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Noles News: FSU football’s 2026 recruiting class continues to take shape

Recruiting Florida State football added two players to its 2026 recruiting class over the weekend — the first being Luke Francis, a potential diamond in the rough from across the pond that will play for Coral Cables High this season as part of the NFL Academy program: Florida State was his third scholarship offer following […]

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Recruiting

Florida State football added two players to its 2026 recruiting class over the weekend — the first being Luke Francis, a potential diamond in the rough from across the pond that will play for Coral Cables High this season as part of the NFL Academy program:

Florida State was his third scholarship offer following Syracuse and Georgia State. He received the FSU offer on June 18 as an offensive lineman (guard) and quickly scheduled an official visit for the following weekend. Check out this nice article from 247’s Chris Nee for some great quotes from Francis after getting the offer. Programs like the Texas Longhorns, Florida Gators, Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets, and Maryland Terrapins are also interested.

Francis got to match up against powerhouses IMG Academy and De La Salle High School as part of the NFL Academy. His highlights, all on the defensive side of the ball, show that he has decent movement and pursuit for his size. He is difficult to move despite needing to work on his leverage, and when he gets hold of the ball carrier with his insane wingspan it’s a wrap. He has good upper and lower body strength and the developmental tools are apparent.

247Sports Composite has yet to put out a ranking for him, and he’s a bit of an enigma, having only played football for less than two years. As they say, you can’t coach size, and Francis certainly has plenty of it. He’ll undoubtedly be extremely raw coming into college, but the positive side is that he won’t need to unlearn bad habits and will truly be a blank slate for Herb Hand.

On Sunday, the Seminoles added a quarterback to the class, officially flipping four-star Jaden O’Neal:

O’Neal is a 6’3”, 215 quarterback who will play for Mustang High in Oklahoma this season, having previously played high school ball in California. He racked up 30 offers and FSU beat out some major programs for his services in addition to OU. 247Sports Composite has O’Neal as the 205th best player in the nation (14th best QB and the best player in Oklahoma).

O’Neal was a solid commitment to the Sooners until they fired offensive coordinator Seth Littrell and replaced him with Ben Arbuckle. The Sooners continued to recruit other highly-rated quarterback prospects, zeroing in on past FSU target Bowe Bentley in particular, which led O’Neal to start searching elsewhere and eventually decommitting on June 19. After a ton of hard work, the FSU staff completed the flip today.

O’Neal throws a fantastic deep ball and has advanced accuracy at this stage. I’d consider him a top-5 pure passer in this cycle and his mechanics are great. He isn’t as mobile as you’d like to see and therefore isn’t a perfect fit in Gus Malzahn’s offense, but he can certainly operate within it and shows good footwork. This was, quite simply, a recruitment that FSU had to win after failing to gain traction with its two other primary targets in Keisean Henderson and Landon Duckworth.

O’Neal played in 10 games in his junior campaign and totaled 3,040 yards on a 61% completion percentage. He threw 28 touchdowns and only four interceptions. His sophomore season resulted in 2,475 passing yards, 27 touchdowns, and 10 interceptions on a 61% completion percentage in 11 games.

The Seminoles did lose a commit — three-star offensive lineman Xaiver Payne. From our recruiting thread:

Florida State Recruiting Class of 2026

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Florida State baseball’s Jamie Arnold, Alex Lodise and Myles Bailey all tacked on additional All-American honors over the weekend, this time from Baseball America:

This is the fourth All-America honors this season for Arnold and Lodise and the second for Bailey. The trio was recognized by Perfect Game on June 10, with Arnold and Lodise on the First Team and Bailey on the Freshman First Team. The NCBWA named Arnold and Lodise First Team All-Americans on June 11, while the ABCA bestowed Arnold with First Team distinction and Lodise with Second Team accolades on June 13.

To headline the 2025 postseason awards, Lodise was named the recipient of the 2025 Dick Howser Trophy as the national player of the year on June 13. He also is a finalist for the Golden Spikes Award.

The trio helped the Seminoles to a second consecutive NCAA Super Regional appearance in 2025 with a 42-16 record. As they all earned All-ACC honors, FSU went 17-10 in the conference and finished in second place with a .630 winning percentage. The ACC runner-up finish and No. 2 seed at the conference tournament were the team’s best since 2014. Arnold and Lodise were both selected as team captains in 2025.

FSU soccer has locked in its 2025 schedule:

FSU will play its lone tune-up match at home against Alabama on Friday, August 8, at 6 p.m. before kicking off the regular season with an in-state rivalry match against Florida on Thursday, August 14, at 7 p.m. as previously announced. This marks the earliest start to a season in program history and first meeting between the Seminoles and Gators in an opening match since 2000.

Florida State will host FIU on Sunday, August 17, before making the program’s first visit to Kansas since 2003 on Thursday, August 28. The Seminoles will return to the Sunshine State to host Stetson on September 4 before concluding non-conference play at Florida Atlantic on September 7.

The reigning conference champions will open ACC play at home against Louisville before entering a three-game road stretch in eight days across the Atlantic coast. The away run will begin at Syracuse before facing North Carolina in a rematch of last season’s ACC Tournament Championship where FSU earned its fifth-consecutive title. The Seminoles finish the stretch with a Sunday afternoon battle at NC State.

Florida State will look to extend its five-match winning streak over Miami at home on Friday, October 3, at 7 p.m. before the away match at Notre Dame the following Thursday. The Seminoles will meet Stanford and California on October 16 and October 19, respectively, for the first time in ACC play. FSU will play Stanford for the first time since claiming its fourth national championship in 2023 and host the Cardinal for the first time while the Seminoles welcome California for the first time since 2009.

FSU closes out the regular season with a Thursday night road match at Virginia on October 23 prior to hosting the national runners-up Wake Forest on October 30. Florida State will await the results of conference play to determine seeding and qualification to the 2025 ACC Women’s Soccer Tournament.

2025 Florida State Soccer Schedule

  • Aug. 8: Alabama (Home)
  • Aug. 14: Florida (Home)
  • Aug. 17: FIU (Home)
  • Aug. 28: Kansas (Away)
  • Sep. 4: Stetson (Home)
  • Sep. 7: Florida Atlantic (Away)
  • Sep. 11: Louisville (Home)
  • Sep. 14: Syracuse (Away)
  • Sep. 18: North Carolina (Away)
  • Sep. 21: NC State (Away)
  • Oct. 3: Miami (Home)
  • Oct. 9: Notre Dame (Away)
  • Oct. 16: Stanford (Home)
  • Oct. 19: California (Home)
  • Oct. 23: Virginia (Away)

Florida State women’s lacrosse announced 14 transfers on Friday:

All 14 incoming student-athletes are transfers from Division I institutions. Four incoming transfers come directly from Atlantic Coast Conference programs and five transfers come directly from Big Ten programs. Four of the last five national champions have come from the ACC while 20 of the last 21 national champions have come from either the ACC or Big Ten conferences.

Sienna Cassella | Midfielder | 5-7 | Bradenton, Fla.| St. Stephen’s Episcopal School/Rutgers

Played first season at Rutgers…appeared in 15 games with three starts…recorded one assist…collected 10 ground balls and 10 draw controls with six caused turnovers…made the dean’s list in both semesters at Rutgers…pursuing her bachelor’s degree in finance…finished high school career with 403 points on 282 goals and 121 assists … also tallied 468 draw controls, 237 ground balls and 157 caused turnovers during time at St. Stephen’s… three-time captain and four-time MVP…led high school to two state appearances and broke every record in school history…three-time USA Lacrosse All-American…USA Lacrosse Academic All American…USA Lacrosse All-American Jackie Pitts Award recipient…two-time New Balance All-American South Highlight Team…two-time USA Today High School Lacrosse Player of the Year…named a 2024 Positive Coaching Alliance Triple-Impact Competitor…four-time First Team All-Area…2024 All USA Today High School National Top 50 Girls Lacrosse Team…member of National Honor Society…played golf in high school…two-time golf team MVP and captain senior year…2023 Saint Stephen’s Falcon Award recipient…loves to golf, bake, and spending time with family…parents are Patrick and Elena Cassella…father played baseball at Tampa…sister to Michael Cassella, who graduated from Florida State…her grandfather, Charles Tomeo, played lacrosse at Fairleigh Dickinson…her uncle, also named Charles Tomeo, was a quarterback at Florida State from 1994-1996.

Kate Christos | Midfielder | 5-7 | Madison, N.J. | Madison High School/San Diego State

Played first four seasons at San Diego State…appeared in 48 games with 40 starts…scored 40 goals with 27 assists for 67 career points…collected 72 ground balls and caused 33 turnovers with 141 draw controls…two-time Big 12 Midfielder of the Week in 2025…led the Big 12 in ground balls per game and fifth in draw controls per game in 2025…recorded two hat tricks against Eastern Michigan and Cincinnati in 2025…led the Aztecs in draw controls (54), ground balls (37), and caused turnovers (15) in 2025…San Diego State Scholar-Athlete in all four seasons…pursuing a master’s degree in marketing management communication…played basketball and soccer in high school…named 2021 US Lacrosse All-American…recieved 2021 The Varsity M Club Award…multi-Freedom South division first team honoree…all-conference honors in both basketball and soccer…recipient of the 2021 Morris County Athletic Directors Scholar-Athlete Award…has two dogs and enjoys being outdoors…parents are Kim and Andy Christos…mother played lacrosse at William & Mary…father played lacrosse and soccer at Hobart…sister to Andy Jr. Christos, who played basketball at Penn State, Mae Christos, and Georgia Christos, currently committed to play soccer at Providence. She is also cousins with Phoebe Christos, who plays lacrosse at Villanova, and John Gerard, who played soccer at Colgate.

Superia Clark | Defender | 5-5 | Wyoming, Del. | Dover High School/Syracus

Played first three seasons at Syracuse…appeared in 46 games with 34 starts…collected 28 ground balls and caused 17 turnovers…scored one goal and won eight draw controls…started every game in the Syracuse defense her freshman season…pursuing a bachelor’s degree in psychology…two-time USA Lacrosse All-American…two-time All-State First Team honoree…ranked No. 2 in the state of Delaware by Delaware Online…recorded 73 goals and 32 assists as a senior in high school…became high school’s first-ever All-American…HS team captain for two seasons…tied for the team lead in goals and assists as a senior…member of the National Honor Society…played field hockey in high school…can solve a Rubik’s cube…her mother is Tiffany Smith…stepfather is Foster Trader…father is Craig Clark…her aunt, Tyresa Smith, played basketball at Delaware and was drafted 18th overall by the Phoenix Mercury in the 2007 WNBA Draft, playing for four seasons in the league.

Jordan Conversano | Defender | 5-9 | Huntington, N.Y. | Harborfields High School/Johns Hopkin

Played first four seasons at Johns Hopkins…made five appearances, forcing one ground ball……graduated from Johns Hopkins University…named to Academic All-Big Ten Team in three consecutive seasons (2023, 2024, 2025)…pursuing a master’s degree of social work…competed in field hockey and indoor track and field in high school…named All-Suffolk County Team in high school…member of National Honor Society…raised ducks as pets with her sister…enjoys skiing…parents are Robin and Christopher Conversano…mother played field hockey and lacrosse at Hofstra…sister to Matthew, who played lacrosse at Western Connecticut, and Mackenzie Conversano, who will play lacrosse at Florida State.

Reilly Hunter | Defender | 5-9 | Toronto, Canada | Birchmount Park Collegiate/San Diego Stat

Played first four seasons at San Diego State…appeared in 42 games with 32 starts…collected 35 ground balls and caused 22 turnovers with 20 draw controls…recorded two goals and two assists…team captain at SDSU in 2024/25…named Big 12 Defensive Player of the Week honoree in 2025…graduated from San Diego State with cum laude honors…named to the IWLCA Academic Honor Roll in 2023-24…four-time Dean’s List recipient and San Diego State Scholar-Athlete…pursuing a master’s degree in public interest media & communication…won Canadian lacrosse national championship with Team Ontario in 2019…played ice hockey and track & field in high school…became the Toronto City Champion in 300m hurdles in 2018…named varsity track MVP in high school…was introduced to lacrosse by playing box lacrosse…all of three of her brothers wore #44 in their playing days…parents are Mary Ormsby and Paul Hunter…mother played volleyball at Ohio State and was inducted into Ohio State Athletics Hall of Fame…father played lacrosse at Siena…sister to Rob, Sam, who played ice hockey at Queens, and Will Hunter.

Meg Kenny | Midfielder | 5-6 | Aquebogue, N.Y. | St. Anthony’s High School/Maryland

Played first season at Maryland…appeared in nine games…scored two goals…pursing her bachelor’s degree in elementary education…two-time USA Lacrosse All-American in 2023 and 2024…selected to the 2023 National Team Development Program (NTDP) National Combine…Brogden Cup winner with the 2023 USA U18 team…IL Women five-star recruit out of high school…No. 29 recruit in the Class of 2024…selected to the Team USA U16 squad…two-time Under Armour 150 in 2021 and 2022…MVP of 2019 Trilogy camp…outstanding player at Long Island 99 showcase…2022 Juniors Open…HLA School Girls Finalist at the US National Tournament…2022 Workhorse Award St. Anthony’s High School…first team All-Long Island…three-time CHSAA All League recipient 2022-2024…St. Anthony’s High School honor roll all four years…competed in cross country and track…traveled an hour to school everyday…parents are John and Kiersten Kenny…sister to Lauren, played lacrosse at Stony Brook, and Johnathan Kenny.

Katie McLean | Defender | 5-9 | Tewksbury, N.J. | Voorhees High School/Colorado

Played first four seasons at Colorado…appeared in 37 games with 16 starts…collected 26 ground balls and caused 24 turonvers…scored one goal and won 15 draw controls…two-time Pac-12 Spring Academic Honor Roll honoree in 2023, 2024…named to the Colorado dean’s list twice in 2022, 2025…named to the Colorado Athletic Director’s Honor Roll in all four seasons…named first team all-county and first-team All-Skyland Conference in high school in 2021…named to the second team All-Group in 2021…2021 Lehigh Lacrosse Player of the Year…2021 Hunterdon Warren Scholar-Athlete of the Year…played field hockey in high school…2021 New Jersey Sectional champion in field hockey…enjoys skiing, golfing, and visits the humane society to play with older dogs…played against the Dutch national lacrosse team in Amsterdam…parents are Sheila and Bill McLean…father played linebacker at Pittsburgh…sister to Megan Voetsch, who played golf at Penn State…her uncle, Joe McLean, played basketball at Arizona.

Marleigh Sanders | Attacker | 5-9 | Milton, Ga. | Milton High School/Notre Dame

Played first four seasons at Notre Dame…appeared in 11 games…scored a goal with four assists…participated in the ACC Women’s Lacrosse Student Athlete Advisory Group…named to the 2023 and 2024 All-ACC Academic team…Monogram Jacket recipient in 2023…graduated from Notre Dame college of business with a bachelor’s degree in management consulting…pursuing a master’s degree in business administration…No.29 Ranked Inside Lacrosse Recruit Class of 2021…three-time GHSA State Champion…three-time Under Armour All American…2020 Under Armour All American MVP…two-time GHSA 1st Team All State…played in the Israeli National Team 2018 World Games…Under Armour All-American Watchlists 2021…can drive a manual transmission vehicle…parents are Eric and Aimee Sanders…father played basketball, golf, and lacrosse at American International…sister to Lily and Dean Sanders, who plays lacrosse at Bucknell.

Erin Schaefer | Defender | 5-4 | Sayville, N.Y. | Sayville High School/Stanford

Played first four seasons at Stanford…appeared in 28 games…collected 14 ground balls and caused seven turnovers…two-time Pac-12 Champion…three-consecutive conference academic honor rolls from 2023-2025…graduated with a bachelor’s degree in science, technology, and society…three-time Under Armour All-American…2018 Nike Elite 120…played club for Long Island Yellow Jackets…played soccer in high school…enjoys watching sci-fi movies, painting, and collaging…parents are Tina and Tom Schaefer…mother played soccer at SUNY Oneonta…sister to Maddy, who played lacrosse at LIU, and twin brother Tyler Schaefer.

Reagan Terrell | Defender | 5-10 | Cary, N.C. | Panther Creek High School/Davidson

Played first four seasons at Davidson…made 31 appearances with 22 starts…recorded 19 ground balls, caused 19 turnovers, recorded six turnovers with two draw controls in three seasons of play…appeared in 10 games with five starts in 2024…caused four turnovers and collected two ground balls…earned the team’s Most Improved Player award in 2024…started in all 17 games in 2025…collected 17 ground balls, caused 15 turnovers, and two draw controls…recorded five multi-ground ball games, three multi-ground ball games in the last four games of the season…achieved career-highs in ground balls and caused turnovers against Winthrop in 2025…graduated from Davidson College with magna cum laude honors…named to 2025 A-10 All-Academic Team…named to the A-10 Commissioner’s Honor Roll in all four seasons…pursuing a master’s degree in sport management…competed in track and field in high school…enjoys playing pickleball, grandfather coaches the sport…parents are Matt and Katherine Terrell…sister to Kaylee Terrell Sandelin.

