Columnist
Geoff Calkins has been chronicling Memphis and Memphis sports for more than two decades. Calkins has been named the best sports columnist in the country five times by the Associated Press sports editors, but still figures his best columns are about the people who make Memphis what it is.
There are 1103 articles by Geoff Calkins :
The Tigers smashed Wichita State Saturday. It was the best way possible to begin what could be one of the most important years in Memphis basketball history.
In 1941, Alice and Ferdinand Haas fled Germany before they could be murdered by the Nazis. They gave a pastry plate to their housekeeper before they left. After 80 years, that plate found its way back to the family, in Memphis.
Memphis lost to Tulane for the first time since 2016. That was the last season for Josh Pastner. Which doesn’t mean this will be the last season for Penny Hardaway, of course. But things are not going well.
The Grizzlies may be closing in on an agreement with the city and county that would dramatically reduce the chance the team relocates under the “early termination” clause of the arena lease.
‘The Memphis-Tennessee game was canceled because too many Tigers players were unvaccinated. That’s an indictment of Penny Hardaway’s leadership.’ Tyler Harris, Landers Nolley tested positive, leading to Tigers’ cancellationRelated articles:
The Memphis-Tennessee series ended in dismal fashion when Saturday’s game at Bridgestone Arena was canceled because of COVID-19. It’s an ending nobody wanted. But that won’t stop fans from both sides from arguing about it until the end of time.
When Tyler Harris hit a 3-pointer to put the Memphis Tigers up by 19 on No. 6 Alabama, FedExForum erupted in air-shaking joy. It was a win that saved a season. And felt just like old times.
The Grizzlies staged a number retirement ceremony unlike any other. It was both raucous and joyous. It was as Memphis as Zach.
Penny Hardaway said Memphis lost to Murray State because of “bad coaching.” But there is no evidence he intends to fix it.
After three straight demoralizing losses, Penny Hardaway and the Memphis Tigers must beat Murray State.Related story:
When Minnie Miñoso was elected to the National Baseball Hall of Fame on Sunday, nobody was happier than Rep. Steve Cohen. A story of baseball, kindness — and an extraordinary life.
Penny Hardaway blames a schism in the locker room for the Tigers’ third straight loss. But is that the result of how he is coaching the team?
Penny Hardaway eviscerated his players after a crushing loss to Georgia. But isn’t he as much to blame?
Penny Hardaway is trying to fix what ails his team by installing the Lion offense. Hey, it seemed to work last year. But was it really the new offense that helped the Tigers get better in 2020-21? The numbers point to something else.
It’s a strange time for fans of Memphis football and basketball. For both programs, there are excellent reasons to believe — and excellent reasons to doubt.
The Memphis Tigers didn’t have the season they wanted. But Saturday night they got the win they needed to keep their eight-year bowl streak alive.
The Memphis Tigers and Memphis Grizzlies lost two games and a superstar Friday night. But this particular Black Friday could have been a whole lot worse.
After beating Virginia Tech, Memphis is 5-0 for the first time in more than a decade. But it wasn’t the kids who carried them in this one. It was the dogs.
Tyler Harris may have taken his shooting stroke to Iowa State — but he left his heart in Memphis. Now both are back where they belong.
The Grizzlies put an emphatic end to their losing streak by routing the Rockets Monday. It may or may not mean the Grizzlies are back on track. But it was a happy birthday for Ja Morant’s dad!
Was Ryan Silverfield wrong to go for the two-point conversion Saturday? Maybe. But that’s not what Tigers football fans should be concerned about.
Memphis fans have high hopes this Tigers team will make history. The T-shirts already have.
The ball went up. A new season started. And within five minutes, the Memphis Tigers had unleashed the kind of overwhelming talent that could make this a very special year.Related story:
An updated column marking the momentous occasion. Related story The day Memphis football defeated Tennessee, as told by those who lived it
It was almost exactly 20 years ago that the Grizzlies played their first home game in Memphis. So as fans stream back into FedExForum for Wednesday’s opener, happy anniversary to us!