Boys & Girls Club of Truckee Meadows’ Post

Check out my article on Candace Parker and her legacy in women's basketball.

Records are meant to be celebrated! The NCAA women’s volleyball championships were in Tampa last weekend and they did NOT disappoint. The virtually sold out crowd of 19,727 set the record of for indoor attendance at an NCAA women’s game. The spirited and passionate crowd, akin to a men’s college basketball rival matchup, traveled from the Midwest and South to chant and rally their cheers on finalists Nebraska and Texas. Spoiler alert: Texas repeated as NCAA champs. And the reason is pretty simple. Look, I went with my son who loves college volleyball. He’s been telling me how exciting Penn State men’s and women’s (BOTH) college volleyball is for 2 years. He loves the action, the athleticism and fast pace of the game. I had no idea of the fandom and followers. The rival bands played, the cheerleaders cheered, and the fans roared. The Nebraska Cornhuskers were favored but the Texas Longhorns dominated. Every point was a nailbiter. That Longhorn team executed a well crafted strategy that reminded me of the best leadership lessons and the assembly of a great team. Their formula was simple: 1. Assemble a team of the best experts 2. Create a plan to dominate and win 3. Execute cleanly and consistently with teamwork 4. Communicate well and Work for every point 5. Keep the members of the team positive even in the face of Adversity 6. Recover quickly from mistakes 7. Create unwavering fans 8. Have fun doing 1-7 And that’s why they are back to back champs. In front of a record setting amazing crowd. Me: Volleyball rocks! My son: I told you! #champions #winningstrategy #settingrecords #supportwomenssports

👩 2023, the year of the woman....or more importantly the year of women's sports. A quick recap: 🏒 Launching of the PWHL - fusing two prior semi-pro, poorly funded women's hockey leagues. The PWHL would also become the first women's league to launch with a CBA in their first year (by comparison the NWSL just got their CBA in 2022, over 9 years into the league's formation) ⚽ Expansion of the National Women's Soccer League (NWSL), with 3 new teams (Bay Area and Utah to kickoff in 2024, and Boston to kickoff in 2025). 🏐 The creation of the Pro Volleyball Federation (to start in early 2024, founding was technically in Nov of 22) and League One Volleyball Pro League (to start in Nov 2024) ⚽ United Soccer League (USL) Super League founding - to provide a connected pathway for the future of women's soccer in the United States 🏀 First ever WNBA (Women's National Basketball Association) game in Canada - Chicago Sky vs Minnesota Lynx 👏 92,000 fans packing a stadium to watch Nebraska Women's Volleyball and over 55,000 fans filling into Iowa stadium to watch Iowa Women's Basketball and the famed Caitlin Clark (heck her breakout tournament didn't even happen until March 2023) 📈 1.98M fans attending the Women's World Cup games in Australia/New Zealand (a more than 10k per game attendance increase over 2019) So while we can thank Taylor Swift (along with Travis Kelce) for helping contribute to the overall financial stability of the United States, it's women's sports and their continued positive impact that'll take us into 2024 and beyond. #womanssports #NWSL #PWHL #LOVB #ProVolleyballFederation #wnba #supportwomenssports

List of Top 14 Sports of the USA The United States is home to a wide variety of sports that capture the nation's enthusiasm and competitive spirit. 🇺🇸 From beloved classics like basketball, baseball, and American football to lesser-known pursuits such as lacrosse, surfing, and ice hockey, there's a sport for every preference. 🏀⚾🏈 Whether it's the excitement of the Super Bowl, the drama of the World Series, or the intensity of the NBA Finals, sports serve as a unifying force, bringing communities together and inspiring individuals to strive for excellence. 🏆 With a diverse range of athletic endeavors including traditional team sports, individual competitions, and niche activities, the USA stands as a vibrant hub of sporting culture. 🌟 From coast to coast, Americans embrace athleticism, teamwork, and dedication, making the nation a powerhouse in the world of sports. 🏅 Read more: https://bit.ly/3Q3OFyO #USASports #SportsCulture #Teamwork #Athleticism

https://lnkd.in/gsQswzeu It has to be just like this. Long may it continue #sportingdenver https://lnkd.in/gsQswzeu

The NCAA Final Four March Madness tournament kicks off the week for both men's and women's college basketball. Some statistics include: 1. Lowest-seeded champion: No. 8 Villanova (men, 1985) and No. 4 Louisiana Tech (women, 1988) 2. Most championships: UCLA with 11 (men) and UConn with 11 (women) 3. Most Final Four appearances: North Carolina with 20 (men) and UConn with 14 (women) 4. Undefeated teams in the Final Four: 7 men's teams (only 4 completed the season undefeated) and 8 women's teams (7 completed the season undefeated) 5. Biggest championship comeback: Kansas, 9 points with 2:12 left (men, 2008) and Maryland, 13 points with 14:02 left (women, 2006) 6. Highest Final Four attendance: 79,444 (men, 2017) and 29,619 (women, 2002) These statistics highlight the rich history and excitement surrounding both the men's and women's NCAA Final Four tournaments. #finalfour

I had a lot of haters while I was captaining USTA Northern California tennis teams. It wasn't just that we won--A LOT--but we stood for something that very few other teams in the Bay Area were willing to stand for: putting the best players in the lineup. You see, over the years, a philosophy had taken root that, if a team made it to championships, everybody on the team played.  I never understood this. My view on it was that there were plenty of opportunities to play recreational tennis, but we were playing at the most competitive amateur tournaments, so why not play to win? This was a scary position to take. I was a new captain and had to make decisions with the potential to hurt feelings and run the risk that I may not be able to recruit players who felt this was unfair. But guess what? None of that happened. In fact, the opposite happened. Good and competitive players flocked to my teams, thrilled to be part of a group that played to win and valued their contribution. Turns out that by taking an unpopular stand, I had inadvertently set myself up to recruit top talent. I had a clear vision for what I wanted the team to be and I stayed the course, despite the naysayers. Over the course of 4 years, we made it to 12 state championships and won them 4 times. As I now lead professional teams, I think a lot about my tennis days. I have a clear vision for the culture I want to create: one that goes deep, supports each other, and has a spirit of camaraderie inside and outside our meetings... and wins! And I’m not afraid to break the rules, make tough decisions, and do things differently from my peers. When was a time you went against the grain and came out on top? I’d love to know in the comments! #Leadership #TeamCulture #SuccessStory #Cameraderie

Unlocking the Structure of College Athletics: Football, Basketball, and More Learn how individual colleges structure their athletic departments, focusing on the University of Florida and Maryland. Explore the separate entities for football, basketball, lacrosse, and other sports, including the impact of NIL deals. Understand the unique organizational challenges and opportunities in college athletics. #CollegeAthletics #Football #Basketball #Lacrosse #NILDeals #UniversitySports #AthleticDepartments #OrganizationalStructure #FloridaGators #MarylandAthletics

Houston Cougars should take advantage of fact that men's college basketball does not have truly great team and win first national title. Check out my latest opinion article for Regal Mag. #regalmag #sports #collegesports #houstontx

Alex Senior Firsts Hockey Semi-Final Sometimes in life, victory is not measured solely by the number on the scoreboard. It is in the lessons learned, the bonds forged, and the indomitable spirit that emerges from the depths of adversity. Such is the paradox of the Alexandra College semi-final in the Leinster Hockey Cup last week. While the outcome may not have been what we desired, a parent remarked that the girls are both 'losers' and 'winners'. It is a notion that encapsulates the essence of overcoming dreadful adversity, personal pain, and hardship. In the face of setbacks and challenges, it takes tremendous bravery to dust oneself off and get back in the saddle. The Alexandra College community showcased this remarkable resilience, demonstrating the unwavering determination to rise above difficulty and heartbreak. Moreover, the experience of the semi-final instilled a powerful sense of school spirit. It unified students, teachers, parents, and supporters, creating a common thread that stitched the whole of Alex together. The unwavering support from Gavin Groves, the dedicated hockey coaches, and the incredible parents and supporters played an instrumental role in providing an opportunity for the girls to thrive and grow again. Today, I want to give a huge shout out to Gavin Groves who stood by the team every step of the way. His unwavering dedication and belief in these young athletes have not gone unnoticed. As we reflect on this remarkable journey, let it serve as a reminder that setbacks are not the end, but merely stepping stones towards greatness. The Alexandra College semi-final may not have resulted in victory, but it has ignited a fire within these remarkable young athletes. So, watch out Ireland, for we are on the hockey march again. Let us harness this experience, learn from it, and emerge stronger and more determined than ever before. Together, we shall conquer new heights and redefine what it means to be winners and survivors. #AlexandraCollege #LeinsterHockeyCup #Resilience #SchoolSpirit #OvercomingAdversity #HockeyMarch #Inspiration #Determination #Growth