Sports

Long Beach Track and Field Community Mourning Beloved Coach Chucky Hampton – The562.org

The Long Beach track and field world lost one of its most beloved and respected coaches two weeks ago with the passing of Chucky Hampton following an illness. Hampton, a 1994 alum of Long Beach Poly, was a jumps coach who mentored and coached many of the city’s best and brightest athletes over the last […]

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3 weeks ago

June 12, 2025

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The Long Beach track and field world lost one of its most beloved and respected coaches two weeks ago with the passing of Chucky Hampton following an illness.

Hampton, a 1994 alum of Long Beach Poly, was a jumps coach who mentored and coached many of the city’s best and brightest athletes over the last two decades. No matter what school an athlete went to, Hampton loved working with Long Beach kids, whether as a club coach at the youth level, or with the city’s best high school leapers.

Poly coach Crystal Irving paid tribute to Hampton, who passed away shortly the Poly boys won a CIF-SS title, and Wilson won the girls’ title (with Poly in second).

“I went to visit him and took the CIF trophy to share the good news and pray and love on him,” she said. “Yesterday morning, God said it is time to go home with him. Your job here is done. I don’t know how we got through the season or even the day, just had to keep pushing for the kids.”

Irving remembered Hampton’s ability to look at an athlete and imagine a brilliant future for them based on their physical gifts.

“Just an amazing coach to youth and college athletes, he managed to bring out the best in each one he coached,” she said.

Hampton competed for Poly in high school, then at LBCC where he was the MVP in 1997. A two-time Moore League long jump champ, he was the recipient of the Mark Carrier Award and Leon Foreman Award at Poly. An assistant coach with Poly, Wilson, Cabrillo and many other schools through the years, Hampton had been on the staff at Cerritos College for the last two decades, coaching eight individual state champions as well as 27 SoCal and conference champs.

Hampton’s coaching legacy was felt up in Clovis at last weekend’s CIF State Finals, where one of his many mentees, Loren Webster, brought home a long jump state title for Wilson just days after his passing.

Known for a personality as bright as his coaching acumen, Hampton’s many athletes flooded social media with tributes to Hampton and his impact on their lives.

“Words can’t express the gratitude that I have for Coach Chucky, rest easy,” wrote Poly alum and UCLA long jumper Jade McDonald.

Poly alum and Texas A&M All-American Zhane Smith is now a pro jumper. She wrote, “You made such an impact on so many lives, especially mine. I wouldn’t be where I am today without you. Really the only person who still believed in me till this day. I promise to finish the job we started together.”

A strong testimony came from Poly alum Ariana Washington, a high school and college All-American, champion, and Olympian.

“My first coach–you always gave me everything you had and pushed me to do the same in everything I ever did. Your voice in my head got me through many workouts even in college. I’ll never forget any of our conversations and many moments when I needed a kick in the ass or a reminder of who I was. I felt so proud coming home after Rio to see you at the jumps pit…

“I’ll never understand what you and your mom saw in me as a little 8th grader at a middle school track meet that I ran in with not a lick of practice–you told my mom you’d guarantee I would go to college for free if I joined the Long Beach Sprinters. You were right, like you always were about many things. You were a genius.

“I will forever remember you for all that you are: unapologetic, loud, motivating, and selfless. LOVE YOU FOREVER + REST IN HEAVEN COACH CHUCKY.”

Service info is pending and will be posted when available.

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Croatia star Bojan Bogdanovic announces retirement

The official Women’s EuroBasket app Download Now ZAGREB (Croatia) – Bojan Bogdanovic has announced his retirement from basketball at the age of 36. Having made his senior team debut in 2010, he represented Croatia on the international level at two FIBA Basketball World Cups and five FIBA EuroBasket tournaments, as well as playing at the […]

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1 hour ago

June 30, 2025

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The official Women’s EuroBasket app

ZAGREB (Croatia) – Bojan Bogdanovic has announced his retirement from basketball at the age of 36.

Having made his senior team debut in 2010, he represented Croatia on the international level at two FIBA Basketball World Cups and five FIBA EuroBasket tournaments, as well as playing at the Men’s Olympic Basketball Tournament in 2016.

“

Above all, I had the honor of wearing the Croatian crest on my chest.

Bojan Bogdanovic

He was named to the FIBA EuroBasket 2013 All-Star Five, having led Croatia to the Semi-Finals of the competition.

