Rec Sports

It’s A Great Time To Be A Pathetic Loser

Published

2 weeks ago

May 28, 2025

Donald Trump released yet another deranged statement on Tuesday, demanding that a transgender high school student be barred from participating in the California state track and field championships, which are scheduled to be held this weekend in Clovis, Calif. The inane thoughts that make their way from Trump’s obviously diminished mind onto his Playskool social media platform should not demand the attention of any right-thinking Americans, and yet in this case the California Interscholastic Federation (CIF) snapped to attention, rewriting its qualification rules in an attempt to appease those behind what’s become a national hate campaign directed at a 16-year-old high school student.

The student Trump was referring to in his post is named AB Hernandez. She is set to compete in the high jump, triple jump, and long jump at the state championships, and she has spent the past few months being harassed by a local group of bigots. This group is led by Sonja Shaw and Jessica Tapia, both members of the Save Girls Sports association. Shaw is currently running for California superintendent of public instruction, and Tapia was recently fired from her teaching position at Hernandez’s high school for refusing to respect trans and nonbinary students’ pronouns. At a qualification meet earlier this month, Tapia and Shaw led a group that spent hours heckling and harassing Hernandez as she competed.

Cerise Castle of Capital & Main has done a fantastic job covering this story, which has all the familiar beats: Hernandez has been on the track team for three years and never drew any attention until now; she finished first in triple jump, eighth in high jump, and third in long jump at the qualification meet; she has shown nothing but grace and maturity in the face of intense bigotry. “There’s nothing I can do about people’s actions, just focus on my own,” Hernandez told Castle. “I’m still a child, you’re an adult, and for you to act like a child shows how you are as a person.”

Shortly after Trump targeted Hernandez with his statement, the CIF announced that it was changing the rules to allow “biological girls” who failed to qualify for events in the state championship the opportunity to compete in those events anyway. “Any biological female student-athlete who would have earned the next qualifying mark for one of their Section’s automatic qualifying entries in the CIF State meet, and did not achieve CIF State at-large mark in the finals at their Section meet was extended an opportunity to participate in the 2025 CIF Track and Field Championships,” the CIF said in a statement.

Hernandez will still be allowed to compete, which makes this rule change an awkward and misguided attempt at compromise that will only embolden people like Tapia and Shaw, who claim that Hernandez’s presence in the competition somehow infringes on the rights of her cisgender competitors. The CIF has essentially made it official policy that any student (or more likely any student’s parent) who feels aggrieved about not qualifying can pin their personal failure on Hernandez and show up to compete anyway.

Here we are once again confronted by a central truth about the people who lead these anti-trans campaigns in sports, which is that although they are first and foremost hateful bigots, they are also huge fucking losers. Sports serves many valuable purposes: Creating a place where someone like Hernandez can find community, camaraderie, and comfort in her body is a big one, but so is teaching kids and young adults how to deal with failure. The freaks who make it their mission to antagonize Hernandez and other trans athletes always claim to be acting out of a duty to fairness. Anyone who has ever played or seriously engaged with sports knows, however, that “fairness” is often the first word out of the mouth of a loser. There is always, always something “unfair” for the loser to latch onto and turn into an excuse. Walk around any youth sports competition and you’ll hear plenty of them: That team has a kid who is too big and strong; the rich kids from one county over have access to better equipment; my kid would have won if he hadn’t rolled his ankle last week.

Sports will always, eventually, take something from you, and then it will leave enough space for you to convince yourself that your loss was unjust. What you get out of the experience often comes down to what you do with the impulse to fill that space. Years of cultural conditioning has taught athletes that it is best to ignore that impulse, to accept failure on its own terms and derive whatever lessons you can from it. But now we are faced with a growing chorus of hateful losers who want to reverse all of that conditioning, and in the process turn sports into something small and stupid. The lesson these people want to give to their children is that if circumstance places their athletic failure near the success of someone who belongs to a specifically marginalized group, they are free to huff and puff and stomp their feet until the President of the United States himself intervenes to validate their tantrum. The quicker these people get shoved into a locker, the better.

