great scott!

Scott Frost named Coach of the Year at Paul 'Bear' Bryant Awards

After leading the Knights to an undefeated season, University of Central Florida head coach Scott Frost took home another win Wednesday. Frost was named college football Coach of the Year at the American Heart Association’s 32nd annual Paul “Bear” Bryant Awards, held at downtown's Hilton Americas-Houston and presented by Marathon Oil Corporation.

The coveted award, named for the distinguished longtime head coach of the University of Alabama football team, is bestowed by the National Sports Media Association in recognition of an elite group of coaches for their distinguished leadership on and off the field.

Frost’s achievements at UCF include taking his team from 0-12 to 13-0 in just two seasons, and ending the season with a 34-27 win over Auburn in the Chick-Fil-A Peach Bowl.

Frost told the audience that when he came to UCF, the team was struggling. “Now two years later they are leaving as champions, and I am so happy for them.”

Frost's success didn’t go unnoticed by Nebraska. He will take over as head coach of Cornhuskers next season.

The recipient of this year’s Lifetime Achievement Award, Steve Spurrier, ambassador and consultant at the University of Florida, is one of only four individuals named to the College Football Hall of Fame as both a player and a coach.

Spurrier won the Heisman Trophy in 1966 playing for the University of Florida; in 1989 he coached Duke to its first ACC Football championship in 55 years. He led the Florida Gators to six conference titles.

"Receiving the Coach Bryant Award from the American Heart Association is one of the best awards for coaching there is in the country. When I was an active coach for twenty five years, I did not win it. Winning the Lifetime Achievement Coach Bryant Award is just as good," Spurrier said while accepting the award.

Other finalists for Coach of the Year in attendance were Paul Chryst (Wisconsin); Clay Helton (University of Southern California); Gus Malzahn (Auburn University); Jeff Monken (Army); Kirby Smart (University of Georgia); and Dabo Swinney (Clemson University).

Funds raised from the Bryant Awards benefit American Heart Association research, advocacy and educational programs across the country aimed at the prevention and treatment of cardiovascular diseases and stroke.

In case you missed it, you can catch the program when it re-airs on various FOX Sports affiliates in February.

John Raymond, Leigh Anne Raymond, Coach Scott Frost, Mark Bryant Tyson.

Courtesy photo

John Raymond, Leigh Anne Raymond, Coach Scott Frost, Mark Bryant Tyson.

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pucker up

Growing pickleball franchise smashes into Houston with 2 locations

Two men play pickleball on a Picklr court.

Photo courtesy of The Picklr

A Picklr court campus similar to the ones soon to open in Houston.

Pickleball is one of the hottest sports sweeping the nation, and one of the biggest names in the game is setting up two new facilities in Houston. Picklr is scheduled to open indoor sports campuses in Cypress and The Woodlands in the coming months.

“Bringing a pickleball facility to Cypress will not only provide a fun and engaging recreational outlet for residents of all ages, but will also foster a sense of community and promote a healthy and active lifestyle,” said Steve Nguyen, owner of The Picklr Cypress.“This facility will serve as a vibrant hub for social interaction, skill development, and friendly/competitive competition, enhancing community bonds and offering a welcoming space for everyone to enjoy.”

Although the game is approximately 60 years old, pickleball saw a massive spike in popularity following the pandemic when people were looking for fun group activities with easy points of entry. Though a racket sport like tennis, it is far easier and slower thanks to using perforated balls, smaller courts, and lighter paddles. This means the game is open to players of all ages, and was originally most popular with retirees. Now, there are roughly 5 million players across America, with players under 24 making up the majority. Houston even has its own professional team, the Hammers (not the Texas Hammer; that's this guy).

The court in Cypress will be located in the old ASI Gymnastics building at 8920 Barker Cypress. It's a relatively modest facility with only six courts including a practice court. By contrast, The Woodlands location will be much more opulent. At 66,517 square feet, it will have 20 courts, 4 private event spaces (one with an exclusive viewing area), as well as a shower, changing room, dry bar, and kitchenette. Picklr The Woodlands will be located at 16590 Interstate I-45 South.

These locations are the first for Picklr in Houston. They have twelve locations all throughout Texas, including in Round Rock and McKinney, and many more nationwide. Picklr locations operate on a membership model similar to a gym. Memberships run $159 a month for adults and $89 for minors, with unlimited access to open play, league play, and tournaments , as well as four free clinics a month. Additional coaching is available.

There is currently no set opening date for the two Houston-area Picklrs. Players interested in learning more may sign up for updates at ThePicklr.com.

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