College Sports
After flying solo initially, retiring coach Bob Conkling sees ISU gymnastics soar
When Bob Conkling arrived as Illinois State’s women’s gymnastics coach, he wasn’t looking 20 years into the future, or even a week ahead. There was no time for that. Conkling was the program’s only coach in 2005 and constantly on the go. He had no assistant coach to help train ISU’s existing athletes or recruit […]

When Bob Conkling arrived as Illinois State’s women’s gymnastics coach, he wasn’t looking 20 years into the future, or even a week ahead. There was no time for that.
Conkling was the program’s only coach in 2005 and constantly on the go. He had no assistant coach to help train ISU’s existing athletes or recruit new ones.
“I knew that I had some work to do,” Conkling said. “You really do need at least a minimum of two coaches with four different events. I knew that had to happen soon.”
Overnight would have been nice. It didn’t come that quickly. Yet, progress was made and ultimately, help arrived.
“We worked really hard with the administration to start bumping up the program and trying to get assistant coaches,” Conkling said. “Now we have two full-time, paid assistant coaches. I really feel like these last four or five years that we’ve had that … that is when we’ve really increased and done a lot better.”
Megan Harrington just completed her sixth year as a full-time assistant and Kendra Combs her second. They helped Conkling hit the finish line of his 20-year Redbird tenure in style.
He announced his retirement after a season in which ISU won its second Midwest Independent Conference championship in three years and third overall under Conkling. He was named the league’s Coach of the Year for the third time.
He leaves the program better than he found it.

“It was a good year for me to retire,” he said. “I turned 65 this year. There were just a lot of things that fell in place. It was my 20th year, which is really good retirement wise with ISU. I just felt like, ‘Leave on a high note.’”
A Rockford native, Conkling racked up more than 100 wins and had 33 gymnasts qualify for the NCAA Regionals. He saw 44 of his athletes win conference individual event or all-around titles, with six named MIC Gymnast of the Year. The Redbirds won MIC team championships in 2012, 2023 and this year.
Conkling competed in trampoline, tumbling and as a diver as a youth and in high school. He began coaching gymnastics while in college at Indiana Wesleyan and was program director at the Gymnastics Academy of Rockford before coming to Illinois State.
He said his time with the Redbirds has gone quickly.
“I thoroughly enjoyed every single year at ISU and working with the gymnastics team,” Conkling said. “Each group brought something different and special. The season starts in January and finishes in April and those few months are the fastest months of the year. It just flies by. Every year it seems to go a little quicker.”
Changing landscape
Conkling has seen a lot of changes in college athletics, most notably the transfer portal and athletes being paid for their Name, Image and Likeness (NIL).
He said he has relied on Cindy Harris, ISU’s executive associate athletic director for compliance and student services, to help him navigate it all.
“It’s been difficult honestly with NIL and the other stuff,” Conkling said. “It was a lot. It was a learning curve for me obviously. It’s kind of gone back and forth with what the rules are and it changes weekly it seems like.
“I kind of just lean on other people who know what they’re doing because it changes constantly. With Cindy Harris being my boss, it’s made my job a lot easier because she gets that information pretty quickly.”
Portal, NIL activity
Conkling said the gymnastics program has had limited participation in the transfer portal.
When MIC member Lindenwood dropped its gymnastics program, ISU picked up two of its athletes from the portal. The Redbirds had a gymnast enter the portal for her fifth year and landed at Temple. This year, for the first time, a Redbird underclassman entered the portal. She was picked up by Arizona State.
“It’s just now starting to hit a little bit more with the portal that we just didn’t have to deal with before,” Conkling said.

NIL deals have been more prevalent at bigger schools, Conkling said, with some gymnasts making huge money. LSU’s Olivia “Livvy” Dunne earned an estimated $4.1 million in NIL deals.
Conkling said the Redbird coaching staff has not had to deal with NIL much in recruiting, but added, “I can see it coming that we’re going to have to, especially to compete with the big schools because they are offering it.”
“Probably one of the biggest benefits for anybody in college athletics is NILs now,” Conkling said. “Unfortunately, I feel like the power four schools, especially the gymnastics programs, they’re going to just get bigger and better and stronger and it’s going to be harder for the mid majors in the future.”
Cream of the crop
Among the top ISU gymnasts in Conkling’s era is Sami King Geringer, a 2015 graduate who was inducted into Illinois State’s Percy Family Athletics Hall of Fame in 2024.
Conkling listed Gabi Cooke (2020 graduate), Angelica Labat (2024) and current senior Jaye Mack as other elite performers in his tenure. Labat and Mack are the only Redbird gymnasts to advance to the NCAA Championship, a feat Conkling called “extremely difficult.”
“There are many more conference all-around champions,” he said. “But those three for sure are probably future Hall of Famers here.”
What’s next?
Conkling officially retires June 30. His final gymnastics camp at ISU is in June and he will be available as needed to help search for his successor.
After that?
“I’ll probably still coach here and there. I’ll probably do some camps and some clinics,” Conkling said. “But I really kind of want to take a break for at least a few months. It will probably drive me crazy.
“I’ll miss coaching. I still love to be in the gym. I have a feeling that’s where my part-time work is going to take me is coaching.”
College Sports
NHL Playoffs 2025: Stanley Cup Final schedule, bracket, scores, as Panthers take pivotal Game 5 in Edmonton
The Florida Panthers are one win away from their second straight Stanley Cup after beating the Edmonton Oilers, 5-2, in Game 5. Brad Marchand and the Panthers took control of the game early, and they never gave the Oilers any life. At the age of 37, Marchand is playing some of the best hockey of […]

The Florida Panthers are one win away from their second straight Stanley Cup after beating the Edmonton Oilers, 5-2, in Game 5. Brad Marchand and the Panthers took control of the game early, and they never gave the Oilers any life.
At the age of 37, Marchand is playing some of the best hockey of his career. He scored two goals in Game 5, and both of them were of the highlight reel variety. With his two goals, Marchand now has 10 in the postseason and six in the Stanley Cup Final. He also joins Mario Lemieux as the only players in the modern era to score five or more goals in two Stanley Cup Final series.
The other story of the night was the Panthers’ defense thwarting everything the Oilers tried to do offensively. Edmonton rarely got the puck to a dangerous area, and even when it did, Sergei Bobrovsky made a couple of big saves. Considering the atmosphere in Rogers Place, Game 5 might have been the Panthers’ best defensive showing yet.
The Oilers got a couple of goals in the third period, but they were never really a threat to come back. Leon Draisaitl had two shots on goal, and neither one of them stood out as quality chances. Connor McDavid buried one of his two shots, but Florida made both of those superstars non-factors in a critical Game 5.
Edmonton has already come up with one big answer — the Game 4 comeback — but it needs another one now. The Oilers have to go into enemy territory with their season on the line on Tuesday, and the Panthers will want to prevent a Game 7.
For the complete schedule and results for the Stanley Cup Final, follow along right here at CBS Sports.
Stanley Cup Final
Edmonton Oilers vs. Florida Panthers
Game 1: Oilers 4, Panthers 3 (OT) | Recap
Game 2: Panthers 5, Oilers 4 (2OT) | Recap
Game 3: Panthers 6, Oilers 1 | Recap
Game 4: Oilers 5, Panthers 4 (OT) | Recap
Game 5: Panthers 5, Oilers 2 | Recap
Game 6: Tuesday, June 17 | at FLA | 8 p.m. | TNT, truTV
*Game 7: Friday, June 20 | at EDM | 8 p.m. | TNT, truTV
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: Oilers 6, Stars 3 | Recap
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: Panthers 5, Hurricanes 3 | Recap
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
College Sports
2025 NHL Draft: Top 10 centers
There were 11 centers selected in the first round of the 2024 NHL Draft, including six in the top 15: Macklin Celebrini (No. 1, Sharks), Cayden Lindstrom (No. 4, Columbus Blue Jackets), Tij Iginla (No. 6, Utah Mammoth), Berkly Catton (No. 8, Seattle Kraken), Jett Luchanko (No. 13, Philadelphia Flyers) and Konsta Helenius (No. 14, […]

There were 11 centers selected in the first round of the 2024 NHL Draft, including six in the top 15: Macklin Celebrini (No. 1, Sharks), Cayden Lindstrom (No. 4, Columbus Blue Jackets), Tij Iginla (No. 6, Utah Mammoth), Berkly Catton (No. 8, Seattle Kraken), Jett Luchanko (No. 13, Philadelphia Flyers) and Konsta Helenius (No. 14, Buffalo Sabres).
