By “Nunnie” Robinson, Westside Gazette Sports Editor
I mistakenly referred to FAMU’s new head football coach as Neal when actually it was interim coach James Colzie III, a Florida State grad who comes from a highly respected and successful family with roots in Miami. In college hoops the Canes scored the lowest point total-38- in a runaway loss to the Virginia Cavaliers. Lethargy in full effect for Miami which now sports an overall 15-8 record, 6-6 in the ACC. U Conn remains atop the college basketball landscape with 18-2 record. Obviously, the interest in college basketball peeks once the NFL season nears conclusion. And women’s college basketball has grown exponentially more popular and exciting with nationally recognized coaches and teams like Dawn Staley of South Carolina and Kim Mulkey of LSU and players like Iowa’s Caitlin Clark, who leads the country in scoring and USC’s JuJu Watkins, who recently scored 51 points in a game.
The profound impact of NIL and the transfer portal has yet to be realized; however, the authorization of a labor union representing amateur athletes is close to fruition. How schools, administrators and coaches adjust to these mercurial changes will go a long way in determining athletic success. Our community has been shaken by the death angel. Perhaps not well known in the sports community, former Stranahan High principal, Mrs. Egle Gallagher, has earned her Heavenly wings. A true pioneer for racial justice and equality, she appointed the first Black head coaches in both football and baseball at Stranahan. I was privileged to have worked under her progressive and dynamic leadership.
Just recently I was informed of the passing of my friend, mentor and fellow Tuskegee Institute ( University) Golden Tiger Jake Caldwell, a legend in Miami-Dade and Florida sports annals as a highly successful basketball coach and administrator.
May their indelible educational contributions impact others for years to come.
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