Sports have come a long way since the ancient Greeks wrestled and raced their way to glory. We’ve seen the evolution of new disciplines among old, familiar sports (beach volleyball and synchronized swimming, for example) – and we’ve also seen the emergence of entirely new sports. From drone racing to esports to competitive marching band, we are constantly redefining sports and to finding new ways to host them. In this, our awards issue, we see both new and familiar sports, and we honor all of them. It’s because of everyone that our industry is so strong, so vibrant and so varied.
Much has been written about football and most recently, that coverage has been all about whether it’s growing and whether it’s safe. Keith Noll, national chair of both AAU’s football program, sat down with SDM to talk about developments in the sport aimed at keeping youth active, happy and playing. more....