Let us read it for you. Listen now. Your browser does not support the audio element. The University of Wisconsin and its NIL collective VC Connect filed a joint lawsuit on Friday against the University of Miami alleging it knowingly induced one of the Badgers’ football players to abandon a lucrative name, image and likeness […]
The University of Wisconsin and its NIL collective VC Connect filed a joint lawsuit on Friday against the University of Miami alleging it knowingly induced one of the Badgers’ football players to abandon a lucrative name, image and likeness contract to play for the Florida school this upcoming season.
Allegations of tampering rarely get to this level and the 23-page lawsuit, which was filed in state court in Wisconsin and obtained by The Associated Press, is unusual. Depending on its resolution, it could have a a wider impact on future NIL deals across college athletics.
The player in question in the filing is referred to only as “Student-Athlete A.” But the case summary describes facts that line up with the situation involving cornerback Xavier Lucas, who last December announced his plans to enter the transfer portal.
Shortly afterward, Darren Heitner, who has been representing Lucas, indicated that Wisconsin was refusing to put Lucas’ name in the portal and that it was hindering his ability to talk with other schools. In January, Heitner announced that Lucas would be playing for Miami this fall.
The situation is fallout from the rapid changes engulfing college athletics, specifically a combination of two things: Athletes went to court and won the ability to transfer with much more freedom and the 2021 NCAA decision clearing the way for them to strike NIL endorsement deals now worth millions of dollars.
“Indeed, student-athletes’ newfound NIL rights will be rendered meaningless if third parties are allowed to induce student-athletes to abandon their contractual commitments,” a portion of the lawsuit reads.
Wisconsin said in January that it had credible information that Miami and Lucas made impermissible contact with each other before the former Badgers cornerback decided to transfer.
Wisconsin and VC Connect allege that the inducement for Lucas to attend Miami happened within days of him entering his NIL agreement to play for the Badgers, and that they incurred substantial monetary harm. The lawsuit seeks unspecified monetary damages and “a declaration that Miami’s conduct directed towards Student-Athlete A constituted tampering.”
A message left with the University of Miami seeking comment was not immediately returned. In a text message Friday, Heitner declined to comment on the lawsuit but he said that Lucas still plans to attend Miami and play football.
Wisconsin said it had the support of its leadership and the Big Ten Conference in filing the lawsuit, noting its commitment to “ensuring integrity and fundamental fairness in the evolving landscape of college athletics.”
“While we reluctantly bring this case, we stand by our position that respecting and enforcing contractual obligations is essential to maintaining a level playing field,” the statement said. “In addition to our legal action, we will continue to be proactive to protect the interests of our student-athletes, our program and the broader collegiate athletics community.
Lucas, who is from Pompano Beach, Fla., had 12 tackles, an interception and a sack as a freshman for Wisconsin last season.
Heitner said that Lucas hasn’t received any money from Wisconsin and therefore owes no money to the school. Heitner also argued that Wisconsin had violated an NCAA bylaw by not entering Lucas into the transfer database within two business days of the player’s request.
Wisconsin issued a statement at the time saying it hadn’t put Lucas’ name in the portal because he had entered a two-year binding NIL agreement.
In April, the surprise transfers of brothers Nico and Madden Iamaleava from Tennessee to UCLA prompted fresh questions about contracts and buyouts.
Nico Iamaleava, who led Tennessee to the College Football Playoff last season, walked away from a reported $2.4 million NIL contract. Arkansas freshman quarterback Madden Iamaleava entered the portal after spring practices wrapped up.
Arkansas Athletic Director Hunter Yurachek released a statement indicating he would support efforts by the Razorbacks’ NIL collective to enforce buyout clauses in athlete contracts. Iamaleava reportedly had a contract valued at $500,000 upon signing with Arkansas.
Bentley volleyball earns 12th consecutive AVCA Team Academic honor
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WALTHAM, Mass. – Make it a dozen. The Bentley volleyball program earned is 12th consecutive Team Academic Award, the American Volleyball Coaches Association (AVCA) recently announced. Teams must have a minimum 3.30 GPA to qualify. AVCA Release The 2024 Falcons maintained their academic prowess while reaching new heights on […]
WALTHAM, Mass. – Make it a dozen. The Bentley volleyball program earned is 12th consecutive Team Academic Award, the American Volleyball Coaches Association (AVCA) recently announced. Teams must have a minimum 3.30 GPA to qualify.
AVCA Release
The 2024 Falcons maintained their academic prowess while reaching new heights on the court. Last year, Bentley won its second consecutive NCAA East Regional title and reached the NCAA Semifinals for the first time in program history.
Bentley’s historic NCAA run included a five-set win over Ferris State in the national quarterfinals. It was Ferris State’s first and only loss of the season.
The Falcons finished the season with an overall record of 26-7. The AVCA’s final national poll of 2024 put Bentley at No. 18, marking the program’s first-ever national ranking.
