College Sports
No, your school's marching band is not getting a Netflix documentary
The social media announcements would point to a series of websites with strange names and URLs, all of which touted the announcement without providing much, if any, citations. The Ohio State Buckeyes football team is in the news as it marches towards a potential national title. However, the OSU Marching Band was making headlines last […]
The social media announcements would point to a series of websites with strange names and URLs, all of which touted the announcement without providing much, if any, citations.
The Ohio State Buckeyes football team is in the news as it marches towards a potential national title. However, the OSU Marching Band was making headlines last week as well.
Stay safe out there, and always check your sources.
Given the current state of social media and guardrails against false information, coupled with the glut of documentaries being greenlit by streamers like Netflix, it makes a lot of sense why a rumor like that might spread. It feels like the kind of niche topic that would get the documentary treatment these days.
If the news sounded too good to be true, it was. The Columbus Dispatch’s Amani Bayo reported Friday that the rumors were false and the in-depth information found online was effectively just clickbait.
However, it also makes sense when you do a search for similar documentaries and come to find that like-minded fake stories for college bands (and other kinds of bands) are all over Facebook these days.
“We’re not getting a Netflix documentary,” Konner Barr, communications director for the band, told the Dispatch. Barr also noted that the Facebook pages that promoted the rumor often post false stories about OSUMB but have no affiliation with it or the university.
Word started to spread on Ohio State message boards and Facebook pages in recent weeks about an upcoming documentary about the Ohio State University Marching Band (OSUMB) that would debut on Netflix. There was reason to presume this might be true as the band, which is nicknamed The Best Damn Band in the Land (TBDBITL), is one of the few all-brass and percussion bands at a major university and dates back to 1878.
College Sports
Analysis: Panthers’ team-first mentality led to another Stanley Cup
SUNRISE, Fla. — Aleksander Barkov hoisted the Stanley Cup, skated with it for a few moments and then handed it to a grinning Nate Schmidt, in his first year with the Florida Panthers and raising hockey’s hallowed trophy for the first time. Before any repeat winner touched it, every Panther who never had before […]
SUNRISE, Fla. — Aleksander Barkov hoisted the Stanley Cup, skated with it for a few moments and then handed it to a grinning Nate Schmidt, in his first year with the Florida Panthers and raising hockey’s hallowed trophy for the first time. Before any repeat winner touched it, every Panther who never had before got the chance.
“There’s a lot of guys they play a ton of minutes that are huge contributors to this group, and they bypassed them and said: ‘We had it last year. We’ll never not cherish this moment,’” Schmidt said. “It was amazing.”
It also personified the Panthers, who did not have the best player in the final, not facing Connor McDavid and the Edmonton Oilers again. They may not have even had the second-best with Leon Draisaitl there, too, but Florida repeating as champions showed exactly why hockey is the ultimate team sport.
“We just have so much heart, so much talent: Heart meets talent,” said winger Matthew Tkachuk, who played through a sports hernia and torn adductor muscle. “Our team was a team. When things were getting hard for them, they looked to one guy. But our team, we do it collectively.”
The Panthers had 19 non-goalies on the ice over six games against the Oilers; 15 registered a point and 11 scored at least once. Coach Paul Maurice said the team is “just really deep — unusually so,” making the point that he essentially had three first lines to roll out at any given time.
“A very talented group of guys, so when you bring somebody in, we’re going to play you with a really good player,” Maurice said.
General manager Bill Zito, who inherited Barkov, defenseman Aaron Ekblad and goaltender Sergei Bobrovsky, built the rest of the roster to win in the playoffs. With Maurice and his staff in charge, players who were adrift or simply mediocre elsewhere thrived in Florida.
“For the most part, every guy who’s come here has had the best season of their careers,” Zito said. “From that perspective, it’s gratifying to think that we can create an environment where the guys can do that, but it’s the team. It’s that room. It truly is.”
Fourth-liner A.J. Greer is one of those players after nearly giving up on his NHL dream a few years ago. He, Zito, Conn Smythe Trophy winner Sam Bennett and so many others use the word “culture” to explain the Panthers’ greatness, and it translates into results on the ice. The forecheck is never-ending, the harassment in the neutral zone relentless — and the offense burgeoning with talent.
“Everyone levels their game up here — every one of us,” Greer said. “There’s a sentiment of greatness but of just like wanting to be as good as you were yesterday.”
Tkachuk, acquired by Zito in a trade from Calgary in the same summer of 2022 when Maurice was hired as coach, shook his head when asked about scoring the Cup-clinching goal in Game 6. He wanted to make a point that it doesn’t matter who scores.
“I don’t care about personal stats,” Tkachuk said. “I don’t care. Our team doesn’t (care) about that. That’s what makes us a team, and that’s why we’re lifting the Stanley Cup right now because we’re a team and not a bunch of individuals.”
McDavid, who had seven points in six games in the final, had nothing but praise after a second straight loss to the Panthers on the NHL’s biggest stage.
“They’re a really good team,” McDavid said. “Very deserving. They were really good.”
Florida was in the final for a third consecutive year, and the only loss during this stretch came to Vegas in 2023 when injuries ravaged Tkachuk, Ekblad and others. That was the start of the winning blueprint that has made the Panthers so successful for so long.
“There’s a way that we do things here, and it’s not easy,” said Bennett, who led all players in the playoffs with 15 goals. “We don’t play an easy style of hockey. It demands a lot of you. Every single guy’s bought into it. When some new guys came in, they instantly bought into what we do here and the commitment to being great, to winning. Every single guy just really bought into that.”
Schmidt found that out quickly. He played for Maurice in Winnipeg, got bought out last summer and just wanted to get his game back. That happened quickly, and the Stanley Cup was the reward after going through another long grind as a team.
“It’s the system. It’s the group. It’s just completely selfless,” Schmidt said. “Guys just play one way, and they say, ‘Hey, this is how we do things’ and you’ve got to jump on board. Guys, once they mold themselves into the game, you just become another cog in the wheel here. That’s just the way it runs. It’s just a well-oiled machine.”
College Sports
D Orin Olson commits to Briercrest College – DiscoverHumboldt.com
Defenceman Orin Olson will be playing hockey close to home next season. The Chaplin, SK product has committed to the Briercrest Clippers Hockey team of Alberta Colleges Athletic Conference (ACAC) for the upcoming season. “I’m excited for Orin to have the opportunity to play college hockey so close to home,” said Broncos Head Coach […]
Defenceman Orin Olson will be playing hockey close to home next season.
The Chaplin, SK product has committed to the Briercrest Clippers Hockey team of Alberta Colleges Athletic Conference (ACAC) for the upcoming season.
“I’m excited for Orin to have the opportunity to play college hockey so close to home,” said Broncos Head Coach and GM Brayden Klimosko in a team release. “Briercrest is a great program, and they’re getting not only a great player but a great individual. I’m looking forward to seeing what the future holds for him.”
Olson arrived in Humboldt via trade last fall from the Lloydminster Bobcats (AJHL) and played 53 games in the 2024-25 season, picking up 9 points (2g-7A) and provided a physical presence on the Broncos blueline as he finished third on the team with 100 penalty minutes.
The 21-year-old spent two full seasons in Lloydminster, in 2023-24, Olson had 13 points (3G-10A) in 50 games
College Sports
Spokane Jr. Chiefs Hockey Club announces new Executive Director
The Spokane Jr. Chiefs Hockey Club announced Monday the appointment of Curtis “Mo” Morrison as the program’s new Executive Director, bringing with him nearly two decades of experience in youth and junior hockey. Morrison’s coaching career began with the Atlanta Knights Hockey Club (2008–2015), where he served as Director of Hockey Operations, Hockey Director and […]
The Spokane Jr. Chiefs Hockey Club announced Monday the appointment of Curtis “Mo” Morrison as the program’s new Executive Director, bringing with him nearly two decades of experience in youth and junior hockey.
Morrison’s coaching career began with the Atlanta Knights Hockey Club (2008–2015), where he served as Director of Hockey Operations, Hockey Director and Junior Hockey Coach. Under his guidance, the Knights earned two Junior Hockey National Championships while competing in the SEJHL and EJHL South.
From 2016 to 2025, Morrison led the Atlanta Fire Hockey Club as Director of Hockey Operations and head coach for the club’s 14U, 16U, and 18U National Bound teams. Over nine seasons, his teams participated in 25 Georgia State Championships, 25 USA Hockey National appearances, five consecutive National Championships, three National runner-up finishes and two third-place National finishes
Morrison’s programs have advanced numerous players to NCAA, junior, and prep school hockey. From 6U to 18U, his focus on fundamentals and character has consistently elevated players to the next level.
“Our goal as an organization must be to produce great people as well as athletes,” said Morrison in a release. “From the youngest players through our 18U kids preparing for junior hockey or college, we want to support their development on and off the ice. I’m extremely grateful and excited for this tremendous opportunity.”
Golf
Golf Digest has ranked Circling Raven Golf Club as Idaho’s top public course via the national publication’s just-released “America’s Greatest Courses by State, 2025-26” compilation.
Circling Raven was ranked No. 6 overall in Idaho and the state’s top public course. The top five are private courses. To arrive at its ranking of America’s Greatest Golf Courses, Golf Digest panelists play and score courses on these eight criteria: shot options, challenge, layout variety, distinctiveness, aesthetics, conditioning, and character.
“We work tirelessly to ensure that Circling Raven is an exceptional amenity of Coeur d’Alene Casino Resort Hotel, and we are constantly enhancing the course and golf club,” said resort CEO Laura Penney. “This honor from Golf Digest reinforces that our best practices are well designed and executed.”
Like the casino resort, the Gene Bates-designed championship golf course is owned by the Coeur d’Alene Tribe. Director of Golf Don Rasmussen, PGA, and Superintendent Kal Zaranec oversee operations and course conditions, respectively.
In addition to being rated No. 1 public course in Idaho, the course is ranked among the country’s best in Resort Course, Casino Course and Pro Shop categories.
Women’s basketball
Ahead of the upcoming season Eastern Washington women’s basketball coach Joddie Gleason announced the hiring of Brynna Maxwell and Dora Goles as assistant coaches.
Maxwell is well familiar with the area after playing at Gonzaga for two seasons (2022-24), where she earned two All-WCC first team honors. Originally from Gig Harbor, Washington, Maxwell initially started her collegiate career at Utah (2019-22), earning two All-Pac 12 honors, along with a spot on the 2020 Pac-12 All-Freshman team.
Following graduation, Maxwell was drafted 13th in the WNBA Draft by the Chicago Sky. She spent last season playing in the Liga Femenina Endesa for Celta Zorka Recalvi in Vigo, Spain.
Goles jumps ship from Idaho State to join the Eastern staff after spending the past three seasons with the Bengals as an assistant coach. Goles is an alumni for Idaho State, playing guard from 2017 to 2021.
College Sports
Local hockey player has big goal in mind
by Dan Holland For Broadview Heights native Ryan Rucinski, a dream of making it to the highest levels of the hockey world began by learning how to ice skate at the tender age of 2. “My dad played hockey, and at a young age he got me out on the ice and used to being […]
by Dan Holland
For Broadview Heights native Ryan Rucinski, a dream of making it to the highest levels of the hockey world began by learning how to ice skate at the tender age of 2.
“My dad played hockey, and at a young age he got me out on the ice and used to being on skates,” Rucinski, 18, said. “Ever since then, I’ve always loved it.”
He now has his sights set on going pro, as he’s a candidate for the 2025 NHL draft, which will take place June 27-28 in Los Angeles.
A recent high school graduate, Rucinski took online courses through a public school district in the Youngstown area. He attended Padua Franciscan High School during his freshman and sophomore years, then moved to live with a host family in Canfield, Ohio, where he played hockey for the Youngstown Phantoms in the United States Hockey League during his junior year.
“I should play [for the Phantoms] for three or four years – depending on what happens – and then go on to college. There’s a chance I’ll go to Ohio State next year, as I’m guessing it will be one more year with Youngstown, and then OSU. But that’s not official.”
Rucinski committed to playing hockey for the Buckeyes at The Ohio State University on a Division-1 scholarship heading into his junior year, just prior to being drafted by the Phantoms.
But that’s not the only credit Rucinski has to his name. He won a gold medal for Team USA as one of 22 players USA Hockey selected for the 2024 U.S. Junior Select Team that participated in the World Junior A Challenge in Camrose, Alberta, held in December 2024. He scored two goals and had three assists in five games, including a goal in the championship game against Sweden, which aired on the NHL Network.
As a center for the Phantoms, Rucinski had 42 points in 49 games – 19 goals and 23 assists – along with three goals in three postseason games, as he helped the team win the USHL Eastern Conference title.
Hockey runs in his family, as his dad, Jeff Rucinski, played hockey at Western Michigan University and subsequently played for a number of professional hockey teams, including the Cleveland Lumberjacks in 1998-1999.
Rucinski’s older cousin, Dylan Duke, was drafted in the fourth round by the Tampa Bay Lightning in the 2021 NHL Entry Draft. Another older cousin, Tyler Duke, played hockey his freshman year at Ohio State University before transferring to play at the University of Michigan.
Siblings include brother, Kyle, a sophomore who plays for the varsity/prep hockey team at St. Ignatius High School, along with sisters, Raina – a figure skater – and Ella, who currently plays hockey for the U14 Lady Barons. The Broadview Heights family sets up an outdoor ice rink in its backyard every winter.
National Hockey League Central Scouting ranked Rucinski as the 204th North American skater in their final 2025 rankings for the NHL draft, set to take place June 27-28.
“There’s a lot that can happen, and not everyone will get picked in the draft,” said Rucinski. “I’m just focusing on trying to get better every day, but if someone calls and I get drafted, that would be great. But I’m not going to get too worked up over that, because even if you don’t get picked, you can still make your way to the NHL.”“Obviously, I would like to be chosen in the draft,” he continued. “But if I can play out my college career, and then hopefully be able to sign a contract with a pro team, that would be my main goal.”
Photo caption: Ryan Rucinski has his eyes on going pro – possibly during the June 27-28 NHL draft in Los Angeles. The 18-year-old currently plays for the Youngstown Phantoms but has a scholarship to The Ohio State University awaiting him as well. Photo submitted.
College Sports
Gio Mancino is committed to see where his soccer dreams will take him
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Most popular optionIt’s OK to dream. Dreaming is like exercise for a healthy soul.
Pursuing those dreams is optional. But the benefits from living dreams are out of this world.
Gio Mancino’s dreams revolve around playing soccer at the highest level – his highest, no one else’s.
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Cedar Crest graduate Gio Mancino is pursuing his childhood dreams to play soccer professionally. (Provided photo)
“For me, it’s always been my dream to play soccer professionally,” he said. “I’ve worked hard for it. I think I’ve always been Mr. Underrated. With it comes pressure. But they say pressure builds diamonds.”
A 2024 graduate of Cedar Crest, Mancino is both living and pursuing his dream to play professional soccer with the Capital City Islanders, a recent, semi-professional soccer start-up that plays its home games at Harrisburg’s City Island.
Mancino isn’t getting paid by the Islanders to play. In fact, he has secured a sponsorship from Palmyra-area business Lazzaro’s Italian Bistro to help offset expenses.
But Mancino is hoping the exposure and experience with Capital City will lead to future professional soccer opportunities.
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“We don’t get paid to play at the moment,” said Mancino. “For me, the sky’s the limit. I want to play professionally. It’s always been my dream. I’ve just have to be looked at and I’ve got to show results on the field.
“I think when you have the same dream, and have it over and over, you should chase it. But don’t do it by yourself; do it with God. Never give up, just keep working hard. The bill of trying hard is better than the bill of regret.”
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Following try-outs in February, Mancino made the Islanders’ roster this spring. Despite battling injuries, Mancino, who plays right wing, has found ways to contribute to the Islanders’ success and reports that his first professional soccer experience has been mostly positive.
“I think it’s more difficult than college soccer,” said Mancino, 19. “We have players from all over. It’s very competitive. It’s hard for me going up against grown men. For me, it’s pretty hard. I think when I’m injury free, it’ll be easier for me to compete.
“I think I’m doing well, just with the mental stuff. I’m trying to earn a spot back. The injury is making me work harder and trust God more. I’m grateful I’m able to play again and compete for a spot.”
The Capital City Islanders’ inaugural United Premiere Soccer League Division One season began in early April and ends early next month. Through 10 games, the Islanders were 7-2-1 and in first place in the developmental league that is designed to bridge the gap between college and professional soccer.
Gio Mancino’s playing time during his first season with the Capital City Islanders has been limited by injuries. (Provided photo)
“I’m a left-footed player and I play right wing,” said Mancino. “I’m a team-player first. I’m simple. I’m very fast and I like to use my speed. I think I’m one of the best passers. I love the assists. For me, the assist is more impactful than the goal.
“I love soccer. I like to glorify God through the sport. God gives me the opportunity to wake up every morning and play the sport. This is what I was meant to do and if I work hard, God will give me what I need to succeed.”
Mancino enjoyed a solid, but not necessarily spectacular, scholastic career at Cedar Crest. During the fall of 2024, Mancino competed for Washington and Jefferson College’s Division Three soccer team.
“I like meeting new people and playing the game I grew up watching,” he said. “My favorite part is celebrating a goal and celebrating a win. What I love about the game is that there’s always something to improve on. I get to see how far I can go with it and see how much I improve every day.”
At age 19, Gio Mancino is one of the youngest members of the Capital City Islanders semi-professional soccer team. (Provided photo)
Exactly how far Mancino can take this professional soccer thing remains to be seen. At this point, he’s content to control the things he can control and turn the other things over to God.
“When I was five, I just played for the love of it,” he said. “I played the game for fun. I really didn’t work hard. I thought if I practiced, it was enough. When I was 14, I started hitting the gym. I’m built very well for the sport. You’ve got to go the gym and eat healthy. I’m just a hard-working guy. For me, the grind never stops.”
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College Sports
UMaine men’s hockey adds 3rd-round NHL draftee
The University of Maine men’s hockey team continues to address its goal-scoring needs with the addition of another National Hockey League draft pick from Canada’s Major Junior ranks. Lethbridge Hurricanes right wing Miguel Marques, a third round draft pick of the Nashville Predators in 2024 and the 87th overall pick, has verbally committed to attend […]
The University of Maine men’s hockey team continues to address its goal-scoring needs with the addition of another National Hockey League draft pick from Canada’s Major Junior ranks.
Lethbridge Hurricanes right wing Miguel Marques, a third round draft pick of the Nashville Predators in 2024 and the 87th overall pick, has verbally committed to attend the University of Maine this season.
The 19-year-old Marques missed the first part of the Western Hockey League season after undergoing surgery for a broken arm and a dislocated elbow.
But after he returned, he scored 14 goals with 24 assists in 29 regular season games and four goals and 13 assists in 16 playoff games.
During the 2023-24 season, he had 28 goals and 46 assists in 67 regular season games for Lethbridge.
He concluded his WHL career with 52 goals and 86 assists in 165 regular season games.
Marques listed several reasons for his decision to attend UMaine.
“The coaches were awesome to me,” said Marques, who was impressed with the $50 million renovations to Alfond Arena that are currently underway and its game night atmosphere.
He is looking forward to playing for head coach Ben Barr and playing with and against “older, faster guys” that will accelerate his development.
“And, obviously, the league is really good,” he added, referring to Hockey East.
The Elite Prospects 2024 NHL Draft Guide said Marques “manipulates defenders to open passing lanes and connects with backhand passes through impossible lanes. He starts passing plays and snipes with textbook curl and drag shots.”
The 5-foot-11, 185-pound Marques said he is working on getting stronger and faster to make the jump to college hockey and is looking forward to coming to Orono for the optional preseason training camp this summer.
Marques is from Prince George, British Columbia, which produced former Black Bear goalie Al Loring.
The Black Bears are looking to replace players who scored 62 of the team’s 124 goals last season en route to their first Hockey East tournament title since 2004 and second consecutive NCAA Tournament appearance.
Several of the incoming recruits played in Canada’s three Major Junior leagues.
This will be the first season players from the Western Hockey League, the Ontario Hockey League and the Quebec Maritimes Junior Hockey League will be eligible to play U.S. college hockey because they used to be considered pros in the eyes of the NCAA for receiving financial stipends.
But now that student-athletes are allowed to earn money in addition to their scholarships through Name, Image, Likeness deals and being paid directly by their schools, professionalism is now part of the NCAA landscape.
His coming to UMaine is dependent upon him being accepted into the school and meeting NCAA eligibility requirements.
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This is poetry in motion.
