SEC

The rocky road back to Tulsa: Nolan Richardson returns, Part I

If Nolan Richardson were to never coach another basketball game, he could rest on his laurels knowing that his accomplishments had already earned him a place in United States history. While his coaching prowess clearly puts him in elite company among contemporary sports figures, the trajectory of his life makes him an icon on the level of other African-American men from Texas such as modern dance legend Alvin Ailey, California political honcho Willie Brown and pioneering former Congressman Mickey Leland.

The threads that bind Richardson to Ailey, Brown and Leland: they were all born in the mid-20^th century within a decade of each other in a segregated Texas where mob violence and lynchings against blacks were commonplace. Yet, each one soared to heights in their respective fields, collecting a long list of “firsts.”

Richardson, a member of the National Collegiate Basketball Hall of Fame, is the only…

Mercury’s Temeka Johnson honored with weekend celebration in Louisiana

Even before she won a championship with the Phoenix Mercury, Temeka Johnson’s friends and family back home in her home state of Louisiana began preparing a celebration for the former Louisiana State University star.

Plans started coming together in early August to honor the point guard who is not only known as the tough-as-nails floor general for the Mercury but also for giving back to the community via her foundation H.O.P.E. (Heaven Opens People’s Eyes).

“This weekend means the world to me,” said Johnson of the festivities. “It’s an honor to even be considered for my own weekend, and I’m happy that my management team put this together. It was really a surprise.”

The activities began Thursday when she visited her high school, an elementary school where her grandmother was an educator for 33 years and a nursing home. H.O.P.E. adopted Washington Montessori in Kenner, La. The foundation will…

LSU Announces Inaugural Sue Gunter Classic

Louisiana State University announced that it will honor the late Sue Gunter, the winningest head coach in Lady Tiger history, with a two-day women’s basketball tournament in her name. The inaugural Sue Gunter Classic will take place Dec. 15-16 at the Pete Maravich Assembly Center.

UL-Lafayette takes on North Carolina A&T in the first game at 4:30 p.m. LSU faces Houston Baptist in the nightcap at 7 p.m. on Tuesday, Dec. 15. The consolation game tips at 4:30 p.m. on Wednesday, Dec. 16. The two winners will meet in the championship contest at 7 p.m. on Dec. 16.

“We are really pleased to announce the start of the Sue Gunter Classic,” LSU head coach Van Chancellor said. “It is important to always remember the contributors of our game, and I don’t think there is any greater contributor than Coach Gunter. To be hosting a tournament is…