Niagara University men’s hockey coach Jason Lammers was named as an assistant coach for the United States Collegiate Select hockey team in the 2025 Spengler Cup.

Lammers will assist Penn State head coach Guy Gadowsky and will be joined by University of New Hampshire head coach Mike Souza as the Selects will be the first team of its kind to participate in the 97th edition of the prestigious international event in Davos, Switzerland, this December.

“We are proud to unveil the coaching staff for this year’s Spengler Cup team,” said USCS GM Steve Metcalf. “Guy Gadowsky will serve as the head coach. His vision for bringing a college team to the prestigious Spengler Cup made him the clear choice to lead this effort,” he added. “Joining Gadowsky behind the bench are coaches Mike Souza and Jason Lammers, who both bring exceptional experience and a shared commitment to showcasing the best of the college game.”

The U.S. Collegiate Select team will be made up of 25 student-athletes from across NCAA men’s ice hockey, with each conference being represented. The competition runs from December 26-31, with the six participating teams playing a minimum of two contests apiece. Along with the Selects, host HC Davos, Team Canada, HC Fribourg-Gotteron, Sparta Praha and IFK Helsinki will be taking part in the 2025 edition. 

“It’s an honor to be on the inaugural staff of the US Collegiate Selects and to be competing in such a prestigious tournament,” said Gadowsky. “The Spengler Cup will provide an incredible experience for the players selected and will be great for the continued exposure of college hockey outside of the United States.”

This will be the second time an American-based select team has taken part in the Spengler Cup, following a U.S. squad that won the tournament in 1988.

For more information on the Spengler Cup, visit www.spenglercup.ch/en.

August 14, 2025

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Penn State

Penn State’s Guy Gadowsky has been tabbed as head coach of the U.S. Collegiate Selects, which will compete at this year’s Spengler Cup in Switzerland over the holiday break.

Selected as assistant coaches were New Hampshire head coach Mike Souza and Niagara head coach Jason Lammers.

The tournament consists of six teams, including host Davos HC, and is played Dec. 26 to 31. It is the oldest invitational ice hockey tournament, dating back to 1923.

“It’s an honor to be on the inaugural staff of the U.S. Collegiate Selects and to be competing in such a prestigious tournament,” Gadowsky said. “The Spengler Cup will provide an incredible experience for the players selected and will be great for the continued exposure of college hockey outside of the United States.”

Any player currently in college hockey is eligible. Though many of the top-end players will be participating in the World Junior tournament at that time, there are plenty others to choose from.

“(Gadowsky’s) vision for bringing a college team to the prestigious Spengler Cup made him the clear choice to lead this effort,” Steve Metcalf, Hockey East commissioner and general manager for the U.S. Selects, said.

It’s the first time a Select team of current NCAA college players will be represented in the tournament. The U.S. sent a Collegiate Selects team to the 1988 tournament, which it won, but that team was essentially the 1988 U.S. Olympic team, plus other pros like Dave Silk, who was on the 1980 U.S. Olympic team.

CLEVELAND, Ohio – The Division 2 Athletics Directors Association (D2 ADA) announced the 2024-25 recipients of the D2 ADA Academic Achievement Awards Thursday morning. The Academic Achievement Awards, in its 18th year, is a program that recognizes the academic accomplishments of student-athletes at the Division II level in NCAA sponsored sports.
 
For the first time since inception, there were more than 20,000 student-athletes recognized (22,756) from a record 202 institutions for the 2024-25 Academic Achievement Awards. This year’s totals are the highest in the program’s history.
 
Historically, 190,032 total student-athletes have been recognized since the inception of the awards program.
 
To be recognized for the award, student-athletes must have a cumulative GPA of 3.5 or higher on a 4.0 scale. They must have completed a minimum of two years (four semesters) of college level work at a two-year and/or four-year institution and must have been an active member of an intercollegiate team during the previous academic year.
 
The Beavers found 134 student-athletes on the list this year. This lineup towers over last year’s number of 90 student-athletes. BSU Football brought in the largest number of honorees at 32, followed by soccer with 18 and track and field at 17. 
 
Baseball (10)
Ben Corradi – Jr.
Connor Donlin – So.
Adrian Falcon – Jr.
Jack Feldman – So. 
Matt Greiner – Jr.
Derek Hoffman – Sr.
Bret Inman – So.
Liam McGrath – Sr.
Nolan Reiter – Jr.
Ty Schulte – Sr. 
 
Men’s Basketball (1)
Jobe Jueneman – Jr.
 
