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House Settlement Deadline Is Today As College Power Brokers Try To Find Solution

BLOOMINGTON, Ind. – Two weeks ago, U.S. District Judge Claudia Wilken threw college power brokers a surprise curveball when she made approval of the House settlement contingent on making sure the settlement’s roster limits don’t adversely affect current athletes who could lose their scholarships. Wilken made approval of the settlement contingent on making sure these […]

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BLOOMINGTON, Ind. – Two weeks ago, U.S. District Judge Claudia Wilken threw college power brokers a surprise curveball when she made approval of the House settlement contingent on making sure the settlement’s roster limits don’t adversely affect current athletes who could lose their scholarships.

Wilken made approval of the settlement contingent on making sure these athletes, or class members to use the legal term that refers to them, keep their roster spots. The judge gave the NCAA and the power conferences two weeks to propose a solution, and today is the deadline.

The roster limits issue is the last significant hurdle that must be cleared to gain final approval for the House settlement, which will set the rules by which college athletics will play by going forward..

What set all of this in motion was the premature implementation of the rules the House settlement was going to create. When preliminary approval of the House settlement was granted in October – with the proviso that objectors had six months to file briefs in opposition to parts of the settlement – schools began to execute their plans for when the roster limits that the House settlement created came into effect for the 2025-26 athletic calendar.

In the past, the basis of college roster positions were based on scholarship limits. Each sport had a limit, but schools could add as many athletes as they wanted so long as it didn’t affect their scholarship total.

The House settlement eliminates that model in favor of roster limits. Scholarship limits were removed, but in their place, each sport was given a hard cap in terms of how many athletes could participate on a given team.

Many sports – football, swimming and cross country to name a few – had many walk-ons who would have put them over the agreed upon roster limit. Many athletes in multiple sports have been cut from their teams since then as schools tried to fall in line with the roster limit and give those athletes time to find a new place to continue their athletic careers.

Wilken found that side effect of the settlement to be unacceptable.

“Because the settlement is not fair and reasonable to the significant number of class members whose roster spots will be or have been taken away because of the immediate implementation of the settlement agreement, the Court cannot approve the settlement in its current form,” Wilken’s ruling said.

What will the NCAA and power conference schools – the parties bound by the House vs. NCAA case – do in response to Wilken’s concerns?

Yahoo Sports has reported that the proposal that could be filed would give schools an option to grandfather student-athletes back on to their rosters with the roster limits phased-in as those grandfathered athletes run out of eligibility.

Under this reported proposal, those athletes would carry their grandfathered status to another school. This is a solution proposed to deal with the reality that many student-athletes who were told their roster sports were eliminated have already moved on to new schools.

The question is whether Wilken sees this an “optional” exercise or as a “mandatory” matter upon which the NCAA and power conference schools must agree.

All along, Wilken has expressed concern about the effect the roster limits have had and will continue to have.

College sports power brokers had hoped the House settlement would be in effect by now. Preliminary approval was given in October, and many assumed that an April 7 hearing would lead to final approval after objections were heard from class members to the settlement.

However, Wilken raised concerns about the roster limits portion of the settlement and proposed that affected athletes could be “grandfathered” on rosters, with the roster limits phased in as those athletes ran out of eligibility.

The NCAA and power conference schools refused to amend the House settlement to include a phased-in approach to roster limits. On April 23, Wilken admonished the NCAA and power conference schools for their refusal.

Wilken also criticized college programs for jumping the gun on implementing House settlement-related changes before final approval was granted.

“The fact that the Court granted preliminary approval of the settlement should not have been interpreted as an indication that it was certain that the Court would grant final approval,” Wilken said. “One of the factors that courts must consider when determining whether to grant final approval of a settlement agreement is ‘the reaction of the class members’ to the agreement.”

Indiana is directly affected by the House settlement as it is bound to the agreement as a power conference school. Power conference schools are defendants and helped to create the rules that the House settlement proposes to make permanent.

Disapproval of the House settlement could be disastrous for the NCAA and the power conference schools.

If the House settlement is not approved, the original cases that were bound together by the settlement would go to trial. Most expect the NCAA would lose.

If the NCAA and its schools lost the House case, they could be on the hook for $4 billion, which would be trebled by antitrust laws to $12 billion. That’s not an expense the NCAA and its schools can absorb without profound impact on college athletics.

