DENVER — Youth sports can be expensive. A Denver martial arts program believes every child should have access to training, no matter their family’s financial abilities.
“If finances are preventing your children from training, we want to make sure we change that,” said Alisha Bielak, an ambassador for the Martial Arts Moves program at the Easton Training Center in Centennial. “We never want that to be the reason you’re not giving this power to your children.”
Bieliak experienced the impact of self-defense training first-hand when she enrolled her daughter in classes at 4 years old.
“I have a wonderful, strong-willed child,” said Bielak. “About a month in, we almost quit because she tackled a kid at school.”
Eleven years later, Bielak and her daughter have become symbols of the positive benefits martial arts training can have in the lives of Colorado kids.
“You carry yourself in a different way when you know you can defend yourself, when you know you can defend others, when you see something wrong happening and you know you can put a stop to it,” said Bielak.
For almost a decade, in association with Easton Training Centers all over the Front Range, Bielak and Martial Arts Moves has opened doors for kids interested in or in need of self-defense training.
“It’s not a charity program,” said Bielak. “We’re not treating them any differently. They’re here, we want them here, and we’re able to share that so we do.”
Martial Arts Moves provides scholarships so kids can attend training classes, but that money requires commitment.
“The kids promise to be the best examples in class and a future leader,” Bielak explained. “The goal at the end of the three-year scholarship is that they become a coach and then they share their gift with the next generation of students.”
At the moment, the program serves roughly 35 students, but Bielak said they’re always looking for opportunities to grow.
“Giving kids a way up that they own, that they control, that they’re in charge of, it’s so empowering and it’s something I wish we could give every child,” said Bielak.
If you’re interested in applying to the Martial Arts Moves program, click here. You can also donate to the program through this link.
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PHILADELPHIA (WPVI) — A group of 15 Philadelphia coaches were recognized Thursday night for completing a program designed to help them better support young athletes facing academic challenges, violence and emotional struggles.
Marcus Fulton, athletic director and football coach at Boys’ Latin of Philadelphia Charter School, said the sport has long been a guiding force in his own life. “Football helped me chase the dream,” he said.
Fulton said his decades of coaching in the city have shown him the pressures many young players face.
“I’ve been coaching for 25 years in the city of Philadelphia, so I know some of things going on with our guys in terms of the academic struggles, the violence that happens. I lost a couple players before,” he said.
The coaches were honored for completing the Open Door Abuse Awareness and Prevention program, which teaches trauma-informed strategies to help athletes on and off the field.
“We’re teaching coaches how to put on a lens for trauma in order to be able to help out kids a little deeper,” said Valencia Peterson, founder of the program.
Peterson created the initiative after experiencing trauma of her own when her mother was killed at a young age. The program focuses on mentorship, violence prevention and creating safe spaces for youth.
Peterson said coaches often play a critical role in young people’s lives.
“The coach is usually a first line for kids, and it’s their only father figure, it’s their only stability. The only consistent thing they have is a team. So we’re giving the coaches the tools they need to help regulate, to help see them for who they really are,” she said.
As part of the training, coaches learned to lead with empathy, help players manage emotions, and identify signs of mental health concerns.
MidCity Tigers coach Adolph Sanna said he hopes the lessons help athletes understand “that they have an opportunity to see what another side of life is like where people are concerned about their fears, their doubts and the things that are going on with them.”
Fulton said he wants the young men he coaches to carry these lessons into adulthood “to be successful. To be good husbands, good fathers, good mentors in the city of Philadelphia.”
The Open Door Abuse Awareness and Prevention program also offers mentorship for boys and girls who do not participate in sports, aiming to help youth across Philadelphia “become the best version of themselves,” according to the organization.
KALAMAZOO, Mich. — Plans to build a state-of-the-art, $40 million youth sports complex in Kalamazoo County are on hold for now.
The county commission heard plans from the developer during their Thursday night meeting, who asked for variances into protected slopes and woodlands in order to build the facility and parking lot.
The property is a 20-acre site, located within the Westwood area of Kalamazoo adjacent to US-131.
Discover Kalamazoo says the sports complex is expected significantly boost the local economy, potentially generating nearly $49 million annually as well as bring more than 600 full- and part-time jobs.
Local use would be prioritized, increasing participation for underserved youth.
A student athlete from Oshtemo Township spoke of her support for the project during public comment.
“I think it would be cool to play basketball and volleyball at a place like this because there aren’t many places in our area,” she said. “It will help bring new people to our area which will help my mom’s business.”
Some residents spoke in opposition to the project, citing traffic concerns and not wanting a large structure near their homes.
The commission voted to request more information on one variance request that would clear a significant amount of trees before moving forward.
Mudsock Youth Athletics has named Tim McCoy as its 2025 Volunteer of the Year, honoring his more than 10 years of service to the Knights football program and his dedication to the organization’s mission to foster character, leadership and community through youth sports.
“Tim’s work with the Knights goes far beyond the field,” Executive Director of Mudsock Youth Athletics Scott Spillman stated. “He has built a program where young athletes not only develop their skills but also learn the importance of responsibility, teamwork and service. His leadership elevates the entire Mudsock community.”
McCoy joined the Knights as an assistant coach in 2015 and became head coach in 2021, according to a news release. Through that volunteer work, he has mentored athletes, supported fellow coaches and strengthened the program’s culture.
“Tim’s dedication sets the tone for the program,” Spillman stated. “The environment he creates encourages young people to strive for their best and fosters connections that last well beyond the season.”
McCoy was honored during the Mudsock Youth Athletics’ annual volunteer appreciation event, which celebrates individuals whose time and commitment make youth sports possible.
“Congratulations to Tim McCoy on this well-earned honor,” the news release stated. “His leadership and service continue to leave a lasting impact on young athletes and the broader Mudsock Youth Athletics community.”
For more about Mudsock Youth Athletics, visit myathletics.com.
Rochester, N.Y. — A new youth basketball team is taking the court in Rochester with talented students showcasing more than just their jump shots.
Dr. Charles T. Lunsford School No.19’s new basketball team is combining the students’ physical abilities with their musical prowess.
Many of the athletes are a part of the school’s music program.
To encourage growth in both areas, the team holds special performances before their games.
Their coaches and teachers say it helps the students learn valuable skills in different fields.
“As well as being amazing athletes, they are also excellent musicians,” said Hannah Garfield, co-director of the Strings for Success Program. “So, Coach Duffy really wanted to highlight this. He wanted to show that our basketball players can do it all.”
“The students need it. So, they’re working super hard in the classroom and we tell them that basketball comes second to we want to academics and we also want to highlight their musicianship too,” said Matt Duffy, head basketball coach at School No. 19.
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The new basketball team is the first one at School No. 19 in about ten years.
TYLER, TEXAS – Season passes for the 2026 UT Tyler baseball and softball seasons are now available for purchase through Associate Athletic Director for Facilities and Operations Jackie Reilly at jreilly@uttyler.edu, in partnership with Sideline Tix via Ticket Return.
Season passes are priced at $80 for either baseball or softball. Fans are encouraged to download the Sideline Tix app, available on the App Store and Google Play, for convenient access to tickets throughout the season.
Each season pass grants admission to all regular-season home UT Tyler baseball or softball games during the 2026 season. Postseason events hosted at the UT Tyler Ballpark are not included.
Due to limited seating at each facility, priority seating will be reserved for fans renewing season passes from the 2025 season. All remaining seats will be available on a first-come, first-served basis.
UT Tyler baseball opens its home schedule from January 30–February 1 against Lubbock Christian, while UT Tyler softball begins home play on February 6 in the UT Tyler Classic against Hillsdale College.
For additional information or assistance with purchasing season passes, fans are asked to contact Jackie Reilly at jreilly@uttyler.edu.
The UT Tyler Ticket Page can be found HERE.
The full UT Tyler baseball schedule can be found HERE. The full UT Tyler softball schedule can be found HERE.
Lincoln Park was not going to let Marquis Clark beat them on Thursday. The Lions were extremely physical with Young’s senior star guard. Clark took a shot to the face and headed to the locker room with 2:29 left to play. The Dolphins were clinging to a one-point lead.
Clark remerged with a crisscross of bandages on his face and cotton stuffed in his nose. He ripped off the bandages before he checked back in to the game.
“I was coming back in, even with a broken nose,” Clark said. “That didn’t matter. We had to see this home.”
The Tennessee recruit toughed it out, and junior guard Ed Williams stepped up in the final minute as No. 25 Young won 65-62.
Clark, talking after the game with his nose swelling and blood seeping out of the cotton in his nostrils, said he actually enjoyed the rough 32 minutes.
“This is the type of environment I like to play in,” Clark said. “We fought. Both teams played as hard as possible until the last second of the game. We finished strong. That’s what we do.”
Lincoln Park’s tiny gym was as loud and hectic as always. Late in the game, the Lions’ cheerleaders ran to the opposite side of the court, trying to influence Young’s free throws. That’s against the rules and the cheerleaders were waved away by the officials. But they hid in the corner, chanted and the Dolphins (13-6, 3-0 Red North) missed two free throws.
Every possession on Lincoln Park’s court, with some of the crowd and the coaches standing on the playing court, is a battle.
“That was the craziest game I’ve ever been in,” Young freshman Travis Jamison II said.
Jamison drained three three-pointers in the first three minutes of the game and finished with 18 points. He was 6-for-9 from three-point range.
“I played in the JV game before the varsity game, so I had a chance to get used to how wild it is in here,” Jamison said. “When I came in, I was already warmed up and used to it. When I saw the first shot go in I knew I was going to have a good day.”
Lincoln Park’s Larry Harris (24) defends as Young’s Zaire Green (2) goes to the net.
Kirsten Stickney/For the Sun-Times
Clark finished with 12 points and Caden Crudup added 13 points and five rebounds. Williams had seven points, five rebounds and 10 assists. He scored all seven in the final two minutes.
“[Williams] carried us home,” Young coach Tyrone Slaughter said. “We’ve kinda been on him. He came in today and we had a long talk. He said he understood and today he performed. That’s the way we expect him to play all the time.”
Ahmad Lee, who limped off the floor at halftime with a sprained ankle but managed to play in the second half, led Lincoln Park (11-4, 3-1) with 16 points and senior Ashton Flowers added 15. Senior Larry Hughes, the best dunker in the city, appeared to hang on the rim, grab a rebound and slam it home late in the game. The refs waved off the powerful basket.
“That was an incredibly hostile environment,” Jamison said. “Those are the games you want to play in.”
The Dolphins have the best player in the Public League in Clark, but he’s surrounded by a very inexperienced group. The team is steadily improving.
“Historically we have always gotten better in the second half,” Slaughter said. “We played 13 games in 16 days in December and we got beat up a little and were tired. But that’s over now and I’m excited. It is always good when you have the best player, and we have the best player. We will see how it all shakes out.”
