Above photo: Howard University Director of Golf Sam Puryear (l) and actor Chris Tucker.

Howard University brought the spirit of golfing excellence to Atlanta with the 2025 Bison at the Beach – ATL Edition, a three-day event that showcased the strength of its championship golf program while galvanizing alumni and supporters to help drive the program forward. 

Held June 28-30, the weekend focused on the sensational growth of the program, which was established just five years ago with the generous support of four-time NBA champion Stephen Curry. In that time, the men’s team has won back-to-back Northeastern Conference championships while the women’s team has produced several successful players, including recent graduate Kendall Jackson (B.A. ‘25), the most decorated women’s player who will be going pro in August, and Paris Fieldings, a second-year player who earned a trip to the NCAA regional tournament last May.  

The event was also an acknowledgement of how Howard University’s program has advocated for increased access in a sport where Black representation has historically been limited.  

The weekend started off with a junior golf clinic where upwards of 100 Atlanta-area youth came out to the Sugar Creek Golf Club to learn fundamentals from members of Howard University’s golf team and coaches. Prior to getting on the green, Howard University Director of Golf Sam Puryear spent time chatting with parents and children, giving them invaluable information about how to prepare for playing on the college level and beyond. 

The momentum carried over to the next day with a fast-paced evening at the Porsche Experience Center Atlanta, where guests gathered for dinner and an auction to benefit the program. The evening featured an opportunity for attendees to take several laps around the Porsche Center’s 1.6-mile track with a professional driver in one of the luxury brand’s cars. The dinner, emceed by sports journalist Stan Verrett (B.A. ‘87), featured a series of testimonials from current and former members of Howard’s men’s and women’s teams as well as a passionate address by Puryear. During his remarks, Puryear was especially grateful for the support of Porsche, which returned for a second consecutive year as a Bison at the Beach sponsor.  

Ayesha Coker, vice president of marketing for Porsche Cars North America, Inc., said the decision to support Howard University golf was an easy one since the program, like Porsche, is driven by dreams. 

“We love golf at Porsche — and we’re proud to return as a sponsor of Howard University’s Bison at the Beach Golf Classic. This partnership celebrates excellence, access, and the student-athletes driving the future of the game,” Coker said. 

The weekend ended with a golf tournament at the prestigious East Lake Golf Club, an iconic course that has hosted some of the biggest names and events in the sport. There, Howard alumni, supporters, and friends, including Verrett and actor Chris Tucker, hit the links for a day full of fun and fellowship — all for a worthy cause. 

These students aren’t just successful on the course and in the classroom. They’re making history and chartering a path for others in the process.”

“Bison at the Beach – ATL Edition” is a testament to the power of our community and all that is possible when we invest in our student-athletes. These students aren’t just successful on the course and in the classroom. They’re making history and chartering a path for others in the process,” said Puryear, who spent many years as director of youth golf at East Lake. “We’re not just building a team; we’re building a legacy.” 

HONOLULU – A total of 79 University of Hawai’i student-athletes earned Academic All-Big West honors for the spring sports during the 2024 season. The sports included are baseball, beach volleyball, men’s golf, women’s golf, softball, men’s tennis, women’s tennis, women’s track and field, men’s volleyball, and women’s water polo.
 
The track and field team had the most honorees with 14 followed by softball (13), baseball (10) and water polo (10).
 
To be eligible for the All-Academic team, student athletes must maintain a 3.0 cumulative grade point average, complete one full year at the member institution prior to the season and compete in at least 50 percent of their team’s contests (baseball pitchers are exempt of participation standards, track and field must either compete in 50 percent or conference championship).
 
The following is a list of the spring honorees from UH teams:
 

Kyle Dobyns – Sociology
Jordan Donahue – Human Development & Family Studies
Hunter Faildo – Finance
Elijah Ickes – Exploratory
Matthew Miura –  Sociology
Cory Ronan – Interdisciplinary Studies
Itsuki Takemoto –  Exploratory
Zacary Tenn – Economics
Dylan Waite – Economics
Ben Zeigler-Namoa – Economics
 

Sydney Amiatu – Political Science
Sarah Burton – Pre-Psychology
Sophie Buschmann – Health & Exercise Science
Alana Embry – Psychology
Julia Lawrenz – Journalism
Caprice Lorenzo – Finance
Jesse Mann – Mechanical Engineering
Sydney Miller – Fashion Design & Merchandising
Kristen Serrano –  Management
 

Anson Cabello – Exploratory Business
Josh Hayashida – Finance
Tyler Ogawa – Finance
Garrett Takeuchi – Finance
Dane Watanabe – Health & Exercise Science
James Whitworth – Finance
 

Varnika S. Achanta – Exploratory Business
Maline Kraus – Sociology
Wendy Song – Marketing
Emiko Sverduk – Pre-Psychology
Kellie Yamane – Accounting
 

Carys Murakami – Pre-Psychology
Jamie McGaughey – Exploratory
Amelia “Millie” Fidge – Health & Exercise Science
Maycen Gibbs – Health & Exercise Science
Larissa Goshi – Health & Exercise Science
Milan Ah Yat – Sociology
Ellyanna Cinzori – Marketing
Maya Ichimura – Chemistry
Cierra Yamamoto – Psychology
Liliana Thomas – Psychology
Izabella Martinez – History
Addison Kostrencich – Communication
Chloe Borges – Management
 

Diego Dalisay – Communication
Andy Hernandez – Electrical Engineering
Quinn Snyder – Economics
Sohta Urano – Finance
 

Hannah Galindo – Pre-Engineering
Nikola Homolkova – Educational Psychology
Joelle Lanz – Political Science & Comms.
Sheena Masuda – Senior Economics
Ana Vilcek – Psychology/Human Development & Family Studies
 

Grace Blanchette – Kinesiology & Rehab Science
Allison Bliss – Food Science & Human Nutrition
Ruby Brook – Biochemistry
Rose Forshaw – Earth Sciences
Greta Fraraccio – Finance
Helen Hoadley – Mechanical Engineering
Emilie Kirk Langschwager – Microbiology
Isabella Kneeshaw – Communication
Zola O’Donnell – Mathematics
Valo Sopoaga – Exploratory Health Sciences
Catherine Touchette – Junior Finance
Lilian Turban – Communication
Samaria Vital – Political Science
Tara Wyllie – Psychology
 

‘Eleu Choy – Civil Engineering
Kurt Nusterer – Finance
Kai Taylor – Sociology
 

Alia Burlock – Biology
Bernadette Doyle – Marketing Management
Tara Logan – Health & Exercise Science
Daisy Logtens – Health & Exercise Science
Raha Peiravani – Finance
Roni Perlman – Interdisciplinary Studies
Camille Radosavljevic – Finance
Esmee Roijen – Sociology & Political Science
Emilia Schorr – Biological Engineering
Jordan Wedderburn – Health & Exercise Science

#HawaiiAthletics

DAVIS, Calif. — A total of 80 UC Davis student-athletes who competed in spring sports across the Big West were honored for their work in competition and in the classroom, as members of the 2025 Big West Spring Academic All-Conference Team.

The Spring Academic All-Conference Team highlights student-athletes who compete in Big West-sponsored spring sports, including Women’s Water Polo, Men’s Golf, Women’s Golf, Women’s Tennis, Men’s Tennis, Beach Volleyball, Men’s Volleyball, Women’s Outdoor Track and Field, Men’s Outdoor Track and Field, Softball, and Baseball.

To qualify for this honor, student-athletes must meet three key requirements. First, they must maintain a minimum 3.00 cumulative institutional grade point average, with no rounding permitted. Second, they must have completed at least one full academic year at their member institution prior to the season in which the award is received, meaning they must be at least a sophomore academically. Third, they must have competed in 50 percent of their team’s contests during the season. Exceptions to this participation requirement include baseball and softball pitchers, as well as cross country and track & field athletes, who can qualify by either competing in 50 percent of their team’s events or by participating in the Conference Championship.

The Big West proudly recognizes these student-athletes for their commitment to achieving excellence both in competition and in the classroom.

UC Davis’ total of 80 student-athletes, was tied for the second most in the conference. A full list of the Aggie honorees can be found below:

BASEBALL

BEACH VOLLEYBALL

MEN’S GOLF

WOMEN’S GOLF

SOFTBALL

MEN’S TENNIS

WOMEN’S TENNIS

MEN’S TRACK & FIELD

WOMEN’S TRACK & FIELD

WOMEN’S WATER POLO

Agnes Scott College invites applications for the position of Head Women’s Cross Country/Track & Field Coach. This is a full-time position within the Department of Athletics, reporting to the Director of Athletics. The successful candidate will lead an established NCAA Division III Cross-Country program while building the college’s first-ever track and field program from the ground up.

The coach will also have the unique opportunity to oversee the renovation of the college’s track facility, working in collaboration with the Director of Athletics, Office of Advancement, and outside donors to manage logistics and contribute to the project’s planning and execution.

Responsibilities: Build and develop a competitive Track & Field program in alignment with the college’s mission and NCAA Division III philosophy.

Sustain and grow the existing Cross Country program.

Recruit and retain academically qualified student-athletes.

Organize and manage all aspects of both programs, including training, practices, competition schedules, team travel, and equipment.

Oversee the track renovation process and assist with related logistics and communications.

Monitor the academic performance and well-being of student-athletes.

Ensure compliance with NCAA, Collegiate Conference of the South, and institutional policies.

Collaborate with admissions and other campus departments to support student-athlete success.

Engage in fundraising efforts and community outreach as needed.

Qualifications:

Bachelor’s degree from an accredited institution

Collegiate coaching experience in Cross Country and/or Track & Field

Demonstrated success in recruiting student-athletes

Strong organizational, communication, and leadership skills

Ability to manage multiple responsibilities, including project collaboration and student-athlete development

About Agnes Scott College

Agnes Scott College is a private women’s liberal arts college located in Decatur, Georgia, near Atlanta. It’s known for its innovative SUMMIT program, a four-year experience focused on global learning, leadership development, and professional skills. The college emphasizes student-centered learning and has been recognized as a “Colleges That Change Lives” institution.

Connections working at Agnes Scott College