The House settlement makes the financial hit less severe. The NCAA and its member schools instead agreed to a $2.8 billion settlement paid to former college athletes.

The settlement also dictates that 22% of power conference school revenue be dedicated to revenue sharing and that scholarship caps be replaced by roster limits. Most believe the athletic department spending cap will be approximately $20-million-to-$21 million per power conference school.

The settlement also creates a clearinghouse that would grant approval of all NIL deals over $600 based on “fair market value.”

If the House settlement is finally approved, it will be fully implemented by July 1.



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Dartmouth Athletics Announces Thompson Arena Renovations

Story Links HANOVER, N.H.—Dartmouth’s Haldeman Family Director of Athletics and Recreation, Mike Harrity and Dartmouth College announce a project to renovate Dartmouth’s Rupert C. Thompson Arena, that will modernize locker rooms and team spaces, and benefit team building, student-athlete development, and future recruiting. Thompson Arena has been the home of […]

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HANOVER, N.H.—Dartmouth’s Haldeman Family Director of Athletics and Recreation, Mike Harrity and Dartmouth College announce a project to renovate Dartmouth’s Rupert C. Thompson Arena, that will modernize locker rooms and team spaces, and benefit team building, student-athlete development, and future recruiting.

Thompson Arena has been the home of Dartmouth men’s and women’s hockey since opening in 1975. The 11,050-square-foot renovation will provide both programs with new locker rooms, team lounges, sports medicine spaces, a weight room, a coaches’ suite, as well as a new donor and fan hospitality space on the concourse level.

Thompson Renos Collage

Over the last year, Dartmouth women’s hockey welcomed new head coach Maura Crowell, who brings a record of sustained success from the University of Minnesota Duluth (UMD). Crowell led UMD to three consecutive 20 plus win seasons and two NCAA Frozen Four appearances (2021, 2022). She was named the USCHO Division I Women’s Coach of the Year and the CCM/AHCA National Coach of the Year in 2016–17 and was a finalist for the CCM/AHCA award again in both 2021 and 2022. Her leadership signals a new chapter for Dartmouth women’s hockey, rooted in competitive excellence and academic achievement.

The men’s hockey program continues to thrive under Koenig Family Head Coach of Dartmouth Men’s Hockey, Reid Cashman. The program is coming off a historic 2024–25 season, returning to the Top 20 rankings and winning the Ivy League Championship outright for the first time since 1979–80. In addition, Cashman and his staff were named Ivy League coaching staff of the year in 2024-25, while Cashman was named Tim Taylor ECAC Coach of the Year previously for the 2023-24 season. This success reflects the program’s continued investment in holistic student-athlete development—combining elite performance with academic rigor.

“This renovation will create a modern space to facilitate individual student-athlete development and team cohesion both on and off the ice,” Harrity shared. “We’re able to provide our teams with this enhancement because of the tremendous support from our alumni, the college, and the athletics and recreation department.”

The Thompson Arena locker rooms were last renovated in the summer of 2016 with both the men’s and women’s locker rooms receiving improvements. Part of the 2016 renovation also saw updates to the playing surface including new dasher boards and glass and a new refrigeration system. 

Crowell is excited about the upgraded locker room, which will be among the best in Division I hockey. “An upgraded locker room is meaningful to our team because it will give us the ability to have more space and create a true hockey epicenter, which is important to our program. The upgraded stalls and design will put us among the best locker rooms in the nation.”

Cashman is looking forward to having a central hub for Dartmouth hockey. “One of the great positives from this renovation is that everything related to Dartmouth hockey will now be under the Thompson roof. Our new coaches’ suite will allow our coaches to have more integration with our student-athletes. The new locker rooms and lounges will give our student-athletes an unbelievable atmosphere to prepare on and off the ice.”

The project will be divided into three phases, with the final phase expected to be completed in the fall of 2026.

“Renovated facilities are great for the current student-athletes but also should enhance recruiting to grow our program. Thompson Arena is already an incredible rink but the decision to renovate is a testament to Dartmouth’s commitment to constant improvement in all areas,” Dartmouth women’s hockey player Izee Powell ’26 added. “This renovation will create a better training facility for our team which is an important signal that Dartmouth is investing in the student-athletes so that we can be the best we can possibly be. I’m really lucky to be a part of it and I can’t wait for the future success of Dartmouth women’s hockey.”

Matt Fusco ’27 of the men’s hockey team is excited about all of the renovations. “The plans for the rink look unbelievable. We will have so many resources at our disposal, and everything we need will be right there for our whole team. This addition will be big and will help us separate from the rest of college hockey. Having all of the benefits of what Dartmouth offers its students plus the addition to the rink; it makes Dartmouth the place to be in college hockey.”

Phase one, which started in January 2025, focuses on adding to the building infrastructure of the arena.  Phase two focuses on the energy upgrades to the mechanical systems which is part of Dartmouth’s decarbonization effort to reach carbon-zero operations by 2050.

Phase three will complete the interior renovations and all site work upgrades with the completion anticipated in time for the start of the season in fall 2026.

Throughout the renovations, both Dartmouth men’s and women’s hockey will continue to call Thompson Arena home. Dartmouth Athletics and Recreation is grateful to campus leaders for their support in updating Thompson Arena for the first time in 50 years. Dartmouth hockey has benefitted from an energized alumni and fan base with millions of dollars in private support committed to this project. For more information on how you can make a transformational gift to the Thompson Arena renovation, contact Steve Maciejewski, Senior Associate Athletics Director for Development (steven.j.maciejewski@dartmouth.edu).

2025-26 season ticket deposits are now on sale, to secure your season ticket for 2025-26, click here for men’s hockey and click here for women’s hockey.




 



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Men's Soccer Unveils 2025 Schedule

Omaha, Neb. — Led for the seventh season by head coach Johnny Torres, Creighton Men’s Soccer announced its 2025 schedule on Monday, June 16. The campaign features nine contests at home in Morrison Stadium, including contests against perennial powers Denver and Akron.  Two friendly contests open the 2025 season as Creighton hosts Drake on August […]

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Men's Soccer Unveils 2025 Schedule

Omaha, Neb. — Led for the seventh season by head coach Johnny Torres, Creighton Men’s Soccer announced its 2025 schedule on Monday, June 16. The campaign features nine contests at home in Morrison Stadium, including contests against perennial powers Denver and Akron. 

Two friendly contests open the 2025 season as Creighton hosts Drake on August 9 at 7:00 p.m., then travels for a road exhibition contest at Bradley on August 16 at 11:00 a.m. in Peoria, Ill. 

Three road matches kick off the regular season as the Bluejays face Florida Atlantic (Aug. 21 at 6:00 p.m.), Florida International (Aug. 24 at 5:00 p.m.), then face the first NCAA Tournament team at Michigan on Aug. 29 at 6:00 p.m.

The home slate begins versus Tulsa on Sept. 1 at 7:00 p.m., marking the first of five straight matches in Morrison Stadium. Soccertoberfest brings 2024 College Cup participant Denver to Omaha on Sept. 5 at 7:45 p.m. Moving from a spring event to the fall for the first time, Creighton hosts the Omaha Mavericks in the Kicks for a Cure game on Sept. 10 at 7:00 p.m.

Creighton’s homecoming match brings Oral Roberts to Morrison on Sept. 13 at 7:00 p.m., while the BIG EAST season opens with Marquettte at home on Sept. 19 at 7:00 p.m.

BIG EAST play takes Creighton on the toad to face DePaul (Sept. 27 at 2:00 p.m.) and at UConn on Oct. 3 (5:00 p.m.). The final non-conference match of the season pits the Bluejays against NCAA Tournament team Missouri State in a neutral site contest in Kansas City on Oct. 8.

The regular season winds down with home matches against Xavier (Oct. 11 at 6:00 p.m.), Seton Hall (Nov. 1 at 3:00 p.m.) and Akron on Nov. 7 (6:00 p.m.), while the final two road contests take Creighton to Villanova (Oct. 17 at 2:00 p.m.) and to Butler (Oct. 25 at 1:00 p.m.)

