Southaven will honor long-time parks and recreation director Mike Mullins with a plaque in Tribute Hall and will also rename Greenbrook Park in recognition of his pioneering service as a volunteer youth sports coach.

Mayor Darren Musselwhite announced on Friday that Mullins, who passed away in June 2024, will take his place of honor on the wall at City Hall which honors special people who have made significant contributions to the city.

“Although our city has been blessed to have so many volunteer coaches and parents whose selfless and tireless efforts have made Southaven special all the way back to our early days, no one played as significant a role in all of it more than Mike Mullins,” Musselwhite wrote on Facebook. 

Musselwhite said Mullins revolutionized the parks and recreation program in Southaven and made it into one of the best in the U.S. Southaven became nationally known for its sports facilities and became a destination for baseball and softball tournaments under his leadership of the parks department from 1999-2014.

“He helped design and supervised construction of Snowden Grove Park, the Bank Plus Amphitheater, and enhancements throughout the city,” Musselwhite noted. “He was instrumental in making the city the host site of the Dizzy Dean World Series and numerous competitive tournaments for many years which had a significant impact on tourism and economic development in the city.  Many other events enjoyed by citizens and visitors still today were started or influenced by him.”

Mullins began his service to the people of Southaven coaching youth football and baseball for three decades starting in the 1970s. He coached his first baseball team when he was just 16 years-old and notably coached the Steelers at Cherry Valley for 21 years and Team Pepsi for many years also. Before the city even had an official parks program, Mullins volunteered countless hours preparing and maintaining the fields at Greenbrook and Cherry Valley Parks and was often referred to by “Moon.”

“Many citizens will tell you they witnessed him riding a tractor at midnight or sponging a rain-soaked field so the kids could play the next day,” Musselwhite said. “He was known to spend his money for kids whose parents couldn’t afford equipment so the kids could play. “

Musselwhite said Mullins was an even better mentor who taught his players qualities that would help them become successful in their life outside of sports.

“His positive impact on our youth is immeasurable and although he is missed by many, he will never be forgotten,” Musselwhite said.

Residents who commented on Facebook called it a well deserved honor and recalled his dedication to youth sports.

“Everyone certainly knew who he was,” wrote Debbie Smith Sorn. “He was do dedicated.”

“He made a difference in so many lives,” Joan Harmon added.

“Good man and about time Southaven honored him,” wrote Michael McDaniel.

Roger Burns said he had many great talks with Mullins after games at Cherry Valley.

“He always had great advice and I will always be appreciative of it,” Burn commented. 

NORTHAMPTON, MA / ACCESS Newswire / May 30, 2025 / International Olympic Committee

© Dakar 2026 Organising Committee

International Olympic Committee news

With less than a year and a half until the Youth Olympic Games (YOG) Dakar 2026 begin, the seventh meeting of the International Olympic Committee (IOC)’s Coordination Commission marked another key milestone in Games planning.

The two-day hybrid meeting brought together key stakeholders to review the latest progress in Dakar 2026 preparations. Newly appointed Coordination Commission Chair Humphrey Kayange, IOC President-elect Kirsty Coventry and an IOC delegation participated on-site in Dakar, while other Commission members joined remotely – including IOC Vice-President Nawal El Moutawakel, who has played a pivotal role in the leadership and direction of the Commission from its early stages and has recently been named Vice-Chair. The discussions reaffirmed the shared commitment to delivering Africa’s first Olympic sporting event, with a strong focus on operational success and a lasting legacy for the Senegalese youth.

The meeting opened with a video message from IOC President Thomas Bach, who praised the progress made by the Dakar 2026 Organising Committee (YOGOC) and underlined the unique significance of the first Olympic sporting event on African soil.

“We all know that the Youth Olympic Games Dakar 2026 will be truly special,” he said. “Dakar 2026 will be a moment for Africa to shine on the global stage. Dakar 2026 will welcome young athletes from around the world to celebrate sport, culture and the legendary Senegalese spirit of teranga.”

Learning Academy launches first cohort

A central highlight of the meeting was the official launch of the Dakar 2026 Learning Academy – a flagship initiative designed to train and recruit over 400 young professionals aged 21 to 35 in the lead-up to the Games. This structured programme equips participants with essential skills in Games management and operations, enabling them to support the Organising Committee, while building long-term event delivery capacity across Senegal and the continent.

Venue master plan finalised as works progress

The Coordination Commission welcomed the finalisation of the Dakar 2026 venue master plan, which now includes confirmation of the road cycling route. The race will start and finish along Dakar’s scenic Corniche Ouest, providing a vivid and iconic backdrop. Significant construction progress has also been reported across key venues, enhancing overall venue readiness.

Comprehensive planning across Games operations

In addition to people management, legacy and venues, the Coordination Commission reviewed progress across all functional areas, including technology, ticketing, Games services, marketing, security, athlete education and youth engagement. Progress has been made since the last Commission meeting in November 2024. The Commission emphasised the importance of transitioning towards a more operational and delivery-focused approach, with the YOGOC evolving into its Games-time structure.

Humphrey Kayange, Chair of the Coordination Commission for Dakar 2026, said: “With less than 18 months to go, we are entering the final stretch. These past two days have been incredibly valuable, filled with constructive exchanges that have helped us build a clear picture of where we stand. The momentum that’s been built gives us confidence as we move forward towards delivering extraordinary Games for Africa.”

Ibrahima Wade, General Coordinator of the YOGOC, also reflected on the progress made and the strengthened commitment from all stakeholders: “By the end of this 7th meeting, the Coordination Commission, led by its new Chair, Humphrey Kayange, had seen and welcomed the considerable progress made in the various areas related to the YOG Dakar 2026 preparations, and observed that the stage is set for memorable YOG on African soil. It was heartening to hear IOC President-elect Kirsty Coventry’s re-affirmed commitment to supporting our project. This is an additional reason for the OCOG teams and all the national stakeholders to feel motivated and engaged. The spirit of co-creation between the IOC and Dakar 2026 that has been present so far is evident once again.”

Corniche de Dakar to host Espace Let’s Move

Plans were also shared for the Corniche de Dakar, which will serve as the main hub for celebration and youth engagement during Dakar 2026. This iconic coastal stretch will host Espace Let’s Move, a vibrant zone featuring engagement sports alongside a comprehensive programme of cultural, educational and interactive activities. Organised in partnership with national federations and local stakeholders, the area will offer sports demonstrations, health and nutrition workshops and activations promoting the Olympic values. Live entertainment and local food stalls will help create an inclusive, festival-like atmosphere that welcomes young people and families into the heart of the Games experience.

Dakar en Jeux 2025 to celebrate youth, sport and Olympic values

Looking ahead, the Dakar en Jeux Festival will return later this year for its fourth and final edition before the YOG. Taking place from 3 to 9 November 2025, the festival will once again bring together sport, culture, education and health in a dynamic week-long celebration that reflects the spirit and values of the Games.

The YOG Dakar 2026 will take place for two weeks from 31 October, bringing together the world’s best young athletes aged up to 17 years. The Games will be held across three host sites (Dakar, Diamniadio and Saly).

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View the original press release on ACCESS Newswire

The start of the WNBA season this month brought record television ratings thanks to rising stars like Caitlin Clark and Angel Reese entering their second year.

That popularity at the highest level isn’t yet trickling down to girls basketball in Wisconsin, however. In fact, participation in Wisconsin high school girls basketball has actually decreased nearly 25 percent over the past 15 years, according to the National Federation of State High School Associations.

Coaches in the state haven’t seen that trend reversing yet, although the younger age groups are showing some positive signs more recently.

The Appleton-based AAU girls basketball program Wisconsin Blaze has seen some recent increased interest in its youth basketball teams, said Lisa Van Wyk, the program’s founder and director.

She joined WPR’s “Wisconsin Today” to discuss the impact of the WNBA, the trends she’s seeing in Wisconsin girls basketball and how it compares to other youth sports.

The following was edited for clarity and brevity.

Rob Ferrett: High school programs have reported a gradual decline in girls going into basketball, in part because of competition from other sports. How have you seen those ups and downs over the years? 

Lisa Van Wyk: I’ve seen over the years, and I’ve been coaching for 30 years now, that we’ve had some struggles having enough players for three high school teams to get a freshman, JV and varsity team. I haven’t seen a change in that. It hasn’t gone in a positive direction because of the competition with volleyball, especially club volleyball, that tends to run during the basketball season. 

I’ve seen girls who’ve played basketball through their middle school years decide to just focus on volleyball. So, even though there’s an increase in participation at the youth level in girls basketball in elementary, it seems to be [still decreasing] in high school because it is such a competitive sport. It’s very physical and time intensive in order to be a very impactful player, and it’s still tough to get the right type of kids competing at a high level in a number of them. 

News File Photo
Northeast Michigan Youth Advisory Council members review grant applications during their Winter 2024 grant review meeting.

ALPENA — The Northeast Michigan Youth Advisory Council (NEMYAC) released its 2025 Northeast Michigan Youth Needs Assessment that will inform NEMYAC grant guidelines for the next three years. The top issues youth in Northeast Michigan identified were mental health and vaping.

According to a recent Community Foundation for Northeast Michigan (CFNEM) press release, NEMYAC is a youth program through CFNEM that teaches young people the importance of philanthropy.

Every three years, Youth Advisory Councils (YACs) throughout Michigan are required to survey youth to gain insight into the issues that most represent their concerns, the press release stated.

Jennifer Dingman, CFNEM program director, explained that the foundation gives students between eighth and 12th grade a list of 40 issues, determined by youth agencies in Michigan, and CFNEM asks the students to narrow down the list to their top 10. The surveys were given on an opt-in basis to students, and in total, 350 students contributed to the survey.

Dingman said that the survey results are then used to inform and direct grant funding through the NEMYAC. According to the CFNEM press release, grants are awarded through the Kellogg Youth Endowment Fund.

In the press release, Dingman said depression, mental health, and stress have remained high in the survey results for the past six years. However, vaping is an issue that has moved up in concern across all nine counties in CFNEM’s service area, which includes affiliate offices. Counties represented in NEMYAC’s needs assessment include Alcona, Alpena, Montmorency, and Presque Isle, among others.

“We know there is a lot of work to be done for our youth community through mental health support and in dealing with stress,” Dingman said in the press release. “We also now have input directly from the pre-teens and teens of our area telling us they recognize vaping as a real problem they want to see addressed for their peers. We hope nonprofits in northeast Michigan with programs that can address these issues, and others identified in the needs assessment, will apply for grant funding to support their work in these important areas.”

According to the press release, as a leadership activity, YAC members, working with their adult advisors, oversee the distribution of this survey to students in their own schools.

“These ten issues are where our Youth Advisory Councils will direct as much funding as possible,” Dingman said in the press release. “While not every grant application needs to address these categories, we hope these results will encourage local agencies to enhance their efforts in tackling these issues with the knowledge that our YAC has a desire and ability to put funds toward those programs.”

Overall, Dingman explained that the survey shows the issues that youth in Northeast Michigan are most concerned about and want to focus on. Based on the feedback from students, next month, CFNEM will determine the next steps to begin addressing the issues stated in the needs assessment.

Kayla Wikaryasz can be reached at 989-358-5688 or kwikaryasz@TheAlpenaNews.com.

YMCA Summer teen backpacking program planned

SEQUIM — An immersive teen hiking program will teach outdoors essentials beginning June 24.

The Olympic Peninsula YMCA will offer the Find Your Trail hiking program for ages 12-17 from June 24 through July 31.

This program will meet at the Sequim YMCA, 610 N. Fifth Ave., on Tuesdays and Thursdays from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m.

Tuesdays will be focused interactive skill-building workshops that will teach skills such as hiking and backpacking, wilderness first aid and safety, survival skills, plant and animal Identification and more.

These sessions will include guest speakers from the Coast Guard, Sequim Community Emergency Response Team and an area fire chief.

Thursdays will be hiking days with six all new hikes of progressing difficulty in the Olympic Mountains using a daypack, compass, first aid kit and other supplies.

The course is led by a Navy Corpsman and an Eagle Scout.

Hiking snacks will also be provided.

The cost is $450 for nonmembers and includes a summer YMCA membership, $400 for members.

Those who register by Sunday will receive a T-shirt.

To register, visit https://tinyurl.com/PDN-YMCAHikes25.

Tykes on bikes

PORT ANGELES — A balance bike open house for kids ages 5 and younger will be held at the Lincoln Park BMX Track, 1798 W. Lauridsen Blvd., on June 11.

The free event is open to those on a balance bike or starting to pedal.

Any balance bike rider who gets a membership at the open house will be entered to win a strider bike.

For more information, visit www.lpbmx.com.

Summer volleyball

CHIMACUM — Jefferson County Parks & Recreation will offer weekly youth volleyball sessions for those entering grades three through six beginning July 3 at the Chimacum School Multi-Purpose Gym.

The sessions are open to all skill levels and will be held from 2 p.m. to 3:30 p.m. each Thursday through Aug. 28 (with no class July 24). The cost is $20 for all the sessions.

The focus will be on improving fundamental skills such as serving, setting, passing and learning the game’s rules and strategies.

To register, visit https://tinyurl.com/PDN-JeffCoVolleyball.

For more information, email smiller@co.jefferson.wa.us or call 360-531-4960.

All-Star tryouts

PORT HADLOCK — Little League baseball and softball players in East Jefferson Little, South Jefferson or Port Townsend Little League can try out for traveling All-Star teams starting Saturday.

Try-out sessions for baseball players ages 9-11 will be held at
5 p.m. Saturday at Bob Bates Little League Field, 80 Elkins Road. These players also will compete in a district tournament in Gig Harbor July 5-15.

Softball players ages 9-12 will try out at 5:15 p.m. Thursday.

Softball players ages 12-14 can try out at the Quilcene School field with registration at 5:15 p.m. and the try out running from
5:30 p.m. to 7 p.m.

The softball teams will compete in district tournaments in Poulsbo June 21-29.

Baseball tryouts for ages 10-12 will be held Thursday at 5:30 p.m. at the Jefferson County Fairgrounds. This team will compete in a tournament in South Kitsap June 29-July 6.

Peninsula Daily News

• Former Ohio State and MLB pitcher Scott Klingenbeck has died at age 54.
• Klingenbeck played for the Buckeyes from 1990-92, ranking fifth in career wins.

Scott Klingenbeck, a former Ohio State pitcher who spent four seasons in Major League Baseball, has died. He was 54 years old.