Justin Tillman leads Rams to overtime win over Dayton
Virginia Commonwealth University basketball Coach Mike Rhoades says the Rams’ motto this season is “it takes what it takes.”
Philadelphia flying high after Eagles claim victory in Super Bowl LII
Philadelphia counts among its top heroes Ben Franklin. And the most famous date in Philadelphia is July 4, 1776, the date of the signing of the Declaration of Independence.
U.S. athletes bring diversity to 2018 Winter Olympics
The Winter Olympics, sometimes called the “white Olympics,” is gaining in diversity. The United States delegation of 242 athletes heading to South Korea will include 10 African-Americans, including its first African-American hockey player.
Jermaine Marrow brings excitement — and big fan numbers — to Hampton Pirates
Two of the brightest subjects regarding Hampton University basketball are Jermaine Marrow and home attendance. It’s reasonable to assume the two are linked.
Former Rams coach returns with Dayton Flyers to play VCU this Saturday
Virginia Commonwealth University and the state of Florida, while far apart geographically, have long been linked on the basketball map.
Injuries contribute to VSU’s loss to Bowie State University
Cyonte Melvin is a bundle of basketball talent, but he’s not fully healthy. In a nutshell, that sums up the Virginia State University Trojans who took a rare stumble last Saturday in a 65-55 loss to Bowie State University at the VSU Multi-Purpose Center.
Jada Boyd packs a wallop in VHSL record book
You don’t judge a book by its cover. Nor is it wise to judge an athlete by the size of their school. As it turns out, one of Virginia’s elite basketball prospects attends one of Virginia’s smallest public high schools. Meet Jada Boyd, a junior technology major at the Appomattox Regional Governor’s School in Petersburg, enrollment 359 for grades 9 through 12.
Williams takes charge on UNC’s defense
Kenny Williams III is the Richmond area’s most recent link to arguably the nation’s premier college basketball program.
Quarterback showdown gearing up for Super Bowl LII
“Fly, Eagles, Fly,” the Philadelphia Eagles fight song, is unofficially No. 1 on the pop charts these days in the City of Brotherly Love.
Former Powhatan High School football star headed to Olympics
The explosive power that made Hakeem Abdul-Saboor a star football running back has earned him a berth on the U.S. Olympic bobsled team.
VSU beats VUU in Freedom Classic — again
Trey Brown is a major reason why Virginia State University is enjoying perhaps its best basketball season in program history.
Talented Griffin plays big, wins big
The University of Central Florida this season won all of its football games, going 13-0. At the same time, Knights linebacker Shaquem Griffin won the hearts of all who saw him. Griffin drew attention for two clear reasons — his aggressive, physical play and because he competes with just one hand.
Talent doesn’t fall far from family tree for Arnold Henderson VI
Some of Richmond’s prominent basketball family trees have branches stretching to St. Christopher’s School’s leafy West End campus.
VCU’s Tillman breaks out with double-doubles
At least on the basketball floor, Virginia Commonwealth University’s Justin Tillman has double the appetite of most others.
John Marshall shows off its squad on the road
For most high school basketball teams, a road trip means a quick bus ride across town or perhaps to a nearby county. By contrast, the John Marshall High School Justices logged more December miles than just about everyone but Santa Claus.
Double trouble awaits Lady Panthers’ opponents
Just one McNeill freshman would be a nice addition to the Virginia Union University women’s basketball program. Having two makes it twice as nice.
Huguenot High’s tall, secret weapon: Eric Rustin
Most people need a step stool or possibly a ladder to do things Huguenot High School senior Eric Rustin does with both feet flat on the floor. He’s the teenager for the job if you need a ceiling light replaced, a ripe apple plucked from a high branch or, better yet, someone to assist in winning a basketball game. It sure helps when you stand 7 feet tall, can grip a basketball like it’s a softball and can nearly reach the rim of the basket on your tippy toes.
