Sports
Column: Verbum Dei tries to rise again after suspending football program
If you need someone to get rid of ghosts, you call Ghostbusters. If you need someone to clean up a mess in Catholic education, you call the Jesuits.
Father Travis Russell, a 39-year-old Jesuit priest, is in his third year serving as president of Verbum Dei, the iconic all-boys Catholic high school that opened in Watts in 1962 and was almost shut down for lack of funds in the late 1990s until the Jesuits took over and created a corporate work study program to help each student pay for tuition.
The school has a long, proud history of producing quality athletes, with the 1970s particularly remembered for its powerhouse basketball teams that featured the likes of Raymond Lewis and David Greenwood. Football also has had its share of stars, including Hardy Nickerson, who played 16 seasons in the NFL after graduating in 1983.
So it might have come as a shock to Verbum Dei alumni and community supporters when Russell announced last month the suspension of the football program after four games this season because of safety concerns from lack of players. The team was 0-4 and down to less than 19 healthy players.
“We were everybody’s homecoming game,” he said. “We had injuries. Kids were dropping. I, in good faith and with our values, couldn’t put our kids out there.”
Russell was expecting an angry reaction from alumni. Instead, he’s been getting calls from people offering support.
“Hardy Nickerson gave our AD a call. ‘I want to help,’” he said.
The school of more than 300 boys faces a big obstacle — the work study program that students must participate in. Practices are affected, former coach Kevin Smith said. It’s a balancing act that requires patience and persistence.
Russell said he will look for a new coach who understands Verbum Dei’s mission.
“We’re the only school in Los Angeles where the students go to school, work a full-time job and play sports,” he said. “It is hard, but Verbum Dei’s history is always about overcoming adversity.”
Russell, who grew up in rural Oregon and first worked at Verbum Dei when he was 23 and beginning to study to become a priest, is one of those Jesuit-trained leaders who isn’t afraid to be blunt.
“I believe every kid in Los Angeles is born with the same potential but not the same opportunities,” he said.
He said 94% of his students are accepted to college programs. He said the school has eight students at Notre Dame on academic scholarships. Verbum Dei has always attracted students from nearby Nickerson Gardens, the federal housing project. Verbum Dei tries to make it financially feasible for a family of four making $49,000 to allow a son to receive a private education.
He reminds everyone that Verbum Dei made it through the Watts riots of 1965 because students protected the campus from burning. By 2000, enrollment had plunged to 186 students. The Archdiocese of Los Angeles turned to the Jesuits to use a corporate work study program employed at a Chicago high school to subsidize Catholic tuition. It saved the school.
Now Russell is starting a $30-million fundraising campaign to improve the campus facilities. And he’s committed to making sure football rises again.
“I love an underdog and I’m a fighter,” he said.
In regards to the sports program, he said, ‘We have standards we won’t compromise.” That means he’s not participating in this era of Catholic schools taking transfers for sports reasons. Verbum Dei doesn’t accept senior transfers. The school does take transfers for other grades.
“They need to be good in the classroom and have a good behavior record,” he said.
He said there’s no reason Verbum Dei can’t become the “Harvard-Westlake” of South Los Angeles, featuring academics and athletics.
“Verbum Dei’s history has been one of resilience, getting knocked down, getting back up,” he said. “It’s the best-kept secret.”
Now he needs to find a new coach willing to take on a big challenge, starting from scratch.
“We want to rebuild with purpose,” he said.
A national search for a new coach will begin when this football season is completed.
Sports
Golf star records lowest round in LPGA major history with astounding performance at Evian Championship
NEWYou can now listen to Fox News articles!
There are good days on the golf course, and then there is what Haeran Ryu just did on Saturday.
Ryu, 25, recorded the lowest round in LPGA major history on Saturday with an 11-under 60 at the Evian Championship. With the South Korean golfer’s historic round, she holds a three-stroke lead.
Ryu’s round comes just two weeks after winning her first major at the Women’s PGA Championship. On the 18th hole, Ryu left a 30-foot eagle putt a few inches short, and instead settled for a birdie.
