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Parkettes are headed to nationals

One day last week Mother Nature offered a preview of summer with bright, sunny skies and temperatures in the high 70s. It was the type of day most would like to be outdoors. But in the Parkettes Gymnastics Center in Allentown, any thoughts of summer fun had to wait as more than a dozen youngsters […]

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One day last week Mother Nature offered a preview of summer with bright, sunny skies and temperatures in the high 70s. It was the type of day most would like to be outdoors.

But in the Parkettes Gymnastics Center in Allentown, any thoughts of summer fun had to wait as more than a dozen youngsters were working hard in every corner of the building. Many were preparing for national competition.

The Parkettes are sending 11 youngsters — six girls and five boys —  to the USA Gymnastics Women’s and Men’s Development Program National Championships this week at the Mountain America Expo Center in Salt Lake City. The championships are the culmination of the development program season and national teams and national champions will be determined.

The level 10 girls who qualified are Tali Flanigan, Allanah Portalatin, Keira Gontkosky, Fayelee DeHart, Alondra Vasquez and Molly Ewer.

The level 10 boys who qualified are Cian Baillie, Charlie Epstein, Isa Najim, Brody Sculler, and Anderson Card.

In addition, the Parkettes had a level 6 Eastern national champion in Elijah Maeding, who had the highest score in the country for his age group and qualified to be a Future Stars national team member. Level 9 female gymnasts Cooper Caulfield and Mallory Gorski qualified for the Eastern championships in Michigan. Tyler Bilyj was an Eastern National qualifier and medalist.

“We have a good number of kids going to nationals, and it’s exciting because most of our level 10 team has qualified for nationals,” said girls team program director Tricia Scott, the daughter of Parkettes founders Bill and Donna Strauss. “It’s a big accomplishment, and we’re really proud of them because they put a lot of hard work in. They come in here five days a week and it’s a huge commitment. It’s nice to see the hard work pay off.”

Scott said what makes it especially gratifying is that most of the gymnasts going to nationals have been Parkettes for many years.

“It’s not like they just came over and were with us for a year or two,” she said. “They’ve been here since they were little and training up through the program. Sometimes they get to a certain point and they start peaking when they’re a little older. When they’re going into their junior year of high school, which is when the college recruitment starts, it’s really good for them to hit it at regionals and make it to nationals. That gives them a leg up on the recruitment process.”

While the gymnasts come from various school districts around the Lehigh Valley and region, they all have some common traits.

“They spend a lot of hours here and they’re very dedicated athletes,” Scott said. “Most of them do well in school, even though they’re here for a lot of hours. They learn time management at a very young age. They learn what they need to do to be successful in life, and it carries into adulthood for many of them. Two of the girls who are competing in nationals already have college scholarships. One is going to Temple and another is going to San Jose State.

“What is really rewarding as a coach is to see them come in here at a very young age, and you can see them grow and get better and move up in the levels and move up in the program,” Scott said. “And they get to this point and you see them have success in life. That’s why we do what we do.”

Portalatin, an Easton High product, is going to nationals for the third time.

“I’m so grateful for this opportunity to go to nationals,” said Portalatin, who is headed to San Jose State. “I am coming off my best competition ever at regionals. It’s nice to see the hard work pay off and have fun, too. I was second in the all-around and in the floor exercise. I am hoping to place really well in Salt Lake City. The goal is to hit my routines and be confident. There are hard days, but it’s 100% worth it and very rewarding. I have been with the Parkettes for about 10 years, but I wouldn’t trade it for anything.”

Flanigan, a Liberty High student who will soon graduate and continue her career at Temple, is also excited about nationals.

“I’m excited to compete for the Parkettes one last time,” she said. “I definitely have worked hard and put in a lot of dedication to get where I am. It has been really special. I can’t pick one best memory of my time here. It is just all the time I spent here with my teammates and coaches.”

On the boys side, Baillie, a Nazareth senior, is going to nationals for the fifth time after missing last year due to an injury. He is also going to Temple.

“I am excited for Temple because my brother, Taidhg, who is a year older than me, is already there,” Baillie said. “He loves the team and the school.”

The focus for now is on Salt Lake City.

“Last time I went to nationals, I finished second on the floor,” He said. “I’ve been on a competitive team here since I was 7, which is 10 years ago. I started here for physical therapy because I had some health issues when I was younger. My brother was here and he liked it. I kind of stuck with it because he did, and as I got older, I liked working hard. I’ve learned from experience that even when you have setbacks, you can overcome it with hard work.”

Another boys standout is Epstein, a Parkland High sophomore, who is also a qualifier for the Maccabi Games in Israel this summer.

“I enjoy doing something that not many people do,” Epstein said.

Boys team program director Kevin Hallinan is in his first year with the Parkettes after working in the region for over 20 years, and he’s hoping to carry on the Parkettes legacy.

“I’ve got some big shoes to fill with this program,” Hallinan said. “This is one of the most fun gyms I’ve worked at. I have really admired the staff and what they have done over the years. And we have many great athletes here who I have gotten to know this year. It’s quite a group of guys, and this is a wonderful place.”

Elijah Maeding’s name has been corrected from the original publishing of this story.

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Donald Trump hosts Greg Sankey, Pete Bevacqua to golf, explore involvement in college sports

President Donald Trump is set to meet with SEC commissioner Greg Sankey and Notre Dame athletic director Pete Bevacqua in a golf outing. Yahoo Sports’ Ross Dellenger reported that the three are expected to discuss the future of college athletics as President Trump explores involvement in the industry. The golf outing is set to take […]

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President Donald Trump is set to meet with SEC commissioner Greg Sankey and Notre Dame athletic director Pete Bevacqua in a golf outing. Yahoo Sports’ Ross Dellenger reported that the three are expected to discuss the future of college athletics as President Trump explores involvement in the industry.

The golf outing is set to take place at Trump National in Bedminster, New Jersey. The President was in attendance at UFC 316 in Newark, NJ Saturday night.

“The significance of the meeting cannot be overstated,” Dellenger wrote. “It comes two days after a California judge granted approval of a landmark legal settlement (House) that further evolves major college athletics into a more professionalized entity where schools will directly compensate athletes. The two men attending the Trump meeting hold significant decision-making power …

“The three men are expected to spend extended time together beyond their round of golf as NCAA leaders seek Congressional and White House assistance for a federal standard to stabilize and regulate what’s become an unruly structure. Trump has grown interested in the issues, even deeply exploring the possibility of issuing an executive order and creating a commission to study the many developments — such as player movement in the transfer portal, booster-backed compensation to athletes, and the impact on women and Olympic sports.”

Dellenger reported President Trump’s meeting with Sankey and Bevacqua could ultimately lead to action from the White House or even expedite Congressional negotiations over college sports legislation. The president created a commission and selected a chair group that would oversee the look to solve the issues in college athletics. President Trump even wanted to tap former Alabama head coach Nick Saban to lead the charge. The commission work was paused two weeks ago.

All of this is on the heels of the House Settlement which now allows colleges and universities to directly pay their athletes. It was a near $3 billion settlement.

The settlement also imposes new restrictions on college sports. An NIL clearinghouse will be established, titled “NIL Go” and run through Deloitte. All third-party NIL deals of $600 or more must be approved by the clearinghouse. 

If not approved, the settlement says a new third-party arbiter could deem athletes ineligible or result in a school being fined. In a gathering at the ACC spring meetings last week, Deloitte officials reportedly shared that 70% of past deals from NIL collectives would have been denied, while 90% of past deals from public companies would have been approved.



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Rep. Ryncavage: West Side Regional Police Commission first step toward unified departments

WEST SIDE — State Rep. Alec Ryncavage said this week that the response to the announcement of the newly formed West Side Regional Police Department has been positive. That said, at this, point two communities have agreed to join the new unit — Larksville Borough and Edwardsville Borough. Ryncavage, R-Hanover Township, said he expects […]

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WEST SIDE — State Rep. Alec Ryncavage said this week that the response to the announcement of the newly formed West Side Regional Police Department has been positive.

That said, at this, point two communities have agreed to join the new unit — Larksville Borough and Edwardsville Borough. Ryncavage, R-Hanover Township, said he expects more towns will follow once the new regional department gets off the ground — which is targeted for Jan. 1, 2026.

“Starting with two is a more manageable process,” Ryncavage said. “Six out of the seven surrounding communities have also expressed an interest in regionalization, but final decisions (from them) have not been made at this time. As you can imagine, the communities will need to have their own internal discussions — but it is safe to say that the other communities will be watching when the West Side Regional Police Department officially launches next year and will probably make their decisions in short order after that.”