Here are NHL.com’s top 10 centers available for the 2025 draft (position according to NHL Central Scouting):
1. Michael Misa, Saginaw (OHL)
NHL Central Scouting: No. 2 (North American skaters)
Misa was named the winner of the E.J. McGuire Award of Excellence, presented annually “to the NHL Draft prospect who best exemplifies commitment to excellence through strength of character, competitiveness and athleticism.” He also was named “Smartest Player” in the Western Conference in the OHL coaches’ poll after becoming the first player in Saginaw history to win the Red Tilson Trophy as the OHL’s most outstanding player and the Eddie Powers Trophy as the top scorer in the OHL, finishing the regular season with 134 points (62 goals, 72 assists). The Saginaw captain had at least one point in 60 of 65 regular-season games and tied John Tavares (2006-07) for the most points by an OHL player under 18 since 2000 (Misa turned 18 on Feb. 16). His style of play has been compared to Nashville Predators center Steven Stamkos. Misa was granted exceptional player status to enter the OHL as a 15-year-old and he helped Saginaw win the Memorial Cup in 2023-24. His brother, Luke Misa, is 14 months older than Michael and was chosen by the Calgary Flames in the fifth round (No. 150) of the 2024 draft and will play for Penn State in 2025-26.
“He’s the type of player that, if there’s a man in a better position for a scoring opportunity and if the proper read is to get the puck to that man, he’ll do it,” Smith said. “And he does it with such quickness and elite hockey sense that it’s just great to watch.”
2. James Hagens, Boston College (NCAA)
NHL Central Scouting: No. 3 (North American skaters)
Hagens, whose playmaking ability and skating resemble Clayton Keller of the Utah Mammoth, was third on Boston College with 37 points (11 goals, 26 assists) in 37 games skating as the No. 1 center between Gabe Perreault (New York Rangers) and Ryan Leonard (Washington Capitals). He also tied for the United States lead with five goals in seven games to help his country win the gold medal at the 2025 IIHF World Junior Championship. Born in Hauppauge, New York, Hagens was the fourth-youngest player in college hockey ranked fourth among NCAA Division I freshmen in points, earning a spot on the Hockey East All-Rookie Team. In 2023-24, he led USA Hockey’s National Team Development Program Under-18 team with 63 assists, 102 points and 1.76 points per game in 58 games. Hagens looks to become the highest-drafted player out of Boston College; defenseman Noah Hanifin is the only player from BC to be chosen among the top five in the NHL Draft (Carolina Hurricanes, No. 5, 2015 NHL Draft).
College Sports
Former Norwin standout fills scoresheet as college hockey freshman
Mario Cavallaro was a sophomore in 2022 when he played a key role in Norwin’s PIHL Penguin Cup championship run. He scored the game-winning goal in the finals on an assist from his brother, Anthony. But Super Mario was far from finished. Cavallaro went on to play for the South Hills Amateur Hockey Association 16U […]

Mario Cavallaro was a sophomore in 2022 when he played a key role in Norwin’s PIHL Penguin Cup championship run.
He scored the game-winning goal in the finals on an assist from his brother, Anthony.
But Super Mario was far from finished.
Cavallaro went on to play for the South Hills Amateur Hockey Association 16U team, playing with a broken arm, mind you, that was protected by a hard cast.
He then joined the Ohio Blue Jackets 18U program before zeroing in on a college career.
Now a starter on the hockey team at South Florida, Cavallaro found a spot on the AAU D2 team as the youngest player on the roster (18).
As if that accomplishment wasn’t impressive enough, the freshman was the second-leading scorer on the team and finished top 10 in the league in assists and points.
Cavallaro had 15 goals and 24 assists in 27 games.
