Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs) have become key players in the rapid growth of women’s flag football. This offers new opportunities for female athletes in a sport that is gaining national and global recognition. With support from organizations like the NFL and the NAIA (National Association of Intercollegiate Athletics), HBCUs are now at the […]
Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs) have become key players in the rapid growth of women’s flag football. This offers new opportunities for female athletes in a sport that is gaining national and global recognition.
With support from organizations like the NFL and the NAIA (National Association of Intercollegiate Athletics), HBCUs are now at the forefront of developing competitive women’s flag football programs.
Flag football for high school girls is rapidly emerging as a popular and transformative sport, offering new opportunities and pathways for young female athletes.
At just 17, Ki’Lolo Westerlund is rewriting the playbook for women’s flag football. She landed a starring role in the NFL Flag 50 commercial that aired during Super Bowl LIX—a spot that had her sharing screen time with NFL stars like Myles Garrett, Justin Jefferson, and Marshawn Lynch.
While millions watched her performance on screens worldwide right after halftime,Westerfund was actually at the game in New Orleans with her father, soaking in the live atmosphere and the personal triumph of her achievement.
“It was an honor,” Westerlund said recently in a phone interview withe the New York Times. “That’s kind of when it all hit me. I was emotional. And I was like, ‘Wow, this is happening. This is crazy. All the people around me were like — wait, that’s you.”
Last April, HBCU Alabama State, an FCS program, made history by becoming the first Division I school to launch a women’s flag football program. This groundbreaking move not only expanded opportunities for female athletes but also set the stage for a new era in collegiate sports.
This past offseason, Alabama State took another monumental step by awarding the first-ever DI scholarship in women’s flag football. The scholarship went to Westerlund, a decision that reflects both athletic excellence and a commitment to trailblazing leadership.
Alabama State head coach Jennifer Constable, who spearheaded the initiative, was determined to reward an athlete who could transform the game on the field and serve as a role model off it.
“It was honestly a no-brainer,” Constable said recently. “She was my No. 1 pick to do that. … She’s going to be that person that kids are going to look up to.”
Westerlund’s collegiate journey is just the beginning of a much larger vision. While she’s excited to compete at the collegiate level, her ultimate ambition is to represent her country in the 2028 Olympics.
For her, the Olympic stage isn’t merely about personal achievement—it’s an opportunity to showcase the growing strength and potential of women’s flag football on a global platform.
“Absolutely,” Westerlund said when asked if she believes people are becoming more accepting of girls and women playing football. “They are coming around and trying to understand it.
“And for those that still don’t, they will soon.”
Fayetteville State and Bowie State are two CIAA schools competing in flag football. (Steven J. Gaither/HBCU Gameday)
Just as Alabama State broke ground with its program, another HBCU entity is forging a new path.
Winston-Salem State University hosted one of the two Central Intercollegiate Athletic Association (CIAA) Round-up events on March 5-6 at Civitan Park. This inaugural event brought together top-tier talent from across the conference and highlighted the competitive of the league’s eight programs.
Virginia Union University hosted a second round-up at the end of the month to set up position for the inaugural flag football championship. The round up will be held at Johnson C. Smith University on Friday and Saturday to declare a champion.
Big new additions to El Pomar Youth Sports Park in Colorado Springs now open after ribbon cutting
COLORADO SPRINGS, Colo. (KRDO) – Kids now have a new place to play in Colorado Springs. The El Pomar Youth Sports Park celebrated the grand opening of the Kent Olin Field Plaza on Saturday. “It’s a culmination of 3 years into this project in terms of planning, fundraising, and now construction. So to have it […]
COLORADO SPRINGS, Colo. (KRDO) – Kids now have a new place to play in Colorado Springs. The El Pomar Youth Sports Park celebrated the grand opening of the Kent Olin Field Plaza on Saturday.
“It’s a culmination of 3 years into this project in terms of planning, fundraising, and now construction. So to have it all open and see kids enjoying it and having fun is what it’s all about,” Steve Czarnicki, executive director of Colorado Springs Youth Sports, spoke to KRDO13 at the ribbon cutting.
The new plaza, complete with a new 10,000-square-foot practice field, playground, improved bathrooms, concession stands, and pavilions, is located at 2212 Executive Circle in the Southeast part of Colorado Springs.
“[We] believe steadfastly in the benefits of youth sports for kids and youth development and the role that it plays,” Czarnicki said. “So, to have places to play, to congregate, to come together, to be on teams, to be active is, is really valuable in our opinion.”
