Sports

Boston's Mayoral Election Features Two Candidates With Sports Ties

Published

8 months ago

May 4, 2025

Boston's Mayoral Election Features Two Candidates With Sports Ties

Boston’s incumbent mayor received a rousing endorsement for re-election from a Hall of Famer and adopted son of the city, while another opponent, the scion of New England’s most successful sports owner, is facing an uphill battle to sway voters.

On Thursday, Red Sox icon David Ortiz came out in support of Michelle Wu, a Democrat who was elected to the office in 2021. The two held an endorsement ceremony at Fenway Park, but just as notable was the social media post where the duo recalled Ortiz’s famous speech days after the Boston Marathon bombing in April 2013.

Wu’s main competition for re-election is Josh Kraft, who is also running as a Democrat and previously donated to her successful 2021 campaign. Kraft, son of Patriots owner Robert Kraft, is the president of the New England Patriots Foundation, one of several philanthropic arms of the Kraft empire.

While endorsements from prominent sports figures are nothing new for federal elections, they are less common at the local level. However, Ortiz’s endorsement is the second of its kind in nearly as many months.

In March, Nick Saban, the former Alabama Crimson Tide head coach and current ESPN College GameDay analyst, endorsed Walt Maddox, the Democratic incumbent mayor of Tuscaloosa, in his re-election bid. Maddox won a sixth consecutive term in that office.

Kraft’s bloodline is not his only sports connection to the mayoral election. An April 1 report from the Boston Herald claimed that NHLPA executive Marty Walsh had been “informally advising” Kraft and was rumored to be endorsing him.

The younger Kraft would have the insights of Walsh, who served as Boston’s mayor from 2014 through 2021. He left City Hall to become former president Joe Biden’s labor secretary until 2023.

Kraft is also leaning on support from another leader in the sports world, New Balance owner and chairman Jim Davis, who donated $1 million to his super PAC, Your City Your Future. Davis has spent millions to support election bids from Democrats and Republicans over the last 20 years, largely to moderate or conservative candidates, including $400,000 to Donald Trump in the 2016 presidential election. New Balance was founded and remains headquartered in Boston.

Kraft, who largely grew up in the city’s suburbs, became a Boston resident in 2023, just two years before the election.

One major point of contention directly related sports is the redevelopment of White Stadium as the future home for NWSL expansion franchise Boston Legacy FC. The city-owned venue is undergoing a $200 million renovation that’s being funded by the city as well as Boston Unity Soccer Partners, the investment group backing the club. The project has faced opposition from community groups within the Franklin Park neighborhood, where the proposed stadium would be built. They are voicing anger about a public facility being revitalized primarily for private business. (Plans call for the stadium to still be used by Boston Public Schools when the soccer club is not in town.)

While Wu has supported the development, Kraft had sided with the opposing groups, going so far as to call for canceling Boston Legacy’s lease to the stadium.

Ironically, on Sunday, the Kraft family unveiled its plans for a 24,000-seat soccer stadium for the New England Revolution in Everett, a town just north of the city. Last July, the Massachusetts state senate approved an economic development bill that included land for the stadium along the Mystic River. Already supported by the state House that previous June, Gov. Maura Healey (D) signed the bill in November.

Although Josh Kraft has name recognition and has worked in philanthropy in the metro area for three decades, Wu is a popular mayor who has gained favor with more liberal voters for her condemnations of President Trump, who has made illegal immigration the focal point of his second term in office. Trump has gone after Boston and other Democratic-led metropolises for being “sanctuary cities.”

Both Wu and Kraft are Democrats, but all mayoral candidates, regardless of party, face off in a single preliminary election in September before the top two vote-earners go on to the municipal election in November. No incumbent mayor in Boston has lost a re-election bid since 1949.

Sports

This Week in Saluki Athletics: January 12-18

Published

3 minutes ago

January 12, 2026

Your Sports Nation

CARBONDALE, Ill. – School is back in session at Southern Illinois and Saluki athletics is back in full swing. Last week, both basketball squads were in action as well as the swim and dive team. And this week, track and field returns to competition.

Men’s Basketball (8-9, 2-4)
Men’s basketball had just one game last week, falling 70-57 at UIC. Damien Mayo Jr. was the game’s leading scorer with 17, and he also tied Quel’Ron House to lead all players in assists with five.

Two games await Southern this week. On Wednesday, Jan. 14, they host Drake at 7 p.m. SIU then welcomes Belmont to Banterra Center on Saturday, Jan. 17, at 6 p.m.

Women’s Basketball (4-11, 1-5)
The women’s basketball squad split their two conference games last week.

