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Raise The Bar For Coaches

Courtesy: Doug Cornish, the founder of Swimpler. Follow Swimpler on Substack here. The future of swimming in the United States feels increasingly uncertain. Seismic legislative changes, a leadership vacuum, societal values shifting toward balance and well-being, and an outdated sport culture stand opposed to positive momentum. Swimming is trying to digest all of it. We could use […]

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Courtesy: Doug Cornish, the founder of Swimpler. Follow Swimpler on Substack here.

The future of swimming in the United States feels increasingly uncertain.

Seismic legislative changes, a leadership vacuum, societal values shifting toward balance and well-being, and an outdated sport culture stand opposed to positive momentum.

Swimming is trying to digest all of it.

We could use some good news, and some Pepto.

If there exists a bright future for swimming in the United States, it will be born of the passion, burdens, and relentless dedication of swim coaches.

That much is certain.

And that’s exactly where our real crisis lies.

The Problem and the Solution Lie with the Coaches?

Yes.

100%.

Coach Perspective

I spent 18 years as a competitive swimmer. The next 24 years of my life were spent as a full-time coach, spanning North Carolina, Pennsylvania, and New Jersey. I walked away from coaching last year. Not because I stopped loving swimming, but because there is no justification for a lifestyle that demands endless sacrifice without proportionate compensation, support, or respect.

I wanted to prioritize my family. I threw in the towel upon the realization that the profession rarely permits those priorities, and that the chance had escaped me.

I became a registered representative with New York Life and quickly discovered a new way to serve the sport I love. Now I consult with coaches and teams on strategies to attract, retain, and value their coaches through enhanced compensation packages.

My manager, Rob Berkowitz, spent 26 years coaching soccer before leaving the profession for many of the same reasons I did. The coach’s struggle isn’t abstract to us. It’s personal and profoundly understood.

Anecdotes aren’t enough to be successful in this new line of work. So I collected data. Over 800 coaches participated in the Swim Coach Compensation Survey. The survey shows clearly that coaches are being undervalued in both compensation amounts and structures.

Coaches are not just undervalued. They are overburdened, misunderstood, taken for granted, and too often blamed for everything that goes wrong.

Many coaches feel trapped. They want out, but don’t see a way.

How do I know?

They tell me.

Consumer Perspective

Swimming is not just losing coaches. The sport is losing athletes and appeal.

The overwhelming majority of potential swimmers will never even consider this sport.

Parents in our modern society are choosing balance and safety. They’re skipping swimming entirely because our sport looks like an early-specialization machine oriented toward imbalance, burnout, and injuries.

Even among the greatest athletes, we’re seeing growing cause for concern. Mental health struggles have always been part of the process, especially at the elite level. But now, with instant media exposure and a more open and accepting cultural dialogue, we are more aware of the toll being taken on the athletes. Rational parents are including those visible testimonies when considering the health and sustainability of activities for their children.

The narrative we celebrate acts as a repellent.

Train insane or remain the same.

What doesn’t kill you makes you stronger.

No pain, no gain!

…didn’t miss a day of training in 6 years.

Then we see our heroes break down in real time, with real emotion, with real impact on both them and our sport.

When other sports offer variety, freedom, fun, and games, swimming’s reputation for grind and exhaustion no longer resonates.

Swimming, the only sport that saves lives, has become too risky in the eyes of many rational parents.

That truth is as paradoxical as it is devastating.

And what about the kids who do give it a try?

We lose most of them, too.

  • To burnout.
  • To injury.
  • To the act of doing nothing.

United States swimming chews up athletes and coaches and spits them out.

It’s 2025.

We must recognize that neither the supply of athletes or coaches is endless – that each holds tremendous value and need to be nurtured.

So What’s the Solution?

I’ve long argued that our sport needs a paradigm shift.

Wayne Goldsmith provided a thesis for the shift in his recent work, Coaching is Dead,

“This isn’t about lowering standards or accepting mediocrity. It’s about understanding that higher standards become achievable when people feel valued, understood, and supported.”

Wayne’s message is simple, clear, and transformative. Coaches don’t unlock greatness in their athletes by demanding more. They do it by connecting more. Put simply, an athlete’s performance rises in direct proportion to the degree to which they feel valued, seen, and supported by their coach.

