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Drake Athletics Prepared to Evolve with Changing Landscape of College Athletics

Story Links Bulldog Nation, Thank you for your continued support of Drake Athletics and our more than 370 student-athletes. Your generosity plays a vital role in our ability to provide a championship-level athletic experience and an elite education—hallmarks of the Drake University student-athlete journey. Over the past few years, the […]

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Bulldog Nation,

Thank you for your continued support of Drake Athletics and our more than 370 student-athletes. Your generosity plays a vital role in our ability to provide a championship-level athletic experience and an elite education—hallmarks of the Drake University student-athlete journey.

Over the past few years, the landscape of collegiate athletics has changed dramatically. The introduction of Name, Image, and Likeness (NIL), expanded transfer rules, and several landmark legal cases have fundamentally reshaped the NCAA model.

Now, with the approval of the House v. NCAA settlement, a new chapter begins—and Drake University is prepared to meet it with clarity, purpose, and an unwavering commitment to student-athlete success. We do so in a manner consistent with the values of our institution and department so that we may provide opportunities and experiences relative to our present and aspirant peer groups.

What This Means

Beginning July 1, NCAA institutions who are members of conferences outside of the ACC, Big Ten, Big 12, and SEC, will be permitted to opt into the terms delineated in the House v. NCAA settlement. The most publicized aspect of the settlement is that NCAA Division I athletics departments that “opt in” will have the ability to directly share revenue with student-athletes and manage NIL agreements at the institutional level. These shifts represent a significant transformation in how college athletics operates—but they also offer tremendous opportunity.

After much deliberation and evaluation, Drake University has opted in to the settlement and is ready to embrace this new era. At our core, our pursuit of sustained excellence in the classroom, competition, and community remains the same. For us to remain competitive and relevant, we must be willing to adjust with the changing times, especially in the sport of basketball. The pride and enjoyment our men’s and women’s basketball teams have provided us in recent years has also served as a reminder to the significance their success has on the rest of the department. In short, our basketball programs and the Drake Relays are the rising tide that lifts all other boats in our department. In order for all of our student-athletes and sport programs to grow, we must position our basketball programs and Drake Relays to flourish. 

Supporting Bulldogs Through Revenue Sharing

One of the most important elements of this transition is the ability to directly support student-athletes through revenue sharing. For Drake, that means the generous contributions you make—especially tax-deductible gifts to Drake Athletics—are now eligible to be part of this shared revenue model.

To support this shift, we’ve established two dedicated funds:

  • Drake Men’s Basketball Excellence Fund

  • Drake Women’s Basketball Excellence Fund

These funds are managed by Drake Athletics and directly benefit the greatest needs of our basketball programs. They have a direct impact on the operating budget of these programs as well as the student-athletes, coaches, and support staff of these teams. This will also be your way to provide financial resources for our student-athletes.

While Men’s and Women’s Basketball are the initial programs we have established Excellence Funds for, if supporters of other Drake programs are interested in providing financial support to create revenue sharing opportunities for other Drake student-athletes, that ability is also available and can be discussed with myself or Tim Tesar, Sr. Associate Athletics Director, (tim.tesar@drake.edu or 515-271-2132).

The Excellence Funds can be supported via one-time or recurring online gifts, donor-advised funds, stock donations, IRA distributions, or check. All contributions are a gift to Drake, and qualify for Bulldog Club benefits and DAPPS points.

These new funds are institutionally managed, tax-exempt, and focused on both recruitment and retention. They offer a clear, impactful, and compliant way to help Drake stay competitive while directly enhancing the student-athlete experience. Creation of an Excellence Fund budget and agreement on disbursement of Excellence Funds will be a collaborative effort between a head coach and sport administrator. In the sport of men’s and women’s basketball, I serve as the sport administrator and will work closely with Coach Henderson and Coach Pohlman on identification of their program’s greatest needs. As we move forward, Excellence Funds will be the preferred funds for supporting our athletes in this new era.

A New Model for NIL

As part of this realignment, we’re also evolving our relationship with DU Great Collective, our official NIL collective supporting Drake Men’s and Women’s Basketball. We’re deeply grateful for the role DU Great played during the early NIL era and for the leadership of many including, but not limited to, Kyle Mertz, Ryan Boatman, Mike Nixon, Kurt Brewer, Pat Schneider, Becca Mataloni, Spencer Harsch, Ted Brewer, Doug Shull, Louie Laurent, and Brook Rosenberg. Together, we’ve determined that Drake Athletics will primarily lead efforts to manage NIL opportunities for basketball student-athletes. The services provided to our student-athletes who benefited from a relationship with DU Great (interactions with local charities and community groups, compensation through NIL activities, taxation forms, etc.) will now be performed by Drake Athletics. DU Great will not dissolve for a myriad of reasons but individuals who financially supported DU Great, whether on a one-time, occasional, annual, or monthly basis, will be asked to continue their support through the aforementioned Excellence Funds of a specific sport at Drake.

Looking Ahead

We know you’ll have questions—and we’re committed to communicating clearly as these changes take hold. I recently sat down with Michael Admire for a podcast to discuss these shifts in greater detail. I invite you to watch or listen to our conversation [link to podcast below].

Drake Athletics continues to thrive because of the culture built by our coaches, staff, and student-athletes—and the loyalty of our fans and donors. To sustain this momentum and reach even greater heights, we must continue investing in our programs in new and meaningful ways.

Thank you for standing with us—and for helping lead the Bulldogs into this next era of excellence.

Go Bulldogs,

Brian Hardin

Director of Athletics

Drake University



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Everything to know about the 2025 World Aquatics Championships in Singapore

Jul 24, 2025, 05:03 PM ET SINGAPORE — The 2025 World Aquatics Championships is an opportunity for the best swimmers on the planet to shine in the lead up to the 2028 Olympics. Here’s everything you need to know about this year’s championships, information on who is competing, and when, as well as how to […]

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Jul 24, 2025, 05:03 PM ET

SINGAPORE — The 2025 World Aquatics Championships is an opportunity for the best swimmers on the planet to shine in the lead up to the 2028 Olympics.

Here’s everything you need to know about this year’s championships, information on who is competing, and when, as well as how to watch all of the action in Australia.

When is the 2025 World Aquatics Championships?

The 2025 World Aquatics Championships begin on Friday, July 11 and conclude on Sunday, August 3. The championships consist of six disciplines: swimming, open water swimming, artistic swimming, diving, high diving, and water polo. Swimming competition will take place from Sunday, July 27 to Sunday, August 3.

Where are the 2025 World Aquatics Championships?

The 2025 World Aquatics Championships will take place in Singapore. It marks the third consecutive championships held in Asia, following Fukuoka, Japan (2023) and Doha, Qatar (2024). These championships were originally scheduled for Kazan, Russia, but were relocated to Singapore on February 9, 2023.

The majority of competition will take place at the Singapore Sports Hub, which was initially built for the 2015 Southeast Asian Games. A temporary pool venue has been built at the complex for swimming and artistic swimming competition.

Where can I watch the World Aquatics Championships in Australia?

The 2025 World Aquatics Championships will be broadcast in Australia on the 9Network and the 9Now streaming platform. The broadcaster will show every heat and final throughout the championships.

What time will the swimming finals take place?

As is standard in swim competition, heats will take place during the day sessions with semifinals and finals staged in the evening sessions. The evening sessions will begin at 7 p.m. local time (9 p.m. AEST).

Who are the biggest names competing in Singapore?

Over 2,500 athletes from 210 national federations will compete across the six disciplines of water polo, diving, artistic swimming, open water swimming, high diving, and swimming.

The biggest names competing in swim competing include French national icon Leon Marchand, who will take part in the 200m and 400m medley events, American superstar Katie Ledecky, and Canadian sensation Summer McIntosh.

From an Australian perspective, Olympic champion Mollie O’Callaghan will feature in the 100m and 200m freestyle events as well as several relay teams. Backstroke star Kaylee McKeown will be in action in the 50m, 100m, and 200m races, and like O’Callaghan will take part in several relay squads. Rio Olympic 100m champion Kyle Chalmers will also be in action, as will rapid middle distance improver Lani Pallister.

Why is Ariarne Titmus not competing in Singapore?

Australian star Ariarne Titmus declared she would be taking a 12-month break after the Paris Olympics, meaning no appearance at these championships in Singapore.

The four-time Olympic champion, 24, is eyeing a return to the pool later this year as she begins her long preparation for the Los Angeles Olympics in 2028.

Like many top swimmers, Titmus did not compete at last year’s world championships in Doha, but won two gold medals, a silver, and a bronze at the previous championships in Fukuoka in 2023.

What’s the swimming schedule for the world championships?

Swimming heats will take place during the day sessions, while semifinals and finals will be staged in the evening. Here’s the schedule for all swimming finals:

SUNDAY, JULY 27
Women’s 400m freestyle
Women’s 4x100m freestyle relay
Men’s 400m freestyle
Men’s 4x100m freestyle relay

MONDAY, JULY 28
Women’s 100m butterfly
Women’s 200m medley
Men’s 100m breaststroke
Men’s 50m butterfly

TUESDAY, JULY 29
Women’s 1500m freestyle
Women’s 100m backstroke
Women’s 100m breaststroke
Men’s 200m freestyle
Men’s 100m backstroke

WEDNESDAY, JULY 30
Women’s 200m freestyle
Men’s 800m freestyle
Men’s 50m breaststroke
Men’s 200m butterfly
Mixed 4x100m medley relay

THURSDAY, JULY 31
Women’s 50m backstroke
Women’s 200m butterfly
Women’s 4x200m freestyle relay
Men’s 100m freestyle
Men’s 200m medley

FRIDAY, AUGUST 1
Women’s 100m freestyle
Women’s 200m breaststroke
Men’s 200m backstroke
Men’s 200m breaststroke
Men’s 4x200m freestyle relay

SATURDAY, AUGUST 2
Women’s 800m freestyle
Women’s 200m backstroke
Women’s 50m butterfly
Men’s 50m freestyle
Men’s 100m butterfly
Mixed 4x100m freestyle relay

SUNDAY, AUGUST 3
Women’s 50m freestyle
Women’s 50m breaststroke
Women’s 400m medley
Women’s 4x100m medley relay
Men’s 1500m freestyle
Men’s 50m backstroke
Men’s 400m medley
Men’s 4x100m medley relay

Who are Australia’s current world record holders?

Australia boasts a number of reigning Olympic champions in various long course distances and disciplines, as well as six current world records:

Women’s 200m freestyle – Ariarne Titmus (1:52.23, Brisbane, 2024)
Women’s 50m backstroke – Kaylee McKeown (26.86, Budapest, 2023)
Women’s 200m backstroke – Kaylee McKeown (2:03.14, Sydney, 2023)
Women’s 100m relay – Mollie O’Callaghan, Shayna Jack, Meg Harris, Emma McKeon (3:27.96, Fukuoka, 2023)
Women’s 200m relay – Mollie O’Callaghan, Shayna Jack, Brianna Throssell, Ariarne Titmus (7:37.50, Fukuoka, 2023)
Mixed 100m relay – Jack Cartwright, Kyle Chalmers, Shayna Jack, Mollie O’Callaghan (3:18.38, Fukuoka, 2023)



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These AAU Stars Could Be The Future Of Track And Field

Above: Kendrick Jones Jr – Photo by Chance Kirby – – – The AAU Junior Olympic Games are right around the corner – and the next crop of rising talent is ready to take the stage. The AAU was once home to many of the athletes you see on the Diamond League Circuit, from Sha’Carri […]

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Above: Kendrick Jones Jr – Photo by Chance Kirby

– – –

The AAU Junior Olympic Games are right around the corner – and the next crop of rising talent is ready to take the stage. The AAU was once home to many of the athletes you see on the Diamond League Circuit, from Sha’Carri Richardson to Jasmine Moore to Brandon Miller and more.

There are a few young high school stars that have the potential to rise to the next ranks from their humble beginnings in AAU. Here is a look at a few athletes who have run at previous AAU Junior Olympics and who could be the next best thing.

You can watch the 2025 AAU Junior Olympic Games LIVE on FloTrack from July 26 until August 2.

Related Link: A Grand Rapids Native, Donavan Brazier Is Set For London DL

Related Link: 2025 Wanda Diamond League Standings

1. Ruel Newberry (Texas – Class of 2028)

It’s rare to see a freshman have as much success as Ruel Newberry had in 2025, but the up-and-comer has cut his teeth at the AAU Junior Olympics — and he’ll be back in action again this year.

Newberry has already run 14:24.62 over 5K, 8:57.06 over the 3200m distance and 4:17.50 over the 1600m distance. He finished sixth at Nike Outdoor Nationals in the 5K and 16th in the 3,000m.

At last year’s AAU Junior Olympic Games, Newberry ran an 8:34.83 3,000m to win his age division and stunned with a 4:02.70 1,500m for another victory. He also finished fifth in the 800m with a personal best 2:01.13.

At this point, we’re all somewhat familiar with Kendrick Jones Jr. The rising high school senior made a name for himself this year when he ran a 45.27 400m at the Texas A&M Bluebonnet HS Invitational.

At last year’s AAU Junior Olympic Games, Jones ran a 20.81 200m and a 45.66 400m for wins in both events. Before that, in 2023 he ran a 21.15 200m to hold off Jayden Horton-Mims, Evan Boykin and Tate Taylor.

Jones Jr will not be competing at this year’s AAU Junior Olympic Games – but his arch as an athlete has a lot to do with his past performances in the AAU ranks.

3. Khari Webb (Tennessee – Class of 2026)

Tennessee’s Khari Webb is a hurdler with a ton hidden talent.

At last year’s AAU Junior Olympic Games, Khari Webb won the 400mH with a personal best 59.34 to dip below 60-second for the first time in her career. She claimed that win on the heels of a Tennessee 3A State Championship in the 300m Hurdles and 100m Hurdles.

This year, the star has shown no signs of slowing down, and has worked on her overall strength. She ran a 2:13.74 800m for third at the TN State Indoor Championships and has since tried her hand at the multis. She won the Tennessee State Championship in the Pentathlon and went on to finish third at New Balance Nationals in her first-ever Heptathlon.

Webb won’t be competing at the AAU Junior Olympics this year after her busy 2025 season.

How To Watch AAU Junior Olympics 2025

FloSports and FloTrack are the exclusive home of all track events at the 2025 AAU Junior Olympics.

AAU Junior Olympics Track And Field Schedule

Saturday, July 26

  • 8:00 AM Decathlon 15-16B (Day 1) 100M, LJ, SP, HJ, 400M
  • 8:15 AM Pentathlon 13G (Finals) 100M Hurdles SP, HJ, LJ, 800M
  • 8:30 AM Pentathlon 13B (Finals) 100M Hurdles, SP, HJ, LJ, 1500M
  • 9:00 AM Decathlon 17-18B (Day 1) 100M, LJ, SP, HJ, 400M
  • 10:30 AM Heptathlon 15-16G (Day 1) 100M Hurdles, HJ, SP, 200M
  • 10:45 AM Heptathlon 17-18G (Day 1) 100M Hurdles, HJ, SP, 200M
  • 11:00 AM Pentathlon 14G (Finals) 100M Hurdles, SP, HJ, LJ, 800M
  • 11:30 AM Pentathlon 14B (Finals) 100M Hurdles, SP, HJ, LJ, 1500M
  • 12:00 PM 1500M Racewalk (9G, 9B, 10G, 10B) TF
  • 2:00 PM 1500M Racewalk (11G, 11B, 12G, 12B) TF

Sunday, July 27

  • 8:00 AM – Heptathlon 15-16G (Day 2) LJ, Jav, 800M – Heptathlon 17-18G (Day 2) LJ, Jav, 800M – Pentathlon 11G, 12G (Finals) 80M Hurdles, SP, HJ, LJ, 800M – Triathlon 9B, 10B (Finals) HJ, SP, 400M
  • 8:15 AM Pentathlon 11B, 12B (Finals) 80M Hurdles, SP, HJ, LJ, 1500M
  • 8:30 AM Decathlon 15-16B (Day 2) 110M Hurdles, D, PV, Jav, 1500M
  • 9:30 AM Decathlon 17-18B (Day 2) 110M Hurdles, D, PV, Jav, 1500M
  • 1:00 PM Triathlon 9G, 10G (Finals) HJ, SP, 200M
  • 12:00 PM 3000M Racewalk (13G, 13B, 14G, 14B) TF
  • 3:00 PM 3000M Racewalk (15-16G, 15-16B, 17-18G, 17-18B) TF

Monday, July 28

Running Event Schedule

  • 8:00 AM 3000M Run TF (11G, 11B, 12G, 12B)
  • 10:00 AM 400M Hurdles SF (15-16B, 17-18B, 15-16G, 17-18G)
  • 200M Hurdles SF (13G, 13B, 14G, 14B)
  • 12:45 PM 800M Run (13G, 13B, 14G, 14B, 15-16G, 15-16B, 17-18G,17-18B) SF
  • 3:00 PM 200M Dash QF (All divisions)

Field Event Schedule

  • 8:00 AM Long Jump 14G Pit 1, Long Jump 14B Pit 2, Discus 13B, Shot Put 9G Rings 1 & 2, Shot Put 9B Rings 3 & 4, Javelin 13G
  • 9:00 AM High Jump 15-16G Pads 1, 2 & 3, Pole Vault 13B Pad 1
  • 12:00 PM High Jump 12B Pads 1, 2 & 3, Shot Put 14G Rings 1 & 2, Shot Put 14B Rings 3 & 4
  • 1:00 PM Discus 11G, Javelin 15-16B, Long Jump 17-18G Pit 1, Long Jump 17-18B Pit 2, Pole Vault 14B Pad 1
  • 3:00 PM High Jump 10G Pad 1, 2 & 3, Shot Put 8&UG Rings 1 & 2, Shot Put 8&UB Rings 3 & 4

Tuesday, July 29

Running Event Schedule

  • 8:00 AM 1500M Run TF (13G, 13B, 14G, 14B, 15-16G, 15-16B, 17-18G, 17-18B)
  • 11:00 AM 400M Hurdles F (15-16B, 17-18B, 15-16G, 17-18G)
  • 200M Hurdles F (13G, 13B, 14G, 14B)
  • 11:30 AM 100M Dash QF (All Divisions)
  • 2:00 PM 400M Run SF (8&UG, 8&UB, 9G, 9B, 10G, 10B, 11G, 11B, 12G, 12B)

Field Event Schedule 

  • 8:00 AM Long Jump 9G Pit 1, Long Jump 9B Pit 2, Discus 17-18G, Shot Put 10G Rings 1 & 2, Shot Put 10B Rings 3 & 4, Turbo Javelin 12B
  • 9:00 AM High Jump 13B Pads 1, 2 & 3, Pole Vault 13G Pad 1
  • 12:00 PM Discus 12G, High Jump 11B Pads 1, 2 & 3, Triple Jump 13G Pit 1, Triple Jump 13B Pit 2, Shot Put 11G Rings 1 & 2, Shot Put 15-16B Rings 3 & 4
  • 1:00 PM Javelin 13B, Pole Vault 14G Pad 1
  • 3:00 PM High Jump 9G Pads 1, 2 & 3, Shot Put 15-16G Rings 1 & 2, Shot Put 11B Rings 3 & 4, Triple Jump 14G Pit 1, Triple Jump 14B Pit 2 

Wednesday, July 30

Running Event Schedule

  • 8:00 AM 2000M Steeplechase F (15-16G, 17-18G, 15-16B, 17-18B)
  • 9:15 AM 800M Run TF (8&UG, 8&UB, 9G, 9B, 10G, 10B, 11G, 11B, 12G, 12B)
  • 12:00 PM 800M Run F (13G, 13B, 14G, 14B, 15-16G, 15-16B, 17-18G, 17-18B)
  • 12:30 PM 200M Dash SF (All Divisions)
  • 1:15 PM 80M Hurdles SF (11G, 11B, 12G, 12B), 100M Hurdles SF, (13G, 14G, 13B, 14B, 15-16G, 17-18G), 110M Hurdles SF (15-16B, 17-18B)
  • 3:15 PM 4 x 400M Relay SF (9-10G, 9-10B, 11-12G, 11-12B)

Field Event Schedule

  • 8:00 AM Triple Jump 15-16G Pit 1, Triple Jump 15-16B Pit 2, Discus 15-16B, Shot Put 13G Rings 1 & 2, Shot Put 17-18B Rings 3 & 4, Turbo Javelin 9B
  • 9:00 AM High Jump 12G Pads 1, 2 & 3, Pole Vault 15-16G Pad 1 (FLIGHT ONE- LOW PIT)
  • 12:00 PM Shot Put 17-18G Rings 1 & 2, Shot Put 13B Rings 3 & 4, High Jump 14G Pads 1, 2 & 3
  • 1:00 PM Discus 14G, Triple Jump 17-18G Pit 1, Triple Jump 17-18B Pit 2, Javelin 14B, Pole Vault 15-16G Pad 1 (FLIGHT TWO- HIGH PIT)
  • 3:00 PM High Jump 13G Pads 1, 2 & 3, Shot Put 12G Rings 1 & 2, Shot Put 12B Rings 3 & 4 

Thursday, July 31

Running Event Schedule

  • 8:00 AM 1500M Run TF (8&UG, 8&UB, 9G, 9B, 10G, 10B, 11G, 11B, 12G, 12B)
  • 11:45 AM 80M Hurdles F (11G, 11B, 12G, 12B), 100M Hurdles F (13G, 14G, 13B, 14B, 15-16G, 17-18G), 110M Hurdles F (15-16B, 17-18B)
  • 12:15 PM 100M Dash SF (All Divisons)
  • 1:00 PM 4 x 400M Relay SF (13-14G, 13-14B, 15-16G, 15-16B, 17-18G, 17-18B)

Field Event Schedule

  • 8:00 AM Long Jump 13G Pit 1, Long Jump 13B Pit 2, Discus 17-18B, Javelin 15-16G, Turbo Javelin 12G
  • 9:00 AM High Jump 17-18G Pads 1, 2 & 3, Pole Vault 15-16B Pad 1 (FLIGHT ONE- LOW PIT)
  • 12:00 PM High Jump 17-18B Pads 1, 2 & 3
  • 1:00 PM Long Jump 15-16G Pit 1, Long Jump 15-16B Pit 2, Discus 12B, Javelin 14G, Turbo Javelin 9G, Pole Vault 15-16B Pad 1 (FLIGHT TWO- HIGH PIT)
  • 3:00 PM High Jump 10B Pads 1, 2 & 3

Friday, August 1

Running Event Schedule

  • 8:00 AM 4 x 800M Relay TF (11-12G, 11-12B, 13-14G, 13-14B, 15-16G, 15-16B, 17-18G, 17-18B)
  • 10:45 AM 200M Dash F (ALL DIVISIONS)
  • 11:30 AM 400M Dash SF (13G, 13B, 14G, 14B, 15-16G, 15-16B, 17-18G, 17-18B)
  • 1:15 PM 4 x 100M Relay SF (All Divisions)

Field Event Schedule

  • 8:00 AM Long Jump 11B Pit 1, Long Jump 11G Pit 2, Discus 15-16G, Javelin 17-18B, Turbo Javelin 11B
  • 9:00 AM High Jump 15-16B Pads 1, 2 & 3, Pole Vault 17-18G Pad 1 (FLIGHT ONE- LOW PIT)
  • 12:00 PM High Jump 14B Pads 1, 2 & 3
  • 1:00 PM Long Jump 10B Pit 1, Long Jump 10G Pit 2, Discus 13G, Javelin 17-18G, Turbo Javelin 8&UG, Pole Vault 17-18G Pad 1 (FLIGHT TWO- HIGH PIT)
  • 3:00 PM High Jump 11G Pads 1, 2 & 3

Saturday, August 2

Running Event Schedule 

  • 8:00 AM 3000M TF (13G, 13B, 14G, 14B, 15-16G, 15-16B, 17-18G, 17-18B)
  • 12:15 PM 4 x 100M Relay F (All Divisions)
  • 1:00 PM AAU Coach of the Year Award, AAU Club of the Year Award
  • 1:15 PM 400M Dash F (All Divisions)
  • 2:00 PM TIRR Exhibition Race
  • 2:15 PM 100M Dash F (All Divisions)
  • 2:45 PM AAU Joel Ferrell Award Recognition
  • 3:00 PM 4 x 400M Relay F (9-10G, 9-10B, 11-12G, 11-12B, 13-14G, 13-14B, 15-16G, 15-16B, 17-18G, 17-18B) 

Field Event Schedule

  • 8:00 AM Long Jump 8&UB Pit 1, Long Jump 8&UG Pit 2, Discus 11B, Turbo Javelin 10B, Turbo Javelin 8&UB
  • 9:00 AM High Jump 9B Pads 1, 2 & 3, Pole Vault 17-18B Pad 1 (FLIGHT ONE- LOW PIT)
  • 12:00 PM Turbo Javelin 11G, Turbo Javelin 10G, Long Jump 12G Pit 1, Long Jump 12B Pit 2, Pole Vault 17-18B Pad 1 (FLIGHT TWO- HIGH PIT), Discus 14B





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Women’s Volleyball Places Three on Preseason All-B1G Team, Picked Second in Coaches Poll – Penn State

UNIVERSITY PARK, Pa. – Penn State placed three women’s volleyball players on the Preseason All-Big Ten Team, as announced by the conference office on Thursday. Additionally, the Nittany Lions were picked to finish second in the 18-team conference by a vote of the league’s head coaches. Gillian Grimes, Kennedy Martin, and Izzy Starck all earned […]

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UNIVERSITY PARK, Pa. – Penn State placed three women’s volleyball players on the Preseason All-Big Ten Team, as announced by the conference office on Thursday. Additionally, the Nittany Lions were picked to finish second in the 18-team conference by a vote of the league’s head coaches.

Gillian Grimes, Kennedy Martin, and Izzy Starck all earned Preseason All-Big Ten honors for the first time. Grimes enters her senior season as the team’s libero, Martin is set to begin her junior season on the right side after putting together two All-America seasons at Florida, and Starck is ready for her sophomore campaign at setter after winning AVCA National Freshman of the Year recognition last season.

Penn State, the defending National Champion and the co-Big Ten champion alongside Nebraska last year, was picked second behind only the Cornhuskers. Rounding out the top 10 in order were Wisconsin, Minnesota, UCLA, USC, Purdue, Washington, Illinois, and Michigan.

Grimes established herself as one of the top liberos in the country last season, which was capped by her making the NCAA Championship All-Tournament Team after Penn State secured its eighth national title. That honor came just one week after she made the All-Regional Team following the Nittany Lions’ wins over Marquette and Creighton at Rec Hall. Grimes was a second-team All-Big Ten honoree last season.

Martin was a unanimous selection to the Preseason All-Big Ten Team. She comes to Penn State for her third season of collegiate volleyball after two outstanding seasons starring at Florida, where she was a first-team All-American in 2024 and a second-team All-American in 2023. Martin led the Gators to a spot in an NCAA Regional last year while leading the nation in points/set (6.28) and finishing second in kills/set (5.57).

Starck burst on to the scene in her first season last year, earning AVCA National Freshman of the Year, AVCA East Coast Region Freshman of the Year, and Big Ten Freshman of the Year accolades. She started all 37 matches at setter for a team that went 35-2 on the way to Big Ten and national titles. Starck, a second-team All-American and a first-team All-Big Ten selection in her debut campaign, was the recipient of six Big Ten Freshman of the Week and five Big Ten Setter of the Week awards.

Penn State is less than a month away from its season opener. The Nittany Lions open against Creighton in a rematch of a five-set thriller that Penn State won in the NCAA Regional Final at Rec Hall last season. That match is scheduled for August 23 and will take place in Lincoln, Nebraska as part of the AVCA First Serve event.



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Waves Give Back in Panama on Mission Trip

Pepperdine Athletics saw seven student-athletes journey over 4,000 miles to Panama City, Panama for a week-long mission trip filled with service, connection, and spiritual growth this summer. Athletes from the Women’s Soccer, Beach Volleyball, Cross Country, Water Polo, and Swim & Dive programs joined Athletics Chaplain Jordan Holm and Fellowship of Christian Athletes Director Leah […]

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Pepperdine Athletics saw seven student-athletes journey over 4,000 miles to Panama City, Panama for a week-long mission trip filled with service, connection, and spiritual growth this summer.

Athletes from the Women’s Soccer, Beach Volleyball, Cross Country, Water Polo, and Swim & Dive programs joined Athletics Chaplain Jordan Holm and Fellowship of Christian Athletes Director Leah Doherty in sharing the love of Jesus with local school children, assisting in church construction projects, and deepening their own relationships with God and one another. 

It marked the third consecutive summer in which Pepperdine Athletics has taken a mission trip to Panama.

This year’s group included rising senior Anna Ryan; rising juniors Bronson Birdsall, Jon Carcarey, Kiana Fan, Henry Hicks, Kenzi McSpadden; and rising sophomore Victoria Alessandrini.

“Being able to travel to Panama for the third summer in a row has been such an answer to prayer and such an amazing experience,” Athletics Chaplain Jordan Holm said. “We have built such amazing relationships with the people of Panama after three years, it feels like a sort of homecoming when we return.”



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Spencer Jones Remains MLB's Most Perplexing Prospect

Image credit: Spencer Jones (Photo by Brandon Sloter/Getty Images) Baseball America is set to update our Top 100 Prospects list to add 2025 draftees on Monday, July 28. While the update will primarily be for that purpose, we will also use it as a chance to tweak the order, in general. At BA, we continually […]

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July 24, 2025

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Spencer Jones Remains MLB's Most Perplexing Prospect


Image credit:
Spencer Jones (Photo by Brandon Sloter/Getty Images)

Baseball America is set to update our Top 100 Prospects list to add 2025 draftees on Monday, July 28. While the update will primarily be for that purpose, we will also use it as a chance to tweak the order, in general. At BA, we continually work to gather more of the best information possible, and our Top 100 is a reflection of that.

But before the new list goes live on Monday, we thought we would give our readers a bit of a sneak peek: Yankees outfielder Spencer Jones will rejoin the Top 100 in the update.

The last time we updated our Top 100 at the start of July, Jones had just been promoted to Triple-A after spending parts of three different seasons in Double-A. We left him off the list at the time, in part because we felt Spencer’s long stretch in Double-A (188 games, 830 plate appearances) made for concerns that his strong performance was the case of a more experienced hitter succeeding at a level he’d long since grown accustomed to.

Flash forward to today, and Jones has hit 13 home runs in just 19 Triple-A games. On Thursday, he hit three in a single game. From a performance perspective, Jones’ surge means he’s been one of the best hitters in the minors this year. While hitters can go on hot streaks, Jones’ production is something that is a valuable part of his resume.

Jones’ power potential is spectacular. According to Synergy Sports’ data, 27 of the 58 fly balls he’s hit this year have gone for home runs. While that 46.6% home run rate on fly balls is an unsustainable number—Ryan Howard and Aaron Judge are the only 21st century hitters to post a HR/FB rate above 35% in an MLB season and neither of them topped 39.5%—it does speak loudly to Jones’ ability to drive the ball productively whenever he makes contact.

Jones, who turned 21 in March, had never slugged .500 or hit 20 home runs in a full minor league season before this year, but he’s already at an MiLB-leading 29 homers in 20-25, and he’s assured of slugging .500, as well. He’s slugging an MiLB-best .706 right now. If he went hitless in his next 50 at-bats, he’d still be slugging .511.

It’s hard to think of a Triple-A player with a higher variance in his realm of potential outcomes. If everything clicks for Jones, he could rank among MLB’s home run leaders. But his underlying contact issues also mean he remains at risk of being a prolific MiLB slugger who struggles to hit in the majors.

Even during the best 20-game stretch he’ll likely ever have, Jones is striking out 25.5% of the time. For the season, he’s striking out in 31.1% of plate appearances. That’s a significant improvement on last year’s frightening 36.7% rate that saw him set a new Yankees minor league record for striking out, but it remains at the absolute upper-end of MiLB strikeout rates for players who have gone on to have any sort of MLB success.

To get a better sense of the situation Jones is facing, we’ll take a look at every full-season MiLB hitter in the Baseball America database–which covers almost every 21st century hitter and many MLB hitters from the 1980s onward—who posted a 31% or higher strikeout rate in any one MiLB season and went on to have 500 or more MLB plate appearances.

There are 35 players who fit the criteria (MLB players who posted 31% strikeout rates in a MiLB season after their MLB careers were not included). Of those, there are some encouraging stories. James Wood, Trevor Story, Jazz Chisholm, Kyle Stowers, Tommy Pham and Addison Barger all went on to have success in the big leagues.

But there are many more whose MLB careers were derailed by contact issues. Wily Mo Peńa, Bobby Dalbec, Nick Pratto, MJ Melendez, Billy Ashley and Franchy Cordero are among the tooled-up prospects who couldn’t hit consistently enough in the majors to become solid regulars.

Player MiLB
Season		 MiLB
K%		 LEVEL MLB
AVG		 MLB
OBP		 MLB
SLG		 MLB
K%
Russell Branyan 1999 41.3% AAA .232 .329 .485 32.9%
MJ Melendez 2019 39.4% HiA .216 .299 .390 26.5%
Lewis Brinson 2013 38.0% LoA .198 .246 .328 28.4%
Billy Ashley 1990 37.2% HiA .233 .307 .409 34.3%
Joey Gallo 2015 37.2% AA/AAA .194 .319 .456 38.0%
Lee Tinsley 1989 37.1% HiA .241 .313 .334 23.6%
Joey Gallo 2013 37.0% LoA .194 .319 .456 38.0%
Bobby Dalbec 2024 36.1% AAA .222 .290 .422 36.6%
Michael Perez 2013 35.8% HiA, LoA .179 .248 .306 27.7%
Tommy Pham 2008 35.6% HiA, LoA .258 .345 .423 23.4%
Eric Haase 2019 35.4% AAA .227 .278 .396 30.7%
Nick Pratto 2019 34.7% HiA .216 .295 .364 38.7%
Joey Gallo 2016 34.6% AAA .194 .319 .456 38.0%
Bobby Dalbec 2023 34.3% AAA .222 .290 .422 36.6%
Anthony Gose 2016 34.0% AA/AAA .240 .309 .348 28.2%
Joey Gallo 2014 33.3% LoA/AA .194 .319 .456 38.0%
Will Benson 2021 33.3% AA/AAA .222 .303 .413 34.3%
Trevor Story 2013 33.0% LoA .264 .328 .491 28.2%
Tyler Fitzgerald 2022 32.9% AA .257 .313 .436 30.2%
Addison Barger 2021 32.8% LoA/HiA .240 .292 .442 25.3%
Josh Lowe 2022 32.8% AAA .258 .315 .425 27.3%
Daniel Palka 2016 32.7% AA/AAA .218 .277 .433 34.7%
Lawrence Butler 2021 32.4% LoA/HiA .246 .306 .441 26.3%
Bobby Dalbec 2018 32.4% LoA/AA .222 .290 .422 36.6%
Jorge Alfaro 2017 32.3% AAA .253 .302 .393 34.0%
Kyle Stowers 2021 32.3% HiA/AA/AAA .252 .323 .451 30.8%
Tyler Fitzgerald 2021 32.2% HiA .257 .313 .436 30.2%
Jazz Chisholm 2019 32.1% AA/AAA .249 .315 .454 27.4%
Clete Thomas 2011 32.0% AAA .233 .311 .353 26.6%
Connor Wong 2018 32.0% LoA .246 .303 .380 27.8%
Jose Siri 2019 31.9% AA/AAA .207 .265 .403 35.8%
Matt Davidson 2015 31.7% AAA .220 .290 .430 34.3%
Brenton Doyle 2021 31.6% HiA .231 .283 .385 28.5%
James Wood 2023 31.5% AA/HiA .269 .366 .478 28.3%
Bo Naylor 2021 31.5% AA .199 .284 .379 28.1%
Franchy Cordero 2014 31.4% HiA .217 .283 .395 34.9%
Wily Mo Pena 2001 31.3% HiA .250 .303 .445 30.3%
Brenton Doyle 2022 31.2% AA/AAA .231 .283 .385 28.5%
Sam Hilliard 2018 31.2% AA .218 .298 .437 34.3%
Keon Broxton 2013 31.2% AA .209 .297 .388 38.6%
Shane Andrews 1991 31.1% LoA .220 .298 .421 26.8%
Trevor Story 2014 31.1% AA/HiA/LoA .264 .328 .491 28.2%
Nelson Velazquez 2021 31.1% AA/HiA .212 .286 .433 28.8%

The median MLB career slash line for the 35 players in question is .229/.303/.423. They have a 29.5% career MLB strikeout rate.

That’s looking at hitters who had one season of a 31% strikeout rate. In many of the cases of the success stories, they fixed the problem in the minors.

Wood, for example, had an 18% strikeout rate in half a season in Triple-A before he reached the majors in 2024. Story had a 24% strikeout rate in his final MiLB season (2015). Pham (21%), Stowers (25%) and Barger (19%) all had dramatically reduced strikeout rates before they settled into the majors.

The biggest exception is Chisholm. Chisholm’s final MiLB season was 2019 before the pandemic-cancelled 2020 season, so he’s an odd case.

Jones’ career MiLB strikeout rate is 31.5%. Isolating MLB hitters who posted a career strikeout rate above 30% results in a much smaller group. Since 2000, we can only find seven hitters who had a 30% or higher MiLB strikeout rate who went on to have 500 or more MLB plate appearances.

Player MiLB
k%		 MLB
AVG		 MLB
OBP		 MLB
SLG		 MLB
K%		 Career
bWAR
Joey Gallo 34.2% .194 .319 .456 38.0% 15.6
Bobby Dalbec 31.8% .222 .290 .422 36.6% -0.8
Brenton Doyle 31.5% .231 .283 .385 28.5% 3.4
Jazz Chisholm 30.3% .249 .315 .454 27.4% 11.0
Nick Pratto 30.2% .216 .295 .364 38.7% -1.6
Matt Wallner 30.1% .239 .349 .486 33.3% 4.3
Eric Haase 30.0% .227 .278 .396 30.7% 3.0

There are some success stories among those seven, but they all come with some caveats. Eric Haase is currently a Brewers catcher with two seasons as a part-time regular. Brenton Doyle is an exceptional defender in center field for the Rockies who won Gold Gloves in each of his first two seasons. However, his inability to hit, even while playing at Coors Field, has hindered him.

Dalbec’s defensive ability and power earned him two seasons as a semi-regular with the Red Sox, but his strikeout woes kept him from sticking around. Pratto’s strikeout issues led him to be demoted after just 527 MLB plate appearances, and he was eventually dropped from the Royals’ 40-man roster in 2025.

The other three are the more hopeful outcomes for Jones. Chisholm’s athleticism and ability to play second base, center field and third base have made him a two-time all-star who is a consistent productive regular.

But the two remaining outfielders are probably better analogues for Jones.

Matt Wallner has been a successful part-time player for the Twins. He’s yet to log 300 plate appearances in any MLB season, partly because of injuries and partly because he’s a .167/.252/.356 hitter against lefties. But his power has played.

Joey Gallo, meanwhile, was one of the most extreme power and strikeout players the majors have ever seen. He hit 40+ home runs in back-to-back years in 2017 and 2018, totaling 151 home runs in a five-season stretch. He was also two-time Gold Glove winner in right field.

But Gallo’s last season as a semi-regular was in 2022. By 2024 he was out of the majors as a 30-year-old. For all his power, he finished as a .194/.319/.456 career hitter.

Jones’ breakout season is encouraging, which is why he’s going to rejoin the Top 100. But his contact issues remain a significant risk factor, even as he continues to pillage the International League. His combination of potential and risk should make him one of the most fascinating debates in front offices during the next few weeks, whether it is for trade discussions or as a potential MLB callup.

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SEGG, LTRYW) Acquires Majority Stake in DotCom Ventures, Adds Concerts.com and TicketStub.com to Digital Portfolio

PRESS RELEASE Published July 24, 2025 SEGG Media (NASDAQ: SEGG, LTRYW) has completed its $10 million acquisition of a 51% stake in DotCom Ventures Inc., gaining control of the Concerts.com and TicketStub.com brands. The deal marks SEGG Media’s first M&A transaction under its current name and expands its digital ecosystem–now comprising Sports.com, Lottery.com, and Concerts.com–into […]

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July 24, 2025

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PRESS RELEASE

Published July 24, 2025

SEGG Media (NASDAQ: SEGG, LTRYW) has completed its $10 million acquisition of a 51% stake in DotCom Ventures Inc., gaining control of the Concerts.com and TicketStub.com brands. The deal marks SEGG Media’s first M&A transaction under its current name and expands its digital ecosystem–now comprising Sports.com, Lottery.com, and Concerts.com–into the high-growth live entertainment and ticketing markets. Concerts.com will serve as a core platform for fan engagement, while TicketStub.com will power ticketing across SEGG’s properties, with integration efforts and executive recruitment already underway.

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

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

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

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