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Columbia Athletics Hosts 102nd Varsity C Celebration

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8 months ago

May 7, 2025

Columbia Athletics Hosts 102nd Varsity C Celebration

NEW YORK — Columbia Athletics brought the 2024–25 academic year to a close in style on Tuesday evening, hosting the 102nd Annual Varsity C Celebration at Levien Gymnasium inside Dodge Fitness Center. Over 800 student-athletes gathered for a night of recognition, reflection, and celebration.

This year’s event was hosted by NFL Network Insider and Columbia rowing alumnus, Ian Rapoport ’02CC.

Held each spring, the Varsity C Celebration is Columbia’s signature event honoring the achievements of its varsity student-athletes. The evening featured highlight videos and the presentation of the department’s most prestigious awards, spotlighting excellence on the field, in the classroom, and within the community.

Cross Country/Tack & Field’s Phoebe Anderson and Baseball’s Griffin Palfrey were named recipients of the Connie S. Maniatty Award, presented to the top male and female senior student-athletes.

Anderson, a four-time All-American, led Columbia cross country and track with consistent national-caliber performances throughout her career. Palfrey, a 2024 First Team All-Ivy honoree, set a new Columbia program record for career RBIs in his final season.

The William V. Campbell Performer of the Year Award went to women’s basketball’s Kitty Henderson and men’s tennis player Michael Zheng.

Henderson earned Ivy League Defensive Player of the Year honors and guided the Lions to a third consecutive Ivy League Championship and their first-ever NCAA Tournament win. Zheng made history by winning the NCAA Individual Tennis Championship and was named Ivy League Player of the Year after leading Columbia to a team title.

Two first-year athletes were recognized with the Rookie of the Year Award. Carolina Stutchbury (Fencing) earned All-America honors and placed third at the NCAA Championships. Grant Lester (Golf) was named Ivy League Rookie of the Year and led the team in scoring with a 71.82 average.

The long-standing watch presentations for the Columbia senior student-athletes earning the highest cumulative grade point averages with at least two varsity letters were presented to Winta Tewolde of women’s tennis, who earned the Marion R. Philips Watch, and Andrew Fouty of men’s swimming & diving, who earned the Dwight D. Eisenhower Watch. Named after former U.S. President and Columbia University President, Dwight D. Eisenhower, the award has been presented every year since 1948. Named for Marion R. Philips, who was a major force in founding Barnard’s Intercollegiate Athletics Program which served as the foundation for today’s Consortium, the women’s scholar watch has been awarded every year since 1984.

Archery’s Judith Gottlieb earned the Karen Blank Award, recognizing the top senior female student-athlete from Barnard College who demonstrates excellence in academics, athletics, leadership, and service.

The women’s basketball team earned the Paul E. Fernandes Community Service Award, which is presented to the varsity sports program which achieves the most significant contributions and notable service to the University and local communities during each academic year. The Lions Cup, which honors the most outstanding team on the basis of points in several categories including academic, athletic, personal and social responsibility was given to the men’s tennis team.

This year’s Alumni Award recipients are football’s Shawn FitzGerald ’80CC and Teresa Saputo-Crerend ’87CC ’92BUS P’22CC of women’s tennis.

The event also featured awards for Game of the Year, Top Performance of the Year, and Play of the Year. The finalists for these awards were determined by a vote on social media, and the winners were crowned by a fan vote from those in attendance at Varsity C. Women’s basketball’s win over Washington in the NCAA First Four and football’s Ivy League title clincher against Cornell picked up Games of the Year. Riley Weiss’ 4-point play against the Huskies and baseball’s Sam Miller’s walkoff grand slam against Cornell took home the Plays of the Year. Women’s golf’s Christine Chang’s Ivy League Championship performance and Zheng’s run to the NCAA Men’s Tennis Championship were the Performances of the Year.

To support the 102nd Annual Varsity C Celebration and our student-athletes, please consider making a gift HERE.

