Hempstead, NY – Hofstra University and Optimum, the leading provider of fiber internet, mobile, TV, and phone services, are proud to announce a new, multi-faceted partnership in support of Hofstra Athletics.

This new collaboration will position Optimum as a corporate partner of Hofstra Athletics, aligning one of the country’s largest broadband communications providers with one of the region’s most dynamic collegiate athletic programs.

As part of the agreement, Optimum will receive prominent brand exposure across Hofstra’s athletic venues, digital platforms, and game day broadcasts. In addition, the partnership will feature exclusive in-venue activations, collaborative community initiatives, and co-branded content opportunities designed to engage Hofstra fans and enhance the overall game day experience.

“We are excited to welcome Optimum to the Hofstra Pride family,” said Vice President and Director of Athletics Rick Cole Jr. “Optimum’s commitment to connectivity and community aligns closely with our mission to support our student-athletes and engage with our fans in meaningful ways. We look forward to building a strong partnership that benefits both our organizations.”

“As a leading provider of essential connectivity services on Long Island, Optimum is proud to partner with Hofstra University and support the university’s athletic programs,” said Jay Guy, Vice President, General Manager of Optimum New York. “At Optimum, our mission is to enhance the lives of our customers through reliable and innovative connectivity solutions. This collaboration will enable Optimum to connect with Hofstra’s vibrant fan base and contribute positively to the community through impactful programs and activities that resonate with Hofstra’s dedication to excellence.”

For more information on Hofstra Athletics, visit GoHofstra.com. To learn more about Optimum, visit optimum.com. 

About Optimum

Optimum is a brand of Altice USA, one of the largest broadband communications and video services providers in the United States, delivering broadband, video, mobile, proprietary content and advertising services to approximately 4.5 million residential and business customers across 21 states. The company operates Optimum Media, an advanced advertising and data business, which provides audience-based, multiscreen advertising solutions to local, regional and national businesses and advertising clients. Altice USA also offers hyper-local news through its News 12 Networks.

About Hofstra Athletics

The Hofstra Department of Athletics sponsors 21 NCAA Division I athletic teams that compete in the Coastal Athletic Association (CAA) and the Eastern Intercollegiate Wrestling Association (EIWA). Hofstra’s men’s teams include baseball, basketball, cross country and track, golf, lacrosse, soccer, tennis, and wrestling. The Pride’s women’s teams include basketball, cross country and track, field hockey, golf, lacrosse, soccer, softball, tennis, and volleyball.

TOPEKA, Kan. (Release) – The KSHSAA State Basketball Tournament format and sites have been selected for the next two seasons. In 2026, the 1A Division I semifinals and finals will be played at United Wireless Arena in Dodge City. The 2A and 1A Division II semifinals and finals will be played at White Auditorium in Emporia while 3A and 4A semifinals and finals will be played at The Hutchinson Sports Arena at Hutchinson Community College. In the largest school classifications, 5A and 6A semifinals and finals will be played at Koch Arena at Wichita State University. This will mark the first time since 1953 when state championship games of multiple classes were played at the same place. 

In 2027, both Divisions of 1A semifinals and finals will be played at Tony’s Pizza Events Center in Salina. Class 2A and Class 4A semifinals and finals will be played at Bramlage Coliseum in Manhattan. The 3A semifinals and finals will be played at The Sports Arena at Hutchinson Community College. The 5A and 6A semifinals will be played at White Auditorium in Emporia.   

Listen to the companion podcast to this release – KSHSAA Covered – State Basketball Format Change 

“The KSHSAA is an association of member schools, and the school leaders have asked for class consolidation of championships.” said KSHSAA Executive Director Bill Faflick. “This new format will achieve that result and provide a greater focus on the student athletes competing at the highest level with four state title games being played consecutively on championship Saturday. This modification allows basketball to follow the recently implemented format for championship soccer and football championship games.  With more titles being determined at one location, the atmosphere in the championship arenas will be at an all-time high.”   

The state tournament begins with the quarterfinal round which will be hosted at seven venues in five cities. To advance to the semifinals and finals sites, teams will need to win the state quarterfinal round games which will be played at United Wireless Arena, Tony’s Pizza Events  Center in Salina, Mabee Arena at Kansas Wesleyan University, Koch Arena, Garvey Center at Friends University, White Auditorium, and the Kansas City Kansas Community College Fieldhouse in Kansas City.  

2026 State Basketball Tournament Quarterfinal Schedule: 

6A, 4A, 2A Girls, 5A, 3A, 1A Boys Quarterfinals – March 10 (United Wireless Arena, Koch Arena, Friends University, Tony’s Pizza Events Center, Kansas Wesleyan University, White Auditorium, KCKCC Fieldhouse) 

5A, 3A, 1A Girls, 6A, 4A, 2A Boys Quarterfinals – March 11 (United Wireless Arena, Koch Arena, Friends University, Tony’s Pizza Events Center, Kansas Wesleyan University, White Auditorium, KCKCC Fieldhouse) 

The quarterfinal round games are determined by proximity to the higher seed, not class. The highest four seeds of the state tournament will be placed as close to home as possible in the 28 quarterfinal round games across the state.  If the distance from the lower seed is greater than 250 miles from where the game would be played near the higher seed, that game will be played at one of the quarterfinal sites centrally located. State brackets will not be reseeded after the state quarterfinals. 

“With the top four seeds earning the right to play close to home, the quarterfinal rounds will provide a better environment and experience allowing more friends and family to attend the quarterfinal round,” said KSHSAA Assistant Executive Director and Basketball Administrator Kyle Doperalski.  “This new format is a win for teams and school communities with an incredible atmosphere of four state championship games in the same venue on the same day.  Fans and media along with non-advancing teams and coaches will have less decisions to make about what site to go to and watch the teams and players they want to see at the state tournament.”   

The dates of the quarterfinal games are March 10-11, 2026 and March 9-10, 2027.  The dates of the semifinals and finals are March 12-14, 2026 and March 11-13, 2027.  

Two years ago, the membership expressed desire through the October Regional Administrator Meetings to combine classes at the state basketball tournament. Each class individually supported this concept. Working with the host sites to ensure top level tournament management, it was determined that the best course of action is the final four in each class advance to the site of the semifinals and finals with state quarterfinal games being played in proximity to the higher seed at neutral/college sites. 

Copyright 2025 KWCH. All rights reserved. To report a correction or typo, please email news@kwch.com

Flintridge Sacred Heart Academy celebrated the 89 seniors of the Class of 2025.

This year’s graduates are charging into the future with bold ambition, especially in STEM. Among the most popular intended college majors are biological sciences, engineering, nursing, and psychology – reflecting a clear commitment to innovation, inquiry and impact. Their interests span from medical research and software engineering to mental health and environmental science. 

Every member of the Class of 2025 was accepted to a four-year college or university with many choosing institutions known for academic rigor and values-based education. 

● 34% of the class were admitted to highly selective universities with acceptance rates under 25%, including Dartmouth College, Boston College, Villanova University and USC. 

● 31% will attend faith-based colleges and universities, a testament to the strength of their spiritual formation on the Hill. 

● 49% will stay in California including 18 students entering the University of California system at campuses such as UCLA, UC Berkeley, and UC San Diego. 

Additional highlights from this exceptional class include: 

● Four student-athletes are continuing their sport at the collegiate level in volleyball, equestrian, water polo and softball 

● Four graduates were awarded full-tuition scholarships, including a Posse Scholar and a QuestBridge finalist 

The Class of 2025 began its sophomore year still navigating the pandemic and rose again in the wake of the Eaton Canyon Fire. 

“The Class of 2025 was together on their Kairos retreat in Ojai when the fires began. They returned to a community forever changed, but what remains constant is their loving care for one another, and their classmates,” said Flintridge Sacred Heart Academy Principal Rebecca Bostic. “We are so proud of the way they took care not only of one another but also reached out into the community to serve those in need of goods and services. We had several seniors who lost their homes or were displaced, and they were attending our Eaton Fire support meetings to encourage and uplift the impacted underclasswomen. They are truly an incredible group of young women.” 

“What stands out about this class is how fully they embraced their Dominican values,” added Bostic. “Instead of turning inward, they reached out with empathy and a true desire to serve. Their strength and spirit will have left a lasting legacy on the Hill.” 

As the Class of 2025 heads into the world, they do so as women of faith, integrity and truth, ready to make a difference in every field – and in every heart – they touch. 

To learn more about Flintridge Sacred Heart, visit fsha.org. 

Flintridge Sacred Heart Academy is located at 440 St. Katherine Drive in La Cañada Flintridge.

KENT, Ohio — The Kent State volleyball team will play 11 matches during the non-conference portion of the 2025 schedule.

Under the leadership of fourth-year head coach Haley Eckerman, the Golden Flashes will begin the season in Boca Raton for the FAU Invitational with matches against host Florida Atlantic and Western Carolina on Aug. 29, followed by a matchup with Texas Tech on Aug. 30.

Three matches at the Towson-Morgan State Invitational are slated for the second weekend. Kent State will battle New Orleans at Morgan State on Sept. 5. The Flashes will then meet the Bears at 1 p.m. on Sept. 6 and make the short trip to Towson for a 7 p.m. contest.

The following weekend includes matches against UTSA (Sept. 11) and North Dakota (Sept. 12) at North Dakota and a contest at North Dakota State (Sept. 13).

Short trips to Cleveland State (Sept. 18) and Youngstown State (Sept. 19) will conclude the non-conference slate.

The conference schedule, which was announced in March, starts with road matches against Toledo (Sept. 25) and Bowling Green (Sept. 26). The first home matchups at the M.A.C. Center are scheduled against Buffalo (Oct. 3) and Akron (Oct. 4).

Following the 18-match league schedule, the top six teams in the standings will compete in the 2025 MAC Tournament, which will be hosted by Bowling Green from Nov. 21-23.

Season tickets are currently available for purchase on KSUTix.com.

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