INSiiGHTS

In this episode of INSiiGHTS Magazine, ESPN's John Grant, the Executive Director of the Cricket Celebration Bowl, Cricket MEAC/SWAC Challenge Bowl and Band of the Year shares how the HBCU football was inserted and evolved into a media event with national exposure. John has been in a leadership position as a part of the Celebration Bowl, MEAC/SWAC Challenge Bowl, Heritage Bowl, the Atlanta Classic and more. He has been regarded as a visionary with the ability to promote HBCU college football to heights of exposure and revenue previously unseen. His excitement and passion continues to fuel HBCU football into the ever-popular Atlanta, Georgia populace as must attend events. The MEAC/SWAC Challenge opens the college football season with the participation of football teams from the Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference and the Southwestern Athletic Conference. These conferences are the two predominately black conferences that host most of America's division I HBCU's.

The parallels between Cassius Marcellus Clay the emancipationist and the boxing heavyweight champion of the world who once bore his name, while remarkable, also make Ali’s rejection of that name all the more appropriate. After all, self-naming is one of the pillars of self-liberation. Cassius Clay was the name of an emancipator, and Muhammad Ali was the name of a free man.

INSiiGHTS Game of the Week returns Leon vs Rickards Football Tallahassee Leon and Tallahassee Rickards open the season Friday, August 16th at 7 pm. The varsity teams are playing quarters 1, 2, and 3. The junior varsity teams are finishing up the 4th quarter.

Athletic Director Tony O'Neal shares his thoughts on his previous three seasons as his Panthers go from being "the hunters" to the the 'hunted". The goal for each of his programs is the academic successes of each and every team and each and every student-athlete. While pursuing championships he wants more academic awards and honors for his student-athletes. He feels that academic success teaches and prepares them for success in life pursuits.

The high school football season is preparing to start. Head football coach Quintin Lewis from Tallahassee Rickards talks about his prospects for the upcoming season. On the offensive side, senior Benjamin Henry was one of the most improved players from last season and they are hoping he continues to lead the unit.

Hear Coach Lewis talk about the Big Bend's most highly recruited football player, 5 Star commit, honor roll student, Jalen Wiggins. Almost every Top 20 head football coach in the country has visited Rickards campus to recruit him.

NSiiGHTS reviews some of the accomplishments and highlights of the Claflin Athletic department during the 2023-24 school year. There are clips from some of the shows during the school year from an assortment of coaches, players and administrators. There are even some of the more watched instagram posts from this school year!

Mick n Rick: Summer Basketball Pros & Cons with GBL Basketball & Gene Granger. Gene talks about the national scheduling of summer league basketball tournaments hosted by GBL basketball. There are basketball tournaments on a national schedule that are hosted by Tallahassee event planner & organizer, Gene Granger. The NFL draft is completed and one of the highest drafted players EVER from the greater Tallahassee area is selected and goes viral. Where are the local students going as they pursue their NFL dreams and aspirations. More on the NFL draft and lopsided NBA playoff scores.

THE Claflin Athletic Show (Second Season) - Students from the Men's Track Team as five members of the men's team provide insiight into the inner workings and goals of the team. This is a loose group that have been recognized for past successes but have not lost vision on the upcoming CIAA outdoor championship.

Mick n Rick with Tyrone McGriff, Leon HS Head Football Coach and his outlook on coaching, this past football season and the outlook for the upcoming Leon football season. THE NFL Draft is coming and what does it look like for possible NFL selections with a local connection. Spring football is coming, the transfer portal is percolating and the NBA play-ofs are getting it going.

The Claflin Athletic Show Second Season featuring the Softball team at the CIAA Tournament. Coach Ricky Holden has his first run with his freshmen laden team (11) advancing to the CIAA Tournament Finals. They held up the tradition of making it to the CIAA Finals. Claflin senior Jaelyn Jackson being a first team all-conference selection at the utility position and she was also second-team all-conference selection at the pitcher position. Lady Panther sophomore Cydney Cooper was a second team All-CIAA selection as a short stop. Also recognized was Jeniah Williams and Katelyn Grissom who were named to the 2024 Central Intercollegiate Athletic Association (CIAA) Softball All-Rookie Team. INSiiGHTS is also available on your i-phone or android mobile apps. FREE. Please subscribe to this channel and show your support with a thumbs up if you enjoy learning about that HBCU life.