By Mark F. Gray, Special to the AFRO For the second time this calendar year Howard University’s national television appearance was impacted by the weather. In February, the Bison basketball team was delayed by snow which pulled them off the flight to Cleveland for their victory over Morgan State during NBA All-Star weekend. Last Saturday, […]
Author Archives: Mark F. Gray
Posted inNational Sports
Washington Nationals on a bumpy road to rebuilding
By Mark F. Gray, Special to the AFRO On the way to the 2019 world championship, the Washington Nationals seemed to be a franchise set to become a dynastic organization with a championship pedigree. “Bumpy roads lead to beautiful places” was the mantra that carried them to a seven-game victory over the Houston Astros in […]
Posted inSports
Wright fumbles as commanders start new era with loss
By Mark F. Gray, Special to the AFRO The Washington Commanders opened what the organization calls a new era last Saturday against the Carolina Panthers. However, the first preseason game of the new season followed the same script which has reduced a once proud tradition of the NFL into an embarrassing rubble whose season ticket […]
Posted inNEWS
D.C. & Baltimore team up for World Cup bid
By Mark F. Gray, Special to the AFRO Charm City and the nation’s capital have joined forces in a joint bid to host the 2026 FIFA World Cup. If successful, one of the world’s biggest sporting events could come to Baltimore and Washington, D.C. during the weekend of July 4, 2026. Events D.C. and the […]
Posted inHBCU
Howard stars shine for victorious HBCU All-Stars
By Mark F. Gray, Special to the AFRO Just before the Kansas Jayhawks staged their historic comeback against the North Carolina Tar Heels, another historic basketball battle was taking shape for HBCU fans this past weekend. On April 3, the first-time ever HBCU All-Star basketball classic featuring several members of the Howard University men’s basketball […]
Posted inCollege
DMV HBCU Report: HU Women win MEAC title, NCAA first round game before losing against No. 1 seed
By Mark F. Gray, Special to the AFRO Howard University women’s basketball was on three sides of history once the final whistle blew on their season. There was the elation of winning their first conference championship in over two decades. The Bison then made history, beating Incarnate Word in the NCAA’s inaugural first round game. […]
Posted inSports
‘Black Girl Magic’ in sports industry
By Mark F. Gray, Special to the AFRO Since the rise of “wokeness,” when it comes to gender diversity in high places, the doors to sports management opportunities have begun opening for women to ascend to leadership positions. Baby steps have been followed by giant leaps where the wand of “Black girl magic” has led […]
Posted inSports
Commentary: Critical times facing Morgan State Athletics, resignations leave program without A.D., football coach
By Mark F. Gray, Special to the AFRO In a conference that is teetering on the brink of extinction, Morgan State University’s athletic program faces a crisis. With the resignations of former athletic director Ed Scott and Tyrone Wheatley as football coach, the Bears program finds itself in rebuilding mode needing leaders at the two […]
Posted inSports
D.M.V. HBCU Report: Howard, Morgan get No. 2, No. 4 seeds in MEAC Tournament
By Mark F. Gray, Special to the AFRO With the calendar having officially turned to March, let the Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference madness begin. Despite the dominance of Norfolk State, who went 12-2 in the regular season to earn the No. 1 seed, Howard and Morgan State proved they aren’t walkovers heading into this week’s MEAC […]
Posted inCollege
Lincoln, Fayetteville State win titles motivated by loss
By Mark F. Gray, Special to the AFRO After waiting through a virtual pandemic cancellation in 2021, the Central Intercollegiate Athletic Association (CIAA) brought Black college basketball’s biggest party to Charm City and there was history made in both the men’s and women’s tournaments. With the taste of a championship game loss to Winston Salem […]
Posted inSports
HBCU Classic Steals All Star Saturday: Howard Beats Morgan During NBA Showcase
By Mark F. GraySpecial to the AFRO Howard basketball coach Kenny Blakeney wasn’t expecting it to be a teachable moment. It was supposed to be merely another chance to make history by playing on the NBA All Star Weekend’s biggest stage. However, fate gave Howard a lesson before they got to Cleveland and beat Morgan […]
Posted inSports
Field of Legends: NLBM launches the first collection of Negro League bobbleheads
By Mark F. Gray, Special of the AFRO One of the many promotions that draw Major League Baseball fans to the ballpark for free souvenirs on hot summer nights for the price of a ticket is the bobblehead doll. This hybrid cross between a statue, a trophy and an action figure with a bouncing head […]