LUBBOCK, Texas – Texas Tech will usher in a new era of intercollegiate athletics this July with a comprehensive plan that further demonstrates its commitment to competing at the highest levels and its investment in its student-athletes. As Texas Tech enters a new era of college athletics, the Red Raider Club will integrate the Matador […]
LUBBOCK, Texas – Texas Tech will usher in a new era of intercollegiate athletics this July with a comprehensive plan that further demonstrates its commitment to competing at the highest levels and its investment in its student-athletes.
As Texas Tech enters a new era of college athletics, the Red Raider Club will integrate the Matador Club under its umbrella. The Matador Club name reflects bold and forward-thinking support for Texas Tech’s student-athletes. The Matador Club had previously served as the official NIL collective of the athletics department the last three-plus years, positioning Texas Tech as a national leader in supporting its student-athletes through NIL.
By integrating the Matador Club under its banner, the Red Raider Club will lead the effort to provide annual funding for revenue sharing, student-athlete scholarships and a comprehensive range of programs that elevate the student-athlete experience – both on and off the field. This transformation represents a commitment to adapt, to lead and to invest in championship-caliber programs and student-athletes.
“As we transition to a new model, know that we are ready,” Director of Athletics Kirby Hocutt said. “Over the past year, we have studied various impacts of the House settlement on our department and have been ready for this new era in college athletics. Texas Tech will continue to be a leader nationally in this era. Our donors and supporters will have the ability to impact our success like never before, but it will take all of us. Gifts to the Red Raider Club – both small and large – help provide opportunities to the best prospective student-athletes and provide the necessary resources to build championship rosters like we are experiencing right now with many of our programs.”
As part of the NCAA House settlement finalized this past Friday, Texas Tech is now permitted to share up to $20.5 million of its departmental-generated revenue directly with student-athletes beginning in the 2025–26 academic year. To support this transformational change, the Red Raider Club will be responsible for generating $14 million annually to help fund Texas Tech Athletics’ new revenue-sharing model. This funding will also support student-athlete scholarships, academic resources, professional development, leadership programming, nutritional offerings and more. The remaining portion of the revenue-sharing commitment will be supported by University investment and additional athletics-generated revenue streams.
Inheriting The Matador Club will assist in this effort, providing donors one primary organization to contribute either on an annual basis or via monthly payments. Current members of The Matador Club will be able to continue monthly payments without disruption as part of the merger.
“The Red Raider Club is proud to be preparing for the next era of college athletics. We will be leaders in this space and will provide our fans and donors innovative opportunities to support our student-athletes” said Andrea Tirey, Senior Associate Athletics Director. “By bringing the Matador Club under our umbrella as the revenue share fund of the Red Raider Club, we’re giving fans and donors a single, unified place to give — one that directly impacts the recruitment and retention of our student-athletes and helps us build championship-caliber student-athletes and teams. We are incredibly grateful to everyone who continues to step up, at every level, and invest in our future.”
In addition to the Matador Club and Red Raider Club merger, Texas Tech has implemented the following in preparation for the July 1 implementation of the House Settlement. The Red Raider Club will share further information this summer on several new steps it is taking to enhance its fundraising operation to reach new goals.
Creation of Revenue Share Administration Unit: Texas Tech has created a dedicated Revenue Share Administration unit within the Internal Affairs and Compliance area of the athletics department. This team will be responsible for the execution of university NIL agreements with student-athletes, the monitoring of the annual revenue share cap and third-party NIL reporting. These efforts will be led by Justin Opperman, a longtime member of the athletics department and attorney. Opperman most recently served as the Associate Athletics Director for Compliance up until accepting this new position.
