• Advertise
  • Donate
  • Subscribe
    • Become a print subscriber
    • Sign up for e-Newsletter
    • e-Editions
Saturday, September 30, 2023
No Result
View All Result
Minnesota Spokesman-Recorder
  • News & Features
    • National
    • Local
    • Special Editions
      • MLK Legacy
      • Black History Month
      • The MSR Celebrates Women’s History Month
  • All Sections
    • Opinion
      • Mellaneous by Mel Reeves
      • Word on the Street
      • Reaching Out From Within
    • Health + Wellness
      • Women’s Wellness
      • Parenting Today
      • Minnesota Cancer Alliance Breast Cancer Gaps Project
    • Sports
      • Timberwolves/NBA
      • Lynx/WNBA
        • 20 in 20
      • Twins/MLB
      • MN Wild/NHL
      • Vikings/NFL
    • Business
      • Small Business Month Celebration
      • Black Business Spotlight
      • Finances FYI
    • Arts + Culture
    • Photo Galleries
      • Photo of the Week
    • MSR Forefront Digital Roundtable Series
      • MSR Forefront Highlights
    • Go Green
    • Education
    • Bulletin
    • Jobs & Notices
      • Legals
      • Announcements
  • Events
    • Submit an event!
  • Obits
  • Sister Spokesman
  • e-Editions
Minnesota Spokesman-Recorder
  • News & Features
    • National
    • Local
    • Special Editions
      • MLK Legacy
      • Black History Month
      • The MSR Celebrates Women’s History Month
  • All Sections
    • Opinion
      • Mellaneous by Mel Reeves
      • Word on the Street
      • Reaching Out From Within
    • Health + Wellness
      • Women’s Wellness
      • Parenting Today
      • Minnesota Cancer Alliance Breast Cancer Gaps Project
    • Sports
      • Timberwolves/NBA
      • Lynx/WNBA
        • 20 in 20
      • Twins/MLB
      • MN Wild/NHL
      • Vikings/NFL
    • Business
      • Small Business Month Celebration
      • Black Business Spotlight
      • Finances FYI
    • Arts + Culture
    • Photo Galleries
      • Photo of the Week
    • MSR Forefront Digital Roundtable Series
      • MSR Forefront Highlights
    • Go Green
    • Education
    • Bulletin
    • Jobs & Notices
      • Legals
      • Announcements
  • Events
    • Submit an event!
  • Obits
  • Sister Spokesman
  • e-Editions
No Result
View All Result
Minnesota Spokesman-Recorder
No Result
View All Result

Division III men’s hockey tourney featured Black players — in the stands

by Charles Hallman
April 3, 2015
17
SHARES
346
VIEWS
Share on FacebookShare on LinkedIn

This column continues the Only One series in which this reporter shares his experiences as the only African American journalist on the scene.

Sean Gammage
Sean Gammage
Xavier Louis Reed
Xavier Louis Reed

The long and winding road took us through five states, two cities and nearly a dozen games, but it took last weekend until the Only One finally ran into what he seemingly thought would be an elusive goal to reach — Black hockey players all at U-M’s Ridder Arena.

Kallya Johnson, a Boston College junior defenseman, played against Harvard in this year’s Women’s Frozen Four national semifinals two weekends ago, and juniors Sean Gammage (University of Wisconsin-Stevens Point) and Xavier Louis Reed (Amherst College) were “healthy scratches” for their respective teams who played last weekend in the 2015 NCAA Division III Men’s Hockey Championships. This meant the two young men watched the game in street clothes rather than in uniform.

“He’s had a tough time sustaining a spot in our lineup,” admits UWSP Coach Chris Brooks on Gammage of Wildwood, Missouri.

“He’s a great kid, great teammate,” adds Amherst Coach Jack Arena of Reed, an Oakland, Calif. native who came to the Massachusetts school after a year at a Connecticut prep school then a year playing junior hockey in Boston. “We’ve actually had a few [players of color]” at the school, says the coach.

- ADVERTISEMENT -

Both Gammage and Reed talked to the MSR in separate interviews last Friday. The two Only One players ironically were both scratched in the same semifinals contest where their schools met.

Gammage points out, “At school, I’m mainly known as the Black guy with a [missing] tooth that plays on the hockey team.”

“Obviously it’s frustrating” not playing, says Reed — his team lost to Wisconsin-Stevens Point. He says he usually finds out whether or not he’ll be playing via email on the morning of the game. “I’ve dressed for about half the games this season. You want to be playing but at the same time, you have to stay positive and root for your teammates when you are not playing. Your job is to be ready because when you are called upon — be ready to perform.”