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Rec Sports

New youth sports options are coming to renovated UNO facilities, NOLA Coalition says | News

A plan to bring public youth and sports programming to the University of New Orleans launched Friday in what supporters call a potential model for the future of New Orleans’ troubled recreation system. The NOLA Coalition, a collection of more than 500 nonprofits and businesses focused on public safety and youth services, led the effort […]

Published

17 minutes ago

June 14, 2025

Your Sports Nation

The NOLA Coalition, a collection of more than 500 nonprofits and businesses focused on public safety and youth services, led the effort for a new recreation option.

The group held a press conference Friday at UNO’s Maestri Stadium to celebrate the new Recreation for Youth Partnership — funded by $1.95 million in state dollars secured by the governor.

Organizers said the money will fund services for up to 7,000 New Orleans youth once the program gets up and running later this year.

Swimming, sports, afterschool programs and part-time work for teens are planned. The 18th Ward, a nonprofit that already offers “free to low cost” youth sports across the city, will manage the sports options such as baseball, softball, gymnastics, tennis, swimming and soccer.

Afterschool programs by The Boys & Girls Club will focus on education, health and workforce readiness skills, CEO Angel Nelson said.

“I am thrilled to see this new opportunity for recreation for our youth in New Orleans,” Landry said in a statement. “Investing in youth recreation strengthens communities and gives young people the space to grow, lead, and thrive.”

‘The schedule is always full’

The bulk of the state money — $1.25 million — will go to UNO facility renovations, including resurfaced tennis courts, restroom lighting, pool repairs, volleyball courts and new turf at Maestri Stadium.

The money was secured as part of UNO’s transition to the LSU system, as the school climbs its way out of a $10 million budget crisis.

Eddie Davis, who heads Major League Baseball’s New Orleans Youth Academy through a partnership with NORD, described the need for more fields in the city.

“The schedule is always full,” he said. “This is going to take the pressure off of the Academy, and also provide additional services for kids, from tournaments to more training to camps,” he added.

His program offers free baseball and softball instruction down the street from UNO at Wesley Barrow Stadium. Davis said he was asked to consult on the project during discussions with organizers about potentially recreating the program he’s led for 12 years.

A group effort

The partnership was sparked by months of criticism of the New Orleans Recreation Development Commission by prominent attorney Laura Rodrigue, a close Landry ally and advocate of various conservative causes.

“I want to quickly say that this project came to life because of Ron Maestri, the very well known and beloved UNO coach. Nobody loved baseball and UNO more than Ronald Maestri. This was his vision,” she said of the stadium’s namesake.

NO.tulaneuno.041024.23.jpg — Tulane battles New Orleans during an NCAA baseball game at Maestri Field in New Orleans, Tuesday, April 9, 2024. (Photo by Sophia Germer, The Times-Picayune)

STAFF PHOTO BY SOPHIA GERMER

NORD has long faced community complaints of poor park maintenance and mismanagement. Still, the proposed public-private partnership has raised questions.

Landry, a Republican, has worked collaboratively with Democratic city officials in many instances since taking office in 2024, including on planning for Super Bowl LIX, bolstering local police with state troopers and shepherding infrastructure funding to the city. But this week, critics of the UNO initiative questioned why the governor hadn’t consulted New Orleans’ legislative delegation or City Council members before pursuing it.

New Orleans’ state legislative delegation, whose mostly-Democratic members are outnumbered by Republicans, voted overwhelmingly this week for the 213-page state budget that included the project funding. Yet several said they were unaware of plans for the money when they voted to approve the budget.

“It’s very odd that $2 million for the city of New Orleans appeared in the budget without anyone from the delegation knowing about it,” State Rep. Matthew Willard, D-New Orleans and the state House Democratic Caucus chair, said Friday. “Usually it’s the reverse: money we thought we’d be getting for New Orleans we later discover is no longer there.”

NO.lsuuno.031121.01.jpg — Kids cheer on LSU before a baseball game between UNO LSU at Maestri Field in New Orleans, Wednesday, March 10, 2021. (Photo by Sophia Germer, NOLA.com, The Times-Picayune | The New Orleans Advocate)

STAFF PHOTO BY SOPHIA GERMER

Landry last year vetoed millions in funding requests from New Orleans lawmakers for local nonprofits. At the time, he promised to work with the Legislature “prior to the next legislative session” to develop criteria for “the best use of our scarce state resources.”

Landry’s press secretary did not respond to a request for comment on the subject.

‘A great step’

On Friday, the project’s leaders said the effort is not intended to replace the city’s existing public recreation infrastructure.

“We believe that this recreation partnership doesn’t supplant any organization that is already there, it simply supplements the work of those organizations,” said Kim Boyle, a NOLA Coalition member and partner at Phelps Dunbar.

Kyle Ruckert, Landry’s chief of staff, tossed out a ceremonial first pitch at Maestri Field before Friday’s announcement. Rodrigue’s father, former Orleans Parish District Attorney Leon Cannizaro, who is Attorney General Liz Murrill’s criminal division chief, caught the pitch.

Council Member Eugene Green, whose district encompasses UNO’s campus, said he had not been told of the plan before the announcement.

Still, he welcomed any effort to bring new recreation opportunities to New Orleans youth. He hopes the initiative will encourage more state investment and “collaboration” with New Orleans’ existing public recreation infrastructure.

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Rec Sports

Princeton University

Princeton Athletics is thrilled to partner with our corporate partner Ford to present the Ford Tiger Game Changers Award, which recognizes a Princeton varsity team that best represents the spirit of serving the broader Princeton community. As part of the award, Ford will make a contribution to the charity of the team’s choice. This 2024-25 recipient […]

Published

54 minutes ago

June 14, 2025

Your Sports Nation

The softball program, in addition to securing their fourth consecutive Ivy League championship, continues to build strong and meaningful relationships in their community in a multitude of wys.

They have fostered a life-changing relationship with their new teammate Brooke through Team Impact, a national organization that pairs children facing serious illnesses and disabilities with college sports teams. The relationship with Brooke is one of many between Princeton teams and members of Team Impact that led to Princeton being named 2024 Team IMPACT Division I Fellowship Campus of the Year.

Additionally, Princeton softball has collaborated with the nonprofit Let Her Play to increase young girls participation in youth sports, while also having a number of their student-athletes actively volunteering as Tiger Pal mentors and readers in the Princeton area elementary schools.

The Tigers also continue to build upon their Tiger Sisters program, engaging with young girls in the community as pen pals and around select games and special events.

The Tigers have regularly leveraged home competitions to spotlight and promote causes such as Mental Health Awareness, Epilepsy Awareness and Pride.

This is the second year of this award being presented at the annual Gary Walters ’67 PVC Awards Banquet. Last year’s recipients were the Princeton Rowing teams as well as the Princeton Women’s Track and Field team.

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Rec Sports

Prolonged rain could cause flash floods

After dry spells contributed to wildfires in northern Minnesota, we now have the opposite problem: a days-long deluge. As Bring Me The News reports, some parts of the state will see up to five inches of rain. “[C]onsistent rain will move slowly east Friday morning, continuing on and off through the weekend and into early […]

Published

1 hour ago

June 13, 2025

Your Sports Nation

After dry spells contributed to wildfires in northern Minnesota, we now have the opposite problem: a days-long deluge. As Bring Me The News reports, some parts of the state will see up to five inches of rain. “[C]onsistent rain will move slowly east Friday morning, continuing on and off through the weekend and into early next week, with central Minnesota and the Twin Cities potentially seeing the largest amounts.”

Rain or shine, dozens of No Kings protests are planned throughout Minnesota on Saturday. The largest event will be at the Minnesota State Capitol in St. Paul, and FOX 9 has put together a list of protests and start times across the state.

One of the great aspects of Minnesota summers is the plethora of outdoor youth sports. But cordiality isn’t always the name of the game. As MPR News reports, “there’s a troubling trend within youth sports of coaches, referees and other game officials saying they’re facing more pressure, harsh criticism and conflict than ever before, and much of it is coming from parents.”

If you prefer to be entertained from your digital device, The Hill reports that “Minnesota lawmakers have approved a measure requiring social media platforms to display a warning label, cautioning about the negative impacts of its use on mental health.”

Finally today, Racket shares their Freeloader Friday, with 124 free things to do this weekend. Spend some time out and about if you can!

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Rec Sports

Homere & Ham to Square Off in Juneteenth Charity Basketball Game

All proceeds from this event, will go towards helping kids afford AAU youth basketball. DULUTH, Minn.- Thursday, June 19th, marks the national celebration of the federal holiday, Juneteenth. Right here in Duluth two local leaders are putting together a charity basketball game to commemorate the occasion with a notable Duluth Denfeld Alum playing in the […]

Published

2 hours ago

June 13, 2025

Your Sports Nation

All proceeds from this event, will go towards helping kids afford AAU youth basketball.

DULUTH, Minn.- Thursday, June 19th, marks the national celebration of the federal holiday, Juneteenth.

Right here in Duluth two local leaders are putting together a charity basketball game to commemorate the occasion with a notable Duluth Denfeld Alum playing in the game.

Duluth Denfeld boys basketball head coach Phill Homere and Liza Williamson are constructing the first Juneteenth charity basketball game.

The captains of the teams will be Homere and Minnesota Vikings fullback CJ Ham.

The two teams competing in the game will be built from players that have made an impact in the community.

“I reached out to CJ Ham, and he said that he would love to be a part of it. As well as, he’s bringing another Vikings running back to play with him. So, we’re looking at it as, a basketball game where we’re just gonna get community members, I believe we have three police officers, three of them are from Fond du Lac that is going to be playing in this event and we are really looking forward to it and we want it to be almost like, something as far as, guys just out there enjoying themselves, having fun,” Said Homere. “We feel like it will be a good chance for us to raise awareness and play the great game of basketball.”

All proceeds from this event, will go towards helping kids afford AAU youth basketball.

“The goal is, we would like to raise funds as far as individuals that can’t afford tennis shoes, especially like being around in the west side we run into that a lot. As far as playing basketball tournaments, going down to the cities to compete, we run into a lot of kids that’s not able to afford it because of that it makes them not want to play AAU basketball,” said Homere. “Our goal is, if we can raise some money to help with that, that would be great.”

The Juneteenth charity basketball game is next Friday, at Duluth Denfeld high school.

Game time is at 7 p.m.

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Rec Sports

NEO and Sparks Orthopedics announce merger

Sparks Orthopedics and Northeast Orthopedics recently announced their official merger, effective August 18, 2025, forming one of the region’s most comprehensive and community-connected orthopedic practices. The new unified organization, operating under the name Northeast Orthopedics, will combine decades of orthopedic excellence, increase access to patient resources, deepen partnerships with local schools and sports teams, […]

Published

3 hours ago

June 13, 2025

Your Sports Nation

The new unified organization, operating under the name Northeast Orthopedics, will combine decades of orthopedic excellence, increase access to patient resources, deepen partnerships with local schools and sports teams, and deliver a more seamless experience for patients across the region.

The merger comes after more than two years of strategic planning, clinical collaboration and feedback from patients, staff and the community.

The decision reflects the shared values and vision of both practices, which have long prioritized expert care, innovation, and community engagement.

A Shared Mission for Advanced Care

By joining forces, Sparks Orthopedics and Northeast Orthopedics will now offer expanded services across a wider geographic footprint. Patients will benefit from:

• Enhanced access to specialists and services in sports medicine, joint replacement, spine care, and more.

• Consolidated scheduling and records systems, allowing for smoother transitions between providers and more coordinated care.

• Shared physical therapy and rehabilitation programs, bringing evidence-based recovery strategies closer to home.

• Increased resources and staffing, improving wait times and appointment availability across all locations.

“This merger isn’t just about growing in size—it’s about growing in service,” said Dr. Butch Douthit, Senior Physician of the newly formed Northeast Orthopedics. “We are unifying our strengths to elevate the standard of orthopedic care in the region. Patients can expect more personalized options, better follow-through, and the same commitment to compassionate, expert care they’ve always known.”

Stronger Ties to Local Schools and Student Athletes

One of the key advantages of the merger is an expanded ability to work directly with local school districts, athletic programs, and community sports leagues. Both Sparks and Northeast Orthopedics have a long history of supporting youth sports through injury prevention, in school physicals, and sideline medical support. The merger will allow this work to scale.

