Connect with us
https://yoursportsnation.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/07/call-to-1.png

College Sports

Strickulis and D’Antonio Named to CSC Academic All-District® At-Large Team

Story Links EASTON, Mass. (June 25, 2025) – Junior Makayla Strickulis and sophomore Julieta D’Antonio of the Stonehill College field hockey team have been named to the 2025 College Sports Communicators (CSC) Academic All-District® At-Large Team, as announced by the organization. The CSC Academic All-District® At-Large program recognizes the nation’s top student-athletes for their combined achievements in […]

Published

on


EASTON, Mass. (June 25, 2025) – Junior Makayla Strickulis and sophomore Julieta D’Antonio of the Stonehill College field hockey team have been named to the 2025 College Sports Communicators (CSC) Academic All-District® At-Large Team, as announced by the organization.

The CSC Academic All-District® At-Large program recognizes the nation’s top student-athletes for their combined achievements in athletic competition and academic excellence. Honorees are selected across four divisions — NCAA Division I, II, III, and NAIA — with consideration for sports not sponsored by specific CSC Academic All-America® teams.

Strickulis earns Academic All-District® honors for the second consecutive year, following another standout season on the field and in the classroom. A finance major, she is tied for the second-highest cumulative GPA on the team with a 3.97. In addition to being named to both the NEC Commissioner’s and Academic Honor Rolls and inducted into the Chi Alpha Sigma Honor Society, she appeared in all 18 games for the Skyhawks, making 16 starts. She matched her career-high with four goals, while setting new personal bests in minutes played (806), shot attempts (34), and shots on goal (18).

D’Antonio also turned in a strong sophomore campaign while maintaining a 3.97 GPA as a chemistry major. A two-time selection to the NEC Commissioner’s Honor Roll, she recorded career-highs in goals (2), assists (2), points (6), shot attempts (22), and shots on goal (10).

Stonehill concluded its 2024 season with a 7-11 overall record, including a 4-4 mark in NEC play, finishing sixth in the conference and just one game shy of a postseason berth. The Skyhawks continued to build momentum in their third NCAA Division I season, improving by two overall wins and three NEC victories compared to their inaugural 2022 campaign.

About College Sports Communicators

College Sports Communicators (CSC) was founded in 1957 and is a 3,200+ member national association for strategic, creative, and digital communicators across intercollegiate athletics in the United States and Canada. The current name of the organization was adopted following a member-wide vote on Aug. 31, 2022.

From its founding in 1957 until the 2022 name change, the organization was known as College Sports Information Directors of America (CoSIDA).

The name change signaled a significant step in a broader strategic plan to highlight the association’s evolution and growth. The move better aligns with the association’s membership makeup and further positions the organization to support and advocate for its members who serve in the communications, digital, and creative sports industry, regardless of position or title.

The organization, which celebrated its 65th anniversary during the 2021-22 academic year, is the second-oldest management association in all intercollegiate athletics. College Sports Communicators became an affiliated partner with NACDA (National Association of Collegiate Directors of Athletics) in December 2008.

For the latest on Stonehill Athletics, follow the Skyhawks via social media on TwitterFacebook, and Instagram.

 





Link

Continue Reading
Click to comment

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

College Sports

Coaches race to master art of retention amid NIL, revenue sharing and transfer portal challenges

Whether it was an ACC, SEC, Big Ten or Big 12 coach taking the podium at media days, one theme remained consistent: In an era where revenue sharing and NIL opportunities can swiftly steer athletes toward the transfer portal, programs across the country are racing to master the art of player retention. Its importance is […]

Published

on


Whether it was an ACC, SEC, Big Ten or Big 12 coach taking the podium at media days, one theme remained consistent: In an era where revenue sharing and NIL opportunities can swiftly steer athletes toward the transfer portal, programs across the country are racing to master the art of player retention.

Its importance is clear to Arkansas coach Sam Pittman, who has seen all but five players from his 2023 recruiting class leave for different programs.

“Here’s what it’s not because of: the way they’re treated, because of the way they’re developed, because of the way they’re taught,” he said. “That’s not the reason. It could be playing time. It could be finances. Probably the majority of it is finances, but you’d have to ask those guys.”

More than 3,000 Bowl Subdivision players reportedly entered the transfer portal this past spring, which would average out to about 22 players per team. For the Razorbacks, 10 starters will be back and one of them is senior defensive lineman Cam Ball. He has remained with Arkansas his entire career, a somewhat rare occurrence for an NFL hopeful these days.

“I’m just a loyal guy. I’m loyal to the state of Arkansas; Arkansas has been loyal to me,” Ball said.

Arkansas, like many schools, is also trying to scare up more money from donors as it faces the financial ramifications of the $2.8 billion House settlement; last fall, the athletic director said the school needed some $12 million more annually to “be in the NIL game from a football perspective.” Besides the money, the Razorbacks have to find talented players; Ball grew up in Atlanta, just barely within the regional footprint in which Pittman prefers to recruit.

“We have to go outside our state,” Pittman said. “In-state recruiting has changed over the last three or four years because of NIL. So you have to think about the talent — who it is versus what pay is expected. So that’s been a little bit more difficult in our state.”

Pittman isn’t the only coach who wants prospects to be familiar with what their college experience will look like before making any life-changing decisions. Florida coach Billy Napier paints a clear picture of life in Gainesville and the challenges and perks that come with it.

“We present our product in a way where we’re selling the degree, the alumni network, the Gator-made program, and you have to be up for the challenge of trying to get Florida back to where it’s been before,” he said. “And I think that’s one of the reasons we’ve been able to keep it together.”

Florida’s 2023 recruiting class remains mostly intact, and from Napier’s perspective, hungrier than ever. Compared to other SEC teams, the Gators have had more success with retention. Napier doesn’t think it’s a coincidence.

“We told them when they came in, you know, look, it’s not going to be all sunshine and rainbows here. We’re in this thing for the long haul,” Napier said. “I think a lot of this is how you pitch it in recruiting. We’re going to continue to do that, and retention is more important than it’s ever been.”

Coaches scrambling to prevent transfers and maintain consistency isn’t exclusive to the SEC. The approval of the House settlement is a double-edged sword when it comes to retention, and Power Four schools and beyond are feeling the effects. Third-party NIL deals are no longer the only negotiation tactic schools need to worry about.

Complex contracts are becoming common and legal risks grow for athletes and programs alike as college football increasingly resembles the pros. Some deals are being negotiated solely by athletes as young as 18.

As a redshirt senior, Louisville linebacker TJ Quinn is used to the process.

“I wouldn’t say I was nervous (to negotiate) because this is my third year of having to do that,” Quinn said. “You’ve got to kind of stand your ground with what you feel like is your worth. If you’re comfortable with their offer, then sign. Then you have some guys that’ll leave and go to schools to get more money and stuff. That was never really like a big pusher for me, to go out and get more money because I feel like I’m in a good situation here at Louisville.”

Quinn’s loyalty could be the most convincing negotiation tactic of them all. While programs use revenue-share dollars to sway prospective transfers, coaches have begun to reward loyalty.

“To some degree, it’s capitalism that you get what you earn. So the guys that go out and play well are going to get more than the guys who haven’t proven it yet,” SMU coach Rhett Lashlee said. “Everybody on the team’s not going to make the same. Fair doesn’t always mean equal.”

But he also said the Mustangs are not going to add players “making a whole lot more than those guys who have already earned it here.”

“And I think that’s what helps us keep a good culture, is try to start with: Let’s retain first, and then whatever’s left, let’s go build the best team we can for those guys,” Lashlee said.

North Carolina State’s Dave Doeren doubled down.

“A guy that’s been on a team three years, that’s playing well and earned it on the field should make more than a guy coming in the door. I think that’s a proper way to do business,” Doeren said, though he warned that might not be the case across the board. “Right now, common sense is not prevailing in college football.”





Link

Continue Reading

College Sports

23 forwards to watch for Aug. 1

Carter Meyer is accelerating to be a junior. (Robert Chalmers/Cohen’s Hockey) This will be an interesting opening to college recruitment. For starters, there are high-end players that colleges are already recruiting hard. There is a slew of forwards who are pretty easily projectable as impact college hockey players. On defense, there is quite a bit […]

Published

on


Carter Meyer is accelerating to be a junior. (Robert Chalmers/Cohen’s Hockey)

This will be an interesting opening to college recruitment.

