1 sport or 2? High schools encourage athletes to branch out
How to nominate for Detroit Free Press Athlete of the Week Understanding our Athlete of the Week nomination process, submission method and deadlines. Forty five percent of high school student-athletes are playing multiple sports, according to MHSAA study, Schools across metro Detroit have been recognized as “high achievers” for encouraging student-athletes to play more than […]
How to nominate for Detroit Free Press Athlete of the Week
Understanding our Athlete of the Week nomination process, submission method and deadlines.
Forty five percent of high school student-athletes are playing multiple sports, according to MHSAA study,
Schools across metro Detroit have been recognized as “high achievers” for encouraging student-athletes to play more than one sport.
At 17, Drew Sikora signed a letter of intent to play college football, fulfilling a childhood dream. What helped him get there?
Playing basketball and running track and field.
Hitting the court helped Sikora’s hand-eye coordination and running track helped him with his speed on the gridiron. Those who lead the governing body for high school sports in Michigan want to see more student-athletes like Sikora.
Since 2016, the Michigan High School Athletic Association has surveyed hundreds of schools to learn how many athletes are choosing to play more than one sport. Turns out the percentage of athletes who are making that decision is growing steadily.
MHSAA’s annual survey reported that 45% of all student-athletes played more than one sponsored sport during the 2023-24 school year, compared with 43% during the 2017-18 season when the association started the survey.
The MHSAA started the survey as part of its effort to encourage athletes to play more than one sport to “prevent burnout and overuse injuries.”
It also strengthens athletic programs, said Geoff Kimmerly, the association’s director of communication.
“I think it’s helped athletic programs to thrive. You need help across programs, especially at smaller schools where you just don’t have as many athletes,” Kimmerly said. “But I think that at some schools, there has to be a philosophical move toward that. I think that’s what we’ve seen.”
High achievers
Sikora’s school, Gibraltar Carlson is among the survey’s high achievers — defined as “schools that exceed participation norms” — in metro Detroit, along with Hamtramck, Livonia Franklin, Warren Fitzgerald and Detroit Douglass. All have been in the top 10% in three different school years. Michigan Collegiate has been ranked in the top 10% for four years and Detroit Cody has been the most consistent for five of the six years.
“I think down here, it’s kind of a cultural thing to be involved,” Carlson athletic director Dan Kalbfleisch said. “My principal, my superintendent, really encourage our students to get involved in some way while they’re here. And so, once they get involved in one thing, they have fun and want to try other stuff.”
At Detroit Douglass, the state’s only all-boys public school, with an enrollment of 70, athletic director Pierre Brooks credits the students for their school’s success.
“I’m aware of that ranking, but I’m not surprised because being in such a small school, to me, it’s a true brotherhood,” Brooks said.
‘I believe that’s the culture we’ve built here …’
Over 68,000 student-athletes were accounted for in the survey. Fifty-five percent reported playing one sport and 32% played two at their school.
The combinations of sports varies but there are some trends. For boys, it’s football and basketball. Other sports include track and field, cross-country and wrestling. Girls tend to play volleyball and basketball, along with track and field, according to athletic directors.
Detroit Cody has nearly 600 students and offers 13 sponsored sports with the overall roster growing. The school started an Esports team in 2023 that has seven players and Cody is one of 18 schools that joined the Detroit Lions Girls High School Flag Football program this spring.
Antonio Baker, the school’s athletic director, said that “a large percent” of the student-athletes at his school are playing three sports throughout the school year to stay in shape, and that students play additional sports, in part, because of their coaches.
“Some of the coaches, they coach multiple sports, so the athletes move with the coaches from those sports, ” Baker said.
At Gibraltar Carlson, coaches serve as teachers, hall monitors and other roles for roughly 1,050 students.
“Can you build an environment at a high school where coaches collaborate and coaches support each other’s successes and coaches believe that a student-athlete can play multiple sports?” asked Kalbfleisch. “I believe that’s the culture we’ve built here in this building.”
A parent’s view
For Sikora, playing basketball and running track was really all about football.
“I know a lot of the skills and different sports transfer over,” Drew Sikora said. “Like, I know playing basketball is really helpful for a receiver of football. And then track helps a lot with explosive ability and all that stuff; and, obviously, helps with speed. So mostly, I’ve just been enjoying myself and supplementing for football.”
Sikora’s parents, Kent and Melissa, said all of that hard work added up to the moment he signed his commitment letter.
“It’s an opportunity for him to go be the best version of himself and go chase dreams that hopefully surpass everything that Melissa and I have ever done,” said Kent Sikora, 52, of Gibraltar.
It’s common for young athletes to specialize in one sport. Drew Sikora’s parents credit their son’s participation in football, basketball and track with making him a more well-rounded athlete.
“It helps him learn how to be a part of the team,” Kent Sikora said. Melissa Sikora added that her son avoided “pigeon-holing” himself.
That’s what DeMarko Thurman, a former Division 2 athlete, said he experienced when he played high school ball.
“I played basketball and I put all my eggs in one basket,” Thurman, 52, of Detroit, said. “But looking back on it … I totally regret not playing football. I kinda let my mom, (talk) me out of it, and then so it just kinda (became) tunnel vision with me.”
Thurman advised his 17-year-old son Jeremiah, who plays basketball, to branch out.
Jeremiah Thurman played a bit of football in middle school but focused on basketball. He didn’t get involved in another sport in high school until students at Detroit Douglass recruited him to participate in track and field. He was inspired by three seniors on the team who competed in the state championships.
“I saw an opportunity to learn from those guys because they were all really, really athletic,” Jeremiah Thurman said. He learned breathing techniques and leg exercises that he says improved his basketball skills. “I could definitely tell it was a difference. I actually felt a lot more athletic when I was playing track.”
But sports aren’t cheap. DeMarko Thurman, who works for the Ann Arbor school district, said he works multiple side jobs to cover the costs of in-season basketball and track and Amateur Athletic Union basketball.
“I have to work harder, too, in a different way to be able to support these things and at the same time, not set our family back,” he said.
Student-athletes will always specialize, athletic directors say, in hopes of getting noticed and playing at the next level. But the chances of becoming a professional athlete are slim, and playing different sports offers lessons.
“Play as much as you can and try as much as you can. Because you’re going to be coached by different people. You’re going to meet different kids. You’re going to be exposed to different backgrounds, and I think all of that is just so valuable to a kid growing up. … You’re gonna have to get along with different bosses,” Kent Sikora said. “You’re gonna have to get along with different employees and colleagues throughout your life. So I think that is the greatest lesson that you can learn by playing along.”
Eric Guzmán covers youth sports culture at the Free Press as a corps member for Report for America, an initiative of The GroundTruth Project. Make a tax-deductible contribution to support this work.
Contact Eric Guzmán: eguzman@freepress.com; 313-222-1850. Follow him on X: @EricGuzman90.
Nagel announces candidacy for Hartselle school board
Hartselle, Municipal election news, News
Richie Nagel has announced his candidacy for the Place Two seat on the Hartselle City Schools Board of Education. Nagel graduated from the University of Alabama in Huntsville in 2011 with a bachelor’s degree in industrial and systems engineering. He completed […]
Richie Nagel has announced his candidacy for the Place Two seat on the Hartselle City Schools Board of Education.
Nagel graduated from the University of Alabama in Huntsville in 2011 with a bachelor’s degree in industrial and systems engineering. He completed a master’s degree in systems engineering in 2014. He currently works for UAH as a research scientist.
“But day-to-day I work as an assistance engineer supporting [the Army’s] new future vertical lift aircraft,” Nagel said. He has been contracted to the U.S. Army for nearly 15 years.
Nagel is a Hartselle native. He and his wife, Abby, moved back to Hartselle from Auburn after the birth of their first child.
