CONWAY, Ark. _  The Atlantic Sun Conference announced today a groundbreaking strategic alliance creating a consortium of two conferences (Atlantic Sun and United Athletic Conference), bringing together three Texas universities which are currently part of the Western Athletic Conference (WAC) with the five football-playing ASUN schools to create an all-sports United Athletic Conference beginning July 1, 2026.

The WAC announced Wednesday that Southern Utah and Utah Tech will be leaving the conference to join the Big Sky Conference, effective July 1, 2026, leaving UT Arlington, Abilene Christian and Tarleton State as the only three full members of the WAC. ACU and Tarleton State were already competing in the football-only incarnation of the UAC.

The new alliance is expected to strengthen and improve operational efficiency across both conferences and across the university campuses. It will create new growth opportunities across the southeast, and position both conferences for continued success in the future. The consortium will be led by current ASUN Commissioner Jeff Bacon, who will serve as its Executive Director, providing experienced leadership for this new venture. Current WAC Commissioner, Rebekah Ray, will assume a leadership role within the consortium.

“The landscape of collegiate athletics has changed rapidly in recent years, and this strategic alliance creates innovative opportunities for collaboration and increased efficiencies for all of the institutions involved,” said Matt Whiting, UCA director of athletics. “I am excited for what this means for the University of Central Arkansas and our Athletics Department as we enter a new era of college athletics.”

“As we navigate the changing world of collegiate athletics, I am excited about the opportunities presented in this strategic alliance and further strengthening our partnership and future with our current United Athletic Conference peers,” said UCA President Dr. Houston Davis. “This alliance positions the University of Central Arkansas well geographically, creating greater experiences for our student-athletes and fans.”

In 2026, the WAC will rebrand to the United Athletic Conference (UAC), which is the brand currently used to recognize the ASUN-WAC Football Alliance. This rebrand will better recognize the new membership composition of the Conference with all seven (7) UAC football-playing members housed within one conference, and the shift in geographic footprint.

The UAC will welcome new members Austin Peay State University, the University of Central Arkansas, Eastern Kentucky University, the University of North Alabama and the University of West Georgia. The addition of five football-playing members (identified above) will bring total UAC membership to 8 members, including 7 football-playing members along with UT Arlington.

Remaining ASUN membership will include Bellarmine University; Florida Gulf Coast University; Jacksonville University; Lipscomb University; the University of North Florida; Queens University of Charlotte, and Stetson University.

 

Both the ASUN and the UAC will continue to operate separate championships as independent conferences. Championship formats and locations will be determined at a later date for sports that are not already contracted. The ASUN basketball tournament will remain in Jacksonville, Fla., and the UAC basketball tournament location is to be determined.

The UAC and the ASUN will remain independent conferences, each with their own automatic qualifiers (AQ’s) for NCAA postseason play. Both conferences will also continue to meet the NCAA sport sponsorship and membership standards.  Membership will continue to be a top priority for both conferences. Through the President’s leadership the Consortium will evaluate potential opportunities for growth and best alignment of Institutions.

Sport sponsorship for the conferences will be as follows: 

ASUN:

• Men’s Sports: Baseball, Basketball, Cross Country, Golf, Lacrosse, Soccer, Swim & Dive and Indoor/Outdoor Track & Field

• Women’s Sports: Basketball, Beach Volleyball, Cross Country, Golf, Lacrosse, Soccer, Softball, Swim & Dive, Tennis, Indoor/Outdoor Track & Field and Volleyball

UAC:

• Men’s Sports: Baseball, Basketball, Cross Country, Golf, Football, Tennis and Indoor/Outdoor Track & Field

• Women’s Sports: Basketball, Cross Country, Golf, Soccer, Softball, Tennis, Indoor/Outdoor Track & Field and Volleyball

“As many in the media and the public have mentioned, and as many other Division I conferences have discussed, the Division I Conference membership landscape at our level has become unsustainable and confusing,” the ASUN said. “We now have conferences that stretch from coast to coast, and conference membership often consists of a mix of football and non-football playing member institutions, public and private institutions, or institutions whose geography does not align well. 

“In addition, conferences and institutions are looking for ways to reduce or streamline expenses, unlock new revenue streams, forge scheduling alliances, and prepare for the modern world of intercollegiate athletics.

