Sports

Harlow Park provides a common ground for sports, community, history Syracuse parks have long been gathering places for individual neighborhoods, and although they provide a sense of identity, the committee on Parks, Recreation and Youth Programs is responsible for maintaining them all. There are 175 public parks in the city by the count of Common Councilor Bob Dougherty, who is …

Corcoran track athlete Patrice Williams lets her running do the talking Patrice Williams’ pink and white sneakers barely make a sound as she sprints down a hallway at Corcoran High School. It’s a Tuesday afternoon — more than an hour after classes have ended — and all Williams wants to do is practice. But because the track at Onondaga Community …

After-school program teaches karate, other ways to solve conflicts through nonviolence To help children deal with bullies, a Roman Catholic elementary school has teamed up with a karate school to offer a weekly program for young boys and girls. The Tuesday afternoon program — called “bully-busting” — is hosted by Most Holy Rosary School, at 1031 Bellevue Ave., in collaboration …

Nadia Diaz strikes out her opponents to reach the top With countless player cards spread across their backyard table, Jose Diaz and his young daughter, Nadia Diaz, share a close bond. The 12-year-old has accomplished much in her short baseball career. “We’re very proud of her,” said Diaz, who — like Nadia — is wearing a Red Sox shirt.

Coach Dale Johnson called in his youth soccer team after a Sunday afternoon practice this spring, as they begged for more time on the field. “Just 10 more minutes!” said Prem Baidya, 14, a member of Johnson’s under-16 soccer team.

Travon Burke’s grades started slipping during this past spring semester at Syracuse University. Without good enough grades, the Corcoran High School grad wouldn’t be able to play football. And with spring football practices starting, making up for lost ground was looking like a daunting task. Then Burke’s running backs coach, Tyrone Wheatley, stepped in. “He told me to call my …

The First Tee provides local youth with an opportunity to learn to play golf this summer Golfing opportunities for young African-Americans in Syracuse have shrunk in high schools, but the game is still within reach when school’s out — and at a higher rate than a lot of other places. Around 100 will be participating this summer locally in The …

Corcoran fights a national trend by exposing the city youth to lacrosse Emmanuel Rowser’s parents wanted him to be involved in sports year-round when he was young. So when Rowser was 12 and the basketball season ended, they told him he needed to find his next sport. Rowser decided on lacrosse — but there was something different about it. It …

Dedication fuels Corcoran High School girls cross-country team to achieve A chilly wind whipped the grounds outside Corcoran High School recently as the girls cross-country team members ran speed workouts. Their season, coming to an end, had been an exciting one, said their coach, Joseph Serrao. Serrao, 42, has served as the team’s coach for 17 years. This year his …

For the fourth straight year, Corcoran’s ice hockey team has made it to the playoffs Whenever Pat Standford is wearing shoes instead of skates, he is reminded Syracuse is not a hockey town. The senior captain of the Corcoran High School hockey team jokes that fellow students see him and seem surprised their school even has a team. Yet Corcoran …