The San Antonio Spurs, in partnership with UT Health San Antonio, the clinical enterprise of The University of Texas at San Antonio, took charge of the physical education classes at Park Village Blended Learning Academy on Dec. 9 as part of a program to give back to the community and talk to kids about how to make healthy choices.

Park Village is a small, Title I elementary school in the Judson Independent School District. As of the 2023-2024 school year, it had 400 students, with around 70% of its students considered at risk of dropping out of school. The event was an opportunity for the students to participate in a day of fun that helped them feel part of their community.

“Having this type of event shows that our community cares,” said Kayone Bedford, principal of Park Village. “Sometimes our kids will say, nobody thinks about us because we’re such a small school or because of what side of town we’re from. But for an organization as large as the Spurs to come out here, that makes our kids feel proud and like they’re part of something bigger.”

The Spurs PE Takeovers are part of the Spurs Sports Academy’s broader community impact programs that also include community-wide events, clinics and camps offered to kids from six years old to 18.

“Our objective is to come and spread joy for these kids and have a good time while teaching basketball skills,” said RJ Sanchez, community sports manager for the Spurs Sports Academy. “Since our partnership with UT Health San Antonio, we’ve implemented a learning curriculum to teach the kids about their health and the value of exercise. But the most important thing we bring to every school is the joy factor.”

During the event, Kevin Ozment, MD, sports medicine physician at UT Health San Antonio and assistant clinical professor in the Department of Rehabilitation in the Joe R. and Teresa Lozano Long School of Medicine at UT San Antonio, taught the students healthy lifestyle tips, emphasizing the importance of sleep, exercise and nutrition. After the lesson, the Spurs Sports Academy coaches led the students in warm-up drills and basketball skills from ball handling to passing and shooting. Then the Spurs Hype Squad, donning black and silver Santa hats, got the students moving with festive dance moves, offering something for everyone.

Ozment emphasized that building healthy habits early can have lasting benefits.

“I see a lot of patients who weren’t as involved in regular exercise or physical activity when they were younger, which can translate to potential health issues when they get older,” Ozment said. “That’s why it’s important to get involved early and implement healthy habits. A little bit of knowledge about healthy lifestyle choices can go a long way.”

Ozment also noted that while getting involved in sports is important, any kind of movement or activity — like riding a bike, taking a walk or going for a swim — can be beneficial for kids.

“It’s also important that kids diversify their sports and activities. When your kid is young, they don’t need to just stick to only one sport. By trying out different sports and being open to all kinds of activity, they can activate different muscle groups and down the line be less prone to injuries,” he advised.

UT Health San Antonio is the official sports medicine partner of the San Antonio Spurs. In 2023, the Spurs announced a multi-year partnership with UT Health San Antonio in a joint effort to pursue innovations in human performance and improve the health of the greater San Antonio community.

Tupper

Former Marshalltown Police Chief Mike Tupper, who served the community for 13 years before retiring in February of 2025, has announced that he will be running for a seat in Iowa House District 52 as a Democrat, according to a press release issued Monday.

District 52 covers the city of Marshalltown and southeastern Marshall County, and the seat is currently held by Republican David Blom, also of Marshalltown. Before Blom defeated Sue Cahill in the 2024 election, the seat had been held by Democrats for over two decades. Notably, Democrat Mark Smith represented Marshalltown from 2001 to 2020.

“I’m running for the Iowa House to restore community-focused leadership and trust at the Capitol. Every day, I hear from neighbors who feel left behind by politicians in Des Moines, and I know I can rebuild that trust by showing up and listening to our community, as I did for years in law enforcement,” Tupper said.

In the press release, Tupper indicated that his priorities would be “fully funding our public schools, tackling the affordability crisis in Iowa by working to make housing cheaper for working families, and working with local officials to keep our communities safe.”

As the next Representative from Marshalltown, I will focus on:

“As a longtime community leader and recently retired Chief of Police in Marshalltown, I know folks across House District 52 know me as someone who leads with integrity and puts our community first. They can trust that I’ll be a reliable advocate for them in the Iowa House,” he said.

Tupper worked for 32 years as a police officer in Iowa and served as a police chief for 20 of those years in Nevada and Marshalltown. He currently works as a law enforcement consultant in the public entity insurance industry, has served as a community volunteer, nonprofit board member, youth sports coach and church leader. He is married to Sarah Tupper and has four daughters and one son.

Blom, the incumbent, issued the following statement when contacted by the T-R Monday.

“I’m running for re-election to the Iowa House to continue fighting for property tax relief, a major factor in rent and housing affordability, Marshall County jobs and economic development, Iowa veterans, teachers, and Marshall County families. It’s my honor to serve and I look forward to working to earn every vote in 2026,” he said.

DULUTH, Minn. (Northern News Now) – Over 400 kids from around the Northland got a special chance to learn some tips and tricks on the court from the University of Minnesota Duluth Bulldogs men’s and women’s basketball teams Monday night.

Through a partnership with Rookie Basketball, players and coaches from both Bulldog basketball teams hosted a clinic that helped kids from kindergarten to the eighth grade learn fundamentals like dribbling, shooting, passing, and more.

Three members of the men’s basketball team and Duluth natives Brooks Johnson, Mattie Thompson, and Noah Paulson all participated in Rookie Basketball when they were kids.

Paulson, who attended and played basketball at Duluth East High School, says it’s a no-brainer for him and his teammates to give back to the community that shaped them.

“It is super important to us and the coaches. We do camps in the summer that are fundraisers also. It is cool to work with the youth because it’s the same kids and families that come to our games. Hopefully, tonight, we have a positive impact on them,” says Paulson.

The Duluth Salvation Army’s youth basketball program has been in operation since 1987, providing kids in Duluth and surrounding towns with the opportunity to learn and play the game of basketball.

