Jacob Bartlett going up for a header (Photo by Jay Biggerstaff/Getty Images)

We’ve only just reached the halfway point of the year, but it’s fair to say that 2025 has marked a meteoric rise for Jacob Bartlett. Over the past six months, he has gone from plying his trade at Notre Dame University to signing a professional contract with his boyhood club. From making his debut against one of the greatest soccer players of all time to becoming a vital cog in midfield for Sporting Kansas City, the 19-year-old is only getting started.

“It’s definitely a dream come true, and I’m incredibly blessed to be in this situation. Every day, I wake up and thank God for it,” Bartlett said in an exclusive RG interview. “To be able to represent my family, my club, and Kansas City as a whole—it’s a privilege I don’t take for granted. I come to work every day and give everything I have. Our academy director, Declan Jogi, has been with me through everything. They instill core values in you when you enter the club, and I think I’ve carried them with me on and off the field.”

A Family of Athletes

Born in Kansas City, Missouri, Jacob is the product of a sports-driven family. His father, Richard, played football and track and field at Doane University, while his mother, Dena, played basketball and softball at Doane. His brother Alec (32) played college soccer at Creighton and Drake before going pro with USL sides Des Moines Menace and Charlotte Independence from 2013 to 2016. His sister Grace (21) is entering her final year with Grand Canyon University’s soccer team, and his brother Lucas (27) is starting in central defense for fellow MLS side D.C. United.

“My relationship with Lucas has definitely grown over the past couple of years. He’s one of my best friends—someone I can confide in about anything. He’s not only my brother but someone I look up to every day. Our household has always been super competitive; nobody likes to lose. Whether it’s board games, soccer, or basketball, everyone wants to win. My brothers have been pushing me since I was a little kid, and there’s always a competitive drive between us in the offseason. My brother, sister, and I train together all the time.”

Whether in his own backyard or on the grass fields of Overland Park, Kansas, Jacob’s passion for soccer took root early. After scoring in a 3v3 game, his mother bought him a Lionel Messi jersey—he didn’t take it off for weeks. A decade later, he would mark Messi in his professional debut. Bartlett joined Sporting Kansas City’s academy at age 12 and quickly rose through the ranks. By 14, he was traveling nationally for youth tournaments; by 16, he was training with the first team.

“I had quite a different high school experience from your typical teenager. I was pretty much gone every weekend and missed out on a lot. Around sophomore or junior year, I started taking it seriously as a possible career. I began watching what I ate, tracking my sleep, staying hydrated, and taking care of my body after games and training.”

From College Fields to MLS Stadiums

In 2023, Bartlett joined Sporting Kansas City’s preseason tour and became a regular in first-team training. After graduating high school, he enrolled at Notre Dame, where he started eight of 16 matches for the Fighting Irish. But in January 2025, he left Indiana and returned home to sign a first-team contract with Sporting Kansas City.

“Looking back at all the years and everything I missed—all the sacrifices—it was emotional when the contract was offered. It was a special moment. But I still have so much to do. Every day, I come in to prove myself. I’m always striving for more. My mentality going into preseason was to be the fittest and hardest-working player. Whether I have my best or worst game, if I give full effort, I can sleep knowing I gave it my all.”

Bartlett quickly made his mark, winning the preseason beep test that measures aerobic capacity. A month later, he debuted professionally in the Concacaf Champions Cup against Inter Miami, playing both legs and notching an assist in the second match. He went toe-to-toe with stars like Luis Suárez, Sergio Busquets, Jordi Alba, and Messi.

“To be honest, I don’t think you could write it any better. I’m incredibly thankful the staff trusted me, and it gave me a ton of confidence. Making my debut against some of the greatest players ever—it’s a blessing.”

He started SKC’s first two MLS matches against Austin FC and San Jose Earthquakes before briefly moving to the bench. He returned to the starting XI against Dallas. After a rough start that saw SKC earn just one point from six games and lose to Des Moines in the U.S. Open Cup, manager Peter Vermes was dismissed after 16 years, and Kerry Zavagnin took over as interim coach. Since then, Bartlett has started each of the past 16 matches, playing the full 90 in their last six.

“I’d love to keep playing and build minutes as time goes on. I’m chasing my next contract because nothing is guaranteed. I don’t know what’ll happen tomorrow, but I can show up every day with the same mentality and work ethic and let the rest follow.”

