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Birmingham Defeats Pittsburgh in Second USFL Championship Game of the Modern Era

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5:28 pm

Birmingham Defeats Pittsburgh in Second USFL Championship Game of the Modern Era

CANTON, OH– The Birmingham Stallions took home their second consecutive USFL title on Saturday night.

Birmingham took down the Pittsburgh Maulers, 28-12, in Canton, Ohio.

The Stallions defense held the Maulers to just three field goals while they scored two touchdowns themselves, taking a 14-9 lead into the locker room at halftime.

Alex McGough #2 of the Birmingham Stallions looks to throw a pass against the Pittsburgh Maulers during the third quarter in the 2023 USFL Championship Game at Tom Benson Hall Of Fame Stadium on July 01, 2023 in Canton, Ohio. (Andy Lyons/USFL/Getty Images for USFL)

With the lead, Birmingham got the ball first to begin the second half, and Alex McGough picked up right where he left off from the first 30 minutes. After Ricky Person gained 41 yards on four carries, McGough found Deon Cain in the end zone, who tip-toed his way to a score, and the ensuing PAT gave the Stallions a 21-9 lead.

Chris Blewitt knocked down his fourth field goal to bring Pittsburgh back to within nine, but the Stallions continued to go right down the field. However, on 3rd and goal trying to evade pressure, McGough fumbled the ball, and it was picked up by Pittsburgh’s Olive Sagapolu. Knowing he probably was too slow to make it to the end zone, he gave the ball to Kyahva Tezino who found the end zone. However, the referees ruled it an illegal handoff, so Pittsburgh got the ball at the Birmingham 33 instead of scoring a touchdown.

That penalty proved costly, though, as on that drive, the Maulers settled for a fifth field goal, but Blewitt went wide left, as the Stallions held on to their nine-point lead early in the fourth.

Deon Cain #85 of the Birmingham Stallions celebrates after scoring a 20 yard touchdown pass against the Pittsburgh Maulers during the third quarter in the 2023 USFL Championship Game at Tom Benson Hall Of Fame Stadium on July 01, 2023 in Canton, Ohio. (Jason Miller/USFL/Getty Images for USFL)

The Maulers forced a punt but were unable to convert on 4th and 8 from their own 40, giving Birmingham the ball back with 7:29 to go, and they took advantage. On 2nd and 10, McGough launched a deep pass to Cain, who caught it in the end zone for the touchdown, and the Stallions were up 28-12.

After leading USFL with 20 passing touchdowns during the season, the league’s MVP threw for four in this one. He completed 18 of his 25 passes for 243 yards and ran for another 64. Person and C.J. Marable combined to rush for another 86 yards on their 14 carries. Cain caught three of McGough’s four scores, totaling four catches for 70 yards. Former NFL tight end Jace Sternberger caught three passes for 65 yards, while Davion Davis caught the other touchdown.

Alex McGough #2 of the Birmingham Stallions celebrates after throwing a touchdown pass against the Pittsburgh Maulers during the second quarter in the 2023 USFL Championship Game at Tom Benson Hall Of Fame Stadium on July 01, 2023 in Canton, Ohio. (Andy Lyons/USFL/Getty Images for USFL)

Note to Our Readers: The previous story was sourced directly and in its entirety from the USFL Newsroom.

Obituary – Tabitha Dorrell (1982-2023)

Obituaries

Tammy Teague

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8:44 pm

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Tabitha Dorrell, of Mansfield AR, treasured wife, mother, grandmother, daughter, sister and aunt passed away on June 29, 2023, in Fort Smith, Arkansas. She was born on January 1, 1982, to her parents, Doyle Price and Denetta Smallwood.

She spent many of the best years of her life married to Cliff Dorrell. Together, they created a beautiful family, filled with lots of chaos, noise and love. Tabitha is survived by her husband Cliff and their nine children: MiraBella Dorrell, Cari Oliver (Aaron), Cassidy Cain, Elizabeth Stricken (Derek), Jason McAlister (Talia), Payton McAlister (Shelby), Hunter Dorrell (Kira), Josh Dorrell (Elizabeth), and Joseph Dorrell (Keia). She loved her kids more than life itself. Tabitha leaves behind eight grandchildren, who were the source of endless joy and pride. Their names are Tenley Grace, Keyton, Brady Parker, Dawson, Rayleigh, Izabella, Baylee, Noah, and Lucas. She was also survived by her mother Denetta Smallwood (Randy), sisters Sunny Bray (Mike) and Bobbie Simmons (Eddie) and a whole host of nieces and nephews. She was preceded in death by her father and grandparents.

