NCAA coaches across all divisions are meeting in Florida this week at the annual American Hockey Coaches Association convention. The official meetings wrapped up this afternoon (Tuesday).

One of the most significant parts of the three-day conference was a meeting between NCAA coaches and NCAA president Charlie Baker. It’s believed to be the first time that a sitting NCAA president met with coaches (virtual or in-person) as part of the convention. Baker met with the coaches for two hours on Monday as part of a panel with Penn State men’s head coach Guy Gadowsky, Northeastern AD Jim Madigan, Dartmouth women’s head coach Maura Crowell, and NCHC commissioner Heather Weems.

This is a non-rule change year, which means there wasn’t significant discussion of on-ice issues. However, there were several high-level discussions on off-ice issues.

The Tulane Green Wave football team was one of the Group of Five rosters notably poached in the new college football landscape of NIL and the transfer portal.

Tulane football head coach Jon Sumrall finds himself in a consecutive quarterback competition searching for the successor to Darian Mensah, who received one of the highest reported deals in college sports to transfer to the Duke Blue Devils.

The team needed to replace running back Makhi Hughes, tight end Alex Bauman, and nose tackle Parker Petersen in addition to multiple contributors. Sumrall spoke about allegations of tampering surrounding former punter Will Karoll, who recently transferred to the UCLA Bruins.

Tulane athletics is set to massively benefit from a transformative NIL donation that the program announced as they launch a new NIL fund known as the Green Wave Talent Fund.

Longtime Green Wave supporters Don and Lora Peters are donating $3.5 million toward name, image, and likeness opportunities for their college sports programs.

“This fund is a game-changer for Tulane Athletics, courtesy of two of our most generous supporters,” athletic director Davis Harris said in a press release. “Don and Lora Peters have stepped up time and time again over the years, and their leadership sends a strong message: Tulane is committed to empowering its student-athletes to thrive both on and off the field. Their generosity will help us attract and retain top talent while maintaining our tradition of integrity and excellence.”

Don Peters is an alumnus of the school and understands the need for these funds to compete in the current college sports landscape as he serves in multiple leadership roles.

“NIL has reshaped college sports, and Tulane must remain competitive in this new landscape,” Peters said. “This initiative ensures Tulane stays ahead in the evolving landscape. It’s about empowering student-athletes to succeed in their sports, their academics, and their future careers.”

The funding is also going towards upgrading facilities, as the football program is in the middle of building an indoor practice bubble that will be crucial in inclement weather.

While the gift is to be spread across sports teams and facilities, it’s notable that the $3.5 million amount matches the reported NIL deal for Mensah this year.

Tulane’s NIL funding isn’t public because it’s a private university, but this type of donation will go a long way in the school’s efforts and prioritization of college athletics and name, image, and likeness as a necessity for that.

More NIL On SI

North Carolina’s David Ford is one of three finalists for the 2025 Ben Hogan Men’s Golf National Player of the Year Award presented by Baird.
 
Joining the Tar Heel star as finalists are Florida State’s Luke Clanton and Auburn’s Jackson Koivun.
 
The Ben Hogan Award honors the top college golfer based on all collegiate, amateur and professional events over the previous 12 months. Ford, Clanton and Koivun will attend a black-tie dinner May 19 at Colonial Country Club in Fort Worth, Texas, where the winner will be announced.
 
Ford, a three-time semifinalist for the Hogan Award, is a first-time finalist. He is the nation’s No. 1 player in the NCAA’s Scoreboard/Clippd Rankings, is No. 1 in the PGA TOUR University standings and is third in the World Amateur Golf Ranking.
 
The Peachtree Corners, Ga., native has set a UNC record this season with five victories, including an unprecedented three in a row in March-April.
 
Ford won the prestigious Ben Hogan Collegiate Invitational at Colonial by three shots in the fall. He also has victories at The Williams Cup, Valspar Intercollegiate Invitational, Augusta Haskins Award Invitational and the Tar Heel Intercollegiate.
 
His 68.70 stroke average is on pace to set the Tar Heel single-season record, and he is first in UNC career scoring with an average of 70.14.
 
Former Tar Heel Mark Wilson won the Ben Hogan Trophy in 1996.
 

IUP has named its 30^th class of inductees into the IUP Athletic Hall of Fame.  The class of ’25 will include:

• Allyson Mitidieri; swimming, 2014
• Denise Raymond Erb; gymnastics, 1984
• Kerri McIntyre Joyce; cross country/track & field, 1999
• Zachary Kempa; men’s golf, 2014
• Robbie Zinsmeister; baseball, 2013
• Jim Welker; men’s tennis, 1989
• Bob Johnston; baseball, 1972
• Erik Shafer; cross country/track & field, 1991
• John “Harp” Vaughan; football, 1933
• Team: 1974 Women’s Tennis
• Coach/Administrator: Frank Condino; 1984-2015
• Honorary Bell Ringers: Dennis Stover (1976) & Regina Stover (1975)

The formal induction will be on Saturday, September 13^th prior to the IUP football game against Lock Haven.

The new inductees bring the total to 341 former student-athletes, coaches, administrators and teams in the IUP Athletics Hall of Fame.

 

HERE ARE THE BIOS OF THIS YEAR’S IUP ATHLETICS HALL OF FAME INDUCTEES:

Allyson Mitidieri
Swimming
2010-2014 
14x All-American Honors, IUP Athlete of the Year (2014), 2013-14 PSAC Champion in the 400 IM… 2011-12 PSAC Champion in the 400 IM, 200 Breaststroke, 200 IM

Denise Raymond Erb
Gymnastics
1980-1984 
All-American Honors for fifth place finish on uneven bars at nationals… First All-American Gymnast in IUP history… Apart of the 1984 team that won IUP’s first PSAC Gymnastics Championships

Kerri McIntyre Joyce
Cross Country/Track & Field
1996-1999 
XC All-American 1998… PSAC 800m Champion 1998, 1999, 6th in the Nation (1st from the East Region), Division II National Cross Country Championships 1998, 11th in the Nation, 800 M, Division II National Championship Track Meet 1999… Academic All-American multiple times… Academic All-conference multiple times… IUP 4×400 PSAC Champion and IUP record holder

Zachary Kempa
Men’s Golf
2010-2014 
2013-14; 73.36 scoring average, PSAC Golfer of the Year, PING Atlantic All-Region Team, PING All-American, IUP Male Athlete of the Year, 2nd place finish at PSAC Championship, 3rd place finish at NCAA Regional Championship, t-19th at NCAA National Championship… 2012-13; 72.44 scoring average, PING Atlantic All-Region Team, PING Second Team All-American, PSAC Golfer of the Year, three first place finishes, first place finish at the PSAC Championship – lowest score in PSAC history (-4), 1st place at NCAA Regional Championship, T-11th at NCAA National Championship… 2011-12; 73.30 scoring average, PING Atlantic All-Region Team, PING Second Team All-American, two 1st place finishes, T-5th at PSAC Championship, T-2nd at NCAA Regional Championship, T-5th at NCAA National Championship… 2010-11; 75.75 scoring average, PING Atlantic All-Region Team, 3rd place finish at PSAC Championship, T-12th at NCAA Regional Championship, T-100th at NCAA National Championship

Robbie Zinsmeister
Baseball
2010-2013 
All-Atlantic Region (2012)… First team Daktronics… Second team ABCA./NCBWA… 2012 Capital One Academic All American… 2x All-PSAC West First Team (2012,2013)… Ranks first in GP/GS (100), 2nd in runs (193), hits (231), doubles (47), TB (317), SB (75), 4th in RBI (124), 7th in HR (17)

Jim Welker
Men’s Tennis
1986-1989 
4-year letterman… played #2 singles first three years and #1 singles senior year… played #1 doubles for three years… Named PSAC Scholar Athlete (junior & senior)… DII Academic All-American – Volvo Tennis Scholar Athlete (senior year – 1of 5 recipients)… Most wins in IUP tennis history (singles; 60-9, doubles; 56-12, overall; 116-21)… went 16-0 in both singles and doubles junior season

Bob Johnston
Baseball
1972 
Led IUP Baseball to the NAIA District 18 plays three consecutive years and won two championships… ranked 23rd in season pitching appearances (37)… 6th in career wins (17)… 12th in career innings pitched (172.1)… 5th in career strikeouts (200)… 5th in season strikeouts (76)… 2nd career ERA pre 1974 (1.41)… drafted to Pittsburgh Pirates for three years

Erik Shafer
Cross Country/Track & Field
1987-1991 
XC All-American in 1990 and 1991… ECAC Champion, 4th place finish at NCAA East Region in 1991… Track PSAC runner-up in 10k in 1991, 3rd place finish at PSAC Championship in 5k in 1991

John “Harp” Vaughan
Football
1933 
First IUP player to suit up in the NFL for the Pittsburgh Steelers in their first two seasons as a franchise in 1933 and 1934… Was a quarterback, also played defense and returned kicks… Vaughan filled a variety of roles after wrapping up his playing career.

Team Category
1974 Women’s Tennis 
First undefeated season in history under head coach Mary Louise Eltz (12-0)… Were 35-1 in singles and 24-0 in doubles and surrendered only six of 124 sets played.

Coach/Administrator Category
Frank Condino
1984-2015
He began as an assistant football coach in 1984… helped IUP to 53 wins and two PSAC titles in six seasons… Transitioned off the field as the assistant athletic director in 1990 and was named the athletic director in July of 1999… Oversaw the athletic facilities, game management, internal operations… and spent time with Hearts for the Hungry, Meeting God in Missions, and the Fellowship of Christian Athletes.

Honorary Bell Ringers
Dennis Stover ’76 & Regina Stover ’75 
Dennis ’75 and Regina Stover ’76 have been long time supporters and partners of IUP. The Stover’s have established multiple endowed scholarships within then Department of Intercollegiate Athletics and the Eberly College of Business over the years. The Stover’s have served in many capacities on behalf of the university including Regina being the past president of the IUP Foundation, current Chair of the Athletics Advancement Council, and a Member of the National Campaign Committee for Indiana University of Pennsylvania Advancement Office. Dennis is currently the Chair of the Eberly College of Business Advancement Council. Both Dennis and Regina strongly believe that their commitment to life-long learning has contributed significantly to their success and happiness. They are pleased to be able to help others achieve success.

 

ANCHORAGE, ALASKA – University of Alaska Anchorage head coach Matt Shasby announced the addition of two players for the 2025-26 season.

Luke Johnson

Forward / 5-10 / 167 lbs.

St. Cloud, Minn. / University of Alaska Fairbanks (NCAA)

Luke Johnson has appeared in 66 games during his college career. He played two seasons (2022-24) at the University of Minnesota Duluth scoring two goals and four assists in 51 games. Johnson scored two goals and two assists in 15 games for the University of Alaska Fairbanks in 2024-25.

Mathis Aguilar

Defense / 6-3 / 208 lbs.

Mirabel, Quebec / Victoriaville Tigres (QMJHL)

Mathis Aguilar tallied 51 points (16 goals, 35 assists) in 261 games across five seasons in the Quebec Maritimes Junior Hockey League. He played 27 games for the Charlottetown Islanders before joining the Rimouski Oceanic. He scored seven goals and 12 assists in 133 games across three seasons for the Oceanic. Aguilar tallied 23 points (8 goals, 15 assists) in two seasons for the Victoriaville Tigres, including a career-high 15 points (four goals, 11 assists) in 2024-25.

ahss_tangipahoa.jpg SOUTHEASTERN ARTS, HUMANITIES AND SOCIAL SCIENCES HONORS STUDENTS (Tangipahoa) –Southeastern Louisiana University students from Tangipahoa Parish who were honored recently at the College of Arts, Humanities and Social Sciences’ honors convocation were, from left, Jacob Bankston of Hammond, Bachelor of Arts in Theatre Performance Award; Mara Montecino of Loranger, Bachelor of Arts in Theatre Performance Award; Christian Marks, Amite, Harold Leu Award in Political Science; Justin Wiggins, Hammond, D Vickers Award for Creative Writing; and Ekaterina Oborina of Hammond, Outstanding Senior Award in Communication.