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?”

 

 

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.

MORE BLOGS

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.”