Sports
APU's Esports program marks a nationwide first with COSMA accreditation
CHARLES TOWN — American Public University’s Esports program has been awarded the prestigious Commission on Sport Management Accreditation (COSMA), becoming the first Esports program in the nation to earn the special recognition.American Public University, headquartered in the heart of Charles Town, launched their Online Bachelor of Science in Esports program in 2022 and it has […]


CHARLES TOWN — American Public University’s Esports program has been awarded the prestigious Commission on Sport Management Accreditation (COSMA), becoming the first Esports program in the nation to earn the special recognition.American Public University, headquartered in the heart of Charles Town, launched their Online Bachelor of Science in Esports program in 2022 and it has been a hit ever since.As the Esports industry continues to expand, American Public University’s program stands at the forefront, equipping graduates with the skills and knowledge needed to excel in the rapidly growing field.The COSMA accreditation not only validates the strength of American Public University’s Esports program, but also reinforces the school’s commitment to providing students with a high-quality, career-focused education.
COSMA reviews sports management programs and evaluates how well the program prepares their students for a career in the sports management industry. The accreditation is valid until 2030.The Esports program is just one of many programs within the American Public University System that rigorously prepares their students for successful careers in their respective industry.Students can choose between two concentrations within the program: Esports Business Administration or Esports Coaching and Athlete Development. However, all students in the program are given an in-depth education on topics including contemporary issues in Esports, the business of Esports, Esports event/facility management, policy regulations, the Esports ecosystem and Esports player development as well as Esports media/production.According to the Georgetown University Center on Education and the Workforce, the American Public University System, which includes American Military University, is in the top 11% nationally for students’ return on educational investment.
Sports
Fayetteville State Athletics Racks Up At CIAA 2024-25 End of Year Awards
Story Links RICHMOND, VA – The 2024-25 athletic season was truly memorable for Fayetteville State University (FSU). At the Central Intercollegiate Athletic Association (CIAA) annual Spring General Assembly meeting and end-of-year awards reception in Richmond, VA, Fayetteville State University was honored with six awards. The conference office announced its highest administrative and team awards […]

RICHMOND, VA – The 2024-25 athletic season was truly memorable for Fayetteville State University (FSU). At the Central Intercollegiate Athletic Association (CIAA) annual Spring General Assembly meeting and end-of-year awards reception in Richmond, VA, Fayetteville State University was honored with six awards. The conference office announced its highest administrative and team awards during the reception on Wednesday afternoon.
Athletics Director of the Year: Anthony Todd Bennett
Under the leadership of Anthony Todd Bennett, FSU excelled in the CIAA, securing numerous conference championship victories. These included titles in women’s cross country, indoor track & field, women’s basketball, and bowling. Additionally, FSU’s teams in men’s golf and cross country, women’s outdoor track & field, and volleyball achieved runner-up positions in their respective CIAA tournaments. The men’s basketball program also made school history with a first-round win in the Atlantic Region NCAA Playoffs.
Academically, FSU’s bowling team boasted a GPA of 3.623, while the softball team achieved an impressive GPA of 3.655, earning them Team GPA awards.
Anthony Bennett has been the Director of Athletics at Fayetteville State University since 2015. Over the past decade, ten of the Broncos’ eleven programs have captured a total of 28 titles. Bennett attributes this success to a collective effort, stating, “It’s not just an AD award, but a team effort.”
Female Scholar Athlete of the Year: Nia Gibson
Nia Gibson has made remarkable contributions to both the cross country and track & field teams at Fayetteville State University. As team captain for both sports, her leadership and dedication have been truly inspiring. Nia has earned individual accolades such as the FSU Academic Excellence Highest GPA Award for Women’s Cross Country for the past three years and FSU’s MVP for Women’s Cross Country in 2025.
