Gurugram | May 31, 2025: Hyundai Motor India Limited (HMIL) is proud to announce the onboarding of acclaimed actor Pankaj Tripathi as its new brand ambassador. Known for his versatility and grounded charm, Pankaj Tripathi perfectly embodies HMIL’s values of reliability, authenticity and a deep-rooted connection with India’s diverse audience. This strategic partnership marks a new chapter in HMIL’s journey to resonate more meaningfully with Indian customers and craft experiences that move with the spirit of India. 

With a legacy of innovation and trust, HMIL has long been a household name in India. Onboarding Pankaj Tripathi as part of HMIL family aligns with the brand’s vision of strengthening its emotional connect with the people of India, while also adding a touch of star power. With this association, HMIL further strengthens its ambassador lineup that already includes iconic personalities.

Speaking on the new exciting partnership, Mr. Tarun Garg, Whole-Time Director and Chief Operating Officer, Hyundai Motor India Limited, said, “At HMIL, we celebrate stories of progress and inspiration. We are delighted to welcome Pankaj Tripathi to HMIL family. His grounded persona, exceptional talent and widespread appeal resonate with the values of HMIL and our vision of ‘Progress for Humanity’. Together, we aim to drive deeper emotional connections with our diverse customer base across India.”

Acclaimed actor Mr. Pankaj Tripathi, said, “It is an honour to associate with Hyundai Motor India Limited, a brand that has long stood for trust, innovation and customer-first approach. My first car was a Hyundai, and over the years, that relationship has grown into something truly personal. As someone who deeply values simplicity, sincerity and staying true to one’s roots, I find a natural alignment with HMIL’s ethos. I look forward to this partnership where together, we can connect with people across the country – not just through technology, but through shared stories and values.”

This association promises to add a new dimension to the brand’s narrative, one that speaks not just through machines, but through emotions, honesty and a shared sense of purpose. Pankaj Tripathi brings with him a sense of dependability and real-world relatability that mirrors HMIL’s commitment to offering products that are not just technologically advanced, but also deeply humane in their appeal.

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After a busy national signing day and close to the 2025 spring season, the best of the best high school esports teams step into the spotlight.

Barça eSports have been crowned Superliga Domino’s champions in League of Legends. The Catalan side defeated GIANTX Pride 3-1 in Friday’s grand final of the Spring Split, held in front of hundreds of fans at the Municipal Theatre of Torrevieja. This marks Barça’s first Superliga title, confirming their status as one of the top teams in Spain’s competitive scene.

The path to glory was not straightforward. After a slow start to the season, Barça gradually found their rhythm and reached the Swiss Stage with a 6-4 record. There, they fell to UCAM Esports, but quickly turned things around with a series of key victories: Veni Vidi Vici (2-1), Movistar KOI Fénix (2-1) and LUA Gaming (3-1), followed by a thrilling 3-2 semifinal win over Los Heretics.

Despite GIANTX Pride entering the final as favorites, having dominated the regular season (8-1) and breezed past Heretics in the upper bracket, it was Barça who rose to the occasion. They claimed a closely fought opening game, lost the second in dominant fashion, but responded with a smart, coordinated effort in the third. With momentum on their side, they closed out the fourth game to seal the win. Local talent Sergio “Legolas” Vicente was named Final MVP, playing a decisive role in teamfights and clutch moments.

With this victory, Barça eSports finally claim their long-awaited title after falling short in two previous finals (Summer 2024 and Winter 2025, both lost to Heretics). This time, third time truly was the charm.

No rest for the champions: Barça eSports will now compete in the EMEA Masters, the international tournament bringing together the best regional teams from across Europe, the Middle East, and Africa.

GREENSBORO, NC — Lander’s Grant Sherrod and North Georgia’s Andrews Opata were named All-Americans by the American Baseball Coaches Association (ABCA). Sherrod was named a second-team All-American with Opata named third team. The organization also released its All-Region teams.

Opata earns his second All-America honor this week after being recognized by the D2CCA on Wednesday. Opata finished the regular season ranked fifth nationally in runs (87) and hits (96). Both marks rank as the third-most single season totals in program history in their respective categories. He also ended the year ranked ninth in NCAA Division II in stolen bases with 42 swipes on the year, which ranks as the second-most in a single season in program history. 