“Hartselle City Schools is the heart of this community,” Nagel said. “Hartselle has a rich tradition of excellence across the board. I want to make sure that we continue that tradition of excellence. I want my kids and my kids’ kids to have the same opportunity I did.”
Nagel has volunteered with several local organizations including Cub Scouts, Trail Life and College Street Players. He has coached youth sports teams and supported the PTO alongside his wife.
“Me and my wife have talked about me joining the school board for a few years,” he said. “I’m just at the place now that I feel able, I’ve got the time and energy to be able to commit to the community and to run and hopefully be a proactive member for the school board… I want to represent and be the voice for the community.”
Nagel and his wife have been married for 18 years. They have three children, two of whom have graduated from Hartselle High School.
Nagel is one of four candidates seeking the Place Two seat on the school board. He is facing incumbent James L. Joy, John Griffith and Chris Warnick.
Tennessee is a slam dunk when it comes to keeping kids happy and engaged in youth sports. By Ford Sanders on June 27, 2025 iStock/LizPop11 Tennessee has cemented itself as a welcoming and family-friendly place to live with tight-knit communities and plenty of kid-friendly activities. Indeed, Tennessee has a thriving youth sports landscape, providing a […]
Tennessee is a slam dunk when it comes to keeping kids happy and engaged in youth sports.
By Ford Sanders on June 27, 2025
iStock/LizPop11
Tennessee has cemented itself as a welcoming and family-friendly place to live with tight-knit communities and plenty of kid-friendly activities. Indeed, Tennessee has a thriving youth sports landscape, providing a foundation for raising active and engaged children.
This commitment to youth development is evident in the variety of school, club and league sports available statewide. Communities across Tennessee consistently prioritize these programs and provide access to state-of-the-art facilities, supportive environments and easy access to participate.
But even more? These youth sports programs provide children with an outlet to burn off some energy and make lifelong friends. Data shows that participating in sports offers numerous benefits for kids, ranging from physical to mental and emotional. These spots across the state are paving the way for participation and leading the way for youth sports programs in Tennessee.
A State in Full Swing
Tennessee’s emphasis on sports for kids of all ages is apparent in the sheer number of programs available and the caliber at which their athletes play. The Tennessee Secondary School Athletic Association (TSSAA) regulates and promotes interscholastic athletics in both public and private schools across the state. Beyond traditional school sports, a healthy culture of club and league sports offers more specialized training and opportunities for young athletes. This comprehensive approach allows children and youth to find their favorite extracurricular activities.
Tennessee Takes the Gold When Protecting Young Athletes
From practices to field play, families invest a significant amount of time, energy and resources into youth sports and recreation programs. Protecting these investments, both on and off the field, is a top priority. The daily logistics of a busy sports family are intensive. From driving minivans filled with teammates and equipment across cities or tired siblings to tournaments, Farm Bureau Insurance of Tennessee can provide families with peace of mind. Whether it’s auto coverage for the family car or home or renters insurance for protecting equipment or personal belongings stored at home, they offer peace of mind and personalized guidance so families can pursue their passions with confidence and security.
iStock/matimix
Youth Sports in the Greater Nashville Area
The Greater Nashville area, including Davidson, Rutherford and Williamson counties, is a hot spot for families. Cities like Nashville, Murfreesboro, Clarksville and Franklin have experienced rapid expansion in their youth sports programs that perfectly complement a family-friendly atmosphere. From soccer leagues to Olympic-winning swim clubs, the area has a wide array of options, including more traditional and niche sports. Organizations like the West Nashville Sports League (WNSL), i9 and YMCA offer a league experience.
