Chevy Chase

Real estate mogul, Washington Nationals owner, and and Chevy Chase resident Ted Lerner has passed away at the age of 97. Lerner purchased the Nationals from Major League Baseball in 2006 for $450,000,000. The team released the following statement on Monday morning: “It is with great sadness that we announce the passing of Founding Managing Principal Owner, Theodore N. Lerner. The crowning achievement of his family business was bringing baseball back to the city he loved -and with it, bringing a championship home for the first time since 1924. He cherished the franchise and what it brought to his beloved hometown.”

From our article 7 Marylanders Make “Forbes 400 List of Richest Americans”:


MCPS

Head Varsity Girls Volleyball Coach at Magruder High School Scott Zanni announced his retirement today. Zanni has been coaching high school volleyball for 30 years, with the last 27 being at Magruder in Derwood.  In 2019, the Magruder Varsity Girls team won the 3A state championship with a 25-0 record. Below is the resignation letter he submitted to Magruder Principal Dr. Leroy Evans:

“After 30 rewarding years serving as a high school volleyball coach, I have decided the time is right for me to retire as the varsity volleyball coach at Colonel Zadok Magruder High School. Coaching student athletes has been among the most gratifying and enjoyable experiences of my life and I will be forever thankful. However, I believe now is the time for me to step away from a sport that has given me so much and take on new challenges and new experiences, both inside and outside of Montgomery County Public Schools.


Beyond MoCo

Per the State of Maryland (2.1.23): ​Today, Governor Wes Moore and the Baltimore Orioles announced their joint commitment to creating a long-term, multi-decade, public-private partnership that both develops and revitalizes the Camden Yards complex as a magnet for sports tourism and leverages Maryland taxpayers’ investment in the property. Governor Moore and the Orioles look forward to continuing the conversation about the next evolution of this critical partnership for Maryland and the City of Baltimore.​

Since 1992, Oriole Park has hosted more than 2,500 events, welcoming nearly 75 million fans and generating more than $10 billion in economic impact for the benefit of both the City of Baltimore and the State of Maryland. Under legislation passed by the General Assembly last year, a new lease agreement will unlock $600 million in funding for upgrades and improvements to Oriole Park at Camden Yards. The entire Orioles organization will continue to dedicate the necessary time and resources to ensure a shared vision for a reimagined Camden Yards site and revitalized surrounding downtown Baltimore area.​


MoCo Government

“Sports is the largest participatory activity in Montgomery County and participants not only learn the value of teamwork and sportsmanship but involvement also leads to higher levels of physical fitness, confidence, self-esteem, and academic success,” said Robin Riley, director of Montgomery County Recreation. “This committee will advocate for enhanced sports opportunities and exceptional facilities ensuring youth have access to recreational sports programs. We look forward to working with community stakeholders and collaborators to develop a roadmap for identifying opportunities to expand programming.”


Beyond MoCo

“This is an exciting day for the City of Baltimore and the State of Maryland as the Ravens are truly a world-class organization and a source of great pride for Marylanders,” said Governor Larry Hogan. “With the ratification of this historic agreement, we are securing the franchise’s presence in Baltimore for decades to come, and advancing critical infrastructure upgrades for M&T Bank Stadium. I want to thank both the Ravens and the Maryland Stadium Authority for their continued strong partnership.”

Following passage by the Maryland General Assembly of HB896 (2022), the MSA was delighted that the Ravens expressed a desire to discuss their agreement well in advance of its 2027 expiration and investment in M&T Bank Stadium as it approaches its 25th year. HB896 offered a significant incentive for the team to renew or extend its lease and remain in Baltimore, and it provides the opportunity to expand the economic impact of games and other year-round activities at the stadium.


Beyond MoCo

The XFL today revealed the names and logos for the eight teams that will be competing in the 2023 season, which kicks off on February 18, 2023. The Washington DC team, which will play its home games at Audi Field, will continue to be known as the D.C. Defenders. The Defenders went 3-2 during the XFL’s 2020 season, which ended prematurely in April 2020 due to the COVID-19 pandemic. The XFL was then purchased by Dwayne “the Rock” Johnson in August 2020 after the league went bankrupt.  The Defenders will be coached this season by Reggie Barlow and the XFL draft takes place in November.  Additional information courtesy of the XFL:

The DC Defenders are an unmatched defensive force overlooking the most guarded capital in the world. They don't give up ground, they take it. #XFL2023 pic.twitter.com/WdhtGFvGbB


Bethesda

MoCo native Katie Ledecky won ESPN ESPYs (Excellence in Sports Performance Yearly Awards) for “Best Athlete-Women’s Sports” and the “Best Olympian-Women’s Sports” at last night’s annual award show.  Ledecky has won 7 Olympic gold medals and 22 world championship gold medals, the most in history for a female swimmer. She is also the world record holder in the women’s 400-, 800-, and 1500-meter freestyle (long course), and holds the fastest-ever times in the women’s 500-, 1000-, 1500-, and 1650-yard freestyle events.

Ledecky attended Little Flower School through eighth grade and graduated from Stone Ridge School of the Sacred Heart in 2015. Ledecky’s current home base is in in Gainesville, Florida. You can view a Ledecky’s acceptance speech below:


MoCo Government

ROCKVILLE, Md., June 28, 2022—Today, the Council unanimously enacted Bill 6-22, which will create the Montgomery County Sports Advisory Committee. This new organizing body will identify and advocate for enhanced sports opportunities and address discrepancies found in youth sports.

Montgomery County has a rich sports tradition and numerous public and private facilities, including the Montgomery County SoccerPlex, which provide a significant economic boost to Montgomery County and raises the quality of life for residents.


Beyond MoCo

On July 31 at the Nashville Fairgrounds in Nashville, TN, 73-year-old professional wrestler Ric Flair, real name Richard Fliehr, will be making his return to the ring for one last match at an event titled Starrcast V.  One person who isn’t excited about the Nature Boy’s return to the ring is CBS radio anchor and part time news writer for WTOP  Christopher Cruise. Wrestling fans will remember Cruise as a play-by-play commentator and interviewer for World Championship Wrestling during the late 80’s and early 90’s. Cruise argues that a man Flair’s age , with serious health problems, should not be allowed to compete.

Prior to this summer’s upcoming event, Flair’s last wrestling match took place in Orlando, FL against a man called Sting at a TNA wrestling show in September 2011. Though he hasn’t wrestled in nearly 11 years, Flair has made many appearances on various wrestling programs, including WWE, in recent years. Reaction to the announcement of Flair’s upcoming match has been mixed.


Sandy Spring

The Washington Commanders announced today that Katie Feeney will be the team’s first-ever social media correspondent.  Feeney graduated from Sherwood High School in 2021 and is a well-known social media personality. She currently has over 6.8 million followers on her TikTok.

Per the Washington Commanders:


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