Here’s another: The USA TODAY Co. stands ready to provide the perfect holiday gift for the sports fan, music lover or avid reader in your life.
Plus, in the true spirit of the Black Friday season, our items are on sale.
Over the past year, USA TODAY and news outlets across the country have published more than a dozen hardcover, premium books on topics from championship seasons (Eagles, Dodgers, Buckeyes, Gators, etc.), well-known figures (Uecker, Corso, Carter, Trump, etc.), musical icons (Grand Ole Opry’s 100th anniversary, Taylor Swift’s Eras Tour, Springsteen’s Jersey roots) and so much more.
Check out our lineup. Then check a gift off your to-do list!
Order now and all books will arrive in plenty of time for the holidays. Even if you procrastinate, you can send a gift certificate to say an incredible book will arrive soon.
Amazing sports books!
“CHASING GOLD: A Kid’s Guide to the 2026 Winter Olympics.” Watch your little ones’ eyes light up as they discover figure skating, skiing and other winter sports, meet Team USA’s superstars and try the book’s fun activities such as Olympic bingo and crafts. Details at Gold.KidsGuidebook.com.
Buy our Winter Olympics book for kids now!
“LEE CORSO: Not So Fast, My Friend: A Tribute to the Soul of College Football.” Each of the 160 stunning pages celebrates what makes college football a cherished American passion. Besides insider stories about Corso’s career as a Florida Seminole (rooming with Burt Reynolds), college coach and beloved broadcaster, “Not So Fast, My Friend” includes tidbits about every major-college team and each of Corso’s 431 headgear predictions. Details at Corso.PictorialBook.com.
Buy our Lee Corso tribute book now!
“BOB UECKER: The Life and Career of the Milwaukee Brewers’ Legendary Broadcaster.” This 144-page hardcover brings to life the wit, wisdom and unparalleled storytelling of an American icon. Filled with rare photos and insider anecdotes, this book about “Mr. Baseball,” so dubbed by Johnny Carson, traces Uecker’s life from Milwaukee to a journeyman catcher to a Hall of Fame broadcaster to an actor, Miller Lite pitchman and self-deprecating funnyman. Details at Uecker.PictorialBook.com.
Buy our Bob Uecker tribute book now!
“EARNHARDT! The Intimidator’s Life, Legacy and Enduring Popularity after 75 Years.” Dale Earnhardt earned his nicknames of the Man in Black and The Intimidator by willing his black No. 3 Chevrolet past the competition and into the hearts and minds of NASCAR fans … and way beyond. With the 75th anniversary of his birth in April, The Daytona Beach News-Journal is producing a coffee-table book about the seven-time NASCAR Cup Series champion whose legend has only continued to grow, nearly 25 years after his tragic death on a last-lap crash at the Daytona 500. At 160 pages, the book will provide flag-to-flag coverage of Earnhardt’s long run as NASCAR’s leading man, with tons of classic photos and plenty of stories — old and new. Details at ManInBlack.PictorialBook.com. This book will not ship until April, to include Earnhardt coverage from this year’s 500, but gift vouchers are available right now.
Buy our Dale Earnhardt tribute book now!
“COACH STEVE’S YOUTH SPORTS SURVIVAL GUIDE: How Parents and Kids Can Get the Most of the Experience.” USA TODAY Sports columnist Stephen Borelli, a national authority on the $40 billion youth sports industry, offers his perspective and expert advice from sports figures ranging from Caitlin Clark to Andre Agassi, Shannon Miller, John Wooden, Annika Sorenstam and even Ted Lasso. Details at CoachSteve.USATbook.com. This book will not ship until March, but gift certificates are available right now.
Buy Coach Steve’s survival guide for youth sports!
That championship season books!
