sports

In the late 1940s and early 50’s, Kansas City, Kan., native Tommy Campbell became the world’s number-two-ranked lightweight fighter. He won almost as many fights as Muhammad Ali, but his boxing career was cut short when he stood up against mob-controlled promoters and boxing matchmakers.

Author Phil Dixon, tells Campbell's story in his upcoming book Tommy Campbell: A Boxing Bout with the Mob.

Saturday morning, Northwest Missouri will play in the NCAA Division II football national championship game in Florence, Ala. A Kansas City delegation is in attendance, and not just to cheer on the Bearcats. They’re taking notes because next year the championship game moves to Kansas City.

How did Kansas City land the championship for next year? The answer may surprise you.

Covering sports in Kansas City can be a real rollercoaster. Often, you’re reporting on a losing season, but sometimes you hit a high point, like the current Chiefs’ season. 

On Thursday's Up to Date, we talk with Kansas City Star sports columnist Sam Mellinger about what it’s like to write about sports in this town.

Guest:

• Sam Mellinger is a sports columnist for the Kansas City Star.

From the highs of professional baseball and even the World Series to the lows of drug addiction and bankruptcy, former Royals player Willie Wilson has had quite the journey.

According to the National Cheerleading Association, more than 3 million Americans participate in the sport. But cheerleading is no longer just about pom-poms and whipping crowd spirit into a frenzy, it has evolved into a bona fide sport where many athletes — as they are now considered — train year-round.

These athletes work on the strength, balance and gymnastic skills they need to stand out and win competitions. I recently visited a gym in Grandview where teaching girl power and the sport of cheerleading go hand in hand.

In 1959, Bob Lida dominated the Big Eight championship with his time in the indoor 440-yard dash.  More than 50 years later, he's still running-- and still a champ.

Because of a hand injury last year, Tom Watson was unable to defend the last tournament he won, the Senior PGA Championship. But he’s healthy now and in the frame of mind to win another championship.

This year’s Senior PGA Championship takes place at the Bellerive Country Club in St. Louis, MO.

Though Tom Watson is 63 now, he’s not ready to give in easily to age. He compares his attitude to another legendary golfer, Arnold Palmer.

"He still thinks he can do it. He goes out there and may not be able to, but he still thinks he can do it," says Watson.

It has been quite a week for one of the biggest sports competitions of the year. And just as march madness comes to a end the Kansas City Royals, kick off their season opener in Chicago.

In honor of these events we’ll be taking a look at the psychology of competition. It permeates not just sports, but almost every aspect of our lives as we compete for money, prestige and more.  But, when is it healthy and when does it become detrimental not just to our personal, but social wellbeing?  And how do we tell the difference?

The first bow and arrow is believed to have been used around 12-thousand years ago, but with the rise of guns, archery fell out of favor.  Now, it’s being revived with the help of school programs across the county. Eric Edwards from the Missouri Department Conservation and coordinator for the Missouri National Archery in Schools Program shares with us how archery is helping young people learn discipline, love of sport, and concentration.

Last week, the International Olympic Committee announced it will be taking wrestling to the mat--the 2016 Games will be the last for the ancient sport. But with March Madness approaching and spring training already underway, why should the casual fan care? Commentator Victor Wishna explains in this month's edition of  A Fan's Notes.

For every Arrowhead Stadium, there are a handful more named for banks, cell-phone companies, or airlines. In big-time sports, corporate naming-rights deals aren't just a trend, they are the rule - with millions of dollars at stake. 

But what's in a name? Sometimes more than was bargained for. Commentator Victor Wishna explains in A Fan's Notes

The organ music, peanuts and even that occasional flying hot dog are all part of going out to Kauffman Stadium for a Royals game.

As the year comes to close, A Fan’s Notes commentator Victor Wishna looks back on “the year that was” in the world of Kansas City sports… with a glimmer of hope at what could be.

Was it wrong for fans to cheer at Chiefs quarterback Matt Cassel's injury? What about the scandal of Gen. David Petraeus and his extra-marital affair-- is it any of our business?

Name the area professional sports team to make it to the playoffs the last two seasons.  Hint: it doesn't play in Kansas City.

We’re unfolding the newspaper for a look at the latest headlines from the sports section. Did you miss a game this season? ...or all of them?

During the second half of Wednesday’s Central Standard, a look into the legacy of a sports icon... not to mention the founder of the Kansas City Chiefs.

We’ll be talking with Michael MacCambridge, author of the new biography Lamar Hunt: A Life In Sports.

The Kansas City Chiefs open their regular season this Sunday against the Atlanta Falcons. It’s hard to see underneath those protective uniforms, but this years’ team is….well, let’s not sugar coat it – young.

The 30th Summer Olympic Games come to a close on Sunday in London.

Many athletes dream of going to the Olympics, but few ever succeed in representing their country on sport’s most prestigious stage. 

Although you're more likely to find people huddling over their smokers in warmer weather, barbeque is a year-round passion. And for some, it's a whole lot more, says A Fan's Notes commentator Victor Wishna:

Five-time all-star Frank White always thought he would finish his baseball career at the Royals.  He was the hometown guy who played second base with the team for 18 seasons, starting in 1973. 

It’s time for peanuts, cracker jacks and rooting for the home team ... so we’re heading out to the ballgame!

The final dance of this college basketball season is tonight. Fans everywhere are counting on their team to pull off the big win in New Orleans.

The nominations have all been announced and the Academy Awards are almost here. As any sports fan knows, the thrill of athletic competition is the stuff dreams--and movies--are often made of.

It’s long since been commonplace for presidents to flaunt their inner sports fan…to joke about their golf game, invite championship teams to the Rose Garden, or toss out that ceremonial first pitch.

But perhaps, says "A Fan's Notes" commentator Victor Wishna, politicians - including the President and Congress - should pay more attention to sportsmanship.