Youth Soccer in Nashville, TN
Soccer is a standout in Nashville sport’s culture, thanks to the city’s own MLS team: Nashville SC. However, for years before the arrival of the pro team, the Middle Tennessee area had a strong history of youth soccer and is home to several strong club leagues. Known for their elite levels of coaching, indoor/outdoor facilities and greater club opportunities, Tennessee Soccer Club, Nashville FC Youth, Murfreesboro Soccer Club, Franklin Soccer Club and Brentwood Soccer Club are recognized for their exceptional standards.
iStock/gilaxia
Youth Hockey in Middle Tennessee
A bit more surprising is the growing popularity of hockey in the Middle Tennessee area. The Nashville Youth Hockey League offers both recreational house leagues and competitive travel hockey programs for both boys and girls. In 2019, the city of Nashville completed the Ford Ice Center, a 110,000-square-foot facility with two NHL-sized rinks, 12 locker rooms, a dry-land training facility and more.
Competitive Swimming in Middle Tennessee
Middle Tennessee swimmers excel, and Davidson and Williamson counties are home to the swim clubs that raised some impressive award-winning athletes. The several standout swim clubs in the area include Nashville Aquatic Club (home of Olympians Alex and Gretchen Walsh), Excel Aquatics and the Williamson County Swim Team, to name a few. These programs regularly feed into NCAA Division I programs, elevating youth swim initiatives in Nashville and surrounding areas.
How to Find Youth Sports Leagues in Middle Tennessee
There are tons of ways to get involved with youth sports in the Middle Tennessee and Greater Nashville areas. Here are a few resources for parents:
iStock/chadster
Youth Sports in the Greater Knoxville, TN, Area
The Greater Knoxville area is a Power T powerhouse for youth sports, heavily influenced by the University of Tennessee’s strong athletic programs and the city’s passionate fan base, who never shy away from a little healthy competition. High school sports, in particular, thrive here.
An added bonus is that Knoxville is less than an hour away from Rocky Top Sports World, a state-of-the-art indoor and outdoor sports campus. Set on more than 80 acres in Gatlinburg, Rocky Top Sports World has half a dozen astroturf fields, 14 youth soccer fields, six hardwood basketball courts, 12 volleyball courts and plenty of team rooms. The complex also hosts a variety of year-round events, including both regional and national tournaments, camps and leagues.
Football is a way of life in the South, and it’s no different in Knoxville and the surrounding areas. Leagues like Knoxville Youth Football League, Farragut Youth Football, Maryville Jr. Rebels and Oak Ridge Youth Football provide the foundation and training necessary to feed into the competitive TSSAA high school teams.
Baseball and Softball in Knoxville
Knoxville has a long history of prestigious baseball and softball programs, and with the Vols Baseball team clinching the 2024 NCAA National Championship title, interest has only increased. This East Tennessee region is known for its competitive high school and travel ball leagues, and the presence of the Knoxville Smokies, a Double-A Minor League Baseball Team, adds to the allure of participating in America’s favorite pastime. Programs like the Farragut Baseball League, Farragut Baseball Inc., Knoxville Area Baseball Association (KABA) and the West Knox Softball Association are known for hitting it out of the park.
iStock/LeoPatrizi
Competitive Swimming in Knoxville
Dive into the competitive swimming scene of Knoxville – home to strong club teams and state-of-the-art facilities, many of which are connected to the University of Tennessee’s Allan Jones Intercollegiate Aquatic Center. The Aquatic Center elevates Tennessee as one of the nation’s best swimming and diving programs and houses a full-size 50-meter competition pool, a separate competition diving well, a strength training center, a sports medicine facility and team rooms. The center also hosts several events throughout the year, including the TISCA High School Swimming & Diving State Championship. Numerous USA Swimming clubs operate in the area, including Pilot Aquatic Club, Tennessee Aquatics and Webb School of Knoxville Aquatics.
How to Find Youth Sports Leagues in Knoxville
There are tons of ways to get involved with youth sports in the Greater Knoxville area. Here are a few resources for parents:
Youth Sports in the Greater Chattanooga, TN, Area
Chattanooga sports are geared toward kids with a strong sense of adventure. With its convenient location positioned next to the Tennessee River, Chattanooga’s sports scene extends beyond land. Of course, familiar favorites like football, soccer and basketball are popular here, but youth sports in Chattanooga offer families a walk on the wild side.
