NEIU Independent

Black Athlete Spotlight: Kobe Bryant

Austin Dykstra, Writer • February 11, 2020

On a foggy Sunday morning, the professional sporting world was staggered by the loss of a basketball icon. Former Los Angeles Lakers' guard Kobe Bryant, 41, was among nine victims who perished in...

Greatest matches in Wrestlemania history – Part One

Matthew Rago, Editor-in-Chief • February 11, 2020

With WWE billing Elimination Chamber as the final stop before Wrestlemania, it’s time to reminisce on the iconic moments and legendary contests that helped morph Wrestlemania into the must-see spectacle...

LeBron vs. Jordan: Settling the debate

Matthew Rago, Editor-in-Chief • February 2, 2020

From the moment he was drafted first overall in the 2003 NBA Draft, it was apparent that LeBron James was a special talent. Anointed “King James," James elevated a desolate Cleveland Cavaliers franchise...

Zach Lavine highlights NBA All-Star snubs

Matthew Rago, Editor-in-Chief • February 1, 2020

With the announcement of the NBA All-Star Game reserves, it's time to indulge in our annual tradition of highlighting deserving players who were left off the All-Star roster. Like most years, many worthy...

Samoa Joe, not Kevin Owens, should be the top face on Raw

Matthew Rago, Editor-in-Chief • January 28, 2020

Alongside Kevin Owens, Samoa Joe is currently embroiled in a feud against Seth Rollins, Buddy Murphy and the AOP. In a rivalry that initially began as an engine to propel Owens up the babyface ranks following...

Paul Konerko falls off Hall of Fame ballot

Matthew Rago, Editor-in-Chief • January 28, 2020

Like former Chicago baseball stars Ron Santo and Harold Baines before him, oft-overlooked former White Sox first baseman Paul Konerko collected only 2.5% of Hall of Fame votes this year, disqualifying...

It’s time for the MLB to punish Astros’ players. Here’s why.

Matthew Rago, Editor-in-Chief • January 28, 2020

Following a three-month investigation into the Houston Astros’ sign-stealing scandal, Major League Baseball (MLB) recently announced its penalties against Houston leadership. However, while both upper...

Black Athlete spotlight: Eliud Kipchoge

Eduardo E. Santos, Writer • January 28, 2020

“No human is limited.” For Kenyan long-distance runner Eliud Kipchoge, this inspirational quote became reality. Running a marathon in under two hours has been an elusive goal for many elite...

Katie Sowers inspires on the field, makes Super Bowl history

Rachel Willard, Arts & Life Editor • January 28, 2020

San Francisco 49er assistant coach Katie Sowers, the second woman and the first openly gay individual to be a full-time assistant coach in the National Football League, will be breaking down multiple barriers...

WWE Royal Rumble grades and analysis

Matthew Rago, Editor-in-Chief • January 26, 2020

United States Championship: Andrade (c) vs. Humberto Carrillo Highlights: Andrade counters Carrillo's springboard arm drag by slamming Carrillo into the mat Carrillo executes a picture-perfect...

Kobe Bryant, daughter dead in helicopter crash

Matthew Rago, Editor-in-Chief • January 26, 2020

According to reports, NBA legend Kobe Bryant died in a helicopter crash Sunday morning in Calabasas, Ca. As first reported by TMZ, Bryant was traveling with four others in his private helicopter. However,...

Patrick Kane 90th player to 1,000 points

Matthew Rago, Editor-in-Chief • January 19, 2020

When Patrick Kane provided Ryan Carpenter with a perfect feed in the slot, he initiated a sequence of events that would engrave his name in NHL history. Following Brandon Saad's tip-in goal during Sunday...