Efstathios Kalogeropoulos (R) of Greece competes during the water polo men’s bronze medal match between Greece and Serbia at the World Aquatics Championships 2025 in Singapore on July 24, 2025. (Xinhua/Xue Yuge)

Milos Cuk (C) of Serbia competes during the water polo men’s bronze medal match between Greece and Serbia at the World Aquatics Championships 2025 in Singapore on July 24, 2025. (Xinhua/Xue Yuge)

Milos Cuk (R) of Serbia competes during the water polo men’s bronze medal match between Greece and Serbia at the World Aquatics Championships 2025 in Singapore on July 24, 2025. (Xinhua/Xue Yuge)

Members of Greece celebrate after the water polo men’s bronze medal match between Greece and Serbia at the World Aquatics Championships 2025 in Singapore on July 24, 2025. (Xinhua/Xue Yuge)

Efstathios Kalogeropoulos of Greece shoots during the water polo men’s bronze medal match between Greece and Serbia at the World Aquatics Championships 2025 in Singapore on July 24, 2025. (Xinhua/Xue Yuge)

Strahinja Rasovic (R, front) of Serbia passes the ball during the water polo men’s bronze medal match between Greece and Serbia at the World Aquatics Championships 2025 in Singapore on July 24, 2025. (Xinhua/Xue Yuge)

Boris Vapenski (1st L) of Serbia competes during the water polo men’s bronze medal match between Greece and Serbia at the World Aquatics Championships 2025 in Singapore on July 24, 2025. (Xinhua/Xue Yuge)

Nikola Jaksic of Serbia competes during the water polo men’s bronze medal match between Greece and Serbia at the World Aquatics Championships 2025 in Singapore on July 24, 2025. (Xinhua/Xue Yuge)

Football
7/24/2025 10:00:00 AM

Deyla Davis, journalism major, c/o ’27

Former Bison standout transitions to higher education positions

WASHINGTON (July 24, 2025) – Branden D. Bufford is a former three-year starter for the Howard University football team where he began his career as a walk-on before earning a scholarship and starting position for the Bison.
 
Bufford attributes his successes on and off the field to his coaches Ron Bolton, Terry Simms, Andre Creamer, Travis Coleman and James Moses. He also acknowledges his teammates Arlandus Hood, Rickey Jackson, Randell Means, Arnando Jamison and record-setting receiver Jarahn Williams for their influence, support and friendship while competing inside Greene Stadium at The Hilltop.
 
Bufford’s commitment to community service is as strong as his dedication to sports. He was an active member of the Michigan State Club, a two-time participant in Howard University’s Alternative Spring Break and a Spring 2009 initiate of the Alpha Tau Chapter of Iota Phi Theta Fraternity, Inc.
 
In 2011, Bufford ended his undergraduate journey at Howard. Although his time on the field at Greene Stadium had concluded, he never put the ball down. He continued his athletic career as an undrafted free agent in Detroit where his love for the game grew. He took his talents to the Detroit Lions and the now-defunct Chicago Rush of the Arena Football League.
 
After retiring his jersey, Bufford completed his education at Wayne State University, graduating with a master’s in education leadership.
 
He began his education career as a physical education teacher but soon transitioned from the classroom to higher education positions and a college and career position. Bufford currently works as a talent recruiter for KIPP Chicago Public Schools.
 
Before Howard, Bufford attended Cass Tech High School, a powerhouse program in Detroit, where he earned All-City and All-Performer titles in track and field, competing in the high and low hurdles.
 
Bufford is a second-generation educator and a third-generation landlord, acquiring and managing properties in Detroit.
 
Bufford currently calls Chicago home where he lives with his wife, Casey Bufford, and his two children, Taylor, 9, and Jabari, 4, who both respond correctly when you yell “H-U!”

About Where Are They Now?

 

The weekly series of “Where Are They Now?” appears on Thursdays throughout the year.

 

The series will feature former student-athletes from all sports and eras, highlighting their careers as athletes at the University and what they are presently doing.

 

All interested former athletes and their coaches should submit a short bio, a recent head shot and contact information on how they can be reached via email to Jade Spurlock (jade.spurlock@bison.howard.edu) and Derek W. Bryant (derek.bryant@howard.edu).

 

For more information, visit the Bison Athletics website at www.HUBison.com.

Release Courtesy CCNY Athletic Communications

NEW YORK – The City College of New York has announced that Joseph Benson, a proud alumnus and longtime assistant coach, has been elevated to Head Coach of the men’s and women’s cross country and track & field programs ahead of the 2025–26 academic year, Interim Director of Athletics Karina Jorge announced Thursday.

“Joey is a product of our program who understands the demands, the legacy, and the potential of CCNY Athletics,” said Interim Director of Athletics Karina Jorge. “His passion for CCNY, combined with his leadership, consistency, and deep understanding of our programs, make him the ideal choice to lead our cross country and track & field programs. He’s helped lay the foundation for much of our recent success, and we are confident he will continue to build a culture of excellence and elevate our teams both competitively and academically.”

A dedicated member of the CCNY coaching staff since 2017, Benson has been instrumental in the success of the Beavers’ cross country and distance squads. His tenure has been marked by championship performances, NCAA Regional appearances, and a steadfast commitment to the athletic and personal development of his student-athletes.

“I’m incredibly excited and honored to be named head coach of cross country and track & field at CCNY,” said Benson. “As an alumnus, this program and this school hold a special place in my heart. There’s a rich history of success here — some of which I’ve been fortunate to be part of — and I’m looking forward to building on that legacy and helping our student-athletes continue to grow, compete, and succeed both on and off the track.”

During his time as an assistant coach, Benson helped lead CCNY to numerous CUNY Athletic Conference titles across both track & field and cross country: 

• Men’s Cross Country CUNYAC Championships: 2018, 2019
• Men’s Indoor & Track & Field CUNYAC Championships: 2018, 2019, 2020, 2022, 2023
• Men’s Outdoor Track & Field CUNYAC Championships: 2018, 2019
• Women’s Indoor Track & Field CUNYAC Championships: 2018, 2019, 2020
• Women’s Outdoor Track & Field CUNYAC Championship: 2018
• Women’s Cross Country CUNYAC Runner-Up Finishes: 2021, 2022

In 2022–23, Benson was elevated to Co-Head Coach for the indoor track & field season, guiding the men’s team to a dramatic one-point victory at the CUNYAC Indoor Championship and earning CUNYAC Coach of the Year honors. Later that spring, both the men’s and women’s outdoor teams finished as runners-up at the conference championships.

A passionate runner, Benson’s journey with CCNY began as a student-athlete from 2014 to 2015, competing in both cross country and track & field. He later served as team manager before earning his bachelor’s degree in Electrical Engineering from CCNY’s Grove School of Engineering in 2016. Outside of athletics, Benson works professionally in Radio Frequency (RF) Engineering, where he designs critical communication infrastructure for high-level projects—bringing the same precision and problem-solving approach to his coaching philosophy.

For the latest news on the CUNY Athletic Conference, log on to cunyathletics.com – the official site of the CUNY Athletic Conference. Also, become a follower of the CUNYAC on Instagram (@CUNYAC), Twitter (@CUNYAC) and YouTube (@CUNY Athletic Conference), and “LIKE” Us on Facebook (CUNY Athletic Conference).

Three straight 30-win seasons, and a Final 4 run for the second time in a 3-year stretch. That’s phenomenal. The Lady Warriors will look to retool the lineup and continue to be one of the top teams in North Georgia.

PRESEASON INFO

2024 Record: 32-10; Region Runner-Up; Final 4
Head Coach: Yarixa Oakes (4th Season)
Returning Starters: 2
Key Departures: Mya Yeh, Jenna Pratt, Emma Kerley, Sarah Jarrard,
Baylee Rae Vandiver, Rylee Elrod, Brooklyn Thomason
Key Players: Daylee Barrett, Kalynn Watkins, Aslyn Burkett, incoming freshmen Madi Coker & Mya Palmer; transfer Emmy Barton
Strengths: “We are a young team with a lot of potential,” says Oakes. “We have multiple utility players to allow us to switch up rotations depending on opponents giving us an advantage over other teams.”

“We would love to make another long run into state, have a winning record, and finish top-2 in the region,” says Oakes of the expectations for the girls.

Out of 556 total high schools in the CIF-SS, Long Beach Poly boys’ and girls’ cross country, Poly boys’ and girls’ wrestling, and Wilson girls’ water polo posted the highest cumulative unweighted team GPAs in the large school division for their respective sports. This success, both in each team’s sport and in the classroom, earn the No. 9 spot for our Top 10 High School Sports Moments of the Year.

The CIF Southern Section is one of the most competitive in the state. It contains more than double the amount of schools than any other section in the state, with the second largest being the Sac-Joaquin Section, which encompasses 198 schools. This makes it highly competitive both on the field, and off.

Schools with an enrollment of 1,500 or above are deemed to be large schools. For each CIF sanctioned sport, a small school and large school are commemorated as academic team champions for the school year at an Angels’ baseball game. 

CIF celebrated these academic championships with a ceremony at Angel Stadium in April. Two representatives from each team held a banner with their title and waved up to the crowd from the field as each name was announced. 

Long Beach Poly boys’ and girls’ cross country had unweighted GPAs of 3.950 and 3.957, respectively, Poly boys’ and girls’ wrestling posted GPAs of 3.765 and 3.821, respectively, and Wilson girls’ water polo possessed a GPA of 3.936.

Poly’s boys’ wrestling, girls’ swim and dive, boys’ water polo, and girls’ golf were also recognized at last year’s edition of the event, making it the third year in a row that four or more Long Beach teams have won the award.

Nebraska volleyball is the Big Ten preseason favorite heading into Dani Busboom Kelly’s first season in charge.

The conference released its preseason coaches poll and all-conference team on Thursday ahead of next week’s Big Ten Media Days in Chicago. Four Huskers made the 20-player all-conference team: setter Bergen Reilly, outside hitter Harper Murray and middle blockers Andi Jackson and Rebekah Allick. The first three were unanimous picks.

The Huskers went 33-3 overall last season including 19-1 in Big Ten play, falling in the national semifinals. The Huskers return most of their starters but lost legendary head coach John Cook to retirement following the season. Despite the coaching change, the program didn’t see a single player transfer out or decommit, giving Busboom Kelly a loaded roster to begin her head coaching career in Lincoln.

Penn State, who won the national championship and tied Nebraska for first in the Big Ten last season, is second. Wisconsin, Minnesota and UCLA round out the preseason top five.

Besides the three Huskers, only two others were unanimous all-conference selections and both are Nittany Lions: sophomore setter Izzy Starck and junior opposite hitter Kennedy Martin, a high-profile transfer from Florida. Nebraska four selections tied for the most with UCLA. Penn State and Wisconsin each placed three representatives on the team.

Reilly is a two-time Big Ten Setter of the Year. The 6-foot-1 junior from Sioux Falls, South Dakota, was second in the Big Ten (and 10th nationally) with 11.08 assists per set last season. She led the Huskers to their highest hitting percentage since 2016 at .284. Reilly was a second-team AVCA All-American and a first-team All-Big Ten selection, setting a record by earning Big Ten Setter of the Week five times in one season.

Murray was also a second-team All-American and first-team ALl-Big Ten performer last season after leading the Husker attack at 3.4 kills per set on .257 hitting. She averaged 2.43 digs per set and recorded nine double-doubles while leading Nebraska with 39 service aces. The 6-foot-2 junior from Ann Arbor, Michigan, will represent Nebraska in Chicago next week.

Jackson was a first-team All-America and Big Ten selection last year after one of the most efficient seasons in program history. The 6-foot-3 middle blocker from Brighton, Colorado, averaged 2.62 kills per set on a blistering .439 hitting, sixth in the country and fourth in Nebraska history. She also averaged 1.18 blocks per set.

Allick, who will join Murray and Busboom Kelly in Chicago for Big Ten Media Days, is the longest-tenured Husker alongside fellow senior Maisie Boesiger. A three-year starter, the 6-foot-4 Lincoln native has been a dominant blocker throughout her career and took a step forward offensively as well last year. She averaged 1.82 kills per set on a career-high .357 hitting to go with her team-leading 1.43 blocks per set, 14th in the nation and third in the Big Ten.

Busboom Kelly, Murray and Allick will speak at Big Ten Media Days on Monday. Fan will get a look at the Huskers during the team’s Red-White Scrimmage on Aug. 9 and Alumni Match on Aug. 16 before they open the season at the AVCA First Serve Showcase at Pinnacle Bank Arena on Aug. 22.