Understandably, Ryncavage said it is easier for a community to join an already established charter rather than create a new one. He said the process on how a community would join the regionalization is outlined in the group’s charter.

“Responses, on the whole, have been positive,” Ryncavage said. “As stated, the ultimate goal is to improve public safety, enhance service and deliver cost-effective policing.”

Earlier this week, Ryncavage announced the formation of the West Side Regional Police Commission — a commission that will oversee the creation and operation of the brand-new West Side Regional Police Department. The department will launch Jan. 1, 2026, and will — for now — support Edwardsville and Larksville boroughs.

Ryncavage said this effort marks a historic collaboration aimed at improving public safety, enhancing service and delivering more cost-effective policing for residents of both communities.

“Regionalization has been discussed for decades, but never realized, until now,” said Ryncavage. “From the beginning, we prioritized input from the men and women in uniform. Officers from both departments have been included at every step, and we had active participation from both Edwardsville and Larksville officers at each monthly meeting.”

Larksville Police Officer and Union Representative Craig Cebrick praised the collaboration throughout the process.

“From the start, our voices were heard,” Cebrick said. “It’s clear that this isn’t just a political exercise — this is about building a better department for the people we serve.”

Ryncavage said the regionalization process began in March 2023, when the Pennsylvania Department of Community and Economic Development’s Center for Local Government Services completed a 90-page study analyzing both departments’ budgets, staffing models, coverage areas and operational challenges. Ryncavage joined DCED to present the findings last month at two separate sessions with borough officials and local police officers.

Expert consultant assigned to project

Ryncavage said DCED not only funded the study, but also assigned a peer police consultant to provide expert guidance to the commission — Chief David Mettin.

Ryncavage said Mettin currently serves as the Chief of Police for Plumstead Township in Bucks County and he has more than 30 years of law enforcement experience.

He began his career in Doylestown Township before serving as chief of police in Pennridge Regional and later Slate Belt Regional police departments. At Slate Belt, he led the consolidation of three municipal police departments into a single regional entity.

Mettin holds a bachelor’s degree in criminal justice from Temple University and a master’s degree in public safety administration from St. Joseph’s University and is a graduate of the FBI National Academy (203rd session).

Mettin is also an adjunct instructor at Bucks County Community College and has served as president of the Bucks County Chiefs of Police Association and Southeast Pennsylvania Chiefs of Police Association.

Steering Committee formed

From the study, a steering committee was formed, which then drafted the West Side Regional Police Charter, formally establishing the department and the commission.

The charter took effect on Jan. 9, 2025, and was adopted by both borough councils through formal resolutions.

The five voting members of the West Side Regional Police Commission include:

• Chairman John Soprano, former Edwardsville police officer and current regional director of the narcotics bureau at the attorney general’s Wilkes-Barre Office.

• Vice Chairman Mike Lehman, Larksville Borough Council president and full-time Edwardsville police officer.

• Secretary/Treasurer Lisa Campbell, Edwardsville Borough Council member.

• Commission Member Lauren Austra, Larksville Borough Council member.

• Commission Member Dave Stochla, Edwardsville Borough Council president.

Per the charter, each borough nominates two elected officials, while the fifth member is an independent appointee. A coin toss determined that Edwardsville would select the independent member for the first one-year term — the position will alternate thereafter.

“We have an incredibly strong team,” said Ryncavage. “They bring first-hand knowledge of policing, local government and the needs of our neighborhoods. This wasn’t about politics — it was about getting the right people at the table.”

Soprano added, “This commission is committed to building a police force that reflects the values and needs of both boroughs. We’re focused on professionalism, community presence and accountability. While the department is beginning with Edwardsville and Larksville, once operational in January 2026, the West Side Regional Police Department will be open to neighboring communities interested in joining this shared service model.”

Lehman said, “We are no longer two departments competing for talent and resources. We are one team, working toward a common goal of public safety and service.”

Stochla noted, “Residents will benefit from better coverage, smarter resource deployment and a stronger police presence on our streets. It’s a win for both communities.”

Application process underway for chief

The commission has begun accepting applications for a chief of police who will be responsible for developing departmental policies, overseeing personnel, designing insignias and uniforms, and setting the tone for the new department.

“The commission is deeply committed to maintaining local identity and responsiveness,” Ryncavage said. “The new chief will help shape a department that feels local, looks local and serves local.”

