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American Athletic Conference Launches American RISE Ventures

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American Athletic Conference Launches American RISE Ventures

The American Athletic Conference’s Tim Pernetti announced the launch of American RISE Ventures (Revenue, Innovation, Sports, Entertainment), a new business division created to lead all aspects of the league’s revenue generation, sponsorship strategy, media rights, brand partnerships, technology, emerging business ventures and long-term commercial innovation across the conference.

Veteran sports executive Bryan Calka, who brings nearly 25 years of experience leading revenue and brand strategy for prominent organizations in professional sports, has been named chief commercial officer for the conference.

The AAC is a collegiate athletic conference in the United States, comprising 13 full-member universities and six affiliate member universities that compete in the National Collegiate Athletic Association’s (NCAA) Division I. Its football teams compete in the Football Bowl Subdivision (FBS). Member universities represent a range of private and public research universities of various enrollment sizes located primarily in urban metropolitan areas in the Northeastern, Midwestern, and Southern regions of the United States.

“We are excited to welcome Bryan Calka to our leadership team as we launch American RISE Ventures,” said Pernetti. “His proven track record as a cutting-edge revenue leader and bold, strategic thinker makes him the right fit to help guide the American through one of the most transformative periods in collegiate athletics. Bryan’s deep relationships across the sports and brand landscape will be instrumental as we build creative partnerships and sustainable business platforms that enhance the student-athlete experience on and off the field.”

Alongside Pernetti, Calka will lead American RISE Ventures. The commercial business division of the conference will lead all aspects of the league’s revenue generation, sponsorship strategy, media rights, brand partnerships, technology, emerging business ventures, and long-term commercial innovation, aligning with the evolving landscape of collegiate athletics. American RISE Ventures will play a central role in supporting and enhancing the student-athlete experience across the conference by developing sustainable business models rooted in partnership, performance and purpose.

“I’m excited to join the American at such a pivotal and energizing time in collegiate athletics,” said Calka. “Under Commissioner Pernetti’s leadership, the conference is embracing innovation with grit, unity and service as it positions itself for long-term success. I look forward to developing impactful partnerships and forward-thinking business strategies that help advance the academic and competitive excellence that define the American and support its dedicated student-athletes.”

Before joining the American, Calka served as chief commercial officer at the Professional Fighters League, a professional mixed martial arts league that was the first major MMA organization to compete in regular-season, postseason and championship events. He led significant revenue growth over two and a half years while also increasing the average sponsorship deal size.

Calka previously served as senior vice president of Partnerships for the New York Islanders, where he led the corporate partnership strategy for the team and UBS Arena. Under his leadership, the organization saw consistent revenue growth and elevated brand alignment across its partner portfolio. Before his role with the Islanders, Calka served as senior vice president of Global Partnerships at BSE Global, overseeing partnership initiatives for the Barclays Center, Brooklyn Nets, Long Island Nets, Nets GC, and New York Liberty. He also spent a decade with the New York Yankees as VP of Partnerships, managing the sales and activation teams and helping drive the club’s commercial success.

Earlier in his career, Calka served as director of Corporate Marketing and Sponsorship at Washington Sports and Entertainment, where he generated new business for the Washington Wizards, the Verizon Center and the Patriot Center.

Calka earned a bachelor’s degree in economics from Hobart College.

Image courtesy American Rise Ventures/LinkedIn

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Wisconsin’s Carter Booth has F-bomb after volleyball upset vs. Texas

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Dec. 15, 2025, 8:46 a.m. ET

Perhaps no one is more hyped about the No. 3 Wisconsin Badgers upsetting No. 1 Texas during the 2025 NCAA volleyball tournament than star Carter Booth.

On Sunday, the Badgers unleashed an elite game plan to get a dominant 3-1 win in the Elite Eight over the Longhorns. The victory was the 13th straight win for Wisconsin, which now has a date in the Final Four in Kansas City later this week. After the match, Booth was still amped up during an ESPN interview when she dropped a pretty big F-bomb.

