Las Vegas Sun

April 26, 2024

Duly Noted

By Ron Kantowski

Former Las Vegas Posse quarterback Anthony Calvillo's passing completions, attempts and yards in the Grey Cup, the Canadian football equivalent of the Super Bowl. Calvillo's Montreal Alouettes lost 38-35 in overt.

MAD ABOUT THE LV BOWL

Once again, Tina Kunzer-Murphy has confirmed her reputation as the Alfred E. Neuman of the college football bowl business:

"What, her worry?"

Of course, every year, Las Vegas Bowl Executive Director Kunzer-Murphy does worry. She worries that she won't get a matchup that will fill enough seats at Sam Boyd Stadium to keep the NCAA Bowl Certification police in the doughnut shop parking lot.

Then every year, a couple of 7-4 or 6-5 teams that travel well leave a rabbit's foot in her Christmas stocking.

This year, it's three-lettered schools BYU and Cal that should give the Las Vegas Bowl a shot at its first-ever sellout.

If only I could talk Kunzer-Murphy into becoming a Cubs fan for one year.

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ANDY'S IN, ANDRE'S OUT

Last month, when plans to move the Tennis Channel Open from Scottsdale, Ariz., to Las Vegas were announced, I was told it wouldn't be possible for hometown hero Andre Agassi to pull out of a commitment to play in the United Arab Emirates that same weekend at such short notice.

Then last week, at even shorter notice, Andy Roddick said he was pulling out of the Middle East to play tennis in a desert closer to home.

Roddick's presence, provided he can avoid an early upset and center court at the new Darling Tennis Center doesn't fall apart, should make the event a success right out of the box. But not as big a success were he and Agassi to trade ground strokes in the final.

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HOLDING ANOTHER COURT

Sometimes, it's funny how the college basketball gods work.

A week ago Saturday night, the court at the Thomas & Mack Center was named in honor of Jerry Tarkanian, UNLV's all-time winningest coach.

Then this past Saturday night, the court at the Western New Mexico Fieldhouse in Silver City, N.M., was named in honor of my uncle, Dick Drangmeister, WNMU's all-time winningest coach.

In 1981 Western New Mexico, then a tiny NAIA school, lost a competitive season opener to Tark and the Rebels, 83-70, at the old Las Vegas Convention Center.

It was good to see Tark enjoy another moment in the sun. Unfortunately, Drag, as my uncle was called by all who knew him, died in July after a bout with cancer.

If Jim Valvano is still looking for an assistant, I can recommend a pretty good one.

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