Rowing and Water Sports in Chattanooga
Chattanooga is a rower’s dream with its easy access to the Tennessee River, offering unique opportunities for youth involvement. The Chattanooga Junior Rowing Association (CJRA) caters to rowers and water bugs of all experience levels. Primarily geared towards high school-aged kids, CJRA offers programming that includes learning to row, skill development and competitive racing. Chattanooga hosts the annual Head of the Hooch Regatta, a rowing competition, and has several youth heats as part of the competition.
iStock/LizPop11
Mountain Biking and Trail Running in Chattanooga
The outdoors are calling in Chattanooga, and the city’s rugged terrain makes it an excellent spot for more unexpected sports, like mountain biking and trail running. These endurance sports are growing in popularity, and organizations like SORBA Chattanooga (Southern Off-Road Bicycle Association), the Chattanooga Track Club and Wild Trails all offer youth programming. Many high schools in the Chattanooga area also have mountain biking teams that compete in the Tennessee Interscholastic Cycling League (TICL), which is part of the National Interscholastic Cycling Association (NICA).
Chattanooga is home to several private schools, including Baylor, McCallie and Notre Dame, all of which are known for their elite athletic programming. Football is a way of life, and the rivalries between schools here are intense and have garnered national attention. But other TSSAA-affiliated schools in Chattanooga have also produced some of America’s greats, including Reggie White, John and Charles Hannah and Pro Bowler Bob Johnson.
How to Find Youth Sports Leagues in the Greater Chattanooga Area
There are tons of ways to get involved with youth sports in the Greater Chattanooga area. Here are a few resources for parents:
Youth Sports in the Greater Memphis, TN, Area
Ball is life in Memphis and the surrounding areas. Basketball culture is deeply ingrained in the city’s identity, as it is home to the Memphis Grizzlies; however, kids across Memphis can participate in a variety of youth sports leagues.
Youth Basketball in Memphis
Young athletes benefit from the city’s electric basketball culture with several robust programs, including the Junior Grizzlies. The Junior Grizzlies are geared towards boys and girls of all skill levels, from ages 6 to 14, and the program works to create a fun, educational and safe environment for its participants. Additionally, the Memphis Youth Basketball Association and AAU teams in the city aren’t just some of the best in the state but also nationwide.
The University of Memphis’ football program has seen success in recent years, so it’s no surprise that some of the youth football programs in Memphis are among the best. Competitive high school and youth football leagues in Memphis are well-established and have a strong reputation for producing well-rounded players. Organizations like the Memphis Youth Football League offer structured play that prepares players for participation in TSSAA-supported high schools.
iStock/PeopleImages
Youth Tennis in Memphis
The tennis scene in Memphis is a grand slam. The city hosts a variety of tennis tournaments, including the Memphis Open, an ATP Tour event, and invitationals like the Boys & Girls Clubs of Greater Memphis Tennis Invitational and the U.S. National Indoor Tennis Championships. In November 2023, the Leftwich Tennis Center opened in Memphis, becoming one of the nation’s premier public tennis centers with 24 outdoor courts and 12 indoor courts. Tennis Memphis offers year-round development, clinics and USTA programming for youth.
How to Find Youth Sports Leagues in Memphis
There are tons of ways to get involved with youth sports in the Greater Memphis area. Here are a few resources for parents:
Sports With Us Clinic for Kids – CBS Los Angeles Watch CBS News The Rams, Dodgers and U.S. Soccer teamed up recently to host the Sports With Us clinic for 100 kids at Dodger Stadium. Be the first to know Get browser notifications for breaking news, live events, and exclusive reporting. Not Now Turn On […]
Recent Montana-to-NFL stars join Colt Anderson at yearly ‘Dream Big’ youth camp | Montana Grizzlies
The Montana-to-NFL connection is strong with names like Colt Anderson, Tom McMahon, Tommy Mellott, and Junior Bergen: something that Anderson hopes to leave an impression on the youth of his hometown Butte. DJ Bauer SWX Local Sports Reporter
BUTTE, Mont. — For years, Montana sports legend Colt Anderson has shared the message […]
The Montana-to-NFL connection is strong with names like Colt Anderson, Tom McMahon, Tommy Mellott, and Junior Bergen: something that Anderson hopes to leave an impression on the youth of his hometown Butte.