During his NBA career, he played for the Brooklyn Nets, Washington Wizards, Indiana Pacers, Utah Jazz, Detroit Pistons and, most recently, New York Knicks.

Bojan Bogdanovic shared the following message on his social media channels:

Sometimes in life, you don’t choose the moment. The moment chooses you.

After 14 months of battling a foot injury, two surgeries, and countless efforts to get back on the court, the time has come to close a chapter.

After more than two decades in the game, the moment has arrived to say goodbye to basketball. Not just as a sport, but as a part of who I am.

It’s hard to put into words everything this game has given me. It shaped me as an athlete, but even more as a person.

From my childhood in Mostar and my early steps in football and water polo, this journey has been anything but ordinary.

I’ve had the privilege of playing for clubs that left their mark on both European and NBA basketball.

From Mostar and Zrinjski, to Real Madrid and Murcia, then to Cibona and Fenerbahçe, I wore every jersey with pride.

The NBA brought a whole new level of challenge and experience. I had the honor of wearing the jerseys of the Brooklyn Nets, Washington Wizards, Indiana Pacers, Utah Jazz, Detroit Pistons and finally the New York Knicks.

Every stop left a mark. Every jersey carried its own weight.

Above all, I had the honor of wearing the Croatian crest on my chest.

Playing for the national team was never just a responsibility. It was pride, emotion and identity.

Representing my country from youth levels all the way to the senior team was the greatest honor of my career.

Thank you to all the coaches, teammates, medical staff, fans and clubs who were part of this journey in any way.

A special thank you to my family. You were the foundation through every high and every doubt.

I’m closing this chapter, but my love for the game remains.

I didn’t reach the end. I’ve reached the other side of the beginning…

FIBA

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Vermillion County-based volleyball team wins national championship in Florida

A Vermillion County volleyball team is national champions. Stateline Pride, an AAU 17 program, traveled down to Florida, and took home first place. “Those girls are a tremendous group of girls that made history for Vermillion County and really just themselves,” said head coach Emily Franklin. Despite being in Orlando, Florida, this was a business […]

Published

1 hour ago

June 30, 2025

Your Sports Nation

A Vermillion County volleyball team is national champions.

Stateline Pride, an AAU 17 program, traveled down to Florida, and took home first place.

“Those girls are a tremendous group of girls that made history for Vermillion County and really just themselves,” said head coach Emily Franklin.

Despite being in Orlando, Florida, this was a business trip for the volleyball program.

“The girls do long hours in the gym, even if they’re in the afternoon wave, they will only probably get a little bit of time out in the sun before they got to come in and they got to get rest and get acclimated to the gym and preparing,” said Franklin.

The team was loaded with talent.

Franklin said, “We had three all Americans named which is a big accomplishment for nationals in your volleyball career, and those would be Gwendolyn Bennett, she’s from Westville, Illinois. Madeline Doggett, she’s from Westville, Illinois, and Reese McFarland was the tournament MVP.”

But the talent isn’t top heavy — it’s loaded top to bottom.

And they could be even better next season if there’s retention.

“I hope all of them return. They’re all 17 or younger. We have a couple 16 year olds on the team,” said Franklin. “

“You know, when an NFL team wins a Super Bowl, they say, ‘We’re going to Disney World!” I said. “Is that going to happen for your volleyball team?”

Coach said, “I think maybe some families are doing it, but I think some of the other families are deciding to either travel back or just relax, because it is a lot to commit to, and so I appreciate all the family’s commitment as well.”

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Agadir Police Arrest Two Interpol-Flagged British Men for Homicide, Parole Violations

Police in Agadir, in coordination with the Territorial Surveillance Agency (DGST), arrested two British nationals, on Saturday in the city’s Anza district on international arrest warrants issued by UK authorities, a security source reported. After verifying the Interpol database, police found that one of the men was wanted for suspected involvement in a homicide. The […]

Published

1 hour ago

June 30, 2025

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After verifying the Interpol database, police found that one of the men was wanted for suspected involvement in a homicide.

The second suspect was the subject of an Interpol Red Notice for allegedly failing to appear in court and violating parole conditions.

The Interpol Bureau in Rabat notified the relevant UK authorities of their detention before initiating extradition procedures.

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2 hours ago

June 30, 2025

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Grace Ann represented Mississippi grandly at the Distinguished Young Women National Finals in Mobile, Alabama.

