Former coach Kush dies
Frank Kush, the fearsome coach who transformed Arizona State from a backwater football program into a powerhouse, has died. He was 88. Arizona State confirmed the death on Thursday. Kush compiled a 176-54-1 record while coaching the Sun Devils from 1958-’79. His teams won two Border Conference and seven Western Athletic Conference titles.
Arizona State won the Peach Bowl in 1970 and the first three Fiesta Bowls. His 1975 team went 12-0, capped by a 17-14 Fiesta Bowl victory over Nebraska. Kush’s intense style figured prominently in his firing in October 1979 for what the university said was his interference in an internal investigation of allegations by a former player of physical and mental harassment against the coach.
He was head coach of the NFL’s Colts for two years in Baltimore and one in Indianapolis from 1982-’84, compiling an 11-28-1 record. Kush also spent one season as head coach of the Hamilton Tiger-Cats of the Canadian Football League.
NFL
The New Orleans Saints signed former Wisconsin offensive tackle Ryan Ramczyk to a four-year contract on Thursday.
The 6-foot-6, 314-pound Ramczyk was drafted 32nd overall. Ramczyk started all 14 games at left tackle last season for the Badgers, who averaged 203.1 yards rushing per game.
The lineman was voted first-team All-America and All-Big Ten after allowing one sack. GOLF
Jordan Spieth hit a wedge to 4 feet for birdie on the final hole for a 7-under 63 and a one-stroke lead in the Travelers Championship in Cromwell, Conn.
Making his first appearance at TPC River Highlands, the 23-year-old Texan had eight birdies and a bogey in his afternoon round after tying for 35th last week in the U.S. Open at Erin Hills.
Johnson Wagner and Brett Stegmaier each shot 64.
Rory McIlroy had a 67 and Jason Day shot a 72. They missed the cut in the U.S. Open.
Menonomee Falls native Mark Wilson opened with a 74. HOCKEY
The Milwaukee Admirals announced that they will kick off their home schedule on Oct. 20 at 7 p.m.
The opponent as well as the rest of the 76-game schedule will be released by the American Hockey League later this summer. BOWLING
Lindsay Boomershine held the lead after the second round of qualifying in the Go Bowling PWBA Players Championship at the Ashwaubenon Bowling Alley in Green Bay.
Boomershine, who is from Perry, Utah, had a 12game total of 2,633. She averaged 219. Kelly Kulick of Union, N.J., was second at 2,630. Waukesha’s Samantha Kelly was 43rd with a total of 2,288.