STEPHEN HAWKINS Sports Writer, Author at The Rapid City Post

Texas Tech quarterback Behren Morton, right, takes as seat for interviews flanked by teammate wide receiver Caleb Douglas during the Big 12 NCAA college football media days in Frisco, Texas, Tuesday, July 8, 2025. (AP Photo/LM Otero)

Texas Tech hoping big money and top transfers lead to unprecedented payback in football

July 14, 2025

Texas Tech is investing a lot of money into its athletes, and has brought in a lot of football players from the transfer portal. The hope now is that the payback will be unprecedented success on the field. It has been widely reported that there will be about $55 million going to Red Raider athletes this year. A significant chunk is going into the football program that has never won a Big 12 title. There are 22 incoming transfers, most of them expected to have an immediate impact. Coach Joey McGuire says his team understands the importance of this season.

Big 12 commissioner doubles down on preference for 5-11 playoff model if CFP expands

July 8, 2025

Big 12 Commissioner Brett Yormark is doubling down on his preference for staying with only five automatic qualifiers if the College Football Playoff does expand to 16 teams as many expect after this season. He favors that over having guaranteed multiple bids for all the power conferences. Yormark says at Big 12 football media days that there is a responsibility to do what’s right for college football, not just what’s right for one or two leagues. The Southeastern Conference and Big Ten will have more of a say on the playoff format starting in 2026.

Dallas Stars new head coach Glen Gulutzan, left, and general manager Jim Nill hold up a team jersey after Gulutzan was introduced during an NHL hockey news conference, Wednesday, July 2, 2025, at the American Airlines Center in Dallas. (AP Photo/Stephen Hawkins)

Gulutzan says the Stars were right not keeping him as coach 12 years ago, and now bringing him back

July 2, 2025

Glen Gulutzan believes the Dallas Stars have twice made the right decision about his coaching career. First by not keeping him as their head coach 12 years ago and now bringing him back in that same role. The Stars reintroduced Gulutzan as their coach Wednesday. Gulutzan and the franchise are both in much different places than back then. He was introduced by general manager Jim Nill, who was new to the job in 2013 when he decided against retaining Gulutzan, who had been the Stars head coach for two seasons in his first NHL job.

Minjee Lee wins the KPMG Women’s PGA Championship for her 3rd major title

June 22, 2025

Minjee Lee closed with a 2-over 74 but never gave up the lead Sunday in the final round of the KPMG Women’s PGA Championship to win her third major title. While Lee had three bogeys in a four-hole stretch on the front nine, she had started the day with a four-stroke lead over Jeeno Thitikul. And the world’s No. 2-ranked player, also in that final group, bogeyed both par 5s that are among the first three holes on Fields Ranch East at PGA Frisco. Lee, ranked 24th, finished at 4-under 284, three strokes ahead of Auston Kim and Chanettee Wannasaen, the only other players to finish under par.

Lexi Thompson looks for her ball after an errant shot on the first hole during the third round of the Women's PGA Championship golf tournament Saturday, June 21, 2025, in Frisco, Texas. (AP Photo/LM Otero)

Lexi Thompson recovers from opening triple-bogey top and shank in 3rd round at Women’s PGA

June 21, 2025

Lexi Thompson nearly got blown over to start the third round of the KPMG Women’s PGA Championship. She recovered from that opening triple bogey and goes into the final round tied for third place. She topped her second shot Saturday out of the fairway, then had a shank on the way to a triple bogey on the first hole in windy conditions. She may have been out of balance on her second shot on the 517-yard par-5 first hole that went only 117 yards, then the ball she then hit to the right into a thick native area was never found.

Minjee Lee has 1st bogey-free round at windy Women’s PGA to take 4-shot lead into final day

June 21, 2025

Two-time major champion Minjee Lee has taken over the lead with the first bogey-free round for anyone during the wind-swept KPMG Women’s PGA Championship. Her 3-under 69 in the third round Saturday put her four strokes ahead of Jeeno Thitikul. The Australian who lives in nearby Irving got to 6-under 210 after beginning the round three strokes behind Thitikul, the world’s No. 2-ranked player who led after each of the first two days. Lee and Thitikul are the only players still under par at Fields Ranch East at PGA Frisco.

