NYO Magazine Spring 2026

CONTENTS Featuring SEASON AFTER SEASON

BY Jenni Coleman PHOTOS Glenny Brown

From the moment the festivities began, the energy was undeniable!

4 CELEBRATING KATE

NYO alumna Kate Harpring is very good at basketball–like, best-in-the-entire country good.

6

THE LEGACY SUITE

Transformation of the Wilkins Field press box will serve NYO players, families, and the broader community for years to come.

8

NYO NAMES

Congrats to NYO greats Larry Bennett, Brian Raley, Steve Silverstein and William Rittenberg for their NYO Names featured on softball scoreboards.

SEASON AFTER SEASON

NYO

Opening Day 2026 was nothing short of spectacular. With clear blue skies and bright sunshine setting the scene, the day was filled with excitement from start to finish. Balloons floated through the air, adding color and energy to an already electric atmosphere. Players, families, and fans gathered to celebrate the start of the season, and the sense of community was felt everywhere you looked.

From the moment the festivities began, the energy was undeniable! Teams showed up with incredible spirit, proudly representing their team with creative flair, bold colors,

EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR

Josh Burr

EDITOR

Stacie Gotllieb

DESIGN/PRODUCTION

Kendall Young

CONTRIBUTORS

Glenny Brown, Photography

Eric Sharp, Contributor

Jenni Coleman, Contributor

Chesny Young, Writer

ADVERTISING

Barbara Jackson

NEW SOUTH PUBLISHING, INC.

Robyn Sobelson

John Hanna

Megan Willis

Amy Fine nyosports.com nyosportsreport.com @nyosports facebook.com/nyosports

The NYO SportsReport is published seasonally for Northside Youth Organization (NYO) by New South Publishing, Inc., 9040 Roswell Road, Suite 210, Atlanta, GA 30350. For advertising, circulation, or editorial inquiries, contact Barbara Jackson: thejackson04@gmail.com For publishing or mailing questions: info@nspmag.com

©2026 Northside Youth Organization. All rights reserved. No portion of this publication may be reproduced without written permission from the publisher. Information contained in this publication is believed to be accurate; however, the publisher assumes no responsibility for errors or omissions.

CelebratingKate

BY Chesny Young

INYO alumna Kate Harpring is very good at basketball–like, best-in-the-entire country good.

n no particular order, Kate Harpring’s list of high school basketball accolades includes: 2026 McDonald’s High School All American, two-time Gatorade Georgia Girls Basketball Player of the Year, 2026 Naismith Girls High School Player of the Year, two-time 4A State Champion, UNC Women’s Basketball commit, USA Basketball Gold medalist, and the all-time state record holder for total points scored by a high school girls player with 3,435 career points.

The SportsReport would like to highlight one of Kate’s less well known statistical achievements, one that

has played a major role in making her other accolades possible and offers a glimpse into who Kate is as a player and a person: her uncanny knack for rebounding, which has made her Marist School’s all-time leading rebounder. A rebound is a statistic and an action awarded to a basketball player who retrieves the ball after a missed field goal or free throw attempt. Kate averaged 11.2 rebounds per game her senior year—roughly triple the national average for high school guards like Kate and about double the average for forwards and centers.

Rebounding is hard work. Chasing down the basketball, or attempting to chase down the basketball, requires large investments of energy.

To successfully rebound as much as Kate Harpring does demands grit, effort, intention, endurance, instincts, and the humility to assume every shot–including your own–may miss. More than any of her headline accolades, Kate’s elite rebounding numbers say something about her character.

Enter Matt Harpring, an 11-year NBA veteran and Kate’s father, who said after his daughter’s final high school game, “Let me tell you… its easier being the player than it is being the parent of a player.” When we spoke with Matt, he was decompressing the day after watching that final game—a game that ended with both a state championship trophy and a new alltime scoring record for his daughter. “I feel like I can finally breathe,” he said. Those

headline accolades carry weight, even for a proud–and exhausted–father.

Matt Harpring ran summer basketball camps on NYO’s court for nearly a decade. Along with his wife, Amanda, he helped guide all five of their children through NYO’s sports leagues. In those summer camps, Matt emphasized the same mentality that defined his NBA career: “earn what you get, and get what you earn.” His daughter Kate was clearly listening. Few statistics embody that mindset like rebounding.

