WASHINGTON STATE FOOTBALL coach Jimmy Rogers will have a $4.5 million “benefits pool” in the fiscal year that began Tuesday to deploy across his roster as part of the revenue-sharing provisions triggered across college sports by the settlement in the House v NCAA case, WSU athletic director Anne McCoy told reporters Thursday.

Benefits pool money can be used for such things as scholarships, stipends and direct payments relative to NIL. McCoy didn’t have the benefits pool allocations for other sports at WSU.

Calculations per sport were based on five-year averages for scholarship costs, percentage of in-state to out-of-state athletes, and more, said McCoy during a Zoom media gatherin mostly focused on the school’s elimination of much of the track and field program. “And so each sport was given a particular pool based on that … it’s been a pretty fluid process, quite frankly, which is one of the reasons (each program’s pool amount is) not on the top of my head.”

[See video above as McCoy dives into the reasoning behind cutting portions of track and field]

INSTITUTIONAL NIL AGREEMENTS and conversations, now legal following the House settlement, have begun at WSU, McCoy said. But they are in some cases separate from the benefit pools. McCoy also said they will be kept under wraps. 

“We started issuing institutional NIL agreements this week once we were allowed to after the first of July,” McCoy said. “Those types of agreements or dollar amounts will be separate from the benefits pools in some cases. And just for competitive reasons, we’re not really disclosing that or discussing it, as you’re probably hearing fairly consistently amongst a lot of Division I programs.

“But $4.5 million was the benefits pool that football had to work with for scholarships, for Alston if they chose to do anything, revenue sharing or within that. But true institutional NIL agreements that we’re executing, those will be separate and not something that will be discussed relative to a dollar amount.”

WASHINGTON STATE’S APPAREL CONTRACT for its various athletic teams — held by Nike for the last 15 years — is open but McCoy declined to offer an update on where WSU stands. However, she said news would be coming soon.

WSU and Nike signed a 10-year extension in 2015 that paid WSU $2.3 million per year.

Nike is the dominant apparel provider in college athletics, though Adidas and Under Armour are prominent and could be in the bidding with WSU. One would presume a WSU renewal with Nike given the proximity to the start of the football season and the fact no announcement has been made.

Other topics McCoy addressed:

• WSU has not explored selling advertising on jerseys the way LSU is to help pay for revenue sharing but McCoy said that it’s not something that has been ruled out.
• She is hoping guardrails will go into effect to prevent the possibility of lowering thresholds for the number of sports a college needs, thus putting Olympic sports at risk.
• She didn’t have an update on more lodging (camping sites?) opportunities in Pullman on game weekends but said she expects to “soon.”
• Funding for the men’s basketball team’s upcoming trip to Europe is being funded by private donations.

Related: WSU’s Anne McCoy says gutting of track and field not related to cost savings

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Kutztown University junior Michael Fellin had a season he won’t soon forget — particularly the 2024-25 indoor campaign.

The Marian Catholic graduate emerged as one of the top 60-meter runners in Division II and became the fastest sprinter in the Pennsylvania State Athletic Conference.

“My indoor season was a memory I will hold on to forever,” said Fellin. “I cherish the moments I felt on top of the world and learned from the moments when I was not. I am incredibly blessed to be put in a position where I can showcase my talents. I am very proud to say I am one of the strongest contenders in the nation in the 60 meters. It means the most to me to look back at the season and know I made history with the Kutztown track team.”

Marian Catholic head coach Justin Huegel saw that potential early on when Fellin competed under his guidance in high school.

“Following Michael’s indoor season comes as no surprise,” Huegel said. “Ever since he was with us at Marian, his work ethic has always taken him further than his talent would allow. Just seeing him succeed at this level and earn a spot as an All-American is a testament to who he is as a person.

“During his time at Marian, he asserted himself as a leader and a great student and athlete. He set a standard for the program that has lasted beyond his time with us. He still visits and helps at practice during the offseason and breaks, and he has never taken for granted the program or his success. Seeing him carry that into college has made us extremely proud.”

Fellin consistently surpassed the NCAA Division II provisional qualifying mark of 7.05 seconds in the 60-meter dash in all five indoor meets last winter. The Sheppton, Pennsylvania native saved his best for last — setting a school record and winning conference gold with a time of 6.65 in the final of the PSAC Indoor Championships.

Fellin was named Men’s Outstanding Track Athlete as the “fastest man in the PSAC” following the championships. He was also selected PSAC Track Athlete of the Year — becoming just the second in program history to earn the honor.

He concluded the indoor season by becoming Kutztown’s first-ever All-American in the 60-meter dash, earning Second Team honors with a 12th-place finish at the NCAA Division II Indoor Track and Field Championships.

“PSAC champion has been the end goal for me,” Fellin said. “After my first two indoor seasons, I settled on being a podium sprinter. However, my coach, Coach Alaka, expressed his belief in my work ethic and fully believed in my ability not only to win the PSAC championship but also to compete at nationals.

“After that conversation, I attacked every practice with one word — power. I would not have done nearly as well as I did without continued support from my parents, classmates, teammates, coaches, and former teammate Jake Fenstermaker.”

Fellin is focused on building off one of the best seasons in program history as he prepares to return as a senior and serve as a team captain.

“Since being named captain of the sprints team, I have always tried to lead my teammates with integrity and diligence,” he said. “I stress the importance of nutrition and recovery. I believe that with an improved mental state, physical performance will follow. In my last year with the Kutztown track team, I want to stay healthy, book my flight to nationals, and take some more of my teammates with me.”

So how did his time at Marian Catholic help prepare him for the Division II level?

“Marian Catholic has prepared me in all aspects for college,” Fellin said. “The work ethic I developed at Marian has allowed me to excel in the classroom with my professors and in leadership positions. I am part of the university’s Student Code of Conduct Board, and I am also a supervisor at the Student Recreation Center.

“Outside the classroom and work, Marian Catholic is credited with all my track success. Without the foundation instilled in me by Coach Huegel and Coach Wheeler, none of this would be possible. I have a continuous desire to be better than I once was — on the track and in life — which I am proud to say I adapted from those two.”

Marian graduate Michael Fellin concluded the indoor season by becoming Kutztown’s first-ever All-American in the 60-meter dash, earning Second Team honors with a 12th-place finish at the NCAA Division II Indoor Track and Field Championships. PHOTO COURTESY KUTZTOWN UNIVERSITY

Kutztown University’s Michael Fellin, left, receives the Outstanding Track Athlete award during the PSAC Indoor Track & Field Championships. Fellin was recognized for his standout performances throughout the season, which included national-caliber marks in the 60-meter dash. PHOTO COURTESY KUTZTOWN UNIVERSITY

DALLAS, TEXAS — Kansas Fight Club (8-2) finished 11th in the elite USA Division of the USA Volleyball Association Junior Nationals.

Great Bend’s Kya Behr, Hoisington’s Sophia Simic, Ellinwood’s Kyndal Moore and Inman’s Suttyn Harris competed for Fight Club. Harris was sidelined when she sustained an anterior cruciate ligament knee injury.

The girls kept Harris in their hearts and minds and played inspired volleyball and finished 8-2 with a ninth-place finish in the USA Division at Dallas, Texas.

USA DIVISION

Fight Club def.  Madtown, 25-15, 25-21; Fight Club def. Angel, 25-20, 25-18; Skyline def. Fight Club, 25-20, 25-12; Fight Club def. UVa, 25-22, 25-16; Fight Club def. Heaika, 25-15, 25-13; Fight Club def. Madtown, 25-23, 29-31, 15-9; Fight Club def. Black Adidas, 25-18, 15-17;  Fight Club def. Tsunami, 12-25, 25-21, 15-8; Fight Club def. Dynasty, 25-23, 25-23; Texas Tornadoes def. Fight Club, 25-23, 25-21 

LAKE GEORGE — The 41st annual Lake George Blueberry Festival is set for July 25-27, with activities for all ages including live music, sporting events, a car show, and of course, blueberry baked goods.

