DePaul prof. Chicago Trib (1974-2015) Ohio Sports HOF. Indiana Football HOF. Chicagoland Sports HOF. Gary Sports HOF. Indiana Journalism HOF, Ill. Sports HOF
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Proud to be inducted into the Ohio Sports Hall of Fame Saturday night at the Dayton Convention Center.
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Congrats to TV news & sports anchor Corey McPherrin, retiring today after joining Fox-32 Chicago in 1995. Corey grew up in Markham and graduated from Hillcrest High and Butler. He has the respect of media colleagues & viewers in Chicago. Most importantly, he is a good guy.
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Longtime Cubs photographer Steve Green discovered this 1984 picture of me covering a game in the old Wrigley Field pressbox. No internet, podcasts or social media at that time as I listen to the radio broadcast while filling out my scorebook.
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I felt badly for the widow of former Bulls GM Jerry Krause as many United Center fans booed as his name was announced as a member of the Bulls Ring of Honor. Very classless. Having known Jerry for many years, I realized that more than anything he simply wanted to be appreciated.
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It was really heart-warming to help former Bears lineman Revie Sorey celebrate his 70th birthday over the weekend. Sorey, who used to block for Walter Payton, has suffered a series of strokes over the years and continues speech therapy at a rehab facility.
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Blackhawks sled hockey team captures Tier 1 Championship with 8-2 win over Colorado in Sled Classic.
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I am shown here with Les Grobstein and Harry Caray before a 1984 Cubs vs. Cardinals game in St. Louis.
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Sad news regarding the passing of radio legend Les Grobstein. I spent many years with him in press boxes & locker rooms. In 1991, I spent a week covering the Bears before their preseason game vs the 49ers in Berlin, Germany. On the day before the game we shared a meal in Poland.
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Sorry to learn of the passing of Pat Brickhouse, the widow of Hall of Fame announcer Jack Brickhouse, who broadcast Cubs, White Sox, Bears and Bulls games. Pat was involved in public relations in Chicago for many years and always was supportive of my career. RIP
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Cole Tracy, the 2017 Fred Mitchell Award winner, went 5-for-5 on field goals for LSU Saturday as the Tigers beat Georgia. Thanks for the shout-out on national TV by Brad Nessler about Tracy seeking to become the first to win the Lou Groza Award (for FBS schools) and the FMA.
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I received my MLB Hall of Fame ballot. This will be my 30th year with voting privileges. My first BBWAA card was issued in 1983, when I covered the Cubs and many World Series and All-Star games for the Chicago Tribune. Since 2015, I have been a lifetime Honorary card member.
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So sorry to learn of the passing of former DePaul basketball coach and player Joey Meyer. I know that his father, Ray Meyer, was very proud of him because of the way he conducted himself and the way he treated others. RIP. msn.com/en-us/sports/other/f…
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Sending prayers to John "Moon" Mullins (left) during his intense cancer battle. I covered the Bears for the Chicago Tribune as Dan Pompei (center) covered for the Sun-Times before joining the Trib. Moon wrote for the Daily Herald before joining the Tribune and NBC Sports Chicago.
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I spent an incredible day with Gale Sayers and his wife, Ardie, at their home. Gale continues to suffer from dementia and struggles to communicate and recognize people. He has lost about 30 pounds. He did greet me at the door with a smile and a hug and later gave me a thumbs-up.
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Colts owner Jim Irsay on Bears' possible move out of Soldier Field: "As owners, we won't stand in the way of the Bears' decision. It just has to be a sound financial decision. I think the city wants them, but I don't think the city has anything to offer."
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Wishing the best for former Bears great Steve McMichael during his battle with ALS. I enjoyed covering most of his NFL career for the Chicago Tribune.
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Remembering Bill Jauss and Bill Gleason, Chicago sportswriting icons. Jauss passed away in 2012 and Gleason in 2010. Both were renaissance reporters across all media platforms. Pleased to have known and worked with them. Jauss would have turned 88 yesterday.
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What an incredible night at the Indiana Football Hall of Fame induction ceremony. So grateful to my Gary Tolleston High School coach Earl Smith for presenting me and for my family and friends supporting me.
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On this date in 2015, Bears chairman George McCaskey presented me this No. 34 Bears jersey in the Soldier Field press box prior to the final Bears game I covered for the Chicago Tribune. McCaskey was kind enough to say some nice things about me in front of my media colleagues.
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I've been informed that my 3-hour video and oral biographical interview is now a permanent part of the HistoryMakers collection at the Library of Congress, to be viewed by current and future generations. Thanks to HistoryMakers president Julieanna Richardson. Here's a snippet.
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Everyone please enjoy a happy, safe and prosperous New Year. Blessed to be still kicking around after all these years.