The next stop for Kate is the University of North Carolina and the ever-changing landscape of college athletics. All of NYO congratulates Kate Harpring and wishes her the best of luck on and off the court–and, of course, happy rebounding!

NYO CLASS OF 2026 LEAVES ITS MARK ON WILKINS FIELD

The NYO Baseball Class of 2026 is proud to introduce one of the program’s first annual graduation legacy gifts, the transformation of the Wilkins Field press box into an upgraded Legacy Suite that will serve NYO players, families, and the broader community for years to come.

Created as a meaningful gift from the 12U baseball class of 2026, this project reflects both the generosity of the class and the strong sense of community that makes NYO so special. More than simply a facility improvement, the Legacy Press Box Project is designed to enhance the overall game-day experience while creating a lasting contribution that future NYO families will enjoy.

The vision for the project began when a group of 12U NYO moms decided that they wanted a more

Wilkins

BY Melissa Nowak

enjoyable, social, and comfortable place to watch their children play — especially during long game days and unpredictable weather. But this group didn’t just imagine the idea — they helped carry it forward, organizing support, coordinating plans, and turning the vision into a reality.

Because community and connection are such an important part of the NYO experience, the goal was to create a welcoming space where families could gather together while still being part of the action at the ballpark. The renovated press box will feature climate control, protection from rain and other weather elements, electricity for charging phones and devices, and a comfortable environment where families can connect and enjoy games together.

Additional upgrades include the installation of a television that will eventually allow families to tap into sibling games happening on other NYO fields. And, thanks to a generous donation from The Christopher League, the audio systems throughout the space have also been upgraded to enhance the overall game-day atmosphere.

What began as a simple idea has grown into a meaningful legacy project that reflects the heart of NYO — family, fellowship, and a shared commitment to strengthening the experience for future players and families. More than a renovation, this project represents the NYO Baseball Class of 2026 proudly leaving its mark on Wilkins Field and the future of NYO baseball. Even more importantly, the Class of 2026 hopes this project will inspire future graduating classes to invest in the NYO community that so many families proudly call home throughout the season.

Special thanks to the Legacy Committee who helped bring this vision to life:

Meredith Galla, Greer Howard, Steve and Melissa Nowak, and Rob Sanford

NYO NAMES SOFTBALL FIELDS

There is a not too far-fetched idea out there that each one of us dies two different deaths. The first is physical and the second is figurative. The first death, of course, is when the body stops functioning and the second death is the last time the person’s name is ever said.

Fast forward to August 2124. Precocious Peter, age twelve, NYO hat on, freckle faced, ears, carrying a battery powered, AI integrated baseball bat that is low on charge, asks his mother,

“Mom. What is Bennett?”

“What Pete?” She says.

“Bennett. It says Bennett Field on the scoreboard over there.”

“Oh,” says mom, “Not sure… a person. Mr. Bennett was probably someone important.”

NYO recently named softball fields after Mr. Larry Bennett, Brian Raley, Steve Silverstein and William Rittenberg. And just as the average person now-a-days could not tell you much about Wrigley the chewing gum company, Boston’s FenwayKenmore neighborhood, or Ted Turner, Precocious Peter won’t ever know much about Larry Bennett of Bennett Field. But, he will say his name.

And same goes for Mr. Brian Raley of Raley Field. Precocious Peter will not know the trials, tribulations, joys, and pleasures of commissioning NYO’s softball leagues for decades or how

well liked a commissioner must be to hold the role for that long. But when Pete passes SB3 on the way to the AI-baseball-bat-chargingstation he’ll see the name “Raley” on the scoreboard pull out his phone and say,

“Hey Siri.”

“Uhh huhh.”

“Raley field. NYO park. Who is Raley?”

“Here’s what I found on Israeli field, baseball park. Check it out.”

The same will be said for Mr. Steve Silverstein of Silverstein Field and Mr. William Rittenberg of Rittenberg Field whose unmatched dedication to NYO’s softball teams, Precocious Pete will never know. But as Pete’s bat is charging at the charging station in year 2124, he’ll put those big ears of his to use and notice loud screaming coming from across the park. Curious, he’ll asks the girl sitting next to him, who is also charging her softball bat,

“Where the sigma is all the commotion coming fronck?”