Football (32)
Jaxsen Beck – So.
Ethan Biehn – Jr.
Clayton Birdsall – Sr.
Caden Bolte – Sr.
Tyler Cruchet – So.
Dante Draghicchio – Jr.
Jacob Drietz – Sr. 
Ridge Flatness – Sr.
Bryce Gapinski – So. 
Arian Garcia – Sr.
Nick Gerlach – Gr.
Uriah Glynn – Sr.
Justin Incaprera – Sr.
Deon Kelson – Jr.
Bill Ketola – Sr.
Koehler Kilty – So. 
Conor Kovas – Gr.
Drayton Lehman – Sr.
Grant Lower – So. 
Connor Mantelli – Sr.
Bart McAninch – So.
Tarrell McCoy – So.
Sam McGath – Gr.
Lucas Peterson – So.
Eli Pfeiffer – Jr.
Kale Rich – Jr.
Michael Schurman – Jr.
Zack Seitz – Sr.
Caleb Thinesen – So.
Isaiah Tisdle – So.
Gabe Ward – Sr.
Mitch Wind – So.
 
Men’s Golf (6)
Caden Lick – Sr.
Riley McGovern – Jr.
Ryan Nelson – Jr.
Logan Schoepp – Sr.
Charlie Williams – Jr.
Rory Wutzke – Sr.
 
Women’s Basketball (10)
Erin Barrette – Sr.
Beth Bolte – Jr.
Ella Giorgi – Sr.
Ashlynne Guenther – Jr.
Aubrey Heyer – So.
Rachel Koenig – Sr.
Tieryn Plasch – Jr.
Alayna Suprenand – Sr.
Kendra Syverson – Jr.
Sydney White – Sr.
 
Cross Country (4)
Carmen Lyon – So.
Maggie McCarthy – Sr.
Callie Ressler – Sr.
Sophie Rylance – So.
 
Women’s Golf (3)
Trista Bilden – So.
Haylee Kammann – Jr.
Bailey Tilley – So.
 
Soccer (18)
Katrina Barthelt – Sr.
Hannah Bolte – Jr.
Madeline Davey – Sr.
Julia Freed – Jr.
Madisen Fritel – So.
Emma Huelsnitz – Sr.
Grace Kittel – Sr.
Brie Klingbeil – Sr.
Megan Ko – Jr.
Maggie Kramer – So.
Tirzah Lange – Sr.
Briana Stocke – Sr.
Dayna Stocke – So. 
Maria Stocke – Sr.
Sydney Sutherland – So.
Ella Wade – Jr.
Breanna Weilert – Jr.
Marielle Wright – So.
 
Softball (16)
Aubrey Aukerman – Sr.
Morgan Benedict – Sr.
Jenna Burd – Jr.
Aimee Christenson – Sr.
Alexa Christenson – Sr.
Alayna DeGraef – Jr.
Molly Houts – Gr.
Kennedy Joachim – So.
Josie Kappes – Jr.
Maddie Kielsmeier – Sr.
Jackie Larsen – Jr.
Keira Lucero – So.
Payton Prissel – So.
Calleigh Richards – So.
Danica Sarff – Jr.
Mariah Stevenson – Sr.
 
Tennis (6)
Macy Goochey – Jr.
Jalyn Halverson – So.
Ana Lucía Ibáñez Castro – So. 
Julia Lindseth – Jr.
Valesca Rodriguez – So.
Lauren Rutten – Sr.
 
Track & Field (17)
Elle Bettcher – Jr.
Trista Bilden – So.
Emma Erickson – Sr.
Makenna Frazier – Jr.
Emma Green – So. 
Natalee Hoffner – So.
Chloe Knott – Sr.
Zoe Lennon – Jr.
Carmen Lyon – So. 
Maggie McCarthy – Sr.
Olivia Olson – Sr.
Mikenna Pattrin – Sr.
Callie Ressler – Sr.
Sophie Rylance – So.
Hailey Selly – Sr. 
Reese Turner – So. 
Maya Wagner – Jr. 
 
Volleyball (11)
Ava Athman – Jr.
Katie Brandl – So.
Ashley Crowl – Sr.
Grace Hoffard – So.
Ella Kratochvil – Jr.
Anna Paquette – So.
Lily Riese – So. 
Lauren Sitter – Sr.
Kylie Struble – Sr.
Emily Wade – Sr.
Jada Wlodarczyk – Sr.
 
For the full D2 ADA Academic Achievement Award lineup, click here.
 
