The U.S. Olympic Team Wrestle-off for the 60 kg/132 lbs. position on the U.S. Olympic Team in men’s freestyle wrestling will be held in New York City on Thursday, June 7.
 
The event will be held alongside the USA vs. Russia international freestyle dual meet set for Times Square in New York City, also on Thursday, June 7.
 
Three wrestlers will participate in the U.S. Olympic Team Wrestle-off:

· Shawn Bunch, Columbus, Ohio (Gator WC)
· Reece Humphrey, Columbus, Ohio (New York AC)
· Coleman Scott, Stillwater, Okla. (Gator WC)

The U.S. Olympic Team Wrestle-off became necessary because the United States had not yet qualified to compete at the London Olympic Games at 60 kg/132 lbs. in men’s freestyle prior to the U.S. Olympic Team Trials for Wrestling in Iowa City, Iowa, April 21-22.
 
According to the Olympic Trials Procedures for Men’s Freestyle Wrestling, USA Wrestling could hold athletes out of the U.S. Olympic Team Trials in order to participate in Olympic Games Qualifying Events. Bunch and Humphrey were chosen to train for the Olympic Games Qualifiers.
 
Also according to the Olympic Trials Procedures, the winner of the U.S. Olympic Team Trials at the weight class would also become eligible for the Secondary Olympic Trials if the United States was able to qualify the weight class. Scott was the champion at the U.S. Olympic Team Trials in Iowa City.
 
On April 27, Bunch placed third in the World Olympic Games Qualifying Tournament in Taiyuan, China, which qualified the United States to compete in the London Games at 60 kg/132 lbs. At that event, the top three athletes in each weight class qualified their nation to participate in the Olympics.
 
Based upon the Olympic Trials Procedures, as the athlete who qualified the USA for the Olympics, Bunch moves directly into the best-of-three Championship Series for the Olympic berth.
 
Earlier on June 7, there will be a single preliminary match between Humphrey and Scott to determine which athlete advances to the Championship Series against Bunch. The match is scheduled for 1:00 p.m. in Times Square.
 
Bunch will face the Humphrey/Scott winner in the first match of the Championship Series at 6:00 p.m. in Times Square. The second match will be held at approximately 7:20 p.m. If necessary, the third match will be held at approximately 8:20 p.m.
 
Bunch was ranked No. 2 at 60 kg/132 lbs. on 2011-2012 Freestyle Team USA. He placed second in both the 2011 U.S. Open and the 2011 World Team Trials. He was a member of the 2009 U.S. World Team and has won two U.S. Open titles. He was an NCAA runner-up and two-time All-American for Edinboro and hails from Leavenworth, Kan.
 
Humphrey was ranked No. 1 on 2011-2012 Freestyle Team USA. He placed ninth in the 2011 World Championships in Istanbul, Turkey. Humphrey won the 2011 U.S. Open and the 2011 U.S. World Team Trials. He is a two-time University World Championships medalist. He was an NCAA runner-up and two-time All-American for Ohio State and hails from Indianapolis, Ind.
 
Scott was ranked No. 3 on 2011-2012 Freestyle Team USA. He won the 2012 U.S. Olympic Team Trials, defeating Logan Stieber in the Championship Series. He went undefeated in five matches at the 2012 Freestyle World Cup. He was third at the World Team Trials the last three years and was a 2008 U.S. Open runner-up. Scott was a 2008 NCAA champion and four-time All-American for Oklahoma State and hails from Waynesburg, Pa.
 
The international dual meet between the United States and Russia will feature the other six U.S. men’s freestyle wrestlers who won titles at the U.S. Olympic Team Trials and will represent the United States this summer at the London Games.
 
The U.S. lineup will feature Olympic Trials champions Sam Hazewinkel (55 kg), Jared Frayer (66 kg), Jordan Burroughs (74 kg), Jake Herbert (84 kg), Jake Varner (96 kg) and Tervel Dlagnev (120 kg). Competing in the dual at 60 kg will be Olympic Trials runner-up Logan Stieber.
 
Beat the Streets Wrestling, Inc. has also announced two additional Senior-level exhibition matches featuring top stars in both men’s and women’s freestyle wrestling.
 
