Sports
Ashton Henderson Named Senior Deputy Athletic Director & Chief Operating Officer at George Mason University
Fairfax, Va. — George Mason University Assistant Vice President and Director of Athletics has announced the appointment of Ashton Henderson as its new Senior Deputy Athletic Director and Chief Operating Officer. A highly respected national leader in college athletics and professional sports, Henderson brings nearly 15 years of experience spanning collegiate athletics and professional sports with stops at Florida State University, […]

Fairfax, Va. — George Mason University Assistant Vice President and Director of Athletics has announced the appointment of Ashton Henderson as its new Senior Deputy Athletic Director and Chief Operating Officer. A highly respected national leader in college athletics and professional sports, Henderson brings nearly 15 years of experience spanning collegiate athletics and professional sports with stops at Florida State University, Clemson University, and the Detroit Pistons.
“Ashton Henderson is a dynamic and emerging leader in intercollegiate athletics,” said Lewis. “He brings a unique blend of authenticity, strategic insight, and a deep commitment to the holistic development of student-athletes. His ability to foster collaboration across departments, cultivate meaningful relationships throughout the university, and lead in the ever-evolving NIL landscape will be an incredible asset to our program. I have full confidence that Ashton’s leadership will elevate the student-athlete experience and further strengthen the championship culture within Mason Athletics. We’re proud to welcome Ashton and his wife, Chloe, to the George Mason family!”
As a senior member of the Vice President/Director of Athletics’ leadership team, Henderson will oversee the department’s daily operations to ensure effective communication, collaboration, and consistent operational execution in support of over 500 student-athletes, 100 full-time employees, and over 200 part-time staff members.
Henderson will champion new strategic initiatives to enhance the student-athlete experience, drive revenue, and galvanize the community. He will collaborate with campus and community partners to advance the athletics program and serve as the program administrator for men’s basketball and other varsity athletics programs, including sport supervision responsibilities.
“I am fired up and incredibly honored to join the Mason Nation family,” said Henderson. “This is a special institution rooted in excellence, and I am fully committed to serving our student-athletes, coaches, and community with energy, passion, and purpose. I look forward to building meaningful relationships and helping elevate the Patriots to even greater heights.”
A former four-year letter winner in football at Michigan State University (2006–09), Henderson most recently served as Deputy Athletic Director for Championship Resources & Culture at Michigan State University, where he provided executive leadership for nine areas: Athletic Training, Spartans Fuel (Nutrition), Athletic Performance, Student-Athlete Wellness, Sports Science & Data Analytics, EverGreen NIL Education & Strategy, Varsity S Club, Student-Athlete Development, & Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, & Belonging (DEIB) efforts and served as the sport administration for women’s basketball during the 2022-2023 competition season. He also oversaw the university’s award-winning “EverGreen” NIL program, which was named the nation’s Best Institutional Program at the 2023 NIL Summit.
Before returning to Michigan State University in 2022, Henderson served as the first-ever Director of Diversity, Equity, & Inclusion for the Detroit Pistons, transforming the franchise’s DEI framework and earning national recognition as a Sports Inclusion Conference DEI Champion in 2021.
Henderson’s collegiate leadership journey includes impactful roles at Florida State University and Clemson, where he championed academic success, leadership development, and holistic student-athlete programming. He is a Past President of the National Association for Academic & Student-Athlete Development Professionals N4A (2021-2022), the largest affiliate under the National Association of Collegiate Directors of Athletics (NACDA) umbrella with over 2,000 members. Hendersonalso has won several Association (N4A) awards over the years: Professional Excellence (2020); Model Practice Award – Florida State University (LYFE Program, 2019); and the Professional Promise Award (2015).
In addition, he received the Cheryl M. Gilliam Young Alumni Award in 2019, which was presented by the MSU Varsity “S” Club. He is also a proud graduate of the NCAA Dr. Charles Whitcomb Leadership Institute, NCAA Pathway Program, and The FBS Athletics Director (Lead 1) Diversity Fellowship Program, where these programs are designed to prepare athletic administrators to become Athletic Directors and or Conference Commissioners. He is also privileged to serve on the Board of Directors of The McLendon Foundation.