The same holds true for the coach.

The performance of the coach rises in direct proportion to the degree to which they feel valued, seen, and supported by the team. If you want excellence from your staff, create an environment where they feel valued, understood, and supported.

That’s not lowering the bar. That’s how we raise it.

We can navigate a course to a paradigm shift in three steps:

  1. We raise the bar for coaches.
  2. Coaches raise the bar for the experiences they oversee.
  3. The new narrative raises the bar for the sport.

Raising the Bar for Coaches

A full overhaul is needed, starting with two things:

1. Enhanced Compensation

  • Click HERE to view the full 2025 Swim Coach Compensation Survey data
  • Click HERE for 10 Compensation Enhancement Strategies

Before we talk about performance, passion, or professionalism, we must first meet the basic needs of the coach.

The data is clear. Coaches are undervalued in both their compensation amounts and structures. They need help from leading organizations, the teams that employ them, and the families who are led by them.

Words are cheap. If you have told a coach how important they are, that they are essential to the team, the development of your children, and to the sport, but you don’t fight for fair wages, benefits, and job security, you’re not valuing them. You’re exploiting them. That goes for leading swim organizations, teams, and parents.

This isn’t retail. This is youth development.

Based on USA Swimming statistics recently shared with me, the number of new coaches in USA Swimming sky-rocketed this past year, up over 25%.

At first glance, that sounds like progress. But this may be the most alarming statistic I’ve seen yet.

Why the enormous jump?

Are we replacing experienced, full-time coaches with part-time coaches who are not able to make holistic, long-term student-athlete development their professional priority? The vast majority of part-time coaches have families and careers that come before their commitment to your team.

If so, that’s horrible news for our sport.

We can’t expect long-term athlete development models and execution from a workforce that lacks time, resources, or professional security.

You want better, happier swimmers and a better experience for them?

Start by valuing their coaches.

2. Enhanced Education

Coaches hold the greatest influence over whether a swimmer’s experience is meaningful or miserable. It’s easy to blame them when things go wrong.

Here’s my concession:

I’ve been on enough pool decks to know that sometimes the coach is the problem.

But that blame obscures the fact that the system we rely on to educate and support coaches is broken.

If you were a new coach today, where would you turn for a foundation that equips you to develop athletes safely and effectively while also building a sustainable career and family life?

Let me illustrate the problem with two simple, critical concepts:

  • Lordosis
  • Antagonist muscle groups

Lordosis, the excessive curvature of the lower spine, is one of the greatest sources of drag experienced by swimmers. It is mitigated with posterior hip tilt and exacerbated by poor head position. Muscular imbalances in the shoulder, caused by repetitive overuse and neglect of antagonist muscle groups, remain the leading cause of injury in the sport.

Ask coaches across the country about either, and I’d wager 75% couldn’t give you a confident answer.

That’s not a criticism of coaches. It’s a reflection of the system that failed to prepare them for the position they hold.

Every coach should have a working knowledge of biomechanics, injury prevention, skill development, a grasp on the causes of attrition, and the science of overload and recovery. We also need to equip them with business skills, communication tools, and leadership training so they can build programs that work and lives they can sustain.

Swimming needs more knowledgeable coaches who can develop athletes through positive experiences while deepening their impact through meaningful connection.

Currently coaches are being asked to give far more than they’ve ever been given, receiving little education, limited support, and inadequate compensation.

Here’s my assertion:

Complaining about coaches without properly supporting them is like peeing in your own tent before bed, then being upset about the smell in the morning.

A New Paradigm: Value the Coach, Elevate the Sport

We need to better compensate and educate coaches, not just for their benefit, but for the survival and evolution of the sport.

If we collaborate with and value coaches, instead of exhausting them, we can finally deliver:

  • A better experience for athletes
  • A better product for families
  • A better future for swimming

Swimming needs to be fun again.

Kids should walk into school bragging about how awesome practice was instead of dozing off in class as a result of being engrossed by a threshold-based microcycle.

Parents should be telling other parents how their experiences in swimming has added value to their family and positively shaped the character and future of their children instead of how they dread yet another 3-day, out-of-town swim meet.

Coaches should be telling future coaches how much they love the job. How they couldn’t envision ever doing something else. That it challenges them, supports them, and rewards them for their dedication instead of telling other coaches that they want out.