“DYNASTY IN BLUE: The Dodgers’ Back-to-Back Championship Reign.” This 208-page collector’s book captures the historic season that cemented the Dodgers of the 2020s among baseball’s greatest dynasties. It’s all there with dynamic photos and insider stories — from Opening Day in Tokyo to Shohei Ohtani’s MVP season, Clayton Kershaw’s last hurrah, Yoshinobu Yamamoto’s playoff dominance and the dramatic home runs by Max Muncy, Miguel Rojas and Will Smith that won Game 7 of the World Series. Details at LAD.ChampsBook.com. Also available: “BLUE BLOODS: Superstars Align for LA’s 2024 Championship Run,” the story of Ohtani joining the 50-50 Club and the Dodgers crushing the Yankees in the World Series. Details at LA.ChampsBook.com.
Buy Dodgers 2025 championship book now! Buy Dodgers 2024 championship book now!
“FLYING HIGH: How the Eagles Soared to the Championship.” Saquon Barkley hurdled defenders backward, and Philadelphia kept the Chiefs from a three-peat. Details for this 208-page hardcover at Fly.ChampsBook.com.
Buy our Eagles championship book now!
“SCARLET REIGN: Inside the Ohio State Buckeyes’ Fight to Claim College Football’s Crown.” The Buckeyes steamrolled the College Football Playoff field by a combined score of 145-75. Details for this 208-page hardcover at OSU.ChampsBook.com.
Buy our Buckeyes championship book now!
“THUNDER UP! SGA’s MVP Season and OKC’s Historic Championship.” From Shai Gilgeous-Alexander’s MVP brilliance to the NBA’s best record to a thrilling seven-game NBA Finals, these 160 pages of stunning photography and behind-the-scenes stories capture the magic of a season that shook the NBA. Details at ThunderUp.ChampsBook.com.
Buy our Thunder championship book now!
“CHOMP-IONS! The Florida Gators’ Rise to the Top of College Basketball.” This 208-page coffee-table book takes Gator Nation courtside for Walter Clayton Jr.’s All-America heroics, crushing Tennessee’s spirit with a 30-point victory and another in the SEC title game, the impossible Elite Eight comeback against Texas Tech, the epic second half to eliminate Auburn in the semifinals and the wild finish against Houston for Florida’s third national championship. Details at Florida.ChampsBook.com.
Buy our Gators championship book now!
“RUN IT BACK! The Florida Panthers Repeat as Stanley Cup Champions.” This 144-page collector’s book relives another thrilling Final against the Edmonton Oilers, plus Sergei Bobrovsky’s mastery between the pipes, Sam Bennett’s scoring prowess in the playoffs, Matthew Tkachuk’s knack for agitating opponents and Brad Marchand’s goal in double overtime to prevent a 0-2 deficit in the Final. Details at Panthers.ChampsBook.com.
Buy our Panthers championship book now!
Music to your ears books!
“FULL CIRCLE: 100 Years of the Grand Ole Opry.” Celebrate a century of country music and its grandest stage. From Roy Acuff, Lester Flatt and Loretta Lynn to Reba McEntire, Carrie Underwood and Vince Gill! Packed with rare photographs, compelling stories and exclusive insights from The Tennessean in Nashville, “Full Circle” honors the legends who built the Opry stage, the stars who shine today and the rising voices shaping its future. Details at Opry100.PictorialBook.com.
Buy our Grand Ole Opry anniversary book!
“FROM FREEHOLD TO E STREET: Six Decades of Bruce Springsteen.” Before his rise from the backstreets of the Jersey Shore to global superstardom, reporters and photographers from the Asbury Park Press chronicled the emergence of The Boss. After that, they kept right on covering New Jersey’s folk hero. This book includes rare photos, concert reviews and interviews from the early days. Details at Bruce.PictorialBook.com.
Buy our Bruce Springsteen book now!
“THIS SWIFT BEAT: Following the Record-Shattering Eras Tour Around the World with Taylor Swift’s Most Devoted Fans.” Step into the whirlwind of sequins, screams and superstardom with a front-row ticket to the Eras Tour phenomenon, this century’s Beatlemania. Details at TSBeat.PictorialBook.com.
Buy our Taylor Swift tour celebration book!
Tragedy-to-triumph books!
