Rec Sports

NFHS Recognizes Eight High School Athletic Directors with Citation Awards

Published

2 days ago

December 2, 2025

NFHS Citations will be awarded to eight high school athletic directors December 14 in Tampa, Florida, during luncheon festivities at the 56^th annual National Athletic Directors Conference sponsored jointly by the NFHS and the National Interscholastic Athletic Administrators Association (NIAAA).

NFHS Citations are presented annually to outstanding athletic directors in recognition of contributions to interscholastic athletics at the local, state and national levels. State associations nominate athletic directors for NFHS Citations, and the NFHS Board of Directors approves recipients.

The 2025 award recipients are Brian Avery, RAA, director of Champions Together program, Indiana High School Athletic Association, Indianapolis, Indiana; Emily Barkley, CMAA, athletic director, Union Public Schools, Tulsa, Oklahoma; Dave Frazier, CMAA, athletic director, Rutherford (New Jersey) High School; Lee Gillie, CMAA, athletic director, Salem Hills High School, Salem, Utah; Troy Rice, CMAA, activities and athletic director, Rocky Mountain High School, Meridian, Idaho; Dan Talbot, CMAA, senior director of athletics, Polk County Public Schools, Bartow, Florida; Jack Tarr, CMAA, retired athletic director, Malcolm (Nebraska) Public Schools; and Randy Tevepaugh, CMAA, athletic director, Streetsboro (Ohio) City Schools.

Following are biographical sketches on the 2025 NFHS Citation recipients:

Brian Avery, RAA
Indianapolis, Indiana

Brian Avery, RAA, has been director of the Champions Together program for the Indiana High School Athletic Association (IHSAA) since July 1, 2022, and administers and promotes both of the IHSAA’s Unified Sports – Unified Flag Football and Unified Track & Field.

The Champions Together program began in 2012 as a collaborative effort between the IHSAA and Special Olympics Indiana (SOIN) as a means of providing a quality experience of sports training and competition. It brings together high school students with and without disabilities to compete together representing their high school.

Avery has been the IHSAA Girls Basketball State Finals tournament director since 2023, and assistant to the tournament director for the IHSAA Boys Basketball State Finals since 1992.

Prior to joining the IHSAA, Avery was an athletic director at two Indiana high schools – 11 years at Speedway High School (2011-22) and 11 years at Franklin Central High School (2000-11). He was a teacher/coach at Lawrence Central High School (1988-2000) and Scecina Memorial High School (1983-88) prior to moving into administrative roles.

Avery has been a member of the Indiana Interscholastic Athletic Administrators Association (IIAAA) Executive Board since 2005 and served as president of that organization in 2016-17.

Avery has been honored by both the National Interscholastic Athletic Administrators Association (NIAAA) and the IIAAA numerous times in his career including the NIAAA State Award of Merit in 2009 and IIAAA State Athletic Director of the Year in 2014. He was secretary/treasurer of the Indiana Crossroads Conference and is a former president of Conference Indiana and former Marion County Athletic Association coordinator.

Avery is a 1983 graduate of Marian College, where he earned a bachelor’s degree in social studies teacher education. He went on to earn a master’s degree in secondary school administration from Butler University in 1990.

A LaPorte, Indiana, native, he is a 1979 graduate of LaPorte High School where he played basketball and ran track for the Slicers. Avery is also a licensed IHSAA official in football and basketball following in the footsteps of his father, George R. Avery, who also was licensed in those sports for 25 years.

Emily Barkley, CMAA
Tulsa, Oklahoma

Emily Barkley, CMAA, is the highly respected athletic director at Union Public Schools in Tulsa, Oklahoma, where she has dedicated more than two decades to serving students through athletic administration. She began her career in 2004 as associate athletic director at Union, a role she held until 2012 before advancing to her current position.

Throughout her career, Barkley has shown a remarkable commitment to professional development, earning her CMAA certification in 2016 and completing 14 Leadership Training Courses (LTC).

Barkley has been an active member of the NIAAA since 2004 and has attended more than 15 National Athletic Directors Conferences (NADC). She has participated in numerous committees, including her current role on the NIAAA Board of Directors and the Section 6 representative on the NIAAA DEIB Committee. Additionally, she is on the Quality Program Assessment (QPA) team and was a QPA mentor for a year.

At the state level, Barkley has held multiple leadership roles, including president and treasurer for the Oklahoma Interscholastic Athletic Administrators Association (OIAAA). She has served on the OIAAA Board of Directors for many years, and she has been a presenter on numerous occasions at the OIAAA state conference.

Within the Oklahoma Secondary School Activities Association (OSSAA), Barkley has hosted the OSSAA State Cheer Championships several times and the OSSAA State Volleyball Championships one time. Locally, she is a past president and current treasurer for the Frontier Valley Conference, regularly hosting events such as the FVC Varsity Track Meet and pre- and post-season basketball tournaments.

Barkley’s dedication to advancing athletic administration has led to several awards and honors, including the NIAAA Bruce D. Whitehead Distinguished Service Award, several OIAAA awards and an NIAAA Quality Program Award for the Union Athletic Department to become the first school in Oklahoma to receive this recognition. She also has been previously honored as Athletic Director of the Year in Oklahoma.

Dave Frazier, CMAA
Rutherford, New Jersey

For nearly 25 years as an athletic administrator, Dave Frazier, CMAA, has made a mark at the local, state and national levels. Frazier has led the Rutherford (New Jersey) High School athletic department for his entire career, while also working as a coach and teacher at the school.

During his time at Rutherford, the school has added varsity programs for boys and girls lacrosse, and dance team, and also started a Captains Council. Frazier also consistently ranks in the top 10 of NJ.com’s “Top Power Players in New Jersey High School Sports,” helping Rutherford earn the state’s Sportsmanship Award five times.

Locally, Frazier continues to serve as president of the New Jersey Interscholastic Conference, a position he has held since 2010. He has also served as the conference’s swim chair since 2010.

Frazier is heavily involved with both the New Jersey Interscholastic Athletic Association (NJSIAA) and the Directors of Athletics Association of New Jersey (DAANJ). He was a member of the NJSIAA Executive Committee from 2007 to 2014, including a year as NJSIAA President in 2012-13. Frazier also currently serves on the NJSIAA Advisory Committee as its chair, and on the NJSIAA Controversies Committee.

Currently, Frazier is the president elect of DAANJ and will assume the presidency next year, after also serving as the organization’s treasurer (2023-24) and secretary (2021-22). He also currently serves as chair of the DAANJ Sectional Award of Merit Selection Committee, and is a current member of the DAANJ’s Athletic Director of the Year Selection Committee and the Strategic Plan Committee.

As a 23-year NIAAA member, he has taught Leadership Training Course (LTC) 503 and LTC 506, and personally taken 16 courses and earned his CMAA designation in 2019. From 2020 to 2024, Frazier served a term as an at-large member on the NFHS Board of Directors.

Frazier previously earned the NIAAA Bruce D. Whitehead Distinguished Service Award in 2023 and the DAANJ Bob Hopek Professional Development Award in 2020.

Lee Gillie, CMAA
Salem, Utah

After beginning his career in education as an accomplished soccer coach and teacher, Lee Gillie, CMAA, has become one of the most impactful athletic administrators in Utah.

Gillie led the boys and girls soccer programs at Payson High School from 2002 to 2007 before moving to Salem Hills High School in 2008. In 2016, Gillie became the school’s athletic director and eventually retired from coaching in 2022.

At Salem Hills, Gillie led efforts to add new programs in competitive spirit, girls wrestling, lacrosse and boys volleyball, as well as a number of Unified Sports. The school has also started an athletic hall of fame, built a new artificial turf stadium, and generally rebranded the entire athletic department under his leadership.

In addition, Gillie has quickly become a leader in the Utah Interscholastic Athletic Administrators Association (UIAAA). He has served terms on the UIAAA Conference Planning Committee, Awards Committee and Scholarship Committee, and is a member of the UIAAA Leadership Training Faculty. In 2023-24, Gillie served as UIAAA president.

Gillie has also served on the Utah High School Activities Association (UHSAA) Soccer Sportsmanship Committee and is president of the UHSAA Soccer Coaches Association.

At the national level, Gillie has attended eight national conferences and earned his CMAA certification in 2020. He has also taken 35 Leadership Training Courses.

Troy Rice, CMAA
Meridian, Idaho

Troy Rice has become a leader in the state of Idaho as he has steadily led Rocky Mountain High School’s athletic/activities department for the past 16 years. In addition to overseeing Rocky Mountain’s interscholastic athletic programs, Rice has served as a tournament manager for more than 50 district tournaments at his school.

Rice’s leadership also includes service to the Southern Idaho Conference as its secretary from 2008 to 2014 and as president from 2019 to 2021.

His tournament management experience extends to the state level as well where he has managed state tournaments in several sports for the Idaho High School Activities Association (IHSAA). That includes 12 years as manager of the state baseball tournament and 10 years as manager of the state soccer tournament. He has also managed IHSAA tournaments in basketball, volleyball, football, softball and track.

Rice currently is the past president of the Idaho Athletic Administrators Association (IAAA) after serving a term as the organization’s president from 2022 to 2024. He has been a member of the IAAA Executive Board since 2017. In addition, Rice has been a workshop moderator at the IAAA Conference for eight years and taught Leadership Training Course 502 at the 2020 conference.

