Photo above by Yazan Obeidat via Unsplash.

When we launched the Kidsburgh Podcast, we began sharing ideas and inspiration from people with a personal connection to the Pittsburgh area. The first of these was a conversation with former Pittsburgh Pirate Travis Snider, now retired from baseball, whose career is focused on helping kids and parents create a healthier culture around youth sports in America.

Snider is cofounder of a company called 3A Athletics, which offers guidebooks and resources to help parents and kids manage the pressures that can arise in youth sports. The goal? To make the sports experience a positive thing in kids’ lives, helping them to reach their potential while building strong mental health.

When Snider spoke with Kidsburgh, we discussed his baseball career — the dream-come-true of getting drafted out of high school to play baseball professionally and the fun of playing for Pittsburgh’s dedicated fans. It was, he said, an incredible experience to play in the city of Pittsburgh on a team that broke the Pirates’ long streak of not making the playoffs. He still gets chills thinking about the 2013 Wild Card game.

For kids listening to the podcast who might dream of that kind of career success, he shared these thoughts: If you love a particular sport or another pursuit, make time to work on your skills. Each of us have our natural talents, but success comes from repeated effort: “If you want to be great at something,” he said, “it takes a lot of practice.”

This applies to school, sports or any other goal: “A regular conversation we have in our household with my children is understanding that if you’re not good at something, the first question I’m going to ask you is, how much have you practiced?”

For parents, one key to supporting these efforts is praising effort rather than just celebrating successes.

Even if a child loves a particular sport, it’s also important for kids and parents to realize that the child’s identity as an athlete is only one aspect of who they are. This is something that struck Snider as he was ending his baseball career, while also parenting his three young children.

“In our society and our culture, we heavily tie our identity on our accomplishments, or what we do for a living, or what we want to be when we grow up,” Snider said. That creates a lot of pressure.

“I was lucky enough to play professional baseball for 16 years. But at the end of that, I wasn’t going to continue to play baseball into my 40s and in my 50s,” he said. “At that point, I had to go through a process of unpacking my identity and how closely tied that was to baseball, being a baseball player, and what I had accomplished in baseball. Those are all things that I’m very proud of, but I also had to learn and understand how that identity can make things very confusing and very difficult at times, to believe that you are anything other than what you do.”

From having difficult conversations with kids to making space for their voices, Kidsburgh’s conversation with Travis touched on so many valuable ideas for parents.

Listen to the whole Kidsburgh podcast interview with Snider RIGHT HERE or find this and more Kidsburgh podcast episodes on Apple Podcasts, Pandora and Spotify. 

CHARLESTON, S.C. — The Citadel men’s basketball program travled en masse to Costa Rica for one week late in the summer, working to build team chemistry while exploring the Central American country and competing against local teams on the court.
 

For a full schedule of events, check out the breakdown below: 

DAY ONE

July 25th | Charleston, S.C. to San Jose, Costa Rica — Crowne Plaza Corobici

• Flew into Juan Santamaria International Airport in San Jose (SJO)
• Welcome dinner at Tiquicia

DAY TWO

July 26 | San Jose, Costa Rica — Crowne Plaza Corobici

• Morning community service outreach youth basketball clinic at local school in San Jose
• San Jose city tour with stops at Central Market, National Church, National Theater and Artisan’s Market
• Competed in first game in the evening

DAY THREE

July 27 | San Jose, Costa Rica — Crowne Plaza Corobici

• Morning visit to La Paz Waterfall Gardens for hike to waterfalls and visit to animal sanctuary
• Competed in second game in the evening

DAY FOUR

July 28 | Guanacaste, Costa Rica — JW Marriott Guanacaste Resort & Spa

• Beach / Pool day one of Costa Rica’s top beachfront resorts

DAY FIVE

July 29 | Guanacaste, Costa Rica — JW Marriott Guanacaste Resort & Spa

• Toured the local city of Tamarindo

DAY SIX

July 30 | Guanacaste, Costa Rica — JW Marriott Guanacaste Resort & Spa

• Diamante Eco Adventure Park for zip-lining excursion, a tiered exploration featuring five different zip lines

DAY SEVEN

July 31 | Guanacaste, Costa Rica to Charleston, S.C.