For more information on the Bemidji State athletic programs, tickets or schedules, visit BSUBeavers.com, follow the Beavers on Twitter/X (@BSUBeavers), or like them on Facebook (facebook.com/BSUBeavers).
 
Located on the shore of Lake Bemidji, Bemidji State University sponsors 15 varsity athletic programs with NCAA Division I men’s hockey in the Central Collegiate Hockey Association and women’s hockey in the Western Collegiate Hockey Association, while its 13 NCAA Division II programs hold membership in the Northern Sun Intercollegiate Conference (NSIC).
 
 

SPORTS FEEVER by Chris Fee of KROX Radio – chrisjfee@yahoo.com

We are in the first week of fall sports practice, and the first fall sporting events begin across the state on Friday with several Girls Tennis playing their first matches of the year.

— — —

We have participant lists of some of the Crookston Pirate fall sports teams after the first three days of practice and it looks like numbers for football keep growing, which is fantastic news. All numbers seem to be solid this fall, which is a good sign.

BOYS SOCCER – 28 out 9-12 and 37 out 6-12
Seniors (13) – Reggie Winjum, Jay Reese, Sam Widseth, Peter Wiersma, Ryker Arnold, Makoti Weber, Carter Fee, Gunnar Groven, Nolan Cassavan, Cade Wisk, Jace Bruggeman, Tony Elbinger, Ian Osland
Juniors (10) – Alex Zammert, Grant Funk, Ethan Lanctot, Aaron Gosse, Colton Osborn, Aiden Delage, John Lisov, Ivan Luckow, Evan Wagner, Aiden Wieland
Sophomores (5) Ian Swanson, Trevor Hassel, Cam Martin, Tyrese Middleton, Mason Lessard)
Freshman – None
Eighth graders (1) – Colton Gasper
Seventh graders (1) – Hayden Ricard
Sixth graders (7) – Jameson Enright, Reace Ault, Tristan Brekken, Jesus Delos Santos, Adam Burnette, Bennett Ricard, Teegan Fritz

GIRLS TENNIS – 24 out in 9-12 and 38 out in 6-12
Seniors (10) – Taylor Wieland, Lucy Smith, Taylor Schulz, Ava Martin, Emma LaPlante, Emelia Hoerner, Logan Brekken, Chloe Boll, Ashlyn Bailey, Madelyn Anderson
Juniors (4) – Cecelia Widman, Katie Seaver, Avery Mathews, Evelyn Gunderson
Sophomores (6) – Alyssa Johnson, Nora Groven, Teagan Fanfulik, Peyton Demarais, Grace Boll
Freshmen (4) – Catelyn Maruska, Eva Gosse, Hamsini Chanda, Kaylen Bedard
Eight graders (6) – Korynn Uttermark, Lauren Tull, Elsie Mathews, Haddie Halland, Brigit Groven, Ella Capistran
Seventh graders (3) – Ruby Martin, Allessandra Kollin, Cora Jackson
Sixth graders (5) – Monroe Shockman, Hayley Reitmeier, Kenlea Osen, Zaelyn Normandin, Bailey Speldrich

We will have the other three teams next week.

Click the link for the Fall Sports Schedules- Pirate Fall Sports Schedules – KROX

— — —

The Crookston High School Hall of Fame invites the community to its annual induction ceremony on Saturday, August 16, 2025. Please join us as we honor the Class of 2025: Beth Carlson, Bryan Boll, Gary Stegman, Kenley Wahlin and Gary Wagner.

There will be a social hour at 1 pm, appetizer buffet at 2 pm and ceremony to follow. Tickets are available at the door, $10 for adults, $5 for students grades 1-12.

— — —

The Crookston Pirate Girls Tennis team will host a Tennis Camp August 27-28 from 5:00 to 6:30 p.m. The camp is for 2nd – 5th grade boys and girls with a cost of $20. The camp will be at the Crookston High School Tennis Courts. To register, or for more questions, email ginagunderson@isd593.org.

— — —

We were sad to see that Grafton Spoiler Athletic Director Jon Koehmstedt died this past weekend. He drowned while fixing a pontoon motor on Cass Lake. Jon was only 41 years old and gone way too soon. We are thinking about Jon’s family and the Grafton Spoilers at this time.

— — —

The 2025 National Women’s Hockey Festival U18 National team was finalized with a girl with Crookston ties making the team.

Bailey Rupp – daughter of Crookston High School grad Stephanie (Boll) Rupp, who is a member of the Bemidji Lumberjack Girls Hockey team. She also announced a commitment to play hockey at the University of Minnesota Duluth.  What a week it was for Bailey!

