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John Fanta College Basketball Broadcaster and Reporter College basketball has become a year-round sport, which means it’s never too early to start talking about next season. The transfer portal is loaded with over 1,700 names, while the coaching carousel brought several fascinating moves between Sean Miller heading to Texas, Darian DeVries taking over at Indiana, […]
College Basketball Broadcaster and Reporter
College basketball has become a year-round sport, which means it’s never too early to start talking about next season. The transfer portal is loaded with over 1,700 names, while the coaching carousel brought several fascinating moves between Sean Miller heading to Texas, Darian DeVries taking over at Indiana, Buzz Williams heading to Maryland, former Terps coach Kevin Willard went to Villanova, and so much more.
The only certainty with the offseason in college hoops is the uncertainty that still surrounds roster building, NIL money and the portal. That said, it gives us no shortage of things to talk about because, in this fluid atmosphere, a coach’s ability to win the speed dating portion of the offseason is so key. There’s not much time to allocate your money and bring portal players in, so the on-the-fly nature of this is really intriguing. And, just because you spend a lot on a roster does not mean that you’re a lock to make the NCAA Tournament or a lock to make a run. Ask Kansas State and Indiana how things fared for them this past year or Bill Self and Kansas how the Jayhawks did the last two years after appearing to have crushed the portal.
With that in mind, here’s our first snapshot of the 2025-26 season.
1. Houston
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First off, how about the pedigree that the Cougars have built? They’re the class of the Big 12, losing just one conference game, notching a pair of Final Four appearances in the last five years along with three Elite Eight appearances and five Sweet 16s. Roster continuity is a theme to their rich success, and they’ve got that in place with Emanuel Sharp and potentially Milos Uzan, not to mention JoJo Tugler and Terrance Arceneaux. But the Cougars are also bringing in a loaded recruiting class that ranks at No. 4 in the country and is headlined by Chris Cenac Jr. and Isiah Harwell.
2. Purdue
The Boilermakers made the Sweet 16 and gave Houston all it could handle in that game. They should have as much returning experience and perimeter firepower as anybody in the sport next season. Braden Smith could very well be the preseason national player of the year after being a finalist for the Naismith Award this season, while his backcourt sidekick, Fletcher Loyer, will also be back. Trey Kaufman-Renn headlines the frontcourt after his strong 2024-25 campaign, while the Boilers have made one of the biggest splashes in the portal with South Dakota State transfer Oscar Cluff (17.6 PPG, 12.8 RPG, 2.8 APG).
3. Louisville
The Cardinals are the champions of the transfer portal at the moment, having reeled in one of the best bucket-getting guards in America in Xavier transfer Ryan Conwell, while Isaac McKneely comes in from Virginia and Adrian Wooley comes from Kennesaw State. Five-star guard Mikel Crown Jr. is set to arrive next season and will team up with returnees J’Vonne Hadley and Kasean Pryor. There’s a lot to like about Pat Kelsey’s team as he heads into his second season. He’s done a great job in a short period of time and has restored the Cardinals to the top of the headlines in college hoops for the right reasons.
4. Duke
While the Blue Devils took a loss that will stick with them for a long time, don’t expect Duke to waver from their status as one of the nation’s best. They have the No. 1 recruiting class for the third time in the last four years, headlined by Cameron and Cayden Boozer. Cameron is a 6-foot-9 forward who can do a little bit of everything and will be a handful for any defense to stop, while Cayden will be in a lead guard role and is a really skilled playmaker with upside. Fellow five-star prospects Shelton Henderson and Nikolas Khamenia are a pair of dynamic wings as well.
5. UConn
I expect a big bounce-back season from Connecticut, which gave Florida all it could handle in the second round of the NCAA Tournament before the Gators narrowly survived. Why do I have the Huskies in the top five? They bring back Solo Ball, big man Tarris Reed and wing Jaylin Stewart while notching one of the best transfer guards in America with former Georgia standout Silas Demary. The decision for Alex Karaban to go pro or return for his senior year is key, as is what else Dan Hurley does in the portal.
6. Texas Tech
The Red Raiders were a matchup nightmare for opponents this season with their versatility and athleticism. If this group can remain intact for 2025-26, they have a chance to be one of America’s best. Rising junior JT Toppin could come back and be one of the best players in the country after averaging 18.2 PPG and 9.4 RPG this past season. Second-leading scorer Darrion Williams could also return along with Christian Anderson, who scored 22 points and was huge in the Sweet 16 comeback victory over Arkansas. While things are always fluid in the offseason, there’s a lot of potential in Lubbock next year and Grant McCasland has the money to keep the majority of his pieces intact.
7. Alabama
Having a fully healthy Latrell Wrightsell is one of the Tide’s top storylines heading into next season. The team’s second-leading scorer ruptured his Achilles in November but will be working his way back and leads the returnees alongside Aden Holloway, who should make a big leap in his junior year. Look for sophomore Aiden Sherrell to take his game to another level next season as well. Nate Oats brings in a top-10 recruiting class and has gone into the portal with rising sophomore guard Jalil Bethea, rising junior big man Taylor Bol Bowen, and a 7-foot veteran in Noah Williamson. The job Oats and his staff have done cements Alabama into my top 10.
8. St. John’s
Coming off a 31-win season, which included a sweep of the Big East regular season and tournament titles, Rick Pitino charges St. John’s into his third year at the helm and has already made a pair of big splashes in the transfer portal. Bryce Hopkins, when healthy, is as tough of a wing as any in the conference, while shooting guard Jo Sanon looks to help solve the Johnnies’ perimeter shooting problem. With All-Big East selection Zuby Ejiofor returning to headline one of the country’s top frontcourts, the big question for Pitino and his staff to answer now is at point guard. But either way, with quality returning star power and a couple of really nice additions, the Johnnies belong in the top 10.
9. UCLA
Coming off a year that frustrated him at times and ultimately led to a second–round exit in the NCAA Tournament, Mick Cronin went out and attacked the portal, bringing in New Mexico transfer Donovan Dent. The 6-2 guard, who averaged 20.3 points and 6.4 assists for the top team in the Mountain West this past season, is wired to score at a high level, something we did not see consistently from the Bruins this season. With rising senior Tyler Bilodeau back, the Bruins have one of the best forwards in the Big Ten, and he’ll be teaming up with Michigan State transfer Xavier Booker. The former McDonald’s All-American has come to LA looking for a change of scenery after averaging just 4.3 points and 2.0 rebounds in 11 minutes per game in his two years in East Lansing. But having Dent join Bilodeau and returning impact guard Skyy Clark gives this team strong upside.
10. Iowa State
T.J. Otzelberger has a strong returning core and has already notched a couple of intriguing portal adds to keep the Cyclones rolling into 2025-26. Tamin Lipsey is pegged to be back, while Milan Momcilovic and Joshua Jefferson will join him to provide long, versatile weapons for the Cyclones to count on. Jefferson will be a senior and has the potential to be a star next year after averaging 13.0 points, 7.4 rebounds and 3.1 assists per game this past season. Then there’s Momcilovic, a rising 6-8 wing who had eight games of 16-plus points in his sophomore season. Look for him to continue making strides and get more shots. Couple that with the nation’s 21st-ranked recruiting class and transfer portal adds Blake Buchanan (Virginia), Eric Mulder (Purdue Fort Wayne) and Mason Williams (Eastern Washington), and you can feel the makeup of a dangerous team if Otzelberger, who’s 54-18 in the last two seasons with a Sweet 16 appearance, can get to work in the lab and develop roles. He’s become one of the best in the country at doing that.
11. Auburn
12. Kansas
13. Florida
14. Arizona
15. Michigan
16. Kentucky
17. Tennessee
18. Michigan State
19. Arkansas
20. Gonzaga
21. BYU
22. Creighton
23. North Carolina
24. Texas
25. Iowa
John Fanta is a national college basketball broadcaster and writer for FOX Sports. He covers the sport in a variety of capacities, from calling games on FS1 to serving as lead host on the BIG EAST Digital Network to providing commentary on The Field of 68 Media Network. Follow him at @John_Fanta.
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How Mississippi State’s Embracing NIL Change originally appeared on Athlon Sports. When the NCAA’s long-anticipated House v. NCAA settlement was finalized, ushering in a new era of direct revenue sharing in college athletics, many universities were left scrambling. Mississippi State wasn’t one of them. Advertisement In fact, the Bulldogs have been quietly building their war […]
How Mississippi State’s Embracing NIL Change originally appeared on Athlon Sports.
When the NCAA’s long-anticipated House v. NCAA settlement was finalized, ushering in a new era of direct revenue sharing in college athletics, many universities were left scrambling. Mississippi State wasn’t one of them.
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In fact, the Bulldogs have been quietly building their war chest for this moment.
Now that schools are permitted to share up to $20.5 million annually with student-athletes, Mississippi State is moving with purpose, poised to take full advantage of the new landscape.
Last fall, Mississippi State introduced the State Excellence Fund, a proactive initiative designed to support student-athletes both on and off the field. While it wasn’t publicly pitched as a revenue-sharing strategy, insiders now view it as a calculated move, and one that is laying the foundation for today’s game-changing NCAA reforms.
Nashville, TN, USA; Mississippi State Bulldogs forward Jimmy Bell Jr. (15) works against Auburn Tigers forward Johni Broome (4) during the second half at Bridgestone ArenaChristopher Hanewinckel-Imagn Images
“This news allows us to move ahead in our pursuit of new heights,” said Athletic Director Zac Selmon. While Selmon didn’t provide specific figures, the tone suggests Mississippi State plans to distribute the full $20.5 million allowed.
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As with most Power Four programs, football and men’s basketball will see the lion’s share of funds. But MSU’s commitment to baseball stands out in a big way.
The hiring of championship-winning coach Brian O’Connor sent a clear message: Mississippi State baseball is a top-tier priority. Under the new rules, universities can fully fund scholarships for every player on a roster. This is a massive shift, especially for baseball, where partial scholarships have long been the norm.
Mississippi State isn’t wasting the opportunity.
Expect the Bulldogs to lead the way in scholarship spending and NIL support for baseball, giving them a competitive edge not just in the SEC, but nationally. The move is a potential game-changer for the Diamond Dawgs, already one of the most passionate and well-supported programs in college baseball.
Mississippi State breaks in the renovated Dudy Noble Field with a three-game series against Youngstown State in Feb. 2019. Dudy Noble Field is named after a former Mississippi State coach and athletic director.© Keith Warren / USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images
Under the new model, all third-party NIL deals valued at $600 or more must pass through a national clearinghouse called “NIL Go.” The aim? To close loopholes and prevent schools from gaming the cap via outside collectives.
