athletes put their goods on the auction block because

MELBOURNE, Australia - Genie Bouchard is putting her Australian Open breakthrough form of a year ago out of mind as the Canadian concentrates on a new year and a new tennis season.The 20-year-old from Westmount, Que., takes the seventh seed when the first major of the season opens on Monday, with Bouchard facing Germanys Anna-Lena Friedsam.I try to see it as just a new year. Im not concerned about defending points from last year, said Bouchard, the 2014 Melbourne semi-finalist. To me its 2015. I start at zero and try to do as well as I can.My past results dont mean anything when Im going to walk out on the court tomorrow. I still have to fight and try to play as well as I can. I have great memories from last year, but it doesnt really mean anything to me this year.Bouchard is deliberately keeping the pressure off after rising into the Top-10 thanks to grand slam semis appearances in Melbourne and Paris, and a Wimbledon final.Her only goal at the moment is beating Friedsam— ranked 91 spots below her. The German took a win over the Canadian three years ago at a minor event in Slovenia.I know shes talented. Shes young, as well. I think she has a good serve, a good forehand. I dont really remember 100 per cent.Im just going to be ready for a battle. It will be my first tournament match of 2015 (after playing for Canada at the Hopman Cup team event in Perth)... Im really excited to go out there and try to do my best. Try just to prove to myself that I can get some matches under my belt at the beginning of the year. I think thats always very important.Bouchard has been without a permanent coach since parting with longtime mentor Nick Saviano under somewhat obscure circumstances in the off-season.For the moment, the Canadian is travelling in Australia with former player Diego Ayala. Thats about the extent of explanations from Bouchard about the arrangement,He was someone I worked with when I was younger. You dont get that on the tour now so much. So I think thats helpful for me right now.Theres that familiarity I have with him right now which is good, she added. Hes been on tour with a few players, can hit really well, as well.But as for any future plans: Were in Australia together. I dont know where its going to go, but thats the plan for now. Ashlyn Harris USA Jersey . The above paragraph could be rewritten, verbatim, with Marcus Stromans name in place of Romeros. After both men had disastrous outings in Tuesdays 18-4 mauling at the hands of the Tigers, its clear that neither is the best option to begin the season in Toronto. Megan Rapinoe USA Jersey . Watch the announcement live on TSN.ca at 12:30pm et/9:30am pt. This years honourees will be recognized at the 2014 Hockey Canada Foundation Celebrity Classic, scheduled for June 23-24 in Vancouver. http://www.officialsocceruswntshop.com/meghan-klingenberg-usa-jersey/ .C. - The housecleaning continues for the B. Adrianna Franch USA Jersey . Greg Maddux, Tom Glavine and Frank Thomas appeared to be on track to gain election from the Baseball Writers Association of America on Wednesday, and Craig Biggio could join them. Meghan Klingenberg USA Jersey . Philippe Desrosiers stopped 42 shots through overtime and three more in the shootout to pick up his third shutout of the season for Rimouski (31-15-7). Zachary Fucale made 28 saves for Halifax (34-17-3) in the loss.PHILADELPHIA - Randall Cunningham is set for one more turnover he doesnt mind committing. The former All-Pro quarterback is auctioning off memorabilia from a fantastic NFL career to raise funds for the church he serves in Las Vegas.Cunningham is ridding himself of just about every game-used jersey, helmet and trophy accumulated over a 16-year career spent mostly with the Philadelphia Eagles. Cunningham is now a pastor at Remnant Ministries in Las Vegas and hoped to put a portion of the proceeds toward the $6.2 million needed for renovations that should help the youth in the Las Vegas area.The kids in Vegas can really go to the next level and become kids who are effective in the community, Cunningham said this week by phone.Cunningham is auctioning his memorabilia through Hunt Auctions and it will serve as the flagship collection for its Super Live Auction in Arizona. The auction preview exhibition starts Saturday and runs through Feb. 1 at the NFL Experience at the Phoenix Convention Center, allowing fans to peruse Cunninghams collection along with over 500 additional football pieces available. The live auction begins Jan. 31.Cunningham has put up items that include his Bert Bell Most Valuable Player Awards for 1988, 1990, and 1998 (estimated $10,000 to $20,000 each); jerseys from the 1980s and 1990s (estimated at $1,000 to $5,000 each); and former Eagles teammate Reggie Whites 1992 game-used jersey (estimated $10,000 to $20,000 each). Cunningham, who threw for 29,979 yards and rushed for another 4,929 yards, also played for Minnesota, Dallas and Baltimore.He was a Pro Bowl pick four times. He also starred at UNLV.Cunningham retired in 2002 as the career leader in rushing yards among NFL quarterbacks. The Eagles in 2009 addeed him to the teams honour roll.dddddddddddd In his 11-year Eagles career, Cunningham threw for 22,877 yards and 150 touchdowns, and rushed for 4,482 yards and 32 touchdowns.Cunningham is an ordained minister and pastor of a church six blocks off Las Vegas Boulevard that he runs with his wife, Felicity.Hes keeping the ring the Eagles presented him at the honour roll ceremony. Everything else must go. He planned at one point to share his collection with his four children, ranging from 2 to 19 years old, but the pull of funneling the money to his church was too great to ignore.While so many former athletes put their goods on the auction block because theyre hit financial woes, Cunningham said he was shedding his trophy case for the greater good of the community.I was told, dont forget where you came from, he said. For a while, I didnt understand what that meant. I thought that meant, remember youre from Santa Barbara, California. But realistically what it meant was, remember the people who poured into you and gave to you, so you can go back and help them.Cunningham hoped to raise $1 million through the auction and said another $2 million has already been donated to the project that should bump the church from 17,500 square feet to 40,000. He planned to add everything from a basketball gym and a weight room to classrooms and computers.He has not reached out to former teammates about helping the cause, though he still keeps an eye on the Eagles.Oh yeah, I hear them talking about how need to move up and take (Oregon QB) Marcus Mariota, he said.Bidders can start bidding to begin at noon MST on Jan. 31. Bids can be made in person, phone, or online. More information on how to bid is available at www.HuntAuctions.com. ' ' '