The University of Minnesota’s entire offensive coaching staff recently visited Roman Voss, the top-ranked high school football player in Minnesota’s class of 2026, to show their commitment to recruiting him, as he has been climbing national recruiting rankings and has offers from Wisconsin, Kansas State, and Iowa.
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
Black Coaches Make History in College Football Playoffs
Two Black head coaches, Marcus Freeman and James Franklin, are set to face off in the College Football Playoff semifinals, marking the first time two Black coaches will compete for a chance to lead their teams to the FBS national championship.
Posted inHigh School Basketball
Cretin-Derham Hall Stays Perfect with a Thrilling Win Over Totino-Grace
Cretin-Derham Hall defeated Totino-Grace 82-77 in a high-intensity showdown, with Tommy Ahneman scoring 25 points and grabbing 17 rebounds, and JoJo Mitchell adding 21 points and nine assists.
Posted inSports
Pro Athletes Among Hopkins’ Top 2024 Performers
Hopkins High School has produced a number of exceptional athletes, including Nu Nu Agara, Amaya Battle, Taylor Woodson, Paige Bueckers, Amir Coffey, Nia Coffey, Zeke Nnaji, Boye Mafe, Joe Klecker, Joe Fahnbulleh, Liv McGill, Anthony Smith, Sydney Drevlow, Avery Shaw, Jayden Moore, Tre Moore, N’yah Symone Britt, Lucy Johnson, and Weston Schenkelberg.
Posted inSports
Unrivaled Basketball: Revolutionizing Women’s Sports with 3-on-3 Action
Unrivaled Basketball, a new 3-on-3 professional women’s basketball league founded by WNBA stars Napheesa Collier and Breanna Stewart, is set to launch in January 2025 with six teams of six WNBA players each, record-breaking contracts, and a dynamic game format.
Posted inCoaching while Black
Stephens’ coaching philosophy: Do right by everyone
Dwayne Stephens, the head men’s basketball coach at Western Michigan, has led the Broncos to become one of the top rebounding teams in the MAC, while also prioritizing academic success and diversity in his coaching staff.
Posted inAnother View
Sports gambling is here to stay – As are drained household finances
Travis Singleton believes that sports gambling will not be going away anytime soon, as it is now more accessible and can generate tax revenue, but warns that it can become a problem if people gamble with high-risk money.
Posted inThe Prep Scene
Fab Five Photos—Best of 2024
The Prep Scene showcases five memorable photos from 2024, featuring athletes such as Stephan Jackson, Maurice Hargrow Jr., Eugene Brown, Kendall Barnes, Olivia Wren, Kendall Blue, and Jaida Walker, as well as referee Parnell Charles.
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 inGophers/College
Gophers set for exciting 2025 season, including Duke’s Mayo Bowl and big Big Ten matchups
The University of Minnesota football team will face a challenging 2025 season, featuring a mix of home games, road tests, and high-profile matchups, including a rivalry game against Wisconsin.
Posted inBlack College Sports Weekly
Celebrity hires and coaching changes dominate HBCU football
HBCU football coaches are being hired at an increasing rate, including former NFL stars like Shawn Gibbs, Jerry Mack, Willie Simmons, Charles Huff, Brennan Marion, Michael Vick, Adrian Jones, Larry Williams, Tremaine Jackson, Greg Ruffin, and DeSean Jackson, while Norfolk State’s basketball teams are entering league play with impressive non-conference records.
Posted inHigh School Basketball
Edina Hornets Edge Past Washburn Millers in Thrilling Holiday Tournament Matchup
The Edina Hornets clinched a narrow victory over the Minneapolis Washburn Millers in a thrilling Holiday Tournament game, with Billy Demars sinking a clutch three-pointer in the final seconds.
Posted inThe Prep Scene
Fab Five Photos – Minneapolis South defeats Minneapolis North
Minneapolis South’s 88-84 victory over Minneapolis North on Wednesday, December 11 was highlighted by two South players scoring 22 points each, a North player scoring 22 points, a North point guard scoring 14 points, and a former Marshall University High School and Augsburg University great officiating the game.
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 inSports
Rising Star from Minneapolis Brings LGBTQ+ Representation to Pro Wrestling
Devon Monroe is a standout wrestler in the Twin Cities scene, known for his flashy outfits, unique wrestling moves, and his commitment to representing the LGBTQ+ community in the wrestling world.
Posted inHigh School Basketball
North St. Paul Polars Take Down South St. Paul Packers in Thrilling Battle
The North St. Paul Polars defeated the South St. Paul Packers 58-52 in a hard-fought game, with Elijah Ernwein scoring 20 points and Duke King contributing 14 to seal the victory.
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 inSports
Honoring the Harlem Renaissance Basketball Team
The Harlem Renaissance Basketball Team, known as the Rens, was the only Black majority-owned professional basketball team in history, paving the way for Black athletes and entrepreneurs, and their legacy continues to inspire today.
Posted inSports
Teddy Bridgewater: From Minnesota Vikings to Coaching Glory and NFL Comeback Dreams
Teddy Bridgewater, a former first-round pick of the Minnesota Vikings, has returned to the NFL after coaching Miami Northwestern to a state championship, and is now looking to lead a team in the NFL with his experience and resilience.
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.