Partnership with AthletiQ: As college athletics shifts from a collective-focused NIL model to a university-led revenue share structure, Texas Tech has partnered with AthletiQ Media to help lead the way into this next chapter. AthletiQ Media, a brand of Primitive – a digital marketing firm – has been instrumental in the creation, execution, fundraising and management of The Matador Club. AthletiQ Media will now expand its role to support Texas Tech Athletics in maximizing outreach, driving donor engagement and building sustainable funding models under the new revenue share framework. Through targeted storytelling, innovative digital campaigns, and NIL-specific donor tiering strategies, AthletiQ Media will help Texas Tech stay ahead of the ever-evolving college sports landscape and continue to build championship-level programs on and off the field.
Red Raider NIL Exchange: Texas Tech launched this fall the Red Raider Exchange NIL marketplace through an expanded partnership with Teamworks and INFLCR. The marketplace is a student-athlete NIL business registry, custom-designed for businesses, donors, alumni and any others interested in connecting with student-athletes. Registered businesses can search, filter and initiate conversations with Texas Tech student-athletes to discuss an NIL deal. Once the NIL deal between a registered business and student-athlete is completed, the business will use the Red Raider Exchange to create a transaction that will produce a direct payment to the student-athlete and automate a disclosure to Texas Tech Athletics for NCAA compliance purposes.
Financial Literacy Education: Texas Tech will provide additional financial literacy education to its student-athletes through various courses and programs following the implementation of the House Settlement. This expansion of programming will fall under the J.T. and Margaret Talkington Department for Student-Athlete Development and will include both fundamental curriculum to all Texas Tech student-athletes as well as advanced financial strategies for certain high-earners.
For information on the Red Raider Club or how to support Texas Tech’s efforts to compete at the highest levels, please visit RedRaiderClub.com or MatadorClub.org.
TALLAHASSEE– The Florida State Outdoor track and field teams placed a program record of 29 student- athletes on the All-ACC Outdoor Track and Field Academic team, the league office announced on Friday. To be eligible student-athletes must have a 3.00 cumulative GPA or greater and must have participated in either the ACC Championship and […]
For more information on Florida State track and field, follow Twitter (X) @FSU_Track and Instagram @FSU_Track.
This fall, the Tanager volleyball program will welcome back a familiar face to many in the community. Jodi Zeller will return to the sidelines as head coach for the upcoming volleyball season following a three-year hiatus. In her time coaching the Tanagers she led the team to a third place finish at the state tournament […]
This fall, the Tanager volleyball program will welcome back a familiar face to many in the community. Jodi Zeller will return to the sidelines as head coach for the upcoming volleyball season following a three-year hiatus.
In her time coaching the Tanagers she led the team to a third place finish at the state tournament following a state title the previous year.
STANFORD, Calif. — Stanford’s Roisin Willis was named Women’s Outdoor Track and Field Scholar-Athlete of the Year by the Atlantic Coast Conference. The honor adds to the growing list of achievements for the rising senior from Stevens Point, Wisconsin. On June 14, Willis won the 800 meters at the NCAA Championships in Eugene, Oregon, in […]
STANFORD, Calif. — Stanford’s Roisin Willis was named Women’s Outdoor Track and Field Scholar-Athlete of the Year by the Atlantic Coast Conference.
The honor adds to the growing list of achievements for the rising senior from Stevens Point, Wisconsin.
On June 14, Willis won the 800 meters at the NCAA Championships in Eugene, Oregon, in a meet record time of 1:58.13 – the third-fastest in collegiate history. The time also was an ACC record and a personal best.
The victory gave Willis, the 2022 world under-20 800 and 4×400 relay champion, her third NCAA title and first outdoors. Her previous NCAA titles came at the 2023 indoor championships – in the 800 and distance medley relay.
Willis, a history major, is a nine-time All-American with six first-team All-America honors. After her NCAA victory last month, she was named West Region Women’s Outdoor Track Athlete of the Year by the U.S. Track and Field and Cross Country Coaches Association and was a semifinalist for The Bowerman, collegiate track and field’s Heisman Trophy.
