Rec Sports

The Stroller, Oct. 19, 2025: Events in the Alle-Kiski Valley

Published

3 months ago

October 19, 2025

Publicize your non-profit’s community events, fundraisers and club meetings for free in The Stroller. Send information at least two weeks in advance to vndnews@triblive.com or The Stroller, 210 Wood St., Tarentum PA 15084. Please include a daytime telephone number. Follow the Stroller on X at @VNDStroller.

Tickets on sale for Mary, Queen of Apostles School musical

The theater department of Mary, Queen of Apostles School in New Kensington will present “Matilda Jr. – The Musical” at 7 p.m. Friday and Saturday and 2 p.m. Oct. 26 in the auditorium of Huston Middle School, 1020 Puckety Church Road, Lower Burrell.

Tickets are $10, plus fees. For tickets, visit tinyurl.com/muzj6z68.

Volunteers wanted for shelter Cat Volunteer Crew

Animal Protectors of Allegheny Valley in New Kensington is looking for new volunteers to help out on the Cat Volunteer Crew.

Hours are between 7 and 10 a.m. and duties include cleaning kennels, filling food and water bowls, scooping litter and spending time playing and socializing with the felines. Volunteers must be at least 18 years old.

For an application, visit tinyurl.com/t7ypahfa.

Free rides available to medical appointments

Wesley Family Services offers free transportation for those 18 and older from their homes to medical facilities within New Kensington, Arnold, Lower Burrell and parts of Vandergrift.

Rides are available from 7 a.m. to 5 p.m. weekdays except holidays. One-way and round-trip rides are available. For details, call 724-895-8214.

Calendar

Allegheny Township

Tuesday: The Foes to Friends Football Breakfast Club will meet at 9 a.m. at Valley Dairy Restaurant, 315 Hyde Park Road. Former players from the 1970’s from local high schools are welcome. Details: Frank, 724-980-2197.

Tuesday : WestArm Physical Therapy will offer a free lecture, “Are You Considering a Knee or Hip Replacement?” at 6 p.m. at the office, 1001 S. Leechburg Hill Road. Speakers will be Dr. Eric Evans and physical therapist Luke Ladouceur. Reservations required. Reservations: 724-337-6522 or administration@westarmtherapy.com.

Apollo

Nov. 1: Apollo Hose Company No. 2 is accepting space applications for an autumn vendor fair planned from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. at the firehall, 325 N. Fourth Ave. Spots available with and without electricity available. Details: Shelby, 724-549-1601.

Nov. 11: St. James Parish is accepting orders for a nut roll sale. Cost: $15. Order deadline: Nov. 7. Pickup: after 2:30 p.m. Nov. 11 in the parish activities center. Orders: Rita, 724-478-2404, Charlene, 412-289-8903 or Jennifer, 412-860-5349.

Arnold

Mondays: St. Vladimir Church will host bingo at 7 p.m. in the church hall, 1601 Kenneth Ave. Note the change of day. Early bird games and after bingo quickies have been eliminated.

East Franklin

Monday: Armstrong County Republican Committee will meet at 7 p.m. in the Belmont Complex banquet room, 415 Butler Road. Details: Darlene Smail, 724-902-2244 or dsmail2244@windstream.net or Anthony Shea, ashea247@comcast.net.

East Vandergrift

Today: Our Lady, Queen of Peace Parish will have bingo at 6:30 p.m. in the church social hall, 411 McKinley Ave. Doors open at 5:30 p.m. There will be a 56-number jackpot game, a 47-number picture frame game and a magic number game. Details: 724-478-4958.

Nov. 1: Our Lady, Queen of Peace Parish will sponsor a cash bash in the church social hall, 411 McKinley Ave. Doors open at 5 p.m. and the first number will be drawn at 7 p.m. Cost: $30, includes food, beverages and five numbers to win cash prizes. Must be 21. There will be pull tabs, a basket raffle and 50-50s. Tickets: Crystal, 724-882-9212 or stop in at the parish office in Apollo.

Fawn

Today: The Alle-Kiski Valley Historical Society’s Flea-Tique antique and collectible show will be open from daybreak to 1 p.m. at the Bull Creek Tour-Ed Mine site, off Bull Creek Road., rain or shine. No pets permitted. Customer parking: $3 per vehicle. Proceeds benefit the Alle-Kiski Heritage and Tour Ed Mine museums. Donations of money and new toys will be accepted by the Marines for Toys for Tots. This is the final show of the season. Details: 724-224-0178.

