Christopher Drexel, Grad student, sports editor
As another semester commences, so does another round of a longstanding sports desk tradition - the Hump Day Hoopla.
Every Wednesday one of our writers gets to sound off on whatever topic they choose from the world of sports. In our inaugural HDH, each member of our staff will contribute a little something.
Me, I return to my old stomping ground for my second stint as sports editor after graduating in May. I'm here to hopefully guide an extremely young staff that has tremendous upside. Watch our progress daily.
In the meantime I'm counting down the days until Andrew Walter makes his first start for the Raiders; I believe Sam Keller will be very, very missed by the ASU football team this season; and Keith Tkachuk is still my hero.
Steven Bohner, assistant editor, sophomore
With mostly a brand new sports staff this year, we were hoping for a smooth first issue. Dirk Koetter had other plans.
It's only the third day of school and already we have enough drama from the Koetter-Keller-Carpenter saga to last us all semester.
Speculation circulates on the reason behind Koetter's decision, whether it was simply a favorable team meeting or something deeper.
Yes, the sports world can get into a tangled mess. But worry not. You'll get the unfiltered truth right here.
Chris Ramirez, junior
Being one of the few people actually born in the great state of Arizona, I feel I have become an authority on the local sports teams.
The Arizona Cardinals will not make the playoffs this year. Amare Stoudemire will never be the same player again. And it must be August because the Diamondbacks are fading fast in the race for the playoffs.
Taylor Price, senior
There will be no unnecessary ink in the sports section devoted to how hot JJ Redick is, Eddie House ruling the universe, or any mentioning of the Red Lobster.
Those writers are on vacation. Now that I have that out the way, I'm looking forward to big things this year - I'm talking Warren Sapp big.
I'm thinking roses in January and possibly some Madness in March. Yankees sweep the Mets in the series. Panthers win the Super Bowl. Heat repeat and the Warriors make the playoffs. Brady Quinn gets the Heisman, and the U.S. takes the Ryder Cup.
Kelsey Perry, senior
A former business reporter for the city desk, I'll be making the switch to the testosterone-filled environment that is the sports desk.
I look forward to sitting on the sideline with the women's basketball team as they embark on what is sure to be another successful season under coach Charli Turner Thorne. I will also be checking in at the Mona Plummer Aquatic Center as the swim team kicks off its season this October.
Matt Waggoner, sophomore
My name is Matt Waggoner, and I am addicted to sports.
It's not the thrill of winning or the agony of defeat that keeps me coming back - it's the way in which sports transcend life and crush racial and social barriers.
Every time I flip through the sports pages, I am offered countless opportunities to see men and women disregarding cultural differences and concentrating on a common goal. When done right, sports can represent what society could be in a perfect world.
Matt Storey, junior
Here's three quick thoughts for you sports fans to chew on while you're sitting in class this week.
One, Herb Sendek is the right coach to get the men's basketball team into Pac-10 title contention, but it won't be until at least 2007-08.
Two, Rudy Carpenter will overcome the preseason adversity and get a nice trip to New York in December as a Heisman finalist.
Three, Tiger Woods will continue his amazing play and lead the underdog U.S. team to a Ryder Cup win come September.
Devin Hicks, senior
I was raised on the mean streets of east Mesa and I am a diehard Arizona sports fan.
This year I predict Matt Leinart will lead the Cardinals to a Super Bowl title (or maybe next year), the Phoenix Suns will begin a dynasty that will rival the Celtics and Brandon Webb, Carlos Quentin and Steven Drew will pave the way for the D'Backs to clinch the division.
I say things like this every year only to be disappointed, but this time it will happen. I know it.
Brittany McCall, sophomore
Brittany keeps telling herself that she should be so lucky to have joined the ranks of the State Press sports desk.
Then again, she also tells herself during workouts that there's only five minutes left of running, regardless what the treadmill display says.
Truth be told, Brittany enjoys the sports desk, but not treadmills. She also attributes the fact that she was assigned to the women's club sports beat partially because she is a member of the ASU women's lacrosse club team. Never mind the fact that it would be physically impossible - as well as journalistically unethical - to simultaneously play for and write about her team.
Nate Lipka, junior
This semester, I feel like the Ichiro Suzuki of The State Press.
The comparisons are endless: Ichiro played for nine years in the Japanese leagues, while I served three on a high school paper.
Technically, I'm a rookie to the sports desk, and could receive Rookie of the Year/MVP honors for my first-year coverage of club sports, just like Ichiro did for the Mariners. But, in actuality, I'm already in my third year at ASU.
And don't let my schedule full of freshman-level classes fool you: I've been knowledgeable of the maroon and gold for years, my friends.