Tabitha lived her life to the fullest. She was always on the sideline of a ball field or gymnasium cheering on one of her favorite people. It was as a Mom and Mimi that Tabitha truly thrived. Her children and grandchildren were her every reason. Tabitha was fiercely loyal, honest to a fault and God help you if you were in the wrong because you were going to hear it. However, she was also the first one to let you know how proud she was of you for a job well done. She will be missed more than words can say.

Memorial service will be 2:00 p.m. Monday July 3, 2023 at Huntington First Baptist Church in Huntington, AR. A cremation will be under the direction of Martin Funeral Home in Mansfield, AR.

Birmingham Aims to Defend 2022 USFL Title Against Pittsburgh

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8:57 am

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Birmingham Aims to Defend 2022 USFL Title Against Pittsburgh

STAMFORD, CT- The defending USFL champion Birmingham Stallions take on the Pittsburgh Maulers in the 2023 USFL Championship Game this Saturday in primetime at 8 p.m. ET on NBC and Peacock from Tom Benson Hall of Fame Stadium in Canton, Ohio. Birmingham aims for its second consecutive title while Pittsburgh has a chance to complete a worst-to-first turnaround after finishing in last place in 2022.

The teams played once this season, with the Stallions winning 24-20 in Week 4 in a back-and-forth affair that saw three lead changes in the fourth quarter. The Stallions enter Saturday’s championship matchup with the league’s top offense while Pittsburgh boasts the league’s top defense.

The Stallions finished with the league’s top regular season record at 8-2 and handily beat the New Orleans Breakers, 47-22, last week to advance to their second consecutive USFL Championship Game. Head coach Skip Holtz, who also serves as the team’s general manager, was named the 2023 USFL Coach of the Year in his second season in the professional ranks after coaching for more than three decades at the collegiate level.

Birmingham had four All-USFL Team selections, including quarterback Alex McGough, who led the league with 20 passing touchdowns and threw for 310 yards and four scores in last week’s USFL South Division Championship, and tight end Jace Sternberger, a 2019 NFL third-round pick out of Texas A&M who spent two seasons with the Green Bay Packers. Sternberger led the USFL with seven receiving touchdowns. The Stallions offense led the league in yards per game (332.6).

The Maulers beat the Michigan Panthers, 31-27, in an overtime thriller last week to advance to the USFL Championship Game. Pittsburgh, along with the New Jersey Generals, topped the league with five All-USFL Team selections, highlighted by cornerback Mark Gilbert, who led the USFL in interceptions (four), and kick returner Josh Simmons, who had over 100 more kick return yards than any other player (862).

Head coach Ray Horton, who won Super Bowl XXVII as a player with the Dallas Cowboys and Super Bowls XL and XLIII as a secondary coach with the Pittsburgh Steelers, aims to add a USFL Championship to his resume.

NBC Sports’ Jac Collinsworth (play-by-play), former Dallas Cowboys head coach Jason Garrett (analyst), and Zora Stephenson (sideline reporter) will call the Stallions-Maulers championship matchup on NBC and Peacock.

NBC Sports and FOX Sports, the USFL’s official media partners, will combine to present all 43 games live during the 2023 season. 2023 features 29 games on the NBC and FOX broadcast networks, which is a six-game increase from the league’s inaugural season. NBC Sports will present 18 games across NBC and Peacock (11) and USA Network and Peacock (7). FOX Sports will carry 25 games split between FOX (18) and FS1 (7). Click here for a comprehensive season schedule.

Note to Our Readers: The previous story was sourced directly and in its entirety from NBC Sports.

Razorbacks Athletics Ranks in Top 15 Nationally for Third Straight Year

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8:01 am

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Razorbacks Athletics Ranks in Top 15 Nationally for Third Straight Year

FAYETTEVILLE – For the third-consecutive year, Arkansas secured a top-15 national finish in the Learfield Directors’ Cup Standings. Arkansas finished No. 13 with 1,031.5 points and ranked first among programs with 19 sports or fewer.

The final standings were released on Wednesday by the National Association of Collegiate Directors of America (NACDA). Arkansas was one of eight Southeastern Conference programs in the top 25 of the final standings.