“KATRINA’S LEGACY: The Hurricane That Changed America.” Twenty years later, USA TODAY and news outlets across the country provide a comprehensive look at the disaster that revealed our deepest flaws and our greatest capacity for compassion. These 160 pages give voice to the survivors from New Orleans and coastal Mississippi who showed profound resoluteness in the face of overwhelming destruction, the evacuees who built new lives in new places, and the countless strangers who became family during America’s darkest hours. Details at Katrina20.PictorialBook.com.
Buy our Hurricane Katrina remembrance book!
“MOUNTAIN STRONG: Tropical Storm Helene: Perseverance amid historic flooding, destruction in Western North Carolina.” Step into the heart of Appalachia, where the unyielding spirit of a community shines brighter than the darkest of storms. “Mountain Strong” stands as a poignant tribute to the strength and resilience of those who weathered the unimaginable. Details at Strong.PictorialBook.com.
Buy our Tropical Storm Helene book!
Famous people books!
“POPE LEO XIV: The First American Pope.” For centuries, American Catholics dreamed of this moment. Now, preserve it forever. This magnificent coffee-table book captures Robert Prevost’s remarkable journey from Chicago to missionary work in Peru and ultimately to the Chair of St. Peter. These 128 pages of dynamic photography and insightful stories will be a treasured keepsake of faith, heritage and American pride at a pivotal moment in the history of the Roman Catholic Church. Details at PopeLeo.PictorialBook.com.
Buy our Pope Leo commemorative book now!
“JIMMY CARTER: Peanut Farmer, 39th President, Humanitarian.” From humble peanut fields to the highest office in the land, Carter’s extraordinary journey exemplifies the American dream. This 160-page tribute captures the life of America’s longest-lived president: from a Georgia farmer to the White House and his even more impactful post-presidency years as a Nobel Peace Prize winner and tireless humanitarian. Details at Carter.PictorialBook.com.
Buy our President Carter tribute book now!
“POPE FRANCIS: A Tribute to the First Latin American Pontiff.” Celebrate the late pope’s humble spirit, compassionate leadership, transformative papacy and historic significance as the first cleric from the Americas to lead the Roman Catholic Church. Looking for a thoughtful present for someone whose Catholic faith guides his or her life? Each of the 160 beautifully crafted pages offers a chance to reflect on his teachings and read his words that brought comfort and inspiration to millions around the world. Details at PopeFrancis.PictorialBook.com.
Buy our Pope Francis tribute book now!
“DONALD TRUMP: The Road to a Historic Second Term.” This 160-page hardcover volume captures the electrifying journey of President Trump’s unprecedented return to the White House. From the campaign trail to the debates, multiple assassination attempts and Inauguration Day, every pivotal moment of Trump’s remarkable political comeback is immortalized in vivid detail and with striking photography. Own a piece of American history — a collector’s item to save for future generations. Details at Trump.PictorialBook.com.
Buy our historical President Trump book now!
Sports legacy books!
“ROAR OF 125: The Epic History of the Detroit Tigers.” This archival-quality, 208-page hardcover chronicles 125 seasons of Tigers baseball. Al Kaline. Miguel Cabrera. Hammerin’ Hank Greenberg. Tram & Lou. Sparky. Verlander & Scherzer. Prince Hal. Galarraga’s 28-out perfect game. Wire-to-wire and Gibby’s homer in 1984. McLain’s 30 victories, Lolich’s three in the World Series and Horton’s throw to nab Brock in ’68. The Corner. The CoPa. It’s all there, plus an all-time Tigers team picked by the Detroit Free Press. Details at Tigers125.PictorialBook.com.
Buy our Tigers 125th anniversary book now!
“FAREWELL TO THE RALPH: Remembering Where We Cheered, Froze, Cried and Bonded.” Since 1973, the Buffalo Bills’ stadium has gone by a multitude of names, topped by “The Ralph” after former owner and founder Ralph C. Wilson. The stadium has been home to countless highs and lows — from dramatic Josh Allen touchdown runs to the heyday of the early 1990s Super Bowl years. This 208-page coffee-table book from the Rochester Democrat and Chronicle commemorates The Ralph’s long and storied history as the gates close for good after the 2025 season. Details at BillsStadium.PictorialBook.com. This book will not ship until March — after a W in Super Bowl 60? — but gift certificates are available right now. Thousands already have reserved a copy of “Farewell to The Ralph.”
Buy our Bills stadium commemorative book!
“BIG RED MACHINE: Cincinnati’s Dynasty 50 Years Later.” Until the Dodgers won the World Series in 2024 and 2025, no National League team had won back-to-back championships since the Reds in 1975-76. With this 160-page 50th anniversary book, Reds fans can step back to a legendary period in Major League Baseball history. Every page from The Enquirer immerses fans in the era’s defining moments and personalities. Every Reds fan recalls the “Great Eight:” Pete Rose, Joe Morgan, Johnny Bench, Tony Perez, George Foster, Ken Griffey, Dave Concepcion and Cesar Geronimo. Feel the roar of Riverfront Stadium echo through these pages and reconnect with the pride and passion that made the Big Red Machine a force unlikely any other in baseball. Details at Reds.PictorialBook.com. Also available: “Pete Rose: A Tribute to a Baseball Legend,” this 160-page hardcover chronicles the career of baseball’s all-time Hit King. Details at Pete.PictorialBook.com.
Buy our Big Red Machine anniversary book! Buy our Pete Rose tribute book now!
And even more sports books!
“DAWN OF THE DUCKS: The Inside Story of Oregon’s Epic March to the Big Ten Championship in Season One.” In 2024, the Ducks finished the regular season unbeaten and ranked No. 1 after beating Penn State in the Big Ten championship game. Details at Oregon.PictorialBook.com.
Buy our Ducks commemorative book now!
“CULTURE SHOCK: The Inside Story of the Best Football Season in Indiana History.” In 2023, the Hoosiers lost nine of their 12 games. In 2024, new coach Curt Cignetti inherited a team picked for 17th in the Big Ten but finished 11-2 and reached the College Football Playoff. Details at Indiana.PictorialBook.com.
Buy our Hoosiers commemorative book now!
“GOLD RUSH! How the Indiana Pacers claimed their first Eastern Conference title in 25 years.” Boom, Baby! With a series of late-game heroics, Tyrese Haliburton led the Pacers to Game 7 of the NBA Finals against the Thunder only to suffer a torn Achilles tendon in the first quarter. Details at Pacers.PictorialBook.com.
Buy our Pacers commemorative book now!
“INSPIRING WOMEN OF INDIANA SPORTS: They Changed the Games We Love.” The Hoosier State has produced champions across every sport imaginable — from Caitlin Clark’s record-breaking performances to trailblazers in track and field, swimming and diving, gymnastics, soccer, cycling and beyond. Read how they have inspired generations of athletes to chase their dreams. Details at WomenIN.PictorialBook.com.
Buy our book on inspiring Indiana women now!
“THE BIG HOUSE: Celebrating 60 years of high school basketball championships at State Fair Arena.” This 144-page keepsake from The Oklahoman celebrates the six decades high school basketball teams chased glory and fans roared with pride at an Oklahoma City arena nicknamed The Big House. The book includes coverage of all the state champions from 2025, the arena’s final season. Details at OKBigHouse.PictorialBook.com.
Buy our book celebrating OKC’s Big House now!
From our vault books!
Looking for other gift options? We have much, much more from years gone by.
“NICK SABAN: A Career That Changed Alabama Football Forever.” With a foreword by Miss Terry. Saban won seven national championships, including six with the Crimson Tide, before retiring after the 2023 season. Details at SabanBook.com.
Buy our Nick Saban tribute book now!
“MAIZE & GRAND: Michigan’s Epic March to the 2023 National Title.” The Wolverines also won their 1,000th game — the all-time record — and handed Saban a loss in his final game. Details at Michigan.ChampsBook.com. Also available: “HAIL, YES! 25 Years Later,” the amazing story of the 1997 Wolverines, who ended a 49-year national championship drought. Details at UM.PictorialBook.com.
