Mitchell Hall was a sea of activity Saturday for the inaugural Bubba’s Youth Day. The event featured a fun fest for kids before a packed gym with over 1,100 fans to watch the UW-La Crosse women’s basketball team take on UW-Platteville. While the game was central to the afternoon, the true missio n was to honor parents who — like Eagles coach Moran Lonning — have lost a child. The event was held in memory of Charlie “Bubba” Lonning Weber. Since its inception, the mission has expanded to touch families across the entire La Crosse community — an evolution UW-L senior Annika Gustafson said Saturday she is grateful to witness. “Last year, we were mostly just focusing on a kids night and also honoring Charlie, and this night, it’s just gotten so much bigger,” Gustafson said. “We’re honoring so many families and we’re touching so many lives. So just to think about it, I’m just super grateful that I’m even a part of the team and able to do this.” The day featured the “Charlie’s Kids Fest,” with proceeds benefiting Rising Athletes, a nonprofit that helps local children access youth sports. ABOVE: The UW-La Crosse women’s basketball team huddles after its game versus UW-Platteville and a celebration of Bubba’s Youth Day on Jan. 10, 2026 (PHOTO: Rick Solem). TOP PHOTO: UW-La Crosse women’s basketball players sign autographs after celebrating Bubba’s Youth Day and matchup against UW-Platteville at Mitchell Hall on Jan. 10, 2026 (PHOTO: Rick Solem)The UW-La Crosse women’s basketball team huddles after its game versus UW-Platteville and a celebration of Bubba’s Youth Day on Jan. 10, 2026 (PHOTO: Rick Solem) For UW-L senior Ali Sprangers, the afternoon was a vital opportunity to keep local families in the spotlight. “Having a day to celebrate that and to honor him is huge,” Sprangers said. “And just having a day to remember him and remember all of the kids is huge.” Before the game, the team held a special tribute for families who have lost children, with players wearing jerseys that featured the name of a different child on each one. “The jerseys that we did this year are awesome with the names on the back,” Sprangers said of the team honoring families of lost children. “I think us each honoring a different child that has passed away is super cool.” UW-La Crosse women’s basketball players meet with families during the inaugural Bubba’s Youth Day on Jan. 10, 2026. Each player wore a commemorative jersey featuring the name of a child from the community who has passed away. (PHOTO: Jaime Dobbins)While Bubba’s Youth Day looks back to honor Charlie’s memory, the team is also looking forward with its coach. Despite a due date coming up in February, Lonning’s presence on the sideline has provided a constant source of energy for the roster. “She brings energy every single day. I think she brings more energy than us,” Sprangers said. “I just give a lot of credit to her coming every single day, even though everything that she’s gone through and everything that she’s still going through.” UW-La Crosse women’s basketball coach Moran Lonning (right) during a timeout against UW-Platteville on Jan. 10, 2026 at Mitchell Hall (PHOTO: Rick Solem) Lonning’s high-energy coaching style hasn’t changed with her pregnancy. Gustafson says that intensity is a testament to the love she has for the team and the community mission. “It’s more love. It’s more energy. Which you wouldn’t really think because she’s getting more pregnant,” Gustafson said. “You would think that maybe she’d have less energy, but she just brings it every day.” To date, Bubba’s Fund has successfully placed life-saving AEDs in every licensed childcare center in the city of La Crosse and continues to advocate for safe sleep education. The Eagles hope to carry that energy through the rest of the season as they continue to support youth sports equity and infant safety through the fund. ...read more read less