There will be a battle at 74 kg/163 lbs. in men’s freestyle between college wrestling sensation and three-time NCAA champion Kyle Dake (Ithaca, N.Y./New York AC) and a two-time Olympian and NCAA champion Matt Gentry of Canada.
 
Dake has won three NCAA titles for Cornell University, and became the first wrestler ever to win NCAA Div. I national titles at three different weight classes. Dake placed an impressive fourth at the 2012 U.S. Olympic Team Trials in freestyle wrestling. Gentry, who grew up in Oregon, was an NCAA champion for Stanford University. He competed in the 2008 Beijing Olympic Games for Canada and has qualified to compete again at the 2012 Olympic Games in London, England. Gentry recently beat a strong international field to win the Pan American Olympic Games Qualifying Tournament in Florida.
 
The women’s match will be a battle between two-time U.S. World Team member and three-time FILA Junior World medalist Helen Maroulis (Rockville, Md./New York AC) and 2011 U.S. World Team Trials runner-up Ashley Hudson (Wildwood, Mo./Gator WC-OCU).
 
Maroulis competed in the 2008 and 2011 World Championships for the United States. She was recently second at the 2012 U.S. Olympic Team Trials. Hudson was a WCWA college national champion for Oklahoma City University, and has won a USA Wrestling University Nationals title.
 
In addition to the U.S. Olympic Trials Wrestle-off at 60 kg, the USA vs. Russia dual meet and the two Senior-level exhibition matches, there will be a number of Beat the Streets high school and junior high school youth wrestling matches held in Times Square at 3:00 p.m.
 
Below is the most current tentative schedule for all of the wrestling competition set for Times Square on Thursday, June 7.
 
U.S. OLYMPIC TRIALS WRESTLE-OFF AT 60 KG
At Duffy Square in Times Square, New York, N.Y., June 7
 
Preliminary Match
Reece Humphrey, Columbus, Ohio (New York AC) vs. Coleman Scott, Stillwater, Okla. (Gator WC)
 
Best of Three Championship Series
Shawn Bunch, Columbus, Ohio (Gator WC) vs. winner of Humphrey vs. Scott match
 
TENTATIVE BEAT THE STREETS GALA COMPETITION SCHEDULE
At Duffy Square in Times Square, New York, N.Y., June 7
1:00 PM – U.S. Olympic Trials Wrestle-off at 60 kg – Humphrey vs. Scott preliminary
3:00 PM – Beat the Streets youth wrestling exhibition matches
6:00 PM - U.S. Olympic Trials Wrestle-off at 60 kg – Championship Series Match 1 – Bunch vs. Humphrey/Scott winner
6:10 PM – 55 kg women’s freestyle exhibition – Maroulis vs. Hudson
6:40 PM – USA vs. Russia freestyle dual meet – 55 kg, 60 kg, 66 kg matches
7:10 PM – 74 kg men’s freestyle exhibition – Dake vs. Gentry
7:25 PM - U.S. Olympic Trials Wrestle-off at 60 kg – Championship Series Match 2 – Bunch vs. Humphrey/Scott winner
7:40 PM - USA vs. Russia freestyle dual meet – 74 kg, 84 kg, 96 kg, 120 kg matches
8:20 PM - U.S. Olympic Trials Wrestle-off at 60 kg – Championship Series Match 3 (if necessary)– Bunch vs. Humphrey/Scott winner
 

USA Wrestling and Beat the Streets Wrestling, Inc. has announced that a team of talented athletes from World champion Russia will face the U.S. Olympians who will represent our nation in the London Games in Duffy Square in New York’s Times Square on Thursday, June 7.
 
This major international freestyle wrestling match, billed as “The Grapple in the Big Apple,” will be the featured competition for the 2012 Beat the Streets Gala and Benefit, which will be held following the dual meet at Roseland Ballroom. Included in the Gala is the Beat the Streets Reception and Awards Ceremony.
 
This is the second straight year that Team USA has battled Russia as part of the Beat the Streets Gala in Times Square. In 2011, the United States defeated World champion Russia, 5-2, in a dual meet there. It was the first sports event ever held in historic Times Square, and thousands of fans packed the area to see history in the making.
 
The Russian lineup for the Beat the Streets Gala has not yet been finalized. The final roster will be provided to USA Wrestling at the conclusion of the Russian National Wrestling Championships next week.
 
