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Claims of 'greed' as cricket figures divided by plans for major Test shake

Will the ICC speak out about this? Former Australian captain Mark Taylor“So in a way, South Africa have been the winner of one side of the draw and Australia have been the winner of the other side of the draw. Advertisement West Indies great Michael Holding“I don’t like it. I don’t think it’s good for […]

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Claims of 'greed' as cricket figures divided by plans for major Test shake

Will the ICC speak out about this? Former Australian captain Mark Taylor“So in a way, South Africa have been the winner of one side of the draw and Australia have been the winner of the other side of the draw.

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West Indies great Michael Holding“I don’t like it. I don’t think it’s good for the game,” Finn told BBC.”If you can keep five, six or seven nations strong and competitive people will always watch Test cricket.

Former England bowler Steve Harmison

“How many Test matches have we played against Bangladesh in the last six years? … I can’t recall when we last played Zimbabwe … It [introducing a two-tier system] is almost formalising what’s happening now.”READ MORE: Inside Kyrgios’ ‘ridiculous’ war with world No.1

“If this is the best (idea) on the table, I don’t think this is a great one largely down to promotion and relegation, how do you get to that point? Is it the teams with the most money that can bring in the biggest revenue? Do they get into the top seven?””I think it will be terrible for all those countries who worked so hard to get the Test status,” he’s been quoted as saying.Former England captain Michael Vaughan“Now they’ll be playing among themselves in the lower section. How are they going to make it to the top when you play against better teams.””I think Test cricket needs to be revamped (but) I don’t like this model,” he said on talkSPORT Cricket.
“I have no doubt that there will be people disappointed to hear that West Indies or Bangladesh, perhaps even some other well-loved teams, would miss out on the top flight,” he continued.Kevin Pietersen (left) and Steve Harmison in 2008 during a nets session.
Speaking on the Sky Sports Cricket podcast with Nasser Hussain and Michael Atherton, Smith wanted to see more detail before offering a strong opinion but offered his thoughts on the current state of the game and the scheduling issues.”I don’t think Test cricket is more than a six or seven format anyway,” he said.”Do they need to start doing it? Do they start messing with the Test calendar? Those are the interesting debates, because the (men’s) calendar’s a mess but I think a bit more information needs to be bashed out. The problem is everyone’s going to fight for themselves going forward, outside England, India and Australia, everyone is under pressure.”

“What they need to do is put some adults in a room and try and thrash something out to make a World Test Championship system fairer to make sure that the best teams play against the best players more often than not but to still have the chance of developing Test match cricket around the world to make it more appealing to players … to play more red-ball cricket,” he said.

“That’s something that’s been discussed for a number of years, that very topic, and I’m certainly not against it,” he told Wide World of Sports.What have they all said?”It’s an interesting point for the women’s game now. I think the women’s game is probably structured the best out of everything. They’ve got their windows for their leagues, white ball cricket’s structured, bilaterals is structured and we’re seeing the need for more Test cricket there.”I’m sure it wasn’t planned that way, but in a way that’s what’s happened … If that’s the way it’s going to be, I’m for the idea, provided all the larger Test nations do the most they can to continue to develop the lesser financially backed nations.”Maybe that is what they want.”I would live to see people responsible for the game being truly responsible for the game, and not being just responsible for a few countries to better themselves.””Yes England and Australia are blessed with a cricketing culture but if a good team comes to South Africa we see good crowds, we see good interest in Test cricket so I think that’s an opportunity.South African cricket great turned SA20 commissioner Graeme Smith“The ICC is the problem. They should distribute the money that they are making very differently so poorer teams have a chance.Many are divided.

“I have seen this coming for a long, long time,” he wrote in the UK’s Telegraph.

These are questions that need to be answered and plenty of respected voices have discussed the potential new system at length.”The bottom division will get poorer and teams will disappear.Former England bowler Steven Finn“In a way that’s almost what we’ve got now. If you look at the World Test Championship [WTC] final you’ve got Australia taking on South Africa, and the way they’ve got there is by Australia winning this battle against India and England, and South Africa have won the battle against a lot of the other nations.”I have been saying for a long time this is the way to keep Test cricket relevant by ensuring the best play the best as often as possible, and we get fewer mismatches.”How will this impact the struggling Test nations?West Indies cricket legend Clive Lloyd“They have provided some great moments but more often than not, they struggle against the top teams and without radical change, sadly the sums don’t add up.””I think it’s greedy — monetising something that is so pure like Test cricket feels like it is sullying the game. It just doesn’t sit right with me.”

“… If there is no promotion and relegation, the top division will just keep on making all the money.

READ MORE: Skipper lifts lid on impact of brutal Tigers punishmentsHarmison argued that right now England could be close to being in a relegation spot, adding “they’re not going to relegate England”.”… if we go down the road in five to 10 years time where there’s only six Test playing nations, Test cricket’s finished. We need a whole spectrum of cricket around the globe to play red-ball cricket.”

With news of a potential two-tier Test cricket system breaking after the Border-Gavaskar Trophy ended, debate has raged across the world.

READ MORE: Opetaia defends world titles with ruthless display“I was delighted to read the ICC are considering a two-tier structure from 2027 which could see the Ashes staged twice every three years,” he wrote in his Telegraph column.Michael Vaughan.

What about the little guy? Will it just lead to more domination from the big three of Australia, England and India?

Michael Holding.  Getty

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Schuler brothers bring New Zealand pride and family legacy to FISU Games water polo stage

Written by Sophie Wisely, FISU Young Reporter, Australia The Schuler family is one deeply entrenched in sport. A New Zealand All Black father and five siblings who played water polo at one point during their childhood, among whom two brothers are now competing for glory at the Rhine-Ruhr 2025 FISU World University Games.  Josef and […]

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Written by Sophie Wisely, FISU Young Reporter, Australia

The Schuler family is one deeply entrenched in sport.

A New Zealand All Black father and five siblings who played water polo at one point during their childhood, among whom two brothers are now competing for glory at the Rhine-Ruhr 2025 FISU World University Games. 

Josef and Isaac Schuler began their campaign on Friday, 18 July in the men’s preliminary round in Duisburg, with a loss against host Germany.

“You don’t really get many opportunities like this, where you get to go up against the home team (in the) first game,” Isaac, the younger brother, said.

New Zealand faces very experienced teams in Group B, rounded out by Hungary and the USA. But Josef believes being the less fancied side could be an advantage.

“(We are) uni students. So for a lot of boys, it’s their first, proper international tournament,” he said.

“And for a lot of the German guys, Germany (has a) proper professional league, a lot of them are at uni and still professional athletes. In New Zealand, you (have) to juggle it; the studies, the sport, the work.”

“So for us, it’s a pretty exciting (game), because we’ve got nothing to lose.”

A burgeoning family legacy

The brothers exude the New Zealand spirit – calm and collected – as they sat in the shade of their Duisburg hotel.

They attribute their mental ease to their father, Kevin, a decorated All Black in rugby union who made 13 international appearances, including during the 1995 World Cup.

“He’s a rugby player, but he’s just got a sports brain,” Josef said.

“I feel anyone that’s at that level, you just understand sport and competition to such a high degree. There’s so much he’s taught us throughout the years; mindset-wise, preparation-wise, even just handling situations with coaches or players.”

“He loves to be involved,” Isaac added, laughing as he remembered an anecdote. “He was my manager for my last year at (high) school. And even after I left, he stayed on because he loved it so much. He’s a man of sport.”

Writing a new chapter, together

Both brothers, students at the University of Sydney across the Tasman Sea studying Accounting and Commerce, are relishing the opportunity to interact with student-athletes from different cultures at the FISU Games. 

“I’ve never really experienced a kind of environment like this… World Games, where you’re staying in a place with a bunch of athletes from a bunch of countries for a bunch of different sports,” said 18-year-old Isaac.

For Josef, 25, being one of the New Zealand flag bearers at the opening ceremony and leading the contingent in the Parade of Nations became a crowning moment of his water polo journey. 

“Stepping out, carrying the flag and… hearing the roar (in) that massive stadium full of people. It was surreal,” he reflected.

