Olympics Put Pressure on Mormons to Change Utah Liquor Laws

"The liquor laws are outmoded and out of date and we must change them if we want to attract international visitors to Utah," says Rocky Anderson, the Mayor of Salt Lake City. Anderson is working to make alcohol easier to obtain for the influx of visitors expected for the 2001 Winter Olympics, but the campaign is dividing the community. Many residents of Utah belong to the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints which opposes the consumption of alcoholic beverages and they do not believe the laws should be relaxed.

LDS Mission Helped Stanford's Pitching Ace

If you want to pitch in the big leagues, there may not be any place better to play than Stanford University, especially this year, as the Cardinals have jumped to the top of Baseball America's college rankings. The school has developed a stellar baseball reputation, producing star pitchers like Mike Mussina, Jack McDowell and Rick Helling. But the school's latest ace, Jeremy Guthrie, has an added advantage, the maturity that comes to many after serving an LDS mission to Spain.

Phil Jackson's 'Education' for Madsen

Los Angeles Lakers coach Phil Jackson loves books, and has made a habit of giving his players books once or twice a year, both to let them know that he thinks about them as people, and, hopefully, to give them a different perspective on life. His first gift to Laker's rookie Mark Madsen recognized Madsen's membership in the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints while trying to give Madsen a different perspective.

Mormons in NCAAs: Just Duke and Stanford Left

After the first weekend of "March Mayhem" only two teams with Mormon players are left in the NCAA tournament, and only Stanford seems likely to actually play Mormons in its remaining games. Two other teams with Mormon players, Utah State and Western Kentucky, both lost on Friday and Saturday, Western Kentucky without letting its Mormon, Golden Ingle, touch a live ball.

Sports: Madsen and Bradley Have Strong Weeks; Three Mormons Left in NCAAs

After the first week of the NCAA tournament, just Duke and Stanford are left with Mormon players, and only the players on Stanford's team are expected to play much in the tournament's final games. In professional sports, Shawn Bradley and Mark Madsen had strong weeks, while in Golf only three golfers (of nine) played in last weekend's tournaments.

Other Sports News Articles

Bower Says Won't Leave U Wisconsin After Coach Fired

MADISON, WISCONSIN -- The University of Wisconsin's decision not to rehire men's basketball coach Brad Soderberg after the team lost to Georgia State in the first round of the NCAA tournament drew protests from some vocal team members who felt the coach had helped the team. Mormon player Ricky Bower told the Journal-Sentinel that he wasn't completely surprised at it, however. "I saw signs going both ways so I really didn't know what to expect," Bower said. "I hurt for Coach Soderberg. I hurt for everyone on the staff and their families." But Bower adds he's not sure what he will do. "I'm just going to wait it out," he said. "I'm excited to see who they bring in, meet them and talk to them. I'm not really thinking about leaving."

Team members critical of Soderberg's exit Milwaukee Journal Sentinel 19Mar01 S2 By Jeff Potrykus

Anheuser-Busch Will Create "Beer Garden" in Contrast to LDS Church-owned Medals Plaza

SALT LAKE CITY, UTAH -- Anheuser-Busch will lease the Salt Lake City-owned Gallivan Center during the 2002 Winter Olympics to create a family theme park with beer sales. The park will contrast with the dry Medals plaza a few blocks away, which will be constructed on land owned by the LDS Church. City Olympic Planner John Sittner says the two will play off each other well.

Beer will be sold at Gallivan Center Provo UT Daily Herald (AP) 22Mar01 S1 Associated Press

Returned Missionary Joins Michigan Wolverines

DETROIT, MICHIGAN -- Former San Diego State football player Spencer Brinton has returned from an LDS mission and has joined the University of Michigan Wolverines.

Henson traded back to Yankees Detroit MI News 21Mar01 S2

[an error occurred while processing this directive]