Newsday sports documentaries

December 28, 2019

Newsday's collection of in-depth sports documentaries about New York Sports, Long Island athletes and other notable sporting moments.

Training in the pandemic: How LI's pro athletes adjust

Professional athletes from Long Island look for ways to stay in shape while their sports...

Eli Manning, a Giants' Giant

After 16 seasons, two Super Bowl championships and two Super Bowl MVP Awards, Eli Manning...

Being 'The Empress' doesn't guarantee equal pay

2020 EMMY WINNER FOR PHOTOGRAPHER: SPORTS

Can't Stop Now

Amaya Williams is a player on the Copiague varsity girls basketball team. She trains with...

How a hit-filled lacrosse season affects NYIT players

2020 EMMY NOMINEE

David Wright always will be considered Mr. Met, but it's important to note, without the big head. An ode to the 14-year Met as his career comes to a close because of injuries. Written and narrated by David Lennon.

Long Island's team: A season with SBU women's lacrosse

Newsday chronicled the Stony Brook women's lacrosse team's historic 2018 season.

Life as an overnight host on WFAN

When most of you are sleeping through the night, they are working on air as...

'We are Brentwood:' 1 season with the high school girls soccer team

2019 EMMY NOMINEE

Kendrick Carmouche is one of the few African-American jockeys

Jockey Kendrick Carmouche has won more than 3,000 races in his career, but as one...

Al Iaquinta, the fighter and the real estate agent

When Wantagh's Al Iaquinta isn't training for an upcoming UFC fight, he's selling real estate on Long Island. Take a tour through the two worlds of "Raging" Al Iaquinta as he prepares to face Paul Felder at UFC 223 at Barclays Center on April 7, 2018.

Building the Nassau CC women's wrestling program

How free coffee and breakfast pastries in 2016 led to Nassau Community College becoming the first college in New York State to have a women's wrestling team in 2017-18.

Numbah One: Mike Francesa's final year 'On The FAN'

Mike Francesa helped revolutionized sports talk radio at WFAN with Chris "Mad Dog" Russo. Nine years since they split up, Francesa remains the top-rated host in New York. After 30 years at WFAN, 2017 is his last. Watch his final year unfold as Francesa's fans, colleagues and athletes from the New York area spoke about what it will be like to no longer have this icon on the air.

The Cut: A look at weight cutting in sports

Newsday's documentary "The Cut" examines the stories and dangers of cutting weight experienced by MMA fighters, boxers, wrestlers and jockeys.

The night Matt Serra shocked the world at UFC 69

Matt Serra at UFC 69 after knocking out Georges St-Pierre.

Hopkins, Trinidad and 9/11

The middleweight championship fight between Bernard Hopkins and Felix Trinidad was scheduled for Sept. 15, 2001 at MSG. After the World Trade Center attacks, the fight was postponed for two weeks. Hopkins and others there that night recall the emotions surrounding the event.

The Rivalry: Islanders vs. Rangers

The fierce rivalry between the Rangers and Islanders started back on their first meeting at Nassau Coliseum on Oct. 21, 1972. Players and fans from both teams have changed over the years, but the level of play and competitive fire between these teams has never faded.

1974 Top Eight tournament was one to remember for St. Anthony's

In 1974, New York State was one of four states that didn't have a state basketball championship. Then the Top Eight was created. St. Anthony's coach Gus Alfieri and the Friars beat Long Island Lutheran to win the first ever Top Eight tournament held at Hofstra University

Out of the Shadows

2017 EMMY WINNER

From LI to the NFL: The Victor Ochi story

Victor Ochi went from raw talent at Valley Stream Central High School to one of the best players in Stony Brook football history. Now, after a long pre-draft process, he's one of the newest members of the Baltimore Ravens. Newsday followed Ochi as he

Warriors for Life

2017 EMMY NOMINEE

A day in the life of an NWHL player

By day, Kiira Dosdall is a project specialist with Schoology, a learning management system. But on nights and weekends, she's a member of the New York Riveters of the National Women's Hockey League. This is a day in her life.

NY Emmy nominee: Leaving Long Island

After more than 40 years of playing their games at Nassau Coliseum, the Islanders moved to the Barclays Center in Brooklyn for the 2015-16. But "the old barn" rocked in its final season. Newsday followed Islanders employees, fans and players throug

Muhammad Ali: fighter, activist, icon

Muhammad Ali may be the greatest boxer of all time, but that's just a small part of the impact he made on society as a whole.

NY Emmy nominee: Hard Knocks

An in-depth look at concussions and helmet safety and how they have impacted high school football players on Long Island.

Life after football

Newsday explores why so many former NFL players struggle while transitioning to life after football in this special report.

Undefeated: Weidman UFC 187 documentary

Baldwin's Chris Weidman, the UFC middleweight champion, defended his title for a third consecutive time by beating Vitor Belfort at UFC 187 in Las Vegas on May 23, 2015. But the road to fight night is a long one. This is that story.

Belmont's backstretch: Where Triple Crowns are made

The preparation to make him a Triple Crown winner begins on the backstretch and at Belmont Park, the backstretch is a community unto itself. (Credit: Newsday Staff)

'Boogie'

What makes Lauren Brozoski a good basketball player? Why does everyone call her "Boogie"? Newsday takes an in-depth look at the Long Island Lutheran senior point guard as she plays her final season before going to Michigan and continuing her dream of playing in the WNBA. (Newsday/Casey Musarra)

From Paramount to Pacquiao

In less than one year, Greenlawn-raised Chris Algieri went from boxing at The Paramount in Huntington to facing Manny Pacquiao on HBO pay-per-view in Macau, China. This is the story of his ascent. (Newsday/Jeffrey Basinger)

Derek Jeter: Salute to the captain

Yankees captain Derek Jeter announced in February that 2014 would be his final season in baseball. Newsday traveled to Camden Yards in Baltimore, Fenway Park in Boston, Citi Field and Yankee Stadium to tell the story of what Jeter meant to Major League Baseball, its players and fans during his 20 seasons. (Credit: Newsday)

'Truck:' Eddie Gordon's journey to Ultimate Fighter winner

2015 EMMY WINNER

'Test of the Champion' Belmont Stakes documentary

Winning horse racing's Triple Crown may be the toughest accomplishment in sports. To become an immortal, the horse must beat all challengers in Louisville at the Kentucky Derby, then again two weeks later in Baltimore at the Preakness, and then once again three weeks later in New York at the Belmont Stakes. (Credit: Newsday Staff)

Chris Weidman UFC 168 documentary

From the gym to the sauna, from the hotel room to the Octagon, Newsday chronicled Baldwin's Chris Weidman in Las Vegas as he prepared to defend his title against Anderson Silva at UFC 168 on Dec. 28, 2013.

Determined to play football

As a young boy, Naji Nizam fell in love with football. Playing was all he ever wanted, and he wouldn't let anything stand in his way, not even the debilitating disease that should have made the Port Jefferson boy's goal impossible. Videojournalist: Chris Ware (Nov. 14, 2013)

Nine Days in April

Nine days in April

Chris Weidman documentary: 'I was destined for this'

Watch Baldwin native Chris Weidman as he prepares to fight UFC middleweight champion Anderson Silva at UFC 162 in Las Vegas. Videojournalists: Mario Gonzalez and Mark La Monica (July 6, 2013)