“With more physicians, athletic trainers, and clinical staff available, we can strengthen our presence in local schools and better support student-athletes year-round,” said Cory Fuller, PT, DPT, Director of Physical Therapy Services. “From pre-season evaluations to on-site injury response and post-injury rehabilitation, we’ll now be able to serve more athletes in more schools, faster and more efficiently.”

Already, the combined group has signed partnership agreements with several local school districts, covering over 10,000 students and student-athletes.

One Brand, One Experience

Patients of both legacy organizations will soon begin to see a unified brand presence, including a new website, updated signage, and a centralized patient portal that simplifies scheduling, billing, and communication. The Northeast Orthopedics brand will be rolled out gradually over the next several months, with the full transition expected by December 2025.

“Our goal is to eliminate confusion and give patients one consistent experience—whether they’re seeing a doctor in our Gadsden office, getting physical therapy in Rainbow City, or checking their medical record from their phone,” said Rick Janss, Administrator. “This merger allows us to streamline systems, improve service, and ensure that every interaction reflects the quality and trust we’re known for.”

What Patients Need to Know

• No immediate changes are required from current patients. All appointments, insurance plans, and provider relationships will continue uninterrupted during the transition.

• Phone numbers, patient portals, and locations will remain the same for now, with updates communicated well in advance.

• A new, centralized website will launch in August at www.northeastorthopedics.com , with full integration of patient tools by fall.

Patients will receive communications about the transition, and our phone desk will be available to answer any questions.

Looking Ahead

The merger is not only a reflection of the organizations’ shared history but also their commitment to future innovation. Northeast Orthopedics plans to invest in expanded healthcare options, additional outpatient surgery capabilities, and new methods to advance orthopedic care in the region.

“This is just the beginning,” said Dr. Daniel Sparks, Orthopedic Surgeon at the new Northeast Orthopedics. “Together, we’re building something stronger—something that will serve our communities for generations to come. We’re proud of where we’ve been, and we’re even more excited about where we’re going.”

As the healthcare landscape continues to evolve, the newly combined practice stands ready to lead with compassion, expertise, and community-first thinking. Patients, families, and partners can expect the same trusted care—only better, broader, and more connected than ever.

About Sparks Orthopedics

Founded in 2001, Sparks Orthopedics has served thousands of patients with expert care in joint replacement, sports medicine, and trauma recovery. Known for its commitment to clinical excellence and personalized treatment, Sparks has grown into one of the area’s most trusted orthopedic providers.

About Northeast Orthopedics

Since 1986, Northeast Orthopedics has provided comprehensive orthopedic care to patients across northeastern Alabama. A regional company with six locations, Northeast Orthopedics has a focus on innovation and community involvement, the group has earned a reputation for quality care and responsive service.

Submitted by NEO.

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Rec Sports

The Y – Make This Summer Active, Fun, and Full of Learning at the Y

Summer is one of the most exciting times of the year — a season full of sunshine, adventure, and the perfect opportunity for kids to stay active, make new friends, and try something new. At the YMCA of Metropolitan Chicago, we’re here to help families make the most of it with engaging programs designed to […]

Published

3 hours ago

June 13, 2025

Your Sports Nation

Whether your child is a beginner swimmer or looking to build on their water safety skills, Summer Swim Lessons at the Fry Family YMCA offer a safe, supportive environment to grow confidence in the water. Our certified instructors focus on swimming fundamentals while making learning fun and rewarding.

For older kids interested in building leadership skills and learning lifesaving techniques, our Junior Lifeguard Camp is the perfect fit. It’s a great way to introduce youth to the responsibilities of lifeguarding while keeping them active and engaged.

And let’s not forget the action-packed excitement of Youth Sports Camps! These camps are all about teamwork, skill development, and staying active through basketball, soccer, and more — all in a supportive, positive setting.

No matter your child’s interests, the Y has something to keep them moving, exploring, and thriving all summer long. Let’s make this the best summer yet — full of fun, growth, and unforgettable memories!

The Fry Family Y has a wide variety of offerings available that will keep you and your family happy and healthy all while having fun. Learn more and register at fryfamilyymca.org, call us at 630-904-9595, or stop by our front desk!

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