The Razorbacks tallied two NCAA championships, recorded 11 top-10 national finishes and won five Southeastern Conference championships in the 2022-23 athletics season. In addition, Arkansas won a bowl game for the second-straight season, advanced to the Sweet Sixteen in the NCAA Men’s Basketball Tournament for the third-consecutive year and won its first NCAA Volleyball Tournament match in 18 years.

“Once again, Razorback student-athletes delivered one of the most successful years in our program’s history,” Vice Chancellor and Director of Athletics Hunter Yurachek. “For the third-consecutive year and only the fourth time since the Directors’ Cup was initiated, Arkansas finished among the top 15 in the nation. That is truly remarkable and even more amazing when you consider we are competing against some programs with more than 30 sports. Congratulations to our student-athletes, coaches, staff and the Razorback Nation who cheers us on every step of the way!”

The Razorbacks finished eighth in 2020-21 and seventh in 2021-22. Prior to the current streak, Arkansas’ previous best Directors’ Cup finish was 14^th in 1997-98. The Directors’ Cup program has been tracking the success of the nation’s top intercollegiate athletics programs since 1993-94.

The final standings include points awarded in baseball, men’s and women’s basketball, women’s beach volleyball, women’s bowling, men’s and women’s cross country, fencing, football, women’s field hockey, men’s and women’s golf, men’s and women’s gymnastics, men’s and women’s hockey, men’s and women’s lacrosse, rifle, women’s rowing, skiing, men’s and women’s soccer, softball, men’s and women’s swimming and diving, men’s and women’s tennis, men’s and women’s indoor track and field, men’s and women’s outdoor track and field, men’s and women’s volleyball, men’s and women’s water polo and men’s wrestling.

Following an SEC regular season championship, Arkansas earned the No. 3 national seed in the 2023 NCAA Baseball Tournament. The Razorbacks hosted an NCAA Regional at Baum-Walker Stadium and advanced to the regional final before seeing their season come to an end. The Hogs finished with a 43-18 record and earned 50 Directors’ Cup points.

Arkansas bolstered its Directors’ Cup total with a pair of podium finishes at the NCAA Outdoor Track and Field Championships. After both the men’s and women’s teams earned SEC Outdoor Championships, each also finished in the top three at the national meet.

The Razorback men’s team earned a national runner-up team finish, scoring 53 points in the meet for Coach Chris Bucknam. Carey McLeod (long jump), Jaydon Hibbert (triple jump) and Phillip Lemonious (100m hurdles) all earned NCAA individual titles. The second-place national finish earned Arkansas 90 points in the Directors’ Cup.

In Coach Lance Harter’s final meet as the Razorbacks’ head coach, the women’s team tallied a third-place finish at the NCAA meet. Coach Harter retired following the 2022-23 season. His squad made it a memorable finale as Ackera Nugent (100m) and the Hogs’ 4x400m relay team captured NCAA individual crowns. Arkansas earned 46 points in the meet and added 85 points to its Directors’ Cup tally with the team finish.

Arkansas also earned Directors’ Cup points on the links with both the men’s and women’s golf teams competing in NCAA Championship play. The men’s golf team blazed through the regionals, setting multiple school records, on its way to qualifying for the NCAA Championships for the third-consecutive year. Coach Brad McMakin’s squad finished 18th at the national meet, earning 56 Directors’ Cup points.

The Arkansas women’s golf team also earned a berth to NCAA postseason play. Coach Shauna Taylor’s team narrowly missed advancing from the NCAA Regional to the NCAA Championships. The Razorbacks earned 40.5 Directors’ Cup points for the NCAA Regional showing.

On the softball field, Arkansas earned 50 points for advancing to the final in the NCAA Regional round of the tournament. The Razorbacks earned a national seed and hosted a regional at Bogle Park for the third-straight season. It was the fourth time overall Arkansas has hosted postseason play on its home field.

The Arkansas women’s tennis team made its 21st appearance in the NCAA Tournament, including its first under head coach Tucker Clary in the 2023 season. The Razorbacks earned a berth in the NCAA Regional in Norman, Oklahoma where they faced No. 21 Washington in the first round of the tournament. Arkansas came up short in its bid for a first-round upset but netted 25 points for its NCAA Tournament appearance.

Razorback Gymnastics earned a berth to the NCAA Regional in Norman, Oklahoma. Arkansas posted a program-best NCAA regional score of 197.275 but did not advance. The Razorbacks earned 53.5 points for their NCAA Regional appearance.

