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March 28, 2008

THE ROGERS REPORT: Cleaning off the sports desk

By Benny Rogers

A few random notes, thoughts and observations as we prepare to move on from the madness of March ...

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Needless to say, there’s a buzz in the air about softball being added at Trinity Valley Community College. At last there’s now an avenue for players at Henderson County area schools to continue their careers without having to go elsewhere.

It’s also going to be exciting to watch the program grow from its infancy. There will no doubt be a lot of interest as other decisions about the program are announced — i.e., the hiring of coaches, the signing of players, the schedule, etc.

The addition of softball at TVCC seems a natural. A tip of the cap to new TVCC president Dr. Glendon Forgey for recognizing it and making it one of his first moves in the short time he’s been on the job.

Here’s hoping softball being added is the first of many exciting announcements to come “The Valley” in the weeks and months to come!

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Speaking of TVCC, have you counted the number of connections the school has in the Sweet Sixteen of the NCAA women’s tournament?

Four schools have TVCC ties.

Let’s start with the obvious — Oklahoma State. Former Lady Cardinal coach Kurt Budke leads the Cowgirls into the Sweet Sixteen after having been 0-16 in the Big 12 just two years ago. On Budke’s staff are former Lady Cardinal players/coaches Miranda Serna and Kenya Larkin.

Then there’s LSU, Oklahoma State’s next opponent. There, Yolanda Wells-Broughton is an assistant coach. She was Michael Lander’s assistant at TVCC earlier this decade, including the national championship season in 2004.

Former Lady Cardinal Shannon Bobbitt, who last year helped Tennessee to its seventh national championship, is enjoying a banner senior year for the Lady Volunteers. Tennessee plays Notre Dame this weekend.

At Rutgers, former Lady Cardinal guard Carlene Mitchell is an assistant coach. Mitchell played on the 1994 TVCC national champion squad. Rutgers plays George Washington.

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We haven’t forgotten about the 2008 All-Henderson County Area Basketball Team. It will be announced in a couple of weeks.

Being in Kansas with the Lady Cardinals last week has backed it up, but it will be coming your way shortly.

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Former Mabank High School athletic/director head football coach Joe Martin, will be inducted into the Texas High School Coaches Association’s Hall of Honor this summer. Martin, at Mabank for three seasons in the late 1980s and early 90s, led Garland to the Class 5A state title in 1999.

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Keith Wright, a former athletic director/head football coach at Kerens, has been named head football coach at South Garland. He led Farmersville to the state title this past season.

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And finally ... have an awesome day and weekend.

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