Latest Columns
Iman Abraham’s Autobiography
The loss of NFL players’ collective voice
Andscape at the Olympics: The best and worst of the 2024 Paris Games
Anthony Sanchez’s Autobiography
My great-aunt Leoline Robinson’s quick realization that America wasn’t as advertised is a warning to immigrants
We are Family
Guest Speakers
Throughout the semester or the fellowship duration, Professor Rhoden invites guest speakers from the sports media industry to speak and connect with his students and fellows. The list below features some of the talented columnists, broadcasters, and sports personnel who have appeared to advise students and fellows throughout the years.
Kyle Hightower
Kyle Hightower is a sports writer based in Boston, Massachusetts. Juggling words at The Associated Press covering the Celtics, Patriots, Red Sox, Bruins and all things New England.
Greg Moore
Greg Moore is an award-winning sports columnist and documentarian who has covered Arizona sports since 2017, including the NBA Finals, WNBA Finals, NFL playoffs, MLB playoffs, the College Football Playoff, championship fights in the UFC and boxing, the NCAA Men's Tournament, NASCAR races, the WM Phoenix Open, and the PlayStation Fiesta Bowl. He's also a member of The Arizona Republic's editorial board, writing about race, culture and being a dad.
Shalise Manza Young
Shalise Manza Young is a award-winning sports columnist and multi-media journalist with a passion for storytelling and the intersection of race and gender in sports and society. Former NFL beat reporter, current journalism instructor as well as track and field coach.
Jason Garrett
Jason Garrett joined NBC Sports in April 2022 and serves as a studio analyst for Football Night in America. Prior to broadcasting, Garrett was the Head Coach of the Dallas Cowboys (2010-19) where he won three division titles, was named Associated Press Coach of the Year in 2016, and compiled an 85-67 (.559) regular-season record, the second-most wins for a Head Coach in team history. Garrett began his coaching career as the Quarterbacks Coach for the Miami Dolphins under Nick Saban. He also served as the Offensive Coordinator for both the Cowboys and New York Giants.
Gabriella Lewis
Gabriella is The Next's Atlanta Dream and SEC beat reporter. She is a Bay Area native currently studying at Emory University.
Kyle Goon
Kyle Goon joined the staff of The Baltimore Banner in April 2023 as a sports columnist. He previously covered the Los Angeles Lakers for the Orange County Register, including a three-month stint in the NBA bubble for the team’s 2020 NBA championship. He started his career at The Salt Lake Tribune, where he covered high school sports, Utah State University, University of Utah and the Utah Jazz. Kyle grew up in Ellicott City and is a Mt. Hebron High and University of Maryland grad.
Dana O'Neil
Dana O’Neil, a senior writer for The Athletic, has worked for more than 25 years as a sports writer, covering the Final Four, the Super Bowl, World Series, NBA Finals and NHL playoffs. She has worked previously at ESPN and the Philadelphia Daily News. She is the author of three books, including "The Big East: Inside the Most Entertaining and Influential Conference in College Basketball History."
Rod Graves
Rod Graves is in his fourth season with the Fritz Pollard Alliance Foundation as Executive Director. He joined the FPA after spending 37 years with the National Football League. His experience includes serving in several executive positions in the NFL, including Senior Vice President of Football Administration at the National Football League and General Manager of the Arizona Cardinals.
Kyle Hightower
Kyle Hightower is a sports writer based in Boston, Massachusetts. Juggling words at The Associated Press covering the Celtics, Patriots, Red Sox, Bruins and all things New England.
Greg Moore
Greg Moore is an award-winning sports columnist and documentarian who has covered Arizona sports since 2017, including the NBA Finals, WNBA Finals, NFL playoffs, MLB playoffs, the College Football Playoff, championship fights in the UFC and boxing, the NCAA Men's Tournament, NASCAR races, the WM Phoenix Open, and the PlayStation Fiesta Bowl. He's also a member of The Arizona Republic's editorial board, writing about race, culture and being a dad.
Gabriella Lewis
Gabriella is The Next's Atlanta Dream and SEC beat reporter. She is a Bay Area native currently studying at Emory University.
Dana O'Neil
Dana O’Neil, a senior writer for The Athletic, has worked for more than 25 years as a sports writer, covering the Final Four, the Super Bowl, World Series, NBA Finals and NHL playoffs. She has worked previously at ESPN and the Philadelphia Daily News. She is the author of three books, including "The Big East: Inside the Most Entertaining and Influential Conference in College Basketball History."
Rod Graves
Rod Graves is in his fourth season with the Fritz Pollard Alliance Foundation as Executive Director. He joined the FPA after spending 37 years with the National Football League. His experience includes serving in several executive positions in the NFL, including Senior Vice President of Football Administration at the National Football League and General Manager of the Arizona Cardinals.
Shalise Manza Young
Shalise Manza Young is a award-winning sports columnist and multi-media journalist with a passion for storytelling and the intersection of race and gender in sports and society. Former NFL beat reporter, current journalism instructor as well as track and field coach.
Jason Garrett
Jason Garrett joined NBC Sports in April 2022 and serves as a studio analyst for Football Night in America. Prior to broadcasting, Garrett was the Head Coach of the Dallas Cowboys (2010-19) where he won three division titles, was named Associated Press Coach of the Year in 2016, and compiled an 85-67 (.559) regular-season record, the second-most wins for a Head Coach in team history. Garrett began his coaching career as the Quarterbacks Coach for the Miami Dolphins under Nick Saban. He also served as the Offensive Coordinator for both the Cowboys and New York Giants.
Kyle Goon
Kyle Goon joined the staff of The Baltimore Banner in April 2023 as a sports columnist. He previously covered the Los Angeles Lakers for the Orange County Register, including a three-month stint in the NBA bubble for the team’s 2020 NBA championship. He started his career at The Salt Lake Tribune, where he covered high school sports, Utah State University, University of Utah and the Utah Jazz. Kyle grew up in Ellicott City and is a Mt. Hebron High and University of Maryland grad.
Columns of Interest
Check out the latest columns from guest speakers, former students and fellows.
Nyjah Huston won everything in skateboarding. Then the Tokyo Olympics happened