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Emerald Acres Volleyball Tournament | MyRadioLink.com

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2 hours ago

January 2, 2026

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Emerald Acres Volleyball Tournament | MyRadioLink.com

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Former Illini basketball sharpshooter Luke Goode engaged to Illinois volleyball star Kayla Burbage

Published

3 hours ago

January 2, 2026

Your Sports Nation

Love is in the air for two of Champaign’s top athletes in recent years. Former Illini men’s basketball wing Luke Goode popped the question to Illinois volleyball middle blocker Kayla Burbage, the couple shared via Instagram on Wednesday.

“Proverbs 18:22: ‘He who finds a wife finds a good thing, and obtains favor from the Lord,’” Goode wrote. “Going into the New Years as future Mr. and Mrs. Goode!”

Goode spent the first three years of his college career in Champaign, graduating from the Gies School of Business in 2024 with a bachelor’s degree in finance. After his sophomore season was cut short due to a foot injury, Goode bounced back as a junior, playing in all 38 games for the 2024 Elite Eight team. That season, the 6-foot-7 sharpshooter averaged 5.7 points and shot 38.9% from three on just over four attempts per game.

Last season, Goode spent his final year of eligibility playing for his home state Indiana Hoosiers before turning pro. He is currently suiting up for the South Bay Lakers in the NBA G League. In 11 games so far as a rookie, Goode is putting up 7.6 points and 3.0 rebounds in just above 20 minutes per game.

Burbage just finished up her final season of college volleyball. After spending her freshman campaign at Missouri, Burbage decided to make the move to Champaign. As a sophomore and junior, Burbage played in every match on Illinois’ schedule: 60 total. A shoulder injury sidelined the 6-foot-4 North Carolina native for her senior season, but she returned for a graduate year in 2025. In her final season at Huff Hall, Burbage ranked second in total blocks (82.0) for the Illini and had the fifth-most kills on the team (98).

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Hawkeyes Knock Down Nebraska – Iowa Hawkeyes Athletics

Published

3 hours ago

January 2, 2026

Your Sports Nation

IOWA CITY, Iowa – No. 14 Iowa (12-2, 3-0) defeated No. 20 Nebraska (12-2, 1-2) on New Years Day inside Carver-Hawkeye Arena, 86-76.

Sophomore Chit-Chat Wright dominated the day for the Hawkeyes with a career-high 24 points, three assists, and two steals. Senior Hannah Stuelke followed with 21 points, 10 rebounds, and four assists to notch her third double-double of the season.

The Huskers came out to a fast-paced 8-0 run to start the game. Stuelke got the scoring started for Iowa by getting to the line, sinking both free-throws. Three minutes into gameplay, the Hawkeyes began to capitalize on Nebraska miscues. Sophomore Ava Heiden led a 7-0 run for Iowa to bring the gap to 9-12 with 4:46 left in the quarter. The Huskers contained a narrow 21-18 lead headed into the second quarter.

Wright drained a three-pointer to start the second period, tying up the score for the first time on the day. The Hawkeyes went on to gain nine points on seven forced Husker turnovers in the half. Heiden led the quarter with eight points going 4-for-4 on field goals. A combined 26 points, shooting 66.7 percent in the quarter, left Iowa behind 44-45 at half.

The Hawkeyes came out of the locker room with an 8-2 run to put them in front. Iowa forced four Husker turnovers in the first three minutes of the third quarter, capitalizing five points off of them. Stuelke continued to be a difference maker for Iowa with seven points and two rebounds. This momentum pushed Iowa up 64-61 heading into the fourth.

In the final quarter, the Hawkeyes continued their defensive pursuit, forcing five more turnovers, adding to their total of 18 on the day. Senior Taylor McCabe hit a three-point basket at 4:32 to power Iowa to the end. The Hawkeyes pushed out a 15-6 run to secure a Hawkeye victory.

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Dallas Pulse set to make history in season opener at Comerica Center

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5 hours ago

January 2, 2026

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North Texas’ first women’s professional volleyball team will officially launch its inaugural season on Saturday, Jan. 10.

DALLAS — For North Texas volleyball fans, Saturday’s season opener represents more than just a first serve, it’s the beginning of something the region has been waiting for.

The Dallas Pulse, the region’s first women’s professional volleyball team, will open its inaugural season Saturday, Jan. 10, hosting the Indiana franchise at Comerica Center in Frisco.

The matchup marks the first Major League Volleyball game played by a Dallas-based team and is a milestone moment for the metroplex.

The Pulse will play 14 home matches during the 2026 Major League Volleyball season, giving local fans a consistent opportunity to support a women’s pro team built in their own backyard.

Saturday, Jan. 10 – Indy
Thursday, Jan. 15 – San Diego
Thursday, Feb. 5 – Omaha
Sunday, Feb. 8 – Grand Rapids
Thursday, Feb. 19 – Indy
Sunday, Feb. 22 – Grand Rapids
Friday, Feb. 27 – Orlando
Friday, March 13 – Columbus
Sunday, March 15 – Atlanta
Saturday, March 21 – San Diego
Thursday, March 26 – Atlanta
Friday, April 17 – Columbus
Friday, May 1 – Omaha
Sunday, May 3 – Orlando

Leading the team into its first season is head coach Shannon Winzer, who was named to the role in September. The January debut places Dallas at the center of the league’s early growth as women’s professional volleyball continues to gain momentum nationwide.

The timing feels right for North Texas. The region has long been a volleyball hotbed, producing elite athletes through nationally recognized club programs, championship high school teams and top-tier collegiate programs. Until now, many of those players, and the fans who followed them, had no local professional team to rally behind.

Dallas Pulse leadership told WFAA that they hope to change that.

Season ticket deposits are currently open, and the Pulse holds the No. 1 overall pick in the Major League Volleyball Draft scheduled for Nov. 24, giving the team a chance to add a cornerstone player ahead of its debut season.

Major League Volleyball is also preparing for future growth, announcing plans to add expansion teams in Washington, D.C. and Northern California in 2027.

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Iola outside hitter takes top honor on Texas 2A all-state volleyball team | APG State News

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5 hours ago

January 2, 2026

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Tritons Set for Preseason North American Challenge

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7 hours ago

January 2, 2026

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LONG BEACH, Calif. — UC San Diego men’s volleyball will prepare for the upcoming season with four exhibitions this weekend as part of the North American Challenge. The event will be hosted by Long Beach State on Friday and Sunday at the LBS Financial Credit Union Pyramid.

The Tritons will play two Canadian sides, Alberta and Calagry. They will play each team once on both days of the challenge.

SCHEDULE

Friday, Jan. 2

2 PM – vs Calgary

4:30 PM – vs Alberta

Sunday, Jan. 4

12:30 PM – vs Alberta

3 PM – vs Calgary

Live stats for all four matches will be available HERE. Fans interested in attending matches can purchase tickets through Long Beach State HERE.

UP NEXT
The Tritons open the 2026 season at home next Tuesday, Jan. 6. Jessup will visit LionTree Arena for a match that begins at 7 PM.

About UC San Diego Athletics
After two decades as one of the most successful programs in NCAA Division II, the UC San Diego intercollegiate athletics program has begun a new era as a member of The Big West in NCAA Division I. The 24-sport Tritons earned 30 team and nearly 150 individual national championships during its time in Divisions II and III and helped guide 1,400 scholar-athletes to All-America honors. A total of 83 Tritons have earned Academic All-America honors, while 39 have garnered prestigious NCAA Post Graduate Scholarships. UC San Diego scholar-athletes exemplify the academic ideals of one of the world’s preeminent institutions, graduating at an average rate of 90 percent, the highest rate among public institutions in NCAA Division I or II. For more information on the Tritons, visit UCSDtritons.com or follow UC San Diego Athletics on social media @UCSDtritons.