VCU’s ‘pass master’ Johnny Williams ranks among the nation’s top players in total assists
Jonathan “Johnny” Williams is listed as a point guard in Virginia Commonwealth University’s basketball lineup, but passing guard better defines his well-crafted skill set.
College football championship to be served Southern style
If you like your pigskin served with biscuits and gravy, with a side of grits, then this year’s College Football Playoff National Championship is for you. You might say this year’s grand finale is pretty as a peach, with the University of Georgia and the University of Alabama playing down in Atlanta.
Flying Squirrels have 1st African-American manager
The Richmond Flying Squirrels have their first African-American manager, Willie Harris. Harris, 39, played for the former Richmond Braves in 2007. He succeeds Kyle Haines as manager of the Class AA Eastern League Squirrels.
Sportscaster Herm Edwards named head coach at Arizona State
Herm Edwards is taking his football expertise from the broadcast booth back to the sidelines. An ESPN personality on NFL Live since 2009, Edwards was named head coach at Arizona State University. “I’m here to build a program on top of the foundation that’s already been built here,” he said in his introductory news conference on Dec. 4 in Tempe, Ariz. “We’re here to be relevant in the Pacific 12.”
Hampton picks Prunty to lead Pirates
Hampton University will be moving into a new conference, the Big South, with a new football coach, Robert Prunty. “I’m up for the challenge,” Coach Prunty said during a introductory news conference Dec. 9 at the HU Student Center. “I didn’t come here to lose, make no mistake about that,” he said. “You’ve got a winner now.”
N.C. A&T wins Celebration Bowl
On a football scale of 1 to 12, North Carolina A&T State University is a 12. The Aggies finished the season 12-0 with a 21-14 victory over Grambling State University of Louisiana last Saturday in the third annual Celebration Bowl at Atlanta’s Mercedes-Benz Stadium.
Kermit Blount to be inducted into CIAA Hall of Fame
Native Richmonder Kermit Blount has been selected for induction into the John B. McLendon Jr. CIAA Hall of Fame. The induction ceremony will be 9 a.m. March 2, at the Charlotte Convention Center, coinciding with the 2018 CIAA Basketball Tournament.
It’s a 3-peat!
Highland Springs High School wins third consecutive state football title
Highland Springs High School’s talented and determined football Springers have done it again. The Eastern Henrico County squad, aka the “Beast of the East,” is Virginia’s 5A football champion for a breathtaking third straight season. Finishing the season 14-1, the Springers three-peated on Sunday, Dec. 10, with a decisive 40-27 victory over Tuscarora High School of Leesburg at Hampton University’s Armstrong Stadium.
Sophomore Ikechi Chantilou gives spark to George Wythe squad
It almost feels unfair. Ikechi Chantilou is so quick, so athletic. And he’s only a sophomore. On a senior-laden George Wythe High basketball squad, it’s hard taking your eyes off Chantilou, a whippet-lean, 6-foot-3 guard-forward seemingly with rockets on his sneakers.
Hughes bouncing back for VUU
Virginia Union University basketball fans never really got to know Todd Hughes a year ago. On Nov. 30, 2016, he suffered a torn anterior cruciate ligament, or ACL, in a game at the University of the District of Columbia and was lost for the remainder of the season.
VUU set to name new coach
Virginia Union University Athletic Director Joe Taylor says he expects to name a new football coach by this weekend. The position became vacant when Coach Mark James was not retained following four seasons at the college located on Lombardy Street in Richmond.
VSU’s Cannon up for prestigious national award
Trenton Cannon is vying for at least one more honor before the book is closed on his college football career. The Virginia State University senior running back is a finalist for the Black College Football Player of the Year Award that is presented to the top performer in an HBCU program.
Jackie Robinson fêted for football too
When football fans file into the Rose Bowl in Pasadena, Calif., on New Year’s Day, they’ll be greeted by an exciting addition — a 7-foot-tall bronze statue of Jackie Robinson.
Shaka Smart’s Texas team beats VCU 71-67 at Siegel Center
Coach Shaka Smart has proven he can win as both the home and visiting coach at Virginia Commonwealth University’s Siegel Center.