And she’ll say “Urm, its pajama night. The girls are screaming their heads off.”

“What field?” Pete asks.

“Rittenberg…..No….Silverstein I think.”

And someone will have said William Rittenberg and Steve Silverstein’s name in casual conversation.

So congrats. Congrats to NYO greats Larry Bennett, Brian Raley, Steve Silverstein and William Rittenberg like it or not, on an extended life. Your names will continue to be said around NYO for a very long time.

BY Chesny Young

and enthusiastic cheers. Both the baseball and softball teams brought their A-game—not just on the field, but in their team pride and camaraderie. Local school mascots made appearances throughout the day, engaging with the crowd and adding to the fun, while the Children’s Healthcare of Atlanta mascots brought smiles to fans of all ages.

A highlight of the day was the presence of the Atlanta Braves Heavy Hitters, who energized the crowd and kept the excitement going between events. The celebration kicked off with a parade, bringing all teams together in a powerful display of unity and pride. The parade led into a special moment as Atlanta United goalkeeper Brad Guzan took the mound to throw out the ceremonial first pitch, marking the official start of the season.

Former Atlanta United goalkeeper, Brad Guzan is testimony that youth sports can make an impact that lasts a lifetime.

The 2025 NYO Cheer Season was an exciting time filled with practices, football games, and the infamous NYO Cheer Off! 2025 NYO Cheer consisted of 32 squads, 130 Volunteer Coaches/Squad Parents and 500+ Cheerleaders grades K-8th!

All Commissioners volunteer their time by serving a specific league as well as heading up different facets of the program, all while also acting as Squad Coaches!

At the NYO Cheer Off squads compete and perform a routine they have worked hard on all season! The top 3 winning teams are recognized with trophies.

NYO Cheer is a comprehensive recreational cheer program that introduces athletes to all aspects of cheerleading in a fun, structured, and supportive environment. In conjunction with NYO’s overall mission, our program is designed to build confidence, teamwork, and fundamental cheer skills while emphasizing participation, sportsmanship, and personal growth.

Emily Bacon -COMMISSIONER

SENIORS 6-8TH

Kelly Blum & Natalie Battisti

CO-COMMISSIONERS

BIGS 3-5TH

Jana Wood & Katie Taylor

CO-COMMISSIONERS

LITTLES K-2ND

CHEER

BY Emily Bacon

2025 CHAMPIONS

1st Place Bigs Saints

SOPHIA TOLEDO, MARY FULLER AND CLAIRE CUMMINGS

2nd Place Bigs Cowboys

JANA FLEMING, BETSEY OLIVER AND CHARISSA DECKELMAN

3rd Place Bigs Seminoles

AUBREY TOWSON AND MADDIE SMITH 1st Place Littles 20

COACH ERIN SPENCE 2nd Place Littles 13

JANA WOOD AND NATALIE BATTISTI 3rd Place Littles 18

KATE SAXON

TRAVEL SOFTBALL

The ATL Patriots Softball Program at NYO continues to grow with a clear mission: provide the highest level of player development in Atlanta. What sets our program apart is our coaching and development staff; a group of former Division I athletes, professional players, and experienced coaches dedicated to developing athletes both on and off the field.

Throughout the season, Patriots athletes participate in Player Development Practices (PDPs), Speed & Strength Training (SST), and specialized camps, giving players consistent opportunities to improve their skills, athletic performance, and softball IQ.

The Patriots program emphasizes not only skill development, but also leadership, work ethic, and a competitive mindset that prepares athletes for the next level.

With continued growth and strong community support through NYO, we are excited for each season of developing confident, competitive athletes both on and off the field.

