Sports
Kevin LaSure Joins Track & Field Program as Assistant Coach
LaSure arrives at Columbia following a highly successful decade as Director of Cross Country and Track & Field at Academy of Art University, where he led the program to sustained national prominence at the NCAA Division II level. During his tenure, his teams earned 14 top-10 national finishes, including multiple top-five performances, while producing more than 20 individual national champions and over 300 All-Americans across sprints, hurdles, middle distance, jumps, and relays.
A nationally recognized coach, LaSure has earned 11 NCAA Division II West Region Coach of the Year awards and coached athletes to five NCAA national records, multiple National Track Athlete of the Year honors, and an Olympic bronze medalist at the 2016 Olympic Games.
His impact extended well beyond performance, as his programs consistently posted strong academic results, including multiple USTFCCCA All-Academic Team honors and significant improvements in team GPA.
Prior to his time at Academy of Art, LaSure served as head coach of cross country and track & field at the University of New Haven for eight seasons after beginning his collegiate coaching career there as an assistant. Across both head coaching stops, his teams combined for numerous national qualifiers, conference championships, and regional honors, cementing his reputation as a program builder and elite developer of student-athletes.
In addition to his on-track success, LaSure is a longtime leader within the coaching profession. He has been deeply involved with the USTFCCCA Executive Committee, serving as president (2017–21) and executive council chair (2021–24), and remains a highly respected voice in collegiate track and field nationally.
While Coach LaSure will work with all track and field and cross country student-athletes, he will directly oversee the men’s and women’s sprints and relays squads.
Stay up to date on all things Columbia track & field and cross country by following the Lions on Twitter (@CULionsXCTF), Instagram (@culionsxctf) and on Facebook (@ColumbiaAthletics).
Sports
All-Americans, SLC champions highlight Fall 2025 graduating class
All-American sprinter Maygan Shaw, who became the first Lady Demon sprinter to earn All-American honors, led six current or former Lady Demon track and field athletes who earned their degrees. The majority of that group were part of a run that has seen the program win five of the six Southland Conference championships across the past three years of indoor and outdoor competition.
Shaw, a second-team All-American in the 400 meters this past spring, earned her bachelor’s degree in nursing and was on the honor roll. She is joined by Brea-Baca White (nursing), Tranasia Jones (liberal arts), Shakeria Kirk (psychology), Jaslyn Smith (health and exercise science) and Peyten Ware (child and family studies) as championship-winning track and field competitors who picked up their degrees this week.
Two pieces of the 2025 Southland Conference regular-season Northwestern soccer program also had degrees conferred upon them in the past two days. All-Southland goalkeeper Kennedy Rist (biology), midfielder Madison Murphy (communication) were two of four current or former soccer players who earned degrees in the fall. They were joined by Sara Fernandez (nursing) and Kylie Morris (biology).
The 2024-25 Southland Conference Women’s Basketball Newcomer of the Year, Mya Blake, earned her general studies degree in the summer.
Former All-Southland Conference performers Diamante Gumbs (track and field), Djimon Gumbs (track and field) and Reese Lipoma (baseball) became two-time NSU graduates as all three earned master’s degrees in health and human performance with a concentration in sport administration.
Of the 32 current or former student-athletes who took part in the ceremonies, 21 graduated with at least a 3.0 grade point average.
