Announcement of Anthony Weaver as new defensive coordinator via Miami Dolphins social media accounts.
SARATOGA SPRINGS/MIAMA — Anthony Weaver, a former Saratoga Springs High School football player and member of the Blue Streaks Hall of Fame, has been named the new defensive coordinator of the Miami Dolphins. Weaver had attracted interest from a number of teams for vacant positions, including head coach of the Atlanta Falcons and head coach of the Washington Commanders.
In a statement, Dolphins head coach Mike McDaniel said he was “excited to add Anthony to our staff, not only for what he will bring to the Dolphins as a teacher and coach, but even more so who he is as a leader of men.”
Prior to being hired by Miami, Weaver was the assistant head coach and defensive line coach for the Baltimore Ravens. He also had coaching stints with the New York Jets, Buffalo Bills, Cleveland Browns, and Houston Texans. Prior to coaching, he was a defensive end for the Ravens and Texans. He was a second-round pick in the 2002 NFL Draft.
CLIFTON PARK — Van Patten Golf Club unveiled its “VP Suites” golf simulators last Thursday. Using the aG Curve Golf Simulators created by aboutGOLF, players can tee-off virtually at a variety of acclaimed courses, such Pebble Beach Golf Links, while also obtaining ball data such as speed, carry distance, and backspin.
“This is a pivotal moment for us, and we’re eager to share our vision for the future of golf at Van Patten,” said Bob Kennedy, Director of Golf at Van Patten Golf Club, in a statement.
To learn more, visit www.vanpattengolf.com/vpsuites.
Ballston Spa’s Mia Collins poses with the final bracket of the NYSPHSAA Girls’ Wrestling Invitational. Photo via @NYSPHSAA X/Twitter account.
SYRACUSE — Ballston Spa junior Mia Collins captured the New York State Girls’ Wrestling Invitational title last weekend in Syracuse. Collins won four matches in the tournament. Last month, she finished first in the Eastern States Girls’ Classic, and took home the Section 2 girls’ title.
Ongoing Review Of Saratoga Springs City School District’s Athletic Program
SARATOGA SPRINGS — At a Board of Education Meeting on January 25, Dr. Michael Patton, Superintendent of Schools for the Saratoga Springs City School District, said that an ongoing independent review of the district’s athletic program should be completed “about a month or so from now.” The review is being led by Tracie Lopardi of the Harris Beach law firm. Lopardi and her partners have examined documents and conducted “many interviews,” according to Dr. Patton.
The review stems from claims of “a toxic culture of alleged abusive coaching” in a legal complaint filed in October of last year. Girls varsity cross-country and indoor track coaches Art and Linda Kranick were at the center of the allegations. 1989 graduate Kristen (Gecewicz) Gunning said that the running program was “a toxic culture of control and abuse of middle and high school girls all in the name of winning.” 1999 graduate Lauren Hogan said that some aspects of the Kranicks’ program “caused immense damage to me both mentally and physically.”
An updated version of the legal complaint from October 30 included more than a dozen witnesses who made various claims against the Saratoga Springs High School track program. The claims spanned from the 1980s to 2022.
2024 Belmont Stakes logo via the New York Racing Association Inc.
SARATOGA SPRINGS —This year’s Belmont Stakes Racing Festival at the Saratoga Race Course will feature 23 stakes races with purses totaling $10.1 million, the New York Racing Association (NYRA) announced last week. This is the first time in Belmont history that the total purses will exceed $10 million. NYRA also announced that tickets will go on sale February 15, and fans attending the festival will not be allowed to bring in alcoholic beverages.
Schedule and Purse Info Revealed
Many races will see significant purse increases, including the Grade 1 Belmont Stakes (from $1.5 million to $2 million), the Grade 1 Resorts World Casino Manhattan (from $750,000 to $1 million), the Grade 1 New York (from $600,000 to $750,000), and the Grade 3 Poker (from $200,000 to $350,000). An additional $100,000 will also be added to the purses of the Grade 1 Woody Stephens, the Grade 1 Jaipur, and the Grade 2 True North.
On Thursday, June 6, the festival will open with four stakes, led by the Grade 2, $250,000 Belmont Gold Cup. Friday will feature three Grade 1 events. Saturday will include six Grade 1 races, culminating with the Belmont Stakes. It will also include the $1 million Resorts World Casino Manhattan for older horses, and the seven-furlong $500,000 Woody Stephens for sophomores. The festival will conclude on Sunday with New York Showcase Day, featuring six stakes exclusively for New York-breds.
For the complete Belmont Stakes Racing Festival stakes schedule, visit BelmontStakes.com/schedule.
