Rec Sports

ECNL BOYS PROMOTES THREE ADDITIONAL CLUBS

Story Links RICHMOND, Va. (May 8, 2025) – The ECNL is pleased to announce that Chicago Inter has been promoted into the ECNL Boys – Midwest Conference, and Colorado EDGE and Colorado Rush have been promoted into the ECNL Boys – Mountain Conference for the upcoming season. “We are thrilled […]

Published

1 week ago

May 8, 2025

Your Sports Nation

RICHMOND, Va. (May 8, 2025) – The ECNL is pleased to announce that Chicago Inter has been promoted into the ECNL Boys – Midwest Conference, and Colorado EDGE and Colorado Rush have been promoted into the ECNL Boys – Mountain Conference for the upcoming season.

“We are thrilled to be welcoming Chicago Inter, Colorado EDGE and Colorado Rush into ECNL Boys for the 2025-26 season,” said ECNL Boys Commissioner Jason Kutney. “Each club has had consistent success in the ECNL Regional League over multiple years, operating in areas of the country where we have identified growth opportunities. All of them will continue to push the league forward in level and quality.”

These promotions bring the ECNL Boys to 165 clubs nation-wide in the 2025-26 season, supported by almost 350 more clubs in the ECNL Regional League. Together, these two competitions represent the strongest and most stable boys’ youth soccer competition in America, with competition and showcasing opportunities for all, in the only platform with a proven pathway for performance.

Below is more information about each promoted club.

Chicago Inter

Location: New Lenix, IL

Founded: 2006

Chicago Inter will be joining the ECNL Boys – Midwest Conference after strong performances during the past few seasons in the ECNL Regional League. Last season, the club’s U15 team finished as runner-up in the ECNL Regional League National Finals to Philadelphia Ukrainians, another promoted club. This season, Chicago Inter’s U13 team is leading the ECNL Regional League – Chicago Metro and its U16 team is in second, both of which are currently qualified for the ECNL Boys Regional League Playoffs – Central. With two more teams within striking distance of a playoff position, Chicago Inter is primed for more success heading into its promotion.

“Being promoted to Boys ECNL is an incredible milestone for our program,” said Chicago Inter Technical Director Sena Halilovic. “It reflects the dedication of our players, coaches, and families — and we’re thrilled for the opportunity to compete among the nation’s best. Thank you to the ECNL, its board directors and its employees, you made our dream come true. It’s a great feeling to be a full ECNL club member with the boys and girls programs.”

Colorado EDGE

Location: Arvada, CO

Founded: 1969

Colorado EDGE has earned promotion into the ECNL Boys – Mountain Conference through its success within the ECNL Regional League – Mountain, where the club’s U18/19 team currently sits in first, and three more teams are one spot out of a playoff position. Last season, Colorado EDGE sent its U13 and U17 teams to the ECNL Boys Regional League Playoffs – Central, competing well against top clubs from the region.

“We are very excited and thankful to the ECNL for our promotion into the ECNL Boys,” said Colorado EDGE CEO David Kramer. “This achievement is a direct result of the dedication, talent, and hard work displayed by our players, coaches, and club leadership over the years. The ECNL is the gold standard of playing leagues and competition across the country and we look forward to competing against the best.”

Colorado Rush

Location: Littleton, CO

Founded: 1997

Colorado Rush is in its second season in the ECNL Boys Regional League – Mountain, and its success on the field has earned the club promotion into the ECNL Boys – Mountain Conference for the 2025-26 season. Colorado Rush currently leads the Regional League – Mountain in the U14 and U15 age groups, and is in second place in the U17 age group. Two more teams are just outside of a playoff position, giving the club the opportunity for multiple representatives at the ECNL Boys Regional League Playoffs – Central.

“Earning a place in ECNL is a tremendous accomplishment for our boys program,” said Colorado Rush President/CEO John Carroll. “This promotion recognizes the hard work and dedication of our players, coaches, and families. It also aligns with our commitment to offering the very best development pathway for aspiring collegiate and professional players.”

###

About the ECNL:

The ECNL is the nation’s leading youth soccer development platform. The ECNL respects and celebrates the unique individuality of every youth soccer player and club, supporting and enabling them to unleash their unfettered passion and fierce tenacity in striving to achieve their potential.

The ECNL mission to Raise the Game is a total commitment to create the best possible environment for players, coaches, referees and administrators, with a determination to constantly question convention and challenge the status quo in youth sports.