Freeport

Oct. 26: A pasta dinner fundraiser to benefit cancer patient Tracy Ross-Kelley will be from noon to 6 p.m. at St. Mary Church, 608 High St. Cost: $16; 6 to 11, $12; 5 and younger, free. There will be a basket raffle, bake sale and 50-50. Tickets: Pam, text 724-991-3199.

Oct. 27: St. Mary, Mother of God Church Christian Mothers will host a card party and game board social from 6 to 9:30 p.m. in the church fellowship hall, 610 High St. Cost: $10, includes salad bar, refreshments and beverages. Reservations and details: Carol, 724-316-1204.

Oct. 29: Donations are being accepted to help to buy candy and provide prizes for the annual fireman’s Halloween parade. Checks can be sent to Freeport Fire EMS, 400 Market St., PO Box 158 Freeport PA 16229 or visit freeportvfd.square.site.

Hampton

Monday: The Greater Pittsburgh Civil War Roundtable will host a free program, “Civil War Medicine” by Jake Wynn at 7 p.m. at the Hampton Community Center, 3200 Lochner Way. Public welcome.

Harmar

Nov. 9: Daughters of the Nile are accepting vendor reservations for a holiday craft show planned at the Pittsburgh Shrine Center, 1877 Shriners Way. Details: Peggy Addleman, 724-709-9916 or peggyaddleman@gmail.com.

Harrison

Tuesday: The Who Knew? program at Community Library of Allegheny Valley will present “Alcoa – the History of Aluminum and Wearever Products” at 6 p.m. at the library, 1522 Broadview Blvd. Reservations required. Reservations: 724-226-3491 or visit the calendar tab at alleghenyvalleylibrary.org.

Wednesday: The Kitchen Sink Book Club at Community Library of Allegheny Valley will meet at 5:30 p.m. at the library, 1522 Broadview Blvd. The selection will be “The Secrets She Keeps” by Michael Robotham. Copies are available at the circulation desk. Reservations required. Reservations: 724-226-3491 or alleghenyvalleylibrary.org.

Oct. 26: A Black Light Halloween Bingo will be at 1 p.m. at the Veterans of Foreign Wars, 894 Veterans Drive. Doors open at 11 a.m. There will be cash prizes, door prizes, raffles and more. Cost: $45, includes lunch and fluorescent daubers. Tickets: Lorraine, 412-537-5954.

Nov. 2: St. Joseph High School will host a purse bash at 1:10 p.m. in Patterson Hall at Guardian Angels Parish, Most Blessed Sacrament site. Doors open at noon. Cost: $25, includes a light lunch and chance to win 10 purses. Winner need not be present. Tickets: 724-226-7872, ahaugh@saintjosephhs.com or SaintJosephHS.com. Proceeds will be used to update cafeteria equipment.

Leechburg

Monday: Leechburg Volunteer Fire Company will host bingo at 7 p.m. at the firehall, 268 Canal St. Doors open at 5 p.m. The kitchen will be open.

Oct. 26: First Evangelical Lutheran Church will offer a free GriefShare program, “Surviving the Loss of a Spouse,” from 2 to 4 p.m. at the church, 358 Main St. Details: 724-845-7518.

Nov. 15 and 16: Leechburg Volunteer Fire Company is accepting space reservations for a holiday craft and vendor fair at the firehall, 268 Canal St. Cost: $30, includes an 8-foot table and two chairs for one day; two days, $50. Reservations: Melissa, 724-332-9090 or allermelissa@comcast.net.

Lower Burrell

Today: The American Legion, 1100 Wildlife Lodge Road, will be open for breakfast from 9 a.m. to noon. Menu: pancakes, creamed ground beef on toast, eggs made to order with toast, home fries and sausage or bacon.

Wednesday: Peoples Library will host a virtual talk with Nobel Peace Prize Laureate Malala Yousafzai about her memoir “Finding My Way” at 7 p.m. Recordings will be available to watch on demand. To register and ask questions, visit libraryc.org/peopleslibrary. Details: 724-339-1021.