“I know it sounds conceited but yes, I did expect to have the season I did,” he said. “I’ve always went into hockey with a confident mindset as it allows me to do things that I would otherwise not think I could. My confidence allowed me to step up in big moments and be a contributing factor to the team.”
Playing through his injury in 16Us is now like a blur to Cavallaro, but it kept him on the ice.
“It wasn’t easy to play with a broken arm. I played just three weeks after breaking it,” he said.
“It was all mental for me; I just wanted to play so bad that I powered through it. At times, I couldn’t even pass the puck at full strength. In the end, maybe not the smartest decision, but I wouldn’t take it back if I could.”
South Florida went from five wins last year to 20 this season and came in second in its division before making a run to the league finals and national playoffs.
The jump to college hockey was all about perspective to Cavallaro.
“Again, just a mindset thing,” he said. “When you trust yourself, acclimating to new environments is easy. I just wanted to contribute, so that’s what I focused on.
“It was amazing to be a part of it all,” he said. “In the beginning of the season, we weren’t even predicted to make the playoffs. In the end, we went to nationals because of how close our group of guys were.”
Cavallaro made the South all-star team among Division I, II and III players, and had a goal in the showcase game.
While he shined in his first college season, Cavallaro could be done playing as he turns greater attention to law school.
He is contemplating hanging up his skates.
“I’m not sure yet,” he said. “I love hockey, but I’ve accomplished everything I set out to do except the two trophies. With my arm never healing fully, it’s a tough decision. So, for now, it’s just a maybe.”
Stay tuned.
College Sports
PA’s community colleges key as NEPA becoming target zone for data centers
John Yudichak, President of Luzerne County Community College, said this week that for the past decade, Pennsylvania lost economic ground to states like Virginia. He said Virginia used creative economic incentives that built the largest data center market in the world that sustains 74,000 jobs and contributes $9.1 billion to the GDP of that […]

John Yudichak, President of Luzerne County Community College, said this week that for the past decade, Pennsylvania lost economic ground to states like Virginia. He said Virginia used creative economic incentives that built the largest data center market in the world that sustains 74,000 jobs and contributes $9.1 billion to the GDP of that state’s economy.
“It is not lost on me that Luzerne County, which played a central role in the industrial revolution with the production of coal, now stands to be a prominent player in the technological revolution as the epicenter of hyper-scale data center development that will fuel American dominance in artificial intelligence technologies,” Yudichak said.
On Monday, Gov. Josh Shapiro announced that Amazon is planning to invest $20 billion to establish multiple high-tech cloud computing and artificial intelligence innovation campuses across the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania.
The governor said Amazon’s investment will create at least 1,250 high-paying, high-tech jobs.
The first communities identified as sites for these future campuses are Salem Township, Luzerne County, and Falls Township, Bucks County. Several additional Pennsylvania communities are under consideration for data center development.
NEPA becomes target zone for data centers
John Augustine, President/CEO at Penn’s Northeast, said the close proximity of natural gas through the Marcellus Shale and the reliable and robust infrastructure of our utilities make our region one of the top spots in the United States.
Since Monday’s announcement by the governor, Augustine said he has received a half dozen calls from companies interested in locating data centers in NEPA.
“This is in addition, to the four that we are working with in Lackawanna County, three more in Luzerne County and another in Schuylkill County,” Augustine said.
Augustine said for every $26 dollars of tax revenue that a data center generates, they spend a $1 on servicing the center. He said each campus is providing millions of dollars in local and state revenue along with thousands of construction jobs and hundreds of high-tech, high-paying positions.
“The hyper-scale facility in Salem Township alone is a $10 billion dollar investment,” Augustine said. “Besides ongoing manufacturing, we are seeing the third wave of industrial development in Northeastern PA — coal, warehousing/distribution facilities and now data centers. Our region is poised to be a leader in the race for artificial intelligence infrastructure. This is a generational opportunity to provide huge tax revenue and high paying jobs for our residents.”
Community colleges performing critical role
Bucks County Community College President & CEO Dr. Patrick Jones spoke at the Amazon announcement, stressing a vision as more hyper-scale data centers are planned.
