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Jeff Hawkins

Sports Editor

About

Jeff Hawkins is an award-winning sportswriter with more than four decades in the industry, in both print and digital media. He joined the Sportscasting team in 2021 following a decade of freelancing. He spent his early career as a reporter for various newspapers in Illinois, New York, Florida, North Carolina, and Michigan, with a particular emphasis as a beat reporter for the Chicago Blackhawks. Jeff earned his bachelor's degree in journalism from Oakland University. Over the course of his career he earned several sports writing awards, including two national awards from the Associated Press Sports Editors for column writing and news reporting. One of the five prized columns included a commentary on NASCAR's increasing corporate influences, particularly in northern racetracks — commentary which you might find Jeff building on as part of the Motorsports writing team at Sportscasting now.  

Articles by Jeff Hawkins (66)

Panthers Preseason Notebook: GM Dan Morgan Labors To Alter Aging Roster

The Carolina Panthers’ “retooling” process continued Friday. Working at the start of Labor Day holiday weekend, general manager Dan Morgan took time to tinker with the 16-man practice squad, adding skill and roster competition. Morgan reiterated Thursday the front office will remain aggressive with claims off the waiver wire. As the lowest-ranked team last season, […]

Jeff Hawkins  •  31 Aug 2024
NHL Fans Emotionally React To Biking Deaths Of Hockey Brothers Johnny, Matthew Gaudreau

Back home in New Jersey for what should have been a weekend of family celebration, NHL star Johnny Gaudreau, and his brother, Matthew, went out for a bike ride when tragedy struck. Both of the brothers were struck by a vehicle Thursday and later died, state authorities announced Friday.   According to the New Jersey […]

Jeff Hawkins  •  30 Aug 2024
Panthers Notebook: GM Dan Morgan Remaining Active With NFL’s Waiver Wire, Creating Cornerback Competition, Claiming ‘Dawg’

CHARLOTTE, N.C. — Dave Canales stepped up to the podium Wednesday and smiled:   “Another great day …”   The Carolina Panthers’ rookie coach laughed, but he meant it.    “Got out there in the heat … right in the thick of it,” Canales said less than 24 hours after the NFL-mandated cutdown day. “Good […]

Jeff Hawkins  •  29 Aug 2024
NASCAR Cup Series Cook Out Southern 500 Odds, Predictions & Best Bets At Darlington Raceway

Embattled NASCAR Cup Series driver Austin Dillon lost his playoff qualifying appeal, but retained his Richmond Raceway victory. Series officials announced Monday the ruling body upheld its decision to strip Dillon of his playoff eligibility, citing Rule 12.3.2.1.B “more likely than not” developed during the final turn as Dillon took out race leader Joey Logano […]

Jeff Hawkins  •  27 Aug 2024
NASCAR Cup Series Cook Out Southern 500 Entry List: Dates, Event Times At Darlington Raceway 

At first glance, the Wood family’s link to industry history may not appear profound to new NASCAR Cup Series fans.  Until, that is, they Google NASCAR history and discover the ground-breaking assistance Wood Brothers Racing has provided the circuit since 1950. The organization may have fallen into a lower-tier program, but when Harrison Burton drove […]

Jeff Hawkins  •  26 Aug 2024
Panthers Preseason Notebook: C Austin Corbett Welcomes Baby Boy As Rookie Replacement Andrew Raym Makes NFL Impression

Dave Canales saw just about everything he wanted to see from his offensive starters during Saturday’s 31-26 preseason victory over the Buffalo Bills at Highmark Stadium on Saturday.  The personable Carolina Panthers coach also heard the halftime news he anticipated: “Cooper John Corbett,” Canales shouted during his post-game press conference, via Panthers.com. “Ten pounds, four ounces […]

Jeff Hawkins  •  25 Aug 2024
NASCAR Cup Series Fans Reply To Harrison Burton Shocking Kyle Busch, Claiming Coke Zero Sugar 400 At Daytona International Speedway

NASCAR Cup Series driver Harrison Burton paced the crowded field one lap during Saturday night’s Coke Zero Sugary 400, the final one, leading to his first career victory and Wood Brothers Racing’s 100th circuit title.  Kyle Busch, who remains winless during a Cup campaign for the first time since 2004, earned a runner-up finish at Daytona […]

Jeff Hawkins  •  25 Aug 2024
NASCAR Cup Series For Coke Zero Sugar 400: Qualifying, Michael McDowell’s Pole Position, Lineup At Daytona International Speedway

Michael McDowell on Friday returned to Daytona International Speedway, the site of his top NASCAR Cup Series accomplishment and created a footnote to his career. The 2021 Daytona 500 champion cruised to a pole position for Saturday night’s Coke Zero 400. It will be his first start on the inside of the front row at […]

Jeff Hawkins  •  23 Aug 2024
NASCAR Cup Series Coke Zero Sugar 400 Odds, Predictions & Best Bets At Daytona International Speedway

NASCAR Cup Series driver Kyle Busch is racing for a lot over the final two regular-season outings, beginning with Saturday night’s Coke Zero 400 at Daytona International Raceway. The two-time Cup champion needs a win to extend his season-winning streak to 20 and sits well below the playoff cutoff line. During last Monday’s rain-delayed event […]

Jeff Hawkins  •  21 Aug 2024
Panthers Notebook: Starters May (Or May Not) Play In Preseason Finale; Diontae Johnson Endures Injury Scare; Rookie Trevin Wallace Impresses

CHARLOTTE, N.C. — Carolina Panthers coach Dave Canales will not show his starting hand.   Through two preseason outings, Canales has yet to field any of the rebuilding team’s established starters. The Panthers (0-2) have looked offensively challenged, combing for 15 points in losses to the New England Patriots and New York Jets.  Still, Canales […]

Jeff Hawkins  •  20 Aug 2024