The youngest players seem almost too small for their bodies to support a helmet and pads, but their passion for football is unmistakable. The Great Lakes Recreational Football League (GLRFL), with players as young as seven, kicked off its inaugural season this fall. Games feature the same sights (thrilling plays, vocal coaches, enthusiastic cheerleaders), sounds
Lacing up a pair of boxing gloves and stepping into a ring was the furthest thing from an 11-year-old Claressa Shields’ mind. She was too busy dealing with a difficult, at times transient childhood, and just trying to fit in at the Beecher School District’s Dailey Elementary. The young Shields could be hot-tempered, which sometimes
From the time the gates open in the spring through its final race in the fall, the Richfield Park BMX track in Davison is abuzz with activity. Racers, some among the nation’s best in their age groups, duel twice a week as they sharpen their skills and prepare for national competition. Their ranks include Davison’s
On an ideal evening for high school football in September of 2011, Woodberry Forest School junior quarterback, Jacob Rainey, took a snap during a pre-season scrimmage in Oakton, Virginia and as he scrambled for yardage, suffered a horrific injury. The player, who had begun attracting college attention, lay on the field in agony, his right
The 61st Greater Flint Olympian and CANUSA Games kicked off on July 11 with official Opening Ceremonies at Northwestern High School’s Guy V. Houston Stadium. All Flint and Genesee County residents were invited to attend the festivities which began with a Physical Fitness Walk at 9:30am, followed by an official opening of the Games, a
Several barriers, or at least what he was told were going to be barriers, were thrown in Chris Wilson’s way as he fought to realize his dream of playing in the National Football League. In school, a teacher laughed at his aspirations and he was told by others he might be too undersized for the
During a busy Spring Break trip to New York, Olivia Bennett was visiting colleges and taking in attractions with her family. In the midst of all the activity, Bennett, then a Powers Catholic High School sophomore, thought of something that had recently arrived for her in the mail. Being in New York reminded her of
Some have come from distant cities, towns, states and even countries, while others have not journeyed nearly as far. They have come from many different professions, backgrounds and stages of life. All have come together to go Rogue. The venerable Flint Rogues Rugby Club is celebrating its 45th year, making this ever-colorful collection of hard-nosed,
Handling the retirement of surefire, first-ballot Hall of Famer David Ortiz was not the only major issue facing the Boston Red Sox during the past offseason. The man credited with prolonging Ortiz’s career and ensuring that his final season was one of his most productive – Director of Sports Medicine Services, Dan Dyrek – was
Even as a seven-year-old, Drew DeRidder was displaying the maturity and courage to trust his instincts and recognize when a change was needed. Growing up in a hockey family – his father, James, is a former high school and travel team player and youth coach – the Fenton resident took to the ice as a
With his chiseled physique, steely gaze, amped-up demeanor and tattoos snaking around his body, Troy Lamson leaves little doubt that he is a rising Mix Martial Arts star. Dubbed “Pretty Boy,” the Flint native and former Kearsley High School and Michigan State wrestler has always been fiercely goal-oriented and that is evidenced by the way
“Being a head coach has been a personal goal, but I wasn’t sure when it was going to happen.” Ryan Oulahen To say the date of March 27, 2009 marked a turning point in the hockey life of Ryan Oulahen would be a major understatement. Then 24, the left winger was a Detroit Red