Making the National team is a huge deal for many reasons, but the entire tryout process helps assist in the evaluation process for the 2026 U.S. Olympic Women’s Ice Hockey Team, set to compete in Milan at the Olympic Winter Games.
Team USA is also competing in the Collegiate Series against Canada this week (August 13-16) in Lake Placid as well.

All practices and games will take place at the Lake Placid Olympic Center in Lake Placid, N.Y. Nine Minnesota Girls made the team! 
Other Minnesotans on the roster are –
Mia Miller (Dundas) of Nortfield High School
Emily Pohl (Woodbury) of Hill-Murray
Kateryna Sander (Chanhassen) of Holy Family Catholic
Talla Hansen (Wayzata)  of Benilde-St. Margarte’s
Alaina Gnetz (Woodbury) of Woodbury High School
Madelyn Kimbrel (Long Lake) of Orono High School
Taylee Manion (Hermantown) of Proctor/Hermantown
Addison McLay (Hastings) of Hill-Murray

— — —

The Minnesota Hockey Fall HP team rosters have been announced.

Area players making the HP teams are below –

HP 18U Boys Fall League –
Finn Paulsen – Moorhead
Alex Tortorice – Moorhead
Hudson Pettit – Detroit Lakes
Brady Steffen – Moorhead
Seamus Campbell – Moorhead
Conner Copeland – Moorhead
George Arnold – Moorhead
Quinn Niemi – Bemidji
Syler Sullivan – Moorhead
Will Arnold – Moorhead
Griffin Dewar – Bemidji

HP 16U Boys –
Levi Westby – Warroad
Richard Rogers – Warroad
Samuel Hard – Warroad
Cal Mattfield – Bemidji
Wyatt Cordts – East Grand Forks
Aiden Graber – Bemidji

The 16U Boys USHL Roster –
Samuel Hard – Warroad
Wyatt Cordts – East Grand Forks
Richard Rogers – Warroad

HP 16U Girls –
Naomi Johnson – Bemidji
AJ Brateng – Thief River Falls

HP 15O Boys –
Maddox Gregoire – Moorhead
Ryan Clauson – East Grand Forks
Grady Huotari – Moorhead
Gunnar Schock – Moorhead
Ethan Neville – Roseau
Mason Deraney – Detroit Lakes
Finneghan Hnry – Park Rapids
Noah Peterson – Moorhead
Joel Prokop – Bemidji
Wyatt Samuelson – Hallock
Brennen Vannett – Moorhead
Brendan Simmons – Roseau

HP 14U Boys –
Jay Boeke – Detroit Lakes
Tate Bergeson – Moorhead
Jaxson Wakefield – East Grand Forks
Carter Ziegler – Roseau
Brock Stauss – East Grand Forks
Mason Auger – East Grand Forks
Kipton Preteau – Roseau
Sam Schlauderaff – Detroit Lakes
Rhett Walter – East Grand Forks
Jace Magner – East Grand Forks
Landen Gurskis – Moorhead
Brekken Grabow – Detroit Lakes
Ryker Sant – Bemidji
Sawyer Reierson – Bemidji
Dylan Elliot – Moorhead

HP 14U Girls  –
Bella Folden – East Grand Forks
Ava Dufault – Moorhead
Rylie Hagen – Moorhead
Ella Mae Swanberg – Bemidji
Maddie Burtsfield – Moorhead
Ava Corrington – Bemidji
Svea Grafstrom – Warroad
Kaylie Glas – Brainerd
Maddie Graves – Moorhead
Anna Herman – Moorhead
Arella Lee – Moorhead
Callie Malkowski – Bemidji
Sophia Voeltz – Moorhead
Rylee Hagen – Roseau

HP Boys 13O –
Levin Vandevelde – Moorhead
Hudson Johnson – East Grand Forks
Kane Kallhoff – Moorhead
Wyatt Hunter – Detroit Lakes
Cullen Schulz – East Grand Forks
Ezra Riskey – East Grand Forks
Henrik Mack – East Grand Forks
Brad Lind – East Gran Forks
Jack Emmerich – Moorhead
Cooper Hanson – Thief River Falls
Ethan Smith – Warroad
Easton Gurskis – Moorhead
Phil Marvin – Warroad
Boden Ferrie – Moorhead
Jake Janecke – East Grand Forks
Connor Turner – Moorhead
Maveryk Holtman – East Grand Forks

— — —

The Region 8A postseason competition calendar has been released. It is below.

— — —

The University of Minnesota Crookston men’s and women’s cross country programs signed the biggest classes in program history, as they look to continue their upward trajectory as a program since launching the sport in 2019. The Golden Eagles have signed 11 newcomers for the men’s and women’s cross country teams.

Bennett Allred (Cedar Rapids, Iowa/Prairie H.S.)
Allred was a three-time state qualifier at Cedar Rapids Prairie High School. He was a two-time All-Mississippi Valley Conference selection, and earned Second Team All-State honors in 4A as a senior. He is a two-time State qualifier, and was named to the Elite Team for all classes in 2024. 

Kohen Holcomb (Marshall/Marshall H.S.)
Holcomb helped lead Marshall High School to a State Championship in 2024, and a third-place finish in 2023. He earned All-Big South Conference accolades in 2024. Holcomb also guided Marshall to Conference Championships in 2023 and 2024. 

Aaden Nauman (Windom/University of Sioux Falls)
Nauman competed as a freshman for the University of Sioux Falls. He finished the NSIC Championship in 67th place with a time of 26:01.8, which was a personal record in the 8K for Nauman. He was a three-time All-Conference selection at Windom High School, and earned All-State accolades in cross country in 2023. 

Brayden Paulsen (Little Falls/Little Falls H.S.)
Paulsen notched a personal record of 17:57.9 in the 5000 meters at the Little Falls Lucky Lindy as a senior. He tallied a record as a junior in the 5000 meters of 18:05.3, showing great improvement his senior year. In track, he notched a personal record in the 3200 of 10:45.14. Paulsen earned All-Conference Honorable Mention accolades.

Jonathan Roth (Sioux Falls, S.D./West Central H.S.)
Roth earned Second Team All-Conference accolades. He placed 10th in Class A as an individual in South Dakota. Roth is a two-time Trojan Award winner for his character, and is an Academic All-State pick. Roth had a 4.1 GPA, and is a member of the National Honors Society.

Abby Borgerding (Northfield/Northfield H.S.)
Borgerding helped her high school squad to a Section Title and a State Tournament appearance in 2023. She served as the cross country captain for Northfield High School. Borgerding notched a personal record of 20:58. She was a member of the cross country team for six seasons. 

Amber Collins (Deer Creek/Wadena-Deer Creek H.S.)
Collins was named All-Conference from 2019-24 at Wadena-Deer Creek High School. She was a State Tournament participant from 2020-24. Collins finished 47th at the Class A State Tournament as a senior, for her best-ever finish. She clocked in at 19:37 in the 5000 meters. 

Rivyn DiPadova (Soldiers Grove, Wis./Viroqua H.S.)
DiPadova was an individual State Tournament qualifier in 2023. She was a two-time Coulee Conference First team selection in 2023 and 2024. DiPadova earned All-Conference Honorable Mention in 2022. She has a personal record of 19:56 in the 5000 meters, the third-fastest time in school history.

Annelise Offerdahl (Circle Pines/Centennial H.S.)
Offerdahl made the State Tournament as a runner in 2023 for Centennial High School. She was a 2022 State Tournament alternate. She earned All-Northwest Suburban Conference honors in 2022 and 2023. Offerdahl was a cross country captain in 2024.

Morgan Shaw (Redmond, Ore./Willamette University)
Shaw was a First Team All-Northwest Conference pick for Willamette University in 2024. She finished seventh at the Northwest Conference Championships in 2024. Shaw won the 1,500 meters for Willamette track and field at the Linfield Open in 2024. She was the top finisher for Willamette at the NCAA West Regional, finishing the 6000 meters in 22:48.2. 

Natalie Wood (Big Timber, Mont./Montana State University)
Wood spent two seasons at Montana State University, redshirting one. She had a personal best of 22:27 in the 6000 meters. Wood notched a personal best of 19:03 in the 5000 meters. She is her high school record holder in the 1600, 3200, and 5000. Wood was the Montana State Track Champion in the 1600 and 3200, and was State runner-up in cross country twice. She is a seven-time State Champion, and helped her high school to two State Championships in track and field. 

— — —

JOKES

A man and his wife attended a dinner party at the home of their friends. Near the end of the meal, the wife reprimanded her husband. “That’s the third time you’ve gone for dessert,” she scolded. “The hostess must think you’re selfish and an absolute pig.”
“I don’t think so,” he said. “I’ve been telling her it’s for you.”

— —

With all the new technology regarding fertility, an 88-year-old woman was able to give birth to a baby recently.

When she was discharged from the hospital and went home, various relatives came to visit. “May we see the new baby?” one of them asked.

“Not yet,” said the mother. “I’ll make coffee and we can visit for a while first.”

Another half hour passed before another relative asked, “May we see the new baby now?”

“No, not yet,” said the mother.

A while later and again the guests asked, “May we see the baby now?”

“No, not yet,” replied the mother.

Growing impatient, they asked, “Well, when can we see the baby?”

“When it cries!” she told them.

“When it cries?” they gasped. “Why do we have to wait until it cries?”

“Because, I forgot where I put it.”

— —

A devoted wife had spent her lifetime taking care of her husband. Now he had been slipping in and out of a coma for several months, yet she stayed by his bedside every single day.
When he came to senses, he motioned for her to come near him.
As she sat by him, he said, “You know what? You have been with me all through the bad times. When I got fired, you were there to support me. When my business failed, you were there. When I got shot, you were by my side. When we lost the house, you gave me support. When my health started failing, you were still by my side. You know what?”
“What dear?” she asks gently.
“I think you bring me bad luck.”  

— —

A girl was given a tea set for her second birthday. It became one of her favorite toys, and when her mother went away for a few weeks to care for her sick aunt, the toddler loved to make her father a little cup of tea, which was just water really, while he was engrossed watching the news on TV. He sipped each “cup of tea” he was brought and lavished generous praise on the taste, leaving the little girl immensely proud.

Eventually the mother returned home and the father couldn’t wait to show her how his little princess had been looking after him. On cue, the girl took him his “cup of tea” and he sipped it before praising it to the heavens.

The mother watched him drink it and said: “Did it ever occur to you that the only place she can reach to get water is the toilet?”

— — —

How are former Crookston Pirates athletes doing in college or elsewhere?
****LET ME KNOW OF OTHERS TO ADD TO THE LIST. Email me at chrisjfee@yahoo.com

Paul Bittner is an assistant coach on the University of Wisconsin-Superior Men’s Hockey team.

Reese Swanson is a freshman playing hockey at St. Olaf.

Carter Coauette is a freshman playing football at Minot State.

Isabelle Smith is a freshman playing Tennis at Concordia College.

Isaac Thomforde is a freshman playing Tennis at Northwestern College in St. Paul.

Emilee Tate is a Sophomore playing Softball at Northland Community and Technical College.

Halle Bruggeman is a Sophomore on the University of Wisconsin-Stout Women’s Rugby team.

Ethan Boll is a Sophomore on the University of North Dakota Football team.

Breanna Kressin is a Junior on the Hockey Cheer Team for THE University of Minnesota Golden Gopher Hockey team.

Jacey Larson is a Junior playing hockey at Dakota College at Bottineau.

Aleah Bienek is a Senior playing hockey at Trine University in Indiana.

Ty Hamre is Senior playing football at Bemidji State University.

Elizabeth Erdman is a coach for the Moorhead Red Dragon swim team.

Crookston School District Coaches
Blake Bergeron is the head Pirate Wrestling Coach.
Ben Parkin is the head Pirate Baseball Coach.
Jason Cassavant is a Jr. High Baseball Coach
Amy Boll is the head Pirate Girls Track head coach
Sarah Reese is the Pirate Head Girls Soccer coach
Marley Melbye is an assistant girls golf coach
Connor Morgan is the Pirate Boys Hockey assistant coach
Ben Trostad is the Pirate Boys Hockey assistant coach
Ethan Magsam is the Pirate Boys Hockey assistant coach
Chris Dufault is a youth wrestling Coach

Non-Crookston High School coaching/Admin/etc

Elise Tangquist is the Head Girls Golf Coach at Horace High School in Fargo, ND.

Carmen (Kreibich) Johnson is the head Little Falls Volleyball coach.

Tim Desrosier is an Assistant Coach for Warren-Alvarado-Oslo Pony Boys Basketball

Pat Wolfe is the head wrestling coach for Fosston/Bagley.

Austin Sommerfeld is an Assistant Athletic Director for Strategic Communication at the College of St. Scholastica in Duluth.

Collin Reynolds is the head baseball coach for the University of Colorado Buffalo Club Baseball team.

Trent Stahlecker is a School Security Specialist & he works for the Brevard Public Schools, Florida.

Cody Weiland is an assistant wrestling coach at Proctor/Hermantown.

Josh Edlund is the head football coach and phy ed teacher at Flandreau, South Dakota.

Allison Lindsey Axness is Assistant Varsity Volleyball Coach at Champlin Park

Jeff Olson is the Head Wrestling Coach and Head Baseball coach at Delano.