As a student-athlete on the football team, Henderson saw action as both a defensive back and on special teams. In his freshman season (2006), he returned a blocked punt 33 yards for a touchdown vs. Northwestern to help fuel the greatest comeback in NCAA Division I-A history as the Spartans rallied from a 35-point deficit for a 41-38 victory.
A two-time graduate of Michigan State, Henderson holds a B.A. in Advertising, an M.A. in Public Relations, and an M.B.A. from Florida State. In 2024, he was recognized with MSU’s Outstanding Alumni Award from the College of Communication Arts & Sciences, the college’s highest honor for alumni.
Henderson will join George Mason on May 19.
WHAT ARE THEY SAYING ABOUT ASHTON
“In my 40 years of collegiate coaching I’ve never worked with anyone who cares more for the student-athlete than Ashton. He has a tremendous ability to build consensus and unity. He’ll do amazing things at George Mason.”
Bob Braman
Florida State Track and Cross Country
2006 & 2008 NCAA Champions
“Ashton Henderson has consistently demonstrated a work style that is both diligent and innovative, bringing fresh ideas and approaches to every project he tackles. His inclusive nature fosters a collaborative environment where every team member feels valued and heard. Ashton’s ability to connect with people personally and his unwavering commitment to excellence truly sets him apart. His leadership is seen, felt and heard even after he has left our organization. A strong leader with lasting impact.”
Nicolet Lewis
Detroit Pistons, Executive Vice President/Chief People Officer
“The George Mason Athletics family is welcoming an exceptional leader in Ashton Henderson. He builds genuine, lasting relationships and is highly regarded throughout college athletics. His contagious enthusiasm will elevate Patriots athletics, positively impacting the entire Green & Gold community.”
Vanessa Fuchs
WeCOACH CEO
“Ashton is an incredible leader with a bright future ahead of him. While Ashton was at Clemson, I knew that he would continue to soar in his Athletics pursuit, and I am proud of all that he has accomplished over the past decade. George Mason University is fortunate to have Ashton join their team, and I wish him the best in his next chapter and continued leadership journey.”
Dr. James Clements
Clemson University President
“I got to know Ashton as a standout football student-athlete at Michigan State. Those skills he learned have manifested into making a tremendous impact on student athletes’ lives at every place he’s been. George Mason is getting a service-oriented leader who puts students first.”
Martin Jarmound
The Alice and Nahum Lainer Family Director of Athletics, University of California, Los Angeles
Sports
ACC Qualifies 406 for NCAA Outdoor Track & Field Championships First Round
Story Links CHARLOTTE, N.C. (theACC.com) – The NCAA Division I Men’s and Women’s Track and Field and Cross Country Committee has announced the participants for the 2025 NCAA DI men’s and women’s outdoor track and field championships first round competitions. The Atlantic Coast Conference will be represented by 406 student-athletes. The […]

CHARLOTTE, N.C. (theACC.com) – The NCAA Division I Men’s and Women’s Track and Field and Cross Country Committee has announced the participants for the 2025 NCAA DI men’s and women’s outdoor track and field championships first round competitions. The Atlantic Coast Conference will be represented by 406 student-athletes.
The first round competitions are scheduled for Wednesday, May 28 – Saturday, May 31. The University of North Florida, in Jacksonville, Florida, will host the East first round and Texas A&M University, in College Station, Texas, will host the West first round. The qualifiers out of these two regions will compete in the NCAA Division I men’s and women’s outdoor track and field championships held June 11-14 in Eugene, Oregon.
The complete list of participants is available on the following website. All of the action from Jacksonville and College Station will be streamed on ESPN+.
Sports
Gulf Breeze beach volleyball team claims national title for second consecutive year
GULF BREEZE, Fla. — The Gulf Breeze beach volleyball team are national champions once again. This is the second year in a row the Lady Dolphins have taken the title. They beat New Smyrna Beach High School in the 2A FHSAA state championship game. This team didn’t even exist a few years ago, and they’re […]

GULF BREEZE, Fla. — The Gulf Breeze beach volleyball team are national champions once again.
This is the second year in a row the Lady Dolphins have taken the title. They beat New Smyrna Beach High School in the 2A FHSAA state championship game.
This team didn’t even exist a few years ago, and they’re already national champions again. They earned that title by being the No. 1 ranked team in the nation, according to MaxPreps.com.
“I think the first time it was crazy. National champions, that’s kind of unheard of here,” said senior volleyball player Bella Satterwhite. “So just to have it back-to-back, I mean, is amazing and it’s all because of the community, our coaches, the parents — since we are are parent-funded. Everything helps and we couldn’t thank the community enough.”
Eight players are committed to play at D-1 schools, another accomplishment for the team.
Sports
USA Cadet Men Beat Venezuela 29-2 At 2025 PanAm Aquatics Water Polo Championships
Story Links Medellin, Colombia – May 23 – The USA Cadet Men beat Venezuela 29-2 today in the quarterfinals at the 2025 PanAm Aquatics Water Polo Championships. Cord McCall was everywhere with four goals, five assists, and three steals. Hunter Coleman also scored four while goalkeeper Alistair Sterrett notched ten saves […]

Medellin, Colombia – May 23 – The USA Cadet Men beat Venezuela 29-2 today in the quarterfinals at the 2025 PanAm Aquatics Water Polo Championships. Cord McCall was everywhere with four goals, five assists, and three steals. Hunter Coleman also scored four while goalkeeper Alistair Sterrett notched ten saves in the cage. Team USA returns to action for the semifinals tomorrow, May 24 at 7:00pm ET/4:00pm PT with the opponent TBD.
Team USA got on the board first with four first quarter goals. Sungwon Shin, McCall (2), and Curren Francisco all converted penalty shots for the early 4-0 lead after one as the defense did not allow a goal. In the second period, the United States jumped all over Venezuela. Ten goals crossed the line via Andrew Schneider, Coleman, Shin, Christopher Koo (2), Ronan Keane (2), Liam Zarcu, William Gorsche, and Jack Davis while Venezuela managed just one from Gabriel Vasquez to set the score at 14-1 at the break.
The second half was more of the same from the Americans. In the third period, there were goals from Zarcu, Cortez Chavez, Davis, Schneider, McCall, and Coleman (2) while Venezuela went scoreless again. The final frame saw Keane, Coleman, Shin, McCall, Chavez, Koo, Schneider, and Francisco dent the twine for the United States and Daniel Rodriguez put one more home for Venezuela to set the final score at 29-2.
Team USA went 0/4 on power plays and 6/6 on penalties while Venezuela went 0/6 on power plays and 0/0 on penalties.
Scoring – Stats
USA 29 (4, 10, 7, 8) H. Coleman 4, C. McCall 4, R. Keane 3, C. Koo 3, A. Schneider 3, S. Shin 3, J. Davis 2, C. Francisco 2, L. Zarcu 2, C. Chavez 2, W. Gorsche 1
VEN 2 (0, 1, 0, 1) D. Rodriguez 1, G. Vasquez 1
Saves – USA – A. Sterrett 10, E. Wallace 5 – VEN – W. Perez 5
6×5 – USA – 0/4 – VEN – 0/6
Penalties – USA – 6/6 – VEN – 0/0
Sports
Penelope Greene of SUNY Geneseo Wins 10,000-Meter National Championship on Day One of 2025 NCAA Outdoor Track and Field Championships
Men’s Outdoor Track and Field | 5/22/2025 7:56:50 PM Story Links 2025 NCAA Division III Outdoor Track and Field Championships Live Results 2025 NCAA Division III Outdoor Track and Field Live Video SUNY Geneseo senior Penelope Greene rolled […]

Men’s Outdoor Track and Field | 5/22/2025 7:56:50 PM
SUNY Geneseo senior Penelope Greene rolled to the NCAA Championship in the 10,000-meter run, as several Empire 8 student-athletes competed on day one of the 2025 NCAA Division III Outdoor Track & Field Championships on Thursday, May 22 at the SPIRE Institute in Geneva, OH.