Catrina Tobin | Goalie | 5-9 | Sudbury, Mass. | Lincoln-Sudbury Regional High School/UMass

Played first three seasons at UMass…appeared in 52 games with 37 starts in goal…recorded over 2400 minutes…made 302 saves with 30 career wins…captained the 2025 A-10 champions…2024 A-10 All-Championship team…2024 A-10 Second Team honoree…2023 A-10 All-Rookie team…two-time A-10 Rookie of the Week…graduated from UMass with a Bachelor of Arts in Legal Studies and a certificate in Criminal Justice…earned Atlantic 10 Commissioner’s Honor Roll in all four years…pursuing her master’s degree in criminal justice…senior captain of the 2018 Dual County League champions…Dual County League All-Star sophomore and junior seasons…Dual County League All-Star honorable mention freshmen year…selected for Shriners All Star game her junior seasons…two-time lacrosse captain at Lincoln-Sudbury Regional High School…ranked number one goalkeeper in the Dual County League…held a 55% save percentage…earned athlete of the year at her high school…EMGCLA All-Star 1st Team…Metrowest All-Star…recognized by the Boston Globe and Boston Herald as All-Scholastic… number one ranked player in the Dual County League as a sophomore…earned Dual County League All-Star…guided her team to three Dual County League Lacrosse Championships in 2018, 2019 and 2021…played ice hockey in high school…has two dogs, Brody and Sully…parents are Sean and Deirdre Tobin…sister to Ryan and Fiona Tobin.

Julia Ward | Goalie | 5-7 | Forest Hill, Md. | The John Carroll School/Maryland

Played first season at Maryland…appeared in six games with over 55 minutes in goal…made six saves…made the dean’s list twice in one season at Maryland…pursuing her bachelor’s degree in accounting…appeared on 2023 USA Select U18 team…Baltimore First Team All-Metro…IAAM All Conference 2024…three-time Baltimore All America Champions 2021-2023…four-year varsity starter…515+ Career Saves…three-time First Team All County 2022-2024…SkyWalkers 2024 Blue…STX Athlete…first honors in all four years in high school…played field hockey in high school…2023 varsity team captain in field hockey…two-time Second Team All-Harford County in field hockey…parents are Brian and Angela Ward…father played lacrosse at Salisbury and claimed the program’s second D-III national championship in 1995…the Ward family has two sets of twins in the family…twin sister, Lydia, will play lacrosse at Florida State…sister to twin brothers, Giovanni and Brendan Ward.

Lydia Ward | Midfielder | 5-3 | Forest Hill, Md. | The John Carroll School/Maryland

Played first season at Maryland…appeared in 10 games…made the dean’s list at Maryland…pursuing her bachelor’s degree in hospitality…appeared on the 2023 USA Select U18 and 2022 USA Select U16 teams…five-star recruit out of high school…#18 in Class of 2024: Inside Lacrosse…#30 in Freshman Class 2024: Inside Lacrosse…All America Senior Game 2024…2023 and 2024 IAAM All Conference team…four-year varsity starter…captain and leading scorer junior and senior year…100+ career goals, points and ground balls…two-time Baltimore All America Champions 2022 & 2023…USA U20 National Team Tryout…SkyWalkers 2024 Blue…two-time First Team All County 2023 & 2024…Brogden Cup Coach’s Award: USA U16…Vice President of Spanish National Society…National Honors Society member…STX Athlete…played soccer, basketball, and swimming in high school…parents are Brian and Angela Ward…father played lacrosse at Salisbury and claimed the program’s second D-III national championship in 1995…the Ward family has two sets of twins in the family…twin sister, Julia, will play lacrosse at Florida State…sister to twin brothers, Giovanni and Brendan Ward.

Faith Wooters | Midfielder | 5-8 | McKinney, Texas | McKinney Boyd High School/Syracus

Played first two seasons at Syracuse…appeared in seven games…two-time NCAA Semifinalist…2024 ACC Regular Season Champion…Syracuse Dean’s List in Fall 2024…two-time All-ACC Academic Team honoree in 2023 and 2024…pursuing her bachelor’s degree in management information systems…2021 Texas state champion in high school…Adrenaline All American…recorded 300+ points in high school…competed in track and field in high school…has two dogs and loves to wakeboard…parents are Rebecca and Scott Wooters…father played football at Maryland…sister to Nicolaas and Georgia Wooters.





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Call for the Hall: Minnesota to get its own Hockey Hall of Fame

“This project is long overdue, and I’m thrilled to be part of this exciting announcement,” said hockey legend Lou Nanne. “In my decades-long career in the game of hockey, I think I will know nearly every single individual who will be honored here. It’s an incredible way to recognize the people and stories that make […]

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“This project is long overdue, and I’m thrilled to be part of this exciting announcement,” said hockey legend Lou Nanne. “In my decades-long career in the game of hockey, I think I will know nearly every single individual who will be honored here. It’s an incredible way to recognize the people and stories that make Minnesota hockey so unique and deserving of this kind of permanent home.”

The MNHHOF plans to break ground in June 2026 with a grand opening in May 2028, positioning it as a premier tourism and cultural destination in the Twin Cities and beyond.

David Backes

“I’m thrilled to see the Minnesota Hockey Hall of Fame become a reality. Hockey is such a big part of our state’s identity, and this will be a place where fans young and old can celebrate the game’s history and the people who helped shape it. I have no doubt it’ll be one of the most popular stops for anyone who loves hockey.”

Keith Ballard

“Growing up in Baudette, hockey was everything. I was fortunate to play at every level here in Minnesota, always with friends and family supporting me. Now, as I get to coach and watch my own kids play, I’m reminded of how special this game is. The Minnesota Hockey Hall of Fame will honor so many deserving people while telling the story of hockey for my kids and generations to come.”

