For Rich Clarkson’s 80th birthday, we put together a video from folks who sent a video submission to wish him a Happy Birthday and also those with good stories and tribute to Rich.

If you know Rich or not, this is good testament to the man he has and all those careers he has affected.

As a sports photojournalist the sheer essence of time is one of the most valuable commodities any of us can imagine. Time. Just the thought brings a smile to my face. To truly work a scene from the inside out while relying on each other in a collective fashion can be inspiring. Step away from the other photographers. Step away from the designated boundaries is what we did.

JD

©Joshua Duplechian/NCAA Photos

©Stephen Nowland/NCAA Photos

©Joshua Duplechian/NCAA Photos

©Stephen Nowland/NCAA Photos

©Joshua Duplechian/NCAA Photos

©Joshua Duplechian/NCAA Photos

©Stephen Nowland/NCAA Photos

©Joshua Duplechian/NCAA Photos

©Stephen Nowland/NCAA Photos

©Stephen Nowland/NCAA Photos

©Joshua Duplechian/NCAA Photos

©Stephen Nowland/NCAA Photos

©Joshua Duplechian/NCAA Photos

©Joshua Duplechian/NCAA Photos

I owe a portion of my photographic growth on the ESPN X Games. Over the last four years the kind folks at ESPN have been kind and trusting enough to set me free in land of action sports. As of two days ago the X Games announced some growth of their own when they presented the new World X Games host cities. I truly hope and believe that this succeeds.

-JD

Every now and then one stumbles upon a gem. This one was not painted in beautiful evening light nor was it the most decorated or popular sport by any means. What it did unearth was a goldmine of emotion. Loads. Needless to say, I’m now glad I accepted and willingly tried a sport I’ve never photographed before. Here are a few of my favorite images from this weekend.

-JD

©Joshua Duplechian/NCAA Photos

©Joshua Duplechian/NCAA Photos

©Joshua Duplechian/NCAA Photos

©Joshua Duplechian/NCAA Photos

©Joshua Duplechian/NCAA Photos

©Joshua Duplechian/NCAA Photos

Championship season is in full swing. Track and Field for the Mountain West Conference is always a visual stimulus overload. I’m photographing one event and on the opposite side of the arena I hear cheering. I resist the temptation to run quickly over to see what’s going on at the weight throw. Be concise I think to myself. Choose something and stick with it long enough. That becomes the mental challenge of the event.

-JD

©Joshua Duplechian/NCAA Photos

©Joshua Duplechian/NCAA Photos

©Joshua Duplechian/NCAA Photos

©Joshua Duplechian/NCAA Photos

©Joshua Duplechian/NCAA Photos

©Joshua Duplechian/NCAA Photos

©Joshua Duplechian/NCAA Photos

©Joshua Duplechian/NCAA Photos

©Joshua Duplechian/NCAA Photos