Sports
YMCA gymnastics program experiences staffing challenges
WAUKESHA — Parents are taking notice of class cancellations for the YMCA gymnastics program in Waukesha. Chris Becker, CEO of the YMCA of Greater Waukesha County, confirmed there have been staffing changes. “We had a recent change in program staff leadership and are in the process of hiring a new director. The Waukesha YMCA is […]


WAUKESHA — Parents are taking notice of class cancellations for the YMCA gymnastics program in Waukesha.
Chris Becker, CEO of the YMCA of Greater Waukesha County, confirmed there have been staffing changes.
“We had a recent change in program staff leadership and are in the process of hiring a new director. The Waukesha YMCA is highly committed to the developmental gymnastics and dance program as we seek new staff leadership and additional instructors. As we rebuild the staff talent, there may be class limitations offered on an interim basis,” Becker said.
Sam Seidel, executive director of the YMCA of Greater Waukesha County, also confirmed a change in leadership, which has impacted some class offerings.
“We appreciate your patience and understanding during this transition,” Seidel said.
Lauren Friestrom, a mom, said the Waukesha YMCA has had several staffing changes within the gymnastics program during the March-April term.
“This has resulted in several canceled classes, but the YMCA director has been very forward with information both calling and emailing parents with updates. They have even made an offer to refund the course or assist in finding another class the child would be interested in participating in. They are working hard to find more coaches to fill empty slots,” Friestrom said.
She said she received an email that her son’s classes will resume Thursday.
“While this has not been ideal since my kids missed several classes, with spring break as well and voluntarily missing, I appreciate that the YMCA is considering the safety of the children and not just making larger classes or having an untrained substitute start,” she said.
Friestrom said while staffing issues are frustrating this is nothing new.
“Everywhere is short staffed and we have come to expect it at restaurants and retail stores, as it moves into a more education setting it is unsettling as for what that means for the society, especially when parents depend on activities and camps for summer care for their school age children. All I know for sure is that the YMCA has been very open with their communication about the changes and has offered several solutions to the participants’ guardians,” Friestrom said.
Seidel said the staffing challenges experienced in the developmental gymnastics program stem from a combination of factors, including a recent leadership transition and the broader workforce trends impacting part-time and specialty roles.
“Like many specialized youth programs, gymnastics requires instructors with specific skills and experience, which can create occasional gaps as we recruit and train new team members. That said, gymnastics is no different than our other specialty programs when it comes to navigating these challenges — we have clear processes in place to ensure safety, quality, and continuity. When transitions like this occur, we adapt class offerings as needed and work quickly to rebuild our team and restore full programming,” Seidel said.
At the Waukesha YMCA, the developmental gymnastics program supports kids from 6 months to 12 years old. It includes:
Parent & Child Gymnastics (ages 0–3): Focused on exploring movement and developing gross motor skills in a social, engaging setting.
Preschool Gymnastics (ages 3–5): Builds balance, coordination, strength, and flexibility through fun, age-appropriate activities.
School Age Gymnastics (ages 6–12): Progressive classes that teach tumbling, movement skills, and more advanced gymnastic techniques.
“Beyond physical development, kids in these programs gain confidence, discipline, and perseverance. They learn teamwork, goal-setting, and how to grow through encouragement and structured progression — skills that benefit them in every area of life,” Seidel said.
Sports
Kira Meerholz Named Assistant Athletic Trainer
Story Links Hempstead, NY – Hofstra University Head Athletic Trainer Evan Malings today announced the appointment of Kira Meerholz to the position of assistant athletic trainer. She joins the Pride following two years at High Point University in North Carolina and will work with Hofstra’s volleyball program. During her two years at […]

Hempstead, NY – Hofstra University Head Athletic Trainer Evan Malings today announced the appointment of Kira Meerholz to the position of assistant athletic trainer. She joins the Pride following two years at High Point University in North Carolina and will work with Hofstra’s volleyball program. During her two years at High Point, Meerholz worked with the cross country and track and field teams as well as performed administrative tasks within the athletic training department.
“I am thrilled to welcome Kira to Hofstra,” said Malings. “She really stood out during the search process and will be a great addition to our athletic training staff.”
