AMES, Iowa (KWWL) – An Iowa native and current video production specialist for Iowa State University was killed in a head-on crash in Kansas on Sunday.

“We are devastated by the tragic passing of Alex Ernst,” ISU Director of Athletics Jamie Pollard said. “For nearly 20 years behind the scenes, first as a student and then as a full-time employee, Alex was an unsung hero who played an important role our department’s success through his outstanding work in video operations.”

The crash happened Sunday south of Kansas City, Kansas. According to a report from the highway patrol, Ernst was headed north along a rural highway when a driver in the opposite lane entered oncoming traffic. The driver had been attempting to pass a slower vehicle at the time of the collision. Both vehicles involved caught fire.

Ernst along with his three passengers, all from Missouri, were killed. They range in age from 33 to 76 years old.

Five people connected to a youth sports team were in the other vehicle. Four of them, including two high schoolers and two coaches, were killed. A fifteen-year-old boy was hospitalized for his injuries. They were all part of a group with an Amateur Athletic Union, or AAU, youth basketball team from Tulsa, according to a state representative from Oklahoma.

University officials at Iowa State say Ernst graduated from the school in 2010 with a bachelor’s degree in education before returning to campus to earn his master’s degree in 2014.

“We are heartbroken by this news,” Iowa State head football coach Matt Campbell said. “Alex was an important and valued member of our football family and had a special relationship with so many in our program. He was exceptional at his job and took great pride in what he did. Our thoughts and prayers are with everyone affected by this tragedy.”

The 2024-25 school year is nearing its end. High schools throughout our region are preparing for graduation and this month will see all of our local colleges and universities send thousands of young men and women into the workforce.

As we look back at the school year, it’s amazing to ponder all the excellent work our local students accomplish. From state championship athletic teams to academic achievers to exceptional musical talent to nationally acclaimed speech and debate programs, it’s true our local youth are set to do many wonderful things in the future.

We’ve been proud to chronicle those achievements in the pages of our newspaper and on our website over the past eight months. In considering where we’ve been this year, it’s amazing to think of the talent on display

Consider some of the happenings in recent weeks:

∫ Students at Wheeling Park High School put on the annual Park spring musical, a three-day event that showcased incredible vocal and acting talent;

∫ Wheeling Park High School speech team senior Kelsey Holeczy recently finished sixth at a national competition;

∫ Students (and faculty) at The Linsly School put on the annual Linsly Extravaganza, a wonderful year-end performance at the Capitol Theatre.

∫ Students at Sherrard Middle School finished first and second at this year’s West Virginia History Bowl. Sherrard’s Team 2 — Brady Barnhart, Drew Marling, Abby Allman, and Griffin Sturgill — topped Team 1 — Kabe Blake, Colsen McCutcheon, Izzie Dougherty and Chloe Weekley — in the finals.

∫ Wheeling Central Catholic High School senior Luke Tiu was named one of five Foundation Scholars at West Virginia University, the university’s most prestigious award for incoming freshmen;

∫ On the college front, six local students were named Outstanding seniors at West Virginia University: Natalie Keim, Glen Dale; Madalena Daugherty, Weirton; Lauren Marquart, Triadelphia; Madison Morgan, Wheeling; John Pino, Weirton; and Ella Dietz, Weirton.

There are so many others to note — music and choir students who today week will be performing at Wheeling Park’s Festival of Spring; our spring sports teams that are preparing for state tournament runs; youngsters who are getting ready to graduate high school with a skill in hand to enter the workforce.

It’s become easy for society to look at this generation of youth and think they’re not ready for what’s to come. We disagree. Many of our youth are ready to tackle the future and make their mark.

That’s surely worth celebrating.

Unrivaled Sports, an emerging leader in the youth sports sector through its roll-up strategy of sports operators and facilities, has successfully completed a substantial USD$120 million (AUD$185 million) funding round led by Dick’s Sporting Goods.

This investment round also saw continued support from founding investor The Chernin Group, alongside new contributions from Dynasty Equity, LionTree, and Miller Sports & Entertainment.

Commenting on the funds raised, chairman and CEO of Unrivaled Sports and a former Nike executive, Andy Campion, said: “The mission of Dick’s, from its inception, has been to positively impact children’s lives through sports.”

“Our aim in bringing them on board was focused on that shared vision,” Campion said.

This recent investment was finalised just over a year after the company’s establishment in March 2024, with backing from majority owners David Blitzer and Josh Harris.

The involvement of the Miller family was hinted at last month, following its acquisition of Real Salt Lake from Blitzer.

In making that announcement, Miller Sports & Entertainment expressed commitment to enhancing Utah’s youth sports infrastructure in partnership with Unrivaled.

In its inaugural year, Unrivaled has curated a diverse portfolio including Ripken Baseball, Cooperstown All Star Village, Under the Lights Flag Football, and Rocker B Ranch, with a reach spanning 30 states and serving over 600,000 young athletes annually.

Currently, Unrivaled has concentrated on establishing a dominant presence in baseball/softball and flag football, the latter experiencing a 30% increase in participation year-over-year.

Campion sees expansion opportunities within these strong segments, particularly highlighting the upcoming hosting of the first high school girls’ national championship in flag football this summer.

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Studio You and Nike are teaming up to reimagine the U.K.’s one-size-fits-all PE model with a more inclusive, girl-led approach to movement

Studio You, England’s digital exercise platform for teenage girls, has partnered with Nike to launch a video series of more than 100 bite-sized lessons with tips and guidance for young girls and gym teachers to inspire confidence and enjoyment in physical activity.

At the heart of the initiative—supported by This Girl Can and funded by The National Lottery—is a commitment to reimagining physical education through a more personalized and inclusive lens. The effort comes amid data from the Youth Sport Trust showing a 30% decline in girls’ enjoyment of PE between the ages of 8 and 16.

“We’re flipping the script on what we presume girls want from PE, with girls’ voices and choices allowing them to lead the way in what they want their lessons to look like,” senior campaign activation manager Dani Ward said in a release. “Traditional sports and competitive activities may engage some girls, but a one-size-fits-all approach is leaving behind the 55% of teenage girls who aren’t meeting their recommended activity levels. Working with both girls and PE teachers, Studio You and Nike aim to inspire positive behaviour change, helping more girls develop a love for movement, for life.” 

According to research from Studio You and Nike, the majority (87%) of girls who had a negative experience in PE disliked their typical gym options, and 81% reported a lack of confidence in participating. 

On the bright side, many girls are clear about what motivates them to move.

Among girls surveyed, dance (39%) and fitness/workouts (29%) ranked as the top preferred activities. Fun emerged as a powerful driver, with half of all girls reporting they feel most excited and energized when enjoying themselves during a PE class. The majority (79%) of girls say they value fun in gym class, while inclusion (59%) and an engaging teacher (53%) are also important factors. Among those who disliked PE, 68% found the lessons too difficult, and 34% prefer a more gradual approach to learning new activities.

“Nike is committed to powering the future of youth sport because an active next generation means a healthier and more equitable future for all kids,” Nike’s global GM of future of youth sport, Dan Burrows, said. “We know girls, especially, face complex cultural and social barriers to getting and staying active. Our partnership to launch the Studio You x Nike hub will continue to advance the platform’s proven results to increase girls’ participation and is vital to creating a future where all girls can enjoy their PE experience.” 

See Also

The new sessions were shaped directly by girls themselves, drawing on insights from a national survey, small focus groups and a core team of girls who co-designed the content. Studio You and Nike also partnered with Disability Sports Coach to ensure the inclusion of disabled trainers to demonstrate adaptive movements. In addition to fitness and movement, the initiative also highlights mental fitness, meditation and breathwork.

Teachers can access the U.K.-based platform here. 

Beyond the classroom, Nike is hosting its 2025 After Dark Tour, inviting women to race safely at night in 10Ks and half marathons across global cities including Sydney, Shanghai, Seoul, Mumbai, London, Los Angeles and Mexico City.