The Rock Chalkboard

KU soccer alum Katie McClure reflects on path to NWSL
“He was always saying like a small mix of things,” said McClure on the latest episode of the Jayhawker Podcast. “I know in college he was like, ‘Don’t regret anything. You just wanna keep doing whatever you can.' He was like the big pusher. I know my siblings had a lot to do with it, too, but he knew what it took to be at the professional level and he knew I had dreams to play professional."

KU Campus Underground: Hoops, football & recruiting news (7/3)
Add to that a look at KU football star running back Pooka Williams, plus a conversation to put the KU football recruiting class into perspective, and you've got a jam-packed edition of one of our most popular subscriber-only features...

Q&A: Former KU guard Tyshawn Taylor addresses media ahead of TBT
"KU fans, I love you guys always. Oklahoma State fans, hi, Tyshawn Taylor. I don't know if you guys know me. I'm happy to be a part of this with you guys, and I hope we can build off this for you guys in the future — and for myself and everybody here, spending this time in this bubble."

Kansas trending on 247Sports Crystal Ball for four-star receiver
Kansas has gained the lead on the 247Sports Crystal Ball in the recruitment of big-time four-star receiver Keon Coleman, a two-sport star from Opelousas (La.) Catholic who plans to play football and basketball at the next level. Oklahoma led the 247Sports Crystal Ball through Thursday afternoon, but several forecasts Thursday night for the Jayhawks have shifted the lead to KU.

247Sports Crystal Ball Forecast: Coveted prospect to Kansas
When Coleman dropped his announcement date early in the week it looked like he was heading to Oklahoma. But the Jayhawks stayed the course and obviously have great ties in the state led by Miles.

Bits o Chalk

Source - NFL plans to play Black national anthem before Week 1 games
"Lift Ev'ry Voice And Sing," traditionally known as the Black national anthem, is expected to be performed live or played before every Week 1 NFL game, and the league is considering a variety of other measures during the upcoming season to recognize victims of police brutality, a source familiar with the league's discussions told The Undefeated on Thursday.

Oklahoma State review finds Mike Gundy's relationships with players lacking, but not racist
Oklahoma State coach Mike Gundy needs to "invest more time in building stronger relationships with his student-athletes," according to an internal review of the program, which "uncovered no signs or indication of racism," athletic director Mike Holder said in a statement Thursday night.

Stadium sponsor FedEx asks Redskins to change nickname
FedEx paid $205 million to the Redskins for naming rights to the stadium in 1998 in a deal that runs through 2025. Frederick Smith, the chairman, CEO and president of FedEx Corp., also owns a minority stake in the Redskins.

Five-star college basketball recruit Makur Maker commits to Howard over UCLA
Five-star senior Makur Maker announced his commitment to Howard on Friday morning, becoming the highest-ranked college basketball prospect to commit to a historically Black college or university since the ESPN recruiting database started in 2007.

Eraser Dust

Group launches effort to change name of Montana's 'Chinese Wall'
Group spokesman Dan Fuchs expanded upon their motivations to launch the campaign.

"I think it's pretty clear that after the Wuhan virus hit -- I think you've seen some of the polling on how the people feel about the Chinese right now," Fuchs said. "The Chinese just make it more and more clear what kind of threat they are to the world. For all of us to just sit around and accept that these people are reasonable actors is ... there's no reason for them to have a gratuitous name in the United States of America. That's where we're at with it."

U.S. Surpasses Global Record For New COVID-19 Cases Recorded In A Day : Coronavirus Live Updates : NPR
The United States has reached a daily global record for the coronavirus pandemic — reporting more than 55,000 new COVID-19 cases. The daily U.S. tally stood at 55,274 late Thursday, which exceeds the previous single-day record of 54,771 set by Brazil on June 19.

Elijah McClain was injected with ketamine while handcuffed. Some medical experts worry about its use during police calls.
As state and federal inquiries widen into the case of Elijah McClain, a young Black man who died last summer after Colorado police placed him in a chokehold, the decision by paramedics to inject him with a powerful sedative while he was handcuffed has raised questions about its use during police calls and whether such medical treatment violates a person's rights.

Increase in tourism, COVID-19 cases in Flathead County | KECI
“We are seeing both tourists and residents that aren’t following what has been laid out as guidelines for COVID-19,” said Health officer for Flathead County Health Department Hillary Hanson.

Longtime Kalispell schools educator and principal starts new role as superintendent
“At one point in my life I was a custodian in a school, so I can actually say I’ve been everything from the custodian to the superintendent,” said Hill.