Despite needing immediate upgrades, the Falcons made only modest free-agent additions. And after spending four of five draft picks on defense, they’re in the development game. If new defensive coordinator Jeff Ulbrich is going to orchestrate a turnaround, it will be because he and his staff proved good teachers.

What a treat for Ulbrich and defensive-minded coach Raheem Morris in his second season. They should view this as a privilege. They’re tasked with overseeing a largely homegrown unit that can help guide the Falcons out of this defensive malaise.

“That’s the biggest part of our game (player development),” Morris said. “Free agents are expensive. You get the chance to go out there and draft guys. You get to watch them go play and be exciting. You watch your own, raised at home. That is truly exciting for us. I’m so excited about the last two (draft) classes and what that can look like, everybody getting their opportunity to play this year.”

In 2024, the Falcons drafted defensive lineman Ruke Orhorhoro (second round), edge rusher Bralen Trice (third round), defensive lineman Brandon Dorlus (fourth round) and linebacker JD Bertrand (fifth round) to assist their defense. All players contributed in a limited capacity except Trice, who tore his ACL in the exhibition opener (he’s expected to be ready for training camp). The team needs more from this group moving forward.

This spring, the Falcons added edge rushers Jalon Walker and James Pearce Jr., who instantly assumed the pressure of fixing a moribund pass rush. The team also drafted defensive backs Xavier Watts and Billy Bowman Jr., adding a couple of big-school, experienced defenders to the back end. The Falcons need a couple of home runs here.

“Let’s face it: We have some young guys who are going to have to make some impactful plays for us this year,” All-Pro safety Jessie Bates said Tuesday.

Ages of some notable Falcons defenders (*denotes drafted by team):

DL- David Onyemata (32), Morgan Fox (30), Ta’Quon Graham* (26), Brandon Dorlus* (24), Zach Harrison* (23), Ruke Orhorhoro* (23).

Edge- Jalon Walker* (21), Leonard Floyd (32), James Pearce Jr.* (21), Arnold Ebiketie* (26), DeAngelo Malone* (25).

ILB- Kaden Ellis (29), JD Bertrand* (25), Troy Andersen* (26), Divine Deablo (26).

CB- A.J. Terrell Jr.* (26), Mike Hughes (28), Clark Phillips III* (23), Dee Alford (27), Billy Bowman Jr.* (22), Cobee Bryant (23; the bet here is the undrafted rookie, whom the Falcons have lauded, makes the team).

S- Jessie Bates (28), Xavier Watts* (23), Jordan Fuller (27), DeMarcco Hellams* (24).

The depth chart includes three prominent players aged 30 or above. Beyond that, some of these individuals have very little experience, like Dorlus, Orhorhoro and Phillips, and some have none at all, such as Walker, Pearce and Watts.

This shifts the spotlight to the coaches, who must prepare the youngsters not only to contribute but to do so at a level that’ll help the team qualify for the playoffs. If the Falcons are left on the outside again, the prevailing thought is there will be more changes. The franchise’s stability hinges on its draftees.

But the responsibilities here aren’t just on the coaching staff, as Bates notes.

“Just getting those guys in here, making them feel comfortable,” Bates said of his leadership role as a veteran. “Making them feel comfortable in the scheme and just let them know that you’re in your dream. You just started your dream. But there’s a whole lot more that you can do in this league. You didn’t just get here to get drafted and play one year. You want to have a long career. Just teaching those guys the daily habits. Not just talking about it but being an example for these guys every single day. You do little stuff every day, the type of stuff that adds up. Next thing you know, you’ll be on year eight like me. Good things will happen for you and your family. So just talking to those guys about that.”

Bates continued elaborating, explaining that players like him, Floyd and even the more experienced offensive players must set examples.

“That’s where you have to have your leaders, some solid leaders who these young guys can see,” he said. “See what it looks like. What is the right way to go about your days? Sometimes it’s good to have some young bucks that have no clue out there, they just know how to go fast.

“With those two guys off the edge, Jalon and James, I think we’ll be excited to watch those guys. Just watching them in their individual work, 1-2 step get off the ball, it’s been pretty impressive. There’s going to be some learning things as well as they get through the season, but that’s where you have leaders and guys who have to step up. The older guys who’ve been there before need to show them what it’s about.”