• Returned home to Charleston, S.C.

— #TogetherWeAttack —

Liam Brown ’21 and Elsie Noyes ’21 are the founding missionaries of Charity on Fire, a new ministry dedicated to Catholic youth evangelization in the Diocese of Toledo that operates out of Camp DeSales on Vineyard Lake in Brooklyn, Mich.  Charity on Fire is a community of both full-time and part-time missionaries that host Catholic youth camps and other faith awakening retreats and events, where young people can grow in faith, build lasting friendships, and experience the joy of living out the Gospel. 

During the summer, Charity on Fire helps to serve the mission of Camp DeSales, which is to create an environment for young people to encounter the Most Holy Trinity, initiate spiritual relationships, and inspire a next step in the process of lifelong discipleship.  The program strives to continue the transformative work God has begun in the lives of young people through the Catholic youth camp programming, carrying that mission forward year-round in an intentional way. 

“There are many missionary communities throughout the country and world that aim to minister to youth,” Liam explained.  “These missionary communities come into our schools and parishes briefly, ministering with necessary gospel truth.  We have seen, though, that it is not easy for real relationships to be forged in these models because of the quick turnover rate.  Young people are starving for relationships.  They not only want to be loved, but they want to be led… to be discipled.  We desire not only to awaken faith in young people, but to sustain that faith into life-long discipleship.”

The model of Charity on Fire includes a full-time missionary program with Liam and Elsie working as two of the five current full-time missionaries who pray, serve, recreate, and live in community with each other.  They are primarily based out of Camp DeSales, but do work in Toledo as well.  “Many parishes, high schools, and youth groups in the Diocese of Toledo have been attending camp throughout the years, and it is their hope to continue life-long discipleship in some capacity in Toledo,” Liam said.

“The name ‘Charity on Fire’ reflects the passionate and active spirit of our mission to share Christ’s love and message,” explained Elsie.  “Guided by the Salesian vision of a faith that transforms lives, we aim to kindle that same passion for Christ in every heart we encounter.  At the core of our mission is a deep devotion to the Sacred Heart of Jesus – a powerful sign of His unconditional love and mercy.  It reveals His burning desire for humanity, expressed through selfless, sacrificial love.  At Charity on Fire, we are inspired by the Sacred Heart and strive to live out and share that love in all we do.” 

Liam started serving at Camp DeSales right after he graduated from CCHS in the summer of 2021, and he just completed his fifth consecutive summer ministering at the camp as a missionary, worship leader, and now program director.  During that time, he also earned two Bachelor of Arts degrees in Theology and Catechetics from Franciscan University of Steubenville.  He coordinated a mission trip to the Bronx, the Dominican Republic, and to Poland, which was a life changing experience.  “These experiences have deeply shaped my passion for ministry, leadership, and forming others in the faith,” he said.  “It is a dream come true living for God!”

Along with his work in this new ministry, Liam also leads worship on guitar and piano, which he says is one of the greatest joys in his life.  “To be able to glorify and love Him while simultaneously bringing others closer to Him with a talent He has entrusted to me is a blessing of a lifetime,” he said.  “God has been opening many doors in this facet of my life, so I am excited to see where He will lead!”

After graduating from CCHS, Elsie attended Lourdes University and earned a bachelor’s degree in theology with a minor in history.  She was involved in youth ministry, volunteering at St. Joseph Parish in Maumee, and worked as a swim instructor, teaching lessons throughout her college years.  In the spring of 2025, she taught freshman theology at St. John’s Jesuit High School.  

Both Liam and Elsie feel that Central Catholic helped guide and prepare them for what they are doing now.  “My experiences at Central Catholic laid the foundation for me to step into what God was calling me to,” Liam said.  “Through refining relationships, diligent mentorship, and involvement in ministries and sports, God had His hand in my life, knowing exactly what He was doing in my time at CCHS.  Central Catholic did more than just prepare me for my young adulthood, it positioned me to flourish as a disciple of Jesus.”

“The strong academic foundation at Central Catholic, paired with the daily encouragement of faith, helped deepen my understanding of theology and spirituality,” said Elsie.  “The school’s community-focused environment also taught me the value of prayer, service, and building meaningful, Christ-centered relationships – principles that are now at the heart of my ministry.  Through the many extracurricular activities and faith-based programs offered at Central Catholic, I gained the skills and mindset necessary to serve others and grow in my mission.  I am deeply grateful to Jesus for my time at CCHS, and to all those who poured into me during those formative years.  It is a blessing to now be part of giving that same kind of service back to the youth of Toledo.”

Our All-City Athletes of the Year awkward has been running for more than a decade now, just about 10% of the 120 year history of youth sports in Long Beach. In the last dozen years we’ve honored Long Beach kids who went on to be NFL Pro Bowlers, Olympians, NCAA Freshmen of the Year, NCAA champions, and first-round NBA Draft picks. Before they became any of those things, they were young stars in their hometown with big dreams.

This year’s honorees fall easily into that tradition: trailblazers, history-makers, and culture-setters. We’re recognizing three athletes who are sure to make the city proud now and into the future.

Our girls’ honoree is Aaya McLyn, Long Beach Poly’s historic four-sport athletes and champion who brought back the city’s multi-sport athletic tradition in a major way. On the boys’ side it’s city basketball career scoring record-holder Jovani Ruff from Poly, as well as Texas-bound baseball star Anthony Pack, two new-age superstars.

Girls’ All-City Athlete of the Year: Aaya McLyn, Long Beach Poly Flag Football/Soccer/Basketball/Softball

It’s hard to make history in high school sports in Long Beach, and especially at Long Beach Poly. No high school in California has won more championships or produced more great athletes than Poly–but no Jackrabbit has done what Aaya McLyn did this year.

The era of multi-sport athletes (like All-State football/basketball players Willie McGinest and Marcedes Lewis or All-State basketball/baseball players like Tony Gwynn) has largely come to a close. But what McLyn did for Poly this year has never been duplicated, and likely never will again.

In the Fall, she was the Moore League Player of the Year in girls’ flag football, leading Poly to a Moore League title and a deep playoff run. She also received All-American honors in the new sport and represented the Los Angeles Rams as their high school Player of the Year. 

Then in the winter, McLyn was the Moore League Midfielder of the Year, while leading Poly to a Moore League title and a CIF-SS championship appearance. At the same time, she was playing on Poly’s varsity basketball team, which won the Moore League title as she was named second team All-League.

In the Spring, McLyn played with the school’s softball team, and was part of Poly’s first-ever CIF-SS softball championship. She has signed a scholarship with Washington State to play NCAA soccer, becoming the third McLyn sister to sign D1 out of Poly High.

McLyn’s two Moore League POYs plus a third all-league nod, in addition to three team league titles and a CIF-SS team title, are believed to be unprecedented.

“I just love my school and I want to win and to represent Poly as much as I can,” said McLyn this season.

Boys’ All-City Athlete of the Year: Jovani Ruff, Long Beach Poly

Jovani Ruff made history this year, finishing a four-year varsity career at Long Beach Poly with 2,073 points, the most of any high school basketball player in city history.

Ruff, who has signed with Cal to play in the NCAA, led the Jackrabbits to another Moore League title this year. In addition to getting the career scoring record, he also scored 51 points in three quarters to set a new single-game scoring record for the Jackrabbits.

It’s impressive to make history at any school, but especially on the hardcourt at Poly, where the Jackrabbits have been playing since the early 1900s–winning a state-record 2,200+ games, 65 league titles, 20 CIF-SS titles, and produced a state-best nine NBA players and more than 100 NCAA Division 1 athletes.

Ruff has been known for passing to others as well as scoring, but wanted to put on a show in his last regular season game in the Ron Palmer pavilion.

“He always has 28, 29, he never does this,” said Poly coach Shelton Diggs. “He’s just a great, unselfish superstar. It’s good for him to have a night like he did tonight, he deserves this. His teammates were looking for him, they want that record for him, it’s great. His teammates, they’re all close friends, so of course they want him to make history.”

Ruff was a McDonald’s All-American game nominee and is a Poly legacy as the daughter of another Jackrabbit, Tiana Ruff. 

Boys’ All-City Athlete of the Year: Anthony Pack, Millikan

Anthony Pack is a new-age superstar for a new era in youth sports.

He committed to UCLA after his freshman year at Millikan, and had a decorated career on the field for the Rams, with the rare honor of being named a two-time Moore League Player of the Year his junior and senior year. But just as successful as his career on the field has been his career off of it, where he’s taken advantage of the changing landscape in amateur sports.

Pack has an endorsement deal with Combat MFG, a baseball apparel company, and filmed sponsored content for their gear for his thousands of social media followers. He was also a breakout star at the Area Code Games, as part of the BBG All-American Game, and has earned national accolades like Rawlings’ Gold Glove award as the nation’s best high school centerfielder.

With power, speed, and smarts, it’s no surprise that Pack has been looked at as having a bright career at the next levels. He’s signed a scholarship with Texas but shined at last week’s MLB Draft Combine, raising expectations that he’ll be drafted next month. Just as bright as his talent is his winning personality, on the field and in the dugout.

“Charismatic is the word I would use to describe him,” said Millikan coach Ron Keester. “He’s just got this energy about him that people want to be around. He’s fun, he’s hardworking, he cares about himself, he cares about others, and it’s fun to have seen him kind of blossom in the last four years.”

All-City Athlete of the Year Honorees

2014: JuJu Smith-Schuster, Ariana Washington

2015: Daniel McArthur, Imani McDonald

2016: Jack Jones, Ali Morallos

2017: Sam Lewis, Ayanna Clark

2018: Tyler Schafer, Ariyonna Augustine

2019: Will Frankenfeld, Rachel Glenn

2020: Peyton Watson, Tiare Jennings

2021: Hank Rivers, Jade McDonald

2022: Gray Carson, Laura Williams & Adonia Faumuina

2023: Colin Geer, Aujane Luckey

2024: Xai Ricks & Jason Parra, Sammie Hamilton

2025: Jovani Ruff & Anthony Pack, Aaya McLyn

ABIDJAN (Cote d’Ivoire) -Senegal women’s basketball veteran Fatou Kine Ndiaye has predicted continued growth in African women’s basketball as more coaches’ and players’ clinics are rolled out across the continent.

She was speaking during a youth coaches’ clinic run by University of Connecticut’s assistant coach Jamelle Elliott, on the sidelines of the 2025 Women’s AfroBasket in Abidjan.

Ndiaye who represented Senegal in the continental showpiece in her playing days believes FIBA’s consistency in running such clinics during each Women’s AfroBasket edition has contributed to the growth being witnessed in the women’s game.

“I can see the evolution of African basketball and it keeps evolving for the better. Basketball nations like South Sudan, Uganda, Rwanda among others are challenging the powerhouses as has been witnessed in the recent AfroBasket editions. There are no favourites. .

Ordinarily, it means that the countries are working, that the level is developing gradually, not just at the continental level, but at the global level too.

Coaching clinics, like FIBA’s initiative and the efforts of individual federations have helped women’s basketball grow as more players are getting the skills necessary to bridge the gap between Africa and other continents,” Ndiaye told FIBA.basketball.

Ndiaye was part of a contingent of over 40 coaches who attended coach Elliott’s session, her second in Abidjan after a first event that had over 50 participants drawn from Cote d’Ivoire’s top three leagues and the Women’s AfroBasket team’s tacticians.

She continued, “From performances in the Women’s U19 World Cup where Mali have reached the Semis, to Nigeria D’Tigresses’ historic feat at the Paris Olympics where they became the first African team to reach the basketball quarters at the Summer Games, Africa has made very good impressions globally and with more investments, we can compete at the same level with the rest.”

Her recommendations to keep the momentum going include spotting talents early through such clinics and training camps, organised leagues and follow ups.

“What we can do is precisely continue to work at federation level and develop women’s basketball from the local leagues. This would include early exposure for players, to the game and to better leagues, as well as following the progress of said players and maintaining professionalism at all levels,” she concluded.

On her part, Elliott, who has handled several African talents in her vast coaching tenures with the University of Connecticut and the University of Cincinnati women’s basketball teams, says Africa has the talent and physique, insisting that getting the basics right is key for the continent to catch up with the rest of the world.

FIBA