Fresno Pacific Advances In NAIA Tournament

Tulsa, Ok- In the first round of the NAIA Division 1 Basketball Tournament, Fresno Pacific defeated Springfield College 81-56.

The game began with each team exchanging baskets, keeping the score relatively close. Midway through the contest, the game remained fairly close as Fresno Pacific was leading only by nine point.

Lead by Moore and Amundson, the Fresno Pacific team came out at halftime and steadily began to pull away from Springfield.

"When we left the locker room at halftime, I believe we had a different mentality. We knew we were so much better than Springfield, but didn't really show it during the first half," said Moore. "I believe we came back out in the second half and proved to everyone that we are a force in this tournament."

After the game I spoke with Springfield Coach Rick Pouncey who said, "Coming into this game we were the underdogs. Obviously the game did not turn out the way we wanted to, but my boys put forth a great effort and did not give up. "

Players on each squad made a strong contribution to their teams. Leading the way for Fresno Pacific was Kareem Moore with 24 points and Ty Amundson with 18 points. The top performer for Springfield was Muldrow with 20 points

Football Injuries

REDMON, CA- Pete Stenhoff was once a 210-pound linebacker for Chula Vista High School who enjoyed playing football. His playing days ended unexpectedly two years ago when he rammed his helmet in the chest of a ball carrier cracking vertebrae in his neck. He hasn’t walked since.

Stenhoff's case is one of 20,000 football related injuries that take place in America annually. Like Stenhoff, nearly 2,400 players are left disabled from their injury. He is more fortunate than others. Thirteen players died last year as a result of a football injury.

Everyone knows that football is a dangerous sport, but injuries are not intended to happen. Many critics place the blame for the 7,000 annual neck and head injuries on the helmet design. Their concerns being that there is not enough support of the brain upon impact

Stenhoff was not able to graduate with his class, but he continues take correspondence courses in order to obtain his diploma. Despite suffering a life- changing injury, he is not bitter. “I knew the risks before I decided to play, but I wish I would have known just how bad it could be.”