Geoff Calkins
Calkins: Mayor Young has a request for Memphians: Don’t leave.
Mayor Paul Young had a direct request for Memphis Tuesday: Don’t leave. Here’s why he made the request. And why it made a lot of sense.
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 919 articles by Geoff Calkins :
Mayor Paul Young had a direct request for Memphis Tuesday: Don’t leave. Here’s why he made the request. And why it made a lot of sense.
After nearly four decades, Memphis theater producer Mike Detroit found a full brother he never knew existed. It’s a mystery that could be a miniseries. But even Detroit warns: “There are parts you may not believe.”
As a player, Marc Gasol always shared the glory. And so it was again Saturday night. How better to honor Gasol than by celebrating all four men who helped him transform a franchise and the city? On a glorious night for the Core Four.
The Core Four will be back together to celebrate Marc Gasol at FedExForum Saturday night. But this celebration will be different than all the others. Because Gasol’s story is the story of a franchise, a city and a family, all wrapped up in one. Marc Gasol hints at potential ‘Core Four’ reunion, muses on Memphis in returnRelated story:
Harold Goldbrandsen celebrated his 80th birthday at the Chuck E. Cheese in Cordova. Why? Because he created Chuck E. Cheese. And his daughter thought it was about time he had a birthday extravaganza at the place.
It may be the best story of this basketball postseason. And one of the hardest stories, too. The former Memphis women’s basketball coach went to astonishing lengths to be with her Southern Miss team through it all.
Memphis Mayor Paul Young met with gang members last week and asked for a “truce.” But you know what’s better than a truce? Giving kids an alternative to joining gangs in the first place. That’s where Memphis Rox comes in. And it could use your support.
Every March 21, Josh Greer walks all over Memphis from daybreak to dusk. Here’s why he does it and what we can learn from his annual trek.
“Memphis basketball was left out again on Selection Sunday. It better not happen next year. Not if Memphis basketball is going to continue to be a dominant force in this city — or if Penny Hardaway is going to continue as the head coach.”
Kevin Kane, the president and CEO of Memphis Tourism, says he’ll be happy no matter which eight teams are assigned to Memphis for the NCAA Tournament. But if Kentucky, Tennessee or Kansas are included? He expects “a tsunami.”
Skyy Jordan will be singing the national anthem before the Grizzlies game Wednesday night. Unlike the anthem singers that preceded her, Skyy is completely blind.
The arm of St. Jude is coming to Memphis Saturday. Here’s everything you need to know — about the relic, about St. Jude himself and about why it matters, especially, in this town.
It was inevitable, wasn’t it? Pickleball is coming to the Memphis Sports and Events Center. It’s the first in a series of pickleball pop-up clubs that Pickleball 901 plans to open in multiple locations across town.
Pat Halloran’s life was celebrated in grand style Monday. There was music! There was laughter! There were stories about a larger-than-life character who fell in love with Memphis — and then made it a better place.
Randy Fowler got a new heart in 1997. Wesley Fowler got a new heart in 1999 and another in 2000. Thanks to the generosity of donors, they’re both still singing, parachuting and otherwise living their lives. So on National Donor Day — also known as Valentine’s Day — how about becoming a donor yourself?
Chuck Gallina’s mother, Mimi, has Alzheimer’s disease, but he still takes her to all the Memphis Grizzlies’ home games. And, even during this lost NBA season, those games have come to mean something more to this family — and it can teach us all about love.
Jackson Hughey — who died Sunday after a six-year battle with cancer — was as devoted a Memphis Tigers fan as there ever was. Along the way, he reminded us not to take our games for granted.
“In fact, here’s to all who are willing to lend a hand. That includes the local business people who sent a letter to Gov. Bill Lee requesting help with the city’s crime crisis. It’s a moment for any and all to pitch in.”
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: