“You coach a person, not a sport”  — John O’Sullivan

School is over or ending just about everywhere, and the multi-billion-dollar summer camp industry is about to begin in earnest.  According to IBISWorld (Industry, Business & Investment Services) the U.S. camp industry, which includes sports and recreational camps, has a direct and indirect economic impact of $70 billion. That’s not chump change.  

Given the sheer size of participation around the country, and the globe, it begs the question of just who is running all these camps and to what end? Having spent the better part of my career engaged in 7-10 weeks of hockey camps every summer, I have seen a lot of really good camps, and my share of poorly run camps where the operators are simply trying to make as big a profit as possible.

It is why every one of the camps I was supervising promised much more than sport-specific skill development and Xs and Os. I wanted to make sure our camps had a life skills component as well as an academic component, and I wanted the participants to have fun. Given the changing landscape of NIL, I worry that more and more camps will morph into nothing more than emphasizing elite performance and “win at all costs” mindsets, and that parents will shell out ridiculous amounts of money in pursuit of the brass ring.  

The brass ring, of course, used to be a college scholarship to get a free education that could help set up student-athletes for a great post-sports career. It’s much more than that these days, and if NIL is allowed to go on unchecked, I worry about the unintended consequences for young kids, impressionable teenagers and overly eager but equally naïve parents. The temptation for unscrupulous coaches and private instructors to make crazy amounts of money selling unsuspecting consumers on false hopes genuinely concerns me.

Don’t get me wrong, I realize that the sports industry as a whole has changed and is growing, and that is creating jobs (increasingly so in women’s sports, especially). And that’s not all bad.  But with this rapid growth comes greater responsibilities, and color me skeptical, but given the lack of control and the “Wild, Wild West” mentality in who is actually running college sports these days, I’m a tad concerned.  The vast majority of these athletes are not getting life-changing NIL deals, and even the ones who are may be woefully unprepared for the sudden wealth they have come into.

So let me focus for a minute on the people actually responsible for the instruction that happens on fields, courts, ice, water or whatever space your kids are in — and that includes band, dance, art and academic camps. Who are the teachers, coaches, instructors and counselors and what is their motivation? Do they have your child’s best interest at heart or are they simply filling you up with unrealistic expectations, so you’ll keep paying their fees? I know there are many legitimate coaches and private instructors out there but do your due diligence to ensure you are being told the truth.

I’m going to zero in on the impact of coaches, because at least teachers and most non-sports-related staff have some level of formal training and need a certification to do their jobs. That is not always the case with athletics. Just like the volunteers who coach most youth sports teams, many of the people possibly working at your own kids’ camps may simply be former athletes with no formal coaching training. That’s on you, Mom and Dad, to do your homework.

I think it’s important that coaches understand the impact they have on young people‘s lives. With USA Hockey, coaches are made to attend at least the first three levels of the coaching certification program before they’re allowed to be a head coach. This doesn’t mean that every coach “gets it” just because they went through a certification process, but it certainly gets them started on the right path.

In his book “Every Moment Matters: How the World’s Best Coaches Inspire Their Athletes and Build Championship Teams,” John O’Sullivan talks about creating an athlete-centered environment. He describes great coaches as the ones who understand that coaching is about relationships and that sport specific knowledge, while important, is not sufficient. He says, “You don’t coach a sport, you coach people. And for kids, it starts with their hearts.” 

But even at the adult level I have witnessed “coaches” who suck the joy right out of their players. They place the emphasis on the wrong objectives, taking what is supposed to be a fun experience and turning it into something it’s not supposed to be. We remember the impact the great coaches made on us. But we also remember the scars of those who had the wrong priorities and never cared about us as people.

I am happy to say that in my own children’s experiences, they were blessed with youth coaches who, for the vast majority of their time, had the kids’ best interests at heart. With one very notable exception of a coach who was into coaching for all the wrong reasons, our State College youth and school sports memories are good ones. Great coaches teach life skills and make the experience joyful. Sports, done right, breaks down cultural barriers and promotes diversity while building bonds that can last a lifetime.

I believe it’s critical that coaches at all levels need to make getting the right training to learn HOW to coach a priority. I am a big believer that we should never stop learning and that “iron sharpens iron.” I recently attended the Pro and Collegiate Fellowship of Christian Athletes (FCA) conference at Texas Christian University (TCU)  in Fort Worth, Texas. It was both an inspiration and a call to action to me. We get to see and hear the stories of the successes, for sure. But when you also hear about the challenges, and in some cases the tragedies, it makes you stop and ponder who is running this show. After you share ideas and experiences with these people who are actually working with the professional and elite college athletes you understand even more the importance of helping them build a strong moral and spiritual foundation.