For their off-court success, Elizabeth Blinn, Erica Borzone, Jazzy Burke, and Caitlin Wunder each earned Academic All-District honors from College Sports Communicators (CSC).
Floréal adds Keilah Tyson to Track and Field coaching staff
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AUSTIN, Texas – Head Track and Field/Cross Country Coach Edrick Floréal announced the addition of Keilah Tyson as an assistant coach of sprints, hurdles and jumps on Monday. Tyson is an accomplished track and field coach and former professional athlete with over eight years of coaching experience at the high […]
AUSTIN, Texas – Head Track and Field/Cross Country Coach Edrick Floréal announced the addition of Keilah Tyson as an assistant coach of sprints, hurdles and jumps on Monday.
Tyson is an accomplished track and field coach and former professional athlete with over eight years of coaching experience at the high school and collegiate levels. A standout sprinter and jumper herself, Keilah competed as a Tier 3 athlete with Team USA, training under legendary coach Brooks Johnson and competed alongside Olympic gold medalists.
“We are thrilled to be adding Coach Tyson to our staff. Her experience at the high school and professional level will prove to hold huge value to our program,” Floréal said. “Her ability to develop young athletes is clear through their accomplishments at the next level of their careers. Coach Tyson will make an immediate impact on our program and we’re excited to have her get started here.”
Tyson most recently served as the boys and girls indoor and outdoor sprints and relays coach at Varina High School. While at Varina, she coached eight regional champions and 25 all-regional honors. The indoor campaign produced six all-state finishes and eight all-region awards. Tyson helped 16 athletes qualify for the Virginia State Championships and ended with seven all-state performances. Prior to Varina, Tyson coached at Mills E. Godwin High school from 2021-23 where the team won Regionals, 11 state titles, 15 all-region honors and recorded four school records. She was also an assistant at Richard Bland College where she worked with both the men and the women’s short sprinters and jumpers.
“I’m extremely honored to serve as an assistant coach at the University of Texas and to be a part of a program with such a rich legacy,” Tyson said. “This opportunity truly fells like the culmination of everything I’ve been working toward by entire life. Track and Field has always been my passion and having been mentored by Coach Floréal, it’s a dream come true to now work alongside him and contribute to this incredible program. My goal is to pour into our student-athletes not just physically, but mentally to realize their full potential.”
Tyson began her coaching career as the head coach at Powhatan High School where she led athletes to unprecedented success—breaking all sprint, jump, and relay records in her first year in 2019. Her leadership produced two national champions, 16 all-state athletes, 10 school records, two Virginia state champions and one state runner-up from 2019-2021. Notably, she coached Anthony Greenhow, the boys’ 100m and 200m state champion and record holder, who went on to earn a full scholarship at South Carolina.
Tyson, a standout track and field athlete at the University of Kentucky, ran under Floréal and was part of the Runner-Up team in 2015. She holds 16 All-SEC honors, multiple NCAA All-American recognitions, and is the Virginia state record holder in the 100m dash and long jump.
Tyson is deeply committed to developing athletes both physically and mentally, fostering teamwork, discipline, and a winning mindset in every program she leads.
“As I step into my first role as an NCAA Division I coach, my goal is to build on my eight years of experience by making a meaningful impact both on and off the track,” Tyson said. “I hope to contribute to the tradition of excellence at Texas by helping develop athletes who are not only physically prepared, but also mentally strong and confident in their abilities. I want to create an environment where athletes believe in themselves and understand what’s possible through hard work and discipline. Ultimately, my goal is to help the team compete at the highest level while also preparing these young men and women for success in life beyond track and field.”
Memphis Volleyball Named to AVCA Team Academic Honor Roll
LEXINGTON, Ky. – The University of Memphis volleyball program was named as a recipient of the 2025 American Volleyball Coaches Association (AVCA) Team Academic Award, per a release by the AVCA Monday morning. The Tigers also carried the distinction of being named to the Team Academic Honor Roll. Memphis has earned the AVCA Team Academic […]
LEXINGTON, Ky. – The University of Memphis volleyball program was named as a recipient of the 2025 American Volleyball Coaches Association (AVCA) Team Academic Award, per a release by the AVCA Monday morning. The Tigers also carried the distinction of being named to the Team Academic Honor Roll.
Memphis has earned the AVCA Team Academic Award in each of the last eight years, also earning Team Academic Honor Roll recognition in each of the past four years. The Tigers are one of seven Division I programs to have earned that distinction every year from 2022-25.
For a program to qualify for the AVCA Team Academic Award, it must carry a collective team GPA of at least 3.3 on a 4.0 scale during the academic school year. To be recognized on the Team Academic Honor Roll, a program’s team GPA must be in the top-20 percent of all programs within its playing division.
ABOUT THE AVCA:
The association’s mission is to advance the sport of volleyball with AVCA coaches at the epicenter of leadership, advocacy and professional development. The membership includes more than 10,000 collegiate, professional, high school, club and youth volleyball coaches, primarily in the United States. The AVCA represents women’s volleyball, men’s volleyball and beach volleyball coaches, and works to increase exposure and recognition for the sport of volleyball.
HOW TO FOLLOW THE TIGERS:
For complete information on Memphis Tigers Volleyball, visit www.GoTigersGo.com and follow the team’s social media channels on Twitter, Instagram and Facebook.
Portland Sees Record 216 Student-Athletes Make Commissioner’s Honor Roll
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SAN BRUNO, Calif. – The West Coast Conference announced on Monday the WCC Commissioner’s Honor Roll for the 2024-25 academic year. 216 student-athletes from the University of Portland made the list this year, an increase from 183 last season and the highest total ever for the Pilots. The Commissioner’s […]
SAN BRUNO, Calif. – The West Coast Conference announced on Monday the WCC Commissioner’s Honor Roll for the 2024-25 academic year. 216 student-athletes from the University of Portland made the list this year, an increase from 183 last season and the highest total ever for the Pilots.
The Commissioner’s Honor Roll highlights student-athletes who achieved high levels of success both on the field and in the classroom. The honor roll recognizes student-athletes that posted at least a 3.0 GPA with 12 credit hours per term while also earning a varsity letter in a sport where the WCC crowned a champion. 1,681 student-athlete made the list this season, just shy of the record-1,686 student-athletes last season.
Honors are split up into three categories. Gold honors go to student-athletes with a GPA between 3.75 and 4.0 on a 4.0 scale, silver honors go to those with a 3.50 to 3.74 GPA and bronze honors are for student-athletes sitting between a 3.0 and a 3.49. Portland had 83 student-athletes earn gold honors, 56 earn silver and 77 earn bronze.
It’s been a record year in the classroom for the Pilots, with Portland student-athletes posting a 3.52 GPA as a whole for the highest department-wide GPA in school history. 20 Pilots earned WCC All-Academic First Team honors this year and 68 student-athletes graduated this spring, including the Class of 2025 valedictorian in UP cross country and track runner Tommy Paltzer. With a Graduation Success Rate of 94%, the Pilots have posted a GSR above 90% for 13 years in a row.
Below is the full honor roll from the 2024-25 academic year.
2024-25 WEST COAST CONFERENCE COMMISSIONER’S HONOR ROLL BREAKDOWN
Institution
Gold Honors
4.00-3.75
Silver Honors
3.74-3.50
Bronze Honors
3.49-3.00
Totals
Gonzaga
86
83
94
263
LMU
53
43
75
171
Pacific
50
36
56
142
Pepperdine
39
35
71
145
Portland
83
56
77
216
Saint Mary’s
41
48
71
160
San Diego
53
55
96
204
San Francisco
63
42
34
139
Santa Clara
63
64
114
241
TOTALS
531
462
688
1,681
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Volleyball Honored With Ninth Straight AVCA Team Academic Award
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AVCA Release
2025 Volleyball Schedule
HICKORY, N.C. – For the ninth consecutive year, the Lenoir-Rhyne Volleyball Team has earned an AVCA Team Academic Award. The Bears maintained a 3.72 team GPA over the course of the 2024-25 season, […]
HICKORY, N.C. – For the ninth consecutive year, the Lenoir-Rhyne Volleyball Team has earned an AVCA Team Academic Award. The Bears maintained a 3.72 team GPA over the course of the 2024-25 season, tied for the best athletic program GPA at Lenoir-Rhyne last year.
To be granted this award, the team has to have maintained a year-long GPA of at least a 3.3 on a 4.0 scale. In total, a record 1,450 collegiate and high school volleyball teams maintained a GPA of at least a 3.3 (or 4.1 on a 5.0 scale).
“We’re incredibly proud of our team for earning the AVCA Academic Award, which stems from one of our core goals of always having a high team GPA,” said Head Coach Nicole Barringer. “This recognition reflects the hard word and dedication our athletes consistently show in the classroom. Academic success is always a top priority for our team and we’re committed to maintaining that standard year after year.”
The Bears will begin their season in Hickory on Friday-Saturday, September 5th-6th, with the Lenoir-Rhyne Season Opening Invitational. They face off against Lees-McRae on Friday before taking on Mount Olive and Florida Tech on Saturday. Conference play opens with a home matchup against Anderson on Tuesday, September 16th.
[InTime News] The Greek women’s water polo team used a strong final quarter to pull away from defending world champions the United States and book a place in the final of the 22nd World Aquatics Championships being held in Singapore. The 14-10 victory over the US, winners of five of the past six world championships […]
The Greek women’s water polo team used a strong final quarter to pull away from defending world champions the United States and book a place in the final of the 22nd World Aquatics Championships being held in Singapore.
The 14-10 victory over the US, winners of five of the past six world championships and three of the past four Olympics was hard-earned, with the US leading early and also twice in the third quarter.
The game was still close (10-9) in the final period, when Greece went on a 4-0 run to clinch the game.
They will play Hungary, 15-9 winners over reigning Olympic champions Spain, on Wednesday.
