Rec Sports
SC softball umpire dies after he collapsed in heat at tournament
A well-respected umpire known as “Uncle Mitch” died over the weekend after he collapsed in the heat during a South Carolina youth softball tournament, according to officials. Father of one, Mitchell Huggins, 61, was rushed to the hospital when he passed out while officiating games at a Sumter park around 5 p.m. on Saturday. Huggins’ […]

A well-respected umpire known as “Uncle Mitch” died over the weekend after he collapsed in the heat during a South Carolina youth softball tournament, according to officials.
Father of one, Mitchell Huggins, 61, was rushed to the hospital when he passed out while officiating games at a Sumter park around 5 p.m. on Saturday.
Huggins’ sister, Pamela Rufus, told WIS that she received a call from her son when he initially lost consciousness.

She FaceTimed with him when he momentarily became alert before passing out again.
“He was just lifeless,” she told the station. “He didn’t even look like himself.”
Huggins was taken to the hospital, but didn’t survive.
Sumter County Coroner Robbie Baker told WACH the heat, as well as an underlying heart condition, contributed to the sudden death.
“People don’t realize what heat does to a body, especially if you’re properly hydrated the day before,” said Baker.

Temperatures were in the low 90s last Saturday.
Rufus reportedly said even though her brother noted it was hot out, he was looking forward to umping another tournament.
Spending time at the ball field was Huggins’ “whole passion” with some players calling him “Uncle Mitch” or “Mr. Mitch,” she said, according to WIS.
“That was his second home,” she said. “He loved those kids.”
The local softball community also delivered a heartfelt tribute to Huggins, noting he was engaged to be married and loved talking about his 14-year-old son.
“Mitch was not just an umpire; he was a prominent figure in our community, recognized for his contagious smile and unwavering commitment. His passion for the game of softball and the people involved was always evident,” grieving loved ones said in a fundraising page.
“His generosity, kindness, and encouragement have left a huge impact on countless individuals. He played a pivotal role in shaping the lives of numerous players, coaches, and officials. The number of lives Mitch positively influenced is immeasurable.”
Rec Sports
A new era of athlete pay in the U.S.
Today we’re diving into some ongoing battles over athlete pay, from college athletics to the WNBA. In the case of college sports, a recent lawsuit settlement involving the NCAA allows colleges and universities to pay their athletes directly, which has the potential to transform the financial landscape of college athletics. “The House v. NCAA settlement […]

Today we’re diving into some ongoing battles over athlete pay, from college athletics to the WNBA.
In the case of college sports, a recent lawsuit settlement involving the NCAA allows colleges and universities to pay their athletes directly, which has the potential to transform the financial landscape of college athletics.
“The House v. NCAA settlement is just the latest in what seems to be a kind of peeling back of an onion of how college athletes are being paid,” said sports journalist Kennington Lloyd Smith III.
On the show today, Smith explains how college athlete pay has evolved, how the recent House v. NCAA settlement could strain athletic departments, and what could come from the WNBA players’ current fight for more equitable pay. Plus, the sports private equity firms are eyeing.
Then, we’ll hear how one listener got involved in local government. Plus, Paralympic sled hockey gold medalist Declan Farmer answers the Make Me Smart question.
Here’s everything we talked about today:
Rec Sports
Glen A. Gustafson – Brainerd Dispatch
Glen Allan “Gus” Gustafson, beloved husband, father, grandfather, great-grandfather, friend, and community leader, passed away peacefully at his home in Lakeshore, Minnesota, on August 10, 2025, at the age of 80. Known to many simply as “Gus,” he was kind, loving, modest, humble, and generous. He lived an impactful life and leaves behind a legacy […]

Glen Allan “Gus” Gustafson, beloved husband, father, grandfather, great-grandfather, friend, and community leader, passed away peacefully at his home in Lakeshore, Minnesota, on August 10, 2025, at the age of 80. Known to many simply as “Gus,” he was kind, loving, modest, humble, and generous. He lived an impactful life and leaves behind a legacy that will be felt for generations.
Glen was born in Bremerton, Washington, on March 8, 1945, to Alfred and Stella (Spilseth) Gustafson, while his father worked in the naval shipyards during WWII. The family later returned to Minnesota, settling in Alexandria. Glen attended Alexandria High School, where he shined both academically and athletically, earning letters in football, basketball, and baseball. He graduated in 1963.
He continued his education at the University of North Dakota, where he was a three-year letter winner in football and a proud member of the 1964, 1965, and 1966 teams honored in the UND Hall of Fame. He graduated in 1967, and later from the UND School of Law in 1970.
Glen’s greatest blessing came when he met Marilyn, his future wife, in junior high. They began dating in high school and married in 1962, sharing 37 years of marriage until Marilyn’s passing, at age 54 in 1999 after a courageous battle with ALS. Together, they raised four children in Brainerd, Minnesota.
After law school, Glen worked in Rochester, MN, for a year before moving to Brainerd in 1972 to establish a law practice. Starting out in a small basement office generously provided rent-free for six months, he built a highly respected practice over the next 40 years. Known for his integrity, humility, and generosity, Glen helped countless people in both his professional and personal life—often quietly without seeking recognition.
A man of deep faith and quiet strength, Glen’s heart for service was evident in every stage of his life. He founded the Brainerd Sports Boosters and served as president of the YMCA, Brainerd Youth Athletic Association, Bremer Bank Board, and Bethlehem Lutheran Church. He was a longtime treasurer of the Brainerd Soup Kitchen, a hospice volunteer, a board member for the Brainerd Food Shelf, and a faithful Meals on Wheels volunteer. In recognition of his dedication, Glen was named Brainerd Citizen of the Year in 2019.
Glen’s faith was central to his life. He approached each day with gratitude, a deep love for God, and a commitment to living his values. He loved his family fiercely, treasured time with his grandchildren and great-grandchildren, and found joy in sports, hunting, golf, Lake Hubert, Mazatlán, and his loyal dogs.
He is survived by his children: Jan (Mike) Sheady, Mike (Melanie) Gustafson, Brian (Kaylo) Gustafson, and Anne Gustafson; seven grandchildren: Kelsey, Patrick, Bodie, Lizzie, Abby, Paige, and Hillary; and seven great-grandchildren. He was preceded in death by his wife, Marilyn; his brother, John; and his parents, Alfred and Stella.
A celebration of Glen’s life will be held at 11:00 a.m., Friday, August 15, 2025 at Bethlehem Lutheran Church in Brainerd, with a visitation starting at 10 am.
In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to the Brainerd Sharing Bread Soup Kitchen (www.sharingbread.com).
Nelson – Doran Funeral Home
www.neslon-doran.com
218.829.4755
Rec Sports
Heart Ball campaign delivers hundreds of sports balls to Eastern Kentucky kids
Donation made possible by the American Heart Association’s “Bring a Ball to the Ball” campaign sponsored by Kentucky Children’s Hospital PIKEVILLE, Ky., August 5, 2025 — The American Heart Association, a global force for healthier lives for all, recently donated more than 100 sports balls to Operation UNITE (Unlawful Narcotics Investigations, Treatment and Education), which will distribute them to […]