“Through the formation of a consortium, this alliance allows two similarly situated conferences to partner together to resolve many of these challenges at once: better aligning our membership; reducing expenses; collectively leveraging assets such as media rights; providing members of both conferences games

and home games in multiple sports; and situating both conferences for streamlined decision making.”

“This is not a merger, but a forward-thinking alliance. We are proactively building a modern structure for intercollegiate athletics that benefits everyone involved. This alliance provides great leverage for two conferences and long-term stability amongst like-minded and similarly situated institutions.”

ASUN RELEASE 

 

DAVIS, Calif. – On Thursday, June 26, Water Polo Australia released their roster for the 2025 World Aquatics U20 Water Polo Championships. UC Davis water polo athlete Chelsea Johnson was selected as one of 14 athletes set to represent her home country in Salvador, Brazil, from Aug. 10-16.

Joining UC Davis from Brisbane, Australia, in 2023, Johnson has been a significant contributor to the team in just her first two years, leading the Aggies in minutes played (582) while scoring 26 goals, clocking 32 assists, swiping 42 steals, and drawing 35 ejections during the 2025 season. These numbers also led to Johnson being named a Big West Honorable Mention at season’s end.

UC Davis Director of Women’s Water Polo Kandace Waldthaler on Johnson’s selection:

“We are proud of Chelsea for being selected to compete for Australia at the U20 World Championships this summer. This has been one of her goals for a long time, and we are excited for her to achieve this accomplishment. We look forward to watching her compete against the best in her age group in the world while representing Australia and UC Davis.”

As a water polo star in her home country, this won’t be the first time Johnson has participated in a high-level competition with Australia, winning a Queensland State Championship, Australian National Club Championship, and a U18 and U20 Brisbane Championship.

Slotting into Group D with Canada, South Africa, and China, Australia will begin its quest for international supremacy against the South African team on Sunday, Aug. 10 at 8:00 a.m. PT. The top two finishers in each group will move on to the quarterfinal rounds, with a champion set to be crowned on Saturday, Aug. 16.

Details on how to watch and follow along with each match are forthcoming.

 

The 10 men’s and women’s Bowerman semifinalists have been announced, providing a preview of the candidates for the award that goes to the most outstanding track and field athletes of the 2025 season. Here’s who I think should advance as top-three finalists for this year’s Bowerman.

Athletes sorted alphabetically

Women’s Bowerman

Pamela Kosgei, New Mexico

Pamela Kosgei had the best season of any freshman in the NCAA this year. She joins Doris Lemngole as the only two women to win two outright individual NCAA titles. Kosgei went undefeated outdoors in both the 5000 and 10,000 meters, owning the No. 2 time finish in the 5K and No. 2 and No. 3 all-time finishes in the 10K. The New Mexico rookie also ran 9:15.93 in the steeplechase during the regular season to make her the No. 3 all-time performer.

Indoors, Kosgei finished third in the 5000 meters while also running the sixth-fastest race in collegiate history in her season-opener. 

Overall it was an all-time debut season for Kosegei, capped off with a sweep of distance titles outdoors. That should get her a nod as a finalist.

AWARDS: The 2025 Bowerman Semifinalists and Watch List for men’s and women’s NCAA track and field

Doris Lemngole, Alabama

Doris Lemngole is the only woman that is a multi-time semifinalist for the Bowerman and I think she’s the favorite to take home the award this year. And that’s with her cross country national title win not counting towards her Bowerman resume.

Nonetheless, her Bowerman resume is unmatched. A repeat win in the 3000 meter steeplechase outdoors and an indoor 5000 meter title make Lemngole the only woman in the NCAA this year with two outright individual titles in both the indoor and outdoor season.

Lemngole broke her own record in the steeplechase twice this year, becoming the first collegiate woman to ever break nine minutes with an 8:58.15 finish to win the NCAA title. She also ran another top-four all-time mark. Indoors, the Alabama superstar set the NCAA 5000 meter record in her season opener, running 14:52.57. She also finished second indoors in the 3000 meters.

It was a dominant season for Lemngole that should see her named a Bowerman finalist.

RECORDS: Every collegiate track and field record broken in 2025

Savannah Sutherland, Michigan

Sharika Nelvis in 2014 is the only woman in Bowerman history to have made her first Bowerman watch list appearance as a semifinalist and advanced to become a finalist. That list could become two women in 2025 with Savannah Sutherland. Sutherland received votes in the preseason and on the first watch list, but never made a watchlist until the announcement of semifinalists.

Then she did what fits the description of the Bowerman — something outstanding. Sutherland broke a record many thought could stand the test of time when she took down the 400 meter hurdles record. Sutherland ran 52.46 to win the NCAA title and surpass Sydney McLaughlin’s former record. Keeping up the outstanding narrative, Sutherland went undefeated in the 400 hurdles outdoors.

Indoors, Sutherland won the Big Ten 400 meters and finished fourth nationally in the event.

CHAMPIONSHIP RECAP: How USC, Texas A&M and Georgia won the 2025 DI outdoor team titles

Other top contenders for a finalist spot

Aaliyah Butler, Georgia 

Aaliyah Butler’s season crescendoed in epic fashion. Individually, she won the outdoor 400 meter title with the No. 5 all-time performance and she ran the anchor leg on the winning 4×400 meter relay. She also did the same at outdoor SEC championships. From a team perspective, she helped Georgia win their first-ever SEC and NCAA women’s titles. 

Butler also ran the third-fastest all-time 400 meters indoors while finishing as runner-up in the 400 and 4×4. Overall, Butler never lost a head-to-head 400 meter race across the indoor or outdoor season in 2025.

Could Butler’s finish to the season with the addition of a team title make her into a finalist? It could but when it comes to outstanding, the 400 hurdles collegiate record takes the cake.

Amanda Moll, Washington

Pole vaulter Amanda Moll has the indoor collegiate record, indoor NCAA title, three of the top six heights all-time indoors in the pole vault and the No. 2 and No. 3 all-time best outdoor pole vaults. However, she failed to win the outdoor pole vault title and saw her record fall to her twin sister.

Amanda has a better shot than her sister Hana (also a semifinalist) to become a finalist, since she set the outdoor record in the pole vault twice. However, a third-place finish at outdoor championships limits her to just semifinalist status when compared to the rest of her peers. Amanda is the only semifinalist that did not win an outdoor title.

Will Amanda’s lack of an outdoor title be overlooked, allowing her to still become a finalist? Possibly, but I have her on the outside looking in for now.

HISTORY: The Bowerman: Complete history of the track and field honor

Men’s Bowerman

Jordan Anthony, Arkansas

Jordan Anthony is the first men’s sprinter to win the 60-meter title indoors and 100-meter title outdoors since Christian Coleman did so in 2017. Coleman won the Bowerman in 2017.

Anthony also ran the No. 2 all-conditions 100 meter time in NCAA history when he ran 9.75 (+2.1). His outstanding performances during the outdoor season also showed at the SEC Championships where he won the 100 and 200 meters. 

No athlete closed his season better than Anthony did outdoors. When combined with an indoor title, you have the makings of a Bowerman finalist.

CRYSTAL BALL: How the Bowerman watch lists predict the award’s final winner

Ezekiel Nathaniel, Baylor

Ezekiel Nathaniel is my pick for the third finalist spot. While he doesn’t have an indoor title like some of the other semifinalists nor does he have a collegiate record, Ezekiel does have a dominant event. 

Nathaniel won the 400 hurdles title to cap off one of the greatest collegiate seasons in the event’s history. He ran 47.49 for the third-fastest finish in collegiate history, highlighting a total of four of the 10 fastest 400 hurdle times in collegiate history.

Adding to his Bowerman resume is the seventh-fastest indoor 400 meter race where he finished in 44.74 seconds, plus a second-place finish in the indoor 400 meters at NCAAs.

Ezekiel’s indoor success should be enough to add to his dominant outdoor success to make him a finalist.

INDOOR RECAP: How USC, Oregon won 2025 DI team titles

Ethan Strand, North Carolina

Ethan Strand had the best indoor season of any men’s semifinalist with a title in the 3000 meters and collegiate records in the 1500 meters, mile and 3000 meters. Outdoors, Strand ran the No. 2 all-time 1500 meters in May before finishing second in the 1500 meters at NCAAs.

While Strand doesn’t have an outdoor title, his indoor success is enough to carry him to the finalist stage.

MEET RECAPS: Penn Relays | Florida Relays | Texas Relays | SEC Outdoors

Other top contenders for a finalist spot

Ishmael Kipkurui, New Mexico

Ishmael Kipkurui is one of two Bowerman men’s finalists with a collegiate record and NCAA title, both coming in the 10,000 meters. He also ran the No. 4 all-time 5000 meters during the outdoor regular season. Kipkurui also has a pair of seventh-place finishes in the NCAA 5K outdoors and indoors, but is it enough to be a finalist?

Carlie Makarawu, Kentucky

Carli Makarawu swept the 200 meters this year with a pair of top-10 all-time finishes. Indoors he ran 20.13 indoors for the sixth-fastest of all-time and 19.84 outdoors for the 10th-fastest of all-time. Makarawu was outstanding when it mattered most at national championships, but a lack of a conference championship could hurt his case as a finalist in what figures to be a finalist.

CHAMPS: Every indoor and outdoor track and field individual event champion all-time

Ja’Kobe Tharp, Auburn

Ja’Kobe Tharp swept the short hurdles with wins in the 60 meter hurdles and 110 meter hurdles. Tharp became the No. 5 all-time performer with his 6.45 finish indoors and ran the No. 5 fastest race all-time with his 13.05 finish outdoors. Like Makarawu, Tharp stepped up on the biggest stage but it might not be enough to finish as a finalist.
 

2025 CSC Academic All-District® Men’s At-Large Teams

Orangeburg, N.Y. (6/26/25)  Six Dominican University New York student-athletes were named to the 2025 College Sports Communicators Academic All-District® Men’s At-Large Team which was released announced by the organization.

Alexander Lundvall, Brikke Decoster and Joseph Benesch of the men’s golf team received the honors, along with men’s lacrosse player, Ryan Gonzalez.  Tyler Roukey and Ayden Shaw of the men’s volleyball team were the other honorees.

The Division II and III CSC Academic All-America® programs are partially financially supported by the NCAA Division II and III national governance structures to assist CSC with handling the awards fulfillment aspects for the 2024-25 Divisions II and III Academic All-America® programs. The NAIA CSC Academic All-America® program is partially financially supported through the NAIA governance structure.

For at-large teams, each institution is allowed a maximum of six total nominations among the following sports and meet certain athletic and academic eligibility requirements.

• Men’s and Women’s Fencing (Eligible nominees must compete in four competitions OR finish top-eight in their weapon at a conference championship meet) 
• Men’s and Women’s Golf (Eligible nominees must be in the lineup for 70 percent of an institution’s TEAM SCORING events OR in the lineup at the conference championship tournament)
• Men’s and Women’s Gymnastics (Eligible nominees must be ranked in the top-75 in an event within their division according to Road to Nationals rankings AND/OR eligible nominees must have competed at their divisional national championship event)
• Men’s and Women’s Ice Hockey (Eligible nominees must compete in 90 percent of the institution’s games played OR must start in at least 66 percent of the institution’s games. For goalies, a student-athlete must have started at least 50 percent of an institutions games)
• Men’s and Women’s Lacrosse (Eligible nominees must compete in 90 percent of the institution’s games played OR must start in at least 66 percent of the institution’s games) 
• Men’s and Women’s Rifle (Eligible nominees must compete in 75 percent of institutions events OR compete at the NCAA championships)
• Men’s and Women’s Skiing (Eligible nominees must compete in four carnivals OR compete at the NCAA championships) 
• Men’s Volleyball (Eligible nominees must compete in 90 percent of the institution’s matches played OR must start in at least 66 percent of the institution’s matches. Liberos, although not counted in stats as a starter, may be counted as such for nominating purposes) 
• Men’s and Women’s Water Polo (Eligible nominees must compete in 90 percent of the institution’s games played OR must start in at least 66 percent of the institution’s games) 
• Men’s Wrestling (Eligible nominees must be in the lineup for at least 70 percent of TEAM SCORING events (open tournaments, duals) OR compete in their weight class at a conference championship meet. NOTE: Women’s wrestling is only eligible for nomination in the NAIA. Women’s wrestling is expected to become eligible under NCAA At-Large in 2025-26, when the NCAA begins sponsoring a championship for the sport)
• Women’s Beach Volleyball (Student-athletes must be in the lineup for 70 percent of an institution’s TEAM SCORING events) 
• Women’s Bowling (Student-athletes must be in the lineup for 70 percent of an institution’s days of competition) 
• Women’s Crew/Rowing (Eligible nominees must compete in four competitions OR compete as a member of an NCAA boat (1V8, 2V8, 1V4) at a conference championship) 
• Women’s Field Hockey (Eligible nominees must compete in 90 percent of the institution’s games played OR must start in at least 66 percent of the institution’s games) 

For more information about CSC Academic All-District® and Academic All-America® Teams program, visit AcademicAllAmerica.com.