Oct. 25: Grace Community Presbyterian Church, 2751 Grant St., will sponsor a spaghetti dinner fundraiser and silent auction from 4 to 7 p.m. to benefit Operation Christmas Child. Menu: spaghetti, meatball, salad, bread, dessert and drinks, $15; younger than 12, $10. Dine in or takeout. Tickets purchased in advance receive a $1 discount. Tickets: 724-339-9661.

Through Oct. 31: The works of Allegheny Valley League of Artists member Cindy Downard will be on display during operating hours at Peoples Library, 3052 Wachter Ave. Details: 724-339-1021.

Nov. 1: A Harvest Bingo will be at 1 p.m. at the Moose, 499 Reimer St. Doors open at 11:30 a.m. Cost: $40, includes lunch, regular and special games and the $1,000 jackpot game. Tickets: Marianne, 412-337-0841 or at the lodge.

Nov. 10: Westmoreland County Marine Detachment is selling raffle tickets to win two rolls of $20 Pa. Lottery scratch-off tickets or $1,000 cash. Cost: $10, for two numbers. The winning number will be the Nov. 10 evening Pa. Pick 3 lottery number. Tickets: Jim Walters, 724-681-6293 or waltersusmc@comcast.net.

Lower Burrell/New Kensington

Nov. 19: Peoples Library is selling chances to win a collection of Pennsylvania Lottery scratch-off tickets. Cost: $5 each; or three for $10. The drawing will be Nov. 19. Tickets are available at both library locations. Details: 724-339-1021.

New Kensington

Today: St. Mary of Czestochowa Parish will host its Polish Platter Dinner from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. in the church Friendship Hall, 857 Kenneth Ave. Menu: two pierogi, cabbage roll, haluski, green beans Polonaise and roll, $15. Dine in or takeout. There will be a bake sale, basket raffle, 50-50 and the November lottery drawing.

Parks Township

Today: Parks Township Sportsman’s Club will have a country music jam night from 5 to 8 p.m. at the club, 1111 Shipman Road. Bring your favorite stringed instrument and sing along. Refreshments available. Public welcome. Details: 724-845-2390.

Springdale

Oct. 28: The Tuesday Night Book Club at Springdale Free Public Library will meet at 6:30 p.m. at the library, 331 School St. The selection will be “Amalfi Coast” by Sarah Penner. Copies available at the library. New members welcome. Reservations required. Reservations: 724-274-9729.

Nov. 6: Springdale Free Public Library is accepting orders for pies and pumpkin rolls from The Pie Shoppe in Laughlintown. Varieties: chocolate meringue, coconut cream meringue, lemon meringue, apple, blackberry, cherry, Dutch apple, harvest, peach, raisin, razzleberry and pumpkin pies, and pumpkin rolls, all $12. All items arrive fresh and can be frozen. Paid order deadline: Oct. 27. Pick-up: Nov. 6. Orders: 724-274-9729.

Tarentum

Oct. 31: Central Presbyterian Church, 305 Allegheny St., is accepting orders for pies and pumpkin rolls from The Pie Shoppe in Laughlintown. Varieties: chocolate meringue, coconut cream meringue, lemon meringue, apple, blackberry, cherry, Dutch apple, harvest, peach, raisin, razzleberry and pumpkin pies, and pumpkin rolls, all $12. All items arrive fresh and can be frozen. Paid order deadline: Tuesday. Pick-up: 2 p.m. Oct. 31. Orders: 724-224-9220.

Nov. 18, 19 and 20: Ss. Peter & Paul Byzantine Catholic Church, 339 E. 10th Ave., is taking orders for its Thanksgiving nut roll sale. Nut, apricot and poppy seed rolls will be available. Pickup: Nov. 18. 19 and 20. Cost: $15 each. Orders: 724-224-3026, leave a message with your name, phone number and order; email tarentumbyzcath@gmail.com or visit tarentumbyzcath.org.

Nov. 22: Tarentum Recreation board is accepting registration from groups, businesses and clubs who would like to participate in this year’s holiday parade. Lineup will be at noon and the parade will begin at 1 p.m. Details: Carrie, 724-448-1470 or tarentummagazine@gmail.com.

Vandergrift

Today: The Casino Theater will screen Ken Burns’ documentary, “American Revolution,” at 2 p.m. at the theater. Donations will be accepted.