Built For The Big Stage

Despite signing a pro deal, Jacob still lives at home with his parents, who continue to support his goals. He’s enrolled in online classes at Notre Dame, majoring in finance and minoring in constitutional studies. Off the pitch, he spends time golfing, playing pickleball, hanging with friends, and relaxing with his four dogs—Nelly, Remi, Colt, and Maddie—while enjoying his mom’s homemade goulash.

“My parents are always there for me and want what’s best. It’s nice to come home, open up, and be vulnerable—whether I’ve had a good day or a tough one. Having that support is a huge help.”

A lifelong fan of holding midfielders like Toni Kroos and Sergio Busquets, Bartlett has also played at right back and center back, but he feels most comfortable in the No. 6 role. From that deep midfield position, he helps orchestrate buildup play, disrupt opposition attacks, and provide defensive cover. He ranks fourth in the squad for accurate long balls per 90 (3.9), third in interceptions per 90 (1.5), and second in blocks per 90 (0.6).

“I’m trying to stay level-headed. It’s that inner drive to get better every day. I’m aggressive—I try to win the ball back quickly—and I use my stamina to keep up. Whether it’s distributing to Manu [García] or stopping a counterattack, I’ll do whatever helps the team win.”

That combination of work ethic, intelligence, and grit has made him essential to Sporting Kansas City’s midfield. With an upswing in form—seven points from their last three games—SKC is back in the playoff race.

At just 19, Bartlett is living a reality most Kansas City kids dream of: starting for the team he grew up supporting. After missing the postseason in 2024, he’s determined to help turn things around.

“We didn’t start how we wanted, but the locker room has stayed positive. That’s still our mindset—we’re pushing for the playoffs, and beyond that, an MLS Cup. As part of the back line, we want to keep the ball out of the net and rack up clean sheets. We trust our attack to do the rest. We can definitely make the playoffs. There’s no doubt in my mind about how far this team can go.”

ORLANDO, Fla. — Orlando has proudly established itself as a premier international sports hub by welcoming the 2025 AAU Junior National Volleyball Championships, the world’s biggest volleyball event, happening from June 13 to July 7.

“We are so thankful for our community partners when it comes to arranging the AAU Jr. National Volleyball Championships,” said Jo Mirza, President of AAU.

The event at the Orange County Convention Center attracted over 6,500 teams and an estimated 325,500 athletes, coaches and spectators from across the United States and multiple countries, setting new participation and attendance records.

Mirza continues, “Without the Orange County Convention Center, Greater Orlando Sports Commission and Visit Orlando, we wouldn’t be able to host this premier event for AAU’s largest sport.”

“The AAU Junior National Volleyball Championships have become a cornerstone event in our region’s sports tourism portfolio,” said Greater Orlando Sports Commission President and CEO Jason Siegel.

The successful 2025 AAU Junior National Volleyball Championships boost Orlando’s reputation for major sports events and demonstrate its ability to host top-tier competitions. It also highlights Orlando’s capacity to manage large visitor crowds effectively.

Siegel continues, “This year’s record-setting tournament underscores the power of strategic, long-term collaboration with partners like Visit Orlando, Orange County, and the Orange County Convention Center.”

This year’s tournament ended on FIVB’s World Volleyball Day, July 7, showcasing volleyball’s unifying power and cultural impact. Orlando, a trusted host for nearly 30 years, has consistently provided top youth sports experiences and set a national standard.

Thanks to its ongoing focus on top-notch venues and teamwork in hosting events, Orlando is set to stay at the forefront of sports tourism, welcoming and supporting both amateur and professional competitions.

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An 80-acre estate designed for indoor-outdoor entertaining near Bend with an asking price of $9,999,000 will be on the auction block July 24.

Low offers, estimated between $3.75-$5.75 million, are expected to kick off early bidding starting Friday, according to listing broker Jen Bowen of Coldwell Banker Bain who is partnering with Concierge Auctions.

Interested buyers must register to bid and make a $100,000 deposit. In addition to the purchase price, the highest bidder will pay a 12% fee to Concierge Auctions.

The auction firm, which states it markets one-of-a-kind luxury homes to high-net-worth real estate buyers, calls the Bend area estate an “exclusive compound paradise … with panoramic Cascade views of seven mountain peaks.”

The gated property at 62265 Dodds Road is bordered on two sides by Bureau of Land Management land and, with a mile-long paved driveway to the front entrance’s porte cochere, offers “no traffic noise or neighbors in sight,” said Bowen.

She added that the estate appeals to art collectors, classic car owners, anglers and people who appreciate the outdoors.

The main residence, completed in 2018, has 6,321 square feet of living space across two levels. Exterior materials include fire-resistant metal roofs and cement siding surrounded by fire-breaking buffer zones.