The U.S. team for the dual meet has been determined. It will feature six of the athletes who earned spots on the men’s freestyle team for the London Games with victories at the U.S. Olympic Team Trials in Iowa City, Iowa, April 21-22.
 
Included on the U.S. roster are four past World medalists:

    2011 World champion Jordan Burroughs at 74 kg/163 lbs.
    2009 World silver medalist Jake Herbert at 84 kg/185 lbs.
    2009 World bronze medalist Tervel Dlagnev at 120 kg/264.5 lbs.
    2011 World bronze medalist Jake Varner at 96 kg/211.5 lbs.

 
Burroughs will have significant local interest, as he is a native of Sicklerville, N.J., where he was a New Jersey state champion for Winslow Township High School in 2006.
 
The other two athletes who will compete for Team USA in London, Sam Hazewinkel at 55 kg/121 lbs. and Jared Frayer at 66 kg/145.5 lbs., will also wrestle on the U.S. team in Times Square.
 
The U.S. Olympian at 60 kg/132 lbs. has not yet been determined. A Special Wrestle-off for the spot between Shawn Bunch, Reece Humphrey and Coleman Scott will be held at a date and location to be announced shortly.
 
Competing in the Beat the Streets dual meet at 60 kg/132 lbs. will be Logan Stieber, a 2011 NCAA champion for Ohio State who placed second behind Scott at the 2012 U.S. Olympic Team Trials in Iowa City.
 
“Anytime you wrestle the Russians, you have to be ready. They are very good, very deep and you can’t look past anyone. We are just coming off of the Freestyle World Cup, and we need our Olympians to compete again. But this is not just about preparation for the Olympic Games. It is an important match that has been on our schedule and we are looking to win,” said National Freestyle Coach Zeke Jones.
 
Coach Jones sees the Grapple in the Big Apple as another step forward for the athletes and the men’s freestyle national program.
 
“At the World Cup, the great thing is that we got to gel as a team. These guys like each other, will fight for each other and want to make the USA the best nation in the world. We came together as a team. We learned a lot about ourselves at the World Cup. We are now working in tactical and technical areas, and in our training camp next week will work on those areas of concentration,” said Jones.
 
The USA vs. Russia event is free to the public, and will be shown on the largest single-faced LED screen in Times Square. A television partner for the event will be announced shortly.
 
This is the third straight year in which a major Olympic-style competition has been featured as part of the Beat the Streets Gala.
 
In 2010, an all-star challenge featuring top U.S. wrestlers was held on the USS Intrepid, an aircraft carrier docked on the west side of Manhattan. Competition was in all three Olympic styles and featured numerous U.S. World Team members and national champions.
 
Once again this year, a card of exhibition matches will be held in Duffy Square, featuring Beat the Streets athletes from middle schools as well as from the Public School Athletic League.
 
A complete schedule of events will be announced shortly.
 
U.S. Roster For Beat The Streets Gala
At Duffy Square in Times Square, New York, N.Y., June 7
55 kg/121 lbs. – Sam Hazewinkel, Norman, Okla. (Sunkist Kids)
60 kg/132 lbs. – Logan Stieber, Monroeville, Ohio (New York AC)
66 kg/145.5 lbs. – Jared Frayer, Norman, Okla. (Gator WC)
74 kg/163 lbs. – Jordan Burroughs, Lincoln, Neb. (Sunkist Kids)
84 kg/185 lbs. – Jake Herbert, Ann Arbor, Mich. (New York AC)
96 kg/211.5 lbs. – Jake Varner, State College, Pa. (Nittany Lion WC)
120 kg/264.5 lbs. – Tervel Dlagnev, Columbus, Ohio (Sunkist Kids)
National Freestyle Coach – Zeke Jones, Colorado Springs, Colo.
Coach – John Smith, Stillwater, Okla.
Coach – Mark Manning, Lincoln, Neb.
Coach – Lou Rosselli, Columbus, Ohio
Coach – Bobby Douglas, Ames, Iowa
Medical and Support Staff – Daryl Miller (athletic trainer), Cyrus Poitier (massage therapist), Jenn Gibson (Nutritionist), Fred Roberto (Chiropractor)

USA Wrestling and Beat the Streets Wrestling, Inc. has announced that a team of talented athletes from World champion Russia will face the U.S. Olympians who will represent our nation in the London Games in Duffy Square in New York’s Times Square on Thursday, June 7.
 