For the first time in its storied history, Arkansas swept both the men’s and women’s national championships at the NCAA Indoor Track and Field Championships. It’s the first sweep of men’s and women’s NCAA titles by any school since 2016 and gave Arkansas a combined 49 NCAA championships in cross country, indoor and outdoor track and field. Each team title earned 100 points in the Directors’ Cup standings for Arkansas.

An impressive weekend of performances by the men’s team resulted in 63 team points and a national team title. The title marked the 21st NCAA Indoor championship and 42nd overall for the Arkansas men’s program. Jaydon Hibbert set a collegiate record on his first and only attempt to win an individual national title in the triple jump, also claiming multiple records, including the Jamaican record, World U20 record and Arkansas school record. Arkansas closed out the meet with a victory in the 4 x 400 relay with a time of 3:02.09.

The Arkansas women, leading by two points over Texas, delivered a world all-time best 4 x 400 relay to secure the fourth NCAA Indoor team title and seventh overall for the program. Britton Wilson claimed the 400m title in an American and collegiate record of 49.48, which ranks second on the all-time world list.

For the third-consecutive season, the Razorback men’s basketball team advanced to the second weekend of the NCAA Men’s Basketball Tournament. Arkansas, a No. 8 seed, opened the Big Dance with a 73-63 win over Illinois in the first round of the tournament. The Hogs then shocked the bracket by pulling off a dramatic 72-71 upset of No. 1 seed Kansas in the second round. The Hogs advanced to the Sweet 16 for the third year in a row, before falling to No. 4 seed and eventual national champion UCONN in a Sweet 16 matchup in Las Vegas. Arkansas earned 64 points in the Directors’ Cup Standings for its March run.

Arkansas swimming and diving earned 45.5 points with a 28^th-place national team finish. The Hogs scored 18 points to clinch the program’s fifth-consecutive top-30 finish at the NCAA Championships.

A return trip to the NCAA Tournament Elite Eight highlighted another outstanding season by Razorback Soccer. Coach Colby Hale’s squad earned a No. 3 seed and won three NCAA Tournament matches (Missouri State, Ohio State and Memphis) at Razorback Field before falling 1-0 at No. 1 seed Florida State, one step shy of the College Cup. Arkansas finished the season 13-4-5 and earned 73 Directors’ Cup points.

For the first time since 2005, Arkansas won a match in the NCAA Volleyball Tournament. Coach Jason Watson led the Razorbacks to their first NCAA Tournament bid since 2013 and defeated Utah State 3-0 in the first round of the draw. It was Arkansas’ first NCAA Tournament win since defeating St. Mary’s (California) in 2005. In the Round of 32, the Hogs secured the first set against No. 3 seed Oregon before dropping the match three sets to one. Arkansas’ return to the tournament netted 50 points in the Directors’ Cup standings.

Coach Sam Pittman and the Razorback football team earned a bowl invitation for the third-straight season. Following a 6-6 regular season, Arkansas defeated Kansas 55-53 in 3 OT in the AutoZone Liberty Bowl in Memphis. The Hogs also qualified for a bowl game in Coach Pittman’s first two seasons at the helm including the Texas Bowl in 2020 and the Outback Bowl in 2021. Arkansas tallied 45 Directors’ Cup points in football.

Arkansas earned a pair of top-25 finishes at the NCAA Cross Country Championships. Coach Lance Harter’s Razorback women’s squad finished tied for 21^st,led by senior Isabel Van Camp who finished 48^th individually. Arkansas’ men’s team earned a 23^rd place finish for Coach Chris Bucknam. Patrick Kiprop earned All-America honors finishing 24^th overall. Arkansas earned 53 and 51 Directors’ Cup points, respectively, for the women’s and men’s team finishes.

Note to Our Readers: The previous story was sourced directly and in its entirety from the University of Arkansas Office of Communications, Kevin Trainor.

