East Valley briefs: Former ASU tennis coach Pittman dies

 Former Arizona State women’s tennis coach Dr. Anne Pittman died this week following a stroke. Pittman, 90, was a coach for 30 years and fought for women’s opportunities in athletics .

Pittman, originally from Camphill, Ala., is a member of ASU’s Hall of Distinction. Pittman guided the Sun Devils to a 337-71 record during her stint as coach from 1954-84. She directed the Sun Devils to three USLTA national championships (1971, ’72, ’74) and still has the best all-time winning percentage (.826) of any ASU coach.

In 1995, Pittman was selected as one of the charter members — and only coach — into the Intercollegiate Tennis Association Women’s Collegiate Hall of Fame.

There will be a memorial event celebrating Dr. Pittman’s life early next year.

YOUTH FOOTBALL

• For the second consecutive season, the Junior Midget Chandler Blitz youth football team will travel to Orlando, Fla., for the nationals.

The Blitz (10-0) beat the Tuscon Chargers 44-12 to advance to the nationals.

Chandler will play games on Monday, Wednesday and Friday of next week. It will have to win all three to be crowned champion. The Blitz lost to a team from Illinois last year.