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Kyle Pifer named Western Carolina Director of Athletics

Story Links Link to Tuesday’s Introductory Press Conference Release on WCU.edu Cullowhee, N.C. – Western Carolina University Chancellor Kelli R. Brown announced today, Monday, May 19, the selection of Kyle Pifer to serve as the director of athletics following approval […]

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Cullowhee, N.C. – Western Carolina University Chancellor Kelli R. Brown announced today, Monday, May 19, the selection of Kyle Pifer to serve as the director of athletics following approval of his contract by the university’s Board of Trustees during a special-called meeting earlier in the day.
 
Pifer (pronounced PIE-furr) has served as the deputy athletics director and chief operating officer for WCU Athletics since November 2020 and, most recently, as the interim director of athletics following the departure of Alex Gary.
 
The appointment, effective immediately, follows a national search conducted by a 13-member committee, chaired by WCU Provost Richard Starnes. The North Carolina-based executive search consulting firm CSA assisted the search committee.
 
A formal introduction and campus reception is set for 10 a.m. on Tuesday, May 20, in the Hospitality Room of the Ramsey Regional Activity Center. The press conference will be streamed live through both WCU’s and the Catamount Athletics YouTube channels.
 

2025 - Kyle Pifer - Press Conference - BANNER

Pifer has served as a WCU Athletics senior staff member and second in command within the department for the past four years, managing all internal functions for the Catamounts, including budget and finance, capital projects, sport administration, event and facility operations, and human resources.
 
A skilled administrator, Pifer has spent the past 23 years of his professional career working in higher education and intercollegiate athletics. He served previously as the senior associate athletics director for compliance at Oregon State in Corvallis, Oregon, from 2013 until 2020, when he came to Cullowhee. He also held an associate athletic director position at the University of Washington in Seattle from 2009 until 2013 and worked in NCAA compliance positions at Oregon State and Gonzaga.
 
Pifer’s professional experience in major collegiate athletic conferences, such as the Pac-12, combined with his strong relationships on campus, in the community, with regional leaders, and within the Southern Conference, make him a good fit to lead the Catamount athletics program.
 
“After a comprehensive national search for WCU’s next Director of Athletics, I’m incredibly pleased that the best candidate was already a member of our Catamount family. Mr. Kyle Pifer is an outstanding choice to lead Catamount Nation into its next era,” said Brown. “In the short amount of time that Kyle has served as interim AD, he has distinguished himself as a collaborative and strategic university leader with a commanding grasp of the landscape of intercollegiate athletics. Catamount Athletics is in good hands with Kyle at the helm, and I am confident and excited about the future for our amazing student-athletes.”
 
Over the last four years in Cullowhee, Pifer has spearheaded the formation of the sport administrator committee and the student-athlete well-being committee, both aimed at the better management of the teams and to evaluate the student-athlete experience at Western Carolina. He has also served on numerous campus committees, including the institutional planning, well-being, health and safety, and emergency crisis management teams.
 
Pifer began his professional career as an NCAA compliance officer in 2003 at Gonzaga University in Spokane, Washington. In 2007, Pifer departed for the first of his two stints at Oregon State, beginning as an assistant director of compliance. He then took on the role of the director of compliance at the University of Washington in Seattle, advancing rapidly and earning four promotions in under five years, working his way to an associate athletics director position. He was a member of the UW Athletics department senior staff. 
 
As the senior associate athletics director for compliance at Oregon State, Pifer has experience within on-campus and department operations, including a wealth of knowledge on NCAA compliance within the changing landscape of intercollegiate athletics. As a part of the OSU athletics executive staff, he was the sport supervisor for the Beavers’ men’s golf and the women’s cross country/track and field teams. He was also particularly influential in the development of the Oregon State track and field program, rekindling the program after a nearly 20-year hiatus from the sport sponsorship.

Kyle Pifer - Catamount Club GalaDuring his eight-plus years at OSU, concluding as the senior compliance administrator, Pifer served on a variety of campus committees, including the Enrollment Management Leadership Team, the High Incident and Event Group, and the Criminal History Attendance and Participation Committee.

 

A native of Frankfort, Indiana, Pifer is a former intercollegiate student-athlete at Francis Marion University, where he was a four-year track and field letter winner and earned academic all-district honors. He possesses a bachelor’s degree in mathematics from Francis Marion where he was a member of the Francis Marion Honor Society and graduated summa cum laude in 1999. He earned his master’s degree in sport and athletic administration from Gonzaga in 2021.