Swimming doesn’t need more gimmicks. It needs an overhaul inspired by more humanity.

Let’s start with the coach.

If you’re a coach or team administrator looking to improve your team’s coach compensation packages, I’d love to connect. Forty-three of my forty-seven years on this earth have led me to this moment, uniquely positioned, prepared, and committed to helping you build something better.





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Indiana basketball gets commit from 4-star guard Prince-Alexander Moody

To build long-term stability, IU coach Darian DeVries wants to ‘simplify’ the process Indiana basketball coach Darian DeFries describes how he see building long-term stability. BLOOMINGTON — Indiana basketball landed its first commitment for its 2026 recruiting class on Friday night. New IU coach Darian DeVries landed a verbal pledge from 2026 four-star guard Prince-Alexander Moody […]

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BLOOMINGTON — Indiana basketball landed its first commitment for its 2026 recruiting class on Friday night.

New IU coach Darian DeVries landed a verbal pledge from 2026 four-star guard Prince-Alexander Moody on June 27, a rising senior out of Bishop McNamara who was recently on campus for an official visit.

“I’m blessed to continue this journey with the cream and crimson—I’m a Hoosier!” he posted on Instagram.

According to 247 Sports composite rankings, the 6-foot-4, 180-pounder is the No. 170 ranked player in the 2026 class and No. 5 ranked recruit in Maryland. The Terps were one of his nine scholarship offers alongside the likes of Illinois, Michigan State and Virginia Tech.

Indiana’s new coach Darian DeVries turned his attention to next year’s signing class in recent weeks after signing 12 players (10 transfers and two freshman) to build out his 2025-26 roster. The staff has hosted a series of camps and been out on the road recruiting.

Moody had a built in relationship with the staff having played for IU assistant coach Kenny Johnson on the Nike Elite Youth Basketball League (EYBL) circuit for Team Takeover.

Michael Niziolek is the Indiana beat reporter for The Bloomington Herald-Times. You can follow him on X @michaelniziolek and read all his coverage by clicking here.





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Coaching a labor of love for youth baseball coach Bob Holland | News, Sports, Jobs

Courtesy photo Bob Holland with his grandson, Carter, has been coaching youth baseball for 50 years. Bob Holland Jr. was just a couple years out of Altoona Area High School back in 1977, when his father, Bob Holland Sr., due to a change in shifts at his job, asked his son if he wanted to […]

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Bob Holland with his grandson, Carter, has been coaching youth baseball for 50 years.

Bob Holland Jr. was just a couple years out of Altoona Area High School back in 1977, when his father, Bob Holland Sr., due to a change in shifts at his job, asked his son if he wanted to take over as the manager of the former Patriots team in the East End Little League.

Holland Jr., who had helped his father coach the team for the previous couple of seasons, agreed, and the late Bob Cummings, who at that time was the league president, put the young first-year manager on a one-year probation period.

Holland Jr. passed with flying colors, and this summer, he is celebrating his milestone 50th season as either a youth baseball manager or coach in this area. He is currently in his 40th season in the East End League, coaching his grandson Carter, age 8, on the Barton’s Plumbing team in the East End’s Minor League (for players ages 6-9) that is currently in the playoffs and bidding for its third consecutive league title.

Holland, who will celebrate his 68th birthday this fall, is actually pulling double duty this summer, also serving on the coaching staff for the Caporuscio’s Plumbing team in the East End’s Major League (for players ages 9-12). His grandson is a batboy for the Caporuscio’s team.

Despite his retirement from the paid workforce in 2023, Holland Jr. isn’t finding himself with too much time on his hands this summer.

“I’ve been pretty busy,” Holland said.

And it’s been a labor of love for Holland, who has also put in another decade as a manager in the Altoona Area Baseball Association, where his Drayer Physical Therapy-sponsored team went 33-0 and won its league championship in 2009, as well as the title in the Dean Patterson Little World Series that year.

“I still love doing it,” Holland Jr. said about teaching the game of baseball to youngsters. “I have sometimes thought that it might be time to get out, but then some 9-year-old kid who I see has a lot of potential as a ballplayer always comes along and I talk myself into staying to coach him until he turns 12.

“I believe that Little League baseball is a great institution,” said Holland, who estimates that he has coached or managed in at least 1,000 youth baseball games over the past half-century. “I was the former president and vice president of the East End League, and I was also on the league’s board of directors. But coaching and managing teams is what I love to do and what I want to do.”

Holland admits that youth baseball has endured plenty of transitions over the past half-century, though.

“It’s harder now,” Holland said. “Little League has changed. Of course, you have the aluminum bats now instead of the old wooden bats, and now you have travel ball, where you might have a kid missing one of the league games because of a travel ball game. I really don’t like that. I think that if you’re going to commit to a (youth baseball league) team, then (you’ve got) to commit to that team.”

Along with the fundamentals of the game, Holland tries to impart those valuable life lessons such as commitment, dedication and punctuality to his young charges.

“I try to teach them the fundamentals like the correct way to hit, throw and catch, but probably the biggest thing that I teach them is not to quit,” Holland said. “I tell them to show up for practices and to show up on time because when you become an adult and you have a job, you’ve got to show up on time and give 100 percent.”

Holland said that it is important to recognize the personality differences as well as the differences in athletic proficiency among the players.

“Obviously, in some cases, Jimmy might be better athletically than Joey, but you also have to get to know the different personalities of the kids,” Holland said. “Even though I push my players pretty good and I try to make them the best players that they can be, you can’t automatically treat one kid like you treat another kid, because their mindsets can be completely different.”

Over the years, Holland has earned the respect and admiration of probably thousands of current and former players, coaches and officials in area youth baseball circles.

“Bob is a tremendous guy, he’s been great for the Little League baseball community here,” said Jason McGinnis, who is in his sixth season as the president of the East End League. “He deeply cares about children and their well-being, and he’s been part of Little League baseball here for 50 years, and that’s a testament to what he brings to the table, as well as to his passion for the game, and to his passion for helping kids to learn the game.”

East End vice president Josh Klausman has known and admired Holland for three and a half decades. Klausman played in the East End League in the mid-1990s, on a Dean Patterson-sponsored team that was managed by Klausman’s father, Jim. The Dean Patterson squads and the Miller’s Corner teams then that were managed by Holland were the best in the league at that time and enjoyed a great rivalry.

“I believe that Bob Holland is one of the pillars of Little League Baseball in this area,” Josh Klausman said. “He’s put in countless hours for the kids, and some of them who are now in their 30s, 40s and 50s are still reaching out to him and coming to see him. If I don’t know anything else about a person, that says enough. He is just a genuinely good human being.”

But like any human being who has spent nearly seven decades on this planet, Holland has sustained his share of battle scars.

He underwent surgery for prostate cancer this past January and said that he feels OK now.

“I had prostate cancer, and I had my prostate removed this past January,” Holland said. “Luckily, (the doctors) caught it early and luckily they got it all, and I’ve healed up pretty good. So far, so good.”

A deeper, much more painful wound for Holland and his wife, Linda, was the passing of their son, Bobby III, at the age of 39 back in 2020.

Holland Jr. coached both of his sons, Bobby III and Chris, in youth baseball competition, and Holland Jr. has also coached both of his grandsons, Carter and recent Altoona Area High School graduate Keldon, 18.

Bobby Holland III regularly pitched batting practice at the games for his dad, and his death has left a void for his family that will always remain.

“When my son died, it took something out of me,” Holland Jr. said. “I’m not the same person that I was before my son passed away — something in me just died with him, and it’s hard for me to explain.

“Bobby threw batting practice for me, and to be honest, it’s tough for me even to this day to go down to the field. When he passed away, it was so tough for my wife and me. It was something that I wouldn’t wish on anybody.”

Coaching his grandson Carter now is a way for Holland — who has coached or managed a team to at least one championship in both the East End and Altoona Area leagues — to preserve his beloved late son’s legacy.

“I don’t know if I’d have stayed in coaching 50 years were it not for my youngest grandson,” Holland said. “And whether I’ll be back next year, I don’t know. I probably will be, but I’m not going to give anybody a 100 percent guarantee.

“I’ve coached a lot of kids. I’ve met a lot of great people and made a lot of friends through coaching, and I’ve also had a lot of great coaches to work with through the years. Coaching is my way of giving back to my community.”



