Registration underway for Friday Night Lights 7v7
By Samantha Holman, Event Specialist
Although the Super Bowl marks the end of football season for much of the country, it’s just the beginning in College Station, thanks to the new Friday Night Lights 7v7 football league.
Unlike traditional youth recreational leagues, Friday Night Lights 7v7 focuses on fast-paced, competitive play for teams preparing for their school’s next season.
Registration is team-based with no individual signups. Teams must provide two sets of jerseys, — one light color, and one dark — and play one or two games a night. Games are governed by high school 7v7 rules, with each team providing an age-appropriate football. Teams submit a roster before their first game that verifies participants and their current grade.
Age groups are grades 3-4, grades 5-6, and grades 7-8. Registration closes Sunday, Feb. 28, and the season runs March 5-April 30. Register online or by calling 979-764-3486. The cost is $550 per team.
Games are scheduled on Fridays between 6:30-9:30 p.m. at Stephen C. Beachy Central Park. Times are subject to change based on the final number of teams.
For more information, go to cstx.gov/sports or call 979-764-3486.
About the Blogger Samantha Holman is in her second year as an event specialist in the Parks and Recreation Department. A native of San Antonio, she earned a bachelor’s degree in sport management from Texas A&M in 2018.
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Outlook bright for spring sports leagues, tourism
By Gene Ballew, Athletics & Tourism Manager
With a new year comes a fresh beginning as we search for some form of normalcy and getting back to the activities we enjoy. Things may never be the same, but our love for sports and recreation remains.
As registration opens for our spring activities, we’re trying to resume the indoor and outdoor programs that have been impacted. We’ve adjusted some of our rules, and we’ve added a few programs and activities. Still, our commitment to offering great programs hasn’t changed.
Here’s a list of our upcoming sports programs:
Youth Programs
- Winter Youth Basketball (Jan. 12-March 11) — register by Jan. 3
- Friday Night Lights 7v7 Football (March 5-April 30) — register by Feb. 28
- Junior Beginner Tennis (March 22-April 29) — register by March 28
- High-Performance Tennis Academy (March 24-April 28) — register by March 28
- Junior Intermediate Tennis (March 25-April 29) — register by March 28
- Field Hockey Clinic (April 5, 7) — register by March 28
Adult Programs
- Coed Kickball League (March 3-May 12) — register by Feb. 14
- Softball League (March 1-May 13) — register by Feb. 14
- Volleyball League (March 23-May 20) — register by March 7
- Beginner Tennis (March 23-May 2) — register by March 28
- Round-Robin Tennis League (March 23-April 27) — register by March 28
- Competitive Drill Tennis (March 28-May 2) — register by March 28
- Intermediate Tennis (March 28-May 2) — register by March 28
Sports Tourism
We’re also welcoming new events as we continue to support established events to boost our economy through sports tourism. Here’s a look at the events coming to town this spring:
- Cavalry Soccer
- Texas Football All-Star Showcase
- Bryan HS Girls Softball
- Triple Crown
- South Texas Youth Soccer
- Premier Girls Fast-Pitch
- USSSA Softball
- Softball Players Association
- 5 Tool Softball Sports
- U.S. Club Soccer
It’s going to be a busy spring, and we can’t wait to see you competing and spectating on our fields and courts. Please share with your friends and neighbors to encourage them to signup for their favorite sport, too!
For more information, go to cstx.gov/sports.
About the Blogger Gene Ballew has been with the Parks and Recreation Department for 14 years and is in his fourth year as the athletics and tourism manager. He earned a bachelor’s degree in Sport and Fitness Administration/Management from Texas A&M in 2008.
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A new look for our winter youth basketball leagues
By Bobbie Cantu, Athletics Supervisor
The COVID-19 pandemic has forced us to rethink and create new ways to safely enjoy and play sports. With the arrival of November, you may wonder what the City of College Station’s winter youth basketball season will look like.