Nia’s recent accomplishments in cross country and track & field further highlight her exceptional talent and determination. At the CIAA Outdoor Track and Field Championship in May 2025, she secured impressive placements, including 2nd in the 3000 meters and 4th in the 1500 meters. Her performance at the Aggie Invitational and other events throughout the year consistently demonstrated her competitive spirit and skill, earning top positions and contributing to her team’s success. Specifically, she ranked 1st in the 4×800 meters at the Alan Connie Shamrock Invitational, CIAA Indoor Track and Field Championship, Camel City Distance, Mondo College Invitational, JDL Early Bird Invitational, and Visit Winston-Salem College Kick-off. She also ranked 2nd in the 3000 meters at the CIAA Outdoor Track and Field Championship, 4th in the 1500 meters at the same event, and 4th in the 800 meters at the Marlin Invitational.
CIAA John Holley Sports Information Director(SID) of the Year: Adrian Ferguson
Adrian Ferguson‘s leadership and forward-thinking approach have transformed Fayetteville State Athletics Communications and Media into one of the premier Athletics Departments in the CIAA. His extensive knowledge and respected leadership are sought after by peers both within and outside the CIAA conference. Adrian played a pivotal role in the purchase and installation of a new media board at Capel Arena, enhancing the visual experience for fans and athletes alike. His dedication to producing quality content for media boards, social media, and sports networks has significantly elevated the department’s profile. With 30 years of experience in Sports Information, his expertise and dedication are unparalleled. His contributions have not only enhanced Fayetteville State University’s Athletics Communications but have also set a standard of excellence within the CIAA and beyond.
John Holley was a veteran publications, public relations, and sports information practitioner with more than 25 years of experience in the field. A native of Baltimore, Md., Holley directed the public information, publications and sports information programs at Albany (Ga.) State College for 14 years. In addition, he held public relations posts at Morgan State University, Mansfield (Pa.) University, and Lincoln (Mo.) University. Holley also served as sports information director at Norfolk State University and Morehead (Ky.) State University. A North Carolina Central University graduate, Holley was a member of the Public Relations Society of America, Communications Media of Mid-America, and the College Sports Information Directors of America.
Eric Moore Post-Graduate Scholarship Recipient: Ashlynn Hill
Ashlynn Hill, a recent graduate of Fayetteville State University with a Bachelor of Science in Sport and Fitness Management, has been awarded this year’s Eric Moore Post-Graduate Scholarship. She was one of only nine individuals selected from over 130 applicants for UNC Chapel Hill’s prestigious and well-respected Sport Administration Graduate Program.
This esteemed scholarship provides $10,000 to a college graduate pursuing a post-degree in communications, marketing, or media, and entering their first year of graduate studies. Applicants must seek admission or have been accepted into a sports administration program that will help them achieve a career in intercollegiate athletics.
Eric Moore was inducted into the CIAA Hall of Fame in 2019. Moore, known affectionately as “The Guru,” was a media pioneer and a preeminent figure in the world of CIAA Sports Information and Communications, credited with developing the league’s online presence and setting the conference’s standards for in-game statistics. Moore served as a resource, guide, and mentor to many sports information directors within the CIAA and across the NCAA. He was also the Executive Director of the Black College Sports Information Directors’ Association, a role he had held since 2001.
Loretta Taylor Women’s All-Sports Award: Fayetteville State University
This marks the fourth consecutive year that Fayetteville State University (FSU) has won this prestigious award, which is determined by a championship point system. During the 2024-25 athletic year, FSU’s women’s teams excelled, capturing four conference titles. They dominated in cross country, securing their seventh consecutive championship, basketball with their second consecutive win, bowling with their third consecutive victory, and indoor track and field with their fifth consecutive title. Additionally, the volleyball team finished as runner-up in the championship, and the women’s outdoor track and field team narrowly missed first place, finishing second by just 0.5 points.
