This column continues the Only One series in which this reporter shares his experiences as the only African American journalist on the scene. We wholeheartedly in 2001 endorsed the idea for an NBA-sponsored minor league. Then-NBA commissioner David Stern boldly predicted that it would become “a true minor league farm system” for his league. The […]
Sports
Local and national sports reporting and commentary by the state’s leading African American sportswriters, including award-winning columnists Charles Hallman and Dr. Mitchell Palmer McDonald, with a special emphasis on the local prep scene and disparities in sports administration and media coverage.
Posted inSports
Test your knowledge of Lynx diversity
For 20 weeks, to commemorate the WNBA’s 20th season (the MSR having covered each season), the MSR sports section will feature a column or article on the W in our “20 in 20” series. This week: the Lynx’s winningest Black coach and other team diversity firsts Diversity in the Minnesota Lynx organization for most of […]
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From a sportswriter’s notebook
More tributes are still rolling in for the late Pat Summitt (1952-2016), who died June 28, 14 days after her 64th birthday. The legendary Hall of Fame coach was diagnosed with Alzheimer’s Disease in the spring of 2011 but continued coaching for one more season before retiring in April 2012 after 38 seasons at Tennessee. […]
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Sisters lead among WNBA’s greatest
For 20 weeks, to commemorate the WNBA’s 20th season (the MSR having covered each season), the MSR sports section will feature a column or article on the W in our “20 in 20” series. This week: Sisters rule Black women have been uniquely instrumental in almost every aspect of the WNBA from its beginning through […]
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Carleton AD prefers focus on student-athletes over money chase
The Minnesota Intercollegiate Athletic Conference’s (MIAC) national reputation as the toughest NCAA Division III conference in the country is well deserved. Seemingly only a couple of the 13 member schools are annual frontrunners. Is the MIAC that top heavy? “Yes, it’s top heavy right now, particularly in football,” admits Carleton College Athletic Director Gerald Young. […]
Posted inTimberwolves/NBA
Timberwolves select Kris Dunn
Despite much speculation that the Chicago Bulls and the Timberwolves were working on a multi-player Draft Day deal, Timberwolves President and Coach Tom Thibodeau and General Manager Scott Layden did not bite on anything Boston or Chicago proposed. And most of the time that’s the best thing to do — nothing. It’s been a long […]
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Jets’ Marcus Williams gives back to Northside community
“It’s a great thing for the community,” declared North High Football Coach Charles Adams of the day-long football camp held on his home field June 25. An estimated 200 boys (ages 8-12) — nearly half were walk-ups — participated in “techniques and qualities critical to developing as a leader both on and off the football […]
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Twin Cities loaded with prep talent
With Twin sisters Jia Lewis and Jada Lewis, Chauntel Fleming and Linda Senaphanh leading Minneapolis Edison to the Class 1A girls’ state track title a week and a half ago, here are three more city teams that represented this past high school season. Minneapolis North (Football) — Class 1A Runner-up The Polars made it back to […]
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Augustus and the W: a generation’s vision fulfilled
For 20 weeks, to commemorate the WNBA’s 20th season (the MSR having covered each season), the MSR sports section will feature a column or article on the W in our “20 in 20” series. This week: History meets history The Katie Smith trade in July 2005 was perhaps the worst deal in both Minnesota Lynx […]
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Kickball brings Northside neighbors together for drama-free fun
Kickball, the game played with a big red rubber ball, is typically associated with kids playing it during school recess or as a featured activity at family picnics or church youth group gatherings. It is now being played by adults on Sundays as well. Little kids play their own kickball games on the side outside […]
Posted inSports
2016 NBA Draft preview
I’m a recovering NBA draft follower and have been for at least a decade now, maybe more. This reporter, who started watching the league when it was only shown on Sunday afternoons on ABC in the 60s, went cold sober I believe in 2005 after a new CBA provision that allows draft prospects to be […]
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Three current Lynx players make WNBA Top 20@20 list
The 20 greatest and most influential players in WNBA history were announced today, and three current Minnesota Lynx players, and a former player, are among those chosen by a 15-member committee of Hall of Famers, current and former coaches, and media members. Seimone Augustus, Maya Moore and Lindsay Whalen, and former Lynx player Katie Smith, […]
Posted inSports
Three current Lynx players make WNBA Top 20@20 list
The 20 greatest and most influential players in WNBA history were announced today, and three current Minnesota Lynx players, and a former player, are among those chosen by a 15-member committee of Hall of Famers, current and former coaches, and media members. Seimone Augustus, Maya Moore and Lindsay Whalen, and former Lynx player Katie Smith, […]
Posted inSports
T-Ball, a safe haven in a long, hot summer
Some might use his T-Ball classes as a convenient one-hour drop-off center, but longtime North Minneapolis-based youth coach Mat Talley is actually okay with that. “I tell the parent, ‘Give me your kid and you go shop. Don’t worry about it — he or she is going to be alright. Go run three errands — Coach Talley got […]
Posted inSports
LeBron James delivers championship for Cleveland!
OAKLAND, CA — It’s been 52 years, but the so-called curse on the city of Cleveland is finally over. In one of the greatest seventh games in NBA history, the chosen one, LeBron James, delivered on his promise to bring a championship to Cleveland after making the famous decision years ago to leave that city […]
Posted inSports
Coach Peck made her mark in both college and pro hoops
For 20 weeks, to commemorate the WNBA’s 20th season (the MSR having covered each season), the MSR sports section will feature a column or article on the W in our “20 in 20” series. This week: history overlooked During the course of its 20-year history, 31 of the 75 WNBA all-time head coaches have been […]
Posted inSports
Lewis sisters lead Mpls Edison to Class A track and field crown
Riley represents for Mpls North Twin sisters Jia Lewis and Jada Lewis — the Minneapolis Edison stars who made their mark on the 1A track and field scene the past two seasons — led the Tommies to the Class 1A girls’ track and field championships held last Saturday at Hamline University. The Lewis sisters, along […]
Posted inSports
The frustrations and pleasures of covering women’s sports
I recently was in Cleveland on assignment. While walking around the downtown area, a virtual ghost town because it was an hour before Game 2 of the NBA Finals, the few people we did run into wore something with Cavs on them in support for their Cavaliers. You’d be hard pressed not to miss the […]
Posted inNews
Muhammad Ali: A send-off fit for a king
“America must never forget that when a cop and an inner city kid talk to each other, miracles can happen,” words spoken by Lonnie Ali at the public memorial service for her husband, Muhammad Ali. The Greatness of Ali began after he had a talk with retired Louisville Police Officer Joe Martin who taught him […]
Posted inSports
Cavaliers dominate in Oakland, but still down 3-2
OAKLAND, CA — With Cleveland trailing them 3-1 in the NBA Finals, the Golden State Warriors Monday night on their home court failed to clinch their second-straight NBA Championship. LeBron James and Kyrie Irving had a lot to do with it. They combined for 82 points, both scoring 41 each in Cleveland’s 112-97 win in Oakland. Draymond […]