In the News                                

Suspension Training Classes a Hit at Ohio Rec Center

Dayton Daily News (Ohio), February 3, 2012 Friday
SUSPENDED,ANIMATED: A drop-in TRX class at the Kettering Recreation Center. CONTRIBUTED PHOTO Straps and handles dangle curiously from the ceiling just waiting for a willing participant. The unique exercise equipment gets its fair share of double takes as people walk by the Kettering Recreation Complex Studio A. "We weren't sure what we were getting ourselves into the first time we walked in here," Laura Sharp said, smiling.

Neuropsychologist: California Concussion Law Doesn't Go Far Enough

Contra Costa Times (California), February 1, 2012 Wednesday
Cari Alsterlind, 17, trotted around the field during soccer practice last week, her easy smile a sharp contrast to the pain that afflicted her after a frightening head injury seven months ago. But what makes the Lafayette teen's recovery all the more gratifying is the unknowing risk she ran. Struck hard on the head by a kicked ball during a club team soccer tournament, a dazed Alsterlind continued to play with a painful headache, knowing there was no substitute for her position. No one checked her for signs of brain injury, and she played the next day as well. Finally, Alsterlind asked her coach to pull her because of her throbbing head. Several hurting, disorienting days later, she visited neuropsychologist Eric Freitag and learned she had suffered a concussion.

Dad Who Argued with Ref Sues After School Bans Him from Property

Albuquerque Journal (New Mexico), February 2, 2012 Thursday
The father of a Volcano Vista High School student has filed a lawsuit against Albuquerque Public Schools and several district officials, alleging he was wrongfully banned from APS property after arguing with a referee.

Chicago Cubs Unveil Plans for Baseball Academy in Dominican Republic

Chicago Sun-Times, February 3, 2012 Friday
The Cubs will open within 18 months a new baseball academy in the Dominican Republic that will encompass 50 acres with facilities for baseball training, housing and an educational center.

Transient Suspected of Stealing Copper Wire from City Park

San Gabriel Valley Tribune (California), February 2, 2012 Thursday
GLENDORA - A transient suspected of causing $18,000 in damage at a public park by stealing the wire from light poles last month was arrested in Covina on Tuesday, authorities said.

49ers' New Stadium a Done Deal; NFL Kicks in Extra $50M to Fully Fund Site

The San Francisco Chronicle (California), February 3, 2012 Friday
The 49ers now have the final $200 million needed to leave San Francisco, their home of 66 years, for a new, long-awaited stadium in Santa Clara. The National Football League announced Thursday it would give the team $200 million in loans and straight payments for its $1 billion, 68,500-seat facility. Site work began in January on the venue, which could open next to Great America as soon as the 2014 season. "This means we are fully funded for Santa Clara," said 49ers CEO Jed York. "We are building a football stadium in Santa Clara."

School District's Long-Delayed Aquatic Center Finally Set to Open

Contra Costa Times (California), February 2, 2012 Thursday
The Albany Aquatic Center will have its long-awaited grand opening on Feb. 15 -- almost exactly four years after voters passed Measure E to allow for the construction of the center.

Arrested Zamboni Driver Suspended Indefinitely

St. Paul Pioneer Press (Minnesota), January 31, 2012 Tuesday
The Zamboni driver arrested for allegedly clearing the ice while intoxicated has been indefinitely suspended from his part-time job with the city of Apple Valley, officials said Wednesday.

City's Firing of Gymnastics Coach Leaves Parents in Tears

Wyoming Tribune-Eagle (Cheyenne), February 2, 2012 Thursday
While the reason for the termination has not been released, it has affected individuals buzzing. By Josh Mitchell jmitchell@wyomingnews.com CHEYENNE - Local parents are irate over the firing of a city gymnastics coach this week.

Georgia Anti-Hazing Bill May Be Revised to Address Minimum Age, Penalties

The Atlanta Journal-Constitution, February 2, 2012 Thursday
Lawmakers started work Wednesday on a bill that would bar students from Georgia schools and colleges if they're convicted of hazing.

74 Die in Soccer Riot in Egypt; Witnesses Say Police Did Not Intervene

USA TODAY, February 2, 2012 Thursday
An upset win for the home team in the seaside city of Port Said on Wednesday sparked a rush onto the field and brawls that left 74 people dead, the deadliest soccer violence worldwide since 1996.

Wisconsin's Interim Chancellor: Donors Don't Mind Funding Social Drinking

The Capital Times (Madison, Wisconsin), February 1, 2012 Wednesday
Excerpts from Jan. 28 UW-Madison interim Chancellor David Ward says it's clear the university needs to review its off-campus alcohol guidelines in the wake of an alleged alcohol-fueled, sexual assault scandal that led a top athletic department official to resign earlier this month. But he doesn't necessarily have a problem with gift funds being used to purchase alcohol for university-sponsored events. "I'm a guy who is willing to examine anything, but I think the idea of having conviviality around decent drinking of alcohol at social occasions, I think many of our donors are comfortable with that," Ward said in an interview Friday afternoon. "I think where there's a little anxiety is if there's an excess in doing this. I do think that many of our events are enhanced by responsible drinking. The problem is finding a way to deal with situations where binge drinking and underage drinking take place."

