Freedom Elementary unveils restored soccer field, honoring youth sports legacy In Watsonville, the Pajaro Valley Sports Foundation, a community-based organization dedicated to building more athletic fields, celebrated the completion of a new field at Freedom Elementary. Updated: 12:00 AM PDT May 25, 2025 On Saturday, families, soccer players, local leaders, and donors celebrated the restoration […]
In Watsonville, the Pajaro Valley Sports Foundation, a community-based organization dedicated to building more athletic fields, celebrated the completion of a new field at Freedom Elementary.
Updated: 12:00 AM PDT May 25, 2025
On Saturday, families, soccer players, local leaders, and donors celebrated the restoration of Freedom Elementary School’s soccer field.”Every day I get to see kids running, rolling, playing, building friendships, avoiding conflicts, and growing in confidence,” Freedom Elementary School Principal Angelique Llamas said.The project was made possible through a partnership between the Pajaro Valley Sports Foundation, Driscoll’s, and the Community Foundation of Santa Cruz County.”It’s an investment in kids’ lives, especially in this community where there are no city or county parks, there’s not a lot of programming for kids,” Santa Cruz County Deputy Probation Officer Gina Castaneda said.The project began in 2017 and is now complete, although the field has been in use since 2022. The field has been officially named in honor of Ken Morena, a beloved Driscoll’s employee and advocate for youth sports in Pajaro Valley.”Future generations are going to come here and people are going to meet at Ken Morena Field and that thought is just unbelievable to me,” Morena said. The field is home not only to the elementary school, but also to the Pajaro Valley United Soccer Club and the Aztecas soccer program.Upgrades to the site include full grading and drainage of the parking lot and field, installation of new fencing and turf, a soccer-themed mural, a memorial bench, and a new message and scoreboard.”Keep playing, using this field and being conscious of the fact, the more time they’re here, the less time they’ll have to get into trouble somewhere else, so I hope they wear this field out,” Morena said. The Pajaro Valley Sports Foundation is working with schools across Santa Cruz County to figure out their next project
FREEDOM, Calif. —
On Saturday, families, soccer players, local leaders, and donors celebrated the restoration of Freedom Elementary School’s soccer field.
“Every day I get to see kids running, rolling, playing, building friendships, avoiding conflicts, and growing in confidence,” Freedom Elementary School Principal Angelique Llamas said.
The project was made possible through a partnership between the Pajaro Valley Sports Foundation, Driscoll’s, and the Community Foundation of Santa Cruz County.
“It’s an investment in kids’ lives, especially in this community where there are no city or county parks, there’s not a lot of programming for kids,” Santa Cruz County Deputy Probation Officer Gina Castaneda said.
The project began in 2017 and is now complete, although the field has been in use since 2022.
The field has been officially named in honor of Ken Morena, a beloved Driscoll’s employee and advocate for youth sports in Pajaro Valley.
“Future generations are going to come here and people are going to meet at Ken Morena Field and that thought is just unbelievable to me,” Morena said.
The field is home not only to the elementary school, but also to the Pajaro Valley United Soccer Club and the Aztecas soccer program.
Upgrades to the site include full grading and drainage of the parking lot and field, installation of new fencing and turf, a soccer-themed mural, a memorial bench, and a new message and scoreboard.
“Keep playing, using this field and being conscious of the fact, the more time they’re [youth] here, the less time they’ll have to get into trouble somewhere else, so I hope they wear this field out,” Morena said.
The Pajaro Valley Sports Foundation is working with schools across Santa Cruz County to figure out their next project
Democrats criticize effort to regulate college sports | Shareable Stories
WASHINGTON — The latest effort by Congress to regulate college sports generated predictable partisan outrage Thursday, with Democrats saying Republican-led draft legislation would claw back freedoms won by athletes through years of litigation against the NCAA. Three House committees are considering legislation that would create a national standard for name, image and likeness payments to […]
WASHINGTON — The latest effort by Congress to regulate college sports generated predictable partisan outrage Thursday, with Democrats saying Republican-led draft legislation would claw back freedoms won by athletes through years of litigation against the NCAA.
Three House committees are considering legislation that would create a national standard for name, image and likeness payments to athletes and protect the NCAA against future lawsuits.
