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About Doug Smith

Doug Smith is an award-winning journalist with more than 30 years of successful achievement as an editor and writer with three of the the most influential newspapers in the United States – News day, The New York Post and USA Today.

After a five-year hiatus, I’ve finally returned to my internet reporter’s beat, which includes the world of sports, politics and anything else that stirs my juices. My emphasis, of course will continue to be sports, particularly tennis. Once the pro tours resume play, we’ll pick the young rising stars (men and women) on course to become the game’s next dominant pros.  Meanwhile, the current news of the world must not be ignored. Covid-19 is expected to wreak havoc in the world much longer than previously predicted, and the premature death of unarmed people of color (especially black men) by members of our nation’s police force has driven a large – and still growing – rainbow of Americans to the streets in protest. Stayed tuned.

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Sports

Sports

With more than 40 years of experience as a newspaper journalist, author of three books and dozens of magazine-length

Politics

Politics

I spent my preteen years and my college years in a law enforced racially segregated society. Though the physical

Hot Topics

Hot Topics

The bulk of the material on ‘hot topics’ will come from several of my former college students and some current Hampton

A Unique View On The World

Sports

With more than 40 years of experience as a newspaper journalist, author of three books and dozens of magazine-length profiles/features, I produce well-researched, well-written and thought-provoking stories/reports about athletes, agents and competitive sports contests played throughout the world. I’m especially attracted to stories rich in human interest, tales about the underdog, and about those who excel, despite the barriers. I played varsity tennis in high school and at the college level. I was the tennis correspondent for USA Today for 15 years. I’m still an avid fan.

A Unique View On The World

Sports

With more than 40 years of experience as a newspaper journalist, author of three books and dozens of magazine-length profiles/features, I produce well-researched, well-written and thought-provoking stories/reports about athletes, agents and competitive sports contests played throughout the world. I’m especially attracted to stories rich in human interest, tales about the underdog, and about those who excel, despite the barriers. I played varsity tennis in high school and at the college level. I was the tennis correspondent for USA Today for 15 years. I’m still an avid fan.

A Unique View On The World

Politics

I spent my preteen years and my college years in a law enforced racially segregated society. Though the physical signs of racial bias have been removed, the indifference, dishonesty and evil that produce such extreme hatred linger still in a large segment of white society. Barack Obama’s election as President spurred me to add my voice to the political discourse.

A Unique View On The World

Hot Topics

The bulk of the material on ‘hot topics’ will come from several of my former college students and some current Hampton University journalism students. As the phrase suggests, the stories will be based on current news reports (Coronavirus, etc.)

A Unique View On The World

Hot Topics

The bulk of the material on ‘hot topics’ will come from several of my former college students and some current Hampton University journalism students. As the phrase suggests, the stories will be based on current news reports (Coronavirus, etc.)

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My Book

(Whirlwind: The Godfather of Black Tennis) – Robert Walter (Whirlwind) Johnson (16 April 1899 — 28 June 1971), a Lynchburg, Va. physician, was a graduate of Lincoln University, a historically black college in Pennsylvania and the first African American physician to receive practice rights at Lynchburg (VA) General Hospital.

Whirlwind: What The Reviews Say

“If we all agree that Althea Gibson and Arthur Ashe were two of the most influential African Americans of the 20th century, then surely we must also agree that the man who taught and nurtured them is someone we should know more about. Doug Smith has delivered that here and I would urge anyone who has been inspired in any way by Althea and Arthur to read this book.”

John Feinstein, Author and former Washington Post columnist

“It’s about time someone told the amazing story of ‘Whirlwind.’ Doug Smith has done it, portraying an American original, complex and vibrant, whose inspiration and drive gave us the champions Althea Gibson and Arthur Ashe.”

Bud Collins, Boston Globe/NBC Sports

“While documenting the rarely publicized role that Dr. Robert Walter Johnson played in developing Althea Gibson and Arthur Ashe, America’s first two African American champions, Doug Smith provides us with something many might consider a scoop. Which is that many blacks helped grow the game of tennis as players, administrators and fans long before Venus and Serena Williams came along. I applaud Doug for telling this seemingly forgotten/overlooked part of the history of tennis in America.”

Zina Garrison, Former U.S. Fed Cup captain and former World No. 4

“This is a story that needed to be told and Doug Smith is the only one who could tell it.”

Tony Kornheiser, co-anchor of ESPN’s Pardon the Interruption

“Needless to say, our sport, our country, indeed the world community became a better place because of Althea and Arthur’s achievements. Dr. Johnson made it possible for them to succeed. His extraordinary role should be remembered, appreciated and applauded not just by African Americans, but also by everyone who strives for equality and justice.”

John McEnroe, Tennis Hall of Fame member and NBC/ESPN analyst and commentator
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