"Lazzari's Sports Roundup" - - - - 3/14/15

A few days ago, I came across a picture of actor Sean Penn and actress Charlize Theron walking arm-in-arm outside a theater in L.A.--with Penn possessing a very melancholy look on his face. Message to Mr. Penn: If you're looking sad with a beauty like Charlize at your side, then there is absolutely NOTHING IN THIS WORLD that will make you smile. And when a guy like Bill Belichick smiles more than YOU do, then there's a problem, Sean. Just a reminder, Mr. Penn: It's CHARLIZE THERON, for cryin' out loud..........TRIVIA QUESTION: Name the former guard who is the Dallas Mavericks all-time leader in total assists AND steals. Answer to follow..........In this past weekend's New York Post, my buddy/fellow columnist Phil Mushnick brought up the academic negligence problem at UMASS when John Calipari was coaching there approximately 20 years ago--and how guys like Marcus Camby weren't cutting it in the classroom. When questioned about it at the time, Calipari told ESPN's Roy Firestone that Camby had turned it around and improved academically, in fact, making the "Athletic Department's Dean's List." Mushnick's reaction: "Athletic Department Dean's List? What's that for--perfect attendance at PRACTICE?"..........Did you know that NHL Hall of Famer Mike Bossy played ten years in the league and scored less than 50 goals in a season just ONCE? That happened to be during his final year in the league ('86-'87) when he STILL managed to score 38 goals (in 63 games) while battling injuries. His highest goal-scoring season? The 1978-'79 campaign when he tallied 69 goals for an Al Arbour-led Islanders squad that finished first in the NHL's Patrick Division..........The Connecticut Sports Writers' Alliance (CSWA) has announced that the husband and wife pair of Bob and Cookie Bromage will receive the Bo Kolinsky Special Recognition Award at the upcoming Gold Key Dinner--to be held at the Aqua Turf Club in Southington on April 26th. This coming August, the Bromages will have combined to coach high school athletics here in CT for an astounding 100 years (yes, you read that correctly, my friends). Bob coached baseball at Enfield High for 39 years before moving on to East Granby. Cookie started as the cheerleading coach at Enfield in 1966 and ultimately formed the field hockey team there. In August, she will begin her 49th season as field hockey coach at the northern CT school. The award--in its second year--is named after the longtime high school sports editor of the Hartford Courant (and past CSWA member) who passed away in 2003. Tickets to this prestigious event can be obtained by contacting CSWA President Matt Conyers (mconyers@courant.com) or VP Tim Jensen (tim@enfieldsource.com)..........*Rhyme time: LPGA golfer Mo Martin marries former NFL linebacker Leon Joe, divorces, marries Army wide receiver Edgar Poe--divorces again--then walks down the aisle with former San Diego Chargers LB Woodrow Lowe. She is then roaming the links with the catchy, full name of Mo Joe Poe Lowe..........*Attention NY Yankees fans: The chances of CC Sabathia, A-ROID, and Mark Texeira going the full 2015 season INJURY-FREE are about the same as yours truly dating actress Sandra Bullock within the next week or so..........Congratulations go out to legendary baseball coach Bill Holowaty--who was recently selected for induction to the National College Baseball Hall of Fame. Holowaty compiled a mind-boggling record of 1,404-525-7 (and won four national titles) while coaching at Eastern CT State University over a 45-year span. He retired in 2013 as the winningest coach in the history of New England athletics at ANY level. Bill is one of eight honorees (including former major leaguers Lance Berkman and Frank Viola) who will be inducted as part of college baseball's annual celebration to be held June 28-29 in Lubbock, TX. Having had the opportunity to interview/speak with Coach Holowaty on numerous occasions, I ALWAYS had the feeling that I was in the company of greatness; yes, he possesses THAT type of presence. Whenever I think of Bill Holowaty, the expression "old school" immediately comes to mind. And guess what? His approach WORKED--for a VERY long time. Congrats, Coach--a well-deserved honor..........Answer to trivia question: DEREK HARPER (5,111 assists/1,551 steals)..........Finally, condolences go out to the family of former NBA player Jerome Kersey--who passed away a few weeks ago at the age of 52. A forward who played his college ball at Division II Longwood University, Kersey enjoyed a 17-year career with the Blazers, Warriors, Lakers, Sonics, Spurs, and Bucks. But he will be best remembered for his consistent years in Portland--helping the team reach the NBA Finals in both 1990 and 1992. For his entire career, Kersey averaged 10.3 ppg/5.5 rpg. But he also combined his immense athletic talent with a pleasant demeanor and an infectious smile--rendering him a fan favorite. Portland owner Paul Allen remarked in a statement that Kersey was "one of the most beloved players to ever wear a Trail Blazers uniform." Yes, the NBA and its fans were privileged to watch a 'class act' like Kersey play for a very long time. May you rest in peace, sir.