Loretta J. Taylor is a former Fayetteville State women’s head basketball coach (1944-1977) and Bronco Hall of Famer. She was with the Broncos during an important time for gender equality in collegiate sports in America. Taylor served the institution for over 32 years, mainly as an instructor and coach. She was named the CIAA Coach of the Year in 1974-75 when the Broncos finished 18-2. Her Broncos finished as CIAA Runners-up twice.
Most Positive Game Day Environment: Fayetteville State University
Selected by members of the CIAA Student-Athlete Advisory Committee (SAAC), this award is presented to the school that demonstrates exemplary sportsmanship by its student-athletes and coaches during both home and away contests. Additionally, the vibrant atmosphere and excitement at volleyball, basketball, and football games, enhanced by videos and light/smoke shows during Bronco team introductions, have created an electrifying environment that energizes both players and fans.
Before announcing the end-of-year awards, the CIAA honored all Coach of the Year recipients from each respective season. Fayetteville State University (FSU) had two coaches recognized: Inez Turner, who was named Coach of the Year for women’s cross country and indoor track & field, and Luke D’Alessio, who received the award for men’s basketball.
Sports
North Florida Athletics Boasts Impressive GPA For Spring 2025
Story Links JACKSONVILLE, Fla. – North Florida Athletics turned in another stellar semester in the classroom in which it earned a 3.49 department-wide spring grade point average (GPA). It marked the 28th-straight semester that North Florida Athletics has recorded better than a 3.0 department grade point average. “The continued academic success of our student-athletes […]

JACKSONVILLE, Fla. – North Florida Athletics turned in another stellar semester in the classroom in which it earned a 3.49 department-wide spring grade point average (GPA). It marked the 28th-straight semester that North Florida Athletics has recorded better than a 3.0 department grade point average.
“The continued academic success of our student-athletes is truly remarkable. We’re so fortunate to have a supportive community of coaches and administrators who value academic excellence,” Assistant A.D. of the Student-Athlete Center for Excellence Tara Sunquist said. “I want to give a special thanks to the SACE team – Carrie Driscoll, Jessica Spangler and Lauren Oakes. Their unwavering commitment and exceptional care continue to make a meaningful difference in the lives of our student-athletes.”
North Florida concludes the 2024-25 school year with a 3.51 department grade point average. All of the athletic programs achieved at least a 3.11 average. Women’s tennis led all programs with a 3.85 average, while men’s tennis earned the top mark on the men’s side with a 3.64 average.
A new record-high semester average was eclipsed for men’s basketball with a 3.59 GPA, while women’s tennis was one of the most improved marks with their average seeing a 0.47 improvement from the fall to the spring. 52 student-athletes achieved a perfect 4.0 grade point average and 186 posted above a 3.5.
Spring 2025 Department GPA: 3.49
2024-2025 Department GPA: 3.51
Highest Female Team GPA: Women’s Tennis
Highest Male Team GPA: Men’s Tennis
Most Improved Team GPA: Women’s Tennis
By the Numbers – GPA
Softball | 3.54
Swimming | 3.58
Women’s Basketball | 3.60
Women’s Cross Country | 3.54
Women’s Track and Field | 3.57
Women’s Golf | 3.71
Beach Volleyball | 3.66
Volleyball | 3.62
Women’s Soccer | 3.48
Women’s Tennis | 3.85
Men’s Basketball | 3.59
Baseball | 3.36
Men’s Cross Country | 3.11
Men’s Track and Field | 3.13
Men’s Golf | 3.52
Men’s Soccer | 3.41
Men’s Tennis | 3.64
Sports
University of North Texas
DENTON, Texas — The UNT track and field teams will open the postseason with the American Athletic Conference Outdoor Track & Field Championships beginning Thursday, May 15 in Charlotte, N.C. The three-day meet will get underway Thursday morning with the first event of the heptathlon starting at 9:30 a.m. CT. Field events will begin […]

The three-day meet will get underway Thursday morning with the first event of the heptathlon starting at 9:30 a.m. CT. Field events will begin with the women’s hammer throw at 10:30 a.m., while the women’s 1,500-meter run will be the first track event contested at 5:30 p.m. on Thursday evening. The competition will resume Friday morning with the decathlon at 9 a.m. and conclude Saturday night with the 4×400-meter relays being the final event of the meet.
The Mean Green will be looking to improve upon their finishes at the AAC Indoor Track & Field Championships where the men placed fourth and the women took seventh in the team standings. Heading into the meet, North Texas has four athletes ranked in the top three in their respective events among AAC athletes and several more in contention for spots on the podium.
All three days of the AAC Championships will be streamed on ESPN+. Live results can be found at Flashresults.com.
QUOTE FROM COACH MARSHALL
“We’re very excited to get out to Charlotte and compete at the conference meet. I think our athletes are motivated to perform well and represent North Texas the way we want to.”
LAST TIME OUT
The Mean Green ended the regular season at the Texas A&M Alumni Muster on May 3. Victor Neiva was the lone winner for North Texas, winning the 3,000-meter steeplechase in 8:54.15, which was a meet record and the second-fastest time in school history. Hendrick Hundl took fourth in the 110-meter hurdles, but shattered the school record in the process with a time of 13.82 that overtook the previous record of 13.98 from 1973. London Culbreath and Icey Green both posted top-10 finishes in two events to lead the women’s team.
MEAN GREEN IN THE RANKINGS
– The UNT men’s track and field team landed at No. 19 in the NCAA South Central Regional rankings this week. The women’s team climbed one spot to No. 24 in the rankings.
– Led by Icey Green, the women’s triple jump position group was ranked No. 15 in the country by USTFCCCA. The women’s long jumpers also garnered national respect, rising to No. 33 in the nation this week. The hammer throw is the highest ranked event group on the men’s side coming in at No. 44 this week.
– Jake Parchman currently holds the No. 23 ranking in the country in the men’s hammer throw with his mark of 67.16 meters from the Raleigh Relays.
AAC ACCOLADES
– Parchman was named the AAC Men’s Field Athlete of the Week on April 8, following his individual win in the hammer throw at the Bill Schmidt Invite.
– It is the first career conference weekly honor for Parchman and the second a UNT athlete has received in the 2024-25 year.
Sports
ACC Outdoor Track & Field Championships Begin Thursday in Winston-Salem
Story Links WINSTON-SALEM, N.C. (theACC.com) – After an eight-week regular season, all 18 Atlantic Coast Conference Outdoor Track and Field programs will descend upon Kentner Stadium in Winston-Salem, North Carolina, for the 2025 ACC Outdoor Track & Field Championships. Events will begin on Thursday, May 15, and run through Saturday, May 17. […]

WINSTON-SALEM, N.C. (theACC.com) – After an eight-week regular season, all 18 Atlantic Coast Conference Outdoor Track and Field programs will descend upon Kentner Stadium in Winston-Salem, North Carolina, for the 2025 ACC Outdoor Track & Field Championships. Events will begin on Thursday, May 15, and run through Saturday, May 17. All three days of action will be streamed on ACC Network Extra.
Four ACC track and field programs are ranked heading into the conference championships. The Clemson women lead all ACC programs as the No. 14 team in the country. The Tigers are followed by No. 17 Louisville and No. 22 NC State. On the men’s side, Virginia Tech enters the conference championships at No. 22.
For the first time in program history, the Virginia Cavaliers won an outright ACC Men’s Outdoor Track & Field Championship in 2024. The Cavaliers recorded 107 points to beat out in-state rival Virginia Tech by just 4.67 points. North Carolina finished third with 102 points, while Florida State took fourth with 95 points and Miami took fifth with 83 points.
On the women’s side, Duke repeated as ACC Champions by winning the ACC Women’s Outdoor Track and Field Championship in 2024. Duke’s final score of 133 topped the field ahead of runner-up Clemson (118.5), Notre Dame (74), Virginia (74) and fifth-place Florida State (68).
Start Lists/Live Results
ACCNX Streams | Thursday Field | Thursday Running | Friday Field | Friday Running | Saturday
Printable Schedule of Events
ACC Outdoor Track & Field Championships Page
Thursday, May 15
Combined Events
Noon – Decathlon (100m, LJ, SP, HJ, 400m)
1 p.m. – Heptathlon (100mH, HJ, SP, 200m)
Field Events
11 a.m. – Men’s Javelin
2 p.m. – Men’s Hammer
5 p.m. – Women’s Hammer
5 p.m. – Women’s Pole Vault
Running Events
7 p.m. – Women’s 400mH (Prelims)
7:20 p.m. – Men’s 400mH (Prelims)
7:40 p.m. – Women’s 200m (Prelims)
8 p.m. – Men’s 200m (Prelims)
8:20 p.m. – Women’s 1500m (Prelims)
8:45 p.m. – Men’s 1500m (Prelims)
9:10 p.m. – Women’s 10,000m (Final)
9:50 p.m. – Men’s 10,000m (Final)
Friday, May 16
Combined Events
11 a.m. – Decathlon (100mH, Discus, PV, Javelin, 1500m)
12:30 p.m. – Heptathlon (LJ, Javelin, 800m)
Field Events
3 p.m. – Women’s Long Jump
4 p.m. – Men’s Shot Put
5:30 p.m. – Men’s Pole Vault
6 p.m. – Men’s Long Jump
7 p.m. – Women’s Shot Put
Running Events
6 p.m. – Women’s 100mH (Prelims)
6:25 p.m. – Men’s 100mH (Prelims)
6:40 p.m. – Women’s 400m (Prelims)
6:55 p.m. – Men’s 400m (Prelims)
7:15 p.m. – Women’s 100m (Prelims)
7:30 p.m. – Men’s 100m (Prelims)
7:45 p.m. – Women’s 800m (Prelims)
8 p.m. – Men’s 800m (Prelims)
8:25 p.m. – Women’s 3000m Steeplechase (Final)
8:45 p.m. – Men’s 3000m Steeplechase (Final)
Saturday, May 17
Field Events
11 a.m. – Women’s Javelin
2 p.m. – Men’s Discus
2 p.m. – Women’s High Jump
2:30 p.m. – Women’s Triple Jump
5 p.m. – Men’s High Jump
5 p.m. – Women’s Discus
5:30 p.m. – Men’s Triple Jump
Running Events
5:30 p.m. – Women’s 4x100m Relay (Final)
5:40 p.m. – Men’s 4x100m Relay (Final)
5:50 p.m. – Women’s 1500m (Final)
6 p.m. – Men’s 1500m (Final)
6:10 p.m. – Women’s 110mH (Final)
6:20 p.m. – Men’s 100mH (Final)
6:30 p.m. – Women’s 400m (Final)
6:40 p.m. – Men’s 400m (Final)
6:50 p.m. – Women’s 100m (Final)
7 p.m. – Men’s 100m (Final)
7:10 p.m. – Women’s 800m (Final)
7:20 p.m. – Men’s 800m (Final)
7:30 p.m. – Women’s 400mH (Final)
7:40 p.m. – Men’s 400mH (Final)
7:50 p.m. – Women’s 200m (Final)
8 p.m. – Men’s 200m (Final)
8:10 p.m. – Women’s 5000m (Final)
8:30 p.m. – Men’s 5000m (Final)
8:45 p.m. – Women’s 4x400m Relay (Final)
8:55 p.m. – Men’s 4x400m Relay (Final)
TBD – Awards Ceremony
Sports
Cardinal Selected CSC Academic All-District – Stanford Cardinal
STANFORD, Calif. – Connie Ma, Valencia Xu and Caroline Driscoll have been named to the 2024-25 College Sports Communicators (CSC) Academic All-District Women’s Tennis Team for Division I. The team recognizes the nation’s top student-athletes for their combined performances athletically and in the classroom. Academic All-District honorees were considered for advancement to the CSC Academic […]
Sports
Eleni Nicoloudes – Central Times
The Central Times Editorial Board has named senior water polo goalie Eleni Nicoloudes the Central Times’ Female Athlete of the Year, recognized for her record-breaking saves, strong leadership, and impact in and out of the pool. Nicoloudes started playing water polo at just nine years old, after her local pool in Chicago formed a team […]

The Central Times Editorial Board has named senior water polo goalie Eleni Nicoloudes the Central Times’ Female Athlete of the Year, recognized for her record-breaking saves, strong leadership, and impact in and out of the pool.
Nicoloudes started playing water polo at just nine years old, after her local pool in Chicago formed a team and recruited swimmers to join.
“They kind of just took all their swim kids and threw them into the water polo program,” Nicoloudes said. “That’s how I was introduced to water polo, and I really liked it off the bat. I just stuck with it even when I moved to Naperville.”
Nicoloudes still remembers scoring her first goal in 2016, a moment that sparked her love for the game.
“I was very nervous to kind of get in the water at first, but once I got in I was excited,” Nicoloudes said. “I just remember getting passed the ball by one of my teammates, I was by myself and I was open, so I just decided to shoot the ball, and it went in. The thrill of experiencing water polo for the first time stemmed from that initial memory.”
Since then, her passion for the sport has only grown.
“I really love the competitive nature of it, I like how fast paced it is,” Nicoloudes said. “We have a shot clock, so it definitely makes the game go quicker. I love how unpredictable it can be too, you never know what you’re going to get when you get in [the pool].”
Nicoloudes credits her hard work and dedication to her father, who played college soccer and basketball.
“No matter what the sport it may be, he’s shown me that hard work, dedication and determination are the things that are going to make you a better player overall,” Nicoloudes said. “And that’s not only with your physical abilities, but a determination aspect comes into play mentally, too. He’s taught me that when you’re feeling down, when you’re having a bad game, it’s having that mental toughness to push through those hard times and still become a better player because of it.”
Outside of the water, Nicoloudes has also seen the noticeable influence the sport has had on her personal life.
“As a goalie, the hardest thing for me is mental toughness,” Nicoloudes said. “When I first started becoming goalie, I was always down on myself if we lost a game, because I would always have thought that it was my fault. I applied that to my life outside of water polo, because there have been challenges wherever you look in life, and it’s taught me that having that resilience to keep pushing through those challenges.”
Haley Green, Central’s head girls water polo coach, has seen Nicoloudes’ leadership grow during her four years in the program.
“As a player and a person, [her] confidence levels [have grown],” Green said. “In terms of her playing, you started to see her take more risks and like decisions on her own. And then in terms of her character, her ability to reach out and help her teammates and make sure everyone feels included and welcome.”
As team captain, Nicoloudes has embraced the responsibility of guiding and supporting her teammates.
“I’m most proud of myself for the leader that I’ve become with the captain title. I have been able to be a true team leader and make sure that like all of my teammates never get too hard and down on themselves. I feel like I’ve done a really good job encouraging my teammates and being a person that they can come to when they need a shoulder to lean on,” Nicoloudes said.
Green believes that Nicoloudes’ talents extend just as much in the water as they do while leading the team.
“She demonstrates exceptional game awareness and decision making under pressure,” Green said. “She has really, really nice, accurate passing, and her shooting is actually useful from the cage. So she has a good ability to read the game, anticipate plays and then make smart, quick decisions.”
Nicouloudes considers being named the Central Times’ Female Athlete of the Year a large accomplishment.
“Central has a huge range of amazing female athletes,” Nicoloudes said. “This is a very nice accomplishment to have received my senior year, my last year at Central. I couldn’t be more grateful for my teammates, my coaches and everyone that has supported me throughout my senior season.”
Nicoloudes is continuing her water polo career at Augustana College at the Division III level and is majoring in neuroscience.
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