The project also added 16 new trees to the park. Now that these new additions are open, El Pomar Youth Sports Park now sports nine baseball/softball fields, as many as 15 multipurpose fields, and an inline rink.
Colorado Springs Mayor Yemi Mobolade spoke at the ribbon cutting. “The City is pleased to have supported this project through a Lodging and Rental Car Tax (LART) grant through which tourism dollars are reinvested in community initiatives that drive additional tourism expenditures.”
New Kent Olin Field Plaza opens to serve young athletes and families
COLORADO SPRINGS — A new sports plaza in Colorado Springs is providing enhanced facilities for young athletes and community members at the El Pomar Youth Sports Park. The Kent Olin Field Plaza, which has been in development for three years, includes new amenities designed to serve both competitive athletes and families visiting the popular sports […]
COLORADO SPRINGS — A new sports plaza in Colorado Springs is providing enhanced facilities for young athletes and community members at the El Pomar Youth Sports Park.
The Kent Olin Field Plaza, which has been in development for three years, includes new amenities designed to serve both competitive athletes and families visiting the popular sports complex.
“El Pomar Youth Sports Park, a park that my kids have all played soccer, and it’s an incredible community asset, not just to the many young athletes we have in our community, but also this asset helps promote sports tourism in our great city,” said Colorado Springs Mayor, Yemi Mobolade.
The plaza honors Kent Olin, a philanthropist and community leader whose legacy continues to impact Colorado Springs through his commitment to youth sports development.
Steve Czarnecki, Executive Director of Colorado Springs Youth Sports, highlighted the improvements to the facility.
“We have over 400,000 visitors a year here, and to add additional amenities, improved bathroom experiences, an additional concession stand, a pavilion covered space, a new practice field with rebound wall for kids to play on and learn their craft athletically. And it’s just an exciting day to add capacity to what we do here at the Sports Park,” Czarnecki said.
Community members are already noticing the positive impact of the enhanced facilities.
“Having facilities like this for the athletes to use it just drives their passion to want to play when they have great facilities to use. And so I just – I love that they’re investing into the youth, investing into the community. And I think you’re going to see the benefits as these kids get older. Playing team sports is such a great thing for these girls. It helps them at the next level, employment, everything like that,” said Marty Johnson, assistant coach with the Slammers, untouchables.
The project was made possible through collaboration between the El Pomar Foundation, local philanthropists, and the City of Colorado Springs, ensuring the space will serve future generations of athletes and their families.
Young athletes are also appreciating the convenience of the improved local facility.
“It’s actually nice, because this is one of our, like, local fields, so we know what we’re expecting here, so we like it here, and it’s closer to us and our team, so we don’t have to travel all the way to, like, northern Colorado to pueblo. And it’s in that, like, middle ground where it’s easy to reach. I really like this complex. It’s nice. The grass fields are a big plus, and we don’t have to travel far. It’s great having a local place that feels like home for tournaments,” said Riya and Rideau Gravida, athletes who play softball for the Altitude 18U team.
Pueblo community honors 13-year-old Joeylin McDonald with lantern ceremony
Family and friends gathered at the Riverwalk in Pueblo to celebrate the life of 13-year-old Joeylin McDonald, who passed away last week in a tragic accident at a youth program.
Pueblo community honors 13-year-old Joeylin McDonald with lantern ceremony
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BIRMINGHAM, Ala. (WBRC) – A fun, free event for a great cause got influencers, pro athletes with ties to Birmingham, and community leaders together on the basketball court Saturday, April 26. The Ballin 4 Kids Charity Influencer Basketball Tournament happened Saturday at the Ramsay High School main gymnasium. The tournament was organized by Crystal Smitherman, […]
BIRMINGHAM, Ala. (WBRC) – A fun, free event for a great cause got influencers, pro athletes with ties to Birmingham, and community leaders together on the basketball court Saturday, April 26.
The Ballin 4 Kids Charity Influencer Basketball Tournament happened Saturday at the Ramsay High School main gymnasium.
The tournament was organized by Crystal Smitherman, who said this is the first Ballin 4 Kids fundraiser.
She got the idea from a college classmate of hers who organizes a similar fundraiser in Atlanta, also featuring local influencers, celebrities and community leaders competing in a basketball game.
The focus is on raising money for Birmingham youth sports programs, but it also acts as a way to deter crime by bringing the community together with a common goal.
At the time of her interview on Saturday, the event had raised around $7,500.
