Latest news with #TonyDuckworth
Yahoo
7 days ago
- Sport
- Yahoo
Tony's Take Perfection Comparisons The Butcher Broken Record
By Tony Duckworth, tonyduckworthsr@ Perfection. 59 – 0 is the best baseball record in the history of college baseball. History didn't happen in the SEC or Big Ten. Historical runs don't happen often, so let's celebrate a small university who accomplished the unthinkable. Advertisement While you may have never heard of LSU Shreveport, the Pilots recently won the 2025 National Association of Intercollegiate Athletics National Championship. For the record, this was the 68th Annual NAIA Baseball National Championship. LSUS won the championship game 13 – 7. In storybook fashion, the Pilots overcame a 7 – 6 deficit in the bottom of the 5th. How impressive is it that the squad embraced the pressure of the moment and kept this remarkable streak alive to win the hardware? Go Pilots! Comparisons. The most successful seasons in college baseball history include the 2019 Vanderbilt team (59-12), the 1975 Texas team (59-6), and the 1995 Cal State Fullerton team (57-9). Other notable seasons include the 2011 South Carolina team (55-14), the 1978 USC team (54-9), and the 1983 Texas team (66-14). 66 wins will never happen again, but that season didn't top the 59-0 LSUS season. It does make you wonder how many classes the 1983 team attended given they played 80 games. This was well before remote learning options. Gotta love it. Dynasty. One of the newest members of the SEC achieve dynasty status several season ago. While they have been eliminated from winning the 2025 national championship, the Oklahoma Sooner's recent successes under Patty Gasso are remarkable. Advertisement OU has won eight national championships including four in a row between 2021 – 2024. While the Sooners have taken advantage of playing in front of a home crowd, no one will argue the remarkable run they are on. The college softball world series has been played in Oklahoma City since 1990. The standard of excellence of winning four naty's in a row is the best in college softball history. The Butcher. As the AD at Northeastern State University, I told my Senior Associate AD my feelings following meetings with one of our highly successful head coaches. My right-hand man heard me say on more than one occasion that Coach ____ better be glad he wins at a high level. Meaning, this coach's on-the-field success kept me from moving in a different direction. The New York Knicks have been irrelevant for a quarter of a century until the arrival of Tom Thibodeau. The Butcher led the Knickerbockers to their first Eastern Conference finals since 2000. According to ESPN Research, Thib's led New York to 24 playoff wins which is 17 more than the team's past 13 coaches combined. Re-read the last sentence. Advertisement While Thib's isn't without flaws, it is hard to imagine the Knicks making a change despite the dysfunctional ownership. The Butcher made the NYK's relevant again while making the center of the basketball universe, Madison Square Garden, a high-energy home-court advantage again. I, along with the rest of the hoops community, will be watching what direction the organization goes. Broken Record. The Atlanta Braves do not get hits when runners are in scoring position. Follow Tony Duckworth on the X platform at @tonyduckworthsr. Duckworth is a native of Macon and serves as the President and CEO of the Albany Area YMCA. Tony worked in intercollegiate athletics for thirty-one years. He was an NCAA Division II Director of Athletics at three universities, including Albany State, following ten years as a head men's basketball coach at two colleges.
Yahoo
28-05-2025
- General
- Yahoo
Tony Duckworth to lead Albany-area YMCA
ALBANY — When Tony Duckworth stepped away from his role as Albany State University's athletic director in 2023, he didn't expect his next opportunity to come from one of Albany's most community-centered institutions: the YMCA. In June, Duckworth will officially take over as director of the Albany-area YMCA, following the retirement of longtime leader Dan Gillan. 'I wanted to stay in Albany,' Duckworth said. 'That was the deciding factor.' After leaving Albany State, Duckworth turned down several out-of-town opportunities before accepting a position with Syneos Health, a pharmaceutical company. But even as he settled into that role, he kept an eye out for meaningful leadership opportunities in the Albany area. Off the clock, he remained a familiar face in the community, officiating high school basketball and baseball games and writing a popular weekly column for The Albany Herald. The Path to the YMCA It was a connection from his time on the NCAA Division II basketball selection committee that first introduced Duckworth to the idea of YMCA leadership. A fellow athletic director on the committee had taken a CEO role at a Pennsylvania YMCA shortly after Duckworth left ASU. 'That was the first time I really considered nonprofit leadership,' Duckworth said. 'It stayed in the back of my mind.' When Gillan announced his plans to retire, a local Albany State booster let Duckworth know about the opening. He applied, and after what he called an 'exhaustive' interview process, he was selected to lead the organization. Similar Roles, New Mission Transitioning from collegiate athletics to a nonprofit organization may seem like a shift, but Duckworth sees plenty of overlap. 'There are a lot of parallels,' he said. 'As a Division II athletic director, you wear many hats—staffing, budgeting, resolving complaints, running events, sweeping floors, driving buses, and fundraising. That's very similar to nonprofit leadership.' At the YMCA, Duckworth is especially motivated by programs that serve youth and families in need. 'We're feeding kids who might not get another meal that day,' he said. 'Feeding the Valley provides those meals, and both our afterschool programs and our partners at Easter Seals benefit from that relationship. It's a mission-driven operation that calls for creativity and compassion.' Listening First, Then Leading Rather than implementing immediate changes, Duckworth said his first few months on the job will be focused on understanding the organization's people and culture. 'For the first three to six months, I'm going to be listening,' he said. 'I want to understand the day-to-day operations, the roles of our team, and the needs of our members. If I'm asking questions, it's not to challenge—it's to learn.' Growth and Facility Improvements Though large-scale changes aren't imminent, Duckworth said improvements are already underway thanks to federal funding secured by Gillan through U.S. Senator Jon Ossoff. 'Members at the Gillionville Road facility will see aesthetic upgrades around the indoor pool and behind-the-scenes work that's just as important,' Duckworth said. 'A new HVAC system is also going into the gym.' Looking further ahead, he's excited about potential expansion, especially at the Lee County YMCA. 'There's a lot of development happening in that area,' he said. 'Our board is forward-thinking, and I hope to be a strong voice as we plan for future growth.' For Duckworth, leading the YMCA feels like a natural extension of his passion for serving people. 'The Y is truly a one-stop shop,' he said. 'It's the only place in town that serves everyone—from elementary school kids to senior citizens. No one else does what the YMCA does, and I'm honored to help continue that mission.'
Yahoo
15-05-2025
- Sport
- Yahoo
Tony's Take ASU Baseball Braves Bats
By Tony Duckworth, tonyduckworthsr@gmail-com ASU Baseball. The Golden Rams baseball team enters the double-elimination NCAA Division II South Region Tournament as the #8 seed. ASU will play top-seed and host the University of Tampa on Thursday, May 15, at 1 p.m.. Advertisement This post-season berth is ASU's fifth NCAA appearance (2025, 2018, 2015, 2010 and 2006). This will be a rematch as the Golden Rams' upset #1 Tampa in Albany during the regular season. The winner of the ASU–UT matchup will face the winner of No. 5 Lynn University and No. 4 Mississippi College on Friday, May 16, at 5 p.m. ET. Braves Bats. Despite the season-long offensive slump the Braves are experiencing; they find themselves at .500 (21 – 21) for the first time of the season. Following a 0 – 7 start to the 2025 season, the ATL has rebounded with a 21 – 14 record. According to in the last seven games, the Braves have alternated one-run wins and one-run losses. This is the longest streak in MLB history. Advertisement The primary offensive bright spot in the line-up is third baseman Austin Riley who is batting .284. Braves Nation is counting on Ronald Acuna Jr. to provide an offensive spark once he returns from his injury. The Braves' team offensive stats are borderline Average: .237 (22nd in MLB)On-Base Percentage: Below averageSlugging Percentage: Below averageRuns Scored: 161 (21st in MLB)Home Runs: 43 (13th in MLB)Runners in Scoring Position (RISP): .230 (22nd in MLB)RISP with Two Outs: .188 (28th in MLB)Batting Average vs. Left-Handed Pitchers: .199 (28th in MLB) ATL Gloves. I'm not saying this version of the Braves is championship caliber, but if defense wins championships, defensive play is keeping the Braves relevant. The Braves' fielding percentage is .989. This stat is proficiency at fielding ground balls, making catches, and completing plays. Advertisement While the Braves are batting a disappointing .237, their pitching and defense is keeping their opponents to a paltry .232 batting average. The Braves' pitching staff and defense have a .873 caught stealing percentage, so opponents are limited on stealing bags to improve their scoring odds. Other relevant ATL defensive stats:Runs Allowed: The Braves have allowed 162 runs, placing them 21st in the Runs Allowed: They have allowed 48 home runs, placing them 22nd in the The Braves' ERA is 3.82, placing them 14th in the league Braves fans continue to pull for their squad, hoping they begin playing to expectations. Follow Tony Duckworth on the X platform at @tonyduckworthsr. Duckworth is a native of Macon and currently resides in Albany. Tony worked in intercollegiate athletics for thirty-one years. Between 2007 – 2023 he was an NCAA Division II Director of Athletics at three different universities, including Albany State, following ten years as a head men's basketball coach at two colleges.
