MEADVILLE – Each Meadville boys volleyball player has a role to play this season.

Walker & Dunlop, Inc. announced that it arranged $121.5 million in equity and debt financing for the acquisition of Ocean Gate, a recently built, luxury Class A apartment community with 170 multifamily located in Long Branch, New Jersey.

Walker & Dunlop Capital Markets, led by Aaron Appel, Jonathan Schwartz, Keith Kurland, Mo Beler, Adam Schwartz, Ari Hirt, Jackson Irwin, and Stanley Cayre, acted as an exclusive advisor to Lincoln Equities Group and raised $46.5 million in joint venture equity from RWN Real Estate Partners and Avenue Realty Capital, as well as $75 million of debt from TPG Real Estate Credit.

“We are pleased to partner with Walker & Dunlop, Avenue Realty Capital, and TPG Real Estate Credit on this strategic acquisition, which positions us to unlock significant value in a unique New Jersey asset,” said Ari Shalam, managing partner at RWN Real Estate Partners. “W&D Capital Markets brought deep expertise and seamless execution to a complex transaction involving both equity and debt. We’re excited about the potential of this conversion and look forward to working together on future opportunities.”

“The ability to deliver a brand new, Class A residential condominium community one block from the beach and without the need to take development risk is incredibly unique,” said Lance Bergstein, president of Lincoln Equities Group. “We are glad to work with the teams at Walker & Dunlop, RWN Real Estate Partners, Avenue Realty Capital, and TPG Real Estate Credit to close this successful transaction.”

Completed in December 2023, Ocean Gate offers high-quality one-, two-, and three-bedroom units with luxury finishes, including nine-foot ceilings, plank flooring, custom closets, and modern kitchens. Located on 11.63 acres along Ocean Avenue, the property provides direct beach access and is close to retail, upscale amenities, and Pier Village, a recently renovated shopping and dining destination. Resort-style amenities include a 16,000 square-foot clubhouse, heated pool, Tiki bar, fitness center, pickleball courts, and beach volleyball, with convenient access to NYC and Newark.

“Ocean Gate is uniquely positioned to capitalize on the market’s supply and demand imbalance, driven by strong local demand and limited for-sale inventory, as seen in the impressive sales velocity of existing condominium projects,” said Mo Beler, senior managing director of New York Capital Markets at Walker & Dunlop.

In 2024, Walker & Dunlop’s Capital Markets team sourced over $16 billion from non-Agency capital providers. This vast experience has made them a top advisor on all asset classes for many of the industry’s top developers, owners, and operators.

As we reported last week, Concordia University Irvine in California announced the elimination of four athletic programs: men’s and women’s swimming & diving and men’s and women’s tennis. All four cuts will take effect at the end of this school year.

While the university attributed the decision to rising operational costs and facility limitations, that rationale appears to conflict with other developments. In the same window the cuts were announced, the school reaffirmed its commitment to the remaining athletic programs in a separate email—detailing a $25.5 million investment in athletic infrastructure.

In its original public statement, Concordia wrote, “University leadership, in partnership with the Department of Athletics, determined that the current model is not sustainable in the midst of increasing operational costs, facility limitations, and significant changes in the collegiate athletics landscape.”

But in an email to athletes in unaffected sports, university leadership struck a very different tone: “I want to reassure you that your program remains secure and a vital part of our campus community. More than that, I want to emphasize the tremendous commitment the university continues to make to Golden Eagles Athletics.”

The email went on, “We are currently in the midst of a major $17.5 million construction project that includes a new 19,000-square foot facility featuring a state-of-the-art weight room, locker rooms, and modern training room space. This facility represents our belief in the future of our athletic programs and our student-athletes.”

It continued, “In addition, the university has invested over $8 million in upgrades to our baseball, softball, and soccer/track/lacrosse facilities—including the installation of lights on each of our outdoor fields. These enhancements are not just physical improvements—they are a reflection of our belief in your potential and our commitment to giving you the tools and environment to succeed at the highest level.”

The contrast between the stated reasons for the cuts and the $25.5 million upgrade to athletic facilities has raised questions from athletes, alumni, and observers—particularly regarding swimming, which, along with water polo, trains off-campus at the William Woollett Jr. Aquatics Center and places minimal operational and facility demands on the school, despite those being cited as primary reasons for its elimination.

Student-athletes impacted by the cuts will retain their scholarships if they choose to remain enrolled. According to federal data, the swimming program had 23 men and 25 women this season, finishing 6th on the women’s side and 4th on the men’s at the PCSC Championship meet.

Concordia, a private, Lutheran-affiliated school with 1,474 undergraduates, transitioned from the NAIA to full NCAA Division II membership in 2017. Varsity athletes make up nearly a third of the student body. With these cuts, the athletics department is reduced to 20 varsity programs (counting all track & field disciplines separately) and continues not to field a varsity football team.

The swimming program joins Union Commonwealth University in Kentucky and fellow California school Cal Poly as programs eliminated this summer.

FLAGSTAFF, Ariz. (May 29, 2025) – Head volleyball coach Ken Murphy has announced the addition of a new Lumberjack who will join the squad for the Fall 2025 semester.

Ella Hosfeld, a 5’8″ setter from Coeur D’Alene, Idaho, will join after playing two seasons at Westmont College.

As a freshman, she appeared in seven matches with 128 assists and averaged 4.74 assists per set while recording five service aces. Hosfeld capped off her freshman year with 30 assists in a five-set win over Concordia during Westmont’s season finale.

During her sophomore season, she appeared in 27 matches, where she recorded double-digit assists in all but one match – 11 of which she recorded at least 20 assists. She had a season high 30 assists against Academy of Art on November 2, 2024.

Hosfeld is a graduate of Lake City High where she was a four year starter and letter winner. She was part of the Inland Empire League All-Conference team and runner up at the CPA Volleyball Club U18 Las Vegas Classic and made the all-tournament team.

She chose NAU for the kind and amazing coaching staff, high competitive level, team culture, excellent facilities and the opportunity to play alongside a former teammate, Hanah Stoddard.

Privacy Manager

The world of sports sponsorship has always been about visibility and brand recognition. For decades, we’ve seen everything from soft drink companies to car manufacturers plaster their logos across jerseys, stadiums, and broadcast graphics. But something different has been happening lately. Digital currency companies have entered the game in a big way, and they’re changing how sponsorship deals work.

This shift isn’t just about new logos replacing old ones. The relationship between crypto companies and sports organizations represents a fundamental change in how sponsorship value gets created and delivered.

Why Crypto Companies Want Sports

Digital currency companies face a unique challenge that traditional businesses don’t have to worry about. They’re selling something that many people still don’t fully understand or trust, whether it’s basic concepts like USD to XRP conversions or more complex blockchain technologies. Sports offer them something incredibly valuable: legitimacy and mass appeal.

When a crypto company sponsors a major sports team or event, they’re not just buying advertising space. They’re buying credibility. Sports have this amazing ability to make things feel mainstream and trustworthy. If your favorite team trusts a company enough to put its logo on the field, many fans figure that the company must be legitimate.

Sports also provide access to demographics that crypto companies really want to reach. The typical sports fan often overlaps with the target audience for digital currency adoption. These are people who are comfortable with technology, willing to try new things, and have disposable income to invest.

The exposure factor is massive, too. A single game can reach millions of viewers, and unlike traditional advertising, sponsorship integration feels more natural and less intrusive. Fans expect to see sponsor logos during games, so the message doesn’t feel forced.

What Sports Organizations Get in Return

For sports teams and leagues, crypto sponsorships often come with benefits that go beyond the typical cash payment. Many of these deals include opportunities for innovation and fan engagement that weren’t possible with traditional sponsors.

Some organizations receive their sponsorship payments partially in digital currency, which can be an interesting investment opportunity if the value increases over time. Others get access to blockchain technology that can improve how they handle ticketing, merchandise authentication, or fan loyalty programs.

The partnership often extends into creating new revenue streams. Teams might launch their own fan tokens or digital collectibles, giving supporters new ways to engage with the organization while generating additional income.

These sponsorships also help sports organizations appear forward-thinking and tech-savvy. In an industry where staying relevant to younger audiences is crucial, having crypto partnerships can signal that a team or league is embracing the future rather than clinging to the past.

The Fan Experience Changes

For fans, crypto sponsorships have introduced some interesting new experiences. Rather than just seeing a logo and moving on, supporters now have opportunities to interact with sponsors in ways that weren’t possible before.

Some teams offer exclusive digital content or experiences that can only be accessed through crypto-related platforms. Others have created loyalty programs where fans can earn digital tokens for attending games or purchasing merchandise and then use those tokens for special perks.

The educational aspect has been significant, too. Many fans have gotten their first exposure to digital currency concepts through their favorite teams. When a trusted sports organization explains blockchain technology or digital assets, it often carries more weight than hearing about it from financial news sources.

However, this hasn’t been universally welcomed. Some longtime supporters feel uncomfortable with their teams promoting something they view as speculative or risky. The challenge for sports organizations has been balancing innovation with maintaining their traditional fan base.

Challenges and Growing Pains

This new sponsorship landscape hasn’t been without problems. The volatility of digital currency markets means that deals can become much more or less valuable than originally anticipated. A sponsorship agreement signed when crypto prices are high might look very different a few months later.

Regulatory uncertainty has created complications, too. Sports organizations have had to navigate changing rules about digital currency advertising and promotion, sometimes having to modify or end partnerships unexpectedly.

There’s also been a learning curve for both sides. Traditional sports marketing teams have had to understand entirely new technologies and business models. Meanwhile, crypto companies have had to adapt their typically tech-focused messaging for mainstream sports audiences.

Some partnerships have faced criticism for promoting products that critics argue are too complex or risky for average consumers. Sports organizations have had to balance their desire for innovative partnerships with their responsibility to their fan communities.

Looking Ahead

The relationship between crypto and sports sponsorship will likely continue evolving as both industries mature. As digital currency becomes more mainstream and regulated, we’ll probably see these partnerships become more sophisticated and stable.

The technology behind crypto offers genuine opportunities to improve fan experiences, from more secure ticketing systems to new forms of digital merchandise. As sports organizations become more comfortable with these technologies, we’ll likely see more creative applications.

The key will be finding the right balance between innovation and accessibility, ensuring that new technologies enhance rather than complicate the fan experience.