Jake Olson is an Assistant Football Coach and Head Boys Tennis coach at Delano.

Matt Harris is an Assistant Principal/Athletic Director at Saguaro High School in Scottsdale, Arizona.

Marty Bratrud is the Superintendent and High School Principal at Westhope High School.

Gordie Haug is an assistant football coach at the University of North Dakota.

Mike Hastings is the Wisconsin Badgers Men’s head Hockey coach.

Mike Biermaier is the Athletic Director at Grand Forks Schools.

Stephanie (Lindsay) Perreault works with the North Dakota State stats crew for Bison football, volleyball, and basketball in the winter. Stephanie’s husband, Ryan, is the assistant director for Bison media relations.

Jason Bushie is the hockey athletic trainer at Colorado College.

Chris Myrold is the Director and Fitness at Mission Ranch and Fitness in Camel, California.

Kyle Buchmeier is a Tennis Pro at the Reed-Sweatt Family Tennis Center in Minneapolis

Jaren Bailey is serving our country and is currently in the Marines’ Boot Camp.

Ben Andringa is serving our country in the Army and is now a Ranger.

Philip Kujawa class of 2004, from Crookston High School. He is an Army recruiter in Rochester.

Rob Sobolik is the General Manager of the Fargodome

That’s it for this week. Thanks for the comments, and if you have anything to add or share, please e-mail chrisjfee@yahoo.com or call. Thanks for reading and listening to KROX RADIO and kroxam.com.

Tags: sports, Sports Feever

DAVOS, Switzerland – Penn State’s Guy Gadowsky has been tabbed the head coach for the United States Collegiate Select Team ahead of the 2025 Spengler Cup as announced by College Hockey Inc. earlier Thursday morning. Along with Gadowsky, fellow NCAA bench bosses Mike Souza (UNH) and Jason Lammers (Niagara) will serve as assistants.

For the first time in the 102-year history of the tournament, which dates back to 1923 making it the oldest invitational ice hockey tournament in the world, a team of top NCAA collegiate players will compete, led by Gadowsky.

Held annually in Davos, Switzerland from December 26-31, 2025, the Spengler Cup is hosted by the Swiss professional team HC Davos with the 2025 rendition marking the 97th all-time tournament. HC Fribourg-Gotteron defeated the Straubing Tigers, 7-2, in last year’s tournament capturing their first Spengler Cup in the process. The hosts, HC Davos, along with Team Canada have each won 16 Spengler Cups, tying for the most by a single club all-time.

“It’s an honor to be on the inaugural staff of the U.S. Collegiate Selects and to be competing in such a prestigious tournament,” commented Gadowsky. “The Spengler Cup will provide an incredible experience for the players selected and will be great for the continued exposure of college hockey outside of the United States.” 

The U.S. Collegiate Select team will made up of 25 student-athletes, named at a later date, from across NCAA division I men’s ice hockey, with each conference being represented. Along with the Selects, host HC Davos, Team Canada, HC Fribourg-Gotteron, Sparta Praha and IFK Helsinki will be taking part in the 2025 edition, with the six participating teams playing a minimum of two contests.

AUSTIN, TEXAS – SEPTEMBER 21: Arch Manning #16 of the Texas Longhorns drops back to pass in the first quarter.

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The 2025 college football season is upon us, with the University of Texas as the pre-season top-ranked team according to the AP rankings. As documented by Opendorse, the money that college athletes earn from their Name, Image, and Likeness last year has eclipsed $1.6 billion with “no signs of slowing down”. However, with big earnings comes big tax bills. This article highlights the 20 college football players with the most lucrative NIL valuations and breaks down what these athletes can expect to pay in taxes in 2025.

The Taxation Of NIL

Following the U.S. Supreme Court’s decision in O’Bannon vs. NCAA, college athletes were permitted to earn money related to their NIL. This decision led to the NCAA implementing rules that went into effect, paving the way for athletes to do this without sacrificing their eligibility to play collegiate sports.

Athletes are now deriving income from many sources. For instance, athletes are now permitted to serve as spokespeople for companies by appearing in commercials, much like quarterbacks Arch Manning and Garrett Nussmeier, who recently appeared in a commercial for the restaurant chain Raising Cane’s, according to SI. Other income can be derived through the receipt of intangible benefits, such as a free car lease. In fact, CBSSports reported that the entire University of Utah’s men’s and women’s basketball team and the gymnastics team all received complementary leased vehicles for the 2023-24 season. However, what most commonly generates NIL income is the simple name recognition of the athlete through signing autographs, making appearances, or selling personally licensed apparel.

Like any other source of income, income derived from NIL is subject to taxation. As these deals are becoming increasingly lucrative, athletes earning NIL income are now facing significant tax bills.

Top 20 College Football NIL Valuations In 2025

On3 provides an algorithm that estimates an athlete’s NIL valuation. Of note, this is not an exact amount as NIL deals are typically not disclosed publicly. However, their valuations provide a baseline estimation for what some of the top college athletes can expect to earn over the next 12 months.

Below is a table that outlines On3’s top 20 highest college football NIL valuations for 2025. On3 provides the data on the name, team, position, and NIL valuation. Using this NIL valuation, one can calculate the federal income tax, state income tax, and total tax owed. Notably, in this table NIL valuations are treated as taxable income, meaning they do not factor in any possible deductions for business expenses or personal deductions (for example, the standard or itemized deduction). The calculations treat all athletes as single taxpayers with no dependents. Finally, the calculated taxes owed pertain only to income taxes, excluding property, sales, and jock taxes.

Quarterbacks Lead The Way With High NIL Valuations And High Tax Bills

It is no surprise that the player with the top NIL valuation in 2025 is none other than Arch Manning, quarterback for the pre-season top-ranked University of Texas Longhorns. Even if one is not familiar with this athlete, the name likely rings a bell, as Manning is the grandson of legendary quarterback Archie Manning and the nephew of Super Bowl-winning quarterbacks Peyton and Eli Manning. Manning’s $6.8 million NIL valuation is over 50% higher than Carson Beck (quarterback for the University of Miami), and their valuation aligns with paying federal income taxes of $2,474,186 and $1,549186, respectively.

What is somewhat unique about these two athletes is that they pay no state income tax. In total, nine U.S. states do not levy taxes: Alaska, Florida, Nevada, New Hampshire, South Dakota, Tennessee, Texas, and Wyoming. Thus, high-NIL-earning athletes in these states will pay income taxes to the U.S. and not their own state. This same notion applies to Josh Hoover (TCU quarterback and number 14 on the list). As I previously reported in Forbes, the ability to not pay state income taxes on NIL earnings can result in significant tax savings, as many athletes on this top 20 list must pay six figures annually to their state.

ForbesArch Manning’s $6.5 Million NIL Valuation Includes A Big Tax AdvantageBy Nathan Goldman

The First Year Of Arkansas Exempting NIL From State Income Tax

Taylen Green (Arkansas quarterback and number 18 on the list) also does not pay taxes to his state in 2025. The reason for this is that, in 2025, Arkansas became the first state to levy a tax on income to pass a law that exempts tax on NIL earnings. As I reported in Forbes, many schools have felt that their state income tax laws put them at a disadvantage when recruiting talent compared to schools in states without an income tax, leading to pressure on the state legislature, and, ultimately, the passage of this novel tax law.

While Arkansas is the first state to pass such a law, they were not alone in considering such a change. Other states, such as Alabama, Georgia, Louisiana, and North Carolina, also considered such legislation. For athletes like Garrett Nussmeier (LSU quarterback and number 4 of the list), Ryan Williams (Alabama wide receiver and number 13 on the list), CJ Bailey (NC State quarterback and number 16 on the list), and Jackson Arnold (Auburn quarterback and number 20 on the list), their state not passing a similar law to Arkansas this year impacts their estimated tax liability close to or above six figures.

ForbesArkansas Makes NIL Income Tax-Exempt. Will Other States Follow?By Nathan Goldman

Nico Iamaleava’s Curious NIL Tax Liability Increase

UCLA quarterback Nico Iamaleava checks in at number 19 on the list of the top NIL valuation football players for the 2025 season. Despite being toward the bottom of the list, he has the highest state income taxes owed, with $237,394 expected to be levied against the state of California based on his $2 million NIL valuation. The reason for this is that California has the highest statutory state tax rate in the U.S., where the state taxes income over $1 million at a staggering rate of 13.3%. To put Iamaleava’s tax liability into context, his NIL valuation suggests he will pay more in taxes with an expected $935,580 in 2025 than Hoover ($846,186) and Caleb Downs ($928,720, Ohio State safety and number 15 on the list), despite having a $400 thousand lower NIL valuation than either other the other two athletes.

What makes Iamaleava’s situation even more curious is that he transferred this past offseason from the University of Tennessee to UCLA. The state of Tennessee does not levy an income tax. Assuming his NIL valuation did not change, this means that the $237,394 in taxes he will now owe to the state of California are all incremental taxes.