Green River Parks and Recreation Launches 2025 Summer Programs
GREEN RIVER — The Green River Parks and Recreation Department announces the opening of registration for its Summer 2025 programming. The programming will be available to the public Thursday, May 15 at 5 a.m. and includes lessons, youth sports leagues, summer day camps, fitness classes, and Trioball for seventh and eighth graders. Programs available are […]
GREEN RIVER — The Green River Parks and Recreation Department announces the opening of registration for its Summer 2025 programming.
The programming will be available to the public Thursday, May 15 at 5 a.m. and includes lessons, youth sports leagues, summer day camps, fitness classes, and Trioball for seventh and eighth graders. Programs available are Expanded Recreation Center and Aquatic facility hours, swimming lessons for all age groups and abilities, youth co-ed outdoor soccer, Little Howler Youth Flag Football League, summer gymnastics camp, and summer day camp.
Special events for the summer include the Overland Stage Stampede Rodeo, Movies in the Park, Art on the Green, Flaming Gorge Day, Water Safety Day in Honor of Paige Hardest Greve, and Quilting on the Green. Registration opens May 15 and can be completed online, over the phone at (307)872-0511, or in person at the Green River Recreation Center and early registration is strongly recommended. A full brochure detailing all programs and events has been made available on the website.
Pillich comments on team’s negotiating efforts are ‘plainly false’
CINCINNATI — The Bengals are calling for Hamilton County Prosecutor Connie Pillich to take back her comments questioning whether the team is negotiating with the county “in good faith.” In a letter, Bengals in-house counsel Emma L. Compton said the team’s conduct over the last few years has “shown a clear commitment” to negotiating a […]
CINCINNATI — The Bengals are calling for Hamilton County Prosecutor Connie Pillich to take back her comments questioning whether the team is negotiating with the county “in good faith.”
In a letter, Bengals in-house counsel Emma L. Compton said the team’s conduct over the last few years has “shown a clear commitment” to negotiating a long-term deal with the county despite Pillich questioning their efforts.
“Indeed, the team has never shown anything but good faith in its discussions with the county,” the letter says, citing the Bengals’ work with the county to construct the Brady Music Center, Black Music Walk of Fame and extend the deadline to acquire the Hilltop property next door as proof of its commitment.
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While Pillich did not use those words directly in the commissioner’s meeting or during a 1-on-1 with the WCPO 9 I-Team, she has criticized the slow pace of negotiations and the Bengals’ statements regarding lead negotiator David Abrams.
“Our interest is in what the team says at the negotiating table, not in the media,” Pillich said in a statement last week.
The county previously announced it was shuffling its lineup of lawyers handling lease negotiations with the Bengals and Reds. The decision came after Pillich urged county commissioners to replace Tom Gableman and Frost Brown Todd with attorneys from two other firms: Dinsmore and Vorys.
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In their letter, the Bengals say Gableman “has spent more time at the negotiating table with the team than anyone at the county” and confirmed they are working in good faith.
Gabelman released a lengthy statement on May 16 asserting “ongoing progress” toward a “comprehensive long term agreement” with the Bengals.
“Working with the County Prosecutor’s Office, we have been in active, daily negotiations with the Bengals regarding a comprehensive agreement and were ahead of schedule to complete a County-Bengals Term Sheet by the June 1, 2025, deadline,” Gabelman wrote.
But Pillich said last week she met with each of the county’s commissioners, who discussed their “frustration” with Gableman and their communication with their legal counsel. She told our WCPO 9 I-Team she believes the new team will advance negotiations — not slow them down.
“So as far as how the negotiations are going, I think we are … in a great, a very strong position to move forward,” Pillich said.
The team also says comments claiming the Bengals refuse to meet with the county’s outside consulting firm, Inner Circle Sports, are “plainly false.” The Bengals said team representatives have engaged with ICS “for several months,” but when the county recently asked ownership to meet with ICS, they denied the request “after the team discovered that ICS also served as a stadium consultant for the Cleveland Browns.”
Pillich said in an interview on “The Bill Cunningham Show” on 700WLW that the Bengals “may have been misled with their so-called research.” She said one former member of ICS has done work with the Browns but is no longer with the company.
“The man that we’re working with, David Abrams, has not done any work with the Cleveland Browns, but I do appreciate the Bengals trying to look out for us in their own way,” Pillich said.
During her interview with the I-Team and on WLW, Pillich reiterated that the county is intent on getting a deal done — one that will be best for Hamilton County.
“The Bengals can’t tell us who we hire to conduct the negotiations,” Pillich told us. “And the fact that we hired a bulldog to do it tells me that we did the right thing.”
We reached out to Pillich, who said, “I won’t trade barbs with the Bengals. Let’s just get the deal done.”
(L-R) Wes Campbell, Maddie Keiserman, Karenna Elliot, Casey Dawson, with Emily Cook moderating, comprise the Athlete’s Panel at the Youth Sports Alliance’s Circle of Excelence Recognition Ceremony. Photo: TownLift // Michele Roepke PARK CITY, Utah — The Youth Sports Alliance (YSA) held it’s annual Circle of Excellence recognition ceremony at the St. Mary’s Church on Sunday […]
(L-R) Wes Campbell, Maddie Keiserman, Karenna Elliot, Casey Dawson, with Emily Cook moderating, comprise the Athlete’s Panel at the Youth Sports Alliance’s Circle of Excelence Recognition Ceremony. Photo: TownLift // Michele Roepke
PARK CITY, Utah — The Youth Sports Alliance (YSA) held it’s annual Circle of Excellence recognition ceremony at the St. Mary’s Church on Sunday where being good athletes in the previous winter season had almost as much importance as being good people.
One quarter of families in the building and out on the hills are recipients of YSA need-based financial scholarships.
The seven clubs supported by YSA are Wasatch Luge, hockey’s Ice Miners, Speed Skating Club of Park City, Utah Olympic Park Bobsled and Skeleton Club, Figure Wasatch Freestyle, Figure Skating Club of Park City, and Park City Ski & Snowboard.
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Olympic medalists, collegiate competitors, jr. national, and national team member athlete panelists spoke about relatable, realistic situations like overcoming injuries, feeling homesick when traveling, embracing off-season quality time, being the new kid in town, and acknowledging that being slowest on the team at some point in everyone’s sport journey is not a permanent placement.
A slideshow rolled through highlighting every athlete present at the event. Photo: TownLift // Michele Roepke
The first award of the night was, just like most of them for the evening, a total surprise to the recipient. YSA Executive Director, and 2034 Utah Olympics Sports and Venues Committee member Emily Fisher successfully caught one of her co-emcees Ryan Walsh off guard with the Spirit of Service Award after his decade of volunteerism not only within the YSA as an annual announcer for this event, but also throughout the local sport community.
Emily Fisher, on the microphone, nine-time Olympic announcer; including Winter, Summer, Para, and Youth, and co-event emcee Carl Roepke to her left is seen shaking the hand in congralutations to their co-emcee Ryan Walsh. Photo: TownLift // Michele Roepke
Next the Hall of Fame Inductee Award was presented to Park City native and 2018 Ski Jumping Olympian Abby Hughes Ringquist.
(L-R) Leadership Award nominees and recipient: Kate Pressgrove, Evelyn Harris, Lucas Fasio, Seth Rothchild, Abby Higes Ringquist. Photo: TownLift // Michele Roepke
Rinquist then handed the Leadership Award to Park City High School senior, and fellow ski jumper Seth Rothchild. She gave him a hug as the two have become friends via camps and comps at the Utah Olympic Park.
The Sam Jackenthaul Showstopper of the Year Award was then given to an athlete in the sport making its Olympic debut in 2026, ski mountaineering (skimo). It recognizes an exceptional moment that left a lasting memory. Nominees included Jackson Crocket, Tory Hoffman, Sam Kirshner, Autumn Boyd, and Wyatt Osmundson.
Sam Jackenthaul Award presentation including the winner holding his new plaque and on the far right Jan Alsobrook from YSA shaking the hand of Ron Jackenthaul. Photo: TownLift // Michele Roepke
Breakthrough Performance of the year is an award given to an individual who pushed personal limits. Dash Williams won the award and Luke Miller and Brooke Greenfield were both nominees.
YSA is nationally known for it’s afterschool programs of Get Out And Play (GOAP) and Active 8. As a testament to the overall sport culture Park City fosters, there were 25 first timer and exploring student-athlete’s nominated for the elementary schools’ award for the Core Values of sportsmanship, perseverance, optimism, respect, and teamwork. Nearly three-quarters of that age range of Parkites participated last year.
YSA’s Heather Sims kneels on the right end of these GOAP participants. Photo: TownLift // Michele Roepke
The Middle School Active 8 programming also had standout Core Values athletes John Bradley and Anna Reed there.
All-Star Awards call out the following athletes who attained significant results in regional competition.
All Stars. Photo: TownLift // Michele Roepke
The Champion Award highlights athletes who attained significant results in national and/or international competition.
Champions. Photo: TownLift // Michele Roepke
Youth Olympic Games medalist Josie Johnson’s bio was profiled in the event’s program.
After the ceremony, the food truck dinners, and the opportunity drawing, people lined up to take pictures with their friends, family, and coaches.
Olympian, coach Jon Owen (L) with his athlete Ben Wingfield. Photo: TownLift // Michele Roepke
The number of Olympic medals earned by YSA-connected athletes since the 2002 Games, which is when the nonprofit started, is 13.
Philipsburg-Osceola’s Damarcus Law has been named The Progress’ male Athlete of the Week for the week ending May 17. Law finished second in the 200-meter dash at the District 6 Track and Field Championships in Altoona with a time of 23.48. He was also third in the 100-meter in 11.30. He qualified in both events […]
Philipsburg-Osceola’s Damarcus Law has been named The Progress’ male Athlete of the Week for the week ending May 17.
Law finished second in the 200-meter dash at the District 6 Track and Field Championships in Altoona with a time of 23.48. He was also third in the 100-meter in 11.30. He qualified in both events for the PIAA Class AA Track and Field Championships, which begin on Friday at Seth Grove Stadium in Shippensburg.
“Damarcus qualified for PIAA State Championships in two separate events,” said P-O track coach Tracy Vipond. “His time in the 200M dash of 23.01 broke the POHS all-time record.
“Damarcus is an excellent athlete, but he is equally excellent as kid.”
Sports Facilities Companies Adds New Rinks as Youth Sports Biz Booms
The Sports Facilities Companies (SFC), a manager of municipal and collegiate sports venues across the U.S., announced that it will manage 13 new ice rinks as it builds its growing ice division. The firm added rinks located across 11 states, including the Breslow Ice Hockey Center at the University of Nebraska, home to the Huskers’ […]
The Sports Facilities Companies (SFC), a manager of municipal and collegiate sports venues across the U.S., announced that it will manage 13 new ice rinks as it builds its growing ice division.
The firm added rinks located across 11 states, including the Breslow Ice Hockey Center at the University of Nebraska, home to the Huskers’ men’s and women’s club hockey programs; and Indianapolis’ Elevance Health Rink at Bicentennial Plaza, which is next door to Gainbridge Fieldhouse, the home arena for the NBA’s Pacers and WNBA’s Fever.
In addition to an athletic center in Romulus, Mich., and a community center in Waconia, Minn., the new venues represent approximately $20 million in annual revenue.
Formerly operated by Rink Management Services, the new barns represent SFC’s deeper investment into ice hockey after the firm purchased Firland Management, a longtime operator of hockey and skating rinks, in September.
Youth hockey participation across North America is trending up again after a few years of decline. Jason Clement, the founding partner and CEO of SFC, said that while the NHL, USA Hockey and others have done a great job in turning the tide against the participation slide, rinks in the U.S. and Canada aren’t meeting the moment just yet.
“When you looked at the landscape of facilities across North America, ice facilities in general are going down,” he said in a video interview. “The numbers are going down. They’re aging. There are a lot built in the 60s, 70s and 80s, and they now need a refresh. And these communities are relying on their ice facilities, so we recognize that we had a role to play.”
SFC operates more than 90 venues for various municipalities, universities and private companies. A company representative said that the venues collectively generate more than $1 billion in economic impact in the communities served. Twenty of these assets are hockey rinks, but the rest represent a wide range of indoor and outdoor sports.
The SFC portfolio is quite large compared to that of Unrivaled Sports, the Josh Harris and David Blitzer-owned outfit that launched in 2024. The billionaire-backed player largely operates in sports played outdoors like baseball, football, soccer, snowboarding and other action sports. According to its website, it operates 15 venues and properties that are used by more than 635,000 youth athletes and have over 1.7 million visitors a year.
In early May, Unrivaled Sports picked up a $150 million investment led by Dick’s Sporting Goods, with participation from Miller Sports + Entertainment, Dynasty Equity, LionTree and The Chernin Group. The company is currently valued at around $650 million.
The youth sports industry also includes companies like Soccer Shots, which is backed by Susquehanna Growth Equity and is pulling in revenue upwards of $100 million a year. Soccer Shots, the largest company of its kind in the world, brings soccer to childcare centers, churches and parks for kids aged 2 to 8 years old.
Clement noted that the opportunities for these youth sports businesses stem from families willing to do all they can to keep their kids in sports, even in times of economic uncertainty.
“We like to say that we’ve been through a couple of cycles economically here,” he said, “and it’s been recession-resistant because families will cut a lot of things before they cut their kids’ activities and opportunities to grow.
“We didn’t just drop a bunch of capital in because we saw a financial opportunity to go monetize an industry. Instead, what we did is we said, ‘hey, we think this matters.’ We think it matters in communities. We believe in the impact that it makes, and we’re going to invest in it and we have over time.”
Capital isn’t just being invested in the fields of play but the cameras and microphones that capture the action of youth sports. On Wednesday, LiveBarn, a youth sports streaming service with investments from Susquehanna Growth Equity and Ares Capital, announced that it brought on Raymond James as an adviser for a potential sale. In April, PlayOn purchased MaxPreps from Paramount/CBS Sports for an undisclosed sum.
SFC isn’t a media company, but in the increasingly lucrative youth sports landscape, Clement said that its objectives remain clear: to help communities achieve whatever goals they’re aiming for, whether it’s sports tourism, hitting financial targets or increasing community usage of the properties it manages.
“We’ve created a custom approach to serve these communities well. And the reality is by our marketing teams’ effort, 70% of municipalities still don’t even know our services exist. So every town—from New York City to Marshalltown, Iowa, where I’m from—is trying to figure out how to serve their kids and their families better and leverage the assets and the resources that they have to do it.”
Despite the professed anonymity of SFC, millions of people are engaged with its properties. The company said that it has nearly 30 million annual guest visits across its venues. The new ice properties will account for 2-3 million combined guest visits per year.
SFC’s highest-profile project just opened in April in New York, where it already operates several venues. The $160 million Davis Center at the Harlem Meer in Central Park opened to the public as the centerpiece of the city’s decades-long effort to revitalize the northern reaches of the park. Replacing Lasker Rink and Pool, the new facility includes the Harlem Oval, which features a riser system that can transform the space from an ice rink to greenspace to a pool than can hold up to 1,000 people.
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In AAU season, I see my kids struggle with race in sports
We want our children to grow through sports — to learn discipline, resilience, teamwork. But how can they do that when they’re busy navigating unspoken racial double standards? Rubie Mizell | Special to Milwaukee Journal Sentinel At Roosevelt Middle School, mentors make a difference for at-risk boys Roosevelt Middle School parent coordinator Rubie Mizell gets […]
We want our children to grow through sports — to learn discipline, resilience, teamwork. But how can they do that when they’re busy navigating unspoken racial double standards?
Rubie Mizell | Special to Milwaukee Journal Sentinel
At Roosevelt Middle School, mentors make a difference for at-risk boys
Roosevelt Middle School parent coordinator Rubie Mizell gets emotional when she talks about some of the traumas black boys at her school face.
A Black mother observes her daughter’s hesitation to play aggressively against smaller, white girls in basketball.
The daughter expresses fear of being perceived as “aggressive,” not “assertive,” due to racial bias in sports.
The author recounts similar experiences with her son facing unfair accusations and double standards in soccer.
The article highlights the burden Black children carry in youth sports, forced to navigate racial stereotypes while trying to enjoy the game.
The author calls for change and a more equitable sports culture where Black children can play freely without fear of judgment or misinterpretation.
It’s AAU season. Gym lights glow late into the night, sneakers squeak against polished floors, and young athletes chase dreams with every dribble. For many families, including mine, it’s a season of excitement and growth. But for my 11-year-old daughter, it’s also a season shadowed by something she should never have to carry at her age: fear.
She’s tall. Athletic. Strong. A presence on the court. But I started to notice a hesitation in her game — especially on defense. When matched up against smaller, White girls, it was like a switch flipped. She wouldn’t play them tight, wouldn’t reach for the ball. It was as if she was afraid to fully show up.
When I asked her why, her answer broke my heart.
She told me she was afraid of fouling them. Afraid that if she reached in or blocked too hard, she’d get in trouble, or worse, she’d be seen as aggressive. Not assertive. Not a competitor. But aggressive.
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And just like that, the weight of race, perception, and painful memories came crashing in.
Black children walk a tightrope, even in sports
I remembered a game from her school season earlier this year, where she was elbowed multiple times by an opponent — yet when she raised her own arm to guard her space, she was the one reprimanded.
I remembered my son’s soccer match, where his brilliant footwork on a co-ed team full of blonde girls led to him being accused of “kicking”— even though no contact occurred. I remembered the same girls being told by adults to push him down and kick him. And I remembered him not retaliating, because he knew the stakes of what that would look like.
This is the tightrope Black children walk, even in sports — the space that’s supposed to be joyful, fair, and free.
Our kids are taught to “play hard,” “play smart,” and “leave it all on the court.” But what happens when they’re also carrying the fear of being misunderstood, mislabeled, or punished for simply playing the game the way it’s meant to be played?
We want our children to grow through sports — to learn discipline, resilience, teamwork. But how can they do that when they’re busy navigating unspoken racial double standards? When they’re coached at home not just in ball handling, but in how to avoid being perceived as a threat?
Kids are forced to carry a burden. Let them play.
This article isn’t just about my daughter. It’s about every Black child who has second-guessed their strength or silenced their confidence to stay safe. It’s about the sideline conversations we whisper to our kids: “Don’t respond. Keep your cool. Let the ref handle it” — even when we know the referee might not.
It’s 2025, and these experiences still happen, right here on our local courts and fields. It’s not always overt. Sometimes it’s subtle. But our kids feel it.
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I’m proud of my daughter. Proud of her awareness. Proud of her heart. But I wish she didn’t have to carry this burden. I wish she could just be a kid who plays basketball. Who defends with boldness. Who doesn’t have to question how her height, her skin, or her strength will be perceived.
I’m writing this because silence doesn’t protect us. Stories do. And if this resonates with even one parent, one coach, one official—then maybe we can start creating the kind of sports culture our kids truly deserve.
Let them play. Let them grow. Let them be free.
Rubie Mizell is parent coordinator at Roosevelt Creative Arts Middle School, president of Our Youth Network and CEO of Tyla’Grace Publishing.
