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News Ticker
  • [ November 28, 2022 ] North Philadelphia: Can the Next Crimes be Prevented? Featured Stories
  • [ May 25, 2023 ] Nicetown: PYB Hopes to Open New Youth Center Next January Amateur Sports
  • [ May 23, 2023 ] South Philadelphia: FDR Park Plan Brings New Hope To Philadelphia Youth Sports Organizations Amateur Sports
  • [ May 23, 2023 ] Keeping a Tradition Alive, The PCL Thrives as the Big 5 Fades at the Palestra Amateur Sports
  • [ May 11, 2023 ] Education: Financial Pressures Pushed the District to Close Schools but Resale Efforts Fall Short Education
  • [ May 11, 2023 ] Education: Did the 2013 School Closures Lead to Increased Youth Violence? Crime
HomeAuthorsBenjamin A McWilliams

Articles by Benjamin A McWilliams

Amateur Sports

South Philadelphia: Coach Finds Passion for Educating Through Basketball

December 22, 2016 Benjamin A McWilliams 0

Coach Troy Holiday took a circuitous route to rediscover his love for basketball. The New Jersey native was once himself a standout basketball player at Germantown Academy before attending Loyola University Maryland. After graduating, he [continue reading…]

Amateur Sports

South Philadelphia: Athletics Crucial to Success of Southern

December 22, 2016 Benjamin A McWilliams 0

To find some of Philadelphia’s richest athletic history, one has to look no further than the halls of South Philadelphia High School. Trophy cases and plaques line the corridors, celebrating everyone from Eddie Gottlieb, one [continue reading…]

Amateur Sports

South Philadelphia: Inclusive Rugby Team Strives to Defy Stereotypes while Staying Competitive

December 16, 2016 Benjamin A McWilliams 0

In the summer of 2003, Joe Cruz showed up to rugby practice for the newly-formed Philadelphia Gryphons. The University of Pennsylvania grad was one of seven people at practice. The Gryphons started as an idea, [continue reading…]

Amateur Sports

South Philadelphia: Karate Instructor Builds Confidence Through Discipline

November 29, 2016 Benjamin A McWilliams 0

Jason Helmer’s passion for martial arts came from an unusual place. “I was in high school working and one of the mailmen in the neighborhood mentioned karate,” Helmer said. “I was a big Steven Seagal [continue reading…]

Amateur Sports

Washington Square West: Pickleball Craze in Seger Park

November 28, 2016 Benjamin A McWilliams 0

It was a year-and-a-half ago that Andrew Freedman and his wife Nancy were watching the evening news when a story about “the world’s fastest growing sport” piqued their interest. It was not long before the Freedman’s, [continue reading…]

Amateur Sports

South Philadelphia: Local Rec Centers Adjust to Election Day Schedule

November 8, 2016 Benjamin A McWilliams 0

Election day is huge for Philadelphia. With more than one million registered voters in the city, one of the crucial tasks for the City Commissioners office is finding locations for the polling places. Finding sites [continue reading…]

Amateur Sports

South Philadelphia: Rec Leader Guides Former Recreation Center

October 20, 2016 Benjamin A McWilliams 0

Anthony Spadaccini spent countless hours as a kid at Barry Playground. Whether it was playing basketball, baseball or football, Barry was a second home for Spadaccini. That still holds true today, as Spadaccini, 46, is [continue reading…]

Recent Posts

  • Nicetown: PYB Hopes to Open New Youth Center Next January
    May 25, 2023 0
  • South Philadelphia: FDR Park Plan Brings New Hope To Philadelphia Youth Sports Organizations
    May 23, 2023 0
  • Keeping a Tradition Alive, The PCL Thrives as the Big 5 Fades at the Palestra
    May 23, 2023 0
  • Germantown
    Education: Financial Pressures Pushed the District to Close Schools but Resale Efforts Fall Short
    May 11, 2023 0
  • Fairhill Elementary
    Education: Did the 2013 School Closures Lead to Increased Youth Violence?
    May 11, 2023 0
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