Rec Sports

Bison Nike leftovers turning into charitable gold for Thielen Foundation – InForum

Published

8 months ago

May 2, 2025

FARGO — The phasing out of Nike gear and apparel for North Dakota State athletes is not leaving without some charitable work tied to it. Thanks to a West Fargo couple, the leftovers like athletic shoes will turn into a main course for those in need.

The Bison athletic department is switching from Nike to Under Armour, meaning last weekend’s annual NDSU rummage sale during the “Green & Gold Showcase” football event at the Fargodome was stocked with more gear than ever. Not all of it sold, with the likes of around 400 pairs of shoes and 10 boxes of shirts remaining.

What to do? Derrick and Kristen Dinger had an idea.

Find a way to get it to people who perhaps can’t afford it. The couple bought the remaining stock of NDSU Nike items and will donate them to the Thielen Foundation, the charitable arm of former Minnesota Vikings receiver and Detroit Lakes High School graduate Adam Thielen, currently playing for the Carolina Panthers.

The idea came from Derrick, managing partner of Northwestern Mutual in Fargo, who is on the Thielen Foundation Board of Directors. Dinger initially started in the Fargo-Moorhead area with a plan to donate 15-20 shoes to each school on behalf of the Thielen Foundation, and then hand the rest over to the organization.

“He’s a champion of youth sports and it just means a lot to us he goes the extra mile to locate those equipment pieces and donate them back,” said Amy Sinclair, executive director of the Thielen Foundation. “It means the world to us to have people come along with us and support us in that way.”

The idea first hit Derrick last year, when bought a few pairs of shoes at last year’s Bison sale and saw first hand the benefit in West Fargo.

“We bought them to help people out so kids can have opportunities,” he said. “And they were so appreciative and it made me realize how many people are maybe a little less fortunate.”

At the time, Derrick saw that Thielen had a contract with a major manufacturer that distributed items to Minneapolis schools.

“But I didn’t want to go buy a bunch of shoes, have them sit in our house and not know what to do with them after you give them to the local schools,” he said.

That’s where the Thielen Foundation came into play with distribution. The Foundation, on the heels of two Thielen youth football camps this June in Detroit Lakes, will through Detroit Lakes High School invite 40 area head high school coaches to pick up cleats for players that need them.

“That will be able to serve them and maybe ease some financial tension in their program a little bit,” Sinclair said.

Minnesota Vikings wide receiver Adam Thielen gives fans a thumbs-up Jan. 15, 2022, before the start of a NFL Wildcard Round game against the New York Giants at U.S. Bank Stadium in Minneapolis.

That easing of financial tension will also reach Minneapolis schools, where the Thielen Foundation supports inner city youth football leagues. That includes giving away a boat load of NDSU T-shirts and sweatshirts.

“It can’t do any harm having 1,000 NDSU shirts walking around in Minneapolis to the kids that need the help,” Dinger said.

The Thielen Foundation has raised more than $4 million since 2018 with a goal on its website to “serve, educate and inspire individuals so they’re equipped and empowered to reach their full potential in life.”

“And part of that is keeping them in sports and committed because you can learn so many of life’s lessons from the platform of sports,” Sinclair said. “So if we can provide programs and resources to help make that easier, that’s amazing to us.”

Jeff would like to dispel the notion he was around when Johannes Gutenberg invented the printing press, but he is on his third decade of reporting with Forum Communications. The son of a reporter and an English teacher, and the brother of a reporter, Jeff has worked at the Jamestown Sun, Bismarck Tribune and since 1990 The Forum, where he’s covered North Dakota State athletics since 1995.
Jeff has covered all nine of NDSU’s Division I FCS national football titles and has written three books: “Horns Up,” “North Dakota Tough” and “Covid Kids.” He is the radio host of “The Golf Show with Jeff Kolpack” April through August.

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Rec Sports

Florida demolishes Tennessee basketball – The Daily Beacon

Published

6 minutes ago

January 11, 2026

Your Sports Nation

Had the turnover balloons made the trip, Tennessee basketball’s cardio would be at an all-time high.

The Vols traveled to Gainesville, Florida, and walked away with a 91-67 loss to the Gators in flattening fashion.

An 18-turnover effort kept No. 21 Tennessee (11-5, 1-2 SEC) from getting a breath of fresh air. Instead, the consistent giveaway of free possessions remained haunting, as Florida (11-5, 2-1) cashed in for 30 points off turnovers.

Nate Ament led an otherwise abysmal offensive attack with 17 points. Ja’Kobi Gillespie followed with 12 points, but committed four turnovers to just three assists. Bishop Boswell’s six turnovers made it a double-digit turnover effort from Tennessee’s starting backcourt. Boogie Fland went for a career game on the Vols’ defense, tacking on 23 points in Florida’s win.

