Rec Sports
2x NBA All-Star Reacts to Viral LeBron James Statement
Los Angeles Lakers superstar LeBron James made headlines over the weekend on the ‘Mind the Game’ podcast with Steve Nash and special guest Luka Doncic with comments about the state of youth sports. “I didn’t have a basketball trainer until second, third, maybe fourth year in the NBA,” started LeBron, “Like my basketball training was just being on […]

Los Angeles Lakers superstar LeBron James made headlines over the weekend on the ‘Mind the Game’ podcast with Steve Nash and special guest Luka Doncic with comments about the state of youth sports.
“I didn’t have a basketball trainer until second, third, maybe fourth year in the NBA,” started LeBron, “Like my basketball training was just being on the court, like let’s just go hoop. Five-on-five or two-on-two or three-on-three, a game that we played growing up was called 33 or 21.”
“That’s how a lot of creation started with me, being able to dribble around three or four guys, going behind the back, being able to shoot, getting physical with your friends. So, it definitely helped me out a lot,” James added.
Two-time NBA All-Star and former Denver Nuggets guard Isaiah Thomas built on that quote with a post on X.
“Sometimes I’m at the gym and there’s a trainer and kid on EVERY hoop,” Thomas said. “When I was [their] age we woulda just played 5s and got to it. Forget the training lol as a kid you get better faster by PLAYING with other kids or OLDER people.”
Luka Doncic’s foundation goes to supporting youth sports leagues and organizations, as he’s always played the game with a level of joy and happiness. That’s what sparked the initial conversation about youth sports, and it was important for LeBron James to say he thinks kids are being overworked. He even said that many kids get burned out of sports because of it.
Thomas last played in the NBA in the 2023-24 season, appearing in six games for the Phoenix Suns. He played for the Salt Lake City Stars this year, the G-League affiliate for the Utah Jazz.
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Young athletes focused on 1 sport are more likely to get injured
Share this Article You are free to share this article under the Attribution 4.0 International license. Researchers say that young athletes who specialize in just one sport experience more injuries and injury-related surgeries. Switching sports for one season a year, or roughly three months, can keep young athletes safer and provide a better outlook for […]

Researchers say that young athletes who specialize in just one sport experience more injuries and injury-related surgeries.
Switching sports for one season a year, or roughly three months, can keep young athletes safer and provide a better outlook for their long-term health.
This information is important for parents, coaches, young athletes, and their health practitioners as they make decisions about upcoming sports seasons.
Some professional football players practice ballet. An NCAA champion runner also swims. An Olympic gold medal speed skater does six-hour biking sessions.
According to the researchers, these athletes are ahead of the game because cross-training can help prevent injury in youth athletes.
Nathan Fitton, associate professor of orthopedics in the Michigan State University College of Osteopathic Medicine, chief medical information officer for MSU Health Care, and MSU Athletics team physician; Jared Lutsic, MSU College of Osteopathic Medicine alumni and orthopedic surgery resident at Henry Ford Warren; and others studied the effects of sport specialization on collegiate athletes.
Their findings in the Clinical Journal of Sport Medicine reveal a direct association between the intensity of sport specialization and incidence of injuries while as a college athlete.
“We expected to learn that highly specialized athletes would have higher injury rates,” Fitton says.
“What’s alarming is a statistically significant increase in surgical procedures after an injury. We found that the more specialized an athlete was, the more likely they were to need surgery to correct an injury. This was true for male and female athletes.”
“There are lifelong implications for youth sports injuries,” he adds. “Injured athletes don’t always return to their pre-injury state. In the short term, this may mean they don’t get back to the sport at a level where they want to be. Longer term, we see arthritis from trauma to joints at an earlier age than would be expected. And we see 30- and 35-year-olds who need additional surgeries or lifestyle modifications to recover from an injury they experienced as a youth athlete.”
In the survey, NCAA Division I, II, and III athletes were asked about their sports participation, specialization, injuries, recovery periods, and treatment methods. Findings showed that highly specialized athletes were more likely to report injuries and, of those who says they had been injured, more than half reported a re-injury.
“We asked college athletes about their specialization status and learned that those who had a history of being highly specialized in high school got injured more frequently in college and had more severe injuries,” Lutsic says.
“Parents, physicians, and coaches should consider this when advising student athletes.”
“Athletes can still be very committed to a single sport and reduce their risk of injury by playing just one other sport for three months,” Fitton explains.
“Cross-training is like rotating the tires on your car. You’ll get longer use and better performance when tires are regularly rotated. For our bodies, diversification of movement reduces the risk of injury and helps maintain healthy functioning.”
Fitton says that other activities, like dance class or participating in a school play, can offer the break young athletes need. Even taking a day or two a week to do something that uses different muscle groups would be beneficial, he adds.
Source: Michigan State University
Rec Sports
WRC Summer Sports Bring Out Local Youth
By Ace Finch The Wellington Recreation Commission just wrapped up its summer baseball and softball seasons. The WRC has several divisions and age groups which… Previous Post Congratulations to all the winners from the 125th Kansas Wheat Festival! Next Post Community Message From: Jason Newberry Link 0

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Former Shadle Park High School, Eagles football player Bryan Braman dies from rare form of cancer | High School
Bryan Braman, a key special teams player for the Philadelphia Eagles’ first Super Bowl championship team, has died from a rare and aggressive form of cancer. He was 38. Braman was from Spokane and graduated from Shadle Park High School, where he excelled in track and football. He played one year at the University of […]

Bryan Braman, a key special teams player for the Philadelphia Eagles’ first Super Bowl championship team, has died from a rare and aggressive form of cancer. He was 38.
Braman was from Spokane and graduated from Shadle Park High School, where he excelled in track and football. He played one year at the University of Idaho and seven years in the NFL.
Braman was diagnosed earlier this year and had multiple surgeries in recent months in an attempt to treat the illness. He died Thursday morning, according to a statement issued by the team.
“We are deeply saddened to learn of the passing of Bryan Braman,” the team said. “During his four seasons in Philadelphia, Bryan was a loyal teammate, a supporter of the community, and a valuable member of our Super Bowl LII-winning team. More importantly, he was a devoted father who passionately loved his family and everyone around him. We extend our deepest condolences to Bryan’s family and all who are grieving his loss during this difficult time.”
Signed as an undrafted free agent by the Texans in 2011, Braman played seven seasons in the NFL. He spent his first three in Houston and last four in Philadelphia. The Eagles beat the Patriots 41-33 to win the franchise’s first Super Bowl in Braman’s final game on Feb. 4, 2018. He gave a fiery speech in the locker room before that game.
Braman had 56 tackles, 1 1/2 sacks and two fumble recoveries in 97 career games.
AP NFL: https://apnews.com/hub/nfl
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Black Sports Moms Empower Mothers in Athletics
Co-founders Lachauna Edwards and Andrea Odom started Black Sports Moms to empower mothers to navigate their children’s success in athletics. Courtesy: Black Sports Mom This post was originally published on Defender Network By ReShonda Tate In the fast-paced world of youth sports, mothers often serve as the unsung backbone, managing everything from practices to scholarships and now a […]


This post was originally published on Defender Network
By ReShonda Tate
In the fast-paced world of youth sports, mothers often serve as the unsung backbone, managing everything from practices to scholarships and now a growing financial frontier. Enter Black Sports Moms, an organization dedicated to empowering mothers to navigate the complexities of their children’s athletic careers.
Co-founders Lachauna Edwards and Andrea Odom are leading the charge to ensure that Black mothers are not just spectators but key players in shaping the future of their student-athletes.
The concept for Black Sports Moms emerged after an organic collaboration between Edwards and Odom, fueled by a shared passion for helping mothers. A well-known public relations professional, Edwards initially launched a platform during Black History Month to highlight the work of “mom-agers,” moms who balance parenting with managing their children’s careers. This initiative sparked Odom to connect with Edwards, an attorney with a civil rights background. Edwards, whose legal experience in contracts and name, image and likeness (NIL) deals, found that the sports world needed more resources to help mothers protect their children’s interests. What started as a simple idea quickly turned into a movement.
“It was nothing but a Godsend,” Odom explained. “We complement each other so well, and the response has been overwhelming. There’s a clear gap in the industry when it comes to supporting Black mothers in sports. These women have been looking for this kind of guidance and support.”
Filling the Gap
While many athletes credit their mothers for their success, the industry has never fully embraced or formalized their roles. For years, Black mothers have juggled their children’s sporting endeavors without the formal training or tools needed to navigate NIL deals, contracts and career decisions. That’s where Black Sports Moms fills that gap with resources, education and community.
The organization provides a comprehensive suite of services for mothers at various stages of their children’s athletic journeys. Whether their child is just beginning, entering the recruiting process, or negotiating their first professional contract, there is something for every mother. The platform offers educational courses on negotiating NIL contracts, managing a brand and building confidence in advocating for their child’s best interests.
A Comprehensive Approach
The most exciting part? Black Sports Moms aims to keep wealth and knowledge in the family. Odom explained, “We show moms who want to represent their children how to become certified agents. That means they don’t have to pay someone else to handle negotiations. Instead, they can keep that money and responsibility in-house.”
But the impact of Black Sports Moms goes beyond financial empowerment. It’s also about shifting the narrative, especially for women historically excluded from important decision-making tables. By providing personal and professional growth tools, Black Sports Moms helps mothers become informed, confident advocates for their children’s futures. And with the introduction of their upcoming conference on July 19, which has already sold out multiple times, the movement continues to gain momentum.
“Every mother who comes to us is looking for information to help their children succeed. Some of them want to manage their kids’ careers, while others just want to understand the ins and outs of NIL,” Edwards said. “What we’re building here is about creating a community where we empower and uplift each other.”
The first Black Sports Moms conference, scheduled for July 19 at the Post Oak Hotel, will welcome mothers from across the country—California, Florida, Texas and beyond—to a weekend of learning, networking, and empowerment. The conference will feature experts in athlete management, financial planning, and mental health, along with keynote speaker Kim Stroud, mother of the Texans’ star quarterback C.J. Stroud.
The conference’s popularity already has the founders planning for future cities such as Atlanta, Los Angeles and Chicago. The duo was recently featured at EssenceFest after word spread about the organization.
What began as a passion project has now blossomed into a national movement, drawing interest from major sponsors, sports figures, and even national publications.
“We didn’t imagine this would grow so quickly,” said Edwards. “We thought we were creating a small space for moms to support each other. But it’s turned into something much bigger, and it’s exciting to see what’s next.”For more information, visit https://blacksportsmoms.com/
Rec Sports
New York Baseball Coach Protects Kids From ICE Agents
What would you do if ICE agents approached the kids on your youth sports team at practice? Youman Wilder, the founder of Harlem Baseball Hitting Academy, said that he found himself in that exact position. And he didn’t hesitate. “I heard them saying, ‘Where are you from? Where are your parents from?’” Wilder told MSNBC’s […]

What would you do if ICE agents approached the kids on your youth sports team at practice?
Youman Wilder, the founder of Harlem Baseball Hitting Academy, said that he found himself in that exact position. And he didn’t hesitate.
“I heard them saying, ‘Where are you from? Where are your parents from?'” Wilder told MSNBC’s Nicolle Wallace. “And I just stepped in and said this is very inappropriate to ask these kids anything … I’m just going to have them implement their Fifth Amendment right, and not say anything to you.’”
He said that one of the agents responded, “Oh, another YouTube lawyer.”
Rec Sports
Troy University
TROY, Ala. – Troy Cheer is hosting a pair of youth clinics this fall, prior to the Troy Football games against Nicholls (Aug. 30) and on Homecoming against Arkansas State (Nov. 1). Open for all youth ages 5-12; participants will receive a ticket to the game, a pregame cheer clinic with the Troy Cheerleaders, […]

TROY, Ala. – Troy Cheer is hosting a pair of youth clinics this fall, prior to the Troy Football games against Nicholls (Aug. 30) and on Homecoming against Arkansas State (Nov. 1).
Open for all youth ages 5-12; participants will receive a ticket to the game, a pregame cheer clinic with the Troy Cheerleaders, partake in Trojan Walk, take part in an on-field performance with the Troy Cheerleaders and receive a 2025 Cheer Clinic T-shirt (must register by Aug. 8 and Oct. 10, respectively, to receive t-shirt).
Registration is $35 for each clinic and family members of participating children can purchase discounted tickets to the games for just $10. To register, visit TroyTrojans.com/CheerClinic or contact Chris Weil at 334-808-6747 or cweil@troy.edu.
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