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Independents announce tournament, plus more on rev-share budgets

—— The five independent schools in college hockey have formed the United Collegiate Hockey Cup, an end-of-season tournament that will be hosted at Lindenwood’s Centene Community Ice Center. The inaugural tournament will be held from March 5-7, 2026. The tournament winner will not receive an automatic NCAA Tournament bid, but it will provide a championship […]

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—— The five independent schools in college hockey have formed the United Collegiate Hockey Cup, an end-of-season tournament that will be hosted at Lindenwood’s Centene Community Ice Center.

The inaugural tournament will be held from March 5-7, 2026. The tournament winner will not receive an automatic NCAA Tournament bid, but it will provide a championship experience for the independent programs, which include Alaska, Alaska Anchorage, Lindenwood, Long Island, and Stonehill.

St. Louis just hosted the 2025 Frozen Four and also hosted a regional at Centene Community Ice Center in 2024.

“We are thrilled to bring this tournament to the St. Louis market,” said Jason Coomer, Vice President for Intercollegiate Athletics at Lindenwood University. “This event not only provides a competitive platform for our student-athletes but also showcases the growth and quality of independent NCAA hockey programs on a national stage.”

The format for the five-team tournament will include a play-in game. All teams are guaranteed at least two games over the three days of competition. It will be single elimination, and they will use the Pairwise rankings for seeding purposes.

“The ability to compete for a championship is an important part of every student-athlete’s experience, and we are excited this event will provide that opportunity for each participating program,” said Dean O’Keefe, Director of Athletics at Stonehill College. “We appreciate the St. Louis community welcoming this inaugural event to their region, and we look forward to Stonehill being part of this Division I post-season tournament.”

Tickets for the inaugural United Collegiate Hockey Cup will go on sale this summer (August 1) through Lindenwood’s ticket office.

“The passion and dedication of these student-athletes deserves to be highlighted,” said Brock Anundson, Director of Athletics at the University of Alaska Fairbanks. “This tournament is about creating meaningful postseason opportunities and demonstrating the strength of these hockey programs in the NCAA landscape. We’re grateful to Lindenwood and the St. Louis community for hosting this inaugural event.”

Notably, this tournament does not involve Tennessee State, which is scheduled to launch as an independent program next season.

However, TSU has faced huge financial hurdles, and the school said the team would have to be self-funded. People in the program are trying to raise the funds, but it seems increasingly less likely that TSU will be ready for the 2025-26 season.

At this point, I’d be more surprised if they did compete as a D-I independent than if they did not.



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Guilty plea in fatal ATV crash

WILKES-BARRE — A Nanticoke man pled guilty in Luzerne County Court to charges related to a fatal crash involving an all-terrain vehicle driver in 2023. Richard J. Simon Jr., 40, of West Union Street, was charged by Newport Township police with striking an ATV operated by James “Jimmy” Edward Thiemann, 26, on East Kirmar […]

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WILKES-BARRE — A Nanticoke man pled guilty in Luzerne County Court to charges related to a fatal crash involving an all-terrain vehicle driver in 2023.

Richard J. Simon Jr., 40, of West Union Street, was charged by Newport Township police with striking an ATV operated by James “Jimmy” Edward Thiemann, 26, on East Kirmar Avenue on July 30, 2023, according to court records.

Thiemann, of Warrior Run, died at Geisinger Wyoming Valley Medical Center, Plains Township, on Aug. 5, 2023.

Simon, through his attorney, Theron J. Solomon, pled guilty to involuntary manslaughter, a first-degree misdemeanor, before Judge Michael T. Vough on Thursday.

Under state sentencing guidelines, Simon could face up to five years in prison but prosecutors did not object to house arrest if Simon is eligible.

Court records say Simon, operating a 2004 Hyundai Sante Fe, was traveling on Alden Mountain Road when he was passed by several ATV drivers, including Thiemann.

Simon and the ATV drivers changed lanes and varied their speeds with Simon briefly driving off the roadway. Simon then struck Thiemann’s ATV that was pushed a distance resulting in Thiemann being thrown to the ground striking his head, court records say.

Simon briefly stopped and was allegedly pulled from his vehicle and attacked, before he managed to flee the scene.

Police did not charge Simon with fleeing the scene or failure to render aid.

Videos of the encounter were recorded on cellular phones by other ATV drivers.

In an unrelated case, Simon also pled guilty to a burglary charge as Nanticoke police accused him with entering a house under renovations on West Union Street and stealing tools, a hot water heater and materials on Jan. 24, 2024, according to court records.

Vough scheduled Simon to be sentenced July 3. Simon remains free on $25,000 bail.



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Daily Hampshire Gazette – UMass hockey: Minutemen add former Michigan State forward Mikey DeAngelo from portal 

UMass players stand together as the starting lineup is introduced before the NCAA hockey game against Merrimack at the Mullins Center, Saturday, Jan. 18, 2025, in Amherst. STAFF PHOTO / DANIEL JACOBI II The UMass hockey team announced on Wednesday that former Michigan State forward Mikey DeAngelo has joined the Minutemen for the 2025-26 season […]

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UMass players stand together as the starting lineup is introduced before the NCAA hockey game against Merrimack at the Mullins Center, Saturday, Jan. 18, 2025, in Amherst.

UMass players stand together as the starting lineup is introduced before the NCAA hockey game against Merrimack at the Mullins Center, Saturday, Jan. 18, 2025, in Amherst.
STAFF PHOTO / DANIEL JACOBI II

The UMass hockey team announced on Wednesday that former Michigan State forward Mikey DeAngelo has joined the Minutemen for the 2025-26 season as a transfer. DeAngelo, a 5-foot-11, 179-pounder, is the first confirmed addition for next season’s UMass team.

During his freshman season with the Spartans in 2024-25, DeAngelo potted nine points in 33 games. The Itasca, Illinois native helped Michigan State claim the Big 10 championship and a spot in the NCAA Tournament.

“Mikey DeAngelo comes to UMass after one year at Michigan State where he had a solid season on a very good college hockey team,” Minutemen head coach Greg Carvel said in a statement released by UMass athletics. “Mikey will bring speed and skill to our lineup and will fill one of the spots created by three UMass centers signing NHL contracts after this past season. With the opportunity that exists on our team, we expect Mikey to be a point-getter who plays a responsible game without the puck and plays with a lot of tenacity and plays to our identity as a team. It should be a smooth transition for Mikey, and I am excited to see his impact on our lineup.”

DeAngelo deposited 34 goals and 87 points in 110 games with the Green Bay Gamblers of the United States Hockey League across two seasons before his college hockey career.



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Bradley University names new dean for College of Education of Health Sciences

PEORIA, Ill. – Bradley University has named a new dean for its College of Education of Health Sciences. Dr. Jeffrey Wanko will begin his new role on July 15th. Wanko recently served as Associate Provost at Miami University in Ohio.  He has also served in roles that include an Associate Dean for Undergraduate Affairs in […]

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PEORIA, Ill. – Bradley University has named a new dean for its College of Education of Health Sciences.

Dr. Jeffrey Wanko will begin his new role on July 15th.

Wanko recently served as Associate Provost at Miami University in Ohio.  He has also served in roles that include an Associate Dean for Undergraduate Affairs in the College of Education, Health, and Society.

Wanko has a Ph.D. in Curriculum, Teaching, and Educational Policy from Michigan State University, as well as a Master of Arts in Teaching from Miami University.

“I look forward to working collaboratively with the faculty, staff, and students to build on the university’s successes and to champion innovation, equity, and engagement in teaching, research, and service,” Wanko said in a statement.

Wanko takes over for Dr. Kathy Shapley, who has served as dean in the interim for the past year.





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Alabama Gymnastics Associate Head Coach Justin Spring Wins Emmy

Alabama gymnastics associate head coach Justin Spring was awarded an Emmy on Wednesday night as part of NBC’s broadcast team for the Paris 2024 Olympic Games. NBC and Peacock’s coverage of the Games of the XXXIII Olympiad won the Outstanding Live Special – Championship Event category, with Spring recognized as an event analyst. “What an […]

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Alabama gymnastics associate head coach Justin Spring was awarded an Emmy on Wednesday night as part of NBC’s broadcast team for the Paris 2024 Olympic Games.

NBC and Peacock’s coverage of the Games of the XXXIII Olympiad won the Outstanding Live Special – Championship Event category, with Spring recognized as an event analyst.

“What an unexpected honor to win an Emmy for something that felt like such a privilege in my life!” Spring said in a press release on Thursday. “Commenting the Olympic Games was a dream come true. This award is so deserving for all the producers, researchers and the whole NBC team that made the experience amazing and unforgettable for our country!”

Spring provided live analysis of the men’s gymnastics competition, where the U.S. men’s team secured its first Olympic medal (bronze) since Spring’s own podium finish 16 years prior.

“Justin has a remarkable ability to make people feel part of a journey,” Alabama gymnastics head coach Ashley Johnston said in the press release. “Through an enthusiastic, storytelling approach to his broadcast analysis, he doesn’t just share the sport, but brings it to life. He’s a difference maker and his energy makes you believe in something bigger than yourself, as his passion for the sport of gymnastics can be felt by everyone around him. I couldn’t be prouder of him for earning this well-deserved honor.”

Softball Super Regional: No. 15 Alabama at No. 2 Oklahoma, Norman, Okla., 4 p.m. CT, ESPN2

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CFP Seeding Change Shows Who Carries the Big Sticks in College Football

99 days

May 23, 1970: Carney Laslie, an Alabama football tackle in 1930-32 and a member of Coach Paul W. “Bear” Bryant’s staffs at Maryland, Kentucky, Texas A&M and Alabama, died of an apparent blood clot at the age of 61. — Bryant Museum

May 23, 2011: Sports Illustrated published its story on the Tuscaloosa tornado, with Javier Arenas standing in its aftermath on the cover.

“Carney (Laslie) meant as much as any one person, particularly back when we were starting and trying to get established. In those days, we worked day and night, but Carney never faltered.”

– Paul W. “Bear” Bryant





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Donald Trump listens to Nick Saban as college sports commission plans change

The Alabama legend was only recently put in charge of co-chairing the president’s commission into college athletics following successful meetings between the two, yet things have already taken a turn Plans for Nick Saban to co-chair Donald Trump’s commission into college athletics have been put on hold Donald Trump’s commission into college athletics appears to […]

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The Alabama legend was only recently put in charge of co-chairing the president’s commission into college athletics following successful meetings between the two, yet things have already taken a turn

Nick Saban
Plans for Nick Saban to co-chair Donald Trump’s commission into college athletics have been put on hold

Donald Trump’s commission into college athletics appears to have hit a roadblock after the Nick Saban-led initiative was put on hold this week.

Earlier this month, various reports stated that the U.S. President had put the Alabama legend in charge of co-chairing his commission following crunch name, image and likeness (NIL) reform meetings ahead of a commencement address at the University of Texas for the Class of 2025.

The move was set to see Saban serve alongside Texas businessman Cody Campbell, founder of Texas Tech’s Matador Club NIL collective and chairman of the Texas Tech board of regents, where the commission would examine prominent issues facing college sports, most notably the transfer portal.

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The move came after Saban’s concern about NIL and the influx of money damaging college sports influenced Trump to take a stand. It was even claimed that the 78-year-old was considering an executive order after the Crimson Tide legend noted how the college sports landscape has changed for the worse.

Since that first meeting with the president, however, Saban has sought to distance himself from the idea of such a commission, repeatedly telling reporters how he believed it to be unnecessary, and that those in charge of college sports could get together and solve problems without a formal government-backed body getting involved.

As a result, it has now been reported that the presidential commission into college sports has come to a grinding halt. According to Ross Dellenger of Yahoo Sports, the Saban-led project now appears unlikely to come into being any time soon, although there is emphasis on it being “paused” rather than completely cancelled.

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Taking to X (formerly Twitter) on Thursday, Dellenger noted how the move could be “possibly rooted in its potential impact in Senate negotiations over college sports legislation.”

In a follow-up post, he added that it remains unclear how long the pause will extend and that any delay could result from giving five U.S. senators, led by Ted Cruz and Cory Booker, “more time to possibly reach an agreement on federal legislation.”

It would appear, though, that the decision from the White House comes off the back of Saban aiming to distance himself from the matter. Speaking to SEC Network last week, he said: “First of all, I don’t know a lot about the commission.

“Secondly, I’m not sure we really need a commission. A lot of people know exactly what the issues are in college football and exactly what we need to do to fix them. I think the key to the drill is getting people together so we can move it forward.”

Former Alabama Crimson Tide football coach Nick Saban and President Donald Trump
Former Alabama Crimson Tide football coach Nick Saban isn’t convinced on a potential major change to college sports(Image: Anna Moneymaker/Getty Images)

Following up on his comments at his ‘Nick’s Kids Golf Tournament’ in Birmingham, Alabama, Saban also admitted that he would help President Trump in a consultancy role if needed.

“I know there’s been a lot of stuff out there about some commission or whatever. I don’t think we need a commission. I’ve said that before,” Saban said via Mike Rodak.

“I’m all for being a consultant to anybody who would think that my experience would be beneficial to helping create some of those solutions.”



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Yuma soccer trio sign with colleges

Three Yuma High School soccer standouts sign to play college soccer. YUMA, Ariz. (KYMA, KECY) – Three Yuma soccer players signed to continue their academic and athletic careers at the college level. Irving Sanchez and Osmar Gamez are both staying in state and are headed up to Gateway Community College. A school that offers them familiarity […]

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Yuma soccer trio sign with colleges

Three Yuma High School soccer standouts sign to play college soccer.

YUMA, Ariz. (KYMA, KECY) – Three Yuma soccer players signed to continue their academic and athletic careers at the college level.

Irving Sanchez and Osmar Gamez are both staying in state and are headed up to Gateway Community College. A school that offers them familiarity and an opportunity to play at the next level.

“I’m gonna be playing at the next level and I can play with my friends,” Sanchez said. “It’s an important day for my family and myself.”

“It’s an exciting moment,” Gamez said. “Going to college has always been my dream.”

Angel Delgado signed with Maharishi International University a NAIA school in Iowa. It’s a big change for Delgado, but one he is excited to experience.

“[MIU] is signing players Spain, France, Italy, New Mexico,” Delgado said. “It’s a lot of new people that I’m gonna meet and be able to play with. So, it’ll be nice.”

Yuma seniors will graduate on Friday.

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