College Sports

Off the ice: Conor Peterson

From only “half expecting” to make the team following tryouts his freshman year to being named club president for his final season, defenseman Conor Peterson saw more success as part of the Clemson club ice hockey team than he initially anticipated. However, Peterson learned over his four years with the program that the most special […]

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1 month ago

May 3, 2025

Your Sports Nation

However, Peterson learned over his four years with the program that the most special part of playing on a team is the people you get to do it with.

“It’s more of the bonding that’s the best part,” Peterson told The Tiger in an interview. “I’ve had hockey friends since I was five, since I started playing on my first team. That bonding, the special moments, is really what stood out to me about the game.”

The defenseman from Wilmington, Massachusetts, stepped onto the ice at the rink just 10 minutes from his childhood home for the first time at age 5, with encouragement from his father and cousins.

“I just loved the game from there,” Peterson said.

By the time he graduated from high school, that little kid who loved the game had yet to quiet his voice in Peterson’s head, and he knew it was only right to continue playing in college.

“All my cousins went to schools down south,” Peterson explained. “When I was visiting South Carolina, I got the notice that I was accepted to Clemson. It was only two hours away, so my family and I decided ‘Yeah, might as well give it a shot.’ So, we drove over here and didn’t even get a tour — we just walked around. I was like, ‘Yeah, I like this place.’”

And the rest was history.

Peterson discovered Clemson’s club ice hockey team through his cousin, who was the club hockey team captain at the College of Charleston.

“He mentioned, like, ‘Hey, I’m playing club hockey. I love it.’ And I wasn’t looking to go anywhere with it,” Peterson told The Tiger. “I just wanted to go to college, have some fun and keep playing the sport. So, I came down here … was only half expecting to make the team … It’s been unbelievable since then.”

Of course, the prospect of continuing to play the sport you love at your dream school sounds more than ideal for most young athletes. For Peterson, being a part of this team shaped his Clemson experience into something even better than he ever could have imagined.

“It’s the best. Even the community here is unbelievable … when we played in Huntsville (last spring), a guy in the (North Alabama) Clemson club came and talked to us after one of our games. He was breaking down and crying, telling us how much it meant to him that we were there and representing the team … I couldn’t imagine that it would be anything like this.”

Peterson’s favorite memory as an Ice Tiger was the team’s trip to Knoxville, Tennessee, two years ago. Despite falling short in both games, he noted that the memories and time spent with his friends made it worthwhile.

“All the older guys were there,” he explained. “We were able to travel with them, hang with them for the day, and see Tennessee beat Alabama … just being in that football element with all my best friends from here. That was pretty unbelievable.”

The support from the Clemson community and the off-ice memories are just a fraction of why he’s loved being a part of this program for the last four years. To Peterson, the most special part of the Clemson club ice hockey team is the same thing that kept him in the game as a child: the friendships.

“It’s 100% the bond (that makes this team special),” he said. “I came to Clemson and knew one family friend from home, and that’s it … I was trying to figure out, like, ‘who am I gonna be friends with?’ And since I made the team, these have been my best friends for four years.”

Following his departure, the team president hopes to be remembered as “a team player. A team guy who always tried to put others before himself for the team goal.”

Peterson can only hope that, as the program grows, the future generations of Clemson club ice hockey players get the same experience as he did.

“When I was a freshman, we had maybe 40 kids at tryouts,” Peterson said. “That’s more than doubled now … It’s all only getting better and more popular from here, but I hope it keeps the club hockey aspect of just guys, having fun, trying to play the sport.”

Following graduation, the senior finance major plans to move to Greenville, South Carolina, and obtain his Corporate MBA from Clemson.

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College Sports

Big Ten Releases U-M’s Conference Opponents for 2026

ROSEMONT, Ill. — In conjunction with the Big Ten Conference, the University of Michigan women’s gymnastics team announced Wednesday (June 11) the home and away designations for the upcoming 2026 conference season. The Wolverines will take on all but two members of the Big Ten Conference with three B1G home meets, three conference away meets […]

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12 minutes ago

June 11, 2025

Your Sports Nation

ROSEMONT, Ill. — In conjunction with the Big Ten Conference, the University of Michigan women’s gymnastics team announced Wednesday (June 11) the home and away designations for the upcoming 2026 conference season.

The Wolverines will take on all but two members of the Big Ten Conference with three B1G home meets, three conference away meets and the Big Four Meet, which will be held at Penn State.

Michigan will host Iowa, Michigan State and Rutgers, while it will travel to Minnesota, Ohio State and UCLA. U-M will travel to Penn State for its Big Four Meet and compete against the Nittany Lions along with Nebraska and Washington.

The Wolverines will celebrate their 50th season as a program in 2026 and will return 15 letterwinners from 2025.

Season tickets are now on sale for the 2026 season for $35 each. Purchase your season tickets and do not miss a moment of the action of Team 50. For information on single meet or group tickets, please fill out our ticket interest form.

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College Sports

NCDC Commitment Profiles: Boston Jr. Rangers’ Tang Excited For Future With Skidmore • USPHL

By Alexis Demopoulos Boston Jr. Rangers forward Bryan Tang is excited to announce his NCAA Division III commitment to Skidmore College for the 2025-26 season. Tang, who hails all the way from Hong Kong, started the 2024-25 season with the Jersey Hitmen before getting traded to the Jr. Rangers in November. In 25 games played […]

Published

13 minutes ago

June 11, 2025

Your Sports Nation

By Alexis Demopoulos

Boston Jr. Rangers forward Bryan Tang is excited to announce his NCAA Division III commitment to Skidmore College for the 2025-26 season. Tang, who hails all the way from Hong Kong, started the 2024-25 season with the Jersey Hitmen before getting traded to the Jr. Rangers in November.

In 25 games played with the Jr. Rangers, Tang had 20 points (eight goals, 12 assists) and always made his presence known on the ice.

“When I arrived to the Jr. Rangers in November, I was excited at the opportunity to play in situations in which I didn’t previously get to play,” said Tang. “Head Coach Rich DiCaprio pushed us on and off the ice with workouts twice a week and skill skates before and after practices. Also, Coach would occasionally hold individual film sessions and talk to us about colleges to continue to help us develop our games and advance us to the next level.”

In addition to playing with the Hitmen and Jr. Rangers this year, he also suited up for the Hong Kong Men’s National Team at the World Championship Division 3 Group B tournament, where he placed third in scoring and helped Hong Kong earn a Bronze Medal.

Tang started speaking with Skidmore head coach Rob Hutchinson towards the end of December and the school instantly peaked his interest.

“Skidmore immediately jumped out to me as it provides a prestigious hockey program and an academically rigorous school,” said Tang. “Coach Hutchinson liked the speed I brought to the game and the skill I had to make plays.”

Tang felt Skidmore would be the best fit for him academically and the hockey program would challenge him in new ways. He also felt very welcomed when he visited campus.

“Skidmore provides a lot of alumni that can help me find a job at the end of my college career,” said Tang. “The hockey program is always competitive and I wanted to be a part of a winning culture. The tight-knit community drew me into Skidmore. When I got to campus, everyone was friendly and welcoming. The students at Skidmore are willing to help with anything you need and that is something I enjoyed.”

Tang knows the level of competition will be much more difficult next season so he will be working hard this off-season to get stronger.

“I will have to continue to get stronger over the summer and be ready to compete with bigger and stronger opponents,” said Tang. “Over the summer I will look to improve this aspect of my game to help Skidmore hockey to the best of my abilities.”

The NCDC congratulates Bryan Tang, his family, the Boston Jr. Rangers and Skidmore College for his commitment.

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College Sports

Longshore and McKnight: U.S. Open at Oakmont preview, college football preseason rankings, declining fan engagement, NBA Finals, and more…

In today’s episode of Longshore and McKnight, John Longshore and Barry McKnight previewed the upcoming U.S. Open at Oakmont, highlighting course conditions, Scotty Scheffler’s dominance, and Bryson DeChambeau’s rising fan appeal. They questioned the relevance of the LIV Tour and shared trivia about the Stimpmeter and Oakmont’s unique design. Music nostalgia also crept in, with […]

Published

30 minutes ago

June 11, 2025

Your Sports Nation

In today’s episode of Longshore and McKnight, John Longshore and Barry McKnight previewed the upcoming U.S. Open at Oakmont, highlighting course conditions, Scotty Scheffler’s dominance, and Bryson DeChambeau’s rising fan appeal. They questioned the relevance of the LIV Tour and shared trivia about the Stimpmeter and Oakmont’s unique design. Music nostalgia also crept in, with conversations about Glenn Frey’s solo career and the Bond soundtrack legacy, while guest Brian Reynolds of the RTJ Trail and CJ Duncan of Yellowhammer News offered insights into both golf and NCAA policy developments.

Catch live episodes of Longshore and McKnight daily on YouTube, Spotify, and on Yellowhammer News

College football remained central, with Lindy’s preseason SEC rankings placing Auburn ninth and sparking debate. The hosts discussed the evolving NIL landscape, referencing comments from Alabama AD Greg Byrne and NCAA President Charlie Baker. The episode also addressed declining fan engagement, the shift from traditional “Radio Row” to podcast-driven coverage, and how modern college athletics sell “experiences” over games.

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College Sports

Maryland Gymnastics Announces 2026 Big Ten Opponents

Story Links COLLEGE PARK, MD — The Big Ten Conference announced Wednesday afternoon the 2026 conference opponents for all member schools. The Terps will compete at home against Washington, Nebraska, and Rutgers. On the road, Maryland will travel to face Illinois, Michigan State, and Penn State. Maryland will also compete in the Big […]

Published

31 minutes ago

June 11, 2025

Your Sports Nation

COLLEGE PARK, MD — The Big Ten Conference announced Wednesday afternoon the 2026 conference opponents for all member schools.

The Terps will compete at home against Washington, Nebraska, and Rutgers. On the road, Maryland will travel to face Illinois, Michigan State, and Penn State. Maryland will also compete in the Big Four Meet, hosted by UCLA, where they will face UCLA, Ohio State, and Iowa.

The full 2026 Big Ten Conference schedule, including dates and meet times, will be released later this fall.

For updates and more information, visit umterps.com or follow @TerpsGymnastics on social media.

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College Sports

UW-Whitewater’s Billson Named To Academic All-America® Men’s Tennis Third Team

Story Links AUSTIN, Texas–University of Wisconsin-Whitewater’s Theo Billson has been named to the 2024-25 NCAA Division III Men’s Tennis Academic All-America® Third Team, selected by the College Sports Communicators. Billson owns a 3.98 grade point average and is majoring in mathematics. He received All-America honors from the Intercollegiate Tennis Association after […]

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32 minutes ago

June 11, 2025

Your Sports Nation

AUSTIN, Texas–University of Wisconsin-Whitewater’s Theo Billson has been named to the 2024-25 NCAA Division III Men’s Tennis Academic All-America® Third Team, selected by the College Sports Communicators.

Billson owns a 3.98 grade point average and is majoring in mathematics. He received All-America honors from the Intercollegiate Tennis Association after winning the ITA Regional doubles bracket. Billson was named the 2025 WIAC Kwik Trip Player of the Year and finished with a 10-7 dual record in singles competition and 12-5 mark in doubles action.

Billson is the fifth Warhawk men’s tennis player to earn the Academic All-America honor, joining Scott Dreier (1990), Alex Lowe (2009), Zane Navratil (2018) and Cole Lindwall (2023).

To be eligible for the Academic All-District® and Academic All-America® award, a student-athlete must carry a minimum 3.50 cumulative GPA on a 4.0 scale, must be in the lineup for 70 percent of the total matches played by the team that includes team scores, and is at least a sophomore academically and athletically.

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College Sports

Female athletes appeal NCAA settlement arguing it violates Title IX

An attorney representing the athletes said in a statement that the settlement violates Title IX, the federal law that bans sex-based discrimination in education. Eight female athletes filed an appeal Wednesday of a landmark NCAA antitrust settlement, arguing that women would not receive their fair share of $2.7 billion in back pay for athletes who […]

Published

50 minutes ago

June 11, 2025

Your Sports Nation

Female athletes appeal NCAA settlement arguing it violates Title IX

An attorney representing the athletes said in a statement that the settlement violates Title IX, the federal law that bans sex-based discrimination in education.

Eight female athletes filed an appeal Wednesday of a landmark NCAA antitrust settlement, arguing that women would not receive their fair share of $2.7 billion in back pay for athletes who were barred from making money off their name, image and likeness.

U.S. District Judge Claudia Wilken approved the settlement last week, clearing the way for direct payments from universities to athletes and the end of the NCAA’s amateurism model.

The athletes who appealed the settlement competed in soccer, volleyball and track. They are: Kacie Breeding of Vanderbilt; Lexi Drumm, Emma Appleman, Emmie Wannemacher, Riley Hass, Savannah Baron and Elizabeth Arnold of the College of Charleston; and Kate Johnson of Virginia. They have standing to appeal because they previously filed objections to the proposed settlement.

Ashlyn Hare, one of the attorneys representing the athletes, said in a statement that the settlement violates Title IX, the federal law that bans sex-based discrimination in education.

“We support a settlement of the case, but not an inaccurate one that violates federal law. The calculation of past damages is based on an error that ignores Title IX and deprives female athletes of $1.1 billion,” Hare said. “Paying out the money as proposed would be a massive error that would cause irreparable harm to women’s sports.”

The House settlement figures to financially benefit football and basketball stars at the biggest schools, who are likely to receive a big chunk of the $20.5 million per year that colleges are permitted to share with athletes over the next year. Some athletes in other sports that don’t make money for their schools could lose their partial scholarships or see their roster spots cut.

“This is a football and basketball damages settlement with no real benefit to female athletes,” Hare said. “Congress has expressly rejected efforts to exempt revenue-generating sports like football and basketball from Title IX’s antidiscrimination mandate. The NCAA agreed with us. Our argument on appeal is the exact same argument the conferences and NCAA made prior to settling the case.”

The appeal was filed by the law firm Hutchinson Black and Cook of Boulder, Colorado, and was first reported by Front Office Sports. It would be heard by the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit.