Columnist
Geoff Calkins has been chronicling Memphis and Memphis sports for more than two decades. He is host of "The Geoff Calkins Show" from 9-11 a.m. M-F on 92.9 FM. Calkins has been named the best sports columnist in the country five times by the Associated Press sports editors, but still figures his best columns are about the people who make Memphis what it is.
There are 976 articles by Geoff Calkins :
Journalist Jerome Wright, 74, died Monday evening. He covered Memphis for more than five decades. He knew the place better than anyone else. But he became a beloved figure in the city because he treated everyone with kindness and respect.
On a cold and miserable night — a night when fans were urged to stay home — the Tigers blew a 20-point lead to lose to South Florida. And then Penny Hardaway hinted at ominous chemistry issues within the team.
The guy who was skiing through Downtown Monday? We found him. Here’s his story and more scenes from the coldest MLK Day in Memphis since it became a federal holiday.
Laird Veatch, the University of Memphis athletic director, is finally getting his hands on a football stadium and $120 million. Now all he has to do is raise another $50 million and figure out how to rebuild his new stadium on the fly.
Ja Morant is out for the season and Grizzlies fans are mourning a year that just keeps getting worse. As one Memphian put it, succinctly: “I give up.”
Memphis Mayor Paul Young offered fresh “hope” at his swearing-in ceremony. And while that won’t solve the city’s many problems, it is at least a good start.
Will Plenk and Christian Carichner were once college roommates. Friday, they’ll be directing the Memphis and Iowa State marching bands at the AutoZone Liberty Bowl. It’s a story about life, about friendship — and about tubas.Related stories:
Ja Morant was back at FedExForum Thursday. But you know what else was back? Fun! It suddenly seems like a whole new season for the Grizzlies. And in this season, the Grizzlies are a perfect 2-0.
Yes, Ja Morant really did that. He really did score 34 points — and the winning bucket — in his return to NBA basketball. It was a night already part of Grizzlies lore. And it should give Memphians real hope.
Drew Hill and Chris Herrington wonder if Dillon Brooks should be booed in his return to Memphis, and Geoff Calkins joins to discuss the civil lawsuit against Ja Morant.
Ja Morant spoke to the media Friday. It wasn’t some raw apology press conference. But he said all the right things. He said he is learning to “protect his peace.” If the man can do that, good things will surely follow.Related story:
It was a wild day in court for Ja Morant Monday. But it doesn’t matter if Morant wins or loses. This is a sideshow. The real show starts next Tuesday, when Morant makes his return.Related stories:
Save your fretting for the Grizzlies. That’s where there is work to be done.
“Mike Norvell and Florida State got left out? Memphis fans understand how that feels. The entire system of college sports is based on leaving universities out, no matter how deserving. Fairness has nothing to do with it.”
The Grizzlies won a home game for the first time in 218 days Wednesday. So when the streamers fell, people scrambled to collect them as if they had never seen them before. On a night of joy and relief at FedExForum. Which will just have to do, for now.
“Who put an end to the stadium fracas? Fred Smith and family, of course.” FedEx founder to help fund Liberty Stadium renovations; U of M could control stadiumRelated story:
The University of Memphis women’s soccer program isn’t just the most successful athletic program at the university — it’s one of the most successful organizations in the city, period. How did head coach Brooks Monaghan do it? And what lessons can the rest of us learn?
Dr. Justin Baker never intended to stay nearly 20 years in Memphis. But he came to love both the city and his work at St. Jude Children’s Research hospital. Now he’s is leaving for Stanford — but not before sharing some lessons he learned along the way.
The Memphis Tigers have loads of talent. They showed it again as they opened their season with a 94-77 win over Jackson State. Now all the Tigers have to do is mold that talent into an elite team. By Friday, would be best.
Martha McAnespie celebrated her 107th birthday over the weekend. Yes, her 107th. And she still lives alone. The Daily Memphian got her story and her secret, too. It’s not what you might think.
Sure, the home team lost another opener. But there were actual happy tears at the game. Why? Because the Memphis Grizzlies are back for their 23rd year.
“There is a lot of negative press about this city. But there’s good stuff happening, every day,” says Cody Behles, director of innovation and research support at the University of Memphis.
The most important part of ESPN’s story on Ja Morant isn’t anything in the story. It’s the impact it could have on Morant. A column about alligators, rocks and umbrellas — and what they all may mean.
Paul Young will be the new mayor of Memphis. And you should feel optimistic about that. Yes, optimistic. It may have gone out of fashion. But Young just might bring it back.
The Rendezvous opened 75 years ago. Its success is a lesson in determination, authenticity — and putting down stakes (or ribs!) where you are. So have a cheese and sausage plate to celebrate. It’s a Memphis ribiversary!