Kelly Brooks-Paradise

“I’m honored to serve as the Advisory Board Chair for the Minnesota Hockey Hall of Fame and to be part of bringing this project to life. This Hall will celebrate the incredible history of hockey in Minnesota, including my dad’s legacy. I know if he were here today, he’d be so excited to see it all coming together.”

Alex Goligoski

“As someone who grew up in the Minnesota hockey community, this project is so exciting. I’ve seen it at every level, from youth hockey to high school, college, and professionally. This sport is engrained in us as Minnesotans. The support and passion we have for this great sport is why we truly are the best state for hockey. The Minnesota Hockey Hall of Fame will be an amazing place to celebrate what this great sport has meant for so many of us and to continue to build our bond with the greatest game on earth.”

Taylor Heise

“As someone who has played hockey in just about every state in the US, it would mean so much to have a Hockey Hall of Fame in Minnesota. I grew up playing Hockey here and couldn’t think of a better way to have done it. Minnesota is and always will be known for hockey and continues to house some of the best men’s and women’s hockey players in the world.”

Darby Hendrickson

“I grew up in a hockey family and was fortunate to live out my dream playing the game at every level in Minnesota. As my family and I work to honor my father’s legacy, I’m thrilled to see the Minnesota Hockey Hall of Fame launch—a true home for the greats who have come from this state.” Page 2 of 2

Rob McClanahan

“Growing up playing high school and college hockey in Minnesota and then being a part of the 1980 Olympic team with so many fellow Minnesotans, I’ve always taken great pride in coming from a place recognized worldwide for its hockey culture. To now help shape the Minnesota Hockey Hall of Fame as an Advisory Board member is an honor, and it’s exciting to be part of a true legacy project.”

Ryan McDonagh

“Being from Minnesota, hockey is ingrained in your life. The opportunities to participate and be a part of the sport are endless. The game and the entire community around it have shaped who I am. It’s exciting to see the sport honored in such a meaningful way with the Minnesota Hockey Hall of Fame.”

Pat Micheletti

“To honor the great players and people for accomplishing not only the great things they have done on the ice but also off the ice in shaping our great state I think is long overdue. There are so many that we grew up wanting to be like and emulate. It’s a great time to honor those people as they paved the way for other aspiring hockey players.”

Mark Parrish

“Growing up in Minnesota and idolizing the Broten brothers, I always thought, if they can make it, maybe I can too. That’s how every kid in Minnesota feels. Our State’s rich hockey history deserves to be celebrated and told for generations to come. The Minnesota Hockey Hall of Fame is long overdue, and I’m proud to be a part of it.”

Krissy Wendell-Pohl

“Growing up in Minnesota playing on boys’ teams, to now watching two of my daughters win a state title, I’ve seen firsthand how far the women’s game has come. From being part of a state championship myself to winning a National Championship with the U of M, hockey has shaped so much of my life. That’s why I’m so excited to be part of the launch of the Minnesota Hockey Hall of Fame. This project will not only celebrate our state’s incredible hockey history but also continue to grow the women’s game for generations to come.”

Grace Zumwinkle

“Growing up and playing hockey in Minnesota throughout youth, high school, college and now professional has always been a lifelong dream. Minnesota has produced so much national and international talent, and the talent deserves to be recognized with the Minnesota Hockey Hall of Fame. I can’t think of something more memorable than to be recognized with something like this that will continue to promote the amazing individuals we have within our state.”



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Costello: Failure to pass state budget puts WBA in state of uncertainty

PLAINS TWP. — At Thursday’s meeting of the Wilkes-Barre Area School Board, Superintendent Dr. Brian J. Costello opened with a call out to Gov. Josh Shapiro and all state legislators to pass the 2025-2026 state budget. “We are now nearly two months past the June 30 deadline, and the failure to act in Harrisburg […]

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PLAINS TWP. — At Thursday’s meeting of the Wilkes-Barre Area School Board, Superintendent Dr. Brian J. Costello opened with a call out to Gov. Josh Shapiro and all state legislators to pass the 2025-2026 state budget.

“We are now nearly two months past the June 30 deadline, and the failure to act in Harrisburg has left schools like ours in a state of uncertainty,” Costello said. “I want to begin by addressing an issue that reaches far beyond this room and directly into every classroom in our district — Pennsylvania still does not have a state budget.”

Costello noted that last year, because of the historic fair funding trial, the district finally began to receive adequacy funding.

“That support allowed us to hire teachers, reduce class sizes, create innovative intervention programs, and provide needed mental health and special education services,” Costello said. “These investments changed lives. They gave our students opportunities that weren’t possible prior to that ruling.”

Costello said Thursday that adequacy funding was only a first step.

“Our district still faces a funding gap of more than $70 million,” he said. “And beyond adequacy, we rely on the full education budget to sustain our schools — to maintain our staff, to run our programs, to keep buses on the road, and to provide every child with the resources they deserve. Without a passed budget, every one of those commitments is at risk.”

Costello ended his statement by speaking on behalf of the school board, the staff and most importantly — the students.

”I call on the governor and legislature to act without delay,” Costello said. “Pass a full and fair state budget — one that provides adequacy funding and sustains every part of public education. Anything less fails our children, our families and the future of Pennsylvania.”

Shapiro: ‘We’re working aggressively’

At a news conference on Thursday in Harrisburg, Shapiro addressed the budget impasse.

“Well, I mentioned before, I’m one of the only governors in the country with a divided legislature, again — House led by Democrats, Senate led by Republicans,” Shapiro said. “Finding common ground is really hard in this business. I will tell you that we are at the table. We’re working aggressively. My job is to bridge the differences between the House and Senate. They’ve got different views of the world, different priorities, and so my job is to find those areas where we can find some agreement.”

Shapiro said at the outset of the process that the one thing he was absolutely certain of with his budget proposal, was that it wouldn’t look the same at the end as it did at the beginning.

“Because we all had to compromise,” he said. “Compromise is not a bad thing.”

Shapiro added, “We are now at a point, though, where each of the leaders — Senate Republican leaders, House Democratic leaders — they got to make some tough choices to close this out. I was on the phone with the Republican leader yesterday, Democratic leader this morning. We are working to bridge those differences. I’m working to bring them closer together and to come up with a product that can pass in both the House and Senate and make its way to my desk.”

Shapiro said he thinks it is important that in that process, Pennsylvania continues to invest in education, and in economic development.

“My budget proposal was to cut taxes,” he said. I think we can still do that, because I want to put more money back in people’s pockets. I think we’re getting there. We’re narrowing the differences. And again, my job is going to continue to be to pull both sides together, and both leaders are now at a point where they got to make some tough decisions and close this out. You know, I’m feeling more and more confident each day we’re going to get there, soon.”

Shapiro expressed optimism when in NEPA

When Shapiro visited the IBEW Local 163 training center in Nanticoke last week, he addressed the budget impasse, but he was optimistic that an agreement could be reached soon.

The Legislature is split on the budget — the House, where Democrats hold the majority, approved the governor’s $50 billion-plus budget, while the Republican-controlled Senate passed a budget bill for $47.6 billion.

On Friday in Nanticoke, he reiterated his belief that the two sides can work together and pass the budget.

“I will continue talking to leaders of both parties in the House and the Senate and I feel confident that we can get it done,” Shapiro said. “They all understand the issues and I feel strongly that we can come to an agreement.”

Earlier this week, the governor said he felt the two sides were not far apart.

“We’re making progress,” he said. “We have a clear direction where we all need to go, and we’re working hard to get it done.”

Asked what it will take to “get it done,” he said, “We’re going to continue to work hard, work honestly, work respectfully to get it done. We’ve had some really good, honest dialog over the last 24 hours. I’m confident we’re going to get there.”

Reach Bill O’Boyle at 570-991-6118 or on Twitter @TLBillOBoyle.



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Jaren Hunter – Staff Directory

Jaren Hunter joined the Dartmouth baseball staff in August of 2025. The 2026 season will be his first with the Big Green. Hunter, who graduated from Oregon State in 2024 and will work with the team in a volunteer role, has spent the summer working as the pitching coach for the Ridgefield Raptors of the […]

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Jaren Hunter joined the Dartmouth baseball staff in August of 2025. The 2026 season will be his first with the Big Green.

Hunter, who graduated from Oregon State in 2024 and will work with the team in a volunteer role, has spent the summer working as the pitching coach for the Ridgefield Raptors of the West Coast League. He oversaw 20 Division I pitchers, leading the league with nine strikeouts per game thanks to individualized programming.

 

Prior to the Raptors, Hunter spent a year working for Trackman Baseball, overseeing the Northwest region to help college coaches and other facilities implement ball tracking analytics and biometric systems.

 

As a four-year pitcher with the Beavers, Hunter tallied 147 innings across 27 starts and 16 relief appearances. He finished his career with 111 strikeouts and 37 walks. During his senior year in 2024, Hunter sat fourth in the team for innings pitched, tossing 45.1 innings.

 

 



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Nick Danbrowney, rising pitcher from NJ, dies in tragic crash

🔴 Nick Danbrowney dies in crash 🔴 He recently signed to play for a professional team in California 🔴 A GoFundMe for his family has raised over $32,000 A promising prospect from Barnegat has died in a crash just months after signing to play professional baseball. Nick Danbrowney, 22, was involved in the fatal crash in […]

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🔴 Nick Danbrowney dies in crash

🔴 He recently signed to play for a professional team in California

🔴 A GoFundMe for his family has raised over $32,000

A promising prospect from Barnegat has died in a crash just months after signing to play professional baseball.

Nick Danbrowney, 22, was involved in the fatal crash in North Carolina on Monday night.

That’s according to the right-handed pitcher’s new team, the Bakersfield Train Robbers. The ball club is part of the Pecos League, which is an independent league not associated with Major League Baseball.

Bill Rogan, the Train Robbers manager, said the news of Danbrowney’s death left him numb.

“Our entire team is devastated. Even though we went our separate ways after the season, we’re still a close knit group. We’re having trouble dealing with this. Nick was a gentleman off the field and a terrific pitcher on the mound with a bright future. We loved Nick and will never forget him,” Rogan said.

Nick Danbrowney on the mound pitching for the Bakersfield Train Robbers (Photo via Bakersfield Train Robbers)

Pitching career for Ramapo College

Danbrowney signed with the professional team in June, just after he graduated from Ramapo College with a major in social science.

In his final season at Ramapo, Danbrowney broke the college’s record for strikeouts with 225 throughout his tenure.

He also pitched a shutout among his seven wins and three losses.

Nick Danbrowney in his uniform for Ramapo College, where he set the record for career strikeouts (Ramapo College Athletics)

Standout at Barnegat High School

Danbrowney’s strong college career followed a standout performance at Barnegat High School.

He was First Team All-Shore Conference and Second Team All-State in high school, according to his profile.

READ ALSO: NJ woman charged in death of Kylie Williams wins court battle

“Our hearts are broken in the Barnegat Community, and our deepest prayers and support are with Nick’s Family. He was an amazing student-athlete, a man of few words, but his smile would light up every room he entered,” Barnegat Director of Athletics John Germano said to NJ.com.

A GoFundMe for Danbrowney’s family has raised $32,000 as of Thursday morning. It seeks to cover transportation and funeral expenses.