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Congratulations to Peter Gammons and Paul Sullivan for receiving Ring Lardner Awards for sports broadcast and print journalism excellence, respectively, at Thursday night's ceremony at the Union League Club.
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Gale Sayers passed away last year. Because of Covid-19 concerns, a funeral was postponed until Monday. Gale was a dear personal friend. We wrote a book about his life in 2007: "Gale Sayers: My Life And Times." I was humbled when his widow, Ardie, asked me to speak on Monday.
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Happy 101st birthday to Chicago Bears owner Virginia McCaskey. In 1999, her late husband Ed McCaskey told me in no uncertain terms: "We have never considered (selling the Bears). It has never been on our agenda...."
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Happy birthday to Hall of Famer Artis Gilmore. I had the pleasure of covering "The A-Train" for the Tribune when the Bulls were not very competitive. Beat writers were allowed to travel with the team back then on flights, so I got to know him and other players pretty well.
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Porter Moser has turned down an 8-year deal worth a reported $17 to $18 million from St. John's. In my book: "The History of Loyola Basketball," Moser told me: "I had a friend tell me: 'Don't run from happiness.' And you know what? I am happy."
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Here was the last text exchange between sportswriter Vaughn McClure and me that I will always cherish. Vaughn passed away this week at the age of 48.
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Such a spectacular evening at last night's Chicagoland Sports Hall of Fame induction ceremony at Wintrust Arena. To have my family and DePaul University journalism students in attendance made it even more meaningful for me. #grateful
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On this date in 1968, I was fortunate to experience a lifelong memory in my final college game. Thanks to coach Bill Edwards and all of my Wittenberg University teammates for giving me the chance to break the national college division record for most career points by kicking.
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Johnny Morris, who starred for the Bears as a halfback and wide receiver from 1958-67, remains the franchise's all-time leader in receiving yards with 5,059. He later became a prominent Chicago TV sportscaster and popularized the use of a telestrator to analyze plays.
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Chet Coppock and I shared a lot of laughs over the years and supported each other's endeavors in the sports media. RIP, my friend.
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Sorry to learn of the passing of longtime Chicago Sun-times baseball writer Joe Goddard. His wife, Carol, told me Joe, 85, passed peacefully surrounded by family. Last week in Arizona, former MLB exec Ned Colletti (shown in middle below) and I talked about Joe during breakfast.
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Happy birthday to Chicago Bulls award-winning radio play-by-play broadcaster Chuck Swirsky, shown here along with legendary WGN-TV newscaster Bob Jordan.
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On this day, fifty years ago, I was blessed to be able to set an NCAA record for career kick scoring. On Nov. 23, 1968, in Staten Island, N.Y., Wittenberg University defeated Wagner 45-7 as I kicked 6 extra points and a 37-yard field goal to eclipse the career mark.
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On this date in 1968, I set the College Division NCAA record for career kick scoring. In a couple weeks, I will have the opportunity to call a young man to tell him he has won the 2019 Fred Mitchell Award as the best kicker among 750 colleges. I will be bursting with pride.
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The first Mike Ditka Show with Johnny Morris in 1982.
The Mike Ditka Show 1982
Special guest, Buddy Ryan
#Bears
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Roldan Alcobendas, the 2018 Fred Mitchell Award winner out of Eastern Washington, was perfect 16 for 16 on field goals this season and scored 119 points. fredmitchellaward.com
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Devastating news regarding former ESPN Chicago Bears reporter Jeff Dickerson, who has passed away from colon cancer at the age of 44. Jeff was well respected as a journalist and a good guy. RIP
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I was there in the Wrigley Field stands that Sunday with my father.
60 Years Ago Today
November 17, 1963
The 8-1 #Packers — winners of eight straight after an opening day loss to Chicago — take on the 8-1 #Bears at Wrigley Field.
From the opening kickoff, Chicago steamrolls Green Bay en route to a convincing 26-7 victory — providing them the inside track to the NFL West crown.
The Bears' offensive and defensive lines dominate the favored Packers all game.
Chicago controls the ball (74 offensive plays to Green Bay's 52) and the turnover ratio (+7), limiting the Packers to a mere 71 rushing yards and holding them scoreless until very late in the game.
Bears head coach and founder George Halas calls it their "biggest win since the 1946 NFL Championship".
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My maximum 12-year term on the Wittenberg University board of directors has come to an end, moving me into emeritus status. I previously served 10 years on the Wittenberg Alumni board, giving me 22 straight years volunteering at my beloved alma mater. It has been my pleasure.
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Life can be a juggling act, especially during these uncertain times. How do you like them apples!
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My condolences to Cubs Hall of Famer Billy Williams and his family on the loss of his wife, Shirley. Williams married his high school sweetheart on Feb. 25, 1960, and they became the parents of four daughters.