In the final event of the night, Greene, who sixth in the 10,000-meter championship race last season, came in as the top-seed and led wire-to-wire, running each of her 25 laps in the race in 83 seconds or faster, repelling an early challenge from runner-up Riley Beuse of Lewis and Clark College, building her lead at about the 5,000-meter mark and extending throughout the final half of the race to eventually win by more than 33 seconds in a time of 33 seconds in a time of 33:46.70 to become the sixth different Empire 8 student-athlete to win a women’s outdoor track and field national title.
Greene’s teammate, Gabriella McCarthy, placed sixth in the event to earn First Team All-American honors with a time of 34:51.59 and Lilly Fowler-Conner was ninth in 35:08.11 to earn Second Team All-American honors.
Rebecca Heuler of SUNY Brockport, the 2024 NCAA Champion in the javelin throw, earned First Team All-American honors this season by placing sixth overall with a toss of 40.78 meters. She was the final student-athlete to qualify for the event.
Isabel Morse of Nazareth (pole vault), Jillian Ambler (long jump) and Brynn Mooney (200-meters) of Geneseo in addition to Lexi Rodriguez of Brockport (400-meter hurdles all earned NCAA Second Team All-Americans in their respective events on Thursday.
On the men’s side, Geneseo graduate student Charlie Wilson crossed the finish line third in the 10,000-meter run in an Empire 8 all-time record time of 29:21.43 but was moved up to second and national runner-up honors due to a disqualification.
Geneseo’s 4 x 400-meter relay team of Arjun Ohja, Sam Belmont, Giancarlo Di Fava, and Jacob Miller qualified for Saturday’s final with an impressive third place finish in the prelims.
Emerson Comer of Geneseo earned NCAA Second Team All-American honors in the 3,000-meter steeplechase after placing 13th in the prelims Thursday. His teammate Pierce Young will compete in the finals of the event on Friday afternoon at 4:40 p.m. Ryan Hagan of Geneseo and Jonathan Zavala of Brockport will compete in the finals of the 1,500-meters after qualifying Thursday.
Below is a complete list of the Empire 8 student-athletes who competed in the NCAA Championships on Thursday and those who are competing over the next two days. Action begins from SPIRE with Alexa Belanger of Houghton competing in the high jump, starting at 11:30 a.m.
WOMEN’S THURSDAY RESULTS
10,000-Meter Run
Penelope Greene, Sr., SUNY Geneseo – first place – 33:46.70
NCAA National Champion; First Team All-American
Gabriella McCarthy, Sr., SUNY Geneseo – sixth place – 34:51.49
First Team All-American
Lily Fowler-Conner, Sr., SUNY Geneseo – ninth place – 35:08.11
Second Team All-American
Javelin Throw (Prelims and Finals, Thursday, May 22, 3:30 p.m.)
Rebecca Heuler, Sr., SUNY Brockport – sixth place 40.78 meters (133′ 9″)
First Team All-American (Second All-American Honor. was NCAA Champion in 2024)
200-Meter Dash
Brynn Mooney, So., SUNY Geneseo – 13th in prelims – :24.57
Second Team All-American
400-Meter Hurdles
Lexi Rodriguez, Jr., SUNY Brockport – 10th in prelims – 1:02.38
Second Team All-American
Long Jump
Jillian Ambler, So., SUNY Geneseo – 12th in prelims – 5.70 meters
Second Team All-American
3,000-Meter Steeplechase (Finals, Friday, May 23, 4:55 p.m.)
Ann Brennan, Jr., SUNY Geneseo – second in prelims – 10:33.41
4 x 400-Meter Relay
Nicole Gretzinger, Jr., Janelle Eckl, Sr., Sierra Doody, Jr., Brynn Mooney, So., SUNY Geneseo – 11th in prelims – 3:49.56
4 x 100-Meter Relay
Sam Pynn, Sr., Brynn Mooney, So., Jillian Ambler, So., Kayla Anastasia, Jr., SUNY Geneseo – 13th in prelims – :47.28
Pole Vault
Isabel Morse, Jr., Nazareth – tied for 12th – 3.75 meters
Second Team All-American
MEN’S THURSDAY RESULTS
10,000-Meter Run (Finals, Thursday, May 22, 8:30 p.m.)
Charlie Wilson, Gr., SUNY Geneseo – second – 29:21.43
National Runner-Up; First Team All-American; All-Time Empire 8 Record
1,500-Meter Run Prelims (Finals, Saturday, May 24, 1:25 p.m.)
Ryan Hagan, So., SUNY Geneseo – seventh in prelims – 3:52.68
Jonathan Zavala, Sr., SUNY Brockport – 10h in prelims – 3:53.38
3,000-Meter Steeplechase Prelims (Finals, Friday, May 23, 4:40 p.m.)
Pierce Young, So., SUNY Geneseo – eighth in prelims – 8:59.64
Emerson Comer, So., SUNY Geneseo – 13th in prelims – 9:01.54
Comer – Second Team All-American
4 x 400-Meter Relay Prelims (Finals, Saturday, May 24, 4:50 p.m.)
Arjun Ohja, Fr, Sam Belmont, So., Giancarlo Di Fava, So., Jacob Miller, Jr., SUNY Geneseo – third in prelims – 3:11.45
400-Meter Hurdles
Ayden Grinion, Jr., SUNY Brockport – 19th in prelims – :54.78
UPCOMING WOMEN’S EVENTS
High Jump (Prelims and Finals, Friday, May 23, 11:30 a.m.)
6. Alexa Belanger, Fr., Houghton – 1.71 meters
100-Meter Hurdles (Prelims, Friday, May 23, 2:30 p.m.; Finals, Saturday, May 24, 2 p.m.)
13. Cierra Franz, Sr., St. John Fisher – :14.13
14. Jillian Ambler, So., SUNY Geneseo – :14.14
400-Meter Dash (Prelims, Friday, May 23, 3:15 p.m.; Finals, Saturday, May 24, 2:20 p.m.)
6. Brynn Mooney, So., SUNY Geneseo – :54.45
800-Meter Run (Prelims, Friday, May 23, 4:15 p.m.; Finals, Saturday, May 24, 3:00 p.m.)
12. Sierra Doody, Jr., SUNY Geneseo – 2:08.09
14. Janelle Eckl, Sr., SUNY Geneseo – 2:08.89
5,000-Meter Run (Finals, Saturday, May 24, 4:25 p.m.)
1. Penelope Greene, Sr., SUNY Geneseo – 16:12.88 !
Hammer Throw (Prelims and Finals, Saturday, May 24, 11 a.m.)
21. Zoe Connor, Sr., SUNY Geneseo – 52.51 meters
UPCOMING MEN’S EVENTS
400-Meter Dash (Prelims, Friday, May 23, 3 p.m.; Finals, Saturday, May 24, 2:10 p.m.)
17. Jacob Miller, Jr., SUNY Geneseo – :47.17
800-Meter Run (Prelims, Friday, May 23, 4 p.m.; Finals, Saturday, May 24, 2:50 p.m.)
14. Matthew Sheehan, Sr., SUNY Geneseo – 1:50.22
5,000-Meter Run (Finals, Saturday, May 24, 4 p.m.)
6. Ryan Hagan, So., SUNY Geneseo – 14:04.11
12. Charlie Wilson, Gr., SUNY Geneseo – 14:08.50
Hammer Throw (Prelims and Finals, Saturday, May 24, 1:45 p.m.)
9. Brandon Kaplan, Jr., St. John Fisher – 60.87 meters
ABOUT THE EMPIRE 8 CONFERENCE
The members of the Empire 8 Conference are committed first and foremost to the pursuit of academic excellence and the league is regarded as an outstanding NCAA Division III conference. The membership has distinguished itself among its peer group for its quality institutions, spirited and sportsmanlike competition, outstanding services and highly ethical policies and practices. Its commitment to serve the educational needs of its student-athletes is the hallmark of the E8. For more on the Empire 8 visit www.empire8.com.
EMPIRE 8 SOCIAL MEDIA
YouTube – Facebook – Twitter – Instagram
Sports
Blue Jays Open Competition at NCAA DIII Outdoor Track & Field Championships
Story Links GENEVA, OH – The Johns Hopkins women’s outdoor track and field team kicked off competition Thursday on Day One of the 2025 NCAA Division III Outdoor Track & Field Championships. Three Blue Jays competed in the 1500-meter prelims, led by Annie Huang, who posted a time of 4:34.70. […]

GENEVA, OH – The Johns Hopkins women’s outdoor track and field team kicked off competition Thursday on Day One of the 2025 NCAA Division III Outdoor Track & Field Championships.
Three Blue Jays competed in the 1500-meter prelims, led by Annie Huang, who posted a time of 4:34.70. Harrinee Senthilkumar followed closely with a 4:38.76 and Emma Kothari rounded out the trio with a 4:46.57. Despite strong efforts, none advanced to Saturday’s final.
In the 3000-meter steeplechase, Cooper Brotherton finished with a time of 11:08.00. The 4×400-meter relay team composed of Senthilkumar, Lianne Saussy, Lorna Arcese and Anna Zinsser clocked in at 3:55.04, but also did not qualify for the final.
Action continues tomorrow as three Blue Jays return to the track for Day Two of the championships. Lauren Phillips will compete in the 400-meter dash at 3:15 p.m., aiming for a spot in Saturday’s final. She’ll be joined by Mirra Klimov in the 100-meter dash prelim at 3:45 p.m., as Huang will return for the 800-meter prelims at 4:15 p.m.
Sports
Mira Costa boys volleyball will face Huntington Beach in CIF Regional final
One week after a thrilling five-set CIF-Southern Section Division 1 final, the Mira Costa and Huntington Beach boys volleyball teams will meet against Saturday. After winning the first two rounds of the CIF Regional, the Mustangs (35-2) and Oilers (36-4) face off in the regional final at 6 p.m. at Mira Costa. The winner advances […]

One week after a thrilling five-set CIF-Southern Section Division 1 final, the Mira Costa and Huntington Beach boys volleyball teams will meet against Saturday.
After winning the first two rounds of the CIF Regional, the Mustangs (35-2) and Oilers (36-4) face off in the regional final at 6 p.m. at Mira Costa. The winner advances to the first CIF State boys volleyball final, May 31 at Fresno City College.
Mira Costa won the fifth set in the CIF-SS final to claim its ninth title. The match scores were: 25-19, 22-25, 25-19, 29-31, 15-11.
As expected with the top two teams, the match had extended rallies, big swings of momentum for both sides.
Grayson Bradford led Mira Costa with 25 kills and Mateo Fuerbringer had 17. Logan Hutnick led Huntington Beach with 22 kills, Benjamin Arguello and Nicholas Ganier finished with 13 and 12, respectively.
“From a maturity standpoint and from a cohesion standpoint, we’ve just stepped it up,” senior outside hitter Thatcher Fahlbusch said after the final. “Start of the season, everyone was kind of mad about not playing and we were rotating and as things settled in, kudos to all of the seniors and juniors, great job of stepping in and leading.
“I think ultimately our team culture got us this (CIF-SS title). Last year, we didn’t have great team culture and then we had to turn it around and I think this is a direct result of the guys loving each other and working for each other.”
This is the third meeting between the two teams and the third with a championship on the line. The teams met back in February in the finals of the Redondo/Mira Costa co-hosted tournament.
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