Talk Finances With Your Grown Children

Business

Tammy Teague

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9:19 pm

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When you’re retired, you’ll likely have some financial concerns — just like all retirees. However, if you’ve invested regularly and followed a long-term financial strategy, you should be able to address most issues that come your way. But there’s one important action that’s sometimes overlooked by retirees: sharing their financial situation with their grown children. And this knowledge can benefit everyone in your family.
You might be surprised by the concern your children have for your financial well-being. Consider these findings from a 2023 study by Age Wave and Edward Jones:
• 66% of millennials (generally defined as ranging from 27 to 42) worry that their parents or in-laws may not have enough money to live comfortably in retirement.
• 83% of millennials would rather know their parents are financially secure in their retirement, even if it means their parents pass on less money to them.
If you have children in this age range or older, or who soon will be, how can you address their concerns and potentially improve your financial outlook? Communication is the key. By openly communicating with your family about your financial status, you can reduce anxieties and misperceptions. If you’re in good financial shape, your adult children may be reassured that you won’t be needing their assistance. And if you are feeling some financial pressures, you can inform your children of the steps you are taking to improve your situation.
One such step may be to reduce your cost of living — the less you spend day to day, the better your ability to preserve your investment and retirement accounts. You may be able to reduce costs in many small ways, such as ending streaming services you no longer use, but you could make an even bigger impact by downsizing your living arrangements. In fact, 72% of today’s retirees have downsized or are willing to downsize to reduce their housing costs, according to the Age Wave/Edward Jones survey. Downsizing isn’t for everyone, but if it’s a possibility for you, it may be worth considering because the savings could be significant.
You may also be able to reduce or consolidate your debts. Start by understanding how much and what kinds of debt you have. Then, consider ways to lower your payments, such as refinancing. For example, if you’re carrying a balance on multiple credit cards, you might be able to transfer the amounts you owe onto a single card with a more favorable interest rate.
Here’s another move to consider: Adjust your investment mix to possibly provide you with more income in retirement. During your working years, you may have invested primarily for growth — after all, you could be retired for two or more decades, so you’ll need to draw on as many financial assets as possible. But once you’re retired, your investment focus may need to shift somewhat toward income-producing opportunities. Keep in mind, though, that you’ll still need some growth potential to help keep ahead of inflation.
One final suggestion: Let your children know if you already have a strategy in place to meet the potentially high costs of long-term care, such as a nursing home stay. This burden is certainly something you won’t want your children to take on.
By informing your children about your financial picture, and how you’re trying to improve it, you can ease everyone’s minds — so keep the lines of communication open.
This article is provided by
Jeffrey O’Neal, Financial Advisor
Edward Jones
20 N Express St, Paris, AR 72855
479-963-1321
jeffrey.o’neal@edwardjones.com
edwardjones.com/jeffrey-o’neal
Edward Jones, Member SIPC

Paris’ Leadership Logan County Program Makes Donation to Paris Senior Activity Center

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Resident News Network

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8:50 pm

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Paris’ Leadership Logan County Program Makes Donation to Paris Senior Activity Center

PARIS- Paris Area Chamber of Commerce continues to be active in the Logan County area, supporting businesses and non-profit organizations as part of their mission. Last week, it was the Chamber’s “Leadership Logan County Class #3” that culminated its year with the end of a service project they performed in Paris.

Each year, according to the Chamber’s executive director, Tonya Fletcher, the Leadership Logan County classes vote on proposed service projects that they would like to perform to help during the year. In 2022-23, Class #3 voted to help the Paris Senior Activity Center. The Center is a place for retired persons to come and socialize, receive meals, and to engage in activities to enhance their quality of life. Funding for the program is always a challenge, and the Leadership Class’s decision to help raise funds for the Center was very much welcomed.

In addition to raising money for the Center, members of the Class donated their time and effort, along with resources from around the community they were able to access as a result of networking with others to perform much needed improvements. Improvements to the Center included work performed on both the interior and exterior aspects of the Senior Center building. New paint, ceiling fans, landscaping, etc., are among the several improvements donated to the Center by the Class. In addition to these improvements, the Class donated the remainder of the funds raised in the form of a check given to the Center for a little more than $2300.

Members of Class #3 and the Chamber’s executive director were on hand last week to present the check to the Senior Center. After the ceremony, Tonya Fletcher and others remained to call the weekly BINGO game at the Center. A wonderful gesture of support and involvement by the Chamber in the Senior Center as well as in all aspects of the Paris and surrounding areas.

Anyone interested in making donations to the Paris Senior Activity Center can do so by contacting the Center directly. The phone number is 479-963-3475, or you can email them at parisseniorcenter@centurytel.net The Center is on a tight budget and performs a much-needed service for the local community.