According to the job posting, the salary range for the chief of the regional department would be $95,000 to $110,000.

Ryncavage said the months ahead will include finalizing a location for the headquarters, securing insurance, identifying grant opportunities and continuing outreach to residents. He said the regional department is expected to offer greater career growth opportunities for officers and improve the overall level of service.

‘Tireless commitment’

Ryncavage expressed deep gratitude for everyone who has played a role in bringing this vision to life.

“This wouldn’t have been possible without the tireless commitment of our borough managers, secretaries, council members, mayors, and especially the current and former officers and chiefs,” Ryncavage said. “Each of them chose to rise above individual interests and work toward something larger.”

Ryncavage went on to say, “It was strategic to begin with these two towns. We kept the group small to minimize politics and maximize progress. Edwardsville and Larksville were perfect candidates. They already serve the same region and were competing for the same officers. This model allows us to share costs, lighten the burden on local budgets and provide a higher standard of policing.

“I remember my time on Plymouth Borough Council when public safety costs consumed nearly 80% of our total budget. With regionalization, we create efficiencies, free up funding for other needs, and allow officers to grow into specialized roles — whether it’s investigations, traffic safety or community engagement.”

Reach Bill O’Boyle at 570-991-6118 or on Twitter @TLBillOBoyle.



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Women's Soccer Announces Exciting 2025 Schedule

Story Links 2025 Schedule CAMBRIDGE, Mass. – Just two months away from the start of fall training, Harvard women’s soccer is excited to announce its Fall slate. The schedule includes nine matches on its home pitch at Jordan Field and challenging matchups against a number of strong opponents from around the region and the nation. […]

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Women's Soccer Announces Exciting 2025 Schedule

CAMBRIDGE, Mass. – Just two months away from the start of fall training, Harvard women’s soccer is excited to announce its Fall slate. The schedule includes nine matches on its home pitch at Jordan Field and challenging matchups against a number of strong opponents from around the region and the nation. After a seven-win campaign and an Ivy League Tournament berth in the 2024 season, the Crimson is eager to get back on the pitch to begin its chase for another Ivy League Tournament Championship and NCAA Tournament appearance.
 
The Branca Family Head Coach for Harvard Women’s Soccer, Chris Hamblin, and his team will hit the training ground in early August before unofficially beginning the campaign with a pair of scrimmages on August 15 and 19. The second of the practice matches will be at Jordan Field and is open to the public.
 
The 2025 season will officially begin with a pair of away fixtures against regional foes Massachusetts (Aug. 24) and Fairfield (Aug. 29). A pair of familiar opponents for the Crimson, the team has played each of these squads at least once in the past three seasons.
 
Following the back-to-back road games, Harvard will begin a seven-match home stand that will run from September 1 through September 27. The stretch features the final five non-conference challenges for the squad and will lead into conference play at the tail end of the month. The homestand begins on Labor Day (Sep. 1) with an afternoon match against Big 12 foe Kansas State before the Monmouth Hawks come into town on Thursday (Sep. 4) to play under the lights at Jordan Field. Boston-based rivals Northeastern (Sep. 7) and Boston University (Sep. 11) will make the short trip across town to take on the Crimson and renew the rivalries. A date with the New Hampshire Wildcats on Sunday (Sep. 14) will round out nonconference play for the Crimson in what will be a rematch of the 2023 NCAA Tournament opening round.
 
Harvard’s Ivy League schedule is set to begin on Saturday (Sep. 20) with a contest against the Dartmouth Big Green. The homestand will come to an end on Saturday (Sep. 27) when the defending Ivy League Tournament Champion, Princeton, makes the trip up to Cambridge to battle the Crimson.
 
Harvard will hit the road for two straight weekends to make trips to Cornell (Oct. 4) and Yale (Oct. 11) while continuing league competition. Back-to-back Ivy League fixtures against Brown (Oct. 18) and Penn (Oct. 25) close out the Crimson’s regular season home schedule. The 2025 regular season will end on Saturday (Nov. 1) when the Columbia Lions will host the Crimson in New York City.
 
Harvard will look to qualify for the Ivy League Tournament for a third-consecutive season in 2025 after winning the inaugural tournament in 2023 and qualifying on the last week of the season in 2024. The semifinal round of the tournament – that will be hosted by the league’s top seeded team at the end of the regular season – is set for Friday (Nov. 7) with the championship match slated for Sunday (Nov. 9).
 
