Denise King, head coach of UMass Lowell women’s basketball, reflects on her transition from assistant coach to head coach, and the importance of having more Black head coaches in the profession.
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
The most diverse college volleyball team in Minnesota
The 2024 Macalester College volleyball team is the most diverse college volleyball team in Minnesota, with seven Black players and student manager Adonia Anene, and the team is proud to be part of the HBCU-like diversity.
Posted inAnother View
New Gophers ready to show Minnesota what they can do
Lu’Cye Patterson, Femi Odukale, and Frank Mitchell are three of eleven newcomers on the Minnesota men’s basketball team, bringing a wealth of experience and physicality to the team.
Posted inCoaching while Black
Second year coach sees representation very important
Way Veney, the first Black female head coach in Central Connecticut State women’s basketball history, is proud to represent Black women in leadership roles and has established the culture she wants for her program.
Posted inThe Prep Scene
Dixon helps Cretin-Derham Hall make it to state
Monteff Dixon, Ma’Lan McCoy, Angel Robinson, Brianna Edwards, and Courtney Williams have all contributed to successful seasons for their respective teams, with Dixon and Williams leading their teams to the state playoffs and the WNBA Finals respectively.
Posted inOdds and Ends
Mitchell comes back to bring the Gophers back
Mike Mitchell Jr., a senior basketball player at the University of Minnesota, is among the 100 African American and other student-athletes of color this school year, and is one of the probable starters for the 2024-25 home opener.
Posted inSports
Howard soccer
Howard University’s 1974 soccer team, the only NCAA team to go undefeated, was honored 50 years later with induction into the school’s athletics hall of fame and a special dinner.
Posted inAnother View
Sports analyst views games through coaching lens
Shimmy Miller, one of three Black females on BTN’s women basketball cadre of game and studio analysts, is grateful for her second career as a college basketball analyst and is excited to watch the Big Ten this season.
Posted inOdds and Ends
Grady talks Wolves
The Minnesota Timberwolves have made a trade to acquire Julius Randle, Donte DiVincenzo, and Keita Bates-Diap, and are hoping to take a step forward in the 2023-24 Western Conference, led by the leadership of Rudy Gobert, Anthony Edwards, and Mike Conley.
Posted inThe Prep Scene
North one game from state playoffs
The Minneapolis North Polars defeated the St. Croix Lutheran Crusaders 35-34 in the Class 3A, Section 4 semifinals, securing a spot in the state playoffs for the ninth time in 11 seasons.
Posted inSports
‘Super-determined’ Gopher team demonstrates true home-town loyalty
Amaya Battle, Niamya Holloway, Mara Braun and Mallory Heyer, the Minnesota freshman class of 2021-22, have remained loyal to the program despite the transfer portal era, and are determined to turn the program around and make the tournament.
Posted inSports
Kendall Blue a steady force
Kendall Blue, a junior guard at St. Thomas, is ready to take on a more starring role this season, with Coach Johnny Tauer praising his ability to play with any combination of players and his steady presence on the court.
Posted inSports
Jade Hill keeps getting better
Jade Hill, a guard from Minneapolis South, has been a full-time starter for the UST’s first women’s basketball team in the DI era, scoring over 2,700 points and earning second team all-league honors.
Posted inOdds and Ends
Minatee has got the middle covered
Calissa Minatee, a sophomore middle blocker for the Minnesota Golden Gophers volleyball team, is having a successful season, posting career-best 11 kills against Wisconsin and UCLA, and is a starter for the team this fall.
Posted inAnother View
Women coaches of color ‘dramatically underrepresented’ in U.S. colleges
The University of Minnesota Tucker Center’s latest report found that 174 institutions have zero women head coaches of color, while HBCUs have 13 of 15 institutions with 100% women coaches of color, and the Big Ten Commissioner Tony Petitti believes that diversity should lead to more opportunities for Black and women of color.
Posted inSports
Gopher men’s basketball exhibition victory
The University of Minnesota defeated Bemidji State University 90-65 in an exhibition game, with Mike Mitchell leading the winners with 19 points and eight assists, while Peyton Newbern’s father watched on as his son scored eight points.
Posted inCoaching while Black
Coaching while Black
Ben Johnson and Mike Woodson, the only Black men’s basketball head coaches in the Big Ten, are preparing for their fourth seasons on the job, facing the challenges of player departures and unrealistic criticism due to their race.
Posted inSports
Premier Youth League has an inner city focus
Scott Redd and Ty Thomas have been organizing a Premier Youth Tackle Football League for urban kids ages 9 to 14, providing them with opportunities to compete and win, learn life lessons, and participate in a sense of culture and community around football.
Posted inThe Prep Scene
Ahmil Jihad selected to lead Minneapolis North
Ahmil Jihad, a successful high school basketball coach and 1984 Minneapolis North graduate, has been selected to lead the boys program at his alma mater, bringing his coaching expertise and passion for the game to his hometown.
Posted inOdds and Ends
WNBA Finals: Lynx made history in Game 1 victory – Game 2 was different story
The Minnesota Lynx are looking to become the second team in league history to sweep both the Commissioner’s Cup and the WNBA Finals trophy in the same season, while the WNBA is considering expanding with a Black-led ownership group in 2028.