Coach Deion Sanders, of the University of Colorado, Boulder (CU Boulder), is transforming the Buffaloes football program, while concurrently making collegiate football history. Deion Sanders, commonly known as Coach Prime, is in his first year coaching at CU Boulder and is making a huge statement in the world of college football. 

Former MLB and NFL superstar Deion Sanders is new to coaching, but not new to the world of sports. Prime won two Superbowl titles and made a World Series appearance in 1992 during his time playing, making him the only athlete to play in both a Super Bowl and a World Series. Long after his initial retirement, Coach Sanders could not stay away from sports and made his return to the world of pro sports as a coach. 

Prime began his coaching career in 2020 at Jackson State University (JSU). JSU is an HBCU not particularly known for its football program. Prime’s intense and motivational coaching style allowed JSU’s record to improve from 4-8 to 12-1 after just 2 years. After great success at JSU, Prime was hired as the new head coach of the Colorado Buffaloes. 

The Buffaloes had a disappointing season in 2022, winning a singular game. Following their 2022 season, it was evident that the Buffaloes needed a change in leadership. When Sanders was hired as the Buffaloes’ head coach in December 2022, he was eager to turn the Buff’s program around. Sanders did all in his power to transform the Buffaloes team, making a more competitive roster. Sanders took advantage of college football’s now unrestrictive transfer rules to stack his roster with well-faceted players. 

While CU Boulder’s season is still young, they have had a phenomenal start. The Buffaloes came out with a bang with a 45-42 win against Texas Christian University (TCU). The TCU Horned Frogs were just one game away from winning the national title last year. The Buffs did not stop there; they followed up a week later with a dominant 36-14 win over Nebraska. 

In their most recent game, the Buffaloes experienced their first loss of the season to the Oregon Ducks, ranked ninth, 6-42. In a postgame interview, Coach Deion Sanders gives credit to the Oregon Ducks, saying, “That was a really good, old fashioned, butt-kicking.” Oregon dominated the game from start to finish. Colorado had a hard time executing plays, making it hard for them to stay competitive in the game. 

Sanders acknowledged where his team can improve going forward, “We expect to win every game… and go out there and execute the things we practice… we just didn’t do it today.” 

A dedicated Buffs fan says Coach Deion Sanders “brings energy and passion back to CU football.” In speaking about this story’s significance, Buffs fans continue to stay positive about the long season ahead, “I see a season full of triumphs ahead.” 

Coach Prime’s use of the portal will set a precedent for coaches trying to transform teams in the future. Sanders has been a winner his whole life and does not plan to stop now. The Buffaloes’ next matchup is on Saturday, Sept. 30 versus the University of Southern California, Trojans at home. 

On Apr. 12, CITYPARK, home field to the Saint Louis City SC, welcomed the United States Women’s National Team to Saint Louis for a soccer match against the Republic of Ireland. The United States put on a show by shutting out Ireland with a final score of 1-0. 

The newly renovated CITYPARK facility was pleased and eager to host the women’s national team. “It’s an honor to be part of this historic event at CITYPARK with our friends in the U.S. Women’s National Team,” said St. Louis CITY SC CEO, Carolyn Kindle, “The momentum of soccer in our region right now is unparalleled and the passion of our fans will create an incredible atmosphere on matchday.” 

In anticipation of the match, Kindle said, “We can’t wait to welcome everyone to our beautiful home and again shine a light on the best of St. Louis by having these two teams compete in our stadium.” 

On top of the established success of the STL City SC, CITYPARK has called attention to the soccer culture evident in our own Saint Louis community. The women’s national team’s weekend visit to Saint Louis helped solidify the growing soccer culture in Saint Louis. 

In talking about returning home to Saint Louis, and playing at the new CITYPARK facility, Becky Sauerbrunn, Saint Louis native and Women’s National Team standout said, “It’s super exciting, and it just goes to show that St. Louis is very much a soccer city. And it’s great to see the evolution of the game — getting an MLS side, getting a soccer specific stadium in the city. So it’s all steps in the right direction.” The Saint Louis community was enthusiastic about welcoming USWNT’s Sauerbrunn back to her hometown. Before the match, Sauerbrunn was recognized for her 200 cap milestone. 

Sauerbrunn is an Olivette native and graduated from Ladue High School. Sauerbrunn has been an asset in the U.S. Women’s National Team for more than twelve years. The center back has had a highly successful professional career, earning Olympic gold and bronze medals and two FIFA Women’s World Cups. Now, she is serving her second year as team captain and has officially played in more international competitions than any of her teammates. In their match versus Ireland, she came close to scoring a corner kick goal for USA,but the crossbar blocked her shot, nearly ending her record of 215 games without scoring for the United States.

Ireland had various chances at goal, but Casey Murphy, United States goalkeeper, denied all Ireland’s opportunities. It was not until the 43 minute that Alana Cook of the United States buried the ball in the back of Ireland’s net. Cook received a direct ball just past the midfield line following a short corner kick. Cook sent a shot from the 40 yard line towards the goal. Ireland’s goalkeeper got a hand on it, but it was not enough to stop Cook’s powerful take. This would be the only scoring action of the full game, making the final score 1-0, United States. 

