The Lake Conference Network, a unified streaming service for high school sports and fine arts events, is set to launch Aug. 15, officials announced Thursday.

The online platform will cover all athletic competitions and performances across the eight-member Lake Conference: Buffalo, Eden Prairie, Edina, Hopkins, Maple Grove, Minnetonka, St. Michael-Albertville, and Wayzata.

Described as the first conference-wide streaming initiative of its kind in Minnesota, the network will broadcast all levels of competition – from ninth grade to varsity – across 16 sports. It will also include non-conference home games hosted by Lake Conference schools.

Varsity events will feature play-by-play announcers, and each season – fall, winter and spring – will include a weekly highlight show. The network also plans to expand its reach through dedicated social media coverage of student-athletes, teams and schools.

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“This partnership will allow Lake Conference students educational opportunities through their school and give them the experience in a sports and media pathway earlier than ever before,” said Troy Stein, an assistant principal and the activities director at Edina High School.

The network will be run in partnership with LiveBarn Minnesota, a digital broadcast company that specializes in livestreaming youth and amateur sports. The five-year agreement will be exclusive to the Lake Conference Network website.

“It has been a long time coming since we first introduced the idea during the 2012–13 season,” said Pete Waggoner, chief operating officer of LiveBarn Minnesota. “The Lake Conference is considered one of the best conferences in Minnesota – and the nation. To be affiliated with these schools is a huge honor.”

In addition to sports coverage, the Lake Conference Network will stream live fine arts and music performances from member schools’ auditoriums.

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The network also plans to collaborate with each school’s media program to give students hands-on opportunities in announcing, production and other multimedia roles.

More details, including subscription information, are expected ahead of the August launch.

For media inquiries, contact Matt Harrington, director of broadcast and content at LiveBarn Minnesota, at Matt.Harrington@livebarn.com or 215-669-2317.

PARK RIDGE, N.J.—Youth sports and rec teams are making waves this summer, bringing home two major championships and a renewed sense of community pride.

The borough’s 3rd/4th grade girls softball team and 8U boys travel baseball team both completed undefeated seasons en route to league titles. Their achievements were recognized by Mayor Keith Misciagna and the Borough Council at the June 24 council meeting, where players and coaches from both squads received certificates of recognition.

“These young athletes are what Park Ridge is all about—talent, teamwork, and heart,” said Misciagna. “We’re so proud of their accomplishments.”

8U Boys Win NEBAS Baseball Title

Park Ridge’s 8U Boys Travel Baseball team also stormed through their season, in a dramatic final flurry against the Emerson 8U Cavos 8U, 1-0, capturing the NEBAS League championship. (In walk-off fashion in the bottom of the sixth, beams head coach Greg Waters.)

The team was recognized alongside the softball team at the June 24 Borough Council meeting.

Waters told Pascack Press on June 25, “Having an undefeated season is a tremendous achievement and proof that hard work and dedication pays off. This group has a bright future on the field, but more importantly, they are all great kids off the field. We are a tight knit-club, and I’m proud of what they accomplished together.”

Coaches: Greg Waters, Head Coach, with assistant coaches Sean Sharkey, Patrick Powers, Josh Quinones, and Nishant Shah. Players: 7 David Betancourt Jr., #99 Mason Cantamessa, #2 Tyler Crisafulli, #9 Ronan Eck, #3 Alex Mercado, #19 Nicholas Powers, #25 Luke Quinones, #22 Samay Shah, #11 Connor Sharkey, #44 Santino Torres, #8 Leo Waters, and #1 William Whalen.

Softball Owls Go Undefeated, Take Kinderkamack Crown

The Park Ridge 3rd/4th Grade Girls Softball team posted a 13–0–1 record this season to claim the Kinderkamack Softball League championship. The league included 48 teams from 20 towns across the region.

The Owls clinched the title on June 11 with a 4–0 win over Tenafly at neutral Roosevelt Field in River Edge. The team’s strong pitching, solid defense, and timely hitting capped a perfect postseason and a standout year—the first championship at this level for Park Ridge in many years.

Coaches:  Curt Briscoe, Head Coach, with assistant coaches Christin Apa, Jennifer Briscoe, Derek Piccini, Maria Spadaccini, and Eric Thunell. Players, grade 3: Emelia Apa, Averey Costantino, Ella Natoli, Orla Prager, Melanie Briscoe, Elizabeth Gill, Whitney Piccini, and Kelly Thunell. Grade 4: Carly Berube, Liliana Casella, Francesca Martin, Emily Briscoe, Emerson Keenan, and Liana Spadaccini.

Clairton, PA – Saturday marked the eighth “Tyler Boyd Youth Football Camp” in Clairton, hosted by Bears great and former Pitt wide receiver Tyler Boyd.

