Austin Comets - Releases and Statements

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Mon, 20 Oct 2025 15:36:06 GMT

Austin Comets Athletics Launches “Mighty Meteors” – A Free, Faith-Based Sports Program for Kids in Underserved Communities.

St. Charles, IL — 10/20/2025 — Austin Comets Athletics LLC is proud to announce the launch of Mighty Meteors, a new after-school alternative sports program designed to bring faith, fun, and fitness to elementary students across the Greater Chicago Area.

Mighty Meteors aims to expand access to high-quality, Bible-based recreational sports for children ages 5–11 in under-resourced communities—especially those where more than 70% of students come from low-income households.

“Our goal is simple,” said Lorne Massie, Principal Owner of Austin Comets Athletics LLC. “We want every child to experience the joy of sports, the power of teamwork, and the love of Christ—whether it’s their first time picking up a ball or their first time feeling part of a team.”

The Mighty Meteors program will partner with local schools, churches, and faith-based nonprofits to deliver free, beginner-friendly sports programming directly on school campuses. Using an innovative Bible-based sports curriculum, students will learn fundamental athletic skills while exploring lessons in character, responsibility, and faith through structured play and mentorship.

Each session includes team-building activities, skill instruction in alternative sports like dodgeball, pickleball, laser tag, and obstacle course challenges, as well as group devotionals and reflection time. The program emphasizes inclusion, creativity, and community—offering kids a safe and nurturing space to grow in both body and spirit.

A pilot launch is scheduled for Spring 2026, with full implementation beginning in Fall 2026 at select public and private schools throughout the Chicago region. Participation will be free of charge for families, with the program funded by the Comets Legacy Fund through community partnerships, sponsorships, and charitable giving.

“Mighty Meteors is more than sports—it’s about opportunity, belonging, and transformation,” said Lorne. “We’re building confident kids, stronger schools, and a brighter future—one game, one prayer, and one team at a time.”

For more information, partnership opportunities, or to support the Mighty Meteors initiative, visit www.austincomets.com or contact info@austincomets.com.

Media Contact:
Austin Comets Athletics LLC
Email: info@austincomets.com
Website: www.austincomets.com

2020 COMETS 50/50 RAFFLE WINNER

Tue, 20 Oct 2020 17:29:49 GMT

Special thank you to all those who gave towards our campaign this year. There's no doubt that your contributions will truly make a difference in the lives of our youth athletes.

ACA's "RETURN TO PLAY" UPDATE FOR FALL/WINTER PROGRAMS

Fri, 21 Aug 2020 22:59:34 GMT

As part of Phase 4 Of Restore Illinois Plan, The Revitalization Phase of the Restore Illinois public health approach to reopening the Illinois economy includes: larger gathering sizes, additional businesses reopening, and increased capacities. This means that effective as early as September 1st, 2020, Austin Comets Athletics will begin offering low-risk contact sports programming for the Fall.

The Illinois Board of Education and Illinois Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity released their All-Sports Policy as guidance for all youth recreational sports, including, but not limited to: travel clubs, private leagues and clubs, recreational leagues and centers, and park district sports programs.

Our priority is to make sure all participants, coaches, staff members and parents and guardians are maintaining safety by engaging in social distancing, frequently washing their hands, and using face coverings, as recommended by the Centers for Disease Control (CDC) to stop the spread of COVID-19. While we continue to monitor any changes in the state’s guidance for social activity, it is our goal to continue to provide service to youth in Schaumburg, Hoffman Estates, Barrington, Palatine and the Greater Chicago area.

This fall starting in September, we will continue to offer the Charles F. Massie School of Tennis program, as well as our new eSports program. Our coaches are developing plans to make sure we are in compliance with all IDH and CDC regulations. We have also released our own ACA IL Phase 4 "Return to Play” policy to all coaches and athletes. Please take the time to read through this policy. If you have not received a copy, please reach out to our office at info@austincomets.org or by phone at (847) 238-2208 to speak with one of our representatives who can help you receive a copy.

We’re going to do our best to provide the safest practices for our athletes so that coaches, staff members and parents and guardians enjoy all that Austin Comets Athletics has to offer!

Sincerely,

Lorne Massie
Owner & Athletics Director

COMETS SUMMER PROGRAMS UPDATE (IL PHASE 3)

Tue, 23 Jun 2020 19:18:36 GMT

SUMMER PROGRAMS
UPDATE

We hope that your summer is off to a great start! We want to give you an important update on the current Illinois Department of Public Health (IDPH) safety guidelines that we’re implementing this summer and how it will affect programming that we offer in the community. Since Illinois is now in Phase 3, we’ll be offering an eSports Youth program and Beginner Tennis classes.

According to IDPH approved safety guidance our tennis classes, which are considered outdoor recreation, will host a group of up to 10 participants (including staff) or less for each class, while also practicing social distancing. Each participant will have their temperature taken and tracked by our staff and there will also be hand-washing/ hand sanitizer stations at each court. More detailed information will be given by the instructor to parents before the start of the first class session.

While we continue monitoring the changes that come with COVID-19 recovery including the school district’s cancellations of all gym rental applications for the summer, and are updated daily on further protocols in order to prevent the spread of the infection, we’re suspending all summer contact sports such as AAU Basketball, until further notice.

We will continue to update all participants and staff on any new developments as we hope to transition to Phase 4, which will have more lenient restrictions. For more information about COVID-19, including ways to protect yourself and others, visit the Illinois Department of Public Health’s COVID-19 website: https://www.dph.illinois.gov/covid19

Blessings,
Austin Comets Athletics

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Office: (847) 238-2208
Email: info@austincomets.org
Website: austincomets.org

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Austin Comets Athletics™ is The Metro Mentorship Initiative's subsidiary flagship program. MMI is a 501(c)(3) non-profit public charity (EIN# 27-4083907) headquartered in Schaumburg, Illinois. All donations to our agency are TAX DEDUCTIBLE.

STATEMENT FROM THE OWNER

Tue, 16 Jun 2020 23:01:08 GMT