This major international freestyle wrestling match, billed as “The Grapple in the Big Apple,” will be the featured competition for the 2012 Beat the Streets Gala and Benefit, which will be held following the dual meet at Roseland Ballroom. Included in the Gala is the Beat the Streets Reception and Awards Ceremony.
 
This is the second straight year that Team USA has battled Russia as part of the Beat the Streets Gala in Times Square. In 2011, the United States defeated World champion Russia, 5-2, in a dual meet there. It was the first sports event ever held in historic Times Square, and thousands of fans packed the area to see history in the making.
 
The Russian lineup for the Beat the Streets Gala has not yet been finalized. The final roster will be provided to USA Wrestling at the conclusion of the Russian National Wrestling Championships next week.
 
The U.S. team for the dual meet has been determined. It will feature six of the athletes who earned spots on the men’s freestyle team for the London Games with victories at the U.S. Olympic Team Trials in Iowa City, Iowa, April 21-22.
 
Included on the U.S. roster are four past World medalists:

    2011 World champion Jordan Burroughs at 74 kg/163 lbs.
    2009 World silver medalist Jake Herbert at 84 kg/185 lbs.
    2009 World bronze medalist Tervel Dlagnev at 120 kg/264.5 lbs.
    2011 World bronze medalist Jake Varner at 96 kg/211.5 lbs.

 
Burroughs will have significant local interest, as he is a native of Sicklerville, N.J., where he was a New Jersey state champion for Winslow Township High School in 2006.
 
The other two athletes who will compete for Team USA in London, Sam Hazewinkel at 55 kg/121 lbs. and Jared Frayer at 66 kg/145.5 lbs., will also wrestle on the U.S. team in Times Square.
 
The U.S. Olympian at 60 kg/132 lbs. has not yet been determined. A Special Wrestle-off for the spot between Shawn Bunch, Reece Humphrey and Coleman Scott will be held at a date and location to be announced shortly.
 
Competing in the Beat the Streets dual meet at 60 kg/132 lbs. will be Logan Stieber, a 2011 NCAA champion for Ohio State who placed second behind Scott at the 2012 U.S. Olympic Team Trials in Iowa City.
 
“Anytime you wrestle the Russians, you have to be ready. They are very good, very deep and you can’t look past anyone. We are just coming off of the Freestyle World Cup, and we need our Olympians to compete again. But this is not just about preparation for the Olympic Games. It is an important match that has been on our schedule and we are looking to win,” said National Freestyle Coach Zeke Jones.
 
Coach Jones sees the Grapple in the Big Apple as another step forward for the athletes and the men’s freestyle national program.
 
“At the World Cup, the great thing is that we got to gel as a team. These guys like each other, will fight for each other and want to make the USA the best nation in the world. We came together as a team. We learned a lot about ourselves at the World Cup. We are now working in tactical and technical areas, and in our training camp next week will work on those areas of concentration,” said Jones.
 
The USA vs. Russia event is free to the public, and will be shown on the largest single-faced LED screen in Times Square. A television partner for the event will be announced shortly.
 
This is the third straight year in which a major Olympic-style competition has been featured as part of the Beat the Streets Gala.
 
In 2010, an all-star challenge featuring top U.S. wrestlers was held on the USS Intrepid, an aircraft carrier docked on the west side of Manhattan. Competition was in all three Olympic styles and featured numerous U.S. World Team members and national champions.
 
Once again this year, a card of exhibition matches will be held in Duffy Square, featuring Beat the Streets athletes from middle schools as well as from the Public School Athletic League.
 
A complete schedule of events will be announced shortly.
 