Tickets on Sale February 15
General admission tickets, hospitality offerings, and reserved seats for the Belmont Stakes Racing Festival will go on sale at 10 a.m. EST on Thursday, February 15. Four-day general admission passes will cost $90. Single-day admission passes will also be available. General admission on Thursday and Sunday will be $10. General admission will be $30 on Friday. General admission on Saturday, Belmont Stakes Day, will be $50.
General admission tickets will allow access to the backyard, picnic tables, and apron. Reserved picnic tables will be available for purchase in the picnic paddock area. There will be a random drawing at no additional cost for those interested in reserving picnic tables.
Tickets can be purchased on February 15 at BelmontStakes.com/tickets. Advance pre-sale opportunities are also available by signing up at BelmontStakes.com/pre-sale.
No Outside Alcohol Allowed
Unlike most races at Saratoga, fans will not be permitted to bring alcoholic beverages into the venue during the Belmont festival. Coolers containing food and non-alcoholic beverages will be allowed. The rules reflect standard policies at Belmont Park, despite the race not occuring there this year.
Photo of Skidmore’s new men’s soccer coach,Brad Campion via Skidmore Athletics.
SARATOGA SPRINGS —Skidmore College has hired Brad Campion as the new head coach of the men’s soccer team.
Campion was an assistant coach at Division I University of New Hampshire (UNH) for the past two years. While at UNH, Campion worked on a coaching staff that was honored with two America East Coaching Staff of the Year awards.
Prior to UNH, Campion served a two-year stint as the head coach at DIII New England College, where he led the 2021 team to a New England Collegiate Conference (NECC) title and NCAA Tournament appearance. In 2021, he won the NECC Coach of the Year award
“Brad stood out among an impressive group of candidates with a background focused on developing the whole student while remaining committed to excellence in the classroom and on the field,” said Skidmore athletics director Gail Cummings-Danson in a statement.
“I would like to sincerely thank Gail Cummings-Danson, the search committee and athletic department members, and current Skidmore men’s soccer student-athletes for providing such a great experience during the interview process,” Campion said. “I quickly learned that Skidmore had a positive, tight-knit culture and that the people on campus truly support one another.”
Broadalbin — Left-handed relief pitcher Matt Gage has been picked up by the New York Yankees after he was placed on waivers by the Houston Astros. Gage is an upstate New York native who attended Broadalbin-Perth High School, about 30 minutes west of Saratoga Springs. For three years, he pitched for Siena College in Loudonville, before being drafted by the San Francisco Giants. In a post on his X account, Gage said he was “very blessed for every new opportunity to Chase the Dream!” In the majors, Gage has pitched for both the Astros and the Toronto Blue Jays for a combined 19.2 innings and 1.83 ERA.
Gage joins East Greenbush native Kevin Smith as the second player with local roots to be signed by the New York Yankees this off-season.
New York State Senator James Tedisco poses with former MLB pitcher Bartolo Colón at the State Capitol in Albany. Photo via @JamesTedisco Twitter/X account.
ALBANY — The New York State Senate honored retired MLB pitcher Bartolo Colón last week. The resolution recognized Colón’s “outstanding career, significant contributions to the state of New York, and his role as a proud Dominican immigrant who brought glory and excitement to the sport.” Senator James Tedisco, who represents Saratoga County, co-sponsored the legislation and met with Colón.
Colón, nicknamed “Big Sexy,” played for nearly a dozen teams, including the New York Yankees and New York Mets. He was a four-time All-Star with a career WAR of 46.2 across 3,461 innings pitched.
Photo of Schuylerville varsity basketball player Luke Sherman provided by Taryn Kane.
HUDSON FALLS — Schuylerville star Luke Sherman shattered his school’s all-time boys basketball scoring record with 22 points against Hudson Falls on Tuesday. With a long three-pointer in the third quarter, Sherman reached 1,318 points, surpassing Eric Stover’s 1,317-point record set in 1978. The Schuylerville Black Horses went on to win the game, 46 to 43.
The all-time scoring record for both boys and girls basketball stands at 1,566, set by Carol Cheney in 1986.
The National Museum of Racing and Hall of Fame logo
SARATOGA SPRINGS — The National Museum of Racing and Hall of Fame is hosting a “Countdown to the Triple Crown” fundraiser on Saturday, February 3. Dozens of silent auction items will be available for both in-person and online bids. Guests can attend the event at the museum from 5 p.m. to 7 p.m. Wine, beer, soda, light refreshments, and entertainment will be provided.
To purchase tickets, visit: http://1049a.blackbaudhosting.com/1049a/2nd-Annual-Countdown-to-the-Triple-Crown or call 5180584-0400.