Boyd, 30, completed his ninth NFL season with the Tennessee Titans after eight years in Cincinnati. The Bengals drafted Boyd in the second round of the 2016 NFL Draft. He owns 552 receptions for 6,390 yards and 31 touchdowns as a professional.

Clairton officially renamed its stadium “Tyler Boyd Stadium” last year and installed new turf, press box, and bleachers.

Boyd spoke on what his camp means to him, how the community is coming together after losing two football players to gun violence, and the chance Boyd could return to Pittsburgh and play for his hometown Steelers.

BIRMINGHAM, Ala. – Today is the day of Jaylen Mbakwe’s second annual free youth camp. For those between the ages of 5-13 who want to learn some skills from a member of the Alabama football team, join Mbakwe at Counterpoint Youth Ballpark from 12:00 to 2:30 p.m., with registration opening at 11:00 a.m.

The camp will not only offer meaningful football skills and fun, but it will also be a chance for participants to get a free haircut. Those who are interested in participating in the event must pre-register at the designated time.

If you’re in the area or are looking for something to get your children involved in, head out to Counterpoint for some athletic development and community support in a fun, family-friendly environment.

For more details and updates regarding the camp, you can find them on Mbakwe’s  Instagram @mbakwe or on X @JayMbakwe.

Want to know more about Jaylen Mbakwe? Read these stories!

Jaylen Mbakwe Will Host His Second Annual Football Camp

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On the occasion of the draw ceremony held today in Lausanne, Switzerland the six Pools of the upcoming expanded FIH Hockey Men’s Junior World Cup Tamil Nadu, India 2025, which will feature 24 teams for the very first time, have been determined as follows:

Pool A: Germany, South Africa, Canada, Ireland

Pool B: India, Pakistan, Chile, Switzerland

Pool C: Argentina, New Zealand, Japan, China

Pool D: Spain, Belgium, Egypt, Namibia

Pool E: Netherlands, Malaysia, England, Austria

Pool F: France, Australia, Korea, Bangladesh

FIH President Tayyab Ikram participated in the draw ceremony along with Mr. Bhola Nath Singh, Hockey India Secretary General and Cdr. RK Srivastava, Hockey India Director General.

Ahead of the draw ceremony, FIH President Tayyab Ikram said: “It is a great pleasure for me to be here ahead of a milestone moment as we start the journey towards the first ever 24-team FIH Junior Hockey World Cup! It is a part of the FIH strategy to empower and engage the youth from all nations, including the emerging nations, and this event will be the first step towards doing that. I express my gratitude to the Tamil Nadu leadership Chief Minister M. K. Stalin and deputy Chief Minister Udhayanidhi Stalin for welcoming the young stars to the state of Tamil Nadu into the two beautiful cities of Chennai and Madurai. This World Cup also brings with it the opportunity to enhance our hockey infrastructure and in the city of Madurai, introduce a new state-of-art hockey stadium. I would also like to thank the Hon’ble Indian Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi and Sports Minister of India Shri Mansukh L. Mandaviya for seeing Hockey as a prime sport and supporting it not only in India, but also across Asia and globally.”

Hockey India Secretary General, Mr Bhola Nath Singh said: “Today marks a landmark moment for the world of hockey as we witness the pool draw for the inaugural FIH Junior Men’s Hockey World Cup, featuring 24 nations. On behalf of Hockey India, I extend my heartfelt gratitude to the Hon’ble Prime Minister of India, Shri Narendra Modi ji, for his resolute support to hockey and its players across the nation. Under his visionary leadership and that of Hon’ble Sports Minister of India Shri Mansukh L. Mandaviya ji, India’s hockey landscape has gained significant momentum. We also express our sincere thanks to the Hon’ble Chief Minister of Tamil Nadu, Shri M. K. Stalin ji, for his committed vision in promoting hockey both in Tamil Nadu and beyond. His dynamic leadership is further bolstered by the Hon’ble Deputy Chief Minister, Shri Udhayanidhi Stalin ji, whose initiatives in youth sports and development continue to empower the next generation.

This effort would not have been possible without the mentorship and support of our elder brother, Dato Tayyab Ikram ji, whose promotion of international hockey has been invaluable. In advance of the draw, I congratulate all 24 participating teams and warmly welcome each delegation to India. We hope this event offers a memorable and enriching experience for all.”

The competition formula is available here.

The FIH Hockey Men’s Junior World Cup Tamil Nadu, India 2025 will be played in Chennai and Madurai, India, from 28 November to 10 December.

All details about the event are available on FIH.hockey.

Germany are the current Junior Men’s World Champions, having defeated France 2–1 in the final of the 2023 edition, to win a record-extending seventh title.

Pat Freiermuth’s decision to salvage a youth football camp from cancellation is the latest example of the 26-year-old tight taking on a leadership role — on and off the field — for the Pittsburgh Steelers.

