Coach Prime comes out swinging
“Sanford & Son” has given way to Sanders & Son as a top entertainment attraction. Only this is real life drama minus any funny business.
Local basketball referees help reboot SlamBall league
Ray Bullock Sr. has refereed nearly every level of basketball there is, from youth leagues to the NBA. Now he can add SlamBall to his list.
Ex-CIAA star is world champ
Danielle Williams has put the CIAA back on the world track and field map.
National audiences watch VUU crush Morehouse 45-13
Virginia Union University’s Panthers weren’t blinded by the bright lights. Playing in front of national TV (NFL Network) and radio (Westwood One) audiences, the squad was up for the challenge – and then some.
VUU readies for show in Ohio against Morehouse
On Sunday, Sept. 3, Virginia Union University will have a national audience watching its performance.
A’ja Wilson ties record for most points in WNBA
The Las Vegas Aces might be the surest bet in the city known as “The Gambling Capital of the World.” A’ja Wilson is a towering reason why.
Black quarterback numbers show progress
The NFL’s fraternity of starting Black quarterbacks continues to grow.
September set off
The VSU Trojans, NSU Spartans and HU Pirates will swing into action Sept. 2 for their season openers.
Football momentum building in the East End
Jeremy Pruitt teaches chemistry in the classroom and, as football coach, seems to have found the right formula at Armstrong High.
Belmar’s been here, there, everywhere
Kharlton Belmar is the Richmond Kickers’ traveling man. Both his suitcase and soccer cleats are high mileage.
VUU’s Anderson draws national ‘Watch’
Virginia Union University has played football games with and against Isaac Anderson.
Sanders’ exit changes SWAC rankings
With no more Coach Deion Sanders at Jackson State, there may be a changing of the guard in the Southwestern Athletic Conference (SWAC).
Former Wythe star Alex Cole dies at 58
Alexander “Alex” Cole Jr., one of Richmond’s greatest baseball players, died Saturday, Aug. 19, 2023, at age 58.
Holmes, Myers are VUU’s foot soldiers
Brady Myers and Marvin Holmes put the “foot” in football at Virginia Union University.
Slyderz shine in Inner-City Classic
Carl Smith has seen baseball from an up-close-and-personal vantage point few can match. Now he’s passing along that wisdom to area up-and-comers.
Robinson’s size and speed commands attention in D.C.
Brian Robinson Jr.’s rookie season in Washington couldn’t have started much worse. Nor could it have ended with much more promise.
Clarence ‘Chip’ Howard plans JM resurgence
Clarence “Chip” Howard is a big man with a big assignment: To try and return football glory to the North Side.
VCU Rams score victories in Greece
New VCU basketball Coach Ryan Odom is piling up the miles on his “Odometer” before his first season begins.
Former VUU star Fairley dies
Nathan Fairley, a swift, bruising fullback during a highly successful era of Virginia Union football, died Monday, July 31, 2023, of natural causes. He was 65.
Harris takes his turn steering Vikings ship
‘I knew all along I’d come back,’ says TJ’s coach
Eric Harris, a familiar face around Richmond for decades, is the new head football coach at Thomas Jefferson High.
Graham is VUU’s human stop sign
Shamar Graham wears jersey No. 36, but an octagon stop sign in maroon and steel colors might better describe his gridiron duties. Not much in the way of ball carriers or pass receivers get past Virginia Union University’s aggressive, always ready to rumble linebacker out of nearby (3.2 miles apart) Thomas Jefferson High. “You don’t get 80 tackles standing around in a great defense like ours,” Coach Alvin Parker said. “Shamar makes plays ... he’s a playmaker.” In his first season as a starter, Graham had 84 tackles in 2022, including 7.5 for losses. He added two sacks, and three passes broke up. “I like to go full speed to the ball, sideline to sideline ... and never give up on a play,” Graham said. His ability to crush oppo- nent’s best-laid plans has earned him a nickname – “Showtime.” Among all returning CIAA players, Graham has the most tackles from the 2022 season. “He plays at such a high speed,” Coach Parker said. “He sees where the ball is going, and he goes after it.” The 6-foot-1, 225-pound Graham was here, there and ev- erywhere in a defensive unit that dominated opponents in a 9-2 season that produced an NCAA Division II invitation. Allowing just 17.9 points per game, VUU ranked second in the CIAA behind only conference champion Fayetteville State (17.3). Graham hails from a winning background. As a TJ senior in 2019, he earned All-State honors as a running back and linebacker as the Vikings reached the Class 2 state semifinals. The Richmonder is just warming up at VUU. Despite his tackling heroics, he didn’t make All-CIAA as a sophomore. That’s an award he’s in line for in 2023. The stop sign isn’t going away. There is good news and bad news regarding players coming and going. All-CIAA receiver John Jiles entered the transfer portal and will not likely be back, according to Coach Parker. The North Carolina native caught 40 passes for 627 yards and nine TDs last season after transferring to VUU from Fort Scott Community College in Kansas. On the plus side, 6-foot-3, 215-pound quarterback J’Bore Gibbs, a former starter at FCS power South Dakota State, has transferred to VUU where he will compete with returnees Chris- tian Reid and R.J. Rosales. Gibbs, a native Chicagoan, had a banner freshman year at South Dakota State in 2019 before suffering a knee injury. He later transferred to the University of Idaho where he had yet another knee injury.
Meade clears Byers for takeoff
If Jada Byers is the leading man at Virginia Union University, then Justin Meade represents the powerful supporting cast.
VSU, NSU to play charity baseball
Time for the “old-timers” to loosen up their arms and rub a little oil into their fielding gloves.
Inner-City Classic to include softball
This year’s activities include fast-pitching girls
The 32nd Annual Inner-City Classic is back in the Richmond area this week with an added attraction.
With huge shoes to fill, VUU builds roster
Virginia Union University is adding two players with NCAA Division I backgrounds to its Division II CIAA basketball program.
Bluefield returns to CIAA landscape
There is talent aplenty on this year’s Virginia Union University football team ... at least that’s what the Panthers’ rival coaches think.
MJBL baseball goes to Nassau
Two local ballplayers have received a taste of international competition in the Babe Ruth Caribbean Classic in Nassau, The Bahamas.
Bobby Dandridge recognized in Bullets’ D.C. Sports Hall of Fame induction
Native Richmonder Bobby Dandridge, along with the entire 1977-1978 Washington Bullets, have been inducted into the Washington, D.C. Sports Hall of Fame.
It must be Magic
Josh Harris is Commanders’ new owner, Earvin Johnson is team’s minority owner
Washington Commanders fans are already having a good time – 1,000 free beers can put folks in a party mood. Soon after it became official that Josh Harris was the franchise’s new owner, the private equity billionaire called radio station WJFK and ordered 1,000 brews for customers at Old Ox Brewery. “Hail to the Commanders, and drink up,” Harris told his radio audience.
Jacoby Brissett’s experience is a win for Commanders
For every Plan A, there needs to be a Plan B. For right now, that’s quarterback Jacoby Brissett with the Washington Commanders.
Britton Wilson’s pro move paying off
It didn’t take long for former Richmonder Britton Wilson to establish herself on the professional track circuit.
Foxx and friends
Christopher Eubanks’ tennis courts star power
His good friend, Jamie Foxx, isn’t call- ing him “Who Banks?” anymore. Christopher Eubanks has gone from an unknown to being on the cusp of a leading man on the international tennis circuit.
Woolfolk picks baseball over football
Jay Woolfolk has decided to move forward with baseball and leave football in his rearview mirror.
Chesterfield’s Johnson and Simmonds sign with USL
The Richmond Kickers have a saying that “if you’re good enough, you’re old enough.”
VSU’s Alexis McNair earns new title
Alexis McNair sparkles in the classroom, on the volleyball court and even at The Diamond on Arthur Ashe Boulevard.
7 women of color seen on soccer stage
The United States Women’s National Soccer team has history, recent momentum, and racial diversity on its side heading into this year’s World Cup.
Highland Springs’ Greg Dortch heads to DMV in Cardinals vs. Commanders game
The Washington Commanders’ team colors are mostly burgundy and gold. But when the NFL squad opens its season Sept. 2 at FedEx Field, you may see sprinkles of Highland Springs High School’s black and gold in the stands.
Cuban stars come out to shine
Baseball is extremely popu- lar among young Black athletes in Cuba. That was obvious during the July 11 Major League All-Star Baseball Game in Seattle in which there were 25 international players in this year’s game.
VCU Rams’ Asare makes Team Canada
Mary-Anna Asare plays basketball for VCU but will represent Canada July15-23 in the FIBAU-19 Women’s World Cup in Madrid.
HBCUs recognized in Seattle
HBCU baseball players had the spotlight on June 7 at T-Mobile Field in Seattle.
HU’s Godwin and Garvin heading to Harlem’s HBCU classic
Hampton University will be well represented at the HBCU All-Star Dream Classic Aug. 5 at the famed Rucker Park in Harlem.
Throwback
VCU basketball alums to compete for $1M in tournament
An impressive group of former VCU basketball players will be slipping back into black ‘n’ gold uniforms later this month.
Griner to play in WNBA All Star Game
Brittney Griner has picked up right where she left off in 2021.
Weathering the storm
Lady Tomahawk’s promising start fizzles in weekend downpour
The RVA Lady Tomahawks were rolling along and enjoying a football season of mostly sunshine and blue skies. And then the storm hit, literally and figuratively.
German goes from zero to hero
The New York Yankees’ Domingo German was a somewhat ordinary big league pitcher until June 28, when ordinary turned into extraordinary.