Congratulations on a successful project performed by the Leadership Logan County Class, and thanks to the Paris Area Chamber of Commerce and the Paris Senior Activity Center for their work in our community.

River Valley Graduating Seniors Participate in All-Star Weekend in Conway

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8:30 pm

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River Valley Graduating Seniors Participate in All-Star Weekend in Conway

CONWAY- In a summer celebration of high school sports, the Arkansas Activities Association’s All-Star weekend was held June 23-24 in Conway at the University of Central Arkansas. High School All-Stars in football, basketball, volleyball, baseball, softball, and soccer, participated in games that divided players from the East and the West in Arkansas.

The River Valley was well-represented in all of the games. Highlighting the weekend was the play of Charleston quarterback Brandon Scott who led the West to a victory over the East with a second half touchdown pass.

The West volleyball squad defeated the East in five consecutive sets. The 5-0 win for the West was the first victory over the East in nine years.

The state champion Booneville Lady Bearcats led the West to a victory over the East in the All-Star softball game.

River Valley athletes who represented the West in the All-Star games this year included:

Brooks Hererra, Booneville (RNN Sports Photo / Glenn Parrish)

BASEBALL

Brooks Herrera, Booneville

Drew Vega, Dardanelle

BOYS BASKETBALL

Braden Tanner, Dardanelle

Aundrae Milum, County Line

Trent Johnston, County Line

GIRLS BASKETBALL

Karley Williams, Lamar

Karys Washington, Northside

FOOTBALL

Malachi Henry, Van Buren

Ben Haulmark, Russellville

Brandon Scott, Charleston

Hunter Houston, Greenwood

Maddox Noel, Lavaca

Damien Hendrix, Lamar

Javian Velazquez, Russellville

Alex Moats, Pottsville

Hayden Webb, Greenwood

Dale Smith, Charleston

BOYS SOCCER

Nestor Crisostmo, Russellville

Andy Moreno, Northside

GIRLS SOCCER

Bridget Dennis, Dardanelle

Brooklyn Adams, Mansfield (RNN Sports Photo / Glenn Parrish)

SOFTBALL

Ireland Cooper, Greenwood

Leigh Swint, Booneville

Brooklyn Adams, Mansfield

Kyndall Haney, Charleston

Emberlin Calwell, Van Buren

Lexxi Gooden, Atkins

Leigh Swint, Booneville (RNN Sports Photo / Glenn Parrish)

VOLLEYBALL

Natalie Allison, Mansfield

Brailey Forst, Paris

Landis Luke, Greenwood

Brianna Ball, Van Buren

Brailey Forst, Paris (L) and Natalie Allison, Mansfield (R). RNN Sports Photo / Jim Best

Hogs Name New Assistant Softball Coach with OU Ties

Sports

Resident News Network

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3:49 pm

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Hogs Name New Assistant Softball Coach with OU Ties

FAYETTEVILLE – Arkansas softball head coach Courtney Deifel named DJ Gasso the program’s newest assistant coach Friday. Gasso will serve as the program’s primary hitting coach.

“I couldn’t be more thrilled to welcome DJ, his wife Grace, and their son Parker to Fayetteville and the Razorback softball family,” said Deifel. “DJ brings an incredible understanding of mental preparation and offensive strategy, along with an infectious passion for the game that our players will love. He has learned from and worked alongside some incredible coaches in his career. He will deliver an aggressive and exciting style of Razorback softball that I can’t wait to see in action.”

Gasso just completed his third season as the hitting coach for the Utah Utes in 2023. Since being hired as an assistant coach in June 2020, Gasso has navigated Utah’s offense to unparalleled success, a Pac-12 Tournament Championship and a Women’s College World Series appearance in 2023 – the program’s first WCWS appearance since 1994. Gasso was promoted to associate head coach in December 2022.

Following the 2023 campaign, Gasso was part of a staff that earned ATEC/NFCA Pacific Region Coaching Staff of the Year along with being recognized as D1Softball’s National Coaching Staff of the Year.

“My family and I are thrilled to be part of the Razorback family. Coach Deifel and her staff have been so welcoming, and I cannot wait to get started with this team,” said Gasso. “I want to thank Coach Amy Hogue for taking a chance on me and giving me the opportunity to live out my dream as a coach. The memories and relationships built at Utah will forever hold a special place in my heart. To be representing the great state of Arkansas in front of the best fans in the country will be an incredible honor. I am extremely excited to be in Fayetteville and get to work.”

