PHILADELPHIA, PA — BASE Sports Group has announced a strategic partnership with AIM Sports Group, a prominent youth sports organization known for its innovative approach to leagues, national events, facility management, media, and technology. The collaboration aims to deepen connections between brands and youth sports communities through AIM’s expansive portfolio.

AIM Sports Group operates a 130,000-square-foot sports complex in Orange County, California, and runs a major Southern California boys volleyball league that engages over 5,000 players. The organization also hosts three major annual national events under the SoCal Cup brand, attracting more than 220,000 spectators each year. These three-day tournaments feature over 600 boys club volleyball teams from across the U.S. and internationally, filling large venues like the Los Angeles Convention Center and Mandalay Bay Convention Center in Las Vegas and setting a new standard for youth sports competitions.

In addition to its event footprint, AIM is advancing its digital presence with the upcoming launch of AIM+, a tech and media platform designed to produce stats, box scores, highlights, and rankings. Scheduled to launch this fall, AIM+ will give young athletes, their families, and coaches access to professional-level profiles and video content, raising the bar for engagement and visibility in youth sports.

Through the new partnership, BASE will lead efforts to develop brand sponsorships and create integrated marketing opportunities across AIM’s events, technology platform, and facilities.

“AIM’s portfolio is built to elevate the sports experience, and as we expanded we recognized the opportunity to align with a partner with a keen sense of collaborative branding and sponsor-driven relationships that benefit everyone involved,” said John Gallegos, Founder of AIM Sports Group. “BASE has a proven track record of positioning and elevating youth sports events and properties while preserving the integrity of the athlete experience. We’re excited to grow with them.”

The move brings AIM into a broader network of properties represented by BASE, which specializes in crafting tailored sponsorship programs for brands aiming to engage youth sports audiences nationwide.

“From the scale of its national events to the sophistication of its programming, AIM is a standout in youth sports,” said Mark Dvoroznak, Co-Founder of BASE Sports Group. “AIM is a genuinely innovative operation — not just because of its assets, but because of its DNA. The team at AIM uniquely understand the dynamics of Gen A athletics, so its venue, league, tournaments, and tech platform are all built around elevating the youth sports experience. These communities are highly sought after by future-facing brands, and brand investment will not only enhance the experience, it will fuel growth. We’re proud to partner with AIM and look forward to helping them maximize these opportunities.”

This partnership underscores a shared vision: transforming youth sports by connecting brands to one of the most engaged and dynamic audiences in the country, while preserving the integrity and excitement at the heart of young athletes’ experiences.

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LOUISVILLE, Ky. (WDRB) — It’s clear that a youth basketball tournament at the Kentucky Exposition Center erupted in fear and confusion on Sunday. But statements from officials don’t settle on one specific cause. 

Louisville police said they believe the chaos at the state fairgrounds — initially thought to be an “active aggressor” — was the result of a ceiling tile falling on a metal chair at the same time a woman began suffering a medical emergency.

Louisville Metro Police Department spokesperson Matt Sanders said the two things appear coincidental and to be the cause of the “mass panic.” The tile hitting the chair made a “loud noise,” he said.

But Kentucky Venues, which operates the Expo Center, said in a statement Monday that the fire alarm system made “audible alerts” inside that were set off by a duct smoke sensor — but didn’t reference the possible causes mentioned by LMPD.

“Our system review is ongoing, but we wanted to confirm that the fire system is not utilized for alert purposes beyond smoke detection,” the statement said. The fire system is routinely inspected and complies with the State Fire Marshall’s Office & NFPA life safety standards. We’re grateful to our law enforcement partners from around the state who responded quickly to this situation. At this time, only minor injuries were reported, which occurred when patrons exited the property.”

Kentucky Venues hasn’t replied to a request for clarification on the differing statements.

The incident occurred around 3:15 p.m. Sunday. LMPD posted on social media just after 3:30 p.m. that there was a report of an “active aggressor” at Kentucky Kingdom and the fairgrounds.

Dozens of officers responded to the area, and the police helicopter began circling the area overheard. The nearby Kentucky Kingdom amusement park also was evacuated.

The crowds inside the Expo Center were there for the Run 4 Roses basketball tournaments, a series of national girls’ events billed as the largest gathering of its kind in the world. Police, who estimated 40,000 people were on the fairgrounds between the two venues, reported no violence at either site after their investigation.

Police later said its preliminary investigation found no credible threat to the building. Officers confirmed there was no shooting, though half a dozen people were injured while rushing to exit the facility. At about 6 p.m., organizers confirmed the incident was a false alarm and allowed guests to return and collect belongings. Games, however, were not resumed Sunday.

“We are deeply thankful that initial reports indicate no one was harmed. The facility remains closed at this time,” David Beck, president and CEO of Kentucky Venues, said in a statement Sunday. “We are grateful for the swift and coordinated response from the Louisville Metro Police Department, our on-site security personnel, and public safety officials across the city. Their immediate action to search and secure the building ensured the safety of everyone on our campus.”

After the panic Sunday, at least a handful of teams, including Nike-sponsored Missouri Phenom and programs from the Wisconsin Truth, announced they are withdrawing from the event. Several college coaches also said they will not return, citing emotional trauma and safety concerns after reported loud noises and a triggered alarm sent thousands of spectators and athletes fleeing the building in panic.

“Our staff will not be attending the remainder of the Run 4 Roses Championship,” Max Ethridge, associate head coach and recruiting coordinator for Maryville University in St. Louis, posted on X. “What happened today was not normal, and should not be normalized. A very sad day for our basketball family.”

Justin Weiland, head coach at Central College in Pella, Iowa, expressed similar concerns.

“I will not partake in making this feel ‘acceptable,'” he wrote. “No one, especially our youth, should have to experience that and ‘just be OK’ and play. Not after seeing tears and terror on so many faces.”

Run 4 Roses officials posted on social media at 4:40 p.m. Sunday that all games were halted for the day.

“Out of an abundance of caution, all athletes and spectators have been cleared from the venue,” the statement read. “We will be resuming Run 4 Roses Championship tomorrow, Monday, July 14.”

Top Stories:

Run 4 Roses to resume Monday with tighter security — some teams, coaches withdraw after scare

Run 4 Roses won’t resume Sunday after false active aggressor report at Kentucky Expo Center

Louisville police say no victims found after report of active aggressor at Kentucky Expo Center

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Standing at midfield at Lakewood High School it was easy for Jeremy McNichols to talk about what it meant for him to provide a football camp for youth athletes.

McNichols offered his second camp in the area this time at Lakewood where he spent his first high school years before transferring to Santa Margarita.

“It’s about giving back,” McNichols said. “It was always a dream of mine to give back to a place that I love. This is where I grew up, it’s that time for me. Just being able to show up for the youth and show them that anything is possible and just being a leader here.”

When he looked back on his time as a youth athlete, he fondly remembered how much it meant to him to attend a youth camp hosted by Antonio Pierce at Dominguez and interact with someone who made it to where he wanted to go. 

“He signed my shirt, and I still have it to this day,” McNichols said. “I was able to see him while I was in the league and tell him that and then I just seen his face light up. So, that gave me the fire to be able to do that for a kid.”

Raymond Carlson, of American Legion Post 44 in Marquette, will be recognized as the Upper Peninsula Veteran of the Year at the U.P. State Fair in August. (Courtesy photo)

MARQUETTE — A Marquette man has been named the 2025 Upper Peninsula Veteran of the Year and will be honored with a ceremony at the U.P. State Fair in August.

The Upper Peninsula Veteran of the Year Committee announced Raymond E. Carlson’s award Thursday, recognizing his contributions to the veteran community and his unwavering commitment to service.

Carlson’s leadership in Michigan’s American Legion over the past two decades serves as a focal point for his accomplishments. He’s had positions that included post commander, district commander, zone commander and served on the State Department Finance Committee, with extensive experience and dedication to his work securing his influence within the American Legion across Michigan.

During his time as commander of the Richard M. Jopling American Legion Post 44 in Marquette, Carlson was in charge of a $240,000 renovation project to enhance and revitalize the post. He also commits himself to post-sponsored social events for community veterans, such as bingo at the Marquette County Fair, bingo at the Jacobetti Veterans Home in Marquette and Boys State initiatives that promote youth development and civic engagement.

Carlson’s youth engagement extends to the hours he coaches and raises funds for youth sports. He served as coach of the Marquette Legion Blues baseball team for six years, leading the team to multiple district championships and the Fifth Zone championship in 1986 to earn their place in the state tournament. Twelve years of service as chair of the District Baseball Committee included Carlson organizing and overseeing numerous tournaments, adding to his long list of services to the youth of the area.

Carlson has also successfully bid on and coordinated American Legion conventions for 14 years, leading to the success of the event in the U.P. during his time as president of the U.P. Convention Corporation. He’s also secured future convention dates in Sault Ste. Marie.

“Carlson’s unwavering commitment to supporting veteran activities and youth initiatives has made a lasting impact on the community. His dedication and service are truly commendable,” said the UPVYC in a news release.

The Upper Peninsula Veteran of the Year ceremony will be at 10:30 a.m. Aug. 14 at the Upper Peninsula State Fair, 2401 N. 12th Ave. in Escanaba. More information about the fair and the venue for the ceremony can be found online on the Upper Peninsula Veteran of the Year’s Facebook page.

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Abby LaForest can be reached at 906-228-2500, ext. 548, or alaforest@miningjournal.net.

LAPWAI, ID – This past Saturday and Sunday, July 12th and 13Th, were the 2025 Lapwai Days, and people showed out to make the event a success

To start the morning off on Saturday at 9 am, there was a three-on-three basketball tournament.

A lot of the youth showed up and put on an impressive performance with some standout plays. A notable difference in this basketball tournament was the absence of three-pointers.

On court one, it was third and fourth grade co-ed; on court two, it was 5th and 6th grade co-ed; then on court three were the older kids with seventh and eighth grade co-ed.

As the games went on for the basketball tournament, other events started taking place as well.

With volleyball tournament starts at 9 am.

This tournament was hosted by the Lapwai Wildcats volleyball team, so all the proceeds from that tournament went back to support the Wildcats volleyball team.

Then at people were also getting some practice before they got started with the corn hole tournament, which started at 10 am.

Yesterday, on Sunday, they closed out the 2025 Lapwai Days with a 5k community walk and the mush ball tournament championship.