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I am saddened and stunned to learn of the passing of former Chicago Tribune colleague Vaughn McClure. He was a very caring individual. RIP
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We've lost one of the greatest running backs of all-time. And I have lost a dear friend in Gale Sayers. RIP #kansascomet
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My brother, Steve Mitchell, still owns the Butler University record for the longest hitting streak (24 games), set back in 1977. Steve, who is a member of the Butler Athletic Hall of Fame, is shown in this photo hitting his 3rd home run of the day in a doubleheader against Purdue
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On this date in 1965, Bears rookie Gale Sayers scored six touchdowns against the San Francisco 49ers at muddy Wrigley Field. search.aol.com/aol/video;_yl…
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I enjoyed a phone conversation with Dave van Dyck, the former baseball writer for the Chicago Sun-Times and later the Tribune. We we were blessed to cover sports in the golden age of newspapers. This photo includes Mark Gonzales, Dave van Dyck, Paul Sullivan, me and Dan McGrath.
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Huge congrats to former Bears Steve McMichael, Devin Hester and Julius Peppers for their selections to the 2024 class of the Pro Football Hall of Fame. I enjoyed a front-row seat to capture their remarkable playing careers when I helped cover the Bears for the Chicago Tribune.
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On this date in 2015, Bears chairman George McCaskey presented me a No. 34 jersey in the Soldier Field press box prior to the final Bears game I helped cover for the Chicago Tribune. McCaskey kindly said nice things about me in front of my media colleagues. I wore #34 in college.
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In 1974, I was hired as the first Black sportswriter in Chicago Tribune history, thanks in large part to Bill Lowry, who made a phone call on my behalf. I just got off the phone this afternoon to thank him again for helping to launch my 41-year career #BlackHistoryMonth
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Congratulations to Luis Aguilar of Northern Arizona University for winning the 2019 Fred Mitchell Award. Aguilar connected on 22 of 25 FGs (88 percent), including kicks of 57 and 54 yards. He converted all 52 of his PATs to wind up with 118 points. His 61 touchbacks led FCS.
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We've lost a real treasure in Ernie Banks. I will cherish his friendship and advice forever.
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I remember seeing 17-year-old Aretha Franklin launch her professional singing career when my parents took me and my older brother to the original Regal Theatre in Chicago. I last saw her in person sitting courtside at a Bulls game I covered for the Tribune. Much R-E-S-P-E-C-T.
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Wonderful time celebrating the 65th birthday of former Bear Revie Sorey, who used to block for Walter Payton. Revie suffered strokes over the past decade and has been confined to a wheelchair. Dozens of longtime friends and former teammates showed up to wish Revie the best.
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Remembering former Chicago Tribune colleague and TV personality Bill Jauss, who died on this date in 2012.
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I am completely overwhelmed by the out-pouring of kind words & well wishes. My friends and colleagues are my greatest treasure. Thank you!
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Here's the Chicago Tribune story I wrote in 1998 that was referenced in "The Last Dance" documentary on ESPN.
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Two of my favorite sports people passed away this date in 2009. Johnny "Red" Kerr was one of the first to welcome me to the Bulls beat in '81. He kept me in stitches during road trips with hilarious stories. "Stormin" Norm Van Lier and I had started working on a book on his life.
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On this date 5 years ago, Bears chairman George McCaskey presented me this No. 34 jersey at Soldier Field prior to the final game I helped cover for the Chicago Tribune. McCaskey also said some nice things about me in front of my colleagues. My number in college was 34.
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I was hired by the Chicago Tribune on this day in 1974 and covered the Cubs, Bears and Bulls beats, then wrote a column. #blessed #chicagotribune #sportswriter #bears #cubs #onthisday #bulls
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It was such a pleasure to salute the 2023 DePaul University Communication graduates Saturday along with Chicago television icon Carol Marin and other faculty members during commencement ceremonies at Wintrust Arena.
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Ethan Gettman of Bryant University is the 2022 winner of the Fred Mitchell Award. He led the nation (FCS) in field goal percentage and boomed a 56-yard FG. The award recognizes kicking performance and community service at over 750 non-FBS colleges. fredmitchellaward.com
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Looking forward to presenting the 2018 Fred Mitchell Award to Roldan Alcobendas of Eastern Washington on Feb.18 at the National Football Foundation ceremony at Halas Hall. It is presented to the top FCS, Div. II, Div. III, NAIA or NJCAA place-kicker (750+ eligible ).
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When I was in high school, I was recruited by Brown University. I received a treasured letter from former Brown All-American Fritz Pollard. He had been one of the first Black players in the NFL along with Bobby Marshall in 1920. Pollard was the first Black head coach in the NFL.
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Great lunch with Luis Aguilar at Harry Caray's 7th Inning Stretch, followed by a tour of the Chicago Sports Museum, where a replica of Aguilar's 2019 Fred Mitchell Award trophy resides. At Northern Arizona, Aguilar connected on 22 of 25 FGs, including a 57-yarder.
