Recent content from Myron Medcalf
Medcalf: Racism, not a highway, tore apart St. Paul's Rondo neighborhood
They didn't just build a major highway through a Black neighborhood in the 1950s and 1960s. They killed dreams.
Medcalf: Minnesota artists uphold, demonstrate the timeless power of Black music
I've loved hip-hop music since I was a kid. It's filled with vivid imagery, anchored by defiance. Local rapper Nur-D, real name Matt Allen, and…
Medcalf: For far too long, voices of Black women in fight for justice have been ignored
Throughout the history of the movement for equality, Black women have been denied the recognition they've deserved.
Medcalf: White Minnesotans who ask why BLM protests police shootings, not homicides, aren't being honest
Those who ask why BLM protests police shootings, not homicides, aren't being honest
Medcalf: In 2021, Minnesotans shouldn't need another tragic image to commit to change
I remember pressing a gray button to get my voicemail messages and hearing the menacing voice. I was 20 years old, serving as the editor-in-chief…
Medcalf: How can Minnesotans face the truth about racism, past and present? Start with a book
To ponder the past is not an optional quest for a Black person in this country.
Medcalf: Our duty is to students of color falling behind
The great fight for any family of color in this state is to magnify the brilliance, potential and progress of our children against the undercurrent of discouraging statistics in Minnesota.
Medcalf: With a positive vibe, Black trainers push virtual fitness among a vulnerable group
It's hard to fight a pandemic — and winter inertia — while also shouldering the disproportionate health impact of the virus, Myron Medcalf writes. But these motivators help.
Medcalf: For Black Minnesotans fighting injustice, finding joy is itself 'an act of resistance'
In the middle of struggles for racial equality, it's OK to be tired, too. And it's important to do whatever's necessary to reboot.
Medcalf: To be Black in Minnesota is to constantly barter for acceptance
Value often feels like something you have to earn here when you're not white. Value seems conditional.
Summer of Reckoning: Tyus Jones in 2011
An occasional series following 15-year-old Tyus Jones' summer of basketball on a national stage.
Sampson doesn't regret decision to forgo NBA
The Gophers center considered leaving for the pros but decided his education came first.
Tubby Smith putting on his bravest face
After a nightmarish end to last season, Gophers men's basketball coach Tubby Smith enters this season with a squad short on experience but long on potential.
Five things the U men's basketball team must do to win now
1 FIND A POINT GUARD Last year the Gophers fell from the national rankings and ultimately missed out on the NIT as they struggled to…
Six-time winner McGregor finishes 10 Mile in 4th place
As race officials offered commentary on the USA Women's 10 Mile Championship over loudspeakers near the finish line Sunday, many spectators sighed when they learned that Minnesota's Katie McGregor, a six-time winner of the event, had dropped to sixth in the field.
She found running, and left troubles in the dust
Leane Guerrero's first marathon epitomizes her triumph over addiction.
Lions' passing weapons are a secondary concern
The Vikings defensive backs are more worried about their own performance, especially the part that happens in the second half.
Thundering herd coming down I-94 for Gophers-Bison game
As many as 20,000 North Dakota State fans are expected to descend on the Twin Cities on Saturday when their Bison take on the Gophers at TCF Bank Stadium.
Gophers coach gets a reward for fortitude
After spending five nights in the hospital this week, Jerry Kill got his first victory as Gophers coach.
Former Vikings star revels in memories, coaching
Keith Millard, a standout defensive tackle in the 1980s, has found new life teaching his style of intense football.
U coach suffers seizure on sidelines
Jerry Kill collapsed in the closing seconds of a home-opening loss to New Mexico State.
Chargers have 296 reasons to remember No. 28
The last time Adrian Peterson faced San Diego, he ran for a record 296 yards, which should be fresh on the Chargers' minds.
Walker down Memory Lane as ex-Gopher, now coach
New Mexico State's leader has a warm spot in his heart for his old teammates, but Saturday, it's all business.
Sanford ahead at strong safety
The Vikings have yet to declare him the starter over Tyrell Johnson, but his preseason play has been sure and decisive.