From 2019 to 2023, Rice helped plan the National Athletic Directors Conference (NADC) for the NIAAA and NFHS as a member of the National Conference Advisory Committee and was a conference moderator at the 2023 conference in Nashville. He has served as Idaho’s delegate at the NADC three times and was a member of the NIAAA Strategic Planning Committee in 2024.

In 2024, Rice was named as the Dick Fleischman Award recipient by the IHSAA.

Dan Talbot, CMAA
Bartow, Florida

Dan Talbot has dedicated more than 25 years to advancing interscholastic athletics, leaving a lasting impact on students, coaches and athletic administrators in Florida and beyond.

Since 2022, Talbot has served as senior director of athletics for Polk County Public Schools in Bartow, Florida, following more than six years as senior coordinator of athletics. His earlier career included stops as an athletic director at Winter Haven, Lakeland and DeSoto County high schools.

At the state level, Talbot has been a driving force within the Florida Interscholastic Athletic Administrators Association (FIAAA), serving on its board of directors since 2018, coordinating all Leadership Training Institute (LTI) courses, and teaching at both the state and national levels. He’s the FIAAA’s president-elect, and will begin his term as president in 2026.

Talbot currently serves as president of the Florida Athletic Coaches Association (FACA) Board of Directors and represents athletic administrators statewide as a member of the Florida High School Athletic Association’s (FHSAA) Athletic Directors Advisory Committee, where he helps shape policy and procedure recommendations.

Talbot’s leadership has been instrumental in Polk County hosting multiple FHSAA state championships, including weightlifting (2023–present), volleyball (2023–present), soccer (2024), basketball (2019-present), and competitive cheer (2020, 2024–present).

Nationally, Talbot is a recognized leader in professional development for athletic administrators. He serves on the National Interscholastic Athletic Administrators Association (NIAAA) Coaches Education Committee, is a national faculty member and the Florida state coordinator, and mentors colleagues through the NIAAA Cohort Leadership program after completing the program himself. His achievements have earned him recognition as FIAAA’s Wayne Taylor Distinguished Service Award (2024) and a National Award of Merit recipient (2019).

FIAAA Executive Director Andy Chiles described Talbot as “the consummate professional” and “at the top of the list” of those he has worked alongside. FHSAA Director Craig Damon commended Talbot’s “nothing is impossible” mindset and his ability to create meaningful professional development opportunities for athletic administrators nationwide.

Jack Tarr, CMAA
Malcolm, Nebraska

When Jack Tarr retired as Malcolm Public Schools’ athletic director, the community held a parade in his honor. Tarr spent 43 years at Malcolm Public Schools, retiring in 2021 after serving the final 30 years of his career as athletic director and assistant principal.

Among his many accomplishments, including facilitating hundreds of tournaments in multiple sports, Tarr was instrumental in Malcolm adding cross country, softball, wrestling, Unified bowling and baseball to its offerings. In the 1980s, Tarr developed and wrote the health curriculum for Malcolm when there was no standard program, including CPR education and certification. He also helped oversee five building projects — two new schools, one school addition and two athletic complexes — and was recognized as Teacher of the Year at Malcolm three times.

At the state level, Tarr helped create a mentoring program for new and retired athletic directors through the Nebraska State Interscholastic Athletic Administrators Association (NSIAAA). He has served as a delegate at national meetings for several years, ensuring Nebraskans have a voice on current issues. Tarr has also taught several Leadership Training Courses in Nebraska and, since joining the NSIAAA in 2004, has not missed a state conference.

Tarr has been a member of the Nebraska Coaches Association for more than 30 years and was named the state’s Athletic Director of the Year in 2019. He has coached—or still coaches—volleyball, basketball, football, cross country and track.

Tarr was inducted into the Nebraska School Activities Association Hall of Fame this year and has also received the NSIAAA District 1 Athletic Director of the Year, the NIAAA State Award of Merit and the NSIAAA State Athletic Director of the Year.

The jack-of-all-trades has hardly slowed down in retirement, staying active with Malcolm schools and athletic director organizations. He continues to volunteer at tournaments in several sports, “doing whatever is needed—lines, scorebook, officiating and clock”—and fills in as a substitute teacher when needed. He also continues to serve as the CPR instructor for Malcolm and several other schools.

Randy Tevepaugh, CMAA
Streetsboro, Ohio

Randy Tevepaugh’s leadership and dedication as an athletic director have left a lasting mark on the Streetsboro School District and the state of Ohio at large.

Tevepaugh, who also serves as Streetsboro’s compliance officer, oversees an athletics department that in 2015 received the Ohio High School Athletic Association (OHSAA)/Ohio Interscholastic Athletic Administrators Association (OIAAA) Award of Excellence. He assisted with the design and supervised the construction of Streetsboro’s $4.5 million athletic complex, which was completed in 2017, and has overseen more than 75 OHSAA tournament events.

