Austin Sports and Other Rants

A.J. Godbolt and the Austin Aztex

2008-07-01T12:43:00.004-05:00

Almost forgot to mention in this month's issue we have a feature story on A.J. Godbolt of the Austin Aztex. He is the son of Bucky Godbolt on AM1300-The Zone. The younger Godbolt has an interesting story, but the team he plays for is quickly becoming a very interesting story of its own on the Austin sports scene.

I have to admit, months ago when I first learned of the new Austin Aztex, I was skeptical. I've seen other "professional" soccer teams come and go in this town. In fact, we've covered a couple of them in our pages. I figured the Aztex wouldn't be any different.

I can happily admit, I was dead wrong.

The Aztex are averaging around 1,500 fans per game this season and this past Sunday they pulled in an impressive 4,700-plus crowd against one of the top Mexican team's, UANL Tigres. I know two other professional franchises in town that can only dream of pulling in those kinds of numbers.

Just after the team was announced earlier this year owner Phil Rawlins told me three things: 1) Austin was a hotbed for soccer talent, 2) Austin was a great soccer market and 3) they would do well in the Capital City. Thus far, he's been exactly right on all counts.

Talentwise, the team, which is comprised of amateur players 23 years old and under, has played exceptionally well losing on penalty kicks to the Atlanta Silverbacks (a USL division 1 squad) several weeks back, and losing a close one on Sunday night to the Tigres, 2-1. That's very impressive for a first-year squad and an organization that had mere months to get ready for the season. Currently, the Aztex sit atop the standings in their division and are almost a lock for the playoffs.

Imagine what the future holds for next season as a full USL Division 1 squad.

I'm a believer.

Sports Bar Issue

2008-07-01T12:40:00.002-05:00

After months of trying to put together a sports bar issue, we've finally done it. As of today, the July 2008 issue of Capital City Sports Report is hitting the streets all around Austin with sports bars as the focus. Check out several stories on the subject as well other interesting features including a first-person account from editor Kyle Dalton on his trip paragliding over the farmland east of Austin.

Calling All Sports Bars

2008-05-13T21:34:00.002-05:00

Ever gone to a sports bar? Know of a good sports bar? Work for a sports bar? Own one? We need you. Our July issue will focus on Austin sports bars. We're going to pick a top 10 sports bars in the Austin area with featurettes on each one selected. If you have knowledge of the Austin sports bar scene and think you can help contribute to the July issue, send us an e-mail: editor@capcitysportsreport.com

Moving Interview

2008-05-13T21:29:00.002-05:00

Yesterday, I had one of those interviews that you never forget. It was with the wife of former Round Rock Express player Mike Coolbaugh. His wife, Mandy, was very forthright in discussing how life has been since Mike tragically died last year. Understandably, it has been very difficult, and recently, it has become even moreso. To see the full details of the interview, as well as a story on the new rule requiring all first- and third-base coaches to wear helmets as a result of that accident, check out the June issue of the magazine in a couple of weeks.

Story Update - 5-5-08

2008-05-05T22:03:00.003-05:00

For you Round Rock Express fans, today we interviewed new manager Dave Clark. Clark is on the fast track in the world of managing as he's called the shots for less than eight years now. What's more interesting than that is how Clark's career all started as a 13-year-old growing up in Mississippi. Clark's story is even more intriguing when you learn what other sport he was participating in back in the late 1970s and preparing to compete in for the 1980 Olympics, which were eventually boycotted.

Plus, we got several interviews today for our story on how coaches, including the Express, are now required to wear helmets in the coaching boxes following the tragic death of former Express player Mike Coolbaugh last year.

Read both stories in the June issue.

Nike Human Race

2008-05-02T16:49:00.002-05:00

In case you haven't heard, Nike is sponsoring a worldwide running event--the Nike Human Race--which consists of a 10k or 6.2 mile run, that is designed to unite athletes across nations and continents, for one day of competition and camaraderie. The scheduled date is August 31.

Why is this important locally? Because there were just 25 cities around the globe selected as "official" sites, with only four of those located in the United States. They are: New York, Chicago, Los Angeles and Austin.

