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SS Youth Sports and Recreation Assoc: A Growing Community Resource

Published

4 months ago

April 30, 2025

San Saba Youth Sports and Recreation Association (SSYSRA) is a non-profit organization dedicated to providing structured, organized sports programs for the youth of San Saba County. Often referred to as San Saba Youth Sports (SSYS), this community-driven initiative aims to foster teamwork, discipline, and physical activity among local children. Since its inception in 2011, SSYS has become a cornerstone of youth sports in the area, with a variety of athletic programs available to participants including baseball, softball, soccer, flag football, tackle football, basketball, and cheerleading. The organization relies on the dedication of local volunteers, including board members and sport-specific coordinators, who give their time to ensure the success of each season.

SSYS is proud to collaborate with the City of San Saba and San Saba ISD by sharing facilities to accommodate the growing number of sports participants. As demand for these sports has increased over the years, so too have the challenges of available facilities and scheduling. While SSYS is grateful to share the high school softball field with San Saba ISD, the organization relies on only one additional field to host practices and games for both baseball and softball. With the growing number of participants, the limited space has become a significant challenge for both organizers and athletes. For example, the 2024 season saw record high registrations with 198 athletes participating in baseball and softball. Eleven teams comprised of six baseball teams and five softball teams had only one youth field available for scheduling both practices and games. The trend has continued into the 2025 season as numbers remain high.

In addition to these difficulties, SSYS also faces logistical issues as they relate to soccer. Currently, there is not a dedicated area for our organization to host soccer games. As a result, our organization sends approximately 130 athletes and their families to Llano every weekend for soccer games. In addition to the time spent traveling to and from the games, this creates additional expenses for families in the community, spreading resources to surrounding communities rather than allowing them to be spent locally. As participation in youth sports continues to rise, SSYS is actively seeking solutions to address the current facility constraints.

In an exciting step toward expanding recreational opportunities for the youth of our community, SSYS has reached an agreement with the City of San Saba for the long-term lease of a little over 30 acres west of town to be utilized for the construction of a multi-sport complex. In addition to baseball and softball fields, the complex would provide game and practice space for our soccer, flag football, and tackle football teams. Local surveying firm, Craft Surveying and Mapping Co., generously donated the initial boundary survey of the property. Additionally, Luck Design Team, a landscape architecture team based in Austin, TX, has provided the initial design drawings for the potential sports complex. With these foundational contributions in place, the next phase of the project includes the completion of a topographical survey and a full site engineering plan. These two steps are crucial to the process and will allow the organization to actively pursue grants and other funding opportunities, ensuring the long-term sustainability and success of the project.

To aid in the fundraising process, the SSYS Board has elected a dedicated fundraising committee comprised of six individuals. Their goal will focus on fundraising efforts to help make the proposed sports complex a reality for the youth of San Saba County.

Although the Board has been obtaining outside bids to keep the project moving forward, if community members or local businesses are interested in partnering with SSYS to provide time or services, we would love the opportunity to speak with you. Working together with those in our local area is preferred, and any help provided is greatly appreciated!

Immediate needs (In Motion):

• Full Topographical Survey

– Boundary Verification

– Water Meter and Sewer Locations

– Buried Utility Assessment, etc.

• Engineering Services

– Site Layout Evaluation and Proposals

– Drainage Analysis and Design

– Grading Design

– Preparation of Final Construction Documents, etc.

Future needs:

• Dirt Work

• Fencing

• Construction of Dugouts

• Light Purchase and Installation

• Scoreboard(s) Purchase and Installation

• Construction of Bathroom and Concession Infrastructure

• 40’ Sea Container for Equipment Storage

San Saba Youth Sports and Recreation Association believes this multi-use facility is greatly needed within our community. Not only will a sports complex provide opportunities for our young athletes, but it will also have a direct and meaningful impact on our local economy. The ability to host league games and tournaments could bring numerous people to our area, often for multiple days at a time. With the continued support from the community, local businesses, and committed volunteers, the organization is optimistic about securing the necessary resources to bring this exciting project to life.

