Ed Mickelson, the third-oldest living former major leaguer and the answer to a fantastic St. Louis trivia question, has died. He was 98.
Mickelson’s brief big league career consisted of 18 games from 1950-57 — five for the Cardinals, seven for the Browns, and six for the Chicago Cubs. Along the way he etched his name into the record books by driving in the final run in St. Louis Browns history on Sept. 27, 1953.
The following year, the Browns relocated to Baltimore, Maryland and were renamed the Orioles.
A view of a Chicago Cubs baseball cap on the stairs of the dugout during the game against the Washington Nationals at Nationals Park on June 04, 2025. A view of a Chicago Cubs baseball cap on the stairs of the dugout during the game against the Washington Nationals at Nationals Park on June 04, 2025. G Fiume/Getty Images
A three-sport star at University City High, Mickelson stood 6-foot-3, a natural athlete who could’ve taken any path. Basketball earned him a scholarship to the University of Tennessee, but homesickness sent him back to Missouri, where he starred in football and hoops at Washington University in St. Louis.
Mickelson’s sports career took a detour when he enlisted in the Army Air Corps in 1944. At the time of his death, he was one of just three surviving MLB players who served in World War II.
After serving for 18 months, Mickelson played basketball for Hank Iba at Oklahoma A&M — on a baseball scholarship — before signing with the Cardinals in 1947. He claimed to have played only 30 baseball games prior to signing, 15 in high school and 15 in college.
Mickelson debuted in 1950, singling off future Hall of Famer Warren Spahn in his second game. But with Stan Musial entrenched at first base in St. Louis, Mickelson’s path with the Cardinals stalled.
Prior to the 1953 season, Mickelson headed across town to join the American League’s St. Louis Browns. After a late-season call-up, Mickelson was in the starting lineup for the Browns’ final game against the Chicago White Sox. He lined an RBI single to score Johnny Groth for the team’s final run — one of only two hits he collected in a Browns uniform.
When the Browns moved to Baltimore, Mickelson did not. He spent the next four seasons in the minor leagues and thrived.
After hitting .300 for the third straight season with the Portland Beavers of the Pacific Coast League, the Chicago Cubs purchased Mickelson’s contract for six games in 1957. He went 0-for-12, quietly ending his playing career in his native Illinois.
Survived by wife Mary, children Eric and Julie, eight grandchildren, and 12 great-grandchildren, Mickelson’s legacy extended beyond the diamond. His 2007 memoir, A Memoir of a Minor League Baseball All-Star, chronicled a journey of perseverance through war, injuries, and the grind of the minor leagues.
COLORADO SPRINGS, Colo. (Jan. 8, 2026) – Two of the most accomplished beach volleyball players in the United States, Kelly Cheng and Megan Kraft, have announced a new partnership that brings together two elite-level athletes, one with Olympic experience and the other a rising world talent, as they look to represent the U.S. at the Los Angeles 2028 Olympic Games.
This new partnership brings together Cheng, a two-time Olympian, World champion, and one of beach volleyball’s most decorated stars, and Kraft, a standout young competitor with national championships and top honors at every level of competition. Both were highly successful athletes at USC, where each captured multiple NCAA national titles and All-American recognitions. They will look to establish that same level of success with their new partnership
“I’ve watched Meg grow into one of the most complete beach players in the world,” said Cheng. “We both share a deep drive to compete, improve, and represent our country with pride. But even more than that, we share a deep commitment to our faith. This partnership is about building something big together, not just for one season, but for the long run. We want to inspire the next generation of beach volleyball players here in the United States.”
“Kelly is a fierce competitor and a proven winner,” said Kraft. “I think our playing styles and personalities fit really well, and I’m beyond excited to have the chance to compete alongside her with the ultimate goal being the Los Angeles 2028 Olympics. That would be a dream come true!”
The duo will be coached by Jordan Cheng and assistant coach Mike Placek.
Cheng, 30, is a two-time Olympian and has won an elite-level tournament with multiple partners since 2019 (Sarah Sponcil, Betsi Flint, Sara Hughes, and Molly Shaw) and is recognized as one of the best attackers in the world. A four-time NCAA national champion, All-American, and Player of the Year (2017) at USC, she is one of the most successful collegiate beach volleyball players of all time.
Kraft, 23, is a rising star in beach volleyball, who dominated at USC with four NCAA national championships and was named the 2024 AVCA Collegiate Beach Player of the Year. Just a few months after graduating from USC, Kraft was named the 2024 Beach Pro Tour Rookie of the Year. She has already achieved success on both domestic and international circuits. She made her AVP debut at the age of 16 and has medaled in multiple FIVB events with former partner, Terese Cannon.
One of the best volleyball players in history announced Friday she’s closing the chapter on her historic volleyball playing career.
Husker and Olympic legend Jordan Larson, who now plays for the Omaha team in League One Volleyball, said this will be her final season as a player.
In a news conference Friday morning, Larson said “every gym, every jersey, every team, coach and band has played a role” in her playing career.
“This season isn’t about an ending. It’s about celebrating that made the journey possible,” Larson said. “After this year, I’ll be stepping away from competitive volleyball, and rather than making this the finish line, I want to spend the season honoring the people, places and moments that shaped it all.”
The volleyball great fought tears as she spoke about her last season playing competitive volleyball. She said she wants to spend the season honoring the “people, places and moments that shaped it all.”
“I’ve been incredibly fortunate to play this game alongside people who have challenged me, pushed me and supported me and believe in something bigger than myself,” she said. “None of this would have happened alone. This season is for the shared work, the memories and the lessons, and for the love for the game that has been constant from the very beginning.”
She said she’s grateful for every season spent on the court and is excited for her last one to be with the Omaha Supernovas, in a state where it all started.
“I’m grateful for every step… and how special it is for me to be home and be able to do this in front of a state that just really loves volleyball,” Larson said.
Larson, from Hooper, Nebraska, was a Husker player from 2005-2008, helping lead the team to a 127-8 record, including a runner-up finish in 2005 and a national championship in 2006.
She was a three-time All-American and was inducted into the Nebraska Athletic Hall of Fame in 2020.
As an Olympian, Larson was on four medal-winning teams, including the team that won the gold medal at the 2021 Tokyo Olympics. The four medals ties for most all time for any player. She also played on numerous other teams that won gold medals in international competitions.
Her 15-year pro career has included stints with teams in Russia, China, Turkey and Italy. She spent her final two years in Omaha, where in addition to playing, she also became a co-owner of the Omaha team.
Larson also spent time as an assistant coach at Nebraska, helping lead the 2023 team to a 33-2 record and a national runner-up finish.
The Grambling State University track & field head coach Lamonte Vaughn Jr. announced the addition of Hagan Landry to the staff as an assistant coach.
Landry joins GSU after spending the 2024-25 season as the throws coach at West Virginia State University, where his athletes broke six school records across the men’s and women’s programs. He also coached freshman Anthony Belcher to a conference championship in the discus.
Prior to his coaching career, Landry competed professionally for 11 years as a member of the United States Paralympic Track & Field Team under the guidance of Lawrence Judge.
He earned a silver medal in the shot put at the 2021 Paralympic Games and a bronze medal at the 2023 World Championships, currently holds the Americas record, and ranks fourth on the all-time world list in the shot put.
A native of Delcambre, Louisiana, Landry brings elite competitive experience to the Grambling track and field program.
BROOKLYN, N.Y. — Brooklyn College Director of Athletics Erik Smiles announced the appointment of Lauren Caiaccia as Head Coach of the Brooklyn College Women’s Volleyball program, following her highly successful tenure as Interim Head Coach during the final stretch of the 2025 season.
Taking over at the helm of the program as the Bulldogs were on a four-match skid, Caiaccia was victorious in her first match coached at Brooklyn as BC defeated CCNY, 3-1, on October 14. Brooklyn would then win their second straight match under Caiaccia’s guidance at St. Elizabeth five days later.
Caiaccia’s immediate impact continued as she led Brooklyn to their first CUNYAC Championship match since 2022 following a quarterfinal win over Lehman and a dramatic 3-2 semifinal victory at Baruch. Brooklyn finished the final 13 matches with a winning record under her leadership. Three Bulldogs would go on to earn Second Team All-CUNYAC honors.
“I am thrilled to welcome Lauren to Brooklyn as our next Women’s Volleyball Head Coach, Smiles would comment. “Her knowledge of the game, coaching and development abilities in practice, and her local ties made her a perfect fit to move our program forward.”
Well-known in CUNYAC volleyball, Caiaccia had a successful tenure at Hunter College where she led the women’s volleyball program to four straight conference titles (1999-2002). She would be named CUNYAC Coach of the Year following the 2001 conference championship run. Her success was not limited to the women’s game as she guided the Hunter men’s volleyball team to CUNYAC Championships in 1999 and 2003, and was named CUNYAC Coach of the Year following both seasons. She would go on to earn regional recognition in 2003 by being named the North East Collegiate Volleyball Association (NECVA) Coach of the Year. Caiaccia has the historic distinction of being the first woman to lead a collegiate men’s volleyball program to 100 wins. In addition to her coaching duties, Caiaccia served as Assistant Director of Athletics at Hunter.
“She brought together a great mix of college and high school coaching success and spent time as an administrator as well, she understands what it takes to build a program from all of the different angles involved,” Smiles would add.
Following her success at Hunter, Caiaccia took over as Head Coach of the women’s and men’s volleyball teams at another CUNYAC member, CCNY. There, she coached the 2006 CUNYAC Women’s Volleyball Player of the Year while finishing up her second bachelor’s degree in Physical Education.
Since 2007, Caiaccia has taught Physical Education at Townsend Harris High School. In addition to teaching, she served as the school’s Director of Athletics for eight years, overseeing 31 teams. Caiaccia is in her 19th season as Head Coach of the girls’ varsity basketball team, guiding the program to a pair of PSAL semifinal appearances, three quarterfinal appearances, and multiple divisional titles. She has also coached the boys’ varsity volleyball team to its only divisional championship in six years at the helm of the program.
“I’m excited to be back coaching college volleyball and beyond grateful to have this opportunity specifically at Brooklyn College,” Coach Caiaccia commented on her appointment.
A highly decorated student-athlete at Binghamton University, Caiaccia was a member of the women’s volleyball, women’s basketball, and track and field teams. Starring as an outside hitter in volleyball, Caiaccia served as team captain as a senior and graduated with six school records while helping the program to their first ever NCAA Tournament appearance, SUNYAC, and state crowns. Caiaccia has the distinct honor of being a two-time Hall of Fame inductee at Binghamton. First, as an individual in 2004 and most recently in 2025 as a member of the 1995 women’s volleyball team.
Also an accomplished academic, Caiaccia holds a bachelor’s degree in Psychobiology and Master of Business Administration from Binghamton University and a bachelor’s degree in Physical Education from Queens College. She has gone on to earn an advanced degree in Educational Leadership and holds New York State Licenses as a School Building Leader as well as a School District Leader. Caiaccia has also served as an adjunct professor in the City University of New York (CUNY) system.
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SERIES HISTORY – MOUNT OLIVE • Penn State and Mount Olive will meet for the 12th time in the series history. • The Nittany Lions won the most recent meeting by a 3-1 score to open the 2018 season. That match was also played at Rec Hall. Calvin Mende hit .667 with 15 kills and three blocks in the win. Jalen Penrose hit .615 with 10 kills, two blocks, and four aces. • Every match in the series was played at Rec Hall. Penn State swept the first 10 before losing the one set in 2018.
Year
Winner
Score
Location
2005
Penn State
3-0
Rec Hall
2008
Penn State
3-0
Rec Hall
2009
Penn State
3-0
Rec Hall
2011
Penn State
3-0
Rec Hall
2012
Penn State
3-0
Rec Hall
2013
Penn State
3-0
Rec Hall
2014
Penn State
3-0
Rec Hall
2015
Penn State
3-0
Rec Hall
2016
Penn State
3-0
Rec Hall
2017
Penn State
3-0
Rec Hall
2018
Penn State
3-1
Rec Hall
PENN STATE VS. CONFERENCE CAROLINAS • Penn State is unbeaten at 19-0 all-time against current members of the Conference Carolinas. • The Nittany Lions have played six of the eight teams — Mount Olive (11-0), Lees-McRae (3-0), Erskine (2-0), Belmont Abbey (1-0), King (1-0), and North Greenville (1-0). • Penn State last played Conference Carolinas teams in 2024 when it swept both King and Lees-McRae.
HONOLULU – The second-ranked University of Hawai’i men’s volleyball team continued its run of sweeps after a straight-set win over No. 7 Loyola Chicago Thursday in the first of two non-conference matches at Bankoh Arena at Stan Sheriff Center. Set scores were 25-18, 25-19, 25-15.
The Rainbow Warriors (3-0) made it three consecutive sweeps to start the season with another dominant showing. UH hit .426 for the match against one of the nation’s top teams and did not allow a service ace while recording seven of its own. Hawai’i held LUC to .172 hitting.
For the third straight match, Kristian Titriyski led the way with a team-high 11 kills, hitting .368. Adrien Roure added eight kills and Louis Sakanoko had six kills, four digs, and two blocks. Justin Todd had a career-high three aces – all during Set 2 – while Kainoa Wade came off the bench and served two aces during a late Set 3 run to close out the match.
Setter Tread Rosenthal dished out 26 assists with five kills of his own and three blocks. Trevell Jordan had four kills and a team-high four blocks.
The Ramblers (0-1) were led by Daniel Fabikovic’s 11 kills.
In Set 1, UH reeled off three straight for a 16-11 lead behind the tough serving by Todd. The lead was 19-13 after a Sakanoko ace. Hawai’i went on to hit .650 in the set despite committing an uncharacteristic seven service errors.
Todd’s three aces during a 6-0 run gave Hawai’i an 8-2 lead in Set 2. The Ramblers pulled within one at 15-14 but UH stretched its lead to four at 21-17. A pair of Loyola attack errors gave the Warriors set point at 24-18 and Titriyski’s 10th kill closed out the set.
UH took a 10-7 lead in Set 3 after back-to-back LUC errors. The Warriors extended their lead to 17-12 after a 6-2 run that included five Rambler errors. In all, LUC committed 10 attack errors in the third set and hit .000 and UH only needed eight kills to pull out the set.
The teams play again on Friday at 7:00 p.m. at Bankoh Arena. Prior to the match, UH’s alumni will hold an all-alumni match at 4:00 p.m. Scheduled to participate are UH associate coach Kūpono Fey and Loyola Chicago assistant coach Dalton Solbrig.