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But rather than see this as a hurdle, Mississippi State appears ready to adapt.
With strong university backing, private fundraising momentum, and a clear vision from its leadership, MSU is positioning itself as a forward-thinking contender in the rapidly evolving college sports economy.
This isn’t just a business move, it’s a cultural shift. Mississippi State is no longer reacting to change. It’s leading it.
And for Bulldog Nation, it means your teams, especially on the gridiron, the hardwood, and the diamond will have the resources, scholarships, and support needed to compete with the best.
The future of college sports is here. And Mississippi State is ready.
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Related: Mississippi State Baseball Transfer Exodus
Related: Mississippi State Baseball Reloads with Transfers, Returns
This story was originally reported by Athlon Sports on Jun 9, 2025, where it first appeared.
Arizona has waited four years to get back to the College World Series. It won’t have to wait much longer to hit the field in Omaha. The Wildcats’ opening game in the CWS against Coastal Carolina is set for an 11 a.m. PT start on Friday at Charles Schwab Field Omaha, with the game airing […]
Arizona has waited four years to get back to the College World Series. It won’t have to wait much longer to hit the field in Omaha.
The Wildcats’ opening game in the CWS against Coastal Carolina is set for an 11 a.m. PT start on Friday at Charles Schwab Field Omaha, with the game airing on ESPN. The other matchup on Arizona’s side of the bracket, between Louisville and Oregon State, is scheduled for 4 p.m. PT on Friday.
The other half of the bracket starts play Saturday, with UCLA taking on Murray State—the last team to qualify on Monday—at 11 a.m. PT and Arkansas facing LSU in an all-SEC battle at 4 p.m. PT.
Arizona (44-19) is making its 19th appearance in the CWS, first since 2021, after winning the Chapel Hill Super Regional in three games over the weekend. That came after sweeping through the Eugene Regional on the heels of a Big 12 Tournament title.
Coastal Carolina (53-11) holds the nation’s longest active win streak at 23 games, having won the Sun Belt conference tourney and then sweeping through a home regional and a Super Regional at Auburn. This is the Chanticleers’ first trip to Omaha since 2016 when they beat the UA in three games for the national title.
The College World Series is a double-elimination format during bracket play, with Arizona guaranteed to play Sunday regardless of the first game’s result. Bracket finals are set for June 18-19, with the best-of-3 championship series starting June 21.
She got her start in horse racing, and her husband had a 30-plus year career in D1 football. We had a great time catching up with former ESPN sports reporter Jeannine Edwards, who now lives in Red Lodge. We talked about life in Montana, her recent appearance on the Outkick podcast talking about men in […]
She got her start in horse racing, and her husband had a 30-plus year career in D1 football. We had a great time catching up with former ESPN sports reporter Jeannine Edwards, who now lives in Red Lodge.
We talked about life in Montana, her recent appearance on the Outkick podcast talking about men in women’s sports, and how NIL deals are totally changing college sports.
She started as an apprentice trainer and jockey, and ended up on ESPN Sportscenter. You can see her in the photo above reporting on the sidelines for college football.
What does she think about Name, Image, and Likeness (NIL) deals in college sports?
Edwards: “I can only speak to my experience as both a reporter and being the wife of a coach. It has completely changed the- you can just sense that the whole atmosphere has sort of been permeated with this now. It’s all about the money. And, you know, there’s that old saying, the love of money is the root of all evil. It’s not actually money that’s the root of all evil. It’s the love of money.”
What about men in women’s sports and the transgender debate?
Edwards: “First of all, I think if there were enough transgender athletes out there, why don’t they create their own division? Okay, let’s have a third- let’s have a third section, then. Let’s do a third gender. And that way it’s really fair, because that way the men can compete with the men, and the women can compete with the women, and the trans people can compete with their own and let’s call it a day. I personally don’t agree with men competing against women. It’s just physiologically not a fair competition. Men are bigger, they’re stronger, they have greater lung capacity, they have more bone density, they have more muscle mass. It doesn’t matter if you take hormones, those physiological assets and attributes have been there since the day you were born, and as you started growing through childhood and puberty, you’re just built differently than a woman.”
Remember when ESPN Sportscenter was THE show to watch each day, before ESPN got more political than politics?
Edwards: “They did kind of lose their way for a while. And it was- it was a little unsettling, because politics- none of that stuff had ever come up before in any production meetings, in any directives that would come down the pike. But then we started getting directives about, you know, covering different issues- LGBTQ and this and that. And it was like, what does this have to do with the game on tomorrow, what does this have to do with Michigan and Ohio State?”
Pizza Burgers? Cotton Candy Burritos? Cannoli Nachos? It must be football season!
Gallery Credit: Matthew Wilkening
Picture this: Summer rolls around at Penn State’s University Park campus, but something’s off. The place is usually swarming with students, but by May the town becomes deserted. The crowds thin out, the sun’s out (sometimes) and suddenly there’s room to breathe and enjoy what’s around you. Let’s talk about the outdoors first, since you’re […]
Picture this: Summer rolls around at Penn State’s University Park campus, but something’s off. The place is usually swarming with students, but by May the town becomes deserted. The crowds thin out, the sun’s out (sometimes) and suddenly there’s room to breathe and enjoy what’s around you.
Let’s talk about the outdoors first, since you’re pretty much surrounded by it. If hiking is your jam, you’ve got to visit the Mount Nittany Trail. You’ll see the whole town, sprawled out below you.
If you’re not into sweating buckets, Shaver’s Creek Environmental Center may be more your speed — think easy trails, birds chirping and the occasional turtle sighting if you’re lucky.
Cyclists, listen up. The Penn State Bike Path is your new best friend. It’s not the most excruciating, but it snakes through campus and leads you right into a bunch of parks.
If by chance you’re more into the animals of Central Pennsylvania, you might be delighted to know that State College and the surrounding areas are renowned for their trout fishing. For you pool people, the McCoy Natatorium is a top-tier spot for all visitors.
As unassuming as a college town with no college kids can be, State College stays busy with events throughout summer. The Central Pennsylvania Festival of the Arts, aka Arts Fest, is the Super Bowl of town events.
Artists, live music and food that’ll have you breaking your diet fill the crowded streets and leave those attending in awe of its sheer size and presence.
As far as food is concerned, I could go on forever. You’re not living if you haven’t hit up The Corner Room for a classic breakfast or pancakes at The Waffle Shop. If you want quick, Irving’s is clutch — bagels, coffee and breakfast galore.
Shopping? There’s the Nittany Mall, but the real treasures are the downtown boutiques. Places like Allen Street and Calder Square are filled to the brim with shops for all your needs and wants.
Do you need gear for your next biking adventure? The Bicycle Shop is where it’s at. And if you need to rep blue and white, hit up the Penn State Bookstore.
With the State College Spikes residing at Medlar Field, there is no shortage of sports, more specifically baseball, in State College.
If you want to feel fancy and artsy, the Palmer Museum of Art on campus has rotating exhibits all summer long. Right down the street in Boalsburg is the Pennsylvania Military Museum, which is filled with a ton of interesting history.
The Penn State Golf Course is a great place to visit if you’re staying in State College for the summer. While the spring and fall also prove great times to visit, the warmth of a summer day out on the golf course is a beautiful thing you can’t get everywhere. Cherish it.
Of course, I couldn’t end this list without mentioning the Arboretum at Penn State. It’s truly a sight to behold, with flowers everywhere, shady paths and a killer spot for golden hour photos.
The bottom line is summer at University Park is underrated. Whether you want to eat your body weight in pancakes, vibe to live music or just sit in the grass and do absolutely nothing, State College has you covered. It’s not just a campus but a whole summer playground.
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Penn State is big, really big. Combined with the addition of downtown State College, the sur…
ALVERNIA UNIVERSITY Area residents awarded degrees Alvernia University celebrated more than 550 students in the Class of 2025 at the Santander Arena in downtown Reading on May 10. Local graduates include: • Hailey Davidson, Wilkes-Barre, Bachelor of Science in healthcare science • Shawn Loyack, Duryea, Doctor of Philosophy in educational leadership. BELMONT UNIVERSITY Local […]
ALVERNIA UNIVERSITY
Area residents awarded degrees
Alvernia University celebrated more than 550 students in the Class of 2025 at the Santander Arena in downtown Reading on May 10.
Local graduates include:
• Hailey Davidson, Wilkes-Barre, Bachelor of Science in healthcare science
• Shawn Loyack, Duryea, Doctor of Philosophy in educational leadership.
BELMONT UNIVERSITY
Local students make dean’s list
Belmont University announced the following local residents were named to the dean’s list for the spring 2025 semester.
Approximately 47% of the University’s 6,912 undergraduate students qualified. Approximately 47% of the University’s 6,912 undergraduate students qualified.
Dean’s List eligibility is based on a minimum course load of 12 hours and a quality grade point average of 3.5 with no grade below a C.
• Gabriella Randazzo, Dallas.
• Kathleen Washko, Drums.
BOB JONES UNIVERSITY
Local students named to president’s list
The following local residents are among over 590 Bob Jones University students named to the president’s list for high academic achievement during the Spring 2025 semester.
To qualify, students must earn a 3.75 or higher grade point average for the semester.
• Eylan Nicolle Martinez Diaz, Hazleton, a senior multimedia journalism major.
• Kaitlyn Shaver, Wyoming, a freshman business administration major.
COMMONWEALTH UNIVERSITY OF PENNSYLVANIA
Area resident participates in model EU simulation
Kamila Gonzalez Aquino, Hazleton, participated in the annual University of Pittsburgh Model European Union simulation hosted by Susquehanna University this spring. The students passed several resolutions pertaining to the war in Ukraine and sustainable agriculture.
The Spanish delegation of Amelia Alfiero, of Pipersville, and Hughie Curran, of Bloomsburg, from CU-Bloomsburg won Best Position Paper. The Romanian delegation of Dallas Schultz, of Wellsboro, and Eli Kaufman, of Nelson, from CU-Mansfield and the Swedish delegation of Salahudinn Abdul-Hamid, of State College, and Dom Lazzaro, of Milford, from CU-Bloomsburg both won Honorable Mentions for Best Delegation.
Other delegations included Austria, Cassidy Clarke, of Philadelphia, and Gianna Benz, of Corning, New York, CU-Mansfield; Bulgaria, Gabe Haines, of Danville, CU-Bloomsburg; Cyprus, Kamila Gonzalez Aquino, of Hazleton, CU-Bloomsburg; and Hungary, Leif Tolan, of Orangeville, CU-Bloomsburg.
GEISINGER COLLEGE OF HEALTH SCIENCES
School of Medicine holds 13th commencement ceremony
Geisinger College of Health Sciences’ School of Medicine held its 13th commencement ceremony on Saturday, May 10. 115 members of the class of 2025 received a diploma.
Local graduates include:
• Madison Hurst, Dallas.
• Kyle Kidd, Harveys Lake.
• Benjamin Krouse, Hunlock Creek.
• Aaron Piavis, Wapwallopen.
• Jay Solgama, Mountain Top.
• Leah Thomas, Wilkes-Barre.
KUTZTOWN UNIVERSITY OF PENNSYLVANIA
Drums student inducted into mathematics honor society
Jess Shovlin, Drums, was inducted into Kappa Mu Epsilon National Mathematics Honor Society at Kutztown University.
Kappa Mu Epsilon is a specialized honor society in Mathematics. KME was founded in 1931 to promote the interest of mathematics among undergraduate students. Its chapters are located in colleges and universities of recognized standing which offer a strong mathematics major. The chapters’ members are selected from students of mathematics and other closely related fields who have maintained standards of scholarship, have professional merit, and have attained academic distinction.
MISERICORDIA UNIVERSITY
Area students named to spring dean’s list
The following local students were named to the dean’s list for the spring 2025 semester. Students at Misericordia University qualify for the dean’s list with a 3.55 grade point average or higher.
• Siwar Abdo, Dallas.
• Matthew Albrecht, Wyoming.
• Lauren Amend, Mountain Top.
• Brian Antigua, Duryea.
• Abigail Armitage, Avoca.
• Megan Armitage, Avoca.
• Matthew Ash, Sweet Valley.
• Aleia Atherton, Wilkes-Barre.
• Bradley Augenstein, Duryea.
• Bianka Avila, Plains Township.
• Lexi Baggett, Shavertown.
• Makayla Banks, Nanticoke.
• Erynn Barancho, Plains Township.
• Mason Baranski, Wyoming.
• Sabrina Barlow, Dallas.
• Krista Biago, Plains Township.
• Rebecca Biddinger, Sugar Notch.
• Olivia Bilbow, Mountain Top.
• Owen Blake, Shavertown.
• Dayonna Bobbett, Wilkes-Barre.
• Ryan Bonin, West Wyoming.
• Kylee Bork, Wilkes-Barre.
• William Brady, Mountain Top.
• Madison Brdaric, Shavertown.
• Aaliyah Brennan, Harveys Lake.
• Allyson Brodie, Hanover Township.
• Michael Brown, West Wyoming.
• Rylie Bucknavage, Harveys Lake.
• Arianna Bugno, Pittston.
• Elizabeth Burney, Pittston.
• Andrew Burns, Freeland.
• Ella Burns, Dallas.
• Peyton Burns, Dallas.
• Lauren Callahan, Harveys Lake.
• Ava Carey, Courtdale.
• Emma Carey, Shickshinny.
• Isabella Cassano, Shavertown.
• Litzy Castro, Wilkes-Barre.
• Damian Cavuto, Wyoming.
• Noah Ceklosky, Wapwallopen.
• Arianna Champi, Dupont.
• Alexi Chervenitski, Shavertown.
• Marina Ciavarella, Hanover Township.
• Nadia Costagliola, Pittston.
• Quinn Crispell, Swoyersville.
• Claire Cunningham, Wilkes-Barre.
• Madelyn Dalley, Kingston.
• Isabella Dalmas, Nanticoke.
• Taylor Dalmas, Sugar Notch.
• Abigail Davitt, Duryea.
• Kara Domzalski, Shavertown.
• Margaret Donish, Freeland.
• Thomas Doran, Dallas.
• Olivia Dowling, Shavertown.
• Janelle Dudek, Pittston Township.
• David Durko, Ashley.
• Hanna Dutzer, Hazle Townnship.
• Jennifer Eddy, Shickshinny.
• Alyssa Evans, Nanticoke.
• Rebecca Fick, Dallas.
• Molly Fielding, Dallas.
• Adrianna Filler, Sugarloaf.
• Lindsey Franchella, Shickshinny.
• Paige Frank, Shavertown.
• Caelan Gallagher, Dallas.
• Jerzey Gallagher, Ashely.
• Carmen Garcia, Wilkes-Barre.
• Melissa Giomboni, Plains Township.
• Anthony Giovinazzo, Edwardsville.
• Brooklyn Giovinazzo, Edwardsville.
• Sarah Greco, Hazleton.
• Tessily Gregory, Dallas.
• Hailey Halagarda, Avoca.
• Reagan Halbach, Shavertown.
• Magdalyn Hallman, West Wyoming.
• Jayden Halstead, Wilkes-Barre.
• Deven Hazlak, White Haven.
• Riley Heller, Wapwallopen.
• Alana Hoats, West Wyoming.
• Chad Hutchins, Dallas.
• Morgan Janeski, Exeter.
• Maura Jenceleski, Nanticoke.
• Allison Jones, Harveys Lake.
• Halle Jones, Dallas.
• Carmella Karcutskie, Harding.
• Misha Kazmierski, Dallas.
• Cassie Kern, Dallas.
• Olivia Kiwak, Harding.
• Erica Kline, Mountain Top.
• Layla Kolodzieski, Avoca.
• Dylan Kostik, Wyoming.
• Kurtis Kowalski, Hunlock Creek.
• Jeffrey Kozerski, Bear Creek Township.
• Ryan Krakosky, Shavertown.
• Isabella Krashnak, Jenkins Township.
• Lily Kratz, Nanticoke.
• Emily Krevey, Pittston.
• Isabella Kropiewnicki, Nanticoke.
• Courtney Krushin, Wilkes-Barre.
• Kiera Kupsho, Drums.
• Sabrina Kyttle, Exeter.
• Naviah Labar, Mountain Top.
• Megan Lasher, Harding.
• Olivia Latoski, Wyoming.
• Julia Lazo, Mountain Top.
• Emily Leahy, Hunlock Creek.
• Alyson Lenker, Wilkes-Barre.
• Andrew Lewis, Dallas.
• Alyssa Little, Shavertown.
• Jasen Lobacz, Hunlock Creek.
• Evan Lukowich, Nanticoke.
• Tracey Lyles, Dallas.
• Riley Makausky, Swoyersville.
• Meagan Manzella, Dallas.
• Kaitlyn Marley, Hazle Township.
• Colin Marshall, Dallas.
• John Matlock, Trucksville.
• Amanda McCormick, Harding.
• Tavian McKenna, Kingston.
• Rebecca Meehan, Harveys Lake.
• Esabella Mendola, Wilkes-Barre.
• Jyanna Mendola, Wilkes-Barre.
• Jesse Mikoliczyk, Harding.
• Trevor Miller, Mountain Top.
• Helen Minnick, Ashley.
• Amanda Misson, Wyoming.
• Leiry Montalvo, Nanticoke.
• Lorena Morgan, Pringle.
• Michael Moscatelli, Pittston.
• Sarah Myrthel, Shickshinny.
• Ava Nastasiak, Harveys Lake.
• Isabella Nee, Old Forge.
• Matthew Nice, Shavertown.
• Alexus Nichols, Nanticoke.
• Jordan Nichols, Dallas.
• Alexandria Nicoletti, Wilkes-Barre.
• Grace O’Donnell, Shavertown.
• Aidan Paduck, Harveys Lake.
• Kaydence Palfreyman, Dallas.
• Maddison Park, Dallas.
• Paloma Parreno, Dallas.
• Abigail Pecha, Kingston.
• Alexandra Pehala, Dallas.
• Nadia Peimany, Mountain Top.
• Nicholas Pelliccia, Harding.
• Bruna Pereira, Hunlock Creek.
• Joseph Peters, Dallas.
• Sophia Piccolotti, Dallas.
• Jared Piontkowski, Nanticoke.
• Colby Powell, Dallas.
• Brayden Powers, Duryea.
• Matthew Prociak, Wilkes-Barre
• Molly Reott, Dallas.
• Emma Rinaldi, Pittston.
• Samantha Romero, Kingston.
• Alyssa Ryman, Wilkes-Barre.
• Schalee Salvo, Harveys Lake.
• Hannah Sayre, Sweet Valley.
• Alyssa Schweiss, Kingston.
• Nora Seeherman, Wilkes-Barre.
• Rachael Sennett, Wilkes-Barre.
• Polina Serbina, Mountain Top.
• Dana Sherman-Chakan, Shavertown.
• Ashley Shpock, Drums.
• Eleanor Shuleski, Wilkes-Barre.
• Morgan Slusser, West Pittston.
• Madison Smith, Plains Township.
• Lacey Sorber, Hunlock Creek.
• Joseph Souder, Pringle.
• Victoria Spaciano, Shavertown.
• Scott Spako, Wilkes-Barre.
• Nickolas Spiccioli, Kingston.
• Meghan Starosta, Shavertown.
• Sarah Steeber, Shickshinny.
• Rachel Strange, Hunlock Creek.
• Emma Stroud, Sweet Valley.
• Madelyn Stuart, Harveys Lake.
• Jasmine Talbot, Harveys Lake.
• Michael Talerico, Duryea.
• Ryan Tarreto, Dallas.
• Brianna Tejeda Zoquier, Hazleton.
• Katelyn Tereska, Harveys Lake.
• Myles Tirpak, Shavertown.
• Ryan Vallach, Dallas.
• Maria Villano, Dallas.
• Nicholas Vincelli, Shavertown.
• Chloe Vinnacombe, Larksville.
• Julia Warren, Plains Township.
• Daniel Wheeler, Shavertown.
• Danielle Whitman, Avoca.
• Joshua Wickard, Sweet Valley.
• Andrew Wilk, Shavertown.
• Kelly Williams, Shavertown.
• Kaila Windsor, Dallas, PA.
• West Hazleton.
• Emily Woss, Mountain Top.
• Corbin Wright, Pittston.
• Vivian Wright, Dallas.
• Chloe Wyberski, Edwardsville.
• Ashleigh Yedlock, Mountain Top.
• Isabella Zelinski, Harding.
• Nicole Zurawski, Mountain Top.
PENNSYLVANIA WESTERN UNIVERSITY
Local students named to spring dean’s list
Pennsylvania Western University recognized nearly 3,000 students who were named to the spring 2025 dean’s list. The following local students were honored for outstanding academic excellence during the spring semester.
• Ryan Covelens, White Haven, California Campus.
• Veronica Warunek, Forty Fort, California Campus.
• Connor Matteo, Drums, California Campus.
• Jalyn Cook, Mountain Top, California Campus.
• Madeline Palmiero, Mountain Top, Clarion Campus.
• Emma Slivinski, Kingston, Clarion Campus.
• Livia Sandu, Drums, California Campus.
• Gianna Slodysko, Hughestown, Edinboro Campus.
• Carly Glaser, Wapwallopen, California Campus.
• Emily Ouimet, Nescopeck, California Campus.
• Daniela Baez Reyes, Hanover Township, PennWest Online Campus.
• Alex Covelens, White Haven, Edinboro Campus.
In order to attain this highly regarded academic honor, degree-seeking students must earn a semester grade point average of 3.4 or higher and complete a minimum of 12 graded credit hours.
SOUTHERN NEW HAMPSHIRE UNIVERSITY
Area residents make dean’s list
Southern New Hampshire University announced the following local students were named to the spring 2025 dean’s list. The spring terms run from January to May.
Full-time undergraduate students who have earned a minimum grade-point average of 3.500 to 3.699 for the reporting term are named to the Dean’s List. Full-time status is achieved by earning 12 credits over each 16-week term or paired 8-week terms grouped in fall, winter/spring, and summer.
• Yanceys Nunez Santos, Mountain Top.
• Carriann reed, Wilkes-Barre.
• Katherine Aracena, Kingston.
• Corey Wilson, Edwardsville.
• Kevin Yozviak, Swoyersville.
• Tina Sams, Wilkes-Barre.
• Candis Santana, Wilkes-Barre.
• Teddi Kaple, Shickshinny.
• Taylor Farrell, Wyoming.
• Alicia Dukes, Nanticoke.
• Ashleigh Schaszberger, Monroe Township.
• Cassandra Santos, Freeland.
• Maria Pastorella, Drums.
• Jayden Johnson, Hazleton.
• Rochelle Flores Benitez, Hazleton.
Area residents make president’s list
SNHU announced the following students were named to the spring 2025 president’s list.
Full-time undergraduate students who have earned a minimum grade-point average of 3.700 and above for the reporting term are named to the president’s list. Full-time status is achieved by earning 12 credits over each 16-week term or paired 8-week terms grouped in fall, winter/spring, and summer.
• Konnor Krackenfels, Luzerne.
• Alyssa Fritz, Hanover Township.
• Samantha Baum, Kingston.
• Ashley Ruckman, Swoyersville.
• Ashley Booth, Edwardsville.
• Kylee Eltringham, Wilkes-Barre.
• Kenneth Rasnake, Wilks-Barre.
• Danielle Richard, Wilkes-Barre.
• Jennifer Evans, White Haven.
• Gregory Mullins, Shickshinny.
• Leha Hislop, Plymouth.
• Stephanie Petteway, Plymouth.
• Matthew Dwojewski, West Pittston.
• Courtney McDonald, Dupont.
• Sarah Berholtz, Hunlock Creek.
• Crystal Kotansky, Freeland.
• Astrid Cabrera, DRUMS.
• Lillian Miller, Conyngham.
• Brian Lange, Hazle Township.
• Bridget Suarez Martinez, Hazleton.
• Randy Ortiz, Hazleton.
UNIVERSITY OF MARYLAND GLOBAL CAMPUS
West Hazleton resident earns degree, makes president’s list
Alba Iris Espinosa, West Hazleton, earned a Master of Business Administration and was named to the president’s list at University of Maryland Global Campus in winter 2025. To qualify for the prestigious president’s list at UMGC, students must have graduated with a cumulative grade point average of 4.0.
Espinosa was one of nearly 900 students who earned degrees from UMGC in the winter 2025 term.
THE UNIVERSITY OF SCRANTON
Ashley student presents at 2025 HamSCI Workshop
Cuong Nguyen, Ashley, was among the 10 University of Scranton students — three graduate students and seven undergraduates — who recently presented research at the eighth annual HamSCI Workshop. This two-day program attracted amateur radio operators and enthusiasts from around the world, coming together to collaborate on their latest findings, strategies and outlooks.
Physics professor Nathaniel Frissell, Ph.D., presented and chaired multiple sessions at the event for the group he founded, which was hosted this year on March 14-15 at the New Jersey Institute of Technology.
Nguyen, a graduate student pursuing a master’s degree in software engineering, presented “Software Development for the Grape Personal Space Weather Station.”
In addition to Dr. Frissell, Rachel Frissell, faculty specialist in the Physics and Engineering Department, presented “Understanding HamSCI Magnetometers Measurements and Observations;” and Kornyanat Hozumi, Ph.D., a post-doctoral research associate, presented “HamSCI as a Tool for Equatorial Plasma Bubbles Study.” Also attending the workshop were faculty members Bob Spalletta, Ph.D., professor of physics and engineering; Argyrios Varonides, Ph.D., professor of physics and engineering; and Christine Zakzewski, Ph.D., associate professor of physics and engineering.
Duryea student presents at Brain and Behavior Conference
Andrew M. Mauriello, Duryea, was among The University of Scranton undergraduate students who made poster presentations for the 2025 University of Scranton Brain and Behavior Conference, held Apr. 26 at the Loyola Science Center on campus.
Mauriello, a biochemistry, cell and molecular biology major, presented “Isolating and identifying candidate Neuro2a cells deficient in Hsd17b7.”
By ERIC OLSON AP College Football Writer Conference commissioners lauded a judge’s approval of a $2.8 billion antitrust lawsuit settlement as a means for bringing stability and fairness to an out-of-control college athletics industry but acknowledged there would be growing pains in implementing its terms. In a 30-minute virtual news conference on Monday, commissioners of […]
By ERIC OLSON AP College Football Writer
Conference commissioners lauded a judge’s approval of a $2.8 billion antitrust lawsuit settlement as a means for bringing stability and fairness to an out-of-control college athletics industry but acknowledged there would be growing pains in implementing its terms.
In a 30-minute virtual news conference on Monday, commissioners of the ACC, Big Ten, Big 12, Pac-12 and SEC renewed their call for congressional action to supplement and even codify the settlement and emphasized that cooperation at every level of college sports would be necessary to make it work.
They said it was too early to address how violators of rules surrounding revenue sharing and name, image and likeness (NIL) agreements would be punished and noted newly hired College Sports Commission CEO Bryan Seeley would play a major role in determining penalties.
The new era of college athletics has arrived after U.S. District Judge Claudia Wilken gave final approval on Friday night to what’s known as House vs. NCAA. Beginning July 1, each school can share up to about $20.5 million with their athletes – those payments will be in addition to scholarships and other benefits the athletes already receive. Beginning June 7, athletes have to report third-party NIL deals of $600 or more to the College Sports Commission, which will analyze them to make sure they pay appropriate “market value” for the services being provided by athletes.
Some of the topics addressed Monday:
The conferences drafted a document that would bind institutions to enforcement policies even if their state laws are contradictory. It would require schools to waive their right to pursue legal challenges against the CSC. It also would exempt the commission from lawsuits from member schools over enforcement decisions, instead offering arbitration as the main settlement option.
Consequences for not signing the agreement would include risking the loss of league membership and participation against other teams from the Power Four conferences.
Big 12 commissioner Brett Yormark said the document remains a work in progress but that he’s gotten no pushback from his schools.
“I look to get that executed here in short order,” he said, “and know it will be very necessary for all the conferences to execute as well.”
There has been no directive given to individual schools on how to determine the allocation of revenue-sharing payments, commissioners said. It’s widely acknowledged that athletes in football and basketball are expected to receive the majority of the money.
“I know for all five of us no one is forgetting about their Olympic sports and continuing to make sure we’ve invested a high level for all of our sports,” ACC commissioner Jim Phillips said.
The commissioners said Seeley, as MLB executive vice president of legal and operations, was uniquely qualified to lead the CSC, which is charged with making sure schools adhere to the rules.
“Culture doesn’t change overnight,” Seeley told The Athletic over the weekend. “I don’t expect that to happen overnight, but I do think that the schools that have signed on to the settlement want rules and want rules to be enforced. Otherwise they wouldn’t have signed on to the settlement. I think student-athletes want a different system. So I think there is a desire for rules enforcement. There’s a desire for transparency.”
Sankey said Seeley is well-versed in areas of implementation, development and adjustment of rules and in NIL disputes requiring arbitration.
Yormark said: “You want people not to run away from a situation but to run to a situation. He ran here, and he’s very passionate to make a difference and to course correct what’s been going on in the industry.”
Deloitte’s “NIL Go” program and LBI Software will track NIL deals and revenue-sharing contracts, and the commissioners shot down skepticism about the ability of those tools to enforce terms of the settlement. SEC commissioner Greg Sankey said football and basketball coaches he spoke with in February were unanimous in wanting regulation. Sankey said he has asked the same question at every level – including up to the university presidents.
“If you want an unregulated, open system, just raise your hand and let me know,” Sankey said. “And universally, the answer is, ‘No, we want oversight. We want guardrails. We want structure.’ Those individuals don’t have the luxury to just say that in meeting rooms, period. They don’t have the luxury to just be anonymous sources. They have a responsibility to make what they’ve sought – what they’ve asked for – to make it work.”
NCAA president Charlie Baker has been pushing Congress for a limited antitrust exemption that would protect college sports from another series of lawsuits, and the commissioners want a uniform federal NIL law that would supersede wide-ranging state laws.
“We’re not going to have Final Fours and College Football Playoffs and College World Series with 50 different standards,” Sankey said, “so that’s a starting point.”
Big Ten commissioner Tony Petitti said the willingness of administrators to modernize the college athletics model should prompt federal lawmakers to move on codifying the settlement.
Sankey confirmed a Yahoo Sports report that he and Notre Dame athletic director Pete Bevacqua played golf with President Donald Trump on Sunday. Sankey said he appreciates Trump’s interest in college sports and that it was helpful to share perspectives on the path forward. Trump reportedly considered a presidential commission on college sports earlier this year.
Sankey declined to disclose details of their talks.
“I think those are best left for the moment on the golf course,” he said.
Even with a multitude of questions still looming, Phillips said college athletics is in a “much better place” than it was 48 hours ago, before the settlement was approved.
“What’s not debatable is that this new model does bring stability and fairness to student-athletes in college sports,” Phillips said. “We’ve been in an unregulated environment with no rules and no enforcement. It has paralyzed the NCAA in Indianapolis, and we’re responsible for certainly some of that. We’re now going to have a foundation and structure laying out those rules. The new structure provides our student-athletes with more opportunities and benefits than ever before.”
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