By our 2023 Wolverines championship book now! Buy our 1997 Wolverines championship book now!
“WHERE LEGENDS ROAM: The Greatest Players, Coaches and Teams to Play at Lambeau Field.” From Starr to Farve to Rodgers. From Lombardi to Holmgren. From the Ice Bowl to the Lambeau Leap. Details at LambeauBook.com.
Buy our Lambeau Field commemorative book now!
“150 YEARS OF THE KENTUCKY DERBY: Through the Lens and Voice of The Courier Journal.” From Aristides to War Admiral to Citation to Secretariat to Seattle Slew to Justify to Mystic Dan. All the drama, all the glory, all the hats! Founded in 1868, The Courier Journal is only seven years older than the Kentucky Derby and has covered all the races at Churchill Downs. Details at Derby150.PictorialBook.com.
Buy our Kentucky Derby anniversary book now!
“DOMINANT DAWGS: Georgia’s Journey to the 2021 National Championship” AND “GLORIOUS: Georgia Secures its Second Consecutive National Title with a Perfect Season” AND “DAWGS RISING: How Kirby Smart Transformed Georgia into a Perennial Contender.” These books from the Athens Banner-Herald commemorate the Bulldogs’ national championship seasons of 2021 and 2022 and Kirby Smith’s accession to the top of his profession. Details at UGA.PictorialBook.com, ABHbook.com and Smart.PictorialBook.com.
Buy our Georgia 2021 national championship book! Buy our Georgia 2022 national championship book! Buy our Kirk Smart commemorative book now!
“BOB KNIGHT: On the Record: The Story of a Complex Character and Hall of Fame Coach.” With a foreword by Steve Alford. Details at Knight.PictorialBook.com.
Buy our Bob Knight tribute book now!
“UNMATCHED: Caitlin Clark’s Remarkable Journey, From Her Iowa High School Career to Breaking Collegiate Records and Captivating the Nation.” Details at Caitlin.PictorialBook.com. AND “FEVER PITCH: How Caitlin Clark Captivated the Basketball World and Won Rookie of the Year.” Details at Clark.PictorialBook.com. Experience the phenomenon that is Caitlin Clark with two hardcover books — one from The Des Moines Register and one from the IndyStar — totaling 304 pages filled with photos from her life and stories of her exploits.
Buy our book about Caitlin Clark at Iowa Buy our book about Caitlin Clark with the Fever
Deck your walls!
The USA TODAY Network also has a series of page prints for fans looking to adorn their walls with memorable moments, including the Dodgers, Eagles, Thunder, Panthers and Aces celebrating 2025 pro championships and Ohio State (football), UConn (women’s basketball), Florida (men’s basketball), Wisconsin (women’s hockey), Texas (softball) and LSU (baseball) celebrating college championships.
Other page prints commemorate the winners of the Kentucky Derby (Sovereignty), Indianapolis 500 (Alex Palou) and U.S. Open (J.J. Spaun and Maja Stark). There’s a page print of Lee Corso making his final headgear prediction: Brutus rules! And there’s a page print of Pope Leo XIV: America’s turn!
These color, full-page prints come in a variety of sizes and styles. Go to usatodaystore.com and search for the team’s name, the two-legged or four-legged athlete’s name, or the broadcaster’s or pontiff’s name.
Buy our commemorative page prints now!
Contact Gene Myers at gmyers@usatodayco.com. Follow him on X @GeneMyers. After nearly a quarter-century as sports editor at the Detroit Free Press, Myers unretired to coordinate book and page print projects across the USA TODAY Network. Check out more books and page prints from the USA TODAY Network coming every month.
This story has been updated with the book announcement made on Black Friday about the Man in Black, Dale Earnhardt.
The LaLiga EA Sports Matchday 18 fixture kicks off at 16:15 CET on Saturday afternoon. Below you have a guide to help you follow the match from wherever you are in the world.
You can also follow the fixture, and keep up to date with everything Athletic related, through the official Athletic Club app, as well as on our website and social media accounts:
In addition to the kick-off times in different countries, we have compiled a list of broadcasters around the world with the rights to show LaLiga matches.
