CLEVELAND, Ohio— Senior Emma Gaston was named as a nominee for the Allstate National Association of College Directors of Athletics (NACDA)2025-26 winter Good Works Team nominees, NACDA announced Tuesday. 

The Allstate NACDA Good Works Team is an initiative to honor and recognize student-athletes who demonstrate levels of volunteerism that go beyond their achievements in the classroom and competition. The team recognizes 60 student-athletes annually across the fall, winter and spring seasons. The 2025-26 team will feature 20 student-athletes, consisting of 10 male and 10 female athletes. 

During her time competing for UIndy’s cross country and track and field teams, Gaston has dedicated her time to many nonprofit organizations, including Joy House in Indianapolis, which serves adults with life-altering diagnoses. The senior also helped raise $110,000 for the Jackson Center for Conductive Education, a non-profit organization that supports children with cerebral palsy, by organizing donors, sponsorships and silent auction packages for the center’s annual Grape Escape Gala.

In addition to her work off campus, Gaston has had a great impact on the UIndy student-athlete community as the president of UIndy’s Student Athlete Advisory Committee.  Emma played a part in the development of the Hounds Leadership Academy, which is designed to develop leadership skills within the student-athlete body at UIndy. She was selected to attend the 2025 APPLE (Athletic Prevention Programming and Leadership) Training Institute in Denver, Colorado, where she received training to prevent substance abuse misuse and hazing in Division II Athletics. She is now implementing an Action Plan on UIndy’s Campus to provide education regarding substance abuse and hazing, including starting the APPLE Team at UIndy.

The final Allstate NACDA 2025-26 winter Good Works Team will be announced in early February, and a full list of nominees can be found here.

GREENWOOD, Ind. — UNI junior Cassidy Hartman on Tuesday was honored with her latest academic honor, earning Second Team Academic All-American recognition from College Sports Communicators (CSC).

To be eligible for this honor, students must be at least a sophomore both academically and athletically, must have at least a 3.50 cumulative grade-point average (GPA) on a 4.0 scale and participate in at least 90% or start in at least 66% of their team’s matches. All-Americans are voted on by the organization’s membership from its All-District teams.

Hartman, a North Liberty, Iowa native and outside hitter, is the 63rd Academic All-American selection in UNI history and 14th selection in the UNI volleyball program’s history. The 2025 season marks the second straight year a Panther has earned this honor after Kira Fallert earned second team recognition in 2024. Hartman is also the UNI’s eighth Academic All-American in the last four years overall and sixth in the last calendar year.

The 2025 Missouri Valley Conference (MVC) Player of the Year and a First Team All-MVC selection, Hartman led the league with 4.64 kills per set, along with 2.74 digs per frame, 58 total blocks and 19 aces during her junior season. Starting all 32 matches during her junior season, Hartman recorded ten or more kills in 27 matches this season, as well as six matches with 20+ kills, including a career-high 26 terminations at Southern Illinois in the regular season. 

An AVCA All-American Honorable Mention selection and All-Region honoree, she also posted 14 double-double outings. A three-time MVC Player of the Week this season, Hartman was also a member of the Capital Credit Union Classic All-Tournament Team in September.

Hartman helped lead the Panthers to a 26-6 record overall, a 16-0 mark in MVC play and the program’s fourth consecutive MVC regular season and tournament titles, as well as a run to the second round of the NCAA Tournament.

UNI’s All-Time CSC Academic All-Americans

• 1974 – Paul James (Football) – First Team
• 1977 – Mark Enright (Men’s Basketball) – Honorable Mention
• 1977 – Mike Kemp (Men’s Basketball) – Honorable Mention
• 1978 – Tim Weber (Baseball) – Second Team
• 1980 – Owen Docktor (Football) – Second Team
• 1982 – Ray Storck (Men’s Basketball) – Honorable Mention
• 1984 – Randy Kraayenbrink (Men’s Basketball) – Second Team
• 1985 – Mary Bernhardt (Volleyball) – First Team
• 1986 – Mary Bernhardt (Volleyball) – First Team
• 1987 – Mary Bernhardt (Volleyball) – First Team
• 1989 – Kris Schroeder (Volleyball) – Second Team
• 1991 – Mike Schulte (Football) – Second Team
• 1992 – Gary Steffensmeier (Wrestling) – Third Team
• 1992 – Karen Vande Voort (Softball) – Third Team
• 1994 – Karen Vande Voort (Softball) – Second Team
• 1995 – Kate Galer (Volleyball) – Third Team
• 1996 – Kate Galer (Volleyball) – First Team
• 1998 – Jon Judisch (Track & Field) – Third Team
• 1999 – Brad Meester (Football) – First Team
• 2000 – Levente Timar (Track & Field) – Third Team
• 2000 – Kylie Sloan (Softball) – Third Team
• 2001 – Ryan Brunner (Baseball) – Third Team
• 2001 – Levente Timar (Track & Field) – Third Team
• 2002 – Travis Welsch (Baseball) – Third Team
• 2002 – Balaza Csillag (Track & Field/Cross Country) – Third Team
• 2002 – Jill Arganbright (Volleyball) – Second Team
• 2003 – Dirk Homewood (Track & Field/Cross Country) – First Team
• 2003 – Jill Arganbright (Volleyball) – First Team
• 2003 – Jill Arganbright (Volleyball) -First Team
• 2003 – Molly O’Brien (Volleyball) – Second Team
• 2003 – Katie Miller (Women’s Basketball) – Third Team
• 2004 – Dirk Homewood (Track & Field/Cross Country) – Second Team
• 2005 – Dirk Homewood (Track & Field/Cross Country) – First Team
• 2006 – James Lindgren (Football) – First Team
• 2007 – Nick Baima (Wrestling) – Third Team
• 2008 – Mat Clark (Track & Field/Cross Country) – First Team
• 2008 – Josh Mahoney (Football) – Second Team
• 2009 – Mat Clark (Track & Field/Cross Country) – First Team
• 2009 – Ryan Grenko (Track & Field/Cross Country) – Second Team
• 2009 – Josh Mahoney (Football) – First Team
• 2010 – Ben Boothby (Football) – Second Team
• 2011 – Ben Boothby (Football) – First Team
• 2011 – Jacqui Kalin (Women’s Basketball) – Second Team
• 2013 – Jacqui Kalin (Women’s Basketball) – First Team
• 2013 – Shelby Kintzel (Volleyball) – First Team
• 2013 – Macy Ubben (Volleyball) – Second Team
• 2015 – Holly Salzbrenner (Track & Field/Cross Country) – Third Team
• 2015 – Isaac Ales (Football) – Second Team
• 2015 – Jacob Rathmacher (Football) – First Team
• 2015 – Karter Schult (Football) – First Team
• 2016 – Karter Schult (Football) – First Team
• 2017 – Marcus Weymiller (Football) – Second Team
• 2018 – Alex Jackson (Track & Field/Cross Country) – First Team
• 2018 – Marcus Weymiller (Football) – First Team
• 2019 – Alex Jackson (Track & Field/Cross Country) – First Team
• 2022 – AJ Green (Men’s Basketball) – Second Team
• 2023 – Tyrell Gordon (Wrestling) – Third Team
• 2024 – Lauren Heinsch (Women’s Soccer) – Second Team
• 2024 – Kira Fallert (Volleyball) – Second Team
• 2025 – Tytan Anderson (Men’s Basketball) – Second Team
• 2025 – Kate Lappe (Softball) – Third Team
• 2025 – Parker Keckeisen (Wrestling) – Third Team
• 2025 – Cassidy Hartman – Second Team

ABOUT COLLEGE SPORTS COMMUNICATORS

College Sports Communicators was founded in 1957 and is a 3,200+ member national association for strategic, creative and digital communicators across intercollegiate athletics in the United States and Canada. 

From its founding in 1957 until the 2022 name change, the organization was known as College Sports Information Directors of America (CoSIDA).

The organization is the second oldest management association in all of intercollegiate athletics. College Sports Communicators became an affiliated partner with NACDA (National Association of Collegiate Directors of Athletics) in December of 2008.

UNI volleyball action can be followed all season long on social media on Facebook (UNI Volleyball), X (@UNIVolleyball) and on Instagram (@univolleyball). The full schedule and roster, along with the latest Panther news and information can be found online at UNIpanthers.com.

The Woodring family has committed $25,000 to the Mansfield University Mountaineer Foundation to establish the Michael “Woody” Woodring ’74 Scholarship to support Mountaineer track & field and cross country student-athletes.

“The Michael ‘Woody’ Woodring ’74 Scholarship is a way for his generosity and desire to help others to continue to live on, positively impact Mansfield students and give back to a place that meant so much to him,” explained Lauren Woodring, Michael’s daughter.

A native of Pittsburgh, Woodring earned a scholarship to compete on the Mansfield track & field and cross country teams. He graduated from Mansfield with a degree in political science in 1974 and earned his juris doctorate at Duquesne University. Woodring used his law degree working in the leasing office of PNC Bank.

He is survived by his wife, Diane, and two children, Lauren and John.

“Just as the impact of a campus experience extends beyond four years, a donation ensures that Mountie Athletics continues to thrive for generations,” said Andrew Petko, Mansfield director of athletics. “This scholarship will sustain our support of Mansfield student-athletes who strive for excellence in competition, in the classroom and in life.”

Learn more about the MU Mountaineer Foundation at mountaineerfdn.org.

Syracuse, N.Y. — Several of Section III’s best girls winter volleyball players have proved vital to their teams this season.

We contacted volleyball coaches to get nominations for their team’s midseason MVP. Here are the responses we got.

Kaylynne Bennett, Tully, outside hitter, senior

“Kaylynne eats, sleeps and breathes volleyball since I can remember and has done everything in her power to help the program and her team be successful. When a play needs to be made she is typically involved in some way. She plays with an energy and a power like very few others and has the way to impact a game right when it is needed the most. Always a powerful and intelligent hitter, but has turned into a real threat both defensively and from the service line. Every team prepares for her and she goes head-to-head with other teams’ best players and always finds an advantage and way to contribute.” — Jeremy Cook

Brooke Egresits, Rome Free Academy, setter, senior

“(She) has stepped up tremendously this season as the primary quarterback (setter), a position that does not get the recognition that it should as the setter position has a huge effect on the volleyball court. As a coach, it’s not always about the stats, but Brooke is someone who makes a significant contribution that has an enormously positive effect on the entire team. Brooke is one of the best setters in the game who changes the dynamic of the match with her athleticism, great court vision and volleyball IQ to keep the ball in play. She is a team player that is always looking for ways to help her team succeed. Brooke sees the game as opportunities to add value.” — Pete Keoviengsamay

Ella Griffin, Morrisville-Eaton, senior

“Ella is our quarterback. She distributes the ball to keep our offense balanced and moves quickly to set effectively anywhere on the court. Ella possesses a high volleyball IQ, works hard in the off-season and is a positive motivator in practice and in the game. When Ella is on the court, good things happen. The Lady Mavs are in good hands with Ella serving as the quarterback and a tri-captain.” — Wil Curtis

Phoenecia Hathway, Sandy Creek, outside hitter, senior

“Her overall insight, team leadership, execution of skills under pressure and ability to encourage her team to excel no matter what the circumstances is an important quality an MVP must possess.” — Dori Hathway

Chloe Jubar, Cooperstown, middle hitter, senior

“Chloe leads our team in kills and blocks, (has) double digits in kills in five of our seven matches.” — Rich Jantzi

Alachiir Kuany, East Syracuse Minoa, middle hitter, sophomore

“Alachiir is becoming a dominant player in our league. She is proving that she is going to be a problem for other schools for years to come. When she has it going, she is probably the toughest player in the league to stop.” — Jake Cline

Jaiden Maher, Remsen, middle hitter/blocker, senior

“As a middle hitter/blocker, Jaiden leads the team in both blocks and kills. She is quickly approaching a career total of 500 kills. Her leadership both defensively and offensively has helped our team be in such good standing this year.” — Amy Piaschyk

Michaela Mousaw, Fabius-Pompey, setter, junior

“Michaela has been the heartbeat of our offense. Michaela elevates the entire team with her communication, decision-making under pressure, and relentless competitiveness. Her ability to control tempo and lead in critical moments have been instrumental to our success this season, making her a deserving midseason MVP.” — Amy Wagner

Brooklyn Palmer, Whitesboro, libero, senior

“Brooklyn is the backbone of our defense and covers the whole court. Not only has she been averaging over 20 digs a match, she has over a 95% serve receive rate. She also serves at a 95% rate.” — Carl Manganaro

Morgan Penizotto, Pulaski, senior, setter

“She plays with such heart and positivity. She hustles and is determined to turn every pass into a perfect set.” — Monique Ritter

Melina Poturovic, Utica Academy of Science, middle blocker, freshman

“Melina has been doing an incredible job this season. She is one of our three captains, and leads our team in both blocks and kills thus far. The team is continuously inspired by her unmatched energy and we are so lucky to have her.” — Ku Ku

Layla Rice, Mount Markham, hitter, senior

“She is our team leader in kills and aces. But her leadership on and off the court are equally as vital to our success.” — Terry McKane

Alayna Richards, General Brown, hitter, senior

“She’s not necessarily the strongest, but she’s one that will lead the team. So definitely just a good person to have on the court at all times and is one of my leading servers and headers. She’s a senior, so she’s very dedicated to making her team better. She knows how to place the ball. She’s very strategic, I guess would be a good word to describe her in that respect.” — Carrie LaSage

Lucy Storms, Carthage, sophomore

“I pulled her up at the end of last season and she had proven to be a consistent, solid player all around the court. I feel this goes unnoticed as she is not some 6-foot middle hitter or libero but Lucy is a key player on our offense and defense. This became evident more so as she just suffered an injury that has put her on the sideline for an extended period of time.” — Joelle Decillis.

Remington Stull, McGraw, middle hitter, sophomore

“Remington is a middle hitter, however we can depend on her at any position. She is our go-to girl if a ball needs to be chased down. We can always depend on Remington to go get it and feed it back to her team. Remington gives 100% at practice and in games. We look forward to watching her continue to grow and develop.” — Jessyca Doran

Rachel Zdep, Christian Brothers Academy, setter, junior

“She plays all the way around all the time. She’s also my captain. She’s a great player. Just very motivated, very good teammate. She’s just very consistent. I feel like all my other players kind of have ups and downs, but she’s very stable through every game.” — Kristen DeLorenzo