Sports Charlotte: Recent Episodes
The Charlotte Post
Award-winning journalist Herb White explores timely topics in the athletic domain. Game knows game, so you're in the right place.
Johnson C. Smith is shaking up CIAA football with a 4-0 start and a pair of signature wins. Interview with Golden Bulls head coach Maurice Flowers on how JCSU is gaining respect and relevance in Charlotte and beyond.
Davidson College athletics director Chris Clunie talks major facilities upgrades, maintaining academics-athletics balance as a mid-major and navigating the shifting college sports landscape.
Cornelius native Vicky Bruce has done nearly everything in soccer: win a national collegiate title at North Carolina and professional titles with professional sides in Australia and Europe. Now she's coming home to play with Carolina Ascent in USL Super League, which kicks off in August 2024.
The Carolina Panthers take South Carolina receiver Xavier Legette with the final pick in the first round of the NFL Draft; the Charlotte 49ers make news with the hiring of Jackson State's Tomekia Reed as women's basketball coach. Also, a review of Charlotte's spring football game and Johnson C. Smith's hire of Antwain Banks as basketball coach.
North Carolina Tar Heels advance in the first round of the NCAA Tournament, transfer portal impacts Charlotte 49ers basketball and North Mecklenburg High wins the N.C. 4A title.
Golden Bulls head coach Maurice Flowers talks about the 2024 recruit class, national TV debut on ESPN and expectations for the season ahead.
New Panthers coach Dave Canales meets the media; what the Hornets need to become relevant and Charlotte 49ers basketball has the campus' attention.
No Victor Wembanyama against the Hornets and J.C. Smith football scores a major recruiting win.
Philip Poole, an assistant coach with the U.S. Women's National Team, talks about his new assignment with the startup Super League Carolina, the growth of professional women's soccer and differences between USL Super League and National Women's Soccer League.
Golden Bulls coach Maurice Flowers talks areas of need, the transfer portal and parlaying a 7-4 2023 into greater success with recruits.
The Golden Bulls went 2-7 with new head coach Maurice Flowers, but at least they were competitive and entertaining – something they haven't been in recent seasons. Flowers offers impressions of his first season and where the program will focus on recruiting for 2023.
First-year coach Shannon Neely Noel and the Royals are searching for their first win as a Division I program. The road has been bumpy, but Noel sees opportunity to grow the sport and the school's profile among North Carolina's best college brands.
The Sept. 3 Duke's Mayo Classic between North Carolina A&T and North Carolina Central started as an idea by Charlotte City Council member-elect James Mitchell. Now that it's reality, Mitchell is advocating for an expanded portfolio of HBCU sporting events, including bringing the CIAA basketball tournament back to the Queen City. Can it work?
PGA Tour Executive Director Adam Sperling updates preparations for the Presidents Cup and Charlie Sifford Centennial Cup at Quail Hollow Club. It's the international golf showcase's first stop in the Southeast.
The Panthers kick off training camp, the ACC and Big South held media days in successive weeks in Charlotte. Herb White and Asheebo Rojas talk about everything from Carolina's quarterback competition to North Carolina A&T's season opener against rival North Carolina Central.
Queens University of Charlotte is moving from NCAA Division II to Division I effective July 1. The Royals, who are joining the ASun Conference, are a national power in several sports, and athletics director Cherie Swarthout talks about the process of transition, competing in a crowded sports market and why football isn't part of the equation. Hosted by Herb White.
Figuring out the North American soccer ladder can be confusing at first, but Charlotte FC executive Darrius Barnes straightens it out with a description of where the franchise's MLS Next Pro initiative fits in and his role overseeing its development. Host: Herb White.
For the first time, Quail Hollow Golf Club will host a competition for historically Black college programs with the Charlie Sifford Centennial Cup. The Aug. 29 tournament will feature six programs with Johnson C. Smith University the host school. Golden Bulls head coach William Watkins talks about Sifford's legacy and what the tournament does for golf's growth at HBCUs. Host: Herb White.
Maurice Flowers, an All-CIAA and All-America quarterback at Johnson C. Smith University, returns to Charlotte as the Golden Bulls' head football coach. Flowers takes over a program that hasn't posted a winning season since 2011, but he's convinced the ingredients – namely, Charlotte's a fertile recruiting area – will lift it to relevance. Host: Herb White.
The Queen's Firm, a Charlotte FC supporters group, gears up for the first Major League Soccer season in the Carolinas. Co-founder Shawn Smith and social media director Jonathan Lee talk about growing soccer culture in Charlotte, representation and why supporters groups are essential to the game day experience. Host: Herb White.
Retired English footballer Lloyd Sam brings professional and life experiences to his new job as Charlotte FC analyst. With playing time in the Premier League, Major League Soccer and lower-level leagues in England and the U.S., he's got plenty to share about the beautiful game. Host: Herb White.
Queens University of Charlotte championship-winning rugby coach Frank McKinney is the subject of "Scrum," a documentary that details the obstacles and challenges faced by one of the first Black American collegiate head coaches in the sport. The film, helmed by award-winning director Thomas Morgan. debuted Oct. 10.
Acclaimed filmmaker Ken Burns discusses his new documentary on three-time heavyweight boxing champion Muhammad Ali and "The Greatest's" place among legendary American figures. Burns also dishes on his storytelling prowess and how producing a documentary movie aligns with journalism. Host: Herb White.
Harding High School sophomore Akala Garrett, the 2021 Gatorade Runner of the Year in North Carolina, won the girls' 400 meter hurdles at the USA Track & Field Nationals and three state titles at the N.C. 4A championships. Her goal is simple: Run in the Olympics.