COLORADO SPRINGS — After earning his undergraduate degree at St. Cloud State University with plans for a doctorate in dentistry, defenseman Josh Luedtke was selected on Wednesday, June 18 the 2025 recipient of the NCHC’s annual postgraduate scholarship.

Luedtke is the second SCSU player to receive the scholarship (Aidan Spellacy in 2023).

Luedtke completed his bachelor’s degree in biomedical sciences from St. Cloud State in May, finishing with a 3.91 grade-point average. He was named an NCHC Distinguished Scholar-Athlete all four years in school for maintaining at least a 3.5 GPA each season, collecting CSC Academic All-District accolades after his sophomore and junior years.

The Minnetonka native also earned Dean’s List at SCSU all eight semesters for having achieved at least a 3.75 GPA.

Luedtke was named a finalist for the NCHC’s Senior Scholar-Athlete Award and the NCHC Sportsmanship Award for the 2024-25 season.

In addition, he was one of 14 nominees for the Hockey Humanitarian Award in 2025.

“The conference is honored to present Josh with this year’s NCHC postgraduate scholarship,” NCHC Commissioner Heather Weems said in a news release. “Achieving a high level of success in a difficult biomedical sciences curriculum while leading his hockey team shows the kind of person Josh is. I have no doubt Josh will have success in dental school and will continue to make a difference in his community through his responsive and compassionate approach to patient care.”

On the ice, Luedtke served as captain for the Huskies in 2024-25 after being an alternate captain as a junior. He finished his college career with 43 points, 143 blocked shots and was a plus-24 in 137 career games. Luedtke also helped SCSU win the 2023 Frozen Faceoff as a sophomore.

Following his college career, Luedtke signed with the Savannah Ghost Pirates in the ECHL, playing in five games to close the season in April.

“During my time at St. Cloud State University, it has solidified my passion for healthcare, particularly in the field of dentistry, where I see the opportunity to utilize team-oriented skills and scientific knowledge in a patient-centered care environment,” Luedtke wrote in his scholarship nomination. “My ultimate dream is to attend dental school and become a practicing dentist who contributes to improving oral health in needy communities.”

Along with his work in the classroom and on the ice, Luedtke has consistently given back to his community and abroad. In high school, he volunteered at Be the Change, serving meals to those in need. In August 2024, Luedtke and teammate Jack Reimann traveled to Hungary as part of Hockey Ministries International, where they helped lead a Christian hockey camp for children. Luedtke also has experience in the medical field, working as a personal care assistant at MRCI for someone with autism.

“Over the years, my faith, heart to serve others, and my experiences have all led me to dentistry. I want to work at it with all my heart to make a difference in people’s lives, changing smiles with purpose and compassion,” Luedtke said.

Eric Hylden / Grand Forks Herald

The NCHC’s Postgraduate Scholarship is funded by a grant from the El Pomar Foundation in Colorado Springs, which has also supported the NCHC by providing its office headquarters on the grounds of the Penrose House and helping cover the cost of the Penrose Cup, the NCHC’s regular-season trophy. Luedtke’s scholarship amount will be $7,500.

“The NCHC membership is thankful for the continued support of the El Pomar Foundation and its Board of Directors,” Weems said. “Along with our victories on the ice, it’s also important to recognize our success stories in the classroom. We are happy to share in awarding this honor with El Pomar.”

“I view this opportunity not only as an investment in my education but also as a responsibility to give back to the community through future service and leadership in the dental profession,” Luedtke said in his nomination.

To be eligible for the NCHC’s Postgraduate Scholarship, the student-athlete must be a senior or grad student on his team’s official NCAA hockey roster with at least a 3.5 cumulative grade-point average, who plans to continue his academic studies beyond his undergraduate degree.

The recipient must enroll in a postgraduate degree program within three years of receiving the scholarship to collect the financial aid. The winner is chosen by a vote of the NCHC’s Faculty Athletics Representatives (FARs) from among the nominees submitted by each school’s FAR. Five nominations were submitted in 2025.

Contributed / Josh Luedtke’s Instagram account

2016 — Gabe Levin, Denver
2017 — Aaron Hadley, Western Michigan and Kirk Thompson, Omaha
2018 — Joel Messner, Omaha
2019 — Ryan Galt, Omaha
2020 — Erich Fear, Denver
2021 — Kale Bennett, Western Michigan
2022 — Jason Smallidge, Omaha
2023 — Aidan Spellacy, St. Cloud State
2024 — Kirby Proctor, Omaha
2025 — Josh Luedtke, St. Cloud State

NEAR WEST SIDE — Andrew Sobotka stopped playing hockey in high school because, as a closeted gay player, he felt he didn’t belong. More than two decades later, Sobotka proudly hits the ice every week with a rainbow hockey stick in hand.

Sobotka returned to the sport he loved in 2009 after he learned about the Chicago Gay Hockey Association, a group he’s since helped grow from a team of about 20 to nearly 100 players. Sobotka was recognized for his work with the association earlier this spring when he was named one of the three finalists for the National Hockey League’s Willie O’Ree Community Hero Award.

