A Road to Revival: The state of Black baseball in Chicago

By Andre Toran Medill Reports The state of Black baseball is in major decline. From little league to high school to college to the major leagues – the picture surrounding black participation in the sport is bleak. In this segment of  Medill Newsmakers, Andre Toran examines the reason for the decline and possible solutions.

Northwestern’s Erro heats up in April after slow start

By Andre Toran Medill Reports Northwestern second baseman Alex Erro walked around the batting cage into the batter’s box, swiping rubber pellets into the air as he dug his cleats into the turfed surface at Rocky and Berenice Miller park, and prepared to swing. Line drive up the middle. Line drive up the middle. Then […]

Tuned up: What’s behind Northwestern baseball’s air guitar craze?

By Andre Toran Medill Reports Baseball, more than any major sport in America, is all about its unwritten rules. Its traditionalistic nature doesn’t carry the celebratory flair basketball or football does. There aren’t pre-planned touchdown celebrations. No, ‘And one!’ screams or arms extended in celebration, as the pointer finger and the thumb meet to form […]

Road Warriors: Inside Northwestern baseball’s rigorous travel schedule

By Andre Toran and Ben Friedl Medill Reports The Northwestern University baseball team has traveled 3,500 miles over the first five weekends of the 2019 season. Now, add that to the pre-existing rigors of being a full-time student athlete on the collegiate level; the art of balancing competing priorities. What takes precedent? Here’s an inside […]

Freshman Focus: Meet the 2018-19 rookies of Northwestern baseball

By Andre Toran Medill Reports March 7 – Episode two of Freshman Focus brings you freshman IF/OF Shawn Goosenberg. The California native talks about his commitment to Northwestern University, baseball and his decision to become a Wildcat. Goosenberg felt he fit within Northwestern’s culture and loves the opportunities the university offers for student athletes to succeed […]

Despite back-to-back no decisions, NU’s Christie right where he wants to be

By Andre Toran Medill Reports With a full count, a runner on third and two outs in the bottom of the fifth inning, Northwestern University pitcher Hank Christie came to balance, glanced over at the Duke runner and began his delivery to the plate. Spinning off his right hand, Christie’s breaking ball swept across the […]

Sounds from the 704: The 2019 NBA-All Star weekend Ultimate Playlist

Spectrum Center, Charlotte

By Andre Toran Medill Reports CHARLOTTE, N.C.– The NBA and hip-hop are two streets that have formed an intersection as the league has become more accepting of the hip-hop community. The two have become intertwined, especially during All-Star Weekend, as rappers, performing artists and other celebrities flock to arguably the biggest sporting event of the […]

Danny Cares: Raptors forward champions for the humane treatment of animals

Danny Green Foodbank via Instagram

By Andre Toran Medill Reports CHARLOTTE, N.C.– Towering over a table full of provisions and supplies, Toronto Raptors forward Danny Green anchored an assembly line with an ear-to-ear smile, ready to help. Hopeful hearts and good intentions catalyzed the production lines at Second Harvest Foodbank of Metrolina Friday afternoon in Charlotte, as current NBA players […]