Rec Sports

2 high schoolers and their basketball coaches among 8 killed in fiery, head-on crash

GREELEY, Kan. (AP) – Two vehicles collided head-on and burst into flames on a two-lane highway in rural eastern Kansas, killing eight people, including two high school students, a former teacher-coach and a school employee from Oklahoma, authorities said Monday. The crash occurred at about 5:45 p.m. Sunday on U.S. 169 outside of the small […]

Published

1 month ago

May 6, 2025

Your Sports Nation

The crash occurred at about 5:45 p.m. Sunday on U.S. 169 outside of the small town of Greeley, about 60 miles (97 kilometers) southwest of Kansas City, Missouri, the Kansas Highway Patrol said. One person escaped from a wrecked vehicle and was hospitalized.

Three of those killed were connected with Tulsa Public Schools, the school district confirmed Monday. Booker T. Washington High School student Donald “DJ” Laster died in the crash, along with former Carver Middle School coach and teacher Wayne Walls and Ja’mon Gilstrap, a member of Tulsa Public Schools’ transportation team.

Kyrin Schumpert, a 9th grade student from Union High School Freshman Academy in Tulsa, also died in the crash, according to a Union Public Schools spokesperson.

“I am heartbroken for those who lost loved ones, and committed to honoring the immense collective impact each of these people had in Tulsa and in the lives of our young people,” Dr. Ebony Johnson, superintendent of Tulsa Public Schools, said in a statement.

Two high school students and two travel basketball coaches were killed in a fiery, head-on... — Two high school students and two travel basketball coaches were killed in a fiery, head-on collision leaving a tournament. Four other people died in the crash, and one was injured.(Source: KTUL/Ally Levine Adams/Angie Seaba via CNN)

Ron Horton, a teacher at Booker T. Washington, said in a video sent by Tulsa Public Schools that he has seen a lot of kids come and go in his 17 years of teaching and that DJ Laster was “something special.” He said Laster was a quintessential student-athlete who worked as hard at academics as he did at sport during the busy varsity basketball season.

“He stood out for his friendliness and just the way he made kids feel at ease. They just felt so comfortable around DJ. He was always smiling,” Horton said. “No one had a beef with that guy. He was just a good guy.”

Horton said Laster was one of only two freshmen to make the varsity basketball team and that Laster worked hard to keep up.

“It’s just a shock, it is, that he’s gone,” Horton said.

Union Public Schools Superintendent John Federline said in a statement that the district has activated a crisis response team and is offering counselors, school psychologists, and support staff for anyone who may need the support.

The crash closed a section of the highway for four hours, and Kansas Highway Patrol Trooper Jodi Clary said authorities were still working at the crash site Monday evening. The cause of the crash remained under investigation.

“Both cars burned up,” Clary said.

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Rec Sports

Stack Athlete Named Official College Recruiting Partner of Massachusetts Youth Soccer Association | Region

LANCASTER, Mass., June 13, 2025 (SEND2PRESS NEWSWIRE) — Massachusetts Youth Soccer Association and Stack Athlete (formerly CaptainU) announced the formation of a strategic partnership in which Stack Athlete is now the Official College Recruiting Partner of Massachusetts Youth Soccer Association. The partnership combines the expertise of both organizations to deliver comprehensive college recruiting strategies and […]

Published

13 minutes ago

June 14, 2025

Your Sports Nation

Through this collaboration, Massachusetts Youth Soccer and Stack Athlete aimed to streamline the recruiting journey for players and their families, offering cutting-edge tools, personalized guidance, and valuable educational resources to help student-athletes achieve their collegiate soccer aspirations.

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Rec Sports

South Carolina DJJ hosts ‘Jump Shots for Justice’ event in Columbia

The South Carolina DJJ hosted its second Jump Shots for Justice event, offering sports and mentorship as positive youth alternatives. COLUMBIA, S.C. — The South Carolina Department of Juvenile Justice (DJJ) held its second annual Jump Shots for Justice event Friday, bringing together law enforcement, community leaders, and families in an effort to offer youth […]

Published

30 minutes ago

June 14, 2025

Your Sports Nation

The South Carolina DJJ hosted its second Jump Shots for Justice event, offering sports and mentorship as positive youth alternatives.