Yahoo
15-04-2025
- Sport
- Yahoo
Tony's Take Madness Meltdown Gators Bracket Masters
By Tony Duckworth, Sr., tonyduckworthsr@ Madness Meltdown. Pressure can bring the best and worst in competition. Recent examples include Duke and Houston in this year's Final 4. ESPN's March Madness Pain Index points out the Blue Devils and Cougar's win probability deep into the second half of two games. Advertisement Duke's Peak win probability was 99% with 8:17 left in the second half, leading by 14 at 59-45. The Blue Devils converted just one field goal in the final 10:30 of the game, and Cooper Flagg's 3 to put them up 9 with 3:03 left. Houston ended the game on a 15 – 3 run in the final minute-and-a-half to capture the game. Playing with a lead in basketball is difficult, and when you don't put the biscuit in the basket, leads evaporate. Houston's Peak win probability was 94% with 15:48 left in the second half, leading by 12. Houston Coach Kelvin Sampson, who was seeking his 800th career win, said it best. 'At the end, you've gotta get a shot.'. The Cougars trailed the Gators by two with 19.7 seconds remaining. We have seen the play, but I don't get why Houston didn't attack the basket to score, be fouled, or be awarded the opportunity at an old-fashioned three-point play. My point is, that a three-point attempt typically limits you to an attempt. 3-point shooters are rarely fouled, and in this instance, a shot was not attempted. Advertisement While two of the three games had end-game meltdowns, the Final 4 was wildly entertaining. MOP. Florida's Walter Clayton Jr was named the tournament's Most Outstanding Player. During the Gators' six March Madness wins, Clayton Jr amassed 22.3 points, 3.3 assists, and 3.3 rebounds per game while making big shot after big shot. While Clayton was dubbed the 'closer' by CBS commentators during the dance, his most impressive stat put him in the company of one of the all-time greats. Clayton Jr joins Larry Bird (1979 Final 4) as the only other men's basketball player to score 30-plus points in the Elite 8 (regional final) and Final 4 semifinal. Jr had a special run. Caitlin Clark accomplished the above on the women's side with back-to-back 40-plus point games during Iowa's recent national championship season. Gators. Florida won their third men's basketball national championship in 2025, making it the Gators' third in school history. UF is the only Power 4 university with three basketball and three football national championships. The Gators join Connecticut as the second team to win three national championships in the last twenty years. Florida's previous hoops naty was in 2007. While I am not a fan of Todd Golden, he is the youngest coach (39) to win a title since N.C. State's Jim Valvano (37) in 1983 against Houston. The above facts are courtesy of CBS Sports. Advertisement Florida's new basketball mascot should be the Cats. They won game after game, coming from behind late. In this year's version of March Madness, the Gators had nine lives. Bracket. My 2025 pre-tournament MM bracket was not great. I was 48 – 15 overall. However, I had a first. I selected the correct Final 4 teams, the national championship matchup, and the correct champion. I'm not sure if I will ever do that again. Masters. Spring is here. Azaleas are blooming. Master's Week is back! It is hard to argue that there is another sporting event that has better coverage from start to finish than the Masters. There is no argument that the venue is the grandest of them all. Can you say 'Amen Corner'? Yes, no other sporting event compares to the venue nestled in Augusta, GA. Advertisement Here are a few Masters facts a fan might find interesting: 1934 was the first Augusta National Invitational Tournament currently known under a different brand | 1949 is the first title that also awarded the coveted green jacket to the winner | 1997 awarded the youngest champion who is known as Tiger … he was 21 | Jack Nicholas has the most wins (6) spanning three decades between 1963 – 1986 | Tiger has five championships followed by Arnold Palmer's four titles | the 2025 purse is $20,000,000. Four rounds of Masters action begins on Thursday. The build-up to Sunday's final round is a grind, but the anticipation for the golf world is best summarized by Jim Nance. It is 'a tradition unlike any other'. Follow Tony Duckworth on the X platform at @tonyduckworthsr. Duckworth is a native of Macon and currently resides in Albany. Tony worked in intercollegiate athletics for thirty-one years. Between 2007 – 2023 he was an NCAA Division II Director of Athletics at three different universities, including Albany State, following ten years as a head men's basketball coach at two colleges.