Last week, a federal judge approved a $2.8 billion settlement that will lead to schools paying athletes directly, and NCAA President Charlie Baker said now that his organization is implementing those major changes, Congress needs to step in and stabilize college sports.
NCAA President Charlie Baker attends the organization’s annual convention Jan. 15 in Nashville, Tenn.
George Walker IV, Associated Press
Baker said he supports the draft legislation that was the subject of Thursday’s hearing by a House Energy and Commerce subcommittee, but there was little indication a bill advanced by the House would generate enough Democratic support to surpass the 60-vote threshold in the Senate.
“I’m deeply disappointed for the second year in a row, Republicans on this committee are advancing a partisan college sports bill that protects the power brokers of college athletics at the expense of the athletes themselves,” said Rep. Lori Trahan, D-Mass.
Trahan noted that if the NCAA or conferences establish unfair rules, athletes can challenge them in court, with the settlement of the House v. NCAA antitrust case the latest example of athletes winning rights they historically were denied.
“This bill rewrites that process to guarantee the people in power always win, and the athletes who fuel this multibillion-dollar industry always lose,” said Trahan, who played volleyball at Georgetown.
The NCAA argues that it needs a limited antitrust exemption in order to set its own rules and preserve a college sports system that provides billions of dollars in scholarships and helps train future U.S. Olympians.
Several athletes sued the NCAA over its rule that athletes are only eligible to play four seasons in a five-year period, and a group of female athletes filed an appeal of the House settlement Tuesday, saying it discriminated against women in violation of federal law.
On the Senate side, a bipartisan group including Republican Ted Cruz of Texas has been negotiating a college sports reform bill for months, but those talks are moving more slowly than Cruz hoped.
The draft bill in the House would create a national standard for NIL, overriding the state laws that critics say led to a chaotic recruiting environment. That, too, was criticized by Democrats and their key witness at the hearing, Ramogi Huma, executive director of the National College Players Association.
Huma argued that the NCAA wants to get rid of booster-funded NIL collectives that another witness, Southeastern Conference associate commissioner William King, characterized as “fake NIL” or “pay for play.”
Instead, Huma said the collectives are examples of the free market at work, noting that before players won NIL rights through a court case, boosters could only donate to athletic departments.
Tom McMillen, a former Democratic congressman who played in the NBA after an All-America basketball career at Maryland, took a dim view of the bill’s prospects.
“I think they’re trying to come up with something and pull in some Democrats. I just don’t know if that’s going to succeed or not,” said McMillen, who for several years led an association of Division I athletic directors. “There’s a real philosophical divide, so that’s the hard part. It’s hard to bridge. And there’s a zillion other issues.”
The subcommittee chairman, Rep. Gus Bilirakis, R-Fla., said the draft legislation already had some bipartisan support and he was open to changes that would get more Democrats on board.
“I will consider some of the suggestions, the legitimate suggestions that were made,” Bilirakis said, “and I will be happy to talk to lawmakers that truly want to get a big bill across the finish line.”
The new playbook: Why personalized coaching is taking over youth sports
The new playbook: Why personalized coaching is taking over youth sports
Updated
In the past, finding a private sports coach often meant word-of-mouth referrals, expensive training facilities, and time-consuming scheduling. But as technology continues to reshape the way we work, learn, and connect, the world of youth sports training is getting its own upgrade.
Just as Airbnb revolutionized travel and Uber reimagined transportation, new digital platforms are now decentralizing the $20 billion youth sports industry, giving families more direct access to qualified coaches—and providing former athletes with flexible, gig-style income opportunities after their playing careers end. It’s the era of on-demand coaching.
Athletes Untapped
Training on Your Terms
Updated
This model, often referred to as the “platformization” of sports training, is catching on fast. Rather than committing to year-round training fees or expensive academies, families can now access high-quality coaching one session at a time—often from athletes who’ve competed at the highest levels. Proprietary data from Athletes Untapped, an on-demand coaching platform, shows a threefold increase in the number of youth training sessions booked online between 2018 and 2024. The spike reflects a growing comfort with using digital tools to find and schedule specialized coaching, echoing consumer trends seen in fitness, tutoring, and other service sectors.
Much of this growth has been driven by parents seeking personalized, flexible training options that fit into increasingly busy family schedules. Rather than enrolling in seasonal or year-round programs, families are opting to book single sessions based on their child’s needs and availability—often working directly with former collegiate or professional athletes in their local area.