For starters, there are high-end players that colleges are already recruiting hard. There is a slew of forwards who are pretty easily projectable as impact college hockey players. On defense, there is quite a bit of size, which has become all the rage for defensemen these days.

However, this recruiting cycle will be most interesting because of what happened last year: the CHL ruling.

With CHL players now eligible to play NCAA Division 1 hockey, there will likely be heavy implications on recruiting.

Will programs send out fewer offers? Will they wait for many of these players to develop further, pitting them against current CHL players?

And on the other side of it, will recruits be more hesitant to commit somewhere because of how many CHL players that school is taking in?

Time will tell.

Here are the top first-year eligible forwards to watch come Aug. 1, which is when rising juniors in high school can accept an offer. A separate story will be run on defensemen and goalies.



Link

Continue Reading

College Sports

Coaches race to master art of retention amid NIL, revenue sharing and transfer portal challenges

Whether it was an ACC, SEC, Big Ten or Big 12 coach taking the podium at media days, one theme remained consistent: In an era where revenue sharing and NIL opportunities can swiftly steer athletes toward the transfer portal, programs across the country are racing to master the art of player retention. Its importance is […]

Published

on


Whether it was an ACC, SEC, Big Ten or Big 12 coach taking the podium at media days, one theme remained consistent: In an era where revenue sharing and NIL opportunities can swiftly steer athletes toward the transfer portal, programs across the country are racing to master the art of player retention.

Its importance is clear to Arkansas coach Sam Pittman, who has seen all but five players from his 2023 recruiting class leave for different programs.

“Here’s what it’s not because of: the way they’re treated, because of the way they’re developed, because of the way they’re taught,” he said. “That’s not the reason. It could be playing time. It could be finances. Probably the majority of it is finances, but you’d have to ask those guys.”

More than 3,000 Bowl Subdivision players reportedly entered the transfer portal this past spring, which would average out to about 22 players per team. For the Razorbacks, 10 starters will be back and one of them is senior defensive lineman Cam Ball. He has remained with Arkansas his entire career, a somewhat rare occurrence for an NFL hopeful these days.

“I’m just a loyal guy. I’m loyal to the state of Arkansas; Arkansas has been loyal to me,” Ball said.

Arkansas, like many schools, is also trying to scare up more money from donors as it faces the financial ramifications of the $2.8 billion House settlement; last fall, the athletic director said the school needed some $12 million more annually to “be in the NIL game from a football perspective.” Besides the money, the Razorbacks have to find talented players; Ball grew up in Atlanta, just barely within the regional footprint in which Pittman prefers to recruit.

“We have to go outside our state,” Pittman said. “In-state recruiting has changed over the last three or four years because of NIL. So you have to think about the talent — who it is versus what pay is expected. So that’s been a little bit more difficult in our state.”

Pittman isn’t the only coach who wants prospects to be familiar with what their college experience will look like before making any life-changing decisions. Florida coach Billy Napier paints a clear picture of life in Gainesville and the challenges and perks that come with it.

“We present our product in a way where we’re selling the degree, the alumni network, the Gator-made program, and you have to be up for the challenge of trying to get Florida back to where it’s been before,” he said. “And I think that’s one of the reasons we’ve been able to keep it together.”

Florida’s 2023 recruiting class remains mostly intact, and from Napier’s perspective, hungrier than ever. Compared to other SEC teams, the Gators have had more success with retention. Napier doesn’t think it’s a coincidence.

“We told them when they came in, you know, look, it’s not going to be all sunshine and rainbows here. We’re in this thing for the long haul,” Napier said. “I think a lot of this is how you pitch it in recruiting. We’re going to continue to do that, and retention is more important than it’s ever been.”

Coaches scrambling to prevent transfers and maintain consistency isn’t exclusive to the SEC. The approval of the House settlement is a double-edged sword when it comes to retention, and Power Four schools and beyond are feeling the effects. Third-party NIL deals are no longer the only negotiation tactic schools need to worry about.

Complex contracts are becoming common and legal risks grow for athletes and programs alike as college football increasingly resembles the pros. Some deals are being negotiated solely by athletes as young as 18.

As a redshirt senior, Louisville linebacker TJ Quinn is used to the process.

“I wouldn’t say I was nervous (to negotiate) because this is my third year of having to do that,” Quinn said. “You’ve got to kind of stand your ground with what you feel like is your worth. If you’re comfortable with their offer, then sign. Then you have some guys that’ll leave and go to schools to get more money and stuff. That was never really like a big pusher for me, to go out and get more money because I feel like I’m in a good situation here at Louisville.”

Quinn’s loyalty could be the most convincing negotiation tactic of them all. While programs use revenue-share dollars to sway prospective transfers, coaches have begun to reward loyalty.

“To some degree, it’s capitalism that you get what you earn. So the guys that go out and play well are going to get more than the guys who haven’t proven it yet,” SMU coach Rhett Lashlee said. “Everybody on the team’s not going to make the same. Fair doesn’t always mean equal.”

But he also said the Mustangs are not going to add players “making a whole lot more than those guys who have already earned it here.”

“And I think that’s what helps us keep a good culture, is try to start with: Let’s retain first, and then whatever’s left, let’s go build the best team we can for those guys,” Lashlee said.

North Carolina State’s Dave Doeren doubled down.

“A guy that’s been on a team three years, that’s playing well and earned it on the field should make more than a guy coming in the door. I think that’s a proper way to do business,” Doeren said, though he warned that might not be the case across the board. “Right now, common sense is not prevailing in college football.”

___

AP Sports Writer Aaron Beard contributed to this report.

___

AP college football: https://apnews.com/hub/college-football



Link

Continue Reading

College Sports

Eric Podbelski – Baseball Coach

Eric Podbelski is in his first season as the associate head coach of the Bears’ in 2026. With nearly three decades of collegiate head coaching experience under his belt, Podbelski came to College Hill in July 2025 to join Frank Holbrook’s staff, who was one of his former players at Wheaton.   Podbelski served as […]

Published

on


Eric Podbelski is in his first season as the associate head coach of the Bears’ in 2026. With nearly three decades of collegiate head coaching experience under his belt, Podbelski came to College Hill in July 2025 to join Frank Holbrook’s staff, who was one of his former players at Wheaton.
 
Podbelski served as the head coach at Wheaton for the first 28 years of the program’s existence, starting with its inaugural season in 1998. During his tenure, he posted an 817-342-5 overall record, the 15th-most wins among active Division III coaches as of 2025, while his .704 winning percentage was seventh-best among active coaches. The Lyons also never had a losing season during that time, qualifying for all 25 NEWMAC postseason Tournaments, three 40+ win seasons and 14 campaigns with at least 30 victories.
 
A model of consistency and excellence in his 28 seasons, Podbelski’s squads captured at least a share of 21 NEWMAC regular season titles, 17 tournament championships, made 18 NCAA Tournaments, and four trips to the Division III College World Series, including a pair of national runner-up finishes in 2006 and 2012. Wheaton earned at least a share of the NEWMAC regular season crown 17 years in a row, with Podbelski earning 12 NEWMAC Coach of the Year/Staff of the Year honors, six NEIBA Coach of the Year honors, and was selected as the regional coach of the year five times.
 
Podbelski coached 114 All-NEWMAC selections, as well as 132 all-region honorees and 21 All-Americans. Sixteen of his players were also named NEWMAC Players of the Year. Nine of his former players went on to sign professionally, including MLB veteran Chris Denorfia.
 
Podbelski graduated from Brandeis in 1991 where he finished among the school’s career leaders in wins with 23. He played one summer in the Cape Cod League with the Falmouth Commodores.

HEAD COACHING RECORDS





Seasons School Overall Pct. Conference Conf. Pct.
1998-2025 Wheaton 817-342-5 .704 297-75 .798

COACHING TIMELINE







Season School Title
1993-1997 Brandeis Assistant Coach
1998-2025 Wheaton Head Coach
2026-present Brown Associate Head Coach



Link

Continue Reading

College Sports

Recap | Penn State athletes take on FISU World University Games | Penn State Sports News

Penn State’s sports seasons have been long over for most, but some athletes continued their performances far into the summer. Ten Nittany Lions showcased their talents last week at the 2025 FISU World University Games in Germany, as they competed in events ranging from gymnastics to track and field. Spencer Burke – USA fencing Spencer […]

Published

on


Penn State’s sports seasons have been long over for most, but some athletes continued their performances far into the summer.

Ten Nittany Lions showcased their talents last week at the 2025 FISU World University Games in Germany, as they competed in events ranging from gymnastics to track and field.

Spencer Burke – USA fencing

Spencer Burke competed in men’s foil for the United States, but lost 5-1 in pool play. He then fell to Álmos Bálint 15-9 in the Table of 64.

Burke also competed for the men’s foil team, and although he won his bout against Mateusz Karol Kwiatkowski 5-2, the United States lost to Poland 45-43 in the Table of 16.

Yaroslav Muruhin – Ukraine fencing

Yaroslav Muruhin suited up for Ukraine in the men’s foil, going 3-3 in pool play. He earned a win in the Table of 64 with a 15-10 victory over Korea’s Hyeokjun Choi, but fell to Italy’s Tommaso Martini with a 15-14 loss in the Table of 32.

Muruhin came back for the men’s team foil on Saturday, and like the other two Penn Staters, opened the round. However, he lost 5-3 to Hungary’s Albert Bendegúz Bagdány as Ukraine fell 44-37.







NCAA Fencing Championship, Skeete Riposte

Penn State Fencer Kamar Skeete competes in men’s saber during round four of the NCAA Fencing Championship at the Multi-Sport Indoor Facility in University Park, Pa, on Friday, March 21, 2025.




Kamar Skeete – USA fencing

Kamar Skeete took the strip for the United States in the men’s sabre individual and team sabre, losing early in both with a 2-3 performance in pool play.

After the pool, Skeete was matched with Hong Kong’s Pak Lam Hugo Ho, who defeated him 15-11 in the Table of 64.

In the team competition, the United States faced Italy in the Table of 16. Skeete competed first against Cosimo Bertini, who took an early 5-0 lead for Italy, with the Italians ultimately winning 45-27.

Darius Smallwood – USA track and field

Darius Smallwood ran a season-low 1:52.68 in his sole race at the University Games.

Smallwood finished fifth in his heat — missing the automatic qualifier by one place — and finished 32nd overall.

Hayley Kitching – Australia track and field

After missing the entire 2025 spring season due to injury, three time Big Ten champion Hayley Kitching returned to the track last week.

Kitching finished in sixth place in the 800-meter prelims on Tuesday with a time of 2:03.35. In the semifinals on Wednesday, she ran 2:04.47 for 15th place, missing the automatic qualifier by four places and the time qualifier by 2.34 seconds.

The following day, Kitching competed as part of Australia’s 4×400-meter mixed relay. Kitching’s team ran 3:20.61 for fifth place and an automatic qualifier. Australia wound up finishing fifth in the finals with a 3:20.51.

Zoey Goldstein – USA track and field

Although Zoey Goldstein graduated in May, she took the track for Penn State on Thursday for a medal.

Goldstein competed in the mixed 4x400m with a 3:23.23 for sixth place in the prelims, followed by a 3:17.91 for bronze.







Zoey Goldstein Running




Jake Palermo – USA track and field

Freshman phenom Jake Palermo continued his breakout season in the University Games, where he competed in three events over the week.

Palermo opened the track competition with the men’s 400m prelims on Monday, where he ran a 46.56 for second in his heat and fifth overall. In Tuesday’s semis, Palermo ran 46.62 but was disqualified.

The Rochester, New York, native didn’t run in the prelims for the mixed 4x400m or the men’s 4x400m, but did participate in the finals, where he earned bronze with Goldstein.

Vitoria Santana – Brazil basketball

After one season suiting up for the Lady Lions, rising senior Vitoria Santana suited up for Brazil this summer.

Brazil went 0-3 in the preliminary round, losing to Hungary, Japan and Lithuania.

In the women’s 9-16 placing game against Romania, Santana’s squad won 86-65 behind her 14 points. Brazil lost 84-64 to Germany in the 9-12 placing game, and ultimately fell 83-78 to Chinese Taipei in the 11th place game.

Despite a 1-5 record throughout the tournament, Santana totaled 50 points, 11 rebounds, 10 assists, two blocks and a steal.







PSU Men's Gymnastics vs. William & Mary, Kacper Garnczarek chalk

All around gymnast Kacper Garnczarek applies chalk during the Penn State men’s gymnastics meet against William & Mary on Saturday, Jan. 25, 2025 in Rec Hall in University Park, Pa. The Nittany Lions beat the Griffins with a team score of 295.900.




Kacper Garnczarek – Poland gymnastics

Kacper Garnczarek competed in all but one apparatus for Poland.

Garnczarek had his best placement in the horizontal bars, where he finished 23rd with a 13.000. He finished 24th in floor with a 13.133.

Ian Raubal – Switzerland gymnastics

Ian Raubal was the most successful of the two gymnasts, earning a bronze medal with Switzerland, which scored 239.162 points.

Raubal led the team with a 13.500 in the rings and tied with 13.866 on the parallel bars.

Individually, Raubal finished fourth in the parallel bars with a 13.900, competing 5.400 difficulty with 8.400 execution and a 0.100 bonus. He placed 19th in the all-around.

MORE SPORTS COVERAGE


What does President Donald Trump’s ‘Saving College Sports’ executive order mean for college athletics?

President Donald Trump signed an executive order Thursday introducing new financial restrict…

If you’re interested in submitting a Letter to the Editor, click here.



Link

Continue Reading

College Sports

Kai Trump makes joke about president in ad through NIL deal with Accelerator Active Energy

Already one of the biggest names in high school girls golf, Kai Trump is getting ready for her senior season at North Palm Beach (Fla.) The Benjamin School. From there, she will head to Miami, and she’s already cashing in on the NIL front with multiple deals. Trump – who has a $1.2 million On3 […]

Published

on


Already one of the biggest names in high school girls golf, Kai Trump is getting ready for her senior season at North Palm Beach (Fla.) The Benjamin School. From there, she will head to Miami, and she’s already cashing in on the NIL front with multiple deals.

Trump – who has a $1.2 million On3 NIL Valuation – recently announced a partnership with Accelerator Active Energy, adding to her growing portfolio. She released a new ad Tuesday as part of the NIL deal, and she made a joke about her father, President Donald Trump.

The president is known for his love of Diet Coke, even putting a button on the resolute desk in the Oval Office to signal he wants one. That was part of the ad, when Kai Trump had to decide between an Accelerator drink or a Diet Coke.

“Sorry, Grandpa,” Trump said as she took the Accelerator beverage.

Trump joined LSU gymnast Livvy Dunne as athletes to sign endorsement deals with Accelerator when the two sides announced their partnership July 15. Kansas City tight end Travis Kelce is also a brand ambassador for the brand.

Trump signed her first NIL deal in January with Leaf Trading Cards last year, and the pack of cards sells for $199.99. Each contains one random autograph card, per the description. She also has an agreement in place with TaylorMade.

Trump will be featured in Accelerator campaigns and the energy drink will be woven into her social media. She joined Accelerator as an equity partner alongside Dunne.

“An energy drink with natural caffeine like Accelerator is so important to ensuring I stay focused and have extra energy when I’m in the gym, on the golf course, studying, traveling or as part of my daily routine,” Trump said in a statement. “Accelerator has an inspiring group of athlete partners that I look up to and it’s an honor to join the team. I can’t wait to jump in with Accelerator and I’m looking forward to what the future holds in our partnership.”

With a rising social media profile and commitment to Miami, Trump has a $1.2 million On3 NIL Valuation. The On3 NIL Valuation is the industry’s leading index that sets the standard market NIL value for high school and college athletes. The valuation calculates an athlete’s NIL value using dynamic data points targeting three primary categories: performance, influence and exposure.

Pete Nakos contributed.





Link

Continue Reading

Most Viewed Posts

Trending