A 2023 graduate of the University of Alabama with a degree in athletic training, Meerholz worked with the Crimson Tide’s men’s basketball, football, volleyball, and softball programs between August 2020 and May 2023. In July 2022, she served as a summer intern with the University of Tennessee’s men’s and women’s basketball teams.
A native of Fair Lawn, New Jersey, Meerholz earned her master’s in sport management from the University of Florida in December 2024. She is a member of the National Athletic Trainers’ Association and the Professional Association of Athlete Development Specialists.
Sports
Star Alumnae Hannah Hogue, Courtney Jackson Join Arkansas Volleyball Staff
Arkansas volleyball will bolster its bench with two familiar faces this season as Hannah Hogue and Courtney Jackson have been brought on to Jason Watson’s staff. “Hannah and Courtney are two wonderfully talented athletes who helped our program reach new heights, now in a position to teach and guide our current athletes to equal success,” […]

Arkansas volleyball will bolster its bench with two familiar faces this season as Hannah Hogue and Courtney Jackson have been brought on to Jason Watson’s staff.
“Hannah and Courtney are two wonderfully talented athletes who helped our program reach new heights, now in a position to teach and guide our current athletes to equal success,” head coach Jason Watson said. “I’m thrilled that their experiences here at Arkansas have inspired them to remain and continue to give to our team. Looking forward to working with them as we begin a new season in the fall.”
Hannah Hogue steps into the role of assistant coach after a prolific four seasons at Arkansas 2021-2024. She became the team’s primary setter in 2023, with a career total of 3,056 assists, the sixth-most in program history. The Fort Smith native had a breakout season her junior year, helping lead Arkansas to its first-ever Elite Eight. She was named an All-America Honorable Mention, AVCA All-South region and All-SEC in 2023, and finished the season with 11.13 assists per set, third in the SEC and sixth nationally.
In addition to consistently and accurately pacing the Hogs’ offense, Hogue was a key piece of the team’s defensive efforts with a total 1,031 digs in her career. In her final season, she notched 19 double-doubles in 28 matches, including three 20-20s and two seven-match double-double streaks. Hogue tallied 44 total double-doubles over her four seasons, seventh-most ever.
Hannah was also critical to Arkansas’ success at the service line with back-to-back 30+ ace seasons as a junior and senior. Her 51 aces in 2023 were the third-most in a single season in program history and her 108 career check in at ninth.
One of the best liberos in the SEC and in the nation in recent years, Courtney Jackson will serve as Arkansas’ graduate assistant in 2025. Jackson was a mainstay in the Hogs’ lineup from the moment she set foot on campus, with 111 straight starts dating back to her freshman season.
As a rookie, Jackson was named to the SEC All-Freshman team after finishing ninth in the conference and first among freshmen in digs per set with 3.48. She only improved from there and continued to climb in the record book and on the national scene. In Arkansas’ historic 2023 slate, she registered 511 total digs, the fifth-most in any season for Arkansas. She also finished in second in the SEC in total digs and second in digs per set (4.02).
Jackson’s final season was her best yet as she finished with 4.49 digs per set, a career high. She posted 25 double-digit dig matches, five 20+ dig matches and set a new program record for single match digs with 40 at Tulsa on Sept. 12, the most by any Arkansas player since 2006. She consistently stuck in the top three of the SEC all season in digs per set and earned two SEC Player of the Week honors. Jackson was named AVCA All-Central Regional Honorable Mention and All-SEC for her efforts in 2024 and ranks third on the Arkansas career digs list with 1,738.
Hogue and Jackson join a strong list of Watson’s former players that have also been on his coaching staffs, including Arkansas All-American Jill Gillen and former Arkansas assistant, Arizona State All-American and Air Force Academy head coach Macey Donathan.
The Razorbacks kick off the 2025 season at the against Kennesaw State at the Shocker Volleyball Classic in Wichita, Kansas on Saturday, Aug. 30.
More Information
Visit ArkansasRazorbacks.com for the latest information on all things Arkansas Volleyball. You can also find the Razorbacks on social media by liking us on Facebook (Arkansas Razorback Volleyball) and following us on Twitter and Instagram (@RazorbackVB).
