sponsored by
RSSAl Hamnik
Al Hamnik
Al Hamnik is a Region native, born in East Chicago and a graduate of Griffith High School and Calumet College.
He's been a reporter and columnist in Northwest Indiana for 42 years and is a member of the Indiana Sportswriters and Sportscasters Hall of Fame, as well as a winner of the Indiana sportswriter of the year award, an IHSAA media award winner, a Corky Lamm Award winner and a three-time HSPA winner.
He's covered two Super Bowls, six NBA championships, the Pan-American Games, the Big Ten and NCAA men's basketball tournaments, championship series for both the Cubs and White Sox and title games across the IHSAA spectrum.
Reach Al Hamnik at (219) 933-4154 or al.hamnik@nwi.com
Latest News
AL HAMNIK: Some can't miss tips for filling seats at U.S. Steel Yard
The RailCats are hovering around .500 in the American Association standings and struggling at the ticket window, so it's time for drastic measures.
AL HAMNIK: No hard feelings between Peyton Manning and Colts' brass
Sports ownership is seldom beloved and waiving the face of your franchise will get the angry villagers lighting torches quicker than anything.
AL HAMNIK: The region loses another athlete to the heavenly hall of fame
Tim Keough, a jolly old soul while retired and living in Arizona, told friends in Northwest Indiana that he often was "booked" making appearances as Santa Claus at the local stores during Christmas.
June 11, 2013 5:15 pm PhotosPhotos
AL HAMNIK: Ryan Grigson brings his 'mental toughness' to revitalized Colts
WEST LAFAYETTE | The term “mental toughness” in sports today is so often watered down.
AL HAMNIK: East Chicago's E'Twaun Moore picking Spurs to win NBA title
For an insider's scoop on the San Antonio Spurs and Miami Heat, ask E'Twaun Moore.
June 08, 2013 5:30 pm PhotosPhotos
AL HAMNIK: Harbor lights show the way for East Chicago's Mirko Blesich
John Baratto's East Chicago Washington basketball teams produced several great players, but the movie credits didn't end there.
June 04, 2013 7:15 pm PhotosPhotos
AL HAMNIK: Purdue football hire Hazell not ducking the issues
I like new Purdue football skipper Darrell Hazell. He avoids the ho-hum coach speak that puts you to sleep.
AL HAMNIK: Purdue's Cardinal found his niche among NBA's freaks and phenoms
You watch LeBron James take off at midcourt for a windmill dunk or Kevin Durant pull up for a 3, then fall backwards into the third row.
AL HAMNIK: Gary athletics need to regroup for 2013-14 school year
The athletic programs in Gary have become a joke, like the hapless victim who unknowingly has a "KICK ME!" sign taped to his back at the workplace.
AL HAMNIK: Pacers heating up their series with Miami
Name calling and organized sports go together like buttered popcorn.
AL HAMNIK: In the case of LeBron and MJ, the ring's the thing
You have the No. 1 pick in the NBA draft and money to burn.
May 18, 2013 5:30 pm PhotosPhotos
AL HAMNIK COLUMN: Bulls bracing for the end and probably know it
CHICAGO | What do you do, what do you say, when the end is inevitable?
AL HAMNIK: Bulls' checklist holds the key in Game 4 with Heat
CHICAGO | You can't stop Sasquatch with spitballs.
May 11, 2013 5:45 pm PhotosPhotos
AL HAMNIK: Shorthanded Bulls haven't lost the chip on their shoulder
CHICAGO | Coach Tom Thibodeau says we're missing the real story.
AL HAMNIK: Forget what's his name and focus on active Bulls
Quit dumping your vitriol on Derrick Rose, OK?
AL HAMNIK: Nate Robinson's epic quarter not of this world
CHICAGO | Nate Robinson isn't human.
AL HAMNIK: Noah doubt whatsoever who Bulls' MVP has been this season
CHICAGO | Free spirit Joakim Noah has undergone an amazing transformation from clown to All-Star since joining the Bulls.
AL HAMNIK: Urlacher's golf game should get plenty of work
Besides growing up together in cozy Lovington, New Mexico and being best friends, the bond between Brian Urlacher and Brandon Ridenour is as basic as milk.
AL HAMNIK: Sidelined Derrick Rose facing damage control as well
Fans will turn on a professional athlete faster than a rabid dog. It's their nature as paying customers.
AL HAMNIK: Splash party planned for Hammond Civic Center on Saturday
Batiste Haywood has a plan, a pretty good one at that.
AL HAMNIK: Gary's Mary McGee picks her time to be 'merciless'
Mary "Merciless" McGee has literally been a fighter all her life.
AL HAMNIK: Boston Marathon bombing called 'outside the box'
You could sense the shock and deep sadness in Carey Pinkowski's voice as if he were sitting next you at a Starbucks, baring his soul.
April 16, 2013 12:00 am PhotosPhotos
AL HAMNIK: U-M's McGary, GR3 need to stay put another year
An open letter to Michigan's Glenn Robinson III, Mitch McGary and Spike Albrecht:
April 13, 2013 5:45 pm PhotosPhotos
AL HAMNIK: Derrick Rose soap opera running out of gas
CHICAGO | Cover your children's ears. Don't touch the Derrick Rose poster in their bedroom, though purple bunting taped across it might be appropriate.
AL HAMNIK: Little Jack Hoffman's story warms up all of America
Feel-good stories are as rare as a Cubs winning streak.
April 09, 2013 6:30 pm PhotosPhotos
AL HAMNIK: EC's Tim Stoddard shared NCAA spotlight in 1974
Next to the Super Bowl, the NCAA men's basketball championship is the most popular sporting event in this country.
April 08, 2013 6:15 pm PhotosPhotos
AL HAMNIK: Jerome Harmon now operating on auto pilot
It was once believed Jerome Harmon could fly.
April 06, 2013 5:15 pm PhotosPhotos
AL HAMNIK: East Chicago's Moore making a point in Orlando
CHICAGO | Now at power forward for the Orlando Magic, No. 55, E'Twaun Moore.
AL HAMNIK: McDonald's All-American Game should focus on the complete player
CHICAGO | How sad that a high school player's future can be summed up with flashy one-liners and comparisons to an NBA star.
AL HAMNIK: Kevin Ware injury handled with class on social media
Occasionally, social media gets it right.
AL HAMNIK: Gary's Campbell following Marc Trestman's lead
If Erik Campbell was an assistant for Marc Trestman last season, he might be on the Bears payroll in 2013-14.
AL HAMNIK: Miami vise tightens on postseason hopes
CHICAGO | I took the bait. I feel so dumb.
AL HAMNIK: Kawann Short bandwagon destined to tip over
WEST LAFAYETTE | Kawann Short wants so badly to play pro football, he's given up pizza and ribs and chocolate sundaes.
March 25, 2013 6:45 pm PhotosPhotos
AL HAMNIK: Hapless Bulls testing Thibodeau's acting ability
CHICAGO | Covering Tom Thibodeau's press conferences is like having an ill friend at the hospital and watching them slowly slip away.
AL HAMNIK: Bryce Drew's heart with the VU Crusaders for now
AUBURN HILLS, MICH.| And now the questioning, the second-guessing, begins.
March 21, 2013 6:15 pm PhotosPhotos
AL HAMNIK: Spartans' Izzo willing to 'steal' success legally
AUBURN HILLS, MICH. | Tom Izzo loves wearing a bull's-eye on his back and dodging hand grenades.
AL HAMNIK: Bad money becoming a common practice in NBA
People are losing their jobs each day.
AL HAMNIK: Bowman haters make no sense at all
GARY | Why are so many people jealous of Bowman Academy and its wildly successful basketball program?
AL HAMNIK: A night like no other for Hall of Famer Barry Quigg
HAMMOND | Barry and Jason Quigg are a father-son TV movie with a hanky ready next to the remote.
March 12, 2013 7:45 pm PhotosPhotos
AL HAMNIK: Teddy bear days are over for Purdue's Kawann Short
We called Kawann Short a teddy bear as a basketball-football standout at East Chicago Central.
AL HAMNIK: Hawks' success carries a hefty price for fans
The problem with your favorite pro team kicking butt and having a super season is ticket prices.
AL HAMNIK: Andrean grad the 'Wright' fit for MLB career
Angie Wright kept stats for Andrean baseball coach Dave Pishkur as a student, but that was just Step 1 in pursuing a career after college.
AL HAMNIK: Court jesters an increasing concern in hoop hysteria
Imagine running with the bulls in Pamplona Spain and tripping.
AL HAMNIK: Toni Kukoc fame extends beyond 1.8 seconds
One event can define you for life, particularly in sports where the goat lives on forever.
AL HAMNIK: Derrick Rose might be smart to sit this season out
With all apologies to "The Music Man," we got trouble, right here in the Windy City, and it's spelled B-U-L-L-S with a capital B.
AL HAMNIK: Local boxing still carries a punch with Hardesty's HBC
HAMMOND | Something quite special is happening at 250 Ogden St., and it's not a massive yard sale where one person's garbage is another's treasure.
February 23, 2013 5:15 pm PhotosPhotos
AL HAMNIK: Heat not making a big deal about lack of bigs
CHICAGO | The Miami Heat are running away with the Eastern Conference's No. 1 playoff seed, but no one is handing out cigars and party hats.
February 21, 2013 8:15 pm PhotosPhotos
Follow The Times
Latest Local Offers
Lisa Rankin, M.D. will speak on "Mind Over Medicine: Scientific Proof You Can Heal Yourself" at annual symposium.
http://bit.ly/aK3dW9
Ashley Furniture sets available at Mattresses Plus Featuring Sunrise Fireworks
Mattresses Plus Featuring Sunrise Fireworks has proudly served…
At Hoosier Chiropractic, We Earn Your Business With Every Phone Call, Every Visit & Every Treatment. Call Today!!
You pay what you believe you can afford You pay what you beli…
Tired of Paying Outrageous Prices for Chiropractic Care? At Hoosier Chiropractor, You Only Pay What You Feel the Service is Worth to YOU
At Hoosier Chiropractor, our philosophy is simple, you only pa…
National Video
Most Popular
- 1 Roof blows off LOFS house, vehicles overturn during storm
- 2 Residents, officials surveying damage in wake of Wednesday night storms
- 3 Paula Cooper: Convicted of murder at 15, a Gary woman prepares for her 2013 release
- 4 Gary woman sentenced to die at 16 to be released from prison
- 5 Woman fatally stabbed in C.P. domestic dispute
Poll
Loading…
Which team will win the Stanley Cup?
Sports Blogs
- Valparaiso Basketball What If... (2011-12 Edition)June 17, 2013 5:06 pm
- LIVE: RailCats vs. Quebec, waiting out the rainJune 12, 2013 8:52 pm
- LIVE: RailCats hope to keep winning ways vs. QuebecJune 11, 2013 5:00 pm
- Valparaiso Basketball What If... (2012-13 edition)June 10, 2013 10:30 am
Please Wait…