LGBTQ: Softball League Unites the Community
City of Brotherly Love Softball League (CBLSL) is one of Philadelphia’s largest and oldest LGBTQ sports organizations. The league was created in 1981 by J.J. Hendley as an outlet for LGBTQ individuals who wanted both athletic experience and social networking. Each year CBLSL gives out a J.J. Hendley award, the highest honor a player in […]
Olney: Coaches Teach Young Players More Than Just Football
The youths of Philadelphia are growing up in dangerous times. The city’s 2013 Youth Violence Prevention Plan states that, “Over the past six years, 5,051 young Philadelphians ages 14 to 24 have been shot or killed.” The coaching staff of the Olney Eagles tries to keep their players away from violence by giving them a safe, supportive environment […]
Juniata Park: MVP360 Offers More Than Just Sports
Lighthouse Field is home of the Philadelphia Eagles. No, not the Eagles you’re probably thinking of, but the Eagles flag football team. Find yourself at the field on a Saturday and you may have a chance to see them in action. The Eagles flag football team is part of MVP360, a nonprofit leadership development program […]
South Philadelphia: Barry Playground’s Renovation From Public Funding Is Paying Dividends
If you build it, they will come. Recreation centers and urban parks serve as places for people in the busy city lifestyles to escape it all without really having to leave the city limits. From leisure to exercise, people of all ages use these resources. “An interesting trend that I’ve noticed is the more people […]
South Philadelphia: Roger Artigiani Brings Change to 2300 Arena
Roger Artigiani talks about his arena like he is showing off a prized possession. “This is what we have planned for the one wall,” he said while proudly showing a picture of a mural of the Walt Whitman Bridge. “It’s gonna look great.” The mural will soon become one of the many changes Artigiani has […]
Amateur Sports: Where People Run Around On Broomsticks and Peg People with Dodgeballs
The name of the game is quidditch. Based off J.K. Rowling’s fantasy literature series Harry Potter, United States Qudditch was founded in 2010. Quidditch is a co-ed contact sport that is a mixture of dodgeball, flag football and rugby. There are seven athletes on the field for each team at all times, and players must […]
Germantown: Officer Ernest Pollard Helps Keep Inner City Youth Off the Streets
Those around him have often recognized Officer Ernest Pollard (above) for his dedication and desire to help others inside of the Goldie Paley PAL Center, as well as on the streets of Philadelphia … and on the basketball court. The Paley PAL Center, located on Germantown Avenue, is where Pollard spends much of his time during the […]
Haddington: Eyekonz Sports League Takes A Trip Out Of The City
A kickstand jammed its way into a windblown patch of grass at the top of a hill on Radnor High School’s campus. Black rotating tires on a three-wheeled stroller stopped spinning as a small baby was hoisted from the seat and cradled in the arms of Aminta Ghilyard. Ghilyard, the assistant coach with Eyekonz Sports […]
South Philly: Police Athletic League Provides A Safe Haven For Youths
The Police Athletic League of Philadelphia was created in 1947 by a police sergeant who wanted to create a baseball team made up of neighborhood kids who wanted to play. Since then, PAL has worked to build strong relationships in the communities around the city. PAL has also worked to keep the image of the […]
Oxford Circle: PAL Helps Neighborhood Youth Succeed
The Oxford Circle Police Athletic League is part of a nonprofit organization that seeks to build relationships between police officers and children within the neighborhood. Its goal is to keep kids off the street and to give them a safe place to come and have fun while learning valuable life lessons. Three years ago, Officer Bruno Estevez […]