Donation made possible by the American Heart Association’s “Bring a Ball to the Ball” campaign sponsored by Kentucky Children’s Hospital
PIKEVILLE, Ky., August 5, 2025 — The American Heart Association, a global force for healthier lives for all, recently donated more than 100 sports balls to Operation UNITE (Unlawful Narcotics Investigations, Treatment and Education), which will distribute them to children throughout Eastern Kentucky. The donation was presented during Camp UNITE — a free program that aims to instill healthy social and physical habits in middle-school youth, recently held at the University of Pikeville.
The American Heart Association in Central and Eastern Kentucky collected sports balls from attendees at the Central Kentucky Heart Ball in February as part of the event’s “Bring a Ball to the Ball” campaign. The campaign, sponsored by Kentucky Children’s Hospital, encourages children to get physically active to help them lead longer, healthier lives.
“At Kentucky Children’s Hospital, we believe every child deserves the chance to grow up healthy and strong. By encouraging kids to stay active and develop heart-healthy habits early, we’re not just promoting fun — we’re helping prevent chronic disease and building a foundation for lifelong well-being. We’re proud to partner with organizations like Operation UNITE and the American Heart Association to make these opportunities accessible for children across Kentucky,” said Dr. Scottie B. Day, physician-in-chief at Kentucky Children’s Hospital.
President and CEO of Operation UNITE Tom Vicini stated “the American Heart Association’s long-time partnership through the sports ball donation has made it possible for hundreds of youth from throughout our service region to experience fun alternatives to substance use. At Operation UNITE, we are expanding our prevention efforts, reaching more and more young people, and working tirelessly to ensure that future generations don’t have to experience the pain that so many before them have.”
Operation UNITE is currently in its 23rd year working to address the devastating crisis of substance misuse through prevention, treatment, law enforcement, and education initiatives. In the past fiscal year alone, Operation UNITE has impacted more than 122,000 youth across 92 of Kentucky’s 120 counties through partnerships and programs. “Prevention is not just a strategy — it is the only way to truly break the cycle of substance misuse,” said Vicini. “The American Heart Association has found a way to become involved in these efforts, and we applaud their continued support.”
The American Heart Association is building healthier futures for America’s youth by encouraging regular physical activity and instilling healthy eating habits. The Association is also creating healthier generations by improving nutrition security, advocating for ending tobacco use and vaping, supporting resiliency and more. For more information, visit www.heart.org/kids.
###
About the American Heart Association
The American Heart Association is a relentless force for a world of longer, healthier lives. Dedicated to ensuring equitable health in all communities, the organization has been a leading source of health information for more than one hundred years. Supported by more than 35 million volunteers globally, we fund groundbreaking research, advocate for the public’s health, and provide critical resources to save and improve lives affected by cardiovascular disease and stroke. By driving breakthroughs and implementing proven solutions in science, policy, and care, we work tirelessly to advance health and transform lives every day. Connect with us on heart.org, Facebook, X or by calling 1-800-AHA-USA1.
For Media Inquiries:
Meredith Adkins: Meredith.Adkins@heart.org
heart.org and stroke.org
Rec Sports
This Week In Spartan Athletics – August 12
This Week In Spartan Athletics – August 12 Women’s Soccer The women’s soccer program is the first Spartan squad to officially begin its 2025-26 slate. MSU opens the year Thursday at Colorado (9 p.m. ET). Sunday marks the home opener for the Spartans as they host Dayton Sunday at 7 p.m. It will be […]

Women’s Soccer
The women’s soccer program is the first Spartan squad to officially begin its 2025-26 slate. MSU opens the year Thursday at Colorado (9 p.m. ET). Sunday marks the home opener for the Spartans as they host Dayton Sunday at 7 p.m. It will be Youth Soccer Day at DeMartin Stadium, where youth soccer players get in free by wearing their team jersey. Michigan State opens the season ranked in the Top 12 of both national polls.
Men’s Soccer
Michigan State will travel to Chicago to face UIC in the second exhibition contest of the season. It’s the final tune-up for the Spartans before beginning their regular season next week. MSU defeated Butler last Sunday in the first exhibition contest.
Field Hockey
Spartan field hockey opens its exhibition schedule with a Sunday afternoon contest against Central Michigan at Ralph Young Field at 1 p.m. MSU will play two exhibitions before opening the season on Aug. 29.
Rec Sports
BSE to add Shoot 360 AI basketball training tech to youth sports facility
Brooklyn Sports & Entertainment, parent company of the Nets, Liberty and Barclays Center, has partnered with artificial intelligence-powered basketball training system Shoot 360 to deploy its technology in the youth basketball facility BSE is opening in downtown Brooklyn this fall. The facility, called the Brooklyn Basketball Training Center, will be located across the street from […]

