Rec Sports
Plans move forward on indoor training, events and sports facility in Mitchell – Mitchell Republic
MITCHELL – A years-long dream of an indoor sports complex in Mitchell may just get its day under a roof as locals come together to plan a multi-purpose sports and community center. Mitchell City Council member Mike Bathke shared with the hotelier’s tax district board that he and others are moving forward on a 116,000 […]
MITCHELL – A years-long dream of an indoor sports complex in Mitchell may just get its day under a roof as locals come together to plan a multi-purpose sports and community center.
Mitchell City Council member Mike Bathke shared with the hotelier’s tax district board that he and others are moving forward on a 116,000 square foot indoor sports facility in Mitchell, and that he is putting together a business plan and funds to move forward with the project.
The Mitchell BID No. 4 Tax District board met on Wednesday, June 18, and during the citizen’s input portion, Bathke shared his plans for the project. Bathke told the board a construction cost of $21 million, according to rough numbers he has received from Palace Builders.
Bathke told the Mitchell Republic that the project will be a minimum of $17.5 million, and that there are many variables to consider, including insulated metal panels, lighting and turf. The rising prices of materials may also play into the cost of construction.
“We’re just trying to get the concept out there because this is what we’ve been hearing people actually want,” Bathke told the Mitchell Republic.
Bathke told the Mitchell Republic that now is the time to be bidding projects because the economy is slowing down. In a slow economy, projects could receive more competitive bids.
The board last met on March 26, when hoteliers clarified their preference for
funding an indoor event facility to attract visitors during the low-occupancy winter months of January through March.
The winter event center topic was the result of a survey conducted by BID No. 4 board vice-chair Jerry Thomsen.
Indoor sports facilities enable year-round practice, game play, and training free from the elements.
“We want to be very frugal with the taxpayers’ money,” said Bathke, who noted that the most cost effective construction option for the sports facility may be a steel building.
A design could accommodate a larger expansion later, but the starting point is an affordable budget, according to Thomsen.
“The number one goal is to serve people who are currently not being served in the wintertime,” Mitchell Mayor Jordan Hanson said.
The indoor facility will have space for soccer, tennis, pickleball, and football, with talk of accommodating volleyball, softball, and other games.
Hanson and Bathke have formed a committee of sports leaders, hoteliers, and others to provide feedback on the indoor sports facility.
“We’re not going to pick a location yet,” Bathke told the board.
Bathke shared that he and his wife had considered building a tennis facility, and pivoted to a multipurpose facility. In addition, Bathke is working on a business plan for the indoor facility, something he has been critical of the Mitchell City Council for not doing on city projects.
“It doesn’t work with just throwing it out there, not understanding how we’re going to actually pay for it,” Bathke said.
The indoor facility will not have a basketball gymnasium, according to Bathke, who said there were already 17 basketball gymnasiums in town. Bathke hopes that the Mitchell School District board will allow more use of gyms for the public, citing that the taxpayers paid for them.
Bathke’s son plays tennis, and Bathke told the board that Sioux Falls tennis players are better tennis players because they are able to practice year-round at indoor facilities in Sioux Falls.
“We don’t have the facilities to practice year-round like these other kids do,” Bathke said.
Adam Thury / Mitchell Republic
Thomsen called a potential indoor sports complex a win-win for the community and for the hospitality sector.
“I want these younger kids to have options that are healthy and good for them in the winter months, instead of just sitting behind a computer screen playing video games,” Thomsen said.
Thomsen told the Mitchell Republic that he is a Corn Palace supporter, and that if a donor paid for the Corn Palace expansion he would support it right now.
“My decision will be based on which has the biggest bang for the buck for both the community and the generation of revenue for the community, and I think this – at the end of the day – appears to be more favorable.” Thomsen said. “I just don’t think we have enough money to do the Corn Palace, a multi-use sports facility, and a lake.”
Board member Tim Smith suggested that Bathke reach out to DWU to coordinate efforts.
Bathke cited the Fishback Indoor Training Facility in Brookings as a proven and successful model of how an indoor sports facility should work. The facility has 12,000 plus square feet of turf and a 50 yards by 30 yards area dedicated to soccer training and small sided tournaments. The facility has two full size batting cages, a walking track and meeting areas.