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These are the best NJ high schools for sports

Stacker put together a list of the best high schools for sports across New Jersey — using data from Niche that included sports championships, family surveys, student enrollment, athletic participation rate and sports options. Here’s the top 25.

Gallery Credit: Stacker

55 pro baseball players from NJ

Gallery Credit: Joe Votruba, Erin Vogt

Play ball NJ: New Jersey baseball pros to watch in the MLB

A fair amount of New Jersey born baseball players have made it to the majors. Heading into 2025, these MLB pros all have NJ roots.

Gallery Credit: Erin Vogt





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Plans for new Minnesota Hockey Hall of Fame announced at official launch ceremony

The social media post touting the announcement said, “How does this not exist already? Now it will.” If you ask hockey fans around the state, many think a Minnesota Hockey Hall of Fame exists, but it doesn’t. A group of organizers announced plans today to establish one. CEO Natalie Darwitz and President Andrew Heydt are […]

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The social media post touting the announcement said, “How does this not exist already? Now it will.”

If you ask hockey fans around the state, many think a Minnesota Hockey Hall of Fame exists, but it doesn’t. A group of organizers announced plans today to establish one.

CEO Natalie Darwitz and President Andrew Heydt are spearheading the effort to establish the Hall of Fame to honor different levels, eras, roles, cities/towns and accomplishments in men’s and women’s hockey around Minnesota.

Click the video box on this page to watch comments at the Minnesota Hockey Hall of Fame launch ceremony from CEO Natalie Darwitz, President Andrew Heydt, Project Ambassador Lou Nanne and Advisory Board members and former pro hockey players Winny Brodt, Paul Martin and Jamie Langenbrunner

Darwitz was a high school, college and national team star in her playing days and served as a coach or executive at nearly every level of hockey in Minnesota. Heydt has prior experience working with the Wild, Twins, Vikings and Minnesota State University.

The project has foundational support from the Hockey Hall of Fame in Toronto and they hope to maintain a relationship with the longtime, existing United States Hockey Hall of Fame in Eveleth.

“This project is long overdue,” Project Ambassador and Minnesota hockey legend Lou Nanne said in a statement quoted on the project’s website. “I’m thrilled to be part of this exciting announcement. In my decades-long career in the game of hockey, I think I’ll know nearly every single individual who will be honored here. It’s an incredible way to recognize the people and stories that make Minnesota hockey so unique and deserving of this kind of permanent home.”

Thursday’s announcement included renderings of the planned Hall of Fame site which includes a 30,000-foot museum, Hall of Fame plaques and honoraries, five exhibit wings, a state-of-the-art sunken indoor/outdoor ice rink suitable for high school and college hockey showcase games, an outdoor recreational rink, a 20,000 square foot event space large enough to host ceremonies or concerts, and a hockey-themed bar/restaurant.

Photos courtesy Minnesota Hockey Hall of Fame

The specific location for the 120,000 square foot facility will be announced at a later date, but Heydt said it will be in the Twin Cities metro area. He projected the overall cost at around $70-million.

The planned timeline has groundbreaking in Spring 2026 and a planned opening in Spring 2028.

The Hall’s Advisory Board is chaired by Kelly Brooks-Paradise, Lou Nanne is the Project Ambassador and former pro hockey players and Minnesota-natives Winny Brodt, Jamie Langenbrunner, Paul Martin and Rob McClanahan are all Board members.

Brooks-Paradise’s father Herb Brooks would seem to be a lock to be included in the first wave of inductees once the new Hall of Fame opens, having coached the Gophers, North Stars and the U.S. ‘Miracle on Ice’ team at the 1980 olympics.

“I’m honored to serve as the Advisory Board Chair for the Minnesota Hockey Hall of Fame and to be part of bringing this project to light,” Brooks-Paradise is quoted on the project’s website. “This Hall will celebrate the incredible history of hockey in Minnesota, including my dad’s legacy. I know if he were here today, he’d be so excited to see it all coming together.

The list of nearly 100 Minnesota Hockey Hall of Fame Ambassadors is a who’s who from the last several decades of the state’s hockey history.

For more information, go to the Minnesota Hockey Hall of Fame website: mnhhof.com

The following is the official press release from organizers of the Minnesota Hockey Hall of Fame:

MINNESOTA HOCKEY HALL OF FAME LAUNCHES LEGACY PROJECT CELEBRATING STATE’S STORIED HOCKEY HERITAGE

MINNEAPOLIS / ST. PAUL, Minn. – The Minnesota Hockey Hall of Fame (MNHHOF) today announced the launch of a landmark legacy project honoring the athletes, coaches, officials, teams and contributors who have shaped the state’s unmatched hockey tradition. 

Led by Chief Executive Officer Natalie Darwitz—three-time U.S. Olympian and Hockey Hall of Fame member—the Hall will serve as both a permanent tribute to Minnesota’s deep hockey roots and a dynamic hub for community connection, education and inspiration. 

“Minnesota has an unrivaled amount of success and passion when it comes to hockey. This project will finally give our game the permanent home it deserves,” said Darwitz. “We’re celebrating the full journey of hockey in our state, from kids just learning the game to legends at the highest level. Every community in our state has a story worth telling.” 

The MNHHOF, an official 501(c)(3) nonprofit, is backed by a diverse Advisory Board of some of Minnesota’s most celebrated hockey figures, an Ambassador Program featuring more than 100 men and women who have made a lasting impact on the game in Minnesota, and foundational support from the Hockey Hall of Fame in Toronto. 

“The Minnesota Hockey Hall of Fame is an important legacy project that will celebrate and preserve the state’s rich hockey history for generations to come,” said Jamie Dinsmore, President and CEO of the Hockey Hall of Fame. “We’re excited to support their launch and look forward to seeing this vision come to life as a place where the stories, achievements, and people who shaped Minnesota hockey are honored.” 

The MNHHOF will be more than a museum. The space will operate as a 120,000+ square-foot interactive destination. Plans include a 30,000-square-foot museum with a Great Hall and five exhibit wings, a state-of-the-art sunken ice rink, a 20,000-square-foot performance hall, a hockey-themed restaurant and bar, and signature event spaces. 

Cutting-edge technology will immerse fans in the game through 360-degree digital experiences and hands-on exhibits where visitors can skate, shoot and relive historic moments. 

Beyond preserving history, the Hall will focus on growing the game through grassroots development programs, traveling exhibits, youth education initiatives and an Ambassador Program projected to feature 250+ Minnesota-born or developed individuals over the next 12-months.  

“This project is long overdue, and I’m thrilled to be part of this exciting announcement,” said hockey legend Lou Nanne. “In my decades-long career in the game of hockey, I think I will know nearly every single individual who will be honored here. It’s an incredible way to recognize the people and stories that make Minnesota hockey so unique and deserving of this kind of permanent home.” 

The MNHHOF plans to break ground in June 2026 with a grand opening in May 2028, positioning it as a premier tourism and cultural destination in the Twin Cities and beyond. 

For more details, visit mnhhof.com



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Brian Kelly Explains How His Current Roster Cost $18 Million, Tripling Past NIL Rosters

LSU football coach Brian Kelly has brought a national championship to Baton Rouge in his fourth year – LSU’s 1st NCAA Transfer Portal No. 1 finish. (Photo by Jonathan Mailhes). By Andre Champagne, Tiger Rag Staff Reporter LSU head football coach Brian Kelly made his 2025 weekly radio show debut at a packed TJ Ribs […]

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LSU football coach sounded excited about the 2025 season and the future on his first weekly radio show of the season on Thursday night. (LSU photo).
LSU football coach Brian Kelly has brought a national championship to Baton Rouge in his fourth year – LSU’s 1st NCAA Transfer Portal No. 1 finish. (Photo by Jonathan Mailhes).

By Andre Champagne, Tiger Rag Staff Reporter

LSU head football coach Brian Kelly made his 2025 weekly radio show debut at a packed TJ Ribs restaurant in Baton Rouge Thursday night.

And he packed in racks of racks of information during the one-hour broadcast.

LSU football coach Brian Kelly talks to Voice of the Tigers Chris Blair at the first weekly radio show of the season Thursday night at TJ Ribs Photo by Andre Champagne

He also dropped a bombshell on the cost of the additions to his 2025 roster – the 18 players on the No. 1-ranked NCAA Transfer Portal class by 247sports.com and the 23 on his 10th-ranked high school signing class.

NCAA TRANSFER PORTAL RECRUITING LIKE SPEED DATING, SAYS LSU GM AUSTIN THOMAS

“We’re going to be at just about $18 million,” Kelly said of the money going to the new players via the recent federal court ruling that cleared the way for revenue sharing in college athletics and Name, Image & Likeness money from LSU donors and boosters via the Bayou Traditions collective.

Revenue sharing officially began on July 1 with the football program getting about $13 million, but Kelly said LSU started “front loading” that money toward transfer recruits as early as January to keep ahead of the game.

The $18 million dwarfed what LSU had previously spent on roster additions since NIL, which legalized pay for play beginning in 2021. LSU spent just approximately $11 million from on its roster from 2022-24 and only $5.5 million last year and never signed more than 10 transfers before this year.

SEC FINALLY MOVES TO 9-GAME SCHEDULE

Kelly also discussed the news of the day with the Southeastern Conference announcing it would begin a nine-game league schedule in 2026 after eight-game schedules since 1992, despite adding two teams in 2012 and two more last year for a total of 16. Kelly said he was always in favor of playing more high-caliber games. LSU athletic director Scott Woodward has also wanted a nine-game SEC schedule for several years now.

“I told Scott that that’s why I want to be at LSU,” Kelly said. “I want to play the best. Why not play a championship schedule? Now you have ten games that prepare you for postseason play.”

The 10th game Kelly commented on is a reference to the SEC rule that says league members must play at least one non-conference game against a team from one of three power conferences – the Big Ten, the Big 12 or the Atlantic Coast – or a game against Notre Dame.

“The fans are paying the bills here,” Kelly said. “Give them what they want to see. So let’s give them a schedule that they can be excited about.”

BRIAN KELLY SAYS LSU IS PLAYOFF BOUND

But Kelly made the TJ Ribs crowd erupt by what he said next about the postseason.

“Look, we haven’t been in the playoffs yet. We’re going to be in the playoffs a lot,” he said as the crowd roared. “And so, having a schedule that puts us in this kind of position where you have 10 games that prepares you for postseason play is important.”

Kelly, who enters his fourth season a week from Saturday when his No. 9 Tigers play at No. 4 Clemson (6:30 p.m., ABC), said he will be more involved in scheduling in the future along with deputy athletic director Verge Ausberry.

“Verge and I are in agreement of what we want it to look like moving forward,” he said.

Speaking of the portal roster, Kelly said that senior Mansoor Delane would start at one cornerback slot, which has long been expected of the Virginia Tech transfer.

“We wanted to get some veteran players,” he said. “Mansoor Delane was the guy we had our eyes on, and we recruited the heck out of him. He was a great fit for us. He’ll be a lockdown starter.”

WILL BRIAN KELLY HAVE THE TALENT TO MANAGE ALL HIS NEW TALENT? GUILBEAU COLUMN

Meanwhile, returning junior starting cornerback Ashton Stamps has not won his old job back yet, because of the influx of new talent. And Kelly loves the competition the new players have created.

“Ashton Stamps has played a lot of football for us, and he’s fighting to get on the field,” Kelly said.

Then he made a prediction … sort of.

“I think our team is mature enough to go out and beat Clemson on the road,” he said.



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