★ The Sports Examiner is delighted to present this important contribution from our patron, the LA84 Foundation, a national leader in the role of sports in positive youth development. Opinions expressed are those of the LA84 Foundation. ★

The LA84 Foundation has opened its large grant cycle until December 19 to receive Letters of Interest. The Large Grant Cycle is for grants $25,000 and above for organizations in Southern California with youth programs that promote the exposure and exploration of sports. Selected organizations will be invited to complete a full application.

As a legacy of the 1984 Summer Olympic Games in Los Angeles, for over four decades the LA84 Foundation has supported youth programs in Imperial, Los Angeles, Orange, Riverside, San Bernardino, San Diego, Santa Barbara and Ventura Counties.

By expanding access to sport, play and movement, the LA84 Foundation is committed to transforming communities through play equity by increasing access to youth sports. Small Grants are open year-round, ranging from $5,000-25,000. Visit LA84’s Grants Page to access its Grant Guidelines for an overview of the criteria, and to apply.

The LA84 Foundation recently announced that 19 organizations across Southern California had received $1,781,000 in grant awards. The recipients provide school-based and community youth sports programs in six counties – L.A., Riverside, Orange, Imperial, Santa Barbara and Ventura.

The majority of the latest grant awards focus on communities where issues such as cost, transportation, safety and lack of facilities often prevent kids from experiencing the lifelong benefits of sport and play that can lead to an enriched life.

“These grants focus on access, belonging, and possibility,” said Renata Simril, President & CEO of the LA84 Foundation. “From Boyle Heights to Compton, from Imperial County to the Inland Empire, we are investing in coaches, providing safe places to play, and supporting inclusive programs that help youth succeed both in school and in life.”

All 19 grants shared the common goal of closing the play equity gap. The grant docket emphasized supporting a community pipeline by meeting kids where they are and providing inclusive coaching, safe facilities, and accessible environments with physical activity that nurture growth.

Compton Unified was among the recent grantees. CUSD received funding to expand its free after-school sports to 25 campuses, as well as eliminate fees and transportation barriers for elementary and middle school students. The grant from LA84 offsets key program expenses, including stipends for coaches, staff training, equipment, and uniforms.

CUSD students gain access to sports fundamentals in after-school enrichment, ongoing training, as well as leagues in flag football, basketball, soccer, volleyball, baseball, and track & field against other CUSD schools. At least 1,700 Compton students will benefit from this investment.

Variety Boys & Girls Club in Boyle Heights and P.F. Bresee Foundation in Central LA will expand their year-round leagues for youth at no cost to families after the latest LA84 grants.

“Every child deserves access to safe spaces where they can engage in athletic activities with their peers that build confidence and healthy habits,” said Patricia Siqueiros, Executive Director of Variety Boys & Girls Club (VBGC). “It is an investment in a healthier and more equitable future for our community’s youth.”

Throughout the year, 900 of Variety’s members join organized teams in baseball, softball, flag football, basketball, soccer, volleyball, or swimming. The club also has a comprehensive aquatic program, using an onsite four-lane pool.

Support for the P.F. Bresee Foundation will go toward the Bresee Athletics League, engaging middle and high school students through leagues offering futsal, soccer, basketball, and volleyball in Central L.A. More than 325 youth benefit from this investment.

Students Run LA will expand its Female Ambassador Program and provide sports bras and health products to support retention and well-being. Girls on the Run Riverside will add teams and coach stipends to maintain program quality.

LA84 is committed to supporting youth events that promote the ideals of Olympism. The YMCA of Metropolitan Los Angeles’ Crenshaw Classic Track & Field Youth Initiative offers free, certified competitions in South L.A. and Inglewood, connecting youth with Olympians and college mentors. The grant will benefit over 500 youth. The program consists of track & field training over two 8-week seasons in 15 local schools, with mentorship from Olympians and college athletes.

It culminates in the Crenshaw Classic track meet, a no-cost certified competition with official times and rankings that celebrates the heritage of South L.A. and Inglewood.

To reach rural youth, an LA84 grant will expand access to AYSO’s expansion of its PLAY! model in Imperial County for its clinics, coach training, and no- to low-cost soccer. This investment is expected to benefit 1,000 Imperial County youth.

“With LA84’s support, AYSO PLAY! will train local leaders and engage over 1,000 kids in Imperial County at no cost, building a foundation for sustainable, low-cost soccer programs in the years ahead,” said Blane Shepard, AYSO National Director of Community Engagement & Business Development.

