2008 Woodie Awards
The Chronicle's Sports Blog
Sports
PORTRAITS OF THE PLAYERS-Chante Black, the center
A closer look at the lives and games of the Blue Devils who can make the difference for their teams in 2007
by Ben Cohen in Sports
Game after game, Chante Black slumped into her seat, ready to occupy her role as glorified team cheerleader. But even in the midst of Duke's undefeated regular season, or perhaps because of that unblemished run, Black couldn't help but wonder.
If the team was undefeated without her, how good could it have been with her?
PORTRAITS OF THE PLAYERS-Zack Asack, the quarterback
A closer look at the lives and games of the Blue Devils who can make the difference for their teams in 2007
by Tim Britton
Zack Asack's fall schedules were always as packed as a playbook. With school, practice and games occupying his days, Asack never had a chance to rest. But last year, after a fall of his own, the multitalented quarterback found his schedule empty.
Moore or less correct
Chronicle columnists Michael Moore and Andrew Yaffe go head-to-head to decide whether Duke is better off without Josh McRoberts
Let's just get it out of the way now-anyone who thinks the Blue Devils will be better off without Josh McRoberts is crazy...
Or are they?
Sports
PORTRAITS OF THE PLAYERS-Mike Grella, the forward
A closer look at the lives and games of the Blue Devils who can make the difference for their teams in 2007
by Tim Britton
The game had stumbled on for 97 scoreless minutes, two rivals entrenched in a battle of attrition for college soccer's most prestigious conference championship and the top seed in the upcoming NCAA tournament. And then, faster than a Zinedine Zidane headbutt, it was over.
That's how quickly Mike Grella can change a game.
Sports
PORTRAITS OF THE PLAYERS-Caroline Cryer, the attacker
A closer look at the lives and games of the Blue Devils who can make the difference for their teams in 2007
by Matthew Iles
After losing in the NCAA semifinals during her freshman and sophomore seasons, Caroline Cryer and the rest of the Blue Devils were just 20 minutes away from earning the school's first ever national championship appearance in May.
Holding a 13-4 lead over Virginia at the Final Four at Penn's Franklin Field, Cryer and Duke appeared to be in control.
Sports
PORTRAITS OF THE PLAYERS-Max Quinzani, the attackman
A closer look at the lives and games of the Blue Devils who can make the difference for their teams in 2007
by Sean Moroney
As the final horn sounded at the 2007 NCAA championship game, freshman Max Quinzani fired Duke's last hope at its storybook ending.
His shot sailed wide right, but it was a testament to how far Quinzani and his teammates had come.
Just a year earlier, he wasn't even sure he wanted to be at Duke.
sports editor's note
by Meredith Shiner
On May 28, I sat in the front row of the press room at M&T Bank Stadium in Baltimore, Md. after Duke's heartbreaking 12-11 title-game loss to Johns Hopkins. Watching senior Matt Danowski try to fight back his tears on the dais was one of the most difficult moments of my brief journalistic career.
M Basketball
PORTRAITS OF THE PLAYERS-Greg Paulus, the point guard
A closer look at the lives and games of the Blue Devils who can make the difference for their teams in 2007
by Meredith Shiner
Greg Paulus never wants to be the story, but the Duke point guard always is.
Trail Blazers draft McRoberts in 2nd Round
by Tim Britton
Josh McRoberts was never so relieved to hear his name called. The former Duke forward was taken with the 37th pick by the Portland Trail Blazers in the 2007 NBA Draft held June 28 in New York City's Madison Square Garden. McRoberts, thought to be a surefire lottery pick out of high school, surprisingly slipped into the second round even though most experts believed the 6-foot-9 forward would be taken in the mid to late first round.
Sitting down with Coach K
The Chronicle's Sports Editor Meredith Shiner had an exclusive interview with Coach K to talk about Duke, his team and the summer's basketball news.
W Basketball
Blue Devils plan to retire Harding's No. 10
by Ben Cohen
Lindsey Harding spent five years at Duke, but her legacy will remain in the rafters of Cameron for much longer. Harding's No. 10 will be retired this year, athletics officials announced earlier this month.
McCallie and Waner take gold with Team USA
by Sean Moroney
Joanne P. McCallie and Abby Waner succeeded where infamous conquerors have historically failed. The 2007 USA Basketball U21 head coach and shooting guard marched into Russia and took the crown-the FIBA U21 World Championships gold medal crown.
Duke hopes tough schedule will lure recruits
by Stephen Allan
Duke's football program isn't shying away from taking on challenging schedules in its upcoming seasons.
Blue Devils try to find answers on offense
by Sam Levy
It remains to be seen whether or not the Blue Devils will be able to snap the nation's longest losing streak, at 20 games.
Lee and Blumenherst shine at U.S. Open
by Will Flaherty
Stepping to the tee box in the first round of the 2007 U.S. Women's Open, Amanda Blumenherst, last year's low amateur, had a very junior moment.
The rising Duke junior was paired with 1987 U.S. Open Champion Laura Davies.
"When they announce the pairings at the first tee, the announcer also says when the golfers won the Open," Blumenherst said.