A hitting machine with a regular-season batting average of .380, Opata led the team with 31 multi-hit games this year. A menace for opposing pitchers, the Lawrenceville, Ga. native also ranked second on the team in on-base percentage (.450) and slugging (.574).

Opata had 15 multi-RBI games this season which also ranked second on the team. His 62 RBIs ranked among the top 65 hitters nationally. 

The center fielder smacked a career-high 11 home runs in 2025 as well.

Sherrod, a redshirt senior and the Peach Belt Conference’s batting champion, capped off his final collegiate season with a .408 average. He led the Bearcats with 97 hits, 19 doubles, 11 home runs, and 76 RBIs, while compiling a .626 slugging percentage and a .496 on-base percentage—both among the top marks in the region. He finished second in the country in total hits, ninth in hits per game at 1.70, and ranked 38th nationally in batting average. His 1.33 RBIs per game were also good for 23rd in the nation. The Sumner, Washington native was previously honored as the NCBWA Southeast Region Player of the Week on March 10 and now advances to the ABCA All-American ballot.

 

Attendees of this year’s Thomas Lonsbury Scholarship Event in support of J. Warren McClure School of Emerging Communication Technologies students can take part in the traditional golf scramble, but also have the option of participate in a Mario Kart Tournament in the McClure School Esports Arena. 

This is the 23rd year for the event, which was started in 2002 by Thomas Lonsbury, a passionate golfer who was a member of the McClure School advisory board. This year’s event will be held on Sept. 18 and 19. Lonsbury chaired the event until his death in 2012. That year’s tournament was the first to be called the Lonsbury Memorial Scholarship Golf Classic.

“The event has been quite successful in its mission to raise money for scholarships,” said Event Manager and Adjunct Professor Jim Gay. “The events have also attracted many alumni, board members, faculty, students and friends to connect, allowing lasting contacts among Bobcats and friends to be established. We are very fortunate to have a committee of faculty and board members working to plan the 2025 event.”

Event schedule

Thursday, Sept. 18

Welcome banquet

• 5:30-8:30 p.m., Jackie O’s Taproom and Brewery, 25 Campbell Street, Athens
• Event also includes a silent auction

Friday, Sept. 19

Golf outing

• 8:30 a.m. Registration opens
  • Athens Country Club, 7606 Country Club Road 94220, Athens
• 9:45 a.m. Pictures
• 10 a.m. Tournament shotgun start
• 11 a.m. Lunch
  • Open to non-golfers as well
• 2:30-4 p.m. 19th Hole Social and Awards

Ohio University Grand Prix

• 6-8 p.m. Ohio University Grand Prix only (Mario Kart 8 Tournament)
  • Esports room in Scripps Hall

Supporting OHIO students

Last year, 45 people attended the formal dinner and 60 people participated in the golf outing, raising roughly $25,000. 

“In total, the Lonsbury Event has been held 22 times,” said Gay. “It has raised $360,000 for scholarships for McClure School students and has allowed 66 scholarships to be awarded.”

The J. Warren McClure School Advisory Board Thomas Lonsbury Scholarship is available to McClure School students who are active in the field of voice/data networks, have a minimum 3.25 GPA, and have completed at least 12 credit hours in the major.

If you are interested in sponsoring this year’s event, email Jim Gay. 

The McClure School of Emerging Communication Technologies strives to offer the best academic programs in the IT (information technology), game development and virtual reality/augmented reality (VR/AR) industries. The school’s programs and certificates cover numerous aspects of the rapidly changing industries of information networking, cybersecurity, data privacy, game development, digital animation and the academic side of esports.

To make a donation to the Thomas Lonsbury Scholarship, visit this link.

The second annual esports national signing day launched on Friday, with students from the class of 2025 announcing their future plans in the growing competitive-gaming space.

As part of the event, PlayVS and USA TODAY High School Sports—which first partnered in 2022 and since launched the first-ever Super 25 esports rankings—helped celebrate the reveal of several talented students heading to the collegiate level.

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From standouts in “Overwatch 2” and “Super Smash Bros” to “Street Fighter” and “Valorant,” here are a few of the notable commitments from the day: