Rec Sports

Akron officials give updates on crime stats, prevention programs

Published

8 months ago

May 1, 2025

Akron officials are taking some new approaches to improving public safety amid decreasing crime in the city.

City officials gave updates on some existing programs and discussed new projects during a press conference Thursday in Downtown Akron.

Most reported crimes, including robbery, car theft and felonious assault, are down so far this year, Police Chief Brian Harding said. Shootings and firearms-related offenses are both continuing to decrease, and overall calls for police are down 7% compared to last year at this time, Harding said.

One major uptick, Harding said, is incidents of rape – up 46% this year compared to last year at this time. Sexual assault among juveniles appears to be contributing to this increase, he said.

The police department has ramped up communications with Akron Children’s Hospital and Summit County Children Services to try to combat this, he said.

“I would like to see our detectives continue to work diligently on each of these cases, and I think that shows in some of the results that we’ve seen,” Harding said. “We hope to see these numbers go back down for the rest of this year.”

While police use-of-force incidents increased overall last year, these incidents are down 27% this year, he added.

Harding attributes the decrease to more de-escalation training for officers and fewer violent crimes, he said.

“Our officers by proxy [are] responding to less violent calls, which probably also assists with the decrease in those numbers,” Harding said. “I don’t have a good quantitative analysis on why we saw the slight uptick last year, but we’re definitely celebrating the decrease this year.”

Street Team is up and running

Officials also provided an update on the city’s Street Team pilot program that targets gun violence.

The program connects previous offenders with people at risk of committing gun crimes to help them with conflict management, public safety director Tony Ingram said.

The city hired three people, called “credible messengers,” who have worked with 30 people at risk of committing gun violence. The messengers have also done 40 hospital visits and conducted hundreds of phone calls this year, he said.

“They come from the communities that are most at risk, are known in those communities, are able to interact and engage in ways that we in the traditional systems have, quite frankly, not been able to,” Ingram said.

Ingram shared an anecdote of one of the messengers working with a young person whose father was recently sentenced to a long prison sentence.

“Naturally, he began to exhibit some different symptoms of that trauma of losing his father,” Ingram said. “Our street team engaged with him.”

That person expressed interest in becoming a firefighter, Ingram said. The messengers connected the individual with Fire Chief Leon Henderson, who talked with him about his career in the department, he said.

Akron Mayor Shammas Malik applauded the street team’s efforts so far.

“I think that’s such a great example of the importance of this work and what it can do by touching just one individual and eventually that can have ripple effects in our community,” Malik said.

The city is working on a formal evaluation process to measure the pilot program’s impact, Malik added.

Crisis intervention team to expand

Meanwhile, a crisis intervention response team will be expanding its services this year.

Since the Summit County Outreach Team program, referred to as SCOUT, launched last year, it’s responded to 1,051 weekday calls for individuals experiencing a mental health crisis, Henderson said.

Emergency responders go to calls alongside representatives from community mental health agencies to connect individuals in crisis with the resources they may need, he said.

“The goal is to stabilize the situation, reduce the need for emergency department visits or law enforcement involvement, and connect individuals with appropriate ongoing care by offering timely, compassionate, and specialized assistance,” Henderson said.

The next goal, Henderson said, is to expand SCOUT’s availability to Saturdays, he said.

“We plan on functioning that unit from 8:30 to 4:30 later this year,” Henderson said.

Last year’s data shows a need to expand the team, he said.

A new public safety project on the horizon involves youth sports, Malik added.

City officials are in the beginning stages of increasing funding for sports and wellness programs for youth, Malik added. They also plan to work with Project Play, a national initiative focused on enhancing youth involvement in sports to improve crime and health outcomes, Malik said.

If you or someone you know is struggling with mental health, call the Suicide and Crisis Lifeline at 988.

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Rec Sports

KPD: Fake youth sports team scams West Town Mall visitor out of $1,600

Published

3 minutes ago

December 29, 2025

Your Sports Nation

Two scam incidents at West Town Mall involved fake youth sports team members collecting donations, according to police.

KNOXVILLE, Tenn. — The Knoxville Police Department said it’s learned of two separate incidents in which people, posing as members of a youth sports team, were collecting donations at West Town Mall.

In one of those cases, the victim was swindled out of $1,600, according to KPD.

KPD advises that before donating to an organization or person, you take time to do your research and be extremely cautious before you share your credit card information with people you don’t know.

KPD says that if you do plan to donate to anyone, using cash is the safest option.

If you think you’ve been the victim of a scam, report it to the KPD at 865-215-7268.