Over his 19 years as an athletic administrator, Tevepaugh has also spearheaded local initiatives including the creation of the athletic handbook, coaches handbook, and the Streetsboro Athletic Hall of Fame.

Tevepaugh has played an active role in advancing interscholastic athletics for his fellow Ohioans. He has served on the Ohio High School Athletic Association (OHSAA) Board of Directors since 2024.

As a member of the OIAAA Executive Board, he helped expand the Bruce Brown Award program from 26 to 104 recipients in just three years. Additionally, he has served on the Northeast Ohio Interscholastic Athletic Administrators Association (NEOIAAA) Board since 2012 and currently holds the position of president-elect.

Nationally, Tevepaugh’s influence extends through his involvement with the National Interscholastic Athletic Administrators Association (NIAAA), where he serves as Quality Program Assessment Committee chair, mentor and cohort facilitator. His work teaching Leadership Training Courses (LTC) and mentoring athletic administrators reflects his commitment to developing the next generation of athletic leaders.

Tevepaugh’s achievements have been recognized through numerous honors, including the Bruce Brown Award of Excellence (2015, 2021), the NIAAA QPA Exemplary Award of Excellence, and multiple Administrator of the Year awards. His dedication to advancing student-athlete experiences and community engagement was also recognized by the City of Streetsboro, which issued a formal mayoral proclamation in his honor.

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Love named Packers nominee for 2025 Walter Payton Man of the Year Award

Published

44 minutes ago

December 4, 2025

Your Sports Nation

GREEN BAY, Wis. — The Green Bay Packers selected quarterback Jordan Love as the team’s nominee for the Walter Payton Man of the Year Award, which recognizes NFL players who excel on the field while demonstrating a commitment to making a positive impact beyond the game.

Love, who entered the league in 2020, launched his foundation in May 2024 — Hands of 10ve. His foundation focuses on empowering children, regardless of their backgrounds, to participate in sports while raising awareness about mental health. It also emphasizes fostering stronger connections between law enforcement and communities.

Through 10ve for Cleats, a Hands of 10ve initiative, Love has donated cleats to a youth sports team for every touchdown scored during the season. This initiative will even expand to Bakersfield, Calif., Love’s hometown.

“We are pleased to name Jordan Love as our club winner for the prestigious Walter Payton Man of the Year Award,” said Packers President and CEO Ed Policy. “It’s been a privilege to watch him grow as a leader during his time with the Packers, both in the locker room and in the community. We have been proud to support his dedication to giving back.”

Love and the 32 club winners will wear a special Walter NFL Man of the Year helmet through the end of the season.

All club winners will be recognized in the week leading up to Super Bowl LX, and the national winner of the 2025 Walter Payton NFL Man of the Year will be announced during NFL Honors, a primetime awards special set to air on Feb. 5.

For more information about the award, please visit NFL.com/ManOfTheYear.

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Dick’s Sporting Goods Execs on Foot Locker Turnaround, 2026 Retail Growth

Published

2 hours ago

December 4, 2025

Your Sports Nation

Dick’s Sporting Goods executives shared key details about the company’s strategic playbook for 2026 at this week’s Morgan Stanley Global Consumer & Retail Conference in New York. Lauren Hobart, president and CEO of Dick’s Sporting Goods, Ed Stack, executive chairman, and Navdeep Gupta, executive VP and CFO shared details on Wednesday about the Foot Locker turnaround since acquiring it earlier this year, how Dick’s plans to expand its retail footprint and

Dick’s Foot Locker Turnaround Plans

Stack elaborated on his recent comments about the Foot Locker acquisition on Dick’s Sporting Goods’ third-quarter earnings call, repeating that Foot Locker had strayed from “retail 101” in recent years.

“The most misunderstood aspect of this is how simple this turnaround is — not that it’s not hard work, but we know exactly what we need to do,” Stack said. “We know exactly how we need to do it. We know exactly who’s going to do it. We know exactly who’s going to partner with us on it,” he said, adding that major brand partners are eager to see a “stable, growing, viable, predictable Foot Locker.”

The immediate focus is on “cleaning out the garage,” clearing old inventory in the fourth quarter to set the stage for a fresh start in 2026. The new management team, led by former Nike executive Anne Freeman, will have its first major impact on product assortment during the back-to-school season next year, which is when the company expects to see progress.

“Some people have asked, ‘so why not better in Q1 and Q2?’ Well, we hope it’s going to be better in Q1 and Q2, but our team did not buy the product for Q1 and Q2,” Stack said. “The product that’s going to be coming in was bought by a previous management team. Most of them are not here any longer. And the first time that we were able to touch and build the assortment for what Foot Locker is going to look like is in the back-to-school time.”

To test its new approach, Dick’s is bringing its “operational excellence” to Foot Locker, with a focus on 11 Foot Locker stores, Hobart said. The new layout features roughly 30% fewer SKUs and a more organized presentation that highlights key franchises. Apparel has also been reintroduced, and early results are promising. “We see some real green shoots that we’re really excited about,” Stack said.