Willis is the fifth from Stanford to be named ACC Scholar-Athlete of the Year in the Cardinal’s first academic year in the conference. The other Stanford winners are Julietta Camahort (women’s rowing), Maxime Raynaud (men’s basketball), Elia Rubin (women’s volleyball), and Jack Ryan (men’s swimming and diving).
The ACC Outdoor Track and Field Scholar-Athlete awards — the men’s honor went to Miami’s NCAA champion javelin thrower Devoux Deysel – were accompanied by ACC’s All-Academic teams. Twenty-one men and 17 women from Stanford were honored.
The requirements were a 3.25 grade-point average in each of the two most recent quarters and cumulative, and participation in the ACC Championships or the preliminary or championship rounds of NCAA competition.
Here are the lists of Stanford’s honorees:
Men
Gabriel Ajaegbu, So., undeclared
Joseph Bailey, So., undeclared
Zane Bergen, Jr., Management Science and Engineering
Caleb Boutelle, Sr., Human Biology
Thomas Boyden, Grad., M.A.: Public Policy; B.S. Computer Science
Garrett Brown, Grad., M.S. and B.S.: Aeronautics and Astronautics
Olufemi Cole, Sr., International Relations
James Dargan, Fr., undeclared
Dylan Davis, So., undeclared
Robert DiDonato, Sr., Computer Science
Xavier Drumgoole, Fr., undeclared
John Kroeger, Sr., Mechanical Engineering
Sam Liokumovich, Sr., Computer Science
Mason McKhann, Jr., Economics
Ryce Reynolds, Fr., undeclared
Zachary Ryan, So., undeclared
Milo Skapinsky, So., Computer Science
Cole Sprout, Grad., M.S.: Computer Science; B.S.: Symbolic Systems
Nolan Topper, Sr., Mechanical Engineering
Leo Young, So., Management Science and Engineering
Lex Young, So., undeclared
Women
Audrey DaDamio, Grad., M.S. and B.S.: Biology
Zofia Dudek, Grad., M.S.: Biomedical Data Science; B.S.: Bioengineering
Sevilla Duran, Grad., M.S.: Community Health and Prevention Studies; B.S. (at Columbia): Neuroscience and Behavior
Amelia Everett, So., Human Biology
Kaiah Fisher, Sr., Biology
Julia Flynn, Jr., Biology
Imogen Gardiner, Grad., M.S.: Biomedical Data Science; B.S.: Symbolic Systems
Ariana Guerrero, So., Management Science and Engineering
Lianne Kistler, Sr., Human Biology
Alaysia Oakes, Jr., Economics
Camille Peisner, Sr., Communication
Cate Peters, So., Communication
Madison Romain, Jr., Civil Engineering
Sky Schuller, So., undeclared
Hillary Studdert, So., Economics
Roisin Willis, Jr., History
Teagan Zwaanstra, Sr., Mechanical Engineering
The streaming service Sportsnet+ gives non-cable subscribers digital access to live sports content including the Blue Jays, MLB and NBA. MLB Photos via Getty Images Sportsnet is “hitting a large constituency of its fan base with a hefty premium” price, according to Rob Longley of the TORONTO SUN. The streaming service Sportsnet+ gives non-cable subscribers […]
Sportsnet is “hitting a large constituency of its fan base with a hefty premium” price, according to Rob Longley of the TORONTO SUN. The streaming service Sportsnet+ gives non-cable subscribers digital access to live sports content including the Blue Jays, MLB and NBA. The price increase is scheduled to take effect on Sept. 9 and will “see the price of the Sportsnet+ premium jump” from $249.99 for 12 months up to $324.99. The increase prompted “instant outrage from sports fans already subject to the Rogers-controlled monopoly on Jays content” (through Sportsnet and the team), as well as much of the “hockey content in this country.” Longley noted in the “broader picture,” industry observers are “wondering if the cash grab is just the beginning as Rogers’ control of the Canadian sports market is taking another huge leap in influence now that its purchase of Bell’s share of Maple Leaf Sports and Entertainment has been finalized” (TORONTO SUN, 7/10).
Story Links NORTHBROOK, Ill. – Samford’s Emily Surcey from women’s tennis and Claire Harrison from track and field have been nominated for the spring National Association of Collegiate Directors of Athletics (NACDA) Good Works Team. The team was designed to honor student-athletes excelling in academics, sports, and community impact. Nominated by athletics administrators, conference office […]
NORTHBROOK, Ill. – Samford’s Emily Surcey from women’s tennis and Claire Harrison from track and field have been nominated for the spring National Association of Collegiate Directors of Athletics (NACDA) Good Works Team. The team was designed to honor student-athletes excelling in academics, sports, and community impact. Nominated by athletics administrators, conference office staff, and coaches, these student-athletes embody leadership, service, and character.
Surcey served as a co-chair of Samford’s Student-Athlete Advisory Committee (SAAC). In this role, she actively advocated for interests and concerns for student-athletes and assisted with initiatives and events sponsored by SAAC. She planned and organized bi-weekly meetings and helped coordinate special events such as Civic Engagement Day. She also helped develop and promote Samford’s CHAMPS Cup competition, which is an inter-team challenge focused on community, academics, professionalism and postgraduate
success.
Harrison is a member of the NCAA Student-Athlete Advisory Committee (SAAC) at Samford, helping reflect a positive image of Samford Athletics within the community to foster community support and advocate on behalf of the track and field team. This group participates in different community service projects throughout the year and hosts multiple service opportunities every year on Civic Engagement Day. She posted around 44 hours of community service that has been recorded since 2022. She has volunteered with local non-profits including Bundles of Hope Diaper Bank, Grace Klein’s Food Rescue Center, A.G. Gaston Boys and Girls Club and Grace House Ministries.
Nominations can be submitted for up to one female and one male student-athlete from each winter sport at an institution. Eligible schools and athletics programs must represent one of five intercollegiate athletics divisions: NCAA Division I, II, III, NAIA and Junior/Community Colleges. Nominees must have completed at least one year (two semesters) of college coursework at a two-year or four-year institution.
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For the latest news and information on Samford Athletics, visit the official website for Samford Athletics at SamfordSports.com. Fans can also follow the Bulldogs on social media at /SamfordSports (Facebook), @SamfordSports (Twitter), and @SamfordSports (Instagram).
MOSCOW, ID – The Idaho Vandal Volleyball team is hosting a pickleball fundraiser to raise funds for a new gym floor. Head Coach Romana Kriskova wanted to be a more interactive fundraiser this year. “We wanted to find a way to connect with the community and to fundraise for our program. Then decided on pickleball […]
MOSCOW, ID – The Idaho Vandal Volleyball team is hosting a pickleball fundraiser to raise funds for a new gym floor.
Head Coach Romana Kriskova wanted to be a more interactive fundraiser this year.
“We wanted to find a way to connect with the community and to fundraise for our program. Then decided on pickleball it is because it’s made for all ages and genders who want to play,” Kriskova said.
She knew the Ghormley pickleball courts were always packed and busy, bringing plenty of attention.
If you want to get involved, pickleball fundraiser assistant coach Maria Jacobus knows how to help.
“If you want to go to Moscow Park and Rec on the website, you can sign up for registration, and there are a lot of flyers around town,” Jacobus said.
Another assistant coach, Ben Kasun, is looking forward to making new connections.
“I think seeing this community out here engaging with us, we keep trying to find different ways we have worked with the elementary schools, nursing homes,” Kasun said.
With this fundraiser, prizes will be handed out for the top three places.
The first place will receive Vandal volleyball season tickets. The second-place winner will receive a signed jersey from the volleyball team. The third place will receive a signed ball from the team.
Also, coaches and players from the Vandals Volleyball team will be there. Participants will have the opportunity to mingle and get photos with the team.
The Vandals pickleball fundraiser will begin on Saturday, July 27th, with youth co-ed doubles and on Sunday, July 28th, with adult co-ed doubles.
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