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Men’s Soccer Announces Members of Class of 2029

By: Rebecca Osowski Story Links HANOVER, N.H. – On Monday, Bobby Clark Head Coach of Men’s Soccer Bo Oshoniyi announced the program’s incoming class, welcoming the members of the class of 2029.   “It’s an honor to welcome this year’s incoming class to the Dartmouth Men’s Soccer family. This group represents […]

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HANOVER, N.H. – On Monday, Bobby Clark Head Coach of Men’s Soccer Bo Oshoniyi announced the program’s incoming class, welcoming the members of the class of 2029.
 
“It’s an honor to welcome this year’s incoming class to the Dartmouth Men’s Soccer family. This group represents a special blend of talent, work ethic, and character that aligns perfectly with the values of our program,” Oshoniyi said. “They’ve each distinguished themselves not only through their ability on the field but also through their leadership, humility, and commitment to growth off the field. We’re incredibly excited about this group—not only for the impact they can make right away, but for the foundation they help build for our future. They have what it takes to thrive in the Ivy League environment—competitively, academically, and personally—and we’re looking forward to the journey ahead.”
 
Below is the full list of the Class of 2029 in numerical order.
 
#0 TJ Jeffreys
Naples, Florida | Orlando City SC | Goalkeeper

Personal: Jeffreys is the son of Timothy and Joann. He enjoys bouldering and classic cars in his free time.

Athletic Achievements: As a U15, Jeffreys played with Weston U16, winning the MLS Next National Championship. He also played up when he was called into Orlando City U17 as a U16. Jeffreys made the 2021-22 Top 10 Orlando City Prospects list and signed an amateur contract with Orlando City B of the MLS Next Pro League, while also being selected for the Orlando City MLS first team training squad. Jeffreys also spends his time coaching, serving as a youth goalkeeper coach for Orlando City, holding his early stage coaching license.

Why Dartmouth: “I chose Dartmouth because it provides all the tools I need to succeed both in my sport and in college. The staff and facilities leaves me no excuses and I’ll be in the best environment to compete at the highest level in athletics and academics.”

Hear from Oshoniyi: “TJ is a talented goalkeeper with experience at the professional level through Orlando City B, TJ brings a commanding presence, sharp instincts, and a high level of composure to our back line. His development in a professional environment has prepared him well for the demands of Division I soccer, and we’re confident he’ll make an immediate impact both on and off the field. We’re thrilled to add his leadership and work ethic to our squad in Hanover.”

 

 

#3 Daniel Carey-Evans

Cambridge, England | Cambridge United | Center Back

Personal: Carey-Evans is the son of Richard and Maria and has two siblings, Ruben and Sara. He grew up in Spain before moving to the U.K. when he was ten. In his free time, Carey-Evans enjoys reading and listening to music.

Athletic Achievements: He has been a member of Cambridge United since he was 12, attending three Walkes International Team camps and playing in the annual Cymru Cup at the U15s. Carey Evans also played on scholarship for Cambridge United, reaching the FA Youth Cup. He made his first-team debut in the 2023-24 season.

Academic Achievements: Carey-Evans was named the National Extension College Student of the Year.

Why Dartmouth: “I chose Dartmouth because it’s one of the few places where I can pursue both athletics and a world-class education without compromise. What set Dartmouth apart was my conversations with Bo – his honesty, competitiveness, and clear vision for the program made it feel like the kind of environment where I’d be pushed to grow both on and off the pitch.”

Hear from Oshoniyi: “Daniel is a commanding center back whose physical presence, aerial dominance, and intelligent defensive positioning set him apart. Standing tall at the heart of the back line, he brings a composed, no-nonsense style of defending that has been honed through years of high-level competition overseas. We’re excited to welcome his international experience, leadership qualities, and winning mentality to Dartmouth.”

 

 

 

#8 Olly Spicer

Buckinghamshire, England | Slough Town | Attacking Midfielder

Personal: Spicer is the son of Angela and Paul and has one brother, James. He enjoys playing pool and cricket as well as fishing in his free time.

Why Dartmouth: “After knowing I wanted to go to the U.S. for college soccer, I wanted to find the school that had both strong academics, and a very good soccer department. I was lucky enough to be put in contact with Dartmouth when I was 15 or 16, as it seemed to be the perfect match. It was not until after my visit I understood that the Dartmouth not only had both of these, but an overwhelming sense of community, which I really liked too.”

Hear from Oshoniyi: “Olly brings creativity, flair, and a high soccer IQ to the heart of the pitch. His vision and technical ability allow him to unlock defenses, while his confidence on the ball and attacking instincts make him a constant threat in the final third. Olly’s international experience and competitive mentality will add a valuable dimension to our midfield, and we’re looking forward to the energy and quality he’ll bring to our program.”

 

 

#13 Benny Rolla-Mullis

Ann Arbor, Michigan | Tampa Bay United | Center Back

 

Personal: Rolla-Mullis is the son of Merrill Mullis and Liz Rolla. He has one brother, Max. His dad, Merrill, played volleyball at the University of Illinois, winning the Big 10 Championship in 1992. While at Dartmouth, Rolla-Mullis hopes to major in economics.

 

Athletic Achievements: In 2025, Rolla-Mullis trained with the Tampa Bay Rowdies USL Championship team. He also played for the Tampa Bay United, a team that reached the 2024 U17 MLS Next Cup quarterfinal. In 2022, Rolla-Mullis won the 2022 U15 USYS National Championship with the Michigan Tigers. He was also a basketball player in high school. Rolla-Mullis also played in preseason games with the Tampa Bay Rowdies.

 

Academic Achievements: In high school, Rolla-Mullis was a member of the National Honor Society as well as the Berkeley Prep Headmaster’s List.

 

Why Dartmouth: “I chose Dartmouth because I connected with the coaching staff and wanted to attend a school with high level academics.”

 

Hear from Oshoniyi: “Bennett comes from Tampa Bay United, the same club that Trenton Blake (2nd Team All – Ivy, 2nd Team All- Region) came from and is teammates with Noah Sams. Bennett is a physically gifted defender that has all the tools to make an immediate impact in our backline. We are excited to work with him on his decision-making skills and defensive positioning. We feel that he has a huge upside and are looking forward to seeing him develop into the player that he wants to be.”

 

 

#14 Noah Sams

Tampa, Florida | Tampa Bay United | Midfielder

 

Personal: Sams is the son of Monica and Andrew and has one older brother, Jacob, who plays soccer at Colby Sawyer. His dad, Andrew, was a collegiate rower at Georgetown. While at Dartmouth, Sams hopes to major in economics and finance and is a fan of Chelsea.

 

Athletic Achievements: He was the captain of TBU MLS Next.

 

Academic Achievements: Sams was a member of the National Honors Society, the Cum Laude Society, a Headmaster Scholar and earned a certificate of Biliteracy at Berkeley Preparatory School. He also served as the president of the Marine Biology Club and an officer in the Spanish Club.

 

Why Dartmouth: “I chose Dartmouth because of the academic rigor and the tight knit community.”

 

Hear from Oshoniyi: “Noah is a central midfielder that can play both sides of the ball. His technical ability allows him to get out of tight spaces effectively. He has a great engine which allows him to get around the field defensively and allows him to find pockets to receive the ball. He comes from Tampa Bay United, the same club that Trenton Blake (2nd Team All – Ivy, 2nd Team All- Region) came from!  With these experiences at TBU, we think Noah can come in and make an immediate impact to our roster.”

 

 

#22 Hudson Kohler

Woodside, California | San Jose Earthquakes | Right Back

 

Personal: Kohler is the son of Devon and Will and has two siblings, Charlotte and Layne. In his free time, he loves to fish and golf. At Dartmouth, Kohler hopes to major in finance.

 

Athletic Achievements: He finished third in the GA Cup with the San Jose Earthquakes.

 

Academic Achievements: Kohler was a member of the honor roll in high school.

 

Why Dartmouth: “I chose Dartmouth for the community and the campus.”

 

Hear from Oshoniyi: “Hudson is a dynamic and physical right back from the San Jose Earthquakes academy. Hudson combines strength, speed, and relentless work rate with a sharp tactical mind. His experience in the MLS Next system has shaped him into a highly competitive, two-way defender who thrives in transition and embraces big moments. Hudson’s drive and professionalism make him a perfect fit for our culture, and we can’t wait to see him make his mark in Hanover.”

 

#30 Ben Bilden

New Canaan, Connecticut | Beachside SC MLS Next | Striker

 

Why Dartmouth: “I chose Dartmouth because of the tight-knit community feel on campus, the combination of high-level academics and athletics, and the support I felt from the coaching staff throughout the recruiting process.”

