There are 393 article(s) tagged Geoff Calkins:
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.
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:
“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.
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.
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.
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.
“Who starts up a newspaper these days? What a preposterous thing to do. But in just five years, The Daily Memphian has become one of the things that binds this city together. That’s worth pausing to celebrate.”
“In a perfect world, we would have a Memphis where we didn’t have to run scared. But I don’t think that day is here yet. And I don’t think we will get there if we quit.”
Jennifer Biggs wrote about food and people and angels and whiskey. When she died Wednesday of complications from cancer, Memphis lost one of its best friends.
When Lexie Johnston checked her “Ceaseless Prayer” app Tuesday, she laughed out loud. It suggested she pray for MLGW. Yes, MLGW. It’s been that kind of week in Memphis. Or that kind of week, again.
Annie Ruth Taylor, 94, has 19 kids, 54 grandkids and 124 great-grandkids. OK, that’s just a rough count. But take a moment to meet the most interesting woman in Memphis — who lives in a most interesting house.
It could be that there isn’t enough for money both FedExForum and Simmons Bank Liberty Stadium. And that is — at the very least — worrisome.
I never met Roy Herron. But I’m one of the thousands he touched. Herron — who died Sunday from injuries suffered in a Jet Ski accident earlier this month — left a legacy even more meaningful than his 26 years in public office. It’s a legacy of kindness, of showing up.
“Jennifer Biggs missed The Daily Memphian lunch Friday — because she is in the hospital with Stage 4 colon cancer. But it was fitting that 70 people came together, over delicious food, to wish Biggs well. They are a part (a small part!) of the joyous community that Biggs has built with her enthusiasm, her commitment and her words.”
“I came to Memphis 27 years ago to cover sports, but, starting today, I’m going to be writing about something else. And I’m going to need your help.”
The Daily Memphian’s Geoff Calkins wins the prestigious Gary Lundy Sports Writer of the Year award; John Varlas, Drew Hill also take victories in the annual TSWA state writing contest.
“To me, it didn’t sound like a farewell to social media. It sounded like someone in pain. ... Maybe the better question isn’t what the NBA will hand down, but how the league will help Morant go forward from here.”Related story:
“Whenever Morant returns, and no matter what sort of discipline he serves, he should consider embracing a new role as a spokesperson against guns and gun violence.”