The winner of the conference tournament and any teams selected by the NCAA Tournament committee as at-large teams will begin the chase for a national title in the opening round of the NCAA Tournament on Saturday, Nov. 15. The tournament shifts to pods of four teams in the rounds of 32 (Nov. 21) and 16 (Nov. 23), with the winner of the region moving on to the quarterfinal round of the national tournament on Nov. 29. The four teams remaining after the quarterfinal round will move on to the 2025 College Cup which will be hosted in Kansas City, Mo., on Dec. 5 and 8.
 
The Crimson returns a veteran group of student-athletes to the pitch in 2025 including 2024 All-Ivy League selections Rhiannon Stewart, August Hunter and Audrey Francois. Senior Vanessa Frelih and junior Anna Rayhill were recently chosen as the captains for the 2025 squad and will look to lead the talented squad who hopes to chase more success in the coming season.
 
All matches will stream live on the ESPN+ platform and fans can also follow the Crimson’s progress throughout the 2025 season on GoCrimson.com and through the team’s social media profiles on Instagram and X.
 

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Fisk University Ends Its Historic Gymnastics Program

by Daniel Johnson June 8, 2025 The university shared its impactful decision with its student body in an email. After starting the nation’s first gymnastics program at an HBCU in 2023, Fisk University has made the decision to shutter the program at the conclusion of the 2025-2026 gymnastics season, citing recruitment disadvantages and scheduling issues […]

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Morgan Price, Fisk, HBCU, gymnast

The university shared its impactful decision with its student body in an email.


After starting the nation’s first gymnastics program at an HBCU in 2023, Fisk University has made the decision to shutter the program at the conclusion of the 2025-2026 gymnastics season, citing recruitment disadvantages and scheduling issues as reasons for their decision.

In a press release, Valencia Jordan, the director of Fisk Athletics addressed the rationale behind the university’s choice to end its support of the gymnastics program, which helped to raise the university’s profile.

“While we are tremendously proud of the history our gymnastics team has made in just three years, we look forward to focusing on our conference-affiliated teams to strengthen our impact in the HBCU Athletic Conference,” Jordan said. “Fisk is grateful for the hard work, dedication and tenacity of its gymnasts, staff members, and coaches who made this program possible.”

As Forbes reported, the university shared its impactful decision with its student body in an email, and although both Fisk and Wilberforce University currently sponsor women’s gymnastics, the sport is not sanctioned by the HBCU Athletic Conference.

Morgan Price, the biggest star in Fisk University’s gymnastics program, got out ahead of the announcement, declaring her intent to transfer to the University of Arkansas.

Price, an Arkansas native, initially considered competing for the Razorbacks in her final season of eligibility when she signed to Fisk University, where all she did was guide the program to back to back national championships and score the first perfect 10 in HBCU gymnastics history.

The other cornerstone of Fisk’s gymnastics program, head coach Corrinnne Tarver, resigned one month into the program’s 2025 season, Tarver had led the program since its inception in the 2022-2023 season.

Even though these departures were notable, the decision to discontinue the gymnastics program led some athletes, alumni and fans to express disappointment and disagreement with the university’s decision, especially after it won five national titles and set a new program record by having seven players named to the All-American squad.

According to HBCU Gameday, the now-settled House v. NCAA lawsuit, which entitles players to direct payments from universities, has been a source of consternation from smaller schools, like HBCUs, and it hangs over the university’s decision, an ill omen, like an albatross.

According to Southwestern Athletic Conference (SWAC) Commissioner Charles McClelland, the settlement is anticipated to create financial urgency for HBCU conferences, which opt-in to the revenue-sharing model created by the settlement. For those who don’t opt in, like Fisk University, the path is uncertain and they risk losing out on athletes who may look to cash in on their talents.

“It is now allowable for institutions to directly give NIL money to their student-athletes,” McClelland said in December 2024. “That means there’s going to be an influx of athletes that are looking for NIL payments. You’re going to have to have some name, image, and likeness money set aside to compete. There’s going to be some challenging times from a financial standpoint.”