Highland Springs hoping for 3-peat at Saturday’s state championship
Highland Springs High School is on the cusp of achieving something seldom done in state football history. Football Coach Loren Johnson’s Springers are one victory from a “three-peat” of the state 5A Virginia High School League title.
VUU leaning on big men for big success on the basketball court
In keeping with its storied basketball past, big men abound at Virginia Union University. Coach Jay Butler is blessed with multiple low-post options in his third season on the Lombardy Street campus. Three have taken turns sharing accolades thus far, and a promising fourth will be debuting soon.
London, Broadway finalists for Robinson Award
Coaches Michael London of Howard University and Rod Broadway of the MEAC football champions North Carolina A&T State University are finalists for the Eddie Robinson Award.
VCU Rams return from Maui Invitational to face a ‘Bermuda Triangle’ of opponents
Virginia Commonwealth University is one of only eight schools to have reached the NCAA basketball tournament at least seven consecutive seasons.
Richmond Roughriders in new league
The Richmond Roughriders have joined a new league — hopefully offering stronger competition — for the 2018 arena football season. Starting next spring, the Roughriders will compete in the American Arena League, or AAL, a 12-team conference stretching from Vermont to Florida.
HU exits MEAC for Big South Conference
There’s an upside and a downside to Hampton University’s surprise decision to leave the MEAC for the Big South Conference.
VCU has rare loss at home — to U.Va.
Two things Virginia Commonwealth University basketball thrives on are quality transfers and home games at the always rowdy, jam-packed Siegel Center.
Thomas Jefferson turnaround leads to regional playoffs
Richmond’s Thomas Jefferson High School is the feel-good story of this football season.
Early hoop dreams for VUU, VSU
Bus rides, hotels and restaurant food seem to agree — at least so far — with both the Virginia Union University and Virginia State University basketball teams.
VCU vs. U.Va.: Siegel Center thriller Friday
Virginia Commonwealth University holds the all-time basketball upper hand over every state school except one — the University of Virginia.
VSU going to CIAA championship
What a difference a point makes!
The difference of one point — one skinny point — can fill your heart with joy or break your heart. Because of one small point, Virginia State University’s victorious and still undefeated Trojans are looking forward to the CIAA football championship game and the NCAA Division II football playoffs.
Lea, Leonard among ‘legends’ to be honored by CIAA
Sherman Lea and George Leonard have gained CIAA football “legend” status.
VUU Panthers upended in exhibition game against VCU Rams
College basketball preseason exhibitions are more about evaluating talent than the numbers on the scoreboard. In the final tune-up before the games really count, Virginia Commonwealth University used the home-floor advantage and a ferocious press to upend Virginia Union University 98-74 last Friday at the Siegel Center.
40th running of the Richmond Marathon on Saturday
The Richmond Marathon has reached middle age without showing any signs of slowing down. The area’s autumn foot race tradition will be celebrating its 40th birthday Saturday, Nov. 11, and everyone is invited to the party, regardless of how fast you move.
Springer wins World Series MVP honors
In the 113th World Series, George Springer III had more hits than almost any other slugger in the previous 112 fall classics. As the lone African-American playing a significant role in this year’s World Series, Springer led the Houston Astros to their first ever Series title, nipping the Los Angeles Dodgers four games to three.
Bigger stakes for VUU-VSU football rivalry
Area bragging rights and much, much more will be at stake Saturday, Nov. 4, when Virginia Union and Virginia State universities commence to popping pads at Rogers Stadium in Ettrick.
Logan excels on slow-pitch softball circuit
Most men play slow-pitch softball for an excuse to slip out of the house, get some exercise and perhaps throw back a few cold ones with the guys.
Frank Mason makes debut with Sacramento Kings
After being left on the launching pad two games, Frank Mason’s NBA career has officially taken off. After consecutive “DNPs” (Did Not Play) in the box scores, the former Petersburg High School and University of Kansas guard made his debut with the Sacramento Kings last Saturday.