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Nagel announces candidacy for Hartselle school board

Hartselle, Municipal election news, News Richie Nagel has announced his candidacy for the Place Two seat on the Hartselle City Schools Board of Education. Nagel graduated from the University of Alabama in Huntsville in 2011 with a bachelor’s degree in industrial and systems engineering. He completed […]

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Nagel announces candidacy for Hartselle school board


Hartselle, Municipal election news, News

By Tracey Tylman





Richie Nagel has announced his candidacy for the Place Two seat on the Hartselle City Schools Board of Education.

Nagel graduated from the University of Alabama in Huntsville in 2011 with a bachelor’s degree in industrial and systems engineering. He completed a master’s degree in systems engineering in 2014. He currently works for UAH as a research scientist.

“But day-to-day I work as an assistance engineer supporting [the Army’s] new future vertical lift aircraft,” Nagel said. He has been contracted to the U.S. Army for nearly 15 years.

Nagel is a Hartselle native. He and his wife, Abby, moved back to Hartselle from Auburn after the birth of their first child.

“Hartselle City Schools is the heart of this community,” Nagel said. “Hartselle has a rich tradition of excellence across the board. I want to make sure that we continue that tradition of excellence. I want my kids and my kids’ kids to have the same opportunity I did.”

Nagel has volunteered with several local organizations including Cub Scouts, Trail Life and College Street Players. He has coached youth sports teams and supported the PTO alongside his wife.

“Me and my wife have talked about me joining the school board for a few years,” he said. “I’m just at the place now that I feel able, I’ve got the time and energy to be able to commit to the community and to run and hopefully be a proactive member for the school board… I want to represent and be the voice for the community.”

Nagel and his wife have been married for 18 years. They have three children, two of whom have graduated from Hartselle High School.

Nagel is one of four candidates seeking the Place Two seat on the school board. He is facing incumbent James L. Joy, John Griffith and Chris Warnick.










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The Best Cities Across Tennessee for Youth Sports

Tennessee is a slam dunk when it comes to keeping kids happy and engaged in youth sports. By Ford Sanders on June 27, 2025 iStock/LizPop11 Tennessee has cemented itself as a welcoming and family-friendly place to live with tight-knit communities and plenty of kid-friendly activities. Indeed, Tennessee has a thriving youth sports landscape, providing a […]

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Tennessee is a slam dunk when it comes to keeping kids happy and engaged in youth sports.

By Ford Sanders on June 27, 2025

People row along the Tennessee River in Chattanooga, which has a huge rowing youth sports scene.People row along the Tennessee River in Chattanooga, which has a huge rowing youth sports scene.

iStock/LizPop11

Tennessee has cemented itself as a welcoming and family-friendly place to live with tight-knit communities and plenty of kid-friendly activities. Indeed, Tennessee has a thriving youth sports landscape, providing a foundation for raising active and engaged children. 

This commitment to youth development is evident in the variety of school, club and league sports available statewide. Communities across Tennessee consistently prioritize these programs and provide access to state-of-the-art facilities, supportive environments and easy access to participate. 

But even more? These youth sports programs provide children with an outlet to burn off some energy and make lifelong friends. Data shows that participating in sports offers numerous benefits for kids, ranging from physical to mental and emotional. These spots across the state are paving the way for participation and leading the way for youth sports programs in Tennessee. 

A State in Full Swing

Tennessee’s emphasis on sports for kids of all ages is apparent in the sheer number of programs available and the caliber at which their athletes play. The Tennessee Secondary School Athletic Association (TSSAA) regulates and promotes interscholastic athletics in both public and private schools across the state. Beyond traditional school sports, a healthy culture of club and league sports offers more specialized training and opportunities for young athletes. This comprehensive approach allows children and youth to find their favorite extracurricular activities. 

Tennessee Takes the Gold When Protecting Young Athletes

From practices to field play, families invest a significant amount of time, energy and resources into youth sports and recreation programs. Protecting these investments, both on and off the field, is a top priority. The daily logistics of a busy sports family are intensive. From driving minivans filled with teammates and equipment across cities or tired siblings to tournaments, Farm Bureau Insurance of Tennessee can provide families with peace of mind. Whether it’s auto coverage for the family car or home or renters insurance for protecting equipment or personal belongings stored at home, they offer peace of mind and personalized guidance so families can pursue their passions with confidence and security. 

Child running with soccer ball along the field white sideline. Junior soccer backgroundChild running with soccer ball along the field white sideline. Junior soccer background

iStock/matimix

Youth Sports in the Greater Nashville Area

The Greater Nashville area, including Davidson, Rutherford and Williamson counties, is a hot spot for families. Cities like Nashville, Murfreesboro, Clarksville and Franklin have experienced rapid expansion in their youth sports programs that perfectly complement a family-friendly atmosphere. From soccer leagues to Olympic-winning swim clubs, the area has a wide array of options, including more traditional and niche sports. Organizations like the West Nashville Sports League (WNSL), i9 and YMCA offer a league experience.  

Youth Soccer in Nashville, TN

Soccer is a standout in Nashville sport’s culture, thanks to the city’s own MLS team: Nashville SC. However, for years before the arrival of the pro team, the Middle Tennessee area had a strong history of youth soccer and is home to several strong club leagues. Known for their elite levels of coaching, indoor/outdoor facilities and greater club opportunities, Tennessee Soccer Club, Nashville FC Youth, Murfreesboro Soccer Club, Franklin Soccer Club and Brentwood Soccer Club are recognized for their exceptional standards. 

Rear view of a child 6 at ice hockey practice trying to reach the puck. He's wearing black helmet and white and red jersey and red socks.Rear view of a child 6 at ice hockey practice trying to reach the puck. He's wearing black helmet and white and red jersey and red socks.

iStock/gilaxia

Youth Hockey in Middle Tennessee

A bit more surprising is the growing popularity of hockey in the Middle Tennessee area. The Nashville Youth Hockey League offers both recreational house leagues and competitive travel hockey programs for both boys and girls. In 2019, the city of Nashville completed the Ford Ice Center, a 110,000-square-foot facility with two NHL-sized rinks, 12 locker rooms, a dry-land training facility and more. 

Competitive Swimming in Middle Tennessee 

Middle Tennessee swimmers excel, and Davidson and Williamson counties are home to the swim clubs that raised some impressive award-winning athletes. The several standout swim clubs in the area include Nashville Aquatic Club (home of Olympians Alex and Gretchen Walsh), Excel Aquatics and the Williamson County Swim Team, to name a few. These programs regularly feed into NCAA Division I programs, elevating youth swim initiatives in Nashville and surrounding areas.

How to Find Youth Sports Leagues in Middle Tennessee

There are tons of ways to get involved with youth sports in the Middle Tennessee and Greater Nashville areas. Here are a few resources for parents:

This is an image of a father coaching his daughter at a girls softball game. She's in focus with a relatively shallow depth of field. He's lens blurred but you can imagine him motioning with his hands.This is an image of a father coaching his daughter at a girls softball game. She's in focus with a relatively shallow depth of field. He's lens blurred but you can imagine him motioning with his hands.

iStock/chadster

Youth Sports in the Greater Knoxville, TN, Area

The Greater Knoxville area is a Power T powerhouse for youth sports, heavily influenced by the University of Tennessee’s strong athletic programs and the city’s passionate fan base, who never shy away from a little healthy competition. High school sports, in particular, thrive here.

An added bonus is that Knoxville is less than an hour away from Rocky Top Sports World, a state-of-the-art indoor and outdoor sports campus. Set on more than 80 acres in Gatlinburg, Rocky Top Sports World has half a dozen astroturf fields, 14 youth soccer fields, six hardwood basketball courts, 12 volleyball courts and plenty of team rooms. The complex also hosts a variety of year-round events, including both regional and national tournaments, camps and leagues.

Football is a way of life in the South, and it’s no different in Knoxville and the surrounding areas. Leagues like Knoxville Youth Football League, Farragut Youth Football, Maryville Jr. Rebels and Oak Ridge Youth Football provide the foundation and training necessary to feed into the competitive TSSAA high school teams.   

Baseball and Softball in Knoxville 

Knoxville has a long history of prestigious baseball and softball programs, and with the Vols Baseball team clinching the 2024 NCAA National Championship title, interest has only increased. This East Tennessee region is known for its competitive high school and travel ball leagues, and the presence of the Knoxville Smokies, a Double-A Minor League Baseball Team, adds to the allure of participating in America’s favorite pastime. Programs like the Farragut Baseball League, Farragut Baseball Inc., Knoxville Area Baseball Association (KABA) and the West Knox Softball Association are known for hitting it out of the park. 