The contemporary-style home was designed by Mussa & Associates of Sedona, Arizona, with Western Window Systems walls to take full advantage of its site on a rise overlooking a meadow.

“An abundance of windows brings daylight deep into the home, creating a calming connection to nature,” said Bowen.

There are energy efficient radiant heating concrete floors and a 40 kW Tesla solar system with battery backup to generate electricity even during power outages.

Hands-free pocket doors open to the two primary suites. There are three more suites in the main house.

Sharing the property are three simple rectangular shelters, called “guest pods,” caretaker’s quarters and an underground bunker.

In addition to the six-car garage, there is a 10,000-square-foot climate-controlled shop that can display more than 20 vehicles as well as boats, an RV or an airplane.

Outdoor entertaining and hobby spaces includes:

• Pond-side pavilion with a commercial kitchen and pizza oven
• Cantina with built-in bar seating and plants growing on the roof
• Heated pool and pool house with changing rooms, bathrooms and indoor and outdoor showers
• Automated greenhouse that supports year-round cultivation
• Glass-walled 2,100-square-foot fitness center
• Full-size sand volleyball court to recreate the beach volleyball scene from the movie “Top Gun”
• Shooting range with locker storage
• Stocked pond for fishing

Lavender grows in a field alongside an irrigation canal, and fenced pastures allow for livestock raising and farm cultivation, said Bowen.

The property is 14 miles from downtown Bend, four miles to the Bend airport and 34 miles to the commercial Redmond Municipal Airport.

Mount Bachelor is 38 miles away, the Deschutes National Forest is 16 miles away and it’s 15 miles to the Deschutes River.

The original asking price in July 2024 was $10,990,000.

Owners of luxury properties, which are difficult to value and sell, sign with an auction company after a conventional listing with a real estate brokerage firm does not find a buyer.

Concierge Auctions’ research found that high-end properties in the top U.S. luxury markets stay on the MLS (multiple listing service) market for a year or longer.

“Time can be more valuable than money,” states the auction company, which sells properties in their current condition (as-is) and without any contingencies.

The auction process, from marketing to final bid, is 60 days. “Auctions build interest and competition for real estate in a finite time period, just as they do for expensive artwork, wine and cars,” according to conciergeauctions.com.

Each auction has its own rules, terms and conditions but all require preregistration and a deposit.

Nestucca Sea Ranch on 25 acres overlooking Oregon’s coast and once listed for $10 million was auctioned off by Concierge Auctions for $3.08 million in 2024.

Concierge Auctions also found a buyer for the Blackberry Castle estate in Northwest Portland and actor Patrick Duffy’s Rogue River property in southern Oregon’s Eagle Point in 2023.

The 6.4-acre gated Blackberry Castle estate at 14125 N.W. Germantown Road was first put up for sale at $7,175,000 in 2015. In 2023, Concierge Auctions found a buyer at $2 million.

The highest bid for the 329-acre Duffy Ranch at 436 Staley Road outside Eagle Point, once listed at $10,995,000, was $5.75 million plus the 12% premium fee, bringing the total to $6.44 million.

Once sold, Concierge Auctions will donate through the Giveback Homes program to build homes for families in need.

Bids can be made at conciergeauctions.com

The Mastodons will host the title races Nov. 1 in Fort Wayne. It will be the first time the course hosts a league championship event since the 2013 Summit League Championships.

The ‘Dons will open 2025 with two home meets. First is the Mastodon Alumni Open on Sept. 6, followed by the Rumble in the Fort on Sept. 20.

The ‘Dons will travel to the Joe Piane Invite on Oct. 3 hosted by Notre Dame and then the Bradley Pink Classic on Oct. 17.

Following the league meet on Nov. 1 in Fort Wayne, Purdue Fort Wayne will stay in the state to compete in the NCAA Great Lakes Regional on Nov. 17 in Evansville. The national championship is hosted by Missouri on Nov. 22.

 

~ Feel The Rumble ~

• Destin offers a variety of parks with amenities such as playgrounds, boat launches, and sports fields.
• Many parks provide access to the Gulf or Choctawhatchee Bay.
• Several parks offer rentals for pavilions and other facilities.
• Some parks cater to specific activities, like the Nancy Weidenhamer Dog Park and the Destin Sports Complex.

From the Gulf front to scenic views overlooking Choctawhatchee Bay, the city of Destin offers parks on both fronts, as well as playgrounds, ball fields, boat launches, nature trails and even a dog park.