By Bruce Sayler It stood probably 3 feet tall and the boys tossed it around their room when they were young. They called it an action figure while the girls, for the sake of sibling conflict, insisted on calling it a doll. Whatever description defines accuracy, it was a Hulk Hogan likeness made of cloth and stuffed similar to the creation of teddy bears. Imitating the pro wrestling moves and bravado in the Hulk Hogan realm, the boys flung it, punched it and kicked it – not of anger, just in performances. Almost spookily representative of the Hulk, himself, the action figure (or doll) never showed a tear, hole in its fabric or cut. Hulk Hogan, live or a modeled toy, was tough. Last I heard of the version in our house and after the five kids all grew, the Hulk Hogan toy left, too, fully intact and in the arms of a grandson several years ago and hasn’t yet returned. It is probably still in one piece. The scenes were what flashed through my mind last week when I read that the real Hulk Hogan had passed away, likely of a heart attack, at home at age 71. Though a performer in a business of constant suspect for reality or substance – or substances – violence, real or feigned, the man was a giant. And, if kids liked him and it seemed he tried to deliver them good, positive messages, I didn’t mind. We even bought his action figure. Still, though, Hulk’s death also carried to me my own first live experience with attending a pro wrestling event. My Grandfather Bagley (my mom’s dad) and my dad both watched pro wrestling shows regularly and in the exciting moments and clinches, you didn’t want to be in the way of an occasional punch flung out of reflex toward the living room’s center. I loved watching with them. Grandpa had cable, so he got two shows a week. One was out of Chicago and featured some of the bigger names of the “sport” then: Crusher Lisowski, Lou Thesz, Verne Gagne, Dick The Bruiser, Haystacks Calhoun, etc. The other was piped in on a Spokane station to Missoula cable customers, but emanated from The Masonic Temple in Seattle and headlined the terrifying Maurice “Mad Dog” Vashon, “The Mad Russian” Soldat Gorky, Japanese villain Haru Sasaki and unbeatable good guy Shag Thomas. I was very dismayed later to learn that all these supposedly enemy foreigners were actually Americans costumed up to play on the emotions and prejudices of the time. In 1963, we took a family vacation to Seattle where my dad had three brothers now living and my mom had an aunt. We spent a week. We all had sights we wanted to see and events to witness. No. 1 on my list was the Thursday night pro wrestling card at the Masonic Temple because, gosh, it was a big deal. It was on TV. Uncle Don and Aunt Ruth made the arrangements. They, my parents and I loaded into the car (can’t remember if it was ours or theirs) and headed for the arena. My brother, then only 7, stayed back with a babysitter. He was not to be allowed to witness the live violence or stay up that late. The place was old and it was packed. It was noisy. I was astonished by how many women and girls were in attendance. Pro wrestling just didn’t seem like a girly thing to this age 11 boy growing up in the ‘60s. Cigarette smoke dangled thick in the air over the rows of rising wooden backless bleachers that sufficed for seating. There were drinks, but I honestly don’t remember whether alcohol was served. I got to see them. Sasaki karate-chopped an opponent I don’t remember, but I think the shot paralyzed him, at least long enough for a pin. Vachon went berserk in the ring, rendered his opponent unconscious and decked a referee who was trying to force him to play by the rules. I think, after security forces “failed,” a contingent from the “good guys” dressing room dragged him off the helpless opponent sprawled on the canvas. Thomas did not perform, to the chagrin of the crowd. I think I recall that the ring announcer informed that an injury prevented the popular wrestler from appearing. However, I think “Pretty Pat” Patterson used a flying dropkick and then a full nelson to render Gorky helpless and register the pin. It was a long show, seemed like close to a dozen bouts. I was so wide-eyed I’m surprised I wasn’t permanently blinded by the overhead lights. Dad apparently stayed calm enough to not shoot a straight right into the back of my head in the heat of action, or maybe Mom had him under control. Then, it got scary. A young blond-haired man named Bobby Schoen, hyped to be a Lou Thesz protégé, was matched against famed Portland bad guy “Tough Tony” Borne. It was brutal. No such beating has ever been recorded in the history of man. Borne slammed him, punched him, kicked him, gouged him. I had a dislike for Borne from watching his matches on TV and knew him to be a dirty so-and-so. Schoen was a mess. He couldn’t seem to keep his feet and seemed completely neutralized by the “illegal” tactics Borne used. The referee was completely ineffective. I thought they should call the cops, maybe the Marines. The horror, though, was when Borne threw Schoen into the ropes and twisted the ropes around the young guys neck, leaving him hanging like a caught gunslinger in an Eastwood spaghetti western. And then, he shook the ropes and, I swear, Schoen’s white face sped right through red, to purple, to blue. His eyes shut. Omigod? I knew he was dying. Maybe it was too late. I was sick to my stomach, fear overcame my whole being and I might have been shaking. My folks my shoulder and arm and promised me the “suffering” wrestler would be all right. An army of refs, other wrestlers and security got into the ring and corralled Borne, then freed Schoen from the ropes crossed in front and behind his throat. Guys looking like medical staff rushed to the ring with a stretcher. They loaded him on it and whisked him away to the back of the building where the locker rooms were located. I never saw Borne leave the ring. I don’t know if he walked out alone or if it was like he had a security escort. I thought he should’ve been on his way to jail.’ I was so surprised at how the crowd was. It screamed plenty when Schoen was absorbing his beating, but returned to normalcy once the next bout started. Geez. A guy was almost murdered (and maybe he was) here and nobody cares? C’mon. I was anxious for word on Bobby Schoen. Was he fighting for his life? Was he still alive? If so, what hospital did they take him to? Can we send flowers? A get well card? Is “Tough Tony” Borne in prison? My aunt tapped me on my shoulder a half hour or so later while the pro bouts continued, ones that now didn’t holm my attention. She pointed to the end of the aisle on the floor separating two sets of bleachers. Two attractive teenage girls stood on either side of a big, young blonde guy and giggled and google-eyed at him. He was freshly showered, dressed in a collared sport shirt and slacks. His hair was neatly combed. It was Bobby Schoen. There wasn’t a mark on him, not even a rope burn. Omigosh! What happened?!! God or Oral Roberts must’ve been sitting ringside. Aunt Ruth handed me a white envelope she dug out of a purse and a pen. She smiled at me. As we made our way to the exit after the show, I glanced to my right and spotted a large bearded man wearing a suit and tie standing in a small group of well-to-do-looking men. They laughed over a shared joke, I presume. “So, what do you think, Bruce?” Uncle Don, probably grinning, asked me on the car ride back to his house. “Was it real or was it fake?” I don’t remember what I replied. I don’t think I had an answer and the events of the night swirled through my head like a pool in a whitewater run. I’m sure, though, that somewhere in my two-story house in Butte there is a cabinet or dresser drawer or box in the basement that contains a crumpled up old white envelope with Bobby Schoen’s autograph on it.
Santa Barbara Volleyball Club (SBVC) has announced plans to construct a new indoor youth volleyball facility at 4550 Hollister Avenue in Goleta after Santa Barbara County approved a ground lease.
The facility would be developed on county-owned land through a long-term ground lease approved by the Santa Barbara County Board of Supervisors. With the lease approved, the project will enter the planning and permitting phase next.
The property is located next to Santa Barbara County Fire Station 13 and the Page Youth Center.
Santa Barbara Volleyball Club is a youth and junior volleyball organization serving both girls and boys. While formally established in 2010, the club has been part of the local volleyball community since 1994.
In spring 2025, SBVC entered a new phase through a leadership partnership with the Los Angeles Volleyball Academy to strengthen its coaching structure and competitive programs.
Expand Sports Opportunities for Youth
The new facility is expected to expand youth sports opportunities in Santa Barbara County, where limited access to indoor court space has long made training and competition challenging for local programs, SBVC said in a statement.
A dedicated facility is expected to reduce those challenges by providing a consistent, year-round space for volleyball training and competition.
Matt Riley, executive director of SBVC, described the facility as a long-term investment in Santa Barbara’s youth, citing its potential to create positive experiences and build confidence.
Construction is expected to begin in 2026, with completion anticipated in 2027.
What the Indoor Facility Entails
The indoor, year-round gym will host practices, training sessions, and organized league play. While volleyball will be the primary focus, the space may also be used for other youth sports programs.
Santa Barbara has long faced a shortage of indoor sports facilities, particularly for youth programs. The new gym would allow SBVC to reduce its reliance on shared school facilities and expand learning opportunities for athletes.
“By investing in youth sports and creating spaces where kids can learn teamwork, confidence, and resilience, we’re strengthening the fabric of our community for years to come,” Santa Barbara County Supervisor Laura Capps said in the statement.
SBVC officials said additional details on design, programming, and community engagement opportunities will be released as the project moves forward.
Project Funding
Santa Barbara Volleyball Club operates as a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization.
The project will be funded primarily through philanthropic donations and grants, with the county continuing to collaborate with the club on permits and entitlements.
SBVC officials said the partnership with the county reflects a shared commitment to expanding access to youth-focused recreational spaces while making productive use of public property.
A proposed nationwide youth sports event outlined by President Donald Trump has sparked debate across the sporting world, with questions emerging over how the competition would work and who would run it.
The concept, branded the “Patriot Games,” was announced this week as part of celebrations for the United States’ 250th anniversary in 2026. While the idea is framed as a showcase for elite high school athletes, its sporting structure remains largely undefined.
What the Patriot Games would look like
Speaking in a video posted to X, formerly Twitter, Trump said the Patriot Games would be an “unprecedented four-day athletic event” featuring top high school competitors from across the country.
Under the proposal, each U.S. state and territory would be represented by one male and one female athlete, suggesting a multi-sport or all-around format rather than a single-discipline championship.
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Trump also reiterated his position on gender eligibility in sport. “But I promise there will be no men playing in women’s sports. You’re not going to see that. You’ll see everything but that,” he said.
Big questions for youth sport
From a sporting standpoint, key details are still missing. The White House has not said which sports would be included, whether athletes would qualify through state championships or nomination, or which organisation would oversee rules, safety, and selection.
Those uncertainties prompted online debate among fans and commentators, with some likening the concept to fictional elimination-style contests, while others compared it to Olympic-style meets, state games, or national all-star events.
FactPost, a social media news account, summarised Trump’s remarks by highlighting the proposed four-day format and the plan to include one male and one female athlete from each state and territory.
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Politics enters the conversation
Democrats added a political dimension to the reaction by sharing a clip from The Hunger Games on their official social media account, alongside a quote from the 2012 film.
“And so it was decreed that, each year, the various districts of Panem would offer up, in tribute, one young man and woman to fight to the death in a pageant of honor, courage and sacrifice,” the post read.
The comparison, intended as satire, fuelled criticism that the proposal risks prioritising spectacle over sport if left loosely defined.
Another week of headline decisions
The Patriot Games announcement came during a week of other high-profile moves from the White House. Separately, it was announced that the Kennedy Center would be renamed the Trump-Kennedy Center.
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Trump said he was “surprised” and “honoured” by the decision. BBC News previously reported that he had dismissed the Kennedy Center’s board and replaced it with allies, who later voted for him to become chairman.
For now, the Patriot Games exist only as a concept. Whether they develop into a credible national competition for young athletes will likely depend on governance, transparency, and how closely the event aligns with established standards in youth and high school sport.
"And so it was decreed that, each year, the various districts of Panem would offer up, in tribute, one young man and woman to fight to the death in a pageant of honor, courage and sacrifice." (The Hunger Games, 2012) https://t.co/fCx32lUMYbpic.twitter.com/3FJw4boQLv
RIO GRANDE VALLEY – The University of Texas Rio Grande Valley (UTRGV) men’s and women’s tennis teams will host a free junior clinic on January 10 at H-E-B Tennis Center in Harlingen prior to the men’s tennis dual match against Arkansas.
The youth tennis clinic is free and open to all participants. Participants must be enrolled in grades 5-10 to register. The clinic will run from 3:30 to 4:30 p.m. and those participating in the clinic will be treated with food at the conclusion of the clinic.
All participants are encouraged to stay and watch UTRGV’s season-opener against Arkansas which will begin at 5 p.m. at H-E-B Tennis Center.
Those interested in signing up for the youth clinic can do so at GoUTRGV.com/TennisClinic.
“The clinic is going to be a great opportunity for the kids to come out and get on court with Division I athletes, work with them, ask them questions, and then get to see what match day looks like,” head men’s tennis coach Nathan Robinson said. “They will get to see the players warm up and play against a top 50 program in the country in Arkansas. It’s going to be a great afternoon and evening of tennis for the Valley.”
“Our goal is to get kids fired up about tennis and sharing the experiences of our student-athletes to inspire them about sports and education,” head women’s tennis coach West Nott said. “Tennis is a lifelong sport where chasing the yellow, fuzzy ball can provide a lot of health benefits. We want to connect the dots for young kids on learning the values of exercise, sticking with a long-term goal, and most importantly, a way to have fun without being in front of a screen. Beginners are welcome to attend as we will have rackets for players to borrow.”
For more information, please contact assistant coach Ekaterina Vorobeva at ekaterina.vorobeva@utrgv.edu.
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The community of Port Washington, located on the North Shore of Long Island, understands the important role that athletics can play in shaping the development of its youth.
Since 1963, the Port Washington Youth Activities (PYA) organization has played a central role in providing year-round playing opportunities for local youth, with sports offerings ranging from baseball to wrestling, from field hockey to lacrosse.