COLUMBIA, S.C. — The South Carolina Department of Juvenile Justice (DJJ) held its second annual Jump Shots for Justice event Friday, bringing together law enforcement, community leaders, and families in an effort to offer youth positive alternatives through sports and mentorship.

The event, held in Columbia, featured a basketball tournament as its centerpiece, but kids also participated in kickball, STEM activities, face painting and more. Food trucks were on-site, and all activities were free to the public.

Rhonda Holman, Deputy Director at DJJ, stressed the importance of outreach programs like Jump Shots for Justice.

“To ensure that the message is getting out there, that our youth are hearing and seeing that you don’t have to take the alternate route to get to DJJ, but we’re out here in the community and we’re providing those services to prevent that pipeline,” Holman said.

The basketball tournament gave participating teams a chance to compete for a trophy and bragging rights.

“When you learn about it, start stretching those quads, stretching those hammies, because it hurts to run. I’m a little bit too old to be running out here with these dudes these days because they got a lot of young fellas, but in all seriousness, get out here, show your support, and be a part of these initiatives,” Byron Gipson, the Fifth Circuit Solicitor said.

DJJ officials say they plan to continue hosting Jump Shots for Justice in the future. Those interested in getting involved can find more information at the SC DJJ website.

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Rec Sports

Fred Hernandez Named to Access Youth Academy Board of Directors

Chair of Mintz Intellectual Property Prosecution and Counseling Practice Fred Hernandez has been appointed to the Board of Directors for Access Youth Academy, a San Diego-based nonprofit committed to transforming the lives of underserved youth through academic enrichment and sports. “We are thrilled to welcome Fred to our Board,” said Renato Paiva, Executive Director of […]

Published

48 minutes ago

June 14, 2025

Your Sports Nation

Chair of Mintz Intellectual Property Prosecution and Counseling Practice Fred Hernandez has been appointed to the Board of Directors for Access Youth Academy, a San Diego-based nonprofit committed to transforming the lives of underserved youth through academic enrichment and sports.

“We are thrilled to welcome Fred to our Board,” said Renato Paiva, Executive Director of Access Youth Academy. “His professional excellence and dedication to mentorship will be invaluable as we continue to empower our students to achieve academic and personal success.”

Fred focuses on patent prosecution and strategic counseling for clients ranging from Fortune 500 companies to early-stage and emerging growth companies, primarily in the medical device and medical technology fields. He also represents clients in the aerospace and consumer products sectors, and in snow and water sports. Fred has repeatedly been recognized on Managing Intellectual Property’s list of IP Stars and is among IAM’s Patent 1000. Fred is Chair of the IP Division’s Intellectual Property Prosecution and Strategic Counseling practice.

Access Youth Academy is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization dedicated to transforming the lives of underserved youth through academic enrichment, health and wellness, social responsibility, leadership development, using sports as a catalyst.

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Rec Sports

Area youth to compete at the National Junior Rodeos | News

(Shenandoah) — Three Shenandoah middle schoolers have been excelling in the Junior Rodeo circuit, and have taken their talents far enough to qualify for the National Junior Rodeo June 22nd-28th. Jerney Millikan is the daughter of Carey and Todd Millikan and a 7th grader at Shenandoah Community School District. She competes in rodeo, volleyball, basketball, and […]

Published

1 hour ago

June 14, 2025

Your Sports Nation

(Shenandoah) — Three Shenandoah middle schoolers have been excelling in the Junior Rodeo circuit, and have taken their talents far enough to qualify for the National Junior Rodeo June 22nd-28th.

Jerney Millikan is the daughter of Carey and Todd Millikan and a 7th grader at Shenandoah Community School District. She competes in rodeo, volleyball, basketball, and track.

While competing at the state finals rodeo in Bloomfield, Iowa she qualified for Nationals in the barrels and poles competitions.

She won 2nd in the average in barrels and also placed 2nd in the average in breakaway roping.

“This is my first time, I just kind of try to set myself a goal, like try to get some points in the all around and stuff like that,” said Millikan.

Millikan’s partners in her events are beloved horses Queso, a palomino mare, and Seven, a bay mare. She gives alot of credit to them for helping her reach her goals.

