Sandra Cleveland shares how not participating on social media led her to achieve more in her personal life.
“Are you over forty? You’ve been out of tech for how long? Every year out is actually five, so that’s a hundred years,” the recruiter said. After two decades away from an office, two decades building things that don’t show on a resume, I needed to go back. “How are you not on LinkedIn?” another recruiter asked bewildered. “People will think you’re really weird and you’ll never get hired.” I had spent my career being on call, so when I stopped, I didn’t want to feel tethered.
I skipped Facebook, Instagram and Twitter. I just called my friends. I had somehow missed an entire social media black hole. Instead of logging in, I stayed busy. I was raising grounded kids, caring for an aging parent, starting a youth sports league, launching an environmental education program, saving the girls’ sports team at a local high school and raising money for a public school.
I was working all the hours I had before, just without catered lunches, visits to hair salons, salary or respect. At first, the recruiter’s comments really stung. But then I started thinking about what I had actually done during those years. I’d brokered peace between India and Pakistan, at least on an artificial turf field anyways. I built a dreamy garden out of a charred lot from the 1991 Oakland fire.
I hauled rocks down steep hills and hunted for plants at botanical gardens with my best friend Ruth. All the neighborhood kids came to play in the garden. I realized that I just had to own what I’d accomplished. And eventually, someone else saw the value too. I ended up getting a great tech job.
Youth and amateur sports generated $52.2 billion in travel-related spending nationally last year, outpacing spectator sports tourism’s $47.1 billion
Arkansas outdoor recreation contributed $7.3 billion to the state economy in 2023, supporting more than 68,000 jobs
Statewide tourism reached $17.4 billion in economic impact in 2024, with Northwest Arkansas playing a significant role
Fayetteville has attracted interest from the Women’s Football League, Athletes Unlimited Softball League, and Marshall Islands Soccer Federation
Purpose-built facilities like Centennial Park have enabled the city to host world-class cycling events including upcoming USA Cycling Cyclocross National Championships
Youth and Amateur Sports Lead Travel Spending
Sports tourism has become one of the most consistent economic drivers in the country, and youth and amateur sports are leading the way. According to the Sports Events & Tourism Association, youth and amateur sports contributed $52.2 billion in travel-related spending last year. That figure surpasses spectator sports tourism, which generated $47.1 billion in direct spending and supported more than 665,000 jobs nationwide.
Ryan Hauck, CEO of Experience Fayetteville, the city’s tourism marketing agency, outlined the opportunity in a recent guest commentary. He noted that while leisure and business travel have softened nationally, sports-related travel has continued to rise, providing stability that communities increasingly depend on.
Arkansas Sees Measurable Returns
The numbers in Arkansas reinforce the broader trend. Outdoor recreation alone contributed $7.3 billion to the statewide economy in 2023, supporting more than 68,000 jobs. Tourism overall reached $17.4 billion in economic impact in 2024, with Northwest Arkansas playing a major role in that growth.
For cities like Fayetteville, this translates into hotel stays, restaurant visits, retail traffic, and extended visibility for local assets. Hauck emphasized that when communities lean into their strengths, including outdoor recreation, hospitality, accessibility, and local culture, the returns are significant.
Facility Investment Attracts National Events
Fayetteville’s Centennial Park illustrates how purpose-built infrastructure can unlock sports tourism opportunities. The facility was designed to host world-class cycling events and has already welcomed the 2022 UCI Cyclocross World Championships. It will host the USA Cycling Cyclocross National Championships in December 2025, with a return engagement the following year.
“These events don’t just bring athletes. They bring national attention, media coverage, and significant economic impact for our hotels and hospitality businesses,” Hauck wrote.
Beyond cycling, the city has drawn interest from the Women’s Football League, Athletes Unlimited Softball League, and Marshall Islands Soccer Federation about hosting future events.
Hauck called for continued strategic investment in purpose-built sports facilities and deeper regional partnerships. The broader takeaway for youth sports operators and municipal leaders is clear: communities that invest intentionally in sports infrastructure and programming are positioning themselves to capture a growing share of travel-related spending. With youth and amateur sports now outpacing spectator sports in economic contribution, the opportunity extends well beyond professional leagues.
via: Talk Business photo: Sports MNGT Degrees
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Are you a brand looking to tap into the world’s most passionate fanbase… youth sports?
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About Play Up Partners
Play Up Partners is a leading youth sports marketing agency connecting brands with the power of youth sports. We specialize in youth sports sponsorships, partnerships, and activations that drive measurable results.