Brooklyn Sports & Entertainment, parent company of the Nets, Liberty and Barclays Center, has partnered with artificial intelligence-powered basketball training system Shoot 360 to deploy its technology in the youth basketball facility BSE is opening in downtown Brooklyn this fall.
The facility, called the Brooklyn Basketball Training Center, will be located across the street from Barclays Center and host after-school/weekend programming, 1-on-1 training sessions, and venue rentals for parties or corporate events.
Shoot 360 will augment it by installing five shooting cages, which measure/track analytics like arc, alignment and percentage, and three skill cages, which gamify training through ball-handling and passing challenges.
“Our goal has been to bring [basketball training] into the 21st century,” Shoot 360 Founder and President Craig Moody told SBJ. “There’s a really deep tradition in U.S. basketball of coaching, but it’s all been subjective. The only real objective information we give is the stat line. We see [Shoot 360’s] technology being the objective part of it, to inform what [players] should be training and where they’re progressing to, benchmarking where they are against their peers or other people.”

Shoot 360 has 55 operational facilities in the U.S. and 60 more currently being developed, according to Moody. The Warriors own one of the franchises, while two others are co-branded with the Clippers and Jazz, respectively. Shoot 360 also has a fan experience booth installed at Intuit Dome.
The company is backed by a slew of athlete investors, including Liberty F Breanna Stewart, Hawks G Trae Young, 17-year NBA veteran Thaddeus Young and retired NBA-er Jamal Crawford.
Rec Sports
DICK’S Sporting Goods Announces Cookie Jar & A Dream Studios, Solidifying Its Position in Original Sports Filmmaking
Published 7 hours ago Submitted by DICK’S Sporting Goods Originally published on DICK’S Sporting Goods Newsroom PITTSBURGH, August 12, 2025 /CSRwire/ — DICK’S Sporting Goods (NYSE: DKS) announced the official launch of Cookie Jar & A Dream Studios, a new in-house content and production studio dedicated to telling powerful, human-centered stories through the lens of sport. […]