Saint Louis Women’s Soccer also welcomed the USWNT to Robert R. Herman Stadium during their weekend trip. In a twitter post from SLU Women’s Soccer, various SLU soccer athletes were pictured amongst national team players:Lindsey Horan, Kristic Mewie and Sofia Huerta. The caption thanked the professional players for their visit, and taking time out of their day to say hello to SLU’s players. 

All in all, the Women’s national team’s time in Saint Louis was a great success. It solidified the idea that Saint Louis’s soccer community is very much going, especially with the renovated STL City SC soccer facility. 

This was one of the final international matches for the USWNT players before head coach Vlatko Andonovski and his staff chose the USA’s 23-player World Cup roster later in the spring. This match marked the USA’s sixth game all-time in St. Louis and 10th in the state of Missouri. The USA is unbeaten in its 10 games in the Show-Me State, boasting a record of seven wins, three draws and zero losses.

The post STL City SC welcomes the USWNT to CITYPARK appeared first on The University News.

Teddy Ament is a freshman swimmer from Rockville, Maryland. On top of having a very successful inaugural season, Ament had a very successful postseason. This past weekend at the Atlantic 10 swim and dive tournament, Ament capped his season off by setting two school records in the men’s 1650 free finishing 15:53.11, and his 9:33.96 split for 1000 yards also established a new record.

Brooke Flowers is a 6-foot-5 senior from Saint Louis. Flowers contributes greatly and plays a pivotal role in the success of the Women’s Basketball team. This year, Flowers was added to the Naismith Defensive Player of the Year Watchlist. In addition to this feat, Flowers beat SLU’s women’s basketball record for blocks in a game, hitting 364 total blocks and counting.

Elizabeth Mintusova is a senior tennis player from Moscow, Russia. She has been named the Atlantic 10 Conference Women’s Tennis Performer of the week for Feb. 6-12. This marks the third Performer of the Week award of Mintusova’s career.

Matt De Haas is a junior on the Track and Field Team. De Haas is a distance runner from Wassenaar, Netherlands. During his performance in the David Hemery Valentine Invitational in Boston, Massachusetts, De Haas made a statement in establishing a new school record in the 800 meters, winning his heat with a time of 1:51.57.

Since the St. Louis Rams moved to Los Angeles in 2016, St. Louis has been deprived of football in its own city for almost seven years. Until now.

The St. Louis Battlehawks are to make their official return to the XFL since their shutdown in 2020. On Feb. 18, eight new teams will be returning to the XFL, one of those teams being the St. Louis Battlehawks.

      In addition to the St. Louis Battlehawks, the XFL will be adding six further teams: the Arlington Renegades, Houston Roughnecks, San Antonio Brahmas, D. C. Defenders, Orlando Guardians and the Vegas Vipers.

   The Battlehawks will be coached by Anthony Becht. Becht was a talented tight end who attended West Virginia University. Following his collegiate career, Becht was selected as the 27th overall pick in the NFL draft, taking his talents to the New York Jets in 2000. From then on, he has played with various teams: The Tampa Bay Buccaneers, St. Louis Rams, Arizona Cardinals and the Kansas City Chiefs, racking up a total of 11 years within the NFL space. After his time in the NFL, Becht went on to coach and develop young talent.

        He worked at IMG Academy for six years, in addition to coaching in the NFLPA Collegiate Bowl for some time. Most recently, he was the Offensive Coordinator for Wiregrass High School. Due to his experience playing professionally and his experience coaching at various levels, Becht is expected to be an incredible leader and coach to the returning Battlehawks.

   Head Coach Anthony Becht said,

   Becht said, “We cannot wait to get out there and get after it. The Battlehawks are ready to bring football greatness back to our city and make you all proud. We will see you repping Blue and Gray at The Dome! Ka Kaw!” As the upcoming XFL season is approaching, there are star players that are expected to bring a lot to the overall lineup.

   The first player drafted by the Battlehawks was Jordan Ta’amu, a 23-year-old quarterback. Ta’amu is in fact the youngest quarterback in the XFL. After his successful collegiate career at the University of Mississippi finished, his goal was to play in the NFL. After his efforts in consistently sticking with a NFL team failed, he turned to the XFL. The Battlehawks as a whole will benefit from his speed, youthfulness and overall energy.

   Christine Michael, an explosive athlete and powerful running back will contribute his talents to the Battlehawks this season. Michael appeared in 2 Super Bowl’s for the Seattle Seahawks, backup to iconic Marshawn Lynch. Throughout his career in the NFL he has played for various teams, including the Dallas Cowboys, Green Bay Packers, eventually ending his NFL career with the Indianapolis Colts in 2018.

   Coming from the Washington Commanders and the Indianapolis Colts is running back, Matt Jones. He has extended experience in the NFL space which will set him apart when representing the St. Louis Battlehawks at the XFL level.

         The Battlehawks home field will be located in The Dome at America’s Center. The XFL partners with The Walt Disney Company and ESPN.