Confirmed: 2010 AVP season is over

Earlier Misty May-Treanor tweeted that the 2010 Assn. of Volleyball Professionals season is over.

Now the AVP has confirmed with the following release:

AVP Tour suspends operations

2010 season cut short

LOS ANGELES – The AVP Tour today announced it has closed its doors due to financial hardship, cutting short the 2010 season. AVP ownership is not funding the tour and the AVP has been unsuccessful at finding new investors.

“On behalf of AVP staff we want to express our sincere gratitude to fans, players, partners and sponsors,” said Jason Hodell, AVP CEO. “Words cannot express our profound disappointment.”

“Through the course of this investor search we have encountered individuals and groups with intelligence, common sense and a passion for the game of beach volleyball,” said Mike Dodd, AVP commissioner. “Unfortunately, the time constraints were such that pulling the trigger on the amount of money necessary to salvage this season were too great. Ironically this sad news comes as we approach the 50th anniversary of the Manhattan Open, our sport’s crown jewel and the one event that showed us all we could dream big. The Open has seen its ups and downs over the years and always persevered.  I’m sure our sport will do the same.”

Created in 1983 as a players’ association, the AVP first ran the United States’ domestic tour in 1988. For the past 23 years the AVP Tour has featured arguably the best beach volleyball in the world, with AVP athletes winning at least one gold medal in every Olympics since beach volleyball became an Olympic sport in 1996.

May-Treanor says AVP season is over

Misty May-Treanor tweeted that the Assn. of Volleyball Professionals season is over.

The AVP has been in danger of folding with its financial struggles.

“If no one hasn’t heard, the AVP season is over!!!! I am sure they will come out with a press release. Thank u for all of your support,” May-Treanor wrote on her Twitter.

More on this story will be coming.

UPDATE: AVP website now says – AVP suspends operations

Coach Sam Bailey to miss Junior Olympics with CdM

Sam Bailey, Corona del Mar High’s new girls’ water polo coach, will not be coaching the Sea Kings next week at the S&R Sport USA Water Polo National Junior Olympics.

From the Daily Pilot

The Sea Kings’ next event takes them to Los Angeles County to compete in the S&R Sport USA Water Polo National Junior Olympics. This time, Bailey will not be around to lead the teenagers.

The 33-year-old is leading another cause that is dear to his heart.

While the Sea Kings prepare today for the four-day tournament that starts on Thursday, Bailey plans to be in the air for 10 hours. His flight is to Ecuador, where for the next three weeks he and four dozen volunteers will try to empower communities.

Bailey is the founder of Eco Surf Volunteers and he and his staff do not just ride waves while in Ecuador. The organization is in its third year, and every time Bailey visits, he wants to help the people of Canoa.

Continue reading: CdM doesn’t lose step with Bailey

Tiger Woods still atop athlete moneymakers

Tiger Woods, a part-time Corona del Mar resident, is No. 1 among the 50 highest-earning American athletes, according to the Fortunate 500 at SI.com.

Woods lost $22 million in endorsements compared to last year from the fallout of his infidelity and made-for-tabloid news. But he’s still projected to make $90,508,163 in 2010. Woods also topped the list last year.

The Los Angeles Lakers’ two-time NBA finals MVP Kobe Bryant, a Newport Coast resident, is at No. 7, just like last year. He’s at $33, 034, 375, just behind his nemesis Shaquille O’Neal. The big fella is at $36,000,000.

Torii Hunter of the Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim is No. 41 at $18,500,000.

Mark Sanchez, who grew up in Mission Viejo, is No. 48 at $16,962,280.

Tennis star Maria Sharapova, who played for the Newport Beach Breakers Tuesday night, is No. 20 on list for the 20 highest-earning international athletes.

Tiger Woods, make room for Kobe Bryant

Kobe Bryant, a Newport Coast resident, has caught Tiger Woods, a part-time Corona del Mar resident, as the favorite American sports star.

Woods was on top by himself since 2006, but the Los Angeles Lakers All-Star guard moved up from fourth a year ago to take a share of the top spot, Harris Interactive said, according to a story by the Associated Press.

Among female athletes, beach volleyball star Misty May-Treanor, a former Newport Harbor High standout, was tied for seventh with gymnast Shawn Johnson.

Sisters Serena and Venus Williams were 1-2.

It is interesting, perhaps sensational, that the most popular men’s sports stars are two guys who have been in the news for infidelity.

Kobe has bounced back in a big way from his rape charge that he was cleared of.  People are still drawn to Tiger.

This shows sports could be taken as just a form of entertainment.

CdM wins Tournament of Champions

(Photo courtesy of Tamra Greenlee)

The Corona del Mar High girls’ water polo team came out on top after another Battle of the Bay classic. The Sea Kings beat Newport Harbor, 5-4, in sudden-death triple overtime to win the Summer Tournament of Champions in Santa Barbara last weekend.

Cassidy Papa scored the game-winning goal from six meters out 3 minutes, 45 seconds into sudden-death triple overtime.

… Continue Reading

CdM’s Brian Ford to play soccer for UC Davis

Brian Ford, left, has verbally committed to UC Davis

Brian Ford, a standout soccer player who will be a senior at Corona del Mar High in the fall, has verbally committed to UC Davis, his father, Dan, said Wednesday.

Ford has confirmed to accept a scholarship to play soccer for the Aggies.  The university’s academics, the team’s caliber of play and the opportunity to play right away were key factors in his decision, as over 50 schools contacted the versatile speedy midfielder.

… Continue Reading

Dr. Daniel Amen featured in NFL story

Dr. Daniel Amen, a mental-health practitioner whose Amen Clinic is in Newport Beach, is featured in a story about concussions by Alex Marvez of foxsports.com.

In the story, “Effect of concussions poses challenges after playing days,” Marvez writes that, “Amen’s critics have decried a lack of scientific scrutiny for some of his claims and methodology. Amen told FOXSports.com that he stands by the validity of his research.”

… Continue Reading

Misty May-Treanor to sign her book in Huntington Beach

Misty-May-Treanor won’t be far from her old stomping grounds on Tuesday night.

The former Newport Harbor High standout, a two-time Olympic gold medalist, will discuss and sign her memoir, “Misty: Digging Deep in Volleyball and Life,” at the Barnes & Noble in Huntington Beach at 7.

In the book, May-Treanor shares the story of her life, which included standout performances at nearby Newport Harbor and Long Beach State. The book also details her background, growing up with two parents who battled alcoholism. May-Treanor also reveals behind-the scenes stories about her climb in beach volleyball and winning two gold medals with Kerri Walsh.

May-Treanor will be competing with Nicole Branagh in the Hermosa Beach Open as part of the Assn. of Volleyball Professionals Tour this weekend.

Barnes & Noble bookstore is at Bella Terra shopping center, 7881 Edinger Ave. No. 110.

For additional information call (714) 897-8781.

It’s fun to be a fan at FanFest

When I posed the question – What does it mean for you to have the All-Star game here? – to Major League Baseball Hall of Famer Rod Carew, I thought for a brief moment that I could answer it.

I could have dozens of microphones and tape recorders in front of me amid cameras flashing and video cameras recording my every word. But just for one moment. I thought it could happen at the MLB All-Star FanFest in Anaheim.

I took the media hard-hat tour Thursday and removed my sports editor label to become a fan. Across the street from Disneyland, a baseball carnival is taking place at the Anaheim Convention Center.

I must admit, the MLB All-Star FanFest seems geared more toward youth, but it can bring out the kid in mostly any adult. That’s what happened to me Thursday.

… Continue Reading