HARTFORD — Some people have no business coaching youth sports. Then there are those like Joseph Shattie who seemed to have been born for the role.

A standout athlete at Rice Memorial High School in Burlington and a Division I baseball player in college, Shattie certainly knew the game of baseball. He would later learn to ice skate and coach hockey, while also officiating youth and high school games.

But coaching impressionable youths takes more than an understanding of the fundamentals and game strategies.

“He just had a way of connecting with kids,” said Bob Gaudet, a close friend and former longtime head coach of the Dartmouth men’s hockey team. “He was really respected. Joe was a big guy, but a Teddy Bear with a big smile. He had a way of communicating with the kids. He spoke to them at their level and made them feel comfortable.”

Shattie, who died June 23, at the age of 73 after a decades-long battle with heart disease, emphasized to his players what some might consider old school attributes such as doing the right thing, discipline and character.

“Joe was all about that stuff,” said Gaudet, who first met Shattie when their children played youth sports together in the 1990s. They stayed close over the years.

Sports were a thread that went through much of Shattie’s life.

He was born in Winooski, Vt. When he was just 3, his father died from an injury he had suffered during World War II and his mother moved him and his brother, Sam, to Florida to live with their aunt. He later returned to Vermont to finish high school at Rice and went on to play baseball at the University of Missouri.

His first career was in the bar and restaurant business in Burlington which led him and a friend to open Than Wheeler’s in White River Junction, which has since closed. It was there he met his future wife, who was playing in a women’s softball league at the time.

“It was my first summer playing and a friend on the team was celebrating her birthday so we went over there,” Cheryl Shattie recalled.

The couple were married almost 47 years before Shattie’s death. Together, they raised three sons, Jason, Kellen and Bryce.

“I would watch them interact together and they had this special bond,” said Todd Bebeau, the Hartford High School boys hockey coach who worked with Shattie at the Quechee Golf Course for a couple of years. “I had so much respect for the love they shared.”

All three of the Shattie sons played sports and their dad often coached them.

“He was a firm believer in hard work and having fun,” said Bryce, who lives in East Hampton, Mass. “He thought you could be both competitive and a good sport. It was what we often talked about.”

Growing up in Florida, Shattie never learned how to skate, but when his children took an interest in skating and hockey, he decided to learn, which is not an easy task as an adult.

“It took a lot of courage to learn how to skate and learn the game of hockey,” Bebeau said. “But Joe did it because he wanted to be involved with his kids and the hockey community. Joe did things for all the right reasons. It is the type of father Joe was. If his kids were involved in something, he wanted to be fully engrossed in it.”

Shattie learned how to coach and referee hockey games, often traveling long distances after working his day job in Richmond, Vt., where he was a sales manager for Caterpillar equipment. Shattie joined Caterpillar after selling Than Wheelers. Despite the long drives every day to Richmond, Shattie maintained his commitment to his family and his children’s sports.

“He would drive 50 miles one way to work, drive 50 miles home and then hop in the car and drive us to where our sporting event was,” recalled his son, Kellen, who lives in White River Junction.

Even after his children had aged out of the recreation and high school sports scene, Shattie didn’t want to give up what he loved doing for the kids and his community.

“I said, ‘Why are we going all over the state of New Hampshire when we don’t even have a kid in any of this?’ ” Cheryl Shattie once asked her husband. “I just know how much he loved doing it.”

Shattie also was known for his easy-going temperament. Stephen DeFelice, Shattie’s neighbor whose son, Brad, played baseball with Shattie’s son, Bryce, remembers those qualities on display when Shattie was a hockey referee.

Some parents, who think their child is destined for the NHL, can get a little overzealous watching a game, DeFelice said.

“It was not uncommon for your neighbor to be hollering at you if you made a bad call,” DeFelice said. “It may not have been a bad call, but they thought it was. And Joe would just have this big grin on his face when people would holler at him.”

In addition to coaching, Shattie served on the Hartford Zoning Board of Adjustment and his work with the Rotary Club earned him the Paul Harris Fellow Award, the service organization’s highest award. Shattie also served on the Friends of Dartmouth Hockey, helping to raise money through events such as the annual golf tournament.

After retiring, Shattie, around the age of 70, took a job working at the driving range at the Quechee Golf Course and was soon known as the “Mayor of the Driving Range,” Cheryl Shattie said.

Bebeau, the Hartford hockey coach, has fond memories of his time with Shattie at the Quechee Golf Course, listening to his stories about his time on the road with Caterpillar.