While most of the PYA’s programs are top-notch, perhaps none is more impactful in the community than the lacrosse program. Registration numbers were at an all-time high last season, with 300 boys’ and girls’ participants from K-6. That’s in addition to a robust “littles” lacrosse program for 3-4 year olds.
“We’re fully invested in developing all kids,” said Morgan O’Connor, who has served as a PYA coach for the past six years and now oversees the girls’ lacrosse division.
O’Connor credits the quality of the PYA’s volunteer coaches as one of the primary reasons for the success of the lacrosse programs.
“We work hard to find the best coaches in the area, and have been pretty fortunate through the years to have so many be a part of our program,” she said.
Community support is one of the hallmarks of the Port Washington youth program, a USA Lacrosse member organization. Having its own outdoor complex — Lions Field — with ample field space helps overcome one of the barriers that many other youth programs face. A strong partnership with the varsity and JV teams at Paul D. Schreiber Senior High School provides additional support.
Matt Lilien, commissioner of the boys’ division, says that the older kids serve as important role models for the younger kids.
“The impact of the high school players is immense,” Lilien said. “Whether they are demonstrating drills at a practice or helping with our winter program, they really have the attention of the younger boys.”
“There’s a great trickle-down effect by having the local high school players helping with beginner clinics and events,” O’Connor said.
Lilien says that while the PYA is committed to providing a quality top-down lacrosse experience for all, the coaches also put some responsibility back on the kids.
“It’s important to us that kids are learning the right way, but also the right things,” he said. “We really harp on kids being good teammates and having the right attitude. Effort, team, and sportsmanship are all really important things that we stress. We want lacrosse to be fun for everyone.”
One of the PYA’s biggest events is the annual Harvey Cohen Youth Tournament, named in honor of the legendary National Lacrosse Hall of Fame member who committed most of his adult life to growing the game on Long Island. The two-day event in late May attracts as many as 80 town teams and serves as a major fundraiser, including donations to charity.
“The tournament is a major undertaking, but it’s a very fun event,” O’Connor said. “We’re fortunate to have so many people who are willing to help.”
Lilien credits Port Washington’s family atmosphere and parental involvement as being strong support pillars for the PYA program.
“Port Washington is a sports town, and people are always looking to help out,” Lilien said. “The more people that we have involved, the better the overall experience will be for the kids.”
Now in its sixth decade of serving the community, the PYA appears top be as strong as ever.
“Lacrosse has always been big here, but we’re very grateful for the commitment of so many others through the years that have helped build this thing to where it is now,” Lilien said. “Our success is due to all of them.”
President Donald Trump announced Thursday the White House will host the “Patriot Games,” a competition with young athletes from across the county, as part of the celebration of the United States’ 250th anniversary next year.
“In the fall, we will host the first ever Patriot Games, an unprecedented four-day athletic event featuring the greatest high school athletes — one young man and one young woman from each state and territory,” Trump said.
Democrats have mocked the athletic competition online, comparing it to “The Hunger Games,” a dystopian young adult novel and popular movie franchise in which children are forced to fight to the death in televised arenas.
The president revealed the plans for the Patriot Games in a video announcement from Freedom 250, which was launched Thursday. It is a “a national, non-partisan organization leading the Administration’s celebration of America’s 250th birthday,” according to a news release.
Trump previously previewed the competition in July, saying at the time it would be televised and led by Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy.
During the video, Trump also highlighted his plans to begin construction soon on a new arch monument in the nation’s capital.
“We are the only major place without a triumphal arc. A beautiful triumphal arc, one like in Paris, where they have the great, a beautiful arc. They call it the Arc de Triomphe, and we’re going to have one in Washington, DC, very soon,” Trump said.
A UFC fight on the South Lawn is another of Trump’s ideas for the 250th celebration and will take place on his birthday, June 14.
“On Flag Day, we will have a one-of-a-kind UFC event here at the White House. It’ll be the greatest champion fighters in the world, all fighting that same night. The great Dana White is hosting, and it’s going to be something special,” Trump said.
Trump has long touted his desire to shape the nation’s 250th celebrations. In the past year, the Trump administration has moved quickly to align federal funding with the president’s anniversary priorities, and agencies have followed suit.
The Department of Agriculture, for instance, has embraced the president’s Great American State Fair initiative. The idea was first floated by Trump on the campaign trail in 2023, and it asks states to compete to have their fair chosen by Trump as the “most patriotic.”
Meanwhile, the White House is conducting a sweeping review of the Smithsonian Institution and has demanded the 250th content at the nation’s largest museum complex renews national pride.