To learn more about the Rookie Basketball program, click here.

The Bulldogs men’s and women’s basketball teams are back at Romano Gym on Friday, January 9, for a conference doubleheader against the University of Sioux Falls.

The men’s game tips off at 5:30 p.m. while the women’s game is immediately after at 7:30 p.m.

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Key Takeaways

• Little League retired its 30-year ASAP program to launch Little League SAFE and SAFE to Play on January 5, 2026
• SAFE Summary Builder replaces manual safety plan uploads with an automated, customizable reporting tool for leagues
• Leagues completing compliance requirements qualify for a 15% AIG insurance credit and access to Musco-funded facility grants
• Four safety pillars now formalize Little League’s approach: child protection, physical safety, mental well-being, and risk management
• District administrators can earn up to $800 in AIG-supported incentives for promoting safety program participation

Replacing Three Decades of Safety Infrastructure

Little League International retired its A Safety Awareness Program (ASAP) after nearly 30 years of operation, replacing it with a two-part system designed to centralize resources and measure compliance more systematically. The transition reflects a shift from awareness-based programming to measurable participation standards.

“Little League SAFE provides education, tools, and resources to help leagues build and maintain safer programs, while SAFE to Play establishes annual compliance requirements and a recognition structure that measures participation and rewards achievement,” said Joy Reynolds McCoy, Little League Senior Vice President and Chief Legal Officer.

The organization built the new framework around four core areas: child protection, physical safety, mental well-being, and local league risk management. Each area now has dedicated resources accessible through a central portal at LittleLeague.org/SAFE, including the Child Protection Policy, JDP background check information, and state-specific guidance.

New Digital Tools Streamline Safety Documentation

Little League introduced the SAFE Summary Builder as the primary change to league-level administration. The guided online tool generates a customized safety summary based on league input, eliminating the previous requirement for manual safety plan uploads. Leagues can share the resulting document with volunteers and parents.

The organization also launched two free training courses. The Safety Awareness Training covers core safety principles, risk management, and best practices for all volunteers. The First Aid Awareness Training focuses on injury prevention and first aid response protocols.

Little League redesigned its Annual Facility Survey to integrate directly with each league’s SAFE Summary. The updated version generates a summary report with practical feedback and recommended actions for improving field and facility safety. Leagues must complete both the SAFE Summary Builder and Annual Facility Survey to establish baseline participation in the SAFE to Play program.

Insurance Credits and Grant Funding Tied to Compliance

The SAFE to Play component functions as Little League’s annual compliance and recognition program. Leagues that complete the required SAFE Summary Builder and Annual Facility Survey through the Little League Data Center qualify for a 15% credit on accident insurance premiums purchased through the AIG Accident Insurance Program.

Leagues that meet baseline compliance requirements become eligible to apply for funding through the Musco-Funded SAFE to Play Grant Program. In 2026, grant funding covers facility improvements that enhance safety and playing conditions, plus purchases of automated external defibrillators for emergency preparedness.

The program prioritizes a range of leagues, including those demonstrating strong existing safety practices and those facing resource constraints. Completion of additional training courses such as Safety Awareness, First Aid Awareness, and Diamond Leader increases a league’s grant eligibility.

District-Level Incentives Support Program Adoption

Little League established District Incentives supported by AIG to encourage active communication and promotion of safety initiatives. District administrators who help local leagues complete safety requirements can earn up to $800 per district through three separate achievement levels.

The incentive structure aims to build oversight capacity at the district level and foster accountability throughout the program. District administrators serve as the primary communication channel between Little League International and local leagues, making their engagement critical to program adoption rates.

Formalizing Safety as Measurable Infrastructure

Little League’s shift from ASAP to SAFE represents a move toward quantifiable participation standards rather than purely educational programming. The organization now ties financial incentives, insurance benefits, and grant eligibility directly to completion of digital documentation tools and facility assessments.

The four-pillar framework standardizes expectations across all leagues while the SAFE Summary Builder creates a consistent reporting format. By centralizing resources at LittleLeague.org/SAFE and linking compliance to tangible benefits, Little League has positioned safety as both a cultural priority and an administrative requirement with measurable outcomes.

via: Little League

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About Youth Sports Business Report

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

Introducing Play Up Partners, 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.

About Play Up Partners

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Why Sponsor Youth Sports?

Youth sports represents one of the most engaged and passionate audiences in sports marketing. With over 70 million young athletes and their families participating annually, the youth sports industry offers brands unparalleled access to motivated communities with strong purchasing power and loyalty.

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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 have answers. Reach out to info@playuppartners.com to learn how Play Up Partners can help your brand navigate the youth sports landscape.

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The Reflector

Lawmakers from the 18th Legislative District are sponsoring legislation aimed at protecting children participating in youth sports programs from abuse and sexual predators.

House Bill 2180, sponsored by Rep. John Ley, R-Vancouver, and endorsed by Rep. Stephanie McClintock, R-Vancouver, would require background checks for all youth sports coaches and others who manage or supervise youth sports programs, according to a Washington State House Republicans news release.

The proposal would also direct the Department of Children, Youth and Families to develop mandatory training on reporting child abuse tailored to youth sports coaches. Youth sports organizations would be required to complete the training, and coaches would be designated as mandatory reporters.

“This legislation was prompted after concerned parents encountered a convicted sex offender who failed to disclose his conviction while seeking to coach their children,” Ley said in the release. “By requiring background checks — paid for by the individual or organization — we give parents and program administrators better tools to protect kids.”

The bill would require organizations to submit background checks through the Washington State Patrol and would prohibit the hiring of individuals convicted of crimes against children or other persons, the press release stated.

The bill will be reviewed during the 2026 legislative session, which begins Monday, Jan. 12.