NATE ULRICH: New face of OIAMB isn't shy about intentions

When someone who can easily knock my head off with one punch suggests something, I tend to listen.

NATE ULRICH: Petrov family keeps priorities straight

If there was ever a shiny, polished trophy designated for Northwest Indiana's greatest "wrestling family," it would go to the Petrov clan of Cedar Lake.

NATE ULRICH: Crouch has right attitude after first loss

Josh Crouch has some advice for anyone who buys a ticket to Friday's One In A Million Boxing Inc. show at the Hammond Civic Center.

NATE ULRICH: Boxer Hernandez won't quit, but he will entertain

Miguel "Macho" Hernandez might have some Brett Favre in him.

NATE ULRICH: Blackhawks' resistance to panic pays off

CHICAGO | Save the Heimlich maneuver for another team. The Blackhawks clutched their throats, but it was a false alarm.

NATE ULRICH: Ortiz attempts to juggle dream, business

Tyree Ortiz has ducked under the proverbial yellow tape and entered dangerous territory.

NATE ULRICH: Pro athletes venture into 'Man vs. Wild'

More and more these days professional athletes are invading your TV, and their intrusion is no longer limited to game days.

NATE ULRICH: Swingin' Seniors hoping for Bulls playoff appearance

CHICAGO | The Swingin' Seniors aren't ready to hang up their dancing shoes just yet.

NATE ULRICH: Should he stay or should he go?

INDIANAPOLIS | Brad Stevens is the LeBron James of college basketball coaches.

NATE ULRICH: NCAA, please don't ruin this for us

INDIANAPOLIS | It's the end of March Madness as we know it, and I don't feel fine.

NATE ULRICH: Butler comfortable with underdog role

INDIANAPOLIS | Some people tried to label Butler as a Cinderella story earlier in the NCAA tournament, but the slipper didn't fit.

NATE ULRICH: Fans of Butler, Michigan State create unique atmosphere

INDIANAPOLIS | Entering the NCAA tournament's national semifinal game between Butler and Michigan State, many of the coaches and players involved warned reporters not to believe the hype.

NATE ULRICH: Butler significantly raises Horizon League's profile

INDIANAPOLIS | Here's a question you might see on a standardized test for college basketball fans:

NATE ULRICH: Tyson show to shed light on unique world of pigeon racing

A couple weeks ago, TV network Animal Planet announced former world heavyweight boxing champion Mike Tyson will star in a new reality show about the sport of pigeon racing.

NATE ULRICH: NFL's new postseason overtime rules make sense

No longer will a stinkin' coin flip be the all-important factor in an NFL playoff game.

NATE ULRICH: Excuse Purdue fans if they've been cranky

College basketball's madness will be in full swing starting today, but Purdue fans have been pacing back and forth, yanking their hair out and muttering obscenities to themselves since this past Sunday night.

NATE ULRICH: Mustangs can be proud they did it their way

MICHIGAN CITY | There's a reason the Munster boys basketball team advanced to its second consecutive regional championship game Saturday night, and it has less to do with talent than you might think.

NATE ULRICH: Blackhawks fans beware: standing is expensive risk

Schererville resident Ed Reising feels as if he's been stood up by his favorite professional sports franchise.

NATE ULRICH: Travis has right attitude in aftermath of loss

Before I forget about high school wrestling until next winter, there's still some news from the 2009-10 season begging to be discussed.

NATE ULRICH: Bulldogs will be back

GREENWOOD | Crown Point's wrestlers didn't hang their heads.

NATE ULRICH: Waite's wait to fight appears to be over

I couldn't help but think of a memorable scene from "The Karate Kid" this past week when I received a slew of e-mails and phone calls about a notable scheduling change to One In A Million Boxing Inc.'s "Fight Night 2010."

NATE ULRICH: LaPorte's Raines welcomes Patrick

If you've had enough of Danica Patrick lately, Tony Raines feels your pain.

NATE ULRICH: Gary boxer Mary McGee, OIAMB up ante with Dierdorff

Since taking over as One In A Million Boxing Inc.'s new president and CEO in August, Tyree Ortiz has vowed to elevate his fighters' careers by testing them against quality competition.

NATE ULRICH: March Madness faces serious threat

The NCAA is akin to a character in a horror movie who's on the verge of turning the wrong corner and encountering a bogeyman with a bad attitude.

NATE ULRICH: Local super fans live for Colts

If the Colts defeat the New Orleans Saints in Super Bowl XLIV on Sunday, I know of at least two grown men who'll be bawling like infants.

NATE ULRICH: Garcon's intangibles invaluable for Colts

INDIANAPOLIS | With a Haitian flag draped around his shoulder pads, Pierre Garcon resembled a caped superhero as he ran off the field at Lucas Oil Stadium.

NATE ULRICH: Colts-Ravens rivalry has potential for greatness

INDIANAPOLIS | The frustration, anger and hatred still exists.

NATE ULRICH: Munster wrestling's selfless attitude refreshing

Danny Johnson made the most of his opportunity when he was inserted into Munster's lineup this past Saturday at the ninth annual Lake County Wrestling Championship.

NATE ULRICH: The Big Unit spread fear, achieved greatness

Standing 6-foot-10 with a dirty-blond mullet and a thick mustache that stretched across his often-scowling face, Randy Johnson was not someone you'd ever want to encounter in a dark alley.

Colts wise not to become too greedy

So the Colts won't finish this season with a perfect record.

Skepticism logical in modern-day NBA

Professional basketball has changed quite a bit since Lew Wallace graduate Tellis Frank was selected by the Golden State Warriors in the first round of the 1987 NBA draft.

NATE ULRICH: NBA nonsense has created monster

I'm 25 years old, and I'm already turning into a grumpy old man.

NATE ULRICH: Reflecting on another fun prep football season

Whew. The 2009 prep football season was quite a ride.

NATE ULRICH: Taking chances makes football fun

New England Patriots coach Bill Belichick's risky decision this past Sunday night became the hottest topic of sports-related discussion seemingly everywhere the following day.

NATE ULRICH: 'D' in Devils sets Lowell apart

LOWELL | With Lowell senior running back Brandon Grubbe setting records this season like it's his job, it's easy to overlook one of the main sources of the Red Devils' success this decade.

NATE ULRICH: E.C. Central grad Moore shouldn't be overlooked

When you hear chatter about the Purdue men's basketball team, most of it's centered around junior forward Robbie Hummel.

NATE ULRICH: Lowell's Brandon Grubbe continues to amaze

Lowell's an old-school football program with old-school fans.

NATE ULRICH: Line's throwback style fuels Lowell's success

LOWELL | If your nickname is "Grandpa," it's probably safe to assume you're an old-school guy.

NATE ULRICH: Guts included in recipe for success

ROSEMONT | There are more reasons to "Boiler Up" if you're a Purdue men's basketball fan than there are reasons to get a flu shot if you're someone with a pulse.

L.C.'s Payonk can win state cross country title

If you've been to a local cross country meet during the past few years, you've noticed Lake Central senior Dana Payonk. After all, how could you possibly miss her?

NATE ULRICH: Nothing's shocking about WNBA's sad state

A WNBA biography page of 1994 Lew Wallace graduate Angela Hamblin-Blakely was bookmarked in an Internet browser on my laptop.

NATE ULRICH: Pro debut to help Griffith grad find closure

When One In A Million Inc. boxing promoter Octavius James died unexpectedly on July 24, he left this world with some unfinished business.

NATE ULRICH: C.P. boys cross country team approaching milestone

The Crown Point girls cross country team stole the show last weekend by winning its first Duneland Athletic Conference title.

NATE ULRICH: Recent upset has special meaning for Hammond Boxing Club

Hammond native Eric Jakubowski has been involved with boxing for most of his life, so it's not difficult for him to identity the favorite and underdog in a particular fight.

NATE ULRICH: Oudin's U.S. Open success makes Munster's Hill smile

During her first month of college, recent Munster graduate Mary Hill has had a unique chance to unleash some timely bragging rights.

NATE ULRICH: Pratt represents hope for Gary football

Ask anyone what's the first thing that comes to mind when he or she hears "Gary football."

NATE ULRICH: Goodman takes hard work to another level

It's not uncommon for high school coaches to proclaim their teams have been blessed with the presence of "the hardest working kid."

NATE ULRICH: Unassisted triple play has to be luckiest play in sports, right?

As Mickey Morandini plopped down to watch TV Sunday night, his name instantly became the answer to a new trivia question.

NATE ULRICH: Ortiz perfect to lead One In A Million

The only people who usually stay up as late as sportswriters are college students and vampires.

NATE ULRICH: One In A Million boxing will endure despite loss of its leader

The local boxing scene took a devastating blow when noted promoter Octavius James died on July 24, and the sport's future in Northwest Indiana has been in doubt ever since.