In comparison, the Sanford Fieldhouse in Sioux Falls is 91,000 square feet, and boasts indoor space for soccer, baseball, softball, and football.
Board approves recommendation for 2026 budget
The board approved $150,000 of BID No. 4 tax funds for the 2026 Sports and Events Authority (SEA) budget, and approved allocating any remaining 2025 Sports and Events Authority fund balance to 2026’s budget. BID No. 4 funds come from the $2 per room per night tax on hotel rooms in Mitchell.
Thomsen read aloud hotelier’s anonymous comments on the survey he conducted. One comment stated that the city of Mitchell should not have access to the BID No. 4 funds.
In the past, hotel BID tax funds were used to fund the indoor pool and the ice arena construction, according to Thomsen.
Bathke told the board he was counting on their support for the indoor facility.
Thomsen told the Mitchell Republic that it would take a majority vote of the BID No. 4 board to approve funds toward the indoor sports complex. Any potential funds would be limited to what is left after the SEA is funded.
“We do not have an unlimited budget, so we have to be wise on what we build and what we get the biggest bang for the buck,” Thomsen said.
The BID No. 4 board welcomed Bathke to share about progress made on the indoor sports complex at its next meeting.
Bathke plans to present the topic to the Mitchell City Council at its first meeting in July.
“We’re a long way from the finish line,” Bathke said.
Rec Sports
EPA cancels Michigan’s ‘Solar for All’ program
LANSING, Mich. (WILX) – The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) is terminating funding for Michigan’s Solar for All program, which was designed to bring renewable and affordable energy to low-income communities. The EPA recently announced plans to cancel its $7 billion grant program aimed at helping low and moderate-income households access solar energy. Michigan had […]
LANSING, Mich. (WILX) – The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) is terminating funding for Michigan’s Solar for All program, which was designed to bring renewable and affordable energy to low-income communities.
The EPA recently announced plans to cancel its $7 billion grant program aimed at helping low and moderate-income households access solar energy.
Michigan had been awarded $165.1 million in federal funds to support investments in rooftop solar, community solar, energy storage, workforce development, community education, and technical assistance.
In response, Michigan Department of Environment, Great Lakes, and Energy (EGLE) Director Phil Roos issued the following statement:
“The state’s MI Solar for All Program would significantly reduce energy costs for thousands of Michigan residents, providing an average savings of $400 per family per year while creating approximately 700 high-quality local jobs, boosting the state’s economy, and supporting American businesses. By increasing Michigan’s energy independence, the program also builds resilience against power outages and extreme weather events. Regrettably, the EPA wants to retroactively cut funding for this vital program at a time when such initiatives should be prioritized. We are currently working with Michigan’s Attorney General to determine our next steps.”
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Rec Sports
Headed to Williamsport: ESPN Begins Exclusive Coverage of 2025 Little League Baseball World Series Presented by T-Mobile
Date Time (ET) Game Commentators Platform Wed, Aug. 13 1 p.m. Little League World Series Game 1: Puerto Rico (away) vs. Latin America (home) Mike Monaco, Xavier Scruggs, Sebastian Salazar ESPN 3 p.m. Little League World Series Game 2: Mountain (away) vs. Great Lakes (home) Karl Ravech, Todd Frazier, Jessica Mendoza, Jess Sims ESPN 5 […]
Rec Sports
Ranking Roma’s Youth, #6: Daniele Ghilardi
The old adage, “Defense wins championships,” tends to be correct in most sports, and last year was no exception when Napoli claimed the Serie A title, allowing a league-low 27 goals. The year before, Inter won the championship with a solid defense, conceding just 22 goals. Additionally, Luciano Spalletti’s Napoli allowed only 28 goals the […]
The old adage, “Defense wins championships,” tends to be correct in most sports, and last year was no exception when Napoli claimed the Serie A title, allowing a league-low 27 goals. The year before, Inter won the championship with a solid defense, conceding just 22 goals. Additionally, Luciano Spalletti’s Napoli allowed only 28 goals the year prior on their way to the league title. As you can see, a strong defense is crucial in securing championships.
Roma’s fifth-place finish last season shouldn’t overshadow a key achievement: they had the second-best defense, tied with Inter and Juventus. They conceded fewer than one goal per match (35), thanks to Mile Svilar’s excellent goalkeeping and a solid backline led by Evan Ndicka and Gianluca Mancini. However, with Mats Hummels and Zeki Çelik often playing as third center-backs, Roma struggled to establish a consistent third member for the back three.