While Sobotka did not win the $25,000 top prize, he was awarded $5,000, which he donated to the Chicago Gay Hockey Association. He said that being named a finalist and a promotional video the NHL produced to spotlight him has helped attract more attention to the team.

“My hockey team are the people I call first for everything,” the Forest Glen resident said. “They’re my chosen family.”

Sobotka, a Detroit native, has been around ice for as long as he can remember. His father drove a Zamboni at Detroit Red Wings games for decades, and Sobotka started playing organized hockey when he was just 5.

But Sobotka said that as he got older, the “blatant misogyny, homophobia and racism” in the locker rooms made the sport feel toxic at times.

“Those high school years were tough,” the 39-year-old said.

He stopped playing for a few years, but kept his gear and played intermittently when he was a student at Michigan State University. In 2009, two years after he moved to Chicago, a former college classmate convinced Sobotka to check out the Chicago Gay Hockey Association.

The association had barely enough players for a full team at the time, but Sobotka said the support and encouragement he experienced hooked him right away. He served as president of the association from 2010 to 2024.

Started in 2002, the Chicago Gay Hockey Association is one of many gay hockey teams across the country. The Los Angeles Blades became the first openly gay and lesbian team in the U.S. in 1985. Most major cities in North America now have gay hockey teams, while and Madison, Wisconsin, and Toronto have their own gay leagues.

During Sobotka’s 14 years as president of the association, he helped quadruple the team’s size and focused on the its social and charitable efforts.

The team partners with Hockey on Your Block, a nonprofit that offers free hockey and ice skating classes to Chicago youth, hosts regular watch parties for different NHL games and internally fundraises to help members with equipment costs and membership fees.

The Chicago Gay Hockey Association formed a partnership with the Chicago Blackhawks Foundation in 2010 after the Blackhawks won the Stanley Cup. The association invited the Blackhawks to join them in the Chicago Pride Parade with the Stanley Cup. According to EPSN, it was the first time a professional sports trophy had been featured in a pride parade.

The Stanley Cup returned to Chicago Pride when the Black Hawks won it again in 2015, Sobotka said.

The association is hosting a Market Days Classic hockey tournament at the Blackhawks’ Fifth Third Arena in August, and Sara Guderyahn, the Blackhawks’ executive vice president of social impact and civic affairs, was the person who nominated Sobotka for the Willie O’Ree Community Hero Award.

“One of the inspiring things I think about in terms of Andrew’s leadership at Chicago Gay Hockey Association is he wanted to give back to the community,” Guderyahn told the NHL.

Paige Murray joined the Chicago Gay Hockey Association shortly after she moved to Chicago two years ago.

The Boston native started playing hockey when she was just 3 years old. Up until high school, she played on the boys’ team. She said she can still remember hearing aggressive shouts from the stands like, “She’s a girl, hit her!”

Murray met Sobotka at a friends and family skate outing. She said he kept following up, trying to get her to join the association.

“I felt welcome and I felt wanted,” Murray said. “It’s my home away from home. If it wasn’t for CGHA, I probably would have wound up moving back to Boston.”

Murray, who is now co-vice president of the CGHA Board, said Sobotka has been “relentless with recruitment.”

When she joined, the Chicago Gay Hockey Association only had one team. They launched a second team about a year ago and are gearing up to launch a third this fall.

Murray said the group is now focused on adding more coaches and training opportunities so players get more time on the ice.

Chris Hall, the other co-vice president of the CGHA Board, has also been playing hockey all his life. He said playing with the association has allowed him to enjoy all the fun parts of the sport without the excessive competitiveness.

“I’m having way more fun than when I played competitively in high school. It’s similar, hockey players are still hockey players and the game is still the same, but this time we all have the same goal,” Hall said. “The world’s a scary place, but we can take an hour every week and have fun with each other and then go drink some beer.”

The Chicago Gay Hockey Association, which also includes straight allies, accepts all players, even those who have never skated before. Sobotka encouraged anyone interested to give the team a try.

“We want you here,” he said.

You can learn more about the Chicago Gay Hockey Association and how to join on its website.

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WORCESTER, Mass. – The College of the Holy Cross had 27 student-athletes named 2025 Arthur Ashe, Jr. Sports Scholars, honoring their athletic and academic achievements. The awards were announced in the June 5 issue of Diverse: Issues in Higher Education magazine. Leading the way was senior Ginger Berry of the women’s rowing team, who was one of 10 national finalists for the women’s Sports Scholar of the Year award. Berry was also joined by senior Matt Carbonell (men’s lacrosse), senior Emma Min (women’s ice hockey) and senior Tyler Williamson (men’s rowing) as the top honorees in their respective sports.

Inspired by Ashe Jr.’s commitment to education and excellence on the tennis court, the magazine invites every higher education institution in the country annually to nominate outstanding minority sports scholars. In addition to athletic ability, nominees must exhibit academic excellence and community activism. To be eligible, students have to compete in an intercollegiate sport, maintain a cumulative GPA of 3.5 or higher, be at least a sophomore academically and be active on their campuses or in their communities.

2025 Arthur Ashe Jr. Sports Scholars

Julian Beban, Men’s Soccer

Ginger Berry, Women’s Rowing

Luke Boothroyd, Men’s Track & Field

Shannon Briseno, Women’s Track & Field

Colin Brown, Baseball

Siena Brunetti, Women’s Cross Country / Track & Field

Matt Carbonell, Men’s Lacrosse

Chandler Dicks, Men’s Track & Field

James Ferraro, Men’s Soccer

Jordan Fuller, Football

Sarah Grady, Women’s Swimming & Diving

Manuela Herrera, Women’s Golf

Julian Jenkins, Men’s Lacrosse

Jaden Kirkwood, Men’s Basketball

Marissa MacLean, Field Hockey

Dan Mateffy, Baseball

Phoebe Matuch, Women’s Lacrosse

Emmy Mazzacano, Women’s Swimming & Diving

Julianna Megan, Women’s Golf

Emma Min, Women’s Ice Hockey

Ester Mokonchu, Women’s Track & Field

Ahana Nagarkatti, Women’s Tennis

Katie Nossa, Women’s Tennis

Jasmine Rahman, Women’s Tennis

Emma Tweed, Women’s Rowing

Marcus Williams, Men’s Soccer

Tyler Williamson, Men’s Rowing

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Olivia Dunne Celebrates LSU Spirit at the College World Series

In a vibrant display of team spirit and personal connection, former LSU Tigers gymnast Olivia Dunne made a memorable appearance at the College World Series in Omaha. Stepping away from her usual commitments, Dunne embraced the electric atmosphere alongside her boyfriend, Paul Skenes, her sister Julz Dunne, and a close-knit group of friends.

A Festive Gathering Before the Game

On the eve of LSU’s highly anticipated matchup against UCLA, the group found themselves at Rocco’s Pizza & Cantina, a popular gathering spot for fans. Here, they joined fellow LSU supporters in the spirited Jell-O shot challenge, a tradition that embodies the camaraderie and excitement surrounding college sports. This lighthearted pre-game ritual not only showcased Dunne’s playful side but also highlighted the sense of community that defines the LSU fanbase.

A Custom Jersey That Stands Out

As game day arrived, Dunne’s choice of attire became a focal point of attention. She donned a striking custom double-color jersey that featured LSU’s iconic purple on the front, complemented by Skenes’ number on the back. This personalized piece not only reflected her allegiance to the Tigers but also served as a tribute to her boyfriend, who has emerged as a standout player for the team. The jersey encapsulated the blend of personal pride and team loyalty that resonates deeply with athletes and fans alike.

The Significance of Team Spirit

Dunne’s presence at the College World Series is more than just a celebration of LSU’s athletic prowess; it symbolizes the strong bonds formed through shared experiences in sports. Her journey as a gymnast at LSU, coupled with Skenes’ rising prominence in baseball, illustrates the intersection of personal and professional lives within the world of college athletics. This connection fosters a unique environment where athletes support one another, both on and off the field.

Looking Ahead

As the College World Series unfolds, the excitement surrounding LSU’s performance continues to grow. For Dunne and Skenes, this moment represents not only a celebration of their respective sports but also a cherished memory in their relationship. The vibrant atmosphere, marked by fan enthusiasm and team spirit, serves as a reminder of the profound impact that college sports have on young athletes and their communities.

In the grand tapestry of collegiate athletics, Dunne’s journey and her support for Skenes highlight the importance of unity, passion, and shared dreams. As they navigate their paths, both athletes exemplify the essence of what it means to be part of a team, inspiring others to embrace their own journeys with the same fervor and dedication.

ADRIAN, Mich. – Seven members of the Bulldogs NCSA D1 softball program has earned recognition on the 2025 Great Lakes Regional Team following standout seasons on the field. Leading the way was Kyleigh McClanahan, a native of Goshen, Ohio, who was named to the First Team as a catcher. McClanahan posted a .381 batting average with 32 hits, including 10 doubles, while driving in 14 runs and providing steady leadership behind the plate.

The Bulldogs were well represented on the Second Team, with three players earning spots. Greer Simpson, from Mount Gilead, Ohio, hit .384 on the year, tallying 38 hits, 10 doubles, and 30 RBIs. Michelle Huffman, a Roseville, Michigan native, led the team with a .387 batting average, collecting 41 hits, seven doubles, a triple, and 18 RBIs. Joining them was Kaitlyn Fry of Elsie, Michigan, who also posted a .387 average with 24 hits, five doubles, and 16 RBIs.

Three more Bulldogs received Third Team honors. Brianna Scott, from New Boston Huron, Michigan, hit .330 with 30 hits, six doubles, two triples, and 20 RBIs. Sara Kozel, a Warren, Michigan native, contributed a .301 batting average, with 25 hits, seven doubles, a triple, and 22 runs batted in. Rounding out the group was Haley Holmes, a pitcher from Elkhart, Indiana, who made 12 starts and threw 62.0 innings. Holmes earned a 2-1 record on the year, finishing with a 6.32 ERA and recording 21 strikeouts.