 

Pifer and his wife, Sydney, have three daughters: Reese, Delaney, and Ellis.

 

Pifer was selected from an exceptionally competitive and well-qualified pool of candidates. The search committee identified three finalists who participated in on-campus interviews in Cullowhee. 

 

Kyle Pifer has the experience, vision, and energy to build on the great momentum Catamount athletics has experienced in recent years to take us to the next level,” Starnes said. “He is deeply committed to the success of our student-athletes in competition, in the classroom, and their lives after graduation.”

 

Brown appointed the search committee in March and set an ambitious and accelerated timetable to find a permanent successor for Gary, who served as WCU’s athletics director from February 2020 until March 2025.

 

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Softball adds transfer Taylor Anderson from Oklahoma State

Story Links AUSTIN, Texas – Texas Softball has signed transfer utility player Taylor Anderson to the roster for the 2026 season, head coach Mike White announced Wednesday. Anderson, who played her freshman season at Oklahoma State in 2024, will be immediately eligible with three years of eligibility remaining. The Dripping Springs, Texas, […]

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AUSTIN, Texas – Texas Softball has signed transfer utility player Taylor Anderson to the roster for the 2026 season, head coach Mike White announced Wednesday. Anderson, who played her freshman season at Oklahoma State in 2024, will be immediately eligible with three years of eligibility remaining.

The Dripping Springs, Texas, product appeared in 43 games with five starts at OSU in 2024. She hit .250 with a .438 slugging percentage and .368 on-base percentage in 16 at-bats, totaling four hits, 16 runs scored, one home run, two RBI and three walks. A top-option on the base path for the Cowgirls, she was successful on four of her six stolen base attempts. She earned her first career start in left field against BYU on March 22, 2024, and launched a solo home run – her first career home run. In the rubber match against the Cougars on March 23, 2024, she went 2-for-2 at the plate with two runs scored while drawing a walk, reaching base on all three plate appearances.

During high school, Anderson was a three-time all-state honoree, a District MVP (2022), a Texas Girls Coaches Association All-Star (2022) and a District Offensive Player of the Year (2021), leading Dripping Springs to multiple district championships. She also competed in track and field for Dripping Springs, winning bi-district titles as part of the 4×100 meter and 4×200 meter relay teams.



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Kingsford community funds track and field renovations

KINGSFORD, Mich. (WLUC) – Compactors and loaders carry gravel across what was grass only a few weeks ago. Right now, Flivver Field could pass for a parking lot, but soon, new turf will be placed as part of a renovation of the track and field. Breitung Township School District Superintendent Aaron Yonke says the field […]

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KINGSFORD, Mich. (WLUC) – Compactors and loaders carry gravel across what was grass only a few weeks ago.

Right now, Flivver Field could pass for a parking lot, but soon, new turf will be placed as part of a renovation of the track and field.

Breitung Township School District Superintendent Aaron Yonke says the field will see more use afterward.

“This is like a prime piece of location in Dickinson County,” Yonke said. “Right now, with our football and track events, usually you’re going to see some event going on here 12-15 times a year. With the completion of this project, that’s going to be at the minimum doubled.”

The field could also be used for marching band or the school’s physical education program.

Yonke says the renovations will help the school host more events.

“We have the annual U.P. track final here,” Yonke said. “We hold a bunch of camps with soccer and football. That’s something that, with this new upgraded facility, we’ll be able to attract more of those events like that.”

The entire project cost almost $1.75 million, but the money came from community donations, not tax hikes.

Kingsford High School Athletic Director Chris Hartman says community support has been consistent.

“It started out really, really hot with a boatload of people coming in,” Hartman said. “Then, it kind of cooled off, but now, the people are walking by and driving by and seeing the project come to life and I’ve had some more calls here in the past couple weeks now that they are really seeing it.”

Donors get their names placed on the track or the field. There are still 15 spots available.

If you are interested in donating, contact the Kingsford High School office.

The video above will feature the TV6 livestream until staff can clip the corresponding story, if available, from broadcasts or other TV6 content. You can subscribe to our YouTube page or download TV6+ to stream the latest local news and weather.



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Four Penguins Named CSC Academic All-District®

Story Links The Youngstown State men’s and women’s track and field teams had four student-athletes named to the 2025 Academic All-District® Men’s Track & Field teams, selected by College Sports Communicators, the organization announced on Tuesday. The four student-athletes recognized as some of the nation’s top individuals for their combined performances on […]

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The Youngstown State men’s and women’s track and field teams had four student-athletes named to the 2025 Academic All-District® Men’s Track & Field teams, selected by College Sports Communicators, the organization announced on Tuesday.

The four student-athletes recognized as some of the nation’s top individuals for their combined performances on the track, in the field, and in the classroom were Emily Bee, Nia Williams-Matthews, Ainsley Hamsher and Thomas Caputo.



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Field Hockey’s Siedem and Myklebust to Compete at USA Field Hockey Senior Nexus Championship

PROVIDENCE, R.I. – Brown standouts Mia Karine Myklebust and Kate Siedem have been selected to compete in the 2025 USA Field Hockey Senior Nexus Championship. USA Field Hockey made the announcement on Monday (June 23).   The Senior Nexus Championship begins on July 18 and continues through July 20 at the Virginia Beach Regional Training […]

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PROVIDENCE, R.I. – Brown standouts Mia Karine Myklebust and Kate Siedem have been selected to compete in the 2025 USA Field Hockey Senior Nexus Championship. USA Field Hockey made the announcement on Monday (June 23).
 
The Senior Nexus Championship begins on July 18 and continues through July 20 at the Virginia Beach Regional Training Center and features 145 collegiate and post-collegiate players.
 
A step along the Olympic Development Pathway program, the Senior NXC serves as a selection opportunity for the 2025-26 U.S. U-21 Women’s National Team Selection Camps, Junior USWNT Selection Camps, U.S. Women’s National Development Squad and U.S. Women’s National Team.
 
“As a program deeply committed to player development, I’m incredibly proud to see Kate Siedem selected to join MK Myklebust in the U.S. Olympic Development Pathway at the Senior Nexus Tournament this July,” said head coach Britt Broady. “This tournament will be an important final tune-up for MK ahead of the Junior Pan-American Games with the U-21 squad, and a tremendous opportunity for Kate as she positions herself for the next U-21 cycle as current players age out.”
 
Siedem started in all 17 games at Brown as a sophomore in 2024 and has played in every game in her collegiate career. It marks the first USA Field Hockey selection for the Madison, New Jersey native.
 
“I’m very honored and excited to play at the Senior Nexus Championship in July!” said Siedem. “I am looking forward to competing and continuing my development as a player in preparation for our season this fall.”
 
Myklebust was recently named to the United States Under-21 National Team to earn her spot at the Nexus Championship. The Los Gatos, California native was named First Team All-Ivy last fall after leading the Bears with nine goals.
 
There are 40 colleges represented among the 144 players named to the Championship. Brown is one of six Ivy League programs represented along with Princeton (5), Yale (2), Columbia (1), Harvard (1), and Penn (1). Brown is one of 24 programs with multiple selections.
 
BROWN UNIVERSITY SPORTS FOUNDATION

The Brown University Sports Foundation (BUSF) is the lifeblood of the athletics program, and exists to enhance the student-athlete experience through philanthropic support from alumni, parents, fans and friends. A gift through the Sports Foundation makes an immediate impact on today’s Brown Bears and helps them to be their best in the classroom, in competition and most importantly in the community. To learn more about supporting the Bears, please click 
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For the latest on Brown Athletics, please follow 
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Women’s sport shows ‘unprecedented’ digital growth despite broadcast dip

While broadcast viewership is down 13%, women’s sport’s growth on social platforms such as TikTok and YouTube suggests a different trend is emerging.  Ahead of a bumper summer of sport, the Women’s Sport Trust’s latest visibility report sheds light on what is happening among audiences, broadcasters and digital platforms. According to the analysis, in collaboration […]

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While broadcast viewership is down 13%, women’s sport’s growth on social platforms such as TikTok and YouTube suggests a different trend is emerging. 

LinkedIn sports UEFA Women's EURO 2022

Ahead of a bumper summer of sport, the Women’s Sport Trust’s latest visibility report sheds light on what is happening among audiences, broadcasters and digital platforms.

According to the analysis, in collaboration with insights agency GSIQ, viewership is down year-on-year, with a 13% decline in three-minute UK broadcast reach between January and May 2025. This is the first decline since 2022. However, it doesn’t mean fans aren’t watching and brands shouldn’t be investing.  

The drop in viewership coincides with a 15% reduction in coverage hours and a decline in Barclays Women’s Super League (BWSL) and Guinness Women’s Six Nations (W6N) average audiences.  

Ahead of a bumper summer of sport, the Women’s Sport Trust’s latest visibility report sheds light on what is happening among audiences, broadcasters and digital platforms.

According to the analysis, in collaboration with insights agency GSIQ, viewership is down year-on-year, with a 13% decline in three-minute UK broadcast reach between January and May 2025. This is the first decline since 2022. However, it doesn’t mean fans aren’t watching and brands shouldn’t be investing.  

The drop in viewership coincides with a 15% reduction in coverage hours and a decline in Barclays Women’s Super League (BWSL) and Guinness Women’s Six Nations (W6N) average audiences.  

BWSL’s broadcast audience fell by 35%, while W6N’s reach dropped from 8.1 million to 6.6 million. 

Progress isn’t linear,” says Women’s Sport Trust CEO Tammy Parlour. “There will be fluctuations and not all metrics will move in the same direction at the same time.”  

However, she describes the broader picture for women’s sport as one of “momentum and opportunity”, noting that investment is continuing to rise. 

Growth in digital

The “unprecedented” growth in digital channels suggests the media mix for women’s sport is evolving.  

The first five months of 2025 saw a 105% increase in TikTok views for the eight most-viewed women’s sport accounts on the platform. On YouTube, this figure is 84%.  

In the UK, BWSL’s digital engagement was the highest, with 56 million TikTok views, 20 million YouTube views and 6 million Instagram engagements. Globally, the Women’s National Basketball Association led the way with 131 million views and the Women’s Tennis Association came out on top on YouTube, with 75% growth to 63 million views.  

“It’s hugely encouraging to see women’s sport thriving on digital platforms, with athletes, teams and leagues leveraging new ways to connect with fans. This ecosystem – built through collaboration between broadcasters, rights holders and platforms – is vital to continuing the sport’s growth,” says Parlour. 

However, she cautions the decline in broadcast viewership is a reminder of the “fierce competition” for audience attention.

“We must ensure that investment in production and distribution keeps pace with fan demand and the quality of the sport on offer,” says Parlour. 

She describes the report as sending a “strong signal” to brands that digital engagement in women’s sport is growing fast and the opportunity to connect with fans, particularly through player-led content, has “never been greater”.

“The upcoming UEFA Women’s EURO will bring a wave of attention, but the real value lies in showing up consistently – not just in the big moments,” Parlour adds. “The brands that invest now, with the right tone and timing, will be the ones that build lasting connections as the audience matures.”





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News – Water Polo Australia

Water Polo Australia is pleased to announce its team for the 2025 World Aquatics U20 Water Polo Championships. WPA has selected 14 athletes to compete at the event, which will be held in Salvador, Brazil from 10-16 August 2025. The team has been selected following a camp at the Australian Institute of Sport in Canberra. […]

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Water Polo Australia is pleased to announce its team for the 2025 World Aquatics U20 Water Polo Championships.

WPA has selected 14 athletes to compete at the event, which will be held in Salvador, Brazil from 10-16 August 2025.

The team has been selected following a camp at the Australian Institute of Sport in Canberra.

Water Polo Australia would like to congratulate the following athletes on their selection:

Anneliese Pamp (Sydney Uni, NSW)

Bless Daly (Polo Bears, QLD)

Charley Stephens (Drummoyne, NSW)

Chelsea Johnson (Mermaids, QLD)

Ebony Nash (Sydney Uni, NSW)

Georgia Chapman (Balmain, NSW)

Isabel Scott (Sydney Uni, WA)

Kali-yah Taoso (Mermaids, QLD)

Koko Bacic (Drummoyne, NSW)

Layla Smith (Balmain, NSW)

Samantha Hardingham (Sydney Uni, NSW)

Saskia Dunn (Balmain, NSW)

Sienna Owen (Mermaids, QLD)

Tayla Dawkins (Balmain, SA)

Reserve: Horatia Schlect (Polo Bears, QLD)

Reserve: Matilda Waugh (Balmain, NSW)

Reserve: Sophie Pethers (Balmain, NSW)

 

Head Coach: Dusan Damjanovic (QLD)

 





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