U.S. Roster For Beat The Streets Gala
At Duffy Square in Times Square, New York, N.Y., June 7
55 kg/121 lbs. – Sam Hazewinkel, Norman, Okla. (Sunkist Kids)
60 kg/132 lbs. – Logan Stieber, Monroeville, Ohio (New York AC)
66 kg/145.5 lbs. – Jared Frayer, Norman, Okla. (Gator WC)
74 kg/163 lbs. – Jordan Burroughs, Lincoln, Neb. (Sunkist Kids)
84 kg/185 lbs. – Jake Herbert, Ann Arbor, Mich. (New York AC)
96 kg/211.5 lbs. – Jake Varner, State College, Pa. (Nittany Lion WC)
120 kg/264.5 lbs. – Tervel Dlagnev, Columbus, Ohio (Sunkist Kids)
National Freestyle Coach – Zeke Jones, Colorado Springs, Colo.
Coach – John Smith, Stillwater, Okla.
Coach – Mark Manning, Lincoln, Neb.
Coach – Lou Rosselli, Columbus, Ohio
Coach – Bobby Douglas, Ames, Iowa
Medical and Support Staff – Daryl Miller (athletic trainer), Cyrus Poitier (massage therapist), Jenn Gibson (Nutritionist), Fred Roberto (Chiropractor)

Publisher Mohawk Media has launched its Mr. T series through its range of environmentally-friendly, paperless Eco Comics.

Mr. T joins other famous names at Eco Comics including Dracula, Robin Hood, Dick Turpin, and Tough Guy.

The Hollywood hard man, renowned for his image of Mohawk haircut, gold chains and catchphrases, previously appeared in print in the publisher’s graphic novels.

Editor Stuart Buckley says: “It was always our intention to release the Mr. T graphic novel as a comic book series. Each chapter was intentionally structured to be the same length as a comic book.

“However, we’ve had to adjust to market demands. The graphic novel has sold out. The digital titles of Eco Comics have no print run, and so will never sell out, meaning every T fan can order a copy. The added satisfaction is that the environment hasn’t suffered as a result of paper production.

“The clean cut art of JL Czerniawski makes this series a joy to behold in any format.”

“This is great, and I am truly humbled,” is how Mr. T describes becoming the star of a comic book in the foreword. And in the world exclusive interviews throughout the series, he goes further, including stating why he is an even tougher comic book hero than Wolverine.

Series writer Chris Bunting adds: “I’ve gone to great lengths to do things never attempted, such as making T as close to a super hero as possible while retaining his classic persona. After over twenty-five years of fame, this action icon finally gets a rogues’ gallery, and even a new catchphrase. Old and new T fans can expect plenty of other surprises too.

“Plus the amazing formats offered by Eco Comics really help bring this classic character into the digital age.”

The first five issues of Mr. T are available to order now in various digital formats via the Eco Comics store: www.mohawkmedia.co.uk/ecocomics The US dollar cover price is 0.99 for the first issue, and 1.95 for subsequent issues.

The John McEnroe Tennis Academy today named New York native Lawrence Kleger as its new Director of Tennis. Kleger, a 25 year coaching veteran, has been the Executive Director of Tennis at Sportime Clubs since 1998, and an Assistant Academy Director at JMTA since September 2011. He was hand-picked by McEnroe for the position.

Additionally, JMTA is also announcing its expansion to Long Island and Westchester, with new annexes of the Academy to be housed at Sportime Bethpage in central Long Island,  a six court indoor facility that has long been Sportime’s high performance training home, and at Sportime Lake Isle, a brand new eight court facility in the Town of Eastchester in southern Westchester.

The Bethpage and Lake Isle annexes will make training opportunities for Long Island, Westchester and Connecticut residents easier and closer to home, while, at the same time, giving those students pathways to training at the original Academy at Sportime Randall’s Island. These moves are the latest in a series that are designed to expand the McEnroe Academy’s impact on the growth of tennis and the lives of young athletes in the New York area.

“There are few if any people who understand my philosophy and are as well respected in coaching as Lawrence Kleger,” said McEnroe. “Lawrence‘s track record in developing well-rounded young tennis players speaks for itself, and we are very excited to have him in this position as we expand our reach to help those interested in playing competitive tennis in the tri-state area.”

“I am a big believer in John’s philosophy, which is multi-faceted, but starts with a non-residential academy setting, offering a world-class coaching staff and training methods.  I know that we are going to produce some great young tennis players, and I am excited to take this new position,” Kleger said. “The Academy is off to a great start in its first two years and I am looking forward to helping grow it even further in my new role.”

Kleger has coached more ranked junior tennis players than any other tennis coach in the history of the USTA Eastern Section, and is most proud that his students have won 18 USTA Eastern Year-End Sportsmanship Awards. In addition to running high level programs at JMTA, and at Sportime Clubs in Syosset and Bethpage on Long Island, he is also the personal coach of Noah Rubin, who now trains at JMTA and who has been Lawrence’s student since the age of 7.  Rubin is a top American prospect and achieved a career-best #18 ITF junior world ranking for boys 18 and under this January (despite having just turned 16 in February) and is top ranked in U.S. 16 and under standings.