Athletes Untapped
A Win-Win Era for Sports
Updated
Former athletes get a meaningful, flexible path forward. And the game itself? It gets to live on in new and evolving forms.
Further analysis of platform data reveals which sports are driving the most interest in private coaching. Basketball, soccer, baseball, and volleyball rank as the most-booked disciplines on Athletes Untapped, consistent with broader youth sports participation trends in the U.S.
That data shows some of the most popular sports for youth training—including basketball, soccer, and baseball. But the bigger takeaway? The way we think about skill-building is changing. Kids want coaches they connect with. Parents want transparency and trust. And both want access—without the red tape.
Whether you’re a parent looking for flexible training options or an ex-athlete figuring out your next chapter, the message is clear: Coaching, like almost everything else, is going on-demand.
This storywas produced byAthletes Untappedand reviewed and distributed by Stacker.
In a significant move to channel youth potential and promote physical and mental well-being, Chief Secretary Atal Dulloo chaired a high-level review meeting of the Youth Services & Sports Department (YS&S) to evaluate its performance and shape a future roadmap for youth engagement in Jammu and Kashmir.Describing sports as a vital tool to foster discipline […]
In a significant move to channel youth potential and promote physical and mental well-being, Chief Secretary Atal Dulloo chaired a high-level review meeting of the Youth Services & Sports Department (YS&S) to evaluate its performance and shape a future roadmap for youth engagement in Jammu and Kashmir. Describing sports as a vital tool to foster discipline and deter drug abuse, Dulloo emphasized the department’s key role in building a fit, focused, and drug-free society. “Every young person should be connected to at least one sport,” he said, noting that sports instill teamwork, purpose, and resilience. Highlighting the substantial progress in infrastructure, Dulloo praised the department for creating stadiums, indoor arenas, and playgrounds that now match national standards. He encouraged optimal use of these facilities through regular community events and larger state-level competitions to discover and showcase local talent. Dulloo also directed the department to tap into the UT’s natural water bodies by initiating water-based sports at Manasbal Lake and organizing competitive events at Ranjit Sagar Lake in Kathua, expanding the scope of adventure sports in the region. The meeting also saw the release of the Annual Sports Calendar, as well as coffee table books and compendiums highlighting the UT’s sporting journey, infrastructure growth, and emerging athletes. Commissioner Secretary YS&S, Sarmad Hafeez, gave a detailed overview, noting that millions of youth have participated in sports events at block, district, and UT levels. He affirmed that J&K’s sports infrastructure is now on par with national benchmarks and reiterated plans to collaborate with national sports bodies to bring major tournaments to the region. Nuzhat Gul, Secretary of the J&K Sports Council, highlighted grassroots initiatives, ongoing infrastructure upgrades, and the impact of trained coaches across disciplines. She expressed confidence that, with sustained efforts, athletes from J&K would soon earn national and international recognition. The meeting concluded with a collective resolve to foster a dynamic and inclusive sports culture in J&K, using sports as a vehicle for youth empowerment, community development, and overall societal well-being.
The Dickinson Press Sports Show: w/ Forum’s Aaron Becher and Diamonds treasurer Justin Sayler – The Dickinson Press
DICKINSON — With the help and guidance of Aaron Becher — Forum Communication’s vice president of newspaper operations — this-week’s show gets an inside look at what is coming your way for new items at The Dickinson Press and via Forum, which include broadcasting of prep athletics and the expanding footprint of the Midwest-based media […]
DICKINSON — With the help and guidance of Aaron Becher — Forum Communication’s vice president of newspaper operations — this-week’s show gets an inside look at what is coming your way for new items at The Dickinson Press and via Forum, which include broadcasting of prep athletics and the expanding footprint of the Midwest-based media outlet, while the entire Dickinson community will benefit from next-week’s 50-team Diamond Classic softball tournament at Sanford Sports Complex as athletes, fans and families descend upon the area for that special event, with Justin Sayler — the organization’s treasurer — discusses the economic and athletic impact of that upcoming tournament.
