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Players see forming union as key to SV.League success

Stars of Japanese volleyball’s SV.League say the league must address its crowded match schedule and other issues affecting players following the conclusion of the rebranded competition’s inaugural season. One of the league’s biggest stars has been leading calls for the formation of a players’ union to address such concerns and support the league’s goal of […]

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Stars of Japanese volleyball’s SV.League say the league must address its crowded match schedule and other issues affecting players following the conclusion of the rebranded competition’s inaugural season.

One of the league’s biggest stars has been leading calls for the formation of a players’ union to address such concerns and support the league’s goal of becoming the global benchmark in professional volleyball.

Osaka Bluteon’s Yuji Nishida, a star of the Japanese men’s national team, proposed the establishment of the union in an April 27 post on X, formerly Twitter.

Osaka Bluteon’s Yuji Nishida reacts to his team’s SV.League volleyball season-opening win over Suntory Sunbirds Osaka at Tokyo Metropolitan Gymnasium on Oct. 11, 2024. (Kyodo) ==Kyodo

“To all players, let’s form a players’ union to make the league better and raise the level of our play,” he said.

“The union is absolutely necessary if the SV.League wants to be the top of world volleyball. We have so many questions. For instance, each team plays 44 matches, but we play some opponents four times and others six times. What are the reasons for this?”

For the inaugural 2024-2025 regular season, the league increased the number of men’s matches per team to 44, up from 36 in the predecessor V.League, while doubling the number of women’s matches per team to 44 from 22.

The league launched last year with 10 men’s teams and 14 women’s teams, aiming to become the world’s most competitive and popular volleyball league by 2030. SV.League Chairman Masaaki Okawa said he envisions a league that players from around the globe aspire to join.

Nishida also raised the issue of promoting teams from the second division. The Hokkaido Yellow Stars topped the eight-team second-division standings with a dominant 26-2 record but will not be promoted for next season.

Wolfdogs Nagoya’s Nimir Abdel-Aziz serves during the first set against the Hiroshima Thunders in Game 2 of their SV.League men’s volleyball quarterfinal at the Entrio gymnasium in Inazawa, Aichi Prefecture, on April 19, 2025. (Kyodo) ==Kyodo

“Another question is why can’t a team that has received a SV.League license move up (from the second division). Is it impossible to have an odd number of teams? One year isn’t ‘just one year’ for players,” Nishida said.

Meanwhile, regular-season attendance totaled 1,034,667, up 204 percent from the 2023-2024 V.League season, the SV.League said on April 16, two days before the playoffs began.

Attendance for men’s matches surged 75 percent to 664,709, while women’s attendance jumped 195 percent to 369,958, buoyed by the expanded schedule. However, average attendance per women’s match fell by 31 percent.

Nishida’s Bluteon teammate Thomas Jaeschke, who won two bronze medals while playing for the United States in the past three Olympics, has also pointed to multiple issues that the SV.League needs to address.

“It’s just too many matches, physically, for players,” Jaeschke told Kyodo News after his team played two matches against the Tokyo Great Bears at the beginning of March. “It’s not reasonable for players. It’s really a big mistake. It needs to be adjusted.”

“Back-to-back matches. Everybody plays twice a weekend. The market is just kind of saturated. You can’t watch every night. They’re competing against each other. They’re playing the same time.”

Suntory Sunbirds Osaka’s Ran Takahashi spikes the ball during the second set against JTEKT Stings Aichi in Game 1 of their SV.League men’s volleyball final at Tokyo’s Ariake Arena on May 3, 2025. (Kyodo) ==Kyodo

He added that when he played for European clubs, including in Italy and Turkey, teams with two weekly matches typically played once midweek and once on the weekend, whereas the current schedule in Japan is less conducive to match quality and player health.

“I think guys (foreign players) will come here and see that. The money here is good. A lot of things are good, but I do think some changes need to be made,” Jaeschke said.

The 31-year-old outside hitter has decided not to return to Japan for his third season.

The SV.League believes the current schedule is ideal for fans to attend matches. It also reduces costs, enabling match organizers to set up and clear a venue once per weekend, as many clubs do not have their own arenas, the league said in a recent reply to questions from Kyodo News.

Osaka Marvelous’ Mizuki Tanaka (top L) spikes the ball during the third set against NEC Red Rockets Kawasaki in Game 1 of their SV.League women’s volleyball final at Tokyo’s Ariake Arena on May 2, 2025. (Kyodo) ==Kyodo

The league added that it is harder to assign umpires and supporting staff on weekdays, and the current weekend schedule also makes it easier for fans to travel for away matches.

Asked about players who say their performance is better with one midweek and one weekend match per week, the league said, “There are also players who prefer playing on weekends while resting on weekdays. Those players say it’s easier to get themselves in shape that way.”

“If we have more matches on weekdays, we might get more (media) exposure. That’s a positive thing. We know there are various opinions. We’ll continue to examine the best options for the league.”


Related coverage:

Volleyball: Sunbirds win SV.League men’s championship

Volleyball: Osaka Marvelous win inaugural SV.League women’s title

Volleyball: Osaka Bluteon run winning streak to 16 games in SV.League






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Ball State athletics announces Hall of Fame Class of 2025

MUNCIE — Ball State Athletics has announced the Class of 2025 for the Ball State Athletics Hall of Fame. Former Ball State athletes/teams become eligible for nomination 10 years after their graduation or withdrawal from Ball State and must have earned at least two letters in one sport or one letter in two sports. The […]

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MUNCIE — Ball State Athletics has announced the Class of 2025 for the Ball State Athletics Hall of Fame.

Former Ball State athletes/teams become eligible for nomination 10 years after their graduation or withdrawal from Ball State and must have earned at least two letters in one sport or one letter in two sports. The Class of 2025 features five individual inductees and one team. This year’s class won a combined 11 conference titles.

Each of the honorees will be inducted into the Ball State Athletics Hall of Fame during an induction ceremony at the Ball State Alumni Center on Oct. 3.

Here’s a look at the Ball State Athletics Hall of Fame Class of 2025:

1995 Ball State men’s volleyball team

The 1995 Ball State men’s volleyball team finished with a record of 25-9 and won the Midwestern Intercollegiate Volleyball Association regular season and tournament championships. The Cardinals were ranked fifth in the final USA Today/American Volleyball Coaches Association (AVCA) Coaches poll. Ball State lost to UCLA in the first round of the NCAA Tournament but defeated Hawaii in the third-place match.

The 1995 men’s volleyball team earned multiple individual accolades. Todd Reimer was named the MIVA Player of the Year, while Eduardo Ferraz was named the MIVA Tournament MVP. Three players earned all-MIVA first-team honors, and Reimer and Ferraz were both named AVCA second-team All-Americans. Head coach Don Shondell was named MIVA Coach of the Year.

Tameka Borders, women’s track and field

Borders was a seven-time Mid-American Conference champion and earned MAC MVP honors at the 1996 MAC Indoor Championships.

She was a crucial part of Ball State’s 1996 indoor and outdoor MAC championship-winning teams. In 1996, Borders competed in the NCAA provisional qualifier meet in the 55-meter dash, 200-meter dash, triple jump, and long jump. She was an NCAA participant in the 200-meter dash that year and placed 15th out of 22 competitors.

Jenna Hague, women’s golf

Hague will be just the second women’s golfer inducted into the Ball State Athletics Hall of Fame, joining 2021 inductee Brittany Kelly. Hague earned MAC Championship medalist honors and second-team All-MAC accolades as a true freshman in 2012.

She became the second player in program history to qualify for an NCAA regional and the second to be named All-MAC first-team twice, joining Kelly in both categories. As a junior, Hague set school records for single-season scoring average (74.34), 18-hole score (66), and 54-hole score (214).

Tyler Merkel, men’s golf

Merkel holds the second-best career stroke average in Ball State men’s golf history at 73.99. He competed in the NCAA Championship twice during his career by earned a regional invitation as an individual in 2012 before helping Ball State to Nationals in 2013. Merkel earned All-MAC first-team honors twice, All-MAC second-team once and was voted to the All-MAC Tournament team once.

Merkel garnered three tournament titles during his career and received the MAC Medal of Excellence in 2014. He was also a successful student off the course, as he was named a Cleveland Golf/Srixon All-America Scholar in 2013 and 2014.

Ray Leonard, men’s tennis

Leonard helped Ball State win back-to-back MAC titles in 2013 and 2014 as the Cardinals’ No. 1 singles player. He helped Ball State earn its seventh MAC tournament title with a straight-sets victory on the top court in 2014, clinching the Cardinals’ eighth berth to the NCAA Tournament. Leonard was a four-time All-MAC first-team selection and won the Jack Vredevelt Sportsmanship Award from the league office.

Willie Snead, football

Snead played wide receiver for the Cardinals from 2011-13. He earned All-MAC first-team honors as a sophomore in 2012 and as a junior in 2013 and was named a semifinalist for the 2013 Fred Biletnikoff Award, which honors college football’s best receiver.

Snead still holds Ball State records for single-season receiving yards (1,516), receptions (106), and touchdowns (15). He is one of only two players in Ball State football history to record two 1,000-yard receiving seasons in a career. He is third in program history for career receiving yards (2,991) and second in career receiving touchdowns (26).

After three seasons at Ball State, Snead spent seven seasons in the National Football League with the Cleveland Browns, Carolina Panthers, New Orleans Saints, Baltimore Ravens, Las Vegas Raiders, San Francisco 49ers, and Miami Dolphins.

Contact Cade Hampton via email at cbhampton@muncie.gannett.com or on X, formerly known as Twitter, @CadeHamp10.



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UTRGV Athletics Announces Volleyball, Basketball, and Baseball Season Tickets and Multi-Sport Passes Are Now on Sale

Story Links Get Your Season Tickets Now RIO GRANDE VALLEY – The University of Texas Rio Grande Valley (UTRGV) Department of Intercollegiate Athletics announced on Monday that season tickets for the 2025 volleyball season, 2025-26 basketball season, and 2026 baseball season and 2025-26 multi-sport passes […]

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RIO GRANDE VALLEY – The University of Texas Rio Grande Valley (UTRGV) Department of Intercollegiate Athletics announced on Monday that season tickets for the 2025 volleyball season, 2025-26 basketball season, and 2026 baseball season and 2025-26 multi-sport passes are now on sale. 
 
Volleyball Season Tickets
Fans can purchase volleyball courtside season tickets for $155 each. General admission seats are available for $55 each. With the exception of courtside seating, all seating at the UTRGV Fieldhouse is general admission for volleyball matches during the 2025 season. 
 
Securing tickets early comes with additional benefits. Fans who renew or purchase volleyball season tickets for the upcoming season by June 13 will receive an invitation to watch an exclusive team practice only open to season ticket holders. Purchasing or renewing season tickets by June 27 ensures fans a card for free popcorn at every home match. 
 

Fans who renew or purchase their season tickets by July 25 will receive additional complimentary tickets (equal to the number of season tickets purchased) to the South Texas Showdown, presented by Rally Credit Union, match against Texas A&M-Corpus Christi. Locking in season tickets by August 8 will get fans an autographed team photo of the UTRGV volleyball team. 
 
Basketball Season Tickets

Fans can purchase basketball season tickets starting at $155 for general admission with seats in reserved sections A, D & H available for $205 each and seats in reserved sections B, C & G available for $280 each. 
 
Fans who renew or purchase season tickets by June 13 will receive a team photo of the UTRGV men’s and women’s basketball teams. For those who do not renew their season tickets by August 8, will risk losing their seats for the 2025-26 season. Fans renewing their season tickets before October 17 will be placed in their same seats as last season with an opportunity to upgrade or change their seats prior to the start of the season. 
 
New season ticket holders will have the opportunity to select their seats before the start of the season.
 
Baseball Season Tickets
Fans can get baseball season tickets starting at $130 for general admission with reserved season tickets available for $230 each. 
 

Fans who renew or purchase their season tickets by August 15, will receive a card for free popcorn at every home game. Purchasing or renewing season tickets by September 19, will receive additional complimentary tickets (equal to the number of season tickets purchased) to our games against Texas A&M-Corpus Christi and fans who renew or purchase their season tickets by October 17, will receive an autographed photo of the UTRGV Baseball team. 
 
Fans renewing their season tickets before October 17, will be placed in their same seats as last season with an opportunity to upgrade or change seats prior the start of the season. New season ticket holders will have the opportunity to select their seats before the start of the season.
 
Multi-Sport Passes
Multi-sport passes are available with two seating options with holders getting access to all regular season home games in every sport during the 2025-26 season. 
 
Fans can purchase or renew reserved passed for $465 each, securing a reserved seat for baseball and men’s and women’s basketball as well as a general admission seat for volleyball. General admission multi-sport passes can be purchased for $265 each.
 
Fans renewing or purchasing multi-sport passes before August, will be placed in their same seats as last season with an opportunity to upgrade or change seats before the start of the season with new season ticket holders having the opportunity to select their seats before the start of the season.
 
Get Your Tickets Now
Volleyball, basketball, and baseball season tickets and multi-sport passes can be purchased online at GoUTRGV.com/SeasonTickets respectively, or by contacting assistant athletic director for tickets sales and operations Nick Swanson (956-665-4205) over the phone or through email at tickets@utrgv.edu.

Support UTRGV Athletics | Become a Fan on Facebook | Follow us on Twitter | Follow us on Instagram | Follow us on YouTube





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Cal Poly Director of Athletics Don Oberhelman to Retire

Story Links SAN LUIS OBISPO, Calif. — Cal Poly Director of Athletics Don Oberhelman today informed the university that he will retire at the end of the summer or when a new athletic director is appointed (whichever comes first). A national search for Don’s replacement will begin immediately. Oberhelman is in his […]

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SAN LUIS OBISPO, Calif. — Cal Poly Director of Athletics Don Oberhelman today informed the university that he will retire at the end of the summer or when a new athletic director is appointed (whichever comes first). A national search for Don’s replacement will begin immediately.

Oberhelman is in his 15th year leading the Mustangs after coming to San Luis Obispo in 2011. During this time, Cal Poly Athletics has experienced an era of unprecedented growth, and competitive and academic success. The Mustangs have captured 54 team conference championships, including 51 in Cal Poly’s 16 Big West sponsored sports—more than any other Big West university in those sports over this span.

Beyond athletics, Oberhelman prioritized academic achievement, as demonstrated by a rise in the Graduation Success Rate by Cal Poly student-athletes from 71% in 2011 to 93% in the most recent year—among the highest in the nation.

“Don has embraced the Cal Poly hallmark of continued improvement and leaves our Athletics program significantly enhanced from the day he arrived,” said Cal Poly President Jeffrey D. Armstrong. “On behalf of our entire university community, I offer our sincere thanks to Don for his commitment to athletic and academic excellence and his unwavering support for our student-athletes over the years.”

Facility development has been a hallmark of Oberhelman’s tenure. Every athletic program has benefited from new construction projects or renovations totaling $100 million, helping to shape a modern and competitive athletic environment for student-athletes and fans alike. Signature projects include:

·      New Facilities: Mustang Golf Academy at Dairy Creek, Dignity Health Baseball Clubhouse, Comerford Tennis Pavilion at the Ronca Tennis Center, Swanson Beach Volleyball Complex, Alumni Softball Hitting Facility, Doerr Family Field, Cal Poly Partners Plaza at Spanos Stadium, Swanson Nutrition Athletic Center, and the John Madden Football Center.

·      Upgrades & Renovations: Eight upgraded locker rooms, the Mott Athletic Center lobby and Hall of Fame, Baggett Stadium seating, Slover Sports Medicine Center, two updated weight rooms, seven video boards, the Hoffman Press Box, the Miller-Capriotti Track Complex, and a state-of-the-art video production studio.

Oberhelman has served in a number of national leadership roles during his tenure, including being appointed to the first NCAA Division I Council (the decision-making body for the association) and serving as chair of the NCAA Division I Legislative Committee. 

“I want to thank President Armstrong for his support and partnership over the years,” Oberhelman said. “I’m so grateful to have had the opportunity to serve our amazing university. To our incredible staff and student-athletes, I have enjoyed my time with you greatly and look forward to celebrating your future success. For D.D. and I, this is our forever home, and we are excited to support Cal Poly as fans and donors in the future.”

The native of rural Kansas holds degrees from Kansas State and Florida State, and previously served in athletics roles at San Diego State, Southern Miss, Texas A&M and Florida State.










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Capping a banner year in the classroom for GW student-athletes, one that saw Athletics’ own Jonquel Jones deliver the Commencement Address at graduation exercises on the National Mall, the George Washington University Department of Athletics earned a 3.43 GPA in the spring semester, bringing the collective mark in 2024-25 above a 3.4 as well after […]

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Student

Capping a banner year in the classroom for GW student-athletes, one that saw Athletics’ own Jonquel Jones deliver the Commencement Address at graduation exercises on the National Mall, the George Washington University Department of Athletics earned a 3.43 GPA in the spring semester, bringing the collective mark in 2024-25 above a 3.4 as well after a 3.39 cume mark in the fall.

87 members of the Athletics Class of 2025 graduated last month, after ceremonies that included the annual Senior Honors Toast, and the glitz and glamour of The Georgeys, where truly a great time was had by all. The Class of 2025 goes out having led a department that achieved a GPA of 3.25+ in each of the last eight semesters.

These accomplishments come on top of a 94% graduation rate and 15 GW programs with a perfect single year Academic Progress Rate of 1,000. In the spring, 41 student-athletes earned a 4.0 GPA, while just under 55% notched a GPA above a 3.5. As a team, women’s tennis led the way with a 3.77 team mark, followed closely behind by women’s swimming & diving with a 3.71.

The university’s student-athletes are supported academically by Assistant Athletics Director James Hellekjaer, teamed with Natalie Ellard, Stephen McNamara, Joe StricklandLeah Fishman and Bryn Boznanski, as well as many academic tutors

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Woman’s Club Scholarships Part 2 | Columnists

Last week we wrote about three of this year’s Woman’s Club Scholarship recipients, and this week we happily spotlight the other five. As Club President Mayra Lindsay and scholarship committee chair Patricia Bowles emphasized at the awards luncheon, all eight are exceptional young people with bright futures ahead. Sofia Abbondati was born in Buenos Aires […]

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Last week we wrote about three of this year’s Woman’s Club Scholarship recipients, and this week we happily spotlight the other five. As Club President Mayra Lindsay and scholarship committee chair Patricia Bowles emphasized at the awards luncheon, all eight are exceptional young people with bright futures ahead.

Sofia Abbondati was born in Buenos Aires and moved with her family to Key Biscayne ten years ago. She played high school water polo and worked at the Beach Club. She enjoys taking walks on the beach and sums up her affection for the Key in four words: “I love it here!” Sofia is graduating from MAST Academy and will attend Purdue University, where she plans to study biomedical engineering. She looks forward to all the new opportunities college will provide.and ultimately hopes to attend medical school.

Amandine Paran honed her leadership and project management skills during high school by working at the Beach Club, coaching youth volleyball, and serving as captain of her high school volleyball teams. Last year, she and her sister spearheaded a project to collect and clean bottle caps that were recycled into a bench, promoting awareness about single-use plastics along the way. Amandine is graduating from MAST Academy and will attend Florida State University, where she plans to study business management.

Eduardo Ignacio Solorzano moved with his family to Key Biscayne from South Carolina eleven years ago. He played varsity water polo and tennis, which he also coaches. He combines his love for the outdoors with his mechanical inclination by riding and repairing mountain bikes. Last summer he put his CAD (computer-aided design) skills to work during an engineering internship. Eduardo is graduating from Coral Gables High School and will attend Purdue University, where he plans to study mechanical engineering.

Lorenzo Tamayo worked as a tutor in high school and played for the Key Biscayne Rugby Rats. In his free time, he plays tennis and goes to the beach as often as he can. Lorenzo is graduating from MAST Academy and will attend the University of Florida, where he plans to major in mechanical engineering and technology. In addition to focusing on his studies, he aspires to become a better cook while at college.

Jake White has lived on Key Biscayne his entire life and is grateful to the community for shaping him into the person he has become. He takes inspiration from his late grandmother, Helen White, crediting her with teaching him to believe in himself and to stand up for what he thinks is right. Jake is graduating from MAST Academy and will attend Purdue, where he plans to study industrial engineering. He is looking forward to college life in Indiana but is a little concerned about the cold weather and says he will miss his mom’s good cooking.

Sofia and Eduardo were unfortunately unable to attend the awards luncheon and are not pictured here.


For the last #lighterside column, click here.



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Meet the kid umpire of Minor League Baseball

Growing up, lots of children aspire to put on a Major League uniform. It isn’t everyday you find a kid already sporting an umpire’s uniform. But most kids aren’t Bradley Vinson. Vinson looked like a natural last week when he was spotted officiating his own game from the stands behind the plate at Blue Wahoos […]

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Meet the kid umpire of Minor League Baseball

Growing up, lots of children aspire to put on a Major League uniform. It isn’t everyday you find a kid already sporting an umpire’s uniform. But most kids aren’t Bradley Vinson.

Vinson looked like a natural last week when he was spotted officiating his own game from the stands behind the plate at Blue Wahoos Stadium during Double-A Pensacola’s series against Columbus. The 13-year-old made quite an impression, dressed in full umpiring gear, helmet, facemask and armbands and making all the calls from behind the protective netting beside his father, John.

Bradley said he first discovered his interest in umpiring at a Miami Marlins game. That interest blossomed into a passion as John took him to Spring Training and Minor League games in Palm Beach, Fla, where he was also spotted officiating from his seats in February.

“I like to be in charge,” he said. “I wanted to call games because I thought it was a bunch of fun and I really love to do it.”

Bradley has been making a name for himself as the kid umpire of Florida’s Minor League ballparks. John said working umpiring crews have encouraged his son, gifting him with umping gear like clickers and brushes.

“As soon as he wakes up in the morning, he’s calling balls and strikes,” John said. “All day long, as soon as he comes home from school. He watches YouTube videos and he studies all the umpires.”

Baseball is a kids’ game. Why can’t umpiring be too?

“Fans definitely cheer me on,” he said. “But if I made a call wrong, they would definitely boo me too.”

Bradley doesn’t just want to be a big league umpire when he grows up. His dream is to be behind the plate on the biggest stage.

“I want to be on a Major League Baseball field, calling balls and strikes in the World Series,” he said.

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