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We’ve done the heavy lifting to untangle the complex youth sports landscape so our brand partners can engage with clarity, confidence, and impact. Our vetted network of accredited youth sports organizations (from local leagues to national tournaments and operators) allows us to create flexible, scalable programs that evolve with the market.
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Every partnership we build is rooted in authenticity and value creation. We don’t just broker deals. We craft youth sports marketing strategies that:
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We’re positioning youth sports as the most desirable and effective platform in sports marketing. Our mission is simple: MAKE YOUTH SPORTS BETTER for athletes, families, organizations, and brand partners.
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ARLINGTON, Va. – The Washington Capitals will celebrate Youth Hockey Weekend from Jan. 2-4, highlighted by Youth Hockey Night presented by GEICO on Saturday, Jan. 3, when the Capitals host the Chicago Blackhawks at Capital One Arena. The weekend’s festivities celebrate and spotlight the Capitals’ array of on- and off-ice programming designed to engage youth from across the Washington, D.C., region with hockey. The Capitals offer more than 30 ways to play hockey through on- and off-ice programming for participants age four and above, and more than 27,000 individuals have participated in a Caps Youth Hockey event since 2018.
Highlights of the Capitals’ celebration of youth hockey include:
The Capitals will host an ALL CAPS ALL HER (ACAH) clinic and a co-ed youth hockey clinic at MedStar Capitals Iceplex on Friday, Jan. 2. Led by Caps Youth Hockey Development program instructors and ambassadors, the clinics will focus on development and competitive games. They will also feature appearances by Capitals alumni Craig Laughlin and Paul Mulvey.
The ACAH platform aims to provide access to hockey and elevate the game for women and girls in the Washington, D.C., area, while recognizing players, coaches, parents, advocates and leaders in the community. Since the platform’s launch in 2021, ACAH programs and events have engaged over 5,000 women and girls with the sport of hockey. Click here for more information on the platform.
Saturday, Jan. 3 – Open Practice | MedStar Capitals Iceplex
Youth hockey players are encouraged to attend Capitals practice on Sunday, Jan. 3 while wearing their youth hockey jerseys. Any attendee who arrives wearing their youth hockey or program jersey will receive a giveaway item.
Saturday, Jan. 3 – Youth Hockey Night presented by GEICO | Capital One Arena
The Capitals will celebrate Youth Hockey Night presented by GEICO on Saturday, Jan. 3, when the team hosts the Chicago Blackhawks at Capital One Arena at 7 p.m. All fans who purchase tickets for that night’s game here will receive a roll of Capitals stick tape.
Pre-Game Arrivals: Select youth hockey players from throughout the region will walk with Capitals players during pre-game arrivals. Each Capitals player will be paired with a local youth player, with both wearing the youth player’s team jersey.
The youth players will represent the American Special Hockey Association, Capitals Inline Hockey League (a co-ed league established to provide a unified travel league for existing inline hockey players looking to expand their opportunities to play), high schools and youth hockey clubs. These teams include: Active Play, Ashburn Xtreme, Fauquier Dragons, Fort Dupont Cannons, Frederick Gargoyles, Fredericksburg Phantoms, Landon School Bears, Madison Wildfire, Montgomery Cheetahs, Montgomery Ice Devils, Navy Youth Hockey, NOVA Fury, Piedmont Predators, Potomac Lady Patriots, Reston Raiders, Richmond Renegades, Stone Ridge School of the Sacred Heart, The St. James, Tucker Road Ducks Washington Pride and Winchester Revolution.
Warmups: Six youth hockey players from ACAH, Future Caps Learn to Play presented by World Wide Technology and the Capitals Rising Stars Academy will watch warmups on the Capitals bench.
Starting Lineups: Six players from Future Caps Learn to Play presented by World Wide Technology will take to the ice with the Capitals starting lineup in honor of Youth Hockey Day. A participant from Future Caps Learn to Play will read the team’s starting lineup with PA announcer Wes Johnson.
In-Game Elements: In-arena entertainment and social content throughout the evening will highlight Capitals Youth Hockey programming. This includes the jumbotron showing Capitals players during their youth hockey days. Additionally, two local youth referees will meet that night’s NHL referees before joining them on the ice for the national anthem. The first intermission Mites on Ice presented by BMW will be comprised of players from the Piedmont Predators 8U team, and the second intermission will feature a relay race presented by GEICOwith players from the Piedmont Predators and Montgomery Youth Hockey Association Ice Devils 14U teams.
