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Sebastian Derflinger

Estimated reading time: 4 minutes When Sebastian Derflinger left Austria to attend college in the United States, he had two main goals: to play the sport he loves and to pursue his education.  Sebastian’s journey began after his freshman year at a small university in Indiana, where he initially arrived to play college soccer. His […]

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Sebastian Derflinger

Estimated reading time: 4 minutes

When Sebastian Derflinger left Austria to attend college in the United States, he had two main goals: to play the sport he loves and to pursue his education. 

Sebastian’s journey began after his freshman year at a small university in Indiana, where he initially arrived to play college soccer. His talents were quickly recognized, and soon he was recruited by Georgian Court’s soccer coach. Although leaving his other school was hard, he knew right away that transferring to GCU was the right choice.

“While soccer was the initial reason I came here, I quickly realized that my decision had a far  greater impact than I ever expected.” He added, “It was easy to settle in at GCU because, since stepping foot on this campus, I felt a sense of belonging and found a home far away from home,” he explained. 

Sebastian quickly immersed himself in campus life as a part of the soccer team and the international community. “There’s a real sense of community here. The Global Education Department helps with everything and brings people together,” he continued. “My teammates and coaches have also been incredibly supportive—they picked me up from the airport and gave me rides to the store and really helped me out. Their support truly shaped my experience.” 

His long-time fascination with numbers led him to major in Finance with a minor in Accounting. “Growing up, I was cautious with money and enjoyed the analytical side of things,” he said. “I’ve always had a different way of thinking about money—I’d save every cent and loved looking at things from a logical, numbers-based perspective. That’s what drew me to accounting.”

When asked who supported him along the way, he didn’t hesitate to name Dr. Cathleen McQuillen, an Associate Professor in the School of Business and Digital Media. “She’s been my advisor and the main professor I’ve had in accounting. Her real-world experience and the way she teaches had a huge impact on me.”

Sebastian excelled both on the field and in the classroom. He was named Scholar-Athlete of the Year for 2024–2025. He received the First Award in Finance and the School of Business & Digital Media Executive Advisory Council Emerging Leader Award. He also earned the Academic Excellence Award in finance, was named to the President’s List nearly every semester, and was selected for the CACC All-Academic Team in soccer. His dedication led to membership in several honor societies, including Delta Mu Delta (International Business Honor Society), Chi Alpha Sigma (National College Athlete Honor Society), and Kappa Gamma Pi (National Catholic College Graduate Honor Society). 

Some of Sebastian’s fondest memories are tied to his experience as a student-athlete. “The best moments have come from soccer. Winning a penalty shootout in the fall of 2023 to advance to the conference semifinals is something I’ll never forget,” he said. “In Europe, you don’t have college athletics like here. Living, training, and playing with your teammates creates a special bond.”

Beyond academics and athletics, Sebastian has been greatly influenced by the Mercy Core Values. “At other institutions, values are often just words, but here, people live by them and actually work towards change.” 

He experienced this firsthand as a volunteer moving furniture for Vincent’s Legacy, which collects and repurposes donated quality furniture and household items to those in need. “I saw a young boy ecstatic about the new furniture he was getting. To some, it may have just been an old, used bed, but to him, it meant the world.” He continued, “At this moment, I was able to be part of significant societal change that I felt proud of and that filled me with a deeper sense of purpose.”

Sebastian’s journey is a testament to the opportunities that emerge from embracing change, seeking community, and pursuing personal and academic growth. Soccer goals have morphed into life goals, shaped by the experiences, memories, and values that defined his time at GCU and in America. 

After graduation, he will return to Austria to complete a summer internship before pursuing his dream of becoming an air traffic controller. “I’ve always been interested in aviation and wanted to be an air traffic controller, which requires a lot of analytical and systematic thinking, skills similar to those in accounting and finance.”

“I will step onboard a flight back to Austria with not just a degree in my hand, but with a lifetime of experiences and lessons that will shape my future,” said Sebastian. “For that, I will always be grateful—to GCU, my professors, my coaches, and the entire community that made this journey so special.”

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Men's soccer assistant Ujvary is Continentals' new head coach

Story Links Hamilton College Interim Director of Athletics/Senior Woman Administrator Deidre Pierson announced the hiring of Brendan Ujvary as the Continentals’ next head men’s soccer coach on Thursday, June 19. Ujvary, who has been an assistant coach at Hamilton since 2015, is just the third person to lead the men’s soccer team since 1959. Perry Nizzi […]

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Men's soccer assistant Ujvary is Continentals' new head coach

Hamilton College Interim Director of Athletics/Senior Woman Administrator Deidre Pierson announced the hiring of Brendan Ujvary as the Continentals’ next head men’s soccer coach on Thursday, June 19.
 