“I knew going into it, it would be the highlight of my sporting career so far (and it) definitely was. Having (my) little bro behind was pretty cool to turn around and share that whole experience with him.”

For New Zealand, their first few games against heavyweight water polo countries will decide their fate into the quarter-finals.

The medal games in the men’s water polo competition are set for Saturday, 26 July.

The Young Reporters Programme exemplifies FISU’s commitment to more than sports competitions. At every FISU World University Games, a group of talented aspiring sports journalists are chosen to cover the competition.



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SEGG, LTRYW) Details Veloce Investment and Quadrant Acquisition in Motorsport Expansion Push

PRESS RELEASE Published July 18, 2025 SEGG Media (NASDAQ: SEGG, LTRYW), released further details on its strategic investment in Veloce Media Group, including Veloce’s July 12, 2025 acquisition of Quadrant, a motorsport and content brand co-founded by Formula 1 driver Lando Norris. Funded by the initial tranche of SEGG’s $7.59 million subscription agreement, the deal […]

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PRESS RELEASE

Published July 18, 2025

SEGG Media (NASDAQ: SEGG, LTRYW), released further details on its strategic investment in Veloce Media Group, including Veloce’s July 12, 2025 acquisition of Quadrant, a motorsport and content brand co-founded by Formula 1 driver Lando Norris. Funded by the initial tranche of SEGG’s $7.59 million subscription agreement, the deal gives SEGG a 12.4% stake in Veloce and the option to increase to 51% ownership. With Veloce reporting $17.5 million in FY2024 revenue and 750 million monthly digital views, and Quadrant bringing strong brand equity and shareholders like Zak Brown and Adrian Newey, SEGG positions itself for high-growth dominance in digital motorsports media through its Sports.com division.

To view the full press release, visit https://ibn.fm/lvCas

About SEGG Media Corporation

SEGG Media is a global sports, entertainment and gaming group operating digital assets such as Sports.com and Lottery.com. Focused on immersive fan engagement, ethical gaming and AI-driven live experiences, SEGG Media is redefining how global audiences interact with the content they love.

NOTE TO INVESTORS: IBN is a multifaceted financial news, content creation and publishing company utilized by both public and private companies to optimize investor awareness and recognition. For more information, please visit https://www.InvestorBrandNetwork.com

Please see full terms of use and disclaimers on the InvestorBrandNetwork website applicable to all content provided by IBN, wherever published or re-published: http://IBN.fm/Disclaimer

The latest news and updates relating to SEGG are available in the company’s newsroom at https://ibn.fm/SEGG

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Athlos will debut first field event in Times Square, Gold medalist Tara Davis-Woodhall to compete

Athlos, a women’s-only track and field competition, will “debut its first field event” in N.Y.’s Times Square in October. Getty Images Athlos, a women’s-only track and field competition, will “debut its first field event” in N.Y.’s Times Square in October, according to Analisa Novak of CBSNEWS.com. Reddit co-founder and Athlos founder Alexis Ohanian “announced the […]

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Athlos, a women’s-only track and field competition, will “debut its first field event” in N.Y.’s Times Square in October. Getty Images

Athlos, a women’s-only track and field competition, will “debut its first field event” in N.Y.’s Times Square in October, according to Analisa Novak of CBSNEWS.com. Reddit co-founder and Athlos founder Alexis Ohanian “announced the expansion alongside” Olympic track gold medalist Tara Davis-Woodhall, who will compete in the long jump event. Davis-Woodhall said that she “reached out to Ohanian after the initial Athlos announcement focused primarily on track events.” The event will take place the “night before the main Athlos competition.” Ohanian said that these track and field athletes “captivate us” and “they should not disappear for the four years in between” Olympic Games (CBSNEWS.com, 7/17).



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Volleyball Adds Three for 2025

NORMAN – Oklahoma head volleyball coach Aaron Mansfield announced the addition of three transfer athletes for the 2025 season. Ada Awagu, Harper Hall and Piper Justiss will round out the roster for the Sooners this fall. The trio join spring transfers Dionii Fraga, Kenadie Patterson and Emoni Bush and freshmen Tekoa Barnes, Alyssa Flack and […]

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NORMAN – Oklahoma head volleyball coach Aaron Mansfield announced the addition of three transfer athletes for the 2025 season. Ada Awagu, Harper Hall and Piper Justiss will round out the roster for the Sooners this fall.

The trio join spring transfers Dionii Fraga, Kenadie Patterson and Emoni Bush and freshmen Tekoa Barnes, Alyssa Flack and Avaya Maga as the nine newcomers for 2025.

ADA AWAGU | MIDDLE BLOCKER | SAN ANTONIO, TEXAS | GEORGIA TECH

Awagu comes to Oklahoma from Georgia Tech after enrolling early in January. The San Antonio, Texas, native will have four years of eligibility as she joins the freshman class. In high school, she recorded over 1,000 kills and 250 blocks. As a senior, she was an AVCA All-America honorable mention and AVCA All-Region team member. Awagu also earned district offensive player of the year honors and was the team MVP as a junior and senior. A four-time all-district selection, she led her team to the 2024 State Sweet 16.

“Ada is a very talented young middle blocker with a very high ceiling,” Mansfield said. “We do some unique things with that position as a program and we are excited to help her explore her potential here. We are thrilled to have Ada on campus this summer as she gets acclimated to our team.”

Awagu is the daughter of Nnenna and Slyvester Awagu and has three siblings: Erinne, Jianna and Obi. She was a member of the Academic Honor Roll at Johnson High School.

HARPER HALL | SETTER | HIGHLAND PARK, TEXAS | UCSB

Hall joins the Sooners from UCSB and will have three seasons of eligibility remaining. As a freshman, she registered seven double-doubles, while appearing in all 30 matches. She ended the season as the Gaucho leader in assists with 649 averaging 5.74 per set. 

“We recruited Harper out of high school, so we were very familiar with her skillset and work ethic,” Mansfield said. “Harper will bring a level of competition that will be felt in our gym right away. She thinks about the game differently and we are excited for her to bring her creativity to the setting position.”

Prior to UCSB, Hall attended Highland Park High School where she was a three-year letter winner. She led a team that ranked as high as second in the country among high school teams and was a three-time district champion. She was named the Newcomer of the Year in her conference and earned First Team All-District honors while accumulating over 2,500 career assists. She was named the District Setter of the Year and garnered Texas Girls Coaches Association All-State honors.

A native of Highland Park, Texas, Hall is the Daughter of Wendy and Derek Hall and has a brother, Leo.

PIPER JUSTISS | SETTER | AUSTIN, TEXAS | PEPPERDINE

Justiss comes to Oklahoma after spending her freshman season at Pepperdine. After not appearing in any matches as a true freshman, she will have four years of eligibility remaining at OU.

“Piper is a setter that can pretty much play every facet of the game,” Mansfield said. “We are looking forward to Piper learning the intricacies of our offense and putting her own spin on it. We are really excited to have her join our program and get going with our team this summer.”

Justiss graduated from Bowie High School where she lettered one year as a setter. She totaled 204 assists, 141 kills, and 24 aces her senior year, earning 6A All-District honors in 2023. She also played for Austin Skyline, where she finished third at Salt Lake City Showdown and earned All-Tournament honors in 2023. Justiss also spent time with Roots and Top Flight Volleyball Clubs.

A native of Austin, Texas, Justiss is the daughter of Joseph and Laura Justiss and has one brother, Reagan. Her dad played baseball at Liberty and Dallas Baptist. 

FOLLOW THE OKLAHOMA SOONERS

For updates, follow @OU_Volleyball on Twitter and Instagram, or like Oklahoma Volleyball on Facebook.

 





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Guelph/Eramosa opens six new beach volleyball courts

MARDEN – Guelph/Eramosa officials held a ribbon cutting here on July 17 to mark the opening of six new beach volleyball courts. The project cost around $230,000, but was fully funded by Perpetual Motion Sports, an adult recreational sports league.  Founder Dave Kelly said beach volleyball is one of Perpetual Motion Sports’ most popular sports, […]

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MARDEN – Guelph/Eramosa officials held a ribbon cutting here on July 17 to mark the opening of six new beach volleyball courts.

The project cost around $230,000, but was fully funded by Perpetual Motion Sports, an adult recreational sports league. 

Founder Dave Kelly said beach volleyball is one of Perpetual Motion Sports’ most popular sports, with 292 teams across different levels this year. 

Kelly said he couldn’t find enough courts to meet demand so he first approached the township in late 2023 about constructing more courts on the grounds of the Royal Distributing Athletic Performance Centre in Marden. 

After some deliberation, Kelly and the township landed on an agreement earlier this year that has Perpetual Motion Sports paying the final cost in return for free and exclusive use of the courts during specific hours until the end of 2035. 

The hours are Sunday to Thursday, 6:30 to 8:30pm, from May to early September. 

Jeff Myer, manager of parks and facilities for the township, said the courts are available to rent for $15 per hour.

Myer added the rental fee was more focused at teams or leagues, and if, for example, a family of four showed up and was hitting a ball around, township officials wouldn’t kick them out. 

Myer commended contractor Bomar Landscaping for completing the project on a tight deadline.

Mayor Chris White, who noted the six Marden courts are the first beach volleyball courts in the township, said the township “may have to copy some of these over in Rockwood.”

The new courts were immediately put to use on July 17.



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Swimming & Diving: Will Thompson, 22-time GNAC Champion and 27-time All-Conference honoree, honored as 2024-25 GNAC Athlete of the Year for Men’s Sports

Story Links WINTHROP, Mass. – Following a remarkable four-year career marked by championship dominance, unwavering leadership, and deep-rooted service to both his team and university, Norwich University men’s swimming & diving standout Will Thompson (Downingtown, Pa.) has been named the 2024-25 Great Northeast Athletic Conference (GNAC) Athlete of the Year […]

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WINTHROP, Mass. – Following a remarkable four-year career marked by championship dominance, unwavering leadership, and deep-rooted service to both his team and university, Norwich University men’s swimming & diving standout Will Thompson (Downingtown, Pa.) has been named the 2024-25 Great Northeast Athletic Conference (GNAC) Athlete of the Year for Men’s Sports, as announced by the league office on Friday afternoon.

Thompson becomes just the second male athlete in Norwich history to receive the GNAC’s highest individual honor for graduating student-athletes, joining fellow swimming & diving icon Benjamin Stark ’24, who earned the award last year.  Together with Emily Oliver ’19, the school’s lone GNAC Woman of the Year honoree, Thompson enters an exclusive class of Cadets recognized for excellence across academics, athletics, leadership, and service during their time in maroon and gold.

“It is a tremendous honor to receive this award, and I can’t imagine any other way to top off my four years at Norwich,” Thompson said.  “I never would’ve imagined that I would be capable of achieving this when I started at Norwich, and I know that this achievement is a result of the hard work put in by myself, my coaches, and my teammates, both of whom I thank tremendously.”

His selection caps a decorated collegiate journey that saw him transform from promising rookie to one of the most dominant athletes in conference history: a force in the pool, a leader in the Corps of Cadets, and a cornerstone of Norwich’s sustained championship culture.

“We are once again incredibly proud to have a Norwich student-athlete selected as the GNAC Athlete of the Year,” said Ed Hockenbury, Director of Athletics.  “Will is an amazing young man – an exceptional athlete, a great student, and an outstanding member of the Corps of Cadets.  He was not only an exceptional performer on our championship swim team, but very clearly a leader by word and example on the team whose work ethic, encouragement, and motivation helped his teammates perform their best while also maintaining the very high standards within our swimming and diving program.

We are tremendously proud of Will, we thank him for all he has done for Norwich, and we are grateful that our GNAC colleagues recognized the excellence in Division III collegiate athletics that Will Thompson embodies.”

A five-time GNAC Swimmer of the Week, Thompson exits as one of the most decorated student-athletes to ever compete for Norwich, with 22 GNAC championships to his name, including nine individual titles and 13 more as a relay contributor.  His trophy-laden career included 27 All-Conference honors, with eight selections in each of his final two seasons and seven more as a sophomore, underscoring both consistency and growth throughout his time in the pool.

After contributing to a single GNAC relay championship as a rookie in 2021-22, Thompson’s rise was both swift and relentless.  He broke out with six titles in 2022-23, followed by a career-best eight in 2023-24.  He closed his senior season with seven GNAC crowns, helping to secure Norwich’s third straight GNAC Men’s Swimming & Diving Championship.

In the water, Thompson was a technician and a competitor, most notably in the breaststroke events.  He leaves Norwich holding program records in the 50-yard (25.84), 100-yard (57.19), and 200-yard (2:09.03) breaststroke, and is a member of four record-setting relay teams, including the 200 (1:24.73) and 400 (3:08.63) freestyle relays and the 200 (1:33.93) and 400 (3:29.16) medley relays.  He also played a pivotal role in three GNAC Championship meet records, posting top times in the 50-yard breaststroke (25.84), 400 freestyle relay (3:12.22), and 200 medley relay (1:35.30) across multiple seasons.

His accolades were not confined to numbers alone.  Thompson was honored as the team’s Rookie of the Year in 2021-22 and later selected as the program’s 2023-24 Athlete of the Year, recognizing not just athletic ability, but leadership, sportsmanship, and dedication.

“Will’s dedication to the sport and his team has been nothing short of inspiring,” said Head Coach Jennifer Cournoyer, who led the Cadets to GNAC titles in each of Thompson’s final three seasons.  “He consistently showed up for those early morning practices, driven by a fierce competitive spirit that not only elevated his performance but also that of his teammates.

I enjoyed strategizing with him about relays as he would point out his teammates’ strengths.  It’s a true honor to see him recognized as Male Athlete of the Year for the GNAC.  As he transitions from the pool to a new chapter as a state police officer, I have no doubt he’ll approach this next challenge with the same determination and commitment he displayed in college.  We’ll miss him greatly, but we can’t wait to see the impact he’ll make in the community.”

Beyond his performance between the lanes, Thompson established himself as a leader in all areas of campus life.

A member of the Norwich University Corps of Cadets, he served in the prestigious Regimental Guard Mount Section, ultimately rising to Officer in Charge (OIC) as a senior.  In that role, he modeled the discipline, accountability, and professionalism that defined both his athletic and military experiences at Norwich.

In the classroom, Thompson maintained a 3.36 GPA while balancing the demands of elite collegiate athletics and Corps leadership.  He was a two-time GNAC All-Academic Team honoree, embodying the NCAA Division III commitment to holistic student-athlete development.

Thompson’s leadership extended beyond the pool deck, where he helped guide relays, supported his teammates’ development, and shaped the team’s culture through example.

Thompson’s collegiate arc coincided with Norwich’s rise as a dominant force in GNAC men’s swimming.  With Thompson as a central figure, the Cadets captured three straight conference titles from 2023 to 2025.  His ability to compete at a high level across multiple strokes and distances gave Norwich the flexibility and firepower to secure key points at championship meets.

With Thompson’s selection, Norwich becomes the first institution in GNAC history to produce back-to-back Male Athlete of the Year honorees.  Last year, Benjamin Stark ’24 was honored after a 14-title career and Navy commission.  This year, Thompson’s legacy builds on that foundation with his own record-breaking trajectory and quiet leadership.

His award also adds to Norwich’s growing legacy in conference-wide honors.  In 2019, Emily Oliver ’19 earned GNAC Woman of the Year, capping off a legendary three-sport career in volleyball, basketball, and softball.  Thompson’s honor also comes on the heels of Ed Hockenbury, Director of Athletics, being named the GNAC Executive (AD) of the Year in late June.

Prior to his nomination, Thompson was asked to provide a personal statement to support his esteemed resume and discuss how his collegiate career has shaped him, including through academics, achievements, service, and leadership.  He shared the following as his personal statement:

Throughout my four years at Norwich University, I’ve grown through the unique challenges of scholarship, athletics, and leadership within a military college environment.  As a member of the Corps of Cadets, a collegiate swimmer, and a committed public servant, I’ve learned that leadership is grounded in service, resilience, and discipline.  These experiences have shaped my character and empowered me to lead with integrity, whether on campus, as an ocean rescue lifeguard in Maine, or in my future career as a State Trooper.  Each challenge has strengthened my confidence and commitment to serving others.

Some of my most impactful academic experiences came from practical exercises in my intelligence courses.  In these simulations, classmates and I worked in assigned roles to analyze and present findings on real-world terror threats.  These collaborative problem-solving opportunities gave me a firsthand sense of the complexity of national security work.  They strengthened my communication, decision-making, and critical thinking skills, which are essential to a successful law enforcement career.  Balancing these demands with a full athletic schedule required me to grow as a student and strengthen my time management skills.

My experience as a student-athlete was integral to my development as a leader.  Across all four years on the swim team, I regularly participated in optional double practices and additional meets, including competitions against top Division I, II, and III programs, which provided me the opportunity to represent Norwich at some of the biggest meets in the country, including at the U.S. Naval Academy.  These early-morning practices pushed me to physical and mental exhaustion, teaching me the value of discipline and perseverance.  I was honored to serve as the men’s team captain in my senior year.  That role allowed me to motivate my teammates, lead extra practices, and practice leadership within a tight-knit group.

My leadership development extended well beyond the pool.  As a cadet leader during my junior and senior years, I held two different positions in the Corps of Cadets, overseeing up to 10 peers while coordinating with a staff of 10-15 and working closely with the Commandant’s office.  Leading in a dynamic environment alongside 18-year-old college sophomores and seasoned combat veterans gave me a uniquely diverse and challenging leadership setting.  These experiences taught me adaptability, humility, and communication skills across experience levels and backgrounds.

Outside the academic year, I served as an ocean rescue lifeguard in Ogunquit, Maine, during the summers of 2023, 2024, and now 2025.  In 2024, I was promoted to Head Guard of Community Outreach.  In that role, I helped lead public education initiatives focused on water safety, coordinated department messaging through social media, and served as a liaison between our team and the community.  Throughout my work in that position, I deepened my understanding of public service and community involvement, both of which are values that I intend to prioritize throughout my career in law enforcement.

The GNAC Athlete of the Year is selected annually from among graduating student-athletes nominated by each member institution.  Finalists are evaluated based on academic performance, athletic accomplishments, leadership, and community involvement.  Thompson was one of eight men’s finalists in this year’s selection cycle, alongside EJ Gonzalez of Albertus Magnus College men’s soccer; George Chaya Jr. of Elms College baseball; Tim Callahan of Lasell University baseball; Eddie Kaftan of Mitchell College baseball; Christopher Margiatto of Regis College men’s cross country and men’s track and field; Dylan Dickey of Saint Joseph’s College of Maine men’s track and field and men’s soccer; and Braeden Laframboise of University of Saint Joseph (Conn.) men’s cross country.

He will be honored at the 2025 GNAC Professional Development Seminar held at Emmanuel College on Tuesday, Aug. 12.

Thompson graduated from Norwich this past spring and is preparing for a career in law enforcement, with plans to join the state police in Maine.  His legacy endures not only in records and medals, but in the example he set for others: disciplined, resilient, and wholly committed to his craft.

Thompson leaves the program as one of its most accomplished competitors and most admired teammates, a student-athlete whose name now sits among the most distinguished in Norwich and GNAC history.  His impact, both measurable and immeasurable, will ripple through the Norwich swimming program long after his final race.

 

GNAC Men’s Athlete of the Year – Past Honorees












Year Name School Sport
2019–20 Henry Siercke Eastern Nazarene Men’s Tennis
2019–20 Noah Robinson Saint Joseph’s (Maine) Men’s Soccer
2020–21 Jordan-Lynch Rexroth Dean Men’s Basketball
2020–21 Cole Anderson Regis Men’s Track & Field
2021–22 Troy Hendricks Saint Joseph’s (Maine) Men’s Cross Country/Track & Field
2022–23 Michael Torres University of Saint Joseph (Conn.) Men’s Soccer
2023–24 Benjamin Stark Norwich Men’s Swimming & Diving
2024–25 Will Thompson Norwich Men’s Swimming & Diving



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