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LakePoint Sports Takes Bold, Inspired Approach to NIL With Launch of LakePoint Athlete Program

Groundbreaking Initiative Pairs Top-Ranked Athletes with National Brands in Media-Driven Content Platform ATLANTA, June 25, 2025 (Newswire.com) – LakePoint Sports, the premier travel and youth sports destination in the country, is once again setting the standard for innovation in the industry with the launch of its LakePoint Athlete Program – a first-of-its-kind name, image, and […]

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Groundbreaking Initiative Pairs Top-Ranked Athletes with National Brands in Media-Driven Content Platform

LakePoint Sports, the premier travel and youth sports destination in the country, is once again setting the standard for innovation in the industry with the launch of its LakePoint Athlete Program – a first-of-its-kind name, image, and likeness (NIL) inspired content-centric initiative that pairs elite youth athletes at the center of branded storytelling and media partnerships.

Through this creative approach, the LakePoint Athlete Program provides access to national brands through curated partnerships within LakePoint’s robust portfolio of over 60 brand partners. When paired with LakePoint’s expansive multi-media offerings, athletes gain unprecedented exposure across the country. LakePoint’s ecosystem creates a unique opportunity for young athletes to elevate their personal brands, build connections with national industry-leading brands, and share their stories through LakePoint’s professionally produced network designed to spotlight their talent at every turn.

At the heart of the LakePoint Athlete Program is a deep commitment to protecting the interests of each athlete involved. As the youth sports landscape continues to evolve with greater access to exposure and brand collaboration, LakePoint is focused on ensuring that these opportunities are delivered responsibly. From clear communication and consent around content usage to aligning athletes with brands that reflect their values, LakePoint is taking a thoughtful, athlete-first approach. The program is designed not only to elevate talent but also to educate and empower these young players and their families-ensuring that every step forward in the spotlight comes with a strong foundation of trust, integrity, and support.

In a bold move that further cements LakePoint’s reputation as the country’s leading platform for travel and youth sports innovation, LakePoint is proud to announce the first class of LakePoint Athletes:

● Geno Goralski (2026, OF)
● Austin Tamborra (2027, OF)
● Dominic Rossy (2028, C/RHP)

Each athlete is nationally ranked by Prep Baseball and recognized as a standout both on and off the field, excelling in athletic performance, academic achievement, and community impact.

“This initiative represents the next evolution of our media strategy – where athletes, brands, and content come together to create a win for everyone involved,” said Cory McCartney, LakePoint Sports Vice President of Media. “We couldn’t be more excited about the caliber of athletes we’re working with and the partnerships already in place.”

By pairing athletes with iconic baseball brands like Rawlings Sporting Goods and cutting-edge innovators like Curve Test Center, the LakePoint Athlete Program offers a unique opportunity for these partners to authentically connect with the next generation of elite players. The content created through this program puts brand stories directly into the hands – and feeds – of highly engaged sports audiences, parents, coaches, and scouts.

LakePoint’s platform acts as the bridge between athlete and brand, enabling meaningful engagement and maximum exposure. With high-quality content and a built-in distribution strategy that spans digital, social, and on-site activations, partners can leverage the credibility and visibility that comes with being associated with LakePoint and its top-tier athletes. It’s not just about product placement-it’s about building brand loyalty at the grassroots level of the sport.

The LakePoint Athlete Program kicks off with collaborations between these standout players and Rawlings Sporting Goods and Curve Test Center, two industry leaders in sports equipment and performance testing. Content will be crafted by the LakePoint media team, showcasing the athletes through compelling social and digital storytelling – elevating not only the brands but also the personal platforms of each athlete.

With an unmatched digital footprint and media production infrastructure, LakePoint Sports continues to drive the future of content and brand partnerships in youth sports. The Athlete Program is just the latest in a string of industry-leading innovations that positions LakePoint as the definitive home for high-level athletes and forward-thinking partners.

“This is bigger than just baseball,” said Greg Barckhoff, EVP, Partnerships & Marketing. “We’re building a platform that can scale across sports, creating authentic engagement between athletes, brands, and fans in a way that’s never been done at this level in the travel and youth sports space.”