If you would like more information or to discuss the project, please reach out to one of the current board members. Current board members for the organization are:

Aaron Johnson – President

Margaret Henslee – Vice President

Fantasia Hoyt – Secretary

Rosie Huff – Co-Treasurer

Amanda Rivera – Co-Treasurer

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A study of the relationship and drivers between participation in sports program diversity and physical fitness

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1 hour ago

August 15, 2025

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Where are America’s youth at the protests fighting for our democracy? (Letters)

Youth need to join the march As a Vietnam veteran, I remember in the 1960s and early ’70s when protest rallies were breaking out throughout the country, most of them on college campuses, expressing rage about the Vietnam War and other issues. The youth of the country was alive and vibrant. Today, while our democracy, […]

Published

2 hours ago

August 15, 2025

Your Sports Nation

Youth need to join the march

As a Vietnam veteran, I remember in the 1960s and early ’70s when protest rallies were breaking out throughout the country, most of them on college campuses, expressing rage about the Vietnam War and other issues. The youth of the country was alive and vibrant. Today, while our democracy, institutions, and form of government are being eradicated, they, who have the most to lose, do not seem to want to get involved.

I have attended most of the protest rallies taking place in our area, and, I am sad to say, witness mostly seniors attending. This brings to mind two songs from the ’60s and ’70s. One is by Crosby, Stills, Nash and Young — “Ohio” — about the four students who were shot and killed by National Guardsmen during a protest on the Kent State University campus. The other is by Pink Floyd and seems to be a good description of today’s youth, “Comfortably Numb!”

Steve Nash, Centennial

A barrage of bad news followed by some good recipes

Another beautiful day in Colorado was marred by reading the first section of The Denver Post. “ICE to open 2nd state facility” was the top headline of the front page. The news didn’t get any better as I proceeded through the pages:

• Sending the National Guard to Washington, D.C. for law enforcement in the city with a declining crime rate;

• a budget shortfall in Medicaid for Colorado due to the “One Big Beautiful Bill” signed by President Trump;

• research projects at the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (in Boulder) canceled and employees laid off;

• order by the White House for a review of Smithsonian exhibits to be sure the exhibits align with Trump’s interpretation of American history;

• Trump’s selection of an underqualified person to head the Bureau of Labor Statistics;

• fires on the Western Slope;

• the meeting of Trump with Vladimir Putin to discuss Ukraine, among other topics, without Zelenskyy present;

• Israel discussing resettling Palestinians;

• climate changes bringing droughts that have long-term ramifications, including groundwater depletion; and,

• the interesting thoughts of a Jackson, Wyo. resident checking out the cost of living in Aspen vs. Jackson Hole.

Important news for all of us to consider as we look forward to how these events will impact our lives and think through what our responsibility is in relation to these stories. Any suggestions? Anyone interested in joining a discussion group to explore solutions?

P.S. Thanks for the delicious recipes in the third section!

Andrea M. West, Centennial

Too hot for school

This time of year, just like every year, people will be complaining that the school classrooms are too hot for the students. When I was young, we started in September. Now they start in the middle of August. All the educated people who are running the school still don’t have enough sense to start it two to three weeks later.

Leroy M. Martinez, Denver

How about a round on the house?

Rockies owners Dick and Charlie Monfort are missing a golden opportunity to increase attendance at their sandlot-league games. There wouldn’t be an empty seat if every time the visiting team scored seven or more runs, we got a free beer.

Jeffrey Stroh, Denver

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Originally Published: August 14, 2025 at 3:13 PM MDT

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FIBA & The Grind Session will host a global Youth Elite Camp | About FIBA

Published

3 hours ago

August 15, 2025

Your Sports Nation

MIAMI (United States) – A new edition of the FIBA Youth Development Program (YDP) and The Grind Session (TGS) is set to take place in Florida, USA. The camp will bring together the very best young basketball talents from the Americas and Africa and it will be held from September 4th to the 7th at DME Academy, located in Daytona Beach, Florida. DME academy is one of the top high school basketball academies in the US and DME is part of the TGS circuit. TGS is the first-ever winter circuit for elite high school basketball players. FIBA and the TGS have been working together in the past three years to promote and develop youth basketball globally.

