Latest news with #ArizonaState
Chicago Tribune
2 days ago
- Sport
- Chicago Tribune
Marist's George Bilecki stars at Lewis, commits to Arizona State, then goes to San Diego Padres in MLB draft. ‘It's insane.'
For George Bilecki, the road to becoming an MLB draft pick was far from typical. Bilecki nearly gave up baseball after his high school career at Marist but landed in an NCAA Division II program at Lewis. Now, he hopes he has given hope to all the young players who don't have Division I schools knocking down their doors. 'When you're a kid from the South Side of Chicago, you take that everywhere with you,' Bilecki said. 'That's a chip on your shoulder and it's an attitude. Just to be a story for these kids growing up on the South Side and for anyone that has that 'Division I or bust' mentality and show them it's possible, man. 'I'm beyond blessed that for the rest of my life I can preach it and I can tell kids, 'Keep your head down and work really hard and anything is possible.'' Bilecki was selected Monday by the San Diego Padres in the 12th round with the 370th overall pick. He's the first Lewis player to be drafted in 25 years. Earlier this summer, Bilecki entered the transfer portal and committed to Arizona State. But he plans on signing with the Padres. 'Obviously, a huge decision had to be made and I can't thank the Arizona State coaching staff enough,' Bilecki said. 'They told me they wanted me and they weren't going to go down without a fight, but I called them (Wednesday) morning and told them I'm going to bet on myself like I have my entire life and I'm going to pursue the dream.' Bilecki has certainly felt like he's been living in a dream world all week, beginning when the Padres made the pick. 'It's what every little kid who's picked up a baseball dreams of,' Bilecki said. 'It's a feeling like no other. It was really special to be with my whole family for that moment and it was just an unbelievable feeling. Words can't describe it.' Bilecki is coming off a huge junior season this spring as he hit .361 with 22 homers and 66 RBIs and led Lewis to the NCAA Division II National Tournament. Although he felt way off the MLB radar before the season began, that started to change as his success continued. 'I still wake up and I feel like I'm a Division II baseball player,' Bilecki said. 'I didn't think this was going to be a reality. But you hit your 15th home run and then there's a scout at every game the rest of the season. You're seeing logos from all the teams you grew up watching. 'It was pretty unreal.' It's something Bilecki predicted a few years ago, however, according to Lewis coach Mike Vucsko. 'We are really happy for George and his family,' Vucsko said in a press release. 'When we recruited George in the summer of 2021, he committed shortly after that. In the fall, him and his fellow classmate Collin Amsden came to watch a practice. 'When I was sitting with George, he asked me, 'When was the last player drafted out of Lewis?' Followed with, 'I am going to be the next.' Here we are four years later. He earned every bit of this and we are excited to watch his future.' Before connecting with Lewis, Bilecki didn't know if he would find a college baseball home. He credits Marist coach Kevin Sefcik with helping him continue his journey. 'I can't thank coach Kevin Sefcik and coach Mike Vuscko enough,' Bilecki said. 'Coach Sefcik was like, 'I think you should play, and if you want to, I can find a spot for you.' Then I met coach Vuscko. 'I wouldn't be anywhere without the teammates I've played with. They've shaped me into the man and baseball player I am today.' A pro baseball player, that is. 'I think at any point in my life, up until when it happened, if you would have told me I was going to get drafted, I would have called you crazy,' Bilecki said. 'It's insane.'
USA Today
2 days ago
- Sport
- USA Today
How the 20 LIV golfers are doing after the first round at the 2025 British Open
The week started with 20 LIV golfers in the field at the 2025 British Open. After 18 holes, 10 are on the right side of the projected cutline, including Phil Mickelson, who had one of the more surprising first rounds on Thursday. Lefty shot 1-under 70 at Royal Portrush in Northern Ireland and he's in a group tied for 20th along with fellow LIV golfer and fellow former Arizona State golfer Jon Rahm. Tyrell Hatton put together the best first round of the LIV entrants shooting 3-under 68 to tie for sixth. He had four birdies and just one bogey before closing with six straight pars. How LIV golfers are doing after 18 holes at 2025 British Open The LIV golfers projected to make the cut after 18 holes: The LIV golfers who have work to do after 18 holes:
Yahoo
3 days ago
- Sport
- Yahoo
Arizona State defensive lineman Clayton Smith discusses team's mindset at Big 12 media day
Arizona State football defensive lineman Clayton Smith explains what his team's mindset is at Big 12 Media Day.
