MOBILE, Ala. (WALA) – Another athletic camp for kids is set to take place this weekend.

The Palmer Williams Group will host its 12th Annual Athletic Youth Camp from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. Saturday at Highpoint Park in Eight Mile.

The event is free and open to children ages 4 to 13. It will feature football drills, cheer skills, giveaways, games and a whole lot of fun.

The event is made possible by former University of Alabama and NFL athletes Sherman Williams and David Palmer, along with other sponsors.

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On Saturday, a youth camp was supposed to be held at Highmark Stadium featuring former Steelers wide receiver George Pickens through TruEdge Sports.

It was a camp that Kiley Monro said her 16-year-old brother Ricky was looking forward to.

“My mom, initially, she asked me if she thought it would be a good idea for him to get George Pickens tickets for his 16th birthday, and I said he always loved the Steelers, loved doing football as a kid and everything,” Monro said.

However, according to emails to parents, organizers said that after initially committing to the camp, even after his trade to the Dallas Cowboys, Pickens backed out.

That email said in part:

“Our team at TruEdge was fully prepared to host a camp this Saturday because we were led to believe George would follow through on his commitment. His sudden decision to back out not only reflects a disappointing lack of accountability but also shows a disregard for the families and children who were excited to meet him. We are incredibly disappointed by his actions, and his actions do not express the goals or motives of TruEdge Sports.”

The email would go on to say Steelers tight end Pat Freiermuth is stepping in for Pickens, and the camp has been moved to July 20 at Highmark Stadium.

For some families, that may work, but Monro said they are unable to go to the make-up date because of a scheduled, unrefundable vacation.

“He had more than four days to give the notice, and I wish that was the case, and I think it would have been better for everyone else to be able to go to the rescheduled date. But overall, he’s just really upset about it,” Monro said.

Monro said overall, she is just disappointed.

“He was one of my favorite Steelers players. Even when he got traded, I still really liked him. He was just very good overall,” Monro said. “But for what he did, I don’t even think I want to even cheer for him anymore. I’m just very disappointed.

“I’m glad Pat stepped up — that was so nice, and the kids still have that opportunity. But overall, I’m just very disappointed how you did it four days before.”

Monro said organizers did put their mother on a list to get their money back.

The email also listed how TruEdge Sports is making up for the change of date and Pickens’ departure. It includes:

• Every camper will receive an autograph from all Steelers players present at no cost
• Families that purchased autographs will be refunded
• People who bought a family experience will have the chance to get a refund or keep the add-on with multiple Steelers players
• The organization is also offering a 25% credit to any future TruEdge camp

Pittsburgh’s Action News 4 reached out to TruEdge Sports for further comments, and we are waiting to hear back.

SPOKANE, Wash. – After 2024 Paris Olympic bronze medal-winner Cierra Burdick visited Spokane in March for the Women’s 3XBA basketball clinic, she left a real impact on the kids ready to play and learn the sport.

One did so much, that he wanted to come back to show that support in return.

“I made this sign homemade, and I wanted to make a sign because I heard that Cierra was going to be playing at Hoopfest, and she taught us basketball at the basketball clinic, so I wanted to support her at Hoopfest.”

Carston Graber and his brothers each made signs in support, something that meant the world to Burdick.

“Yeah, I mean, that’s huge. That’s why we come out here and play,” Burdick said. “The wins, the losses, that’s part of sport, that happens, but the ability you have to impact a younger generation for them to – I met them at the youth clinic back here in March. So, for them to come out and watch me play and bring the signs and support, that’s bigger than the basketball, that’s bigger than the sport.”

3XBA MVP Sydney Taylor agreed, the former Louisville Cardinals standout seeing how meaningful these fan interactions are.

“That’s so cool. They look up to us, I mean, I was in their shoes one day, I remember it. Just walking around and seeing college and professional players. If I was in their shoes, I would be so happy. But, we love their support, we love when they come up, take pictures, ask for autographs. Their support never goes unnoticed, for sure.”

Both athletes also spoke on the impact that tournaments like this have on women’s sports as a whole, and how this can positively affect the future of the game.

“I’ve never met someone who has watched 3×3 and not loved it,” Burdick said. “So, I don’t think it’s a matter of not loving it or not, it’s just a matter of not knowing about it. So, I think if we continue to just build the game, build the sport, get more eyeballs on it, I think people are really gonna fall in love with it at a fast pace.”

“We’re getting our name, our name’s coming out there, we’re rising up,” Taylor said. “I know a lot of other countries with three on three are a lot further ahead of us, but we’re making our way up there, and I’m excited, I’m excited.”

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Athletes across multiple sports, in grades 5 through 8, ended a four day camp hosted by the Fellowship of Christian Athletes at Santa Maria High School on Friday. See photos from the final day in this gallery. 

ST. PAUL, Minn. (KTTC) – The U.S Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) Office for Civil Rights (OCR) has started an investigation into the Minnesota Department of Education and the Minnesota State High School League.

According to a press release by HHS, federal officials are investigating whether Minnesota engaged in discrimination on the basis of sex for allowing transgender athletes to compete in girls’ sports.

HHS officials say Minnesota is in violation of Title IX.

“Females cannot be relegated to the sidelines under Title IX,” said OCR Director Paula M. Stannard. “As a recipient of Federal funds, Title IX requires Minnesota to ensure fair and safe opportunities for females to compete on sex-segregated teams – regardless of state law obligations.”

Earlier this year, the MSHSL put out a statement stating participation in sports will continue to be determined by state law which allows students to participate in accordance with their gender identity.

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