Aerial Top Down View Swimmers Swimming in outdoor olympic-size 50m Swimming Pool. Professional training.Aerial Top Down View Swimmers Swimming in outdoor olympic-size 50m Swimming Pool. Professional training.

iStock/LeoPatrizi

Competitive Swimming in Knoxville

Dive into the competitive swimming scene of Knoxville – home to strong club teams and state-of-the-art facilities, many of which are connected to the University of Tennessee’s Allan Jones Intercollegiate Aquatic Center. The Aquatic Center elevates Tennessee as one of the nation’s best swimming and diving programs and houses a full-size 50-meter competition pool, a separate competition diving well, a strength training center, a sports medicine facility and team rooms. The center also hosts several events throughout the year, including the TISCA High School Swimming & Diving State Championship. Numerous USA Swimming clubs operate in the area, including Pilot Aquatic Club, Tennessee Aquatics and Webb School of Knoxville Aquatics. 

How to Find Youth Sports Leagues in Knoxville

There are tons of ways to get involved with youth sports in the Greater Knoxville area. Here are a few resources for parents:

Youth Sports in the Greater Chattanooga, TN, Area

Chattanooga sports are geared toward kids with a strong sense of adventure. With its convenient location positioned next to the Tennessee River, Chattanooga’s sports scene extends beyond land. Of course, familiar favorites like football, soccer and basketball are popular here, but youth sports in Chattanooga offer families a walk on the wild side. 

Rowing and Water Sports in Chattanooga

Chattanooga is a rower’s dream with its easy access to the Tennessee River, offering unique opportunities for youth involvement. The Chattanooga Junior Rowing Association (CJRA) caters to rowers and water bugs of all experience levels. Primarily geared towards high school-aged kids, CJRA offers programming that includes learning to row, skill development and competitive racing. Chattanooga hosts the annual Head of the Hooch Regatta, a rowing competition, and has several youth heats as part of the competition. 

People row along the Tennessee River in Chattanooga, which has a huge rowing youth sports scene.People row along the Tennessee River in Chattanooga, which has a huge rowing youth sports scene.

iStock/LizPop11

Mountain Biking and Trail Running in Chattanooga

The outdoors are calling in Chattanooga, and the city’s rugged terrain makes it an excellent spot for more unexpected sports, like mountain biking and trail running. These endurance sports are growing in popularity, and organizations like SORBA Chattanooga (Southern Off-Road Bicycle Association), the Chattanooga Track Club and Wild Trails all offer youth programming. Many high schools in the Chattanooga area also have mountain biking teams that compete in the Tennessee Interscholastic Cycling League (TICL), which is part of the National Interscholastic Cycling Association (NICA).

Chattanooga is home to several private schools, including Baylor, McCallie and Notre Dame, all of which are known for their elite athletic programming. Football is a way of life, and the rivalries between schools here are intense and have garnered national attention. But other TSSAA-affiliated schools in Chattanooga have also produced some of America’s greats, including Reggie White, John and Charles Hannah and Pro Bowler Bob Johnson. 

How to Find Youth Sports Leagues in the Greater Chattanooga Area

There are tons of ways to get involved with youth sports in the Greater Chattanooga area. Here are a few resources for parents:

Youth Sports in the Greater Memphis, TN, Area

Ball is life in Memphis and the surrounding areas. Basketball culture is deeply ingrained in the city’s identity, as it is home to the Memphis Grizzlies; however, kids across Memphis can participate in a variety of youth sports leagues.  

Youth Basketball in Memphis 

Young athletes benefit from the city’s electric basketball culture with several robust programs, including the Junior Grizzlies. The Junior Grizzlies are geared towards boys and girls of all skill levels, from ages 6 to 14, and the program works to create a fun, educational and safe environment for its participants. Additionally, the Memphis Youth Basketball Association and AAU teams in the city aren’t just some of the best in the state but also nationwide.

