Blacklight On Sports w Johnny Allen

Blacklight on Sports: Lucas Patterson and the Future of Minnesota Prep Athletics

This week on Blacklight on Sports, Charles Hallman and Mitchell Hamline sit down with Lucas Patterson, a leader helping shape the future of student-athletes in Minnesota. From creating opportunities for young people to developing pathways that extend beyond the game, Patterson shares his vision for education, leadership, mentorship, and athletics. The conversation explores how sports can serve as a vehicle for personal growth, the importance of preparing students for success on and off the field, and what it takes to build programs that support the next generation of leaders. Patterson also discusses the challenges and opportunities facing youth sports today and why investing in student-athletes is an investment in the future of our communities. Tune in for an insightful discussion on education, athletics, leadership, and the lasting impact of empowering young people through sports. Executive Producer/CEO Publisher Tracey Williams-Dillard Minnesota Spokesman-Recorder 3744 4th Ave South Minneapolis MN 55409 612-827-4021 MSR Digital Studio Ray Seville Charles Hallman MSR Sports Columnist  Dr. Mitchell Palmer McDonald, PhE. MSR Sports Columnist ALL RIGHTS RESERVED BY MINNESOTA SPOKESMAN-RECORDER 1934

Blacklight On Sports w EJ Shelby

On this episode of Blacklight on Sports, hosts Charles Hallman and Dr. Mitchell Palmer McDonald sit down with EJ Shelby, the newly named head football coach at Anoka High School, for a candid conversation about the long road to a head coaching job, what it means to lead as a Black man in education and why building young men matters more than any scoreboard. Shelby's path through coaching began in 2015 at Concordia St. Paul, where he served as a video coordinator and assistant safeties coach before moving into a full safeties role. From there he took a receivers coach position at St. Norbert in Wisconsin, made stops at St. Olaf, Hamline and back to Concordia, and eventually headed to Kentucky to pursue a pass game coordinator role as deliberate preparation for a coordinator position. Through it all he was raising his kids, working full time in hospitality between coaching gigs and navigating a divorce, keeping his children at the center of every major decision. The Hamline chapter stands out. As offensive coordinator, Shelby may well have been the only Black offensive coordinator at any college in Minnesota at the time. His offense produced a 1,000-yard receiver each season, breaking the program record both times, while also generating academic All-Americans. When Division I opportunities came calling, a five-minute commute from home won out. Shelby accepted the Anoka head coaching job in February. The program he is building runs on three pillars he calls DEA: Discipline, Effort and Attitude. Discipline means doing the work even when you do not want to. Effort means giving your best, not settling for good when great is available. Attitude means understanding that while you cannot control outcomes or detours, you always control how you respond. Shelby is direct with his players: a 3.0 GPA is the floor, not a suggestion, because Cs may  Executive Producer/CEO Publisher Tracey Williams-Dillard Minnesota Spokesman-Recorder 3744 4th Ave South Minneapolis MN 55409 612-827-4021 MSR Digital Studio Ray Seville Charles Hallman MSR Sports Columnist  Dr. Mitchell Palmer McDonald, PhE. MSR Sports Columnist ALL RIGHTS RESERVED BY MINNESOTA SPOKESMAN-RECORDER 1934

Blacklight On Sports w Johnny Allen

Executive Producer/CEO Publisher Tracey Williams-Dillard Minnesota Spokesman-Recorder 3744 4th Ave South Minneapolis MN 55409 612-827-4021 MSR Digital Studio Ray Seville Charles Hallman MSR Sports Columnist  Dr. Mitchell Palmer McDonald, PhE. MSR Sports Columnist ALL RIGHTS RESERVED BY MINNESOTA SPOKESMAN-RECORDER 1934