Jeeno Thitikul extends Women’s PGA lead and semi-retired Lexi Thompson contending for another major

June 20, 2025

Jeeno Thitikul has extended her lead to three strokes at the KPMG Women’s PGA Championship. The No. 2-ranked player in the world finished a six-hour round Friday with consecutive birdies for a 2-under 70 to get to 6-under 138 after two rounds. That’s three strokes ahead of Minjee Lee and Rio Takeda. Lexi Thompson is four back after a 70 on another steamy day on the Fields Ranch East course at PGA Frisco. Only seven of the 156 players who started the season’s third major were under par through two rounds. There have been no bogey-free rounds in the season’s third major.

CORRECTS FIRST NAME TO JEENO, NOT JEAN - Jeeno Thitikul hits on the first hole during the first round of the Women's PGA Championship golf tournament, Thursday, June 19, 2025, in Frisco, Texas. (AP Photo/LM Otero)

Jeeno Thitikul stays patient and goes on a birdie streak to take first-round lead at Women’s PGA

June 19, 2025

Jeeno Thitikul made five birdies in a six-hole stretch midway through the first round on way to a 4-under 68 to lead the KPMG Women’s PGA Championship. She had a one-stroke lead over Minjee Lee after Thursday’s first round. Haeran Ryu, Rio Takeda and Somi Lee all shot 72. Thitikul, the world’s second-ranked player, made double bogey on the fifth hole, but that was her only hole over par. The 22-year-old from Thailand, who now lives in the Dallas area, needed only 25 putts on the Fields Ranch East course at PGA Frisco. Her makes measured 199 1/2 feet.

Top-ranked Nelly Korda even par to start Women’s PGA after reaggravating neck injury

June 19, 2025

Nelly Korda shot an even-par 72 in the opening round of the KPMG Women’s PGA Championship. That came Thursday, three days after the world’s top-ranked player reaggravated a neck injury during a practice round. Korda says she doesn’t feel pain hitting shots. But the two-time major champion says she does experience pain with rotation of her neck and that it is hard to get comfortable to sleep at night. She says it’s getting better every day. Korda trailed Jeeno Thitikul by four shots after the first round.

Nelly Korda after putting on the 12th hole during the fourth round of the U.S. Women's Open golf tournament at Erin Hills Sunday, June 1, 2025, in Erin, Wis. (AP Photo/Jeff Roberson)

Another quick major chance for top-ranked Nelly Korda when Women’s PGA tees off in Texas

June 18, 2025

Nelly Korda isn’t having to wait long for another major chance. The top-ranked player in women’s golf was a runner-up at the U.S. Women’s Open three weeks ago, and now tees off Thursday in the KPMG Women’s PGA Championship on the Fields Ranch East course at PGA Frisco in North Texas. The 26-year-old Korda has two majors among her 15 career wins, including the 2021 Women’s PGA at Atlanta Athletic Club. But she hasn’t won any of her nine starts this year. The top three players in the world will be grouped together for the first two rounds, with Korda playing with Jeeno Thitikul and Lydia Ko.

Edmonton Oilers players celebrate after winning Game 5 of the Western Conference finals in the NHL hockey Stanley Cup playoffs against the Dallas Stars, Thursday, May 29, 2025, in Dallas. (AP Photo/Gareth Patterson)

McDavid and Oilers set for another Cup chance against Panthers in a run that feels different

May 30, 2025

This playoff run has felt different for Connor McDavid and the Edmonton Oilers. They are back in the same place. They have advanced to their second Stanley Cup Final in a row, again against the Florida Panthers after losing a seven-game series last June. McDavid, their captain, says the Oilers are better for the learning experience they went through last year, and that it has driven them this season. Edmonton wrapped up the West final with a 6-3 win at Dallas in Game 5 on Thursday night. Game 1 of the Stanley Cup rematch is Wednesday night in Edmonton.

Edmonton Oilers center Connor McDavid (97) is presented with the championship trophy after winning Game 5 of the Western Conference finals in the NHL hockey Stanley Cup playoffs against the Dallas Stars, Thursday, May 29, 2025, in Dallas. (AP Photo/Gareth Patterson)

Oilers gladly touched West trophy ahead of Cup rematch. It was hands off for Panthers in the East

May 29, 2025

Edmonton Oilers captain Connor McDavid wasn’t keeping his hands off the Western Conference championship trophy this time. McDavid gladly touched the Clarence S. Campbell Bowl when accepting it after a 6-3 victory over the Dallas Stars on Thursday night that sent the Oilers to a Stanley Cup Final rematch against the Florida Panthers. McDavid says he didn’t touch the West trophy last year, and Edmonton didn’t win the Stanley Cup. Florida didn’t touch the Prince of Wales Trophy after wrapping up the East final this week. The Panthers also didn’t touch the East trophy last year and won the Cup. But in 2023, they lost in the Stanley Cup final after celebrating the East touching that trophy.

Edmonton Oilers center Connor McDavid (97) scores against Dallas Stars goaltender Casey DeSmith (1) and center Roope Hintz (24) during the second period of Game 5 of the Western Conference finals in the NHL hockey Stanley Cup playoffs, Thursday, May 29, 2025, in Dallas. (AP Photo/Julio Cortez)

McDavid and Oilers going back to Stanley Cup Final after 6-3 win over Stars in Game 5

May 29, 2025

Connor McDavid and the Edmonton Oilers are going to their second Stanley Cup Final in a row. Their captain had a breakaway goal and an assist, 40-year-old Corey Perry scored again and the Oilers beat the Dallas Stars 6-3 to wrap up the Western Conference final in Game 5 on Thursday night. Edmonton scored on its first two shots, and jumped ahead 3-0 in the first 8:07 on way to eliminating the Stars in the West final for the second year in a row. The Oilers now get another rematch, against defending Stanley Cup champion Florida. Game 1 is Wednesday night in Edmonton.

Edmonton Oilers center Mattias Janmark (13) scores against Dallas Stars goaltender Jake Oettinger (29) during the first period of Game 5 of the Western Conference finals in the NHL hockey Stanley Cup playoffs, Thursday, May 29, 2025, in Dallas. (AP Photo/Julio Cortez)

Stars pull goalie Oettinger after Oilers score on 1st 2 shots on way to their 6-3 win in West final

May 29, 2025

Dallas Stars starting goalie Jake Oettinger was pulled after giving up two goals on the only two shots he faced in the first 7:09 of a must-win Game 5 in the Western Conference final against Edmonton. The Stars called a timeout after Mattias Janmark’s short wrister that went under Oettinger’s legs to give the Oilers a 2-0 lead on Thursday night. Casey DeSmith took over in net for the Stars after not playing since April 26, and gave up a goal less than a minute later. Edmonton went into the game with a 3-1 series lead.

Matti Schmid watches his shot off the first tee during the first round of the Charles Schwab Challenge golf tournament at Colonial Country Club in Fort Worth, Texas, Thursday, May 22, 2025. (AP Photo/Julio Cortez)

Griffin and Schmid share lead going into final round at Colonial with No. 1 Scheffler lurking

May 24, 2025

Ben Griffin and Matti Schmid matched each other in the third round at Colonial. They will go into the final round Sunday tied four strokes ahead of the field and with world No. 1 Scottie Scheffler lurking not much further back. Griffin and Schmid shot 2-under 68s on a day when both birdied the first three holes. That are 13-under 197 after posting the same scores for the third day in a row at the Charles Schwab Challenge. Rickie Fowler shot 67 and is third at 201. Scheffler began the day 10 strokes back, but shot a 6-under 64 that included three late bogeys.

Scottie Scheffler watches a tee shot during the first round of the Charles Schwab Challenge golf tournament at Colonial Country Club in Fort Worth, Texas, Thursday, May 22, 2025. (AP Photo/LM Otero)

PGA champ Scheffler still has shot at 3rd win in row with big move at Colonial despite 3 late bogeys

May 24, 2025

Scottie Scheffler knew he had to make a bunch of birdies in the third round at Colonial for any chance to win in his third consecutive start. The world’s No. 1 player did just that, but also had three bogeys on the back nine. Scheffler shot a 6-under 64 at Hogan’s Alley to get to 7 under, and will begin the final round within six strokes of the lead. He began the third round 10 strokes back at the Charles Schwab Challenge. It comes a week after his third major victory at the PGA Championship, and after winning his beloved hometown Byron Nelson tournament earlier this month.

Edmonton Oilers goaltender Stuart Skinner makes a save against the Dallas Stars during the third period in Game 2 of the Western Conference finals in the NHL hockey Stanley Cup playoffs, Friday, May 23, 2025, in Dallas. (AP Photo/LM Otero)

Oilers get even with 3-0 win over Stars in Game 2 of the West final

May 23, 2025

Connor Brown scored after getting hit in the mouth by a skate, Stuart Skinner made 25 saves for his third shutout of the postseason and the Edmonton Oilers beat the Dallas Stars 3-0 in Game 2 on Friday night to even the Western Conference final. Brown put the Oilers up 3-0 with 4:37 left in the second period, connecting 1:13 after defenseman Brett Kulak’s deflection for his first goal in 36 games since Feb. 27. It was early in the second period when officials stopped play with Brown bleeding after taking the toe of Mikael Granlund’s skate when the Stars forward fell down by him near the boards. Ryan Nugent-Hopkins had a power-play goal for the Oilers, who go home for Game 3 on Sunday.

Dallas Stars center Mikael Granlund (64) celebrates a goal with teammates Jason Robertson (21) and Mason Marchment during the third period in Game 1 of the Western Conference finals in the NHL hockey Stanley Cup playoffs against the Edmonton Oilers, Wednesday, May 21, 2025, in Dallas. (AP Photo/LM Otero)

Stars get some secondary scoring and power-play goals, now seek 2-0 series lead over Oilers

May 22, 2025

It’s really not as bad as it sounds for the Dallas Stars that Mikko Rantanen has gone four playoff games in a row without scoring a goal. That just means they are starting to get more points from other players. Dallas won three of those games, the latest 6-3 on Wednesday night in the opener of the Western Conference final rematch against Edmonton. Game 2 is Friday night in Dallas. The Stars scored a franchise playoff-record five goals in the third period, with three of those coming. on power plays. They are the only team in NHL history to twice overcome a multigoal deficit in the third period and win in regulation in the same postseason.

Dallas Stars not getting shut out on power play in this West final against Oilers

May 21, 2025

The Dallas Stars aren’t getting shut out on the power play in the Western Conference final against Edmonton this time. Dallas had three power-play goals in a game-turning 5:26 span early in the third period of their 6-3 series-opening victory Wednesday. It comes a year after going 0 for 14 in six playoff games against the Oilers. Miro Heiskanen scored the first power-play goal only 32 seconds into the third period. Mikael Granlund tied it 3, and Matt Duchene put the Stars ahead to stay. Dallas is only the second team since 1934, when power-play goals were first officially tracked, to have three of them in the opening six minutes of a playoff period.

Stars score 3 PP goals in 5 1/2 minutes early in 3rd, rally to beat Oilers 6-3 in Game 1

May 21, 2025

Miro Heiskanen, Mikael Granlund and Matt Duchene scored power-play goals in a 5:26 span early in the third period and the Dallas Stars opened their Western Conference final rematch against the Edmonton Oilers with a 6-3 victory Wednesday night. Dallas began the third period with a two-goal deficit and a man advantage from a penalty that carried over from the second. Heiskanen scored 32 seconds in, Granlund tied it and Duchene put the Stars ahead to stay with a second-effort score that made it 4-3. Tyler Seguin had two goals and an assist for the Stars. Esa Lindell added a empty-netter that went almost the entire length of the ice. Game 2 is Friday night in Dallas.

STEPHEN HAWKINS Sports Writer.

Texas Tech hoping big money and top transfers lead to unprecedented payback in football

Big 12 commissioner doubles down on preference for 5-11 playoff model if CFP expands

Gulutzan says the Stars were right not keeping him as coach 12 years ago, and now bringing him back

Minjee Lee wins the KPMG Women’s PGA Championship for her 3rd major title

Lexi Thompson recovers from opening triple-bogey top and shank in 3rd round at Women’s PGA

Minjee Lee has 1st bogey-free round at windy Women’s PGA to take 4-shot lead into final day

Jeeno Thitikul extends Women’s PGA lead and semi-retired Lexi Thompson contending for another major

Jeeno Thitikul stays patient and goes on a birdie streak to take first-round lead at Women’s PGA

Top-ranked Nelly Korda even par to start Women’s PGA after reaggravating neck injury

Another quick major chance for top-ranked Nelly Korda when Women’s PGA tees off in Texas

McDavid and Oilers set for another Cup chance against Panthers in a run that feels different

Oilers gladly touched West trophy ahead of Cup rematch. It was hands off for Panthers in the East

McDavid and Oilers going back to Stanley Cup Final after 6-3 win over Stars in Game 5

Stars pull goalie Oettinger after Oilers score on 1st 2 shots on way to their 6-3 win in West final

Griffin and Schmid share lead going into final round at Colonial with No. 1 Scheffler lurking

PGA champ Scheffler still has shot at 3rd win in row with big move at Colonial despite 3 late bogeys

Oilers get even with 3-0 win over Stars in Game 2 of the West final

Stars get some secondary scoring and power-play goals, now seek 2-0 series lead over Oilers

Dallas Stars not getting shut out on power play in this West final against Oilers

Stars score 3 PP goals in 5 1/2 minutes early in 3rd, rally to beat Oilers 6-3 in Game 1

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