During his three-year stint at Utah, 11 Utah hitters garnered NFCA All-Region status while one clinched NFCA All-America accolades.

Under Gasso’s tutelage in 2023, the Utes increased their batting average by nearly 40 points compared to their mark in 2022 and finished 15th nationally in scoring (6.05). The Utes seized single-season program records in runs (351), RBIs (316), slugging percentage (.483), doubles (84) and steals (99). Utah also tied for fifth nationally in batting average (.327) and blasted the program’s most home runs (47) since 2006.

Gasso continued to make strides with Utah’s offense in 2022, helping the team improve its batting average by 22 points to .289 compared to its .267 average in 2021. Four hitters were named to the All-Pac-12 team, three named to NFCA All-Region squads and one claimed NFCA All-American status.

Making an immediate impact on the Utah program in his first season in 2021, the Utes hit 46 home runs, the most by a Utah team since 2012, and scored 237 runs, their most since 2017.

A native of Norman, Okla., Gasso earned his bachelor’s degree in communication from Bradley University in 2017 where he spent two seasons as a standout baseball player after one year at Hutchinson Community College.

Gasso completed his collegiate baseball career at Central Oklahoma in 2018, slashing .303/.395/.364 as a senior. Beginning his postgraduate work at Central Oklahoma, Gasso finished his master’s degree in intercollegiate athletics administration at the University of Oklahoma while serving as a graduate manager for Oklahoma softball from 2018-19.

A graduate of Norman North High School, Gasso is the son of Oklahoma head coach Patty Gasso and the brother of Oklahoma assistant coach JT Gasso. His father, Jim Gasso, is the head softball coach at MId-America Christian University in Oklahoma City.

DJ and his wife Grace have a son, Parker.

For schedule updates and other news, go to ArkansasRazorbacks.com, or follow @RazorbackSB on Twitter, Instagram and Facebook.

– ArkansasRazorbacks.com || On Twitter @ArkRazorbacks || Facebook.com/ArkansasRazorbacks

Note to Our Readers: The previous story was sourced directly and in its entirety from the University of Arkansas Office of Communications, Grace Taffola.

“Just Roll with It” Serving up Recipes and Humor

Food

Tammy Teague

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2:42 pm

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“Just Roll with It” Serving up Recipes and Humor

By Sheri Hopkins, Lifestyle Contributor

Hello everyone! The dog days of summer are here. Hope everyone has a safe and happy Fourth of July.

If I repeat my story, I’m sorry. Just read them and act like it’s the first time you heard it. I’m sure I’ve told y’all all the crazy sayings my mom would say as I was growing up. Not just my mom, but all the moms and grandmas. My mom told me not to hang upside down on the monkey bars, I would turn my liver over. Let me add, she was serious. The summer before third grade, daddy and momma bought us a swingset and got it all put together and on the end was a monkey bar. Of course, in mom fashion, she told us not to hang upside down on the monkey bar or we would turn our liver over. Her and dad took off with the box to take them to the burner at the sawmill (which was in the backyard of our house). Guess what I did? Yep, I climbed on that monkey bar to try to turn my liver over and was hanging from my knees and fell off and broke my arm. So, don’t worry about turning your liver over.

She also said not to spin in circles, that would turn your liver over. Also, you have to wait 30 minutes to swim after you eat or you will get leg cramps and drown. I believed this one because I wasn’t fond of water. I sure didn’t want to get leg cramps and drown. The biggest problem was trying not to eat every 30 minutes so I could get in the water.

Don’t sit too close to the TV or you would go blind. So, me and my sister would scoot back, we didn’t want to ho blind. But, if you eat carrots, it will help you see better. So, I guess if you set too close to the TV, you could munch on a carrot to counteract the sitting too close.

Do not pick up frogs, because if they pee on you, you will get warts on your hands. We didn’t listen to that either. I sure would scrub my hands though, because those frogs always peed on me. I sure didn’t want to get warts on my hands.

Don’t step on a crack or you will break your mother’s back. That one traumatized me so bad, to this day I can’t hardly step on a crack. I could envision my poor momma with a broke back, all crippled up because I stepped on a crack.

One of my favorites was don’t eat any junk food before supper, you will ruin your supper and won’t eat. I will be 60 in July and I have never ruined a meal by having a snack beforehand.