The University of Memphis’ football program has seen success in recent years, so it’s no surprise that some of the youth football programs in Memphis are among the best. Competitive high school and youth football leagues in Memphis are well-established and have a strong reputation for producing well-rounded players. Organizations like the Memphis Youth Football League offer structured play that prepares players for participation in TSSAA-supported high schools. 

Shot of a young boy playing tennis on a sunny dayShot of a young boy playing tennis on a sunny day

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Youth Tennis in Memphis

The tennis scene in Memphis is a grand slam. The city hosts a variety of tennis tournaments, including the Memphis Open, an ATP Tour event, and invitationals like the Boys & Girls Clubs of Greater Memphis Tennis Invitational and the U.S. National Indoor Tennis Championships. In November 2023, the Leftwich Tennis Center opened in Memphis, becoming one of the nation’s premier public tennis centers with 24 outdoor courts and 12 indoor courts. Tennis Memphis offers year-round development, clinics and USTA programming for youth. 

How to Find Youth Sports Leagues in Memphis

There are tons of ways to get involved with youth sports in the Greater Memphis area. Here are a few resources for parents:





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Sports With Us Clinic for Kids

Sports With Us Clinic for Kids – CBS Los Angeles Watch CBS News The Rams, Dodgers and U.S. Soccer teamed up recently to host the Sports With Us clinic for 100 kids at Dodger Stadium. Be the first to know Get browser notifications for breaking news, live events, and exclusive reporting. Not Now Turn On […]

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The Rams, Dodgers and U.S. Soccer teamed up recently to host the Sports With Us clinic for 100 kids at Dodger Stadium.

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Recent Montana-to-NFL stars join Colt Anderson at yearly ‘Dream Big’ youth camp | Montana Grizzlies

The Montana-to-NFL connection is strong with names like Colt Anderson, Tom McMahon, Tommy Mellott, and Junior Bergen: something that Anderson hopes to leave an impression on the youth of his hometown Butte. DJ Bauer SWX Local Sports Reporter BUTTE, Mont. — For years, Montana sports legend Colt Anderson has shared the message […]

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The Montana-to-NFL connection is strong with names like Colt Anderson, Tom McMahon, Tommy Mellott, and Junior Bergen: something that Anderson hopes to leave an impression on the youth of his hometown Butte.




BUTTE, Mont. — For years, Montana sports legend Colt Anderson has shared the message of ‘Dream Big’ with his hometown of Butte, America–a message that really resonates in 2025, given the sudden wave of Treasure State talent entering the NFL.

For the 600 kids in attendance at Friday’s Dream Big Youth Skills Camp at Naranche Stadium, there’s no better way to spend a summer day than sprinting and tackling with past and present NFL stars, many of whom also hail from Montana.

Of course, that includes Anderson, as well as a fellow Griz standout making his Dream Big debut: Junior Bergen. Drafted this year by the 49ers, Montana’s all-time leader in return touchdowns is joined in the Bay Area by new assistant special teams coach… Colt Anderson. It’s a match too good to be coincidence.

“I obviously had a pretty good feel of who Junior was as a player and a person,” Anderson said. “I evaluated him just like I did everyone else, and our scouting department did a great job, and they did the same thing. We’re lucky to have Junior with the San Francisco 49ers.”

“Colt’s been in my corner for a while,” Bergen said. “He’s looked out for me for a while, so I appreciate him taking a chance on me. I’m just super thankful.”

That’s not the only MT to NFL connection at Colt’s camp. Hometown hero Tommy Mellott, a staple of Dream Big, now works alongside Raiders special teams coordinator Tom McMahon, a Helena native, Carroll product, and new inductee of the Montana Football Hall of Fame.

“It’s just the ‘dream’ part of it,” McMahon said of his career. “I had a dream, and to be honest with you, I just worked and worked and worked and hoped it would happen, and it happened. And it’ll happen for all of these kids. It works because of their, in my opinion, Montana upbringing.”

For the kids at Colt’s camp, getting to hang out with heroes they grew up watching like Junior and Tommy, mere months after making the NFL, shows exactly what the ‘Dream Big’ mentality can do.

“Everyone kind of thinks of these guys as superheroes with helmets on,” Anderson said. “But, hey, you don’t have to be the biggest person to make the NFL. That’s what we’re here to do–to inspire these kids that anything’s possible with hard work and dedication.”



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