Sunday, Jan. 4 – Youth Hockey Events | The Wharf
To conclude the weekend’s festivities, the Capitals will host a Future Caps Learn to Play class and a Capitals Rising Stars Academy family skate at The Wharf on Sunday, Jan. 4.
Future Caps Learn to Play presented by World Wide Technology: The initiative is developed in collaboration with the National Hockey League (NHL) and National Hockey League Players’ Association (NHLPA). The NHL and NHLPA have identified the need for a unified growth strategy as a priority for the sport of hockey. The Future Caps Learn to Play program aims to be the gold standard for youth hockey programs with the goal of inspiring more families to join the hockey community. Learn to Play changes the way youth hockey is offered by providing first-time participants free head-to-toe equipment, eight classes of age appropriate on-ice instruction and certified coaching in a fun and safe atmosphere. Click here for more information or to register for the program.
Rising Stars Academy (RSA): The Capitals Rising Stars Academy advances diversity, equity and inclusion in hockey by offering elite skill development and mentorship for local hockey players of color and their families. Through onice training, office conditioning and guided discussions about hockey culture, the RSA builds both physical and mental strength. Click here for more information or to register for the RSA.
Youth Hockey Development in the Washington, D.C., Region
The Capitals offer more than 30 ways to play hockey through on- and off-ice programming for participants age four and above, and more than 27,000 individuals have participated in a Caps Youth Hockey event since 2018. To date, the Capitals have refurbished or built 14 outdoor street/inline hockey rinks across Virginia, Maryland, Washington, D.C. and West Virginia to further encourage participation in hockey. According to USA Hockey, overall, there’s been significant growth in participation in the D.C. area since Alex Ovechkin was drafted. The total number of USA Hockey-registered players (youth and adult) in the Washington D.C. area climbed more than 186 percent from 2005-06 through 2024-25, and 70% across the region as a whole during the same time frame.
For additional information on Caps Youth Hockey programming, visit CapsYouthHockey.com.
ATHENS — A Colquitt County student is among 30 high school students who’ve been selected for the Youth LEAD Georgia 2026 cohort.
Elizabeth Redding will join her peers for a transformative year-long leadership initiative facilitated by the University of Georgia’s J.W. Fanning Institute for Leadership Development in partnership with Chick-fil-A, according to a press release from Youth LEAD Georgia.
The program equips youth with the skills and knowledge necessary to tackle challenges that impact Georgia’s vitality as future leaders of the state, the press release said. A $1.5 million pledge from Chick-fil-A to the UGA Fanning Institute provides financial support for Youth LEAD Georgia. Thanks to this support, the program is available at no cost to participants.
These 10th- and 11th-grade students, representing 27 different counties, were reviewed by an external selection committee from a record pool of nominations, reflecting growing interest and competitiveness in the program.
Participants will take part in four weekend retreats held throughout the year in different regions of the state, a week-long summer bus tour visiting areas not covered in the retreats and a two-day statewide youth summit in Athens. Experiential learning is accompanied by dialogue on current topics facing the state, and interaction with business and community leaders.
Alongside hands-on learning, participants can apply for Bullard Community Champions grants, using their newly acquired skills to lead impactful community service projects in their local areas. These grants are made possible through funding from Regions Bank and Rodney Bullard, CEO of The Same House.
Time Out Sports Bar has announced it will also cease operations at its current location, with its final day of business set for Sunday, Jan. 4, 2026. Notices posted at the bar invite the community to attend a “last day of business” event that day, with all bartenders scheduled to be on site from 3 p.m. until close.
According to the notice, customers who have funds remaining on the bar’s sweepstakes machines will be given a two-week window to cash out. Management stated that specific times for cash-out availability will be posted.
Time Out Sports Bar also indicated plans to relocate and said information about its new location will be shared on the business’s Facebook page.
The building housing both Margaritas and Time Out Sports Bar has been sold to a new owner. As of publication, the identity of the buyer and any future plans for the property have not been publicly disclosed.
However, according to filings with the Texas Department of Licensing and Regulation, a new Denny’s restaurant will occupy one of two lease spaces attached to a new convenience store development called Q-Mart, which is set to be located at 10280 W. Hwy. 29–is the same address as Margaritas.
Plans for the Q-Mart include an 11,766-square-foot main building, two fuel canopies, and a second lease space that remains open for a future tenant. The privately funded project carries an estimated construction cost of $3 million. Work is expected to begin in March 2026, with completion anticipated by February 2027.
A commercial demolition permit for Margaritas’ playground, covered wood deck and canopies was approved in December 2025 to occur Jan. 5.
Follow The Independent for more information on this developing story.
GARFIELD HEIGHTS, Ohio — Akron Garfield and Euclid stole the show Sunday during the NEO Youth Elite Christmas Classic at Garfield Heights High School with their double-overtime thriller.
It took two buzzer-beaters by the Rams’ Rayshawn Hamilton and Monty Thompson Jr. in both overtimes to lift Garfield to a 73-71 win against Euclid. Afterward, they were greeted in the locker room by the hosts from Garfield Heights ahead of the Bulldogs’ game with Glenville.
Both share the name, Garfield, and both are in Division III for OHSAA postseason play.
They could meet in March, but both put on shows Sunday during the five-game showcase. Here are the standout performances to go with the highlights in this post:
Mekhi Asberry, Euclid
Had Akron Garfield not hit so many clutch shots, it would have been Asberry’s shooting that lifted Euclid (5-3).
The Panthers’ sophomore guard scored 19 points and knocked down five 3-pointers in their double-overtime loss. He played off junior guard Tyree Williamson and 6-foot-8 forward Kye Owens, who scored 18 points with 10 rebounds.
Dereon Barber, Richmond Heights
His older brother, De’Erick, is Ohio’s all-time leader in assists after starting four years at Richmond Heights. Now a sophomore, Dereon follows in his footsteps as the Spartans’ starting point guard on a new-look team for first-year coach Mel Burke Jr.
The younger Barber controlled the tempo early in Richmond Heights’ 74-56 win against Orange to start Sunday’s showcase. He finished with 21 points and three assists, including two to senior guard Khyell Moreland, who scored 20 points and hit four 3-pointers. The Spartans (5-5) returned to .500 and bounced back from a seven-point loss last week to defending Division III state champion Louisville.
Rayshawn Hamilton, Akron Garfield
Hamilton’s 27 points carried the Rams for much of their thriller vs. Euclid. The 6-4 guard also grabbed nine rebounds, as Garfield outmuscled a lengthier Euclid team.
Chris Hill, Lutheran East
Lutheran East beat Warrensville Heights at its own game with a tenacious defense and quick passing offense. Hill led the Falcons (6-0) in both of those aspects for their 60-38 win, as he dished out seven assists with three steals and 11 points.
Marcus Johnson, Garfield Heights
Mr. Basketball is out to keep his crown this season, and Sunday’s 40-point effort is another addition to the resume. The Bulldogs’ standout guard and South Carolina commit knocked down seven 3-pointers in a 74-70 win against Glenville. Three of those 3s came in the fourth quarter, as the Bulldogs (4-4) built a 15-point lead.
Johnson scored 17 points in the fourth quarter.
Aaron Lewis, Orange
A freshman guard, Lewis came off the bench to score 22 points in the Lions’ loss to Richmond Heights. He is the nephew of Trey Lewis, who starred at Garfield Heights before a professional career that now has him playing overseas and most notably a run with the Utah Jazz.
Greg Price, Hawken
Hawken (8-1) held off Rhodes’ rally, as four of its starting five led the way. Price earned MVP honors from the Hawks’ 87-80 win, as he scored 24 points and made repeated trips to the free-throw line down the stretch. He also dished out five assists.
Sophomore guard Ice Taylor scored a game-high 25 points, while Daron Hill added 12 and Charlie Mallett had 10, but Price set the tone early and took responsibility for his team’s turnovers that led the Rams back into it.
Hawken is playing back-to-back games against Cleveland Senate League teams and has a rematch from last season’s Division IV state semifinals coming Sunday against Glenville at Euclid for the Scholastic Play By Play Classic.
Gio Ramos, Glenville
Ramos is a newcomer for the Tarblooders, who made it to last season’s Division IV state finals. The junior steps into the big forward spot for a Glenville team that graduated leading scorer Xavier Vickerstaff and played a role similar to him against the Bulldogs with 14 points and 16 rebounds.
Monty Thompson Jr., Akron Garfield
Thompson, a junior guard who came off the bench for coach McNeal Thompson III, is quickly developing a reputation as a clutch shooter.
He made some big shots this summer at the Midwest Live showcase in Sandusky and continued Sunday in one of the Rams’ biggest tests to date. Thompson scored 17 points, including a buzzer-beating 3-pointer to end the third quarter and his baseline jumper to beat Euclid in the second overtime.
Dylan Zeigler, Lutheran East
The sophomore guard, who has big offers including Ohio State, led the Falcons with 20 points in their revenge game against Warrensville Heights after the Tigers beat them last year at this showcase.