“The Avengers” fever has hit the world by storm, with the newly-released feature film racking up huge box office numbers and critical acclaim, and interest in all things related to the blockbuster franchise soaring.  What could be better for fans than meeting some of the men and women who have made the characters and stories such a huge hit?

At Wizard World Philadelphia Comic Con, at the Pennsylvania Convention Center, fans can meet Chris Hemsworth, who plays Thor, Stan Lee, co-creator of the franchise and its characters, and more than a dozen comic book artists who have worked on numerous titles.   Hemsworth, who also stars as the ‘Huntsman’ in Universal’s big revisionist fairy tale SNOW WHITE AND THE HUNTSMAN opposite Charlize Theron and Kristen Stewart this summer, will attend the event on Saturday, June 2, while Lee will be on hand from Friday, June 1, through Sunday, June 3.  Lee is simply one of the most influential leaders in the comics industry, as he has been for decades.  Both will meet fans, be available for photo ops, sign autographs and discuss their respective roles in the franchise’s success.

But it doesn’t stop there.  Lou Ferrigno, known to millions as “The Incredible Hulk” from the 1977-82 hit TV series and provided the voice for The Hulk in the current film, will also be on hand from Friday through Sunday, June 1-3.

And at least 15 creators, whose credits in addition to the flagship “Avengers” include popular titles such as “Ultimate Avengers vs. New Ultimates,” “Avengers Assemble,” “Mighty Avengers” and  “Avengers Academy,” will have Wizard World Philadelphia Comic Con Artist Alley tables, featuring their “Avengers” work and sketching for fans.  Among the talented artists are Carlo Pagulayan, Stephen Segovia, Harvey Tolibao, Ariel Olivetti, Kate Bradley, Jim Calafiore, Mike Lilly, Khoi Pham, Tom Raney, Mark Stegbauer, Miguel Sepulveda, Tom Raney, Jamal Igle, Alitha E. Martinez and Rodney Ramos.

Other top celebrities such as William Shatner (“Star Trek,” “Boston Legal”), Scott Bakula (“Star Trek: Enterprise,” “Quantum Leap”), Jeri Ryan (“Star Trek: Voyager,” “Body of Proof”), WWE® Superstar CM Punk™ and Bruce Campbell (Army of Darkness, “Burn Notice”) are also scheduled among more than 60 special guests at Wizard World Philadelphia Comic Con.

Wizard World Philadelphia Comic Con, produced by Wizard World, Inc. (WIZD.PK), will bring together thousands of fans of all ages and dozens of celebrities and industry professionals to celebrate the best in pop-fi, pop culture, movies, graphic novels, comics, toys, video gaming, television, sci-fi, gaming, original art, collectibles, contests and more.

For more on the event, including hours, celebrities, creators, vendors, VIP and photo opportunities, programming schedules, evening entertainment, autographs, sponsorship and volunteer information and more, visit http://www.wizardworldcomiccon.com/home-pa.html.

About Wizard World:
Wizard World produces Comic Cons and pop culture conventions across North America that celebrate graphic novels, comic books, movies, TV shows, gaming, technology, toys and social networking. The events often feature celebrities from movies and TV, artists and writers, and events such as premieres, gaming tournaments, panels, and costume contests.

Triple crown talk might be a bit premature for Rangers’ slugger Josh Hamilton.  But 30 games into the season, his gaudy .406 average, 14 home runs and 36 RBI lead all of baseball.  And the summer heat hasn’t even hit Rangers Ballpark in Arlington.

Hamilton’s torrid opening stretched, buoyed by the 16th four-homer day in history Tuesday in Baltimore, has the Rangers off to their best start in team history at 20-10.  He mixed in a double with those four, two-run bombs, for 18 total bases, most in a single game in A.L. history, on a 5-for-5 night.  By the time you read this, he may have played today’s doubleheader at Oriole Park, right up there with The Ballpark on the hitter-friendly scale.

