Is this the beginning of greater team diversity? A non-shopping “Black Friday” took place at the Minnesota Twins ballpark last week when it was announced that three of four new hires are Black. This comes on the heels of our criticism of the Twins’ on-field and off-field diversity efforts, or lack thereof, a couple of columns ago. It is “an exciting time in the … [Read more...]
A space for national and local sports coverage from columnists Charles Hallman, Larry Fitzgerald, Jr., Mitch Palmer McDonald and more.
Three newcomers to Gophers women’s hoops score big
There are approximately 100 African American and other student-athletes of color this school year at the University of Minnesota. In an occasional series throughout the 2016-17 school and sports year, the MSR will highlight many of these players This week, three women’s basketball players: sophomore Kenisha Bell and freshmen Gadiva Hubbard and Jasmine Brunson First of a … [Read more...]
Coach Richard Pitino on his Gophers
Truth in disclosure: Since Tubby Smith was fired unfairly three years ago by Norwood Teague, the ex-Gophers athletic director, I felt so strongly about how bad that decision was that I stopped covering men's Gophers basketball. Last year was the worst year in school history at 8-22. Two weeks ago I ended my protest by covering the Gophers vs. Arkansas at Williams Arena. They … [Read more...]
State’s lost Black baseball legends remembered
By Charles Hallman Staff Writer Blacks historically had as much to do with Minnesota’s rich baseball legacy as anybody, but this story oftentimes remains in the dark. “I want to increase awareness of African American history in Minnesota,” declares Frank White, whose book, They Played for the Love of the Game, came out earlier this year and has shed light on the … [Read more...]
Senior thrower’s goal: have fun, finish happy
There are approximately 100 African American and other student-athletes of color this school year at the University of Minnesota. In an occasional series throughout the 2014-15 school and sports year, the MSR will highlight many of these players This week: Gopher senior thrower Devin Stanford Her goals include “improving my finish” in this, her final collegiate season, and … [Read more...]