College Sports

Tennessee moving on from Nico Iamaleava

Tennessee is moving on from starting quarterback Nico Iamaleava, ending a high-stakes standoff that had engulfed the program just days before the spring transfer portal window opens, sources confirmed to CBS Sports. Iamaleava’s departure, just months after leading Tennessee to the College Football Playoff in his debut as a starter, follows a strange day of […]

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3 months ago

April 13, 2025

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Iamaleava’s departure, just months after leading Tennessee to the College Football Playoff in his debut as a starter, follows a strange day of tension between the two sides, including a skipped practice on Friday that sources said was not communicated to the coaching staff in advance.

representatives close to the quarterback publicly denied the existence of negotiations to CBS Sports, the internal mood inside Tennessee’s program shifted quickly. Sources described the team as “fed up,” with coaches frustrated by both the optics and the timing of the dispute, just one day before the team’s Orange & White spring game.

Iamaleava’s statistical output in 2024 was solid, if not spectacular. He completed 63.8% of his passes for 2,614 yards and 19 touchdowns with five interceptions. In Tennessee’s 10 wins, his efficiency rating soared to 165.3. But in three losses, that number plummeted to 93.6, with just 143 passing yards per game and a completion percentage under 55%.

Despite his pedigree and potential, there’s uncertainty around how strong the quarterback market will be for a player exiting after one year as a full-time starter.

Tennessee, meanwhile, is expected to explore a mix of internal and external options. Redshirt freshman Jake Merklinger and early enrollee George MacIntyre are considered long-term answers in Knoxville, but both are relatively untested. The Vols could also pursue a stopgap veteran via the portal or swing big and use its freed up NIL dollars to lure a bigger fish.

The resolution, while sudden, reflects a growing reality in college football: quarterback stability is fragile, and public negotiations come with risk for both sides. In this case, Tennessee made clear it would not be strong-armed — even by the player it once built its future around.

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College Sports

Dr. Eugene F. Orbaker Obituary

Dr. Eugene F. Orbaker, age 95, of Brockport, New York, passed away peacefully on July 17, 2025. A devoted educator, coach, veteran, and mentor, he left behind a legacy of service, scholarship, and sport that profoundly shaped generations of students and athletes. Born on April 21, 1930, Dr. Orbaker dedicated much of his life to […]

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1 hour ago

July 20, 2025

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Born on April 21, 1930, Dr. Orbaker dedicated much of his life to education and athletics. He served with distinction as a member of the faculty at SUNY College at Brockport from 1958 until his retirement in 1995. As Associate Professor of Physical Education and Sport, he played a foundational role in the development of both the academic and athletic programs at the college. Upon retirement, he was honored with the title of Associate Professor Emeritus.

Dr. Orbaker was a standout athlete in his own right. As a student at Brockport, he was recognized as an All-New York State soccer player in 1950, 1951, and 1952, and an All-American in 1951 and 1952. He competed in the 1951 Olympic Trials and earned spots on the All-North and All-South teams. His leadership was evident early on, serving as treasurer of the Student Faculty Association and being elected to Who’s Who Among Students in American Colleges and Universities.

A proud veteran, Dr. Orbaker served in the U.S. Army from 1953 to 1962, both in active duty and the reserves. During his military service, he played international soccer throughout Latin and South America as part of the Military Team.

Before and during his tenure at Brockport, Dr. Orbaker shared his love of sport and education as a teacher and coach. He taught health and physical education and coached soccer, wrestling, and track and field in the East Meadow Public Schools on Long Island. At Brockport, he coached varsity lacrosse, women’s varsity soccer, varsity tennis, and the freshman men’s soccer team. He also served as director of intramurals and the College Camp, and as co-adviser to the college’s ice hockey club.

Dr. Orbaker was predeceased by his beloved wife, Mary. He is survived by his sister Betty Eaton; sons, Daniel (Darlene) and Thomas (Brandy); grandchildren Colton (Kayla), Caleb (Margaret), Jacob, and Molly; and five great-grandchildren, who carry on his values of commitment, education, and community.

Family will receive friends on Wednesday, July 23, 2025, from 4-6 pm at Fowler Funeral Home Inc., 340 West Ave., Brockport where a funeral service will follow at 6 pm. Interment will be held privately in Lakeview Cemetery.

In lieu of flowers, those wishing may contribute to your favorite charity in Eugene’s memory.

A life so richly lived leaves a lasting imprint. Dr. Orbaker will be remembered for his integrity, mentorship, and the enduring impact he made on the lives of his students, colleagues, friends, and family.

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Posted online on July 20, 2025

Published in Rochester Democrat and Chronicle

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College Sports

USC Trojans’ Lincoln Riley Buying Time With NIL?

USC Trojans coach Lincoln Riley joined the program ahead of the 2022 college football season with high expectations. The program has yet to make the College Football Playoff under Riley, and are coming off a disappointing season. In 2024, the Trojans finished with a 7-6 record, going 4-5 in Big Ten conference play. Though the […]

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3 hours ago

July 20, 2025

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In 2024, the Trojans finished with a 7-6 record, going 4-5 in Big Ten conference play. Though the team did earn and win a bowl game, it was Riley’s worst season with USC. Only winning four conference matchups and going on a three-game losing streak was not a good look for Riley, leading to the belief that he is on the hot seat.

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College Sports

Can video game ratings affect NIL valuations for college players?

With college sports video games making a return, players may have a valid reason for being concerned about their ratings. Alabama quarterback Jalen Milroe plays the new EA Sports College Football 25 video game at the McDonald Hughes Center in Tuscaloosa. Milroe is one of the players featured on the game’s cover. | Gary Cosby […]

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4 hours ago

July 20, 2025

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With college sports video games making a return, players may have a valid reason for being concerned about their ratings.