MERIDIAN, Miss. (WTOK) -Grace Ann represented Mississippi grandly at the Distinguished Young Women National Finals in Mobile, Alabama. She was named a Top 8 finalist and won preliminary awards in Self-Expression and Interview. The entire state of Mississippi is incredibly proud of Grace Ann, as she continues to accomplish great things representing the state. Click […]

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2 hours ago

June 30, 2025

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MERIDIAN, Miss. (WTOK) -Grace Ann represented Mississippi grandly at the Distinguished Young Women National Finals in Mobile, Alabama.

She was named a Top 8 finalist and won preliminary awards in Self-Expression and Interview.

The entire state of Mississippi is incredibly proud of Grace Ann, as she continues to accomplish great things representing the state.

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Changing the Minor Leagues

Major League Baseball clubs cumulatively sign around 1,000 international amateur players each year, mainly from the Dominican Republic and Venezuela. Most of them face significant economic challenges during their Minor League careers, except for those who receive larger signing bonuses — a very small percentage. That’s why many players turn to hedge funds or similar […]

Published

2 hours ago

June 30, 2025

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That’s why many players turn to hedge funds or similar companies to secure funding that helps them invest in building their careers and pursuing their dreams. It’s not a loan — if the player doesn’t make it to the majors, they don’t owe anything. But in some cases, the outcome can be problematic, which is why Fernando Tatis Jr. recently sued one of these companies. That controversy also inspired Rob Connolly to launch Finlete.

«T«This is something that can help every minor league baseball player,» said Connolly to El Emergente during an interview last week in Boston. «And it generates more interest in the minor leagues.»

Jhostynxon Garcia two-run home run.

The Boston Red Sox prospect has a .991 OPS with nine home runs and 23 RBI since being promoted to Triple-A. pic.twitter.com/IxrQu10jdV

— Hunter Noll (@Hunter_Noll) June 27, 2025

Finlete is an online platform where fans can invest in the careers of Minor League players. It works like GoFundMe, where you can contribute money — but in this case, fans receive a percentage of the players’ future earnings, if they make it to the majors.

«It’s a platform that we built that allows athletes to raise capital from fans in exchange for a percentage of future earnings,» Connolly added. «It’s incredible that fans have accepted this, that they want to participate. The athletes are really excited about our platform.»

Before founding Finlete, Connolly tried to create a platform where fans could meet their favorite baseball players, but that idea didn’t succeed. One day, he was reading an article about the challenges Minor League players face with hedge funds, and he decided to create a platform that could help them.

underrated prospect alert

Leonardo Bernal is red hot, hitting his 10th home run of the year! @StatlineScout tipped me off to him last season, allowing me to snag him in my 900+ prospect league. It’s looking like a pretty savvy pickup now!
pic.twitter.com/yqzokwyMGJ

— Ross Jensen (@RossJensen12) June 12, 2025

He flew to the Dominican Republic to visit several baseball academies and to better understand the market and the challenges players face.

«This will really help you instead of having to work valet or struggle during the offseason, or help your mom or dad with their situation back at home,» said Connolly. «This will alleviate stress for you.»

Connolly has already recruited five players, led by Boston Red Sox prospect Jhostynxon García, along with Padres prospect Tirso Ornelas, Guardians closer Emmanuel Clase, Cardinals prospect Leonardo Bernal, and Marlins prospect Echedry Vargas.

How Finlete is changing the game for Minor League players and their fans

Some things have changed in the Minor Leagues in recent years. The MLBPA was approved by the players to represent them, and they now receive free housing and several other benefits through a new collective bargaining agreement — but being a Minor Leaguer is still challenging.

Fans who want to get involved with Finlete receive additional benefits. They get calls or videos from the players they support, and depending on the investment, there are meet-and-greet opportunities.

«One good thing about us is that we are just the platform,» said Connolly to El Emergente. «If the athlete breaches the contract, it’s not just Finlete that suffers – it’s all the fans that invested in his career. That would just be PR suicide. He would be a villain forever. That’s a major advantage we have over the hedge funds.»

Finlete explains everything through their website, where you can understand how much the investor will get in every scenario, depending on the investment and the player’s future earnings.

«We wanted to find a way to make it so that somebody could invest as much as they would spend on a premium baseball card,» said Connolly. «The investment goes to help him while he is in the minors, and if he makes it to the majors, the fan-investor will share in the success.»

But the investors could get a little bit more as they can meet the players. Emmanuel Clase recently went on a fishing trip with some of his fans that helped him.

«It just creates a deeper connection between the player and the fan,» said Connolly. «Just having the opportunity to follow them and be a real part of their journey.»