This FIBA & TGS elite camp will host thirty top youth athletes from both continents, showcasing their talents while ensuring higher exposure and visibility for these athletes. The camp is a developmental initiative that pairs both the Americas and the African regions to create an environment of high-level basketball competition, life instruction, and a sample size of college basketball experience.

“The Youth Development Program is one of the most important strategic priorities for us, at FIBA. We are so excited with this camp and the opportunities that it can open to our top youth athletes across the Americas and Africa zone. We will continue to focus on youth development going forward so we can provide our elite young boys and girls a platform to excel,” said Carlos Alves Executive Director of FIBA in the Americas.

The camp will be led by Coach Donald Showalter (USA Basketball) and will also feature coaches Walter Rose (former NBA Academy) and Sharman White (USA Basketball). The event will be streamed live through FIBA YouTube channel & The Grind Session social platforms.

FIBA

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Former girls basketball coach sentenced for child sex crimes after ‘years of silence and torture’

HONOLULU (HawaiiNewsNow) – A disgraced girls basketball coach was sentenced Thursday afternoon for committing sex crimes against underage girls and harassment involving his players. Dwayne Yuen coached private club teams as well as teams at various public and private schools, including Punahou School. In December 2024, Yuen pleaded guilty to 12 counts stemming from what […]

Published

5 hours ago

August 15, 2025

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HONOLULU (HawaiiNewsNow) – A disgraced girls basketball coach was sentenced Thursday afternoon for committing sex crimes against underage girls and harassment involving his players.

Dwayne Yuen coached private club teams as well as teams at various public and private schools, including Punahou School.

In December 2024, Yuen pleaded guilty to 12 counts stemming from what federal prosecutors described as a course of criminal conduct against his players, all middle or high school girls, for nearly two decades.

The counts include sex trafficking, coercion and enticement, producing, receiving, and possessing child pornography, exploitation and harassment.

Several of Yuen’s victims were present for his sentencing. Before hearing his fate, one spoke in court while three others shared letters, read by their attorneys.

Grief and emotion filled the courtroom as they detailed the horrific sexual acts he did to them as teenagers, years of abuse, manipulation, and threats.

They called him a monster hiding in plain sight, and explained how his warm, welcoming charm turned to gifts and eventual threats on their lives if he didn’t get what he wanted.

In court, Yuen faced Judge Michael Seabright in a white jumpsuit with his ankles shackled and apologized.

But the judge called Yuen’s words shallow, and said he had a demented need for control.

“You caused lost youth, all done in the pursuit of power and sex,” he said.

In the end, Yuen was sentenced to a total of 405 months of incarceration, or 33.75 years, and supervision for the rest of his life, if he’s granted release.

Shawna-Lei Kuehu, one of his victims, said, “It was just a sigh of relief, you know, and kind of like, ‘finally,’ that feeling of him finally just getting what he deserved after all these years of silence and torture.”

She said the sentence was a step toward healing, allowing them to close a horrific chapter in their lives.

“It was a lot of happy tears and embracements of just being strong and recognizing that for us women that have gone through all of this,” Kuehu said.

Yuen must also pay $3,000 in restitution to one of his victims and register as a sex offender.

If he is granted supervised release, he will be prohibited from having any contact with children or the victims, and submit to searches and seizures of his electronic devices.

He is also banned from any place where children are present, including playgrounds and arcades.

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Local League Leaders Discuss Gaps in Youth Sports Opportunities in Lawrence Township

This article was created by AI using a video recording of the meeting. It summarizes the key points discussed, but for full details and context, please refer to the video of the full meeting. Link to Full Meeting During a recent government meeting in Lawrence, Indiana, discussions centered around enhancing youth sports programs in the […]

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7 hours ago

August 15, 2025

Your Sports Nation

This article was created by AI using a video recording of the meeting. It summarizes the key points discussed, but for full details and context, please refer to the video of the full meeting.

Link to Full Meeting

During a recent government meeting in Lawrence, Indiana, discussions centered around enhancing youth sports programs in the community, highlighting both opportunities and challenges. The meeting revealed a strong interest in addressing gaps in local sports offerings, particularly in non-travel leagues.