The Falcons will see if youth does indeed provide innovation — the innovation being a quality defense. Around these parts, such would be considered transformative.

The Long Beach Century Club returned to the Walter Pyramid on Monday to honor the All-City champion middle school sports teams from the Long Beach Unified School District. This year’s banquet was the 37th annual celebration for the city’s young athletes, awarding teams and players for their on-field success, as well as naming the best overall sports program.

The evening was opened with welcoming remarks from Rob Wigod and Mike Filipow, the co-chairs of the event. There were then words from Bobby Smitheran, executive director of athletics at Cal State Long Beach; Kaladon Stewart, director of athletics at LBCC; William Salas, program administrator for K-12 Sports & Recreation; and Mack Calvin, Long Beach Poly and LBCC alum as well as former Laker, who led the crowd with “Mack’s Motivational Minute.”

The first award of the night was the Keith Hansen Sportsmanship Award, named after the late Century Club past president who also helped transition the banquet into the Pyramid in recent years. The award is presented to a school that has “distinguished itself by exhibiting a high level of character and sportsmanship,” annually selected by team coaches. Intellectual Virtues Academy was the honoree for the 2024-2025 school year.

Carol Hansen presented the award to IVA, who also received a $1000 check donation to their school’s sports program in honor of Keith. 

Teams from three divisions were honored across the eight sports played this year. The banquet ended with the All-Sports Awards, which honor the top boys’ and girls’ sports programs as well as the top overall program. Lindbergh won for the boys’ program and Hughes and Stanford shared the award on the girls’ side. 

The overall award went to the Stanford Hawks as well, making it their third All-Sports title in the last four years. Carol Hansen returned to present the Hawks with a $1000 check donation for their sports program on behalf of the Keith Hansen fund. 

Each student-athlete was presented a plaque for their championship. The individual sport and division champions are as follows:

Coed Flag Football 

Rogers Middle School (D1)

Hoover Middle School (D2) 

Lindbergh Stem Academy (D3)

Girls’ Volleyball

Stanford Middle School (D1)

Hoover (D2)

Jackie Robinson K-8 Academy (D3)

Girls’ Track and Field

Stanford (D1)

Cubberley K-8 School (D2)

Lindbergh (D3)

Boys’ Basketball

Hughes Middle School (D1)

Franklin Middle School (D2)

Tincher Preparatory School (D3)

Boys’ Track and Field

Stanford (D1)

Newcomb K-8 Academy (D2)

Lindbergh (D3)

Girls’ Basketball

Hughes (D1)

Lindbergh (D2)

Hamilton Middle School (D3)

Boys’ Soccer 

Keller Dual Immersion Middle School (D1)

Stephens Middle School (D2)

Franklin (D3)

Girls’ Soccer

Stanford (D1)

Cubberley (D2)

Tincher (D3)

WATAUGA COUNTY POSITION OPENING

Recreation Specialist I

Watauga County Parks and Recreation is accepting applications for the full-time position of Recreation Specialist I.

Work hours vary according to recreational program schedules and will include some night, weekend and holiday hours.

Duties include organizing senior games, youth athletics, and youth sports camps, and other duties as assigned.

Position is responsible for hiring, training and supervising part-time seasonal employees, officials, field supervisors and volunteers in a variety of programs.

Position also assists in preparing and managing a budget for youth athletics, and is responsible for securing projected revenues from program sponsors and participants.

A bachelor’s degree in Recreation Management, Physical Education or a related field with 1 to 3 years of experience in recreation work or any equivalent combination of training and experience which provides the required skills and knowledge is required.

Certified Parks and Recreation Professional preferred. Possession of a valid Driver’s License and a good driving record is also required.

County benefit package includes health insurance, retirement, paid holidays, vacation and sick leave.

Salary Grade 8: $54,034.00

Apply at NC Works Career Center, 130 Poplar Grove Connector, Boone, NC 28607, (828) 278-6460.

Applications may also be obtained at www.wataugacounty.org (Employment Link) and submitted by mail, email WataugaCounty@ncworks.gov, or fax (828) 278-6468.

An active NCWorks account is required, please visit ncworks.gov to create an account or to retrieve username.

Application deadline is Thursday, June 12, 2025

Watauga County is an EEOE.

Members from the sports industry community gather on May 7 for the AANHPI Sports Symposium in New York. (Photo courtesy of NBA APEX.)

