Out of the pack, into the lead

Having been off the Valencia Country Club course for some 20 minutes, Brad Bryant hung around the media room for a quick minute, looked at the AT&T Champions Classic leaderboard on a gray Saturday afternoon and broke into a smile.

Need some comic relief? Try Fuzzy

His laugh is infectious. You can tell he smokes from it. It's scratchy. But it's also like a wave the way it starts slow, reaches a peak, then comes crashing down. But it's a smile-inducer. Fuzzy Zoeller, a Champions Tour fan-favorite, is that for his humor. He says it's in the genes. Zoeller's not a practical joker - no. The 56-year-old is armed with jokes, though, on command. "Clean or dirty?" he asks. "The latest ...

Price rights his golf game

Nick Price wasn't a broken man earlier in the week, but he sounded like it. Words like desire and confidence were talked about in negative terms as the highly-accomplished golfer prepared for the AT&T Champions Classic. But on Friday's first round at Valencia Country Club, no golfer played better as Price took the lead with a 6-under 66 on a breezy afternoon. Two-time Classic winner and defending champion Tom Purtzer trails by one stroke, with ...

His kind of course

You get the same story from a lot of golfers who competed in last year's AT&T Champions Classic.

A crop will contend for the title

Things haven't changed much over the years at Valencia Country Club for the Champions Tour's AT&T Champions Classic.

A different perspective

At his peak, few could beat him. He was the best golfer in the world. But Nick Price has been beaten down lately.

Will the Classic come back?

The future of the AT&T Champions Classic at Valencia Country Club is uncertain. With some doubt that AT&T might not renew its sponsorship, that leaves a possibility that this could be the final year the event is played at Valencia Country Club. "I don't know. I could not even tell you," said VCC general manager Jim Fitzsimmons on if he thinks the tournament will return in 2009. Last year, AT&T and the Champions Tour came ...

The longer the better

It's pronounced LAWN-gur, though it's spelled L-A-N-G-E-R. It doesn't describe his drive, but it describes his other drive - as in will to win. Soft, but emphatic, Champions Tour golfer Bernhard Langer says he didn't want to go home late Tuesday afternoon. It's been a very long five days for the two-time Masters champion. But Langer was one of the first Champions Tour golfers to test Valencia Country Club's Course Tuesday and one of the ...

Building at 55

He's 55 years old. Once a judo champion, Valencia resident Bobby Yamasaki spends more time these days on weightlifting.

All He Needs is One Chance

First round, seventh round, no round at all - who cares? That's the attitude right now for former Hart High linebacker Dan Howell as he approaches the NFL draft. All he needs is a cup of coffee or two. He's got a plan for taking care of the rest. "Just let me hit somebody," said the Indian-turned Washington Husky-turned pro football hopeful, now back living with his mom while he trains in Santa Clarita Valley. ...

Salesman Now Sells to the NFL

Sitting in a conference room a couple of years ago, telecommunications salesman Joe Aloisi was asked: "What is your ultimate job?"

Opportunity Knocked

David Carr was the top overall pick in an NFL Draft once. Matt Moore apparently wasn't even worth a seventh-rounder.

The Wrecking Crew

February and March is the preseason for Major League Soccer teams and like any preseason, it's a time to tweak.

Center Stage Taken Away

Bicyclists from around the world pushed themselves to the limit as they approached the finish line in Valencia during Stage 6 of the 2008 Amgen Tour of California race on Saturday, only to have the first rider to cross the finish line have his victory yanked away.

Amgen Stage 6: Center Stage Taken Away

Cyclists from around the world pushed themselves to the limit as they approached the finish line in Valencia during Stage 6 of the 2008 Amgen Tour of California race on Saturday, only to have the first rider to cross the finish line have his victory yanked away.

MLB: Valaika breaks his wrist

Hart High graduate and Miami Marlins infielder Chris Valaika will miss the next four to six weeks of the season after fracturing his left wrist Tuesday night in a game against the San Diego Padres, the Associated Press reported.

Three COC products sign with NFL teams

The 2013 NFL Draft wrapped up this past weekend, but three more College of the Canyons products signed on with teams on Monday as undrafted free agents.

NFL draft: COC product Mychal Rivera drafted by Oakland Raiders

Former College of the Canyons wideout Mychal Rivera heard his name called today at the 2013 NFL Draft.

Tommy Milone gets third straight win

OAKLAND, Calif. (AP) - Jed Lowrie drove in four runs, Saugus High graduate Tommy Milone won his third straight start and the Oakland Athletics beat the Houston Astros 11-2 on Monday night.

Hart's Jessica Shults drafted by USSSA Pride

USA Softball player and University of Oklahoma catcher Jessica Shults has another option for her post-collegiate career. The Hart graduate was selected fifth overall by the USSSA Pride of the National Pro Fastpitch softball league this week. She would join Valencia High graduate Jordan Taylor as the only Santa Clarita Valley products currently playing in the league. Taylor, coincidentally, is also on the Pride's roster. Shults would also join currently Oklahoma teammate, and arguably the ...

Hart graduate James Shields overcomes slow start for Royals

PHILADELPHIA (AP) - Billy Butler was excited his hit drove in three runs and he was standing on second base. It got a whole lot better for Butler when the umpires returned from the video review room.

MLB: Bauer roughed up in his 1st Cleveland start

ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. (AP) - Alex Cobb scattered four hits in 7 1-3 innings, Kelly Johnson homered and the Tampa Bay Rays beat the Cleveland Indians 6-0 on Saturday night.

Hart grad Trevor Bauer to start for Indians Saturday

TORONTO (AP) - Indians left-hander Scott Kazmir was placed on the 15-day disabled list Thursday with a strained ribcage muscle, retroactive to April 2.

Tommy Milone settles down for win in debut

OAKLAND (AP) - Jed Lowrie and Chris Young hit back-to-back home runs in the seventh inning, helping Saugus High graduate Tommy Milone and the Oakland Athletics beat the Seattle Mariners 6-2 on Wednesday night.

James Shields gets outdueled in opener

CHICAGO (AP) - For all the deep breaths he took before the game, Chris Sale sure was a picture of calm once he stepped on the mound. More important for the White Sox, he was the definition of dominant.

Hart graduate Chris Valaika is getting another shot at the Major League

Santa Clarita Valley athletes had mixed results in Spring Training

Hart grad Chris Valaika earns Marlins roster spot

Four days ahead of Major League Baseball's opening day, the Miami Marlins announced Hart graduate Chris Valaika has earned a roster spot, according to the Marlins' official website.

Isaac Sopoaga, ex-COC star, signs with Eagles

Former College of the Canyons defensive lineman Isaac Sopoaga is now a Philadelphia Eagle.

Santa Clarita Valley NFL players hit the open market

Even before the NFL free agency period began, a few blockbuster deals were already made, according to reports around the league.