Pre-COVID, Foot Locker’s international business was very profitable, Stack said. But in recent years, the international side lost significance as the EMEA reporting structure shifted, moving from operating independently to reporting to a counterpart in the U.S. Matthew Barnes, the former CEO of Aldi grocery in the U.K., will now run the European business. So far, the North America turnaround is moving more quickly than EMEA, but Europe is not far behind, Stack said.

House of Sport Tweaks and Retail Expansion

While Hobart couldn’t share details about Black Friday results, she said Dick’s is enthusiastic about the holiday season to come.

The House of Sport concept remains a central pillar of Dick’s growth strategy, with a target of opening 75 to 100 of the large-format, experiential stores. These locations have allowed Dick’s to secure prime real estate in high-performing malls that were previously inaccessible, Stack said.

The concept is also a testing ground for new ideas. For example, the success of a collectibles and trading card section, in partnership with Fanatics, is being rolled out to other stores. The stores are also proving to be an effective entry point for new brand partners like Gymshark, which is currently in 12 House of Sport locations. Hobart explained that the format allows new brands to “get comfortable with us, they build the trust, and we can continue to roll.”

The learnings from House of Sport are being applied to more traditional “Field House” stores, creating a flywheel of innovation across the company’s retail footprint.

A Different Approach to Business

Throughout the discussion, the executives stressed that Dick’s current success is a result of doing things differently than it had in the past. This transformation has been guided by four key pillars: elevating the athlete (customer) experience, focusing on the teammate experience, building the brand, and delivering differentiated products.

“Our vision is to be the best sports company in the world,” Hobart said. This broader vision has pushed the company beyond the confines of traditional retail with initiatives like the Game Changer app, a scoring and stat platform for youth sports that now has 9 million unique users. The app not only creates a direct connection with young athletes and their families — who are the company’s most loyal customers — but also forms the basis of a growing media network.

Looking ahead, Dick’s is preparing for a series of major sporting events in the U.S., including the 2026 FIFA World Cup and the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics. Stack believes the World Cup will be “the biggest sports moment this country’s ever had,” and Dick’s is positioned to be at the center of it, he said.

Kate Robertson can be reached at kate@shop-eat-surf-outdoor.com.

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Positive Coaching Alliance Establishes Lee Corso Legacy Fund to Support Youth Sports Coaching Development

Published

3 hours ago

December 4, 2025

Your Sports Nation

Key Takeaways

Positive Coaching Alliance launched the Lee Corso Legacy Fund to honor the former college football coach and ESPN analyst’s commitment to positive youth sports experiences
The fund will establish the Lee Corso Legacy Award recognizing coaches who use sports to teach life lessons and build character in young athletes
PCA board member and Tallen Capital Partners CEO Terry Tallen, a former player under Corso at Indiana University, provided the lead gift and is challenging others to match his donation
The initiative extends PCA’s reach beyond its current impact of more than 20 million youth across all 50 states and partnerships with over 3,500 schools and organizations
Contributions can be made at positivecoach.org/lee-corso-legacy-fund

Expanding PCA’s Coaching Education Mission

Positive Coaching Alliance announced the creation of the Lee Corso Legacy Fund, a new initiative designed to advance the organization’s work in transforming youth sports culture through coaching education and resources. The fund honors Corso’s decades-long advocacy for positive coaching methods that prioritize character development alongside athletic skill.

The fund will support PCA’s provision of training and resources for coaches, parents, and athletes. These programs focus on fostering sportsmanship, character development, and what the organization describes as “joy in play” for young participants.

New Award to Recognize Coaching Excellence

A central component of the fund is the establishment of the Lee Corso Legacy Award. The award will recognize coaches who demonstrate Corso’s philosophy that sports serve as a vehicle for teaching life lessons and developing confident, resilient young people.

“I’m deeply honored that the Positive Coaching Alliance is creating the Lee Corso Legacy Award to support youth sports,” said Corso. “Promoting youth sports has been a lifelong passion of mine. I have always believed that positive, encouraging coaching is the best way to motivate and inspire our youth.”

Corso, who built his coaching career before becoming one of college football’s most recognizable television personalities at ESPN, credited Terry Tallen for introducing him to the organization. Tallen, who played under Corso at Indiana University and served as co-captain of the team’s Holiday Bowl Championship squad, now sits on PCA’s board and serves as CEO of Tallen Capital Partners.

Lead Donor Issues Challenge to Sports Community

Tallen provided the fund’s lead gift donation and issued a public challenge to football fans, former players, and youth sports supporters to match his contribution. The funding structure aims to leverage Corso’s network and influence in college football to generate sustained support for PCA’s coaching development initiatives.