When former Steelers wide receiver George Pickens canceled his scheduled appearance at the camp at the 11^th hour – it was supposed to be held this weekend – Freiermuth agreed to step in and participate, although he postponed the event until July 20.

Freiermuth has taken steps to be a more reliable and responsible member of the organization since he signed a five-year, $49.88 million contract with the Steelers last September that will keep him with the team through the 2028 season.

Consider that as the last remaining offensive link to the Ben Roethlisberger era, Freiermuth recruited another future Hall of Fame quarterback, Aaron Rodgers, to join the Steelers this spring. Rodgers, who signed with the Steelers prior to minicamp, said Freiermuth sent him more direct messages than any other player since the 41-year-old quarterback became a free agent in March.

Freiermuth also was the only Steelers’ offensive player to speak publicly when players cleaned out their lockers at UPMC Rooney Sports Complex after the wild-card playoff loss at Baltimore in January.

In May, Freiermuth discussed his desire to be one of the faces of the organization.

“I try to put my head down and be a leader for this offense,” Freiermuth said during organized team activities. “We have a lot of new faces on this team, and I try to uphold the standard I learned from older players when I got here.”

Freiermuth is just one of two players left – backup defensive lineman Isaiahh Loudermilk is the other – from the 2021 draft class. While the Steelers allowed fellow Class of ’21 picks Najee Harris and Dan Moore Jr. to exit in free agency, they locked up Freiermuth with a four-year extension before last season.

When offseason workouts began this spring, Freiermuth made sure he regularly attended the voluntary sessions so he could work with the three quarterbacks under contract at the time — Mason Rudolph, Skylar Thompson and sixth-round draft pick Will Howard.

“It’s very important (to be here),” he said. “It’s important to spend time together, to talk about the base stuff in the offense so when we hit training camp, we can talk about further details. It’s important to work with these guys, get familiar with them and get on the same page.”

When Rodgers finally joined the team in June, Freiermuth was quick to embrace a chance to work with the NFL’s seventh all-time passing yardage leader. He made plans to spend time during the summer break working out with Rodgers.

“Like anyone else, you want to get to know him outside of football and also understand what he’s looking for on and off the field,” Freiermuth said. “Just like any relationship, getting to know the guy outside the helmet is important.”

When the Steelers assigned Rodgers a locker at the practice facility, it was the double stall that once housed Roethlisberger and was used last year by quarterback Russell Wilson. By no coincidence, Freiermuth’s stall is adjacent.

“He’s a super-talented guy and can do a lot of different things,” Rodgers said last week during an appearance on ESPN’s The Pat McAfee Show. “He can block at the point of attack, he can split out on routes. He can run trip routes, he can run seam routes.”

Lacking a dependable No. 2 wide receiver last year, the Steelers leaned on Freiermuth in the passing game although it times he seemed to be underutilized. He set career highs with 65 receptions and seven touchdowns, both career highs. His 653 receiving yards were the second highest total of his career and second on the team in 2024.

After trading Pickens this spring, the Steelers find themselves in a similar situation. They don’t have an established second receiver to pair with newcomer DK Metcalf. Which means the tight end group in general and Freiermuth in particular could be used frequently in Arthur Smith’s second season as offensive coordinator.

And Rodgers’ first at quarterback.

“I’m excited to catch footballs from him and be there for him whenever he needs it,” Freiermuth said. “I’m excited to be able to work the middle of the field.”

Freiermuth is optimistic that other young players on the Steelers offense will follow suit. The offensive line has just one veteran returning at the position he played last season, rookie Kaleb Johnson is expected to contribute at running back, and fourth-year receiver Calvin Austin III and third-year tight end Darnell Washington are looking to have breakthrough seasons.

“We’ve got a lot of young guys looking to build upon this year,” Freiermuth said. “They need to take on bigger roles, and we need them to win. They understand the role. They’re excited and have been working their (rear ends) off. The young guys understand the expectations we have of ourselves and about being a Pittsburgh Steeler.”

The Steelers used more multiple tight end formations than any NFL team last season. Given Smith’s history of tight end usage, that workload is expected to continue this year. For Freiermuth, that means remaining on the field in all situations. He played 69% of the offensive snaps last year, and he has worked on his blocking so he can stay on the field more frequently this season.

“You just don’t get one-dimensional in your game,” tight ends coach Alfredo Roberts said last season. “You grow your game, and you sharpen yourself to grow in all phases. If you want to be an elite guy, do elite (stuff). And that’s what he wants to do.”

That extends to activities away from the practice facility and Acrisure Stadium. The decision to fill in for Pickens is the most recent indicator of Freiermuth’s commitment.

“I feel very passionately about the Pittsburgh community,” Freiermuth told Around the 412 podcast this week. “Anytime something happens, I want to make sure I have the city of Pittsburgh’s back.”