Athlete Highlights

Geno Goralski (Georgia Jackets): No. 8 ranked 2026 OF in Georgia. 6.88 60-yard dash, 98.9 mph exit velocity, 2024 Future Games selection.
“It’s really exciting to be part of something this big. I’m pumped to represent the program and make the most of it,” said Goralski.

Austin Tamborra (6-4-3 DP Baseball): No. 3 ranked 2027 OF in Georgia, No. 44 nationally at position. 6.77 60-yard dash, 99.2 mph exit velocity, 92 mph from OF.
“I’m absolutely thrilled to be part of the first class of LakePoint Athletes,” Tamborra said. “It’s an incredible opportunity to represent a brand that supports athletes like me both on and off the field. I’m excited to grow and learn through this opportunity.”

Dominic Rossy (Aviators): No. 4 ranked 2028 catcher in Georgia, No. 15 nationally at position. 2.00 pop time, 98.9 mph bat speed, 86 mph fastball.
“I will do the best I can to represent the LakePoint Athletes Program with the utmost respect,” said Rossy.

All content will be generated by LakePoint’s media team and shared across its powerful distribution channels, as well as by the athletes and partners themselves. This integrated approach ensures each piece of content drives brand visibility, enhances athlete profiles, and contributes to the continued growth of LakePoint’s national platform.

With plans to expand into additional sports, the LakePoint Athlete Program marks a new era for how youth athletes are positioned, supported, and celebrated in a digital-first world.

Source: LakePoint Sports



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Venezuelan Little League World Series team gets exemption to President Trump’s travel ban

Youth baseball players from Venezuela, one of 19 countries on President Trump’s travel ban list, have been granted a “national exemption” to participate in this month’s Little League World Series, an event official told The Athletic. Securing the exemption last week required the intervention of a Trump-aligned U.S. senator and the personal sign-off of Secretary […]

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Youth baseball players from Venezuela, one of 19 countries on President Trump’s travel ban list, have been granted a “national exemption” to participate in this month’s Little League World Series, an event official told The Athletic. Securing the exemption last week required the intervention of a Trump-aligned U.S. senator and the personal sign-off of Secretary of State Marco Rubio.

Before then, the Venezuelan team’s participation had been in limbo thanks to a visa process that had often been complicated by strained diplomatic relations with the United States. Venezuela’s recent inclusion in the travel ban only added another layer of complexity. Last month, the policy blocked another youth baseball team from Venezuela from playing in a less prominent tournament in South Carolina, a situation that drew the ire of the St. Louis Cardinals’ Willson Contreras.

In an interview on Monday, Contreras, a three-time All-Star and one of baseball’s most prominent Venezuelan players, lamented the perceived fallout from the travel restrictions.

“To be treated like we are criminals here, we’re not,” Contreras told The Athletic. “We’re here to provide for our family, to chase our dreams, to do the right things.”

The Venezuelan Little League team learned of its exemption from the travel ban on Friday, just six days before it was scheduled to play in the tournament, which showcases players ages 10-12 and remains a signature event that is nationally televised on ESPN.

“The dream of our children will soon come true,” the team said in a translated Instagram post. “Williamsport, here we come.”

In a statement, Little League spokesman Brian McClintock said, “We are grateful for all those who supported these players throughout this process, including the U.S. Department of State.”

While the exemption was ultimately granted, it highlighted a shifting landscape for some international athletes entering the U.S. under the Trump Administration. Under the travel ban instituted in June, exemptions have been made for certain high-profile sporting events, such as the upcoming 2028 Summer Olympics in Los Angeles and next year’s World Cup. But those carve-outs did not cover other events like the Little League World Series.

Sen. David McCormick, a Republican elected from Pennsylvania in 2024 and a political ally of Trump’s on immigration policy, offered the Venezuelan team an assist. A native of central Pennsylvania who lives less than an hour’s drive from the longtime site of the tournament, Williampsort, McCormick worked with the State Department to help ensure approval of the visas.

“I am thrilled my team and I were able to play a small role in making sure young athletes are able to chase their dreams and participate in this timeless Pennsylvania tradition,” McCormick said in a statement to The Athletic.

But even with McCormick’s backing, securing an exemption ultimately required a green light from Rubio.

“In very limited circumstances, the Secretary may find an individual’s travel would serve a United States national interest, consistent with Executive Order 14150, ‘America First Policy Directive to the Secretary of State,’” a state department spokesperson said in a statement. “These exceptions may only be approved by the Secretary of State or his designee in coordination with the Secretary of Homeland Security or her designee.”

The visa process has typically been more complicated for Venezuela than for other teams attending the Little League World Series. In 2019, political and diplomatic tensions in the country prompted the U.S. to suspend operations at its embassy in the Venezuelan capital of Caracas. Teams seeking entry to the U.S. have instead had to travel to a neighboring country, Colombia, where the capital Bogotá is hosting the diplomatic mission to Venezuela. Once there, players and staff are subjected to interviews ahead of approval.

The travel ban has introduced another layer of uncertainty.

On July 18, Cacique Mara, a different youth team from Venezuela, could not travel to South Carolina for the Senior League Baseball World Series (ages 13-16) after its visas were denied. In a photo of a letter from the U.S. government to the team from Cacique Mara — posted to the team’s since deactivated Instagram account — the reason given was the “Immigration and Nationality Act,” which the letter said serves to restrict “the Entry of foreign Nationals to Protect the United States from Foreign Terrorists and Other National Security and Public Safety Threats.”

“What pisses me off is they earned the right to be here,” Contreras said of the team that was barred last month. “They are little kids chasing dreams. I put myself in their shoes because I was a kid once, and I dreamed of being in the Little League World Series once.”

Major League Baseball, which has been officially partnered with Little League International since 2017, declined to comment on that case. So did the state department, though a spokesperson noted the ability to “make a determination regarding a national interest exception on a case-by-case basis.”

Another recent exception, McClintock said, cleared the way for a different youth baseball team from Venezuela, this one from the city of Valencia, to secure visas ahead of a Little League Intermediate Tournament in Livermore, Calif.

Since Trump’s return to office, the Dodgers have made an official visit to the Oval Office. The league also reinstated Pete Rose from its permanently ineligible list, a move that came after Trump publicly called for it. And in the wake of Trump administration policy changes targeting such programs, MLB removed official language surrounding Diversity, Equity and Inclusion initiatives from the league’s website.

Still, MLB remains the largest and most diverse baseball league in the world. Its teams employ dozens of Venezuelan players. And when the league hosts the Little League Classic between the Mets and Mariners in Williamsport on Aug. 17, the game will feature Venezuelan players like Eugenio Suárez and Francisco Alvarez.

MLB officials were in communication with their Little League counterparts regarding the visa process for the Little League World Series, according to a source briefed on the matter, and offered assistance if needed.

On Monday, with the Barquisimeto-based Venezuelan team now bound for historic Williamsport, Contreras made a similar offer.

“I’m here for them,” Contreras said. “If something happens, I want them to know not to hesitate to reach out to me. I’m outspoken for justice. They are kids chasing the dream. Their dream is to come to Williamsport. That could be my brother out there. But I’m glad everything worked out and I’m glad they’re going to be allowed to come to the United States.”

(Photo of 2024 LLWS signage: Dylan Buell / Getty Images)





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Youth Sports Boundaries, Bur Oaks, Letterpress, and Wave Power

Today’s Segments: Setting Boundaries in Youth SportsNDSU Extension family life specialist Dr. Sean Brotherson discusses the importance of clear boundaries between parents, athletes, and coaches. Drawing from his recent talk at the North Dakota high school coaches conference, Brotherson explains how healthy role definitions support positive youth development and prevent common conflicts in competitive sports. […]

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Today’s Segments:

Setting Boundaries in Youth Sports
NDSU Extension family life specialist Dr. Sean Brotherson discusses the importance of clear boundaries between parents, athletes, and coaches. Drawing from his recent talk at the North Dakota high school coaches conference, Brotherson explains how healthy role definitions support positive youth development and prevent common conflicts in competitive sports.

Mr. Power’s Letterpress
Dr. Tom Isern uncovers the forgotten world of letterpress copybooks through the legacy of J.B. Power, a key figure in the rise of corporate agriculture on the Northern Plains. These delicate paper records, preserved thanks to early work at NDSU’s Institute for Regional Studies, reveal a meticulous bureaucratic mind at work during the bonanza farm era.

Bur Oaks Under Siege
Once hailed as the “King of the Great Plains,” Nebraska’s iconic bur oak trees are now dying rapidly due to prolonged drought and invasive diseases. As climate change accelerates these threats, foresters and scientists are exploring alternative tree species and restoration strategies to preserve the region’s forest heritage.

Wave Power in Alaska
Two Alaska Native villages—Port Graham and Nanwalek—are taking bold steps toward energy independence by exploring ocean wave power. With the help of Chugachmiut and an Australian energy company, the communities hope to harness their coastal environment to generate sustainable electricity amid growing climate threats.

Seeds, Spuds, and Smart Sprinklers
In this edition of This Week in Water, we explore surprising intersections of nature and technology: from government climate denial and carbon-storing wildlife to doorbell cameras conserving water. Also featured are new insights into the ancestral ties between tomatoes and potatoes, offering hope for future crop resilience.





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OKC Thunder hosts youth basketball camp to develop young talent

As the entire world knows, the OKC Thunder are NBA champions, but there’s no time to rest on that; it’s time to start training the next generation of superstars. It’s one of many Thunder youth basketball camps. Today was held at the Santa Fe Family Life Center. “We’ll put them through a series of different […]

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As the entire world knows, the OKC Thunder are NBA champions, but there’s no time to rest on that; it’s time to start training the next generation of superstars.

It’s one of many Thunder youth basketball camps. Today was held at the Santa Fe Family Life Center.

“We’ll put them through a series of different drills, as well as competitions to earn prizes, and they’ll have the opportunity to scrimmage against each other towards the end,” said Thunder Youth basketball camp coach Xavier Hunter.

For parents, it’s the on-court encouragement from the Thunder organization coaches that means everything to them as well as the kids.

“It brings joy to me just to see him doing what he loves, and we already train on our own, so it’s like the extra credit fun part of it. He gets prizes and I like it a lot,” said parent Cortez Wright.

As a parent, having your kid participate in a Thunder camp naturally makes you consider the possibilities of the future.

“He’s a wonderful kid, great talent, but he keeps God first and he does his thing so I think he can do whatever he puts his mind to,” said Wright.

Tuesday, the team hosted two Camps for kids between the ages of six and fourteen, no matter what the skill level or experience. But aside from basketball, the kids learn the importance of paying attention and following directions.

“An opportunity for us to develop newcomers of the game, as well as trying to develop new fans of the Oklahoma City Thunder,” said Hunter.

A day of work and fun for the kids, and very gratifying for the coaches.

“Allow us as coaches to involve ourselves into these kids’ lives within the game of basketball,” said Hunter.

There is one more camp scheduled, and there are spots still available. To register, visit www.nba.com/thunder/youthbasketball





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NFL FLAG, Pop Warner, and RCX Announce Nationwide Partnership to Expand Access and Pathways in Youth Football | Sports

ATLANTA and LANGHORNE, Pa., Aug. 5, 2025 /PRNewswire/ — NFL FLAG and Pop Warner Little Scholars, two of the most recognized names in youth football, today announced a nationwide partnership to expand access and opportunity across the sport. The collaboration will introduce NFL FLAG’s fast-growing, non-contact format to Pop Warner leagues and associations nationwide. RCX Sports, […]

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ATLANTA and LANGHORNE, Pa., Aug. 5, 2025 /PRNewswire/ — NFL FLAG and Pop Warner Little Scholars, two of the most recognized names in youth football, today announced a nationwide partnership to expand access and opportunity across the sport. The collaboration will introduce NFL FLAG’s fast-growing, non-contact format to Pop Warner leagues and associations nationwide. RCX Sports, the leader in youth sports experiences and official operator of NFL FLAG, will support local implementation and elevate the athlete experience.

The partnership will officially launch this December with a flagship tournament at the Pop Warner Super Bowl in Charlotte, NC. The Crown Classic Flag Football Tournament, a joint event hosted by Pop Warner and NFL FLAG, is a first-of-its-kind national event open to Pop Warner and non-Pop Warner teams from across the country. Pop Warner associations will begin launching NFL FLAG leagues in Spring 2026, with additional tournaments and showcases planned for the years ahead, all part of a shared commitment to development, safety, and inclusion across all levels of the game.

The partnership model will allow Pop Warner to integrate NFL FLAG into its existing programming beginning in Spring 2026, inviting local leagues and associations to offer both tackle and non-tackle football under one umbrella, alongside existing cheerleading programs, with the goal of expanding options for every young athlete. The structure of the program is designed to be flexible and inclusive, giving leagues the ability to adapt to the needs of their communities and creating new pathways for girls to play flag football alongside boys.

This collaboration brings together NFL FLAG’s innovative approach to flag football with Pop Warner’s deep roots in tackle football and cheer & dance, giving families and athletes more ways to play, develop, and stay involved in the sport they love. More than 2.4 million young people participated in organized flag football programs in 2024, making it the fastest-growing youth sport in America.

“Football has the power to teach life lessons, build confidence, and create lifelong friendships — and this partnership ensures more kids have that opportunity,” said RCX Sports founder and CEO Izell Reese. “We’re proud to partner with Pop Warner to expand access for more young athletes in the sport we all love. Together, we’re creating more onramps into football by meeting kids where they are — whether they’re pulling flags or making tackles, we want every young athlete to feel like there’s a place for them on the field.”

“This partnership with NFL FLAG and RCX Sports is a game-changer for youth football,” said Steve Strawbridge, CEO of Pop Warner Little Scholars. “It allows us to bring a dynamic, non-contact version of the sport to more boys and girls across the country, while enhancing their overall experience. While Pop Warner has proudly offered flag football for years, this collaboration takes our commitment to the next level by expanding access, improving development, and fostering a safe and inclusive environment for all athletes.”

“Development of football athletes, both girls and boys, has taken a leap forward with the RCX-Pop Warner partnership that affords our nation’s youth the opportunity to enjoy the benefits of every form of the game,” said Troy Vincent, Sr., Executive Vice President of NFL Football Operations. “Options to play flag or tackle, transition to tackle from flag, or remain in flag truly reflect the inclusion, affordability and accessibility of football for all.”

RCX Sports and Pop Warner invite teams from across the country to register at NFLFLAG.com or PopWarner.com.

About RCX Sports

RCX Sports is the leader in youth sports experiences, operating and partnering with leagues, events, and brands to engage and empower the next generation of athletes. As the official youth sports operator for the NFL, NBA, WNBA, NHL, MLS, MLB, and USTA, RCX is the only multi-sport organization trusted by pro leagues and governing bodies to represent them. RCX Sports delivers officially licensed uniforms, comprehensive resources, and full support, empowering league operators to create the best youth sports experiences in their communities. Committed to making youth sports accessible and inclusive, RCX Sports creates opportunities for all athletes to play and benefit from the transformative power of sports. For more information, visit rcxsports.com.

About NFL Flag

NFL FLAG is an NFL-licensed property of more than 2,000 locally operated leagues and over 765,000 youth athletes across all 50 states. NFL FLAG is a fun and accessible non-contact program available for girls and boys ages 5-17. Players benefit by being physically active through non-contact, continuous action while learning the fundamentals of football as well as lessons in teamwork and sportsmanship. RCX Sports is the official operator of NFL FLAG. Learn more  at nflflag.com.

About Pop Warner Little Scholars, Inc.

Founded in 1929 and headquartered in Langhorne, PA, Pop Warner Little Scholars is the nation’s oldest youth football, cheerleading and dance organization and the only youth sports organization that emphasizes academics as a prerequisite for participation. Pop Warner participants enjoy the opportunity to learn and compete in their sports in an atmosphere that emphasizes fun, safety, academics and character. For more information on Pop Warner and its programs visit www.popwarner.com or follow Pop Warner on YouTube, Instagram or Facebook.

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SOURCE RCX Sports





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Douglas County’s Zebulon sports megacomplex faces concerns

The plans for the Zebulon Regional Sports Complex are huge. On the drawing board are four baseball fields, three ice rinks and a pair of soccer fields. Eight to 10 basketball courts — which can be converted into 20 volleyball courts or 30 pickleball courts — are also in the mix. Add in a 400,000-square-foot, […]

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The plans for the Zebulon Regional Sports Complex are huge.

On the drawing board are four baseball fields, three ice rinks and a pair of soccer fields. Eight to 10 basketball courts — which can be converted into 20 volleyball courts or 30 pickleball courts — are also in the mix. Add in a 400,000-square-foot, domed indoor sports facility that will house more fields for year-round play, and you get a sense of Zebulon’s scale once it’s built in northern Douglas County.

And that’s just the first phase, which could break ground as soon as this fall on a 50-acre parcel just southeast of the master-planned Sterling Ranch community. Later phases could bring as many as eight additional sports fields, along with restaurants, shops and a hotel — in what Douglas County Commissioner Abe Laydon calls a potential “economic development corridor.”

“We want something that is iconic,” Laydon told The Denver Post.

But the sheer size of the project — and the paucity of financial details surrounding it — have some residents in this politically conservative county asking questions. Among the concerns about the project, which is planned to the southeast of Chatfield Reservoir, is how much the county might end up shelling out and how much private partners will benefit.

“We don’t know how much this is going to cost and who’s going to pay for it,” said Sudee Floyd, who lives in the house her father built more than 50 years ago in the nearby Plum Valley Heights neighborhood.

Floyd, 64, has worries about contamination from an old dynamite-making plant that operated for decades at the proposed Zebulon site. She also wonders whether Douglas County taxpayers might be left holding the bag should things go south.

County leaders plan to tap its Parks, Trails, Historic Resources and Open Space Fund to help cover some of the early costs of the Zebulon project. Launched in 1994 with a 0.17% sales and use tax, the fund was re-upped by voters in 2022. Over the next 15 years, it is projected to bring in around $330 million.

Douglas County has already pledged just over $800,000 to do engineering and infrastructure studies for Zebulon. A final development partner has not been chosen but Luke Taylor, a managing member of KT Development, was one of the speakers at a county-hosted town hall in April regarding the project.

KT developed the Blue Sport Stable, a 186,000-square-foot sports megacomplex in Superior. Taylor hopes his firm lands the contract to build Zebulon but bidding is still underway. He declined to comment further.

Floyd said the speed at which the county is moving on the project, which was announced just four months ago, reminds her of the commissioners’ recent effort to bring home rule to the county — an initiative that was heavily criticized for being opaque and rushed.

Voters overwhelmingly rejected the home rule effort at the ballot box in June.

“This is moving way too fast. No one is showing their cards,” Floyd said.

But Lynn Moffett, who has lived in Sterling Ranch for four years and sits on the board of a metro district there, said there are few amenities near the blossoming community, which is planned to include more than 12,000 homes at full buildout.

The South Suburban Recreation Center on County Line Road to the northeast is 20 minutes away “on a good day.” And dining and shopping opportunities in the neighborhood are few, she said.

“We have nothing — and this county is growing like crazy,” Moffett said. “It’s important to have a facility families can send their children to. We all pay taxes in our county — we just want a piece of the pie.”

Likely public-private partnership

Discussions about adding to Douglas County’s inventory of ballfields have been happening for at least a year.

“It was very clear to us that there was this outcry — especially among youth — who wanted more space to play,” Laydon said. “They simply do not have enough space.”

Earlier, there was talk of building a sports complex with playing fields in Highlands Ranch’s 202-acre Wildcat Regional Park, which is owned by the county. But that plan was met with vociferous opposition from residents last year.

Douglas County agreed to transfer the parcel to the Highlands Ranch Community Association in a deal that is expected to be finalized in coming weeks. In turn, the association has agreed to develop a trail network for recreational use at Wildcat.

Meanwhile, Brock Smethills, the president of the Sterling Ranch Development Company, contacted the county about building a sports complex a bit farther south. A 50-acre land donation from Sterling Ranch to Douglas County, the details of which are still being hammered out, started the process.

“We’re giving up some of our best land for the sports complex,” Smethills said. “What we’re asking for in return is an exercise facility our homeowners can use free of charge.”

Douglas County agreed to take the lead in shepherding the project’s first phase.

So far, it has signed a $325,000 consulting contract with Felsburg, Holt and Ullevig to look at potential road infrastructure at the site. It also hired an owner’s representative for just over $70,000. In late July, the commissioners ordered a $410,000 land development study from engineering firm Kimley-Horn.

From the beginning, the county has advertised the construction of the Zebulon Regional Sports Complex as a public-private partnership.

“You need something vertical, you need something there to get people to invest,” Smethills said.

The county, Laydon said, will spearhead the project and then seek out private partners to help build out Zebulon. Completion of all phases of the project, potentially including hotels and restaurants, could take as long as a decade.

The view from a rooftop deck looking north and west toward the mountains on the fourth floor of a model home in Prospect Village at Sterling Ranch in Douglas County, Colorado, on April 15, 2024. Metro Denver's future is heading east and north, but there are still some large pockets of land closer to the foothills that are being developed into residential communities. Sterling Ranch remains a leader in the state in the way its planned their communities. Sterling Ranch is the only Colorado development to make the top 50 list of master-planned communities nationally. (Photo by Helen H. Richardson/The Denver Post)
The view from a rooftop deck looking north and west toward the mountains on the fourth floor of a model home in Prospect Village at Sterling Ranch in Douglas County, Colorado, on April 15, 2024. (Photo by Helen H. Richardson/The Denver Post)

A ‘fancy facility for club teams’?

Christine Pomme, a Parker mother whose 12-year-old son plays on the Slammers club baseball team as a first baseman and pitcher, said the need for a facility like Zebulon is clear.

“It’s hard to get a field for practice, let alone for tournaments,” Pomme said.

Her son’s team, the Slammers Yetis, typically have to travel to Centennial for indoor practice and to Highlands Ranch High School for outdoor drills. The indoor facility gets crowded, Pomme said, while the softball fields at the high school aren’t regulation size for baseball.

“The potential of having a full-size outdoor field for practice is really appealing,” she said.

Floyd, the dubious neighbor, wants to know how open and accessible Zebulon will be to county residents. Will it be an exclusive operation primarily catering to expensive organized sports teams, she asked, or more of a community recreation center for those who want to work out and slap a pickleball around with friends?

“Who gets to use them?” she said. “Why should my tax dollars go towards a fancy facility for club teams? This isn’t just some baseball field — this is extravagant.”

Laydon told The Post that Zebulon “would be available for everyone to use.”

Floyd also worries about the state of the land at the Zebulon site, which for more than 60 years was the home of the E.I. Du Pont de Nemours dynamite manufacturing plant. It closed down more than 50 years ago.

In 2022, the Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment issued the company a decision letter stating that any contaminants at the site “do not pose a threat to human health and environment, and contamination will continue to decline.”

CDPHE stated in its letter that “no further remediation is required at the site.”

“Without that clean bill of health,” Laydon said, “we wouldn’t consider it.”

Other concerns with Zebulon revolve around the county’s use of the open space and parks fund to finance the early stages of the project. Former Commissioner Lora Thomas, who had a rocky relationship with her colleagues before leaving her elected post before her term expired last December, said she has “seen no plan for how this project is funded.”

“I’m not sure ‘parks’ is a multimillion-dollar sports complex with mixed-use amenities that benefit Sterling Ranch,” Thomas said.

The county, she said, “has no business” spending money on Zebulon “until partners are identified and at the table with their checkbooks.”

She pointed to the troubled Future Legends sports complex under construction in Windsor, parts of which were ordered by a judge last month to remain shuttered until project leaders addressed safety concerns at the facility. She sees that as a warning shot of what could happen at Sterling Ranch.

“A solid financial plan must be developed before a shovel of dirt is moved,” Thomas said.

She also pointed to a citizen survey conducted last year by Douglas County that revealed a “mega-sports complex” was identified by 33% of respondents as the “least appealing option” of a list of potential amenities. The survey also showed that just 22% of respondents were dissatisfied with the number of youth sports facilities in the county.

Projected $1.3 billion impact

In May, the Metro Denver Economic Development Corporation and the Denver Metro Chamber of Commerce released an economic and fiscal impact analysis of the Zebulon project and the surrounding business activity it is expected to spur.

The analysis estimated that from 2026 to 2036, the sports complex would have an economic impact of $1.3 billion, including $528.4 million in labor income. Nearly 1,800 jobs would be generated “through construction and ongoing operations,” the report stated.



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JCC of Greater Washington Competes in 2025 JCC Maccabi Games in Pittsburgh

Bender JCC of Greater Washington. (Photo by Mia Resnicow) The 2025 Jewish Community Center Maccabi Games were held Aug. 3 to 8 in an “Olympic Village”-style setting on the University of Pittsburgh’s campus. According to Jeremy Schlafstein, the sports program manager at Bender JCC of Greater Washington, the delegation from the JCC of Greater Washington […]

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Bender JCC of Greater Washington. (Photo by Mia Resnicow)

The 2025 Jewish Community Center Maccabi Games were held Aug. 3 to 8 in an “Olympic Village”-style setting on the University of Pittsburgh’s campus. According to Jeremy Schlafstein, the sports program manager at Bender JCC of Greater Washington, the delegation from the JCC of Greater Washington included 72 athletes, competing this year in basketball, baseball, ice hockey, soccer and more. The team is also comprised of teen athletes from across the D.C., Maryland and Virginia region, and they competed against teen athletes from all over the world.

This year marked a milestone for the Maccabi Games because it was the first time they were hosted in Pittsburgh to accommodate the growing interest in participation of the games, according to a press release from JCC Association of North America.

Held annually since 1982, the JCC Maccabi Games are North America’s largest Jewish youth sports event. Modeled after the Olympics, the Games not only focus on athletic competition but also aim to foster Jewish identity, community building and cultural exchange through sport.

“The JCC Maccabi mission complements our movement’s continental approach to teen engagement, offering Jewish youth a supportive environment that fosters mutual respect and healthy competition, and where they can interact in an atmosphere of sportsmanship, peoplehood and celebration. We couldn’t imagine better community partners than our friends at the University of Pittsburgh and a collection of regional civic, corporate and government leaders working together with our remarkable Jewish community to make this dream a reality,” JCC of Greater Pittsburgh President and CEO Jason Kunzman stated in the press release.

According to Schlafstein, each night had a planned event in which the participants socialized outside of the sports environment.

“They’re billed as a sports event, which they are, but they’re really a teen social engagement opportunity that has a sports flavor,” said Phil Liebson, COO of Bender JCC.

“They may have been playing across the field or diamond or ice or whatever sport their entire lives, but now they’re actually getting together and finding commonality,” added Liebson. “It gives them a chance to be who they are and learn about other Jewish teens in the area and across the world.”

Just like the Olympic games, the Maccabi games also have a tradition of pin swapping. Liebson said they stepped up their pin game with an Alex Ovechkin-inspired pin that said “895 Team Greater Washington,” a nod to Ovechkin’s career goal tally, along with a “DMV” and “Greater Washington Bender JCC, JCC Maccabi Games” pin.

Bender JCC of Greater Washington Maccabi Games pins. (Photo by Mia Resnicow)

“All the kids, the coaches, the spectators, everyone has to wear credentials,” said Liebson. “What will end up happening by the end up of the games is all the kids’ lanyards will be filled with all their pins.”

More than 3,000 Jewish teens and coaches, along with thousands of spectators, volunteers and community members, are gathered for the Games this summer.

“The launch of our first-ever Campus Games marks a bold and timely evolution for the movement, showing Jewish teens what’s possible when they come together with pride, purpose and shared identity for a positive college campus-based experience. Today, when Jewish connection and unity are more important than ever, JCC Maccabi gives teens a joyful, formative experience that will stay with them for life.” said Samantha Cohen, senior vice president and continental director of JCC Maccabi, in the press release.

Local leaders of the delegation are echoing this sentiment.

“Hopefully they’ll just have a great experience where they want to come back and do it again next year,” added Schlafstein. “Maybe be a little closer to their Jewish identity and hopefully develop lifelong friendships.”

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