The ECNL Commitment:

We will lead, set our eyes on new horizons, and pursue them relentlessly. Born out of the belief in a better way. Continued in the ever-evolving pursuit of excellence.

www.TheECNL.com

ECNL FB: @TheECNL | ECNL IG: @TheECNL | ECNL X: @TheECNL

Link

Rec Sports

Lawrence Butler’s stellar sliding grab | 05/16/2025

arrow-expand-1463475Athletics @ Giants May 16, 2025 | 00:00:16 add-reel-1463476Reelsshare-square-2-1463477Share Lawrence Butler races towards the right-field line and slides to make a nice grab, taking potential extra bases away from Willy Adames in the 5th Pitch Type: Four-Seam Fastball Pitch Speed: 95.8 mph Spin Rate: 2009 rpm Exit Velocity: 87.3 mph Launch Angle: 34° Hit Distance: […]

Published

3 minutes ago

May 18, 2025

Your Sports Nation

Athletics @ Giants

May 16, 2025 | 00:00:16

Lawrence Butler races towards the right-field line and slides to make a nice grab, taking potential extra bases away from Willy Adames in the 5th

Pitch Type: Four-Seam Fastball
Pitch Speed: 95.8 mph
Spin Rate: 2009 rpm

Exit Velocity: 87.3 mph
Launch Angle: 34°
Hit Distance: 282 ft

BOTTOM 5

, 1 Out

Link

Rec Sports

Mayoral runoff candidates attend forum on youth priorities in San Antonio

SAN ANTONIO – Mayoral candidates Gina Ortiz Jones and Rolando Pablos answered questions addressing early childhood and youth priorities ahead of June’s runoff election. The forum, hosted by the Future Ready Bexar County partners — Early Matters San Antonio, United Way of San Antonio and Bexar County and UP Partnership, was held on Tuesday at […]

Published

22 minutes ago

May 17, 2025

Your Sports Nation

SAN ANTONIO – Mayoral candidates Gina Ortiz Jones and Rolando Pablos answered questions addressing early childhood and youth priorities ahead of June’s runoff election.

The forum, hosted by the Future Ready Bexar County partners — Early Matters San Antonio, United Way of San Antonio and Bexar County and UP Partnership, was held on Tuesday at the Education Service Center, Region 20.

Texas Public Radio journalist David Martin Davies moderated the discussion where the candidates answered questions on how the city can better support childhood needs.

Both candidates discussed the need for increased focus on affordable child care, K-12 education and community involvement in child care initiatives.

Click here to watch the full forum.

Read also:

Link

Rec Sports

Registration open for Boys & Girls Club summer sports leagues

CASPER, Wyo. — The Boys & Girls Clubs of Central Wyoming recently announced its summer sports offerings: Summer T-Ball/Coach Pitch and King of the Court Summer Basketball League. The T-ball and coach pitch season runs from June 2 to July 30, and is open to children in grades K-5. The cost to register is $45, […]

Published

38 minutes ago

May 17, 2025

Your Sports Nation

CASPER, Wyo. — The Boys & Girls Clubs of Central Wyoming recently announced its summer sports offerings: Summer T-Ball/Coach Pitch and King of the Court Summer Basketball League.

The T-ball and coach pitch season runs from June 2 to July 30, and is open to children in grades K-5.

The cost to register is $45, with a $10 membership fee. Families are encouraged to register by May 30 for an early registrant discount.

Games and practices are hosted at the North Casper Athletics Complex.

The Boys & Girls Club basketball season is divided into leagues for middle school students, high school students and adults. The season runs from June 9 to Aug. 8. Games are played at the club’s main gym.

It’s $35 per individual to register, or $200 per team. Middle and high school athletes are required to also sign up for a $10 club membership.

To register for youth sports, people can visit the parent portal here. Adult teams for summer basketball can register by scanning the QR code on a flyer, or at the main club’s front desk.

To become a coach or for more information, people can go here or call 307-235-5694.

Link

Rec Sports

Penn State Basketball Adds to Highest-Ranked Recruiting Class in Program History

Penn State men’s basketball fortified the highest-ranked class in program history with two recent signees, including a 7-foot forward from Croatia. Nittany Lions coach Mike Rhoades recently made the signings official, rounding a Penn State recruiting class that ranks 23rd nationally, according to the 247Sports Composite. Here’s a look at Penn State basketball’s newest signees. […]

Published

1 hour ago

May 17, 2025

Your Sports Nation

Here’s a look at Penn State basketball’s newest signees.

Ivan Juric

A 7-foot forward from Croatia, Juric played last season at Sunrise Christian Academy in Kansas. Juric averaged 14 points and 9.8 rebounds in his season at Sunrise Christian, where he shot 51 percent from the field and 43 percent from 3-point range, a handy number for a 7-footer.

Juric played for Croatia in the 2024 FIBA U18 Eurobasket tournament, averaging 14.4 points and 5.9 rebounds in seven games. He shot 50 percent from 3-point range in the tournament. After the Eurobasket event, Juric moved to Kansas to play for Sunrise Christian, where he became a 3-star prospect and the nation’s 20th-ranked center, according to On3.

Juric played professionally in the Croatian Premier League, averaging 5.7 points and 2.4 rebounds for BC Dubrava during the 2023-24 season. Rhoades capitalized on staff contacts in international basketball to recruit Juric to Penn State.

“Ivan is a versatile big man who we really wanted in our program,” Rhoades said in a statement. “He has impressive size, strength and skill and a desire to get better. He has played against great competition at home and here in the states, and we are really excited to get him here on campus.”

Reggie Grodin

Grodin, a 6-5 guard from Larchmont, N.Y., played last season at the Newman School in Massachusetts. Grodin helped lead Newman to a 32-8 record and a New England Prep School AA title last season. He averaged 12 points, 6.6 rebounds and 4.2 assists per game while shooting 68 percent from the field and 41 percent from 3-point range.

Grodin scored 1,375 career points in high school, playing two seasons at Greenwich Country Day School in Connecticut. Groden also played for the New York Lightning in the Elite Youth Basketball League (EYBL).

“Reggie brings winning basketball with him and a versatility we need on both ends of the floor,” Rhoades said in a statement. “His ability to make shots, make winning plays and defend at a high level are what we want in our program. I’m excited to watch Reggie work in our program.”

Grodin and Juric join a Penn State recruiting class that features Kayden Mingo, the Gatorade New York player of the year. Mingo, a 6-2 guard, is a 4-star prospect, according to the 247Sports Composite, and a top-35 player nationally.

The Nittany Lions went 14-15 in its second season under Rhoades, who seeks to lead a Big Ten rebound. Penn State went 6-14 in the conference schedule, losing 11 of 12 games during one stretch. Penn State capped the season with an upset win at Wisconsin.

More Penn State Sports

Link

Rec Sports

Photos: Dale’s run to the state championship

The Lady Pirates celebrate with Daley Lang after she hit a home run in Dale’s first round win over Calera in the 4A State Tournament Thursday at Firelake. Local reports Whenever great Dale teams and wins are discussed, the Lady Pirates’ comeback win over Pocola last Thursday night at the Ballfields at Firelake… Previous Post […]

Published

1 hour ago

May 17, 2025

Your Sports Nation

The Lady Pirates celebrate with Daley Lang after she hit a home run in Dale’s first round win over Calera in the 4A State Tournament Thursday at Firelake.

Local reports Whenever great Dale teams and wins are discussed, the Lady Pirates’ comeback win over Pocola last Thursday night at the Ballfields at Firelake…

Link

Rec Sports

The Legacy of Ralph C. Wilson Jr. with Brian Higgins

This week on Skin in the Game, John and Tim sit down with Brian Higgins, President of Shea’s Performing Arts Center and former U.S. Congressman, for a wide-ranging conversation rooted in Western New York pride. The spotlight lands first on Shea’s—its history, cultural impact, and the role it continues to play in Buffalo’s revitalized downtown. […]

Published

2 hours ago

May 17, 2025

Your Sports Nation

This week on Skin in the Game, John and Tim sit down with Brian Higgins, President of Shea’s Performing Arts Center and former U.S. Congressman, for a wide-ranging conversation rooted in Western New York pride. The spotlight lands first on Shea’s—its history, cultural impact, and the role it continues to play in Buffalo’s revitalized downtown. Higgins unpacks how investments in arts, culture, and sports help build stronger, more connected communities.

And in a city where Bills, Sabres, Bisons, Bandits fans, and Broadway buffs often share the same ZIP code or body, Higgins draws a compelling line between the passion of the theatergoer and the loyalty of the local sports fan. Both are fueled by pride of place, and both show up—season after season—to cheer for something bigger than themselves.

At the heart of the episode is the legacy of Ralph C. Wilson, Jr. As a friend and admirer of the late Bills owner, Higgins reflects on Wilson’s long-term vision, the power of his foundation’s philanthropy, and what it means to plant seeds that outlast any single career or season. It’s a conversation about leadership, legacy, and the common threads that unite a city’s stages, stadiums, and spirit.

Link