From gospel yoga to full-body workouts, Arlington residents can attend Epic Fit Fest 2025, a weekend experience filled with fitness and wellness from Friday to Sunday at the Loews Arlington Hotel. Black Girl Fit is hosting its second annual Epic Fit Fest, which invites attendees of all ethnicities and sizes to work out in a safe and comfortable environment, co-founder Kristi Andrew said. Attendees can choose from one of three passes, ranging from a one-day pass to a three-day VIP option that includes exclusive amenities, according to the event website. Andrew said attendees aren't limited to a certain schedule or workouts. Guests can build their own experience by choosing when to arrive and what classes to take, allowing them to train in a way that fits their lifestyle. “We actually do curated fitness events, so we're not just trying to do workouts. We’re trying to do fun workouts in fun and different places to make people enjoy exactly what they're doing,” Andrew said. This year's event is expected to feature 16 instructors, who will lead a variety of classes across different fitness zones, including cycling, yoga, strength training, glutes, dance and high-intensity interval training, according to the Arlington Convention and Visitors Bureau website. Alongside the workouts, more than 60 vendors will showcase health and wellness products. The event will also feature Epic Conversations, a mental health panel with New York Times best-selling author Sarah Jakes Roberts. As a pharmacist, Andrew said she believes mental health is as important as physical well-being and wanted to set aside time to have a conversation about mental health and the role it plays in a person's health journey. “We’ve been focusing on health as a whole, and that of course starts with the fitness journey, but of course it also encompasses being internally healthy,” she said. “Not just physically, but spiritually and mentally.” Andrew and LaTosha Duffey, a former UTA basketball player, co-founded Black Girl Fit and created Epic Fit Fest to combat the health disparities people of color face, which Andrew said often stem from lack of access and inclusion. “We wanted a place where people feel comfortable letting their hair down, maybe not necessarily being a size two, maybe being able to take their wig off and to basically have no barriers to get in the way for their health,” she said. Last year's event drew 500 participants as a one-day event at The Epic Grand Lawn in Grand Prairie, Texas. With the expansion to three days and a new venue, attendance is expected to more than double. “I think people had a really good time last year. They came out and understood and saw what we’re about and we’re doing. Also, this year it’s a lot more,” she said. @diegocllazo sports-editor.shorthorn@uta.edu

Fans erupted into repeated chants of “Beltré!,” reminiscent of those he drew during his playing days, as the Texas Rangers unveiled Hall of Famer Adrian Beltré’s honorary statue Friday at Globe Life Field. The figure, depicting Beltré in his iconic kneeling follow-through, puts the former third baseman in a select group of Rangers legends to be forever memorialized in bronze, including fellow Hall of Famers Ivan Rodriguez and Nolan Ryan. The statue, located outside the ballpark near the Northeast Plaza entrance, was designed and sculpted by Mike Tabor and recognizes a career defined by many unforgettable moments. The announcer for the Texas Rangers, Chuck Morgan, introduced Beltré as not only a great player in Rangers history, but as one of the greatest to ever play the game, with Beltré’s statistics and accolades backing that sentiment. In 21 Major League Baseball seasons, Beltré racked up five Gold Gloves, four Silver Sluggers, four All-Star appearances and is one of 33 players to be part of the elusive 3,000-hit club. Despite reaching heights many players can only dream of, when it came time to give a speech, Beltré remained humble and thankful for the opportunity to play in a Rangers jersey. “I don’t know if I’m worthy of this. One thing is for sure, I know I’m grateful and I’m glad to always be a Ranger,” Beltré said. Ray Davis, managing partner and majority owner of the Rangers, recalled the effect Beltré had on the winning culture the team was working to cultivate day after day. “Adrian was a tremendous ballplayer, but on top of that, he was a tremendous leader,” Davis said. “Today I see Ian [Kinsler] and Elvis [Andrus] here, but I used to call it the Beltré stare. Beltré was a leader because all he had to do was look at somebody if they messed up, and they knew they messed up, and they changed.” As a testament to the person he was, former teammates of Beltré’s were present to support him, including Shin-Soo Choo and Rangers Hall of Famer Elvis Andrus. Andrus rubbed the statue’s head, paying homage to their playing days when Beltré would avoid getting his head rubbed at any cost, going as far as running away or playfully telling Andrus off, similar to how an older brother would. Beltré’s impact extends further than Arlington. While leaving the unveiling, Beltré stopped to greet fellow co-founder and CEO of Baseball United, the first professional baseball league in India, Kash Shaikh, who said it felt surreal to see Beltré get a statue. Shaikh said he and Beltré were in a board meeting over Zoom joking with each other when he took a moment to reflect on how iconic Beltré is as a player and how great he is as a person. “I had the honor of watching him get inducted into the baseball Hall of Fame, and now to see this statue was pretty special,” he said. This unveiling meant a lot to many, but for lifelong Rangers fan and Arlington resident Colton Benge, it’s more than bronze — it’s a reminder of the joy Beltré brought to Arlington and the Rangers. “He was a great captain and a role model for the team, and on top of that, he just brought a lot of laughter and fun to the teammates and to the fans, which made it really easy to root for him and root for the team,” Benge said. Along with the funny moments, Benge said his favorite Beltré moment was when he hit a walk-off homerun in 2013 to complete a sweep of the Los Angeles Angels. Benge said if he had the opportunity to speak with Beltré, he would ask him about that game and thank him for all the memories. @diegocllazo sports-editor.shorthorn@uta.edu