“I ride a really good horse named Seven. She took me a long way,” Millikan said. “We just started last year working together, and we just worked a lot and a lot in the practice pin, we really have gained a lot together.”

Bristal Johnson, daughter of Steve and Trisha Johnson, and an 8th grader at Iowa Connections Academy, also qualified for National Junior High School Rodeo along with Millikan.

Johnson qualified for Nationals as the champion light rifle shooter and qualified in pole bending at tying for 4th place with Jerney Millikan, where you have to be in the top four places to qualify in an event.

“I won shooting this year and then my horse Bing is pretty easy to ride if I ride her correctly.” Johnson said. “The competition was pretty hard. Jerney gave me a run for my money.”

Coy Wilson, son of Scott Wilson and Kerry Pryor, is 14 and an 8th grader with the Ignite school in Shenandoah.

Wilson is a two-time Iowa Junior High School Qualifier for Nationals Finals Rodeo, Iowa Champion Saddle Bronc Rider, Iowa Champion Bareback Rider, Qualifier in Bull Riding.

“I’ve made a lot of accomplishments in the last three years. I ride saddle bronc, bulls, and bareback, and I won the world in 2023, and I made nationals in 2022. The world finals were in Las Vegas, and nationals last year was in Des Moines,” said Wilson.

Wilson is also now a 3x JRNFR qualifier Saddle Bronc, 2023 JRNFR world champion Saddle Bronc.

For more information, visit https://nhsra.com/juniorhighfinals/

For full interview with the three qualifiers, click and listen below.

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Rec Sports

New youth sports options are coming to renovated UNO facilities, NOLA Coalition says | News

A plan to bring public youth and sports programming to the University of New Orleans launched Friday in what supporters call a potential model for the future of New Orleans’ troubled recreation system. The NOLA Coalition, a collection of more than 500 nonprofits and businesses focused on public safety and youth services, led the effort […]

Published

2 hours ago

June 14, 2025

Your Sports Nation

The NOLA Coalition, a collection of more than 500 nonprofits and businesses focused on public safety and youth services, led the effort for a new recreation option.

The group held a press conference Friday at UNO’s Maestri Stadium to celebrate the new Recreation for Youth Partnership — funded by $1.95 million in state dollars secured by the governor.

Organizers said the money will fund services for up to 7,000 New Orleans youth once the program gets up and running later this year.

Swimming, sports, afterschool programs and part-time work for teens are planned. The 18th Ward, a nonprofit that already offers “free to low cost” youth sports across the city, will manage the sports options such as baseball, softball, gymnastics, tennis, swimming and soccer.

Afterschool programs by The Boys & Girls Club will focus on education, health and workforce readiness skills, CEO Angel Nelson said.

“I am thrilled to see this new opportunity for recreation for our youth in New Orleans,” Landry said in a statement. “Investing in youth recreation strengthens communities and gives young people the space to grow, lead, and thrive.”

‘The schedule is always full’

The bulk of the state money — $1.25 million — will go to UNO facility renovations, including resurfaced tennis courts, restroom lighting, pool repairs, volleyball courts and new turf at Maestri Stadium.

The money was secured as part of UNO’s transition to the LSU system, as the school climbs its way out of a $10 million budget crisis.

Eddie Davis, who heads Major League Baseball’s New Orleans Youth Academy through a partnership with NORD, described the need for more fields in the city.

“The schedule is always full,” he said. “This is going to take the pressure off of the Academy, and also provide additional services for kids, from tournaments to more training to camps,” he added.

His program offers free baseball and softball instruction down the street from UNO at Wesley Barrow Stadium. Davis said he was asked to consult on the project during discussions with organizers about potentially recreating the program he’s led for 12 years.

A group effort

The partnership was sparked by months of criticism of the New Orleans Recreation Development Commission by prominent attorney Laura Rodrigue, a close Landry ally and advocate of various conservative causes.

“I want to quickly say that this project came to life because of Ron Maestri, the very well known and beloved UNO coach. Nobody loved baseball and UNO more than Ronald Maestri. This was his vision,” she said of the stadium’s namesake.