“He didn’t need to work, but he just loved being around people,” Bebeau said. “He always had a big smile on his face and was a great storyteller. He was one of the most positive people I have known. People you talk to will tell you they were drawn to Joe because Joe was a quality human being.”

Health problems plagued Shattie beginning at age 40 when he suffered a heart attack that required stents. Ten years later, after another heart attack, Shattie had quadruple bypass surgery and finally, he had a third heart attack at age 66. Shattie’s many heart problems were hereditary and he worked hard, with an exercise routine and nutritious meals, to improve his health.

“Family was first for him and that was a big motivator,” Cheryl Shattie said.

Shattie, who was an avid birdwatcher who enjoyed their peaceful vacations in Upstate New York, knew he was lucky to survive his health scares and never took a day for granted, his son Kellen said.

“He really wanted to enjoy the time he had,” Kellen said.

Shattie used his own experience to help his neighbors, the DeFelices, when Dawn DeFelice had open heart surgery at the onset of COVID in 2020.

“Anytime my wife had a question, ‘Is this normal?’ or ‘Should this be happening?’ Joe had an answer,” Stephen DeFelice said. “He knew what she was going through and would call to check on her to be sure she was OK because we were isolated. Joe was a real godsend for us during that time.”

Gaudet began his remarks at a memorial service for Shattie by referring to a video of the Shatties filmed for Dartmouth Health. The couple talked about Shattie’s heart attacks and the care he received, hoping it would encourage others to pay closer attention to their health and not let the busy lives they lead prevent them from taking care of themselves.

Gaudet noted that Shattie began the video by saying, “Life is precious.”

It was a credo Shattie lived each day, Gaudet said at the memorial.

“All of us who knew Joe remember how uplifted we were in any encounter with him,” Gaudet said. “We miss him so much.”

Patrick O’Grady can be reached at pogclmt@gmail.com.

Allyssa Shroades

SALINEVILLE – Southern Local High School senior Allyssa Shroades has been selected as the Salineville Kiwanis December Kiwanis Student of the Month.

Shroades, the daughter of Christina Shroades of Salineville, is currently ranked seventh in her class and holds a 3.978 GPA. She has yielded successful athletic and academic careers, being a member of the SLHS volleyball and basketball teams. Shroades has received First Team EOAC, All-Conference OVAC, Second Team OHSVCA District 1, and MaxPreps Player of the Year in volleyball and earned various titles in basketball, includingFirst Team EOAC, All Star 2023, Second Team All Columbiana County All Star 2023, Second Team All-OVAC All-Star 2023, Honorable Mention All-Area Morning Journal 2023, Honorable Mention Northeast Inland District Division IV 2023, and First Team All-EOAC Honors for 2024-2025. She also currently holds the school records for three-pointers in a game, in a season, and in a career.

Additionally, Shroades is a member of student council, Spanish Club, Varsity Club, and National Honor Society and volunteers at youth basketball tournaments.

Following graduation, she plans to attend Kent State University and major in nursing.

COLLEGE PARK, MD — Maryland jumped out to a commanding 17-0 lead and never looked back in the Terps’ (7-6) 73-58 win over Old Dominion (4-10) on Sunday night at XFINITY Center in their final non-conference game of the regular season. Maryland allowed a season-low in points while four Terps scored in double figures.

Darius Adams led the way with 18 points, hitting a pair of threes in his 11-point first half. Isaiah Watts contributed 17 points, all of which came in the first half. He shot 4-of-5 from three-point range in the opening half in his big night. 

Isaiah Watts slams it down 🤩 @TerrapinHoops

📺: @BigTenNetwork pic.twitter.com/jPyVNJqthP

— Big Ten Men’s Basketball (@B1GMBBall) December 28, 2025

The Terps exploded out of the gate, scoring the game’s first 17 points and they’d never surrender. Maryland’s 17-0 run was its largest of the season and the program’s longest to start a game since 2003.

Solomon Washington posted a season-high 13-point, 13-rebound night to claim his first double-double of the season. He knocked down five free throws as the Terps shot 14-of-17 from the charity stripe.

SOLO WITH THE WINDMILL 😱😱

📺 @BigTenNetwork pic.twitter.com/W1lsiNueDh

— Maryland Men’s Basketball (@TerrapinHoops) December 29, 2025

Maryland stayed in the gifting mood during the holiday season, tallying 14 assists on the Terps’ 24 total field goals. David Coit led the team with six and Andre Mills posted a career-high five assists as a part of his 11-point day.