Ujvary, who has been an assistant coach at Hamilton since 2015, is just the third person to lead the men’s soccer team since 1959. Perry Nizzi is retiring at the end of the month after winning 211 matches over 26 seasons, and Manfred von Schiller won 227 times from 1959 to 1997.
 
“I’m incredibly honored and grateful to be named the next head coach of this program,” Ujvary said. “I want to extend my deepest thanks to Vice President for Academic Affairs and Dean of Faculty Ngonidzashe Munemo, Deidre Pierson and the search committee for this incredible opportunity.”
 
Ujvary inherits a team that finished 8-6-4 overall and advanced to the second round of the 2024 NCAA Division III championship after a 3-2 win over Calvin University in the first round. The Continentals tied 2-2 with Kenyon College in the next round, but Kenyon advanced on penalty kicks. Hamilton posted a 4-4-2 record in the New England Small College Athletic Conference (NESCAC) – a conference that received seven at-large bids to the NCAA championship.
 
“It’s hard to put into words what this place means to me — it’s been home for nearly a decade — and to now have the chance to lead it is something I’ll never take for granted. I have to especially thank Coach Nizzi. He’s been a mentor, a leader, and more than anything, a great friend. His guidance and trust meant so much to me, and I’ll carry that with me in all that’s ahead.”
 
Ujvary has helped lead the Continentals to 68 wins and seven NESCAC championship appearances. The Hamilton men advanced to the conference final in 2016 and the semifinals in 2017 and 2018. He has coached the conference’s 2016 rookie of the year, eight all-region selections and 14 all-NESCAC team honorees. 
 
“Coach Ujvary’s ascension to the head position of our men’s soccer program is a testament to his hard work and commitment to the development of our Hamilton scholar-athletes,” Pierson said. “His energy and relatability will continue to propel the success of the program. He brings a healthy outlook towards the future and a respect for the program’s successes of the past.”
 
Ujvary was an assistant with the Utica University men’s team in 2013 and 2014. He helped guide the Pioneers to a pair of Empire 8 Conference playoff appearances, including the team’s first trip to the championship game in 2013. Utica players received eight all-conference team honors and one Empire 8 rookie of the year award during his time at the school. 
 
Ujvary played college soccer at SUNY New Paltz. The defender appeared in 53 matches with 41 starts over the course of three seasons. As a senior, he helped lead the Hawks to the SUNYAC quarterfinals in 2011. Ujvary was a member of the Dean’s List all four years, made the United Soccer Coaches all-academic team and represented the soccer program on the Student-Athlete Advisory Committee.
 
Ujvary has earned his United Soccer Coaches National Diploma. He earned a bachelor’s degree in adolescent education with a specialization in social studies and a geography minor, and he has a master’s degree in special education from Utica. Ujvary is from Kings Park, N.Y., and played soccer at Kings Park High School.
 

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James Franklin reveals potential change in who will run college football

As college athletics adjusts to the new status quo in the aftermath of the House Settlement, Penn State head coach James Franklin believes there is a new “entity” that will run college football. The Nittany Lions are coming off a record-breaking season under Franklin, who is entering his 12th season at the helm. Penn State […]

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As college athletics adjusts to the new status quo in the aftermath of the House Settlement, Penn State head coach James Franklin believes there is a new “entity” that will run college football.

The Nittany Lions are coming off a record-breaking season under Franklin, who is entering his 12th season at the helm.

Penn State had never won as many as 13 games in a single-season, something that was accomplished in 2024, along with the school’s first College Football Playoff appearance.

Competitiveness within the NIL space has been a key part in Penn State’s rise to national contention.

Behind Big Ten rivals Ohio State and Michigan, the Nittany Lions are projected to spend $13.7 million in NIL funds to field its roster in 2025, the third-most in the conference and 11th nationally, per NCAA estimates.

The House Settlement brings a new process to NIL workings beginning July 1, as the new revenue sharing model will allow participating schools to allocate up to $20.5 million to athletes this year.

Additionally, the College Sports Commission’s NIL Go clearinghouse – ran by Deloitte – will be responsible for processing all NIL deals worth over $600.

Franklin believes that the new entity will extend to more than the NIL space and ultimately run college football.

