
Bowie State loses in round 2 of NCAA playoffs
Bowie State University’s football season and quarterback Amir Hall’s college career both ended Saturday, Nov. 24, in Valdosta, Ga.

Richmonder Nigel Chavis named to All-MEAC team
Norfolk State University defensive end Nigel Chavis has been named All-MEAC for the second year in a row.

Nationwide talent bring boost to VCU Rams
Virginia Commonwealth University searches near and far for basketball talent, but lately the emphasis has been on far. Of Coach Mike Rhoades’ 14 players, just two are Virginians and only one has Richmond ties.

Freshman Pitts making big splash at VUU
Demarius Pitts saw no need to meekly dip his toes in the water to get a feel for college basketball. Boldly, he dove in head first instead.

Legend of NFL’s ‘Fearsome Foursome’ remains
The Los Angeles Rams, 10-1, are riding high these days with one of the NFL’s most historically explosive offenses — 36 points and 449 yards per game. It was much different in the 1960s, when the Los Angeles team rose to prominence with an intimidating defense featuring its famed “Fearsome Foursome.”

Ohioans looking to take it to the hoop at VSU
Jahmere Howze and Jalen Jackson took far different routes while reaching the same basketball destination.

Coach Mike London leaves Howard for W&M
Coach Mike London, with deep roots in Richmond, is leaving Howard University to become the new football coach at The College of William & Mary in Williamsburg.

Radford University stuns Notre Dame in basketball upset
A coaching staff with Richmond ties has pulled off the upset of the season in college basketball. Clearly falling under the “shocking” column, Radford University stunned the University of Notre Dame — and the world of college hoops — Nov. 14 in South Bend, Ind.

Bowie State wins first round in NCAA playoffs
Bowie State University football is still going strong. The CIAA champion Bulldogs kept their season going with a 41-35 home victory last Saturday over the University of West Alabama in the first round of the NCAA Division II, Region 2 playoffs.

4 area teams heading to LA for Snoop Youth Football League Nationals
Four area youth football teams are heading to Los Angeles for the Snoop Youth Football League Nationals Dec. 14 through 16. The Snoop League was founded by rapper and entertainer Snoop Dogg in 2005 in Southern California. The league now has about 20 teams throughout California.

Undefeated, unforgettable
Maggie Walker 1975 football team opted to play annual Armstrong-Walker Classic at Thanksgiving rather than VHSL playoffs
The 1975 Maggie L. Walker High School football team was undefeated and unforgettable.

Panthers looking to Jemal Smith to defend CIAA title
Point guards less than 6 feet tall have played a major role in Virginia Union University’s storied basketball history. Jemal Smith is the latest to fill that bill.

NSU Spartans trample the HU Bison 29-17
Norfolk State University’s Juwan Carter won the “battle of the quarterbacks” and, more importantly, NSU came out victorious last Saturday as the Spartans beat the Howard University Bison before a crowd of more than 6,000 at Dick Price Stadium in Norfolk.

Bowie State wins CIAA football championship
Following its first ever CIAA football title, Bowie State University is moving on to the NCAA Division II playoffs.

Football season ends for VUU without playoff invitation
Just when the Virginia Union University Panthers were ready to dance, it was like the music stopped and the band went home. The Panthers were a dominant football team for 10 games. But the Panthers won’t get a shot at an 11th game they so coveted.

Late Morgan State football coach named 2018 Trailblazer of the Year
The late Earl Banks, who coached Willie Lanier at Morgan State University, has been named Trailblazer of the Year by the American Football Coaches Association.

Elite runners from Kenya and Ethiopia win Richmond Marathon
Kenyan and Ethiopian runners make up a tiny percentage of the total number of participants in the annual Richmond Marathon. But they’re clearly at the head of the pack.

Legendary baseball slugger Willie McCovey dies
Willie McCovey, who was among the most respected and feared sluggers in baseball history, died Wednesday, Oct. 31, 2018, at Stanford Hospital in Palo Alto, Calif. Mr. McCovey was 80.

‘Justice for Jabo’ picks up steam
A project called “Justice for Jabo” is underway to restore a long-ago honor to former Virginia Commonwealth University basketball star Charles “Jabo” Wilkins. Mr. Wilkins died Oct. 12 at age 70 in Greenville, N.C.

Hometown hero Ashe conquers Richmond 50 years ago in local Davis Cup match
Fifty years ago, Richmond native Arthur Ashe Jr. and the City of Richmond were front and center for global tennis. Court No. 1 at Richmond’s Byrd Park was the site of the prestigious Davis Cup tennis tournament May 3 through 5, 1968. Dating to 1900, the Davis Cup is international team tennis’ premier event and draws the sport’s marquee names.

NSU to wrangle the Howard Bisons Nov. 10 at Dick Price Stadium
Norfolk State University has lost four straight football games and more trouble is on the way. The Spartans’ next assignment will be to tangle with MEAC’s leading passer, Howard University’s Caylin Newton, brother of NFL star Cam Newton.

VUU wallops VSU; still looking for NCAA playoff berth
Virginia Union University continues to present a powerful case for an NCAA Division II football playoff berth.

TJ’s Jahlin Russell works like a wrecking ball
It’s no surprise Jahlin Russell plays football. The Thomas Jefferson High School senior is quick, strong, aggressive and fearless. He doesn’t back down.

Puerto Rican native Alex Cora manages Red Sox to World Series win
Diversity in the dugout. That was a theme during the Boston Red Sox’s World Series triumph over the Los Angeles Dodgers. With Sunday night’s victory, the Red Sox beat the Dodgers 4-1 to win the series. For the first time in World Series annals, managers for both baseball teams — Alex Cora of the Red Sox and the Dodgers’ Dave Roberts — are men of color.

