Features – Advanced Sports Reporting

Waiting for the call

John G. DiCarlo — Wed, 08 May 2024 21:04:44 +0000

Not far down I-95, a former Cal star is playing for the Orioles’ Double-A affiliate. By Amarna Milne In a California living room buzzing with anticipation, Dylan Beavers sat on a beige couch flanked by his parents, eyes fixed on the MLB draft broadcast. Family and friends filled the room, their whispers punctuated by nervous laughter. For Beavers, this moment was the…

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A leader on the court and the classroom

John G. DiCarlo — Wed, 08 May 2024 08:04:00 +0000

Karen Turner was a trailblazer in basketball before she changed lives at Temple. By Johnny Zawislak Karen Turner was sitting at The Liacouras Center on press row with some of her students during the Nov. 28 Temple men’s basketball game against La Salle. The soon-to-be-retired Temple journalism professor promised herself that if one team seemed to be pulling away with five…

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A local college lacrosse coach bet on himself

John G. DiCarlo — Wed, 08 May 2024 01:52:00 +0000

Kyle Newman gave up a full-time healthcare job to coach college lacrosse at Haverford College. By Ryan Mack Kyle Newman woke up at the same time as he had for the last year—six o’clock on the dot. He rolled out of bed begrudgingly and attempted to shower and dress before the sun began to rise. Newman made the same trip each morning, commuting from Bryn Mawr to…

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Former soccer pro Nick Bibbs is giving back

John G. DiCarlo — Sun, 01 May 2022 22:16:00 +0000

The West Philly native is helping his city’s African-American and immigrant communities. By Owen Boyle Nick Bibbs grew up playing soccer in the streets of West Philly, and now he is giving back to his city’s African-American and immigrant communities. Bibbs is a former professional soccer player who has taken charge as the Director of Coaching and leads on-field coaching for The…

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Veteran Inquirer reporter captures college basketball history

John G. DiCarlo — Sat, 30 Apr 2022 17:48:00 +0000

Mike Jensen has captured Big 5 history and much more for more than 30 years. By Cayden Steele Philadelphia Inquirer columnist Mike Jensen entered the Palestra doors and walked straight to the court not long before the Philadelphia Big 5 awards commenced on a Monday night earlier this month. Jensen spoke with former and current Big 5 basketball coaches and other prominent…

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Ameena Soliman is creating an NFL career with the Eagles

John G. DiCarlo — Fri, 29 Apr 2022 22:03:00 +0000

The Temple graduate is the first Muslim woman to hold her position in the NFL. By Alexis Beckett It’s not that her family wasn’t supportive. It was more so just a question: Sure, you like football and sports. But can you make a career out of it? Five years later, the answer is a resounding yes. Ameena Soliman earned two degrees, two internships…

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The name of the game

John G. DiCarlo — Thu, 17 Mar 2022 05:40:00 +0000

Our explainer on the game of squash, including insight from Temple student Jordan Antonelli. By Evan Tonrey The sound of ricocheting rubber echoes through the halls of Temple’s Independence Blue Cross Rec Center as Jordan Antonelli and Gavin Tulone trade blows during an intense squash match. Antonelli the teacher and Tulone the student are at a clear mismatch, yet the joy it…

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Leap of faith

John G. DiCarlo — Sat, 29 May 2021 15:34:13 +0000

She logged on and tried to say something. Her mouth moved, but she was muted. Patiently, governed by her stoicism, she turned on the microphone and asked, “Do you hear me now?” Zoom, the new normal as the world tries to move through the COVID pandemic, is nothing new to Gina Lewandowski. The National Women’s Soccer League player with NJ/NY Gotham FC is used to constantly challenging…

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From the diamond to the courtroom

John G. DiCarlo — Sat, 29 May 2021 15:12:03 +0000

John Coyle never set out to become a civil rights attorney. When he went to law school, the former Temple baseball player thought he was going to be a sports agent. He dove into that field and worked for an NFL agent his first summer of law school. He absolutely hated it. Coyle wasn’t exactly sure what he was going to do. He ended up working for a judge right after law school…

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The Philadelphia Union’s security blanket

John G. DiCarlo — Sat, 29 May 2021 14:15:28 +0000

Thirty-five pounds of pure silver. Valued at $18,000 when it was first made in 1999 by artist Paula Richardson. A current day value of $21,000. And Matt Gendaszek wraps it in a blanket. Gendaszek, the current president of the Sons of Ben, the support group for the Philadelphia Union, wraps the first MLS trophy that has called Philadelphia home – in a blanket. A black blanket…

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