I hear my mom’s words coming out of my mouth so much. I wish you could have seen Ella’s face when I told her not to hang upside down or spin circles, she would turn her liver over. She thought I was crazy. I remember the old saying, ”scream bloody murder.” One day we were shopping and I told her if anyone tried to grab her to scream bloody murder. As innocent as could be, she said, ”Nana why would I yell out ’bloody murder’?” I laughed so hard, she had no clue that I meant just to scream loud. She thought I wanted her to yell the words ”bloody murder.”

Good times, and good memories.

This week’s recipe comes from my friend Diana Hattabaugh and she said it is delicious. I haven’t had the chance to try it yet, but I’m going to.

CHOCOLATE NUTTER BUTTER ICEBOX CAKE
1 lb. package of Nutter Butter Cookies
2 small boxes of chocolate cook and serve pudding, has to be cook and serve.
4 cups milk
1/2 cup sugar
1 teaspoon vanilla
1 8 oz. tub of Cool Whip
1/4 cup peanut butter
Combine pudding mixes, milk, sugar and vanilla in a medium saucepan. Bring mixture to a boil over medium heat, stirring constantly. Once softly boiling remove from the heat. Spoon 1/3 of the pudding into the bottom of an 8×8 or 9×9 baking dish. Add a single layer of the Nutter Butter cookies on top of it. Pour another 1/3 of the pudding over the cookies then add another single layer of the cookies, top with the remaining pudding and let rest at room temperature for 30 minutes then refrigerate until completely chilled. Top with Cool Whip. Melt the peanut butter for 20-30 seconds in the microwave and stir until then enough to pour and drizzle over the Cool Whip and serve. I would probably crush a few of the cookies and sprinkle on top. Keep in the refrigerator. If you want to make a 9×13 size, just double the recipe. The warm pudding softens the cookies. Enjoy!

Things To Consider When Restoring an Old Rocking Chair

Lifestyle

Resident News Network

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Things To Consider When Restoring an Old Rocking Chair

Restoring an old piece of furniture is a fun, fulfilling pastime with challenges. Even if you’re up for the task, ensuring you learn these things to consider when restoring an old rocking chair first can make the process less stressful and more fun. We will outline guidelines on how to succeed in your restoration project while maintaining the chair’s longevity.

Identify the Chair’s Era and Style

An essential step is identifying your rocking chair’s era, style, or origin. Knowing this information improves your search for appropriate materials and techniques that don’t compromise its historical integrity or decrease its value. Examine the material, including fabric coverings, wood carvings, joint construction, and other design elements to determine the chair’s age and style.

Gather Necessary Tools and Supplies

Before grabbing any tools, research what supplies to buy for your project. Typical items like sandpaper, woodworking tools, wood glue, and clamps are commonly used for restoration projects. So, ensure you have the right items for a smooth refurbishing project. Also, consider whether you need new cushions, paint, varnish, or replacement parts like spindles, legs, or arms.

Examine the Furniture’s Structure and Stability

Carefully inspect your rocking chair’s stability. Pay attention to any broken or cracked joints on the chair, and especially look for loose or missing screws. Minor repairs might suffice, but looking at the chair thoroughly helps determine if the chair needs a complete reconstruction. Prioritize safety and structural integrity!

Preserve Original Design Features

Preserve the essential design elements of the chair, such as carving and paint patterns. You preserve the chair’s character and historical value by maintaining the original design features. Try to keep as much of the original detail as possible so the chair retains its origins, and its era is easily recognizable.

Refinishing and Painting

Be mindful of refinishing and painting. Restorers often debate between refinishing the whole piece or keeping the original patina. It’s best to consult a furniture restoration expert for advice on retaining the furniture’s identity while refinishing and painting it. Ensure the paint and refinishing styles are in tune with the original designs.

Restoring old rocking chairs adds a fresher style to a timeless piece. Feel accomplished restoring an old rocking chair, and remember these considerations if you ever need a reason not to change something drastically. To help maintain the life of your restored piece, we suggest following these tips for maintaining a swivel rocking chair to keep it rocking smoothly for years to come. Trust us—an old chair might seem pleasant to admire, but restoring it to its former glory is more fun. You’ll enjoy it more when you can use it in your home.

R

Identify the Chair’s Era and Style

Gather Necessary Tools and Supplies

Examine the Furniture’s Structure and Stability

Preserve Original Design Features

Refinishing and Painting

RESIDENT NEWS NETWORK