Thiel athlete dies at marathon

Toby Atwood, a member of the Thiel College women’s tennis team, died after collapsing during a half marathon in Erie, Pa.

Atwood was a 4.0 GPA student who also served as the Presidents’ Athletic Conference (PAC) Student-Athlete Advisory Committee (SAAC) president in 2024 as well as the Thiel SAAC president.

Atwood served as the president of Zeta Tau Alpha and was recently inducted into Chi Eta Sigma, the National Commerce Honorary Society. A member of Alpha Chi (National College Honor Scholarship Society), she was awarded the Thiel College Presidential Scholarship.

Atwood was named an Intercollegiate Tennis Association (ITA) Scholar-Athlete in 2024 and will garner the same laurel this year. She was also named to the College Sports Communicators (CSC) Academic All-District team in 2024.

In addition to excelling in the classroom, Atwood was a team co-captain in 2024 and was the Tomcats’ No. 1 singles player.

Jazz’s Filipowski wins SL MVP

SALT LAKE CITY — Kyle Filipowski became the first Utah Jazz player to earn most valuable player honors in the NBA Summer League on Tuesday.

Filipowski, a 6-foot-11 forward out of Duke, averaged a league-leading 29.3 points per contest over three games while adding 7.7 rebounds and 2.3 assists. He shot 56.1% from the field and 39.1% from 3-point range.

His best summer league performance came against San Antonio on July 14th when he finished with 35 points and 11 rebounds.

He’s hoping to use his summer league experience as a springboard for the role he wants to play with the Jazz in his second NBA season.

“Obviously it’s different in summer league versus (the regular season),” Filipowski said, following the third and final summer league game for the Jazz. “I’m just trying to be myself out there right now. However that translates to the season, that’s how it’s going to be. I’m going to make the most of it in that way.”

Filipowski appeared in 72 games in his rookie campaign with Utah, making 27 starts. He averaged 9.6 points, 6.1 rebounds, and 1.9 assists in 21.2 minutes per game. By season’s end, Filipowski was one of only two NBA rookies to total more than 650 points, 400 rebounds and 100 assists.

CBS’ Baker-Finch will retire

NEW YORK — Ian Baker-Finch is retiring after CBS ends its PGA Tour golf coverage next week after nearly 19 years of his friendly Australian voice contributing to the network’s broadcast.

Baker-Finch, best known for his British Open victory in 1991 among his 16 victories worldwide, joined CBS in 2007. He had worked the previous decade in golf announcing with ESPN and TNT.

“Golf has been an enormous part of my life,” Baker-Finch, 64, said in a statement. “I was fortunate to compete against the best players in the game and more recently work with the very best in television.”

CBS ends its 2025 coverage of the PGA Tour next week at the Wyndham Championship.

“As a major champion during his successful playing career and over three decades in broadcasting, Ian Baker-Finch distinguished himself as one of the most respected and trusted voices in golf,” said David Berson, the president and CEO of CBS Sports. “As he announces his retirement, we’ll miss his passion, insight, warmth and steady presence on the air but know he will continue to make his mark across the world of golf.”

Famous therapy bunny has died

SAN FRANCISCO — A beloved therapy bunny named Alex The Great, who provided snuggles and comfort from ballparks to NBA arenas, airports, farmers markets and even Easter egg hunts and NASCAR races, has died. He was 4.

A floppy-eared Flemish giant who was larger than life in both size and spirit, Alex suffered complications from cancer treatment and died early Monday, his owners said. The rabbit had undergone care at the renowned UC Davis Veterinary Hospital in recent days.

Alex appeared June 4 sporting his signature cap for Padres-Giants at Oracle Park. At 4 months old, he attended his first Giants game in April 2021 — believed to be the first bunny in the stands at the waterfront ballpark.

He loved wearing bow ties and riding in his remote-controlled car, which Alex did in November 2021 following an Arizona Fall League appearance at Scottsdale Stadium where he saw now-Angels catcher Logan O’Hoppe as a rising prospect.

Owners Kei Kato and Josh Row saved Alex from a slaughterhouse — but, really, it was the bunny who saved them. They took Alex on all their trips and he spent hours at San Francisco International Airport with a golden retriever friend offering travelers emotional support.

“He saved us and saved so many people,” Kato said via text message Monday. “All the stories people are sharing are so overwhelming.”

Fans stopped in awe when they saw Alex The Great wherever he went, often surprised by his size and always eager to snap a photo or selfie. Kato and Row were thrilled to share him with the world because Alex had brought them so much love and joy and they wanted to spread that to anyone who might need a lift or a smile. Or provide a chance to pet Alex’s soft orange fur or give him a hug.

Kato lost her brewery restaurant during the pandemic and adopting Alex provided her with a new purpose. He helped Kato deal with the anxiety and stress of no longer having her main source of income and the fulfillment her business brought.

When Alex became such a hit on the big screen, quick-thinking Daniel Kurish of the Marlins’ media relations staff went to find the bunny in the seventh inning to deliver some Miami gear.

Less than a month later, in May 2021, Alex appeared at a Suns-Warriors game at Chase Center. Of course, they loved him there, too. He’d also pop up outside the arena in Thrive City every now and then to greet fans before games.

“Let his legend continue,” Kato and Row wrote on Alex’s social media, “he was very loved.”