That's right - Austin. The Capital City, which is already known for its running community including those that regularly traverse the local hike and bike trails, will play host to this huge global event that is scheduled to start at 7:30pm.

Austin's own Lance Armstrong, who has traded in the bike for a pair of running shoes lately, has already signed on to participate in the run. Governor Rick Perry has already endorsed the event coming to town. In addition to the running portion of the event, Armstrong and others participating can expect to be treated to an exclusive concert by a "top artist" after the run.

The event is still in the early stages, so check back often and we'll keep you up to date with information as it becomes available including the name of the "top artist." We're also working on landing potential interviews with Armstrong, Perry, and others affiliated with this worldwide event.

News 8 Austin

2008-05-02T16:44:00.002-05:00

See, I told you we'd post more often.

For those of you Time Warner Cable subscribers out there, check out Channel 408, the Non-Stop Sports channel this weekend (5/3-5/4). I sat down this afternoon with Jeff Power and discussed a variety of topics including how the magazine got started, some of the hot topics we've covered in recent months, as well as this month's current issue. Hope it comes off well.

Change of Pace

2008-05-02T16:41:00.002-05:00

Okay, so if we're perfectly honest, we haven't really kept up to date with the blog. It's been spotty at best. We have decided to change that. Instead of focusing on bigger stories or plots, we've decided to basically go with a little bit of everything. By that, we mean we'll talk about sports stories going on locally, but we'll also talk about what's going on behind-the-scenes with the magazine as well as maybe some breaking news. Basically, it will be a hodgepodge of things. Check back often and we'll keep the blog a rollin'.

Texas Basketball Season

2008-03-30T20:53:00.003-05:00

Wow!

Memphis is damn good. Enough about the Tigers. They have as good a shot as any at winning it all. If they play like they did in Houston, I don't think they lose another game.

For Longhorn fans, while today's loss is difficult to swallow, consider this--the team went above and beyond anyone's wildest expectations winning a team record 31 games, plus they were Big 12 regular season co-champs and finished 2nd in the Big 12 tourney.

I think Longhorn fans, myself included, figured this season could be special when they took down UCLA and Tennessee early in the season. They followed that with a big win over Kansas toward the end of the Big 12 play. Everything appeared to be rolling in the right direction. Even in the Big 12 finals against Kansas, anyone that watched that game had to figure those were two of the top five teams in the country. When the brackets came out, it looked like Kansas and Texas could meet once again for the national championship in San Antonio.

Kansas will be on the Riverwalk this coming weekend. Texas won't.

Memphis will be there instead. Make no mistake about it -- the Longhorns got beat by the better team today, plain and simple. The only way the Longhorns win today over an athletic and much bigger Memphis squad is if they have another offensive performance like they had against Tennessee earlier this year. It just didn't happen and the Memphis Tigers defense had everything to do with it. Forget their athletic prowess and high-flying offensive routine, these Cats can play some serious defense. Kevin Love and his UCLA teammates will find out soon enough.

So now for the Longhorns it's time to look to the future. Whether Damion James and D.J. Augustin stick around is yet to be seen. If they both leave, Rick Barnes will have to reload. He's grown quite adept at doing so. Remember that guy named Durant? Things didn't turn out so bad for the Horns after losing Mr. All-World last year.

If both the DJ's come back next season, I don't think any college basketball analyst in his right mind doesn't put the Longhorns at or near the top of pre-season polls. Barring something crazy happening during the season, I think the Horns would stay top two or three throughout the season like the team they lost to today did all this year.

We'll see what the future holds. Until then, it's time to imagine what could have been. Like, what happens if Texas beats Kansas in the Big 12 Tourney finals? Is Texas playing Davidson today? Oh, what could have been!

What's Up at AM1300-The Zone?

2007-11-02T16:11:00.001-05:00

I've been asking myself this question a lot in recent months. I know some of you have as well by various posts on different message boards. Since this magazine is in a partnership with the station, I have had the opportunity to meet most of the on-air talent, as well as many who work behind the scenes over the course of the last couple of years.

I can tell you that all of the individuals I have encountered have been stand-up individuals. So, that begs the question--how could an organization with such talent go from easily the No. 1 sports radio station in town, to one where you don't know who's going to be on the air from one day to the next?

The answer to this question can be found in a four-letter word--DELL. Clear Channel is going through the same routine as the Austin-based computer maker has in recent years. Downsizing, layoffs, cutbacks, reduction in force--whatever you want to call it. I don't care what you call it. All I know from personal experience is IT SUCKS!

The most recent person on the chopping block at The Zone was radio personality Chad Hastings. Hasting has been through a lot in recent months. First, his on-air partner of many years, Kevin Dunn, left the station. He flew solo for a while. Hastings finally had his time slot replaced by former ESPN Austin radio guys Gregg Henson and A.J. Hoffman who came on board (to the dismay of many by the comments on those same message boards) and he was paired up with Craig Way at the earlier time slot. He and Way seemed to be doing well and then--BOOM! October 25th he was a veteran Zone employee working with Way, and on October 26th, he could add the word "former" to his title. POOF! Like that he vanished from the air waves. Happy Halloween a few days early.

We have learned that Hastings is still going to be on contract with The Zone. What that means is he will still work in some capacity as it pertains to Longhorn sports. He will do tomorrow's Oklahoma State football pre-game show with Bucky, and he is scheduled to work the broadcast for all Lady Longhorn basketball broadcasts this coming season. Something makes me wonder if he didn't wish they took that job away from him as well. Go Horns!

Hastings said the last week has been difficult. "Obviously it hasn’t been fun. It sucks. I’m not going to sit around and be bitter about it. It will just eat me alive."

He said the move came out of left field and as far as he knows, it was just a result of budget cuts.
"If you think about the way the way the station was structured, and the way it had become. The person that made the most sense, it was me, from a budget sense," he said frankly.

For all those conspiracy theorists who think Henson, as the station's program director, made the decision on his own to get rid of him, Hastings said he doesn't believe that to be the case. "I don't think anybody was after me. They’re thinking in terms of money. The fact that they’re letting me do the contract stuff, letting me still hang around. That tells you something. It wasn’t some type of bad relationship."

As for those left behind at The Zone, Hastings could only speculate on the general mood, but he has a pretty good idea considering it was something he personally went through when Dunn left several months ago. "There is a sense of trepidation. I don’t think it’s full-blown fear. When you hear things like budget, and financial decisions, changes are always going to cause some kind of concern."

Hastings said he and his wife and child plan on staying in Austin as long as possible. "The goal is to stay here. We really like living here. We’d really like to stay."

He will be missed.

For the latest on Hastings including the exact number of days he worked at The Zone, as well as his sports takes, go to his blog at: www.chadhastings.com.

Should Longhorn Nation really be surprised?

2007-09-29T17:46:00.000-05:00

To answer the question, quite simply--NO. As I said a few weeks ago following the UCF win, this flavor of the Texas football team just isn't as good as its ranking. Today proved that out. Defense--lackluster. Way too many missed tackles and yards after contact. Uninspired to say the least. Special teams--is it even necessary to say anything about this considering Kansas State scored on a kickoff and a punt? Atrocious pretty much sums it up. And finally, offense--Wow! Colt looked like Chris, as in Simms, with so many passes batted or deflected throughout the game. Unfortunately, several of those resulted in interceptions (one returned for a touchdown) and McCoy's single worst performance in two seasons. Let's be perfectly honest though, McCoy's troubles started with the boys up front. They were hardly effective in the run and/or the passing game. Honestly, it's hard to get a pass off much less complete it to your receivers when you're in the prone position.

What troubles me most as I watch the final few minutes tick off the clock is we all know what Mack is going to say. "Blame me. This is on me. I didn't prepare the team to play. We got outplayed." He'll never say his offensive line flat-out sucked. He'll never say Colt had a bad game. He'll fall on the sword for his players. Hello Mike Gundy.

What's even more troubling with three minutes to play is McCoy is walking off the field. That is a total scenario for Mack to say Colt played the game injured. I won't buy it. If he's playing, he's not hurt too bad. If he is too hurt to play, then shame on Mack for allowing him to return to the game.