RELATED CONTENT: Morgan Price Becomes First HBCU Gymnast To Win Back-To-Back USA Gymnastics All-Around Titles





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DOE gives $4M field to ex

It’s a field of broken dreams. The city Department of Education spent $4 million in taxpayer funds to renovate a Brooklyn athletic field — then handed it to a small all-boys public school founded by former Chancellor David Banks, which promptly kicked out three girls’ soccer teams. The power play by Eagle Academy for Young […]

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DOE gives $4M field to ex

It’s a field of broken dreams.

The city Department of Education spent $4 million in taxpayer funds to renovate a Brooklyn athletic field — then handed it to a small all-boys public school founded by former Chancellor David Banks, which promptly kicked out three girls’ soccer teams.

The power play by Eagle Academy for Young Men II in East Flatbush is under scrutiny by the feds for alleged violation of Title IX, which bars sex discrimination in public schools, The Post has learned.

Until last fall, the girls’ varsity soccer teams from Medgar Evers College Prep, Wingate and Prospect Heights high schools — all in District 17 and within walking distance of the “Old Boys and Girls Field” at the corner or Troy Avenue and Rutland Road — used the space for practice and home games.

The city Department of Education spent $4 million to renovate the “Old Boys and Girls Field” in East Flatbush, then turned it over to Eagle Academy for Young Men, a small all-boys school, which had its name and logo painted on the turf. J.C. Rice

But the DOE gave control of the refurbished field to the 622-student Eagle Academy in Ocean Hill, which is two miles away in District 23, for its football team.

DOE workers even painted the school’s logo and name in huge letters on the turf to underscore ownership.

“Suddenly, quietly, behind our backs, it got transferred to Eagle Academy,” said Ruslan Yakovlyuk, coach of the Medgar Evers girls varsity soccer team, the Cougars.

The girls, “from poor neighborhoods,” Yakovlyuk said, were forced to play on distant fields across Brooklyn, miss afternoon classes to make games on time, and got home late from pactice.

The Medgar Evers College Preparatory School’s girls’ varsity team, the Cougars, were kicked out after Eagle Academy gained control of the renovated field. Mecps Cougars/Instagram

“Once the facility was transferred to them, they basically said, ‘It’s ours,’” he said of Eagle Academy. “My guess is that Mr. Banks gave it to them somehow. It’s all politics.”

Before Mayor Adams named him schools chancellor in January 2022, Banks served 13 years as president and CEO of the Eagle Academy Foundation, which supports a network of five public schools in NYC, and one in Newark, for boys of color in grades 6 to 12. Before that, Banks was founding principal in 2004 of the first Eagle Academy in the Bronx, which formed in partnership with 100 Black Men of New York.

Shani Nakhid-Schuster, who coached the Wingate Lady Generals soccer team, was also frustrated by Eagle Academy’s takeover.

“Somehow they got the field, and all the teams that played there had to be moved,” she said.

Ex-schools Chancellor David Banks served 13 years as president and CEO of the Eagle Academy Foundation, which supports a network of six public schools for boys of color. Alamy Stock Photo

Officials offered an adjacent baseball/softball field, but athletic directors deemed it unsafe for soccer because of the pitcher’s mound and cut-outs of dirt around the bases.

“A lot of our games were rescheduled. We went all over,” Nakhid-Schuster said, recalling that girls traveled up to an hour or more to home games on other Brooklyn fields.

“All I know is that the girls were really put at a disadvantage, and I don’t think it was fair for them. It was a huge disservice to women’s sports.”

Kenneth Bigley, a sports coordinator for NYC’s Public School Athletic League, filed a sex-discrimination complaint on Sept. 30 with the US Department of Education’s Office for Civil Rights.

The Eagle Academy, which uses the field for football practice and games, has barred girls’ soccer teams and other community groups that formerly played on it. J.C. Rice

“Taking a DOE-owned facility that was used by students of both genders, renovating it, and then giving exclusive use to a small all-boys school seems the type of situation Title IX is meant to prevent,” Bigley wrote.

In December, the federal office confirmed it had opened an investigation.

The girls’ soccer players weren’t the only athletes evicted.

In July, the Caribbean Premier League Soccer (CPLS), which had hosted annual tournaments featuring teams representing Caribbean and African nations for 35 years, was forced to cancel all games after the Eagle Academy denied it permission to use the field pending the renovation, BKReader reported.

Coaches believe ex-Chancellor David Banks pulled strings to give Eagle Academy in Brooklyn the $4 million refurbished football field.
Google Maps

When work was done, Eagle Academy refused to grant the league a permit to use the field on Sundays from May to September, claiming soccer cleats, though less destructive than football cleats, might damage the field’s “integrity.” 

Besides the football field, the sports complex includes a track around the baseball field and basketball courts.

A DOE spokeswoman said management of the field “was turned over to Eagle Academy stewardship in April 2023 on the grounds of it being the school closest in proximity with the largest number of athletic teams.”

But the Eagle Academy, with four athletic teams, is farthest from the field. The three closest co-ed high schools and complexes list a total 32 teams.

Both DOE and SCA spokespersons refused to explain who requested or approved the $4 million renovation, and how it was awarded to Eagle Academy.

The DOE denied that Eagle Academy barred any school or community group from using the field,

Banks did not respond to a request for comment.

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NCAA sports set to change forever with innovative model after $20.5M decision

The NCAA and its five power conference leagues have come to a nearly $2.7-billion settlement in a pair of federal antitrust lawsuits, with college athletes set to be paid for the first time The recent NCAA settlement has brought an end to college sports’ foundation of amateurism(Image: Getty Images) The NCAA’s monumental settlement with its […]

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The NCAA and its five power conference leagues have come to a nearly $2.7-billion settlement in a pair of federal antitrust lawsuits, with college athletes set to be paid for the first time

NCAA
The recent NCAA settlement has brought an end to college sports’ foundation of amateurism(Image: Getty Images)

The NCAA’s monumental settlement with its five power conference leagues has forever altered the landscape of college sports, marking the first time student-athletes will receive payment from their institutions.

Despite its roots in amateurism, college sports are now set to become part of an innovative revenue-sharing model where schools can pay athletes up to $20.5 million annually starting in 2025-26. Following U.S. District Judge Claudia Wilken’s resolution of three separate antitrust lawsuits last week, colleges will also retroactively compensate athletes $2.8 billion for those who competed from 2016 to 2025.

This development comes on the heels of the University of Oklahoma’s announcement that it would be downsizing its athletic department staff due to revenue sharing with student-athletes, resulting in a five percent job loss. In other news, Notre Dame head coach Marcus Freeman has urged the NCAA to have just one transfer portal window instead of two.

READ MORE: U.S. Open organizers make announcement after Bryson DeChambeau and Rory McIlroy discoveryREAD MORE: Kyle Busch’s $138 billion backer makes Hendrick Motorsports announcement

Beginning in the fall of 2025, athletes will start receiving direct payments from their schools through revenue-sharing, which is expected to account for roughly $20 million per year. However, this figure could potentially increase annually depending on more profitable television deals.

The decision on how each school allocates their $20 million budget each year, including how much is used to pay players, which players are paid, and how much they receive, is left to the discretion of the individual institutions.

The new revenue-sharing model won’t impact current name, image, and likeness (NIL) deals, which have revolutionized college sports since they were introduced a few years ago.

Arch Manning
Texas quarterback Arch Manning has the highest NIL valuation ($6.8 million) out of all college athletes(Image: Getty Images)

NIL deals enable players to earn money through endorsements, social media, and other business ventures. Some of these deals have even transformed young teenagers into millionaires before they’ve entered the professional game.

Fortunately for students, NIL deals are here to stay. However, the NCAA settlement includes a reporting requirement where athletes must disclose third-party NIL deals that aren’t part of the revenue-sharing allotment they receive.

NIL deals could potentially allow schools to pay more than the $20 million they can distribute to players, although it’s been reported that the NCAA plans to monitor this in the future.

Some of the funds schools will use to compensate their student athletes will come from ever-increasing TV rights packages, particularly for events like the College Football Playoff and March Madness.

March Madness
TV rights packages for events such as March Madness will help institutions pay their athletes(Image: Getty Images)

Some schools are also raising costs to fans through “talent fees”, “concession price hikes”, and “athletic fees” added to tuition costs, providing another income source for them to distribute.

College football and college basketball are the two highest-earning sports, with top quarterbacks reportedly earning around $2m a year, which would consume about 10 per cent of a typical school’s NIL budget for all its athletes.

Regarding the NCAA payout to former athletes who competed between 2016-2024, this will only be accessible to those who were either fully or partially excluded from those payments under previous NCAA regulations.

NCAA
The recent NCAA settlement has brought an end to college sports’ foundation of amateurism(Image: Getty Images)



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