You can continue donating through the next couple of weeks on the Penny Foundation’s website by clicking or tapping here.
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INSIDE THE 18: Red Bulls Take On Montréal on Kids Day at Sports Illustrated Stadium
The New York Red Bulls are prepared to take on CF Montréal on Saturday afternoon at Sports Illustrated Stadium for Kids Day. Kyle Duncan returns to the lineup for the first time since his injury in August 2024. Duncan takes the field alongside Sean Nealis, Noah Eile and Omar Valencia. New York have posted a […]
The New York Red Bulls are prepared to take on CF Montréal on Saturday afternoon at Sports Illustrated Stadium for Kids Day.
Kyle Duncan returns to the lineup for the first time since his injury in August 2024.
Duncan takes the field alongside Sean Nealis, Noah Eile and Omar Valencia.
New York have posted a 12-2-1 mark against CF Montréal at home in franchise history. The Red Bulls have posted a 3-1-1 mark at Sports Illustrated Stadium this season.
Felipe Carballo and Peter Stroud lock down the central midfield.
Wiki Carmona, Cameron Harper, Emil Forsberg and Eric Maxim Choupo-Moting push the attack for RBNY.
Choupo-Moting scored his fourth goal of the season in New York’s last match at Sports Illustrated Stadium. Choupo-Moting has recorded a goal contribution in four-straight matches at Sports Illustrated Stadium.
Carlos Coronel starts in goal.
Head Coach Sandro Schwarz will have Julian Hall, Mohammed Sofo, Serge Ngoma, Ronald Donkor, Dennis Gjengaar, Raheem Edwards, Alexander Hack, Tim Parker and A.J. Marcucci available off the bench.
Daniel Edelman, Lewis Morgan, Roald Mitchell, Marcelo Morales and Dylan Nealis will all miss the match.
Kickoff is set for 4:30 p.m. ET with coverage on MLS Season Pass on Apple TV in English and Spanish, and New York Red Bulls Radio presented by Sports Illustrated in English via the New York Red Bulls app and NewYorkRedBulls.com.
Coverage on MLS Season Pass on Apple TV begins at 4:30 p.m. ET. Neil Sika will have primary play-by-play responsibilities and will be alongside Lloyd Sam on the English side, Jose Bauz will have the play-by-play responsibilities and will be alongside Natalia Astrain on the Spanish side, and Frederic Lord will have the play-by-play responsibilities and will be alongside Vincent Destouches on the French side.
New York Red Bulls Radio presented by Sports Illustrated begins at 4 p.m. ET with Countdown to Kickoff, presented by Toyota, hosted by Matt Harmon.
The Youth Rescue Project and LB3 Foundation host basketball youth clinic
The Youth Rescue Project and LB3 Foundation host basketball youth clinic Updated: 7:14 PM EDT Apr 26, 2025 Savannah youth came out on Saturday to learn the fundamentals of basketball. It’s all part of the LB3 Foundation and the Youth Rescue Project to keep kids active and out of trouble, all while honoring Savannah basketball […]
The Youth Rescue Project and LB3 Foundation host basketball youth clinic
Updated: 7:14 PM EDT Apr 26, 2025
Savannah youth came out on Saturday to learn the fundamentals of basketball. It’s all part of the LB3 Foundation and the Youth Rescue Project to keep kids active and out of trouble, all while honoring Savannah basketball legend Larry “Gator” Rivers. “We just want to do our best to help our young people find their way, find things that they’re interested in, find things that they’re passionate about. Dive into those passions and leave all this other stuff alone,” said former Harlem Globetrotter and Gordon State College associate professor Bruce Capers.This event included a basketball youth clinic and a 3-on-3 tournament. Lawrence “Bunny” Bryan III and Bruce Capers also taught kids new basketball tricks.“So we reach out to kids, we try to uplift their lives, find out what they’re doing in school,” Bryan said.
SAVANNAH, Ga. —
Savannah youth came out on Saturday to learn the fundamentals of basketball. It’s all part of the LB3 Foundation and the Youth Rescue Project to keep kids active and out of trouble, all while honoring Savannah basketball legend Larry “Gator” Rivers.
“We just want to do our best to help our young people find their way, find things that they’re interested in, find things that they’re passionate about. Dive into those passions and leave all this other stuff alone,” said former Harlem Globetrotter and Gordon State College associate professor Bruce Capers.
This event included a basketball youth clinic and a 3-on-3 tournament. Lawrence “Bunny” Bryan III and Bruce Capers also taught kids new basketball tricks.
“So we reach out to kids, we try to uplift their lives, find out what they’re doing in school,” Bryan said.
Pittsburgh Pirates, local community join to save youth baseball in Wellsburg | News, Sports, Jobs
WELLSBURG — For Nathan Marshall, the chant “Let’s Go Bucs” will forever have a new meaning. Marshall, one of the coaches for the Wellsburg Baseball and Softball Association, on Saturday talked with several hundred people in attendance at opening day for the youth league about how a season just weeks ago on the verge of […]
WELLSBURG — For Nathan Marshall, the chant “Let’s Go Bucs” will forever have a new meaning.
Marshall, one of the coaches for the Wellsburg Baseball and Softball Association, on Saturday talked with several hundred people in attendance at opening day for the youth league about how a season just weeks ago on the verge of not happening quickly took a turn after a phone call from Robert Nutting.
Nutting, owner and chairman of the Pittsburgh Pirates and also CEO of the Ogden Newspapers, had read of the league’s financial plight in the newspaper. He reached out to league officers with one question: “how can we help?”
Through the efforts of the Pirates charitable arm, Pirates Charities, and other community support a season once waiting for strike three to be called instead began Saturday with a grand slam.
“Everyone in this community — coaches, parents — they chose not to get negative but instead they came together and said, ‘Let’s do this for the kids,” Marshall said, thanking the new board members of Wellsburg Baseball and Softball for their efforts. “And of course I’d like to thank Pirates Charities especially John Leonard (Pirates Charities manager of Youth Baseball and Softball.) … This guy has been a miracle. They have stepped up in so many ways. And then, of course, I’d like to thank Bob Nutting. He’s one of our own from West Virginia, right down the road in Wheeling. Once he learned of our plight he immediately gave us a call and said, ‘what can I do to help? You are our neighbors, and I want to help.’ How great of a man is that? He didn’t have to do that.”
The combined team effort from the Pirates, the community and local businesses on Saturday turned into a celebration.
“Three weeks ago, we had nothing — no money, no hopes of anything,” Marshall said. “I was amazed by how much this community has come together.”
Along with a $15,000 grant from Pirates Charities, the Pirates organization itself played a big part in the opening ceremonies. The Pirates Parrot joined members of the Brooke High School baseball team in leading a parade of Wellsburg baseball and softball players and their coaches and parents along city streets to the Betty Carr Recreation Site, where they play.
Pirate alumnus and current analyst Michael McKenry greeted the players as they approached the ball field, offering a “high five” to each and encouraging them to run onto the field as they were introduced by Pirates in-game host Joe Klimchak.
And Pirate Charities staff held a free drawing for prizes ranging from pitching machines to wiffle ball sets while handing out Pirates items to all players.
Earlier in the week, Pirates staff also conducted a batting camp for the league’s players.
Chad Rogers, vice president of the Wellsburg Baseball and Softball Association, shared the sentiments of Marshall and Joe Pettini, its president, regarding the community’s support.
“All of the sponsors, the small businesses, kept this going. Without them, this wouldn’t happen. And the Pirates stepping up, that was huge,” he said.
Rogers pointed to a sign on which the support of about 30 local businesses and groups was acknowledged, noting many have sponsored teams in the league through the years.
He said the league currently includes about 55 players, from beginners in T-ball to 9- and 10-year-olds in the mustang division.
Rogers confirmed the number has declined in recent years, but he and the league’s recently elected officers and board hope to reverse that.
In addition to Pettini and Rogers, the organization’s board includes Michelle Mazzella, secretary; and Taylor Wilson, treasurer.
A dark cloud fell over the league in March when former president Eric M. Smith was charged with embezzlement following accusations he had taken thousands of dollars from its funds.
The case against Smith is pending in Brooke County Magistrate Court.
But while real dark clouds hovered above the ball field on Saturday morning, a bright and hopeful attitude for the future prevailed among many in attendance.
“I’m glad they’re able to keep it going,” said Kevin Lyons of Windsor Heights, whose son plays in the pinto division.
Tracy Johnson, another parent of a player, said of the opening day and the Pirate Charities announcement, “This was amazing. It’s really great. The Pirates are really great.”
Johnson was among volunteers overseeing a drawing for an assortment of gift baskets containing items collected by players from each of the league’s teams.
Rogers said the league’s leaders are considering other fundraisers, including possibly a concert by a local band that has offered its services.
“We’re still throwing around a few ideas, but we’re definitely going to have fundraisers,” he said.