Unfortunately, there is no guarantee this particular fixture will be broadcast in your region, so please check with the relevant LaLiga TV operator as well.
If you want to join or set up an official Athletic Club fan club in your region, this is how to do it:
Global TV Guide
(SATURDAY, JANUARY 3)
The Americas
United States and Puerto Rico: San Francisco (07:15), Boise (08:15), Miami (10:15), San Juan (11:15)
ESPN
Canada: Vancouver (07:15), Toronto (10:15)
TSN or RDS
Mexico: Mexico City (09:15)
Canal 5, Izzi or Sky
Central America + Dominican Republic: San José (09:15), Panama City (10:15)
Sky
In Belize, also on: ESPN, Sports Max / Dominican Republic: Sports Max
Over the past two springs, the Diamondbacks have locked up some young players they feel are key for their future.
There was Corbin Carroll in the spring of 2024, and this past spring shortstop Geraldo Perdomo, closer Justin Martinez, and when it came to starting pitchers, they landed on Brandon Pfaadt.
The Diamondbacks gave the right-hander a five-year deal worth $45 million, which also includes a $21 million club option for 2031 and a $25 million mutual option for 2032, with a no-trade clause for 2030-32.
“Brandon falls very much in the group of players that we have that we feel like getting some certainty around what the future is going to look like. That is very important for us, in terms of building a roster and keeping this team together for as long as we can,” Arizona general manager Mike Hazen said at the time.
The Diamondbacks have loved Pfaadt’s work ethic since he was drafted in 2020 and have long believed in his character as well as his pitching ability.
And while he had a down season in 2025, the Diamondbacks have no regrets about the deal and little doubt that he will return to form in 2026.
“There’s ups and downs to young stages of Major League careers, especially as a starting pitcher,” Hazen said. “He’ll work with the coaches and figure out some of the inconsistencies that happened this year, and I think he’s going to be well situated to turn the page and move in a different direction.”
After his final start of the season, Pfaadt was already looking ahead to what he could do differently in 2026.
“Not exactly what I was looking for,” Pfaadt said of the season. “A lot of ups and down, but a lot to learn from and a lot to build off and come back stronger for next year.”
Pitching coaches Brian Kaplan and Owen Drew will return in 2026, the Diamondbacks are making an effort to beef up their pitching development program, as evidenced by the recent hiring of Jeremy Bleich, who had been the Pirates’ director of pitching development.
Bleich joins the Diamondbacks as an assistant general manager and will oversee Arizona’s pitching processes, acquisition and development.
The Diamondbacks’ confidence in Pfaadt bouncing back comes back to the reason they were so high on him while he was coming up through their system and why they signed him to an extension.
“He’s got good stuff,” Hazen said. “But it’s the makeup, work ethic and the dedication he brings to what he does that really makes you believe in what he’s going to be able to do.”
Part of the focus for Pfaadt this offseason and into the spring will be refining his sweeper as well as continuing to develop the cut fastball that he began throwing in 2025.
“I think the [sweeper] has kind of been hit or miss all year,” Pfaadt said after his final start. “I think tightening that up first will go a long way. That’s my best pitch and I felt like I didn’t have it for at least half of the year. So locking in on that, building off that and just executing more pitches.”
Noblesville Parks Department Looks Toward a Big 2026
Photographer / Matthew Doudt Photography & City of Noblesville
For Noblesville’s Parks & Recreation Director Savannah Wines, parks have always played a central role in her family’s life, shaping how she sees both her role and its impact.
“I get to look at parks through both a professional lens and a parent’s lens,” she explains. “I see the developmental value, the educational value, and the simple joy they bring to families every day.”
Today, she leads a department that offers just about everything for those who love the outdoors: youth sports, summer camps, fitness programs, concerts, golf, trails, playgrounds, nature programs and year-round community celebrations. The range is intentional. The goal is simple — to support residents at every stage of life.
