Memphis Local, Sports, Business & Food News | Daily Memphian | Geoff Calkins

Calkins: You know what's right with the world? People like Joe Ford.

gcalkins@dailymemphian.com (Geoff Calkins) — Fri, 22 May 2026 07:57:53 -0500

At the age of 60, Joe Ford started pole vaulting. And started passing his wisdom along. He’s now retiring as a volunteer coach at the age of 75. But you can bet he’ll still be around.

Calkins: John Isner and Sam Querrey to play a special exhibition in Memphis

gcalkins@dailymemphian.com (Geoff Calkins) — Wed, 20 May 2026 16:08:54 -0500

Back in 2010, John Isner and Sam Querrey met each other in a memorable ATP final at The Racquet Club. On July 25, they’ll be back in Memphis for an exhibition to help celebrate the return of professional tennis to the city.

Calkins: Memphis to join Power 4 in 2028? So says Charles Huff.

gcalkins@dailymemphian.com (Geoff Calkins) — Wed, 20 May 2026 13:52:16 -0500

Memphis coach Charles Huff said Memphis plans to join a Power 4 conference in 2028. Was it a guarantee? Not exactly. “I think you’ve got to speak things into existence,” he said.

Calkins: Why was there a flash mob in the Methodist hospital parking garage? Because dancing always helps.

gcalkins@dailymemphian.com (Geoff Calkins) — Tue, 19 May 2026 10:33:54 -0500

Brittnye Ostrom-Robinson — a former dancer for the Memphis Grizzlies and U of M Pom — is stuck in the hospital with a difficult diagnosis. So how did friends and family lift her spirits? With a dancing flash mob, of course.

Calkins: She slept with a gun under her bed. He was jailed for marching at age 11. They meet again after six decades.

gcalkins@dailymemphian.com (Geoff Calkins) — Fri, 15 May 2026 14:50:08 -0500

“I remember us being chased by the Klan in Moscow, Tennessee,” Dekater Horton said, “because you are driving in a car with a white woman. It was in the middle of the day. We got on a dirt road, and they couldn’t catch us. It was normal, honestly.”

Calkins: #MakeMemphisMadder — on a week the city best never forget

gcalkins@dailymemphian.com (Geoff Calkins) — Mon, 11 May 2026 17:35:38 -0500

There is a single spot in Memphis where you can stand in all three congressional districts. It’s an absurdity, yes. And a cause for rage.

Calkins: People warned these two Memphis graduates about the city. Then they fell in love with the place.

gcalkins@dailymemphian.com (Geoff Calkins) — Sat, 9 May 2026 10:30:25 -0500

They’re a married couple — and two of the very best students graduating from the University of Memphis Saturday. But the best part of their story is the way they’ve embraced the city they now call home.

Calkins: On Election Day, the shameful work of erasing Memphis begins

gcalkins@dailymemphian.com (Geoff Calkins) — Tue, 5 May 2026 23:29:36 -0500

“They’re killing an iconic American city,” said U.S. Rep. Steve Cohen, who flew in to join Tuesday’s protest. “It’s a terrible day for Memphis and it’s a terrible day for Tennessee.”

Calkins: If Memphis really matters, don't carve it into thirds

gcalkins@dailymemphian.com (Geoff Calkins) — Sun, 3 May 2026 04:00:06 -0500

“Memphis is in a corner. Memphis is its own place. To divide the 9th Congressional District into thirds would be ‘like putting the Black vote in the back of the bus.’”

Calkins: The best young athlete in Memphis? Noah Schepman is an inspiration on wheels.

gcalkins@dailymemphian.com (Geoff Calkins) — Fri, 1 May 2026 04:00:07 -0500

When Noah Schepman was one, his dad built him a tiny wheelchair. Now Schepman’s tennis coach calls him “the fastest kid — on feet or wheels — that I’ve ever seen.”

Calkins: Yes, the Grizzlies might play games in Nashville. But that's no reason to be terrified.

gcalkins@dailymemphian.com (Geoff Calkins) — Sat, 25 Apr 2026 17:52:02 -0500

If you were an owner intent on keeping a profitable NBA team in Memphis, wouldn’t you do whatever you could to tap into the Nashville market? To bring some of those Nashville riches over here?

Calkins: Remember the winter storm of 2026? It inspired a dog (and cat) story to warm your heart.

gcalkins@dailymemphian.com (Geoff Calkins) — Thu, 23 Apr 2026 10:13:52 -0500

The great winter storm of 2026 — it was inconvenient for a lot of us humans. But it turned out to be the best thing ever for a lot of local dogs.