CLICK HERE FOR MORE SPORTS COVERAGE ON FOXNEWS.COM
Haeran Ryu of South Korea reacts on the 18th green after the third round of The Amundi Evian Championship at Evian Resort Golf Club in Evian-les-Bains, France, on July 11, 2026. (Stuart Franklin/Getty Images)
She said after the round that she had no idea what she had done until she counted up her scorecard.
“But after the putt and I counted my score with my caddie,” she said. “Oh my God, it’s 11-under par today. It was so amazing. My caddie says, ‘Yep.’ I’m so happy right now.”
If Ryu had made the eagle putt on the 18th hole, she would have been just the second player to shoot a 59 in LPGA history.
ZERO BS. JUST DAKICH. TAKE THE DON’T @ ME PODCAST ON THE ROAD. DOWNLOAD NOW!
Haeran Ryu of South Korea celebrates a birdie on the 15th green during the third round of The Amundi Evian Championship at Evian Resort Golf Club on July 11, 2026, in Evian-les-Bains, France. (Stuart Franklin/Getty Images)
Her 60 broke the record for the lowest round in an LPGA major by one shot. Leona Maguire and Jeungeun Lee6 in 2021, and Hyo Joo Kim in 2014, each shot 61 at the Evian Championship, which was designated as an LPGA major in 2013.
The lowest round in a men’s major is 62, which is shared by four players — Branden Grace at Royal Birkdale in the 2017 British Open, Xander Schauffele and Rickie Fowler in the 2023 U.S. Open at Los Angeles Country Club, and Schauffele and Shane Lowry in the 2024 PGA Championship at Valhalla.
CLICK HERE TO DOWNLOAD THE FOX NEWS APP
Haeran Ryu of South Korea and Lottie Woad of England interact after their round on the 18th green during the third round of the Amundi Evian Championship at Evian Resort Golf Club in Evian-les-Bains, France, on July 11, 2026. (Stuart Franklin/Getty Images)
Ryu hopes her historic third round can help propel her to a second major win in three weeks.
“That is amazing, amazing dream,” Ryu said. “So I just want that one to come true, but we have one more day.”
The Associated Press contributed to this report.
Follow Fox News Digital’s sports coverage on X, and subscribe to the Fox News Sports Huddle newsletter.
Taylor Crabb is no stranger to South California beaches. The Long Beach State alum returns home this weekend to compete in AVP League matches.
It marks the first time AVP will compete in Long Beach since 2020 and allows players to compete at the 2028 Olympics beach volleyball venue.
Crabb, 34, made his AVP debut in 2013 with his brother, Trevor, and advanced from the qualifier in Manhattan Beach before finishing 25th in his first tournament.
After years of competing with various different partners, Taylor Crabb and Andy Benesh have delivered the top performances this AVP season.
The following interview with Crabb has been edited for clarity and length.
Are you excited to compete in this weekend’s event at Long Beach?
Crabb: Very excited. A lot of my college teammates and part of the school have reached out, saying that they’re gonna come. So I’m excited to get a chance to play in front of them again.
When was the last time you were in Long Beach?
Crabb: I always try to go down there for alumni events or any big games they have. I went to UCLA against Long Beach last year, when it was No. 1 versus No. 2, so I always try to get down there and support them.
You missed out on the chance to compete in the 2020 Olympics because of COVID-19 restrictions and chose not to pursue a spot at the 2024 Olympics. Are you fired up to try to compete in the 2028 Olympics, knowing that Long Beach will host the competition?
Crabb: Yeah, it’s definitely an exciting time having the Olympics in Long Beach, and we kind of get to break it in this weekend. As you said, Tokyo didn’t go the way I wanted, but I’m going full force now. I have a great partner in Andy Benesh, who obviously went to the Paris Olympics, and if it weren’t for the Olympics being in Long Beach, and me getting a partner like Andy, I’m not even sure I’d be going for it, but because of those two things, I want to make the most of it.