“I refuse to [ expletive] lose,” she said matter-of-factly.

MORE WOMEN’S SPORTS:Caitlin Clark thankfully looks like herself again at Team USA practice





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Can Pitt volleyball use favorable path to finally get over Final Four hump?

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Legendary Lincoln Lutheran volleyball coach Sue Ziegler retiring

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LINCOLN, Neb. (KOLN) – After 28 successful seasons of leading the Lincoln Lutheran volleyball program, Sue Ziegler is retiring. The legendary head volleyball coach announced the decision during a team meeting on Monday.

Ziegler is a 6-time state champion (2004, 2019, 2021, 2022, 2023 and 2024) and member of the Nebraska High School Hall of Fame. In 2021, she was recognized as the AVCA National High School Coach of the Year. Ziegler totaled 624 wins over her career, which ranks among the state’s all-time leaders.

Ziegler’s teams reached the NSAA State Tournament 15 times, including each of the last nine years. Prior to the 2024 season, Lincoln Lutheran dedicated its court to the longtime volleyball coach.

Lincoln Lutheran said the search for a new head coach will begin immediately.

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Loyola Chicago Leads MIVA in Preseason Poll

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CHICAGO – The Midwestern Intercollegiate Volleyball Association (MIVA) named Loyola Chicago as the No. 1 favorite in the league’s preseason poll, announced on Monday. Ryan McElligott, Daniel Fabikovic and Aleksandar Sosa tabbed spots on the Preseason All-MIVA Team.  

The MIVA Preseason Poll and All-MIVA Team are voted on by the nine MIVA head coaches. 

After finishing the 2025 season as the MIVA regular season and tournament champions, the Ramblers claim the top spot with 75 points and five first place votes. MIVA Tournament runner-up Ohio State ranks second and Ball State rounds out the top three.   

Senior setter McElligott led both the NCAA and the MIVA in assists in 2025, totaling 1,1016, earning him All-MIVA First Team and All-Tournament Team, and an AVCA All-American Honorable Mention. He added 75 kills, 69 total blocks and 32 service aces.  

Fabikovic was a menace on the court last season, starting all 29 matches and seeing action in 105 sets where he contributed 343 kills, the most amongst returning Ramblers. The junior outside hitter tallied 403.5 points during his sophomore campaign which earned him All-MIVA First Team and All-Tournament Team as well as a back-to-back AVCA Second Team All-American nod.  

Sosa, a junior transfer from Quincy, was named to the 2025 All-MIVA Second Team after leading the Hawks in points, kills and aces. The opposite finished fifth in the MIVA in kills per set and fourth in points per set and posted double-digit kills in 18 matches, including 15 straight to cap the season.  

2026 MIVA Preseason Poll 

1. Loyola Chicago – 73 (5) 

2. Ohio State – 68 (2) 

3. Ball State – 63 (1) 

4. Lewis – 57 (1) 

5. McKendree – 52 

6. Lindenwood – 33 

7. Purdue Fort Wayne – 24 

8. Northern Kentucky – 19 

9. Queens – 16 

2026 Preseason All-MIVA Team (alphabetical by team) 

Lucas Machado – Ball State 

*Patrick Rogers – Ball State 

Oguzhan Oguz – Lewis 

Nico Paula – Lewis 

Ryan McElligott – Loyola Chicago 

Daniel Fabikovic – Loyola Chicago 

Aleksander Sosa – Loyola Chicago 


Yadiel Diaz – McKendree 

Nate Flayter – McKendree 

Stanislaw Chacinski – Ohio State 

Shane Wetzel – Ohio State 

Logan Muir – Purdue Fort Wayne 

*Preseason Player of the Year 



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Assistant Athletic Trainer in Salem, WV for Salem University

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Details

Posted: 15-Dec-25

Location: Salem, West Virginia

Type: Full-time

Categories:

Sports Medicine

Sports Medicine – Athletic Training

Sector:

Collegiate Sports

The Assistant Athletic Trainer is responsible for assisting the Head Athletic Trainer in maintaining and representing a NCAA Division II athletic program that supports student recruitment and enhances the educational experience and personal growth of the student-athletes. Will cooperate with the Head Athletic Trainer to manage assigned teams and all aspects based on strict adherence to the University’s Department of Intercollegiate Athletics Policies and Procedures. Equally responsible for conducting all activities in accordance with all state and federal regulations, accreditation standards and the University’s policies and procedures, all conference and NCAA regulations consistent with the highest ethical standards.


Position Requirements: The role includes providing coverage for assigned teams during practices and games, as well as overseeing regular treatment and rehabilitation sessions. It also involves assisting other personnel and departments with data collection and problem solving, and participating in departmental activities such as staff meetings, training sessions, orientations, and campus or community events, while being available for representational and public relations duties. Additional responsibilities include supporting the planning and administration of practices and contests to promote successful seasons, assisting with team travel, and facilitating player interactions with Athletic Training, Sports Information, and Compliance staff. The position also requires counseling student-athletes on academic success and responsible citizenship, upholding the highest ethical standards, and adhering to all relevant state and federal regulations, accreditation requirements, and University, conference, and NCAA policies. Other duties may be assigned as needed.

  • Bachelor’s degree in athletic training or related field
  • BOC Certified/WV Licensed or eligible to apply
  • Valid Driver’s license/qualified to operate a passenger vehicle up to 12 or 15 passenger van consistent with university insurance regulations.
  • Excellent oral and written communication and computer skills required
  • Outstanding time-management skills with ability to multi-task in a fast-paced environment
  • Excellent communications and interpersonal skills. Able to work effectively with people from global, diverse cultures and different socio-economic and cultural backgrounds
  • Commitment to the balance of academic and athletic achievement and integration in a small university setting is essential.
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About Salem University

The Mission of Salem University is to prepare global citizens with broad knowledge, marketable professional skills, and the ability to make decisions with integrity.


Connections working at Salem University

https://ncaamarket.ncaa.org/jobs/21896714/assistant-athletic-trainer



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Texas volleyball loses middle blocker Ayden Ames

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Less than 24 hours after Texas volleyball’s season ended with a loss to Wisconsin in the NCAA Tournament regional finals, middle blocker Ayden Ames reportedly intends to enter the transfer portal.

Ames becomes the first Longhorn to announce her intention to enter the portal, and she’ll be just the second regular member of the rotation not returning next season. Libero Emma Halter, the lone senior starter for a Texas team that went 26-4 this season, will next play for the Indy Ignite of Major League Volleyball.

Ames’ exit was first reported by On3.

A 6-foot-4 blue-chip recruit from the Dallas suburb of Prosper who once competed for the under-19 U.S. national team, Ames became a regular part of the lineup over the past two seasons after flipping from Nebraska to join Texas late in the 2024 recruiting cycle.

She enrolled in the spring of 2024 and immediately established herself as a key component of the Longhorns’ lineup. Texas coach Jerritt Elliott even called her “the most complete middle I’ve ever had as a freshman,” a powerful statement from a coach who has worked with All-Americans such as Asjia O’Neal, Molly McCage and Chiaka Ogbogu.

As a freshman, Ames started all 27 games and 96 sets for the season and finished second on the team with 88 blocks and was fifth on team with 150 kills and 1.56 kills per set average. She played in 29 of Texas’ 30 matches this season, but her numbers dipped slightly to 149 kills and 1.52 kills per set with a team-high 109 blocks.

In Sunday’s loss to Wisconsin, Elliott replaced Ames with freshman middle blocker Taylor Harvey after Texas dropped the first two sets. Ames didn’t have a kill or a block against the Badgers.

Pending any more portal exits for Texas, Harvey and redshirt sophomore Nya Bunton will enter the offseason as the only middle blockers on the Longhorns’ roster. Both saw extensive action this season, with Bunton ranking second on the team with 61 blocks.

Texas didn’t sign any middle blockers in its touted 2026 recruiting class, which means the position will likely be a top portal target for Elliott and his staff.



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