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Rec Sports

If Parents Want Youth Sports To Keep Going, It’s Time To Step Up

Published

12 minutes ago

December 29, 2025

Your Sports Nation

We often hear parents complain about how the “village” that our parents always talked about no longer exists. Everyone is insular. No one talks to their neighbors. No one wants to branch out, lend a hand, or start some sort of community. We’re all just so tired, and that’s totally fair.

But we still need the village. We still hope that the kids will turn out right, and one guy says that it’s all up to us to make it so, especially when it comes to youth sports and shaping boys during those tough developmental years.

“You have to coach a youth sports team,” TikTok user Arkansas Traveler begins in his now-viral video.

“You have to coach a youth sports team. The people who did it when you were kids are old now. It is your turn.”

Then, he directs his attention to the adult men.

“Men, you have to coach youth boys’ sports teams so that they learn how to be vulnerable when they are facing stressful situations in front of other boys. You need to teach them not to suppress their emotions because that’s the message they’re going to get at youth sports teams. They’re going to learn to suppress their emotions so that they don’t look weak in front of the other boys, unless you go coach youth sports teams,” he said.

“You might think that young boys suppressing their emotions doesn’t really affect your life. Wrong, wrong, wrong. These young boys will soon become young men in your community, and you don’t want violent, emotionally suppressive young men in your community. You want young men who learned how to be vulnerable on a football field at their young age. You want young men who had a coach who said, ‘It’s okay to cry when things get hard as long as you keep pushing forward.’”

He makes the case that it’s the youth sports coaches of the world who actually have a huge hand in how this generation of young boys will be raised, and if we want a more progressive, open, and emotionally-regulated generation of young men, other men need to put in the work.

“You want young men in your community who had a coach who said, ‘Don’t call people bitches because that’s a slur, and we will respect women and non-men in this community.’ But if you don’t coach youth sports teams, you will not get those young men.”

After his post went viral, several TikTok users agreed with the OP’s opinion, and one TikTok user pointed out that this also applies to young girl’s sports.

“Ladies we need to be coaching girls youth sports teams!!!!! Teach them another girls talent doesn’t diminish yours, other women will be the most important people in your life, and there’s more important things than beauty and male attention,” she wrote.

Another wrote, “Moms you have to coach too don’t let the dads with a crooked swing coach (im not letting my 15 years of hitting lessons go to waste)”

One user said, “If you’re feeling helpless about the future, this is a great way to make an impact. My son still thinks fondly of his coaches but unfortunately millennials and Gen’z don’t realize WE ARE THE ADULTS”

“Coaching middle school age basketball and track. PLEASE GO COACH!!! These kids do not understand competitive environments or have the confidence to compete to their fullest capability. They give up so easily bc they don’t know what it’s like to be challenged!!! PLEASE CHALLENGE THESE KIDS!! They need it!!” another echoed.

And if you cannot make the time commitment to coach, show up to the games. Volunteer at a practice. Take the time to talk with your kid. It can make all the difference.

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Rec Sports

Discover Kalamazoo says tourism down in 2025, but will improve by 2027 | WKZO | Everything Kalamazoo

Published

3 hours ago

December 29, 2025

Your Sports Nation

KALAMAZOO, MI (WKZO AM/FM) – Discover Kalamazoo’s head honcho says 2025 was a slower year for local tourism.

She expects the same for 2026, but there is a lot to look forward to after that.

Tourism CEO Jane Ghosh recently gave Kalamazoo County commissioners a briefing on her organization’s status.

She says the “K”-shaped economy following the pandemic has hit lower income families harder nationwide and in our region, reducing travel.

“2025 was a tougher year, and so for the first time since I’ve been there, we have missed budget, that is primarily due to economy hotels are performing very poorly.”

Ghosh expects that to continue into the new year.

“2026 will be a challenging year, we’re budgeting conservatively because there’s still economic uncertainty that is impacting primarily the economy hotels.”

She says after that, things look rosier, regardless of the economy.

“2027 is gonna be a phenomenal year because we’ll have the Event Center, the youth sports facility, the State Theatre will be back open. It’ll be great.”

She says she expects about a $150,000 reduction from the accommodations tax this year.

Ghosh she says she plans to maintain funding for advertising the community but will be cutting some other programs that notify local businesses about big events, and making other cuts to balance her budget.

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Rec Sports

Sports Tourism Emerges as Economic Engine for Regional Growth

Published

3 hours ago

December 29, 2025

Your Sports Nation

Key Takeaways

Youth and amateur sports generated $52.2 billion in travel-related spending nationally last year, outpacing spectator sports tourism’s $47.1 billion
Arkansas outdoor recreation contributed $7.3 billion to the state economy in 2023, supporting more than 68,000 jobs
Statewide tourism reached $17.4 billion in economic impact in 2024, with Northwest Arkansas playing a significant role
Fayetteville has attracted interest from the Women’s Football League, Athletes Unlimited Softball League, and Marshall Islands Soccer Federation
Purpose-built facilities like Centennial Park have enabled the city to host world-class cycling events including upcoming USA Cycling Cyclocross National Championships

Youth and Amateur Sports Lead Travel Spending

Sports tourism has become one of the most consistent economic drivers in the country, and youth and amateur sports are leading the way. According to the Sports Events & Tourism Association, youth and amateur sports contributed $52.2 billion in travel-related spending last year. That figure surpasses spectator sports tourism, which generated $47.1 billion in direct spending and supported more than 665,000 jobs nationwide.

Ryan Hauck, CEO of Experience Fayetteville, the city’s tourism marketing agency, outlined the opportunity in a recent guest commentary. He noted that while leisure and business travel have softened nationally, sports-related travel has continued to rise, providing stability that communities increasingly depend on.

Arkansas Sees Measurable Returns

The numbers in Arkansas reinforce the broader trend. Outdoor recreation alone contributed $7.3 billion to the statewide economy in 2023, supporting more than 68,000 jobs. Tourism overall reached $17.4 billion in economic impact in 2024, with Northwest Arkansas playing a major role in that growth.

For cities like Fayetteville, this translates into hotel stays, restaurant visits, retail traffic, and extended visibility for local assets. Hauck emphasized that when communities lean into their strengths, including outdoor recreation, hospitality, accessibility, and local culture, the returns are significant.

Facility Investment Attracts National Events

Fayetteville’s Centennial Park illustrates how purpose-built infrastructure can unlock sports tourism opportunities. The facility was designed to host world-class cycling events and has already welcomed the 2022 UCI Cyclocross World Championships. It will host the USA Cycling Cyclocross National Championships in December 2025, with a return engagement the following year.

“These events don’t just bring athletes. They bring national attention, media coverage, and significant economic impact for our hotels and hospitality businesses,” Hauck wrote.

Beyond cycling, the city has drawn interest from the Women’s Football League, Athletes Unlimited Softball League, and Marshall Islands Soccer Federation about hosting future events.

Hauck called for continued strategic investment in purpose-built sports facilities and deeper regional partnerships. The broader takeaway for youth sports operators and municipal leaders is clear: communities that invest intentionally in sports infrastructure and programming are positioning themselves to capture a growing share of travel-related spending. With youth and amateur sports now outpacing spectator sports in economic contribution, the opportunity extends well beyond professional leagues.

via: Talk Business
photo: Sports MNGT Degrees

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About Youth Sports Business Report

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Rec Sports

Washington Capitals to Celebrate Youth Hockey Weekend from Jan. 2-4

Published

3 hours ago

December 29, 2025

Your Sports Nation

ARLINGTON, Va. – The Washington Capitals will celebrate Youth Hockey Weekend from Jan. 2-4, highlighted by Youth Hockey Night presented by GEICO on Saturday, Jan. 3, when the Capitals host the Chicago Blackhawks at Capital One Arena. The weekend’s festivities celebrate and spotlight the Capitals’ array of on- and off-ice programming designed to engage youth from across the Washington, D.C., region with hockey. The Capitals offer more than 30 ways to play hockey through on- and off-ice programming for participants age four and above, and more than 27,000 individuals have participated in a Caps Youth Hockey event since 2018.

Highlights of the Capitals’ celebration of youth hockey include:

Friday, Jan. 2 – Youth Hockey Clinics | MedStar Capitals Iceplex

The Capitals will host an ALL CAPS ALL HER (ACAH) clinic and a co-ed youth hockey clinic at MedStar Capitals Iceplex on Friday, Jan. 2. Led by Caps Youth Hockey Development program instructors and ambassadors, the clinics will focus on development and competitive games. They will also feature appearances by Capitals alumni Craig Laughlin and Paul Mulvey.

The ACAH platform aims to provide access to hockey and elevate the game for women and girls in the Washington, D.C., area, while recognizing players, coaches, parents, advocates and leaders in the community. Since the platform’s launch in 2021, ACAH programs and events have engaged over 5,000 women and girls with the sport of hockey. Click here for more information on the platform.