Published 7 hours ago
Submitted by DICK’S Sporting Goods
Originally published on DICK’S Sporting Goods Newsroom
PITTSBURGH, August 12, 2025 /CSRwire/ — DICK’S Sporting Goods (NYSE: DKS) announced the official launch of Cookie Jar & A Dream Studios, a new in-house content and production studio dedicated to telling powerful, human-centered stories through the lens of sport.
Founded on the belief that sports have the power to change lives and build community, Cookie Jar & A Dream Studios aims to deliver transformative storytelling that positions sports at the heart of culture. The studio’s work will spotlight the grit, triumphs and heartbreak behind every athlete’s journey, with a mission to create emotionally resonant content that inspires long after the final whistle blows. At its core, the studio believes sports are more than just competition; they are universal stories of hope, resilience and connection.
Although Cookie Jar & A Dream Studios was just recently established, DICK’S began shaping its legacy in sports storytelling over a decade ago. In 2014, the company debuted its first feature documentary, We Could Be King, through its Foundation, which won the Emmy Award for Outstanding Sports Documentary, an extraordinary achievement for a consumer brand. This past spring, DICK’S added a second Sports Emmy – the first award for Cookie Jar & A Dream Studios – to their resume with The Turnaround, a documentary that tells the story of Philadelphia Phillies’ superfan Jon McCann, who helped inspire an unlikely 2023 standing ovation for Phillies shortstop Trea Turner, which helped turn the team around after hitting a major roadblock. With two Sports Emmys, DICK’S has cemented its reputation as a serious producer of documentary films. In the last 10 years, the company has built an impressive catalog of five feature-length films and ten short-form or episodic documentaries, with additional projects forthcoming.
“DICK’S believes that sports have the power to change lives,” said Mark Rooks, VP of Creative, Entertainment & Sponsorships at DICK’S Sporting Goods. “And we’ve seen through our work how true that is for so many who have excelled, triumphed against the odds, and been defeated in sport. There are so many incredible and inspiring human stories that deserve to be told, and we could not be more excited to showcase how individuals, teams and communities are shaping sport, bringing people together and unifying and building communities for thousands.”
The official announcement of Cookie Jar & A Dream Studios coincides with the premiere of Big Dreams: The Little League World Series 2024, a new documentary that explores the magic and meaning behind one of America’s most iconic youth sporting events. It takes viewers to Williamsport, the unassuming town in rural Pennsylvania that’s hosted the tournament for nearly 80 years, to follow the unforgettable wins and losses, sweat and tears, and camaraderie and teamwork that await Little League athletes from around the world as they compete in this longstanding tradition. Produced in partnership with Imagine Entertainment and MLB Studios, the film will premiere on August 12 at 9:30 p.m. ET on ESPN.
“Big Dreams is a great example of the kind of projects Cookie Jar & A Dream Studios aims to produce,” said Rebecca Covington, Sr. Director, Creative Production at DICK’S Sporting Goods. “Being able to share big sports moments with fans is something that drives our team, and we look at the upcoming years with great excitement as we know there will be so many unforgettable stories deserving of the spotlight.”
The name of the studio, Cookie Jar & A Dream, honors the founding story of DICK’S Sporting Goods: In 1948, an 18-year-old Dick Stack borrowed $300 from his grandmother—her savings, kept in a cookie jar—to open a small bait-and-tackle shop in Binghamton, New York. By the late 1970’s, Dick expanded his product line to include much of what you’ll find at DICK’S Sporting Goods today. That humble beginning continues to shape the studio’s mission to elevate the voices and stories at the core of sport.
About DICK’S Sporting Goods
DICK’S Sporting Goods (NYSE: DKS) creates confidence and excitement by inspiring, supporting and personally equipping all athletes to achieve their dreams. Founded in 1948 and headquartered in Pittsburgh, the leading omni-channel retailer serves athletes and outdoor enthusiasts in more than 850 DICK’S Sporting Goods, Golf Galaxy, Public Lands and Going Going Gone! stores, online, and through the DICK’S mobile app. DICK’S also owns and operates DICK’S House of Sport and Golf Galaxy Performance Center, as well as GameChanger, a youth sports mobile platform for live streaming, scheduling, communications and scorekeeping.
Driven by its belief that sports have the power to change lives, DICK’S has been a longtime champion for youth sports and, together with its Foundation, has donated millions of dollars to support under-resourced teams and athletes through the Sports Matter program and other community-based initiatives. Additional information about DICK’S business, corporate giving and employment opportunities can be found on dicks.com, investors.dicks.com, sportsmatter.org, dickssportinggoods.jobs and on Instagram, TikTok, Facebook and X.
Media Contact
DICK’S Sporting Goods – press@dcsg.com
Category: Company
SOURCE DICK’S Sporting Goods, Inc.

DICK’S Sporting Goods
DICK’S Sporting Goods
Founded in 1948, DICK’S Sporting Goods is a leading omni-channel sporting goods retailer offering an extensive assortment of authentic, high-quality sports equipment, apparel, footwear and accessories. As of October 30, 2021, the Company operated 734 DICK’S Sporting Goods locations across the United States, serving and inspiring athletes and outdoor enthusiasts to achieve their personal best through a combination of its dedicated teammates, in-store services and unique specialty shop-in-shops dedicated to Team Sports, Athletic Apparel, Golf, Outdoor, Fitness and Footwear.
Headquartered in Pittsburgh, DICK’S also owns and operates Golf Galaxy, Field & Stream and Public Lands specialty stores, as well as GameChanger, a youth sports mobile app for scheduling, communications, live scorekeeping and video streaming. DICK’S offers its products through a dynamic eCommerce platform that is integrated with its store network and provides athletes with the convenience and expertise of a 24-hour storefront.
For more information, visit the Investor Relations page at dicks.com.
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