LA84’s fall grant docket reached girls (45%) and boys (55%), with participation from Latino (43%), White (35%), Black/African American (8%), Native Hawaiian/Pacific Islander (5%), Asian (4%), and other/multiracial youth. It supports a diverse sports ecosystem spanning running, track & field, soccer, squash, skateboarding, and multi-sport/learn-to-play programs.

“Play unlocks possibility,” said Simril. “These LA84 Foundation grants strengthen the coaches, spaces, and community bonds that help young people build healthy bodies, resilient minds, and the confidence to lead.”

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The Rebels Lacrosse Club — a prominent Long Island youth program — sent an email to families last week that said it was forced to file for bankruptcy and would be shutting down.

Rebels Lacrosse has 21 boys teams and six girls teams on Long Island and has training programs starting at age 3, according to its websites. Rebels Lacrosse and Blatant National, a national youth program that is also shutting down, are both under the Blatant Athletics umbrella.

“This decision is the result of circumstances we never could have imagined,” the email said. “Despite our best efforts to keep the program running and despite years of successful seasons, we have experienced significant financial challenges that have now become insurmountable. We have been advised by counsel that we are required to file for bankruptcy.”

Blatant Lacrosse is owned by Mike Brennan and Joe Potenza. Brennan is also listed as the CEO and owner of Rebels Lacrosse. 

“We never had any intention of shutting down our business after 15 years, as we were currently in the middle of our 8th season with Rebels Lacrosse,” Brennan said in a statement to Newsday. “We have received an outpouring of support from former athletes, parents, and those who truly know us best. … and are truly grateful for that.

“The past several days have been extremely difficult on our Rebels families and players, ourselves, and even moreso on our young families who have always been there to support us.”

The email, obtained by Newsday, did not address if families that have already paid for clinics and upcoming seasons would get their money back.

Frank Hodge, a parent of a Rebels Lacrosse player, said he has already paid his child’s tuition in full for the upcoming season.

“We are not a heartless family nor are we trying to kick someone when they are down … but the fact is we paid tuition in full early and for equipment,” Hodge said via a text to Newsday.

“Where did our money go?” Hodge said. “Am I wrong for wanting to know where my money went or the equipment is I paid for?”

Newsday could not find a record of the bankruptcy filing as of Monday afternoon.

The email said Rebels Lacrosse LLC and Blatant LLC are being represented by Lindenhurst attorney Richard Artura, who did not respond to requests for comment.

Rebels Lacrosse teams participated in tournaments on Long Island and in nearby states this spring and summer, according to its website. 

Tuition for the 2025-26 season was listed for as much as $5,500 for some teams in the 2027, 2028 and 2029 classes, according to the Rebels’ LeagueApps site.

The email to families stating Rebels Lacrosse LLC and Blatant LLC’s intention to file for bankruptcy comes just months after Blatant agreed to a $119,000 payment plan to settle a lawsuit brought by a financing company, court papers show.

The financing company, Velocity Capital Group LLC, filed a lawsuit in June in state court in upstate Erie County alleging Blatant defaulted on their July 2024 financing agreement.

A week after Verity filed the lawsuit in June, Blatant agreed to a revised payment plan to pay Verity the $119,000 owed, according to a publicly filed settlement agreement signed by Potenza, one of Blatant’s two owners.

That new arrangement called for Blatant to make weekly $2,000 payments for 10 weeks through August, then weekly payments of $6,187 until the remainder of the year.

It’s not clear from the court documents whether Blatant has made those payments.

Newsday’s Jim Baumbach contributed to this story.

Ben Dickson is Newsday Sports’ general assignment reporter. He joined Newsday’s high school sports staff in 2023 after graduating from Maryland, where he covered several of the Terrapins’ teams.

After winning back-to-back games on Friday and Saturday, Pistons guard Cade Cunningham spent his Sunday giving back to his community.

“This is special,” said Cunningham. “This is the cool part about doing what I get to do.”

Cunningham hosted “A Cade Christmas” in Detroit, providing holiday support, including a fully catered meal, brand new bicycles for every child, free gift-wrapping stations, along with grocery and gas cards for parents.

“You know, being in their shoes at one point, I always appreciated when people came back to talk to me or just getting to see people that I looked up to or admired,” said Cunningham.

“They don’t get to experience this,” attendee Kalaundra Hall said. “How often do they get to meet an NBA athlete? How often do they get to come out into the community? Some kids might not even be experiencing a Christmas, but they got to come here and get some things.”

Cade says that giving back to his community is something that has always been a priority.

“As a kid, I thought like once I make it one day, that is something I would love to do, so to be in those shoes now and to be real is still surreal,” said Cunningham. “Through the ups and downs, I’ve always had so much support being in Detroit. So being able to give back and support neighborhoods and communities around here means a lot.”

The kids seemed excited to interact with Cade and many showed their support by wearing his jersey.

“I think seeing them wear my jersey is some of the coolest things I could see,” said Cunningham.

The event was hosted in partnership with Give Merit, a Detroit-based youth organization that provides educational access and mentorship to underserved students.

“I think it’s super important for our students in the community to see someone who looks like them,” said Hall. “To see someone who can identify with them giving back. They need to see that. This month, we’re talking about generosity so to have these kids understand what that is, is amazing.”

“I’ve been able to make money playing the game that I love and so to be able to put some of that back into helping some of the communities that support me, it’s special,” Cunningham said. “So, I’m going to keep on doing that as long as I can play.”

Cade and the Pistons return to the court on Friday when Detroit hosts Atlanta at 7:00 pm.

Texas Sport for Healing Fund was a charitable endeavour set up this year. Raising money for flood devastation, the scheme could be a permanent fixture of the state’s charity calendar.

The state of Texas has had a tough year, with floods causing chaos and ruining lives over the summer. Yet it was also a time when the state came together, and sport was at the forefront of this. The Texas Sport for Healing Fund embodied this ethos, raising money to help those impacted. But should this be a regular occurrence, and can sport be utilised for even more good in the area?

The Texas Sport for Healing Fund

This July, after the devastating floods that engulfed central Texas, an initiative known as the ‘Texas Sport for Healing Fund’ was put in place. This saw around 40 national and local sports teams come together to raise money for relief efforts. This was done through a charity auction, packed with interesting and unique items of sports memorabilia.

The items on offer were donated by a range of teams and individuals, with 80 players and squads represented. In total, 150 items were up for grabs. Running until the 8th of August, all proceeds from the auction went to support immediate relief efforts and the long-term recovery of the sport.

The Popularity of Sport in Texas

The popularity of this auction was unprecedented. Sport has always been huge in the US, with a range of activities from football to baseball and basketball being popular. In recent years, this growth has reached even further, and has been due to numerous factors. These have included the dawn of the streaming era, which has made it easier to watch games and engage with teams and players. In addition, the growth of sports betting online has been legalized in many states, adding an extra layer of excitement to game day for many players.

Missouri has been the latest state to change its laws regarding online betting, and it already has licenses lined up for some of the best global brands. Amongst them is Bet365, which is using a new user promo at Bet365 Missouri to attract new customers. This is a great introduction to the holiday season schedule, letting people place bets on the NBA and prepare for the Super Bowl.

Items That Were Sold

The range of prizes on offer ran the whole gamut. At the top end, sat some very high ticket prices. A VIP Formula One United States Grand Prix package was available with a starting bid of $50,000.

There were also much smaller game packages available for a wide range of sports, and some of the most popular were autographed pieces of memorabilia. A Dirk Nowitzki jersey, signed by the former German player who now works for the Dallas Mavericks, managed to fetch $2,200. A Mikko Rantanen Autographed Dallas Stars Jersey managed to bring in $5,150.

Even in the lower price range, there were items for everyone. Soccer fans could have picked up a signed Houston Dynamo match ball for $350, with autographed photos going for between $100 and $150.

Why Sport for Healing Should Continue

In the end, Texas Sport for Healing raised over $6.3 million in profit. Yet this unique event was only set up to help the floods, in an isolated occurrence. But why couldn’t it do this yearly?

Texas, with its love of sports, has many sports-based charities that would benefit highly from this type of endeavour. Take Atlas Adaptive Sports. This non-profit organisation, based in Round Rock, is dedicated to providing opportunities for those with disabilities. It does this through adaptive sports and recreational activities. Funding of this nature would help them provide STEM activities, along with fun and interactive learning programmes.

Another Texas charity is Every Kid Sports. They pay youth sports registration fees for low-income qualifying families, allowing access to sport for those who would not normally be able to afford it. They believe kids are missing out simply because of the cost. They work in Texas and across the US and have so far provided $21 million to families, with access for over 182,000 children.

