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Regional scene: Former Rams player Hammon 'humbled'

Rocky Mountain News

Published August 27, 2008 at 12:23 a.m.

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Back in the United State with a gleaming bronze medal in hand, former Colorado State athlete Becky Hammon said the controversy surrounding her decision to play women's basketball for Russia in the Beijing Olympics has given her fresh perspective on life and has humbled her.

She also said the medal, which she compared to a "gigantic penny," was a bonus to a long personal journey.

"This is the game, and I think it's important to keep perspective," said Hammon, back at practice with the WNBA's San Antonio Silver Stars on Tuesday.

Hammon scored a team-high 22 points in Russia's 94-81 bronze-medal win against host China. She said her situation was far from unique.

"Our coaches go and coach over in other countries for the Olympics. Athletes go over to other countries. Other athletes from other countries come here and win medals for the United States," Hammon said.

DU SCHEDULES The University of Denver men's basketball team will open its home season on Nov. 25 against Northern Colorado and will host CSU (Dec. 20) and Grambling State (Dec. 22) prior to the Sun Belt Conference schedule.

The Pioneers will open their season Nov. 15 at Northern Iowa and also travel to Wyoming and Montana.

"This is an exciting schedule that is well-suited for our second year," DU coach Joe Scott said.

* DU women's basketball will open its season against Wyoming on Nov. 14 and also host Nebraska (Nov. 24), Air Force (Dec. 10) and Montana (Dec. 17).

The Pioneers will visit Creighton (Nov. 30) and CSU (Dec. 3) under new coach Erik Johnson.

SENIOR AMATEUR BERTHS Littleton resident Kelly Crone, Highlands Ranch resident Larry Netherton, Colorado Springs resident Fredrick Steffers and Indian Wells, Calif., golfer Bert Walker led in a playoff to emerge as the sectional qualifiers for the U.S. Golf Association Senior Amateur Championship.

Morrison resident Sean Forey and Oro Valley, Ariz., golfer James Pierce earned alternate berths at the sectional Tuesday at Saddleback Golf Course in Firestone. The national tournament will be held Sept. 20-25 in Fort Worth, Texas.

SOX SPLIT Christian Colonel recorded two hits and two RBI to spark the Colorado Springs Sky Sox to a 6-1 win Tuesday against the Tucson Sidewinders in a Pacific Coast League game at Security Service Field.

Earlier, the Sidewinders won 15-8 in the completion of a game suspended Aug. 14.

14ERS TRYOUTS The NBA Development League's Colorado 14ers will hold local player tryouts Sept. 27-28 on the club's practice court at the Broomfield Event Center.

Registration costs $150 and forms are available online at BroomfieldEventCenter.com and at 14ersHoops.com.