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How to make Wisconsin youth sports more play

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How to make Wisconsin youth sports more play

Participation in local youth sports programs can have plenty of positive benefits for children, including exercise, life lessons and healthy competition.

In her new book “More Than Play: How Law, Policy, and Politics Shape American Youth Sport,” author Dionne Koller makes the case that youth sports create value for a variety of stakeholders but also come with some negative consequences.

She told WPR’s “Wisconsin Today” this is a $20 billion industry that serves as the starting point for many future professional athletes.

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“We love sports in this country at all levels,” Koller said. “Everything from parents who just enjoy watching their kids perform to the Olympic and Paralympic movements, [which] get the benefit out of a pipeline of kids who become elites at a very early age.”

Fiercer competition for that successful payoff at the youth level has brought more specialization and professionalization for young athletes, which Koller said can have problematic outcomes.

She noted research showing significant burnout that has children leaving sports because it stops being fun for them. 

“Kids are encouraged to pick a sport, become really good at that sport, and then train year-round,” Koller said. “That is mentally exhausting. It is physically taxing. They end up with what the medical community has called an ‘epidemic of preventable over-training issues.’”

Koller said youth sports can also expose young athletes to varying forms of abuse, ranging from overuse injuries and developmentally inappropriate training to the most extreme examples like the sexual assault case of disgraced former USA Gymnastics doctor Larry Nassar.

She pointed to a lack of regulation in the industry, with Congress and many states taking a hands-off approach to how children’s sports are administered.

“Parents are surprised that, no, for the most part, nobody else is watching,” Koller said. “It’s a very low barrier to entry to get into youth sport coaching because there’s no government entity saying, ‘Hey, we need to make sure that the people who are engaging children’s minds and bodies in sports necessarily know what they’re doing.’”

A man runs up to the basketball goal holding a basketball outdoors at a park.
Milwaukee resident Myles Horton, right, plays basketball on a court at Columbia Playfield on Tuesday, May 25, 2021, in Milwaukee, Wis. Angela Major/WPR

She wants to see governments put in place basic minimum safety standards, like background checks for coaches but “not micromanaging tee ball.”

At the same time, Koller would like youth sports organizations to make sure they put more emphasis on fun and fitness rather than specialization and training.

That’s one of the goals of the Oshkosh Area School District’s Recreation Department.

Director of recreation Kabel Helmbrecht told “Wisconsin Today” that the philosophy of his staff and volunteers is all about setting up kids to play and have fun with their friends.

“It’s not about the wins and losses. It’s about skill development,” Helmbrecht said. “It’s about the friendships that these kids are going to make, teaching them life skills — how to manage adversity, how to work together as a team — all of these great things that happen in youth sports.” 

Working under the umbrella of the school district gives his programs some advantages over municipal recreation divisions and other independent sports organizations.

Helmbrecht is able to organize participants by the school they attend, so they can be more comfortable playing with other students they already know.

School district resources also help them keep the cost down for parents and families, ensuring competitions are held locally, with fixed schedules and no travel.

He sends out surveys to families who participate in their youth basketball program, and he’s proud of their 93 percent satisfaction rate.

The emphasis on fun and play instead of wins and losses means their volunteer coaches, who all go through criminal background checks, don’t need to be experts on their sports. They just need to be engaged and supportive.

“The biggest thing is just being a positive role model for the kids,” Helmbrecht said. “Having fun with the kids and just being an active adult in their lives is huge.”

He also sees kids branching out into less traditional sports that may be more accessible and less competitive, like disc golf, pickleball or bowling.

Helmbrecht sees those as activities that can start in youth sports and last a lifetime, even if the child never earns a varsity letter or an Olympic medal. 

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Head Volleyball Coach in Hays, KS for Fort Hays State University

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December 7, 2025

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Details

Posted: 07-Dec-25

Location: Hays, Kansas

Type: Full-time

Categories:

Coaching

Coaching – Volleyball

Sector:

Collegiate Sports

Required Education:

4 Year Degree

Organize, develop, recruit and administer all functions of a D-II Women’s Volleyball program funded for national success.


Volleyball staff includes additional positions for a Full-time Assistant (w/ benefits) and Graduate Assistant.


Fundamental duties include, but are not limited to, coaching, recruitment of student-athletes, commitment to academic and athletic success of student-athletes, as well as student-athlete development, budget and scholarship management, and supervision of support staff. The Head Coach will manage day-to-day team operations, practice/game preparation, and team travel. This position collaborates with intercollegiate athletics staff members, Sports Medicine, academic support, compliance, and institutional partners. The Head Coach must appropriately represent the team, department, and University in public and media appearances. This position reports directly to the Director of Athletics.

  1. Provides leadership, organization, and supervision for all aspects of the women’s volleyball program.
  2. Supervises student-athletes during practices and games, observing and evaluating performance and demonstrating proper techniques.
  3. Hire, supervise, evaluate, and mentor full-time, graduate assistant, and student staff.
  4. Supports and monitors the academic performance of student-athletes in conjunction with the compliance and academic support staff.
  5. Design and implement the overall program recruiting strategy – identification, evaluation, recruitment, and retention of prospective student-athletes. 
  6. Direct oversight and management of the program’s finances and administration of athletic scholarships.
  7. Manages the women’s volleyball program within the parameters of the approved operating budget.
  8. Develops and engages in impactful fundraising activities in conjunction with the Athletics’ External Relations staff as needed.
  9. Represents the university and women’s volleyball program at professional meetings, alumni events, University Foundation events, and other events as necessary.
  10. Enhances the student-athlete experience through team expectations, personal development, and opportunities, such as but not limited to community service, team building, leadership development, etc.
  11. Assists in directing or directs camps and clinics.
  12.  Responsible for scheduling of non-conference competitions and practices, team and recruiting travel arrangements, preseason arrangements, and student-athlete meetings.
  13. Attends and participates in scheduled compliance seminars and complies with all  Athletic Department efforts to monitor compliance with NCAA regulations.
  14. Responsible for compliance with NCAA, MIAA, and institutional rules and regulations, ensuring program compliance.  
  15. Active member of the FHSU Athletic Department and University.
  16. Performs other duties as assigned.

QUALIFICATIONS
Relevant, successful coaching experience, preferably at the collegiate level.  Proven ability to teach sport-specific skills and develop successful competitive strategies. Strong communication skills (written and oral), a high level of organization, and attention to detail required.  Public relations skills.

EDUCATION AND EXPERIENCE
Bachelor’s degree in a related field.  Relevant, successful coaching experience is required.  Master’s degree preferred.

https://ncaamarket.ncaa.org/jobs/21888746/head-volleyball-coach



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Men’s track and field wins four events at M City Classic to start indoor season

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December 7, 2025

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MINNEAPOLIS, Minn. – The St. Olaf College men’s track and field team had four first-place finishes at the season-opening M City Classic on Friday and Saturday at the University of Minnesota Fieldhouse.

Senior Lance Nemecek, sophomore Jackson Bullock, and senior Kevin Turlington won individual events on the track for St. Olaf, which also had a first-place performance in the 4×400-meter relay. The Oles put recorded five performances that ranked on their all-time top-10 performers’ list at the first indoor meet of the season.

Nemecek, senior Cullen Moore, first year Paxon Myers, and junior Christian Fells all ran top-12 times in NCAA Division III this season in the 800-meter run to post the four fastest times of the day. Nemecek won the event in 1:54.02, followed closely by Moore in 1:54.16, which rank second and third in the country and third and fourth, respectively, on the Oles’ all-time list. Myers edged Fells at the line by one one-hundredth of a second in 1:55.73, as the pair posted the No. 10 and No. 11 times nationally.

Nemecek, Moore, and Myers were joined by sophomore Austin McInturff on the winning 4×400-meter relay, which compiled a time of 3:21.77 to rank second on St. Olaf’s all-time list. That time is just seven one-hundredths of a second off the program record set in 2016 and ranks fifth in the country.

St. Olaf logged the top-three times of the meet in the one-mile run, led by Bullock’s first-place time of 4:23.01. Senior Eli Doran (4:23.04) and junior Alex Bjork (4:23.37) were within half a second of Bullock, with all three Oles posting top-20 times in NCAA Division III to date.

Senior Kevin Turlington added a win in the 5,000-meter run with the fifth-fastest time in NCAA Division III (14:35.39). Fellow senior Gael Manzur Strandlund was third in 15:19.86 as well.

Sophomore Cristian Escobar Pearson bettered his No. 2 time on St. Olaf’s all-time list in the 60-meter dash in both the prelims (7.07) and finals (7.05) to finish eighth in the event. Junior Jesse Olson recorded the No. 8 score on the Oles’ list in the heptathlon (4,153) by registering four personal-bests in the seven-event, two-day competition to take fourth. Olson’s highest finish came in the high jump, where he placed third after clearing 182 meters (5′ 11 ½”).

St. Olaf will be back in 2026 at the Ole Opener at 10 a.m. on Saturday, Jan. 17 at Tostrud Center.

 



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Minnesota advances to Sweet 16 in NCAA volleyball tournament

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December 7, 2025

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Minnesota volleyball is in the Sweet 16 of the NCAA Tournament for the first time since 2022, and they now have a chance to reach the Elite Eight for the first time since 2021.

After sweeping Fairfield University 3-0 in the first round of the tourney on Friday night at Maturi Pavilion in Minneapolis, the Gophers dominated Iowa State in a sweep Saturday night to advance to the Sweet 16.

The Gophers took the first set 25-22 before securing the second set 25-21. They crushed the Cyclones 25-14 in the third set to roll into the regional semifinal, where they will face No. 1 Pittsburgh on Thursday for a chance to reach the regional final, which would come with a spot in the Final Four on the line.

The Gophers were seeded fourth in their region, while Iowa State was the No. 5 seed.

Minnesota finished the regular season 22-9 and ranked No. 17 in the AVCA poll. Pittsburgh is ranked No. 4 in the nation, sporting a 28-4 record.

The Minnesota-Pitt regional semifinal will happen at 6 p.m. CT Thursday, and the Panthers will be hosting the match at the Petersen Events Center in Pittsburgh.

The match will be televised on ESPN2.



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Walker’s Record Highlights Indoor Season Opener

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December 7, 2025

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BIRMINGHAM, Ala. – Sha’Nard Walker set an event record in the 300m to highlight the start of indoor season, Saturday at the Birmingham Indoor Icebreaker at the Birmingham Crossplex.

Walker finished first in the 300m with an event-record 33.56, followed by Jancent Wallace who placed fifth with a 34.07.

In the 400m, Jonathan Gaines finished fifth with a time of 49.52 to lead the Cats, while Dashawn Buist grabbed a top-fiver finish in the 800m with a fourth-place 1:58.05.

For the jumpes, Michael Carter’s 7.27m earned him second in the long jump – he also took home fifth in the triple jump at 14.56m.

On the women’s side Betina Jean took two top-10 finishes -eighth in the 200m with a 25.13 and seventh in the 400m at 58.23.

As for jumps, Darryn Hough finished fifth with a 1.55m in the high jump, while Ay’Keelah Green finished fourth in the long jump with a 5.84m. LaNeeya Garrison finished thrid in the triple jump with an 11.81m.

Kasie Ugeh picked up where she left off a season ago with a fourth-place finish in the shot put at 13.19m.

The full list of B-CU times and finishes is listed below:

Men’s 200m

29. Jemari Sanders    22.98

Men’s 300m

1. Sha’Nard Walker    33.56

5. Jancent Wallace    34.07

10. Ethan Sharpe    35.04

Men’s 400m

5. Jonathan Gaines    49.52

9. Donavan Walker-Collins    49.99

16. Makhii Fleming    50.65

Men’s 800m

4. Dashawn Buist    1:58.05

8. Andre Swewl    20:01.42

Men’s Mile

17. Jalen Jackson    4:43.55

Men’s 3000m

35. Gerrard Griffin    9:32.40

41. Dashon Gill    9:53.49

Men’s High Jump

9. Ashton Matthews    1.95m

Men’s Pole Vault

15. Jabari Armant    4.00m

Men’s Long Jump

2. Michael Carter    7.27m

11. Amarrion Grant    6.84m

17. Bari Willimas    6.53m

Men’s Triple Jump

5. Michael Carter    14.56m

7. Farai Mhende    14.48m

Men’s Shot Put

9. William Rothmiller    14.62m

19. Tyler Washing    12.96m

Men’s Weight Throw

10. Anton Holland    15.64m

Women’s 200m

8. Betina Jean    25.13

18. Haely Grant    25.62

19. Quiaundra Brown    25.69

23. Mariana Morillo    25.76

Women’s 300m

10. Zion Harvey    40.84

11. Amani Jones    40.92

Women’s 400m

7. Betina Jean    58.21

9. Haely Grant    59.10

18. Kavay Johnson    1:01.04

Women’s 1000m

18. Morgan Middleton    3:14.02

Women’s 3000m

14. Valencia Butler    11:20.82

23. Shelvany Goin    12:19.12

Women’s High Jump

5. Darryn Hough    1.55m

10. Selena Rutland    1.50m

21. Soukaina Davis    1.50m

Women’s Long Jump

4. Ay’Keelah Green    5.84m

10. Zion Harvey    5.55m

36. Darryn Hough    4.90m

Women’s Triple Jump

3. LaNeeya Garrison    11.81m

5. Selena Rutland    11.74m

Women’s Shot Put

4. Kasie Ugeh    13.19m

25. Raziyah Ware    10.63m

Women’s Weight Throw

29. Raziyah Ware    10.13m

Follow Bethune-Cookman Cross Country/Track & Field on Twitter and Instagram (BCUXCTF) for all of the latest news and updates. For all Bethune-Cookman Athletics news, follow us on Twitter (@BCUAthletics), Instagram (@BCU_Athletics) TikTok (@BCUAthletics) and www.bcuathletics.com. 

–#HailWildcats–

 
 



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No. 1 Nebraska volleyball sweeps KSU, advances to NCAA Tournament Sweet 16 | Husker Red Zone

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December 7, 2025

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Records Broken as Women’s Track and Field Display Strong Performances in Season Opener

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December 7, 2025

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Women’s Track and Field | 12/6/2025 7:16:00 PM

Springfield, Ohio – Sophomore Mira Renaldi, senior Emily Brennan and first-year Stevie Combs all showed out in the first meet of the indoor season, as three records were broken by the trio at the Tiger Opener hosted by Wittenberg University. Renaldi broke the record in the 60-meter hurdles with a time of 9.16, just barely edging out the time of 9.17 set by Caliyah Bennett back in 2023. Two records were broken in the same event, as Brennan broke the record in the 300 meter dash with a time of 41.75 in heat one, beating the record of 42.01 which was held by Jill Westerfield since 1998. The record would not last long though, as in heat two Combs would break the record with a time of 41.15 seconds, making Brennan’s short-lived. Sydney Flores was first in shot put, and multiple Big Red delivered top-five performances.

Distance/Sprints

In the 60-meter hurdles, sophomore Mira Renaldi ran a career-best and Denison record 9.16 to earn first place. Her previous best was 9.20. Coming in second-place was senior Sydney Brown with a time of 9.39. The Big Red stuffed the top-10 in the 300-meter dash, as first-year Stevie Combs got second with a time of 41.15 for a school record, and Emily Brennan followed right behind with a time of 41.75 for third-place. Renaldi added on to her impressive day with a sixth-place finish with a mark of 43.65. In the 200-meter dash, Brennan showcased another top-10 finish, this time notching eighth with a time of 26.39. Lulu Visocky-O’Grady placed seventh in the 800-meter run with a time of 2:39.98.

Field Events

Sydney Flores won the shot put with a mark of 12.14, .45 more than the second-place finisher. Gabrielle Turner also competed in the event, as she placed in the top-10 with Turner grabbing 10th with a throw of 10.44m. Mariel Drost earned fifth-place in the weight throw with a mark of 13.38m. In the long jump, first-year Marisa Bianchi placed in the top-five with a jump of 4.96m to start her Big Red career. Sophomore Eno-Yaa Kissi grabbed ninth with a career-best mark of 4.85m. Julia Schena placed eighth in the high jump with a mark of 1.48.

Up Next for the Big Red

The Big Red will take a holiday break, then head out to Muskingum University for Muskie Meet #1 in New Concord, Ohio on Saturday, January 17, 2026.



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