MANHATTAN, Kan. – For the third time in the last four seasons and the 10th time in program history, the Kansas State men’s golf team earned a postseason bid as the Wildcats were selected as the No. 10 seed in the 2025 NCAA Bremerton Regional, the NCAA Division I Men’s Golf Selection Committee announced Wednesday during Golf Central on GOLF Channel.
 
K-State will compete at Gold Mountain Golf Club in Bremerton, Washington, May 12-14, against a field of 14 teams. This is the first time the Wildcats have earned a regional bid at least three times in a four-year stretch since being selected in 2006, 2008 and 2009.
 
The top five teams at the NCAA Bremerton Regional and the top individual on a non-advancing team will move on to the NCAA Championship, May 23-28, at Omni La Costa Resort in Carlsbad, California. The Wildcats are joined by four other Big 12 teams at the Bremerton Regional in No. 1 seed Arizona State, third-seeded Utah, sixth-seeded Colorado and No. 8 seed Kansas.
 
“It’s definitely a goal of ours to be a team that is consistently in regionals, and we’ve gotten to the point now where we have made it three out of four years,” head coach Grant Robbins said. “We’ve been in discussion for six years in a row now, either making a regional or being one of the first two or three teams out. We have gotten to that point consistently, and now it’s time to take that next step.”
 
Checking in at No. 57 in the latest National Collegiate Golf Rankings, K-State holds a team scoring average of 288.32 to rank fifth in school history, while its five top-five finishes this season are tied for ninth. The Wildcats notched a win at the Wildcat Invitational in September, while it earned a runner-up finish at the Colleton River Collegiate in early March in addition to a pair of third-place showings to end the fall and begin the spring at the Steelwood Collegiate and Hal Williams Collegiate, respectively.
 
The Wildcats have been led this season by a trio of seniors in Nicklaus Mason, Kobe Valociek and Cooper Schultz. Mason’s scoring average this season sits at 71.68 to rank eighth in school history, while Valociek is second on the team at 72.32 and Schultz is third at 72.58.
 
A native of Shawnee, Kansas, Mason has produced two of the top-10 rounds in school history this season, including a 64 during the second round of the Steelwood Collegiate to tie for third in program history. He shot in the 60s in all three rounds of that event to total a 54-hole score of 199, which is tied for third in school history.
 
Mason has both of K-State’s individual wins this season, taking the title at the Wildcat Invitational and Steelwood Collegiate. His two career wins are tied for third in school history, while he is tied for 10th with six top-five finishes in his career.
 
Valociek, a transfer from Virginia Tech, has four top-10 showings this season, including a season-best tie for fourth place at The Prestige. Schultz, who matched Mason’s 64 during the final round of the Wildcat Invitational to help fuel a tie for second place, also has four top-10 finishes this season.
 
K-State’s last appearance in the NCAA Regional was nearly the first time the Wildcats qualified for the NCAA Championship. The Wildcats finished in sixth place – just one spot shy of qualifying – in the 2023 NCAA Bath (Mich.) Regional at 7-under par 845 and missed a playoff for the final spot by only three shots.
 
Schultz will be playing in his third-straight NCAA Regional after competing for the Wildcats in 2023 and advancing as an individual a year ago. The Andover, Kansas, product tied for 30th place in the 2024 NCAA Austin Regional, while Valociek tied for 46th at that site as he competed as an individual in his final appearance as a Hokie. 
 
Mason will also be seeing action in a third postseason. He tied for 32nd and the Wildcats placed ninth in the 2022 NCAA Norman Regional. Two seasons ago in Bath, Mason tied for 43rd place.

 

Michigan State athletic director Alan Haller is leaving the school and deputy athletic director Jennifer Smith and men’s basketball coach Tom Izzo will serve as co-interim ADs, university president Kevin Guskiewicz announced Thursday.

Haller’s last day will be May 11. Guskiewicz did not disclose the reason for Haller’s exit.

“I’m grateful for Alan’s leadership since I joined the university and appreciate the success our programs have seen under his leadership,” Guskiewicz said in a statement. “He is deeply committed to this university and has led with honesty and integrity.”

Guskiewicz said a national search would begin to find a successor to Haller, who was promoted from deputy athletic director in 2021.

Haller played football and ran track at Michigan State and later worked 13 years in the school’s Department of Police and Public Safety. He joined the athletic department in 2010 and had a number of roles.

Under Haller, the Spartans won Big Ten championships in men’s basketball, women’s soccer, women’s gymnastics, men’s hockey and women’s cross country, as well as postseason appearances for several programs.

“This is a pivotal time for college athletics, where innovation, effective communications and community engagement are more important than ever,” Guskiewicz said. “Our next athletic director will lead one of the nation’s more storied athletic programs, home to 23 varsity sports, a passionate fan base, a long legacy of academic and athletic excellence and, most importantly, an ambitious future.”

Three months into his tenure in 2021, Haller signed off on a $95 million, 10-year contract for football coach Mel Tucker. Two years later Tucker was fired after he was said to have sexually harassed activist and rape survivor Brenda Tracy during a phone call in April 2022.

In 2022, seven Michigan State football players were charged for their actions during a melee in Michigan Stadium’s tunnel after a loss to the Wolverines.

Haller was an associate athletic director when a female Michigan State graduate filed a complaint about disgraced sports doctor Larry Nassar’s sexual abuse in 2014.

Michigan State University agreed to pay $500 million to settle claims from more than 300 women and girls who said they were assaulted by Nassar, who is serving a life sentence in a federal prison.

Reporting by The Associated Press.

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COLUMBUS, Ga. – Oklahoma State’s sophomore duo of Ethan Fang and Preston Stout were among the 15 players named to the 2024-25 Haskins Award Postseason Watch List it was announced today by the Haskins Foundation.

This coveted trophy honors the year’s outstanding college golfer and the memory of Fred Haskins, a club pro that spent his life nurturing and mentoring amateur golfers.

The announcement comes the day after Fang and Stout were named to the United States Palmer Cup Squad by the Golf Coaches Association of America.

In his first season in Stillwater, Fang started his Cowboy career with seven consecutive top-10 finishes, including a pair of top-five showings to wrap up the fall. He tied for third place at the Amer Ari Intercollegiate during his string of top 10s. The Plano, Texas native has earned top fives in his last two starts as well, tying for third at the Mountaineer Invitational and sharing fifth place at the Big 12 Championship.

Stout is coming off his second win of the spring in OSU’s most recent outing as he repeated as medalist at the Big 12 Championship at Southern Hills Country Club in Tulsa. The Richardson, Texas native has reeled off four consecutive top 10s and has been inside the top 10 in six of his last seven starts. In addition to his conference victory, Stout finished first at the Cabo Collegiate and has finished in third on three other occasions.

Fang is currently ranked ninth in the country, while Stout is No. 12.

Finalists for the Haskins Award will be released on May 16th and voting will open for the 10 players who are included on the list. Players, coaches, golf SIDs, select college golf media and past winners are all eligible to vote. Voting will end on May 26th at the conclusion of the stroke play portion of the NCAA Championship.

 

Jeez, it’s really hard to put into at most 2,000 words what being with The Daily Collegian has been like. But, here we go.

When I committed to Penn State, I knew I was stepping into one of the most prestigious journalism programs in the country. The Donald P. Bellisario College of Communications was a dream opportunity — a place where I could grow, challenge myself, and learn from some of the best minds in the business.

I came in with tunnel vision. At the time, I was sure my path was clear: I was going to be a broadcaster, just like my idols Jim Jackson and Mike “Doc” Emrick. I saw myself calling games, painting pictures with my voice, and delivering excitement to fans the same way they did for me growing up.

So naturally, I joined CommRadio my freshman year, eager to make my mark in sports media. I was young, driven, and full of enthusiasm. But as time went on, something didn’t feel quite right. I still loved sports. I still loved telling stories, but I realized my heart wasn’t in it the way it needed to be if I wanted to succeed long-term.

What I couldn’t deny, though, was how much I loved writing — how putting together a story, shaping a narrative, and finding just the right word gave me a different kind of satisfaction.

So, I pivoted.

I switched my major to digital and print journalism, ready to take on a new challenge. I was excited, but also nervous. I didn’t know if I was “good enough” to make the switch. Breaking into student media wasn’t as easy as I had hoped. I applied to a student-run news outlet early on — one that I won’t name — and got rejected. At the time, it stung. I wondered if I really had what it took. That kind of self-doubt can mess with you.

But then I found The Daily Collegian.

I applied for candidacy at the start of my sophomore year. My first assignment was covering Penn State women’s hockey. I’ll be honest, I didn’t know much about it. The rules, the pace, the key differences from men’s hockey — it was all new to me. It was overwhelming at first, but I was incredibly fortunate to have Michael Quinn by my side. He was patient, encouraging and a great mentor who helped me navigate my first semester with confidence. Without him, I might not have stuck with it.

It didn’t take long for me to fall in love with covering hockey. The game moves fast, but the stories come even faster. The more I wrote, the more I realized I had found my place. That spring, I also started covering another one of my favorite sports: Penn State baseball. I joined a fantastic beat alongside two incredibly talented writers — Zach Karpf and Lyle Alenstein, who quickly became two of my closest friends.

We spent chilly spring evenings in the press box at Medlar Field at Lubrano Park, bundled up in hoodies and jackets, scribbling notes with frozen fingers. Whether it was downing dollar dogs or chatting with former coach Rob Cooper postgame, those moments stick with me. They’re the kind of memories you don’t forget.

By the time junior year rolled around, I was more confident in my voice as a writer. I returned to the women’s hockey beat that fall and found myself in awe of the program I was covering. This wasn’t just a good team — it was a dynasty in the making. I got to witness the building blocks of sustained greatness. The consistency, the leadership, the intensity — every game told a story worth writing. I felt lucky to be the one putting those stories into words.

Then came the spring of junior year, and I returned to baseball. This time I teamed up with Zach Karpf, Andrew Deal, and Lexie Linderman. That group made the experience unforgettable. We were a well-oiled machine, bouncing ideas off each other, pushing each other to be better, and laughing through the long games.

And what a season we got to cover — Penn State baseball put together an incredible run that spring, defying expectations and making it all the way to the Big Ten Championship game. Being there for that journey, from the early non-conference matchups to that thrilling postseason stretch, was a privilege. It felt like we had built something special, and the friendships I made on that beat will stay with me long after we’ve all turned in our final stories.

But something was still missing.

Then, finally, came senior year.

After years of climbing the ladder, I earned the chance to cover men’s hockey — the very sport that holds a very special place in my heart. I did it alongside Chase Fisher, Maggie Hardy, and Evan Smith — three people I respect immensely and feel lucky to have worked with. It felt like everything had come full circle. All the late nights, the rewrites, the learning curves, the pressure of deadlines — it all led to this.

And what a season to cover.

Penn State men’s hockey started as an afterthought. They weren’t the flashy pick. Expectations were low. But week after week, they fought, clawed, and grinded their way through adversity, defying the odds to reach the Frozen Four for the first time in program history. Watching that story unfold from the press box and having the privilege to document it in real time was something I’ll never forget.

The atmosphere at Pegula, the passion of the fans, the resolve of the team — it all added up to a perfect storm. Being a part of it, even in a small way, was surreal.

But here’s the thing: as much as I’ll remember the games, the thrillers, the blowouts, the heartbreakers—the real impact of my time with The Daily Collegian isn’t in the stories I wrote. It’s in the people I met along the way.

I’ll never forget the long days at the table in Willard, when we’d procrastinate more than we’d write — cracking jokes (thank you Dwight “Popeyes” Wu!), arguing over the best food in the HUB (Panda all the way), teasing each other, and the millions of Sporcle’s I’d do. I’m pretty sure I’ve done more Sporcle’s than bylines. Those moments were just as valuable as any article I published. They were a reminder that journalism is a team sport. And I was lucky to be part of one hell of a team.

There were road trips to Washington, D.C., Allentown, and eventually, St. Louis for the Frozen Four. Long hours spent in cramped cars, debating hot takes and blasting music. These weren’t just work trips. They were experiences that bonded us as colleagues and as friends. They were core memories I’ll carry with me forever.

To my editors — Joel Haas, Andrew Buckman, Sam Woloson, Dan Perez, Dan Mader, Liam Wichser, Noah Aberegg, Zach Karpf, Greg Finberg, and Joe Tuman — thank you. Your guidance, patience, and yes, even your brutally honest feedback, helped shape me into the journalist I am today. You challenged me to dig deeper, to polish my writing, and to never settle for “good enough.” You believed in me, even when I wasn’t sure I believed in myself.

To AJ Piazza: I’m gonna be so real, from the first day I met you, proudly sporting that Chicago Bears jersey, I didn’t think you’d end up with your own paragraph. And yet, here we are. We got through Boaz together (somehow), and now look at us — we’re “pooblished.” You were the one person at the Collegian who matched me in pure hockey brainpower, and for that alone, I’ll be forever grateful. Whether it was breaking down line combinations or complaining about power plays, you always got it. You’ve come a long way, and I’m glad I got to see it up close — even if your football team still makes it hard to take you seriously.

To Chase Fisher: You reached out to me hoping to join the Collegian, and somehow that message turned into one of the best friendships I’ve made here. From answering your questions about candidacy to covering games side by side at Pegula, it’s been unreal watching you grow into a total pro. Your hockey knowledge, writing chops, and ability to stay calm under pressure made you an absolute force on the beat. Whether we were workshopping ledes or laughing at whatever chaos was unfolding on the ice, I always knew I had someone I could count on. You didn’t just join the Collegian — you made it better. And I’m lucky I got to be along for the ride.

To Zach Karpf: How on earth did you go from my beat partner to my boss? Still not sure how I feel about that — but hey, here we are. I’ll definitely miss the endless Phillies debates, trying (and mostly failing) to convert you into a hockey guy, and of course, carrying you in Cynthia’s class. You’ve been one of my favorite people to work with and hang with and don’t worry, The Bank is calling our names.

To Andrew Deal: You were the quiet one at first, but it didn’t take long to realize you are one of the sharpest writers at the table. Whether it was grinding through baseball gamers or making dry one-liners that caught everyone off guard, you always brought something to the team. Your consistency, calmness, and low-key humor made every long night at Medlar feel a little easier. I’m glad we got to share a beat — and yes, I’ll miss the sarcasm almost as much as the stories. To quote Dwight, it really is a Deal!

To Lexie Linderman, Lyle Alenstein, Greg Finberg, Maggie Hardy, and Evan Smith: I couldn’t wrap this up without mentioning all of you. Whether it was long nights on the beat, heated group chat debates, or just making me laugh when I needed it most, you each played a real role in making my Collegian experience what it was.

Lexie, you brought unmatched energy and chaos in the best way. Lyle, your quiet brilliance made you one of the sharpest writers I’ve worked with. Greg, your Wizards takes were somehow both terrible and iconic. Maggie, you were the steady hand every hockey beat needs. And Evan, you showed up, got it done, and made it all look easy. Thank you all — seriously.

The Daily Collegian gave me so much more than bylines. It gave me lifelong friendships, an outlet for my passion, and a genuine understanding of what it means to be a journalist. The thrill of chasing a lead, the nerves before a big interview, the rush of hitting “publish” on a story you’re proud of — those feelings are what I live for. And I found them all here.

Now, as I prepare to leave Penn State behind, I know I’m going to miss it all — the chaos, the caffeine-fueled writing sessions, the last-minute scrambles to update a story after a game goes into overtime. But more than anything, I’m going to miss the people who made it all worth it. The ones who sat beside me through the highs and lows, who pushed me to be better, and who reminded me why I chose this path in the first place.

This chapter is coming to a close, but the memories, lessons, and friendships I’ve made through The Daily Collegian will stick with me wherever I go. I’m proud of what we accomplished, grateful for the journey, and excited for what’s next — even if it’s a little scary.

Here’s to the games we covered, the stories we told, and the friends we made along the way.

Unc out.

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