Tuesday : Vandergrift Public Library will have a Halloween game night for youth and their families from 5:30 to 7:30 p.m. at the library, 128C Washington Ave. Costumes welcome. Reservations required. Reservations: 724-568-2212.

Washington Township

Nov. 2: Reservations are being accepted for an auto parts swap planned at Washington Township Volunteer Fire Co., 4078 Route 66. Rain or shine. Items must include parts and accessories from anything automotive, classic, high performance, trucks, cars, motorcycles or boats. Cost: outside 12 x 48-foot space, $55; outside 12’ x 24-foot space, $30; cash only. Details: 724-727-3079, option 9.

Nov. 15: Quality Life Services, 151 Goodview Drive, is accepted space reservations for a holiday vendor show set for 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. at the center. Details: Robyn Platt, 724-727-3451 or rplatt@qualitylifeservices.com.

West Deer

Nov. 1: Fun and Freedom Youth Sports is accepting team reservations for a 3-on-3 youth basketball tournament at East Union Community Center. Held in memory of founder coach Deeni Riddle, divisions will include third- through fifth-graders, and sixth- through eighth-graders. Teams can be coed. Players from all schools welcome. Cost: $120 per team. Paid reservations required by Friday. Details and registration: 724-274-7773 or click on the tournament tab at funandfreedom.org.

Winfield

Today : St. Francis Assisi Parish will sponsor a vaccination clinic for adults and children from 9 a.m. to noon at the church, 315 Stoney Hollow Road. The follow vaccines will be available: flu, for those 5 and older; covid for those 12 and older; shingles, pneumonia and RSV. Details: 412-821-1524 or medicap225@gmail.com.

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Fort Lewis College women’s basketball uses strong shooting in win over Westminster

Published

2 hours ago

January 12, 2026

Your Sports Nation

Lamb’s 16 points propelled Skyhawks to 72-53 win on Saturday

Katie Lamb of Fort Lewis College puts up a 3-point shot against Westminster University on Saturday at FLC. (Jerry McBride/Durango Herald)

Jerry McBride

Fort Lewis College women’s basketball coach has been confident in her team’s shooting this week, and her confidence was rewarded in the Skyhawks’ 72-53 home victory over Westminster on Saturday.

The Skyhawks have struggled to shoot from 3-point range and from the free-throw line at times this season, including in the team’s loss to Western Colorado on Thursday. But Zuniga liked her team’s shot selection, and the shots finally fell against Westminster.

After going 6-9 from 3-point range in the first half, the Skyhawks shot 50% in the fourth quarter to pull away from the Griffins. On defense, FLC forced 22 turnovers and Westminster never looked comfortable when it could hang on to the ball in the half-court.

“It was a really great response overall,” Zuniga said. “That’s all we can ask for. It’s just better all-around, better offensively, better effort, better communication, just more disciplined.”

FLC improved to 10-4 overall and 3-3 in the Rocky Mountain Athletic Conference after it shot 41% from the field, 43% from 3-point range and 75% from the free-throw line.

Sophomore guard Katie Lamb led the Skyhawks with 16 points on 6-15 shooting from the field and 4-7 from 3-point range. Junior Makaya Porter had 14 points off the bench for the Skyhawks on 5-13 shooting from the field, 1-2 from 3-point range and 3-4 from the free-throw line. Sophomore guard Claudia Palacio Gámez had a quality all-around game, finishing with five points, seven assists and seven rebounds.

Westminster dropped to 3-9 overall and 0-6 in the RMAC after it shot 32% from the field, 24% from 3-point range and 60% from the free-throw line. Ellie Mitchell and Madison Anderson each had 14 points to lead the Griffins.

FLC mixed it up offensively to take the lead in the first. Skyhawks freshman forward Alemanualii Fonoti got inside to finish or get to the free-throw line, and Lamb hit a nice transition 3-pointer to take a 12-7 lead with 1:30 left in the first.

Both teams could’ve scored more, but they couldn’t finish inside. Fonoti’s misses were especially tough with her size advantage and how close she was to the basket. Regardless, FLC ended the first quarter with good momentum thanks to a great step-back 3-pointer by Palacio Gámez to give FLC a 15-11 lead after the first quarter.

After allowing nearly 40 free throws the previous game against Western Colorado, FLC did a great job pressuring in the half-court without fouling, causing some poor late shot clock shots from the Griffins.

