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Tarleton State to become full-time member of new UAC in 2026 as WAC rebrands and furthers alliance with ASUN

Story Links STEPHENVILLE, Texas – On July 1, 2026, Tarleton State University will begin a new age in its NCAA Division I era, as the Texans will be one of eight institutions in the new version of the United Athletic Conference.   Tarleton State Football has been in the UAC for the past […]

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STEPHENVILLE, Texas – On July 1, 2026, Tarleton State University will begin a new age in its NCAA Division I era, as the Texans will be one of eight institutions in the new version of the United Athletic Conference.
 
Tarleton State Football has been in the UAC for the past two years, a football-only conference that has included members of the Western Athletic Conference and Atlantic Sun Conference. Announced on Thursday, the WAC will rebrand into an all-sports version of the UAC that will include three WAC members (Tarleton State, Abilene Christian, UT Arlington) and the five football-playing institutions from the ASUN (Austin Peay, Central Arkansas, Eastern Kentucky, North Alabama and West Georgia).
 
“We stand at a pivotal moment in collegiate athletics that demands vision, collaboration, and bold leadership,” Chairman of the WAC Board of Directors Dr. James Hurley said. “The evolving landscape of collegiate athletics presents both challenges and opportunities and our alliance with the ASUN represents a strategic step forward for our institution and peers.
 
“We honor the proud past of the Western Athletic Conference and carry that legacy with us as we move confidently into the future as the United Athletic Conference, in partnership with the Consortium,” Hurley continued. “Together, we are building something that reflects the values, ambition, and resilience of our universities and student-athletes.”
 
This is a groundbreaking alliance, creating a consortium of two conferences to innovate and improve operational efficiency. The alliance will strengthen both conferences, create new growth opportunities, and position both conferences for continued success in the future.
 
The Consortium will be led by current ASUN Commissioner Jeff Bacon, who will serve as its Executive Director. Current WAC Commissioner, Rebekah Ray, will assume a leadership role within the Consortium.
 
“Conferences are unrecognizable today from just a few years ago, and as we have navigated conference realignment, we are excited that the WAC has furthered its alliance with the ASUN to reinstate stability, a forsaken aspect in today’s climate,” Tarleton State Vice President and Director of Athletics Steve Uryasz said. “A new approach is needed in this landscape to keep enhancing the student-athlete experience. Without change, we will continue down a problematic and unsustainable path. The future is bright for the UAC.”
 
Starting July 1, 2026, the Western Athletic Conference will officially rebrand to the United Athletic Conference, which is the brand currently used to recognize the ASUN-WAC Football Alliance. This rebrand will better recognize the new membership composition of the conference with all seven football members housed within one conference, and the shift in geographic footprint.
 
The Consortium, with participation by multiple conferences, will allow for the consolidation and reduction of expenses, enhanced collective external revenue generation and bargaining opportunities, increased in-season scheduling opportunities, enhanced geographic alignment, governance support in anticipation of a deregulated NCAA Division I governance structure, and elevated student-athlete experiences with less missed class time and opportunities for rivalry development.
 
Sport sponsorship in the UAC will include baseball, men’s basketball, men’s cross country, men’s golf, football, men’s tennis, men’s indoor track and field, men’s outdoor track and field, women’s basketball, women’s cross country, women’s golf, women’s soccer, softball, women’s tennis, women’s indoor track and field, women’s outdoor track and field, and volleyball.
 
Of Tarleton State’s 17 NCAA Division I programs, 16 will be full-fledged members of the United Athletic Conference. Texan Beach Volleyball will remain a Conference USA affiliated program.
 
The ASUN will consist of Bellarmine, Florida Gulf Coast, Jacksonville, Lipscomb, North Florida, Queens University of Charlotte, and Stetson.
 
Tarleton State has been a member of the Western Athletic Conference throughout its NCAA Division I era, which began in 2020. The Texans officially joined the WAC on July 1, 2020, after accepting its invitation in November 2019. Tarleton State Football was an independent program in 2020, part of the WAC in 2021-22 and members of the UAC starting in 2023. Tarleton State Beach Volleyball has been a Conference USA affiliate since the program began in 2024.
 
Since joining the WAC, the Texans have one of the premier institutions. Despite not being eligible for the conference tournament the first two years or NCAA Division I postseason eligible the first four years, Tarleton State has finished in the top-two of the conference standings nine times across five sports, top-two in the conference tournament five times across four sports, with two conference tournament titles over the past two seasons (baseball in 2024 and women’s golf in 2025). 
 





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MSU Earns Team Academic Honors from USTFCCCA

The Murray State women’s track & field program was honored by the U.S. Track & Field and Cross Country Coaches Association (USTFCCCA) as part of their national All-Academic Team awards for the 2024-25 school year.   “Our team members had a great year in the classroom,” said Murray State head coach Adam Kiesler. “We put […]

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The Murray State women’s track & field program was honored by the U.S. Track & Field and Cross Country Coaches Association (USTFCCCA) as part of their national All-Academic Team awards for the 2024-25 school year.
 
“Our team members had a great year in the classroom,” said Murray State head coach Adam Kiesler. “We put our academics at the top and to see their hard work pay off is very rewarding. We’re looking forward to the start of the fall semester and look for great performances on and off the field of play in 2025-26.”
 
The criteria for inclusion to the All-Academic Team awards includes all student-athletes on the institution’s NCAA Squad List for
Indoor and/or Outdoor Track and Field must be 3.0 or higher on a 4.0 scale.
 
For more information on the Murray State track and field team, visit GoRacers.com or follow @RacersXCTF on Instagram and X.
 



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Takeways From Media Day – University of Maryland Athletics

Maryland’s transfers bring SEC, international experience  Adam Hughes and the Terps’ coaching staff welcomed four transfers over the offseason. Three of the newcomers, including Ajack Malual, Haley Melby and Olivia Ruy, transferred from SEC programs.  Malual, a transfer from Tennessee, boasts international experience, having grown up playing volleyball in Italy. The native of Rome attended […]

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Maryland’s transfers bring SEC, international experience 

Adam Hughes and the Terps’ coaching staff welcomed four transfers over the offseason. Three of the newcomers, including Ajack Malual, Haley Melby and Olivia Ruy, transferred from SEC programs. 

Malual, a transfer from Tennessee, boasts international experience, having grown up playing volleyball in Italy. The native of Rome attended Tambosi ETI and was a member of the Italian U18 National Team. Her sister, Adhu, competes professionally in Italy, while her brother, Dhiu, previously competed professionally there. 

The senior explained how transitioning to play in the United States has had a positive impact on her game. 

“I feel like it has been such a beautiful experience for me,” Malual said. “I feel like I have something extra in my luggage of experiences in life. I get to see how people in America play. … It kind of taught me to adapt to change very quickly.”



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Men’s Volleyball Welcomes Gabriel Vergés as Inaugural Signee

Story Links RIVERDALE, NY – Manhattan Men’s Volleyball Head Coach Chris Schortgen has officially announced his first-ever signing with freshman setter Gabriel Vergés, on Thursday afternoon. “We are very excited to welcome Gabriel Vergés as our first international commit for our inaugural men’s volleyball season.” said Schortgen. “Gabriel comes to us from Barcelona where […]

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RIVERDALE, NY – Manhattan Men’s Volleyball Head Coach Chris Schortgen has officially announced his first-ever signing with freshman setter Gabriel Vergés, on Thursday afternoon.

“We are very excited to welcome Gabriel Vergés as our first international commit for our inaugural men’s volleyball season.” said Schortgen.

“Gabriel comes to us from Barcelona where he left his home at 13 to train at one of the top volleyball academies in Spain. He’s a very technical setter with a high IQ and proven leader throughout his career. We look forward to building with him.”

Vergés, the 6-4 setter who hails from Vilanova I la Geltru, Barcelona in Spain, attended INS Dolors Mallafré I Ros School, where he played six years of high school volleyball.

The incoming freshman was presented a high-performance athlete scholarship during his time at Vilanova I la Geltru, while helping his team to a third-place finish in back-to-back years in the Spanish Primera División Championships.

On the club circuit, Vergés most recently played for CEVOL Torredembarra. Prior to CEVOL, Verges competed with Club CV Barberá, Get BLUME, and VC Sant Martí as early as 2021-22.

Additionally, the Spaniard competed in Taekwondo for eight years in grade school in Barcelona.

In the classroom, Vergés was among the top three in his graduating class.

Vergés will be pursuing his bachelor’s degree in physics in Riverdale.

Follow Manhattan Men’s Volleyball on X and Instagram (@ManhattanMVBall).



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Weightlifting Set to Return to Commonwealth Youth Games

British Weight Lifting is thrilled to learn that Weightlifting will be included in the sport programme of the 2027 Commonwealth Youth Games to be held in Malta. This marks a celebratory return for the sport, having last been featured at the 2015 Commonwealth Youth Games in Samoa. With over 1,150 athletes aged 14–18 expected to […]

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British Weight Lifting is thrilled to learn that Weightlifting will be included in the sport programme of the 2027 Commonwealth Youth Games to be held in Malta.

Weightlifting Set to Return to Commonwealth Youth Games in Malta 2027

This marks a celebratory return for the sport, having last been featured at the 2015 Commonwealth Youth Games in Samoa.

With over 1,150 athletes aged 14–18 expected to participate from across the Commonwealth Youth Games, the 2027 edition in Malta promises to be one of the most exciting yet. The sports programme includes athletics, para athletics, swimming and para swimming, water polo, netball, triathlon, sailing, squash—and, proudly, weightlifting.

Why This Matters to Weightlifting

  • A welcome milestone: This marks the sport’s return after a 12 year gap.
  • Pathway for youth athletes: The Commonwealth Youth Games has launched the careers of many past champions. Take Chris Murray, who earned his first international medal—a bronze—in the men’s 62kg category at Samoa 2015, before going on to become Commonwealth Games Champion in 2022.
  • Spotlight on our next generation: The Malta platform will offer young UK weightlifters the invaluable experience of international competition in a multi-sport environment much like the stepping stones ahead of the Glasgow 2026 Commonwealth Games.

Weightlifting’s return to the Commonwealth Youth Games in Malta 2027 is a momentous and welcome development. 12 years on from Samoa 2015, this edition offers young British weightlifters a powerful launchpad and fans a chance to cheer on the stars of tomorrow on an international stage.

Chris Murray commented “I am so pleased to see Weightlifting back on the programme for the Commonwealth Youth Games. Opportunities like this offer young athletes an important international experience where they can build confidence for future competitions. I had a fantastic time competing at the Commonwealth Youth Games in Samoa and look forward to other athletes having the same experience in Malta.”

Chris Murray with his Bronze medal, Samoa Commonwealth Youth Games 2015

Chris Murray with his Gold medal, Birmingham Commonwealth Games 2022





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MLB roundup: Braves beat Reds after 16-run eighth inning – Field Level Media – Professional sports content solutions

Marcell Ozuna’s sacrifice fly drove in Matt Olson with the go-ahead run in the 10th inning as the visiting Atlanta Braves beat the Cincinnati Reds 12-11 on Thursday night in a wild game in Cincinnati. After the Braves scored eight runs in the top of the eighth, the Reds followed with eight runs of their […]

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Marcell Ozuna’s sacrifice fly drove in Matt Olson with the go-ahead run in the 10th inning as the visiting Atlanta Braves beat the Cincinnati Reds 12-11 on Thursday night in a wild game in Cincinnati.

After the Braves scored eight runs in the top of the eighth, the Reds followed with eight runs of their own in the bottom half of the inning. It was just the third time in major league history that both teams scored eight-plus runs in the same frame, per Elias Sports Bureau.

Pierce Johnson (2-3) didn’t surrender any hits in the ninth to collect the win, and Raisel Iglesias was perfect in the 10th to earn his 13th save in 18 chances. Atlanta’s Ozzie Albies had four hits and two RBIs, and Ozuna contributed a single, three walks and three runs.

Ke’Bryan Hayes and Spencer Steer each had three-run home runs in the Reds’ eight-run eighth inning while Elly De La Cruz hit his first home run since June 23 in the third inning, snapping the longest homer drought of his career.

Yankees 7, Rays 4

Ben Rice hit a three-run homer in the second inning after Giancarlo Stanton blasted a two-run shot in the first as host New York raced out to a seven-run lead and recorded a victory over sliding Tampa Bay.

Yankees starter Marcus Stroman (3-2) allowed four runs on six hits in five innings. Jonathan Loaisiga converted his first save with a shutout ninth as New York won the last three games of the four-game series.

Brandon Lowe had two hits for the Rays, who have lost seven of eight. Ryan Pepiot (6-9) gave up seven runs on six hits in four innings.

Mariners 6, Rangers 0

Cal Raleigh hit his major-league-leading 42nd home run of the season and George Kirby pitched six strong innings as Seattle defeated visiting Texas in the opener of a four-game series.

Kirby (6-5) continued his mastery of the Rangers by allowing just three hits. In 10 career starts against Texas, Kirby is 8-0 with a 1.04 ERA. Rookie Cole Young hit a solo shot and a run-scoring triple for the Mariners.

Texas starter Kumar Rocker (4-5), who was 3-0 over his previous seven starts, gave up three runs on six hits over 4 2/3 innings.

–Field Level Media



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Jhamal Diggs Helps To Grow Sport With Volleyball Skills Clinic

Coach Jhamal Diggs has spent the last two weeks growing the sport of volleyball in the state of Rhode Island. The leader of the state championship boys program at Cranston East & girls program at La Salle Academy hosting a skills clinic the past two weeks in Providence. Diggs hopes teaching these youngers players (grades […]

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Coach Jhamal Diggs has spent the last two weeks growing the sport of volleyball in the state of Rhode Island.

The leader of the state championship boys program at Cranston East & girls program at La Salle Academy hosting a skills clinic the past two weeks in Providence.

Diggs hopes teaching these youngers players (grades six through eight) will help provide another option for a high school sport to play.





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