Total Summer 2025 and Fall 2025 Athletic Department Grads: 43
Summer 2025 Athletic Graduation List (Participating in Fall 2025 commencement): 10
Baseball (5)
- Brandon Carter (Former Student-Athlete): Bachelor of Science; College: Education & Human Development; Major: Health & Exercise Science; Honors: Magna Cum Laude
- Caden Fiveash: Bachelor of Science; College: Business and Technology; Major: Business Administration; Concentration: Management; Honors: Magna Cum Laude
- Reese Lipoma (Former Student-Athlete): Master of Science; College: Education & Human Development; Major: Health and Human Performance; Concentration: Public Health
- Cade Pregeant (Former Student-Athlete): Bachelor of Arts; College: Arts and Sciences; Major: Liberal Arts; Minor: Business Administration; Honors: Honor Roll
- Balin Valentine (Former Student-Athlete): Bachelor of Arts; College: Arts and Sciences; Major: Liberal Arts; Minor: Social Science; Honors: Honor Roll
Men’s Basketball (2)
- Lado Laku (Former Student-Athlete): Bachelor of General Studies; College: Arts and Sciences; Major: General Studies; Concentration: Social Science; Minor: Social Science
- Jon Sanders (Former Student-Athlete): Bachelor of General Studies; College: Arts and Sciences; Major: General Studies; Concentration: Social Science; Minor: Social Science; Honors: Honor Roll
Men’s Track & Field (1)
- Robert Norton (Former Student-Athlete): Bachelor of General Studies; College: Arts and Sciences; Major: General Studies; Concentration: Social Science; Minor: Social Science
Volleyball (1)
- Teresa Garza (Former Student-Athlete): Bachelor of Science; College: Education & Human Development; Major: Sport & Recreation Management; Minor: Business Administration; Honors: Honor Roll
Administration (1)
- Jena Williams (Former Graduate Asst./Women’s Basketball): Master of Science; College: Education & Human Development; Major: Health and Human Performance; Concentration: Sport Administration
Fall 2025 Athletic Graduation List (33)
Baseball (2)
- John Acosta: Bachelor of Science; College: Arts and Sciences; Majors: Biology and Microbiology; Concentrations: Biomedical and Medical & Health Profession; Minor: Chemistry; Honors: Summa Cum Laude
- Bryce Johnson: Bachelor of Science; College: Business and Technology; Major: Business Administration; Concentration: Finance; Honors: Honor Roll
Women’s Basketball (3)
- Mya Blake (Former Student-Athlete): Bachelor of General Studies; College: Arts and Sciences; Major: General Studies; Concentration: Social Science; Minor: Social Science
- Jordan McLemore (Former Student-Athlete): Bachelor of Science; College: Business and Technology; Major: Business Administration; Minor: Hospitality, Management, and Tourism; Honors: Cum Laude
- Madison Moles (Former Student-Athlete): Bachelor of Science; College: Education & Human Development; Major: Health & Exercise Science; Honors: Magna Cum Laude
Football (7)
- Matt Broad: Bachelor of Science; College: Arts and Sciences; Major: Biology; Concentration: Natural Science; Honors: Honor Roll
- Kody Finley: Bachelor of Science; College: Business and Technology; Major: Business Administration
- Cameron George: Bachelor of General Studies; College: Arts and Sciences; Major: General Studies; Concentration: Social Science; Minor: Social Science
- Tyler Lewis: Master of Science; College: Education & Human Development; Major: Health and Human Performance; Concentration: Sport Administration
- Connor Norcross (Former Student-Athlete): Bachelor of Science; College: Education & Human Development; Major: Health & Exercise Science; Honors: Honor Roll
- Danny Sears: Bachelor of Science; College: Education & Human Development; Major: Sport & Recreation Management; Minor: Business Administration; Honors: Cum Laude
- Christian Williams: Bachelor of Arts; College: Arts and Sciences; Major: Liberal Arts; Minor: Communication
Soccer (4)
- Sara Fernandez (Former Student-Athlete): Bachelor of Science in Nursing; College: Nursing & School of Allied Health; Major: Nursing; Honors: Honor Roll
- Kylie Morris (Former Student-Athlete): Bachelor of Science; College: Arts and Sciences; Major: Biology; Concentration: Biomedical; Honors: Cum Laude
- Madison Murphy: Bachelor of Arts; College: Arts and Sciences; Major: Communication; Concentration: Sports Media; Minor: P.E., Sport, and Leisure Management; Honors: Summa Cum Laude
- Kennedy Rist: Bachelor of Science; College: Arts and Sciences; Major: Biology; Concentration: Biomedical; Honors: Magna Cum Laude
Men’s Track and Field (4)
- Diamante Gumbs (Former Student-Athlete; Current Asst. Track & Field Coach): Master of Science; College: Education & Human Development; Major: Health and Human Performance; Concentration: Sport Administration
- Djimon Gumbs (Former Student-Athlete; Current Asst. Track & Field Coach): Master of Science; College: Education & Human Development; Major: Health and Human Performance; Concentration: Sport Administration
- John Klein: Bachelor of Arts; College: Arts and Sciences; Major: Criminal Justice; Concentration: Pre-Law and Paralegal Studies; Honors: Magna Cum Laude
- Joshua Moore (Former Student-Athlete): Bachelor of General Studies; College: Arts and Sciences; Major: General Studies; Concentration: Social Science; Minor: Social Science
Women’s Track and Field (6)
- Brea Baca-White (Former Student-Athlete): Bachelor of Science in Nursing; College: Nursing & School of Allied Health; Major: Nursing; Honors: Cum Laude
- Tranasia Jones (Former Student-Athlete): Bachelor of Arts; College: Arts and Sciences; Major: Liberal Arts; Minor: Social Science
- Shakera Kirk: Bachelor of Science; College: Education & Human Development; Major: Psychology; Honors: Honor Roll
- Maygan Shaw (Former Student-Athlete): Bachelor of Science in Nursing; College: Nursing & School of Allied Health; Major: Nursing; Honors: Honor Roll
- Jaslyn Smith (Former Student-Athlete): Bachelor of Science; College: Education & Human Development; Major: Health and Exercise Science
- Peyten Ware (Former Student-Athlete): Bachelor of Science; College: Education & Human Development; Major: Child and Family Studies; Concentration: Child Development & Family Relations
Volleyball (1)
- Tessa Gerwig (Former Student-Athlete): Bachelor of Science; College: Education & Human Development; Major: Psychology; Honors: Magna Cum Laude
Administration (6)
- Kendrioun Boatman/Football Grad. Asst. Coach: Master of Science; College: Education & Human Development; Major: Health and Human Performance; Concentration: Sport Administration (Perfect 4.0 GPA!)
- Julia Davis/Athletics Academic Coordinator: Master of Science; College: Education & Human Development; Major: Health and Human Performance; Concentration: Sport Administration
- Mackenzie Fletcher (Former Graduate Asst./Baseball): Master of Science; College: Education & Human Development; Major: Health and Human Performance; Concentration: Sport Administration
- Tyrius “T.J.” Hersey/Football Grad. Asst. Coach: Master of Science; College: Education & Human Development; Major: Health and Human Performance; Concentration: Sport Administration
- McKel Major/Strength and Conditioning Grad. Asst. Coach: Master of Science; College: Education & Human Development; Major: Health and Human Performance; Concentration: Sport Administration
- Ian Rogers/Strength and Conditioning Asst. Coach: Master of Science; College: Education & Human Development; Major: Health and Human Performance; Concentration: Sport Administration
Sports
Nebraska loss won’t keep Husker fans from NCAA volleyball finals
Sports
TRICIA MELFY HIRED AS WINONA STATE HEAD VOLLEYBALL COACH
WINONA, Minn. – Winona State University has named Tricia Melfy the WSU Volleyball head coach, as announced by Winona State Director of Athletics Jen Flowers.
“We are thrilled to welcome Coach Melfy to Winona State. She emerged through this process as the right person lead Warrior Volleyball into the future,” noted Flowers. “Coach Melfy will operate with a student-athlete centered approach, and her leadership and experience will be of great benefit to our program. I am excited to watch our volleyball program excel under Coach Melfy’s guidance.”
Melfy, who brings over 25 years of volleyball coaching experience with over 400 career victories, most recently served as the head volleyball coach at East Stroudsburg University.
“I am honored and excited to lead the Winona State University volleyball program,” Melfy said. “This team is built on a strong foundation of high-caliber talent and high-character student-athletes, and I look forward to building on that tradition of excellence. I want to thank Jen Flowers and the search committee for this tremendous opportunity. I am eager to get on campus and begin working with our Warriors family.”
This past season, Melfy was named the 2025 AVCA Atlantic Region Coach of the year after leading the ESU Warriors to a PSAC East Regular Season Championship, the PSAC Tournament Championship, and the program’s first ever NCAA Division II National Tournament victory while coaching the AVCA Atlantic Region Player of the Year and a pair of AVCA All-Americans.
During her five-season tenure at East Stroudsburg, Melfy led ESU to a pair of NCAA DII National Tournaments, four straight PSAC semifinal appearances, three PSAC East first-place finishes, and was named the PSAC East Coach of the Year in 2021 and most recently the AVCA Atlantic Region Coach of the Year in 2025.
In total, Melfy held a 102-46 (.689) record at East Stroudsburg with three consecutive 20-win seasons. Melfy tutored two All-Americans, one AVCA Atlantic Region Player of the Year, four PSAC East Player of the Year honorees and a PSAC East Defensive Player of the Year to go along with four Atlantic All-Region recipients, and 15 All-PSAC award winners.
Prior to ESU, served as the head women’s volleyball coach for two seasons at Fort Lewis College. She spent two seasons as the head women’s coach at Phoenix College after guiding the women’s program at the University of Minnesota-Morris in 2015. During the 2014 season, Melfy was the first assistant coach at Minot State University (N.D.).
As a student-athlete, she was a two-time All-American at Arizona State University in the heptathlon (1992, 94) and twice qualified for the United States Olympic Trials (1992, 96). She was also an All-American in the heptathlon at Mesa Community College (1990). Melfy found her passion for volleyball competing on Mesa’s Regional Runner-up Mesa volleyball team during the 1989-90 season.
Melfy received her bachelor of science degree in exercise science/physical education from Arizona State University in 1994. She earned her Physical Education Teacher Certification from Ottawa University in 1995, and her master of education in educational leadership from Northern Arizona University in 2002.
Sports
Chanticleers Continue Academic Excellence in Fall 2025
CONWAY — Coastal Carolina Athletics continued its strong academic performance during the Fall 2025 semester, the department announced.
The Chanticleers posted a 3.37 departmental GPA for the fall semester, marking the department’s 23rd consecutive semester with a GPA above 3.0. Overall, 18 of 19 teams earned a team GPA of 3.0 or higher.
“The academic success of our student-athletes during the Fall 2025 semester reflects their commitment to excellence in the classroom and the strong support structure we have in place at Coastal Carolina,” said Chance Miller, Vice President for Intercollegiate Athletics and University Recreation. “With 23 consecutive semesters above a 3.0 departmental GPA and multiple programs achieving record-setting results, this performance is a testament to the dedication of our student-athletes, coaches, and academic support staff in developing well-rounded individuals prepared for success beyond athletics.”
A total of 360 student-athletes earned Chauncey’s Honor Roll recognition by posting a semester GPA of 3.0 or better, while 90 student-athletes were named Elite Chants with perfect 4.0 GPAs. Additionally, 146 student-athletes earned Dean’s List honors, an increase of 10 from Spring 2025, and 78 student-athletes were named to the President’s List, three more than the previous semester.
Several programs achieved historic academic milestones during the fall semester. Men’s basketball recorded its highest GPA on record with a 3.51, while men’s cross country posted a program-best 3.59, the highest GPA among all men’s teams. Men’s golf earned its highest GPA outside of the Spring 2020 COVID semester with a 3.55.
On the women’s side, women’s basketball earned its highest GPA on record with a 3.40. Indoor track and field (3.66), women’s track and field (3.67), and softball (3.85) each posted program-best GPAs, while lacrosse recorded its second-highest GPA on record at 3.65. Women’s tennis led all women’s teams with a 3.89 GPA, the highest women’s team GPA this semester.
A DEEPER DIVE
- 146 student-athletes earned Dean’s List honors.
- 78 student-athletes earned President’s List recognition.
- 360 student-athletes earned Chauncey’s Honor Roll recognition (3.0+ semester GPA).
- 90 student-athletes were named Elite Chants (4.0 semester GPA).
- 23 consecutive semesters with a departmental GPA above 3.0.
- 18 of 19 teams earned a team GPA of 3.0 or higher.
- Men’s cross country posted the highest men’s team GPA (3.59).
- Women’s tennis earned the highest women’s team GPA (3.89).
Sports
Four From Women’s Volleyball Named to College Sports Communicators Academic All-District Team
Springfield, Mass. – December 18, 2025 – Four student-athletes from the Springfield College women’s volleyball program were recently named to the 2025 College Sports Communicators Academic All-District Team for their efforts on the field and in the classroom.
This year’s Springfield College women’s volleyball recipients included Ahunna James (Plainville, Mass.), Tori Colosimo (Fairport, N.Y.), Alexa Bonato (Orange, Conn.) and Olivia Nealy (Athens, Ga.). This marks the second straight year that James has earned the award, while Colosimo, Bonato and Nealy are all first-time recipients.
The 2025 Academic All-District® Women’s Volleyball Teams, selected by College Sports Communicators, recognize the nation’s top student-athletes for their combined performances on the field and in the classroom. The CSC Academic All-America® program separately recognizes honorees in four divisions — NCAA Division I, NCAA Division II, NCAA Division III and NAIA.
In order to be eligible, a student-athlete must have a grade point average of 3.50 or higher, compete in 90-percent of the team’s games played OR start in at least 66-percent of the team’s games over the course of the season.
Colosimo, an occupational therapy major with a 3.57 grade point average, started in all 31 matches as a junior and recorded 927 total assists (8.83 per set) to go along with 81 kills, 57 aces, 41 blocks and 249 digs. She was named the Most Valuable Player and to the All-Tournament Team at the season opening Joel B. Dearing ’79 Volleyball Classic after recording over 100 assists, 13 kills, nine digs, and six blocks over three matches and became the ninth student-athlete in Springfield women’s volleyball history to eclipse 2,000 career assists. Colosimo was also recognized with New England Women’s and Men’s Athletic Conference (NEWMAC) All-League Second Team honors, a spot on the AVCA All-Region I Team and was named an AVCA Honorable Mention All-American.
James, a public health major with a 3.72 grade point average, started in 30 matches as a junior, recorded 217 kills (2.13 per set) and hit .206 on the season. James also tallied 31 aces, 72 blocks and 235 digs (2.30 per set). Bonato, a public health major with a 3.89 grade point average, started in all 31 matches as a sophomore and registered 150 kills on the year. Bonato also notched 17 aces, 94 digs and 29 blocks to wrap up her second season on the court with the Pride.
Nealy, a physical therapy major with a 3.70 grade point average, started in all 31 matches as Springfield’s libero during her junior season. Nealy registered 377 digs (3.59 per set) and 66 assists as well as four aces on the year to guide the Pride defensively.
Under the direction of head coach Moira Long Springfield went 23-8 this season and once again earned an at-large berth to the NCAA Division III Championship Tournament. This marked the third straight season, Springfield was represented in the national tournament among the 64 best teams in the country.
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Sports
Watch Wisconsin volleyball vs Kentucky in Final Four tonight; time, TV
Updated Dec. 18, 2025, 2:03 p.m. CT
Wisconsin volleyball refuses to lose these days. But so does Kentucky.
It’s a battle of college volleyball heavyweights squaring off in the Final Four when Wisconsin and Kentucky meet on Thursday, Dec. 18 with a spot in the national championship on the line.
The Badgers (28-4) carry a 13-match winning streak, dating to early November, into the showdown while the Wildcats (29-2) haven’t lost since early September, boasting a 26-match winning streak.
Wisconsin has faced a gauntlet to get back to the Final Four for the fifth time in seven years, finally getting over the hump against some fellow national powers. It beat Stanford, a program it had never defeated before, in the regional semifinals and then clinched a spot in the Final Four with a win over No. 1 Texas on the Longhorns’ home court two days later to avenge two recent NCAA tournament losses.
The Badgers are looking to return to the national title match for the first time since winning it all in 2021.
Kentucky, which is seeking a berth in the title match for the first time since winning the championship in 2020, has cruised into the Final Four. The Wildcats ran the table in the SEC and have dropped just one set in the NCAA tournament. Their only two losses this season were to No. 1 Nebraska, which finished the regular season undefeated, and Pitt, another Final Four representative.
The winner of Wisconsin-Kentucky will play Pitt or Texas A&M for each team’s second national title.
Here’s how to watch Wisconsin-Kentucky in the Final Four, the NCAA tournament schedule and bracket:
What time does Wisconsin volleyball play tonight?
- Date: Thursday, Dec. 18
- Time: 8 p.m. or 30 minutes after the conclusion of the first semifinal
Wisconsin plays Kentucky in a national semifinal match at approximately 8 p.m. Thursday, Dec. 18, at the T-Mobile Center in Kansas City, Missouri. Wisconsin-Kentucky follows the first national semifinal featuring Pitt-Texas A&M.
What channel is Wisconsin volleyball vs Kentucky on tonight? TV, livestream
- TV: ESPN
- Stream: You can stream the match on services that offer ESPN, including Fubo, which has a free trial for new subscribers.
- Announcers: Courtney Lyle (play-by-play), Holly McPeak (analyst), Katie George (analyst) and Madison Fitzpatrick (sideline reporter) are on the call.
How can I listen to Wisconsin volleyball vs Kentucky on the radio?
Radio: The match broadcasts on FM-100.5 ESPN in Madison and these Badger Radio Network stations. Jon Arias (play-by-play) and Pete Waite (analyst) are on the call.
Wisconsin volleyball score today
The Journal Sentinel will have live coverage from the Final Four with reporter John Steppe on site at the T-Mobile Center in Kansas City, Missouri. Follow his blog for scoring updates at jsonline.com/sports/badgers.
Who’s left in the NCAA volleyball tournament?
Two No. 1 seeds and two No. 3 seeds make up the Final Four. Wisconsin is the only Big Ten representative. The Badgers are joined by two SEC teams and one ACC team.
- Kentucky (1)
- Pitt (1)
- Wisconsin (3)
- Texas A&M (3)
NCAA tournament volleyball schedule
National semifinals, Thursday, Dec. 18
- Pitt (1) vs. Texas A&M (3), 5:30 p.m., ESPN
- Kentucky (1) vs. Wisconsin (3), 8 p.m. or 30 minutes after first match, ESPN
National championship, Sunday, Dec. 21
- Pitt-Texas A&M vs. Kentucky-Wisconsin, 2:30 p.m., ABC
NCAA volleyball bracket
Here’s the road to the national semifinals for the Final Four teams:
- Texas A&M: Beat Campbell 3-0, beat TCU 3-1, beat Louisville 3-2, beat Nebraska 3-2
- Pitt: Beat UMBC 3-0, beat Michigan 3-0, beat Minnesota 3-0, beat Purdue 3-1
- Wisconsin: Beat Eastern Illinois 3-0, beat North Carolina 3-0, beat Stanford 3-1, beat Texas 3-1
- Kentucky: Beat Wofford 3-0, beat UCLA 3-1, beat Cal Poly 3-0, beat Creighton 3-0
Full 2025 NCAA tournament bracket
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