Geoff Calkins
Calkins: Shane Young is leaving Memphis. But Memphis Inner City Rugby is changing lives for good.
Shane Young came to Memphis for the mountains. Hey, everyone makes mistakes. But he leaves a thriving MIRC.
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 1031 articles by Geoff Calkins :
Shane Young came to Memphis for the mountains. Hey, everyone makes mistakes. But he leaves a thriving MIRC.
One hundred and forty-one years ago, the first Sisters of Charity of Nazareth arrived in Memphis. On Monday, the last one left town. But Sister Trudy Foster left behind a legacy — and some words to live by.
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.
It’s impossible to imagine Memphis without Fred Smith. So what happens next? Related content:
Ja Morant took on ESPN’s Stephen A. Smith and his misperceptions of Memphis. But Smith isn’t the only one talking trash.
When you hear about the country’s “social safety net,” this is it: Hope House. Multiplied by thousands of small, committed organizations in cities across America. Federal funding cuts have Hope House’s leaders worried about Memphis.
Henry Douglas, age 8, decided to sing songs to generate contributions to St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital. So who should make a request? Santi Aldama, from Spain.
Archie Manning said Reggie Barnes “had a gift for bringing people together.” For the better part of five decades, Barnes — who died Monday — used that gift to promote Memphis sports.
Jes Shea leaned down to light the cookstove in her Sprinter van. Then the world went “BOOM.”
You know the Memphis NBA team is named the Grizzlies because they moved from Vancouver. But why did the Vancouver team have that name?
The Central High jazz band did it. They defeated bands from across the country — and around the world — to win the Essentially Ellington contest in New York. And, yes, there were many tears.
“John Calipari is game to return to Memphis this fall to play an exhibition game to benefit St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital? That sounds like an fine idea. It’s just time.” Calipari’s Razorbacks working to schedule exhibition game in MemphisRelated content:
Ollie Liddell, the director of bands at Central High, wasn’t sure how his jazz band would get to the Essentially Ellington contest at Lincoln Center. Then Memphians came through for him.
The Central High jazz band continued to blaze through New York, advancing to the finals of the Essentially Ellington contest. Said Ollie Liddell, the band’s director: “We play with the spirt of the city, man.”
Eric Daniels is a combat veteran who once failed sixth, seventh and eighth grades. He’s also one of 2,759 students who will receive a diploma from the University of Memphis Saturday.
Kim Jameson is a Memphian who founded a program at Christian Brothers University to help people with autism succeed not just at college but in life.
The city can feel like it’s in crisis. The country can feel like it’s in crisis. And Monday, we all woke up to the news that Clayborn Temple had burned down.Related content:
It was going to be a magnificent night for Memphis. Then Ja Morant and the Grizzlies crashed to the earth.
The Thunder absolutely destroyed the Grizzlies in Games 1 and 2. So what reason is there to believe in Memphis? I’m glad you asked.
When Ja Morant sprang off his bum ankle to slam the ball home against the Mavericks on Friday night, it wasn’t just a dunk — it was an unmistakable statement of intent.
Memphis NBA fans are facing an unprecedented dilemma Friday: Is it better if the Grizzlies win or lose? Herrington: Grizzlies have at least one game left, but may have already taken the lossRelated content:
The Grizzlies have a massive opportunity when they meet the Golden State Warriors Tuesday night. Now all they have to do is win. Related content:
No, the Grizzlies didn’t want to be playing the Warriors in a play-in game. But if you looked around FedExForum Sunday, there was plenty of hope.
Ja Morant likes to cast himself as a victim far too often. But in the great — OK, ridiculous — finger-gun controversy of 2025? He may have a point.Related content:
The Grizzlies got scorched by Steph Curry (52 points) as the Warriors passed them in the standings. So is there anything to feel good about? Actually, yes!