“I’m so proud of the Positive Coaching Alliance for expanding its mission by creating this fund and honoring one of college football’s greatest coaches, sportscasters and my longtime friend and mentor, Coach Lee Corso,” Tallen said. “I’m thrilled to kick off its funding with a significant lead gift donation and challenge my fellow football friends, fans and youth sports supporters to match my gift.”

The appeal positions the fund within both the college football community and the broader youth sports sector, targeting supporters familiar with Corso’s visibility in sports media and his coaching legacy.

Access and Equity in Youth Sports Coaching

PCA CEO Jason Sacks framed the fund within the organization’s commitment to ensuring access to quality coaching across different economic and social backgrounds. The fund’s structure supports the organization’s stated goal of providing positive sports experiences to every young person, regardless of circumstance.

“Coach Corso’s impact on generations of athletes, fans, and families goes far beyond the field,” Sacks said. “His legacy reminds us that when coaches lead with positivity, integrity, and love for the game, they shape lives. The Lee Corso Legacy Fund ensures that spirit will continue to inspire coaches and athletes for years to come.”

PCA currently operates partnerships in all 50 states and works with more than 3,500 schools and organizations. The organization reports reaching more than 20 million youth through its programs.

Strategic Implications for Youth Sports Development

The fund’s launch represents PCA’s continued focus on coaching quality as a lever for improving youth sports outcomes. By attaching Corso’s name and profile to the initiative, PCA gains access to college football networks and potential donor bases that may not typically engage with youth sports nonprofits.

The matching gift challenge from Tallen creates a fundraising mechanism designed to multiply initial contributions and build momentum for sustained support. The structure suggests PCA is positioning the fund for long-term growth rather than as a one-time campaign.

For coaches and youth sports organizations, the Lee Corso Legacy Award may provide recognition for practitioners who prioritize character development and positive athlete experiences. The award criteria, when released, will likely reflect PCA’s established coaching principles and could influence how coaching effectiveness is measured and celebrated in youth sports settings.

Supporters interested in contributing to the Lee Corso Legacy Fund can visit positivecoach.org/lee-corso-legacy-fund for more information.

via: Positive Coaching Alliance / MS

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Are you a brand looking to tap into the world’s most passionate fanbase… youth sports?

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New State Program Focuses on Keeping Arizona Kids Safe

Published

3 hours ago

December 4, 2025

Your Sports Nation

Text to speech audio articles made possible by CAST11 Talking Glass Media

The goal is simple: Gambling in Arizona is 21+, and staying informed keeps young people safe.

Rear view of multiethnic elementary middle school kids pupils classmates friends with backpack in casual clothes are hugging embracing each other standing outdoors.

The Arizona Department of Gaming (“ADG”) and its Division of Problem Gambling (“DPG”) today announced the launch of Too Young to Bet AZ, the state’s first youth-focused public awareness initiative to prevent underage gambling. The campaign is part of a national effort led by the National Council on Problem Gambling (“NCPG”) to raise awareness about the risks of youth gambling and educate communities on the importance of keeping gambling activities separate from children.

The Arizona initiative reinforces that all gambling in Arizona is strictly for individuals 21 and older and promotes a clear message: no form of gambling is acceptable or safe for children. Our goal is to educate and equip the adults who guide youth and young adults, including caregivers, coaches, and educators, with information to help prevent early exposure to gambling.

Through this initiative, ADG and DPG will share resources highlighting underage gambling risks, guidance for families and educators, downloadable youth-focused materials, and community engagement opportunities statewide. The Division of Problem Gambling is available to deliver presentations, offer technical assistance, and provide no-cost curriculum that schools, youth-serving groups, and community organizations can integrate into their existing programs. In addition, a 24-hour helpline, 1-800-NEXT-STEP (1-800-639-8783), is available to confidentially connect callers with resources, including statewide treatment providers who specialize in problem gambling and financial counseling services.

The Department has launched a new website to amplify awareness and provide accurate information and resources to families and communities at Gaming.az.gov/TooYoungToBet

What Arizona Families Need to Know About Underage Gambling

Young people today encounter gambling-like activities through mobile apps, online games, advertising, and social media, often without recognizing the risks. According to NCPG, more than one in six adolescents has gambled in the past year, with many reporting their first gambling experience at age ten or younger. Many adults unintentionally introduce gambling through casual sports wagers, online games, or the gifting of lottery products. The good news is that research also shows that youth who talk openly with trusted adults about gambling are far less likely to develop gambling problems. Whether you are a parent, caregiver, educator, coach, mentor, or community leader, your voice matters.

