Travel Medford and the Southern Oregon Sports Commission are at the forefront of efforts to bring sports tourism events, and the teams and families that come with them, to our Sportground, where the west coast comes to play!
The NAIA Cascade Conference brought it's men's and women's soccer tournaments to Medford for the first time this week, and the event has drawn good reviews. Great facilities, accomodations, weather, and support system in place has shown up big time this week with the CCC tournament. Darren Van Lehn, Director of Sports Development for Travel Medford and the SOSC joined us on The Ace today to talk about the momentum from hosting this event will carry forward to attract others.
Former North Medford head coach Steve Turner continues to show his acumen for energizing high school football programs and has done so again in his latest stop at Cottage Grove. A program that appeared in the 2016 and 2017 State Championship games and won the latter, CG labored through some winless seasons. Until Coach Turner came on board. A 9-0 regular season and playoff appearance this fall signals the Lions are back!
Bob Welch is a prolific author and former Eugene Register Guard sportswriter who has covered a wide range of subjects with over two dozen books. Many in Southern Oregon know him for his feature on Dick Fosbury, "The Wizard of Foz". Currently writing a weekly column on Substack, "Bob Welch, Heart, Humor, & Hope" he continues to connect with readers in his own unique style. An avid hiker and no stranger to a fishing pole, Jeff Rodgers Wednesday feature guest stays busy. Check out our interview with Bob Welch.
The North Medford girls soccer team takes on West Linn today in the second round of the 6A OSAA Playoffs. Under first year Coach Malaika Quigley North has a 10-4-2 record and a playoff win over Nelson in the books already this season, and are a program hungry for more. North Captains Brycelin Endrikat, Payton Miller, and Ava Markiewicz talked with us on Tee It Up Southern Oregon about how this great season came together. Photos courtesy RV Times.
The St. Mary's girls soccer team got a new Head Coach in Lauren Huizinga this fall and similar results. 12-0 Conference champions and a #4 seed into the OSAA Playoffs, opening at home Wednesday against Pleasant Hill at 5pm. The Crusaders opened the season 8-0 outscoring opponents 47-0 and have given up just 3 goals in a 13-1 campaign. Coach Huizinga and her 3 captains, Bella Mussio, Bri Cooper, and Elsa Lee stopped by The Ace Monday to give us some insights into the teams season to date and the playoff run ahead.
With the holidays ahead it might be time to treat the golfer in your life to some new gear. A gift certificate from Fiddler's Green will open the door to a vast array of equipment, apparel, and accessories. Available online at fiddlersgreen.com your gift will have your swinger set for new products coming with the New Year. Al Whalen from Fiddler's has the scoop in our October visit.
With a 39-0 win at Lakeview Friday the Cascade Christian football team notched a 5th straight win, the Special District 5 championship, and locked down a home game against Yamhill Carlton in the first round of the OSAA Playoffs next Friday. Ever wonder where Coach Jon Gettman keeps finding the football talent at CC? Math class was where he found OL DL Senior linemen Sam Seus 5 years ago! Coming out for football as a freshman, Sues has grown to love the game and the coaches and teammates he'd had along the way. Photos courtest RV Times.
Arena Football returns to Oregon next spring when the Oregon Lightning debut in Redmond. Reorganized from the Blackbears franchise in Salem earlier this year that had to shut down when the league folded, the Lightning are already signing players, including a former SOU Raider, James "Big Mike" Hines. Big Mike has logged some big miles following football his opportunities since college and is excited to be back in Oregon and playing for Head Coach Chuck Jones. Pancakes are coming next spring as you'll hear in our Wednesday interview!
Jeff Rodgers took us inside the Athletic Offices at the University of Oregon Wednesday with his feature guest, Assistant Athletic Director of Development Matt Broders. The electrifying win over Ohio State and rise to #1 in the rankings dominates the headlines but other athletic programs are off to a strong Big 10 start as well. Broders tells us that Duck fans and supporters have a big hand in the success of the Oregon athletic teams.
18 new members of the North Medford Black Tornado Wall of Fame were inducted October 26th, joining the classes of 2014 and 2019. Arriving at North Medford in 1991 Tim Sam served as Head Boys Basketball Coach and Athletic Director before moving to North Valley where he serves as AD today. While at North he led the charge to put the Black Tornado's outstanding athletic legacy on display and recognize the outstanding athletes and teams over the many years. The Wall of Fame and the trophy and display cases on campus have do so nicely. Tim joined us on The Ace Monday to reflect on the effort.
The SOU Raider Men's and Women's golf teams continue to build up the roster and good results in the third year under Head Coach Noah Horstman. Freshman Riley Kirk is setting the pace for the men's team and fresh off a 5th place finish out of 66 golfers at the UBC Gail Moore Invitational that helped the men take 4th place. And sophomore Keira Cheng, an All-Cascade Conference performer as a freshman, led the SOU Women to 5th place finish with a 5 over score to tie for 11th place. We had a great segment Friday with Raider Golf and found that Kirk and Cheng have found the perfect place to grow their games at SOU.
Come out early Friday Nov 1 for the Sherm's Thunderbird and Food 4 Less Tailgate party. Get a great plate beginning at 5pm and support athletics!
