In 2003, Plant High School won all of one football game. The once-proud Panthers had fallen on the hardest of times; they were now Friday Night Lightweights. Dad's Stadium orphans. Enter new head coach Robert J. Weiner, who seemed almost oblivious to the riches-to-rags challenge. The whispers had grown deafening that the iconic, 82-year-old South Tampa institution, synonymous with affluence and academic achievement, had grown too soft to excel at a tough, noncountry club sport. But the longtime Jesuit High assistant had seemingly been preparing for this opportunity his whole career. His philosophy of old-school work ethic, zealot-like motivation, unwavering loyalty and community commitment -- plus a fun, high-octane spread offense – may have found the perfect fit in high-profile, under-performing Plant High. He also realized that South Tampa was unique: a de facto small town within a major city and would likely rally around a revived football program. ...more

August 19, 2008

Before he became the greatest Olympian ever, Michael Phelps was a kid who was bullied because he had big ears and a lisp. A teacher once told his mother he'd never be successful because he couldn't focus. ...more

August 19, 2008

Selecting judges is no easy task. The candidates are often unfamiliar to voters and judicial canons prevent them from addressing specific issues. The restriction is frustrating, though appropriate. Judges must execute the law without bias or agenda. The bench is no place for political grandstanding. ...more

August 4, 2008

ALL-COUNTY BOYS TRACK AND FIELD Strength in numbers leads to county, district championships for previously unheralded program. ...more

August 3, 2008

Juli Inkster had the sort of opening round Annika Sorenstam was hoping for at the Women's British Open, a bogey-free 7-under 65 that left the 48-year-old American one shot ahead of the field. ...more

August 1, 2008

Dear President Bush, They say you can't always believe what you read in the papers. So, when I read that Marion Jones has applied to you for a pardon or commutation of her federal conviction for making false statements to investigators, I couldn't believe it. She lied to federal agents. She took steroids. She made false statements in a bank fraud investigation - not necessarily in that order. She admitted it. And now she apparently wants to be let off. ...more

July 24, 2008

On Monday, new University of South Florida defensive line coach John Hendrick hopes his life can return to normal. ...more

July 23, 2008

The new leader at USA Track and Field sent a letter to President Bush asking him to deny Marion Jones' request to commute her six-month prison sentence for lying to federal agents about her use of performance-enhancing drugs and a check-fraud scam. ...more

July 22, 2008

Today was awesome. It was a great day with a bunch of great guys out here. That made it a lot of fun. I got to hang out with them and talk to them. I already knew about five of them. I got to talk to them about their college decisions. So it was a really good first day. ...more

July 22, 2008

It's hard to say whether anyone at Major League Baseball's Park Avenue offices got online this week to cast a vote for Evan Longoria's All-Star candidacy, but the game's powers that be probably weren't too upset when the Rays rookie secured his place Thursday. ...more

July 11, 2008