College Sports

From uncertainty to finding my place: The Daily Bruin was worth the wait -30-

I almost didn’t come to UCLA. You could probably count on one hand the number of students who attended an Ivy League university in the history of my high school. Prestigious universities were not a regular topic of conversation, and most people ended up going to college somewhere nearby, along the coast of Southern California. […]

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1 week ago

June 9, 2025

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I almost didn’t come to UCLA.

You could probably count on one hand the number of students who attended an Ivy League university in the history of my high school. Prestigious universities were not a regular topic of conversation, and most people ended up going to college somewhere nearby, along the coast of Southern California.

So as a senior, I followed suit and toured the small list of private religious schools and Cal State schools that graduates of my high school typically attended. But no matter how hard I tried to envision myself at these schools, none of them felt right.

Given how obsessive I was over maintaining a perfect GPA in high school, community college was never on the table for me. So when my parents suggested I spend two more years at home, I was immediately against the idea.

That was not how I envisioned my college experience.

It hurt to watch my peers start their new lives in college, while I was stuck at home. But I held onto the belief that there had to be something bigger waiting for me.

Community college ended up being wonderful.

I rediscovered my love for soccer, made lifelong friendships and memories with my teammates and got to spend two more years living with my family.

Despite my ability to make the best out of a situation I never thought I would be in, I spent every night wondering if my hard work would ever pay off.

That moment finally came when an acceptance email from UCLA landed in my inbox in April 2023. It wasn’t until then that I started to realize community college was not a detour but actually a step toward a life I never could have imagined as a high schooler.

I always loved to write. As a little kid, I wrote, illustrated and constructed my own book about a girl who turned into a hot dog.

But there was never a space beyond the classroom for me to fully dive into my knack for writing. That is, until I saw that applications were open for the Daily Bruin.

Unlike the other club applications I was filling out during those first few weeks at UCLA, I genuinely enjoyed the Daily Bruin application process. Even though I had zero experience in journalism, responding to the prompts felt natural, almost easy.

I jumped right into the deep end of journalism as part of the gymnastics beat. Although I had only ever watched gymnastics a few times during the Olympics, I was tasked with writing breaking wraps about the meets and generating interview questions for a sport I knew nothing about.

The Daily Bruin challenged me like I had never been challenged before – and I loved it.

I will never forget my first experience as a student reporter. As I sat at the media table alongside gymnastics editor Ben Royer and fellow intern, soon-to-be gymnastics editor Aaron Doyle at Meet the Bruins in Pauley Pavilion in December 2023, I was captivated by the fast-paced environment and thrill of being so close to the action.

And that thrill has yet to fade.

As I reflect on these last two years with the Daily Bruin, I realize this newspaper was the “something bigger” that I had been waiting for in community college. Without it, my passion for elevating women’s presence in the sports industry and increasing coverage of women’s sports might have stayed buried.

I often think about what would have happened if I had not gone to community college, UCLA or joined the Daily Bruin.

I would have never gotten the chance to travel to Berkeley and Salt Lake City to cover the gymnastics team at back-to-back NCAA Regionals. I would have never been in the background of the televised March Madness selection show when UCLA earned its first No. 1 overall seed in program history. I would have never interviewed two-time Olympian Jordan Chiles or met National Softball Hall of Famer Lisa Fernandez.

I would have never applied for an internship at Dodgers Nation, where I got to cover the Los Angeles Dodgers on their 2024 World Series run – and where I’ll continue working after graduation. I would not be packing my bags to head to Oklahoma City for the Women’s College World Series – a tournament I have been watching on TV with my mom for years.

Like community college, journalism was never part of the plan, but now, I can’t imagine my life without it.

As my time at the Daily Bruin comes to an end and I prepare to tackle the unpredictabilities of post-grad life in New York City, I have learned not to fear the unknown because the best experiences in life are often the ones you do not anticipate.

Going to community college was hard and something I never expected. I spent two years waiting for it to finally be “my turn.”

But the Daily Bruin was absolutely worth the wait.

Garcia was Sports staff from 2024-2025 and a Sports contributor and reporter from 2023-2024.

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College Sports

Star College QB Reportedly Turned Down $8 Million This Offseason

Over the last few years, Name, Image and Likeness (NIL) has changed the entire landscape of college sports. Athletes are now able to profit off themselves, resulting in paydays in the high six-figures or reaching seven figures for some of the top players, particularly in men’s basketball and football. Advertisement LaNorris Sellers is expected to […]

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36 minutes ago

June 18, 2025

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Over the last few years, Name, Image and Likeness (NIL) has changed the entire landscape of college sports.

Athletes are now able to profit off themselves, resulting in paydays in the high six-figures or reaching seven figures for some of the top players, particularly in men’s basketball and football.

LaNorris Sellers is expected to be one of the best quarterbacks and overall players in college football this fall. The South Carolina signal caller is a preseason Heisman Trophy candidate, and if all goes well, could be picked very high in the 2026 NFL Draft.

After a breakout 2024 season, Sellers received plenty of back-channel overtures from other programs trying to lure him into the transfer portal. According to his father Norris, one of them dangled an $8 million offer over two seasons.

“He was offered all kinds of crazy numbers,” Norris Sellers told Bruce Feldman of The Athletic. “I told him he could say, I’m gonna stay or I’m gonna go. By my two cents: It was to get into college on a scholarship, play ball, get our degree and go on about our business. This NIL deal came later. We didn’t come here to make money. We came here to get our education, play ball, and with schools calling, we’re not gonna jump ship because they’re offering more than what we’re getting. If it ain’t broke, don’t fix it.”

ORLANDO, FL - DECEMBER 31: South Carolina Gamecocks quarterback LaNorris Sellers (16) looks for a receiver during the game between the South Carolina Gamecocks and the Illinois Fighting Illini on December 31, 2024 at Camping World Stadium in Orlando, Fl. (Photo by David Rosenblum/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)<p><a href="https://www.gettyimages.com/detail/2191509516" rel="nofollow noopener" target="_blank" data-ylk="slk:Icon Sportswire/Getty Images;elm:context_link;itc:0;sec:content-canvas" class="link ">Icon Sportswire/Getty Images</a></p> — ORLANDO, FL – DECEMBER 31: South Carolina Gamecocks quarterback LaNorris Sellers (16) looks for a receiver during the game between the South Carolina Gamecocks and the Illinois Fighting Illini on December 31, 2024 at Camping World Stadium in Orlando, Fl. (Photo by David Rosenblum/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)

Icon Sportswire/Getty Images

Eye-popping NIL offers have become part of the game for elite quarterbacks lately. Georgia transfer Carson Beck reportedly signed a $4 million deal with Miami this offseason, and in 2024, former Texas quarterback Quinn Ewers was rumored to have been approached with a $6 million offer to transfer, which he declined.

In the case of Sellers, the money wasn’t worth moving on from the program where he has established himself.

“I’ve been playing football all of my life for free,” LaNorris Sellers told Feldman. “I’ve built relationships here, my family’s here, my brother’s here. There’s no reason for me to go someplace else and start over.”

South Carolina finished 9-4 in 2024, with Sellers throwing for 2,534 yards, 18 touchdowns and seven interceptions. The 6-foot-3, 242-pound dual-threat added 674 rushing yards and seven scores on the ground.

The Gamecocks will open the 2025 season against Virginia Tech on August 31.

Star College QB Reportedly Turned Down $8 Million This Offseason first appeared on Men’s Journal on Jun 17, 2025

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College Sports

Ten Cardinals Earn CRCA Scholar-Athlete Honors

Story Links MIDDLETOWN, Conn. – Ten members of the Wesleyan women’s crew team earned Scholar-Athlete honors from the Collegiate Rowing Coaches Association (CRCA), as announced on Tuesday afternoon. Wesleyan’s 10 honorees rank fourth-most in the nation among Division III programs. In total, over 1000 student-athletes earned Scholar-Athlete honors across all NCAA Divisions. […]

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2 hours ago

June 18, 2025

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MIDDLETOWN, Conn. – Ten members of the Wesleyan women’s crew team earned Scholar-Athlete honors from the Collegiate Rowing Coaches Association (CRCA), as announced on Tuesday afternoon.

Wesleyan’s 10 honorees rank fourth-most in the nation among Division III programs. In total, over 1000 student-athletes earned Scholar-Athlete honors across all NCAA Divisions. To qualify for selection, student-athletes must have at least a 3.5 cumulative GPA through the fall 2024 semester and be in their sophomore year. Student-athletes must have rowed a minimum of 75% of the current spring races or competed in the conference championship race (National Invitational Rowing Championship).

Among the list of Cardinals who earned Scholar-Athlete honors includes three-time honoree Ava Olson ’25 (College of Social Studies, History double major) while several earned the distinction for the second time in their careers including Aleah Hurwitz ’25 (Art Studio, Sociology), Cadence Cole ’26 (Anthropology, Archaeology), and Nora Printy ’26 (Biology, German Studies, Mathematics). Making the list for the first time in their careers is Annabelle Miller ’25 (Earth and Environmental Sciences), Clara Preisig ’25 (Neuroscience and Behavior, Psychology), Alexandra Stanislaw ’25 (Italian Studies, Science in Society), Hailey Hutchison ’27 (Undecided), Julia Lissack ’27 (Mathematics, Economics), and Ruby Roberts ’27 (Undecided).

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College Sports

Brad Marchand returns to hockey heaven with Panthers, sets gold standard for trade-deadline pickups

SUNRISE, Fla. — From the trade deadline bargain bin to a Stanley Cup champion in a little over three months, Brad Marchand is the new gold standard for how an in-season pickup can reinvigorate an NHL team. The Florida Panthers surrendered a future first-round pick to the Boston Bruins and paid Marchand just $109,375 in […]

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3 hours ago

June 18, 2025

Your Sports Nation

The Florida Panthers surrendered a future first-round pick to the Boston Bruins and paid Marchand just $109,375 in salary before turning him loose for an unforgettable spring on the edge of the Everglades.

Marchand scored 10 goals from the third line during Florida’s second straight championship run, helping transform the Panthers into the deepest team in hockey. That included two game-winners during a six-game Cup Final win over the Edmonton Oilers that ended up being much more lopsided than the battle between the teams last June.

The biggest difference?

The presence of a 37-year-old who brought the tenacity of a champion to the lineup and the joy of a kid to the dressing room. Marchand and the Panthers proved to be a match made in hockey heaven — above even the expectations of the player himself.

“You never know how things are going to play out,” Marchand said. “I just wanted to come in and buy in and be part of the group and play whatever role I was put in and do it to the best I possibly can. When you walk into this room and you see what guys are putting themselves through every day to prepare and to sacrifice and how dialed in they are, you just kind of follow suit.

“They’ve built an incredible culture in this room. It’s very easy to follow. And when you do that, you just leave it all on the ice. We have a good team, so good things happen in here and we have a lot of fun.”

Marchand unleashed 14 years of pent-up emotion when he lifted the Stanley Cup above his head again at Amerant Bank Arena on Tuesday night. He’d won the trophy with the Bruins in 2011 at the end of his first full NHL season, but was on the losing end of championship series in 2013 and 2019.

Brad Marchand first lifted the Stanley Cup in 2011. (Bruce Bennett / Getty Images)

He vowed to treat this opportunity like it might be his last.

That capped a remarkable run for the veteran winger in Florida after being one of the final players moved before the March 7 trade deadline. Marchand didn’t make his Panthers debut until March 28 because of injury, but looked immediately at home after finding a spot on the third line beside Anton Lundell and Eetu Luostarinen.

That trio chewed through opponents all spring, with Florida outscoring its opponents 21-7 during Marchand’s five-on-five minutes. Multiple Panthers labeled them the team’s most effective line while dispatching the Tampa Bay Lightning, Toronto Maple Leafs, Carolina Hurricanes and Oilers on the way to another championship.

Needless to say, the first trade of Marchand’s NHL career worked out better than anyone could have imagined. He admitted to feeling anxious about the move after 16 seasons in Boston and wasn’t initially sure how he’d even fit in with the Panthers.

“When you look at the lineup, I was honestly like, ‘I think I’m playing fourth line again. Back to my roots,’” Marchand said. “I didn’t have many expectations. I knew playing against the Panthers this year that they were the team that I felt in the East was the team that was going to make a run. So I was just excited to be part of it. I didn’t have expectations of where I was going to play or what I was going to do.”

A pending unrestricted free agent on July 1, Marchand is expected to command more than $8 million per season on the open market, according to league sources.

He will go down as one of the better trade deadline pickups in NHL history. The Panthers acquired him for a first-round pick in either 2027 or 2028, with Boston retaining half of his remaining salary to make the numbers work.

In adding Marchand, the Panthers knew they were getting a high-engine worker. But they didn’t realize what a big impact he would have on their team culture, thanks in large part to his good-natured demeanor.

“Getting to know him a little bit more as a human, he’s more special than I could have imagined on that front,” Panthers general manager Bill Zito said. “As a teammate and as a character human. From that standpoint, it’s like frosting on the cake.”

He was asked if he will be able to keep Marchand.

“I bought a Dairy Queen,” Zito joked after the game during the team’s on-ice celebration.

While Sam Bennett (15) scored more goals for the Panthers this spring and received the Conn Smythe Trophy as playoff MVP, Marchand arguably had the bigger moments. He won Game 2 against the Oilers with a breakaway goal in double overtime and scored twice with impressive individual efforts in Game 5 to give the Panthers the chance to hoist the Cup on home ice.

Marchand also had an overtime winner against the Maple Leafs in Round 2, which prevented them from falling into an 0-3 hole in that series.

Following a season in which he struggled with health challenges and the weight of the uncertainty in Boston, Marchand saved his best hockey for when it mattered most. No one enjoyed the Cup run more than the oldest member of the Panthers.

“I honestly feel like a young guy again,” he said.

(Top photo: Mike Carlson / Getty Images)

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College Sports

Kentucky native Taylen Kinney set for official visit to UK Basketball

Northern Kentucky native and 4-star point guard Taylen Kinney is set to take an official visit to the University of Kentucky beginning June 24, according to Sam Kayser of League Ready Kinney, a top-25 prospect in the class of 2026, currently plays for Overtime Elite (OTE) in Atlanta, Georgia. Known for his explosive first step, […]

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5 hours ago

June 18, 2025

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Kentucky native Taylen Kinney set for official visit to UK Basketball

Northern Kentucky native and 4-star point guard Taylen Kinney is set to take an official visit to the University of Kentucky beginning June 24, according to Sam Kayser of League Ready

Kinney, a top-25 prospect in the class of 2026, currently plays for Overtime Elite (OTE) in Atlanta, Georgia. Known for his explosive first step, playmaking ability, and leadership at the point guard spot, Kinney has become one of the most sought-after backcourt players in his class.

His connection to the Wildcats, however, runs deep.

The in-state standout previously made an unofficial visit to Lexington last year. Since then, the relationship between Kinney and Kentucky has only strengthened.

Earlier this spring, Pope, along with assistant coaches Jason Hart and Cody Fueger, made an in-home visit to meet with Kinney and his family. It was a clear signal that the Wildcats view Kinney as a priority target for their 2026 recruiting class.

Kinney’s upcoming official visit offers the staff a chance to build on their relationship and get a closer look at Pope’s vision for the program and the revamped facilities. It is also an opportunity for Kinney to connect with current players and get a feel for the atmosphere in Lexington.

For Kentucky, locking in an in-state star like Kinney would be a major win, and for Kinney, it’s another step in evaluating what could be a homegrown path to college stardom.

Follow us on Twitter and Facebook for more Kentucky Wildcats news. And as always, Go CATS!!!

College Sports

Oklahoma has left wrestling to die in new era of college sports

The Oklahoma Sooners have made their priorities clear, and wrestling is not one of them. With the House v. NCAA settlement officially being approved and allowing revenue sharing in college sports, OU athletic director Joe Castiglione recently announced six sports that will get a share of the $20.5 million this year — football, men’s and […]

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7 hours ago

June 18, 2025

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The Oklahoma Sooners have made their priorities clear, and wrestling is not one of them.

With the House v. NCAA settlement officially being approved and allowing revenue sharing in college sports, OU athletic director Joe Castiglione recently announced six sports that will get a share of the $20.5 million this year — football, men’s and women’s basketball, baseball, softball, and women’s gymnastics. Wrestling, one of the most popular sports in the state of Oklahoma, did not make the cut.

Wrestling gets left behind as OU picks its six revenue-share winners

All six sports are deserving of the money. Let that be clear. Football and men’s basketball are the monsters that have to be fed at every school. Baseball is also one of the most popular sports in America. Women’s basketball, softball and women’s gymnastics are consistent national contenders that have earned the support at OU.

But in a new era of college athletics where only the strong will survive, OU is experiencing the strain of having so many different mouths to feed. And some sports might not survive, including wrestling.

Wrestling has been on life support at OU for some time, but that’s what happens when things aren’t nourished. The sport itself is not to blame, though. Wrestling has brought OU seven national championships, tied for the third-most with football and women’s gymnastics. It’s a sport that could succeed using mostly local talent, which can’t be said for the other sports the Sooners are trying to win at.

Just down the road in Stillwater, Oklahoma State has proven what happens when a wrestling program is supported in this state. Even after a major coaching change last year, OSU still broke wrestling attendance records, even at times drawing bigger crowds than men’s basketball, and remained nationally relevant. Even at the Division-II level, Central Oklahoma is thriving in Edmond. It’s obviously possible and likely.

But none of OU’s athletic decisions have considered wrestling as it sits at the bottom of the Sooners’ sports barrel. OU moved from the Big 12 to the SEC, a conference without wrestling. That move graduated nearly every sport to better conference competition, while wrestling remained in the Big 12 as an affiliate member. And apparently none of that extra money from a richer conference is being funneled to the wrestling program to give it any sort of benefit.

The sport shares a nearly 100-year-old venue with volleyball and men’s gymnastics. Then there was the recent decision to leave wrestling out of revenue sharing, but at least with five additional scholarships as a consolation.

Wrestling is a tradition in Oklahoma, but OU is all in on the new trends of college sports that doom tradition, whether it be in-state conference rivalries, which the Sooners still have in wrestling, or winning by recruiting local talent, which the Sooners could achieve on the mat.

The Sooners haven’t pulled the plug yet on wrestling, but they are letting the sport endure an agonizing death at OU while all it needs is the right antidote to thrive.

Read more about the Oklahoma Sooners

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College Sports

State briefs: Clemson gymnastics adds assistant coach | College

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7 hours ago

June 18, 2025

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