Olympic ‘Black Power Salute’ rises 50 years later
Tommie Smith and John Carlos were among the fastest men of their generation. But it wasn’t what they did on the Olympic track that makes them most remembered. It’s what they did after their race — on the medals podium — that still resonates.

VUU Panthers meet VSU Trojans Saturday at Hovey Field
Virginia Union University football Coach Alvin Parker feels like his team has taken an unfair beating — not on the field, mind you, but in the polls.

Former ODU star Kent Bazemore a top money earner with Atlanta Hawks
The list of the NBA’s highest paid players includes many known marquee players — LeBron James, Steph Curry, Russell Westbrook, James Harden and others. Also on that list is a bit of a surprise.

Richmonder Jackie Bradley, AL series MVP, heads to World Series
Baseball’s hottest bat — and perhaps the most interesting jersey number — just may belong to a native Richmonder.

VUU’s hopes for CIAA title crushed by Bowie State
Amir Hall has rained on Virginia Union University’s parade — “rain” coming in the form of a blizzard of pigskins.

VSU wins big at homecoming
Virginia State University’s homecoming also served as a coming out party for Jemourri La Pierre.

VUU loses to Duke
Darian Peterson shined in his Virginia Union University basketball debut, but it wasn’t enough to save the Panthers at Duke University.

Richmond Flying Squirrels to host 2019 Eastern League All-Star Game
All-Star baseball is coming to Richmond next summer. The host Richmond Flying Squirrels announced a four-day schedule of activities to coincide with the Eastern League All-Star Game.

VUU to take on Duke in N.C.
Virginia Union University faces long odds Tuesday, Oct. 23, when Coach Jay Butler’s Panthers play powerhouse Duke University in an exhibition basketball game in Durham, N.C. Tipoff is 7 p.m. at Cameron Indoor Stadium on Duke’s campus.

Edward Curtis pushes through grief to deliver for Armstrong
Armstrong High School’s Edward Curtis Jr. plays his rugged brand of football with more than just flesh and bone. The senior is also fueled by a brimming tank of emotion.

VUU to face formidable Bowie State at Hovey Field
Virginia Union University sits alone in first place in the CIAA Northern Division, but staying there won’t be easy. The Panthers are atop a slippery perch.

VSU banking on a homecoming win this Saturday
This has been a “what if” football season for the Virginia State University Trojans. During the homecoming game this weekend, Trojans fans can’t help but ask “What if?” regarding three painful road losses that has VSU on the outside looking in at CIAA title and NCAA aspirations.

VSU picked to win CIAA basketball title
Two proven college big men and an All-State guard are among the additions to a Virginia State University basketball program that is the pre-season pick to win the CIAA title.

Mo Alie-Cox now on Colts practice squad
Mo Alie-Cox made his reputation in sneakers. Now he’s trying to make a living in cleats.

VSU ready to rumble with Bowie State
Two senior quarterbacks with glistening credentials will be center stage Saturday, Oct. 13, in Bowie, Md.

For the record books: VUU drubs Lincoln 90-0 at homecoming
Looking back, Virginia Union University football has been on a historical roll. Gazing ahead, there are bumps in the road.

Penn State Coach James Franklin on course to win NCAA title
Coach James Franklin is in position to make history one day. It possibly could happen as early as this season. The talented Penn State coach seems a strong bet to become the first African-American coach to win an NCAA collegiate football title on the highest level.

MLB playoffs start Oct. 4
After a grinding seven-month regular season, Major League Baseball is starting all over this week with playoffs leading to the World Series.

VSU kicks it up a notch to beat Shaw 34-17
The 2018 Virginia State University football team is starting to look a lot like the 2017 version, which is exciting news around Ettrick.

VUU QB ties touchdown school record
Darius Taylor’s initials are “D.T.” but “T.D.” might be more apropos. Virginia Union University’s senior quarterback is on a touchdown passing binge.

Taylor scores 3 TDs as Panthers spring to victory
Virginia Union University tailback Tabyus Taylor has the size of a lineman but the speed of a sprinter. That rare combination of physical gifts has made him the CIAA’s most feared running back at this juncture.

Cleveland Browns one of 1st NFL teams to add African-American players
It’s a major surprise now when the Cleveland Browns win a football game. Winless in 2017, the Browns defeated the New York Jets Sept. 17 for its first win since December 2016.

Jackson helps VSU clinch first win
Andre Jackson won the Virginia high-jump championship his senior year at Hampton’s Phoebus High School. Considering that, it’s no wonder he has quickly hopped into the spotlight as a redshirt freshman receiver and kick returner for Virginia State University.

Bass gives George Wythe its aerial game
George Wythe High School football is committed to traveling via the airways. It’s just as committed to Emontre Bass as its pilot. The 6-foot-3, 220-pound junior quarterback known as “E” has earned his wings in second-year Coach Jerome Jeter’s air-oriented offense.

Mookie Betts, Lorenzo Cain leading candidates for MLB MVPs
African-Americans are short in numbers but large on impact in Major League Baseball. Only about 10 percent of big leaguers are African-American, born in the United States, but they are getting noticed.

VUU, VSU games back on schedule this Saturday
CIAA football has weathered the storm. After hitting the pause button last week as Hurricane Florence left a path of destruction through North Carolina, the historically black athletic conference will resume activities Saturday, Sept. 22, with seven games to be played in the Tarheel state.