Andre Mills for 3️⃣ @TerrapinHoops

📺: @BigTenNetwork pic.twitter.com/XMrJNd61ZM

— Big Ten Men’s Basketball (@B1GMBBall) December 28, 2025

Maryland hit 11 three-pointers on a night where head coach Buzz Williams and his squad donned “Buzz’s Bunch” shirts to raise awareness for Williams’ outreach program centered around inclusion in youth basketball.

It’s go time 🔥 pic.twitter.com/Nq9rmy9veC

— Maryland Men’s Basketball (@TerrapinHoops) December 28, 2025

Maryland turns its focus to conference play. 18 Big Ten games await the Terps in the new year, starting with a meeting with Oregon on Jan. 2.

How It Happened:

1st Half:

• Mills got the night’s scoring started with a three-pointer.
• Watts got on the board with an early dunk.
• Adams drained a three as Maryland opened a 17-0 lead. 
• Old Dominion got its first points 5:56 minutes into the game. 
• Adams’ second three of the night put the Terps up 20-2.
• Mills hit his second three midway through the half. 
• A Watts three put Maryland ahead 26-12.
• Adams reached double figures with his third three. 
• Mills’ third three of the half put UMD up 34-12.
• Watts and Mills reached double figures in the first half.
• Maryland used a 22-6 run over the final eight minutes to extend the lead late in the half.
• The Terps led 45-18 at the break. 

2nd Half:

• Adams got the Terps on the board in the second half with a layup.
• A Washington dunk pushed Maryland past the 50-point mark early in the half. 
• Elijah Saunders hit a three to put the Terps up 63-38.
• Maryland closed out the game to snatch a 73-58 win.

Double-Digit Days

• Adams (18 points) scored in double figures for the ninth time in his career. 
• Watts (17 points) reached double figures for the second time this season and the 18th time in his career.
• Washington (13 points) posted a season-high 13 points as he reached double digits for the second time this season and the 19th time in his career. 
• Mills (11 points) scored 10+ points for the seventh time in his career.

Mastering The Monarchs:

• Sunday’s game was the seventh all-time meeting between Maryland and Old Dominion.
• The Terps extended their winning streak over the Monarchs to three games and improved to 6-1 in the series.
• Maryland improved to 4-0 against ODU at home. 
• The Terps’ biggest win in the series was an 87-67 win in 1983.

Familiar Faces:

• Maryland welcomed former Terrapin coach and current ODU head coach Mike Jones back to XFINITY Center.
• Caelum Swanton-Rodger returned to College Park after playing two seasons at Maryland.
•  Former Terp and current NBS star Aaron Wiggings’ younger brother, Zacch Wiggins, scored 14 points for ODU on Sunday.

Buzz’s Breakdown:

• “I think our guys have been incredibly resilient over all that has transpired in the first semester, no matter what’s happened.”
• “This group is continuing to have a positive trajectory.”
• “Watts is really smart. He’s able to take what I say to someone else, and apply it to himself.”

Watt’s Wonderful Night:

• “What worked for us was moving the ball, sharing the ball, and playing as a unit and as a collective.”
• “We trust in each other. We trust in our coaches. Everybody from our managers to our coaches, even the athletic trainers.”
• “It was a great confidence booster.”

Adam’s Awesome Sunday:

• “It was definitely important. We had things we needed to do in order to win this game.”
• “We know it’s going to be a challenge for us coming up in Big Ten play, and we know we need to lock in even more.”

Numbers To Know:

• 6: Maryland blocked a season-high six shots.
• 7: The Terps utilized their seventh different starting lineup of the season. 
• 8: Maryland only turned the ball over eight times to tie its season low.
• 11: With Watts drawing his first start as a Terp, 11 different Terps have started at least one game this season. 
• 14: The Terps had 14 assists in the win.
• 17: Maryland’s 17-0 run to start the game was its longest run of the season and longest to start a game since Jan. 11, 2003, when the Terps opened on an 18-0 run in a 89-62 win over Florida State. That was just the ninth-game ever at Comcast/XFINITY Center. 
• 18: ODU’s 18 points in the first half are the fewest the Terps have allowed in a half this season.

Up Next:

• Maryland hosts Oregon in the Terps’ first home conference game on Jan. 2. Tipoff is set for 7:30 PM and the game will air on Peacock.