 

Hear from Oshoniyi: “We are really excited to add Ben Bilden to our attacking core!  He is coming to Dartmouth from MLSNext Beachside Soccer Club where he has been the leading goal scorer for his team the past two seasons. Ben has the ability to play as a 9 or 10 and will be an asset to us on both sides of the ball. He has a relentless work rate and combines that with an ability to score goals. He has been coached by Mickey Kydes (MLS Veteran) at Beachside and thinks that he is college ready.”

 

 

 

 

 



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Olivia Dunne’s Custom Game Day Outfit for Paul Skenes Is a Total Moment

Olivia Dunne traveled up to the Midwest to cheer on LSU this past weekend at the Men’s College World Series. And while her boyfriend of nearly two years, Pittsburgh Pirates pitcher Paul Skenes, was not playing, she still found the opportunity to support him with her ‘fit. The two athletes met during their days at […]

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Olivia Dunne traveled up to the Midwest to cheer on LSU this past weekend at the Men’s College World Series. And while her boyfriend of nearly two years, Pittsburgh Pirates pitcher Paul Skenes, was not playing, she still found the opportunity to support him with her ‘fit.

The two athletes met during their days at LSU, where the three-time SI Swimsuit model competed on the women’s gymnastics team, while Skenes played on the baseball team. After concluding her collegiate gymnastics career earlier this year, the 22-year-old is in a new chapter of life, but that doesn’t mean she can’t make time to cheer on LSU—or Skenes in the process.

On Saturday, June 14, Dunne took to social media to share snaps from LSU’s game against Arkansas at the Charles Schwab Field in Omaha, Nebr., which they won. Taking the trip with some friends from college, the New Jersey native went all out for the exciting day, rocking a custom cropped jersey with Skenes’s name and number on the back.

Incorporating both LSU and Pittsburgh, Dunne’s top included Skenes’s alma mater and his current MLB team. She paired the awesome jersey with high-waisted light-wash jeans and tortoiseshell sunglasses, effortlessly pulling off the perfect WAG look for game day. “party in the front business in the back [saluting emoji],” she wrote over a selfie shared on her Instagram story.

After LSU’s win on Saturday, Dunne shared another peek at her game day look, seeing her cheer with her arms up at the field while writing, “I am so happy geaux tigers [tiger emoji].”

This fun fashion moment takes us back to June 2023 at the College World Series when Dunne first sparked romance rumors with Skenes, rocking his number while cheering in the stands.

The heartfelt callback is proof that the pair is definitely going strong, even as their lives change in adulthood. Skenes completed his collegiate baseball career in 2023 and was drafted by the Pirates in the first overall selection, going on to be named the NL Rookie of the Year. Dunne has continued to support her boyfriend as she continued her collegiate gymnastics career with her fifth and final year with the Tigers. She’s kept busy since retiring from the sport this year, landing the cover of SI Swimsuit and scoring impressive partnerships.

This is a new era for Dunne—but it won’t be totally different. She still has Skenes by her side for support and vice versa.





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Rob Kearney Promoted to Director of Athletics at AIC

Story Links SPRINGFIELD, Mass. – American International College (AIC) has named Rob Kearney, MS, ATC, LAT, to the position of director of athletics effective July 7, 2025. Kearney brings more than a decade of athletic training and leadership experience to this role and will oversee the College’s portfolio of NCAA Division […]

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SPRINGFIELD, Mass. – American International College (AIC) has named Rob Kearney, MS, ATC, LAT, to the position of director of athletics effective July 7, 2025. Kearney brings more than a decade of athletic training and leadership experience to this role and will oversee the College’s portfolio of NCAA Division II athletic programs.
 

“Rob has already made a significant impact in his time at AIC, and his energy and innovative approach will be invaluable to this role,” said AIC President Nicolle Cestero. “His perspective on athletic administration, strong relationships with coaches, and the trust he has built with our student-athletes will bring both stability and renewed direction to AIC Athletics.”
 

The appointment follows Kearney’s prior tenure as Assistant Athletic Director for Sports Medicine and Performance, in which he oversaw a transformational restructuring of the department and rebuilt all aspects of the College’s Athletic Training and Strength and Conditioning programs.
 

“I am humbled and honored to be selected as the Director of Athletics here at AIC. Over the past year I have been increasingly amazed at the culture, community, and passion within the department.” said Kearney. “I am eager to begin this journey and lead AIC Athletics with passion, excitement, and a vision of success forward to continue to grow the legacy of the Yellow Jackets.”
 

Prior to arriving at AIC, Kearney served as an athletic trainer at Springfield Central High School and was head athletic trainer for the men’s club ice hockey program at the University of Massachusetts Amherst from 2014-2024. He has held roles at a number of local institutions including the Williston Northampton School, Deerfield Academy, and Palmer Public Schools. Kearney and his husband Joey also own and operate CrossFit Iron Legacy in East Longmeadow, MA.
 

Beyond his experience in athletic training and coaching, Kearney’s record includes a fifteen-year career of professional competition: In 2023, he finished third in the America’s Strongest Man competition and has a personal record of 961 pounds in the deadlift. He has competed in the World’s Strongest Man competition five times and the Arnold Strongman Classic three times. In 2020 he was awarded the title of “Pound for Pound Strongest Man in the World” by Official Strongman.
 

Kearney currently serves on the Executive Board of the OUT Foundation and previously was the Massachusetts State Representative for the National Athletic Trainers’ Association’s (NATA) LGBTQ+ Advisory Committee. He holds a Master of Science in Advanced Athletic Training with a concentration in Athletic Rehabilitation and a Bachelor of Science in Athletic Training from Springfield College and is a Massachusetts Licensed Athletic Trainer.

Release provided by AIC athletics.

ABOUT THE NE10
The NE10 is an association of 10 diverse institutions serving student-athletes across 24 NCAA Division II sports. Together we build brilliant futures by embracing the journey of every student-athlete.

Each year, 4,500 of those student-athletes compete in conference championships in 24 sports, making the NE10 the largest DII conference in the country in terms of sport sponsorship. Leading the way in the classroom, on the field and within the community, the NE10 is proud of its comprehensive program and the experience it provides student-athletes.
 
Fans can subscribe via this link to follow NE10 NOW on FloSports this season.  The partnership between the NE10 and FloSports works to provide funds back to the athletic departments of the Northeast-10 Conference in support of student-athletes while promoting the league on a national platform.



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Luke Clanton’s journey to the PGA TOUR – The Daily Aztec

At just three years old, a young Luke Clanton picked up a golf club for the first time. David, his father, would take him out to the driving range and teach him the game of golf. What once started as a fun bonding experience between him and his son turned into a […]

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At just three years old, a young Luke Clanton picked up a golf club for the first time.

David, his father, would take him out to the driving range and teach him the game of golf. What once started as a fun bonding experience between him and his son turned into a true passion that led Luke and his family down a road filled with opportunity — eventually leading to his professional debut on June 5 at the RBC Canadian Open.

“If you were to ask me way back when we started this journey, I would’ve always told you then, I thought he’s always going to make it,” David said. “Because that’s just what dads say or dads do. But I really believed it.”

Despite not playing in a tournament until he turned seven, Rhonda, his mother, claimed he was always good at golf, even as a young child.

David worked with him throughout his childhood, essentially being his first golf coach.

“We came up with so many cool ideas and sayings to get us on the right mind frame when it’d come to certain shots, and that was a game changer to us,” David said. “One of my favorite sayings was ‘a purpose in mind’ shot… It’s just automatic, he knows he’s going to be able to make it.”

Although David was passionate about improving Luke’s game, he was always considerate of his son’s perspective. The last thing he wanted to do was push him too far and ruin his love for the game.

“I was always worried about burning him out,” David said. “I’d always be careful. I’d always ask. And if he’s always fired up, he’s ready and fired…Stayed till dark, sometimes had a small light out there just doing some extra shots.”

This fire led Luke to victories at such young ages.

He won the U.S. Kids World Championship at age 11 and his first American Junior Golf Association (AJGA) tournament at age 13. By this point, his mother already had a feeling that he wanted to get to the professional level.

“We have recordings of him at the age of 13 saying we’re going to be out here,” Rhonda said. “So he was pretty sure that’s what he wanted to do… In his head, he was going to be a pro.”

For high school, Clanton attended American Heritage in Florida, where he grew up. In just those four years, he led his team to three state championships.

Eventually, this success led to him earning a spot on Florida State University’s golf team.

Through his first two years as a collegiate golfer, the achievements continued to present themselves. He played nine straight rounds of par or less as a freshman and became the first Seminole to win three consecutive tournaments during his sophomore year. He also set the single-season record for lowest scoring average at 69.33.

However, Luke’s sophomore season finished in devastating fashion after coming up just short of a national championship. FSU fell to Auburn, 3-2, but Luke was the deciding match. He ended up losing on hole 17 in match play, sealing the deal for the Tigers.

But this setback might’ve been the best thing to happen to him.

In the summer of 2024, he qualified for the U.S. Open as an amateur and made the cut, which was the first professional tournament he played in. He also played in four other PGA tournaments ahead of his third year at FSU.

“All these PGA events have been sick,” David said. “I mean to be able to see him compete and be at that level, and looks like he already belongs; it’s so humbling.”

Luke Clanton looks to sink a putt on the green at La Costa. Photo Courtesy of FSU Athletics.

This summer of high-level experience gave him all the necessary tools to take a major leap in his mentality.

“People always ask what happened this last year,” Rhonda said. “And for me, his mental game became so much stronger…He’s at peace. He grew in his faith, which gives you a calmness inside you.”

His mother made it clear that Luke believes “golf is what you do, not you who are,” which has allowed him to play the game freely without fear of failure. With this mindset, he found himself playing in eight PGA events and becoming the second FSU player to win the Ben Hogan Award.

But the most notable achievement came when Luke earned his PGA TOUR Card at the Cognizant Classic on Feb. 28. He was a part of the PGA TOUR University Accelerated program, where he earned enough points (20) to turn pro.

“I’m grateful that God [is] blessing us to be able to see it and be there, it’s so wonderful…I think it’s less than 1% to get on a tour,” David said. “And we did in his junior year, which is unbelievable.”

Despite all the experience he gained, and having a “rookie year without being a rookie,” the real Luke Clanton in his parents’ eyes has not much to do with golf at all.

“He’s genuinely a good person,” David said emotionally. “I’d like to think that I had something to do with that.”

The journey that he’s taken to build his faith and mental space has allowed him to be a humble young man that any parent would be proud of.

“He’s a good human…He’s not just a great player,” Rhonda said. “He’s a really great person. Cares deeply, loves deeply. The five of us are pretty tight-knit as a family…That’s what I want people to know.”

Luke Clanton stares down an approach shot, trying to set himself up for a good birdie look. Photo Courtesy of FSU Athletics.

He has two older sisters, Ray and Abby, completing the five individuals that make up this strong Christian family.

“We’ve always carried that wherever we go, and it’s just really nice to see that Luke was able to hang on to that,” David said about their faith. “He even does prayer groups with Scottie [Scheffler].”

The combination of faith and a strong mindset has led him to the highest point in his golf journey, officially being a PGA pro. However, he’d be going into his final collegiate golf tournament with his team at Omni La Costa, in Carlsbad, for the 2025 NCAA Championships.

On May 26, the Seminoles failed to make the top eight by one stroke, allowing Ole Miss to slide into match play. Clanton didn’t have his best in the final round of stroke play and finished with a 76, 4-over par.

Although he was disappointed in his individual performance, what matters most to him is not showing up for his team one last time. Despite his college career coming to a close, the journey for Luke Clanton is only getting started.

“He loves the team. He’s always loved it,” Rhonda said. “It is the ending and the beginning all in the same time.”

Just a week and a half after the college season ended, Clanton arrived in Toronto for his professional debut at the RBC Canadian Open. He was fortunate enough to be paired with the two biggest names in the field for this event, No. 2 Rory McIlroy and No. 6 Ludvig Åberg, according to the Official World Golf Ranking.

For most of the fans following this group, Clanton put on a respectable performance, finishing 1-under-par through the first two rounds. It wouldn’t be enough to make the cut, but it’s just the start of a long career for the experienced rookie.

“We’re proud of what he’s succeeded in and how he’s played…but I’m just proud of what a good human being he is,” Rhonda said.



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