College softball in Minnesota and elsewhere remains primarily White. Annual NCAA data show six percent of softball players are Black — it was five percent from 2014 to 2019. Â
St. Thomas
Posted inSports
Administrator athlete enjoys best of both worlds at St. Thomas
Amy Olson-Cooper, a former multi-sport athlete and lupus survivor, has made history in athletic administration, receiving the 2025 Wilma Rudolph Courage Award for her efforts in ensuring opportunities for girls and women in sports, and is now the only Black female in senior athletic administration at St. Thomas University.
Posted inReporter's Notebook
St. Thomas roll into Summit League first place
St. Thomas secured a 95-84 win over Omaha, moving the Tommies into first place in the Summit League and knocking Omaha out of first place, while also putting the team in history as the only team to transition to Division I and record 19 wins three straight seasons.
Posted inAnother View
Grace plans a graceful exit
Macalester College senior basketball player Robert Grace IV is using his final season to give everything he can for his teammates and has been hired as a full-time videographer for the Minnesota Timberwolves.
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 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 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 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
First-year soccer players happy to be Gophers
The University of Minnesota’s women’s soccer team has two Black players, Aaryn Gabriel and Karson Yon.
Posted inEducation
Richfield educator’s equity work shows impressive results
Latanya Daniels, a former math teacher and engineer, has made significant strides in improving graduation rates and reducing racial disparities as assistant superintendent at Richfield Public Schools.
Posted inSports
Tommies ready for Summit League tourney
St. Thomas’ men’s and women’s basketball teams are participating in the Summit League postseason tournament in Sioux Falls, South Dakota, and the HBCU Athletic Conference is rebranding as the HBCU Athletic Conference in July.
Posted inSports
St. Thomas to host Wisconsin in women’s basketball showdown
St. Thomas and Wisconsin will meet in women’s basketball on December 13th.
Posted inSports
Tommies volleyball frosh puts her academics first
Miriam Unongo, an outside hitter, is among five freshmen in this year’s 20-player St. Thomas volleyball team.
Posted inGophers/College, Sports
Sistahood on and off the soccer field
This week’s Gopher 100 features soccer players and sisters Izzy and Amelia Brown.
Posted inSports
Former prep stars contributing to St. Thomas
The University of St. Thomas men and women’s basketball teams are in their second seasons in Division I competition.