The speakers at the conference included FCA directors Nobles Darby IV, the team chaplain of the Cleveland Cavaliers and Browns; Patricia Hollowell of Maryland; Desmond Cook of the Miami Dolphins; Reggie Hutchins from Florida State; Mike Blanc of Auburn; Chauncy Franks from TCU; Tony Overstake of Oregon; Latosha Ramsey of Miami; Jim Black of Stanford; Chris Morgan of Louisville; Richard Lopez of Arizona; and Fleceia Comeaux of the Houston Dash and U.S, women’s soccer team. Topics included “Be Strong and Courageous,” “Get off the Fence,” “Presence,” “NIL and Transfer Portal,” “Growing a Healthy Ministry,” and “Board and Donor Advancement.”

Of course, half of the learning that takes place at these conferences is the casual conversations at meals, during socials and in between sessions.  I even found time to catch up with an old friend from Penn State football, Coach Brian Norwood, who is now at TCU.  Our kids went to school together in State College and I’m sure State High fans will recognize the names of the Norwood kids, especially Jordan, who played football at Penn State before going on to a career in the NFL. The bond of friendship shaped by sports is real and it is strong.

While I am no longer coaching a team, I am still involved in teaching hockey camps and leading FCA “Huddles” with more than 100 high school and college coaches and athletes for football, lacrosse, basketball, baseball, soccer and even one school band. I consider it one of the most important roles I have been honored to have during my sports career.  

I take my role very seriously because I am totally aligned with the philosophy so elegantly described by Rev. Billy Graham:

“A coach, in one year, will impact more people than the average person will in a lifetime.”

College football leaders were expecting to have a decision on the House v. NCAA settlement as the July 1 date looms—for both the approval date and the start of the athletic fiscal calendar.

As U.S. District Court Judge Claudia Wilken evaluates the revised agreement she received for what will be a month on June 7, it’s left the state of college sports in a limbo period with time running out.

Power Four coaches simply don’t know how to operate within the NIL landscape and the transfer portal without the presumed guidance from the settlement terms.

New North Carolina Tar Heels coach Bill Belichick was likely expecting much more clarity in his entry into college football after five decades in the NFL, and he is one who is calling for regulation.

How Can College Football Coaches Follow NIL Rules They Don’t Know?

Belichick was candid in a recent appearance with ESPN’s Rece Davis alongside Clemson‘s Dabo Swinney on the College GameDay Podcast.

“For me, it’s really pretty simple: I’d say, tell me what the rules are and then we’ll play by them,” Belichick said. “Right now a lot of it is up in the air, and once the House settlement is done and once some rules are solidified, and honestly, it’ll probably take a year for this to settle in and see how things go. There will be some adjustments made, it sounds like the judge has already committed to that too, and we’ll take a look at things later on.”

It’s a murky territory for coaches who are hoping not to be the first to violate the new era of NIL payments in college sports towards athletes, but who are also trying to build championship rosters to make a play at the College Football Playoff.

“Whatever it is, however the money is distributed and however the contracts are written, whatever the length of the contracts are and so forth, then we’ll figure it out,” Belichick continued. “But I’d say right now it’s a lot of ‘we’re not sure,’ ‘we’ll have to wait and see.’ Some people view it one way, some people view it another way. And you just have to come to an agreement on that. I think things will settle eventually, but right now they’re a little bit up in the air and we’ll see what happens when everything has a bit more declaration to it.”

“Yeah, I mean, I think there are no rules right now. We just want some rules. Tell us what they are,” Sweeney chimed in to add.

The problem is, what exactly are those rules, and when will they be put into practice?

What entity will be enforcing them?

Coaches may not even realize that they’re in violation of terms at this point and are clearly begging for clarity from the top down.

More NIL News

If you’re looking to attend the 2026 Masters Tournament at Augusta National Golf Club, here’s your chance. The ticket application for practice rounds and tournament tickets is now available.

Augusta National began taking applications Sunday and the lottery will remain open until June 20. Submitting an application is a simple process; all that is required is creating a free account at Masters.com. Fans can enter to win a maximum of four tickets for Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday practice rounds, as well as two tickets for tournament rounds on Thursday, Friday, Saturday and Sunday.

While those lucky enough to be selected will be offered tickets at a discounted rate, prices to attend the 2026 Masters are higher than they were this year. Monday and Tuesday practice rounds are $125. The Wednesday Par 3 Contest is $150. Thursday-Sunday rounds are $160. This year, Monday-Wednesday practice rounds were $100. Thursday-Sunday tournament rounds were $140.

The lucky winners will be notified in July. Don’t even think about selling those tickets.

“As a reminder, August National, Inc. is the only authorized source/seller of Masters Tickets,” the website states. “The resale of any Masters Ticket is strictly prohibited. Holders of Tickets acquired from third parties, by whatever means, may be excluded from attendance to the Tournament.”

2026 Masters to follow emotional 2025 triumph of Rory McIlroy

Attending the Masters is a true bucket list item for golf fans. It’s the first major every calendar year and the most famous golf tournament in the world. Winning the Masters earns a golfer a lifetime exemption back to Augusta National and of course, the coveted Green Jacket.

There have been many emotional wins throughout the near 100-year history of the tournament. This year’s Masters delivered another one, as Rory McIlroy captured his first Green Jacket. McIlroy’s playoff win over Justin Rose was his first major triumph since 2014 and with it, he completed golf’s Grand Slam.

McIlroy will be one of the favorites to repeat in 2026. As always, expect world No. 1 Scottie Scheffler, LIV Golf‘s Bryson DeChambeau and a host of others to contend. The 2026 Masters is scheduled for April 9-12.

BUFFALO, N.Y. — If you’re a fan of the sport of hockey and the United States of America, it’s been a good couple of weeks. Buffalo Sabres star Tage Thompson knocked in an overtime goal for the stars and stripes to win the World Championships — and now their para counterparts pulled off the same dominance.

“It’s amazing to see the youth, and the growth and the development of our sport,” said Buffalo-area native Chris Manns, who has earned a share of World Championship and Olympic gold from his sled. “I was injured in a train accident in 1991, and then a group by the name of Western New York Youth Physically Challenged Sports just called me one day and wanted to know if I want to come and try the sport of sled hockey at Buffalo State College. I went down that Saturday, and I fell in love with the sport and ever since then I’ve been playing.”

Western New York, being the hotbed for hockey talent that it is, the same can be historically said for those standing on two feet or sitting on two blades.

“At one point, there was five of us were from Buffalo on the national team and obviously it’s special,” Manns said. “Just to be back here where so many young disabled athletes in the organization can come out and see this sled hockey at the highest level.” 

So the World Championships making their way back to the 716 for the first time in a decade? Excitement is a light way to put it. Spectrum News 1 heard from team captain Josh Pauls, an elder statesman on the team, ahead of the tournament and Manns has kept in touch with him the whole journey here.

“My last year on the team, ’08-’09, in Czech Republic at the World Championships, Josh was just a rookie,” Manns recalled. “It’s awesome to see him carry the torch and lead the next group of national players to where they are now.”

So a pair of dominating preliminary games, rounded out by a close finisher to the prelims and 6-1 semis win over China to bring the hometown red, white and blue to the final stage yet again.

“You work so hard for all your life, to train to win gold. From one USA former player to the guys, two words: Beat Canada.” 

A 6-1 victory again, gold medals earned — mission accomplished.

Team USA keeps the title on home soil, their seventh going back to 2009. Manns hopes this showing will encourage more New Yorkers to work their way to the roster in years to come.

Football
6/2/2025 2:36:00 PM

BOONE, N.C. — Dino Hackett, one of only five App State Football alums with his jersey retired, is included on the 2026 ballot for induction into the College Football Hall of Fame.

The National Football Foundation (NFF) and College Hall of Fame on Monday announced a candidate list that includes 79 players and nine coaches from the Football Bowl Subdivision (FBS) and 100 players and 35 coaches from the divisional ranks, which include FCS standouts.
 
With a voting deadline of July 1, the ballot was emailed Monday to the more than 12,000 NFF members and current Hall of Famers, whose votes will be tabulated and submitted to the NFF’s Honors Court, which will deliberate and select the class. The announcement of the 2026 College Football Hall of Fame Class will be made in early 2026.
 
A first-team All-American in 1985 as a defensive standout for the Mountaineers, Hackett played for App State from 1982-85 and spent eight years in pro football after being a second-round selection of the Kansas City Chiefs in the 1986 NFL Draft. He made the Pro Bowl as a member of the Chiefs in 1988, two years after finishing third in NFL Defensive Rookie of the Year voting.

The native of Greensboro, N.C., still holds nine App State records from his time as a linebacker in Boone, including single-game tackles (27 against ETSU in his final collegiate game) and single-season tackles (200 as a senior). In addition to the 27 tackles, he also finished that 20-3 victory against ETSU with two blocked punts, two fumble recoveries and one interception.

Hackett totaled six games with at least 20 tackles that season and had a streak of 15 consecutive games with double-figure tackles during his career. As a senior, he led the Mountaineers to an 8-3 overall record, a second-place finish in the Southern Conference with a 6-1 mark and a final ranking of No. 12 at the FCS/I-AA level.

The two-time All-SoCon performer completed his App State career with 372 tackles, 26 tackles for loss, four sacks, 10 forced fumbles, three fumble recoveries, four interceptions and 15 pass breakups. He was picked 35th overall by Kansas City, the highest NFL draft pick in App State history at the time, with only Brian Quick’s selection of 33rd overall in 2012 surpassing that in program history.

Hackett, who wore No. 38 for the Mountaineers, was inducted into the App State Athletics Hall of Fame in 1995. College Football Hall of Fame inductees Dexter Coakley and Armanti Edwards are two of the four other Mountaineers to have their App State jerseys retired, along with Larry Hand and John Settle.

Coakley and Edwards have been inducted into the College Football Hall of Fame based on their accomplishments as App State players, while Jerry Moore and Mack Brown were both head coaches for the Mountaineers. Fisher DeBerry, another College Football Hall of Famer, served as an App State assistant in the 1970s, before he moved on to the Air Force Academy.

Hackett currently resides in Pleasant Garden, N.C., just outside of Greensboro. He has worked as a general contractor and real estate developer since his NFL career ended in 1993.