One of the key topics was the potential for introducing a non-travel Little League baseball program. Currently, the city has several established leagues, including those operated by FC Pride and Lawrence Township Football, which primarily focus on travel teams. The participants expressed concerns about whether there would be sufficient interest and numbers to support a new non-travel baseball initiative, given the existing competition from nearby leagues.

The conversation also touched on the introduction of I9 Sports, which aims to provide flag football as a starting point for expanding local sports options. The hope is that this initiative will gain traction and encourage greater participation among youth in the area.

Additionally, the meeting acknowledged the need for a broader range of sports offerings beyond just soccer and baseball. Participants discussed the possibility of exploring other sports that could engage more children and families, emphasizing the importance of having diverse options available to meet the community’s needs.

In conclusion, the meeting underscored the city’s commitment to enhancing youth sports programs while recognizing the complexities of competition among existing leagues. As discussions continue, the focus will remain on finding viable solutions to foster participation and ensure that all children in Lawrence have access to quality sports experiences.

Converted from City of Lawrence Livestream meeting on August 14, 2025

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‘We need something like that in East Knoxville’

KNOXVILLE, Tenn. (WVLT) – It’s a part of Chilhowee Park, right across the street from where the Tennessee Valley Fair is held. Typically, the lot is gated up, locked and used as only parking for the fair or the occasional car show. Now, the City of Knoxville is thinking about selling this portion of land […]

Published

8 hours ago

August 15, 2025

Your Sports Nation

“We looked at the Emerald project out in Lonsdale and we said we need something like that in East Knoxville,” Rev. Harold Middlebrook said.

Rev. Middlebrook is a key reason why this project is moving ahead. He’s been working with Emerald Youth Foundation since it’s inception. He has seen how the organization is helping kids.

“I said to some people, it seems to me that we would do well if Emerald had or somebody had centralized facilities in this city, they could expand its program,” Middlebrook said.

Middlebrook helped bring the idea to Emerald Youth. Now, it means possible changes to Chilhowee Park.

“We’ve negotiated now on with the city law department on the price for the land and what we need to do, so we’re looking forward to moving ahead with this project, not for ourselves but for the young people who come now and those who will come later,” Middlebrook said.

This project has been in the works for the last few years. A group of East Knox community activists have come together with Emerald Youth with the hope of revitalizing the area.

That plan is coming into focus with the possible addition of this youth sports complex.

“It’s really about transforming a blank piece of property to a piece of property that is a daily activity space for neighbors and families and kids and that’s really what that’s about, is this investment with Emerald,” Chief of Staff for Knoxville David Brace said.

The city has been heavily investing into East Knoxville. This is now their latest project that the city hopes can be more than just an empty lot.

“It will be recreationally focused, it’ll stay open space zoning and would be focused on families and recreation and healthcare,” Brace said. “You know, we’re in a healthcare desert, many stocks falling. new desert trying to meet some of those basic needs and have a place for kids in East Knoxville, and then also a place for folks to convene that are coming to East Knoxville.”

East Knoxville has had its fair share of work done already and will now have even more projects coming its way.

“Imagine, you know, kind of show how we are becoming that family gathering place,” Brace said. “That’s the vision, that’s what Councilwoman McKenzie has asked and so those three things, the Magnolia Corridor, Burlington and Chilhowee Park, are all we’re starting to see major investment, and so we’re excited to see that investment continue.”

Middlebrook says he has been waiting for this investment to come to East Knoxville and now that it is, he is grateful and hopeful for the future.

“I’m delighted to see the real development, the fire hall, the Muse, all of that, but I think the key piece for our young people is to have a place where they can feel safe, where they feel comfortable that they can go to and be motivated and encouraged to go on and achieve higher heights,” Middlebrook said.

Middlebrook adds that he believes in the mission of Emerald Youth and the future generations in East Knoxville.

“I believe that Emerald is in fact a program concerned about young people, concerned about the city of Knoxville and where we’re going, and works to do that from a faith based prospective along with encouraging young people to develop themselves educationally and spiritually,” Middlebrook said.

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