NORTHFIELD, Minn. – After five seasons as the head coach of the St. Olaf College men’s hockey program, Eddie Effinger has stepped down to accept another head coaching position and former assistant coach Tyler Lindstrom has been elevated to head coach, as announced by Director of Athletics, Kelly Mahlum on Friday.
 
After leading St. Olaf to the most successful stretch in program history, Effinger stepped down to accept the head coach position at Amherst College, his alma mater. Lindstrom, who has been Effinger’s top assistant coach for the last three seasons, was named Effinger’s successor heading into the 2025-26 season and is just the seventh head coach for the program since 1958-59.
 
“Eddie has made a lasting impact on the men’s hockey program during his time on the Hill,” Mahlum said. “He not only built a nationally-competitive program but also prioritized developing the people around him – his assistant coaches and student-athletes. I’m grateful for the opportunity to work with Eddie over the past five years and wish him and his family all the best in his next chapter.”
 
During his five seasons at St. Olaf, Effinger led the Oles to a record of 54-49-11 (.522) and four consecutive seasons with double-digit wins after his first season was reduced to two games due to the COVID-19 pandemic. He guided the program to Minnesota Intercollegiate Athletic Conference (MIAC) Playoff appearances in each of his four full seasons, including two of the program’s three MIAC Playoff titles in 2021-22 and 2023-24, which led to two of the three NCAA Tournament appearances in program history. Effinger’s .522 winning percentage is the highest in program history of any coach (minimum three seasons) and the program’s 53 wins over the last four seasons is the highest total for a four-year stretch in program history.
 
“St. Olaf College and St. Olaf Athletics have meant the world to my family and I,” Effinger said. “From our first day on the Hill, the St. Olaf community welcomed and embraced us. I will be forever grateful to the countless individuals that have supported me and our hockey program over the past five years. I want to thank President Susan Rundell Singer, Kelly Mahlum, and Ryan Bowles for the opportunity and their mentorship. Most importantly, I want to thank our current and former players for the impact they have had on the program and me personally.”
 
At St. Olaf, Effinger coached one two-time USCHO.com First Team West All-American, one two-time All-USCHO honoree, one USCHO All-Rookie selection, eight All-MIAC honorees, six MIAC All-Playoff Team choices, and the program’s first-ever MIAC Defensive Player of the Year. His teams also excelled academically producing 65 Academic All-MIAC honorees, 32 American Hockey Coaches Association (AHCA) All-American Scholars, 10 College Sports Communicators Academic All-District honorees, and one two-time MIAC Elite 22 Award recipient.
 
After joining Effinger’s staff prior to the 2022-23 season, Lindstrom has helped St. Olaf to a 42-33-8 (.554) record over the last three seasons, as well as three consecutive MIAC Playoff appearances. The Oles have advanced to the semifinals of the MIAC Playoffs in each of his three seasons, including the program’s third-ever MIAC Playoff title and NCAA Tournament appearance in 2023-24. St. Olaf was the runner-up in the MIAC Playoffs in 2024-25.
 
“I am incredibly excited and honored to be named the head coach of St. Olaf men’s hockey,” Lindstrom said. “I’d like to thank Kelly Mahlum for trusting me with this opportunity and look forward to leading our student-athletes in this new role. I truly believe that St. Olaf is the best place to play Division III hockey in the country. The program will continue to compete for championships while offering some of the best educational opportunities in the country. This place is special and will continue to provide elite experiences for our student-athletes.”
 
During his time at St. Olaf, the program has produced one two-time American Hockey Coaches Association First Team West All-American, one Sid Watson Award finalist (national player of the year), one MIAC Defensive Player of the Year, one two-time All-USCHO honoree, and one All-DIIIHockeyNews.com selection. St. Olaf has also had seven All-MIAC honorees and six MIAC All-Playoff Team selections in Lindstrom’s three seasons.
 
“I would like to thank Eddie for everything he has done for me personally and for the St. Olaf program as a whole,” Lindstrom added. “He is a tremendous person and leader who will be missed in our program and across campus. Eddie is also someone who I am fortunate to call a friend and mentor, and I can’t thank him enough for giving me my start in coaching three years ago. He has built the program into what it is today, and I am honored to continue to build on all of the success he has had.”
 
In addition to the on-ice success, St. Olaf’s program has excelled academically with 25 AHCA All-America Scholars, 38 Academic All-MIAC honorees, and 12 College Sports Communicators Academic All-District honorees during Lindstrom’s time on staff.
 
“I am pleased to announce Tyler Lindstrom as the new head coach of our men’s hockey program,” Mahlum said. “Tyler brings an exceptional work ethic, proven coaching expertise, and a strong track record in recruiting top-level talent. He understands and holds the values we carry in Ole Athletics, with a clear commitment to both academic and athletic excellence. I am confident he will have a positive impact on our student-athletes, and I am excited to see him continue the program’s upward success.”
 
Prior to his time on the Hill, Lindstrom played in 100 games over his five-year career at NCAA Division III Curry College in Milton, Mass. and, after graduating from Curry in 2021 with a bachelor of arts in business management, worked as a scout for the New England Wolves of the Eastern Hockey League (EHL). Lindstrom went on to earn his MBA in May 2022. Originally from Brooklyn Park, Minn., he played high school hockey at the Breck School. Lindstrom has also coached the U15/U18 teams for the Neponset Valley Rats, served as the program director for Base Elite, and worked as a skills coach for MN Lakers Hockey.

“I can think of no one better or more deserving than Coach Lindstrom to lead the program into the future,” Effinger added. “He is one of the hardest-working and most-talented individuals in college hockey, and the program is in great hands under his leadership. Most importantly, Tyler embodies the values of what it means to be part of the St. Olaf community. I am excited for Coach Lindstrom and the men’s hockey program.”

SAINT PAUL, Minn. – Minnesota Wild President of Hockey Operations and General Manager Bill Guerin and Iowa Wild General Manager Matt Hendricks today announced the hiring of Greg Cronin as the Head Coach of the Iowa Wild, the team’s primary affiliate in the American Hockey League (AHL).

“We are thrilled to have a coach of Greg’s caliber behind the bench in Iowa,” said Hendricks. “He brings a thorough, detail-oriented approach and an extremely high understanding of the game of hockey. With an extensive background in player development and a proven track record of leading winning organizations, we are excited to bring Greg’s passion for coaching to our organization.”

Cronin, 62 (6/2/63), owns 38 years of coaching and player development experience, including 18 years of head coaching experience at the National Hockey League (NHL), AHL and NCAA levels. The Arlington, Mass., native most recently spent two seasons (2023-25) as Head Coach of the NHL’s Anaheim Ducks, where he compiled a 62-87-15 record (.424) in 164 games and guided the team to an 80-point season (35-37-10) in 2024-25, the franchise’s highest point total since the 2017-18 season. Prior to his time in Anaheim, Cronin spent five seasons (2018-23) as Head Coach of the AHL’s Colorado Eagles, leading the team to a 164-104-30 overall record (.601), four Calder Cup playoff appearances (2019, 2021-23) and a 34-18-4 record (.643) in the COVID-shortened 2019-20 season. In seven total seasons as an AHL head coach with Colorado and the Bridgeport Sound Tigers (2003-05), Cronin owns a 242-165-51 record (.584) across 458 games.

Before his time in Colorado, Cronin spent seven seasons as a coach at the NHL level, including four seasons with the New York Islanders, where he was Associate Coach in 2017-18 and an Assistant coach from 2014-17, and three seasons (2011-14) as an Assistant Coach with the Toronto Maple Leafs. Cronin spent six seasons as Head Coach of Northeastern University from 2005-11, earning Coach of the Year honors from Hockey East in 2009 after guiding the team to a 25-12-4 record and the school’s first NCAA tournament appearance in 15 years. Cronin spent seven seasons within the Islanders’ organization from 1998-2005, working as the team’s Director of Player Development from 2003-05, while also working as Head Coach (2003-05) and as an Assistant Coach (1998-03) for Bridgeport, the Islanders’ primary AHL affiliate. Cronin was an Assistant Coach at the University of Maine from 1988-90 and 1993-95 before serving as Interim Head Coach from December 1995 to December 1996. He was also an Assistant Coach at Colorado College from 1990-93.

A co-founder of the United States National Development Program (USNTDP), Cronin spent the inaugural season of the program as Director of Player Development in 1996-97 and served as Head Coach in 1997-98. He began his coaching career at Colby College, his alma mater, as an Assistant Coach in 1987-88. He earned a master’s degree in business at the University of Maine in 1990 while serving as a Graduate Assistant for the hockey program. Cronin has also served as an Assistant Coach for Team USA at three World Championships (1997, 2011 and 2012) and was an Assistant Coach at back-to-back World Junior Championships in 1997 and 1998, helping the U.S. to a silver medal in 1997.

Cronin played four seasons of collegiate hockey at Colby College from 1982-86, helping the team to ECAC Division II Final Four appearances in 1983 and 1984 and receiving the Most Improved Player Award in 1984 and the Coach’s Award in 1986.

Follow @mnwildPR on X and visit www.wild.com/pressbox and for the latest news and information from the team including press releases, game notes, player interviews and daily statistics.

It took a couple of years and the full dissolution of the conference, but the Pac-12 finally has a long-term media partner.

CBS Sports and the Pac-12 have reached a multi-year media rights deal that will make CBS the primary broadcast partner for the conference from 2026 through the 2030-31 academic year, it was announced Monday. Under the deal, the main CBS broadcast network will carry at least three football and men’s basketball games per season, including the football and men’s basketball championship games.

Additional football and men’s basketball games will air on CBS Sports Network.

The new deal is technically an extension, as CBS in April struck a one-year deal to carry the current two-member Pac-12 this coming season. CBS is no stranger to the Pac-12, having carried the men’s basketball championship as recently as 2012.

While the Pac-12 currently consists of just Oregon State and Washington State, as of next season it will expand to eight programs — including seven in football. The conference will need to add one more football program in order to satisfy NCAA requirements.

The new Pac-12 schools include five from the Mountain West, Boise State, Colorado State, Fresno State, San Diego State and Utah State. CBS currently airs Mountain West football games, but that deal is set to expire after this season.

The Pac-12 is expected to announce additional partners at a later date. In addition to CBS, games this season will air on CW and FOX.

Massapequa High School held its graduation ceremony at Hofstra University.

Photo by Casey Fahrer

Massapequa High School seniors threw their caps in the air as they celebrated the end of their academic careers within the district.

Massapequa held its 70th graduation ceremony on Friday, June 20, at Hofstra University’s David S. Mack Sports & Exhibition Center. Over 450 seniors received their diplomas, something that Superintendent William Brennan called a big accomplishment. 

“Today isn’t just a celebration, it’s a milestone,” he said.

Brennan opened up the ceremony by talking about the accomplishment, saying that education isn’t just about tests and grades. Massapequa High School Principal Barbara Lowell said the average GPA of seniors this year was above 90.

Lowell also said the graduating class received over $14 million combined in scholarship money for their future education. She highlighted the difference between the current seniors and the first set of seniors in the district in 1956.

“The world needs your light. It needs your compassion. It needs your creativity. It needs your courage,” Lowell told the 2025 class. “And no matter where life takes you, know that you will always have a home at Massapequa High School.”

Four students, Olivia Valaroso, Jackson Yahner, William Stebner and Samantha Portz, gave commencement speeches as well, all calling for the graduating seniors to show confidence, courage and passion with their future endeavors.  

Multiple speakers also remembered Connor Kasin, a Massapequa senior who died while playing for the school’s varsity ice hockey team in November 2024.  

Speakers also made sure to recognize the school’s mascot, as multiple people referred to the graduates as “Chiefs.” 

 “Chiefs lead, Chiefs give back, Chiefs serve,” Portz, the class’ valedictorian, said.

The district has been in a public legal battle with the state as Massapequa fights to keep its Native American name as the Chiefs.

For the likes of the Michigan Wolverines, the House vs. NCAA settlement was a small blip in the spending the athletic program already participates in every year, and it will be merely a percentage that must be allocated to athletes rather than other expenses.

But that’s not the case for the entire country, let alone the rest of the Big Ten. While Michigan and Ohio State bring in more than $160 million in athletic revenue every year, other Big Ten members such as Maryland, UCLA and Rutgers are much lower on the list, generating $81 million, $82 million and $72 million, respectively.

While these are still big numbers to the untrained eye, the Big Ten has been given direction to give $20.5 million to its athletes as part of direct revenue sharing during the 2025-26 academic year. While this is 10 percent of its revenue for Ohio State, it is 28 percent for Rutgers, according to NIL-NCAA. This could cause a massive disparity in salary caps, funds towards travel, training facilities expenses, staffing and many more costs that some programs just do not have the money for.

Under the direction of House vs. NCAA, Division I programs are asked to follow a model that gives 75 percent of the $20.5 million to football (coming out to $15,375,000), 10 percent to men’s basketball ($2,050,000), five percent to women’s basketball ($1,025,000) and five percent to the school’s other varsity sports.

While this is a nice, overarching framework, that may not be practical in the grand scheme of things. If a program like Rutgers wants to be competitive for years to come, other strategies may need to be enlisted regarding the allocation of that money.

How revenue sharing should be distributed across the Big Ten

The Wolverines have 29 varsity sports that Warde Manuel is dedicated to keeping. The Buckeyes have 36, Maryland has 20, Northwestern has 19. As you can see, giving five percent to sports other than football and basketball can vary greatly between schools, and this is where strategy may come into play.

Take UCLA for example, a powerhouse in women’s gymnastics. Or USC, the national leader in beach volleyball. If programs want to compete for both Big Ten championships and national championships, putting money into these smaller programs could be where we see dynasties start forming.

While football has the big, flashy number now, things can change very quickly when programs start getting ahead of the competition.

Say in a year that athletic departments have more flexibility with their allocation of revenue sharing money. With scholarship limits already increased for the upcoming academic year, there is little-to-no oversight on how schools should be spending their money. Sure, if Michigan is spending $146,000 per year on each of their football players, it may be more difficult to compete with that by taking money away from other football programs.

However, realizing there are other ways of competing may be the first domino that needs to fall for schools to pivot and find their lane elsewhere. Here is a list of one sport outside of football and basketball that each Big Ten should prioritize going forward based on recent success (i.e. Big Ten championships and standings):

1. Iowa – Wrestling
2. Illinois – Men’s and Women’s Golf
3. Indiana – Men’s Soccer
4. Maryland – Men’s and Women’s Lacrosse
5. Michigan – Ice Hockey
6. Michigan State – Ice Hockey
7. Minnesota – Ice Hockey
8. Nebraska – Women’s Volleyball
9. Northwestern – Field Hockey
10. Ohio State – Women’s Volleyball
11. Oregon – Baseball
12. Penn State – Ice Hockey
13. Purdue – Wrestling
14. Rutgers – Rowing
15. USC – Beach Volleyball
16. UCLA – Women’s Gymnastics
17. Washington – Men’s and Women’s Track and Field
18. Wisconsin – Women’s Volleyball

This list displays a very unique situation in which school’s of different sizes, athletic program revenue and geographical location could potentially run a particular sport if they allocate the right amount of money to that sport.

When asked questions about other potential revenue pools, Ohio State athletic director Ross Bjork said, “We thought volleyball could be a sport that could drive more revenue.”

Similarly, Penn State athletic director Dr. Patrick Kraft said, “We’re trying to be able to manage the money so that if we need to move on someone, no matter what the sport is, we have the ability to say, ‘Hey, there’s the No. 1 fencer in the world, and we need to go use rev-share to maybe tilt it our way, we’re going to be able to do that.”

From golf to wrestling to lacrosse and every sport in between, we could see Big Ten schools separate themselves from one another, taking home Big Ten championships, the prize money and the publicity that would come with it.

How can the Big Ten leave their mark as a conference, and individually?

Revenue sharing is meant to create many benefits for programs. It increases the scholarships a school can give out, giving programs more flexibility with recruiting and roster spots. It should make athletes happier about their worth, and it gives coaches and staff another resource to use when recruiting and retaining athletes. And, in theory, it evens out the competition, allowing for schools to have the same resources as one another to compete for championships.

However, there are still going to be economic and resource disparities. It is how each school handles these inequalities which will be the true test of sustainability and continuous success.