One of the biggest has to be the Sports Authority Foundation. This is a Houston-based organisation that holds numerous events, with its crowning glory being the Olympic and Paralympic days. This gets actual athletes who have competed to teach and train over 250 children. Sports taught include basketball, tennis, track and field, taekwondo, and more.

By holding these charity auctions, more could be ploughed into youth and adult sports alike. In fact, it does not have to stop at sport. This money could be used for a range of charitable causes. The real golden nugget from his is that it costs very little: Sports organisations lose nothing in donating match-worn and signed shirts or memorabilia, and turning them into money, which can build the future of Texas sports.

The William Floyd High School boys’ varsity basketball team, led by head coach Will Slinkosky, recently hosted their first annual Coach Darrell Sumpter Memorial Game in a matchup against Sachem North. Coach Sumpter was a beloved varsity assistant coach who tragically passed away last year at the age of 51. Coach D, as he was affectionately known, had a deep passion for the game of basketball and a love for the kids of the community, having served as a mentor and coach for both the boys’ and girls’ basketball programs. He also played an integral role in the creation of the community’s youth basketball program and basketball booster club.

As a tribute to Coach D, the Colonials left an empty seat on the bench adorned with a memorial t-shirt, a clipboard and a pack of Mamba candy that he often gave to players as a reward. Before the starting lineups were introduced, public address announcer Michael Feldstein shared a heartfelt tribute that celebrated Coach D’s life and legacy, followed by a moment of silence.

Please see below to view the pre-game tribute.

The Colonials, who played their hearts out for Coach D, defeated Sachem North 63-51 to earn their first win of the young season. In the game, the first quarter was a back-and-forth affair that ended with a buzzer beating three-pointer from senior Sharod Sutton, putting the Colonials up 17-14. The green and white never looked back after that, outscoring Sachem North 20-5 in the second quarter to take a 37-19 halftime lead, and opening up a 27-point lead by the end of the third quarter.

Seniors Jesse Durham and JJ Smith led the Colonials in scoring with 12 points apiece, while Sharod Sutton added nine points on three baskets from behind the arc. Sharod spoke to Newsday after the game to talk about Coach Sumpter, whom he described as a father figure. “I felt like his presence was there the way we were playing and moving the ball,” said Sharod. “I just know he was watching.”

Between the pre-game ceremony, the convincing win and the presence of friends and family cheering the team on, this was a fitting tribute to honor Coach D.

The Colonials next game is scheduled for Tuesday, December 9, as they host Longwood at 4 pm.

Please click here for rules and regulation for attending indoor sports games.

AMARILLO, Texas (KFDA) – Kids, Incorporated has announced that Toot’n Totum will host a Change for Better campaign from Dec. 8 through Dec. 21, with all proceeds benefiting Kids, Inc. and the development of Rockrose Sports Park.

This year’s campaign adds a new option for giving: Customers can now round up at the pump, in addition to rounding up at the register inside any Toot’n Totum location.

The partnership comes as both organizations celebrate milestone anniversaries. Kids, Inc. marks 80 years of serving youth and families in the Amarillo area, while Toot’n Totum celebrates 75 years of service to the community.

“Toot’n Totum believes in investing in the communities that have supported us for 75 years,” said John Lutz, vice president of fuel and marketing. “Kids, Inc. has shaped countless young lives in our region, and we’re proud to stand with them as they build Rockrose Sports Park. When our guests choose to round up—whether inside the store or at the pump—they’re helping create opportunities that will benefit families for generations.”

“Two longtime Amarillo institutions—each with decades of commitment to our region’s growth—are coming together to invest in the next generation,” Haley Bell, vice president for development. “We are grateful for Toot’n Totum’s transformational support and for every customer who chooses to round up. Change truly adds up, and together, we’re building something lasting for our community.”

Funds raised through the Change for Better campaign will support ongoing development of Rockrose Sports Park, Kids, Inc.’s new multi-sport complex.

The park broke ground Oct. 7, and construction is underway. Drivers along I-27 can already see early progress at the site.

Kids, Inc. is encouraging the community to participate by visiting their local Toot’n Totum and rounding up their purchase—either inside the store or, for the first time, at the pump.

For more information about Rockrose Sports Park, click here.

Rockrose Sports Park is planned as a premier hub for Kids, Inc. sports and regional tournaments, with facilities for baseball, softball, soccer, flag and tackle football and more. The complex is expected to enhance youth sports experiences and boost the local economy by attracting teams and visitors to Amarillo.

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