However, that work wasn’t shown in its lead early in the second quarter because the Skyhawks were unsuccessfully trying to force the ball into Fonoti. She had a clear size advantage, but the Griffins were bringing timely double teams and forcing turnovers.

The Skyhawks’ defense continued to be fantastic in the half-court, disrupting Westminster’s sets and forcing turnovers. Without Fonoti on the floor as someone to force the ball into, the Skyhawks got to the basket, got to the free-throw line and pushed the pace, creating looks in transition. The Skyhawks finally hit some 3-pointers, went on a 14-0 run and took a 34-20 lead into halftime.

Savanna Dotray, left, and Katie Lamb of Fort Lewis College fight for the ball while playing Westminster University on Saturday at FLC. (Jerry McBride/Durango Herald)

Jerry McBride

Zuniga said she didn’t call one set play for a 3-pointer. FLC was getting its 3-pointers off drive and kickouts.

“We were not forcing so much,” Zuniga said. “We were just making our shots, and our offense maybe had a little bit more of a rhythm.”

FLC continued to play well to start the second half with strong half-court defense and impressive shot-making. Martinez made a contested driving layup with Lamb and senior guard Laisha Armendariz making 3-pointers. The Skyhawks led 43-24 with 3:45 left in the third quarter.

Westminster responded with a 9-2 run off some sloppy play from FLC, but FLC stayed composed and got to the free-throw line after crashing the offensive boards. The Skyhawks led 49-38 after three quarters.

The Griffins made a run to start the fourth quarter, cutting the FLC lead to 53-46 after some good ball movement and good shooting. FLC’s lack of a dominant offensive player showed in a moment like that, with no single player stepping up to stop the run, slow things down and take control.

“That’s a super great learning moment in a maturity moment for Claudia or Katie Lamb, but especially Claudia, just because she is our point guard and just knowing the trust is in her,” Zuniga said. “She needs to get the ball in her hand and slow it down; we want her to do that. She’s still learning, but she did a better job of that tonight.”

Lauren Zuniga, left, Fort Lewis College women’s head coach, and assistant coach Maggie Espenmiller-McGraw are all smiles with player Claudia Palacio Gámez after winning the game against Westminster University on Saturday at FLC. (Jerry McBride/Durango Herald)

Jerry McBride

However, FLC’s defense stayed consistent as the offense ebbed and flowed, allowing Lamb to hit a 3-pointer and Davis to finish an old-fashioned 3-point play to seal the win with a 64-50 lead with 2:20 left.

FLC hits the road to play at South Dakota Mines on Thursday at 5:30 p.m.

bkelly@durangoherald.com

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Steelers surprise local flag football leader with Super Bowl LX tickets

Published

3 hours ago

January 12, 2026

Your Sports Nation

The Pittsburgh Steelers surprised a local community leader on Sunday with two tickets to Super Bowl LX, recognizing his efforts to expand access to youth flag football across the Pittsburgh area.

Chris Curd, founder of the Pittsburgh Flag Football League and the Pa. Flag Football Foundation, was honored during a series of youth flag football games at the Montour Sports Complex. Former Steelers tight end and Super Bowl XLIII champion Matt Spaeth presented the tickets.

“We wanted to take a moment to celebrate Chris and his longstanding commitment to expanding access to flag football—especially girls flag football,” said Dan Rooney, Steelers vice president of business development and strategy. “The sport being sanctioned by the Pennsylvania Interscholastic Athletic Association was a major accomplishment, and Chris’ grassroots efforts played an important role in achieving this milestone.”

The Steelers launched a girls’ flag football program at the high school level in 2022. The initiative expanded to the collegiate level in 2025.

Curd’s organizations have supported the Steelers, local school districts and colleges with site management, scheduling officials and creating game schedules for both boys and girls youth football, according to a media release provided by the Steelers. Curd has also served as a girls’ flag football coach at The Ellis School.

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Upcoming season could be last for transgender teen athlete

Published

3 hours ago

January 12, 2026

Your Sports Nation

WASHINGTON — Becky Pepper-Jackson finished third in the discus throw in West Virginia last year though she was in just her first year of high school. Now a 15-year-old sophomore, Pepper-Jackson is aware that her upcoming season could be her last.

