(Shenandoah) — Shenandoah Mayor Roger McQueen has declared May 1st-7th as youth week in the community. Members of the Shenandoah Elks Lodge #1122 and Shenandoah-area youth were on hand for the official signing at City Hall Thursday. Elks Lodge members in attendance include Trustees Kelly Jolly and Curtis Osborn, Esteemed Leading Knight Tony Haynes, Esteemed […]
(Shenandoah) — Shenandoah Mayor Roger McQueen has declared May 1st-7th as youth week in the community.
Members of the Shenandoah Elks Lodge #1122 and Shenandoah-area youth were on hand for the official signing at City Hall Thursday. Elks Lodge members in attendance include Trustees Kelly Jolly and Curtis Osborn, Esteemed Leading Knight Tony Haynes, Esteemed Lecturing Knight Jeff Armstrong, Exalted Ruler Ken Swank and Secretary Alan Armstrong. Councilman Richard Jones was also in attendance.
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DOJ investigating whether California violated federal law by allowing transgender athletes in girl’s sports
LOS ANGELES (KABC) — The federal government is now entering the fight over transgender athletes participating in girls’ sports, with the U.S. Department of Justice investigating whether California is violating federal law by allowing it to happen. U.S. Attorney Bill Essayli said he believes the state is violating Title IX, which prohibits sex-based discrimination in […]
LOS ANGELES (KABC) — The federal government is now entering the fight over transgender athletes participating in girls’ sports, with the U.S. Department of Justice investigating whether California is violating federal law by allowing it to happen.
U.S. Attorney Bill Essayli said he believes the state is violating Title IX, which prohibits sex-based discrimination in educational programs that receive federal funding.
“Here in California, we have high schools and colleges and other institutions who are federally funded, who are discriminating against girls; allowing biological males to compete in their teams,” said Essayli.
The controversy exploded earlier this week, when President Trump blasted California lawmakers in a post on Truth Social, saying the state “continues to ILLEGALLY allow ‘MEN TO PLAY IN WOMEN’S SPORTS.'”
The President was referring to a transgender student from Jurupa Valley High School, AB Hernández, who took first place in CIF Section Finals last weekend in a girls track and field contest. Hernández will be competing in the CIF Finals this weekend in Clovis.
Essayli said biological female athletes’ rights are being violated by including transgender athletes in girls’ sports.
“They’re denying girls those opportunities, and that’s exactly what Title IX was designed to prohibit; to prohibit discrimination based on gender in athletics, and that’s what’s happening today.”
Essayli said the Department of Justice is also submitting a statement of interest in a different case pending in federal court, in which a lawsuit was filed by two students at King High School in Riverside.
One of the plaintiffs in that case claims she was demoted from the varsity track and field team to the junior varsity team when a transgender athlete took her spot.
“I feel like it definitely lessened my chances to be seen by college recruiters,” said plaintiff Taylor Starling in a previous interview with Eyewitness News. “It was definitely very disappointing to me that I did get removed from that varsity spot.”
But supporters of transgender rights disagree, saying there’s more to high school sports than simply competition.
“I think we got the point of what youth sports is about, which is, it’s about having our kids grow up healthy and happy with their peers,” said Jess Fitzpatrick with the Fresno Economic Opportunities Commission’s LGBTQ+ Resource Center.
“Being a part of a sports team is about physical health, it’s about being out there and making community and making friends, as well as competition.”
The CIF is also making changes to its rules to address the controversy, saying any biological female athlete who is bumped from the podium because of the participation of a transgender athlete will be awarded a medal anyway.
“On Friday, May 30, if necessary, in the high jump, triple jump and long jump qualifying events at the 2025 CIF State Track and Field Championships, a biological female student-athlete who would have earned the next qualifying mark will also be advanced to the finals,” said the CIF in a statement.
“Additionally, if necessary, in the high jump, triple jump and long jump events at the 2025 CIF State Track and Field Championships, a biological female student-athlete who would have earned a specific placement on the podium will also be awarded the medal for that place and the results will be reflected in the recording of the event.”
Scott Barker named to lead CCS basketball • SSentinel.com
Scott Barker Christchurch School (CCS) recently named Scott Barker as head of the CCS boys basketball program and varsity head coach. Barker has worked with the program for the last two years as an assistant coach, and this last year as head coach of the junior varsity team. Barker, who lives in White Stone, has […]
Christchurch School (CCS) recently named Scott Barker as head of the CCS boys basketball program and varsity head coach. Barker has worked with the program for the last two years as an assistant coach, and this last year as head coach of the junior varsity team.
Barker, who lives in White Stone, has a wealth of qualifications and understands high school basketball from all vantage points as a head coach, assistant coach, AAU coach, former player, parent of a former player, and college recruiter. He is also a licensed counselor with research emphasis on group cohesion and performance in team sports. He is a published author of articles on motivation and basketball strategy.
At the high school level, Barker served as head coach of the girls basketball team at Coatesville (Pennsylvania) High School, and head coach for the Lady Titans AAU basketball club. He was founder and director of the Avon Grove Red Hawks Youth Basketball Club from 2003-2007 and director and head coach for the Red Hawks AAU basketball program from 2007-2010. He served as head coach for the Avon Grove (Pennsylvania) High School boys basketball team from 1999 to 2003.
In 2023 Barker created a youth basketball initiative here in Rivah country, the Rivah Basketball Association, with focus on player development and community relations. He organized a high school AAU team to play a competitive schedule in regional AAU tournaments from Richmond to Hampton. The team finished in third place at the D3 Boys World Championship.
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Fan tackled by security for rushing Lionel Messi at Inter Miami youth event
Where was Lionel Messi’s famed bodyguard Yassine Cheuko when he needed him? An overzealous young fan rushed the global soccer superstar during a youth event in South Florida before eventually being hauled away by security. Messi and Inter Miami teammate Luis Suárez were attending the Inter Miami CF Academy’s Dreams Cup at the team’s training […]
Where was Lionel Messi’s famed bodyguard Yassine Cheuko when he needed him?
An overzealous young fan rushed the global soccer superstar during a youth event in South Florida before eventually being hauled away by security.
Messi and Inter Miami teammate Luis Suárez were attending the Inter Miami CF Academy’s Dreams Cup at the team’s training center in Fort Lauderdale over the weekend, sitting under a tent while watching the action.
Video posted by TMZ showed a young fan sprinting toward the tent — with security a step behind — getting right in front of Messi in an attempt to get the Argentine to sign merch for him.
At the Dream Cup youth tournament, a fan runs toward Lionel Messi and is handled aggressively by security just steps away from the star as he sits under a tent. 305shock / BACKGRID
Security then caught up and grabbed the fan, pulling him away.
However, a second fan wearing a yellow shirt with a 54 on the back also attempted to approach the soccer star but seemed to go somewhat unnoticed by comparison to the other fan wearing the No. 10 Messi jersey.
At one point, the fan in the jersey seemed to try to leave on his own, but security grabbed him again and escorted him off the field.
While the focus was on the one fan, the other person in the yellow shirt was shooed away, but in a less forceful manner.
At the Dream Cup youth tournament, a fan runs toward Lionel Messi, who is sitting under a tent as security pursues the fan. 305shock / BACKGRID
It’s unclear if Messi signed anything for either fan during the interaction.
The interaction is far from an unusual one for Mess, who has had supporters charge at him in hopes of an autograph or picture many times during his storied career.
At the Dream Cup youth tournament, a fan running toward Lionel Messi is handled aggressively by security. 305shock / BACKGRID
Cheuko claimed in April that he was no longer allowed on the field for MLS games after he stood guard for the first two seasons of Messi’s time in the league.
It’s unclear if he was at the youth event.
Messi and Suárez recently partnered to launch a soccer club in Suárez’s native Uruguay earlier this week.
Suárez announced that the team formerly known as Deportivo LS will from here on out be called LSM, playing in the country’s fourth division.
Local media reports suggested that Messi will be a partner in the new club.
Watsonville’s Nate Aguilar establishes school record in triple jump
Watsonville High senior Nate Aguilar placed third in the triple jump at the Central Coast Section Track and Field Championships at Gilroy High on May 24. His mark of 46 feet, 4 3/4 inches set a new school record, and was good enough to advance to the CIF State Championships on May 30-31. (Juan Reyes/The […]
Watsonville High senior Nate Aguilar placed third in the triple jump at the Central Coast Section Track and Field Championships at Gilroy High on May 24. His mark of 46 feet, 4 3/4 inches set a new school record, and was good enough to advance to the CIF State Championships on May 30-31. (Juan Reyes/The Pajaronian)
Watsonville senior Nate Aguilar was facing elimination going into his final attempt in the triple jump at the Central Coast Section Track and Field Championships on May 24 when all of a sudden he asked spectators for a slow handclap.
As the claps began to speed up to a boisterous applause, he sprinted toward the sandbox and leaped like a gazelle hopping through the savannas.