Youth basketball provides boys and girls in two age divisions — 8-10 and 10-12-year olds — a chance to learn basic skills such as strategy, teamwork, and leadership. The program will be slightly different this year due to facility restrictions and safety procedures at the Lincoln Recreation Center.
Rest assured that the Parks and Recreation Department follows CDC and local guidelines regarding COVID-19 and youth sports. Specific safety protocols include:
- You must cover both the nose and mouth to enter and stay on the premises unless you are actively participating.
- Hand sanitizing stations are available throughout the LRC.
- On-site staff members are subject to a verbal wellness screening when they arrive and will be required to wear appropriate PPE during their shifts.
- The facility is thoroughly sanitized before and after each practice or game with EPA-approved products.
- Participants and coaches are allowed to bring only one spectator inside the facility for each game or practice.
Registration runs through Jan. 3 and is limited to 160 participants for each division to ensure safe social distancing. You are encouraged to sign up early. The league runs from Jan. 11-March 11, with age divisions assigned based on players’ ages as of Jan. 1.
Register online or by calling 979-764-3486 or stopping by the Central Park office at 1000 Krenek Tap Road between 8 a.m.-5 p.m. on weekdays. The cost is $70 per participant.
Games are scheduled on Tuesdays and Thursdays between 6:30-9:30 p.m. Practices are on Saturdays between 9 a.m.-4 p.m. Times are subject to change based on the final number of teams. Practices and games will take place at the Lincoln Recreation Center. Each player accumulates at least two quarters of playing time for each game they play.
Volunteer Coaches Needed
Parents are their kids’ greatest fans, and we encourage you to get involved as a volunteer coach. Without dedicated volunteers, our programs can’t grow and prosper. We need coaches for every age division. No experience is required, and we provide you with the help and resources you need for a fun and successful season
To apply as a volunteer coach, complete the form at cstx.gov/sportsvolunteer. Volunteers must also complete a background check.
About the Blogger Athletics Supervisor Bobbie Cantu is in her third year with the Parks and Recreation Department. A native of Weslaco, she earned bachelor’s (2017) and master’s (2019) degrees in Sport Management from Texas A&M.
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USTA grant will help city tennis programs recover
By Bobbie Cantu, Athletic Supervisor
The College Station Parks and Recreation Department recently received a $2,500 Facility Recovery Grant from the United States Tennis Association to help defray the costs associated with the eventual reopening of our tennis facilities.
We’ve paused our youth and adult programs because of the COVID-19 pandemic, but we’ll use the USTA grant to cover teaching equipment, proper cleaning supplies, and other expenses. We hope to see you at our future tennis classes when regular programming returns.
Until then, we encourage you to play tennis at the 14 lighted recreational tennis courts located in these community and neighborhood parks:
- Bee Creek Park, 1900 Anderson St.
- Brian Bachmann Community Park, 1600 Rock Prairie Road
- Castlegate Park, 4455 Castlegate Drive
- Stephen C. Beachy Central Park, 1000 Krenek Tap Road
- Thomas Park, 1300 James Parkway
Have fun, but remember to be careful and take appropriate precautions, too!
About the Blogger
Athletics Supervisor Bobbie Cantu is in her third year with the Parks and Recreation Department. A native of Weslaco, she earned bachelor’s (2017) and master’s (2019) degrees in Sport Management from Texas A&M.
If you found value in this blog post, please share it with your social network and friends!
Rescheduled summer sports events can help us recover
By Gene Ballew, Athletics & Tourism Manager
What does a sports event or tournament look like in the era of COVID-19? As participants, coaches, and spectators, we’ll soon find out.
Through his executive orders, Gov. Greg Abbott has paved the way for adult and youth sports competitions to begin. The City of College Station will host its first tournament June 19-21 with more than 100 girls’ softball teams from around the state.
The challenges of recent months have led us to this point. Typically, our tournament season ramps up in April and runs through the end of July. Since the pandemic began, our goal has been to bring tourism back to College Station while maintaining the safety of our citizens, guests, and staff.
Our department has had exhaustive meetings with local health officials and tournament organizers to ensure safety guidelines and protocols laid out by the governor and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention are met or exceeded. The city is responsible for cleaning and maintaining our facilities, while tournament organizers will provide city-approved safety guidelines and protocols for participants and spectators.
In March, we halted eight tournaments slated to bring about 400 teams to town. Our team worked diligently to reschedule several of the events, allowing us to keep about 300 teams. Along with three new tournaments — attracting about 150 teams — we maintained millions of dollars of economic impact in our community.
Here’s a look at our summer schedule:
- June 19-21 — Texas State Championships and Southwest Regional Showcase
- June 27-28 — Tournament of Champions 7v7 Football
- June 27-28 — USSSA Budweiser Invitational
- June 30-July 3 — Battle for Texas 7v7 Football
- July 7-12 — SSUSA Senior Softball
- July 11-12 —The Summer Games 2020
- July 17-19 — Texas State Championships and Southwest Regional Showcase
- Aug. 1-2 — The Summer Games 2020
- Aug. 29-30 — Aggieland Friendship Cup
We’ll continue to adapt to the evolving situation by adjusting our operations. Our overriding mission is to safely bring customers to town while helping our residents and businesses recover.
About the Blogger
Gene Ballew has been with the Parks and Recreation Department for 13 years and is in his third year as the athletics and tourism manager. He earned a bachelor’s degree in Sport and Fitness Administration/Management from Texas A&M in 2008.
If you found value in this blog post, please share it with your social network and friends!
Youth hoops leagues focus on fun and fundamentals
By Bobbie Cantu, Athletics Supervisor
If you’re looking for a way to keep your kids active during the colder months, winter youth basketball leagues are a great option. The City of College Station Parks and Recreation Department is committed to providing every kid the opportunity to play basketball regardless of their skill level.
Youth basketball provides players with a fun and exciting way to learn basic skills, teamwork, strategy, and sportsmanship. The goal is to foster positive, child-oriented attitudes by keeping winning in perspective, having fun, and improving physical fitness. Coaches focus on creating an exciting but relaxed atmosphere while focusing on fundamentals.
We offer four age divisions, which are determined by the player’s age as of March 1: 6-7 Coed (6-7 years), 10U Boys/Girls (8-10 years), 12U Boys/Girls (10-12 years), 14U Coed (12-14 years).
Registration ends Dec. 14, and the league will run from Jan. 7-March 7. You can register online at cstx.gov/sports, by calling 979-764-3486, or stopping by our Central Park office at 1000 Krenek Tap Road. The cost is $60 per participant, which includes a team jersey. Players are charged a $10 reorder fee for ordering the incorrect size.
Players can register for Monday/Wednesday/Saturday or Tuesday/Thursday/Saturday practices. Games are played on weeknights between 6-9 p.m. and on Saturdays between 9 a.m.-4 p.m. All practices and games are at College Station Independent School District gyms and the Lincoln Recreation Center. Gym locations vary depending on age and availability, and participants can’t request a specific location.
The format of the league is an eight-game, round-robin schedule. Each player accumulates a minimum of two quarters of playing time for each game they participate.
Volunteer to coach
Parents are their kids’ greatest fans, and we encourage them to get involved as volunteer coaches. Without dedicated volunteers, our programs can’t grow and prosper. We need coaches for every age division. No experience is required, and we provide you with the help and resources you need for a fun and successful season.
If you’re interested in applying to be a volunteer coach, go to cstx.gov/sportsvolunteer and fill out the form. Volunteer must complete a background check.
About the Blogger
Athletics Supervisor Bobbie Cantu is in her second year with the Parks and Recreation Department. A native of Weslaco, she earned a sports management degree from Texas A&M in 2017 and is pursuing a master’s in sport and fitness administration.
If you found value in this blog post, please share it with your social network and friends!