“The way I kind of understand it is this is revenue sharing rules and NIL rules kind of are all under this umbrella,” Franklin said Wednesday on “The Triple Option.” “But I would also say that I really think it’s pretty much going to be everything. I think football is going to be run by this entity. I don’t want to use the term that we’re breaking away. But I think football is going to be run by this entity.”

“I think at the end of the day, everything is going to fall under this umbrella,” Franklin continued. “Because the reality is, right now, it’s going to be the Big Ten commissioner, the SEC commissioner, and this entity. People are going to get upset when I say that, but they’re going to be the ones running it and, obviously, other commissioners from other conferences are going to have a voice as well.”

Only time will tell if the new NIL parameters will be effective as planned. There are potential hurdles, such as state laws – like a bill recently introduced in Michigan – being passed to limit the commission’s authority.





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Analysis: Panthers’ team-first mentality led to another Stanley Cup

SUNRISE, Fla. — Aleksander Barkov hoisted the Stanley Cup, skated with it for a few moments and then handed it to a grinning Nate Schmidt, in his first year with the Florida Panthers and raising hockey’s hallowed trophy for the first time. Before any repeat winner touched it, every Panther who never had before […]

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SUNRISE, Fla. — Aleksander Barkov hoisted the Stanley Cup, skated with it for a few moments and then handed it to a grinning Nate Schmidt, in his first year with the Florida Panthers and raising hockey’s hallowed trophy for the first time. Before any repeat winner touched it, every Panther who never had before got the chance.

“There’s a lot of guys they play a ton of minutes that are huge contributors to this group, and they bypassed them and said: ‘We had it last year. We’ll never not cherish this moment,’” Schmidt said. “It was amazing.”

It also personified the Panthers, who did not have the best player in the final, not facing Connor McDavid and the Edmonton Oilers again. They may not have even had the second-best with Leon Draisaitl there, too, but Florida repeating as champions showed exactly why hockey is the ultimate team sport.

“We just have so much heart, so much talent: Heart meets talent,” said winger Matthew Tkachuk, who played through a sports hernia and torn adductor muscle. “Our team was a team. When things were getting hard for them, they looked to one guy. But our team, we do it collectively.”

The Panthers had 19 non-goalies on the ice over six games against the Oilers; 15 registered a point and 11 scored at least once. Coach Paul Maurice said the team is “just really deep — unusually so,” making the point that he essentially had three first lines to roll out at any given time.

“A very talented group of guys, so when you bring somebody in, we’re going to play you with a really good player,” Maurice said.

General manager Bill Zito, who inherited Barkov, defenseman Aaron Ekblad and goaltender Sergei Bobrovsky, built the rest of the roster to win in the playoffs. With Maurice and his staff in charge, players who were adrift or simply mediocre elsewhere thrived in Florida.

“For the most part, every guy who’s come here has had the best season of their careers,” Zito said. “From that perspective, it’s gratifying to think that we can create an environment where the guys can do that, but it’s the team. It’s that room. It truly is.”

Fourth-liner A.J. Greer is one of those players after nearly giving up on his NHL dream a few years ago. He, Zito, Conn Smythe Trophy winner Sam Bennett and so many others use the word “culture” to explain the Panthers’ greatness, and it translates into results on the ice. The forecheck is never-ending, the harassment in the neutral zone relentless — and the offense burgeoning with talent.

“Everyone levels their game up here — every one of us,” Greer said. “There’s a sentiment of greatness but of just like wanting to be as good as you were yesterday.”

Tkachuk, acquired by Zito in a trade from Calgary in the same summer of 2022 when Maurice was hired as coach, shook his head when asked about scoring the Cup-clinching goal in Game 6. He wanted to make a point that it doesn’t matter who scores.

“I don’t care about personal stats,” Tkachuk said. “I don’t care. Our team doesn’t (care) about that. That’s what makes us a team, and that’s why we’re lifting the Stanley Cup right now because we’re a team and not a bunch of individuals.”

McDavid, who had seven points in six games in the final, had nothing but praise after a second straight loss to the Panthers on the NHL’s biggest stage.

“They’re a really good team,” McDavid said. “Very deserving. They were really good.”

Florida was in the final for a third consecutive year, and the only loss during this stretch came to Vegas in 2023 when injuries ravaged Tkachuk, Ekblad and others. That was the start of the winning blueprint that has made the Panthers so successful for so long.

“There’s a way that we do things here, and it’s not easy,” said Bennett, who led all players in the playoffs with 15 goals. “We don’t play an easy style of hockey. It demands a lot of you. Every single guy’s bought into it. When some new guys came in, they instantly bought into what we do here and the commitment to being great, to winning. Every single guy just really bought into that.”

Schmidt found that out quickly. He played for Maurice in Winnipeg, got bought out last summer and just wanted to get his game back. That happened quickly, and the Stanley Cup was the reward after going through another long grind as a team.

“It’s the system. It’s the group. It’s just completely selfless,” Schmidt said. “Guys just play one way, and they say, ‘Hey, this is how we do things’ and you’ve got to jump on board. Guys, once they mold themselves into the game, you just become another cog in the wheel here. That’s just the way it runs. It’s just a well-oiled machine.”



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D Orin Olson commits to Briercrest College – DiscoverHumboldt.com

Defenceman Orin Olson will be playing hockey close to home next season.  The Chaplin, SK product has committed to the Briercrest Clippers Hockey team of Alberta Colleges Athletic Conference (ACAC) for the upcoming season.   “I’m excited for Orin to have the opportunity to play college hockey so close to home,” said Broncos Head Coach […]

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Defenceman Orin Olson will be playing hockey close to home next season. 

The Chaplin, SK product has committed to the Briercrest Clippers Hockey team of Alberta Colleges Athletic Conference (ACAC) for the upcoming season.  

“I’m excited for Orin to have the opportunity to play college hockey so close to home,” said Broncos Head Coach and GM Brayden Klimosko in a team release. “Briercrest is a great program, and they’re getting not only a great player but a great individual. I’m looking forward to seeing what the future holds for him.” 

Olson arrived in Humboldt via trade last fall from the Lloydminster Bobcats (AJHL) and played 53 games in the 2024-25 season, picking up 9 points (2g-7A) and provided a physical presence on the Broncos blueline as he finished third on the team with 100 penalty minutes.  

The 21-year-old spent two full seasons in Lloydminster, in 2023-24, Olson had 13 points (3G-10A) in 50 games 



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Spokane Jr. Chiefs Hockey Club announces new Executive Director

The Spokane Jr. Chiefs Hockey Club announced Monday the appointment of Curtis “Mo” Morrison as the program’s new Executive Director, bringing with him nearly two decades of experience in youth and junior hockey. Morrison’s coaching career began with the Atlanta Knights Hockey Club (2008–2015), where he served as Director of Hockey Operations, Hockey Director and […]

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The Spokane Jr. Chiefs Hockey Club announced Monday the appointment of Curtis “Mo” Morrison as the program’s new Executive Director, bringing with him nearly two decades of experience in youth and junior hockey.

Morrison’s coaching career began with the Atlanta Knights Hockey Club (2008–2015), where he served as Director of Hockey Operations, Hockey Director and Junior Hockey Coach. Under his guidance, the Knights earned two Junior Hockey National Championships while competing in the SEJHL and EJHL South.

From 2016 to 2025, Morrison led the Atlanta Fire Hockey Club as Director of Hockey Operations and head coach for the club’s 14U, 16U, and 18U National Bound teams. Over nine seasons, his teams participated in 25 Georgia State Championships, 25 USA Hockey National appearances, five consecutive National Championships, three National runner-up finishes and two third-place National finishes

Morrison’s programs have advanced numerous players to NCAA, junior, and prep school hockey. From 6U to 18U, his focus on fundamentals and character has consistently elevated players to the next level.

“Our goal as an organization must be to produce great people as well as athletes,” said Morrison in a release. “From the youngest players through our 18U kids preparing for junior hockey or college, we want to support their development on and off the ice. I’m extremely grateful and excited for this tremendous opportunity.”

Golf

Golf Digest has ranked Circling Raven Golf Club as Idaho’s top public course via the national publication’s just-released “America’s Greatest Courses by State, 2025-26” compilation.

Circling Raven was ranked No. 6 overall in Idaho and the state’s top public course. The top five are private courses. To arrive at its ranking of America’s Greatest Golf Courses, Golf Digest panelists play and score courses on these eight criteria: shot options, challenge, layout variety, distinctiveness, aesthetics, conditioning, and character.

“We work tirelessly to ensure that Circling Raven is an exceptional amenity of Coeur d’Alene Casino Resort Hotel, and we are constantly enhancing the course and golf club,” said resort CEO Laura Penney. “This honor from Golf Digest reinforces that our best practices are well designed and executed.”

Like the casino resort, the Gene Bates-designed championship golf course is owned by the Coeur d’Alene Tribe. Director of Golf Don Rasmussen, PGA, and Superintendent Kal Zaranec oversee operations and course conditions, respectively.

In addition to being rated No. 1 public course in Idaho, the course is ranked among the country’s best in Resort Course, Casino Course and Pro Shop categories.

Women’s basketball

Ahead of the upcoming season Eastern Washington women’s basketball coach Joddie Gleason announced the hiring of Brynna Maxwell and Dora Goles as assistant coaches.

Maxwell is well familiar with the area after playing at Gonzaga for two seasons (2022-24), where she earned two All-WCC first team honors. Originally from Gig Harbor, Washington, Maxwell initially started her collegiate career at Utah (2019-22), earning two All-Pac 12 honors, along with a spot on the 2020 Pac-12 All-Freshman team.

Following graduation, Maxwell was drafted 13th in the WNBA Draft by the Chicago Sky. She spent last season playing in the Liga Femenina Endesa for Celta Zorka Recalvi in Vigo, Spain.

Goles jumps ship from Idaho State to join the Eastern staff after spending the past three seasons with the Bengals as an assistant coach. Goles is an alumni for Idaho State, playing guard from 2017 to 2021.





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Local hockey player has big goal in mind

by Dan Holland For Broadview Heights native Ryan Rucinski, a dream of making it to the highest levels of the hockey world began by learning how to ice skate at the tender age of 2.  “My dad played hockey, and at a young age he got me out on the ice and used to being […]

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by Dan Holland

For Broadview Heights native Ryan Rucinski, a dream of making it to the highest levels of the hockey world began by learning how to ice skate at the tender age of 2. 

“My dad played hockey, and at a young age he got me out on the ice and used to being on skates,” Rucinski, 18, said. “Ever since then, I’ve always loved it.”

He now has his sights set on going pro, as he’s a candidate for the 2025 NHL draft, which will take place June 27-28 in Los Angeles.

A recent high school graduate, Rucinski took online courses through a public school district in the Youngstown area. He attended Padua Franciscan High School during his freshman and sophomore years, then moved to live with a host family in Canfield, Ohio, where he played hockey for the Youngstown Phantoms in the United States Hockey League during his junior year. 

Ryan Rucinski Photo submitted. 

“I should play [for the Phantoms] for three or four years – depending on what happens – and then go on to college. There’s a chance I’ll go to Ohio State next year, as I’m guessing it will be one more year with Youngstown, and then OSU. But that’s not official.” 

Rucinski committed to playing hockey for the Buckeyes at The Ohio State University on a Division-1 scholarship heading into his junior year, just prior to being drafted by the Phantoms.

But that’s not the only credit Rucinski has to his name. He won a gold medal for Team USA as one of 22 players USA Hockey selected for the 2024 U.S. Junior Select Team that participated in the World Junior A Challenge in Camrose, Alberta, held in December 2024. He scored two goals and had three assists in five games, including a goal in the championship game against Sweden, which aired on the NHL Network. 

As a center for the Phantoms, Rucinski had 42 points in 49 games – 19 goals and 23 assists – along with three goals in three postseason games, as he helped the team win the USHL Eastern Conference title.

Hockey runs in his family, as his dad, Jeff Rucinski, played hockey at Western Michigan University and subsequently played for a number of professional hockey teams, including the Cleveland Lumberjacks in 1998-1999.

Rucinski’s older cousin, Dylan Duke, was drafted in the fourth round by the Tampa Bay Lightning in the 2021 NHL Entry Draft. Another older cousin, Tyler Duke, played hockey his freshman year at Ohio State University before transferring to play at the University of Michigan.

Siblings include brother, Kyle, a sophomore who plays for the varsity/prep hockey team at St. Ignatius High School, along with sisters, Raina – a figure skater – and Ella, who currently plays hockey for the U14 Lady Barons. The Broadview Heights family sets up an outdoor ice rink in its backyard every winter.

National Hockey League Central Scouting ranked Rucinski as the 204th North American skater in their final 2025 rankings for the NHL draft, set to take place June 27-28.

“There’s a lot that can happen, and not everyone will get picked in the draft,” said Rucinski. “I’m just focusing on trying to get better every day, but if someone calls and I get drafted, that would be great. But I’m not going to get too worked up over that, because even if you don’t get picked, you can still make your way to the NHL.”“Obviously, I would like to be chosen in the draft,” he continued. “But if I can play out my college career, and then hopefully be able to sign a contract with a pro team, that would be my main goal.” 

Photo caption: Ryan Rucinski has his eyes on going pro – possibly during the June 27-28 NHL draft in Los Angeles. The 18-year-old currently plays for the Youngstown Phantoms but has a scholarship to The Ohio State University awaiting him as well. Photo submitted. 





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