The NBA celebrated Asian American, Native Hawaiian & Pacific Islander (AANHPI) Heritage Month with a series of internal and external programs throughout the month of May.

The NBA collaborated with other major sports organizations, such as the MLB, NHL, NFL, MLS and USOPC, to organize an AANHPI Sports Symposium on May 7 in New York City.

The Symposium, which the NBA’s Asian Professional Exchange (APEX) group has helped to organize since its inaugural event in 2019, brought members of the AANHPI community together to share experiences around the theme of showing authenticity in action. 

Catherine Chao, a Co-Chair of APEX, said the main goals of the Symposium are for AANHPI members to feel more connected to and informed about the industry as well as pride in being a part of the AANHPI community. The importance of bringing in cultural elements like food and supporting local AANHPI businesses was also represented. 

Hrishi Karthikeyan, an Executive Champion of APEX, said the Symposium is a great way to build an AANHPI network and community beyond the walls of the NBA. One goal of groups like APEX is to showcase the breadth and diversity of AANHPI people and culture within the sports industry.

“The AANHPI community itself is internally diverse,” Karthikeyan said. “By coming together, under one umbrella, we have an opportunity to learn and share those experiences with each other and also find new areas of growth and connection.” 

Panelists Jenny Nguyen and Ben Musselman chat at the Symposium on May 7. (Photo courtesy of APEX.)

When the overarching theme Power Forward: Authenticity in Action was introduced in meetings, it was critical that this was reflected not only through the panelists’ contributions, but also in the creation of the event itself. Having athletes from different generations and panelists with diverse backgrounds reflected the expanding opportunities for the AANHPI community across the industry. 

 “Our intention was not to go with stories that you’ve already heard,” Chao said.  

The panelists included Jenny Nguyen, Founder and Owner of The Sports Bra, Bonnie Wan, bestselling author of The Life Brief and athletes Jen Lee and Ben Musselman from the U.S. Paralympic Sled Hockey National Team. 

“People were proudly emphasizing how their identity and culture affect the way they show up in competition or in their work,” Karthikeyan said. 

For the programming of the Symposium, it was just as important for the audience to see a reflection of important figures in leagues and also the sport itself. 

“You can’t be what you can’t see,” Chao said. “It can be helpful to have people who look similar to you share their experiences. There’s a mindset shift that we’re trying to encourage.” 

The AANHPI identity is complex, but showing authenticity daily is critical. 

“Showing up as your unique, authentic self is an asset, not a liability, for your team,” Karthikeyan said. 

Members and panelists gather in Times Square ahead of the AANHPI Sports Symposium on May 7. (Photo courtesy of APEX)

The planning for the Symposium came down to intentional details.  

Each of the panelists was seen through a different lens in the sports industry, and the event showcased each panelist’s journey of powering forward through adversity. 

The Symposium’s various panels included voices from various levels of sports organizations. Executives spoke about their journeys to get to where they are and the challenges they fought along the way. 

This was a great opportunity to showcase how AANHPI identities are not just incidental to their experiences, but how they are central to the community’s experience within these leagues and sports in general.

Being able to show up in authentic ways not only benefits AANHPI employees themselves, but it also allows their colleagues to understand how they bring perspectives, background and experiences to their work. 

“[The Symposium] really connected our culture to sport in a way that sets a new bar,” Karthikeyan said. “You see our cultures being integrated into our telecasts, marketing, and on the court, and it’s only going to continue to grow from here.” 

Apex for Youth group hosted a Youth Tournament in Flushing, N.Y. to encourage youth participation in sports. (Photo courtesy of APEX.)

Externally, for the third consecutive year, APEX also supported a youth tournament in Flushing, New York to celebrate and encourage youth participation in sports with Apex for Youth. 

 Volunteers from the NBA community assisted with coaching the elementary-aged youth basketball clinic, distributing NBA Cares t-shirts/tournament jerseys and sponsoring tournament trophies for all three divisions of play. Corporate partners such as Nike provided players with sneakers and gifts.  

The importance of having serious conversations and translating that into a team environment through sports is critical for the youth and their involvement in the industry going forward. 

“Many of our APEX members say this is their favorite event of the year and being able to support an organization like Apex for Youth is incredible,” Chao said. APEX is a longstanding Apex for Youth partner dating back to 2022.