Kayla Cato - Program Director

Former professional softball player, Head Varsity softball coach at Pace Academy

14U ATL Head Coach

Taylor Yates - Program Coordinator

Former college softball player, Head Varsity softball coach at Riverwood HS

12U ATL Head Coach

Taryn Williams - former college softball player, Head Varsity softball coach at Decatur HS

12U ATL Head Coach

Katie Goldberg - former Division 1 college softball player with University of Virginia

14U ATL Head Coach

Summer Camp Registration:

Eliana Gottlieb - former D1 college softball player

Georgia Tech & Oklahoma State

16U ATL Head Coach

Jessica Perschka - former college softball player

16U ATL Head Coach

Ciara Bryan - Current professional softball player, UGA softball Alum - ATL Player Development Coach

Summer Camps

At NYO ages: 6-13

May 27th - May 30th 10am - 3pm

June 2nd - June 6th 10am - 3pm

June 9th - June 13th 10am - 3pm

...GROUNDBREAKING

This progress has been made possible by the extraordinary generosity of NYO families, alumni, and community supporters, along with the leadership of the NYO Board and Campaign Committee.

With $27.8 million raised, NYO is now in the final stretch of the campaign. A limited number of naming opportunities remain, and all donors of $10,000 and above will be recognized on a permanent donor wall within the new facilities.

We invite the entire NYO community to be part of this moment. These final dollars are critical to closing the gap, unlocking remaining City funding, and bringing the full vision to life. Every gift matters - join us in building this next chapter for NYO and the generations of young athletes it will serve!

Children’s team members Scott Burfitt, VP, Orthopedic & Sports Medical Center; Cliff Willimon, MD, Chief, Orthopedics & Sports Medicine Center; Linda Matzigkeit, Chief Administrative Officer; Ron Frieson, Chief Operating Officer; and Evin Gordon, Sports Marketing Director celebrate the groundbreaking of Children’s newest location at Chastain Park with Children’s mascots Hope and Will. CONTINUES FROM PAGE 2

Soon a new community room, gyms, health and wellness space, training areas and the city run parking deck.

Featuring GROUNDBREAKING

BY Eric Sharp PHOTOS Glenny Brown

NYO is proud to recognize Executive Director

Josh Burr and Board Vice President of Facilities

Larry Bennett for their leadership in bringing the Sharing the Gift Campaign to life. Larry’s steady guidance and expertise have been instrumental in planning and executing the transformation of NYO’s campus, while Josh’s leadership has driven the vision forward with clarity and purpose. Together, their efforts are helping deliver a new generation of facilities that will expand access, elevate the experience for every athlete and family, and ensure that NYO continues to serve as a cornerstone of the community for years to come.

4 WHAT A GIFT!

The Sharing the Gift Campaign, a $28.7 million effort, is transforming...

RYANS’ NEST

Like most parents, The Ryans see youth sports as a healthy, meaningful way for their kids...

HEALTHY TIPS

Dr. Ashley Brouillette from CHOA shares strategies to prevent overuse injuries.

Executive Committee

Clete McGinty PRESIDENT

Mark Elliott GOVERNMENT LIAISON

Spencer Patton VP

Kenneth Saffold CHAIRMAN

Larry Bennett VP FACILITIES

Ross Conway TREASURER

Jenni Coleman SECRETARY

Josh Burr EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR

Jane Wilkins BOARD EMERITUS

At-large / Committee Assignments

Tom Fanning – John Miller – Che Barbour

Brian Vogler – Billy Small – Ryan Glover

Luke Bayer – Drew Moyer – Brad Guzan

Allan Gottlieb

Auxiliary Chairs

Ansley Thomas SOFTBALL

Emily Kaineg BASEBALL

Michelle Robinson FOOTBALL

Alison Strok BOYS BASKETBALL

Amy French FLAG FOOTBALL

League Commissioners / Directors

Andrea McGrath GIRLS BASKETBALL

Brian Raley SOFTBALL

Jake Espenlaub BOYS BASKETBALL

Cliff Barshay BASEBALL

John Baker FOOTBALL

Emily Bacon CHEERLEADING

Marchant Young ALUMNI

Kendall Young BRAND/TECHNOLOGY

Charles Pledger DEVELOPMENT

Russell Harrell FLAG FOOTBALL

Dan Giordano TRAVEL BASEBALL

Jacob Morton CLUB BASKETBALL

Kayla Cato TRAVEL SOFTBALL

Robert Harris FOOTBALL 7 V 7

Quincy Avery DIVERSITY

Marc Harrigan

GROUND

We marked a major milestone on Saturday, March 14, 2026 with a ceremonial groundbreaking for the next phase of NYO campus improvements. Held in partnership with the City of Atlanta Department of Parks and Recreation, project architect TVS, and construction partner SG Contracting, the event was part of NYO’s Opening Day 2026 celebration and brought together families, supporters, and community leaders.

The groundbreaking represents continued momentum in NYO’s $28.7 million Sharing the Gift Campaign, a transformative effort to enhance facilities, expand programming, and increase access to youth sports across Atlanta.

Campaign investments include a new gymnasium and renovation of the existing facility to double indoor capacity, modernized fields and spectator areas, expanded opportunities for girls and adaptive sports, and growth of NYO’s scholarship program to serve more underserved youth. Earlier progress includes the completed renovation of Fanning Field, now one of the region’s premier youth football and baseball facilities.

Once complete, the expanded campus will significantly elevate the experience for NYO families and enable new training, skills development, and wellness programming. Partnerships with organizations such as Children’s Healthcare of Atlanta will further strengthen offerings focused on safety, injury prevention, and overall well-being.

What a Gift

Campaign Strengthening NYO for the Future

The Sharing the Gift Campaign, a $28.7 million effort, is transforming the NYO campus through a series of facility improvements designed to enhance youth sports experiences and expand opportunities for families across Atlanta.

Campaign projects include:

•Building a new NYO gymnasium and renovating the existing gym to double indoor capacity for programming, specifically expanding girls and adaptive sports offerings.

•Upgrading and modernizing NYO’s athletic fields, as well as expanded gathering areas and improve spectator amenities.

•Expanding NYO’s annual scholarship program for underserved youth across Atlanta.

Earlier phases of the campaign have already delivered meaningful improvements, including the completed renovation of Fanning Field, which has quickly become one of the premier youth football facilities in the region.

As a better user experience, the new facility will allow NYO to transform its programming ability by adding new specialized skills and training programs that will provide new opportunities for young athletes. The additional space also allows NYO to deepen partnership with organizations such as Children’s Healthcare of Atlanta who can provide programming and training for kids and parents alike that will increase safety, reduce injury, and improve physical and mental well-being.

Partnership with the City of Atlanta

NYO leaders emphasize that the project reflects a strong publicprivate partnership with the City of Atlanta Department of Parks and Recreation, which shares NYO’s commitment to providing high-quality recreational opportunities for young people.

“Chastain Park is one of Atlanta’s most treasured community spaces, and organizations like NYO play an essential role in activating it for young people and families,” said Justin Cutler, Commissioner of Parks and Recreation, City of Atlanta. “We are proud to partner with NYO on improvements that will serve youth and families across our city.”

$2,000,000 + A Friend of NYO

City of Atlanta

Brumfield GenRev Foundation

$500,000 +

Friends of NYO

The Douglas J. Hertz Family Foundation

The Sam Asbury Foundation

$100,000 +

Megan and Jordan Bayersdorfer

Arthur M. Blank Family Foundation

Coca-Cola Foundation

Connolly Family Foundation

Georgia Power &

Southern Company Foundation

Kelly Loeffler and Jeff Sprecher

Kauffman Family

R. Davis Noell

Northside Athletes Foundation

Sarah and Matt Ryan

Sartain Lanier Family Foundation

Shailendra Family

Friends of NYO

John Baker

Liz and Frank Blake

Alison Brown

Andrew and Mandy Cathy

A Friend of NYO

Jeff Armstrong

Around the Table Foundation

Greg and Reid Ashley

Larry and Debbie Bennett

Greg and Gretchen Binney

The Burr Family

Charlie and Betsy Caswell

Carmen and Jason Chartrand

Ross and Margaret Conway

Mara Cunningham

Laura Deisley

Mike Drum

$1,000,000 +

Friends of NYO

Children’s Healthcare of Atlanta

Tom and Sarah Fanning

The Galloway School

The Marcus Foundation

$250,000 +

Bayer Family

Jesse Itzler and Sara Blakely

The Fraser-Parker Foundation

The William Small Family

$50,000 +

Josh, Cheryl, Annabeth, & Tanner Champion

Erin and Tony Cox Family

Mark and Laurie Elliott

Charlie Kauss

Tommy and Beth Holder

William Rittenberg

Linda and Abe Schear

Susan and Jay Smith

SouthState Bank

The Vetter Family

$25,000 +

Allan and Stacie Gottlieb

Brad Guzan

Hadley Laughlin

Pat Mancuso

Austin McDonald

Chuck and Kathie Palmer

$10,000 +

Brian Dykes

Allison and Jake Espenlaub

Angi and Michael Evert

The Graves Family

Hardin Family

Laura Haren

Donna and Paul Hyland

Kesterton Family

Leslie and Charles King

Linda and J.P. Matzigkeit

Clete and Vicki McGinty

Middour Investments

Drew and Ansly Moyer

The Nowak Family

The Pavloff Family

Craig Pittman

David Ratcliffe

Akilah and Kenneth Saffold

David, Helen, & Marian

Woodward Fund

Eric Olsen

The Halpern Oppenheimer Family

The Philipson Family

Robert and Hila Roberts

Robert Sanford

James “Bubba” Sloan

Josh and Allison Solomon

Shea and Sarah Treadway Family

Beau Turner

Rhett Turner

Judson Wallace

Alicia and Tony Watkins

The Womack Family

Community Support Drives Campaign Progress

The campaign has been fueled by the generosity of NYO families, alumni, community supporters, and philanthropic leaders.

NYO leaders also recognize the dedicated leadership of the NYO Board of Directors and Campaign Committee, as well as the broader NYO community, whose generosity and volunteer leadership have helped move the campaign forward.

“NYO has always been built by the community,” said Josh Burr, Executive Director. “The support we’ve seen for this campaign reflects how much this organization means to generations of families across Atlanta.”

Field of Dreams Area to Feature Braves Partnership

Plans for the NYO campus also include enhancements surrounding the Field of Dreams field, to improve the spectator experience for families and fans.

Through a special partnership with the Atlanta Braves, the overlook will incorporate stadium seating from Truist Park donated by the Braves Foundation, helping create a unique gathering space that celebrates Atlanta’s baseball heritage while enhancing the NYO campus.

Campaign Nearing Completion

The Sharing the Gift Campaign has now raised $27.8 million toward its $28.7 million goal,

bringing NYO into the final stage of fundraising.

A limited number of naming opportunities and community giving opportunities remain available for supporters interested in helping complete the campaign vision.

“Today’s groundbreaking is an exciting step forward,” said Clete McGinty, NYO Board President. “With the continued support of the NYO community, we are confident we will reach the finish line.”

Kid-friendly environment

Preventive care and cleanings

Compassionate, experienced staff

New patients accepted

Call today to schedule your child’s visit!

Bright Smiles Start Here!

At Children’s Dentistry of Chastain, we make dental visits fun, friendly, and fear-free for kids of all ages! Our caring team specializes in gentle pediatric dentistry, helping little smiles grow healthy and strong.

Where Happy, Healthy Smiles Shine Bright!

After a successful 15-year NFL career, Matt Ryan recently accepted a new role with the Atlanta Falcons that has the city buzzing.

As President of Football, Ryan will oversee “anything that touches the grass.” The job, he says, will be more time consuming than his previous TV role with CBS, which had clearly defined on- and off-season working hours. This one? No off-season.

BY Chesny Young

No one would bat an eye if you said Matt Ryan’s life revolves around the NFL and the Atlanta Falcons – except maybe, Ryan himself, who says, “So much of our family’s life right now revolves around NYO.”

Matt and his wife, Sarah Ryan, have three sons: twin eight-year-olds and a three-year-old. The twins play flag football and baseball with NYO, and their youngest is set to start tee ball next year. “We’re there a bunch,” Ryan said when asked how much time his family spends at the park. “Youth sports were such a big part of my wife’s and my childhood – we want the same for the boys.”

Like most parents, The Ryans see youth sports as a healthy, meaningful way for their kids to spend their time. When asked about how NYO – and youth sports more broadly – can positively impact his sons’ lives, Ryan rattled off the usual benefits: staying active, having fun, and making friends. But he lingered on how important it is to him that his sons become comfortable being part of a team.

“ I’m a big believer in team sports specifically. ”

“You learn valuable lessons being part of a team. No matter which team sport it is, kids learn how to listen to coaches, they learn how to get along with their other teammates, how to deal with ups and downs – strikeouts, mistakes, bouncing back after an error. That’s where I think the real value lies.”

While Matt and Sarah see NYO as a place for growth and life lessons for their boys, the Ryan boys see NYO as a place for tasty food at the park’s concession stand. The boys –including Matt – gave the NYO concession stand two thumbs. “The concession stand is my son’s favorite place to eat in Atlanta,” Ryan said with a laugh. “Its pretty dang good – I’ve got to give them credit.”

With Matt’s new role with the Falcons, the Ryans will continue to call Atlanta home for the foreseeable future. That means more long nights at the park, more games, more fun – and more concession stand visits. NYO is both proud and lucky to be a small… or big part of the Ryan’s family’s routine.

“And you never know,” Ryan said while wrapping up his conversation with The SportsReport,

“ I’m always scouting. ”

2025 CHAMPIONS

NYO Football is alive and well as evidenced by a record number of players in our league during the 2025 season. In total, over 900 eager young players took to the NYO gridiron this past year.

NYO Flag Football gains momentum every season. Originally established in 2013, our Flag Football program fielded 38 teams in 2025, covering Kindergarten, 1st Grade, and 2nd Grade players, with registrations seeing our Flag program reach capacity very early prior to the start of preseason practices. And as safety remains the top priority, we introduced required padded headgear for all flag players.

NYO Tackle Football continues to be the best approach in our community for young players to learn to play this great team sport. Originally started in 1951 by legendary Coach Bob Blackwell, our tackle program fielded 31 teams in 2025 covering 3rd, 4th, 5th, and 6th grades. NYO offers football for 7th graders through a partnership program coached by an NYO alumnus who is also on the staff at Riverwood High School. This approach has worked very well for players looking to start playing for their respective schools with game competitions coming from other schools and youth programs.

It was a tremendous football season in 2025, and we look forward to another exciting year ahead with NYO Football.

BIGS Cowboys

BY Russell Harrell

PEE WEE Knights

FLAG

Ballers K / 1ST GRADERS CURTIS WHITAKER

BASKETBALL

LEAGUE CHAMPIONS

Warriors

SENIORS

Crimson Tide

SEC Tarheels

ACC

Longhorns

BIG 12

Volunteers

AAA LEAGUE

Yellow Jackets

AA LEAGUE

Crimson Tide A LEAGUE

Yellow Jackets

ROOKIE

Horned Frogs DEVELOPMENTAL

2026 CHAMPIONS

With the ongoing NYO gym addition/renovation, the 2025-2026 Boys Basketball season was expected to be a little bit more stressful than in years past. Thanks to our great partner gyms, league directors, volunteers/coaches, referees, and families/players, we had a great year that largely went off without a hitch.

All leagues remained completely full and the level of basketball was great. We look forward to the 2026-2027 season as the new NYO

Prolongedpain

Limited range of motion Limping

Swelling

As more children and teens participate in organized sports, doctors are seeing an alarming increase in the number of young athletes suffering from overuse injuries. Nearly half of all sports injuries in middle and high school students are caused by overuse.

What is an overuse injury?

An overuse injury is damage to a bone, muscle, ligament or tendon due to repetitive stress. These injuries occur over time, usually from improper training or improper technique when performing repetitive motions, like running, overhead throwing or serving a ball in tennis, and can occur in any sport.

TIPS FOR PREVENTING OVERUSE INJURIES

Preventing overuse injuries

One reason for the increase in these types of injuries is that more young children, sometimes as young as seven, are focusing on one sport year-round, which leaves these athletes vulnerable to overtraining, stress and burnout.

Strategies to prevent overuse injuries:

Schedule your teen for an annual physical evaluation before participating in sports. Schedule a sports motion analysis session to have your teen’s mechanics analyzed.

Warm up before an activity by jogging in place or doing walking lunges.

Take at least one day off each week and at least three months off during the year.

Encourage your child to try a variety of sports involving different movement patterns and muscle groups.

Ensure sports equipment and protective gear fit and are worn properly.

Dr. Ashley Brouillette is a pediatric sports medicine primary care physician at Children’s Healthcare of Atlanta

CHILDREN’S CORNER

TRAVEL BASEBALL

The ATL Lightning enters its 7th summer in the highly competitive travel baseball circuit and will boast 16 teams across six age groups (13U-18U) in 2026. The program continues to shine since its inception in 2020, and now fields 250+ athletes and 50+ coaches. ATL continues to be one of the top destinations in town for aspiring baseball players looking for highly competitive teams that will help them develop their skills to play high school and college baseball. ATL has 61 players commit to play college baseball, attending schools like Georgia Tech, Clemson, Harvard, Yale, Wofford, Emory, Rhodes and more.

ATL offers more than just teams – it is becoming the go-to organization for all your baseball training needs from ages 7 through college. Lightning offers various camps and clinics throughout the year for all ages and skill levels. They have high level private instructors who are available for individual and small group lessons.

The ATL Lightning teams will kick off their summer slate with 13U in late April, with the high school level teams beginning Mid-May.

Dan Giordano Program Director

Josh Kornblum Director of Baseball Operations

Chico Lizarraga Director of Player Development

Brandon Fish Director of Hitting

Michael Shepherd Director of College Recruiting

Summer Camps

At NYO ages: 5-13

May 27th - May 30th 9am - 2pm

June 2nd - June 6th 9am - 2pm

June 9th - June 13th 9am - 2pm

Summer Camp Registration:

FOOTBALL 7 v 7

The program will consist of competitive 7v7 teams, skill development training, and camps. with a goal to provide an environment where players of all size and skill levels can thrive.

As the Red Devils 7v7 season comes to a close, it has been a strong and competitive year across the program. We fielded 12 teams from 12U–18U and celebrated multiple championship performances while continuing to develop our athletes’ skills, confidence, and football IQ. More importantly, we’ve created an environment where players are challenged, supported, and able to grow both on and off the field.

This spring, we are continuing that development through our small group training opportunities, including our Boys Skills & Drills League (1st–6th grade) and Girls Skills & Drills Flag League (3rd–8th grade), designed to build fundamentals and keep athletes engaged in a fun, competitive setting.

We are also excited to offer our ATL Red Devils Camp Series this summer. These camps are open to athletes of all sizes and skill levels—from beginners learning the game to experienced players looking to elevate their performance. Campers will focus on tackling, blocking, catching, throwing, route running, ball handling, and defensive techniques in a fun, safe, and encouraging environment.

Summer Camps

At NYO grades: 1st – 7th

June 15th - June 18th 10am - 2pm

July 20th - July 23rd 10:30am - 2pm

Summer Camp Registration:

Rob Harris Program Director

Shai Scott-Shorty 12U Director

Bundre Conway 13/14 Director

Anthony Swain 15U Director

Marcus Rice 18U Director

CLUB BASKETBALL

The ATL Bucks have 13 teams this year across boys’ and girls’ 3rd Grade - 11th Grade. We’re early in the season but our Girls 10th grade have achieved runners-up and champions in consecutive weekends. We have 150+ athletes involved in the program and roughly 25 coaches.

India Allen - Anthony Van Patten

3rd/4th GRADE GIRLS

Peyton Whitted

6th/7th GRADE GIRLS

Ro Owens

8th GRADE GIRLS

Julius Brown - Lakiah Sims

9th and 10th GRADE GIRLS

Chase McKey - Jordan Johnson

3rd GRADE BOYS

Amar Medatia - Okeh Ugwonali

4th GRADE BOYS

Riley Van Patten

5th GRADE BOYS

Lio Gedeon - Chris Jacobs

6th GRADE BOYS Gold

Darrick Wilkins, Ty Mitchell, Teddy Nelson

6th GRADE BOYS Black

Melo Garrick - Caelan Wright

7th GRADE BOYS

Anthony Witherspoon - Caelan Wright

8th GRADE BOYS

Aris Wade - Eric Leiserson

9th GRADE BOYS

Summer Camps

At Sutton 6th Grade Campus

Boys and Girls in 1st – 7th grade

May 26th - May 29th 9am - 3pm

Summer Camp

Registration:

Jacob Morton Program Director