Linked Up – 12/21/2012

Quite obviously there is one story that has dominated the landscape in Connecticut over the past week, and it has understandably touched the sports world as well. In this likely final edition of Linked Up in 2012 there are several pieces looking at how the sports world fits in with such a tragedy, but also some other interesting stories from the world of sports. In particular, the story from Sports Illustrated is a phenomenal piece,

Newtown girls basetball coach Jeremy O’Connell offers a hug to his player Samantha Steimle after the school returned to action on Thursday. News-Times photo by Jason Rearick.

and in many ways fits with the challenges schools in Connecticut are facing.

• From Sports Illustrated: An incredible story of a high school football team overcoming and dealing with tragedy and adversity.
• From the Connecticut Post: The return of sports competition was one step in the recovery process for Newtown. As for the game, it was a chance to return to normal.
• From the Danbury News-Times: At some places, the games went on in the wake of the tragedy at Sandy Hook. Also from the News-Times, Giants receiver Victor Cruz continued to reach out to the family of one of the victims.
• From the Hartford Courant: A Glastonbury basketball player has traded blocking on the field for shot blocking on the court.
• From the Meriden Record-Journal: The Mercy girls basketball team is focused on taking one more step this season.
• From ESPN.com: Not really high school sports, but a coaching using his platform as an instrument of change is a nice reminder of the good that can be accomplished through a sporting venue.
• From the New London Day: A touching and moving tribute to former Waterford Athletics Director Francis Xavier Sweeney.
• From the Post-Chronicle: A wonderful comeback story in a profile of Sacred Heart Academy girls basketball player Shyla Osmond.
• From the Waterbury Republican-American: A story that is now nearly a month old, but a lovely portrait of local runner John DiCarlo.