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Emerson College’s only independent, student-run newspaper since 1947

The Berkeley Beacon

Emerson College’s only independent, student-run newspaper since 1947

The Berkeley Beacon

Emerson College’s only independent, student-run newspaper since 1947

The Berkeley Beacon

Aidan Crooke

Aidan Crooke, Staff Writer, Sports

Aidan Crooke (he/him) is a sophomore sports communications major hailing from Lenoir, North Carolina. Crooke's work focuses on the UFC, NBA, and NFL, mainly in his work with Crooke's Cage. Outside of the Beacon, he can likely be found at a MMA gym or being an active member of Emerson Esports.

Latest from Aidan Crooke
Illustration Rachel Choi

Crooke’s Cage: Q1 Grades for the UFC

By Aidan Crooke, Staff Writer / April 10, 2024

While we all went home for some well-deserved rest after what felt like a hellish midterm season, the UFC continues to push on. As we approach UFC 300...

Crooke’s Cage: Requiem for the Aussie

Crooke’s Cage: Requiem for the Aussie

By Aidan Crooke, Staff Writer / February 28, 2024
For over four years, Alexander Volkanovski’s reign in the UFC featherweight decision felt like it was going to last forever.
Illustration Rachel Choi

Crooke’s Cage: Du Plessis takes over the middleweight division

By Aidan Crooke, Staff Writer / February 5, 2024

At a press conference on Jan. 18, then-middleweight champion Sean Strickland made a passionate, impromptu handshake deal that can be summarized in three...

UFC Lightweight Champion Islam Makhachev. Illustration by Molly Boyke.

Crooke’s Cage: All Hail King Makhachev

By Aidan Crooke, Staff Writer / November 8, 2023

If you’re Islam Makhachev, his best friend and mentor Khabib Nurmagomedov, any of his teammates, or even the late Abdulmanap Nurmagomedov, you’re probably...

UFC 293 winner Sean Strickland.

Crooke’s Cage: The Summer Break UFC Recap

By Aidan Crooke, Staff Writer / October 20, 2023

When I published the UFC 287 takeaways article back in April, I knew it would be the last pay-per-view that I was going to actively write about and publish...

Crooke’s Cage: UFC 287 takeaways

Crooke’s Cage: UFC 287 takeaways

By Aidan Crooke / April 23, 2023

In the UFC’s return to Miami for the first time since 2003, we saw narratives dominate the card as Alex Pereira looked to defend his title against Israel...

The UFCE/WWE merger into Endeavor surprised many fans.

Crooke’s Cage: UFC and WWE to merge into Endeavor Group–what does that mean?

By Aidan Crooke / April 19, 2023

There are three inevitabilities in life: death, taxes, and UFC President Dana White being involved in an insane business deal. The third inevitability...

Sophomore Pitcher Alex Nissenberg is looking to make big strides this season.

Emerson Baseball player looks to revitalize his career and help elevate program

By Aidan Crooke / April 5, 2023

What started as a weekend gone awry in upstate New York has turned into a major comeback story—not only for sophomore pitcher Alex Nissenberg but also...

UFC fighter Islam Makhachev defended his belt at UFC 284.

Crooke’s Cage: UFC 284 Review and Takeaways

By Aidan Crooke / February 24, 2023

The night before Superbowl LVII, the UFC delivered one of its greatest main events in history: Makhachev vs. Volkanovski.  The UFC 284 champ vs. champ...

The New England Patriots logo.

The Patriots missed postseason football by one game. What went wrong?

By Aidan Crooke / February 22, 2023

On Jan. 8, the Patriots had their final chance to punch their ticket to the playoffs against the Buffalo Bills in Orchard Park, New York. The Pats’ season...

Photo via Creative Commons

Crooke’s Cage: Predictions for the UFC in 2023

By Aidan Crooke / January 29, 2023

The new year is upon us, and it’s time to step back into the Octagon and see what UFC President Dana White and the UFC have in store for us.  A light...

courtesy of Creative Commons

Is Kyrie Irving worth keeping?

By Aidan Crooke, Beacon Correspondent / November 9, 2022

If you’re the Brooklyn Nets’ general manager Sean Marks, you’ve likely got a lot on your plate right now. You’ve fired Head Coach Steve Nash and...

Werner Kunz via Creative Commons

Celtics Head Coach Ime Udoka suspended for 2022-23 season

By Aidan Crooke / September 28, 2022

On Sept. 22, the Boston Celtics issued a press release stating a simple message that changed the expectations for the upcoming season: “The Boston...

New England Patriots head coach Bill Belichick

How can the Patriots return to January football and possible postseason glory?

By Aidan Crooke / September 23, 2022

The first two weeks of the New England Patriots’ football season have come and gone, and if you were expecting a pair of convincing wins, you’re probably...