Pride of Hofstra
Evans sets new marks at school
Shante Evans called her own shot before she stepped on the floor at Hofstra.
“It was my main goal to leave as the leading scorer and rebounder [in Hofstra history],” the 6-foot senior forward and two-time All-American told The Rumble’s Zach Braziller.
Evans has been true to her word, leading the women’s program to a pair of NIT bids, becoming the school’s all-time leading scorer (2,041) and rebounder (1,280) and excelling to the point where she is regarded as the best player in Pride history.
Her path to greatness continues today at Old Dominion before a showdown with Elena Delle Donne and 18th-ranked Delaware on Thursday in Hempstead.
Hofstra coach Krista Kilburn-Steveskey has won 117 games, but arguably her greatest victory came off the court, in landing Evans over major programs such as Seton Hall, West Virginia, George Washington and Temple. Evans liked the idea of staying relatively close to home (West Cheaster, Pa.), where she would be the focal point of a program looking to find its way, while Kilburn-Steveskey was immediately smitten with Evans after seeing her combination of soft hands, quick feet and skills around the basket.
“She has been that foundation of my tenure,” Kilburn-Steveskey said. “Our cornerstone of success.”
Evans never has let anything sidetrack her. She has remained steadfastly consistent, reflected by her 57 career double-doubles despite constant double and triple teams.
Evans isn’t just highly regarded at Hofstra because of her on-court ability; it’s also the grace in which she carries herself off the court, the warm smile she greets everyone with and humble nature with which she has handled all her success.
Kilburn-Steveskey describes her as a throwback, an egoless superstar. Athletic director Jeff Hathaway said she is “an extraordinary person.” Fellow senior Candace Bond labeled Evans the model teammate, there to encourage struggling teammates and on call 24 hours a day if someone is in need.
“She is special to be around — like Charles Jenkins was for us,” Hofstra’s men’s coach Mo Cassara said.
Straw, Franco kick off Mets ticket sales
Mets favorites Darryl Strawberry and John Franco will join Mr. Met at Citi Pond at Bryant Park tomorrow from noon-1 p.m. to kickoff the Citi cardholders exclusive ticket presale event and meet with fans.
Citi customers will have the chance to buy 2013 single-game tickets for home games at Citi Field, including Opening Day and the Subway Series, before they are available to the general public on March 1.
The three-day promotion begins tomorrow at noon and ends Wednesday at 11:59 p.m. Citi customers can purchase tickets using their Citi credit or debit card at Citi Pond at Bryant Park from Citi Field ticket kiosks during the event and online at http://www.mets.com/Citipresale after that.
NYC runs for marathon glory
New York City has become a landmark for high-level road races, and NYCRUNS is taking advantage. The organization is holding its inaugural Central Park Marathon and Half Marathon today.
The race, which begins at 8 a.m., is capped at 1,500 runners — triple the amount of participants NYCRUNS have accommodated in past races. The increase enables more New York City runners the chance to race a marathon in Central Park and affirms NYCRUNS as key players in a growing market of road races.
“It’s a great event for us to do and we’re thrilled to have the backing of the New York City Parks Department,” NYCRUNS founder Steve Lastoe said. “It’s their cooperation that makes it possible for us to not only do these things, but to sit back and envision them.”
Darling looking to get a ‘head’
Ron Darling plans to get a set of bobbleheads for himself.
“They look pretty good in my den,” said the former Met and current SNY announcer. “It’s a great group and I’m proud to be a part of it.”
Darling kicks off the Mets Five-Game All-Star Bobblehead Series on April 21 vs. Washington. The four other All-Stars who will have bobbleheads on this year’s Mets promotional schedule are: John Franco, May 25 vs. Atlanta; David Wright, June 30 vs. Washington; Dwight Gooden, July 21 vs. Philadelphia and Tom Seaver, Aug. 25 vs. Detroit. Also, the Mets will celebrate the return of the Major League Baseball All-Star Game to Flushing by giving away an All-Star gnome on July 4 vs. Arizona.
McCourty twins do Harlem Shake
NFL stars and twin brothers Jason and Devin McCourty took a lunch break from promoting their “Tackle Sickle Cell” campaign at Bounce Sporting Club in NYC’s Flatiron District. The twins walked into a crowd of people dressed up as the cast of “Star Wars” and people in baby and horse heads, dancing the Harlem Shake on the booths with sparklers.
The crowd was shooting a video, so the Patriot (Devin) and Titan (Jason) threw on Bounce hats and jumped and joined the Harlem Shake, which turned into an impromptu flash mob with Bounce regulars joining the fun.