Sports

Ventura Harbor dune controversy spikes up worry over volleyball courts

Winging it at Ventura’s settling ponds Ventura’s settling ponds offers one of the best walks for birders in the area. A state agency said the courts sit on environmentally sensitive land. Volleyball advocates say there are no adequate alternative sites. Ventura Harbor leaders want to keep the beach as it is. Long-standing volleyball courts on […]

Published

2 weeks ago

April 26, 2025

Your Sports Nation

A state agency said the courts sit on environmentally sensitive land.
Volleyball advocates say there are no adequate alternative sites.
Ventura Harbor leaders want to keep the beach as it is.

Long-standing volleyball courts on a Ventura Harbor beach sit unpermitted on dune land that was flattened and stripped of vegetation, according to California Coastal Commission staff allegations.

The claims, and calls from commission officials for the site to be restored to dunes, have unleashed concern about the future of the popular volleyball courts and other recreational facilities on Harbor Cove Beach.

Officials of the agency designed to protect the coast want harbor leaders to relocate the courts used by schools, youth groups, tournament organizers and beachgoers looking for exercise. Ventura Port District officials said they don’t want to move the courts and challenge assertions the land is environmentally sensitive.

Coastal Commission leaders say they won’t force the nine sand courts to move and are looking for a “win-win” middle ground. But the talk of relocation sparked a special port district meeting and a petition signed by more than 2,000 people. The document calls for saving the 10-year-old courts that serve as a recreation hub and a go-to site for women and girl volleyballers.

“They are the only female-centric courts in Ventura County,” said Brad Lyans, coach of the Ventura College women’s team that uses the site for practice and matches.

Lyans, who also manages the courts, said there are no alternative beaches at the harbor that could replace the current program.

“For the last 10 years, no one has said two words about it,” he said in frustration. “There’s never been an issue until right now.”

Outrigger clubs worry too

Port district leaders worry too about two outrigger canoe clubs that paddle out of the same beach, at the far end of the harbor, not from the Channel Islands National Park Visitor Center. They store their canoes and equipment in large containers on land that Coastal Commission staff said is environmentally sensitive.

Coastal Commission leaders said the outrigger containers may also need to be moved.

A plan for an alternative storage site is being considered. If it fails, leaders of the outrigger clubs worry they could be endangered along with activities aimed at introducing children to paddling and an annual tournament that brings hundreds of visitors to the harbor.

“It could jeopardize our club’s future as a recreational provider in the Ventura Harbor,” said Yvonne Menard, president of the Hokuloa Outrigger Canoe Club.

Officials of the Ventura Port District contend the Coastal Commission staff’s interest in bringing back more dunes could dramatically reduce recreational activities and public access on a beach regularly used for public events and so protected from the surf it is nicknamed Mother’s Beach.

“This is the best public beach in Ventura County, and to potentially lose what could be a substantial amount of beach … just does not seem like good policy,” said Brian Pendleton, general manager of the Ventura Port District.

Sand has piled up

The issue is expected to surface in a Coastal Commission meeting on May 9 in Half Moon Bay. Commissioners are set to vote on awarding a long-awaited permit that would allow the Ventura Port District to resume sand-management work that was halted in 2023 when the district was told it needed commission authorization.

Steve Hudson, district director for the commission, said the permitting process revealed that dune land was leveled sometime in 2013 and vegetation removed in what he called violations of the state’s Coastal Act. He said it’s not clear who committed the actions.

Pendleton said the issue is “legal matter” and declined to respond to specific allegations.

“We disagree with their findings,” he said. A port district lawyer said in a letter to the Coastal Commission that founders of the volleyball court were not told of the permit requirements. He also contended the commission was told about the courts before they were installed.

The differences extend to other issues. Pendleton said the halt on the port district’s sand management work in 2023 means sand has spilled over fences and piled on walkways, parking lots and streets. The district’s commission declared an emergency in April to allow sand removal efforts to resume for seven days.

Hudson said the Coastal Commission understands the value of the volleyball courts and is committed to recreation and public access. He said the current issue focuses on the alleged changes in the dune land, not on nets.

“The only concern with the volleyball court is the location,” he said, noting that possible new sites for the sand volleyball complex could include a southern stretch of the same beach “as close as a few hundred feet.”

The volleyball courts are managed by a youth and juniors club organization called the Los Angeles Volleyball Academy. Lyans, who works for the academy, said the alternative beach location isn’t nearly big enough. Another site that has been discussed has asphalt under the sand. Other beaches contain too many rocks and pebbles.

“I don’t think there are any areas that I’ve seen that are available that are public use lands where we could potentially put courts,” he said.

Port district leaders said the best location for the court is its current one.

Creating a backup plan

Hudson said he recognizes a compromise may not be reached. He said staff won’t force the issue but will recommend the Coastal Commission approve the sand management permit and “carve out” the volleyball issue, leaving it unresolved. In that scenario, the courts would stay while efforts to find a resolution could continue.

Ventura Harbor leaders said such a carve out could bring more time to find a better plan. But it could also lead to the Coastal Commission deciding in the future to force out the courts or take enforcement action.

In a special meeting on April 23, Ventura Port District commissioners voted unanimously to ask the Coastal Commission to approve the sand management permit and to keep the beach as it is, allowing current recreation to go undeterred.

They said they would also work to keep the outrigger clubs at the Harbor Cove Beach, moving the storage containers to an adjacent location not regulated by the Coastal Commission.

Port district leaders also adopted a backup plan. They said if the Coastal Commission on May 9 expresses reluctance to their plan to keep the Harbor Cove Beach in its current state, they’ll pivot to Hudson’s carve-out plan. They would ask for a year of time with assurances no action will be taken against the volleyball court.

They would then study the options and come up with a comprehensive plan.

Advocates for the volleyball nets and outrigger clubs supported the strategy but still worried about the uncertainty of what could happen at the Coastal Commission meeting in May.

“I’m always going to be worried,” Lyans said.

Tom Kisken covers health care and other news for the Ventura County Star. Reach him at tom.kisken@vcstar.com.

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Sports

Water polo team makes history after coach’s death

LEBANON, Ill. (First Alert 4) – The McKendree women’s water polo team is having its best year in program history. With a 21-7 record, the Bearcats are NCAA Tournament bound, a moment that’s been eight seasons in the making. “This program has put in a lot of work to get here,” said McKendree senior goalkeeper […]

Published

46 minutes ago

May 7, 2025

Your Sports Nation

LEBANON, Ill. (First Alert 4) – The McKendree women’s water polo team is having its best year in program history.

With a 21-7 record, the Bearcats are NCAA Tournament bound, a moment that’s been eight seasons in the making.

“This program has put in a lot of work to get here,” said McKendree senior goalkeeper Sydney Kane.

“When I saw that time run to zero, everything came out,” said McKendree senior attacker Jasmin Guzman.

The moment marked the program’s first NCAA Tournament berth, something longtime head coach Colleen Lischwe had always dreamt of.

“I remember I was talking to Colleen my sophomore year and she said her dream was to get to the NCAA tournament,” said Guzman.

Lischwe never saw that dream become a reality, as she died in a car crash on January 15, 2025, just 10 days before the team’s first game this season.

“It was tough, we heard news on a Wednesday,” said Kane. “Saturday, Sunday we spent the whole day together as a team and we knew we had to get right back into it. Monday, we jumped back in the pool and had our first practice, got it out of the way. We all mourned and grieved together as a team.”

“There was no manual for what to do, so I think taking it step by step and going at the pace that felt right for us,” McKendree women’s water polo head coach Alex Figueras said.

Figueras stepped in as interim head coach to lead this group of women the Lischwe way.

“Nothing really changed in my mind in terms of what we wanted to do, we just kind of had a little extra push,” he said.

“Emotionally, we were driven by the motivation that she instilled within us,” added Kane.

With Coach Lischwe in mind, the Bearcats made history and are one of nine teams in the national tournament.

“At the end of the day, pretty much all the credit for this goes to her,” said Figueras.

Her pregame speech still lives through this team every day.

“Before every game, I think in my head this thing she would say is ‘I love you, I trust you have fun,’” Kane said.

McKendree’s national tournament journey begins on Wednesday, May 7 vs. Wagner.

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Sports

Zitro Digital to Showcase iGaming Content at SBC Summit Americas

LAS VEGAS, NV – Zitro Digital is set to present its latest digital gaming innovations at the upcoming SBC Summit Americas in Fort Lauderdale, taking place from May 13-15. Visitors to booth #D270 will get a first look at the company’s new products, including the highly anticipated Legendary Sword series. The Legendary Sword series […]

Published

50 minutes ago

May 7, 2025

Your Sports Nation

The Legendary Sword series launches with Avalon, a game adapted from the land-based title, bringing its proven gameplay to digital. In addition, Zitro Digital will showcase its growing portfolio, including Fu Pots Spring, the latest addition to the Fu Pots series; Twist Casino; and Empress, the newest game in the Bashiba Link series. Attendees will also have the chance to explore a variety of digital video bingo and video slot games, all adapted from Zitro’s successful land-based offerings.

“We’re excited to launch the Legendary Sword series at SBC Summit Americas,” said José Javier Martí, COO at Zitro Digital. “This expansion into the online market is a natural progression for Zitro Digital as we continue to provide exceptional gaming experiences across all platforms. We look forward to strengthening partnerships, exploring new opportunities, and sharing our progress within the iGaming industry at this event.”

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Sports

High school scores for May 6

Baseball Antioch 6, Lakes 0 Aurora Central Catholic 3, IC Catholic 1 Bartlett 4, Elgin 3 Chicago Christian 4, Wheaton Academy 3 Downers Grove North 8, Glenbard South 1 Downers Grove South 16, Addison Trail 4 Elmwood Park 11, Fenton 1 Glenbard East 3, Riverside-Brookfield 2 Grayslake Central 7, Grant 1 Hampshire 6, Cary-Grove 3 […]

Published

2 hours ago

May 7, 2025

Your Sports Nation

Baseball

Antioch 6, Lakes 0

Aurora Central Catholic 3, IC Catholic 1

Bartlett 4, Elgin 3

Chicago Christian 4, Wheaton Academy 3

Downers Grove North 8, Glenbard South 1

Downers Grove South 16, Addison Trail 4

Elmwood Park 11, Fenton 1

Glenbard East 3, Riverside-Brookfield 2

Grayslake Central 7, Grant 1

Hampshire 6, Cary-Grove 3

Harvest Christian 26, Walther Christian 1

Highland Park 5, Vernon Hills 2

Holy Trinity 3, Westmont 2

Lake Zurich 8, Mundelein 5

Leyden 8, Hinsdale South 5

Libertyville 16, Zion Benton 0

Lyons 11, Hinsdale Central 1

Maine South 10, New Trier 2

Marmion Academy 11, Montini 1

McNamara 12, St. Edward 0

Naperville North 1, Waubonsie Valley 0

Neuqua Valley 10, DeKalb 0

Niles North 7, Maine West 4

Niles West 7, Maine East 0

Schaumburg 3, Elk Grove 2

South Elgin 15, East Aurora 0

St. Francis 12, DeLaSalle 2

Streamwood 5, Larkin 3

Streator 8, Lisle 2

Timothy Christian 8, Aurora Christian 5

Warren 2, Stevenson 1

Wauconda 13, Round Lake 1

West Chicago 5, Ridgewood 4

Willowbrook 5, Morton 4

York 4, Glenbard West 2

Softball

Antioch 5, Wauconda 3

Aurora Central Catholic 12, IC Catholic Prep 4

Aurora Christian 12, Harvest Christian 6

Bartlett 9, Larkin 5

Batavia 4, Geneva 3

Crystal Lake Central 7, Crystal Lake South 6

DeLaSalle 9, Hinsdale South 6

Glenbard South 7, Elmwood Park 2

Grayslake Central 18, Round Lake 1

Hampshire 4, Huntley 3

Jacobs 7, Dundee Crown 3

Kaneland 16, Oswego East 4

Lakes 22, Grayslake North 9

Maine South 9, New Trier 2

McHenry 1, Burlington Central 0

Niles West 12, Maine East 0

Oak Park River Forest 16, Hinsdale Central 0

Oswego 14, Wheaton North 12

Prairie Ridge 9, Cary-Grove 2

Ridgewood 9, Fenton 5

Riverside-Brookfield 10, Glenbard East 3

Rolling Meadows 11, Hoffman Estates 1

South Elgin 14, Elgin 0

St. Edward 18, Christian Liberty 0

Streator 8, Lisle 2

Vernon Hills 7, Niles North 4

West Aurora 16, East Aurora 1

Boys tennis

Cary-Grove 5, Crystal Lake South 2

Boys volleyball

Benet d. St. Viator 25-16, 25-19

Glenbard East d. Ridgewood 25-9, 25-19

Grayslake Central d. Antioch 25-21, 25-17

Hersey d. Buffalo Grove 25-22, 25-20

Lakes d. North Chicago 25-8, 25-22

Loyola d. St. Francis 25-22, 23-25, 25-22

Maine South d. New Trier 25-18, 25-23

Neuqua Valley d. Naperville North 25-16, 25-18

Oak Park-River Forest d. Downers Grove North 25-22, 20-25, 25-21

Prospect d. Wheeling 25-20, 25-20

Riverside-Brookfield d. Fenton 25-11, 21-25, 25-15

Schaumburg d. Hoffman Estates 25-22, 20-25, 27-25

St. Charles North d. Glenbard North 25-15, 25-18

St. Patrick d. Carmel 25-14, 25-12

Streamwood d. Larkin 25-10, 25-11

Timothy Christian d. Chicago Hope Academy 25-10, 25-17

Waubonsie Valley d. Naperville Central 25-14, 25-19

Wheaton Academy d. Chicago Christian 25-19, 25-16

Willowbrook d. Addison Trail 19-25, 32-30, 25-17

York d. Proviso West 25-13, 25-15

Boys lacrosse

Carmel 16, Palatine 5

Huntley 15, Crystal Lake South 1

Glenbrook South 5, Vernon Hills 4

Lake Forest Academy 12, Dundee Crown 8

Montini 22, St. Laurence 6

St. Viator 19, Glenbrook North 4

Boys water polo

Barrington d. Mundelein 11

Boys track and field

At Prospect: Prospect 90, Rolling Meadows 51, Hersey 32

Girls soccer

Aurora Central Catholic 6, IMSA 0

DePaul 1, St. Viator 0

Dundee Crown 5, Hampshire 1

Huntley 2, Cary-Grove 0

IC Catholic Prep 5, Westminster Christian 2

Lakes 7, Grant 0

Lake Zurich 3, Mundelein 0

Naperville Central 3, Metea Valley 0

Naperville North 2, Waubonsie Valley 0

Neuqua Valley 8, DeKalb 0

South Elgin 2, Benet 1

Vernon Hills 9, Maine East 0

Warren 1, Stevenson 1

Wauconda 4, Grayslake Central 0

Girls lacrosse

Carmel 14, Nazareth 13

Downers Grove North 17, Naperville Central 1

Glenbard West 11, Lyons 7

Marist 13, St. Viator 7

Girls water polo

Mundelein 10, Barrington 3

Upcoming

Wednesday, May 7

Baseball

Antioch at Lakes, 4:45 p.m.

Barrington at Fremd, 4:45 p.m.

Burlington Central at Prairie Ridge, 4:30 p.m.

Cary-Grove at Huntley, 4:30 p.m.

Conant at Hoffman Estates, 4:45 p.m.

Elk Grove at Prospect, 4:45 p.m.

Grayslake Central at Grant, 4:45 p.m.

Hampshire at Dundee Crown, 4:30 p.m.

Hersey at Buffalo Grove, 4:45 p.m.

Jacobs at Crystal Lake Central, 4:30 p.m.

Kaneland at Morris, 4:30 p.m.

Marmion Academy at Sandburg Do it Stevies Way Tournament, 4:45 p.m.

McHenry at Crystal Lake South, 4:30 p.m.

Nazareth at Benet, 4:30 p.m.

Oswego East at West Aurora, 4:30 p.m.

Palatine at Schaumburg, 4:45 p.m.

Round Lake at Wauconda, 4:45 p.m.

St. Viator at St. Patrick, TBD

Timothy Christian at Harvest Christian, 5:30 p.m.

Westminster Christian at Walther Christian, 4:30 p;.m.

Softball

Aurora Christian at Marian Central, 4:30 p.m.

Batavia at St. Charles North, 4:30 p.m.

Benet at St. Viator, 4:30 p.m.

Buffalo Grove at Hoffman Estates, 4:45 p.m.

Downers Grove South at Proviso East, 4:45 p.m.

Elgin at Crystal Lake South, 4:30 p.m.

Elk Grove at Schaumburg, 4:45 p.m.

Glenbard North at Wheaton Warrenville South, 4:30 p.m.

Glenbard South at West Chicago, 4:30 p.m.

Glenbard West at York, 4:30 p.m.

Grayslake North at Carmel, 4:45 p.m.

Harvest Christian at Lake Forest Academy, 4:30 p.m.

Hersey at Palatine, 4:45 p.m.

Hinsdale South at Addison Trail, 4:45 p.m.

Lake Park at Geneva, 4:30 p.m.

Lake Zurich at Lake Forest, 4:45 p.m.

Lyons at Downers Grove North, 4:45 p.m.

Metea Valley at DeKalb, 4:30 p.m.

Mundelein at Libertyville, 4:45 p.m.

Naperville North at Neuqua Valley, 4:30 p.m.

Prospect at Barrington, 4:45 p.m.

Rolling Meadows at Fremd, 4:45 p.m.

Somonauk at St. Francis, 4:30 p.m.

South Elgin at Leyden, 4:45 p.m.

St. Edward at Wheaton Academy, 4:30 p.m.

Streamwood at Round Lake, 4:45 p.m.

Sycamore at Kaneland, 4:30 p.m.

Timothy Christian at Chicago Hope, 4:30 p.m.

Waubonsie Valley at Naperville Central, 4:30 p.m.

Waukegan at Stevenson, 4:45 p.m.

Wheaton Academy at St. Edward, 4:30 p.m.

Wheaton North at St. Charles East, 4:30 p.m.

Wheeling at Conant, 4:45 p.m.

Zion-Benton at Warren, 4:45 p.m.

Boys tennis

Addison Trail at Downers Grove South, 4:30 p.m.

Downers Grove North at Naperville Central, 4:30 p.m.

Dundee Crown, Hampshire, Huntley at Cary-Grove FVC Tournament, 4 p.m.

Elgin at Batavia, 4 p.m.

Glenbard North at St. Charles East, 4:15 p.m.

Glenbard West at Glenbard South, 4 p.m.

Grayslake Central at Johnsburg, 4:30 p.m.

Grayslake North at Wauconda, 4:30 p.m.

Hinsdale Central at Latin, 4:30 p.m.

Metea Valley at Wheaton Warrenville South, 4:30 p.m.

Rochelle Zell Jewish at Wheeling, 4:30 p.m.

Schaumburg at Elk Grove, 4:30 p.m.

St. Charles North at South Elgin, 4:30 p.m.

Stevenson at Fremd, 4:30 p.m.

Warren at Vernon Hills, 4:30 p.m.

Wheaton North at St. Charles North, 4 p.m.

Yorkville at West Aurora, 4 p.m.

Boys volleyball

Addison Trail at Nazareth, 6 p.m.

Andrew at Willowbrook, 5:30 p.m.

Christ the King at Timothy Christian, 7:30 p.m.

Glenbrook South at Barrington, 6 p.m.

Grayslake Central at Libertyville, 6 p.m.

Hinsdale South at St. Charles East, 5:30 p.m.

Lake Park at Lyons, 5:30 p.m.

Maine East at Vernon Hills, 6 p.m.

Maine West at Niles North, 6 p.m.

Mundelein at Lake Zurich, 6 p.m.

Montini at Joliet Catholic Academy, 6 p.m.

Naperville Central at Neuqua Valley, 5:30 p.m.

Palatine at Conant, 6 p.m.

St. Viator at Carmel, 6 p.m.

Warren at Stevenson, 6 p.m.

Wheeling at Rolling Meadows, 6 p.m.

Boys lacrosse

Fremd at Glenbrook South, 6:30 p.m.

Grayslake at Wauconda, 5:30 p.m.

Hersey at Latin, 5 p.m.

Kaneland at Riverside-Brookfield, 5:30 p.m.

Lakes at Grant, 4:30 p.m.

Metea Valley, Naperville North, Neuqua Valley, Waubonsie Valley at Naperville Central DVC Championships, 6:30 p.m.

Mundelein at Lake Forest, 6:45 p.m.

South Elgin at St. Charles North, 6:30 p.m.

Stevenson at Lake Zurich, 6:30 p.m.

Timothy Christian at Glenbard North, 7 p.m.

Warren at Libertyville, 6:45 p.m.

Boys water polo

Andrew at Waubonsie Valley, 6 p.m.

Metea Valley at Niles West, 6 p.m.

Naperville North at Stevenson, 6 p.m.

Neuqua Valley at Lockport, 5 p.m.

Sandburg at Naperville Central, 6 p.m.

York at Lincoln Way East, 6 p.m.

Boys track and field

Hinsdale Central at Lyons, 4:30 p.m.

St. Viator at Notre Dame Prep Conference Championship, 2 p.m.

Girls soccer

Barrington at Palatine, 6:30 p.m.

Chicago Christian at Harvest Christian, 4:30 p.m.

Conant at Fremd, 7 p.m.

Highland Park at Carmel, 6:30 p.m.

Hoffman Estates at Schaumburg, 7 p.m.

Indian Creek at Rosary, 4:30 p.m.

LaSalle Peru at Kaneland, 6:15 p.m.

Prospect at Elk Grove, 5 p.m.

Rolling Meadows at Hersey, 6:45 p.m.

Westmont at Chicago Prep Conference Tournament, TBA

Wheeling at Buffalo Grove, 6 p.m.

Girls lacrosse

Cary-Grove/Crystal Lake Coop at Jacobs/Hampshire Coop, 6:30 p.m.

DePaul College Prep at St. Francis, 7 p.m.

Fenwick at Montini, 5:30 p.m.

Glenbrook South at Barrington, 6:30 p.m.

Hersey at Glenbrook North, 7 p.m.

Huntley at McHenry, 6:30 p.m.

Lake Forest at Mundelein, 6:15 p.m.

Lake Zurich at Stevenson, 6:30 p.m.

Libertyville at Warren, 6:30 p.m.

Metea Valley, Naperville Central, Naperville North, Waubonsie Valley at Neuqua Valley DVC Championships, 6:30 p.m.

Regina Dominican at Streamwood, 5 p.m.

Rolling Meadows at Vernon Hills, 7 p.m.

Rosary at Providence Catholic, 5:15 p.m.

Sandburg at York, 5:30 p.m.

St. Ignatius at Benet, 7 p.m.

Wheaton Coop at St. Charles Coo, 6:30 p.m.

Girls water polo

Hinsdale South at Hinsdale Central, 6 p.m.

Lincoln Way East at York, 6 p.m.

Lockport at Neuqua Valley, 6 p.m.

Naperville North at Stevenson, 5 p.m.

Sandburg at Naperville Central, 5 p.m.

Waubonsie valley at Andrew, 5 p.m.

Girls track and field

Addison Trail, Downers Grove South, Hinsdale South, Willowbrook at Morton West Suburban Conference Meet, 4:30 p.m.

Aurora Christian, Wheaton Academy at Chicago Christian Chicagoland Christian Conference Meet, TBA

Barrington, Buffalo Grove, Conant, Elk Grove, Fremd, Hersey, Palatine, Prospect, Rolling Meadows, Schaumburg, Wheeling at Hoffman Estates Invitational, 4:45 p.m.

Benet, Carmel, St. Viator at Marist ESCC Conference Tournament, 2 p.m.

Warren’s Peyton Balanag (22) delivers a pitch Tuesday, May 6, 2025 in Gurnee.
Brian Hill/bhill@dailyherald.com

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Sports

Senate Approves 'Save Women's Sports Act' to Protect Fairness in Female Athletics

HARRISBURG – The Senate took a bipartisan step to support biological women through fair competition in the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania by approving Senate Bill 9, the Save Women’s Sports Act. The measure will ensure athletic teams designated for women are reserved for biological females in Pennsylvania’s K–12 and collegiate sports. The bill, now headed to […]

Published

3 hours ago

May 7, 2025

Your Sports Nation

Senate Approves 'Save Women's Sports Act' to Protect Fairness in Female Athletics

The bill, now headed to the House of Representatives for consideration, aims to protect competitive fairness, athletic opportunity and safety for female athletes across the commonwealth.

The legislation is sponsored by Sens. Judy Ward (R-30), Kristin Phillips-Hill (R-28), Lisa Baker (R-20), Michele Brooks (R-50), Camera Bartolotta (R-46), Tracy Pennycuick (R-24), Rosemary Brown (R-40), Lynda Schlegel Culver (R-27), Dawn Keefer (R-31), and Senate President Pro Tempore Kim Ward (R-39).

Here is what the prime sponsors had to say following the final passage:

“We cannot allow the opportunities that Title IX enshrined for women to be lost. With our passage of the Save Women’s Sports Act today, my Senate colleagues and I showed that they will defend women and their right to safe and fair competition,” said Judy Ward.

“This is about standing up for the next generation of female athletes across Pennsylvania,” Phillips-Hill said. “They deserve a level playing field and the chance to compete, earn scholarships and succeed based on their hard work, not be sidelined by unfair rules. Today’s vote sends a clear message: we will protect the integrity of women’s sports.”

“This bill establishes as state policy the principles of fair play, respecting the rules of the game, eliminating any unfair physical advantages and ensuring a safer playing field for women and girls in sports,” Baker said.

“It is our responsibility to ensure that young women and girls have access to fair competition and equal opportunities. This is not just a matter of safety – it’s about preserving the integrity of female athletics and ensuring biological females have the chance to earn scholarships, win championships and pursue their dreams at the highest levels, including the Olympics,” said Brooks. “Protecting the safety and future of female athletes isn’t just about fairness but standing up for what’s right for the next generation.”

“President Donald Trump’s Keeping Men Out of Women’s Sports executive order was a triumph for women and girls across our great country,” Bartolotta said. “However, today’s advancement of Senate Bill 9 is a testament to my colleagues’ and my dedication to making this change permanent by incorporating it into Pennsylvania law.”

“As a cosponsor of the bill, I believe this is solely about fairness and opportunity and upholding the intent of Title IX,” said Pennycuick. “Title IX was established to eliminate discrimination and ensure equal access to sports for female athletes. Unfortunately, when a biological male replaces a female athlete, that individual is denied the right to equal participation as guaranteed under Title IX. As an athlete in my youth, and the mother of girls who competed in sports, I know the valuable lessons learned from competing in women athletics such as leadership, grit, graciousness in winning and humility in losing. Let’s keep a level playing field in sports.”

“As the Senate considers this bill today, it’s important to remember that every valid competition begins with a level playing field,” said Brown. “This legislation is about safeguarding the fairness and accuracy of women’s sports. As a former college athlete, I know firsthand how those experiences shaped my work ethic and confidence. I want to ensure that female athletes now and in the future have the same opportunity to grow through fair and competitive play.”

“Ensuring fair and safe competition for female athletes has been a consistent priority, and this bill reflects a commitment to upholding the integrity of women’s sports,” Culver said. “I believe every athlete deserves the opportunity to compete on a level playing field, and I’m encouraged by the strong support behind this effort as we work to see it signed into law.”

“Women and girls deserve a level playing field. Allowing biological males in female sports isn’t inclusion—it’s exclusion of the very people Title IX was created to protect. Senate Bill 9 defends the rights of female athletes to compete fairly and without compromise,” said Keefer.

“Today is a great day for female athletes across Pennsylvania as the Senate passed the Save Women’s Sports Act,” said Senate President Pro Tempore Kim Ward. “As women athletes across our commonwealth have broken glass ceilings, their efforts to take girls’ sports to the next level will not be derailed by men competing as women in sports. We stand alongside women athletes to fight for their right to fair competition.”

The legislation reinforces the original intent of Title IX by ensuring female athletes are not denied scholarships, placements or opportunities due to unfair competition from biological males.

Sports

Leovao Twins In NCAA Striking Distance As Day Two Closes At Gold Canyon Regional

GOLD CANYON, Ariz. – A solid second day saw both of Long Beach State’s twin individuals both just outside of the Top 10 at the NCAA Gold Canyon Regional, as Janae Leovao finished the day tied for 11th and Jasmine Leovao was tied for 16th. Day Two Results After a 72 in […]

Published

3 hours ago

May 7, 2025

Your Sports Nation

GOLD CANYON, Ariz. – A solid second day saw both of Long Beach State’s twin individuals both just outside of the Top 10 at the NCAA Gold Canyon Regional, as Janae Leovao finished the day tied for 11th and Jasmine Leovao was tied for 16th.

Day Two Results

After a 72 in the first round, Janae Leovao birdied 18 to finish day two with a 73, one over par for the day and now one over par for the tournament. Jasmine Leovao, was just behind in a tie for 16th with a 73 on Tuesday, and is now +3 on the tournament.

Auburn and Cal State Fullerton are battling for the fifth and final team spot, with each individual team leaders currently the main competition for the Individual spot available for the NCAA Championship. Davina Xanh of the Titans is tied for third at -3, while Anna Davis of Auburn is tied for 5th at -2.

The top individual following Wednesday’s final round not on a qualifying team will advance to the NCAA Championship. Action for the final round can be followed through SCOREBOARD at https://scoreboard.clippd.com/tournaments/236564/scoring/player starting Wednesday morning.

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Bucknell University

LEWISBURG, Pa.- Bucknell men’s track & field continued its long history of academic and athletic success by placing three student-athletes on the 2025 Outdoor Track & Field Academic All-League Team as announced Tuesday by the conference office. Keenan LaMontagne, Wade Shomper, and Braden Stryker received the honor. LaMontagne, an electrical engineering major, notched an impressive […]

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3 hours ago

May 7, 2025

Your Sports Nation

LEWISBURG, Pa.- Bucknell men’s track & field continued its long history of academic and athletic success by placing three student-athletes on the 2025 Outdoor Track & Field Academic All-League Team as announced Tuesday by the conference office. Keenan LaMontagne, Wade Shomper, and Braden Stryker received the honor.

LaMontagne, an electrical engineering major, notched an impressive 3.88 GPA. The junior thrower delivered a fourth-place finish in the discus as part of the Bison’s 3-4-5-6-7 placement at the 2025 Patriot League Outdoor Championships. His fling went 48.30m (158-5). LaMontagne delivered six top five finishes this spring.

Shomper, an International Relations and Economics major, starred with a 3.77 GPA and was Bucknell’s nominee for Scholar Athlete of the Year. The junior superman won two medals at the Outdoor Championships. He mined gold in the shot put, throwing 17.48m (57-4.25), a mark which set the school record. Shomper now owns the school record in both the indoor and outdoor shot put. He followed up his gold medal with a bronze in the discus throw. His toss went 48.38m (158-9), a personal best for the junior. Shomper became the first Bison since Connor McMenamin (2021) to win gold at the PL Outdoor Championships and the first Bison since Timothy Medlock (2009) to finish first in the shot put.

Stryker, a Management & Organizations major, has obtained a 3.71 GPA. The senior thrower supplied two top five finishes at the Outdoor Championships. He placed fourth in the shot put, throwing 16.79m (55-1), and fifth in the discus, tossing 48.05m (157-8). Stryker moved into fourth all-time in the shot put this season with his 17.05m (55-11.25) mark at the Bucknell Team Challenge.

2025 Men’s Scholar-Athlete of the Year

Karsen Vesty, Boston University, So.

2025 Men’s Outdoor Track & Field Academic All-Patriot League Team

Brian McSweeney	(Army West Point)
Javan Guevara-Cragwell	(Army West Point)
Jaxon Hammond	(Army West Point)
Nathan Davis	(Army West Point)
Karsen Vesty	(Boston University)
Owen Faulha	(Boston University)
Ryan Rosenberger	(Boston University)
Shamiso Sikaneta	(Boston University)
Steven Franco	(Boston University)
Braden Stryker	(Bucknell)
Keenan LaMontagne	(Bucknell)
Wade Shomper	(Bucknell)
Cole Blair	(Colgate)
Ethan Eisner	(Colgate)
Brian Fennelly	(Holy Cross)
Titan Casey	(Lafayette)
Jonathan Bennett	(Lehigh)
Patrez Thomas	(Lehigh)
Caleb Walker	(Navy)
Joe Hurt	(Navy)
Sheldon Ulmer	(Navy)