Early exposure increases risk: Youth who gamble or encounter gambling-like activities face a higher risk for future gambling problems.
Simple conversations can make a real difference in preventing youth gambling: Ongoing conversations reduce risk, build awareness, and reinforce that gambling is for adults only.
Games and apps often mimic gambling: Popular games include casino-style features that blur age-appropriate boundaries.
Access is easier than ever: Phones, tablets, and online platforms expose youth to gambling ads, sports odds, and unregulated casino-style games that don’t have age verification.
Parents and caregivers may not see it: Monitoring devices, downloads, and in-app purchases can help identify early warning signs.
Prevention requires partnership: Families, schools, coaches, and community organizations all play a critical role in reinforcing that gambling in Arizona is for adults 21+ only.

“Youth gambling can take many forms, and it is a growing risk that families need to be aware of,” said Jackie Johnson, Director of the Arizona Department of Gaming. “This initiative helps the community understand that in Arizona, gambling is for adults 21 and older and how important it is to keep gambling products out of kids’ hands. We are proud to join this national effort led by the National Council for Problem Gambling and encourage organizations across Arizona to get involved and help protect young people from underage gambling.”

“Underage gambling is more common than many families realize,” said Elise Mikkelsen, Director of the Division of Problem Gambling. “As prevention increasingly depends on families, schools, and communities working together, this campaign provides practical tools and gives adults the information they need to recognize early signs and keep gambling where it belongs, with adults. Our team is here to help and ready to support families, schools, and youth-serving organizations across the state.”

Organizations across Arizona are encouraged to visit Gaming.az.gov/TooYoungToBet to download our toolkit, share campaign messaging on social media and in newsletters, distribute prevention materials, integrate underage gambling education into their current programming, and engage with the DPG team for additional support.

Together, we can protect Arizona’s youth by staying informed, increasing awareness of underage gambling risks, supporting responsible decisions, and ensuring families receive accurate, age-appropriate information.

About the Arizona Department of Gaming

Established by the Arizona State Legislature in 1995, ADG is the state regulatory agency for tribal gaming, event wagering & fantasy sports contests, racing and pari-mutuel/simulcast wagering, and unarmed combat sports. ADG also provides and supports education, prevention, and treatment programs for people and families affected by problem gambling through its Division of Problem Gambling and 24-hour confidential helpline, 1-800-NEXT STEP.

About the National Council on Problem Gambling

The National Council on Problem Gambling (NCPG) is neutral on legalized gambling. Based in Washington, D.C., NCPG is the only national nonprofit organization that seeks to minimize the economic and social costs associated with gambling addiction. For more information, visit www.ncpgambling.org.

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Rec Sports

CAMP STREET LIGHTS TEACHES YOUTH COMMISSIONERS ABOUT HOMELESSNESS

Published

3 hours ago

December 4, 2025

Your Sports Nation

Students sleep overnight on an outdoor basketball court.

Spearheaded by Plant City Vice-Mayor Jason Jones, the Plant City Youth Commission is a comprehensive program for high school students designed to empower and inspire them to become active leaders who will shape the future of Plant City. As a part of this program, the Youth Commissioners go on field trips locally, and as far away as Tallahassee, to learn how municipalities and governments work.

“Part of my plan for the Youth Commission is to teach the high school students about local government, but also to educate them about their community,” Jones said. “When they filled out their applications, the majority said one thing they wanted to learn more about in their community is homelessness. Camp Street Lights has been going on for quite a while. They have a great program. Instead of recreating something new here in Plant City, we decided to join up with Hillsborough County.” Hillsborough County Children’s Services hosted the event on November 21. A panel of speakers addressed 200 attendees about homelessness.

“I wanted to take part because I enjoy helping with community events and representing the Youth Commission in a positive way,” Youth Commissioner Julissa Santana, a sophomore at Plant City Christian Academy (PCCA), commented. “It felt like it was a great opportunity to contribute and connect with people. I was a little unsure at first about what to expect, but once I got there, everyone was welcoming and the atmosphere made it easy to get involved. I learned how much planning and teamwork go into community events, and how important it is to stay flexible and supportive. It also taught me more about engaging with the public in a positive way.”

Participants heard stories from some people who were homeless in the past, and stories about homelessness as a young person. “The students got to hear about what it was like to be homeless, and not just some numbers,” Jones said. “It really taught some compassion. It taught them to think about others and how to help others.”

As a part of Camp Street Lights, the students had the chance to experience a night of homelessness by sleeping on an outdoor basketball court.

“I see homeless people when I drive around,” Youth Commissioner Angela Garcia, a sophomore at PCCA, said. “I wanted to know why there are so many. I thought it would be a good learning opportunity. It was very educational. It taught me a lot about homelessness; how it is more than just not having a job. There is a spectrum of reasons. I also learned there are more homeless people than I thought there was; the numbers are in the thousands for teenagers and young adults in Hillsborough County.”

“It was a good experience, a good opportunity to learn about the community, and how we could help out and give back to our community,” Santana said.