We break down this-week’s specials (including breakfast-sammiches and other delightful treats) at show-hosts Players Sports Bar & Grill and all the upcoming and new menu items at Dickinson’s favorite sports bar on, as Handsome Rob has previously indicated: Dickinson’s #1-rated sports show (we’re tabulating the Internet data while you read this). We throw in a few updates from area youth- and prep-sports for good measure, while giving some insight into upcoming stories The Dickinson Press will be covering in the next-7 days, along with the Big Sticks Breakdown video segment from last week.
Lukas Eilts, Handsome Rob, Justin Sayler and Gaylon, post-Sports-Show on June 12, 2025.
Courtesy of Darby
Prep sports in the local area are have wound-down, but there’s a ton of recreational sports to enjoy, so strap in the seatbelts and enjoy this-week’s show …
Opinion by
Gaylon Wm. Parker
Gaylon is a sportswriter from Jensen Beach, Fla., but has lived all over the world. Growing up with an athletic background gave him a love of sports that led to a journalism career in such places as Enid, Okla., Alamogordo, N.M., Pascagoula, Miss. and Viera, Fla. since 1998. His main passion is small-town community sports, particularly baseball and soccer.
New Orleans civic groups get nearly $2M to start new youth recreation programs at UNO | Local Politics
As the University of New Orleans merges with the LSU system, millions of state dollars are poised to flow its way, including nearly $2 million for youth recreation — part of a push by a prominent attorney and New Orleans-area business leaders who have long criticized the city’s public recreation services. A civic group behind that initiative called the […]
As the University of New Orleans merges with the LSU system, millions of state dollars are poised to flow its way, including nearly $2 million for youth recreation — part of a push by a prominent attorney and New Orleans-area business leaders who have long criticized the city’s public recreation services.
A civic group behind that initiative called the NOLA Coalition, which has the backing of other local nonprofits across the city, called a press conference Friday to celebrate new low-cost youth athletic programs that will soon be offered at the university, according to Coalition spokesperson Matt Wolfe.
Under UNO’s transfer into the LSU system, which Gov. Jeff Landry is expected to sign into law this week, lawmakers in New Orleans’ legislative delegation secured millions of dollars for debt payments and deferred facility maintenance at the financially-troubled university.
At the same time, Landry, acting at the urging of attorney Laura Rodrigue, a longtime ally of the governor’s and other conservative leaders, secured $1.95 million to stand up the recreation programs at UNO — apparently without the knowledge of members of New Orleans’ legislative delegation, who said this week that they knew nothing about the plan.
The project culminates months of activism by Rodrigue and business leaders against conditions at parks run by the New Orleans Recreation Development Commission. The agency has long been the target of community complaints, and Rodrigue and others say it has been plagued by mismanagement.
By expanding programming for at-risk youth, the group hopes the new facilities will help reduce juvenile crime.
“The whole purpose is to scale recreational programs, for whatever children don’t have the opportunities already to come receive mentorship, have fun and be active,” said Greg Rusovich, a local businessman involved in the plan.
The initiative, however, has drawn some critics who describe it as part of a broader incursion by Landry into New Orleans and an attempt by White conservatives to control the majority-Black city’s resources.
Multiple members of the New Orleans City Council, including Freddie King III, who sits on NORD’s governing board, said they weren’t aware of the project before hearing about it from a reporter.
“As a member of the council and as a member of the NORD Commission, I’d have liked to be informed,” King said.
Improving recreation services in the city should start with increasing NORD funding, he said, rather than standing up a new facility in a single pocket of the city.
“If you live in Central City, how are you going to access these facilities?” he said. “Who is this truly for?”
‘Recreation is back!’
Through a partnership with local nonprofit sports organization The 18th Ward, the new facilities will offer baseball, soccer, swimming, flag-football and other team-based athletic programs as early as this fall, through a pay-what-you-can structure.
“I am incredibly excited about the opportunity to bring young people and their families to our beautiful campus,” UNO President Kathy Johnson said of the university’s first-of-its kind plan.
Organization director Lowery Crews said the move will help 18th Ward trim down waitlists and expand its programs, which have amassed more than 6,000 participants across New Orleans since its 2019 founding.
The organization is also partnered with NORD, which pays The 18th Ward to run some of its sports programs, including those newly activated at the long defunct Hardin Park.
NORD serves thousands of youth each year across offerings that include team sports, afterschool programs, summer camps, pools and recreation centers.
But it’s also long faced criticism from community members frustrated over difficulties signing up for programs, unexpected pool closures in the heat of summer, and shoddy conditions at some of its sites.
A flyer distributed this month by the Coalition credits state lawmakers and Landry for providing funding so that “children and families from across our city can participate in recreation.”
“Recreation is back!” reads the flyer.
The announcement comes months after the Coalition published an open letter pointing to “alarming” conditions at NORD-operated parks and sports fields.
The letter reiterated similar examples of poor conditions that Rodrigue described in an online post last year, such as “overgrown fields, exposed electrical wire” and trash scattered across sites.
NORD has responded by highlighting ongoing improvement projects at many of the sites in question. The ball fields at Perry Roehm Stadium, for instance, were being turfed and regraded and the bathrooms were in the process of being upgraded.
NORD spokesperson Emily Oliver told The Times-Picayune in April that each of NORD’s 160 sites are scheduled for weekly maintenance, with priority given to high-use sites that host sports games and after school programs.
Asked about the flyer advertising the new programming at UNO, Oliver said they were aware and offered no additional comment.
How the money came together
A spokesperson for Landry’s office confirmed the governor had secured money for the project in the state’s budget. The money is dedicated to UNO “for recreation for youth partnership with community partners,” according to budget documents.
Long before she helped secure that cash, Rodrigue, who did not respond to messages for this story, has been a vocal critic of NORD, calling the department’s failings a contributing factor to New Orleans’ juvenile crime problem.
She’s listed as a speaker and “project founder” at Friday’s press conference along with Rusovich, CEO of Transoceanic Development; Kim Boyle with NOLA Coalition; Vincent Granito, interim director of UNO athletics; and Kyle Ruckert, Landry’s chief of staff.
In February, she spoke of “deplorable conditions” at NORD facilities at the Metropolitan Crime Commission of New Orleans’ monthly board meeting, and in December she suggested the department should be defunded.
“I don’t think it would be prudent to give them more money, considering the gross neglect that we see happening under their watch right now,” she said in December of the department’s $20 million budget.
Among those who support the plan are Republican mega-donor and businessman Boysie Bollinger and MCC President Rafael Goyeneche. Bollinger did not return a phone message.
Goyeneche said NORD’s programming has failed to offer the city’s youth adequate outlets. He repeated the argument that the new recreation initiative could help curb juvenile crime.
“This is critically important when it comes to keeping kids out of crime,” he said. “It’s critically important that recreational programs be provided to the youth of this community this summer. And NORD, you know, has basically, I think, overpromised and under-performed in their responsibility to provide programming for our city’s youth.”
News of the funding came as a surprise to members of New Orleans’ legislative delegation interviewed about the project this week.
Sen. Jimmy Harris, D-New Orleans, who backed the bill to merge UNO with LSU and marshaled state money for the initiative, said Tuesday that he was unaware of where cash for the project came from and planned to inquire about it.
Asked if he knew about the project, Rep. Matthew Willard, a Democrat who chairs the state House’s Democratic caucus, said he had not heard of it until NORD staff got in touch last week asking what it was. Sen. Joe Bouie and Rep. Mandie Landry both said a reporter’s inquiry was the first they had heard of the plan.
Others in the community view the plan as a concerted effort to privatize public recreation.
“Anytime you see programming popping up that mirrors programming already in existence, you have to ask yourself why you’re trying to reinvent a wheel when you can just pour the resources to shore up the parks and recreation that already exists?” community activist and former New Orleans elementary school principal Ashonta Wyatt said this week on local radio station WBOK.
Rusovich, the local businessman involved in the project, said it is not meant to be oppositional to NORD programs.
He said the planners hope the program will serve as a model for the next mayor, who the group hopes will pursue reforms at NORD after their election this fall.
Coastal Connections: Jason Anderson’s legacy turns tragedy into opportunity for young athletes | Features
This Coastal Connection is sponsored by Baths by Spicer Bros. MILTON, Del. — Golfers gathered at The Rookery Golf Course in Milton on Monday, June 9, not just for competition but to support a cause: the Jason Anderson Foundation for Youth Sports. The foundation, created in memory of Jason Anderson, helps ensure children can play […]
This Coastal Connection is sponsored by Baths by Spicer Bros.
MILTON, Del. — Golfers gathered at The Rookery Golf Course in Milton on Monday, June 9, not just for competition but to support a cause: the Jason Anderson Foundation for Youth Sports.
The foundation, created in memory of Jason Anderson, helps ensure children can play sports regardless of their family’s financial situation. Anderson was 33 years old when he died in a car accident in 2015.
“It’s one of the things that kind of keeps us going,” said Marc Anderson, Jason’s father. “You never accept what happens. You never get used to it. And people can tell you, ‘It’s been ten years, you should be fine.’ Trust me, you’re not. But for us, it’s our ability to continue to contribute in Jason’s honor and his name.”
Marc said his son had a deep passion for sports from a young age. He recalled Jason insisting on staying through the end of baseball games, even when the Orioles were losing and it was late on a school night.
That passion carried into Jason’s professional life. He went on to work with major organizations, including the New Orleans Saints and Dover Motorsports. His family said giving back through the foundation felt natural.
“He was just one of those people,” Marc said. “You know, when they say good people die young, he was one of those. He was just a great guy, would do anything for you.”
The past decade has been difficult, but Marc said Jason’s 11-year-old son, Ryan, brings comfort. Ryan enjoys soccer, is starting to play golf, and recently expressed interest in baseball and basketball.
“He’s just like Jason,” Marc said. “Same great personality.”
Since its founding in 2016, the Jason Anderson Foundation has raised $80,000 for the community. Marc hopes the life lessons Jason learned through sports — teamwork, leadership and friendship — will live on through the children the foundation supports.
The BHUSD Board of Education approved the two new leadership appointments for the athletic department on June 10. (photo courtesy of BHUSD) On June 10, the Beverly Hills Unified School District Board of Education voted 5-0 to approve the appointment of Steve Lawson as the new director of athletics and Joint Powers Agreement, along with […]
The BHUSD Board of Education approved the two new leadership appointments for the athletic department on June 10. (photo courtesy of BHUSD)
On June 10, the Beverly Hills Unified School District Board of Education voted 5-0 to approve the appointment of Steve Lawson as the new director of athletics and Joint Powers Agreement, along with Devon Saxon as assistant director of athletics and JPA.
“These are the right people at the right time,” Board of Education President Rachelle Marcus said. “Steve and Devon bring the experience, vision and dedication needed to take our athletics program to the next level.”
As part of their roles, Lawson and Saxon will also support oversight of the Joint Powers Agreement between BHUSD and the city of Beverly Hills. The JPA governs the shared use, maintenance and scheduling of city and district facilities, a critical partnership that enhances access, safety and programming for students and the broader community. Having athletic leaders in these positions ensures strong alignment between school needs and city resources.
A respected leader and former U.S. Army soldier, Lawson brings decades of high-level experience in coaching, program development and athletic administration. He is a U.S. Open champion, Pan American Games bronze medalist, and Olympic Festival silver medalist, and has served as head wrestling coach at El Dorado High School for more than 27 years. During his tenure, he led teams to multiple league and CIF titles and coached 18 individual CIF champions, including a California State Champion.
Lawson is also the founder and director of SCWAY – State of California Wrestling Alliance for Youth – one of the state’s most impactful youth athletics organizations. SCWAY currently serves over 2,800 athletes and 75 clubs and under Lawson’s leadership, has become a model for youth development, athletic safety and coach training. Known for his disciplined yet student-centered approach, Lawson combines military precision with a deep belief in the character-building power of sports.
“Steve’s background is extraordinary,” Superintendent Dr. Alex Cherniss said. “He is not only a champion athlete and a veteran, but a visionary builder of programs who has proven time and again that he knows how to lead teams, inspire young people and drive excellence at every level. His leadership will elevate BHUSD athletics for years to come.”
Working alongside Lawson is Saxon, a decorated cheer coach and educator who brings energy, creativity and proven results to the role of assistant director. Saxon has led Birmingham Community Charter High School’s cheer program to six CIF-LA City Division I titles, two CIF State runner-up finishes and consistent national recognition. Named the 2024 California Coaches Association Cheerleading Coach of the Year, Saxon is also a CIF-LA Cheerleading co-coordinator, overseeing logistics and competition planning for more than 80 school teams.
Saxon’s strong background in education, school operations, and hospitality leadership rounds out this dynamic team, providing a sharp focus on systems, equity and student experience.
(via @superginger69/TT)