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They addressed that problem this summer when they acquired Daniele Ghilardi from Hellas Verona, who ranks sixth in our U-23 countdown.
Number Six: Daniele Ghilardi
Age: 22
Position: Central Defender
Shades of: Alessandro Nesta, Virgil van Dijk, Sergio Ramos
Who Is He?
Ghilardi came through the Fiorentina youth ranks before being shipped to Verona on loan during the January 2022 transfer window. The move was made permanent the following July for €2 million. He then cut his teeth at the lower levels with a loan in Serie C with Mantova. That was followed by a loan at Serie B side Sampdoria during the 2023-2024 season, where he was managed by Milan, Juventus, and Italy legend Andrea Pirlo. Those loans allowed Ghilardi to amass a lot of experience at a young age before moving back to Hellas last season.
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While at Hellas, Ghilardi earned a spot in the starting XI, making 21 starts and accumulating over 2,000 minutes in Italy’s top division. His impressive performance caught the attention of Massara and Gasperini, prompting them to bring Ghilardi to Rome. At just 22 years old, he has also progressed through the ranks of the Azzurrini, representing Italy from the U-17s up to the U-21s.
What Can He Do?
I won’t rewrite the book here. Richard Hough gave us the lowdown during our Ghilardi Q&A:
“He’s fast. Reads the game extremely well and knows how to use his physicality without diving in or making rash challenges. With his long hair and headband he just looks like a classic Italian defender, in the mould of a Nesta. He’s super calm, not a vocal player or one who gets involved in shithousery, so perhaps he can bring that calmness and discipline to Roma’s defence. He’s composed in possession and used to playing in a back three, but will have to get used to Gasperini’s more possession-based and offensive style of play.”
What Can He Become?
Gasperini may be known as an attack-minded manager. However, he’s nurtured many young defenders and turned some into stars. Players like Cristian Romero, Andrea Bastoni, Gianluca Mancini, and Giorgio Scalvini are just a few of the players who blossomed under Gasperini. If Ghilardi can develop into anywhere near the level of Bastoni, then this move would be a steal. However, even if he becomes a more relaxed Mancini, Roma will have done well.
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Hough cautioned that Ghilardi would’ve benefitted from one more year at Verona, but one has to feel he’s in the right hands with Gasperini. Given Roma’s current CB depth dilemma, he will be given every opportunity to start from match week 1. In an ideal world, Ghilardi becomes a defensive stalwart in the classic Italian mold, becoming a pillar in Roma’s backline and one of the regulars for the next generation of Azzurri with players like Giovanni Leoni and Diego Coppola.
Rec Sports
Injury prevention and mental health in youth sports
Most American students (55.4% according to Project Play) participate in at least one sport each school year, and whether it’s for fun or for the love of competition, staying strong, healthy, and injury-free is always the goal. While parents push to keep their children moving, and the U.S. government works to get 63.3% of youth […]
Most American students (55.4% according to Project Play) participate in at least one sport each school year, and whether it’s for fun or for the love of competition, staying strong, healthy, and injury-free is always the goal.
While parents push to keep their children moving, and the U.S. government works to get 63.3% of youth participating in organized sports in five years through the Healthy People 2030 initiative, wellness experts note it is important to always prioritize young people’s mental and physical health and safety.
“Mental health and dietary habits must be supportive of growth and sporting excellence,” Fiona Orlandella, founder of FionaFitness in Silver Spring, Maryland, told The Informer.
According to Johns Hopkins Medicine, about 30 million young people participate in organized sports, with more than 3.5 million injuries each year.
“By far, the most common injuries are sprains and strains,” Johns Hopkins reports.
Supporting student-athletes means taking a well-rounded approach — combining preventive care, smart conditioning, good nutrition, and the right mindset.
As the school year kicks off, experts such as Orlandella, chiropractor Dr. Scot Kampmann and Sumi Epie, a functional nutritionist, empower young people and parents with tools they need to perform their best this season and beyond.
Balancing Nutrition and Development, Fueling for Performance and Recovery
With more than 15 years of experience working with high-performing student-athletes, Orlandella knows firsthand how vital dietary wellness is to physical performance.