DJ Bauer
SWX Local Sports Reporter
BUTTE, Mont. — For years, Montana sports legend Colt Anderson has shared the message of ‘Dream Big’ with his hometown of Butte, America–a message that really resonates in 2025, given the sudden wave of Treasure State talent entering the NFL.
For the 600 kids in attendance at Friday’s Dream Big Youth Skills Camp at Naranche Stadium, there’s no better way to spend a summer day than sprinting and tackling with past and present NFL stars, many of whom also hail from Montana.
Of course, that includes Anderson, as well as a fellow Griz standout making his Dream Big debut: Junior Bergen. Drafted this year by the 49ers, Montana’s all-time leader in return touchdowns is joined in the Bay Area by new assistant special teams coach… Colt Anderson. It’s a match too good to be coincidence.
“I obviously had a pretty good feel of who Junior was as a player and a person,” Anderson said. “I evaluated him just like I did everyone else, and our scouting department did a great job, and they did the same thing. We’re lucky to have Junior with the San Francisco 49ers.”
“Colt’s been in my corner for a while,” Bergen said. “He’s looked out for me for a while, so I appreciate him taking a chance on me. I’m just super thankful.”
That’s not the only MT to NFL connection at Colt’s camp. Hometown hero Tommy Mellott, a staple of Dream Big, now works alongside Raiders special teams coordinator Tom McMahon, a Helena native, Carroll product, and new inductee of the Montana Football Hall of Fame.
“It’s just the ‘dream’ part of it,” McMahon said of his career. “I had a dream, and to be honest with you, I just worked and worked and worked and hoped it would happen, and it happened. And it’ll happen for all of these kids. It works because of their, in my opinion, Montana upbringing.”
For the kids at Colt’s camp, getting to hang out with heroes they grew up watching like Junior and Tommy, mere months after making the NFL, shows exactly what the ‘Dream Big’ mentality can do.
“Everyone kind of thinks of these guys as superheroes with helmets on,” Anderson said. “But, hey, you don’t have to be the biggest person to make the NFL. That’s what we’re here to do–to inspire these kids that anything’s possible with hard work and dedication.”
To the editor: Every 45 seconds, an LGBTQ young person attempts suicide Last year 41% of LGBTQ youth seriously considered ending their lives — including nearly half of all transgender and nonbinary youth. Despite this devastating reality, the Trump administration has announced that as of July 17, the 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline […]
Every 45 seconds, an LGBTQ young person attempts suicide
Last year 41% of LGBTQ youth seriously considered ending their lives — including nearly half of all transgender and nonbinary youth.
Despite this devastating reality, the Trump administration has announced that as of July 17, the 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline will eliminate specialized services for LGBTQ youth. Their statement pointedly omits the “T,” referring only to “LGB youth services.” To do this during Pride Month is not just political — it’s cruel.
This decision dismantles a bipartisan, evidence-based program that has helped vulnerable young people survive their darkest moments. Suicide prevention should be about saving lives — not erasing identities.
Let’s be clear: suicide is the second leading cause of death among youth ages 10-14, and the third among those 15-24 (CDC, 2022). Cutting support will end American children’s lives. Period.
Join me in telling Congress: This is unacceptable.
¯ Senator Chuck Schumer – (202) 224-6542
¯ Senator Kirsten Gillibrand – (202) 224-4451
¯ Rep. Elise Stefanik – (202) 225-4611
Demand they oppose this change and protect LGBTQ youth.
Transgender youth exist. They matter. And they deserve to live.
Martha Spear
Lake Placid
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