Student-Athletes Learn to be Discreet with Tweets

San Antonio Express-News, January 29, 2012 Sunday
Before last week, Yuri Wright was known as one of the top shutdown high school cornerbacks in the country. The 6-foot 2, 180-pounder from Don Bosco Prep in Ramsey, N.J., played in the U.S. Army All-American Bowl at the Alamodome. He had 19 scholarship offers, including ones from Michigan and Notre Dame. But, after sending a series of sexually explicit and profanity-laced tweets, Wright learned the real-world consequences that can come from words said in the social media realm.

Bauer Hockey Seeks to Reduce Concussions with New Helmet

The Philadelphia Daily News, January 31, 2012 Tuesday
OTTAWA - The road to a reduction in hockey's devastating concussions may well run through Saint-Jerome, Quebec, a small town 45 minutes northeast of Montreal. There, more than 100 researchers and designers at Bauer Hockey have spent the last 2 1/2 years dedicated to improving their helmets. On Friday in Ottawa, Claude Giroux helped represent Bauer's launch of the new Re-Akt helmet. For Giroux, the project hits home because he sat out four games last month with his second career concussion. Giroux is among 72 NHL players to sit out with a concussion during the first half of the season. The Flyers account for nearly 9 percent of all cases with six such injuries, well above the average of 2.4 players per team.

Superintendent Issues Ultimatum to Embattled Girls' Basketball Coach

Buffalo News (New York), January 31, 2012 Tuesday
Ken Ricker's days as Jamestown's girls basketball coach appear to be numbered. The embattled coach confirmed on Monday night he has been told by school officials to either resign or be fired following an incident at a home game last week. Superintendent of Schools Daniel Kathman gave Ricker the ultimatum for pushing a player during a game. Ricker said he will meet with union officials before making an announcement.

New Kroc Center Making Early Impact in Augusta, Ga.

The Augusta Chronicle (Georgia), January 30, 2012 Monday
Nearly six months after the Kroc Center of Augusta opened its doors on upper Broad Street, membership numbers have approached comparable figures at other centers opened for at least one year. According to data provided to The Augusta Chronicle, more than 4,600 members are currently enrolled with the Kroc Center, which had its grand opening Aug. 6. More than 500 people on average use the facility daily, a number that includes members and day pass holders but also individuals for church services, birthday parties, sports games, the Kroc Center Cafe, classes and use of other facility space. On a recent night, Capt. Todd Mason, administrator for the Kroc Center, stood in the rotunda surrounded by diverse sights and sounds - a brass music group practiced in one room, a women's ministry met in another, and people used the pool and gym for fitness.

Outdoor Exercise Area Opens for High School Students, Residents

Inland Valley Daily Bulletin (Ontario, CA), January 31, 2012 Tuesday
POMONA - People looking for exercise equipment now have another alternative to the gym. An outdoor workout area with 16 exercise machines was dedicated Tuesday at the Palomares Academy of Health Sciences in Pomona.

Man Arrested for Zamboni DWI at Community Ice Arena

St. Paul Pioneer Press (Minnesota), January 30, 2012 Monday
A Zamboni driver at a community arena in Apple Valley was arrested Monday for allegedly clearing the ice while intoxicated.

Sandusky Prosecutors Seek to Move Trial

The Philadelphia Inquirer, February 1, 2012 Wednesday
Overwhelming pretrial publicity and Pennsylvania State University's linchpin role in Centre County will make it impossible to impanel an impartial jury in the case against Jerry Sandusky, state prosecutors said.

Social Media Fueling Global Effort to Map Locations of AEDs

The Philadelphia Inquirer, January 31, 2012 Tuesday
Around the world, the hunt is on for thousands of lifesaving portable medical devices that are hanging in public places - in Philadelphia. Why would someone in, say, Abu Dhabi care about finding devices in Philadelphia? Because a University of Pennsylvania project to map the locations of automated external defibrillators (AEDs) throughout the city has mushroomed into a global "crowdsourcing" competition fueled by the Internet, Facebook, Twitter, smartphones - and the chance to win cash prizes up to $10,000. The ultimate prize, of course, will be saving the lives of cardiac-arrest victims. Penn plans to create an interactive online AED registry that will, for the first time, enable the city's 911 system, emergency responders - and any bystander with a phone - to quickly locate an AED. Beginning Tuesday, participants in Philadelphia will use a free app downloaded to their phones to transmit photos and locations of the city's estimated 5,000 AEDs. These backpack-size machines can assess a cardiac-arrest victim and, if appropriate, deliver an electric shock to restart the heart. Studies show even sixth graders can follow an AED's step-by-step audio directions.

City Seeks Change in Law to Fund Sports Center

Star Tribune (Minneapolis, MN), January 29, 2012 Sunday
Woodbury took a big step toward a new recreational facility last week, approving architectural and construction firms for the rebuilding of the popular but aging Bielenberg Sports Center. The building is now a cloth "bubble" at the end of its lifespan. City officials prefer to build a $15.5 million permanent facility, said Bob Klatt, parks and recreation director. But state law prevents the city from getting the lowest interest rate it could for the project, unless it goes through some legal procedures that could be costly.

Swiss Game Focusing on Sportsmanship Finds Way to Ohio P.E. Classes

The Columbus Dispatch (Ohio), January 30, 2012 Monday
Peace, love, understanding -- tchoukball. Growing numbers of central Ohio students are getting acquainted with a feel-good team sport invented by a Swiss biologist 40 years ago that is popular in Canada, Europe and Asia but virtually unknown in this country. Tchoukball ("CHOOK-ball") is equal parts physical fitness and social engineering, with an emphasis on sportsmanship and problem-solving.

Surgery Set for Prep Player Injured in Brawl; Nine Hoopsters Suspended

Dayton Daily News (Ohio), January 31, 2012 Tuesday
Austin McCoy of Miamisburg (right) and teammate Connor Brown defend against Fairborn's Billy Jackson during last Friday's game at Fairborn. McCoy suffered facial injuries during an incident in the fourth quarter of the game. CONTRIBUTED PHOTO BY CHARLES CAPERTON A brief brawl that broke out in the fourth quarter of last Friday's boys high school basketball game at Fairborn has resulted in facial injuries to a Miamisburg player and at least one-game suspensions for nine players.

Alcohol Sales Likely if University of Minnesota Hosts NFL's Vikings

Star Tribune (Minneapolis, MN), January 28, 2012 Saturday
The University of Minnesota's president said Friday that alcohol sales at the U's TCF Bank stadium would probably be allowed should the Minnesota Vikings play there temporarily. The ban on sales at college games would be unchanged. President Eric Kaler said that the university was considering the issue, with the final decision on enacting separate alcohol policies for pro and college games likely headed to the Board of Regents. The Vikings and the university are in stepped-up negotiations to have the team play at TCF for three years should a new Vikings stadium be built at the site of the Metrodome, the team's home for the past 30 years.

Budget Woes Force District Officials to Delay Sports Facility Improvements

The State Journal- Register (Springfield, IL), January 30, 2012 Monday
Improved athletic facilities and gymnasiums in Springfield schools will have to take a back seat to budget woes and the construction of two elementary schools, according to Springfield School District officials. School Superintendent Walter Milton on Jan. 17 unveiled a proposal for upgraded athletic facilities, which included turf and "improved aesthetics" at Memorial Stadium, improvements to Springfield High School's practice field and new gymnasiums for the district's five middle schools. However, that proposal has been put on the back burner until Milton provides the board with more information about how the projects would be paid for, according to Pete Sherman, the district's spokesman.

Youth Hockey Teams Confronting Concussions

Buffalo News (New York), January 28, 2012 Saturday
Sidney Crosby. Jochen Hecht. Ryan Miller. Daniel Briere. Those are just some of the National Hockey League players who have suffered at least one concussion within the past calendar year, with Sid the Kid -- the Penguins star and face of the NHL -- going through a second bout of post-concussion syndrome and Hecht, the longtime Sabres forward, going through a tough time while dealing with his third concussion. Scary situations for sure, even though concussions and contact sports go hand-and-hockey glove. The concussion threat is one that's being taken seriously and not just in the pros.

High School Basketball Stars Build Twitter Following

Pittsburgh Tribune Review, January 29, 2012 Sunday
Maybe buzz begins about a big game and players want to check the pulse on their Twitter timelines. Or a player has an off night and needs to vent. It could be a witty quip. An inspirational quote. An expression of feelings or a "shoutout" on game day. WPIAL basketball players use Twitter for various reasons, and they have formed a social media fraternity online.

Students Suspended for Throwing Box of Oreos on Basketball Court

Lowell Sun (Massachusetts), January 29, 2012 Sunday
BILLERICA -- Two Billerica Memorial High School students were suspended after Tuesday night's boys varsity basketball game versus Andover High School because a box of Oreo cookies was tossed onto the court -- a reference to an investigation in that town into hazing at a summer basketball camp.

Crunch Fitness Expanding into Southern California Market

The Press Enterprise, January 28, 2012, Saturday
Crunch Fitness, a New York-based chain of gyms with about 35 locations nationwide, is jumping into two Inland cities as part of an expansion in the Southern California market.

Suburban Recreation Centers Thriving

The Columbus Dispatch (Ohio), January 28, 2012 Saturday
In the mid-1990s, the economy was surging, the suburbs were expanding and cities were looking to accommodate their fitness-crazed residents. Today, 10 years after most of the area's modern recreation centers opened, cities report that they're thriving.