You mentioned that if it wasn’t for a partner like Andy, you wouldn’t be going for it. What do you mean by that?
Crabb: I didn’t feel motivated by playing in all the international events, but now, I think, sitting out kind of lit the fire under me, and I’m really motivated now.
You’ve had different partners throughout your time. What other motivation does Andy give you?
Crabb: He’s been, in my mind, the top blocker for the U.S. the last four or five years. Seeing the professionalism he brings every day to practice, on and off the court, while traveling and when showing up to tournaments, it rubs off on you and that’s really motivating to see. And I just want to make him proud.
Why do you love volleyball?
Crabb: A lot of reasons, but it’s just a feeling I have when I’m out there on the court. It feels natural. It feels like home. I was born into a volleyball family. I had a volleyball in my hands my entire life, so I’ve always just enjoyed it.
NEWYou can now listen to Fox News articles!
CM Punk appeared on “Friday Night SmackDown” ready to take on any challenger that was ready to step to him after winning the Undisputed WWE Championship against Sami Zayn.
Punk entered the ring in Oklahoma City and called back to the “Monday Night Raw” after WrestleMania 42 when he told Cody Rhodes he’d be ready to deliver if a championship opportunity fell “out of the sky.”
COMPLETE PRO WRESTLING COVERAGE ON FOX NEWS DIGITAL
Cody Rhodes and CM Punk face off during SmackDown at Paycom Center in Oklahoma City, Okla. (Craig Ambrosio/WWE via Getty Images)
“When championship opportunities fall out of the sky, CM Punk catches them,” he said.
Punk named potential SmackDown superstars he’d think might come for the title, including Gunther, Finn Balor, Royce Keys, Damian Priest and Trick Williams. He even said that Zayn could come back around and get his rematch if he wanted. He didn’t mention Rhodes’ name, but the “American Nightmare” came out uncalled and marched his way down to the ring.
“I don’t think you and I can run away from each other anymore,” Punk told Rhodes.
Cody Rhodes looks on during SmackDown at Paycom Center in Oklahoma City, Okla., on July 10, 2026. (Craig Ambrosio/WWE via Getty Images)
Rhodes agreed and mentioned that Punk would want a match with him, just “say when.” It was a quick retort from Punk, who said, “when.” SmackDown general manager Nick Aldis, who was in the ring for the segment, booked the match for SummerSlam.
Punk will defend the Undisputed WWE Championship at SummerSlam, which takes place Aug. 1 and 2 at U.S. Bank Stadium in Minneapolis.
First, however, Punk and Rhodes will be involved in a tag team match at Saturday Night’s Main Event in New York City next week. Aldis made the match after Gunther demanded that Aldis put him in a match against Punk. Gunther was hoping it would be for the championship. Instead, Gunther will tag with Zayn.
Gunther didn’t take too kindly to that and attacked Aldis. Rhodes came back out to break up the calamity. He wanted to take on Gunther after the show went off air but Gunther walked away.
Gunther makes his entrance during SmackDown at Paycom Center in Oklahoma City, Okla., on July 10, 2026. (Rich Wade/WWE via Getty Images)
CLICK HERE TO DOWNLOAD THE FOX NEWS APP
Punk definitely has his hands full as he moves to SmackDown to become a fighting champion.
-
Indianapolis, IN1 minute agoIndianapolis council president calls for pause on data center developments
-
Pittsburg, PA4 minutes agoMotorcyclist killed in crash with sedan in North Huntingdon Township
-
Augusta, GA9 minutes agoState Championship winning coach and CSRA icon Otis Smart passes away
-
Washington, D.C16 minutes agoHomicide detectives probe fatal shooting of teen in Northeast DC
-
Cleveland, OH19 minutes agoWanted sex offender arrested at home where Tennessee woman’s body found
-
Austin, TX24 minutes agoMan shot and killed by police after pointing gun at people in Austin, Texas
-
Alabama31 minutes agoAlabama has Talent returns with local connection
-
Alaska34 minutes agoAlaska Sports Scoreboard: July 11, 2026