Rec Sports

IMG Academy and Under Armour Launch First National Track and Field Championship

Published

4 hours ago

December 4, 2025

Your Sports Nation

Key Takeaways

IMG Academy will host the inaugural Under Armour Track and Field Nationals in May 2026, marking Florida’s first-ever national track and field event
Registration opens February 1, 2026 and closes May 1, 2026, with entry selection based on verified performance marks
The three-day championship (May 29-31) will feature high school and middle school athletes competing across all track and field disciplines
IMG Academy is installing a new Rekortan Gel Series track surface made from 84% renewable and recycled materials ahead of the event
The partnership extends Under Armour’s existing event portfolio at IMG Academy, which includes basketball, football, and training camps

via: IMG

Filling a Gap in National Competition Access

IMG Academy and Under Armour announced the creation of the 2026 Under Armour Track and Field Nationals on December 3, 2025. The event addresses a notable absence in the competitive landscape: Florida has never hosted a national track and field championship despite being home to significant youth athletics infrastructure and year-round training conditions.

Mark Napier, Director of Track and Field at IMG Academy, identified the gap in national opportunities for the sport within the state. The decision to create the event reflects both organizations’ existing relationship and Under Armour’s track record of bringing youth athletics programming to the Bradenton campus.

“At IMG Academy, our goal is to create unrivaled environments where student-athletes can unlock their potential,” said Brian Nash, VP of Athletics at IMG Academy. “When Mark Napier, our Director of Track and Field, identified a gap in national opportunities for the sport in Florida, we knew we had to act.”

Event Structure and Selection Process

The championship will run for three days in late May 2026, with competition taking place Friday, May 29 through Sunday, May 31. A pre-meet day and early packet pickup is scheduled for Thursday, May 28.

Athletes can register between February 1 and May 1, 2026. Entry acceptance will be determined by a meet committee using a descending-order selection process based on verified performance marks. Field sizes will be predetermined, creating a selective entry standard designed to feature top-performing athletes across all track and field disciplines.

Both high school and middle school student-athletes will compete in separate divisions. The format encompasses all traditional track and field events, from sprints and distance races to field events including jumps and throws.

Strategic Infrastructure Investment

In preparation for hosting national-level competition, IMG Academy is upgrading its track facility with a new surface from Rekortan, which will become an Official Sponsor of IMG Academy through the partnership.

The facility will feature the Rekortan Gel Series, described as the world’s only gel-based track surface. The material uses a thinner gel layer composed of 84% renewable and recycled materials, designed to optimize athlete performance and welfare while reducing environmental impact compared to traditional track surfaces.

IMG Academy’s facility design includes strategic layouts and wind-aware event configurations intended to support fast times, long jumps, and competitive throwing results. These considerations reflect the institution’s focus on creating performance-optimized competition environments.

Extending an Established Partnership

The Track and Field Nationals represents an expansion of Under Armour’s existing event presence at IMG Academy. The brands have previously collaborated on several youth athletics programs, including the Justin Jefferson Flight School, UA Future 60 Basketball Camp, UA Kelsey Plum Camp, and UA Next Future 50.

“We have always been dedicated to creating opportunities for young athletes to compete at the highest level,” said Craig Cummings, VP of Team Sports at Under Armour. “The UA Track and Field Nationals will be a stage for the next generations to showcase their talent, push boundaries, and experience what it means to perform without limits.”

The partnership structure allows Under Armour to connect its brand with elite youth competition while providing IMG Academy with marquee events that utilize its campus facilities during key calendar windows.

Competitive Positioning in Youth Track and Field

The launch positions IMG Academy as a national track and field destination during a period of growth in youth athletics events. The facility’s year-round accessibility, combined with its established reputation in other sports, creates operational advantages for hosting national championships.

Florida’s climate allows for consistent outdoor competition conditions during the spring season, when many northern states still face weather-related scheduling challenges. The timing of late May also falls after most state championship meets but before summer training cycles begin, creating a potential window for top performers to compete in a national setting.

The event’s success will likely depend on its ability to attract verified elite marks during the registration period and deliver competition conditions that produce nationally competitive performances. The predetermined field sizes suggest a selective approach designed to maintain competitive standards rather than maximize participation volume.

Looking Ahead

The inaugural 2026 Under Armour Track and Field Nationals represents IMG Academy’s entry into national track and field event hosting, backed by facility upgrades and an established brand partnership. The event’s structure prioritizes verified performance standards and provides Florida athletes access to a national championship in their home state for the first time.

Registration details, qualifying standards, and specific event schedules will be released in advance of the February 1, 2026 registration opening. The meet’s ability to attract top national talent during its first year will provide early indicators of its long-term positioning within the youth track and field calendar.

Both organizations have indicated the event is designed as a multi-year initiative, with the infrastructure investments and partnership structure supporting ongoing annual competition.

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