From 5 to 7 p.m. on Friday, July 25, at Trinity Lutheran Church, there will be a homemade from-scratch pie and ice cream social. Blueberry, peach, strawberry-rhubarb and apple pies will be available. During the social, the 2025 Blueberry King and Queen will be crowned on the Lake George Stage.

Following the social, attendees are encouraged to stay for live music by the Golden Harbor Quartet starting at 7 p.m. at the Lake George Bible Chapel. Community members are asked to bring their own chair.

At 7:30 p.m., sand volleyball will kick off at Lake George Community Park.

A full day of events will take place on Saturday, July 26.

A “Run Through the Pines” 5K run/walk will wind through the beautiful trails of Lake George. Registration starts at 7 a.m. with the race starting at 7:30 a.m. There is a $10 cash-only fee to enter. The first 50 participants will receive a T-shirt and medals will be awarded to the first three overall finishers and first two finishers in each age category.

At 10:30 a.m., teams of two can compete in canoe races on Lake Paine. Registration is free and will start at 10 a.m. at Lake Paine Beach.

A strong man competition will be held at noon at Lake George Community Park. Registration starts at 11:30 a.m.

Hungry participants can stop by the food stand at Lake George Community Park for lunch from noon until they are sold out.

At 1 p.m., a bean bag tournament will take place at Lake George Community Park.

Festival goers can see vintage and classic cars during the “Cruising Back to Lake George” car show from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. at Lake George Community Park. Admission is free for all and awards will be given for People’s Choice, Best in Show and Furthest Distance Traveled.

A free kids carnival with bike drawing will take place from 1 to 3 p.m. at the town hall.

Also from 1 to 3 p.m., participants can play bingo at the Lake George Senior Citizens Center.

Bumps on a Log will provide live music from 1 to 4 p.m. at the Woodland Store.

A fireman’s ham and bean feed from 4 to 6:30 p.m. at the fire hall will be followed by a raffle drawing.

At 5 p.m., a tug-of-war competition is set to take place in front of town hall. Participants need to gather a team of eight people to compete.

The day will close with dancing to The Snowmen at the Woodland Store backyard stage from 8 p.m. to midnight.

A variety of events are scheduled for Sunday, July 27, starting with a fireman’s blueberry pancake breakfast from 7 a.m. to 11 a.m. at the fire hall.

A kids pedal tractor pull will take place in front of Tin Lizzie Antiques. Registration starts at 10:30 a.m. and the pull starts at 11:30 a.m. It is free and sponsored by Sanford Health, Paul Bunyan Communications, Park Rapids Ford and Kabekona Collision.

A horseshoe tournament will be held at Lake George Community Park, with registration starting at noon followed by the tournament at 1 p.m.

The festival will wrap up with a 3 p.m. church softball game at Lake George Community Park.

For twelve years and four world championships, Montenegrin water polo players have been waiting to break the quarter-final barrier: since Barcelona 2013 and their second-place finish, they have failed to make it among the top four on the planet.

They will try to do it in Singapore, from July 11 to August 3 – led by Dejan Savić, an expert who knows how to do big things at big competitions.

Ahead of the new edition of the Water Polo World Cup, the 50-year-old Belgrade native had an interesting explanation for why the “sharks” have usually stopped in the most important match in recent years.

“The quarter-finals are the most stressful game for everyone, and in my opinion, this can be viewed from a different angle. In the younger categories, we actually only have two clubs on the club scene in Montenegro, and practically the final is played immediately, and those stressful situations that the quarter-finals and semi-finals bring are not overcome. Every small mistake in youth is a big one in old age. I talked to the guys and my view of things is that no one is afraid of failure, but of success – what will happen if we go further. We have to solve that,” said Savić.

The “Sharks” will play in Singapore in Group D, which includes Croatia, Greece and China. The winner of the group will advance to the quarterfinals, while the second and third-placed teams will play in the round of 16 against the teams that finish second and third in Group C (USA, Brazil, Canada, Singapore).

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