Lineman Ballard on the rise following his big fall
A report of a positive test for marijuana likely hurt Christian Ballard's draft stock, but the versatile rookie is making a mark.
Gophers receiver McKnight brings hoops skills to football
Da'Jon McKnight was chasing hoop dreams in high school before some football coaches made him an offer he couldn't refuse. And now, he's glad he switched.
Gophers banged up, but Kill knows things could be worse
During Wednesday afternoon's Gophers football practice, redshirt freshman running back Lamonte Edwards stood on the sideline in shorts and a jersey after tweaking his hamstring.
U freshman QB Shortell keeps making strides
Max Shortell has put together a string of impressive performances,
Part II: A 'feel for the game'
With his selection to the USA's 16-and-under team, Apple Valley's Tyus Jones is living up to his rank atop the national list of class of 2014 point guards.
Part I: Summer of reckoning
The next few months will be critical in the development of the 15-year-old basketball phenom.
Boxer Litzau fights against the odds
Jason Litzau knew tough times growing up in St. Paul. But now, he is on the verge of winning a world title, going up against undefeated prospect Adrien Broner in Mexico on Saturday.
Indianapolis to play host to Big Ten football title game
The Big Ten Conference decided to keep its football championship game in Indianapolis from 2012 to '15.
Minneapolis Marathon runner fulfilling husband's wishes
Colorado gym teacher Linda Ambard will run this weekend in honor of her husband, a serviceman killed in April in the Afghan war.
Local middleweights dream big
Duluth's Andy Kolle and Caleb Truax of St. Paul battle for a shot at the big-time fights outside Minnesota.
U's academic performance scores drop, but no penalties assessed
Soccer, with another perfect score, remains the academic standard for Gophers sports teams.
Ray Edwards wins debut fight, but it was hardly a crowd-pleaser
The four-round unanimous decision notwithstanding, Ray Edwards was the first to admit, after his pro boxing debut, that he has a lot of work ahead.
Tubby Smith: Cancer's gone
Gophers men's basketball coach Tubby Smith said Wednesday he recently learned he had early stage prostate cancer and underwent an April 21 procedure at the Mayo Clinic.
Sampson will return to Gophers
The 6-11 junior center withdrew from the NBA draft and was welcomed back in a statement by coach Tubby Smith.
Signs pointing to Sampson's departure from U
As the deadline passed for underclassmen to remove themselves from the NBA draft, it didn't appear as though Ralph Sampson III was planning on returning to school.
Could this rumor be right one for Tubby?
Maryland is the latest school that could have an interest in the Gophers coach, who does nothing to quash the speculation.
Sampson opts for draft
Despite not appearing on many -- if any -- lists of top college prospects, the Gophers' junior center will at least consider turning pro.
Q&A with Tubby Smith: ''I'm sure there's something we could have done differently'
The Gophers coach discussed the challenges he faced during the frustrating 2010-11 season.
Practice facility tops list as Smith lobbies for resources
The Gophers coach said the true gauge of the university's commitment to men's basketball will come down to dollars and cents, an issue he's carried to school officials.
Mbakwe leans on staying in school
The junior forward acknowledges that his "last incidents haven't really been good for me."
Iverson is U's latest departure under Smith
The center will play his senior season elsewhere, after he was granted a release from his scholarship.
Badgers are Butler's latest victim
Cold-shooting Wisconsin couldn't stay with last year's NCAA tournament darlings, who are a victory away from an improbable return to the Final Four.
Taylor discovers a tougher inner shell
The Wisconsin junior shed that skin of insecurity to become one of the best -- and most fearless -- point guards in the country.
Blushing Badgers look to avoid another red-faced NCAA
Ever-steady Wisconsin, with its Minnesota connection, has suffered back-to-back embarrassing losses heading into the NCAA tournament.
U awaits NIT bid but also gains guard for future
As the Gophers pondered what will become of the rest of the season, they received good news about next season.
Gophers are on bubble -- for NIT
Minnesota is hoping for at least one more game of any kind after a crushing first-round loss to Northwestern.
Big Ten tournament a tryout for Gophers' Mbakwe
The Gophers forward was frustrated by legal troubles that forced him to sit out a season of basketball; his return has affirmed his talent for the game.
Big Ten tournament: Five story lines
big ten tournament: five story lines 1 This year's deep run: The Gophers shocked all when they stormed to the conference title game last year.…
Mbakwe's college career: a timeline
2007-08: Mbakwe plays in only 11 games as a freshman at Marquette due to a knee injury suffered prior to the start of the regular…
State players well-represented in Big Ten honors
Jordan Taylor, Jon Leuer and Trevor Mbakwe were all honored; Purdue's JaJuan Johnson took home Player of the Year.
So much for a high note to end season
The Gophers' Big Ten finale went as most of the games before it did -- with them unable to pull out a victory late.
Nolen still sees postseason play as a possibility
Al Nolen said he wants to return for the Big Ten tournament, but added he hasn't been cleared to run.
New U volleyball coach says 'hello' and 'see you later'
During Sunday's men's basketball game between Penn State and the Gophers, new Gophers volleyball coach Hugh McCutcheon will greet fans for the first time. And probably the last time for the next 18 months.
What would practice facility mean to Williams Arena?
The Gophers don't yet have the funds for a facility, but they realize they have to look at what the future holds for their 83-year-old home.
Another late-game failure for the Gophers
Minnesota blew a 10-point lead and the frustration reached a boil when coach Tubby Smith and guard Blake Hoffarber yelled at each other during a time out.
Change at the point; freshman Ahanmisi likely to start
Coach Tubby Smith will likely start freshman Maverick Ahanmisi at point guard Wednesday at Northwestern and move Blake Hoffarber back to shooting guard.
Another U flat finish sees hopes all but die
With their seventh loss in eight games, the Gophers' chances of an NCAA tournament invitation seem to have vanished.
Watch what U tweet cuz itll get U in trubl
As Gophers players know all too well, the practice of taking to social media to say -- well, anything -- can produce unintended results.
U's grasp slips on game, NCAAs
The game went down to the final minute, when the Spartans made all the right plays and the Gophers frittered away a much-needed win.
Nolen's absence hurts U's NCAA bid
The Gophers have missed their injured point guard on the court, but he also might be a factor when the selection committee votes.
For some, seats heat up as season winds down
A look at seven major conference coaches who might or might not be back next season.
Closing minutes spoil U's evening
Missed shots and turnovers ruined the Gophers' chances of winning. And Penn State's star Talor Battle called them 'a totally different team' than what he's seen in the past.
U says so long to losing skid by blowing out Iowa
By performing at a level not visible during their slide, the Gophers proved they still are a capable group -- at least, when they execute.
Smith seeking formula that ends the struggles
Tubby Smith challenged his team with pointed comments following a fourth consecutive loss. Against the Hawkeyes, he will see if the motivation works.
Why no love for Buckeyes' quest for perfection?
The talk about Ohio State seems to be when its first loss will come; we should enjoy the prospects of an undefeated season while they still exist.
Myron P. Medcalf's short takes: Feb. 12
Arizona's surge can be attributed to the performance of 6-8, 241-pound forward Derrick Williams. The sophomore is averaging 19.5 points and 8.1 rebounds per game.…
Smith calls out players after Gophers lose fourth straight
After losing to Illinois, the Gophers coach was unhappy with his players -- and was especially distressed with Blake Hoffarber and Rodney Williams.
Gophers undone by No. 1 Ohio State
As the second half wore on, the discrepancies between the nation's top-ranked team and the one in maroon and gold became apparent.
Buckeyes not worried about when first loss will arrive
Heading into Sunday's game at Williams Arena, Ohio State remains perfect in 23 games despite many close calls.
Bump goes U's winning streak
Purdue jostled Blake Hoffarber nonstop and ended the Gophers' four-game roll.
U wants more than dunks by Williams
Rodney Williams certainly is a gifted dunker, but better shooting is needed from the 6-7 sophomore in the Gophers' reconfigured lineup.