Coming off a good but, for his standards, unspectacular 2011, Hamilton made at least one slight gear adjustment this year, adding two new colors, all red and Royal/red, to his custom-designed Carbon Fibre® II Digital® Pro Franklin batting gloves.

On Tuesday, he picked out a pair of the Royal/reds (like the ones pictured here).  Good choice.  Don’t be surprised if a stylish pair looking a lot like these ends up behind glass in Cooperstown one day soon.

Chris Hanley’s Muse Productions, the independent production house behind American Psycho, The Virgin Suicides, Buffalo ‘66 and Spun, fresh off a Harmony Korine’s Spring Breakers is set to produce Tranzloco, from an original screenplay penned by cult favorite Will De Los Santos (Spun, and the upcoming Mama Black Widow).  Tranzloco will also be De Los Santos’ directorial debut.

Jonathan Fong from Muse Productions will also produce.  Bradford L. Schlei of Stone Canyon Entertainment is executive producing and Vincent Maraval’s Wild Bunch will handle international distribution.

Budgeted at under $5 million, Tranzloco, which is only being described as a story of brotherhood, forgiveness and acceptance, takes place in the Lincoln Heights, Echo Park and East Hollywood neighborhoods of Los Angeles.  Casting begins later this month with principle photography commencing this August.

NBC Sports Emmy Award-winning “Voice of Monday Night Football” Al Michaels becomes the fifth recipient of the Vin Scully Lifetime Achievement Award in Sports Broadcasting from WFUV Radio on Thursday night. His NBC colleague and fellow Emmy-winner Bob Costas, also a contributor at MLB Network, will pinch hit and accept the award on the behalf of Michaels at WFUV Spring Gala at Gotham Hall in New York City from Fordham’s powerhouse 50,000-watt National Public Radio Station.

Michaels has a family wedding which will force him to miss receiving the hardware in person.

Scully, a proud product of Fordham and WFUV where he honed his broadcast skills before joining the Brooklyn Dodgers, was the inaugural recipient (2008) of the honor that bears his name. Previous recipients also include: Dick Enberg (2009), Ernie Harwell (2010), and Pat Summerall (2011).

Michaels on Scully: “There’s nothing better than receiving an honor with Vin Scully’s name attached to it.  I’ve been listening to Vin since I was six or seven years old growing up in Brooklyn and he’s been a tremendous inspiration.”
 
Scully on Michaels: “Al Michaels is truly a master at his craft, and the consummate professional. He has brought excellence to the airwaves in all of his assignments – from the Super Bowl to the World Series, and everything in between.”

They haven’t been in the limelight as much for their athletic ability in recent months, but both UFC star Georges St-Pierre and tennis legend Serena Williams continue to prove they have more than their share of star power. The two unlikely partners teamed up for a series of events in New York recently, touting their involvement with MISSION Athletecare and their new ENDURACOOL product. While Williams and St. Pierre fight in different ways on the tennis court and in The Octagon, their worry about recovery from injury and overheating at key points in competition is something any athlete on any level can identify with.  

“It is such a worry about overheating when you are competing,” St-Pierre said, “and this technology helps battle that. It works so much better than ice when you are training in any sport, I think it can be a big asset to improve the competitive nature of the UFC or any place where you have a chance of overheating.”

When dry, the fabric acts as a super-absorbent cloth – but when it’s wet and snapped in the air, the technology activates, cooling the fabric to nearly 59 degrees in just a few minutes. The cooling effects last for hours, and are easily reactivated by simply re-wetting the towel. The fabric also has an Ultraviolet Protection Factor (UPF) 45 to provide sun protection when covering the skin.

“The first time the lab team demonstrated the technology, I was blown away,” added Williams. “They put the fabric in 125 degree water. They wrung it out and snapped it in the air. Within minutes the temperature of the fabric measured 59 degrees. The opportunity for this technology in Tennis is huge. When we have a break in between matches, we need to cool down fast”

Although there is some question as to whether the revolutionary new fabric can be used in professional competition at this point (both Williams and St-Pierre are huge advocates, as are golfer Sergio Garcia and Orlando Magic star Dwight Howard), the athletes said they will do all they can to help get the word out and the fabric adopted as part of their event routine. “I am using it as I start training, and I can’t see why it would not be good for everyone,” St-Pierre said. “It changes the way you can recover and is a positive for any athlete who is overheating, it is great to be involved with the MISSION.”