“Through a unique, consortium approach, we will be able to better focus on the needs of data centers and help ensure students are prepared with the knowledge and skills required for this unique sector,” Jones said. “We will collaborate to determine industry needs and share expertise and resources so that no matter where someone lives, one of our colleges will be able to help them attain the skills they need for success in this growing industry.”
Under the lead of the Pennsylvania Commission for Community Colleges (PACCC), Luzerne County Community College, Lehigh Carbon Community College, Northampton Community College and Bucks County Community College are joining forces to partner on a Technology and Trades Workforce Consortium in an expanded Northeast Region of Pennsylvania.
The PACCC collaboration will bring together these four community colleges to address workforce needs during the construction of hyper-scale data centers and the jobs needed once they are built.
As more hyper-scale data centers are constructed, other community colleges across the Commonwealth will join to expand the ADVANCEPA Technology & Trade Workforce Consortium.
Technology and Trades Workforce Consortium
Yudichak said there is no sector of higher education better equipped to adeptly respond to the changing workforce development demands of the technological revolution that is driving historic economic growth than Pennsylvania’s community colleges.
He said the three pillars planned by the Technology and Trades Workforce Consortium are:
Career & Technology Academy
An innovative regional partnership formed by community colleges and career and technical center high schools to create new pathways for career and technical center students to earn post-secondary credentials in technology and the skilled construction trades. The goal of a Career & Technology Academy is to serve under-served student populations in career and technical center high schools to build a consistent workforce pipeline of entry level technicians and skilled trade workers.
MicroCredential Academy
The MicroCredential Academy will rapidly develop post-secondary credential programming that makes upskilling career credentials for Pennsylvania workers efficient, cost-effective, and accessible. The goal of the MicroCredential Academy is to serve Pennsylvania workers where they live and work by identifying high demand industry clusters and providing online, mobile, and campus based microcrendential programming that empowers workers to advance to a high wage, high demand career.
Construction & Trade Pre-Apprenticeship Academy
The Construction & Trade Pre-Apprenticeship Academy will forge a strategic partnership the Pennsylvania Building and Construction Trade Unions is to build a pre-apprenticeship pipeline of students who will learn from a foundational curriculum that will prepare them to enter union registered apprenticeship programs and secure employment in the skilled building and construction trade industry.
The goal of the Construction & Trade PreApprenticeship Academy is to promote, educate, and drive interest in students pursuing union apprenticeship programs to meet the growing demand for skilled trade workers in the Pennsylvania economy.
Yudichak said:
• Pennsylvania’s 15 community colleges collectively serve nearly 240,000 students annually through academic programing and workforce development training programs that focus on high demand and high wage jobs.
• Pennsylvania community colleges fuel regional economic growth and serve as the central workforce development pipeline in the Commonwealth with 90% of community college graduates going on to live and work in Pennsylvania after graduation.
• Pennsylvania’s community colleges partner with over 2,000 industries in the Commonwealth to align their academic and workforce development programing with a rapidly changing economy driven by technological innovation.
The Technology and Trades Workforce Consortium will strategically coordinate resources, avoid duplicative investments in equipment, and foster innovative college and industry collaborations that will streamline a fragmented workforce development system to deliver the highest quality workforce in Pennsylvania history, Yudichak said.
The Consortium will work with the State Board of Higher Education, federal and state agencies, Career and Technical Centers, high schools, Pennsylvania Construction & Trade Unions, and employers to ensure that curricula remain current and aligned with workforce needs to establish clear educational and career pathways for students, Yudichak said.
As the former state senator and chairman of the Pennsylvania State Senate Community, Economic and Recreational Development Committee, Yudichak said he worked on the passage of Act 25 of 2021 that established data center tax exemption to serve as a economic incentive to attract data center development to Pennsylvania.
He said as president of LCCC, he is honored to be working with the Pennsylvania State Board of Higher Education, the Shapiro Administration’s Department of Community & Economic Development, and the Pennsylvania Commission on Community Colleges to establish a historic workforce development partnership through the new Technology & Trades Workforce Consortium.
“This will be the central workforce development pipeline to supply thousands of new technology and skilled trade workers to meet the demand of Pennsylvania’s 21st century economy,” Yudichak said.
Reach Bill O’Boyle at 570-991-6118 or on Twitter @TLBillOBoyle.
College Sports
Former Norwin standout fills scoresheet as college hockey freshman
By: Bill Beckner Jr. Saturday, June 14, 2025 | 11:46 PM Submitted | South Florida hockey Norwin grad Mario Cavallaro had 39 points in 27 games as a freshman at South Florida. Mario Cavallaro was a sophomore in 2022 when he played a key role in Norwin’s PIHL Penguin Cup championship run. He scored the […]

By:
Saturday, June 14, 2025 | 11:46 PM
Mario Cavallaro was a sophomore in 2022 when he played a key role in Norwin’s PIHL Penguin Cup championship run.
He scored the game-winning goal in the finals on an assist from his brother, Anthony.
But Super Mario was far from finished.
Cavallaro went on to play for the South Hills Amateur Hockey Association 16U team, playing with a broken arm, mind you, that was protected by a hard cast.
He then joined the Ohio Blue Jackets 18U program before zeroing in on a college career.
Now a starter on the hockey team at South Florida, Cavallaro found a spot on the AAU D2 team as the youngest player on the roster (18).
As if that accomplishment wasn’t impressive enough, the freshman was the second-leading scorer on the team and finished top 10 in the league in assists and points.
Cavallaro had 15 goals and 24 assists in 27 games.
“I know it sounds conceited but yes, I did expect to have the season I did,” he said. “I’ve always went into hockey with a confident mindset as it allows me to do things that I would otherwise not think I could. My confidence allowed me to step up in big moments and be a contributing factor to the team.”
Playing through his injury in 16Us is now like a blur to Cavallaro, but it kept him on the ice.
“It wasn’t easy to play with a broken arm. I played just three weeks after breaking it,” he said.
“It was all mental for me; I just wanted to play so bad that I powered through it. At times, I couldn’t even pass the puck at full strength. In the end, maybe not the smartest decision, but I wouldn’t take it back if I could.”
South Florida went from five wins last year to 20 this season and came in second in its division before making a run to the league finals and national playoffs.
The jump to college hockey was all about perspective to Cavallaro.
“Again, just a mindset thing,” he said. “When you trust yourself, acclimating to new environments is easy. I just wanted to contribute, so that’s what I focused on.
“It was amazing to be a part of it all,” he said. “In the beginning of the season, we weren’t even predicted to make the playoffs. In the end, we went to nationals because of how close our group of guys were.”
Cavallaro made the South all-star team among Division I, II and III players, and had a goal in the showcase game.
While he shined in his first college season, Cavallaro could be done playing as he turns greater attention to law school.
He is contemplating hanging up his skates.
“I’m not sure yet,” he said. “I love hockey, but I’ve accomplished everything I set out to do except the two trophies. With my arm never healing fully, it’s a tough decision. So, for now, it’s just a maybe.”
Stay tuned.
Bill Beckner Jr. is a TribLive reporter covering local sports in Westmoreland County. He can be reached at bbeckner@triblive.com.
Tags: Norwin
College Sports
Olivia Dunne supports LSU baseball at College World Series | LSU
Dunne pulled up in a creative custom jersey with LSU on the front and a Pittsburgh Pirates Paul Skenes’ No. 30 jersey on the back. Olivia DunneIG Stories pic.twitter.com/HoHNzx2ADJ — JumpTrailers (@JumpTrailers) June 15, 2025 Dunne also posted a photo on her Instagram story that showed she bought some Jell-O shots to help LSU fans […]

Dunne pulled up in a creative custom jersey with LSU on the front and a Pittsburgh Pirates Paul Skenes’ No. 30 jersey on the back.
Olivia Dunne
IG Stories pic.twitter.com/HoHNzx2ADJ— JumpTrailers (@JumpTrailers) June 15, 2025
Dunne also posted a photo on her Instagram story that showed she bought some Jell-O shots to help LSU fans keep the lead in the Jell-O shots challenge at Rocco’s. As of the last social media update, LSU fans have bought 8,808 Jell-O shots, almost twice as much as the second-place fanbase of Murray State at 4,208 shots.
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