It’s been nearly a decade since Jennifer Jacobs left her native St. Paul for her first collegiate head volleyball coaching opportunity. “Can you believe I’m in my ninth season?” asked the Augustana (S.D.) University coach after her Vikings played at Concordia-St. Paul on the first Friday evening of October. “I moved there in ’17; ’18 […]
Charles Hallman
Charles Hallman is a contributing reporter and award-winning sports columnist at the Minnesota Spokesman-Recorder.
Posted inSports
What we lost with the Negro Leagues
MLBbro.com, founded by veteran journalist and NABJ HOF Rob Parker, regularly spotlights Black and brown pro baseball players. The MSR does its best to keep pace with a similar emphasis on U.S.-born Black players at Minnesota Twins home games. The Twins this season had four Black players — position players Byron Buxton and Royce Lewis, […]
Posted inNews
Ceremony honors legacy of Harry and Clementine Robinson
“They were there at a time when protests were underway to push Black residents out of South Minneapolis.”
Posted inAnother View
Underrated Summit League shows impressive coaching diversity
The Summit League has five Black head basketball coaches, which is more than the Big Ten and equals the Big East, and is underrated according to Denver WBB Coach Doshia Woods.
Posted inSports
Morgan State coach sees his main job as preparing players for what comes next
Kevin Broadus, a former player and assistant coach, has spent nearly 30 years coaching, including two stints at Georgetown and a current position as head coach at Morgan State, where he is focused on mentoring young Black men and preparing them for life beyond basketball.
Posted inSports
‘Money games’ help HBCUs pay the bills
HBCUs play money games against larger schools for a guaranteed price, which serves as a necessary funding source for their athletic departments, but often results in lopsided scores and six-figure paychecks for the losing team.
Posted inAnother View
The future of women’s sports is looking bright
Women’s sports are experiencing unprecedented growth and popularity, with the WNBA, NWSL, and PWHL expanding and investing in infrastructure, and the future of women’s sports is bright as more people are paying attention and investing in the movement.
Posted inBlack College Sports Weekly
HBCUAC unveils innovative championship logos, honors outstanding individuals
The Historically Black Colleges and Universities Athletic Conference (HBCUAC) has launched new championship logos designed by Phoenix Design Works, and several individuals from HBCUAC member schools and Commissioner Dr. Kiki Baker Barnes have received national recognition.
Posted inCoaching while Black
Veteran coach has witnessed ‘seismic shifts’ in college hoops
Sherman Dillard, a long-time coach at Iowa, was recently inducted into the A STEP UP Assistant Coaches Hall of Fame, and has been coaching for over four decades, focusing on giving back to young men and helping them reach their goals.
Posted inReporter's Notebook
Sheila Johnson criticizes Time magazine’s selection of Caitlin Clark as ‘Athlete of the Year’
Sheila Johnson, the only Black woman to co-own three major league pro teams, criticized Time magazine for selecting Caitlin Clark as their “Athlete of The Year” and called for better promotion of all WNBA players, rather than focusing on one player.
Posted inAnother View
Jackson State coach stays positive after Gopher rout
The Minnesota Gopher women’s basketball team played Prairie View A&M and Jackson State, while the men’s team hosted Morgan State, in a series of games against Black college teams, with the Gophers winning all three games.
Posted inSports
Former prep stars return to ‘give back’
Tartan High School has two former local prep stars, Angel Robinson and Trevor Mbakwe, working together as coaches and activities director, respectively, with a focus on increasing participation in high school sports.
Posted inSports
Hill honored by Summit League
Jade Hill, a senior guard for the University of St. Thomas, was named Summit League Performer of the Week after scoring 26 points in a 69-54 victory over Western Illinois.
Posted inBlack College Sports Weekly
Coach Sandy Pugh and Prairie View A&M women’s basketball team take on Minnesota Gophers
Sandy Pugh, head women’s basketball coach at Prairie View A&M, is leading her team to play the Gophers on December 20, while Kierra Wheeler of Norfolk State was named Defensive Player of the Week by the MEAC.
Posted inAnother View
Remembering Brent Haskins and Al G. Frost: Two pillars of the local sports community
Brent Haskins and Al G. Frost, Jr. were two members of the community who excelled in their respective fields and left a lasting impression on those they met, with Haskins being an NBA advance scout and Frost being a prep player, college athlete, and coach.
Posted inOdds and Ends
Brief homecoming for U star now coach
Gadiva Hubbard, a former Gopher basketball player, is now an assistant coach and director of basketball operations at the University of North Florida, where she is helping the school to its best start since 2015-16.
Posted inBlacklight On Sports
Blacklight On Sports: Maya Aflakpi Shares Her Journey in Sports Media
The latest episode of Blacklight On Sports with Charles Hallman and Dr. Mitchell Palmer McDonald shines a spotlight on an inspiring figure in sports media: Maya Aflakpi. A versatile journalist, sports broadcaster, and content creator, Maya brings a dynamic voice to the sports world, connecting audiences with impactful stories and expert insights. A University of […]
Posted inSports
Diversity in hockey still miles from full inclusion
Hockey is making progress in diversity, with six U.S. born Black players in the NHL, three Black players in the PWHL, three Black players in the NCHC, and one Black assistant coach, but more needs to be done to encourage more people of color to participate in the game.
Posted inSports
UST Tommies swept Big Sky-Summit Challenge
St. Thomas defeated Montana 88-81 in a Big Sky-Summit Challenge game, with Johnny Tauer and Nolan Minessale scoring career highs for the Tommies, while Malik Moore led all scorers with 30 points for the Grizzlies.
Posted inBlack College Sports Weekly
HBCU Basketball Takes Center Stage: Women’s Hoops, MEAC Legends, and Rising Stars
The SWAC and MEAC have announced their 2025 Hall of Fame Class, featuring coaches and players who have made significant contributions to their respective conferences, and two local prep stars were recognized for their individual performances.