First, the team lost to Evansville on Thursday, 75-70. Jeniah Thompson reset her career-high in points with 19, and grabbed 12 rebounds to complete a double-double. Karris Allen had a nice game as well with 15 points and eight rebounds, and Indya Green was the final Saluki to hit double-digit points with her 11.

SIU then picked up their first conference win of the season on Saturday, defeating Valparaiso 97-59. Thompson set a new career-high in points once again with 25, and had 14 rebounds as well for another double-double. Green, Kayla Cooper, and Tkiyah Nelson all had 10+ points as well.

This week, the Salukis host Murray State on Thursday, Jan. 15, at 6 p.m. They then welcome UIC to Carbondale on Sunday, Jan. 18, for a 2 p.m. match.

Swim and Dive
It was a busy weekend for swim and dive, who competed for the first time following winter break.

On Friday, the men’s squad traveled to Purdue and fell 207-103. Carter Ruthven won SIU’s first event of the day by taking gold in the 100-butterfly. Alex Cimera won the 200-freestyle event as well as the 100-freestyle. Southern’s last win of the meet came in the 400-IM thanks to Juraj Barcot.

SIU then hosted Evansville and Indiana State’s women’s team on Saturday for Senior Day. Both Southern squads took down Evansville, but the women’s team fell to Indiana State in a close meet. The Salukis started the meet by winning both sides of the 200-medley relay, and Joshua Aceves was the team’s first individual winner in the men’s 1000-freestyle. Susy Hernandez then won the 200-freestyle, as did Willem Huggins for the men’s team. In the 100-backstroke, Liseska Gallegos Gutierrez and Cimera both grabbed gold. Olivia Herron, Maddax Thompson, Nate Worsham , Tomáš Peciar, Benedek Andor, and Barcot all won events as well, and Oliver Mebs provided SIU a diving win in the one-meter dive.

It is another busy week for swim and dive. On Friday, Jan. 16, the team hosts McKendree at 2 p.m. before welcoming Vanderbilt’s women’s team on Saturday, Jan. 17, for a 1 p.m. meet.

Track and Field
The indoor track and field season resumes this week when the Salukis head to the Indiana Invitational on Friday, Jan. 16, and Saturday, Jan. 17.

Follow the Salukis
Keep up with all the latest news and information on the Salukis by following the team on X at @SIUSalukis, on Instagram at @siusalukis, and on Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/SalukiAthletics/. Fans can also download the “Salukis” Mobile App on the App Store or Google Play Store.

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Ahen Kim Named Head Coach of Duke Volleyball

Published

7 minutes ago

January 12, 2026

Your Sports Nation

WASHINGTON – After three years as head coach and nine years in the American University volleyball program, Ahen Kim has been named the new head coach of Duke University volleyball. Kim most recently led AU to a historic season in 2025, capturing the program’s first Patriot League title since 2019. He leaves American with a 44-25 overall record at the helm.

“We are incredibly grateful to Ahen for everything he has given to American University volleyball,” said Director of Athletics and Recreation JM Caparro. “His connection to this program runs deep, from his time as an assistant under Barry Goldberg during one of the most successful eras in our history to leading the program through an important transition as head coach. This past season’s Patriot League championship and NCAA Tournament berth were a testament to his leadership, commitment to our student-athletes, and belief in this program. While we will miss Ahen, we are proud of the work he has done at AU and understand the significance of the opportunity he has earned. We wish him nothing but success in his next chapter.”

“I’m forever grateful to American University Volleyball and will cherish the time I’ve had coaching here both as an Assistant and as Head Coach,” said Kim. “It has been an honor to serve the program after Coach Barry, and I am extremely proud of the work by our student-athletes and staff to restore its competitive legacy. I want to thank President Alger, JM, Katie Benoit and the AU community for all the support for me and our program over the years. With the addition of the Meltzer Center and Goldberg Court, I know this program will continue to be a winner. AUVB will always be special to me and I wish the program continued success. Once an Eagle, always an Eagle.”

As an assistant from 2012 to 2017 and a head coach since 2023, Kim has been synonymous with many of AU volleyball’s greatest moments. He was on the bench for five Patriot League championships and all three of AU’s NCAA Tournament wins, and returned in 2023 to find more success as a head coach. Kim led the Eagles to back-to-back 20-win seasons in 2023 and 2024, leading to one of the best campaigns in program history in 2025. American won 24 games up through the Patriot League final, with Kim guiding several players to unprecedented individual success. AU earned six All-Patriot League selections and took home all five major postseason awards, including the Coaching Staff of the Year distinction given to Kim and his assistants. In total as a head coach, Kim oversaw 12 All-Patriot League players, six major award winners, two AVCA All-Region selections, and two All-Americans.

With undeniable success on the court, Kim made an equal impact off the court. 30 of his players have landed on the Patriot League Academic Honor Roll and three players earned spots on the Academic All-Patriot League team in 2025, which recognizes both on-court and academic performance.

American University will conduct a national search for its next volleyball coach.

Keep up With Us

For the latest on American University Volleyball, stay tuned to AUEagles.com and follow the team on Twitter (@AU_V olleyball), Facebook (/AU.Volleyball) and Instagram (@au_volleyball).

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Sports

Bulldogs See Two First Place Finishes in First Chance Qualifier

Published

20 minutes ago

January 12, 2026

Your Sports Nation

Men’s Track and Field | 1/12/2026 2:21:00 PM

Wichita, Kan – McPherson College started their 2026 off with an indoor meet on the campus of Wichita State for the First Chance Qualifier. Following their Christmas break, the Bulldogs sought after a solid performance in their first meet of the new year.

The Basics
Location: Heskett Center

Women’s Highlights
In the Women’s 60m Hurdles, Blake Posey would run her personal best time of 9.47 and place 2^nd in the meet. Nina Zimmerman finished the Women’s 60m with a 9.24 personal record. Chloe Guzman, a dual-sport athlete for the Bulldogs (women’s soccer), would continue the personal best category after running a 9.40 in the Women’s 60m.
Johanna Walker’s mile time in the Women’s Mile was also a personal best time, running a 6:19.02; this would beat her previous best time by an astonishing 29 seconds.
In the throws department, Cara Shultz’s shot put would travel 12.44m for a personal best throw; she would have a personal-best weight throw of 15.14. In both event Schultz competed in, she placed fourth.

Men’s Highlights
For the men, Eric Brown began his indoor season with a time of 1:29.86 in the Men’s 600m. Lamar Gordon lit up the competition taking first place in the Shot Put and the Weight Throw events. His shot put would travel 15.29m and his weight throw landed at 17.99m.

Up Next
The Bulldogs will travel to Maryville, Missouri this upcoming weekend for the Coach Alsup Invitational hosted by Northwest Missouri State University on January 17^th.

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Granby adult volleyball standings (Jan. 5)

Published

22 minutes ago

January 12, 2026

Your Sports Nation

**First place winners of the Granby volleyball tournament in April 2025, K-Town.**
*Granby Recreation Department/Courtesy photo*

As of Jan. 5, the Granby adult co-ed volleyball league has continued its season with some hard-hitting competition.

Results from last week’s games

Washed Up downed Net WERK
Timberline over Spike Tysons
CV Electric beat Sagebrush
Prather Plumbing beat Eastside Gang
Washed Up downed Ski Pigs
Spike Tysons over Liberty Spikes
Drowsy Water Ranch downed Float Goats
CV Electric beat Prather Plumbing
Ski Pigs downed Liberty Spikes
Drowsy Water Ranch over Timberline
Float Goats beat Sagebrush
Net WERK over Eastside Gang
Drowsy Water downed Ski Pigs

League Standings as of Jan. 5

Washed Up 8-0
Drowsy Water Ranch 8-1
Timberline 7-2
Float Goats 6-2
CV Electric 6-3
Sagebrush 5-4
Net WERK 5-4
Prather Plumbing 4-5
Spike Tysons 2-7
Ski Pigs 2-7
Eastside Gang 0-9
Liberty Spikes 0-9

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UNI track and field coach Dave Paulsen talks Minnesota Open and having an athlete serving in the National Guard

Published

36 minutes ago

January 12, 2026

Your Sports Nation

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Vandals Deliver Another Record-Setting Semester in the Classroom

Published

38 minutes ago

January 12, 2026

Your Sports Nation

MOSCOW, Idaho- Before the spring semester officially gets underway, Idaho Athletics has announced that its programs recorded another strong performance in the classroom in the fall. Another team GPA record fell and Vandal student-athletes recorded a cumulative GPA of 3.44 across all sports.

Fall 2025 Academic Highlights

This is the 23rd consecutive semester that the Vandals earned a mark of 3.0 or higher as a whole.

Every program turned in a team GPA of 3.15 or higher.

Volleyball led the way for the department with a team GPA of 3.75. Fifteen student athletes had a 3.0 or higher and five of those turned in a perfect 4.0.

Men’s Basketball set a program record team performance for the second consecutive term, recording a team GPA of 3.44 by way of fifteen Vandals having a 3.0 or better and two of those with a 4.0. This tops the program record mark of 3.37, set last spring.

Swimming and Diving and Women’s Track and Field recorded the most athletes with a 4.0 individual average, with 22 each.

Football turned in a total of 83 student athletes with at least a 3.0.

Listed below are team GPAs, including student-athletes who earned a 4.0.

FOOTBALL

4.00 semester GPAs: 17

Holden Bea, Sam Brown, Leon Evans, Owen Forsman, Payton Gunter, Trais Higgins, Tony Harste, Calvin Macy, Donovan Parham, Malakai Railton-Stewart, Tyler Skinner, Daveon Superales, Noah West-Baranco, Caden Siegner, Trenton Swanson, Trevor Miller, Austin Flaherty

3.00-3.99 semester GPAs: 66

TEAM GPA: 3.19

SWIMMING AND DIVING

4.00 semester GPAs: 22

Parker Bach, Isabelle Borke, Maddy Butler, Natalie Charles, Cadence Gabel, Kaitlyn Hafer, Lauren Howe, Catherine Hyde, Italia Ingle, Abigail Jerome, Avery Keinonen, Ginger Kiefer, McKenzie Kovalscik, Ena Lehman, Marie Mason, Keegan Near, Grace Ruble, Maya Salvitti, Sadie Schaffer, Gaby Stanton, Andie Weiber, Lauren Wierschke

3.00-3.99 semester GPAs: 18

TEAM GPA: 3.63

MEN’S GOLF

4.00 semester GPA’s: 3

3.00-3.99 semester GPA’s: 6

TEAM GPA: 3.62

WOMEN’S GOLF

4.00 semester GPA’s: 3

3.00-3.99 semester GPA’s: 6

TEAM GPA: 3.66

MEN’S TENNIS

4.00 semester GPA’s: 4

3.00-3.99 semester GPA’s: 4

TEAM GPA: 3.68

WOMEN’S TENNIS

4.00 semester GPA’s: 2

3.00-3.99 semester GPA’s: 6

TEAM GPA: 3.62

SOCCER

4.00 semester GPA’s: 13

Mia Boltz, Ashlyn Chase, Calli Chiarelli, Annika Farley, Bella Gissendanner, Miranda Goldner, Emma James, Claire Manis, Kya Parke, Sara Rodgers, Heather Squitieri, Makenna Stuart, Izzy Thoma

3.00-3.99 semester GPA’s: 13

TEAM GPA: 3.63

WOMEN’S BASKETBALL

4.00 semester GPA’s: 3

3.00-3.99 semester GPA’s: 11

TEAM GPA: 3.54

MEN’S BASKETBALL

4.00 semester GPAs: 2

3.00-3.99 semester GPAs: 13

TEAM GPA: 3.43 – Program Record

VOLLEYBALL

4.00 semester GPAs: 5

3.00-3.99 semester GPAs: 10

TEAM GPA: 3.75

MEN’S TRACK AND FIELD

4.00 semester GPAs: 5

3.00-3.99 semester GPAs: 19

TEAM GPA: 3.15

WOMEN’S TRACK AND FIELD

4.00 semester GPAs: 22

Simona Bartosova, Malia Chipouras, Francesca Cuccu, Cami Cvitkovich, Mara Fuerniss, Belen Garcia Arias, Ashley Hollenbeck, Lara Holzhauer, Tesse Kamps, Beatriz Marciano, Jada Miller, Amanda Munoz, Mary Nakamura, Constanze Paoli, Kim Priebe, Ivy Smith, Hanna Tait, Naomi Taylor, Alex Terry, Abigail Thomas, Jana Willems, Adie Wimer

3.00-3.99 semester GPAs: 17

TEAM GPA: 3.59

MEN’S CROSS-COUNTRY

4.00 semester GPAs: 5

3.00-3.99 semester GPAs: 3

TEAM GPA: 3.25

WOMEN’S CROSS-COUNTRY

4.00 semester GPAs: 5

3.00-3.99 semester GPAs: 4

TEAM GPA: 3.55

Department GPA: 3.44

All in all, 291 Idaho student-athletes delivered a GPA of 3.0 or higher for the fall semester, and 102 of those earned a perfect 4.0, continuing an established trend of excellence in the classroom for the Vandals. As the only Carnegie R1 institution in the state, athletes are coming to Moscow not just to compete at a high level, but receive one of the best educations in the northwest.

Below is a consolidated chart of 3.0+ and 4.0 GPAs by sport.