TEXARKANA, Texas — Last January, hundreds of kids packed into Pleasant Grove’s indoor athletic facilities, trading a cold Saturday morning for a shot to run drills with professionals, high school standouts and three siblings who grew up just down the road.

The Wacha Family All-Sports Camp is coming back to Texarkana on Jan. 10, and if last year’s turnout was any indication, this event has outgrown the label of just another fundraiser.

What started as a grassroots idea — three siblings offering a few hours of sports instruction to local youth — has grown into a major community effort. It now draws support from multiple school districts, professional athletes and a long list of volunteers who carve out time each winter to give something back.

Michael, Lucas and Brette Wacha, all former athletes at the college or professional level, lead the camp. Along with coaching support from schools like Texas High, Liberty-Eylau, Arkansas High, Pleasant Grove and others, the siblings will help kids rotate through stations in baseball, basketball, football, volleyball and soccer.

Last year’s event brought in more than 200 kids, despite freezing temperatures and widespread power outages across the region. The PG gym and indoor field stayed buzzing throughout the day, with Michael’s Kansas City Royals teammate and fellow pitcher Seth Lugo and former Liberty-Eylau and Boston Red Sox standout Will Middlebrooks among the guest coaches.

While the camp focuses on skills and fun, the bigger win is what happens off the field. Proceeds from the event go directly to the Salvation Army. In 2025, the camp and its banquet raised nearly $50,000, money that funds scholarships for those who can’t afford after-school care or summer programs.

According to the Salvation Army, the need is real. Most of the kids in the program rely on some form of financial assistance, and leaders say events like this help keep doors open and services running.

The camp’s impact also extends beyond youth athletics.

Last year, Texas A&M University-Texarkana joined as a partner, offering scholarships to students or returning adults who show a strong track record of community involvement. Two recipients shared their stories during the banquet, including one who had spent part of his childhood living in the local Salvation Army shelter.

The camp started as a way for the Wacha family to give back to their hometown. It’s grown each year with help from local coaches, athletes and volunteers, and organizers expect another strong turnout this January.

Wacha recognized for philanthropy

In June, Michael Wacha was named one of the 2025 season’s Most Valuable Philanthropists by the MLB Players Trust.

The award, given to six players throughout the season, honors those who showed a strong commitment to charitable work and positive social impact beyond the field. In recognition of Wacha’s efforts, the Players Trust awarded a $10,000 grant in his name to Make-A-Wish Missouri and Kansas.

Wacha has supported a range of charities during his career, with much of his focus on helping kids and families.

——

(This article is part of a continuing series that will spotlight the Wacha Family and Friends All-Sports Camp before it returns in January.)

After initially suspending the case due to lack of evidence, Petaluma police arrested a suspect who was allegedly caught on video surveillance tracing racial slurs and swastikas onto the dusty windows of local youth mentor and former Harlem Globetrotter William Bullard’s SUV.

As KRON4 reports, the Petaluma Police Department reviewed a week’s work of surveillance footage from early December, which was obtained from the garage where Bullard’s SUV was parked, and identified Corey Newman, 20, of Petaluma, allegedly defacing Bullard’s windows.

As SFist previously reported, the police department initially dropped the case before reviewing the footage, claiming there wasn’t sufficient evidence. The case has since been reopened, per the Chronicle, likely due to Bullard’s posts about the incident, shared to his large following — not to mention the subsequent media coverage.

“I’m doing this for awareness. I’m doing this to educate people, and I’m trying to let them know don’t be afraid to speak up for yourself if something happens like this,” he said, per KGO earlier this month. “Like, what’s the worst thing that can happen? It can be ignored by the police, OK, but at least you spoke up.”

“The Petaluma Police Department takes all hate-related incidents seriously and remains fully committed to conducting thorough and impartial investigations,” said the police department in a press release. “Crimes motivated by bias have a profound impact not only on those directly affected, but also on the sense of safety and well-being of the entire community.”

Police arrested Newman during a traffic stop on Christmas Eve. He was booked into the Sonoma County Jail for the commission of a hate crime and vandalism, per KRON4.

Image: NEW YORK, NY – DECEMBER 19: William ‘Bull’ Bullard of The Harlem Globetrotters Ring The NASDAQ Closing Bell at NASDAQ MarketSite on December 19, 2014 in New York City. (Photo by Steve Zak Photography/FilmMagic)

Previously:Hate on the Rise: Ex-Globetrotter’s SUV Defaced in Petaluma, San Jose Teens Form Human Swastika