Aguilar ended up placing third with a jump of 46 feet, 4 3/4 inches, and advanced to the California Interscholastic Federation Track and Field Championships at Buchanan High in Clovis on May 30-31.
“It’s been a big goal for me to go to State, always, all four years,” he said. “It’s awesome to finally make it.”
The Wildcatz’s standout athlete established another school record that he had set with a jump of 45-8 3/4 at the Pacific Coast Athletic League Masters Meet in King City on May 9. Aguilar surpassed Kasem Green’s previous record of 44-5 that was set in 2014.
Prior to that, Genaro Alcantara first set the record of 43-5 in 1975, followed by current Watsonville track and field coach Rob Cornett (43-11) in 1982. That record stood for nearly 30 years until Fernando Olivares broke it with a jump of 43-11 in 2010.
After the final attempt, Aguilar and Cornett embraced with a powerful bear hug to celebrate a record-setting feat that both won’t soon forget.
“It means everything to me because I didn’t know I wanted to do track in high school,” Aguilar said. “Coach Cornett got me out there and I fell in love with it right away, and to finally come out here and make it to State, that’s awesome for me.”
The top three finishers in each event except for the 4×800 relay race advanced to the CIF State Championships.
Aptos senior Logan Brantley took fourth in the shot put with a toss of 58 feet, yet his mark was still good enough to surpass the at-large qualifying throw of 55-4 1/2. He also placed fifth in the discus with a throw of 158-11.
In the 800-meters, Aptos sophomore Sam Hansen took eighth in 4 minutes, 15.70 seconds, while teammate junior Brady Bliesner (4:21.21) placed 10th. Scotts Valley junior Aaron Weiss (1:56.92) placed fifth in the 800.
Aptos’ 4×800 relay team—Brady Bliesner, Vincent Sanford-Carroll, Anthony Sanford-Carroll and Sam Hansen—placed ninth in 8:10.48.
Pajaro Valley senior Izaak Ocampo narrowly missed the cut into the State Championships as he placed fourth in the long jump with a leap of 22-1 1/4, while Aptos senior Casey MacConnell (21-5 3/4) took seventh.
Cornett was just as excited for Aguilar as the longtime ‘Catz coach pumped his fist in the air in a Michael Jordan like manner after he heard the result.
Cornett said he’s amazed how Aguilar was able to recover from a sprained ankle he suffered during the basketball season in the winter.
“We held him out as long as we could, and then he started to show some promise,” Cornett said. “At that Masters Meet, when he hit that jump, it surprised me. I wasn’t sure if he was capable of that big of a jump.”
Another astonishing thing is how Aguilar was able to train without having the proper facilities on campus. With ongoing reconstruction at Emmett M. Geiser Field, there were some days he wasn’t even able to practice.
“It’s a miracle and a testament to Nate’s ability to adapt, improvise and overcome,” Cornett said.
Apart from almost calling it a career at Watsonville, Aguilar spent most of Saturday morning feeling ill with a migraine. It prevented him from getting ample rest, which then led to a late start to his day.
However, he managed to battle through the headache. Aguilar also overcame some early adversity after recording a foul on his first two attempts, and again on a critical fifth attempt.
“I thought his fifth jump was on, they called it a scratch,” Cornett said. “I was like oh my God, we have to go after this last jump otherwise we won’t go to State, we gotta get it. I always knew he had something big in him, I just knew.”
On the sixth and final attempt, Aguilar began to handclap for some motivation and the crowd followed. The rest was history.
“I know I’ve had it in me to be able to jump that far,” Aguilar said. “It’s just execution, and what better time to do it than my possible last jump in high school. I got it done.”
Justice Department to investigate California, back lawsuit over transgender kids in sports | Nation/World
LOS ANGELES — The U.S. Justice Department has launched an investigation into whether California, its interscholastic sports federation and the Jurupa Unified School District are violating the civil rights of cisgender girls by allowing transgender students to compete in school sports, federal officials announced Wednesday. The Justice Department is also throwing its support behind a […]
LOS ANGELES — The U.S. Justice Department has launched an investigation into whether California, its interscholastic sports federation and the Jurupa Unified School District are violating the civil rights of cisgender girls by allowing transgender students to compete in school sports, federal officials announced Wednesday.
The Justice Department is also throwing its support behind a pending lawsuit alleging similar violations of girls’ rights in the Riverside Unified School District, said U.S. Attorney Bill Essayli, who oversees much of the Los Angeles region, and Assistant Attorney General Harmeet Dhillon, who heads the Justice Department’s Civil Rights Division.
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Akron Athletics has released its promotional schedule for the 2025 season, highlighted by the home opener on Aug. 28 against Wyoming with Youth Sports Night and Roo Blue Weekend followed by Homecoming on Oct. 4 against Central Michigan. Full promotional dates are as follows.
Aug. 28 vs. Wyoming – Home Opener, Youth Sports […]
Akron Athletics has released its promotional schedule for the 2025 season, highlighted by the home opener on Aug. 28 against Wyoming with Youth Sports Night and Roo Blue Weekend followed by Homecoming on Oct. 4 against Central Michigan.
Full promotional dates are as follows.
Aug. 28 vs. Wyoming – Home Opener, Youth Sports Night, Roo Blue Weekend
Sept. 20 vs. Duquesne – Band Day, High School Day, Hometown Heroes, Extra Yard for Teachers
Oct. 4 vs. Central Michigan – Homecoming, Family Weekend & Varsity “A” Athletics Hall of Fame
Oct. 11 vs. Miami – Greek Game, Scout Game, Cheer & Dance for a Day, Healthcare Appreciation
Nov. 4 vs. UMASS – Group Bounce Back
Nov. 11 vs. Kent State – Senior Night, Wagon Wheel, Veterans Day
Akron Football kicks off the 2025 season with their home opener against Wyoming on Thursday, Aug 28. Youth Sports Night will take center stage as we open the new season under the lights at InfoCision Stadium-Summa Health Field. All fans are encouraged to arrive early for our pregame fan fest in Lot 8, and wear navy as we celebrate the first week back to school with Roo Blue Weekend. The University of Akron Faculty & Staff are encouraged to join us for the home opener as well, with ticket specials available closer to kickoff.
For the second home game against Duquesne on Sept. 20, all local area high school band members are invited to join the Akron Zips Marching Band and experience a gameday at InfoCision Stadium-Summa Health Field, for more information contact Galen Karriker gsk1@uakron.edu. In addition, all local area high school students are invited to join us for gameday as well, with more information to follow on ticket specials for all enrolled students. Zips Athletics would like to also show our appreciation for all local area educators as we have joined the College Football Playoff Committee’s national effort – Extra Yard for Teachers. Fans will be able to nominate local educators leading into the game, for a chance to win gift cards earmarked for classroom supplies, courtesy of the College Football Playoff Committee. Akron Athletics has also partnered with the University of Akron Military Services Center for Hometown Heroes, as we honor and celebrate our military personnel with a special ticket offer and pregame activities.
Homecoming & Family Weekend is Oct. 3-5 as the Zips host Central Michigan for the homecoming game on Saturday, Oct. 4. The Zips welcome alumni, families, friends and fans as well as the 2025 Varsity “A” Athletics Hall of Fame Honorees to InfoCision Stadium-Summa Health Field.
The Blue & Gold battles the Miami RedHawks on Oct. 11 for the fourth home game of the season as the athletic department welcomes Greek life, Greek alumni, and all local area Scouts to join us and take advantage of our pregame experiences. Calling all cheerleaders & dancers! Join Zips spirit squad for cheer & dance for a day. The Akron Spirit teams will be holding a 90-minute clinic on Friday, Oct. 10 for grades K-8 to learn from the team and perform with the spirit squads during the game against the RedHawks. The department would also like to recognize Healthcare Workers and show our appreciation for health care professionals at InfoCision Stadium-Summa Health Field.
On Nov. 4, the Zips host UMASS for the first home MACtion game of the season and Group Bounce Back Day – all groups that join us for a Zips Football game will be able to take advantage of a special ticket offer for our Tuesday night showdown.
For the Wagon Wheel game on Nov. 11, UA partnered with Vet Tix for Veterans Day – in which special discounted tickets will be available for service men and women along with local first responders and their families. Fans are also encouraged to bring the energy early, as we will honor our graduating senior class pregame as the Zips defend back-to-back Wagon Wheel victories against rival Kent State.
Group experiences for the 2025 season are also available! Individual and corporate groups can plan a memorable experience at an Akron Football home game this fall by visiting our Tickets Page here. Discounted group tickets and fan experiences are available starting today for a minimum purchase of 10 tickets, and fan experiences are available on a first come, first served basis to any home football game during the 2025 season.
Season tickets for the 2025 Akron Football season are also still available starting as low as $75. Season ticket packages will feature all six home games and provide the most cost-effective way for our fans to attend games at InfoCision Stadium-Summa Health Field. For more information about season ticket pricing, call the Zips Ticket Office at 888-992-5766. Fans can also request more information by clicking here.