Apex for Youth empowers Asian American youth from low-income and immigrant backgrounds to unlock their potential today and a world of possibility tomorrow. Through partnerships like this, Apex for Youth’s athletics programs help our youth build confidence, develop skills and find belonging through mentorship both on and off the court. 

Through other tentpole events such as All-Star Weekend, APEX and the NBA look to continue to support AANHPI initiatives beyond the month of May. 

“We are constantly looking for ways to bring the community together and connect our stories,” Chao said. 

Is your child interested in discovering new interests, advancing academic goals, or developing athletic skills this summer? On Fairfield’s campus, a wide range of sports, arts, technology, and academic programs await students from elementary school through college.

Fairfield University’s scenic campus welcomes students of all ages this summer with an exciting array of youth camps and academic programs designed to spark curiosity and inspire creativity. From STEM workshops to athletic camps and acting classes, the University’s summer offerings provide a dynamic blend of education and fun in a vibrant collegiate setting.

With access to Fairfield’s award-winning athletics facilities and innovative academic spaces, participants will learn from acclaimed coaches, educators, and artists in a supportive, engaging environment. These programs help students build confidence, sharpen skills, and explore interests through competitive sports, immersive academic experiences, the arts, and leadership development.

Athletic Camps

Young athletes will train with some of the region’s top coaches in a variety of sports.

• Coach Carly Girls Basketball Camp: Skill-building, team development, and high-energy games will be led by Fairfield Women’s Basketball Head Coach Carly Thibault-DuDonis.
• Nike Baseball Camp: Baseball players of all abilities, ages 6–12, will train in a collegiate setting with the Fairfield University Baseball coaching staff.
• Nike Softball Camp: Instruction from elite coaches for players ages 10-18 will inspire a love for softball while helping young players build skills and refine technique.
• Adidas Tennis Camp: A top-rated tennis experience will emphasize fun, skill development, and lifelong love of the sport.
• GameBreaker Girls Lacrosse Camp: Expert coaching will be shared in a positive environment by professional player, college coach, and club lacrosse director Rachel Vallarelli.
• GameBreaker Boys Lacrosse Camp: Intense stick skills and scrimmages will take place in Rafferty Stadium with Fairfield’s Head Coach Andrew Baxter and his coaching staff.
• Invasion Field Hockey Camp : This camp is deal for local athletes looking for high-impact play without an overnight stay. Beginners welcome!
• Nike Boys and Girls Soccer Camps : Position-specific training and skill-building competition will be offered for young athletes ages 6–14.

Arts & Theatre Camps

Creative programs will offer young artists the chance to develop their talents in a supportive environment.

Technology & Academic Camps

These camps will challenge students who are ready to dive deeper into tech and academics.

• Emagination STEM Computer Camp: Enroll in an immersive, two-week computer coding camp or a one- or two-week tech camp for courses in game design, engineering, digital art, and coding.
• iD Tech Coding and STEM Camps: Students ages 7-17 will code, design video games, and learn about video production, robotics, AI, building laptops, and more!
• National Computer Camps: This multi-week high-tech computer camp for students ages 7-18 (traditional and virtual programs) offers optional sports add-ons.
• Connecticut Writing Project: Award-winning workshops will help students in grades 3–12 develop their voice and become confident writers.
• Summer Discovery: Institute for the Gifted: Three-week programs for gifted youth ages 4–12 will feature dynamic classes and cultural activities.

Pre-College & College Prep Programs

These programs are for older students preparing for college.

Summer & Intersession College Courses

In addition to youth programming, Fairfield University is pleased to offer intersession courses and summer academic sessions for college students looking to stay on track, accelerate progress toward their degrees, or explore new areas of interest. Online and on-campus course options include disciplines such as business, humanities, science, and social justice. Flexible scheduling allows students to balance summer jobs, internships, or travel while earning academic credit.

Fairfield University’s 2025 summer programs promise a season of learning and exploration. Whether on the field, in the classroom, or on the stage, participants will experience Fairfield Stag spirit in every session.

To learn more and register for summer offerings, visit fairfield.edu/summer.

Recently, I had the privilege of spending a day with the remarkable team behind #WeRideTogether, a movement working to end sexual misconduct in sport.

#WeRideTogether is more than a nonprofit; it’s a call to action. Born to confront the pervasive issue of sexual abuse in youth and amateur sports, the organization is reshaping what safety, accountability, and healing can look like in athletic spaces. Their mission is clear: Every athlete deserves to train, compete, and thrive in an environment free from abuse. Through survivor-centered storytelling, education, and stigma-smashing advocacy, they’re creating the cultural shift our sports systems so desperately need.

What unfolded that day was not just a conversation; it was a reckoning. A reclamation. And, most importantly, a reminder that change isn’t just possible: It’s already in motion.

Harrowing Statistics

More than half of all athletes experience some form of abuse during their lifetime, most often at the hands of someone they know, such as a coach, trainer, or teammate (Hartill et al., 2021). Rates of sexual violence in sport alone have been estimated as high as 14 percent (Lang et al., 2023).

And yet, we still lack a widespread, coordinated investment in preventing sexual misconduct in sport. These numbers are not just statistics, they’re a call to action. They underscore the urgent need to continue confronting abuse in athletic spaces with honesty, accountability, and sustained commitment to cultural change.

A Survivor’s Narrative

Olympic swimmer Margaret Hoelzer courageously shared her story of early childhood sexual abuse and how its impact echoed throughout her athletic career. She spoke of the armor she built: an unrelenting drive to be strong, flawless, and victorious. But no podium finish could replace the parts of her that were taken too soon. “I could cry into my goggles,” she once said, “and no one would notice.”

Today, strength means something different. For Margaret, it’s about transforming pain into purpose. It’s about speaking the unspeakable so that others feel less alone, and so the silence that shields abuse begins to crack.

Intersectionality and Power Imbalances

Dr. Tyler Miles, early in her career as a clinical and sport psychologist, spoke with a clarity and conviction that many never reach, even after decades in the field. She tackled the issue of emotional abuse and child exploitation in sport through a powerful lens of intersectionality, reminding us that certain identities are more vulnerable to harm and less likely to be believed if they come forward. She explained how power imbalances are woven into the very fabric of sport culture. Passion like hers doesn’t just inspire, it catalyzes change.

Trauma-Informed Sport Environments

I spoke about how abuse can echo across a lifetime, often in ways survivors don’t fully recognize or have language for until much later. There is no “perfect” victim; trauma takes many forms. It can surface as behavioral challenges, emotional dysregulation, or nonadherence to rules, frequently misread or dismissed.

In sport, the very qualities we celebrate—intense emotional bonds, high access to authority figures, and close physical proximity—can become dangerous when safeguards are absent. Young athletes are regularly placed in situations we’d flag as inappropriate in any other setting: one-on-one time with unfamiliar adults, unsupervised overnight trips, fast-tracked intimacy without earned trust.

Success should never come at the cost of safety.

The Team That Made It Happen

Carrie Kehring, president of #WeRideTogether, spoke with the raw power of lived experience. Her daughter’s story of sexual abuse—and the systemic failures that followed—fuel Carrie’s fight for justice. She knows all too well the betrayals survivors endure: from sport governing bodies to law enforcement to the communities that should have protected them. Injustices that would break most people. But not her. “And that’s why I’m going to change it,” she said. To that, I say: You already have.

Our host, Caroline Culbertson, held the space with grace, strength, and compassion, facilitating a conversation that was anything but easy. The women of #WeRideTogether—Michaela Callie, Kathryn McClain, Madison Smith, and Annelise Ware—brought fierce intellect, radical gentleness, and a shared commitment to truth-telling. Together, they created an atmosphere where even the hardest truths could be named without shame.

Emily Sheehan, an award-winning filmmaker and the day’s producer, and Caleb Hanson, the director who offered much-needed humor and groundedness, are sure to shape this into a story that demands to be seen and heard.

The #WeRideTogether Victim Experience series is set to launch in the coming months. Follow their work. Support their mission. This is how change takes root.

Real Change

So, what does real change look like?

• It looks like naming the truth: Perpetrators are solely responsible for sexual violence, regardless of their title, accolades, or reputation.
• It looks like sport communities rising to the challenge of creating trauma-informed environments, where everyone understands consent, can recognize grooming behaviors, and knows how to intervene and report safely.
• It looks like believing survivors first. Always. The investigations, the evidence, the procedures—they matter. But before any of that, we believe. Because the cost of disbelief can haunt a survivor for a lifetime.
• And to every survivor reading this: It’s never too late to speak your truth. It’s never too late to reclaim your story.