Noblesville Parks & Recreation has 876 acres of parkland, with seven developed parks to date and 130 miles of trails and greenways that connect neighborhoods, parks, schools and downtown Noblesville. Forest Park is one of Noblesville’s most iconic gathering places, home to the aquatic center, carousel and train. One of the city’s largest parks, Forest Park will celebrate its 100th anniversary in 2026.
Wines believes Noblesville Parks & Recreation is central to community life. The community can play, learn, exercise, enjoy nature and gather for major events. The annual Fourth of July Fireworks Festival draws thousands to celebrate and reconnect with friends and neighbors. The parks also offer rentals for private events, from weddings to corporate gatherings.
“Parks are where life happens,” she says. “That’s where kids learn to ride bikes, families celebrate milestones, neighbors meet, and people take time for their physical and mental health.”
Big Plans Ahead for 2026
The department is looking ahead to 2026 with exciting plans.
Construction will begin on the Dillon Park splash pad and playground renovation, with completion expected in late 2026 or early 2027. At Seminary Park, the playground will undergo updates designed to improve accessibility for children of all abilities, furthering the department’s commitment to inclusive play.
One of the most transformative projects will unfold at Finch Creek Park. After completing a conceptual master plan this year, the department is immersed in detailed planning and design while breaking ground on several Phase 2 amenities.
“The potential of that site is incredible,” Wines says. “Moving into construction is a huge next step.”
Families can also look forward to a brand-new holiday experience launching in 2026 — an event the department expects to become a seasonal tradition. Alongside the major capital projects, Noblesville Parks & Recreation will continue expanding youth, wellness and inclusive programming to keep pace with the community’s growth.
Looking further into the future, Wines hopes families will have even more options to enjoy as they continue the activities they love in beautifully maintained, accessible parks.
Purpose and People Make the Difference
Wines is proud of her team and the purpose that drives their work. She also credits the City of Noblesville for working together to ensure the parks succeed. Departments across Planning, Engineering, Streets, Public Safety, Economic Development and others play vital roles behind the scenes.
“Parks are where all of that work comes together for the public to experience,” she says. “An accomplishment for Parks & Rec is truly an accomplishment for the entire city.”
To people unfamiliar with the department, Wines describes it this way: “Noblesville Parks & Recreation is where community comes to life. We create spaces and programs that support wellness, play, connection and nature for people of all ages and abilities.”
And those experiences create memories for a lifetime.
To learn more about Noblesville Parks and Recreation and all it has to offer, visit them online at noblesville.in.gov/638/Parks-Recreation or call 317-776-6350.
Wrestling is different from most youth sports. There’s no teammate to share the moment with, no lineup to blend into, no one else on the mat when the whistle blows. Every win and every loss belongs to the athlete alone.
Because of that, wrestling parents often feel results more deeply. When another child is winning matches and their own child isn’t, it’s easy to start comparing — and even easier to assume that struggling means it’s time to try a different sport.
But in wrestling, early results are one of the least reliable indicators of long-term success.
Wrestling Exposes Development Gaps Early
In team sports, size, speed, or early maturity can be masked by teammates. In wrestling, they can’t. A stronger or more physically mature child often has a huge advantage at young ages. That doesn’t mean they’re more talented — it means they’re further along in development.
Many wrestlers who struggle early simply haven’t hit their physical or emotional growth phase yet. Strength, coordination, confidence, and mat awareness all come at different times. Comparing two wrestlers at age 9 or 11 ignores the fact that they may be years apart developmentally.
Early Wins in Wrestling Can Be Misleading
It’s common to see youth wrestlers dominate early — often because they’re bigger, stronger, or more aggressive. But wrestling evolves quickly. As athletes grow, competition tightens, technique matters more, and effort alone isn’t enough.
Many early “stars” plateau when physical advantages disappear. Meanwhile, wrestlers who struggled early often surge once their bodies and minds catch up — if they’re still in the sport.
Wrestling rewards persistence more than early success.
