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Meet Boulder woman, ex

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Meet Boulder woman, ex

For Kacie Breeding, this was never about dollars. It was about sense.

“This isn’t about football and basketball,” said Breeding, a Boulder resident, engineer and former Vanderbilt runnerzon who’s one of eight plaintiffs who filed an appeal against the NCAA’s historic antitrust settlement. “I hope you get your bag.

“But we all were athletes at this school … there were not rules in place that we were on different pay rates. We should all be getting paid the same. You think about Caitlin Clark or Livvy Dunne, they’re superstars in their own right. Are you going to pay them minimum wage because they weren’t born male and went into football and basketball?”

Are you a university that receives federal financial aid? Fine. You’re subject to Title IX. Do you insist that your athletes are not entertainers, not contractors, and certainly not employees, because they go to class? Groovy. Then they’re students. Which means they’re subject to Title IX, too.

Look, the “House” settlement, which finally made it over the line last week, is a victory for student-athletes. Anything that pokes a hole in the NCAA’s cartel is a win for college sports.

Yet when you read the fine print, it’s also a fail when it comes to Title IX, the federal mandate preventing discrimination in education that was enacted in 1972. Which is where Breeding’s appeal, filed last Wednesday by the Boulder firm of Hutchinson Black and Cook, comes in.

“(People), if they don’t understand this case, they would say, ‘You’re in this for a money grab,’” Breeding told me Friday. “And I am someone of very strong moral convictions, not someone that would get into something just for the press.

“It’s not going to be a huge payout. This is more of a statement to say, ‘Look, if you’re going to pay reparations, why not pay them to the letter of the law?’”

She also wants to make a couple of things clear. The appeal of last Friday’s “House vs. NCAA” ruling, which will allow colleges to pay student-athletes directly starting July 1, won’t stop the money going to current athletes. What it will do is freeze the $2.8 billion in back damages sent to students who played from 2016-2024.

Because what’s on the table, to Breeding, isn’t Title IX compliant. CBSSports.com reported that distributions are expected to “mirror” the same formula as the back payments: 75% of future revenue will be shared with football players, 15% with men’s basketball players, 5% with women’s basketball players and the remaining 5% to all other sports.

“This settlement as a whole is a response to the commercialization of college sports,” Ashlyn Hare, one of the attorneys representing Breeding and the other seven athletes listed in the appeal, told The Post. “All the (Power 4) schools have made a decision that they’re going to treat their athletes and their sports like big business. And that’s what they want to do; that’s perfectly fine. But they’re still subject to education-related laws like Title IX.”

Ashlyn Hare photographed at Hutchinson Black and Cook office in Boulder, Colorado on Thursday, June 9, 2022. Ashlyn was a high jumper at Vanderbilt University and Oregon University and her experience as an NCAA athlete led her to law school and plans to become a Title IX lawyer when she graduates from the University of Denver's Sturm College of Law. (Photo by Hyoung Chang/The Denver Post)
Ashlyn Hare photographed at Hutchinson Black and Cook office in Boulder, Colorado on Thursday, June 9, 2022. Ashlyn was a high jumper at Vanderbilt University and Oregon University and her experience as an NCAA athlete led her to law school and plans to become a Title IX lawyer when she graduates from the University of Denver’s Sturm College of Law. (Photo by Hyoung Chang/The Denver Post)

The Department of Education under former President Joe Biden had suggested, in anticipation of the settlement, that revenue-sharing would be subject to Title IX compliance. That recommendation was rescinded in February when the Trump administration took over the department.

To be compliant with Title IX, a university has to provide opportunities, financial aid and/or scholarships proportionate, by gender, to the campus population as a whole.

In fall 2024, for example, CU reported an undergraduate female enrollment rate of 46.8%. Which is a heck of a lot more than the 10%-ish of revenue sharing on the table. As “House” currently stands, how is the ratio of payments consistent with the law? Or with the core academic mission of a university?

“I think it’s perfectly plausible that we get a court ruling that says Title IX is going to regulate these payments,” Hare said. “(But) I can never predict what the Trump administration is going to do.”

This isn’t the first Title IX rodeo for Hare — or for her peers at Hutchinson Black and Cook, which specializes in federal gender equity law. They’ve taken on some massive cases over the years, most notably the sexual assault case involving CU football roughly 20 years ago, as well as one filed against New York Giants quarterback Jameis Winston when he was at Florida State.

“I would be ashamed to admit how many hours of sleep I got this week,” Hare cracked. “We’ve been extremely busy.”

Their opening brief for the appeal is due on Sept. 3. When I asked how many more Title IX lawsuits were coming now that “House” is official, Hare let out an almost pensive chuckle.

“A lot,” she replied. “I can’t give out an exact number. But it’s going to be a lot.”

After decades of winking, nodding, Teflon and kid gloves, the NCAA’s definition of amateurism is toast. The question is what emerges from the ashes.

Some sort of unionization of student-athletes would open the door for collective bargaining. With players, that’s a chance to codify uniform standards for financial compensation, short-term and long-term health care, workplace standards, hours, et cetera.

For schools, such bargaining might be the only way to get some roster control back when it comes to the transfer portal — contracts to remain at an institution for “X” amount of seasons would be legally binding. Free agency (via the portal) could require a certain amount of tenure first, the way it does in the pros. Everything has to be on the table now.

“I think unionizing college sports would do a lot to alleviate the antitrust lawsuits against the NCAA,” Hare said. “If you have a union, you’re not subject to antitrust suits, at least (within) the realm of employee compensation.”

And athletic directors, administrators and coaches are still employees of a college — not a sports and entertainment academy.

Even with the Deion Sanders Effect, CU athletics still hasn’t been entirely self-sufficient. In the university’s most recent report to the state auditor’s office for the ’23-24 fiscal year that ended last June 30, of the $146.6 million reported in athletics revenues, $27 million of that was categorized as coming from “direct institutional support.” Another $1.6 million stemmed from student fees.

At the same time, football ticket sales provided the single-biggest revenue line item on CU’s ’24 fiscal year —  $31.2 million for the fall of 2023. No other Buffs sport reported more than $3 million in ticket revenue. Among women’s sports, only women’s basketball reported more than $125,000.

“Amateurism is dead and gone,” Hare said. “It would be great for athletes to have the ability to be paid by schools. But it’s important to figure out how Title IX is going to factor into that.”

Look, Breeding understands the counterarguments, too. That “House,” at its core, is a framework for economics, not societal gatekeeping. She gets that football is the tide that has to lift all boats. That most women’s sports don’t make money. Why should they receive it?

“That’s a good question,” Breeding said. “Why do we deserve to get paid equally? Because it’s the law. It may not be fair, but if you want to make it fair, you need to change the law.”

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Indy volleyball coach in viral video charged after allegedly sexting a minor

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INDIANAPOLIS — A viral video has led to criminal charges against an Indianapolis volleyball coach accused of sending sexually explicit images to someone he believed was a 14-year-old boy.

Marion County Prosecutor Ryan Mears announced that Levi Garrett, 34, of Danville, faces attempted dissemination of matter harmful to minors, a Level 6 felony, following an independent investigation by the prosecutor’s office.

According to the probable cause affidavit, the charges stem from allegations that on March 2, 2025, Garrett engaged in explicit conversations and sent sexually graphic photos on the dating app Grindr to someone he believed was a minor.

A member of a private online investigative organization used a fake Grindr profile titled “tryna have fun” with a photo portraying themselves as a 14-year-old male named “Josh.” The decoy allegedly engaged with Garrett’s profile, “Hmu & find out.”

During the conversation, court documents show the minor texted Garrett, “U mind if I’m young,” and Garrett replied, “No I don’t mind.” When the decoy told Garrett, “I’m 14 but I down for whatever,” Garrett allegedly “liked” the message and proceeded to send three sexually explicit images, including photos of male genitalia and sexual activity.

The messages also allegedly included language about meeting for sex, with Garrett asking whether the encounter would be “safe or bareback.”

Court records show Garrett initially agreed to meet at a location in Greencastle but later blocked the account.

The case gained widespread attention in August when YouTuber JiDion, who is affiliated with the private investigative group, posted a 26-minute video titled “Volleyball Coach Gets EXPOSED” that has been viewed over 1.2 million times.

In the video, JiDion confronts Garrett at The Academy Volleyball Club located on East 30th Street, showing him screenshots of the alleged text exchanges and explicit photos.

Notably, the video showed several Indianapolis Metropolitan Police officers at the scene during the confrontation. When JiDion urged them to arrest the coach, one officer stated, “I have run into this before. Our prosecutor will not touch this,” a response that was controversial to many of JiDion’s followers.

IMPD later responded to the backlash and clarified that the video lacked important context, noting that a police report was filed at the scene, Garrett was trespassed from the property, and detectives were informed about the allegations.

Following the viral incident, the Marion County Prosecutor’s Office opened a formal investigation into the allegations.

“There are no shortcuts in the investigative process,” Mears said in a statement Monday. “When it comes to crimes against children, justice demands that an independent investigation occur and evidence be properly obtained, so that a case is built that will hold offenders accountable in a court of law.”

According to the affidavit, body camera footage from the incident shows Garrett identifying himself by name and providing his date of birth and phone number to officers, information that matched the Grindr profile under investigation.

Garrett is scheduled to appear for a change of plea hearing on January 27, 2026, at 9 a.m. in Marion County Superior Court.





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Volleyball Lands Four on CSC Academic All-District Team

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GREENWOOD, Ind. – College Sports Communicators (CSC) announced its annual All-District listing on Tuesday, including four Central Michigan Volleyball members.
 
To qualify, a student-athlete must hold a cumulative grade-point average (GPA) of 3.50, across both undergraduate and graduate courses, if applicable. Athletically, volleyball student-athletes must have either competed in 90% of their team’s contests for the season or started at least 66% of contests.
 
The list of honorees is below:
 
Senior Alina Anderson (Rockford, Mich. / Rockford / Ferris State)
Senior Abby Olin (Coopersville, Mich. / Coopersville / Michigan State)
Sophomore Izzy Swiercz (Hudsonville, Mich. / Hudsonville)
Sophomore Grace Thomas (Dublin, Ohio / Dublin Coffman)
 
Both Anderson and Olin earned the honor for the 2024 season.
 
For the latest news and updates on CMU Volleyball, follow the team in X (@cmuvolleyball) and on Instagram (@cmuvolleyball).
 



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Affidavit reveals AI-generated plan in alleged grooming case against Mesquite pastor’s son and volleyball coach

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An arrest affidavit obtained by CBS News Texas reveals more details about what led up to the arrest of a teacher and volleyball coach accused of grooming a teenage girl to have a sexual relationship with her, including the discovery of an AI-generated document outlining manipulation tactics.

Matthan Lough, 32, was arrested on Dec. 10 on a charge of child grooming, a third-degree felony. His father, Kevin Lough, was the senior pastor of the Christian Center of Mesquite, where some of the alleged grooming took place.

The victim and her mother filed a report with Mesquite police about Lough on Oct. 2. According to police, the victim’s mother found out about the relationship earlier that week.

Mesquite police: Grooming began more than two years ago

The affidavit outlines how the case began with an interaction at a party in the spring of 2023.

According to the affidavit, the victim met Lough at her cousin’s graduation party when he approached her while she was playing volleyball. The victim recognized Lough from church, as his wife was the worship leader for their youth group. Lough asked her if she would be interested in joining a club volleyball team he wanted to start at the church. 

It was not until the fall of 2024 that Lough held tryouts for the team, and the victim was given a spot, the affidavit said. The victim reported a series of unusual interactions with Lough over the following months in which he shared overly personal details about his life and marriage, then began to make flirty and inappropriate jokes, according to the report.

Lough’s inappropriate behavior escalated further over the summer of 2025, when he started sending the victim explicit messages and discussed committing murders, the affidavit said. Lough also repeatedly made sure the victim knew he was carrying a gun, making her fear for her safety.

In September, the affidavit describes the relationship turning physical. Lough allegedly kissed the victim at a church event. Later that month, he sexually assaulted her twice, the victim told police.

The relationship ended after the victim’s mother discovered the inappropriate messages on the victim’s devices. Her mother then contacted Lough’s wife.

Police said that after the victim filed the report, detectives obtained a search warrant and found an AI-generated document on Lough’s iPad titled “Hypothetical Counter-Influence Plan.” The document outlined phases such as “rebuild her autonomy” and “shift the power dynamic,” and provided guidance on how to achieve success.

Fallout from child grooming case

After the relationship was uncovered, police said Lough’s wife left Texas. Court records show she filed for divorce in October.

Lough’s father also resigned as senior pastor of the Christian Center of Mesquite. In a post on the church’s website, its board said the church would work to seek justice for the victim. It also said the church has “initiated an immediate internal review of all child protection policies, volunteer screening processes, and facility access logs to ensure the absolute safety of every child and youth within our care.”



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2025 NCAA women’s volleyball championship: How to watch, schedule

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Texas A&M shook up the NCAA women’s volleyball tournament when the No. 3 Aggies upset top-ranked and previously unbeaten Nebraska in their regional final. Now, the Aggies are headed to their first Final Four in program history.

No. 3 Wisconsin, which ousted Texas, another No. 1 seed, on its home court, and No. 1 seeds Kentucky and Pittsburgh join Texas A&M in the national semifinals, which take place Thursday at T-Mobile Center in Kansas City, Missouri.

The Aggies will take on Pitt in one semifinal, while Wisconsin and Kentucky will face off in the other. Neither Texas A&M nor the Panthers have won a national championship, though Pitt will play in its fifth straight Final Four. Both Wisconsin (2021) and Kentucky (2020) have won one national title.

Here are key facts about the 2025 NCAA Division I women’s volleyball tournament:

What is the remaining schedule?

*All times Eastern

Thursday, Dec. 18

Semifinal: No. 3 Texas A&M vs. No. 1 Pittsburgh – 6:30 p.m. on ESPN

“NCAA Women’s Volleyball Studio Show” – 8:30 p.m. on ESPN

Semifinal: No. 3 Wisconsin vs. No. 1 Kentucky – 9 p.m. on ESPN

Sunday, Dec. 21

“NCAA Women’s Volleyball Preview Show” – 3 p.m. on ABC

Championship – 3:30 p.m. on ABC

How can fans watch?

Fans can catch all of the action in the ESPN App and in the NCAA women’s volleyball streaming hub.

How can fans access more college sports coverage from ESPN?

Check out the ESPN college sports hub page for the latest news, scores, rankings and more.



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Three Clarkson Volleyball Players Named to CSC Academic All-District List

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Seniors Ashley Currier and Marin Hangliter as well as sophomore Olivia Baxter of the Clarkson University Volleyball team have been named to the College Sports Communicators Academic All-District® Volleyball team. 

The 2025 Academic All-District® Volleyball teams, selected by College Sports Communicators, recognize the nation’s top student-athletes for their combined performances on the court and in the classroom. To be eligible, student-athletes need to be of sophomore standing both athletically and academically, hold a cumulative grade-point average of 3.50 or better, and have participated in 90% of sets or have started at least two-thirds of their respective team’s matches. 

Baxter, a sophomore majoring in Chemical Engineering, was a Liberty League Second-Team All-Star thanks to her excellence in the back row. Baxter ranked 22nd nationally in digs per set (5.40 dps) and was 57th nationally in aces per set (0.63 aps).

Currier, a senior majoring in Mechanical Engineering, continued to be relied upon in a variety of roles for the Knights, averaging 7.09 assists, 0.95 kills, 2.50 digs, and 0.61 blocks per set. In a match against University of Rochester she nearly posted an incredibly rare feat, coming up just one kill short of a quadruple double (31 assists, 16 digs, 10 blocks, and 9 kills). 

Hangliter, a senior majoring in Environmental Engineering, finished the season averaging 2.62 kills per set, which ranked second on the team. She also was second in the Liberty League in aces per set with 0.64, which placed her 49th nationally in that category.  



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Three Tennessee Volleyball Players Earn CSC Academic All-District Honors

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KNOXVILLE, Tenn. — Three Tennessee volleyball student-athletes College Sports Communicators Academic All-District team, as announced on Tuesday. Caroline Kerr makes the list for the second consecutive year, while Hayden Kubik and Gülce Güçtekin make the list for the first time in their careers.

This marks the first time in program history that three Lady Vols have been named to the Academic All-District Team. In Eve Rackham Watt‘s eight years as head coach, eight total players have earned Academic All-District honors. Tennessee has had two or more players selected to the All-District team now in three seasons, all coming under Rackham Watt.

CSC’s Academic All-America program recognizes the nation’s top student-athletes for their combined performances on the court and in the classroom. Both Kerr and Kubik earned spots on the CSC Academic All-America ballot, which will be announced on January 13, 2026.

Compiling a 3.87 GPA in the Sport Management program, Kerr garnered First Team All-SEC honors after leading the team with 945 assists. Kerr was a key force for a Tennessee attack that finished the season top 15 in both hitting percentage and kills per set. Kerr had 20 matches with 30 or more assists, including tying her career high with 57 against Florida on Oct. 15. 

One of the top setters in Tennessee history, Kerr currently ranks sixth all-time in both assists (3,259) and assists per set (10.65). The two-time All-American setter has led the team in assists in each of the last three seasons, eclipsing the 1,000-assist mark in both 2023 & 2024.

Earning her bachelor’s degree in Communication Studies, Kubik had her best offensive season of her career in her final collegiate season. Kubik led the team in kills (390), kills per set (4.19), points (431.0), and points per set (4.63) this season. She had double-digit kills in 24 matches, reaching 20 or more on four occasions.

Kubik also ranked top ten in the conference in both kills per set and points per set in 2025. A stellar defender in the back row, Kubik finished third on the team with 209 digs. The First Team All-SEC selection had seven double-doubles on the campaign, all of which came against conference opponents.

Boasting a 4.00 GPA in Communication Studies, Güçtekin became an important piece to Tennessee’s defensive success. The senior libero  led the team in 2025 with 408 digs. Güçtekin finished the season ranking top five in the SEC in both digs and digs per set. She recorded double figure digs in 23 matches, including having 20 or more in six. She set a career-high of 30 digs at Kentucky on Nov. 9, becoming the first Tennessee player to reach 30 or more digs since Yelianoz Torres had 30 against Arkansas on Oct. 20, 2023.

Güçtekin eclipsed 1,000 digs in her career this season, and finishes her collegiate career with 1,293 digs. An all-around player in college, Güçtekin also finished with 423 assists and 117 aces.



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