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USA Today
15 hours ago
- Sport
- USA Today
Ohio State basketball head coach Jake Diebler provides summer program update
Ohio State basketball head coach Jake Diebler provides summer program update The Ohio State basketball team has started its offseason workouts as it prepares to put the pieces in place for the 2025-2026 season. It welcomed in some former players the last few days for "Vet Week," has done a lot of five-on-five scrimmaging, gone through conditioning, and worked through many drills and skill development already. The hope is that this year is going to be much, much better than what we've seen over the last three years when the Buckeyes missed the NCAA Tournament. It'll be head coach Jake Diebler's second year, and he sorely needs to build some momentum to turn this program around and get it where everyone believes it should be. Diebler met with the media this week to provide an update on summer workouts, where the team stands, how the House Settlement impacts the program, and much more. We are sharing the entire video of the press conference thanks to the Columbus Dispatch, so you can get Diebler's full comments. Dielber and his staff have a good mix of returning scorers and new blood that will need to mix together and find the chemistry and identity to make a big leap forward. Whether or not that happens remains to be seen, but we're all here putting the optimism out in the universe hoping it all comes to fruition this season. Contact/Follow us @BuckeyesWire on X (formerly Twitter) and like our page on Facebook to follow ongoing coverage of Ohio State news, notes and opinion. Follow Phil Harrison on X.
Hindustan Times
5 days ago
- Entertainment
- Hindustan Times
JJ Spaun family: Who is wife Melody Means Spaun, children and parents? All on US Open winner
JJ Spaun came from behind to pip the likes of Sam Burns and Adam Scott to win the 2025 US Open golf championship on Sunday at Oakmont Country Club. Spaun managed to cover up his six shots off the lead to claw back his way into winning the title. The 34-year-old entered the final round, playing alongside Viktor Hovland. Sam Burns and Adam Scott were in the final group, with Burns holding a one-shot lead entering the final round. Here is a look at JJ Spaun's family: JJ Spaun is the son of John and Dollie Spaun. He grew up with his family in San Dimas in Los Angeles, County, California. His mother, Dollie Spaun, is of Mexican & Filipino descent and worked as an office manager while the golfer's father, John Spaun, has worked as a hospital administrator, according to the Daily Tribune. According to a 2018 article in the Columbus Dispatch, Spaun's parents were both golfers. Spaun married Melody Means Spaun in 2019. The couple met through friends in California and live together in Scottsdale, Arizona. She didn't know much about golf when they met, but became a big part of his career. The couple has two daughters Emerson and Violet. According to his Instagram page, Emerson was born on her mother's birthday in 2020. Violet was born in 2023 just days before Spaun played in the Travelers Championship.
USA Today
5 days ago
- Sport
- USA Today
Ohio State Sports Information Director Jerry Emig to retire next year
Ohio State Sports Information Director Jerry Emig to retire next year If you've been around Ohio State athletics, and most especially the football program, you've likely seen or heard from longtime Sports Information Director Jerry Emig. This year will be the last year in which media and others coming into the program will hear from Emig because he is retiring, according to an announcement from the University. Now 64, Emig has been the SID for the OSU football program since 2011. Considering that time arc in combination with a similar role in 1988 and '99, Emig has been a part of the program for 23 years. Speaking to the Columbus Dispatch, the longtime face of the OSU program behind the scenes says it's time he retires after the 2025 season. 'When you get into your 60s, you realize, or at least I did, that life is short,' Emig told The Dispatch. 'There are things I want to do. Nothing crazy, but there are things I want to do. I feel great, and I'm thrilled about the 33-year career I had in sports information.' Emig will continue his duties through February of 2026. It's not an easy job handling one of the largest media throngs in the country, but he's done it with grace, persistence, and professionalism. So much so that the Ohio State received recognition from the Football Writers Association of America for the work done by the SID in 2017. "As the leader of our communications team, Jerry has been a consistent and passionate advocate for our student-athletes, ensuring their stories are shared with authenticity and pride," said OSU AD Ross Bjork. "His dedication to preserving and promoting the history of Buckeye athletics is truly commendable." My own dealings with Emig haven't been as frequent as others on site routinely on "the beat," but every time I have crossed paths or corresponded with him, he's been nothing but great and we wish him nothing but the best. Contact/Follow us @BuckeyesWire on X (formerly Twitter) and like our page on Facebook to follow ongoing coverage of Ohio State news, notes and opinion. Follow Phil Harrison on X.
Yahoo
5 days ago
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
J.J. Spaun Provides a Glimpse Into His Life With Family During US Open
J.J. Spaun Provides a Glimpse Into His Life With Family During US Open originally appeared on Athlon Sports. J.J. Spaun has provided a rare glimpse into his life off the course, sharing how he balances major-championship pressure with family moments during the U.S. Open at Oakmont Country Club. Advertisement The 34-year-old Californian, who shares second place with Adam Scott, posting a score of 3-under par through Saturday's round, admitted that thoughts of home and those closest to him keep him grounded amid golf's toughest test. When asked what he planned to do with the long wait before Sunday's tee time, Spaun painted a down‑to‑earth picture of modern fatherhood on tour. "I'm going to get some dinner, probably have my wife order some room service for me. She's back at the hotel with our two girls. They're probably going to bed any minute now," he said, before adding a bit of his self‑care routine. "I'm going to take a little cold plunge and kind of cool off and head back home and get some good food, and I'll probably go to bed because I'm pretty exhausted." It was a moment of levity that underscored the man behind the golf bag. J.J. Spaun tees off on the second hole during the first round at Muirfield.© Adam Cairns/Columbus Dispatch / USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images Spaun's candor comes on the heels of a career renaissance that has seen him rise from 162nd to 25th in the Official World Golf Ranking over the past year, punctuated by runner‑up finishes at The Players Championship, the Cognizant Classic and the Sony Open. Advertisement "This is the first time for me to be in contention in a major. The Players is an unofficial major, but it's fun." Spaun said in an interview on Saturday. "It's kind of everything that you prepare and hope to have the opportunity to have at these big events ... just getting into them are so hard." "That was me a year ago — a year and prior, like I couldn't even get into these tournaments. So to see myself here qualifying off world ranking just based off how I've been playing all year was a nice treat." Related: PGA Tour Had No Words for Scottie Scheffler and Son Bennett Moment This story was originally reported by Athlon Sports on Jun 15, 2025, where it first appeared.
NBC Sports
6 days ago
- Sport
- NBC Sports
Why they'll win, why they won't: The case for and against those under par at the U.S. Open
Live From the U.S. Open breaks down the state of Viktor Hovland's game, including his elite iron play, improved chipping and inconsistent driver, with the 27-year-old three shots back of the lead entering Sunday. OAKMONT, Pa. – We have one round to go at big, bad Oakmont Country Club, which was drenched by heavy rains late Friday and into the morning on Saturday. The venerable layout was softened, sure, but it still played tough. And through three days, just four players sit under par – leader Sam Burns at 4 under; J.J. Spaun and Adam Scott a shot back; and Viktor Hovland at 1 under. Assuming the champion will come from one of Sunday's final two pairings, here's a look at the potential winners and their prospects of winning this 125th U.S. Open: Sam Burns, 4 under Why he will win: He's been the best player this week. Take away a 5-over finish in his last four holes on Thursday and Burns could be running away with this thing. He's scrambled amazingly, ranking second in the field for the week. His up-and-downs for par at No. 15 and birdie at No. 17 particularly stood out as showing why Burns has what it takes to win. We also know he's the best putter in the field, though he's currently 16th in strokes gained: putting. And above all, he's hitting his irons arguably the best he's ever hit them, considering the circumstances. He's No. 1 in strokes gained: approach. Getting that first major top-10 at Pinehurst last year has given Burns that extra belief that maybe he is good enough to win one of these things. Why he won't win: Driving. Usually a strength, Burns lost over two-and-a-half shots off the tee on Saturday and he's 58th in strokes gained: off the tee for the week. Twice he's hit seven fairways this week. What he said: 'I didn't drive the ball as well as I would have liked to. But when I got out of position I feel like I did a good job of getting myself back in the fairway, having a wedge or short iron in my hand and giving myself a chance for par. I was able to convert some of those and kind of kept the momentum going.' J.J. Spaun tees off on the second hole during the first round of the Memorial Tournament at Muirfield Village Golf Club in Dublin on May 29, 2025. Adam Cairns/Columbus Dispatch / USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images J.J. Spaun, 3 under Why he will win: Grit. After a bogey-free opening round, Spaun has managed to avoid the debilitating mistakes for at least two more days. He's not carded a double, and his eight bogeys are the least amount of bogeys or worse in the field. 'The grit that I'm showing this week has kind of went along well with that mentality of just kind of plugging along and taking what the course gives me,' Spaun said. Spaun also missed just three greens on Saturday as he continues to pile up those and fairways, part of the recipe to avoiding those doubles and triples. Why he won't win: Regression. Spaun doesn't own a single major top-20 in his career. He also ranks, for the season, 120th in strokes gained: around the green and 84th in strokes gained: putting; his ranks this week in those categories: T-19 and 1st. Will that be sustainable for 18 more holes? What he said: 'This is the first time for me to be in contention in a major, I think, yeah. I mean The Players is an unofficial major, I guess, but yeah, it's fun. I mean it's kind of everything that you prepare and hope to have the opportunity to have at these big events, let alone just getting into them are so hard. I mean, a year and prior, like I couldn't even get into these tournaments. So, to see myself here qualifying off world ranking just based off how I've been playing all year was a nice treat. But then to kind of back up how I've been doing all year and be in contention is fun.' Jun 14, 2025; Oakmont, Pennsylvania, USA; Adam Scott plays his shot from the third tee during the third round of the U.S. Open golf tournament. Mandatory Credit: Bill Streicher-Imagn Images Bill Streicher-Imagn Images Adam Scott, 3 under Why he will win: Experience. Of the 10 players at 3 over or better, only Scott has a major title under his belt. Add to that, 19 career major top-10s. Even though Scott only has one top-10 in the past six years and he's weeks away from turning 45, that he's played himself into this position gives him the permission to use his bevy of major knowledge. He also doesn't seem to bothered by Oakmont. 'It's not that easy, but it certainly feels like it's been relatively stress-free,' Scott said. '… I don't know about the yardage books, but I would say I was less overwhelmed coming to Oakmont this time, and that's not a knock on the golf course, but maybe just a couple trips around the U.S. Open here, I knew what to expect.' Why he won't win: For as great as he's struck the ball, ranking third in strokes gained: tee to green, he did miss seven greens on Saturday. He'll need to bring that number up. Admittedly, though, it's hard to find a big reason why he won't lift the trophy. What he said: 'Everyone out here has got their journey, you know. Putting ourselves in these positions doesn't just happen by fluke. It's not easy to do it. I really haven't been in this kind of position for five or six years, or feeling like I'm that player. But that's what I'm always working towards. It's not that easy to figure it all out. But if I were to come away with it tomorrow, it would be a hell of a round of golf and an exclamation point on my career.' Jun 14, 2025; Oakmont, Pennsylvania, USA; Viktor Hovland plays his shot from the first tee during the third round of the U.S. Open golf tournament. Mandatory Credit: Charles LeClaire-Imagn Images Charles LeClaire-Imagn Images Viktor Hovland, 1 under Why he will win: Iron play and (surprisingly) short game. For as poorly as he's hit the driver (more on that below), Hovland still leads the field in strokes gained: tee to green. He's No. 1 in proximity and third in both strokes gained: approach and around the green. Hovland's short-game struggles are well documented, but Oakmont's gnarly, 5-inch rough has de-skilled chipping as there's really only one way to hit the ball from those tangled lies – judge how fast you're swinging through the thick stuff and hope that the ball pops out like you guessed. Hovland guessed perfectly on the par-4 17th hole, gashing a 63-yard pitch shot to 3 feet for his final birdie of the round. Why he won't win: The driver. It's nearly 9 p.m. and as I write this Hovland is still bashing drivers on the range. 'Just can't seem to figure it out,' Hovland said Saturday evening. 'It's like a lingering problem all this year, so it's kind of pissing me off.' While Hovland hit nine fairways in Round 3, three more than he found the previous day, he lost over two shots off the tee, dropping his rank for the week to 38th among those who made the cut. Hovland said he feels like he guided his drives more on Saturday and started to see those tee balls leak a little right. What he said: 'Just feel like I've matured a lot more, just seen a lot more stuff happening. I know kind of what it takes to win a major championship, so I know the shots to try to hit and what shots not to try to hit. Feel like I'm way better equipped, just need to get that driver sorted, and I've got the game to do it. So, it's like I'm super proud that I'm that close.'
