TROY, Ala. – Troy Athletics announced Wednesday the themes surrounding Troy’s six home football games this fall. The schedule features all Saturday games, including matchups with South Alabama and Memphis.
 
“We strive to have one of the best gameday experiences and atmospheres for our incredible fans as gameday at The Vet is such a special occasion,” Troy Athletics Director Brent Jones said. 
 
Troy’s full home slate features non-conference matchups against Memphis and Nicholls and Sun Belt contests against South Alabama, Georgia State, Arkansas State and Louisiana.
 
Each of the six home games will feature a centralized theme and other promotions to tie in each gameday at The Vet. Season tickets are available for purchase by visiting TroyTrojans.com/FBTickets or by calling 877-878-WINS (9467). 
 
Troy vs. Nicholls (August 30) – Celebrating 25 Years of FBS Football
United in Cardinal, All Sports Letterwinners Day, Youth Cheer Clinic 

 

Troy vs. Memphis (September 13) – Extra Yard for Teachers

60th Anniversary of Sound of the South, Pediatric Cancer Awareness Game, 30th Anniversary of First Undefeated Regular Season Team (1995)

 

Troy vs. South Alabama (October 4) – Battle for the Belt

Coach Larry Blakeney – College Football Hall of Fame Recognition, Protect The Vet – 4 Quarter Party, Youth Sports Day 

 

Troy vs. Louisiana (October 25) – High School Band Day / Parent & Family Weekend

First Responders Appreciation Day, 25th Anniversary of 2000 Southland Conference Championship Team, Breast Cancer Awareness Game 

 

Troy vs. Arkansas State (November 1) – Homecoming

Youth Cheer Clinic, 60th Anniversary of Greek Life at Troy University, Homecoming Kings, Queens & SGA Presidents Reunion

 

Troy vs. Georgia State (November 22) – Military Appreciation

Senior Day, 15th Anniversary of 2010 Sun Belt Conference Championship Team, Fanapalooza

 

Editor’s Note: As Commencement approaches, we are featuring some of our Neag School Class of 2025 graduating students over the coming days.

Major: BS, Sport Management
Hometown: Holly Springs, North Carolina

Q: Why did you choose UConn?

A: I committed to come to UConn without ever stepping foot on campus. I had a virtual visit, and although the campus is beautiful with state-of-the-art athletic facilities, the culture was most captivating. UConn had exactly what I was looking for and more. From an academic standpoint, it had the major that I was looking for. From an athletics standpoint, I valued the desire to bring a softball championship back to Storrs and honor its great history. In my first conversation with the head coach, I knew immediately that she cared about recruiting great people as we talked about everything other than softball. Not only did I want to play at a high level while earning a degree, but I wanted to be a coach in becoming the best player and person I could be.

Q: What’s your major or field of study, and what drew you to it?

A: Sport Management. What drew me to the program was their mission statement. “Our mission is to graduate scholar-practitioners and researchers who have the knowledge, skills, and values to lead the sports industry in the 21st century and who envision sport as a vehicle for positive social outcomes.” Sport was a big part of my development, and I wanted to be a part of and learn from the best of the best, as UConn Athletics has a rich history of competitive excellence.

Q: Did you have a favorite professor or class?

A: My favorite class was Sport-Based Youth Development, taught by Justin Evanovich. Part of this course is partnered with UConn Husky Nutrition and Sport, which is a unified approach to addressing state-level SNAP-Ed goals and objectives while leveraging the strengths and expertise of each agency and honoring Husky Nutrition and Sport’s core values: Relevancy, Relationships, and Representation.

Q: What activities were you involved in as a student?

A: Captain of the UConn softball team; Athletes in Action, a Christian ministry on campus that serves athletes in their walk with Christ; Goal line project, supports the academic and personal development of elementary and middle school students in the surrounding communities; Team IMPACT matches children facing serious illness and disability with college sports teams, creating a long-term, life-changing experience for everyone involved; alumni committee for the UConn softball team – building a bridge between all those who came before us and laying the foundation of the program; and UConn game day operations – student assistant for game day operations and faculty management.

Q: What’s one thing that surprised you about UConn?

A: How pretty the campus was! Again, I never came on a visit, so when I arrived for the first time, I came through the main entrance by Horsebarn Hill and thought, “What are those cows?!!”

Q: What are your plans after graduation/receiving your degree?

A: I will be pursuing a master’s degree in Higher Education and Student Affairs at UConn and working as a graduate assistant for the Office of Institutional Equity/Title IX.

Q: How has UConn prepared you for the next chapter in life?

A: Professionally, I have had many opportunities to network and grow my skills, as well as attend conferences and forums.

Professionally, I have had many opportunities to network and grow my skills, as well as attend conferences and forums. — Alexis Hastings

Q: Any advice for incoming students?

A: The time you put into your classes and studies will prepare you for the future. After all, you are spending money on being here. Make the most of it. Get involved, meet so many people, journal your journey, and enjoy every moment because it goes by fast.

Q: What’s one thing everyone should do during their time at UConn?

A: Yoga on Horsebarn Hill, go to the Dairy Bar, watch a UConn softball game, rent a paddleboard from the UConn Rec Center, and go to Mansfield Hollow State Park.

Q: What will always make you think of UConn?

A: March Madness and navy blue.

Pasadena’s Parks, Recreation and Community Services Department (PRCS) is considering gradually returning to pre-COVID fee structures for youth programs after having significantly reducing prices during the pandemic. The potential increases, which would affect youth sports, after-school programs, and summer day camps, could generate up to $600,000 in additional annual revenue for park maintenance and expanded services.

“We believe that some of the dollars generated from that can definitely help … with infrastructure improvements, help us developing maintenance programs such as the resurfacing programs and field renovation programs,” said Koko Panossian, Director of Pasadena’s Parks, Recreation & Community Services during a May 7 budget presentation to the Public Safety Committee.

The department revealed that current rates for Pasadena residents remain dramatically lower than before the pandemic.

Youth sports fees were dropped from $60 to $10, while after-school and summer day camp rates were similarly reduced to support community participation during and after COVID-19. The department served 14,273 program registrants in the past year, representing a 40% increase from the prior year, according to city statistics.

According to figures presented at the meeting, the department’s current revenue from these programs stands at approximately $477,000. However, if pre-COVID fees were still in place with the same participation numbers, revenue would be around $1.091 million — thus the difference of about $600,000.

Youth sports participation has actually increased since pre-COVID levels, with data showing 2,700 resident participants in 2019.

“So we’ll be coming back to council next year to lay out a plan to gradually start phasing us back,” Panossian explained. He added, “I will say with pride that our numbers currently we are one of the lowest, if not the lowest fees for programs with all of the comparable agencies within Southern California.”

Several councilmembers expressed concerns about the potential impact of fee increases on low-income families.

Councilmember Steve Madison said he concurs “with those that think it’s a shame if we’re going to start raising those for the working families, kids that really benefit from these programs, and to whom increases of 20, 30, 40, $50 is a lot.”

Councilmember Justin Jones highlighted that for many families, program fees represent only part of the cost. For soccer, families must also purchase uniforms ($45-55) and equipment like cleats, potentially bringing the total cost to $120-200 per child.

Councilmembers asked about ways to help families with these additional costs through partnerships with sporting goods stores and professional teams.

Department officials assured the committee that the Parks and Recreation Foundation’s scholarship program would continue to ensure accessibility.

Enrique Arroyo from the department said that in 2019, before the fee reduction, the department issued 237 scholarships amounting to about $6,000 for youth sports participants. The scholarship program allocates 5-10% of the previous year’s revenue as financial assistance.

“But I want to be clear, there’s no participants left behind,” Arroyo emphasized. “We’re completely committed to having every child, whether it be after school, some of our day camps, youth sports, we let them in and we’ll figure out the finances later.”

Officials said the department has waived over $1.1 million in fees to community nonprofit organizations in the past year.

The proposed fee adjustments were presented as part of the department’s proposed $29.8 million budget for fiscal year 2026, which represents a 9.7% increase from the current year’s $27 million budget. The increase covers contractual obligations, staff-related MOUs, and utility rate increases.

The department is also seeking a $700,000 enhancement request to replace aging equipment, including five mowers, two loaders, two tractors, and trailers. Most current equipment is more than 20 years old, department officials reported, which affects productivity and staff morale. Panossian illustrated this by describing how a new 14-foot mower could reduce mowing time from 13 hours to 6 hours for a 19-acre area at Brookside Park.

PRCS is also working toward sustainability goals by evaluating a transition to battery-powered equipment where feasible.

The department played a key role in the city’s response to the recent Eaton Fire, staffing the convention center shelter as a 24-hour operation for four days. Councilmembers praised staff who helped with evacuation efforts even as some of their own homes were threatened by the fire.

Other initiatives highlighted in the presentation included plans for enhanced fitness equipment in parks, improved shade structures at playgrounds like La Pintoresca Park, and partnerships with organizations like OBA and MASH for brush clearance to prevent future fires.

The department has restructured its programming, moving youth sports and adaptive recreation under Robinson Recreation Center’s management while shifting summer day camps to Villa Park. This restructuring aims to improve operational efficiency.

“We at PRCS are improving lives through safe parks programs and services,” Panossian said, introducing the department’s new motto.

KALAMAZOO, MI (WKZO AM/FM) – Tuesday was a tough day for three funding requests on the ballot locally.

Two school bond issues in the Parchment and Otsego school districts, and a hike in funding for Alamo Township operations all failed by wide margins.

However, results from a very special election in Kalamazoo are also in. A referendum of local Hotel owners on whether they were willing to add a fee to their room charges to fund a new youth sports complex was held last month.

Discover Kalamazoo Director Jane Ghosh says their results were positive.

“75% of those cast ballots, and of those who cast ballots, 82% voted yes, so an overwhelmingly positive vote,” says Ghosh.

She says the next step will be to appoint a group to sort out which of three proposed sites would be the best for the new youth sports complex.

“That would meet to review the potential sites and then make the recommendation to the county.”

County commissioners will be asked to set up an ad-hoc site selection committee at their next meeting.

The facility would provide indoor hard-court surfaces for basketball and volleyball tournaments and for local use, and also serve as another tourist attraction for the area.

May 8, 2025 by Caroline Hines Fitzgerald

In a youth sports culture that often prioritizes pressure over play, one South Shore program is reimagining what it means to develop young athletes. Founded by Caroline Hines Fitzgerald, a 3x All American in Lacrosse Harvard Alumni, GLOW Lacrosse is a girls-only program for athletes in Pre-K through 8th grade, focused not just on building skill, but on building confidence, character, and connection.

Now open for Spring and Summer 2025 registration, GLOW offers age- and skill-based clinics across Hingham, Cohasset, Duxbury, Canton, Braintree, and Hanover. Each session blends intentional, high-level instruction with music, team bonding, and a “come as you are” environment that’s already becoming a favorite among families across the South Shore. In just a few short months, GLOW has become one of the most sought-after youth lacrosse experiences in the region. It’s already catching the attention of top club coaches, town rec programs, and experienced players alike — praised for both its high-level instruction and its rare, holistic approach to female athletic development.

“GLOW ran an excellent clinic for our 8-year-old daughter, who was new to lacrosse,” one parent shared. “She went from afraid of the ball to learning how to pass and cradle — and by the end of the season, she’d become a strong defensive player and even scored a goal in her last game.”

At GLOW, every session begins with a skills recap and a bonding activity — from team challenges to talent shows — because, as Fitzgerald puts it, “Lacrosse doesn’t define you. Confidence comes from being seen and celebrated for who you really are.”

Whether it’s a 7-year-old showing off her karate belt or a middle schooler leading a dance-off, these moments dismantle intimidation, build trust, and create a higher level of engagement — both on and off the field. “When girls feel safe to be themselves, they play differently. They play better.”

A former executive with over 15 years in private equity executive search, Fitzgerald left the corporate world to create what she couldn’t find for her own daughters — a place where girls are coached, encouraged, and empowered. “We teach the power of hard work, but we do it in a space where girls know they’re supported unconditionally. That foundation changed the course of my life — and I want that for every girl who steps on our field.”

In addition to seasonal clinics, GLOW also offers private and small group coaching for players with more specific goals, including club team tryouts and advanced skills training. For communities seeking to expand their girls’ offerings, GLOW provides custom pop-up clinics in partnership with town programs across the South Shore. To learn more or register, visit www.glow-lacrosse.com. For press inquiries or to bring GLOW to your town, contact Caroline at caroline@glow-lacrosse.com.

About GLOW Lacrosse:
GLOW Lacrosse is a South Shore-based, girls-only lacrosse program for ages 4 through 8th grade. Founded by Harvard alum and 3x All-American Caroline Hines Fitzgerald, GLOW offers year-round clinics, private coaching, pre-season skills sessions, and community events designed to build confidence, prioritize female leadership, and empower girls through sport.

For the past 30 years, I’ve had the opportunity to observe John Sisto in the courtroom. While we are normally adversaries in those settings, outside of court, I consider us friends. I have observed John to be an intelligent and creative lawyer who possesses a unique ability to quickly identify and resolve difficult issues.

With his extensive experience in the courtroom handling criminal and family law matters, John has the knowledge that will enable him to hit the ground running as a judge with no learning curve.

John is also committed to our community. I have personally seen his investment in local youth sports, generously giving of his time and resources. One of those recipients of John’s investment was my son, who was pleased to see his former coach running for judge.

I am proud to support my friend, John Sisto, as a Common Pleas Judge for Blair County.

Brian H. Grabill, Esq.

Duncansville