Alabama quarterback Jalen Milroe plays the new EA Sports College Football 25 video game at the McDonald Hughes Center in Tuscaloosa. Milroe is one of the players featured on the game’s cover. | Gary Cosby Jr.-Tuscaloosa News / USA TODAY NETWORK

EA Sports’ new College Football 26 game has altered the way college players are compensated. Not only will players receive a check for being in the video game, but their schools will also see revenue depending on how often their university is featured in the game.

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Livvy Dunne calls out New York Times for 2022 ‘Sex Sells’ headline, recalls aftemath

Back in 2022, the New York Times put together an article about the new NIL era in college athletics. LSU gymnast Livvy Dunne was a part of the story, with a picture of her being used. The headline ended with the two words “Sex Sells” and it’s something Dunne has been critical of ever since. […]

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5 hours ago

July 20, 2025

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Back in 2022, the New York Times put together an article about the new NIL era in college athletics. LSU gymnast Livvy Dunne was a part of the story, with a picture of her being used. The headline ended with the two words “Sex Sells” and it’s something Dunne has been critical of ever since.

She expanded on the topic recently when appearing on the What’s Your Story? podcast. Dunne explained the process of how the New York Times went about a photoshoot. Nothing different than what she would normally wear as a gymnast.

“They came to our gymnastics facility at LSU, took pictures of me,” Dunne said via What’s Your Story? “They said, ‘wear your team-issued attire, put on a leotard,’ and they took a picture of me standing in front of the beam, like any gymnast would, and then they blew it up on the screen and put the headline, ‘Sex Sells.’

“Okay, well, you just came into the facility and took pictures of me in our team-issued attire and blew it up on a screen… So I was like, ‘okay, well, this is crazy.’ And there was obviously a lot of backlash to the New York Times because of that.”

Dunne has been one of the faces of NIL since college athletes were allowed to be paid. Not many athletes out there have built a bigger brand for themselves in that time. The portfolio expands well outside gymnastics too, as Dunne partners with a large number of brands out there.

This is not the first time Dunne has called out this specific article, either. Once describing it as “BS,” Dunne knew something was off from the very beginning while being interviewed.

“The interviewer called me and he was asking me very odd questions,” Dunne said in 2023 on the FULL SEND PODCAST. “It was worded quite weird. He was like, ‘So, how does it feel to be a small petite blonde gymnast doing so well with NIL?’ I was just like, ‘Why does it matter that I’m petite and blonde?’ You can just ask me about NIL without you having to use these weird ways of saying it.”

Dunne has since run out of eligibility, ending her gymnastics career. Her affinity for LSU has not changed though, most recently cheering on the Tigers in Omaha as Jay Johnson led them to another national championship.

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College Sports

Blake Wheeler, Who Once Ruptured A Testicle, Officially Retires After 16 NHL Seasons

Right-winger had his best years in Winnipeg, including a pair of back-to-back 91-point seasons PublishedJuly 19, 2025 6:39 PM EDT•UpdatedJuly 19, 2025 6:39 PM EDT Facebook Twitter Email Copy Link He didn’t sign with an NHL team last season, so there was speculation that he may be hanging them up, but not former Winnipeg Jets […]

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5 hours ago

July 20, 2025

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Right-winger had his best years in Winnipeg, including a pair of back-to-back 91-point seasons

PublishedJuly 19, 2025 6:39 PM EDT•UpdatedJuly 19, 2025 6:39 PM EDT

He didn’t sign with an NHL team last season, so there was speculation that he may be hanging them up, but not former Winnipeg Jets captain Blake Wheeler is making it official: he’s retiring.

Wheeler appeared on an episode of the radio show Jets at Noon this week and revealed that he had decided to call it a career after 16 NHL seasons and 1,172 games played.

“More or less, right after last year knew I was all done,” Wheeler said, per Global News. “I just haven’t felt like a rush to make a formal announcement or anything. But yeah, after my injury and kinda the way things ended last year, I just didn’t have anything left in the tank for it. So yeah, I was at peace with it almost immediately after last year, and yeah, I’m just enjoying being a dad and kinda slowing things down a little bit, and being around my family.”

Wheeler, a native of Plymouth, Minn., played for the Green Bay Gamblers of the USHL and then played college hockey for the Minnesota Golden Gophers.

Despite being selected by the Phoenix Coyotes in the 2004 NHL Draft, Wheeler signed with the Boston Bruins as a free agent in 2008. In 2011, he was traded to the Atlanta Thrashers and played the tail end of their season before the team moved to Winnipeg.

After 16 NHL seasons, Blake Wheeler has officially announced his retirement. (Photo by Andreea Cardani/NHLI via Getty Images)

Wheeler had his best years in Winnipeg, including a pair of back-to-back 91-point seasons, and was named the team’s captain for the 2016-17 season.

In 2023, he signed with the New York Rangers, but missed a chunk of the season with a leg injury. He appeared in one game for the Blueshirts during the 2024 Stanley Cup Playoffs, which proved to be his final NHL game.

Congrats to Wheeler on a heck of a career. I think he’s going to go down as one of the most underrated Americna-born players. He was on the 2014 Olympic team and was a Hockey Guy’s Hockey Guy.

I mean, who could forget when he ruptured a testicle and stayed in the game?

Now that’s peak Hockey Guy-ism.

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College Sports

NHL all-time record scorer Ovechkin calls for Russian return to global sports | National News

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July 20, 2025

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