NO.tulaneuno.041024.23.jpg — Tulane battles New Orleans during an NCAA baseball game at Maestri Field in New Orleans, Tuesday, April 9, 2024. (Photo by Sophia Germer, The Times-Picayune)

STAFF PHOTO BY SOPHIA GERMER

NORD has long faced community complaints of poor park maintenance and mismanagement. Still, the proposed public-private partnership has raised questions.

Landry, a Republican, has worked collaboratively with Democratic city officials in many instances since taking office in 2024, including on planning for Super Bowl LIX, bolstering local police with state troopers and shepherding infrastructure funding to the city. But this week, critics of the UNO initiative questioned why the governor hadn’t consulted New Orleans’ legislative delegation or City Council members before pursuing it.

New Orleans’ state legislative delegation, whose mostly-Democratic members are outnumbered by Republicans, voted overwhelmingly this week for the 213-page state budget that included the project funding. Yet several said they were unaware of plans for the money when they voted to approve the budget.

“It’s very odd that $2 million for the city of New Orleans appeared in the budget without anyone from the delegation knowing about it,” State Rep. Matthew Willard, D-New Orleans and the state House Democratic Caucus chair, said Friday. “Usually it’s the reverse: money we thought we’d be getting for New Orleans we later discover is no longer there.”

NO.lsuuno.031121.01.jpg — Kids cheer on LSU before a baseball game between UNO LSU at Maestri Field in New Orleans, Wednesday, March 10, 2021. (Photo by Sophia Germer, NOLA.com, The Times-Picayune | The New Orleans Advocate)

STAFF PHOTO BY SOPHIA GERMER

Landry last year vetoed millions in funding requests from New Orleans lawmakers for local nonprofits. At the time, he promised to work with the Legislature “prior to the next legislative session” to develop criteria for “the best use of our scarce state resources.”

Landry’s press secretary did not respond to a request for comment on the subject.

‘A great step’

On Friday, the project’s leaders said the effort is not intended to replace the city’s existing public recreation infrastructure.

“We believe that this recreation partnership doesn’t supplant any organization that is already there, it simply supplements the work of those organizations,” said Kim Boyle, a NOLA Coalition member and partner at Phelps Dunbar.

Kyle Ruckert, Landry’s chief of staff, tossed out a ceremonial first pitch at Maestri Field before Friday’s announcement. Rodrigue’s father, former Orleans Parish District Attorney Leon Cannizaro, who is Attorney General Liz Murrill’s criminal division chief, caught the pitch.

Council Member Eugene Green, whose district encompasses UNO’s campus, said he had not been told of the plan before the announcement.

Still, he welcomed any effort to bring new recreation opportunities to New Orleans youth. He hopes the initiative will encourage more state investment and “collaboration” with New Orleans’ existing public recreation infrastructure.

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Rec Sports

Princeton University

Princeton Athletics is thrilled to partner with our corporate partner Ford to present the Ford Tiger Game Changers Award, which recognizes a Princeton varsity team that best represents the spirit of serving the broader Princeton community. As part of the award, Ford will make a contribution to the charity of the team’s choice. This 2024-25 recipient […]

Published

2 hours ago

June 14, 2025

Your Sports Nation

The softball program, in addition to securing their fourth consecutive Ivy League championship, continues to build strong and meaningful relationships in their community in a multitude of wys.

They have fostered a life-changing relationship with their new teammate Brooke through Team Impact, a national organization that pairs children facing serious illnesses and disabilities with college sports teams. The relationship with Brooke is one of many between Princeton teams and members of Team Impact that led to Princeton being named 2024 Team IMPACT Division I Fellowship Campus of the Year.

Additionally, Princeton softball has collaborated with the nonprofit Let Her Play to increase young girls participation in youth sports, while also having a number of their student-athletes actively volunteering as Tiger Pal mentors and readers in the Princeton area elementary schools.

The Tigers also continue to build upon their Tiger Sisters program, engaging with young girls in the community as pen pals and around select games and special events.

The Tigers have regularly leveraged home competitions to spotlight and promote causes such as Mental Health Awareness, Epilepsy Awareness and Pride.

This is the second year of this award being presented at the annual Gary Walters ’67 PVC Awards Banquet. Last year’s recipients were the Princeton Rowing teams as well as the Princeton Women’s Track and Field team.

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