West Virginia has banned transgender girls like Pepper-Jackson from competing in girls and women’s sports, and is among the more than two dozen states with similar laws. Though the West Virginia law has been blocked by lower courts, the outcome could be different at the conservative-dominated Supreme Court, which has allowed multiple restrictions on transgender people to be enforced in the past year.

The justices are hearing arguments Tuesday in two cases over whether the sports bans violate the Constitution or the landmark federal law known as Title IX that prohibits sex discrimination in education. The second case comes from Idaho, where college student Lindsay Hecox challenged that state’s law.

Decisions are expected by early summer.

President Donald Trump’s Republican administration has targeted transgender Americans from the first day of his second term, including ousting transgender people from the military and declaring that gender is immutable and determined at birth.

Supreme Court Transgender Athletes — Heather Jackson, left, and Becky Pepper-Jackson pose for a photograph outside of the U.S. Supreme Court on Sunday in Washington.

Jose Luis Magana, Associated Press

Pepper-Jackson has become the face of the nationwide battle over the participation of transgender girls in athletics that has played out at both the state and federal levels as Republicans have leveraged the issue as a fight for athletic fairness for women and girls.

“I think it’s something that needs to be done,” Pepper-Jackson said in an interview with The Associated Press that was conducted over Zoom. “It’s something I’m here to do because … this is important to me. I know it’s important to other people. So, like, I’m here for it.”

She sat alongside her mother, Heather Jackson, on a sofa in their home just outside Bridgeport, a rural West Virginia community about 40 miles southwest of Morgantown, to talk about a legal fight that began when she was a middle schooler who finished near the back of the pack in cross-country races.

Pepper-Jackson has grown into a competitive discus and shot put thrower. In addition to the bronze medal in the discus, she finished eighth among shot putters.

She attributes her success to hard work, practicing at school and in her backyard, and lifting weights. Pepper-Jackson has been taking puberty-blocking medication and has publicly identified as a girl since she was in the third grade, though the Supreme Court’s decision in June upholding state bans on gender-affirming medical treatment for minors has forced her to go out of state for care.

Her very improvement as an athlete has been cited as a reason she should not be allowed to compete against girls.

“There are immutable physical and biological characteristic differences between men and women that make men bigger, stronger, and faster than women. And if we allow biological males to play sports against biological females, those differences will erode the ability and the places for women in these sports which we have fought so hard for over the last 50 years,” West Virginia’s attorney general, JB McCuskey, said in an AP interview. McCuskey said he is not aware of any other transgender athlete in the state who has competed or is trying to compete in girls or women’s sports.

Despite the small numbers of transgender athletes, the issue has taken on outsize importance. The NCAA and the U.S. Olympic and Paralympic Committees banned transgender women from women’s sports after Trump signed an executive order aimed at barring their participation.

The public generally is supportive of the limits. An Associated Press-NORC Center for Public Affairs Research poll conducted in October 2025 found that about 6 in 10 U.S. adults “strongly” or “somewhat” favored requiring transgender children and teenagers to only compete on sports teams that match the sex they were assigned at birth, not the gender they identify with, while about 2 in 10 were “strongly” or “somewhat” opposed and about one-quarter did not have an opinion.

About 2.1 million adults, or 0.8%, and 724,000 people age 13 to 17, or 3.3%, identify as transgender in the U.S., according to the Williams Institute at the UCLA School of Law.

Those allied with the administration on the issue paint it in broader terms than just sports, pointing to state laws, Trump administration policies and court rulings against transgender people.

“I think there are cultural, political, legal headwinds all supporting this notion that it’s just a lie that a man can be a woman,” said John Bursch, a lawyer with the conservative Christian law firm Alliance Defending Freedom that has led the legal campaign against transgender people. “And if we want a society that respects women and girls, then we need to come to terms with that truth. And the sooner that we do that, the better it will be for women everywhere, whether that be in high school sports teams, high school locker rooms and showers, abused women’s shelters, women’s prisons.”

But Heather Jackson offered different terms to describe the effort to keep her daughter off West Virginia’s playing fields.

“Hatred. It’s nothing but hatred,” she said. “This community is the community du jour. We have a long history of isolating marginalized parts of the community.”

Pepper-Jackson has seen some of the uglier side of the debate on display, including when a competitor wore a T-shirt at the championship meet that said, “Men Don’t Belong in Women’s Sports.”

“I wish these people would educate themselves. Just so they would know that I’m just there to have a good time. That’s it. But it just, it hurts sometimes, like, it gets to me sometimes, but I try to brush it off,” she said.

One schoolmate, identified as A.C. in court papers, said Pepper-Jackson has herself used graphic language in sexually bullying her teammates.

Asked whether she said any of what is alleged, Pepper-Jackson said, “I did not. And the school ruled that there was no evidence to prove that it was true.”

The legal fight will turn on whether the Constitution’s equal protection clause or the Title IX anti-discrimination law protects transgender people.

The court ruled in 2020 that workplace discrimination against transgender people is sex discrimination, but refused to extend the logic of that decision to the case over health care for transgender minors.

The court has been deluged by dueling legal briefs from Republican- and Democratic-led states, members of Congress, athletes, doctors, scientists and scholars.

The outcome also could influence separate legal efforts seeking to bar transgender athletes in states that have continued to allow them to compete.

If Pepper-Jackson is forced to stop competing, she said she will still be able to lift weights and continue playing trumpet in the school concert and jazz bands.

“It will hurt a lot, and I know it will, but that’s what I’ll have to do,” she said.

The new playbook: Why personalized coaching is taking over youth sports

Training on Your Terms

A Win-Win Era for Sports

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Statement issued after youth hockey brawl during intermission at Hershey Bears game

Published

3 hours ago

January 12, 2026

Your Sports Nation

The Central Penn Panthers Youth Ice Hockey Club is investigating an incident at a Hershey Bears game.

HERSHEY, Pa. — The Central Penn Panthers Youth Ice Hockey Club issued a statement Sunday after a fight broke out between its players during a “Mites on Ice” appearance at Saturday night’s Hershey Bears game.

The organization said the incident occurred while young skaters were on the ice between periods. The club did not describe what led to the brawl.

In its statement, the club emphasized that creating a safe and positive environment for children remains its top priority.

In another statement from the Atlantic Amateur Hockey Association, a spokesperson said they are aware of the staged fight, and that the parties involved will face disciplinary action. The organization also mentioned that the intermission game was not sanctioned by USA Hockey or the Atlantic Amateur Hockey Association.

The Hershey Bears issued the following statement in response to the injury:

We love hockey, and we take great pride in supporting youth hockey as the foundation of its future.

What occurred during last night’s youth scrimmage involving one team (split into two sides) held during an intermission of a Hershey Bears game did not reflect the values of the sport or the standards we expect when young athletes are on the ice. Hockey must always be played within the rules, with safety as the top priority.

The Hershey Bears are proud to provide opportunities for young players to experience the game in a professional environment. At the same time, we cannot support or allow conduct that puts participants at risk.

The Hershey Bears do not have a role in the intersquad scrimmage play, other than providing the ice for the players. The team’s coaches direct and supervise play on the ice.

We are reviewing this matter and will work closely with participating teams and partners to ensure clear safeguards, supervision and expectations are in place for any future youth activities held during our games. Our focus remains on protecting young players and upholding the integrity of the sport.

We also direct you to the statement made this morning by the Central Penn Panthers Youth Ice Hockey Club regarding yesterday’s on-ice activity from their team, as well as the statement from the Atlantic Amateur Hockey Association.

Officials said the organization has begun an internal review and is working to collect information from everyone who was involved or witnessed the incident.

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Tennessee basketball ‘not tough enough,’ loses big at Florida – The Daily Beacon

Published

4 hours ago

January 12, 2026

Your Sports Nation

Three games into the SEC slate, and Tennessee basketball’s footing cannot find firm ground.

The Vols opened with a disappointing loss to Arkansas behind a horrid free-throw shooting game. After bouncing back with a home win over Texas, the Vols returned to the road for a loss where everything fell apart against Florida.

A 22-4 run across the middle six — starting with 3:33 to go in the first half and concluding at the 17:35 mark of the second half — put Florida in position to run away with the 91-67 win on its home court.

“I’ll take the blame for it, because I don’t know if I’ve had a team to play that bad and do the things and make the decisions they made from out of bounds, those type thing,” head coach Rick Barnes said. “It was just really poor basketball. And that’s on me.”

It came with 18 turnovers in the game, posting 12 in the first half. Tennessee fell one turnover shy of tying a season-high that came in the opener against Mercer.