Saturday, Jan. 3 – Open Practice | MedStar Capitals Iceplex

Youth hockey players are encouraged to attend Capitals practice on Sunday, Jan. 3 while wearing their youth hockey jerseys. Any attendee who arrives wearing their youth hockey or program jersey will receive a giveaway item.

Saturday, Jan. 3 – Youth Hockey Night presented by GEICO | Capital One Arena

The Capitals will celebrate Youth Hockey Night presented by GEICO on Saturday, Jan. 3, when the team hosts the Chicago Blackhawks at Capital One Arena at 7 p.m. All fans who purchase tickets for that night’s game here will receive a roll of Capitals stick tape.

Pre-Game Arrivals: Select youth hockey players from throughout the region will walk with Capitals players during pre-game arrivals. Each Capitals player will be paired with a local youth player, with both wearing the youth player’s team jersey.

The youth players will represent the American Special Hockey Association, Capitals Inline Hockey League (a co-ed league established to provide a unified travel league for existing inline hockey players looking to expand their opportunities to play), high schools and youth hockey clubs. These teams include: Active Play, Ashburn Xtreme, Fauquier Dragons, Fort Dupont Cannons, Frederick Gargoyles, Fredericksburg Phantoms, Landon School Bears, Madison Wildfire, Montgomery Cheetahs, Montgomery Ice Devils, Navy Youth Hockey, NOVA Fury, Piedmont Predators, Potomac Lady Patriots, Reston Raiders, Richmond Renegades, Stone Ridge School of the Sacred Heart, The St. James, Tucker Road Ducks Washington Pride and Winchester Revolution.

Warmups: Six youth hockey players from ACAH, Future Caps Learn to Play presented by World Wide Technology and the Capitals Rising Stars Academy will watch warmups on the Capitals bench.

Starting Lineups: Six players from Future Caps Learn to Play presented by World Wide Technology will take to the ice with the Capitals starting lineup in honor of Youth Hockey Day. A participant from Future Caps Learn to Play will read the team’s starting lineup with PA announcer Wes Johnson.

In-Game Elements: In-arena entertainment and social content throughout the evening will highlight Capitals Youth Hockey programming. This includes the jumbotron showing Capitals players during their youth hockey days. Additionally, two local youth referees will meet that night’s NHL referees before joining them on the ice for the national anthem. The first intermission Mites on Ice presented by BMW will be comprised of players from the Piedmont Predators 8U team, and the second intermission will feature a relay race presented by GEICOwith players from the Piedmont Predators and Montgomery Youth Hockey Association Ice Devils 14U teams.

Sunday, Jan. 4 – Youth Hockey Events | The Wharf

To conclude the weekend’s festivities, the Capitals will host a Future Caps Learn to Play class and a Capitals Rising Stars Academy family skate at The Wharf on Sunday, Jan. 4.

Future Caps Learn to Play presented by World Wide Technology: The initiative is developed in collaboration with the National Hockey League (NHL) and National Hockey League Players’ Association (NHLPA). The NHL and NHLPA have identified the need for a unified growth strategy as a priority for the sport of hockey. The Future Caps Learn to Play program aims to be the gold standard for youth hockey programs with the goal of inspiring more families to join the hockey community. Learn to Play changes the way youth hockey is offered by providing first-time participants free head-to-toe equipment, eight classes of age appropriate on-ice instruction and certified coaching in a fun and safe atmosphere. Click here for more information or to register for the program.

Rising Stars Academy (RSA): The Capitals Rising Stars Academy advances diversity, equity and inclusion in hockey by offering elite skill development and mentorship for local hockey players of color and their families. Through onice training, office conditioning and guided discussions about hockey culture, the RSA builds both physical and mental strength. Click here for more information or to register for the RSA.

Youth Hockey Development in the Washington, D.C., Region

The Capitals offer more than 30 ways to play hockey through on- and off-ice programming for participants age four and above, and more than 27,000 individuals have participated in a Caps Youth Hockey event since 2018. To date, the Capitals have refurbished or built 14 outdoor street/inline hockey rinks across Virginia, Maryland, Washington, D.C. and West Virginia to further encourage participation in hockey. According to USA Hockey, overall, there’s been significant growth in participation in the D.C. area since Alex Ovechkin was drafted. The total number of USA Hockey-registered players (youth and adult) in the Washington D.C. area climbed more than 186 percent from 2005-06 through 2024-25, and 70% across the region as a whole during the same time frame.

For additional information on Caps Youth Hockey programming, visit CapsYouthHockey.com.

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