Sloppy first half in varying fashions

The Vols and Gators put forth opposite first-half outings, but the games complemented each other enough to bring a mere 13-point margin at the break.

For Tennessee, it was turnovers and failure on defensive rebounds that provided struggles. On Florida’s side, missed shots plagued the Gators.

As a team, the Vols committed 12 turnovers across the first 20 minutes. They also allowed Florida to pull in seven boards on the offensive glass. Those blunders paced Tennessee to 20 total shots in the frame, making a measly eight.

Florida took advantage of the extra possessions, chucking up 34 shots in 20 minutes. The Gators scored 18 points off turnovers, helping create a 13-point margin heading to the locker rooms.

Cleaning up the mistakes did not occur during the break. Tennessee moved forward with the trend, committing six more turnovers over the remainder of the game.

15-2 Florida run provides separation before half

Despite struggles maintaining the basketball, Tennessee had remained in the game for the first 16 minutes of the game. And then the tides flipped.

A Boogie Fland stepback jumper marked the start of what became a 15-2 run over the final 3:51 of the first half. He scored 10 of the points all by himself, including a sequence where he drilled a three and then ripped away a steal on the defensive end to sink a layup.

Rick Barnes wanted a timeout to bandage the wound, but the dismay continued seeping. Tennessee’s next shot was blocked, and the ensuing inbounds pass could not get in — forcing a second timeout within 11 seconds of game time. Bishop Boswell turned the ball over out of the timeout.

Florida had been shooting 26% from the floor with 7:42 left. The Gators finished strong, making 8-of-11 shots to bring the total to 41%.

Heading into the break, Tennessee went from a tied 26-all ball game to down 41-28 with lingering turnover problems.

The Vols could not overcome the deficit they dug into, and Florida continued to run away with the game in the second half. The Gators outscored Tennessee 50-39 in the final 20.

Ament flourishes

Not many positives could be pulled away from the demolition on the road, but star freshman Ament at least put forth promise.

Ament scored 17 points on 5-for-11 shooting. He also hauled in four rebounds and an assist, while keeping turnovers limited to two. His four fouls limited him to 27 minutes.

The 17-point outing is the most for the 6-foot-10 wing since he scored 20 against Kansas on Nov. 26. He had been averaging 11 points per game in the seven games between those performances.

Tennessee will have the chance to rebound on Jan. 13 when it faces Texas A&M at Food City Center

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Rec Sports

Photos: Fort Lewis College women’s and men’s basketball take on Westminster University

Published

3 hours ago

January 11, 2026

Your Sports Nation

Both Skyhawks teams were victorious on Saturday afternoon

Fort Lewis College plays tough defense against Westminster University on Saturday at FLC. (Jerry McBride/Durango Herald)

Jerry McBride

Donald Bangham, Jr. of Fort Lewis College finger rolls the ball over Westminster University on Saturday at FLC. (Jerry McBride/Durango Herald)

Jerry McBride

Ashten Martinez of Fort Lewis College plays defense against Westminster University on Saturday at FLC. (Jerry McBride/Durango Herald)

Jerry McBride

Massal Diouf of Fort Lewis College blocks a Westminster University shot on Saturday at FLC. (Jerry McBride/Durango Herald)

Jerry McBride

Cassius Carmichael of Fort Lewis College dunks the ball against Westminster University on Saturday at FLC. (Jerry McBride/Durango Herald)

Jerry McBride

Chuol Deng of Fort Lewis College puts up a shot against Westminster University on Saturday at FLC. (Jerry McBride/Durango Herald)

Jerry McBride

Natalie Guanella of Fort Lewis College passes the ball while playing against Westminster University on Saturday at FLC. (Jerry McBride/Durango Herald)

Jerry McBride

Fort Lewis College plays tough defense against Westminster University on Saturday at FLC. (Jerry McBride/Durango Herald)

Jerry McBride

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

Jerry McBride

Makaya Porter of Fort Lewis College drives to the basket while playing against Westminster University on Saturday at FLC. (Jerry McBride/Durango Herald)

Jerry McBride

Fort Lewis College plays tough defense against Westminster University on Saturday at FLC. (Jerry McBride/Durango Herald)

Jerry McBride

Lauren Zuniga, left, Fort Lewis College women’s baseketball 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

Stewart Erhart of Fort Lewis College splits the Westminster University defense on Saturday at FLC. (Jerry McBride/Durango Herald)

Jerry McBride

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

Natalie Guanella of Fort Lewis College plays defense against Westminster University on Saturday at FLC. (Jerry McBride/Durango Herald)

Jerry McBride

Claudia Palacio Gámez of Fort Lewis College fights off the Westminster University defense on Saturday at FLC. (Jerry McBride/Durango Herald)

Jerry McBride

Josie Davis of Fort Lewis College puts up a shot against Westminster University on Saturday at FLC. (Jerry McBride/Durango Herald)

Jerry McBride

Trey Curry of Fort Lewis College takes away a passing lane while playing Westminster University on Saturday at FLC. (Jerry McBride/Durango Herald)

Jerry McBride

Fort Lewis College plays tough defense against Westminster University on Saturday at FLC. (Jerry McBride/Durango Herald)

Jerry McBride

Savanna Dotray of Fort Lewis College puts up a shot against Westminster University on Saturday at FLC. (Jerry McBride/Durango Herald)

Jerry McBride

Donald Bangham, Jr. of Fort Lewis College goes for the ball while playing Westminster University on Saturday at FLC. (Jerry McBride/Durango Herald)

Jerry McBride

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

Jerry McBride

Natalie Guanella of Fort Lewis College comes off the floor during the Westminster University game on Saturday at FLC. (Jerry McBride/Durango Herald)

Jerry McBride

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

Jerry McBride

Makaya Porter of Fort Lewis College puts up a shot while playing against Westminster University on Saturday at FLC. (Jerry McBride/Durango Herald)

Jerry McBride

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Rec Sports

City to unveil sports park master plan

Published

3 hours ago

January 11, 2026

Your Sports Nation

FAIRBORN — The community is invited to attend a community presentation on Fairborn’s Sport Park Master Plan. The event will be held at the Fairborn High School Performing Arts Center on Sunday, January 18, at 3 p.m.

According to the city, the plan outlines proposed improvements to the Fairborn Wee Hawks Football and Fairborn Little League fields at Ernie Apt. Park. The city’s goal is to create a modern, much-needed athletic facility for local youth.

Park planners say that during the presentation, you’ll be able to see the proposed layout and upgrades, learn how the improvements will benefit young athletes and families, and ask questions.

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Rec Sports

The wildest hockey brawl of the year was at an AHL intermission youth game

Published

3 hours ago

January 11, 2026

Your Sports Nation

The Hershey Bears, the AHL affiliate of the Washington Capitals, won a game 3-2 on Saturday, breaking a tie in the third period while short-handed. That’s not what fans were buzzing about from the game on social media.

Between periods at the Giant Center in Hershey, Pennsylvania, a standard mites game became very un-standard when a bizarre brawl broke out between the two youth teams.

Countless haymakers were thrown with tiny gloved fists. Multiple kids charged full-speed into the fray. At least one kid punched a teammate. The crowd, or at least the louder fans in the stands, was loving it. There are no officials in sight. Which is unfortunate, because at least one kid can be seen dangerously trying to kick an opponent with his skates.

The spectacle peaks at the 47-second mark when a goalie charges in and completely lays out an opponent who was grappling with his teammate.

What’s that? You want another angle?

Details are admittedly sparse here. We don’t know if any of those kids sustained an injury on the ice, or what even caused the brawl aside from youthful aggression. We’re just talking about something you don’t expect to see at a youth hockey game.

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Rec Sports

PEM hosts area athletes in wrestling invitational

Published

3 hours ago

January 11, 2026

Your Sports Nation

PLAINVIEW, Minn. (KTTC) – Wrestlers filled the gym at Plainview-Elgin-Millville high school for the 2026 PEM Wrestling Invitational.

Eight schools took the mat: LARP (Lewiston-Altura/Rushford-Peterson), Pine Island, FCLMC (Fillmore Central/Lanesboro/Mabel-Canton), Lake City, WWC (Winona/Winona Cotter), La Crosse Logan/Cent., Cochrane-Fountain City, and the host school PEM.

The Bulldogs came out on top at home, leading the way with 206.5 points. LARP finished in second with 201.0 points. The team results are as follows:

PEM – 206.5
LARP – 201.0
Pine Island – 192.0
Eau Claire North – 111.0
FCLMC – 96.0
Cochrane-Fountain City – 70.5
Lake City – 47.5
WWC – 47.5
La Crosse Logan/Cent. – 39.0

An individual champion was crowned in each weight class. Those champions are as follows:

107 – Mason Zabel, PEM

114 – Owen Zabel, PEM

121 – Reid Ihrke, PEM

127 – Christian Zibrowski, LARP

133 – Michael Alexander, LARP

139 – Owen Lange, LARP

145 – Jag Foster, Pine Island

152 – Aiden Graner, PEM

160 – Ben Grabau, Pine Island

172 – Calvin Arentz, La Crosse Logan/Cent.

189 – Kane Larson, FCLMC

215 – Logan Peterson, PEM

285 – Chase Drazkowski, LARP

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Rec Sports

Native Youth Olympics preparations under way | Sports

Published

6 hours ago

January 11, 2026

Your Sports Nation

Ketchikan athletes had the gym to themselves on Friday as they warmed up for the Native Youth Olympics kick-off scheduled for 11 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. Saturday at the Clarke Cochrane Gymnasium at Kayhi.