Calkins: Ted Butler is about to teach his 100,000th golf lesson. And he's not about to stop.

gcalkins@dailymemphian.com (Geoff Calkins) — Mon, 20 Apr 2026 05:37:46 -0500

Ted Butler didn’t want to teach golf lessons. That was nearly 100,000 lessons ago. The math is absolutely staggering. But the man is not about to stop.

Calkins: The Grizzlies need some lottery luck. Maybe that will stop people from talking about Ja Morant.

gcalkins@dailymemphian.com (Geoff Calkins) — Tue, 14 Apr 2026 08:51:50 -0500

Did the Grizzlies mistreat Ja Morant? No, of course not. But it’s telling (and unfortunate) that the question had to be asked.

Calkins: Time to hold Musk and xAI to 'the one promise they've made.'

gcalkins@dailymemphian.com (Geoff Calkins) — Fri, 10 Apr 2026 06:35:56 -0500

“Will Elon Musk follow through on his promise to build a water-recycling facility? It’s up to Memphians to make sure he does.”

Calkins: After more than eight decades, a Memphis war hero will finally be awarded the diploma he earned

gcalkins@dailymemphian.com (Geoff Calkins) — Thu, 9 Apr 2026 13:56:31 -0500

Memphis State student Arthur Allen was hailed as a war hero when he was killed in a bombing mission over Germany. More than 80 years later, Allen’s family will be presented with the diploma that Allen well and truly earned.

Calkins: The Grizzlies have a problem. And it isn't just basketball.

gcalkins@dailymemphian.com (Geoff Calkins) — Thu, 9 Apr 2026 13:55:14 -0500

They fell in love with the Grizzlies on their first date. But after Monday’s game, they’re giving up their season tickets. And they’re not alone.

Calkins: Iranians in Memphis say 'It's torture to even explain.'

gcalkins@dailymemphian.com (Geoff Calkins) — Mon, 6 Apr 2026 17:48:21 -0500

The Daily Memphian asked local Iranians how they feel about the war. The prevailing sentiment? “The bombs do not scare us; what scares us is the war ending and the Islamic Republic still ruling Iran.”

Calkins: Now LeBron James is trashing the city? What's a Memphian to think?

gcalkins@dailymemphian.com (Geoff Calkins) — Mon, 6 Apr 2026 17:45:11 -0500

“It was a disappointing cheap shot from a guy who grew up in Akron, Ohio, who should know something about hardscrabble towns.”

Calkins: Hana Haden is going to save the Memphis women's basketball program. But you don't have to take my word for it.

gcalkins@dailymemphian.com (Geoff Calkins) — Wed, 1 Apr 2026 18:11:19 -0500

“Women’s basketball is booming. Except in Memphis, where it’s been a drag. Hana Haden — the new coach of the Tigers — is going to change that.”

Memphis Local, Sports, Business & Food News | Daily Memphian | Geoff Calkins

Calkins: You know what's right with the world? People like Joe Ford.

Calkins: John Isner and Sam Querrey to play a special exhibition in Memphis

Calkins: Memphis to join Power 4 in 2028? So says Charles Huff.

Calkins: Why was there a flash mob in the Methodist hospital parking garage? Because dancing always helps.

Calkins: She slept with a gun under her bed. He was jailed for marching at age 11. They meet again after six decades.

Calkins: #MakeMemphisMadder — on a week the city best never forget

Calkins: People warned these two Memphis graduates about the city. Then they fell in love with the place.

Calkins: On Election Day, the shameful work of erasing Memphis begins

Related content:

Calkins: If Memphis really matters, don't carve it into thirds

Calkins: The best young athlete in Memphis? Noah Schepman is an inspiration on wheels.

Calkins: Yes, the Grizzlies might play games in Nashville. But that's no reason to be terrified.

Calkins: Remember the winter storm of 2026? It inspired a dog (and cat) story to warm your heart.

Calkins: Ted Butler is about to teach his 100,000th golf lesson. And he's not about to stop.

Calkins: The Grizzlies need some lottery luck. Maybe that will stop people from talking about Ja Morant.

Calkins: Time to hold Musk and xAI to 'the one promise they've made.'

Related content:

Calkins: After more than eight decades, a Memphis war hero will finally be awarded the diploma he earned

Calkins: The Grizzlies have a problem. And it isn't just basketball.

Calkins: Iranians in Memphis say 'It's torture to even explain.'

Calkins: Now LeBron James is trashing the city? What's a Memphian to think?

Related content:

Calkins: Hana Haden is going to save the Memphis women's basketball program. But you don't have to take my word for it.

Related content: