Connect with us

College Sports

A Lawsuit May Upend College Sports. One Local Coach Is Excited

What that could mean for college sports: For many working in college sports, like Mitch Charlens, the head coach of San Diego City College’s lauded basketball team, that move seems unlikely to satisfy athletes.  “I don’t see them being able to get the toothpaste back in the tube. There’s going to be a million kids who […]

Published

on

A Lawsuit May Upend College Sports. One Local Coach Is Excited

What that could mean for college sports: For many working in college sports, like Mitch Charlens, the head coach of San Diego City College’s lauded basketball team, that move seems unlikely to satisfy athletes.  “I don’t see them being able to get the toothpaste back in the tube. There’s going to be a million kids who say ‘I want the same thing. I don’t want those two years I played at a JUCO (junior college) to take away from my NCAA eligibility,’” Charlens said. “There are going to be an infinite amount of lawsuits.”  
The Learning Curve

“They’re not just going to be used by the universities for money and advertisements, now the kids will be in school longer and they’ll have a better chance of leaving with a degree or a higher degree like a Ph.D,” he said. 

Secondly, for schools like City College, whose basketball team is one of the most accomplished in the state, the level of talent attracted may increase dramatically. Instead of worrying about burning a year of eligibility at a community college, students will know they have time to develop and grow as an athlete before they move on.  


Given that pressure, and the NCAA’s track record in these situations, Charlens thinks it’s likely that additional court cases will continue to erode the current position and lead to community college play not counting toward NCAA eligibility at all. That would open the door to athletes potentially playing college sports for half a decade or more. Learning Curve
Your biweekly update on the state of education in San Diego County schools.​Here’s the skinny: Athletes at schools overseen by the NCAA have long had but four short years of eligibility – and that’s included years played for lower-level programs, like community colleges.  If that does happen, it could have two very positive impacts, Charlens said. First, the ability to stay in school longer could lead to more student-athletes earning degrees while they play. A ruling late last year could have a similarly seismic impact on college sports. And now that athletes have the chance to make big time money at the college level via NIL, that time to develop may be all the more attractive. If that becomes a reality, however, it could drastically change college sports, transforming what was once viewed as an amateur sports league into a series of farm systems. That didn’t sit well with Diego Pavia, a quarterback for Vanderbilt University, who himself played at a community college prior to transferring to the four-year university. So, he sued the NCAA, arguing that the four-year eligibility requirement denied him the ability to profit from his name, image and likeness at the collegiate level. Like pretty much every other time an athlete has sued the NCAA in recent memory, the court sided with Pavia. Browse all newsletters at vosd.org/newsletters
Something went wrong. Please refresh the page and/or try again. But that ruling didn’t apply to the thousands of other athletes in similar positions – only Pavia. So, to seemingly nip the issue in the bud, NCAA officials issued a waiver granting a single extra year of eligibility to athletes whose four years were in part eaten up by stints playing at community colleges. 

College Sports

Four Bombers Named to CSC Academic All-District Team

Story Links ITHACA, N.Y. – Four members of the Ithaca College softball team have been named to the 2025 College Sports Communicators (CSC) Academic All-District® Team, as announced by the organization on Tuesday.   The CSC Academic All-District® program honors the nation’s top student-athletes for their combined excellence in the […]

Published

on


ITHACA, N.Y. – Four members of the Ithaca College softball team have been named to the 2025 College Sports Communicators (CSC) Academic All-District® Team, as announced by the organization on Tuesday.
 
The CSC Academic All-District® program honors the nation’s top student-athletes for their combined excellence in the classroom and on the field. To be eligible, student-athletes must be at least sophomores both academically and athletically, maintain a cumulative GPA of 3.5 or higher, and meet minimum participation requirements. Honorees are recognized across four divisions: NCAA Division I, II, III, and NAIA.
 
Graduate student Belle de Oliveira and senior Anna Cornell earned Academic All-District honors for the third consecutive year, while junior Haley Petrucci received the distinction for the second straight season. Junior Kailen Winkelblech was recognized for the first time in her career.
 
Both Petrucci and Cornell have also been named CSC Academic All-America® finalists and will advance to the national ballot. The Academic All-America® teams will be announced on June 17, 2025.
 



Link

Continue Reading

College Sports

Texas Tech Red Raiders – Official Athletics Website

CARLSBAD, Calif. — Texas Tech’s Connor Graham picked up a pair of honors during the week of the 2025 NCAA Division I Men’s Golf Championships, first being named to the PING All-Region Team and later named to the GCAA All-Freshman Team.    Graham led Texas Tech during the 2024-25 season with a 71.1 scoring average over […]

Published

on


CARLSBAD, Calif. — Texas Tech’s Connor Graham picked up a pair of honors during the week of the 2025 NCAA Division I Men’s Golf Championships, first being named to the PING All-Region Team and later named to the GCAA All-Freshman Team. 
 
Graham led Texas Tech during the 2024-25 season with a 71.1 scoring average over 13 events and 41 rounds of golf. He also led the Red Raiders with seven Top 20 finishes, rounds carded below par (16) and rounds recorded even-par or better (25). He tied for the team lead in eagles (7), and ranked second on the team for rounds shot in the 60s (11) during the year.
 

For the annual NCAA Division I PING All-Region honorees, players across six regions and 82 schools earned all-region honors in 2025. Graham was a part of the Central team and one of 25 players named to it. Other schools in the Central region included those recognized from programs such as Houston, Iowa State, Kansas, Oklahoma, Oklahoma State, Texas and Texas A&M.
 

Graham was one of five players in NCAA Division I college golf who was named to the All-Freshman Team. He was joined by Daniel Bennett (Texas), who was named the recipient of the 2025 NCAA Division I Phil Mickelson Outstanding Freshman Award, along with fellow All-Freshman team honorees Wheaton Ennis (Texas A&M), Gunnlaugur Árni Sveinsson (LSU), and Clark Van Gaalen (Oklahoma).
 
Graham is the first Red Raider named to the GCAA All-Freshman Team (utilizing GCAA records dating back to 2005).
 
About the GCAA
Established in 1958, the Golf Coaches Association of America (GCAA) is the professional organization of men’s collegiate golf coaches. The GCAA’s mission is to support its member coaches from six divisions, including the NCAA, NAIA and NJCAA, by creating educational opportunities, providing resources, and promoting its members with the purpose of enhancing their overall performance as coaches, mentors, and teachers. The GCAA also recognizes the excellence and achievements of its members and their student-athletes in academic, athletic and civic endeavors.
 
About PING
PING designs, manufactures and markets a complete line of golf equipment including metal woods, irons, wedges, putters and golf bags. The family-owned company was founded in 1959 in the garage of the late Karsten Solheim, a mechanical engineer with an extensive background in the aerospace and computer industries. His frustration with his putting inspired him to design his own putter, which created a “pinging” sound when striking a golf ball. This sound was the source of the name now synonymous with innovation, quality and service throughout the world of golf.

X: TexasTechMGolf

Instagram: TTUMensGolf

Facebook: TTUMensGolf

– TECH 





Link

Continue Reading

College Sports

Muckalt meets the media | News, Sports, Jobs

Michigan Tech head coach Bill Muckalt addresses the media during a press conference Tuesday morning at the MacInnes Student Ice Arena in Houghton. (Photo courtesy of Michigan Tech University) HOUGHTON — Tuesday morning, Michigan Tech University introduced Bill Muckalt as the 23rd head coach in its hockey program’s history. He had previously been at Michigan […]

Published

on


Michigan Tech head coach Bill Muckalt addresses the media during a press conference Tuesday morning at the MacInnes Student Ice Arena in Houghton. (Photo courtesy of Michigan Tech University)

HOUGHTON — Tuesday morning, Michigan Tech University introduced Bill Muckalt as the 23rd head coach in its hockey program’s history. He had previously been at Michigan Tech as an assistant coach under Mel Pearson from 2011-15 before he left the university to become the head coach of the Tri-City Storm in the United States Hockey League from 2015-17, where he won a Clark Cup in his first season with the team.

He went on from there to return to his alma mater, the University of Michigan from 2017-23, where he served as the lead recruiter. He moved on from Michigan to become the head coach of new NCAA program Lindenwood last season.

Muckalt is excited to be back in the Copper Country.

“(I am) extremely excited,” he said. “I mean, it’s such a special place, rich tradition. It’s an honor.”

He has nothing but fond memories of his time here as an assistant coach.

“People in the Copper Country are amazing,” he said. “They’re really down to earth, extremely loyal, and they have a real sense of community up here. So, those are things from a hockey standpoint, just building back up a brand, speaking about the first time when I got here, just rebuilding it and restoring it, how proud that people are of Michigan Tech and how proud they are of the Husky brand.”

When Pearson was hired in 2011, Muckalt was one of the first people he reached out to in the hopes that he wanted to be a part of the process of returning the Huskies to the national tournament, somewhere the school had not been since 1981.

“Obviously, I think the program is in a lot better shape, the locker room, the facilities, everything,” said Muckalt. “It’s truly an honor and privilege to be back here, and I think the expectation doesn’t change. It’s still the same, win a championship, get in the tournament and try and win the last game of the year. That’s the expectation.”

Prior to the 2024-25 season, the Huskies had made the NCAA Tournament three straight seasons under then-coach Joe Shawhan. When asked if he believed he could get the Huskies back to the tournament quickly, he did not hesitate.

“It’s a belief,” he said. “You have to have a belief in them, and they have to have a belief in themselves that they can achieve that. We have to kind of steer that ship for them and keep them on course at times, or when you’re out and if you’re out in a storm, it’s hard, maybe, to see the land, but you got to get back to the land, and that’s what we’re doing.

“In a parallel to hockey, that championship, it’s not going to be easy. There’s going to be ups and downs, and (we’ve) got to steady the course and right the ship, so to speak. But, I think the part is them going through and learning. We’re growing together on a journey. The good news is we need each other, pick each other up along the way, and pat each other on the back when things are going well.”

Muckalt has faith in the team already assembled.

“We haven’t lost a game yet, so everybody likes their chances,” he said. “Right now, I’m positive (and) optimistic, and I’m going to believe in our players and believe in our staff. We’re going to do everything we can to get better every day.There’s no way that I would put a handicap on this group or us. We’re going to go and try to win the race.”

One thing is for certain, Muckalt is excited to be back in the MacInnes Student Ice Arena for game day.

“There’s so many things I should have pointed out for this press conference that I forgot to touch on. The Mitch’s Misfits bring so much energy,” he said. “Specifically I remember playing Wisconsin here the first weekend we were here, and we beat them and how electric that was. Even just traveling with the Misfits down to Duluth, and just how well the GLI is attended by alumni, so the Mac, there’s no better place to be when the Mac is full, and it’s full all the time.”

Why make the change now?

Michigan Tech’s Vice President for Athletics and Recreation Suzanne Sanregret spoke to the timing of the coaching change.

“I think that if anyone read the comments from Coach Shawhan in the TV6 articles, we just couldn’t come to agreement on an extension of a contract,” she said. “With that being said, and having two assistant coaching positions open, it becomes really difficult to make any of those hires. (I am) really pleased with the work that Coach Shawhan did, but I think it’s time for a change and to move into this new direction.

“With a rapidly changing college hockey landscape, it just felt like the right time to do it, to make the switch.”

Sanregret is excited to bring Muckalt back at this point in time.

“There certainly is an intensity about Bill Muckalt, and just a championship pedigree,” she said. “I think all coaches seem to have that, but his relationships, his connections, his relationships with family, advisors, experience in the USHL, and, I think, in the modern era of where the collegiate landscape is going, he has an ability to work with me, to work toward, toward the requirements, I think, of what college hockey is going to look like in the next few years and already is looking like.”

Changing landscape of college sports

With the changing landscape of college hockey, from the transfer portal to Name, Image, Likeness, to the addition of players from the branches of the Canadian Hockey League, timing has become something very important.

“I think that if we aren’t nimble, and don’t respond that way, we fall behind and you lose opportunity,” Sanregret said. “I want to set the bar where we can be in the same conversations as several of the higher end institutions and hockey programs. This gives us a shot at it.”

At the same time, Sanregret is proud of how both Pearson and Shawhan set up the hockey program in the past decade-plus.

“Well, first, I think Coach Pearson and Coach Shawhan did incredible work for us,” she said. “I appreciate everything that they’ve done. I think this is just another evolution of the next steps we can’t sit on. We have to keep moving forward, and it’s with a lot of change.

“Coach Pearson gave us national relevancy, again brought the program back. Coach Shawhan enhanced that, continued with that, and now I think there’s an opportunity for Coach Muckalt to continue to raise that bar and that level. It’s going to require us modernizing with where collegiate athletics is today. I can’t wait.”

Michigan Tech head coach Bill Muckalt stands in the team’s locker room after a press conference Tuesday morning at the MacInnes Student Ice Arena in Houghton. (Photo courtesy of Michigan Tech University)



Link

Continue Reading

College Sports

NHL Playoffs 2025: Stanley Cup schedule, bracket, scores, as Oilers outlast Stars in Game 4

The Edmonton Oilers have taken full control of the Western Conference Final after their 4-1 win over the Dallas Stars in Game 4 on Tuesday night. Edmonton leads the series 3-1 and is one win away from advancing to the Stanley Cup Final for the second consecutive year. Unfortunately for the Stars, the story of […]

Published

on


The Edmonton Oilers have taken full control of the Western Conference Final after their 4-1 win over the Dallas Stars in Game 4 on Tuesday night. Edmonton leads the series 3-1 and is one win away from advancing to the Stanley Cup Final for the second consecutive year.

Unfortunately for the Stars, the story of Game 4 was a familiar one. Just like in Game 3, Dallas played well through 40 minutes but trailed going into the third period. As was the case last time out, the Stars ran out of steam in the final frame, throwing just four shots on Stuart Skinner.

One of the heroes of the game for the Oilers was Corey Perry, who became one of five players aged 40 or older to score in a conference finals game. His power-play tally in the second period proved to be the game-winner as the Oilers locked down the Stars late.

Stars vs. Oilers: Scores, schedule, odds, where to watch as Edmonton wins Game 4 to take 3-1 series lead

Chris Bengel

Stars vs. Oilers: Scores, schedule, odds, where to watch as Edmonton wins Game 4 to take 3-1 series lead

Ryan Nugent-Hopkins also recorded his fourth straight multi-point game of this series, assisting on each of Edmonton’s first two goals. He’s now up to nine points in four games against the Stars, and he has elevated his game after an underwhelming regular season.

A Stars offense that had been so explosive all season has suddenly gone ice cold. Dallas has just two goals in the least three games, and some of its top players have been no-shows in the series. Mikko Rantanen hasn’t scored in seven games, and Matt Duchene and Jamie Benn are stuck on one goal apiece in the playoffs.

Now, we are on the brink of a rematch of the 2024 Stanley Cup Final between the Oilers and Florida Panthers. On Wednesday night, the Panthers will roll into Raleigh with a chance to oust the Hurricanes in Game 5.

For the complete schedule and results for every matchup, follow along right here at CBS Sports.

Eastern Conference Final

(2) Carolina Hurricanes vs. (3) Florida Panthers

Game 1: Panthers 5, Hurricanes 2 | Recap
Game 2: Panthers 5, Hurricanes 0 | Recap
Game 3: Panthers 6, Hurricanes 2 | Recap
Game 4: Hurricanes 3, Panthers 0 | Recap
Game 5: Wednesday, May 28 | 8 p.m. | at CAR | TNT, truTV, Max
*Game 6: Friday, May 30 | 8 p.m. | at FLA | TNT, truTV, Max
*Game 7: Sunday, June 1 | 8 p.m. | at CAR | TNT, truTV, Max

Western Conference Final

(2) Dallas Stars vs. (3) Edmonton Oilers

Game 1: Stars 6, Oilers 3 | Recap
Game 2: Oilers 3, Stars 0 | Recap
Game 3: Oilers 6, Stars 1 | Recap
Game 4: Oilers 4, Stars 1 | Recap
Game 5: Thursday, May 29 | 8 p.m. | at DAL | ESPN/ESPN+
*Game 6: Saturday, May 31 | 8 p.m. | at EDM | ABC/ESPN+
*Game 7: Monday, June 2 | 8 p.m. | at DAL | ESPN/ESPN+

Round 2

(1) Toronto Maple Leafs vs. (3) Florida Panthers

Game 1: Maple Leafs 5, Panthers 4 | Recap
Game 2: Maple Leafs 4, Panthers 3 | Recap
Game 3: Panthers 5, Maple Leafs 4 (OT) | Recap
Game 4: Panthers 2, Maple Leafs 0 | Recap
Game 5: Panthers 6, Maple Leafs 1 | Recap
Game 6: Maple Leafs 2, Panthers 0 | Recap
Game 7: Panthers 6, Maple Leafs 1 | Recap

(1) Washington Capitals vs. (2) Carolina Hurricanes

Game 1: Hurricanes 2, Capitals 1 (OT) | Recap
Game 2: Capitals 3, Hurricanes 1 | Recap
Game 3: Hurricanes 4, Capitals 0 | Recap
Game 4: Hurricanes 5, Capitals 2 | Recap
Game 5: Hurricanes 3, Capitals 1 | Recap

(1) Winnipeg Jets vs. (2) Dallas Stars

Game 1: Stars 3, Jets 2 | Recap
Game 2: Jets 4, Stars 0 | Recap
Game 3: Stars 5, Jets 2 | Recap
Game 4: Stars 3, Jets 1 | Recap
Game 5: Jets 4, Stars 0 | Recap
Game 6: Stars 2, Jets 1 (OT) | Recap

(1) Vegas Golden Knights vs. (3) Edmonton Oilers

Game 1: Oilers 4, Golden Knights 2 | Recap
Game 2: Oilers 5, Golden Knights 4 (OT) | Recap
Game 3: Golden Knights 4, Oilers 3 | Recap
Game 4: Oilers 3, Golden Knights 0 | Recap
Game 5: Oilers 1, Golden Knights 0 (OT) | Recap

Round 1

(1) Toronto Maple Leafs vs. (WC1) Ottawa Senators

Game 1: Maple Leafs 6, Senators 2 | Recap
Game 2: Maple Leafs 3, Senators 2 (OT) | Recap
Game 3: Maple Leafs 3, Senators 2 (OT) | Recap
Game 4: Senators 4, Maple Leafs 3 (OT) | Recap
Game 5: Senators 4, Maple Leafs 0 | Recap
Game 6: Maple Leafs 4, Senators 2  | Recap

(2)Tampa Bay Lightning vs. (3) Florida Panthers

Game 1: Panthers 6, Lightning 2 | Recap
Game 2: Panthers 2, Lightning 0 | Recap
Game 3: Lightning 5, Panthers 1 | Recap
Game 4: Panthers 4, Lightning 2 | Recap
Game 5: Panthers 6, Lightning 3 | Recap

(1) Washington Capitals vs. (WC2) Montreal Canadiens

Game 1: Capitals 3, Canadiens 2 (OT) | Recap
Game 2: Capitals 3, Canadiens 1 | Recap
Game 3: Canadiens 6, Capitals 3 | Recap
Game 4: Capitals 5, Canadiens 2 | Recap
Game 5: Capitals 4, Canadiens 1 | Recap

(2) Carolina Hurricanes vs. (3) New Jersey Devils

Game 1: Hurricanes 4, Devils 1 | Recap
Game 2: Hurricanes 3, Devils 1 | Recap
Game 3: Devils 3, Hurricanes 2 (2OT) | Recap
Game 4: Hurricanes 5, Devils 2 | Recap
Game 5: Hurricanes 5, Devils 4 (2OT) | Recap

(1) Winnipeg Jets vs. (WC2) St. Louis Blues

Game 1: Jets 5, Blues 3 | Recap
Game 2: Jets 2, Blues 1 | Recap
Game 3: Blues 7, Jets 2 | Recap
Game 4: Blues 5, Jets 1 | Recap
Game 5: Jets 5, Blues 3 | Recap
Game 6: Blues 5, Jets 2 | Recap
Game 7: Jets 4, Blues 3 (2OT) | Recap

(2) Dallas Stars vs. (3) Colorado Avalanche

Game 1: Avalanche 5, Stars 1 | Recap
Game 2: Stars 4, Avalanche 3 (OT) | Recap
Game 3: Stars 2, Avalanche 1 (OT) | Recap
Game 4: Avalanche 4, Stars 0 | Recap
Game 5: Stars 6, Avalanche 2 | Recap
Game 6: Avalanche 7, Stars 4 | Recap
Game 7: Stars 4, Avalanche 2 | Recap

(1) Vegas Golden Knights vs. (WC1) Minnesota Wild

Game 1: Golden Knights 4, Wild 2 | Recap
Game 2: Wild 5, Golden Knights 2 | Recap
Game 3: Wild 5, Golden Knights 2 | Recap
Game 4: Golden Knights 4, Wild 3 (OT) | Recap
Game 5: Golden Knights 3, Wild 2 (OT) | Recap
Game 6: Golden Knights 3, Wild 2 | Recap

(2) Los Angeles Kings vs. (3) Edmonton Oilers

Game 1: Kings 6, Oilers 5 | Recap
Game 2: Kings 6, Oilers 2 | Recap
Game 3: Oilers 7, Kings 4 | Recap
Game 4: Oilers 4, Kings 3 (OT) | Recap
Game 5: Oilers 3, Kings 1 | Recap
Game 6: Oilers 6, Kings 4 | Recap 





Link

Continue Reading

College Sports

Women's Soccer to Host College ID Camp in July

Story Links FULLERTON, Calif. – The Cal State Fullerton Women’s soccer staff along with the Fullerton Soccer Academy are excited to announce their upcoming Player ID and GK Clinic hosted inside Titan Stadium on July 26th This (2) session camp is designed to provide the participants with a feel of a collegiate “double day” training regimen.   The […]

Published

on

Women's Soccer to Host College ID Camp in July

FULLERTON, Calif. – The Cal State Fullerton Women’s soccer staff along with the Fullerton Soccer Academy are excited to announce their upcoming Player ID and GK Clinic hosted inside Titan Stadium on July 26th

This (2) session camp is designed to provide the participants with a feel of a collegiate “double day” training regimen.   The camp will focus on individual ball mastery, small sided competition, tactical understanding and 11 v 11 matches. The first session will focus on individual skill mastery and small sided competitions. The second session will incorporate tactical elements and conclude with 11v11 games.

This camp is geared towards highly motivated and competitive female soccer players ages 14 to 19. This camp provides players the opportunity to train with highly motivated soccer players under the guidance of the Cal State Fullerton Women’s Soccer coaching staff as well as other collegiate coaches.

Goal keepers will receive small group training focusing on footwork, distribution and shot stopping.

The camp is led by Head Coach Demian Brown and the rest of the Cal State Fullerton women’s soccer staff, Kellan Wilson and Jackie Bruno. Guest coaches will be announced.

July Camp: 
Saturday, July 26th
9:00-11:30 AM & 2:00-4:30 PM
Titan Stadium
https://fullertonsocceracademy.totalcamps.com/shop/EVENT

We look forward to spending of day of soccer with you here in Titan Stadium.

July WSOC CAmp
 

SUPPORT THE TITANS!
Fans can purchase tickets for various Cal State Fullerton athletic events by visiting FullertonTitansTickets.com. The Athletic Ticket Office can also be contacted by phone at 657-278-2783 or by email at athletictixs@fullerton.edu. The Ticket Office is located at the Titan House off of Gymnasium Drive at the eastern end of the Intramural Fields and is open from 10 am – 4 pm PT, Monday – Friday. 

WATCH THE TITANS ON ESPN+
Titans fans can now watch every home event exclusively on ESPN+. Cal State Fullerton has built a top-tier production studio to give the viewers an ESPN quality production for all games at Titan Stadium. Additionally, all schools in the Big West Conference are committed to producing ESPN quality streams which will allow fans to watch the Titans on ESPN+ for all road conference games. 

FOLLOW THE TITANS!
Fans can keep up with the latest in Titan Athletics by following us on Facebook (Facebook/FullertonTitans), X (@FullertonTitans) Instagram (@FullertonTitans), YouTube (FullertonTitansAthletics) and TikTok (@FullertonTitans).  In addition, the women’s soccer team has established its own Twitter (@FullertonWSOC) and Instagram accounts (@FullertonWSOC)

Print Friendly Version
Continue Reading

College Sports

BEHIND THE SCENES

KSHB 41 reporter Lily O’Shea Becker covers Franklin and Douglas counties in Kansas. Share your story idea with Lily. — A behind-the-scenes look at Rock Chalk Park in Lawrence, Kansas, previews the amenities it would offer to a 2026 World Cup team if it’s chosen by a country as a training site. Rock Chalk Park […]

Published

on

BEHIND THE SCENES

KSHB 41 reporter Lily O’Shea Becker covers Franklin and Douglas counties in Kansas. Share your story idea with Lily.

A behind-the-scenes look at Rock Chalk Park in Lawrence, Kansas, previews the amenities it would offer to a 2026 World Cup team if it’s chosen by a country as a training site.

Rock Chalk Park is home to the University of Kansas women’s soccer and softball teams, but its amenities can serve teams on the road: a laundry room, a medical room, a weight training room, and what Jason Booker with KU Athletics calls a locker room made for match days.

READ | KC Current training center being considered for World Cup team base camp

“I think they (countries) were a little bit surprised because they’ve seen some photos and things like that, but until you actually walk the facility, they were like, ‘Oh, OK, now I get it,'” Booker, KU deputy athletic director for external revenue, said. “These are large countries you would consider the A-class of soccer.”

Screenshot 2025-05-28 at 4.51.25 PM.png

Booker said two countries have toured the facility, and KU anticipates several more tours throughout the year.

“Getting the read on their faces, it felt like it was very special, made us feel like we were onto something, that we were really going to do a great job being able to host,” he said.

Booker serves on the executive board of the Kansas City Sports Commission.

“I think what’s unique about this market is the opportunity to potentially host three base camps,” he said. “Two in Kansas City and one here (Lawrence), and we really consider ourselves as part of the Kansas City market.”

RELATED | ‘Big deal’: Lawrence, Douglas County unify efforts to prepare for 2026 World Cup ripple effects

He said countries touring base camps seem interested in Midwest sites due to their centralized location and distance from both coasts.

But, it wasn’t just the countries impressed by the tour, according to Booker. He said officials with FIFA took notice of the pitch.

“They came out and did a soil sample and said it would hold up to any English Premier League soccer pitch,” he said. “They were almost surprised when they came out and walked on the field, and they kind of looked at each other and were like, ‘Is this really a college soccer field?’”

Booker also mentioned Rock Chalk Park’s proximity to Lawrence Memorial Health West Campus and Topeka Regional Airport, where KU teams charter planes for sporting events, as external but nearby amenities for a team.

Booker said resources from the University of Kansas could help with hosting an international team, and the university itself could benefit from being in the spotlight.

“To be able to showcase this facility, we hope it will help with future recruiting, not only of student athletes but students on campus from an international perspective,” he said.

Booker said on open practice days, fans could fill the 2,000 seats around the pitch, and an additional 4,000 could watch from the lawn that surrounds the field.

Booker is planning alongside the City of Lawrence, which he said could see thousands of soccer fans next summer.

Continue Reading

Most Viewed Posts

Trending