“The balance between physical conditioning and diet, especially for girls who are going through puberty [is important],” Orlandella said.
She emphasized the potential long-term effects of neglecting opportunities to foster well-rounded development.
“The impact on mental and physical health can lead to serious, negative outcomes when girls, and even boys, try to control their weight through unhealthy dieting,” Orlandella added, “which can lead to extreme weight loss and hormonal imbalances.”
By highlighting the connections between nutrition, conditioning, and injury prevention, nutrition experts offer some good news to those trying to improve their health and wellness: it doesn’t require a special diet or supplements.
It’s about the right foods, in the right amounts, according to KidsHealth.org. Parents are encouraged to try adding fruit to salads or smoothies, bananas to pancakes, or blending kale or spinach into spaghetti sauce for a tasty boost of fiber, protein, and carbs.
Epie, a functional and metabolic medicine expert and CEO of NTMcore, said there’s also a biological side to developing positive relationships with food and fitness.
“Parents are often eager to capitalize on their child’s talent,” Epie, a former student-athlete, told The Informer. “It is important to be wary of ‘professionalizing’ their love of the sport by tying the relationship with food to success outcomes. Keep all things in moderation and consult your pediatrician often.”
A developer of nutritional strategies for both professional and student-athletes, he touted the importance of hydration and learning what beverages help drive physical success.
“Water should be your first choice. But if you are out in the heat, going harder for longer, a sports drink that balances electrolytes is a good choice,” the nutritionist said. “I recommend that parents take responsibility for what their child consumes and avoid caffeine-based drinks for children.”
Training by Age and Stage
The American College of Sports Medicine (ACSM) in their 2023 paper “The Impact of Adolescent Development on Fitness & Conditioning Age and Stage,” provides age-specific coaching tips, while emphasizing how to meet kids where they are.
To build endurance naturally, without requiring advanced skill, children under 8 years old respond well to unstructured play—building forts or engaging in imaginative games with movement. Between ages 9 and 14, kids become more socially aware, marking a pivotal time to introduce skill-building in strength, speed, and endurance, while teaching them to measure improvement against themselves, not others.
“Youth practitioners are encouraged to monitor the age and stage of growth and development for the youth athlete,” according to ACSM.
With 32 years of clinical experience treating injured athletes, Kampmann, a licensed chiropractor based in Baltimore, also encourages building strength with close care and skill.
“I often warn parents and coaches to avoid doing too much too fast,” he told The Informer. “Early indicators of athletic potential should be protected with regular adjustments.”
This is especially common among swimmers, skaters, and gymnasts whose parents often pack in long training sessions before and after school.
Additionally, Kampmann broke down some common misconceptions of physical workouts, further highlighting the body’s natural ability to adapt to the training it’s repeatedly exposed to.
“Lifting weights does not create stability,” he told The Informer. “The current trend of building a muscular gym body may look attractive and even appealing, but it does not maximize the ‘form dictates function’ rule.”
In other words, if athletes only train for strength, they may lack agility or stability.
“We have all seen muscle-bound bodies that do not have flexibility,” the chiropractor explained, “hence they have no flexibility to survive sudden lateral twists or movements.”
Mental Toughness, Self-Worth and Winning Within
Winning is often the goal in competitive sports — but experts and athletes alike note that learning to navigate setbacks is just as important.
“People put too much seriousness into success and failure, especially on a basketball court. If you take a shot, you can only do two things: make it or miss. That’s how simple it is, and that’s what you try to get to your kids, so they’re not afraid of that simple act,” celebrated basketball player Michael Jordan once told a group of parents.
Parents, coaches, and counselors can play a key role in helping athletes bounce back after a loss and build emotional resilience, and that starts with separating the athlete’s identity from performance.
“You don’t put the end of the world on [making a shot] and kids sometimes have a tendency to do that,” Jordan, a three-time All-Star MVP, continued. “So as a parent, you have to simplify as much as possible to show them that either way, ‘I still love you if you miss that shot.’”
As they gear up for the sports season, health and fitness professionals suggest taking time to check in with young athletes, ask about their goals and be sure to engage with them throughout the year.
Orlandella encourages youth to listen to their body and mind, build trust within teams and coaches, and speak up when something doesn’t feel right. With the right support, there’s opportunity for an enjoyable, winning season.
“The mind-body connection becomes unconscious muscle memory,” Orlandella told The Informer. “Building this connection will ensure decades of expert performance in the years to come”
Rec Sports
Staten Island youth sports report: Two Island swimmers excel at Eastern Zone Swimming Championships
NORTH CHESTERFIELD, VIRGINIA. — Aidan Finn and Queenie Xiao, competing for Staten Island-based Trident Aquatic Club, turned in stellar performances in the pool at the Eastern Zone Swimming Championships. Finn, swimming in the 12-under division, copped first place in the 200-meter backstroke, second in the 100 backstroke and 50 freestyle, as well as fifth in […]
NORTH CHESTERFIELD, VIRGINIA. — Aidan Finn and Queenie Xiao, competing for Staten Island-based Trident Aquatic Club, turned in stellar performances in the pool at the Eastern Zone Swimming Championships.
Finn, swimming in the 12-under division, copped first place in the 200-meter backstroke, second in the 100 backstroke and 50 freestyle, as well as fifth in the 200 IM.
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Stepping up: Cheers to the many ESPN employees who volunteer as Little League softball and baseball coaches
ESPN employees are well represented among Little League softball and baseball coaches. (ESPN) The Little League World Series is in full swing, and the excitement is building for the final teams who represent thousands of kiddos who play youth baseball each year. Congratulations to Johnstown, Pennsylvania, on winning the Little League Softball World Series Championship. […]
The Little League World Series is in full swing, and the excitement is building for the final teams who represent thousands of kiddos who play youth baseball each year. Congratulations to Johnstown, Pennsylvania, on winning the Little League Softball World Series Championship.
The backbones of each of those teams are the coaches, volunteers who donate their time to helping kids develop a love of the game. Today, we celebrate a few of the many “ESPNers” who have stepped up to the plate and served as coaches for their local Little League teams.
And a reminder — you don’t have to be an expert at baseball (or any sport for that matter) to be a youth sports coach. The best coaches prioritize fun and building skills that will last a lifetime. Check out more resources for parents and youth coaches at TakeBackSports.org, ESPN’s central hub for its youth sports initiative, Take Back Sports.
THE LINEUP
KEVIN CONNORS, COMMENTATOR
“Youth sports are one of the best vehicles for kids to grow as individuals. My single biggest responsibility as a coach is to foster a love of the game through patience and positivity, and in that environment — the magic I’ve witnessed when a child succeeds — is indescribable! Winning is important and motivating kids to work hard and achieve a common goal is a healthy part of their development. But nothing compares with seeing a child’s confidence and sense of accomplishment grow. Those are the victories I’ll remember far more than any score, for as long as I coach.”
DREW GALLAGHER, COORDINATING PRODUCER
“It is important for me to be a coach because I think my coaching philosophy of emphasizing fun, teamwork and skills development can help kids build a long-term love of baseball, one that continues even after their playing days are over. Plus, the extra time I get to spend with my kids is incredibly valuable – we are building memories that we will carry with us forever.”
LESTON GREEN, JR., LEAD VIDEO EDITOR
“My favorite part of coaching Little League is game time. For these kids, baseball is going to be one of the hardest sports they ever play in life. Seeing all the hard work we put in during practice come together during a game is special. I got the chance this season to see my son hit a walk-off grand slam for the win. That’s a moment we will share forever.”
RICK MACE, DIRECTOR OF PROGRAMMING & ACQUISITIONS
“I didn’t intend to be a coach when my kids started playing but was asked if I could help during my son’s first year. That led to 13 years in the dugout for baseball and softball with my son and daughter. Over that time, I learned that there were more important things in youth coaching than wins and losses. My two goals each year were to help every kid leave as a better player than they started and for them to have enough fun they wanted to come back and play again next year.”
ADAM WHITLOCK, SR. DIRECTOR, REMOTE TRAFFIC OPERATIONS
“I have absolutely enjoyed connecting with the community. It has been a wonderful experience for my daughters and my family. Games are fun. The sense of community is important. Providing a safe, structured and positive environment for the children has invaluable. Watching my daughters and their teammates work at their craft, improve and participate in state championships and several Eastern regionals over the last 7-8 years has been truly amazing.”
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