordinator. Wooten has won the IFL coach of the year twice and won the United Bowl in 2018 as the head coach of the Iowa Barnstormers, where he went 36-8 in three years. Wooten spent the last two years as the head coach and general manager of the Tucson Sugarskulls-last season reaching the playoffs and finishing third in the West. "When you have a chance to be a coach with (head coach) Darren Arbet and (defensive coordinator) Rob Keefe, you know that it's going to be a professional atmosphere. It's going to be a great coaching staff and we know what comes with great coaching staffs-that's championships."
The Frisco Fighters announced that the team has re-signed quarterback TJ Edwards. The 6-foot-1, 200-pound playmaker returns to the Fighters for his second consecutive season. Edwards made his debut with the Fighters in 2021 and played a pivotal role in the success of the team. The Garland, Texas native averaged 10.8 points per game and was among the league's top leaders in rushing, earning a total of 759 yards for 28 touchdowns. Edwards also threw for a total of 1,481 yards earning him 26 touchdowns.
National Arena League
Jeff Levack served as President of the Albany Empire during the 2021 and 2022 season. Not only did he win his third championship with the team, but also won Executive of The Year at the 2022 NAL Awards Banquet. Levack has been part of this organization since 2018 and he has chosen to take the next step in his career, down in Georgia. Entering the 2023 season, Levack will join the Columbus Lions ownership group. "Albany will always be my home and I'll always be extremely proud of and grateful for my time with the Empire but the opportunity to join the ownership group of the Columbus Lions is just too good to pass up. Thank you to everyone in the Empire organization and all the fans."
HOCKEY
Premier Hockey Federation
The Premier Hockey Federation (PHF) in association with its seven member clubs has announced the official 2022-23 regular season schedule. The eighth campaign in league history will feature a record 84 games played over 19 weeks beginning Saturday, November 5. All seven teams have 24 games on the calendar, balanced evenly with 12 home and 12 away contests, and consisting of four matchups against each opponent. Tickets are now on sale in all markets.
Federal Prospect Hockey League
A new journey for Coach Glenn Thomaris as he takes the reins of the brand new FPHL team, The Elmira Mammoth. In a historic season like this, experience is key and that is not something that is lacking by new Head Coach Glenn Thomaris He coached the Elmira Soaring Eagles at Elmira College for 14 years, leading them to 7 National Tournaments. Over that time he accumulated a 269-123-14 record at EC. After Elmira he went to Potsdam for 5 years before returning back to Elmira to work with the Jackals. In the introductory press conference Coach Thomaris was thrilled to become the first head coach in program history. "I am excited to be back and being in charge and show everybody what kind of a team we can put together and certainly wanna win with them here."
North American Hockey League
The North American Hockey League (NAHL) is pleased to announce that Denny Scanlon has been named the league's new Deputy Commissioner. For the past four seasons, Scanlon had served as the Deputy Commissioner for the United States Hockey League (USHL). Scanlon is no stranger to the NAHL, as from 2009-18, he served as the Vice-President of Hockey Operations for the league. In that role, he oversaw all aspects of hockey operations for the NAHL and provided counsel to member teams on compliance with League rules and Bylaws. He was also responsible for the preparation, review, and negotiation of a variety of legal documents for the NAHL.
NAHL Top Plays - Sept. 12-18, 2022
Step behind the bench with Maine Nordiuqes Head Coach Matt Pinchevsky as his squad took on the USA NTDP at the NAHL Showcase!
United States Hockey League
The United States Hockey League (USHL) announced Tuesday the hiring of Doug Christiansen as the League's new Deputy Commissioner, effective immediately. Christiansen returns to the USHL, where he previously spent four years as the Director of Player Development and Recruitment (2014-18). Between USHL stints, Christiansen spent four seasons as a General Manager and Head Coach in the ECHL, beginning with the Manchester Monarchs in the 2018-19 season followed by the past three seasons with the Indy Fuel.
LACROSSE
National Lacrosse League
The National Lacrosse League announced the largest schedule in its history - 135 games - as the 2022-23 regular season gets underway with Face Off Weekend on December 2-3, 2022. The NLL's 36th year opens with six games, three matchups in Canada and three in the U.S., as part of a 22-week schedule through April 29. Face Off Weekend will include two TSN Game of the Week contests on Friday, December 2 (Philadelphia Wings at Halifax Thunderbirds, 6 p.m. ET) and Saturday, December 3 (Vancouver Warriors at Toronto Rock, 5 p.m. ET). All 135 games during the regular season are available on ESPN+ and through TSN's platforms, including TSN.ca and the TSN app.
The National Lacrosse League released its full 2022-23 season schedule today and Devan Kaney is joined by Pat Gregoire and Teddy Jenner to break down to best matchups of the season.
The Vancouver Warriors are pleased to announce the signing of two time NLL MVP, forward Shawn Evans, pending NLL approval. In the NLL, Shawn Evans is a two time MVP who ranks in the top 10 in goals scored (457- 10th), Assists (838- 5th) and points (1295- 6th). Evans is a 4X first team NLL All Star and helped Rochester win the NLL Championship in 2007.
Premier Lacrosse League
The Premier Lacrosse League Championship which aired on Sunday, September 18th on ABC, the Chaos vs. Waterdogs, drew 225,000 viewers.
2022 PLL CHAMPIONSHIP - Cinematic Recap
Professional Box Lacrosse Association
Hampton Hammerheads have arrived! Who's ready for the season to start!?
Welcome, Binghamton Bombers! Looking forward to the upcoming season!
Charlotte Bootleggers...you're up! GET READY! Support your team!
Trenton Terror, be afraid...be very afraid... Your logo has arrived!
Did we miss anything newsworthy or downright fun? Have a nomination for next week's column? Contact us today and let us know.
Major Arena Soccer League Stories from September 27, 2022
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- Last Week around the Leagues - OSC Original by Fran Stuchbury
The opinions expressed in this article are those of the writer(s), and do not necessarily reflect the thoughts or opinions of OurSports Central or its staff.