The UTA women’s golf team finished third in the Jayhawk Invitational on Aug. 25 at The Jayhawk Club in Lawrence, Kansas. The team combined to post scores of 309-305-299 and finish 49-over-par. The meet, hosted by the University of Kansas, was the first of the 2025-26 season for the Maverick golf program. In the summer, the Women’s Golf Coaches Association named sophomore Tarini Bhoga and senior Nitisha Manikandesh to the All-American Scholar Team. This was Manikandesh’s second time receiving the recognition, according to a UTA press release. Bhoga led the way as she shot 71-76-75 on her way to a 6-over-par for the weekend and a sixth-place overall finish in the competition. In round three, she had two birdies and 12 pars by the end of the invitational. Senior Kamri Gabel finished in 14th, six strokes behind Bhoga. Manikandesh finished in 19th, with a 14-over-par score for the weekend. Graduate student Salome Arango Marin and redshirt senior Chandler Browning rounded out the performance by UTA, with 27th-place and 34th-place finishes respectively. The team competes again Sept. 23, when the team will participate in the Red Raider Invitational at The Rawls Course in Lubbock, Texas. The Mavericks will compete in three more tournaments: the Golf Iconic Classic starting Oct. 13 in Las Cruces, New Mexico; the Diamante Intercollegiate starting Oct. 19 in Little Rock, Arkansas; and the Bear Brawl on Oct. 28 in Waco, Texas. @TyRoland06 sports-editor.shorthorn@uta.edu

Chuck Morgan, Texas Rangers’ public address announcer, said when he came to Arlington to be a part of the Rangers, it had a great feel. “I just really fell in love with the area and fell in love with the ballpark and just thought it was the right thing to do, and it just turned out, having been here now for over 40 years, it was the right decision to make,” Morgan said. Over the years, the team has achieved monumental feats and carved its place in Major League Baseball history, including a World Series win from three appearances, six MVP awards, dozens of Silver Slugger and Gold Glove winners and has hosted two All-Star Games. As for the city, Arlington has firmly established itself as a sports hub for decades. Fans can grab a drink at Texas Live and walk across the street to Globe Life Field – all part of the atmosphere that defines a night out at the ballpark. Arlington has stood out nationally, serving as home to some of Texas’ most well-known theme parks and three professional sports venues. Since 1972, the Rangers have become a cornerstone in the city by blending innovation with tradition. One of the clearest examples of that blend is the complete repurposing of the Rangers’ former home, Choctaw Stadium, which is now strategically managed behind the scenes by REV Entertainment. The company is no stranger to the Rangers franchise. Formerly Rangers Enterprises and Rangers Events, the company has maintained a working relationship with the team for over a decade. It became REV Entertainment in 2017 and took over operations at Choctaw Stadium in 2021. “We made a promise to the city that we were going to do everything we could to continue to operate the venue and run content through there, and make sure people could still visit the stadium,” said Jared Schrom, REV Entertainment senior vice president. Updates to the facility have only ramped up since REV Entertainment took the reins of Choctaw Stadium. Following $7.8 million invested into the west side retail development, the stadium is now undergoing over $4.2 million in additional renovations, including public safety developments, parking improvements and a storefront for the Arlington Police Department. Choctaw Stadium offers a multitude of experiences outside of the sports realm, including classic stadium food, storefronts with restaurants and gift shops such as Lone Star Dry Goods and Lucchese Bootmaker. The stadium even offers private and shared office spaces with Spark Arlington. Regardless of the time of year, the stadium buzzes with an unprecedented amount of catered activities. Even when teams such as the United Football League’s Arlington Renegades are out of season, they are still in and out of the facility, Schrom said. Choctaw Stadium currently hosts the Renegades and North Texas Soccer Club, which is home to FC Dallas’ reserves. It will also host the Catholic Charity Bowl on Sept. 13. Previously, it was the home to the Dallas Jackals, a Major League Rugby team that withdrew from the stadium after it ceased operations in 2024 amid ownership uncertainty. While the Renegades’ 2026 season is slated to remain at Choctaw Stadium, North Texas Soccer Club, which won the 2024 Major League Soccer NEXT Pro Cup, will depart from Arlington following its 2025 season. The club is set to move to Mansfield Stadium, which is expected to open in the summer of 2026. Choctaw Stadium may no longer echo with the crack of a ball hitting a Rangers bat, but it still holds deep ties to its past. To many, it’s more than just a building; the stadium is a landmark of historical and personal moments. Former Arlington Mayor Richard Greene said its design was a tribute to the history of American baseball. Arlington is one of the few cities able to say it houses a Major League Baseball team, owing much of its national identity to the sport, Greene said. Even with the former mayor playing a key role in the construction of the stadium, originally known as The Ballpark in Arlington, he said it was the people of Arlington who ultimately pushed the project across the finish line. “The actual credit for all of this happening is to the forward-thinking, optimistic people of the community who, when asked to approve the partnership between the city and the Rangers, they show up in record numbers and say, ‘Yes, we want to do it,’” Greene said. @kaleivie_ sports-editor.shorthorn@uta.edu

The Texas Rangers (66-66) won 5-0 against the Cleveland Guardians (64-65), shutting them out for the second time to sweep the series Sunday at Globe Life Field. Texas Rangers manager Bruce Bochy said they’ve needed wins, and this was a good bounce back from the away series they lost against the Kansas City Royals. The series sweep marked the Guardians’ eighth of the season, dropping them back below the .500 for the first time since July 29. For the Rangers, the sweep brought them back to .500, building momentum from their 10-0 shutout in the second game of the series Saturday. The Rangers added a 10th player to their injured list, placing second baseman Marcus Semien on the 10-day with a foot injury. Meanwhile, outfielder Adolis García returned to the outfield this weekend after being sidelined with a left ankle sprain. The Rangers started pitcher Merrill Kelly, whom they acquired on the final day of the trade deadline in July. Kelly made his fifth start with the Rangers since leaving the Arizona Diamondbacks, and is among the quality and experienced pitchers the Rangers have acquired to enhance their earned run average, which is currently the highest of any team in Major League Baseball. In his seven innings on the mound Sunday, Kelly found six of his eight strikeouts by the top of the fourth. Additionally, he recorded two walks and a pickoff on first while only giving four hits. Danny Coulombe took the mound for a single inning, and Kelly received a standing ovation on his way off the field. “I take a lot of pride in the fact that these guys did trade for me,” Kelly said. “I feel like games like today are one of the reasons why, just to add some more stability to the rotation and continue just the depth down the line.” The Rangers struggled to capitalize early and had left four on base by the top of the fourth inning, three of which were walks. In the bottom of the fourth, the Rangers opened the scoring with a two-run home run from first baseman Rowdy Tellez, whom the Rangers acquired from Triple-A Round Rock in July, scoring Adolis García. “He clutched up quite a few times as he’s come up here. I think he’s done a nice job at first base too,” Bochy said. “He’s a really good clubhouse guy, good teammate, guys have a lot of fun with him.” The Rangers continued to carry momentum in the fourth, finding two more runs from a RBI single produced by center fielder Wyatt Langford to run in second baseman Ezequiel Duran and third baseman Josh Jung, which forced the Guardians' second pitching change in the inning. The Rangers have had a notable offensive series against the Guardians, forcing constant changes in the diamond and getting 17 on base. Cleveland had six different pitchers on the mound and several fielding changes and subs throughout the game. In the seventh inning, designated hitter Joc Pederson smashed a right field home run to bring the score to 5-0. The homer was Pederson’s sixth of the season. The Rangers held the lead through the end, finalizing the series sweep. They'll face Cleveland once more to close out the regular season on the road in September. With a quick turnaround, the Rangers will open their home series against the Los Angeles Angels on Monday at Globe Life Field. The series is available to stream on Rangers Sports Network. @kaleivie_ sports-editor.shorthorn@uta.edu

With the fall semester in full swing, UTA sports return with volleyball, golf and cross country. The Dallas Wings will also finish out their season at College Park Center. Volleyball UTA volleyball began its season with an exhibition match against Stephen F. Austin State University on Saturday in Nacogdoches, Texas. The team will begin conference play against Southern Utah University on Sept. 27 at College Park Center. Under the new leadership of head coach Tania Schatow, the team is looking to build upon its previous season's success, which boasted a 29-3 season record and a perfect 16-0 in conference play. Women’s golf The women's golf team starts its fall season with the Jayhawk Invitational hosted by the University of Kansas, playing a 36-hole match Sunday. The team will participate in five events during the season, all away from campus. In the spring, UTA finished fifth in the Western Athletic Conference championship, with now senior Nitisha Manikandesh and sophomore Tarini Bhoga finishing in the top 10 for the match. The two were also named 2024-25 Women’s Golf Coaches Association All-American Scholars in the summer, Manikandesh’s second time winning the award. Men’s golf The men's golf team tees off with the Whirlwind Invitational, where it will start its fall season with a match against the University of Southern California on Sept. 8. The team will participate in two more invitationals and one classic, finishing the season out with the Saint Mary’s Golf Invitational. The final match is set to be played on Oct. 22 in Monterey, California. In the Western Athletic Conference championship last season, the Mavs finished in eighth place, with a +70 above par scoring in the team competition. Cross country The cross country team starts its fall season hosting the Gerald Richey UTA Invitational on Sept. 5 at the Harold Patterson Sports Center. The team will have three additional meets before the WAC championship, which will be the first cross country championship UTA has hosted since 1992. Dallas Wings The Wings will play three more home games for their season. The team will play Sunday and Wednesday and will end the 2025 schedule Sept. 11 at College Park Center. @tracysansomjr sports-editor.shorthorn@uta.edu

Campus Recreation kicked off the fall semester with its annual Rec Fest Tuesday at the Maverick Activities Center, bringing students and staff several activities, prizes and opportunities to get to know different organizations. The event had tables set around the gym where students could learn about the organizations and clubs available across campus, from sports to science and books. Outdoors, different courts contained games like mini-golf, lumberjack throw, Connect Four, a mechanical bull and bounce houses. Josh Hale, Campus Recreation assistant director for UTA sports programs, was pleased with Rec Fest’s new touches this year. “We added the mechanical bull, we figured that would be a good hit,” Hale said. “Then out on the outdoor courts, we’ve got a number of different things, the big thing students love is tie-dye, that’s something that we live by.” After playing one of the inflatable games, exercise science junior Eadie Edwards said she was surprised to see such a big turnout and plans to continue supporting intramural sports from the sideline. “It forces you to get out of your comfort zone,” Edwards said. The tie-dye station was one of the main attractions at the event. Students were given UTA Campus Recreation shirts and had the option to dye them with a variety of colors to their liking. Special education freshman Teyah Watts helped work the tie-dye station and encouraged her peers to participate and dye their shirts. “This is my first year too, so I’m attending a lot of these and they’re actually really fun, so I recommend everybody to come to all of them,” Watts said. Mechanical engineering freshman Prescott Williamson said he enjoyed the event despite thinking he would not be interested initially. He noted the lively environment and multitude of organizations. “It's really active,” Williamson said. “A lot of people came up to me asking if I wanted to join.” @tdreevess @diegocllazo sports-editor.shorthorn@uta.edu

Musician and actor Miles Caton, middle, smiles with Natalia Bryant, left, NBA star Kobe Bryant’s daughter, during a Dallas Wings game against the Indiana Fever on Aug. 1 at the American Airlines Center in Dallas. Caton was recently casted as Sammie Moore in the film “Sinners.”

Despite efforts, the Dallas Wings (8-20) came up short in a tightly contested 88-85 loss against the Atlanta Dream (16-11). Wings guard Haley Jones made her second appearance in the starting lineup since rejoining the team earlier in July, and did not disappoint. She recorded three assists, three rebounds and 12 points, including a 37-foot 3-pointer with the shot clock expiring to put the Wings ahead during the final stretch. Wings rookie guard Paige Bueckers said since the all-star break, the Wings have improved their offensive movement and changing sides of the floor, which helped the team get open looks and read defenses. The game was back-and-forth from beginning to end and physical throughout. Dream center Brittney Griner was ejected one minute into the third quarter, which would only heighten the intensity of the game. Dream guard Allisha Gray scored 15 points and seven assists. Dream forward Naz Hillmon also came up big time for the team with 21 points, shooting 5-7 from range. To top off her performance, Hillmon sealed the game with a 3-pointer to put the Dream ahead with 2.6 seconds left in the game. The Wings faced a seven-point deficit late in the third, when the game started to get away from them. Despite their resilience, the team could not claw its way back into the game. The Wings’ defense was somewhat disorganized down the stretch which led to multiple 3-point attempts for the Dream. “In defense we need to be tougher, especially in the final stretch when it’s a tight game, but also the first half was not our best defensive half,” Wings Luisa Geiselsolder said. “I think we need to start more aggressive and not just wait for them to be aggressive.” In the fourth quarter, Wings guard Arike Ogunbowale hit a mid-range shot to tie the game at 85 apiece, sending the crowd into a frenzy with 21 seconds left on the clock. As a team, the Wings made 50% of their field goals and shot 50% from three. Bueckers led the team in scoring with 21 points and seven assists. She took over late, electrifying the arena with multiple shots made while being fouled and adding a 3-pointer in the final minutes of play. Head coach Chris Koclanes said he was proud of the team’s growth and resilience but knows they need to capitalize more. The offense is in a better place, and they need the defense to match the standard, he said. The Wings look to bounce back as they return to the American Airlines Center to host a home rematch against the Indiana Fever at 6:30 p.m. Friday in Dallas. The game will be available to stream on ION and League Pass. @tdreevess sports-editor.shorthorn@uta.edu

As a little kid, Dana Collins said the heat at the Texas Rangers games was one of those things that fans were forced to endure. Nowadays, Irving resident Collins, 42, praises the experience in Globe Life Field, calling it “night and day” compared to The Ballpark in Arlington. While he enjoyed his time at the old ballpark, he said he likes that the new one keeps his family out of the heat. “It was good for me to kind of suffer through those things,” he said. “But that doesn't mean that I can make that a family experience all the time.” As the summer nestles itself into Texas’ typical triple-digit temperatures, the Arlington Entertainment District bustles with sports fans. Two ballparks stand a block apart, one a testament to the past, the other, a nod to the future. “When that park opened in 1994, nothing had ever been built like that in Arlington,” said John Blake, Rangers historian and senior adviser. “It was such a source of civic pride. It put us on the map nationally.” Originally designed to look older than it was, The Ballpark in Arlington was destined to lead the Rangers into the future, but struggles with the Texas heat turned some fans away. Soon, a new stadium was built, where the faithful could watch games regardless of the temperature. When the weather was right, the Rangers were the spotlight of the city, bringing in tens of thousands of fans per homestand. Over the years, the team has called three different Texas stadiums home under seven different names, each one building on the franchise’s legacy. When The Ballpark in Arlington opened, it was met with praise and applause. The MLB held the 1995 All-Star Game in Arlington’s backyard, and fans from across Dallas-Fort Worth and the United States flocked to see the ballpark. However, Texas weather won out in the end. Blake recalled a reporter checking the thermometer during a match leading up to the All-Star game – it read a blistering 120 degrees on the field. The game itself was no cooler, with over 50,000 fans dripping like popsicles. “We also had an old-timers game scheduled, and it was so hot that the old-timers only would play one inning,” he said.“After the first inning, they said, ‘we're done, it’s too hot out here.’” In the 2024 All-Star Game, hosted in the Globe Life Field, temperatures reached just shy of 100 degrees outside the air-conditioned stadium. Inside, the climate felt like a comfortable 74 degrees. Former Rangers catcher Jim Sundberg, who played in the original 1972 ballpark, said that The Ballpark in Arlington was a big upgrade, but Globe Life Field is even better. “A lot of people like [The Ballpark in Arlington], but it was just way too hot,” he said. The amenities at Globe Life Field play a big role in the experience, with staggered seating for optimal spectating and a 360-degree view of the field, Blake said. Not to mention the retractable roof, which shields the crowd from elements and amplifies their cheers into a deafening echo. While the move across the street was deemed necessary, the Rangers made every effort to memorialize the historic moments that fans hold dearly. So much so, they kept the old stadium alive and turned it into a multi-purpose conglomerate. Nods from the past are shown on each corner at Globe Life Field. Fan favorite players that left a legacy with the franchise, monumental achievements and even fun callbacks to simpler times. Chuck Morgan, executive vice president of Ballpark Entertainment, promotions, production and announcer for the Rangers, said fans would talk about the heat at every outdoor stadium the team has had. Aside from the heat that caused daily technical issues, the memory of the ballpark, now called Choctaw Stadium, rings throughout the rafters at Globe Life Field in honor of its impact on not just Rangers’ baseball, but the city of Arlington. “They’ll talk about how hot it was over there,” Morgan said. “A lot of folks who went to Arlington, sitting in those aluminum bleachers out in the outfield, how hot that was. They burned the backs of their legs on those bleachers, but most of it’s all good, they’ve all good memories over there.” @kaleivie_ @wall035203 sports-editor.shorthorn@uta.edu

The Dallas Wings (7-19) suffered a crushing 106-80 defeat to the Las Vegas Aces (13-13) Sunday at College Park Center. This game drew the attention of the retired Olympic gold medalist Usain Bolt. The crowd erupted as he appeared on the big screen. Coming off a narrow 86-76 loss to the Golden State Valkyries, the Wings returned home in hopes of adding an eighth win to the season. However, after its loss to the Valkyries, Wings rookie guard Paige Bueckers was the first player in WNBA history to record over 350 career points and over 100 career assists in the first 20 games. Coming into this game, the Wings were without two of their key players: Bueckers, who was out on rest, and forward Myisha Hines-Allen, one of the more experienced players on the team. Forward Maddy Siegrist also remained out of play due to a knee injury suffered earlier in the season. The Wings started slow as the Aces took a 9-2 lead over them early in the first quarter. With the help of Wings guard JJ Quinerly, the team ended the first stretch tied 27-27. For the Aces, guard Jackie Young took over the first quarter, scoring 14 points, went 4-5 on 3-pointers and had a dominant half against the Wings' defense. Early in the second quarter, the Wings took a 31-29 lead over the Aces, but was short-lived with costly turnovers and fouls. The team attempted to pull back ahead, but the Wings were down by 12 points at the end of the half. The Wings struggled to find their rhythm in the third quarter, missing key shots which allowed the Aces to surge ahead and build a commanding lead. “They got way too many 50/50 balls tonight compared to what we did,” Wings guard Haley Jones said. “So, I think that we can just learn from them. They’re a championship team.” Aces forward Kierstan Bell, Young and guard Jewell Loyd were on fire. The trio recorded 63 points for the team and finished with a combined 20-33 from the field. The bench was where the Wings clicked, as center Teaira McCowan and Jones put on a dominant performance. Jones finished the game with more than 10 points and McCowan finished the game with a season high in points and rebounds. “I’m pretty proud of myself, I mean, it’s what I do,” McCowan said. “It’s what I’ve been doing my whole entire career, so I just went out there and showcased it today.” Trailing 73-58 entering the fourth quarter, the Wings attempted a comeback but ultimately fell short. The Wings return with a back-to-back home game set to play the New York Liberty at 7 p.m. Monday at College Park Center. The game will be available to stream on ESPN. “We’re just going to continue to tinker where we need to,” head coach Chris Koclanes said. “Paige wasn’t in the lineup, so there’s somebody missing that is a spark, but we’ll continue to make sure we’re doing everything we can to have the best combinations out there to give us the best chance of winning.” @tracysansomjr sports-editor.shorthorn@uta.edu

Robert “Snake” LeGrand, a former UTA men’s basketball head coach well known for his extensive kindness and ties to the community, died at 81 Saturday in Arlington. LeGrand, nicknamed “Snake” for his gliding movements on the court, was a decorated coach with high school and collegiate experience. But his legacy does not end at the court. He was a father, a mentor, and to many, a friend who led with compassion and care. Ricky French, a longtime friend and former vice principal of the high school LeGrand’s son attended, said the coach always cared for others and never treated anyone like a stranger. French recalled a trip to the 2012 Olympics in London, where even overseas, LeGrand ran into people whose lives he had touched. “That’s just the kind of guy he was, you know,” French said. “When he was your friend, trust me, he was your friend. He had your back.” LeGrand initially joined UTA as the assistant head coach of the UTA men’s basketball team. As head coach from 1976 to 1987, he left a lasting legacy and helped open doors for those who followed. Under LeGrand’s leadership, UTA recorded its first 20-win season and saw its first National Invitation Tournament in 1981. He also helped lay the foundation for the university’s wheelchair basketball program, originally known as the Freewheelers before becoming the Movin’ Mavs, according to a UTA press release. Through highs and lows, Snake left his mark not only on the basketball program but on the state of Texas. He was the first Black head coach in Texas NCAA Division I and UTA history, while being the first coach to reach 100 wins at the university. “He just exemplified everything that athletics is supposed to teach you,” French said. Before UTA, LeGrand attended three colleges. He first enrolled at Central State University but left after a year to join the Air Force. After his discharge in 1967, LeGrand returned to school at St. Mary’s University, where he played basketball and earned a bachelor’s degree in political science and government. LeGrand graduated from St. Mary’s University in 1970 and earned a master’s degree in counseling from Southwest Texas State University, now known as Texas State University, in 1974. He was inducted into St. Mary’s Men’s Basketball Hall of Fame in 1987. He spent the latter years of his career as a counselor at Lamar High School in Arlington. After more than a decade, he retired but stayed busy running a T-shirt business, Sports N Goods 4 U. LeGrand became a regular at J. Gilligan’s after his time at UTA. Owner Randy Ford, who first met him there, said LeGrand always arrived with a group of friends. “He was always just so full of life, he was always happy,” Ford said. “ I don’t know that I ever saw him at Gilligan’s in a bad mood. He knew everybody.” LeGrand was a beloved figure at J. Gilligan’s, where photos of him hang around the bar and grill. Just the mention of his name would bring people to a smile. His impact is duly noted in the history of Arlington. He is survived by his wife, Gloria LeGrand, his children Brian, Chris, Bobby, Aurice, Lisa, Brianna and 10 grandchildren. “He was a wonderful ambassador for UTA and our athletics programs and a pillar within this community,” said Jon Fagg, UTA director of Intercollegiate Athletics, in a press release. “We will greatly miss having him around the College Park Center and his spirit and legacy will live on for generations to come.” @kaleivie_ sports-editor.shorthorn@uta.edu

Returning from the All-Star break, the Texas Rangers opened the second half of the regular season with a 2-0 win against the Detroit Tigers on Friday at Globe Life Field. The Rangers went into the break with a 2-1 series win against the Houston Astros. The team holds a third-place standing in the American League West and is pegged at 17th in the MLB. Over the break, history was made at the T-Mobile Home Run Derby, with Cal Raleigh being the first ever catcher to win a derby Monday in Atlanta, Georgia. The following day, the MLB showcased the league's finest in the 95th annual All-Star Game on Tuesday. Rangers pitcher Jacob deGrom, the team’s lone nomination, earned his fifth All-Star nod but did not take to the mound in his first as a Ranger. Ahead of the trade deadline, the Rangers sent pitcher Dane Dunning to the Atlanta Braves in exchange for pitcher José Ruiz and cash considerations. Ruiz was optioned to Round Rock Express following the deal. The Rangers leaned on their minor league affiliates to manage their 40-man roster before their opening game against the Tigers. The team selected contracts for Round Rock Express first baseman Rowdy Tellez and infielder Cody Freeman after outfielder Sam Haggerty was placed on the 10-day injured list. Defensive efficiency defined the early innings of the game, as both teams managed only four combined hits and stranded five runners over the first four innings. Pitching was the definitive doorstop for halting both teams’ offenses. The opening pitchers recorded six strikeouts each, with the relievers adding several to total 18 strikeouts throughout the game for both teams. “I can’t say enough about what our pitching did tonight, it’s a tough lineup and well-played game, but it’s good to get off to a start like this,” Rangers manager Bruce Bochy said. The earliest action for the Rangers came from an error produced by Detroit’s shortstop Javier Báez, which allowed Rangers catcher Kyle Higashioka to reach third and catcher Jonah Heim to first. Both were left on base after a strikeout from shortstop Corey Seager ended the third inning. Approaching the final stretch, Seager drove it down center field to net a double RBI in the bottom of the eighth that landed him at second base. A flyout by second baseman Marcus Semien left Seager on base and ended the inning 2-0. The Tigers looked for a hole in the Rangers' defense in their final at-bats in the top of the ninth, but a groundout and two strikeouts by reliever Robert Garcia earned him the save and a Ranger win. “It’s good for these guys, we’re doing some good things here offensively,” Bochy said. “Didn’t score a lot of runs today, but when you get to that mark, you keep losing that one game to get you [over .500]. These guys should feel good about it.” The Rangers resume their nine-game homestand with the mid-series match against the Tigers on Saturday at 6:05 p.m. at Globe Life Field. The team will only see one off day during their trio of series. Streaming for the series is available on Rangers Sports Network and Victory+. @kaleivie_ sports-editor.shorthorn@uta.edu

The Women’s Volleyball Nations League wrapped up its final week of preliminaries with a 3-2 loss for No. 8 Team USA against No. 5 China on Sunday at College Park Center. China snapped Team USA’s five-game run while extending its own to four. The victory marked China’s ninth win in the 2025 VNL. With multiple core rotation changes and several new players on the roster, Team USA faced tribulations early in the preliminary round. After rallying in week two, the team finished week three 3-1 and closed out the phase with seven wins in 12 matches. “Obviously when you make changes, you expect maybe the flow to change a little bit,” head coach Erik Sullivan said. “I thought our players did a good job of staying in our systems and competing real hard.” China stumbled early in the game, letting Team USA quickly take control and win the first two sets. Miscommunication and errors put China in an early hole. The U.S. used its size and power to overwhelm China with strong serves and aggressive net play, deepening China’s early deficit further. By set three, Team USA had conditioned China to expect heavy spikes, creating gaps in coverage that allowed well-placed dinks to land. However, China looked refreshed after the break and cut down on errors. They took the next two sets to even the match, but Team USA held firm as they battled through the fifth set in search of a win. Setter Rachel Fairbanks said China has a unique play style compared to other teams they recently faced. Even with scouting, she said it's up to them to compete against every team. Point-defining blocks and diving saves fueled a back-and-forth battle, drawing shouts from fans with each rally. The arena shook with energy as the match reached a fever pitch. With the fifth set tied at 16, China gained the upper hand and drove in the dagger that sent Team USA into the final plunge to end the set 18-16. Women’s VNL play ramps up for the final week as Team USA and 17 other national teams head into the elimination round in Łódź, Poland. The quarterfinals begin July 23 with the semifinals starting July 26 and the finals happening the following day to wrap up the week. The quarterfinals opening game will have Team USA challenge defending champions No. 1 Italy. The elimination bracket match-ups are available to view on Volleyball World, with all matches set to be available for streaming on VBTV. “We’ll go back to Anaheim and start training, work through some kinks,” libero Morgan Hentz said. “There’s definitely things we can get better at and focus on, so I think it's just that mindset of trying to get 1% better every day.” @kaleivie_

The final leg of the Women’s Volleyball Nations League preliminary phase began as Team USA took to the stage with five other national teams set to play Wednesday through Sunday at College Park Center. To begin the tournament in Arlington, the VNL opened day one with a 3-2 win by No. 7 Germany over No. 15 Canada. After a disheartening 3-1 finish to start the preliminary phase in Rio De Janeiro, Brazil, Team USA bounced back with a 3-1 overall in week two at Belgrade, Serbia. The team has returned to home soil with an No. 8 standing to kick off week three. Team USA opened this week with a 3-1 win over No. 17 Thailand in the final match of the tournament’s first day at 7:30 p.m. at College Park Center. The victory marked the team’s third straight win in the tournament. Team USA has undergone significant roster changes and additions to the tournament team, with 10 week one VNL debuts and four returning players. “I think the players are getting more comfortable on the competition court,” said Erik Sullivan, Team USA head coach. “The systems that we’ve put in place and been working on for the last month, month and a half, are starting to tighten up and be better.” The first three sets were tightly contested, but Team USA maintained the upper hand and found steady momentum, leading for most of the match. The team held a clear size advantage over Thailand and used it to their benefit throughout the series. Blocked spikes and hard-driven serves helped set the team up for success, but Thailand stayed within reach using set pieces and coordinated plays to keep pressure on USA. “They run a very fast and complex offense, which when they’re in system can be really hard to defend,” Team USA libero Lexi Rodriguez said. “I think it took us the first two sets to adjust to their speed, their style of play and it tests you to be a little bit more disciplined and patient.” Thailand took the second set, but USA held off a late rally to win the third. With momentum on its side, Team USA closed out the match in dominant fashion, taking the fourth set 25-15. The team held at least a seven-point lead throughout the latter half of the final frame and had two 4-0 runs. Team USA setter Jordyn Poulter said Thailand is a scrappy and unique team to face. She called the victory a “total team win” and said she was proud of the team’s ability to stay composed and not get caught up in the opponent’s style of play. The tournament will continue with Team USA facing off against No. 11 Dominican Republic at 7:30 p.m. Thursday at College Park Center. The U.S. will play two more matches to close out the women’s preliminary phase, facing Canada at 7:30 p.m. Saturday and No. 6 China at 7 p.m. Sunday. All games are available to stream on VBTV. @kaleivie_

The Dallas Wings (6-13) secured a dominant 98-89 win over the Phoenix Mercury (12-6) on Thursday at packed College Park Center. The match marked a two game win streak for the Wings, coming off a 79-71 victory over the Mystics. It was also the team’s fourth home game win. On Thursday, Wings guard Paige Bueckers was named June’s Rookie of the Month. She averaged 21.6 points, 4.1 rebounds, 5.0 assists, and 1.7 steals. Additionally, Bueckers was named a starter for the WNBA All-Star Game alongside former No. 1 overall pick and this year’s All-Star captain, Catlin Clark. This game also featured the return of center Teaira McCowan and center Luisa Geiselsöder, who were across seas for the FIBA Eurobasket that took place June 18-29 across Germany, Greece, Czechia and Italy. From the first tip-off, the crowd and the Wings were explosive, shown through cheering fans whenever the Wings broke into a fast break or found a bucket. Early in the game, the Mercury played physical against Buecker in an attempt to slow her down. The team resorted to doubling and pressuring the No. 1 overall pick throughout the game. Other players took this as an opportunity to show out and take over. “I’m human, sometimes I let my emotions get the best of me, just in terms of all the physicality that's let go, but I gotta get used to it, gotta embrace it. That's every night in this league,” Bueckers said. In the first quarter, the Wings went on a 16-5 run, stifling the Mercury’s offense. Guard JJ Quinerly led the charge going 3-4 and 50% from range. The Wings ended the first quarter hot with a 32-20 lead. In the second half, guard Aziaha James and Bueckers dominated. James scored 20 of her 28 points in the first half and finished the game with a career-high. The two scored 34 combined points. “One of my areas I need to work on is just being patient, I feel like I was being patient tonight and just allowing my shots to come to me,” James said. In the second half, the Wings came out slow with multiple fouls called on them which allowed Mercury guard Kahleah Copper to gain momentum. Copper went 10 for 17 on field goal attempts and scored nine free throws to record 33 points. “Proud of our team for sticking to a game plan and executing. Wasn’t perfect, still fouling too much,” head coach Chris Koclanes said. “We’re putting teams to the free throw line, but I thought we did a lot of really positive things.” The Wings had 38 rebounds over the Mercurys' 26. Li Yueru was a main contributor, recording 11 rebounds. The game added her fourth career double-double and third with the Wings. The Wings will go on the road for a rematch against the Phoenix Mercury at 9 p.m. Monday. This game will be available to stream on WNBA League Pass and broadcast on KFAA. @tracysansomjr sports-editor.shorthorn@uta.edu

The Volleyball Nations League comes to Arlington on July 9 with matches hosted at College Park Center. The Volleyball Nations League is an annual international volleyball tournament organized by the International Volleyball Federation. The tournament hosts men’s and women’s national teams in various cities around the world. The women’s tournament began June 3 and will run through July 27, when the finals are held in Łódź, Poland. The tournament opened with a 3-1 win by Turkey over France. The men’s competition started on June 11, with Poland defeating the Netherlands 3-1, and will conclude Aug. 3 in Ningbo, China. For the third year in a row, Arlington is playing a key role in the women’s group of the Volleyball Nations League. The city hosted the women’s finals in 2023 and week two of the preliminary phase in 2024. This year, Arlington will host week three games of the women’s preliminary round. The second week of the women’s preliminary round ended June 22, with the most recent match a 3-1 win by Poland over Serbia. Italy currently holds the top spot with eight wins and 22 points, followed closely by Poland with seven wins and 21 points. To start week three, Arlington spectators can expect to see matches from the United States, Canada, China, Dominican Republic, Germany and Thailand teams. The remaining women’s teams will compete in Apeldoorn, Netherlands and Chiba, Japan. This year’s Volleyball Nations League tournament features a new competitive format, expanding the number of teams and matches. In each gender, 18 teams will compete in 116 matches. Last year’s tournament included 16 teams and 104 matches per gender. In the preliminary round, teams play 12 matches spread across three weeks. There are three pools per week played at three different venues. Each pool includes six teams. The tournament picks back up July 8 with a match between Brazil and Bulgaria in Chiba, Japan. To start its hosting stint, Arlington will host a day full of matches starting with a game between Canada and Germany at 12:30 p.m. July 9 at College Park Center. All matches are available to stream on VBTV. @kaleivie_ sports-editor.shorthorn@uta.edu

The Texas Rangers (41-43) dropped their series finale 6-4 in extra innings against the Seattle Mariners (43-40) on Sunday at Globe Life Field. The Rangers opened the series against the Mariners with a 7-6 loss Friday, then bounced back with a 3-2 win Saturday. Every game in the series went into extra innings. Earlier in the series, former shortstop Elvis Andrus — who signed a one day contract to retire with the Rangers last September — was inducted into the Rangers’ Hall of Fame. Andrus debuted with the Rangers in 2009 and spent 12 of his 15 MLB seasons in Arlington. Additionally, there was a moment of silence before the first pitch Sunday for three-time Golden Glove winner Dave Parker, who died Saturday from Parkinson’s disease. Parker will be posthumously inducted into National Baseball Hall of Fame on July 27. Rangers starting pitcher Jack Leiter said that trial and error has gone into his game, but he is trying to keep it as simple as possible. Leiter recorded six innings and delivered seven strikeouts while on the mound. “There’s so many little things you could think about as a starting pitcher in this game. You can dive into all the little nuances or you can keep it as simple as possible; I’ve seen it done both ways,” he said. The Rangers opened the scoring in the second inning off an RBI from third baseman Josh Jung, who ran in outfielder Evan Carter. The Rangers were then held scoreless for seven innings. Mariners catcher Mitch Garver tied the game in the sixth inning with an RBI single. Seattle added two more runs to open extra innings and took the lead. In response, Rangers shortstop Corey Seager smashed a two-run home run over left center field, running in catcher Kyle Higashioka and tying the game. Seager recorded three RBIs and one hit in four at-bats, and tallied his 10th home run of the 2025 season. After a scoreless 11th inning, the Mariners broke through in the 12th inning on a sacrifice fly, running in outfielder Luke Raley. Immediately after, Garver hit his second home run of the game, sending a left-center field hit over the wall that scored outfielder Randy Arozarena. The Rangers managed one more run off a sacrifice fly in the bottom of the 12th, but could not overcome the deficit. A pop out by Ranger’s second baseman Marcus Semien secured the game and the series for the Mariners. Despite the overall outcome, Leiter was pleased with what he saw from the team. “Obviously wish we could’ve gotten a win, gotta shout out [Jacob] Latz and Luke [Jackson] and Cole [Winn]. The bullpen has been great all year and those guys kept us in it,” he said. “It’s been fun to watch everybody in the bullpen work.” The Rangers revisit the Baltimore Orioles at home, having just won a three-game away series against the team earlier in the week. Texas will host Baltimore at 7:05 p.m. Monday at Globe Life Field. @kaleivie_ sports-editor.shorthorn@uta.edu

The Dallas Wings (4-13) failed to come back from an early deficit in a 94-86 loss against the Indiana Fever (8-8) Friday at the American Airlines Center in Dallas. The Fever played without 2024 WNBA Rookie of the Year Caitlin Clark, who was out due to a left groin injury — her second injury of the season. The highly anticipated match would have been the first WNBA meeting between the Wings’ 2025 No. 1 draft pick Paige Bueckers and Clark. Several notable figures attended the high-profile game, including 2016 NBA champion Kyrie Irving, Cooper Flagg, the Dallas Mavericks’ 2025 No. 1 draft pick and Hall of Famer Cynthia Cooper-Dyke, among others. For the first time in franchise history, the Dallas Wings played a home game away from College Park Center. The game was a sellout, with over 20,000 fans in attendance, setting the largest recorded crowd for a professional basketball game in Texas. The crowd was loud from the opening tipoff and stayed that way throughout the game. Fans erupted in boisterous cheers while twirling towels after every play that went in the Wings’ favor. Indiana opened the game with a 14-0 run, taking a 16-2 lead less than four minutes in. The run was tanked after a personal foul was overturned on review, setting up a free throw from rookie guard Bueckers to get the Wings back on the board. The Fever held a 20-point lead by the end of the first quarter. The Wings struggled to convert shots and secure rebounds, giving the Fever chances to capitalize. Bueckers found her rhythm in the second half, more than doubling her first-half scoring. She finished with six assists and went 7-for-7 from the free-throw line. “I think really the spark was that third quarter defensively, us locking in and really paying attention to the details of the scout and making things as difficult as possible for them,” Bueckers said. In the fourth quarter, Wings guard JJ Quinerly tied the game with a fouled jump shot and granted Dallas its first lead with the ensuing free throw. Shortly after, Indiana responded with a 9-0 run. Down by seven with 36 seconds left, Dallas missed three shots, failing to close the gap, and Indiana pushed through for a 94-86 win. Fever guard Kelsey Mitchell led the way with 32 points and seven assists, playing a key role in Indiana’s assertive runs. Mitchell said Bueckers’ performance stood out, calling out how she plays great basketball and sets up her teammates to do the same. “Paige is just such a smart player, she reads defenses well, she knows how to pick you apart and so when you play against her, you have to make sure that you’re aware of where she is at all times,” Mitchell said. The Wings will host the Washington Mystics at 7 p.m. Saturday at College Park Center. The game will stream on WNBA League Pass and be broadcast on KFAA. @kaleivie_ sports-editor.shorthorn@uta.edu

The Western Athletic Conference will rebrand in July 2026 as the United Athletic Conference, with UTA set to be the flagship university, forming a consortium with the Atlantic Sun Conference, UTA Athletics announced Thursday in a press release. The new NCAA Division I conference will be led by executive director Jeff Bacon, the Atlantic Sun Conference’s current commissioner, according to a WAC press release. The initiative aims to improve operational efficiency, strengthen collaboration and longevity, and promote innovation across the conference. The alliance promises reduced travel demands for student athletes, continued access to NCAA tournaments and competition among like-minded institutions. The partnership with the Atlantic Sun Conference also opens new opportunities for UTA and other transitioning programs, including new potential revenue streams, joint scheduling initiatives and shared resources. The United Athletic Conference is set to host eight institutions. UTA can expect to see familiar schools like Tarleton State University and Abilene Christian University, alongside five new schools from the Atlantic Sun Conference: Austin Peay State University, University of Central Arkansas, Eastern Kentucky University, University of North Alabama and University of West Georgia. The Atlantic Sun Conference is expected to maintain membership of seven institutions. The balance will allow the conference to remain intact and operate independently while still supporting the transition. “We are thrilled about this groundbreaking move,” athletics director Jon Fagg said in UTA’s press release. “As college athletics sees changes across the country, we believe that these types of partnerships and associations represent the future landscape of college athletics.” @kaleivie_ sports-editor.shorthorn@uta.edu