Yahoo
3 days ago
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
Sam Leavitt says 'it's a blessing' to be in the new game EA Sports College Football 26
Arizona State quarterback Sam Leavitt shares his feelings on being a part of the EA Sports College Football 26 video game.
USA Today
5 days ago
- Sport
- USA Today
Every Big 12 football game you can't miss during the 2025 college football season
Before you know it, the 2025 college football season will be here, and the chase for postseason glory will begin. The Big 12 had only one team in the College Football Playoff field in conference champion Arizona State. Commissioner Brett Yormark has hopes of landing at least two teams in the field this year, which will be tough in such a deep conference. Whether the Big 12 will get multiple teams in the playoff remains to be seen, but the parity seen across the conference makes every week meaningful. The college football season can be overwhelming to even the most die-hard fan, so we have you covered. Here are the Big 12 games you should be locking in on each week this fall. Week 0: Iowa State at Kansas State (Dublin, Ireland) The Big 12 owns the best game on the entire college football slate during Week 0. Two of the conference's top teams squaring off in Dublin, what is not to like? Week 1: Baylor vs. Auburn Perhaps some fans might prefer TCU at North Carolina on Labor Day Monday, but in my opinion, you can't beat Auburn going up against a rising Baylor squad. Week 2: Iowa State vs. Iowa The Cy-Hawk rivalry returns to Ames with both teams seeking early momentum. Both teams could use this game as a launching pad for a successful season. Week 3: West Virginia vs. Pittsburgh The Backyard Brawl in Morgantown is always intense. With the two schools only 75 miles apart, the rivalry runs deep. If you are looking for someone for early-season excitement, look no further than WVU-Pitt. Week 4: Utah vs. Texas Tech Baylor hosting Arizona State nearly took the spot, but I think Texas Tech's trip to Salt Lake City has the potential to be electric. I like both games, and if Baylor starts the season hot, that might be the game to watch. Week 5: Colorado vs. BYU Another tough choice. You can either spend your Friday evening watching TCU go up against Arizona State or wait for a Saturday night tilt in Boulder. Your call, you really can't go wrong. Week 6: Baylor vs. Kansas State I could pick Colorado (who plays TCU in Fort Worth) again because they play nearly every top team in the conference, but for the sake of variety, here is something different. Baylor and Kansas State should be title contenders, so this one will be worth tuning in for. Week 7: Kansas State vs. TCU Week 6 is by far the most challenging slate of games to choose from. You have Iowa State visiting Colorado, Kansas at Texas Tech and Arizona State at Utah to go along with K-State hosting TCU. The Horned Frogs will have reached this game having already played Arizona and if they see a title run in their future, they will likely need a win in one of the two matchups. Week 8: Arizona State vs. Texas Tech The Holy War between Utah and BYU always delivers, but I don't think it will live up to Arizona State hosting Texas Tech. The defending champions against the popular 2025 title pick. Tech took down ASU in Lubbock last year, 30-22, and I expect the Sun Devils want revenge. Week 9: Kansas vs. Kansas State When both teams are good, the Sunflower Showdown is one of the top rivalries in the conference. The Jayhawks should be a solid team this season, making this matchup worth your while. Week 10: Kansas State vs. Texas Tech If I had to pick the top two teams in the Big 12 before the season started, it would be Kansas State and Texas Tech. They meet in Manhattan for a Week 10 showdown that could play a significant role in deciding who could play for the conference title. The Red Raiders will be hoping to end their eight-game losing streak to the Wildcats. Week 11: TCU vs. Iowa State Can Iowa State repeat the 11-win season from 2024? That could come down to a matchup against the Horned Frogs in Week 11. BYU's game against Texas Tech is also a solid matchup. Week 12: Baylor vs. Utah This is a sneaky good matchup late in the season. Baylor is a sleeper team in the Big 12, while Utah seems set for a huge rebound season. Sign me up. Week 13: Utah vs. Kansas State Utah versus Kansas State could have some postseason implications and will be a spectacle. The Sun Devils' visit to Boulder also could be memorable. Tune into both if you can. Week 14: Kansas State vs. Colorado A huge matchup to close out the regular season. Will Colorado still be in Big 12 contention? Does Kansas State need a win to clinch a championship game berth? Those questions will all be answered in Week 14. Follow Charlie Strella on X, Threads and Instagram. Contact/Follow us @BuffaloesWire on X (formerly Twitter) and like our page on Facebook for ongoing coverage of Colorado news, notes and opinions.