That’s the Achilles heel to Tennessee’s problems. The Vols had a 26-all tie when the demise began. Boogie Fland drilled a stepback 3-point shot, then Bishop Boswell threw up a bad pass for a turnover. Rueben Chinyelu cashed in with a layup, and the Gators took a five-point lead that expanded to 13 by halftime.

“We’re not tough enough yet as a team when things aren’t going our way to know how to fight through it,” Barnes said.

During Florida’s 13-2 run after the Vols tied the game, Tennessee committed four turnovers, shot 0-for-4 from the field and had a shot blocked.

All made a recipe for disaster — that which ensued from the moment the Vols chose against ball security.

“You can’t win this game on hope,” Barnes said. “You can’t. And give them all the credit they after that, the last four minutes on, they controlled the game and did what they wanted to do. And you know what? They got relaxed, they started playing. And we didn’t guard, we didn’t put up the resistance. Just way too many defensive breakdown coverages.”

The collapse came in all phases. With the shots not falling and easy shots off free possessions, Florida went on to shoot 8-for-11 from the floor over the final 6:36 of the first half. It brought the Gators’ shooting percentage from the mid-20’s up to 41% by the break.

That flow continued into the second half, and the lack of toughness shone through. Florida finished the game shooting 48% despite beginning 6-for-23.

Jaylen Carey sunk a layup to give Tennessee a 21-19 lead with 6:43 left in the first half. Thomas Haugh answered with a dunk to tie the game — and then the Vols were out of it. The Gators shot 25-for-41 (61%) over the final 27 minutes of play that vaulted them to domination on their home court.

“At some point in time, you got to take a deep look within yourself as coaches, as players, and say, ‘OK, something’s got to change here,’” Barnes said.

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Rec Sports

Youth Sports Rising Costs Ohio

Published

4 hours ago

January 12, 2026

Your Sports Nation

CLEVELAND — According to the nonprofit Aspen Institute’s 2025 Project Play Report the amount of money an average U.S. family spends on their child’s primary sport has increased by 46% since 2019.

What You Need To Know

American families spent an average of $1,491 for all of one child’s sports activities according to the 2025 Project Play Report

America Scores Cleveland is partnering with four other nonprofit organizations in Cleveland to form a coalition that provides free or low-cost sports-based development programs to young people.

Some Ohio parents think the high costs are worth the valuable lessons their children learn while participating in youth sports

As executive director of America Scores in Cleveland, Alison Black is passionate about introducing kids to important skills through sport.

“All of us have a very focused social, emotional learning development model,” said Black. “We think sport is the hook to that.”

Having kids involved in sports comes at a cost though, and parents are opening their wallets. According to the most recent Project Play survey, U.S. families spent an average of nearly $1,500 on just one child’s sports experiences last year.

Andy Pohl is the director of the Shaker Youth Baseball League and DNA Travel Baseball. He says he’s noticed parents paying even more for things like travel teams and private trainers in hopes of their children getting a college athletic scholarship.

“What we’ve evolved into is making youth sports and putting it really into an adult construct,” Pohl said. “You have this competition of families chasing all these different programs. Youth sports has become a multi-million-dollar industry, and it never was that way growing up.”

Jose Colon Nogueras has two kids who play soccer and says the costs can easily add up.

“It’s $500 for the whole season. On top of that, you’ve got to buy gear,” Nogueras said. “When you put everything together, it has an impact on the family or the parents that are paying for this.”

Nogueras says the money is worth it for what sports are teaching his children.

“It helps them deal with different problems,” he said. “It helps challenge them to become better. I think, [it] is essential for the growth and the development of a child.”

Black agrees with that sentiment. It’s why America Scores Cleveland is partnering with four other nonprofits throughout the city to form a coalition that provides free or low-cost sports-based development programs to young people.

“Sports is now pricing kids out,” said Black. “Making sure that kids have access into sport… is becoming a bigger issue, not just here in Cleveland, but it’s a huge national issue.”

Black hopes the new coalition that is just getting started can help ease the financial burden youth sports has on families in Northeast Ohio.

“We’ve removed as many barriers as possible,” she said. “It really is teaching the community that sports is more than just this high competitive nature, and that we have to think about youth development first and foremost for sport.”

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