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Joe Fincham, the 23rd winningest coach by percentage (.819) in college football history (all divisions), has announced his retirement from Wittenberg University, my alma mater. He won 224 games and 14 conference titles in 25 seasons.
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I am devastated and saddened by the news of the passing of Chet Coppock. He always supported and encouraged me during my career. Condolences to his family.
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Great catching up with former Cubs Shawon Dunston and Mark Grace, who have been voted into the Cubs Hall of Fame. I covered them for the Tribune back in the day. The Cubs Convention continues through the weekend.
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I miss Ray Meyer, former longtime men's basketball coach at DePaul University. Born on this day in Chicago in 1913, the affable Meyer had a career record of 724-324 and was inducted into the Basketball Hall of Fame.
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Great lunch with Tribune Sports Department alums (L. to R.) Barry Temkin, Marla Krause, Ed Stone, Don Pierson, Steve Nidetz and Fred Mitchell.
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Great lunch today with 2018 Fred Mitchell Award winner Roldan Alcobendas from Eastern Washington University at Harry Caray's 7th Inning Stretch Restaurant in Water Tower Place, followed by the Blackhawks game at the United Center, where he was introduced to the crowd.
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Early birthday wishes to Loyola's Sister Jean Schmidt, who will turn 101 on Friday. This year's celebration will be virtual due to COVID-19. "I have been referring to my birthday as the '101,' and people keep telling me that sounds like a freshman course," she joked.
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Congrats to Cole Tracy on his debut as LSU's kicker. Tracy booted 4 field goals, including a school-record tying 54-yarder in LSU's 33-17 win over Miami. Tracy was the 2017 Fred Mitchell Award winner out of Division II Assumption College before becoming a graduate transfer at LSU
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It was my pleasure to meet Roldan Alcobendas and his family and friends this weekend before presenting him with the 2018 Fred Mitchell Award trophy during the National Football Foundation ceremony at Halas Hall. fredmitchellaward.com
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Special thanks to Bears chairman George McCaskey for the presentation of a Bears jersey and the kind words today.
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Cubs sweep Braves for their fourth, 4-game sweep of the season. First time for Cubs since 1945.
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Send prayers to Gale Sayers and his family.
"Please ask God to love him."
Chicago #Bears and #KUfball great Gale Sayers is battling dementia. Via @vgregorian: kansascity.com/sports/spt-co…
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I called Gale Sayers this morning to wish him happy birthday and let him know I am thinking about him. Gale is dealing with the ravages of dementia and his wife, Ardie, told me he has good days and bad days as she searches for the right medications to make him more comfortable.
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Prior to my senior year of college, I was the subject of a feature story in the Chicago Tribune. Six years later, I was WRITING for the Tribune. I got a kick out of both experiences.
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NFL teams looking to upgrade at kicker should consider 2018 Fred Mitchell Award winner Roldan Alcobendas of Eastern Washington (16/16 on FGs and 71/72 on PATs). And 2017 FMA winner Cole Tracy (29/33 with a 54-yarder) as grad transfer All-American at LSU. fredmitchellaward.com
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On this date in 2015, Bears chairman George McCaskey presented me this No. 34 Bears jersey in the Soldier Field press box before the final Bears game I covered for the Chicago Tribune. McCaskey said some nice things about me in front of my colleagues. My number in college was 34.
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Humbled to be recognized by my alma mater.
Wittenberg celebrates Black History Month through alumni success - bit.ly/2lhZmk7
#WittProud #BlackHistoryMonth #LifeAfterWitt
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Two of my favorite people in sports passed away on this day 11 years ago. Johnny "Red" Kerr was one of the first to welcome me to the Bulls beat in 1981, and he kept me in stitches. "Stormin" Norm Van Lier and I had started working on a book together about his eventful life.
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On this date 23 years ago. I delivered the commencement speech at my alma mater and was bestowed an honorary doctorate. Today, the 2023 Wittenberg University graduates will receive their diplomas. Best of luck to these students as they commence their careers.
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Very grateful and humbled to be honored by Bears chairman George McCaskey before today's game. Blessed with a lifelong memory.
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I placed a call to Gale and Ardie Sayers. Happy to report they are doing OK. "We are hanging in there like everybody else," Ardie said before placing me on speaker phone. "Gale, this is your friend, Fred Mitchell, wishing you well," Ardie said. "Gale is smiling," she told me.
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Congratulations to former DePaul athletic director Jean Lenti Ponsetto, who was feted by friends and former colleagues Tuesday night during a long-overdue retirement party.
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Nice to be in attendance for the DePaul University graduation ceremony at Wintrust Arena to salute several former Communication students.
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