Adds Gammage — his school finished as national runners-up to champion Trinity (Conn.) College: “It’s really difficult” to watch the game from the stands.

The two players nonetheless appreciated being part of this year’s Frozen Four.

- ADVERTISEMENT -

Playing at a Division I school, albeit for a few days, “has been a cool change of pace for every team. We usually don’t get to stay at hotels like the Radisson downtown — we usually [stay] at Econo Lodge,” says Reed. “But every team has to stay focused at the task at hand — to win two games.”

“It’s neat to get to play in a Division I arena, get to travel and stay in hotels, good meals, a banquet … [it] means as much to them as it does whether you’re at Division II or Division I,” notes Northern Athletics Collegiate Conference Commissioner G. Steven Larson. His league hosted the Frozen Four.

The overall goal is for all the players on the final four teams to have “a first-class experience,” he surmised.

Another Only One at the hockey tourney

Augustine Brutus saw her first hockey game during her freshman year at Finlandia (Mich.) University in 2011. “I knew nothing about hockey whatsoever until I moved to the U.P. [Upper Peninsula]. Now I’m an old hand at it,” says Brutus, the only woman of color working behind the scenes at last weekend’s tourney — she kept the scorebook during games among other duties.

- ADVERTISEMENT -

“I plan on going to graduate school to get my sports administration degree,” concludes Brutus, a senior majoring in business with a sports management minor who is interning at her school’s athletic department.

Charles Hallman welcomes reader responses to challman@spokesman-recorder.com.

Support Black local news

Help amplify Black voices by donating to the MSR. Your contribution enables critical coverage of issues affecting the community and empowers authentic storytelling.

Donate Now!

Share this:

  • Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window)
  • Click to share on Twitter (Opens in new window)
  • Click to print (Opens in new window)
  • Click to share on Reddit (Opens in new window)
  • Click to share on LinkedIn (Opens in new window)
  • Click to share on WhatsApp (Opens in new window)

Like this:

Like Loading...
ADVERTISEMENT
Previous Post

Boys’ state tournament pictures

Next Post

Black women face challenges in building wealth

Charles Hallman

Charles Hallman is a contributing reporter and award-winning sports columnist at the Minnesota Spokesman-Recorder.

You Might Also Like

Prosecutors charge Nevada man for the murder of Tupac Shakur
Arts & Culture

Prosecutors charge Nevada man for the murder of Tupac Shakur

Black Business Spotlight: Syndicate Music Group
Black Business Spotlight

Black Business Spotlight: Syndicate Music Group

Concerns mount over ‘extreme’ school board candidates in Minnesota
Local

Concerns mount over ‘extreme’ school board candidates in Minnesota

Don’t forget to check your blood pressure
Health & Wellness

Don’t forget to check your blood pressure

Wanted: Younger workforce ready to learn about climate jobs
Go Green

Wanted: Younger workforce ready to learn about climate jobs

Gopher tennis coach rebuilds a competitive team
Sports

Gopher tennis coach rebuilds a competitive team

Next Post
People of color seek an environmental message that includes them

Black women face challenges in building wealth

  • Facebook
  • Instagram
  • Twitter
  • YouTube
ADVERTISEMENT

Upcoming Events

Sep 12
September 12 @ 6:30 pm-December 18 @ 9:30 pm Recurring

Vic Volare Presents MUSIC FOR MARTINIS ft: Vic’s Fabulous Nightclub Academy

Sep 30
9:00 am-1:00 pm Recurring

Cars and Caves

Sep 30
10:00 am-12:00 pm

dem Blessings for Parents: A Morning of Creative Nourishment with Sharon Bridgforth

Sep 30
10:00 am-3:30 pm

Hands Across the Mississippi Walk for Peace and Justice

View Calendar
ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT

Read our latest e-Edition!

ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT

Subscribe

  • Home/Office Delivery
  • Weekly e-newsletter
  • e-Editions

Support

  • Donate
  • Subscribe
  • MSR Newsstand Locations

Connect

  • About
    • MSR Staff
  • Contact
  • Send a news tip
  • About
  • Privacy Policy
  • Terms

© 2023 Minnesota Spokesman-Recorder

No Result
View All Result
  • News & Features
    • Local
    • National
  • All Sections
    • Arts & Culture
    • Health & Wellness
      • Women’s Wellness
      • Parenting Today
      • MN Cancer Alliance Breast Cancer Gaps Project
    • Business
      • Black Business Spotlight
      • Finances FYI
      • Small Business Month Celebration
    • Opinion
    • Sports
  • Events
  • Obits
  • Sister Spokesman
  • Donate
  • Subscribe

© 2023 Minnesota Spokesman-Recorder

 

Loading Comments...
 

    %d bloggers like this: