Rec Sports
Lwanga awardee finds blessings in mixing faith, science as Catholic educator
Jacob Wiegand | jacobwiegand@archstl.org Cardinal Ritter College Prep High School biology/genetics teacher Venus D. Spain is a recipient of the Father Edward F. Feuerbacher Lifetime Achievement Award from the St. Charles Lwanga Center. Spain is a graduate of Cardinal Ritter and teacher at the school for more than two decades. One of the perks of […]

Jacob Wiegand | jacobwiegand@archstl.org
Cardinal Ritter College Prep High School biology/genetics teacher Venus D. Spain is a recipient of the Father Edward F. Feuerbacher Lifetime Achievement Award from the St. Charles Lwanga Center. Spain is a graduate of Cardinal Ritter and teacher at the school for more than two decades.
One of the perks of working at a Catholic school is discovering ways to incorporate faith into academics.
That’s exactly what Venus D. Spain has done with her freshman biology class at Cardinal Ritter College Prep High School. This past school year, she invited students to attend Mass at her parish, St. Peter Claver, which was followed up with a reflection paper on the “biology of God.”
Students were asked to make a connection between biology — the scientific study of life and living organisms — and what they’ve learned in theology class.
“It was, what’s the correlation, where does the faith fit into their study of science and the theology that they learned?” she said. “The Eucharist was a big part of that connection.”
It’s one example of how Spain integrates faith into her work as a science teacher at Cardinal Ritter. Earlier this month, the St. Charles Lwanga Center honored Spain with the Father Ed Feuerbacher Lifetime Achievement Award at its annual Testimonial Dinner and Celebration. She was one of several who were honored for their contributions in the community.
A career in education wasn’t originally in Spain’s plans, but as a student at Xavier University in the 1990s, she became involved in several youth-focused programs and helped coach basketball. It was there that a fellow coach encouraged her to pursue teaching.
Once she returned to St. Louis, Spain continued to coach youth sports and was hired as a third-grade teacher at the former Bishop Healy School. Three years later, she received a call from former Cardinal Ritter principal Carmelle Hall, who asked her if she’d consider a job teaching high school science. She recently celebrated her 25th anniversary at the school. In addition to freshman biology, she also teaches genetics to juniors and seniors.
In her nomination for the award, Spain was described as having aspired, inspired, and empowered her students to achieve their best and as modeling the threefold mission of Cardinal Ritter: academic excellence, leadership and faith development.
Spain said that the most rewarding part of her career has been being able to practice her Catholic faith through education.
Biology is largely focused on the characteristics of living things, but students also understand it through the lens of faith, she said. “We begin with cells, but they know there is a higher power connected to our whole formation as living human beings,” she said. “God formed us, and He formed this earth and living things in six, seven days, and He saw that it was good, right? He gave us the ability to think, to take care of all the other living creatures, and it is our responsibility to make sure that we’re doing that.”
Spain has been inspired in faith by the women of her parish and her late mother, Elizabeth Spain, who taught her that daily devotion, prayer, and service to God would manifest in abundant blessings. Over the years, she’s served at several parishes as an acolyte, an extraordinary minister of the Eucharist and a youth Sunday school leader. At St. Peter Claver, she’s involved in the Sister Antona Ebo Women’s Ministry.
Spain, who recently assisted with tornado recovery efforts, said it’s not about the things she has done but the blessings she’s received from God through the people and she’s encountered throughout her life, whether that’s at school, in church or in the community.
“I am really humbled that I was nominated to receive this award, and I just think there’s more to do,” she said. “I’m starting to realize that there’s more than I can do beyond my church.”
Father Carl Scheble also lifetime honoree

Father Carl Scheble was honored with the Father Ed Feuerbacher Lifetime Achievement Award from the St. Charles Lwanga Center in June.
Father Scheble was raised in the former Our Lady of Mount Carmel Parish in the Baden neighborhood of north St. Louis. He later attended the former Prep North High School in Florissant, where he felt a calling to the priesthood.
After ordination in 1983, Father Scheble spent 18 years of his priesthood serving several predominantly African-American parishes on the northside of St. Louis, including Holy Rosary, Visitation-St. Ann and St. Elizabeth, Mother of John the Baptist. In all, he’s been a parish priest for 41 years, serving in urban, suburban and rural parishes across the archdiocese.
In 2023, he was named archdiocesan vicar general and moderator of the curia (the archdiocesan staff). He works closely with the episcopal vicars who oversee the archdiocese’s three vicariates (groupings of parishes within the archdiocese) to provide parish support and administration.
The Lwanga Center played an instrumental role in introducing him to the Black Catholic community, he said. Through the center, he became involved in youth and young adult ministry, marriage prep and the National Black Catholic Congress, among other activities. He also heard speakers hosted by Lwanga, including the late Benedictine Father Cyprian Davis, a prolific chronicler of black Catholic history, and Sister Thea Bowman.
“There were just incredible experiences that the Lwanga Center afforded me that I would have never had otherwise,” Father Scheble said. “For me, as a white clergyman, it was wonderfully formative.”
Father Scheble has overseen several parish mergers over the years, which he said is always a difficult process. However, at the same time, he has always felt welcomed by each parish community he has served.
“Coming as a priest … I was brought into their families, literally,” he said. “What a blessing to experience that.”
Lwanga Center awardees
Fr. Edward F. Feuerbacher Lifetime Achievement: Venus D. Spain and Father Carl Scheble
Trailblazer Award: Sister Gail Guelker, SSND, and Lynn Woolfolk
Torch Bearer Award: Jesuits of the Central and Southern Province, USA
Leon Henderson Award: Jessica Pou
Parish adult, young adult and youth honorees
Christ the King: Mimi Taylor-Hendrix (adult)
St. Ann: Dr. James Paunicka (adult); Ke’Von Reynolds (youth)
St. Josephine Bakhita: Sister Janice Munier, SSND (adult); Markus Willem Dowdy (posthumously, young adult)
St. Norbert: Jane Kariuki (adult); Kadin A.J. Anderson (youth)
St. Peter Claver: Rosalind Williams (adult); Andrea Lowe (young adult); Kennedy Thomas (youth)
Rec Sports
Trash Pandas to host “Youth Sports Night” this Saturday
Youth Sports Night is scheduled for Saturday, Aug. 2 at Toyota Field as the Trash Pandas host its’ special night where local youth teams can attend a game and have a night to remember. Madison County Record, News, Sports, The Madison Recor, Z – News Main By Bob Labbe Published 6:03 am Wednesday, […]


Youth Sports Night is scheduled for Saturday, Aug. 2 at Toyota Field as the Trash Pandas host its’ special night where local youth teams can attend a game and have a night to remember.
Madison County Record, News, Sports, The Madison Recor, Z – News Main
MADISON – The Rocket City Trash Pandas are hosting its tenth home stand of the 2025 season as they face the Birmingham Barons through Sunday, Aug. 3. The week of Minor League Baseball will include numerous promotions with Saturday, Aug. 2 the official Youth Sports Night.
Local youth sports teams of any sport are encouraged to attend for a night of baseball and fun. Group tickets are available for each youth team with $2 of ballpark credit with each ticket. Details on the special night or questions can be found through Tonia Wigginton, manager of Corporate Sales for the Trash Pandas. She can be contacted at 256-325-3871 or by e-mail at twigginton@trashpandasbaseball. com. The special evening is certainly more than baseball with the Trash Pandas facing the Barons, as the 6:35 p.m. start time will feature those youth teams who purchase 20 tickets receiving the team/ league announcement by the stadium announcer and a dream team experience provided by the Trash Pandas. Teams which purchase at least 50 tickets receive in addition the chance to participate in the ceremonial first pitch. Those squads with as many as 250 tickets sold can also have a special Trash Pandas Mascot appearance just for that team.
Tickets for the Youth Sports Night start at $17.44. It should be a night the attending youth will never forget and be a great way to sort of end the summer before heading back to school.
Saturday’s official promotion for the evening is Dinosaur Weekend featuring a Jurassic-sized adventure. The prehistoric fun includes life-sized animatronic and static dinos, dino-themed activities and interactive photo ops that will transport each person back in time. Special giveaways will also be included. The evening will be topped off by some dinosaur guests and a hatching baby Dino Egg.
Rec Sports
Popular Kalamazoo County sports dome unveils new name
KALAMAZOO COUNTY, MI — A 68,000-square-foot sports dome that reopened in late 2024 after a $4 million expansion and renovation has been given a new name. Previously known as the Next Level Sports Center, the facility at 12733 U.S. 131 in Schoolcraft, will now be called The Kalsee Dome at Next Level Sports Center. Discover […]

KALAMAZOO COUNTY, MI — A 68,000-square-foot sports dome that reopened in late 2024 after a $4 million expansion and renovation has been given a new name.
Previously known as the Next Level Sports Center, the facility at 12733 U.S. 131 in Schoolcraft, will now be called The Kalsee Dome at Next Level Sports Center.
Discover Kalamazoo announced the new community-focused partnership between Kalsee Credit Union and Next Level Sports Center in a Wednesday, July 30 news release.
The collaboration reflects the shared values of both organizations, which include supporting youth development, promoting wellness and investing in the Southwest Michigan community, the release states.

The dome, which originally opened in 1998, was deflated in July 2024 as it underwent a massive four-month renovation project.
RELATED: Dome deflation: Well-known sports facility deflates dome, shares plans for future
RELATED: Familiar sports dome in Schoolcraft reopens twice the size after $4 million project
After reopening in November with a plethora of new amenities, its name was changed from The Dome Sports Center to the Next Level Sports Center.
Adding “Kalsee Dome” to the beginning of the name represents more than just a name change, said Josh Baird, who has owned the facility since 2015.
“It symbolizes our joint effort to enhance the experience for everyone who visits our facility,” Baird said. “Kalsee helped make our expansion project possible, and we look forward to their continued positive impact on our athletes and families.”

With the support of Kalsee Credit Union, Next Level Sports Center will continue to grow its offerings with a goal of making a lasting difference in the lives of athletes across the region. The facility — which serves thousands of local families a year — has a mission of creating 1 million moments of fun through youth athletics, camps, leagues and inclusive programs.
“This partnership reflects our dedication to supporting local businesses and fostering community engagement,” said Matt Lahman, CEO of Kalsee Credit Union. “We are especially proud to be part of Next Level’s facilities and programming expansion following the recent installation of their much larger dome with new volleyball and pickleball courts.”
As part of this partnership, a Kalsee Interactive Teller Machine will also be installed on campus, offering banking services for visitors.
Want more Kalamazoo-area news? Bookmark MLive’s local Kalamazoo news page.
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Rec Sports
PeacePlayers Friendship Games brings global youth together in Detroit
DETROIT (WXYZ) — A week-long celebration of basketball and culture has descended upon Detroit as the city hosts the PeacePlayers Friendship Games, uniting youth from around the world through sports. Watch Demetrios Sanders’ video report: Celebration of basketball and culture Since 2001, the international peace-building non-profit PeacePlayers has used sport and movement to unite divided […]

DETROIT (WXYZ) — A week-long celebration of basketball and culture has descended upon Detroit as the city hosts the PeacePlayers Friendship Games, uniting youth from around the world through sports.
Watch Demetrios Sanders’ video report:
Celebration of basketball and culture
Since 2001, the international peace-building non-profit PeacePlayers has used sport and movement to unite divided communities that have experienced conflict.
“We have sites in the Middle East, in Israel, in Northern Ireland, South Africa,” said Jasmine Cooper, director of PeacePlayers Detroit.
In the U.S., PeacePlayers also has sites in cities like Detroit, Brooklyn, Los Angeles, and Chicago.
The Friendship Games brings youth from around the world to one location for a week of cultural exchange, leadership training, and basketball — and this year it’s in the Motor City.
“Being able to elevate this and put it on a platform that no other city could really do like Detroit is just so meaningful and so important to the city,” said Chris Economeas, Pistons Senior Director of Community and Social Responsibility.
The Friendship Games include an opening and closing ceremony, a basketball tournament, and children will even get to meet Detroit Piston Ron Holland.
Wednesday was “Detroit Day” at Wayne State University, where dozens of Metro Detroit middle schoolers got to interact and play games with PeacePlayers participants from international sites.
“Hopefully it’ll change their perspectives and spark their interest and recognize that the world is beautiful and people that are different are also beautiful as well,” said Cooper.
FULL INTERVIEW: Jasmine Cooper talks about PeacePlayers Friendship Games
FULL INTERVIEW: Jasmine Cooper talks about PeacePlayers Friendship Games
A teen from South Africa says visiting Detroit — his first trip to the U.S. — has been an eye-opener.
“It feels like home, it feels like I’m back home, but then there’s these key differences like the cars you see around, driving on a different side of the road,” said Lebogang Keti, with PeacePlayers South Africa.
Another participant from Northern Ireland says it’s also been a pleasure to share what his country is like.
“We have a reputation for being some of the nicest people in the world despite the past, and it’s because we’ve learned to grow and expand our culture in every different way,” said Declan Curran, with PeacePlayers Northern Ireland.
And a Cass Tech student involved with PeacePlayers Detroit says there’s a lasting message he will take with him.
“Just because history doesn’t mean everywhere is bad. You have to go and look at people’s hearts,” said Ransom Thomas, with PeacePlayers Detroit.
The Friendship Games will continue through Saturday.
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This story was reported on-air by a journalist and has been converted to this platform with the assistance of AI. Our editorial team verifies all reporting on all platforms for fairness and accuracy.
Rec Sports
Youth basketball camp offers skills for on, off the court
KANSAS CITY, Mo. — A youth basketball camp is dropping dimes on more than just how to win at the game of basketball, but how to win at the game of life. The camp provides valuable life lessons to young athletes who want to score both athletically and personally. Youth basketball camp offers skills for […]

KANSAS CITY, Mo. — A youth basketball camp is dropping dimes on more than just how to win at the game of basketball, but how to win at the game of life.
The camp provides valuable life lessons to young athletes who want to score both athletically and personally.
Youth basketball camp offers skills for on, off the court
The nonprofit Faces of the Future, in collaboration with the Hickman Mills School District, held its second annual youth basketball camp this week.
The camp featured former Dallas Mavericks star Jason Terry, who offered his expertise as an NBA player and mentor.
Cyrus Rodgers is the founder of Faces of the Future.

La’Nita Brooks
“These kids have a bright future ahead of them,” said Rodgers. “They’re all smart, and they just need someone to show them the way — someone who looks like them and who is at the level they aspire to reach.”
Kamron Simons, a student-athlete from Ruskin High School, talked about the impact of meeting someone he looks up to.

La’Nita Brooks
“It means a lot,” Simons said. “It’s my first time seeing a professional basketball player like Jason Terry. It means a lot.”
Terry, known for his impressive 19-year career in the NBA, emphasized the importance of mental health and how that goes hand in hand with physical health.

La’Nita Brooks
“It’s all about mental health awareness and basketball skill training,” said Terry. “And I think the two are married together. A lot of these kids are talented and skilled, but the thing that sets them apart from being just a good player to an elite player is their mental toughness.”

La’Nita Brooks/KSHB 41
Byron Townsend, Vice President of the Hickman Mills School Board, says the camp served as a safe space for youth.
“Our children in our district have a lot of social issues that go unaddressed,” Townsend said. “As a district, we try to create outlets for them where they can get help from different directions.”
The camp also brought in mental health experts and allocated time for classroom activities alongside basketball drills.

La’Nita Brooks/KSHB 41
“This game is not only just basketball; it’s also your mental health,” said Elijah Curtis, a student-athlete from Rockhurst High School. “So I learned that.”
Paige Edwards, another young athlete, shared her takeaway from the camp.
“Even when you’re tired, just keep going and never give up,” said Edwards.

La’Nita Brooks/KSHB 41
The three-day camp is a crucial part of Faces of the Future’s mission to help young athletes understand the importance of perseverance, mental health, and social awareness, both in sports and in life.
“I tell them all the time, it don’t matter where you start, it’s where you finish,” said Rodgers.
The camp will continue to be an annual event.
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KSHB 41 reporter La’Nita Brooks covers stories providing solutions and offering discussions on topics of crime and violence. Share your story idea with La’Nita.
Rec Sports
Northwest Sports Update: Mariners bolster bullpen, Seahawks extend Schneider, Lynden youth baseball team makes nationals and more
Mariners News The Mariners are bolstering their bullpen with less than 24 hours to go until the trade deadline. Seattle sent pitching prospect Jeter Martinez to the Pittsburgh Pirates today in exchange for left-handed reliever Caleb Ferguson. The 29-year-old has a 3.74 ERA with 34 strikeouts and 14 walks in just over 43 innings with […]

Mariners News
The Mariners are bolstering their bullpen with less than 24 hours to go until the trade deadline. Seattle sent pitching prospect Jeter Martinez to the Pittsburgh Pirates today in exchange for left-handed reliever Caleb Ferguson.
The 29-year-old has a 3.74 ERA with 34 strikeouts and 14 walks in just over 43 innings with the Pirates this season. He’ll be a free agent at the end of the year.
Meanwhile, the 19-year-old Martinez is the Mariners 13th-ranked prospect according to MLB Pipeline.
The Mariners are reported to still be making a push for a reunion with third baseman Eugenio Suarez from the Diamondbacks. According to ESPN’s Buster Olney, some rival executives even see the M’s as the favorites to land arguably the league’s most sought-after trade deadline target in Suarez.
The Mariners still have their eyes on the field for tonight’s rubber match against the Athletics. Seattle fell to the A’s 6-1 last night as rookie Logan Evans got lit up for six runs in four and two-thirds innings in the start.
Julio Rodriguez picked up a pair of hits in the loss, his 8th multi-hit performance in the last 14 games.
The team also announced today that it’s promoting first baseman Tyler Locklear from Triple-A Tacoma and placing Luke Raley on the injured list with a back issue. Locklear returns to the majors amid a torrid streak with the Rainers, hitting .425 with 9 home runs and 33 RBI in just 20 games this month.
All-Star Bryan Woo will look to get the Mariners a series win in West Sacramento tonight. Coverage begins at 6:00 and first pitch is at 7:05 on KPUG.
Seahawks News
The Seahawks have signed general manager John Schneider to a four-year contract extension.
Schneider, the longest-tenured and most successful GM in franchise history, is now signed through 2031. He’s also held the title of president of football operations since January 2024, when Pete Carroll was ousted.
Seattle has won over 60% of its games since Schneider took over in 2010, good for the sixth-best percentage in the NFL since then.
Bells News
The Bells are in for a rubber match themselves tonight. They’re hosting the Kelowna Falcons in the deciding match of their three-game series.
The Falcons bounced back from a blowout loss on Monday to beat the Bells 5-2 last night. All-Star Preston Watkins began the game with nearly four perfect innings, but with two outs in the fourth, he walked two batters and gave up two singles for three runs.
Even though the Bells have clinched a playoff spot, every game counts since they’re still fighting for home field advantage throughout the rest of the playoffs. They currently hold a one-game lead over Edmonton in the North Division standings for the overall season.
First pitch for tonight’s decisive Game 3 against Kelowna is at 6:35 from Joe Martin Field.
WWU Vikings News
There’s a new hub to catch all of Western Washington University’s sporting events. The Great Northwest Athletic Conference, or GNAC, announced yesterday that it’s partnered with Hudl to create the GNAC Network beginning this fall.
The network will offer access to live video streams for all 10 conference members, including the Vikings.
All GNAC live streams will be available on a pay-per-view basis for the first 48 hours following each contest. After that window, on-demand access to the events will be available free of charge.
Month-long and season passes will also be offered on the network, which is accessible online or via its mobile app on most any platform.
All WWU hosted athletic games and events can be found at www.gnacnetwork.com/wwuvikings.
Youth Sports News
A local youth baseball team is heading to nationals. The Lynden Tribune reports the Lynden Lobos 10U baseball team is going to the Cal Ripken World Series after winning the West Regional Championship in Montana.
The Lobos went 6-0 at regionals to secure their spot in the World Series, which runs from Aug. 6-17 in Indiana. It will be the program’s first appearance in the event since 2005.
The team is working to raise about $40,000 for the players’ families to fund the trip. Donations can be made online at www.lyndenlobos.com/get-involved.
Rec Sports
Ellisville Youth Sports to call Merchant Park home
ELLISVILLE, Miss. (WDAM) – South Jones High School has been home to Ellisville Youth Sports for more than 50 years. The group is now looking forward to having a space of its own. “Wanting a football field for the youth of Ellisville has been talked about for years, but it’s never really been pursued,” Ellisville […]
ELLISVILLE, Miss. (WDAM) – South Jones High School has been home to Ellisville Youth Sports for more than 50 years.
The group is now looking forward to having a space of its own.
“Wanting a football field for the youth of Ellisville has been talked about for years, but it’s never really been pursued,” Ellisville Athletic Booster Club President Tad Walters.
“Most of all the booster clubs in the county have their own facilities to practice and play games.”
Walters said over the years, the organization had run into the occasional issue playing games at South Jones.
After asking the Jones County Board of Supervisors for help earlier this month, Ellisville Youth Sports now has a solution.
Walters said that Field 10 at Merchant Park will be the new area for Ellisville Youth Sports, but there’s still lots of work to be done.
The field will be designated mainly for football, but Walters said it can also be used for baseball in the spring.
“It already has a concession stand and restroom,” Walters said. “The park association is working now to remodel the restrooms, but still needs a scoreboard and storage building and press box.”
Leaders said the project will cost around $10,000. They said donations and fundraisers can get them there.
“If we can get donations to get a scoreboard in place, they can go ahead and start day one of the season this year,” Beat 4 Supervisor Joey Bradshaw said.
Until the field is ready, the kids will continue to play at South Jones High School.
Walters said the organization was looking to have six teams this year.
If you’d like to help with the project, you can reach out to the Ellisville Athletic Booster Club on its Facebook page.
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