I digress. Again, this was a complete malfunction of all systems by the burnt orange at DKR. What has happened in the first four weeks of the season should have been seen as a sign of what was to come. Most thought it would come next week in Dallas. Reality, instead, came a week early. The funny part is the much-anticipated matchup between OU and Texas next week lost all its luster not only because the Longhorns laid an egg, but Oklahoma lost in the waning seconds in Boulder. Maybe next week's contest at the Cotton Bowl might be a game after all? However, I'm still firm on what I said two weeks ago, I wouldn't count it. Oklahoma by two touchdowns.

Color Me Unimpressed

2007-09-15T19:57:00.000-05:00

Two weeks ago I was asked by a local radio personality what I thought of the Longhorns season-opening performance against Arkansas State. I told him bluntly, it didn't surprise me. For one, I don't believe in the hype of pre-season rankings. Sure, you can judge a team by last year's performance and how many returning starters it has coming back, but it's still flawed. For the Longhorns to be ranked No. 4 in the nation after losing three of the hosses in the offensive line, not to mention the loss of Aaron Ross, Michael Griffin and Tarrell Brown to the NFL, I thought No. 4 was a wee bit lofty. Throw in the fact that Greg Davis is back to his old self calling a completely horizontal, instead of vertical game, and Jamaal Charles is jitterbugging in the backfield, I predicted a three-loss season and an optimistic finish somewhere between 15 and 20. After TCU I thought the offense looked somewhat improved, at least in the second half, but the defense didn't really have to contain a juggernaut of an offense. After today's performance against UCF, I'm quite confident in my prediction of several weeks ago. And I'll be perfectly honest, if things continue as they are (no catastrophic injuries to OU quarterback Sam Bradford and Bob Stoops doesn't keel over from a heart attack), the Sooners will win by double digits in Dallas. There's no other way to view that matchup. Simply put, the Sooners appear to be worthy of their No. 3 ranking, and the Longhorns, as was discussed at the end of today's telecast, do not deserve to be No. 6.

Back Online

2007-09-09T21:51:00.001-05:00

Hello All!

Sorry to those of you who came here several months ago with the expectations of seeing regular updates on the blog. I failed miserably. However, now, I'm going to make a conscious effort to change that. With football season and a whole lot going on in the local sports world, I plan on providing at least weekly updates as well as an up-to-the-minute commentary during Longhorn football games. That should be fun.

Also, check here to see what else is going on with the magazine. For example, I can tell you that our cover story for next month's issue will be breaking news that no one has heard about. You'll see that news first when the magazine hits newsstands throughout the area. It's exciting and disheartening news.

That's all for now.

Talk soon.

Swimsuit Issue

2007-05-03T20:40:00.000-05:00

Alright guys, we need your help. Our July issue will be our annual SWIMSUIT issue. In it, we will feature numerous girls from around Austin in swimsuits. We already have several girls selected, but we need a few more. Ideally, we're looking for four UT students and four girls who work at sports bars around town - Hooter's, Tilted Kilt, Champion's or any other sports bars. If you know of any quality girls (UT students or sports bar girls) that you'd like to see possibly make it into our swimsuit issue, please send an e-mail to editor@capcitysportsreport.com.

It's About Damn Time

2007-04-30T20:39:00.000-05:00

Hello Capital City Sports Report readers. Welcome to the CCSR blog! This is just one of the new features included in the revamping of our web site. We hope you enjoy this page and take advantage of the opportunity to post your own thoughts--good, bad or indifferent. We're big boys! We can take it.

We've debated for months what to do with a re-launch of the web site and this is what we've come up with so far. We're not done yet. There are still more tweaks to come, but we wanted to get as much as possible up and running for the May issue. With our cover story on Jarrell and the rebirth of that community following the tornado ten years ago, we thought it was good timing to give our web site a new look after two years. Hope you like it!

As for this page, check back often. We will provide regular updates. It won't always be about sports, as the title suggests, but you can bet if there is a topic generating buzz, we'll have something to say about it.