Why Parents Misread Losing in Wrestling
Because wrestling is one-on-one, losing can feel like a personal failure instead of part of development. Parents see their child’s hand not being raised and assume:
They’re not good at wrestling
They’re falling behind others
Another sport might suit them better
But losing in wrestling often means a child is learning hard lessons: how to handle pressure, how to problem-solve mid-match, how to keep competing when things don’t go their way. Those lessons don’t show up on a bracket — but they shape better wrestlers long-term.
Switching Sports Because of Losses Sends the Wrong Message
Changing sports solely because a child isn’t winning in wrestling teaches an unintended lesson: that struggle means failure, and that success should come quickly.
Wrestling is supposed to be hard. It’s supposed to challenge kids mentally and physically. Avoiding that challenge doesn’t build confidence — working through it does.
When kids are allowed to stay, improve, and grow at their own pace, they develop resilience that carries far beyond the mat.
What Wrestling Kids Need From Parents
Wrestlers don’t need comparisons — they already feel enough pressure stepping on the mat alone.
They need:
Encouragement after losses
Praise for effort and improvement
Patience during long learning curves
Support regardless of the result
When parents shift the focus from wins to growth, kids stay engaged. And wrestlers who stay engaged almost always improve.
The Truth About Wrestling Success
Wrestling success is rarely immediate. It’s built through repetition, patience, and perseverance. Some of the best wrestlers were not youth standouts — they were kids who stayed in the room, stayed coachable, and trusted the process.
Before assuming your child should quit wrestling because others are winning, remember this:
In a one-on-one sport, development matters more than early results.
If a wrestler is showing up, working hard, and still willing to compete — they’re exactly where they should be.
EVERETT, DEC. 29: The location for the 2026 Seahawks National Football League FLAG Regional Tournament has been awarded to Everett, the Snohomish County Sports Commission announced last week.
NFL FLAG is the official flag football program for the NFL and is the largest youth flag football league in the U.S. The regional tournament is scheduled for June 6, 2026, at Kasch Park in Everett.
Youth and high school flag football teams from across the western United States will have the opportunity to win their division and advance to the NFL FLAG Championships presented by Toyota. The championships are scheduled for July 2026.
YMCA and Pop Warner teams are eligible to participate in the regional tournament with scholastic entries available for high school teams. The tournament divisions are from ages 8 and under coed through high school girls.
The 14U boys and high school girls’ teams have the largest number of flag football teams participating in the tournament, a press release from Snohomish County Sports Commission said.
“Everett is the perfect host for the Seahawks NFL FLAG Regional Tournament,” Ramon Nunez, tournament manager at RCX Sports, said. “This event represents a critical pathway to the NFL FLAG Championships, and we’re excited to bring teams together from across the region in a community that’s deeply invested in youth sports.”
Registration is now open. For more information, visit the NFL FLAG 2026 Regionals page.
Based on a press release from Snohomish County Sports Commission
It’s that time again when many youth basketball players and teams hit the courts of the Starkville Sportsplex for the Starkville Park and Recreation Youth Leagues.
The season begins not long after the calendar flips on January 5 and the anticipation is for another exciting season.
Starkville Park and Recreation athletic coordinator Coben Parker said the response has been “fairly the same as last year” with it being altered a little.
“It’s a little bit smaller in numbers, but we’ve had to fix some divisions to change some of the things we had last year, which cut down on the numbers in a couple of spots,” Parker said.
Registration has been completed and preparation for the season has begun with scheduled practices taking place already at the Starkville Sportsplex.
Parker likes the feedback being received from players and coaches so far.
“I’ve had a few coaches that stay in touch regularly and have gotten some practices in,” Parker said. “It seems like the coaches this go around are taking it pretty serious.”
This is the first year that Parker has been involved in recreation in Starkville but is ready to see how the basketball league progresses.
“Basketball is kind of my favorite one,” Parker said.
SPRD adult basketball registration is now open with an early bird discount available through January 3.
For more information, contact SPRD at 662-323-2294 or visit www.starkvilleparks.org.
“
Looking further into the future, Wines hopes families will have even more options to enjoy as they continue the activities they love in beautifully maintained, accessible parks.