Sports
Northwestern Sets School Record with 147 Big Ten Distinguished Scholars
EVANSTON, Ill. – 147 Northwestern student-athletes earned Big Ten Distinguished Scholar recognition, the conference announced on Monday, setting a new school record surpassing the mark of 142 Distinguished Scholar recipients set in 2021-22. NU’s 2024-25 class of Distinguished Scholar Award recipients includes 19 students who maintained a perfect 4.0 GPA during the previous academic term, […]

NU’s 2024-25 class of Distinguished Scholar Award recipients includes 19 students who maintained a perfect 4.0 GPA during the previous academic term, represented in bold on the list.
Distinguished Scholar Award recipients must have earned Academic All-Big Ten recognition in the previous academic year, must have been enrolled full time at the institution for the entire previous academic year (two semesters or three quarters) and earned a minimum GPA of 3.70 or better during the previous academic year, excluding any summer grades. The Academic All-Big Ten threshold is a cumulative GPA of 3.0 or higher for a student’s academic career.
Name | Sport | Academic Year | Major | Hometown |
Drew Dickson | Baseball | Junior | Learning and Organizational Change | Zionsville, Ind. |
Tyler Ganus | Baseball | Graduate Student | Technology Entrepreneurship | Los Angeles, Calif. |
Marty Kaplan | Baseball | Junior | Learning and Organizational Change | Santa Monica, Calif. |
Preston Knott | Baseball | Senior | Learning and Organizational Change | Arlington, Texas |
Trent Liolios | Baseball | Junior | Learning and Organizational Change | Newport Beach, Calif. |
Bennett Markinson | Baseball | Senior | Data Science | Tarzana, Calif. |
Cole Mascott | Baseball | Sophomore | Learning and Organizational Change | Newburyport, Massachusetts |
Owen McElfatrick | Baseball | Junior | Learning and Organizational Change | Tampa, Fla. |
Griffin Mills | Baseball | Sophomore | Learning and Organizational Change | Morristown, N.J. |
Joshua Ramos | Baseball | Sophomore | Learning and Organizational Change | West Palm Beach, Fla. |
Sonny Rao | Baseball | Senior | Communication Studies | Orlando, Fla. |
Chad Readey | Baseball | Senior | Data Science | Flossmoor, Ill. |
Nick Martinelli | Men’s Basketball | Junior | Communication Studies | Glenview, Ill. |
Blake Smith | Men’s Basketball | Junior | Journalism | Blue Bell, Pa. |
Caroline Lau | Women’s Basketball | Junior | Communication Studies | Westport, Conn. |
Crystal Fuqu Wang | Women’s Basketball | Sophomore | Communication Studies | Beijing, China |
Amelia Albers | Field Hockey | Junior | Journalism | Grand Rapids, Mich. |
Olivia Bent-Cole | Field Hockey | Sophomore | Journalism | Philadelphia, Pa. |
Regan Cornelius | Field Hockey | Senior | Political Science | New Albany, Ohio |
Lane Herbert | Field Hockey | Senior | Biological Sciences | Celina, Texas |
Katie Jones | Field Hockey | 5th Year | Psychology | Bristol, England |
Emilie Kirschner | Field Hockey | Sophomore | Journalism | Chapel Hill, N.C. |
Faye Post | Field Hockey | Sophomore | Undeclared | Harveys Lake, Pa. |
Maddie Zimmer | Field Hockey | Senior | Learning & Organztnl Change | Hershey, Pa. |
Luke Akers | Football | Graduate Student | Project Management | Nashville, Tenn. |
Lawson Albright | Football | Senior | Learning & Organztnl Change | Greensboro, N.C. |
Jake Arthurs | Football | Graduate Student | Sports Administration | Wheaton, Ill. |
Braydon Brus | Football | Junior | Learning & Organztnl Change | Glendora, Calif. |
Jackson Carsello | Football | Senior | Learning & Organztnl Change | Northbrook, Ill. |
Joe DeHaan | Football | Graduate Student | Educational Studies | Tinley Park, Ill. |
Robert Fitzgerald | Football | Junior | Learning & Organztnl Change | Dallas, Texas |
Donnie Gray | Football | Senior | Learning & Organztnl Change | New Haven, Conn. |
Richie Hagarty | Football | Graduate Student | Sports Administration | New Palestine, Ill. |
Will Halkyard | Football | Graduate Student | Master in Management | Glen Ellyn, Ill. |
Nick Herzog | Football | Junior | Human Development in Context | Stillwell, Kan. |
Joseph Himon II | Football | Junior | Learning & Organztnl Change | Little Rock, Ark. |
Aidan Hubbard | Football | Senior | Learning & Organztnl Change | Cleveland, Ohio |
Jack Lausch | Football | Junior | Learning & Organztnl Change | Chicago, Ill. |
Camp Magee | Football | Sophomore | Learning & Organztnl Change | Orlando, Fla. |
Sean McLaughlin | Football | Graduate Student | Sports Administration | Frankfort, Ill. |
Xander Mueller | Football | Graduate Student | Sports Administration | Wheaton, Ill. |
Jack Oyola | Football | Junior | Learning & Organztnl Change | Alpharetta, Ga. |
Chris Petrucci | Football | Junior | Learning & Organztnl Change | Park Ridge, Ill. |
Hunter Renner | Football | Graduate Student | Civil & Environmental Engineering | Mishawaka, Ind. |
Evan Smith | Football | Junior | Learning & Organztnl Change | Birmingham, Ala. |
Najee Story | Football | Senior | Psychology | Solon, Ohio |
Mac Uihlein | Football | Senior | Information Systems | Lake Forest, Ill. |
Hunter Welcing | Football | Graduate Student | Information Design & Strategy | Deer Park, Ill. |
Ben Wrather | Football | Graduate Student | Master in Management | Powell, Ohio |
Audrey Bannister | Cross Country | Senior | American Studies | Dublin, Ohio |
Erin Boler | Cross Country | Sophomore | Economics | Niskayuna, N.Y. |
Ava Criniti | Cross Country | Sophomore | Undeclared | Lexington, Massachusetts |
Whitney Currie | Cross Country | Senior | Biological Sciences | Grand Rapids, Michigan |
Ava Earl | Cross Country | Senior | Political Science | Girdwood, Alaska |
Serena Frolli | Cross Country | Junior | Mechanical Engineering | Ancona, Italy |
Mallory Grubb | Cross Country | Junior | Economics | Amherst, N.Y. |
Katherine Hessler | Cross Country | Graduate Student | Post Baccalaureate | Grand Rapids, Michigan |
Jackie Holman | Cross Country | Sophomore | Data Science | San Francisco, Calif. |
Fiona Lenth | Cross Country | Senior | Economics | Portland, Oregan |
Maggie Mason | Cross Country | Senior | Neuroscience | Cary, Ill. |
Mia Mraz | Cross Country | Junior | Journalism | Broomfield, Colo. |
Maddy Powers | Cross Country | Sophomore | Undeclared | Queensbury, N.Y. |
Cameron Adam | Men’s Golf | Senior | Learning and Organizational Change | Edinburgh, Scotland |
Akshay Anand | Men’s Golf | Junior | Data Science | Redmond, Wash. |
Daniel Svard | Men’s Golf | Junior | Learning and Organizational Change | Jarfalla, Sweden |
Dianna Lee | Women’s Golf | Junior | Communication Studies | San Diego, Calif. |
Jiayi Wang | Women’s Golf | Junior | Learning and Organizational Change | Shanghai, China |
Francesca Argentieri | Lacrosse | Junior | Journalism | Syracuse, N.Y. |
Serafina DeMunno | Lacrosse | Senior | Communication Studies | Lake Barrington, Ill. |
Jane Hansen | Lacrosse | Graduate Student | Sports Communication Certificate | Cohasset, Massachusetts |
Hannah Johnson | Lacrosse | Senior | Human Development in Context | Baldwinsville, N.Y. |
Megan Mallgrave | Lacrosse | Senior | Learning & Organztnl Change | Spring Lake, N.J. |
Lucy Munro | Lacrosse | Junior | Psychology | Highlands Ranch, Colo. |
Cara Nugent | Lacrosse | Senior | Computer Science | Boxford, Massachusetts |
Talia Reading | Lacrosse | Sophomore | Communication Studies | Littleton, Colo. |
Jaylen Rosga | Lacrosse | Junior | Learning & Organztnl Change | Saint Paul, Minn. |
Madison Smith | Lacrosse | Sophomore | Learning & Organztnl Change | Mill Valley, Calif. |
Claire Snyder | Lacrosse | Graduate Student | Leadership for Creative Enterprises | Surrey, British Columbia |
Madison Taylor | Lacrosse | Junior | Human Development in Context | Wantagh, N.Y. |
Kathryn Welch | Lacrosse | Junior | Industrial Engineering | Pearl River, N.Y. |
Sammy White | Lacrosse | Senior | Communication Studies | Timonium, Md. |
Italo Addimandi | Men’s Soccer | Sophomore | Learning & Organztnl Change | Miami, Fla. |
Gregory Cook | Men’s Soccer | Sophomore | Undeclared | Las Vegas, Nev. |
Jason Gajadhar | Men’s Soccer | Junior | Learning & Organztnl Change | Toronton, Ontario |
Tyler Glassberg | Men’s Soccer | Sophomore | Learning & Organztnl Change | Melville, N.Y. |
Reese Mayer | Men’s Soccer | Graduate Student | Data Science | Owings Mills, Md. |
Danh Tran | Men’s Soccer | Senior | Economics | Happy Valley, Ore. |
Ramira Ambrose | Women’s Soccer | Senior | Economics | Plymouth, Minn. |
Josie Aulicino | Women’s Soccer | Graduate Student | Post Baccalaureate | Northville, Michigan |
Nicole Doucette | Women’s Soccer | Graduate Student | Sports Administration | Lake Bluff, Ill. |
Ingrid Falls | Women’s Soccer | Graduate Student | Analytics Management Certificate | Lake Forest, Ill. |
Reiley Fitzpatrick | Women’s Soccer | Junior | Political Science | Ashburn, Va. |
Kennedy Roesch | Women’s Soccer | Senior | Communication Studies | San Diego, Calif. |
Brooke Miller | Women’s Soccer | Junior | Journalism | Naperville, Ill. |
Bridget Mitchell | Women’s Soccer | Graduate Student | Analytics Management Certificate | Lake Forest, Ill. |
Gina Muzi | Women’s Soccer | Graduate Student | Leadership for Creative Enterprises | Waukesha, Wis. |
Presley Nevadomsky | Women’s Soccer | Sophomore | Data Science | Arcadia, Calif. |
Megan Norkett | Women’s Soccer | Sophomore | Undeclared | Naperville, Ill. |
Emma Phillips | Women’s Soccer | Senior | Communication Studies | Munster, Ind. |
Lauren Boyd | Softball | Graduate Student | Sports Administration | Union, Mo. |
Bridget Donahey | Softball | Junior | Learning and Organizational Change | Phoenix, Ariz |
Kelsey Nader | Softball | Junior | Industrial Engineering | Canton, Michigan |
Grace Nieto | Softball | Senior | Psychology | Farmington Hills, Mich. |
Kansas Robinson | Softball | Junior | Learning and Organizational Change | Ind.polis, Ind. |
Lauren Sciborski | Softball | Senior | Learning and Organizational Change | South Lyon, Mich. |
Aaron Baltaytis | Men’s Swimming & Diving | Sophomore | Data Science | Tenafly, N.J. |
David Gerchik | Men’s Swimming & Diving | Sophomore | Computer Science | Haifa, Israel |
Matthew Lucky | Men’s Swimming & Diving | Junior | Neuroscience | Harrisburg, N.C. |
Diego Nosack | Men’s Swimming & Diving | Sophomore | Undeclared | Beaverton, Ore. |
David Vinokur | Men’s Swimming & Diving | Sophomore | Undeclared | Scottsdale, Ariz |
Jack White | Men’s Swimming & Diving | Junior | Economics | Chicago, Ill. |
Tonahuc Zinn | Men’s Swimming & Diving | Junior | Social Policy | Santa Ana, Calif. |
Claudia Chang | Women’s Swimming & Diving | Sophomore | Data Science | Edina, Minn. |
Lindsay Ervin | Women’s Swimming & Diving | Junior | Political Science | Irvine, Calif. |
Kenisha Gupta | Women’s Swimming & Diving | Senior | Psychology | Mumbai, India |
Mackenzie Lanning | Women’s Swimming & Diving | Junior | Environmental Sciences | Louisville, Kentucky |
Shauntel Lim | Women’s Swimming & Diving | Junior | Psychology | Palo Alto, Calif. |
Justine Murdock | Women’s Swimming & Diving | Senior | Statistics | Bloomfield Hills, Michigan |
Sydney Smith | Women’s Swimming & Diving | Sophomore | Biomedical Engineering | Houston, Texas |
Max Bengtsson | Men’s Tennis | Senior | Applied Mathematics | Winnetka, Ill. |
Chad Miller | Men’s Tennis | Junior | Learning and Organizational Change | Cincinnati, Ohio |
Britany Lau | Women’s Tennis | Graduate Student | Master in Management | Kinnelon, N.J. |
Autumn Rabjohns | Women’s Tennis | Sophomore | Learning and Organizational Change | Lake Forest, Ill. |
Kiley Rabjohns | Women’s Tennis | Senior | Communication Studies | Lake Forest, Ill. |
Kennedy Hill | Volleyball | Junior | Legal Studies | Sherman Oaks, Calif. |
Gigi Navarrete | Volleyball | Sophomore | Learning & Organztnl Change | Palos Heights, Ill. |
Sienna Noordermeer | Volleyball | Junior | Economics | Los Angeles, Calif. |
Kathryn Randorf | Volleyball | Junior | Learning & Organztnl Change | Chagrin Falls, Ohio |
Rylen Reid | Volleyball | Junior | Learning & Organztnl Change | Rolling Meadows, Ill. |
Sophia Summers | Volleyball | Graduate Student | Learning Sciences | Portland, Ore. |
Drew Wright | Volleyball | Sophomore | Human Development in Context | Hermosa Beach, Calif. |
Luis Bazan | Wrestling | Sophomore | Learning & Organztnl Change | Winter Park, Fla. |
Jacob Bostelman | Wrestling | Sophomore | Learning & Organztnl Change | Parker, Colo. |
Joseph Martin | Wrestling | Senior | Learning & Organztnl Change | Clovis, Calif. |
Massey Odiotti | Wrestling | Sophomore | Undeclared | Wilmette, Ill. |
Andre Rocker | Wrestling | Junior | Political Science | Byfield, Massachusetts |
Aiden Vandenbush | Wrestling | Senior | Computer Science | Random Lake, Wis. |
Alex Chen | Fencing | Sophomore | Journalism | Toronto, Ontario |
Anna Damratoski | Fencing | Junior | Mechanical Engineering | Peapack, N.J. |
Asha Henry | Fencing | Senior | Cognitive Science | Takoma Park, Md. |
Juliana Hung | Fencing | Junior | Communication Studies | San Francisco, Calif. |
Allison Lee | Fencing | Junior | Political Science | Kinnelon, N.J. |
Megumi Oishi | Fencing | Junior | English | Portland, Ore. |
Rowan Park | Fencing | Senior | Gender & Sexuality Studies | Hermosa Beach, Calif. |
Samantha Serban | Fencing | Junior | Political Science | Chatham, N.J. |
Karina Vasile | Fencing | Sophomore | Biological Sciences | Bucharest, Romania |
Karen Wang | Fencing | Sophomore | Chemical Engineering | Houston, Texas |
Sports
HBCU Hires Second Woman in Its History as Director of Athletics
Mississippi Valley State University is making history—again. The HBCU announced Tuesday that Dr. Alecia Shields-Gadson will take the reins as Director of Athletics, becoming just the second woman in the university’s history to hold the position. The hire is more than symbolic; it signals a renewed, strategic push for excellence in MVSU’s athletic department. Shields-Gadson […]

Mississippi Valley State University is making history—again. The HBCU announced Tuesday that Dr. Alecia Shields-Gadson will take the reins as Director of Athletics, becoming just the second woman in the university’s history to hold the position.
The hire is more than symbolic; it signals a renewed, strategic push for excellence in MVSU’s athletic department.
Shields-Gadson brings over 25 years of experience and a reputation for bold, student-focused leadership to the Delta Devils. She officially starts on July 15.
“This is about blazing a new path,” Shields-Gadson said in a statement. “My vision for MVSU Athletics is one of growth, excellence, and unwavering commitment to our most prized possessions—our student-athletes.”
A Proven Playmaker in HBCU Athletics
If you follow HBCU athletics, you’ve seen her impact. Shields-Gadson most recently served as Deputy Athletic Director at Alcorn State, where she oversaw strategic planning and departmental execution. But it was at Delaware State University that she made national waves.
As Director of Athletics at DSU, she helped launch the country’s first Division I women’s varsity wrestling program—a historic move that put the school on the map. DSU’s 19 varsity programs saw a resurgence during her tenure, capturing conference championships and earning national postseason bids. She also facilitated a $1 million private donation—the largest of its kind for Hornets athletics.
“She’s transformational,” said Mississippi Valley State University President Dr. Jerryl Briggs, Sr. “Dr. Shields-Gadson has a proven track record in athletics administration that will be instrumental as we elevate MVSU Athletics and the overall student-athlete experience.”
Not Just a Title—A Legacy in the Making
Dr. Alecia Shields-Gadson has held leadership positions across multiple HBCUs, including Coppin State and Alcorn State, where she started her career as head track and field coach. She’s a former NCAA Leadership Development Fellow and has served on prominent national committees, including the NCAA Division I Council and Competition Oversight Committee.
Her career has been defined by advocacy, equity, and opportunity—not just for athletes, but for women in sports leadership.
At MVSU, she steps into a program ripe for growth. The Delta Devils have passionate fans, a strong alumni network, and a new leader who knows how to build from the ground up.
Her focus? Competitive success, financial sustainability, and academic excellence for student-athletes. That includes enhancing facilities, improving Title IX compliance, and expanding the program’s visibility on and off the field.
Academic Roots, Athletic Vision
A Southern University alum with a journalism degree, Shields-Gadson earned a master’s from Alcorn State and a doctorate in Educational Leadership from Delaware State. Her academic credentials complement her athletic prowess, creating a leadership style that’s as analytical as it is inspiring.
Mississippi Valley State University has also acknowledged the role of Collegiate Consulting in the national search process, which led to the landmark hire.
Now, with a seasoned architect at the helm, MVSU looks to carve out a new chapter in HBCU athletics—one led by a woman determined to leave her own legacy.
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Sports
Six Men’s Student-Athletes Earn College Sports Communicators At-Large Academic All-District Honors
Story Links Springfield, Mass. – July 14, 2025 – Six Springfield College student-athletes were named to the 2025 College Sports Communicators (CSC) Academic All-District Team this year. The 2025 Academic All-District® At-Large Teams, selected by College Sports Communicators, recognize the nation’s top student-athletes for their combined performances in their sport and in […]

Springfield, Mass. – July 14, 2025 – Six Springfield College student-athletes were named to the 2025 College Sports Communicators (CSC) Academic All-District Team this year.
The 2025 Academic All-District® At-Large Teams, selected by College Sports Communicators, recognize the nation’s top student-athletes for their combined performances in their sport 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 and compete in a specified number of team matches over the course of the calendar year.
Men’s volleyball junior Dylan Mulvaney (Reston, Va.) and men’s lacrosse senior Vincent Scialdone (Yorktown Heights, N.Y.) were repeat selections to the Academic All-District Team, while men’s gymnastics senior Owen Carney (Sterling, Mass.), men’s lacrosse graduate student Jackson Lane (Shrewsbury, Mass.), men’s volleyball junior Jake DesLauriers (Eastport, N.Y.) and men’s volleyball sophomore Carter Durivage (East Greenbush, N.Y.) were all first time honorees.
Mulvaney, an exercise science major with a 3.71 grade point average, ranked second in the nation with 10.37 assists per set dishing out a total of 861 helpers and powered Springfield College to the second-best hitting percentage in the country at a .354 clip. The junior setter also registered 30 kills, 26 aces, 99 digs, 36 blocks and hit .418. IN addition to his third straight All-America award, Mulvaney was tabbed as the FrogJump Volleyball Division III National Setter of the Year.
Scialdone, a criminal justice major with a 3.95 grade point average, in his senior season as Springfield’s face-off midfielder, won 53.1-percent of the face-offs he took (170-for-320) and scooped up a team-high 66 ground balls earning him a spot on the NEWMAC All-Conference Second Team.
Carney, a business management and finance major with a 3.85 grade point average, wrapped up his junior campaign in the finals of the horizontal bar competition at the 2025 NCAA National Collegiate Championships. Competing in the national finals for the third straight season, registered a score of 13.000 on the high bar finishing 26th among the nation’s best.
Lane, an athletic leadership major with a 3.91 grade point average, the New England Women’s and Men’s Athletic Conference (NEWMAC) Defensive Player of the Year in 2025, finished an outstanding collegiate career at Springfield this spring. This season alone, Lane registered 51 ground balls and caused 14 turnovers as not only the best defensive player in the conference, but in the region as well. Lane’s career stretched six seasons on Alden Street with him recording 247 ground balls and causing 61 turnovers. He also added 11 goals and nine assists for 20 points to his career stat line.
DesLauriers, a finance major with a 3.97 grade point average, made his transition from the baseball diamond to the volleyball court this season and made an immediate impact. The junior outside registered 204 kills (2.46 per set) and hit .359, which ranked 30th in Division III this year. DesLauriers also posted 40 aces and 116 digs (1.40 per set).
Durivage, a business management major with a 3.71 grade point average, powered Springfield’s offense with a team-best 221 kills (3.16 per set) and his .369 on the season. The junior outside also totaled 27 blocks and 81 digs. Durivage’s .369 hitting percentage ranked 25th nationally, while his 3.80 points per set ranked 64th in Division III this season.
For the latest on Springfield College Athletics, follow the Pride on social media on Twitter, Facebook and Instagram. Be sure to tune into all Springfield College Athletic events by subscribing to FloSports.
Sports
Jessica Nei Named Women's Soccer Assistant Coach
DURHAM, N.H. – The University of New Hampshire women’s soccer program has named Jessica Nei an assistant coach. “We are very excited to announce and welcome our new assistant coach Jessica Nei to Durham and Wildcat Country!,” said UNH head coach Steve Welham. “Jess brings along extensive collegiate coaching experience and has positively impacted each program […]


DURHAM, N.H. – The University of New Hampshire women’s soccer program has named Jessica Nei an assistant coach.
“We are very excited to announce and welcome our new assistant coach Jessica Nei to Durham and Wildcat Country!,” said UNH head coach Steve Welham. “Jess brings along extensive collegiate coaching experience and has positively impacted each program that she has been involved with. Jess is known to be loyal, hardworking, honest and a talented coach who can train goalkeepers and field players alike. Having played Division I Collegiate soccer she has “walked in the shoes” of our players and understands the landscape of our game very well. Jess quickly rose to the top of a very talented pool of applicants and has certainly hit the ground running. She has proven she can identify and develop talented young players along with nurturing young goalkeepers. Jess is not only a student of the game, but she is a good person who loves the game of soccer through and through. I am looking forward to her positively impacting our program in the seasons beyond!”
Nei previously served as the associate head coach at Northwestern State for the past two seasons. At NSU, she mentored multiple student-athletes to Southland Conference regular season and postseason honors, while in her first complete year with the program the team’s RPI moved up 100 spots and NSU’s overall goals scored doubled.
Prior to NSU, Nei was an associate head coach at North Dakota. She contributed to a team that more than doubled its win total in both the overall and conference seasons in her first full season. Nei aided in guiding the Fighting Hawks to their second conference postseason appearance in the Division I era in 2022.
Before her time at UND, she was at Wyoming for a season, where she primarily coached the midfielders and goalkeepers.
Nei came to Wyoming after a five-year stint at Toledo from 2015-21, where she was the recruiting coordinator and responsible for the defenders and goalkeepers. The Rockets won a MAC conference tournament championship and earned a trip to the NCAA Tournament in 2017. While with the Rockets, she coached a player who played in the Olympics & Women’s World Cup.
She was hired at Toledo following a successful stint at Arkansas State from 2011-14. While with the RedWolves, she coached starting goalkeepers to the lowest goals against average in school history (1.19), fewest goals allowed (11) and most wins (8). As an assistant at ASU, she helped guide the school to its first winning seasons in school history in her second and third years with the program.
In 2012, Nei earned the Assistant Coach Spirit Award for recognizing outstanding service,
commitment to excellence, going above and beyond expectations in advancement of the Arkansas State athletic department.
Nei started her coaching career as an assistant coach at St. Cloud State (2008-10), where she was a part of a program that posted 28 victories, recording its first winning conference season in school history and first winning record in 13 seasons.
As a student-athlete, Nei was a goalkeeper for North Dakota State (2003-07) and helped the Bison post 46 victories.
Nei graduated from North Dakota State in 2008 as a Physical Education and Health Education major, while she earned her Master’s degree in Recreation and Leisure Administration from Toledo in 2016.
The Wildcats will open the 2025 season at Boston University on Sunday, Aug. 17 at 1 p.m., followed by the home opener at Wildcat Stadium versus Stonehill on Thursday, Aug. 21 at 6 p.m.
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