College Sports

“The best of the best”

Jeremiah McKibbins, a Class of 2016 communication studies alumnus, set 10 different rushing records during his four years playing football at Chapman. He was a three-time All-Southern California Intercollegiate Athletic Conference (SCIAC) selection and four-time team captain. McKibbins, however, operates with an unassuming excellence. “Football isn’t something you do alone, it’s built on brotherhood, trust […]

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4 months ago

April 29, 2025

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McKibbins, however, operates with an unassuming excellence.

“Football isn’t something you do alone, it’s built on brotherhood, trust and showing up for the person next to you every single day,” McKibbins said.

Despite his humble attitude towards success, it seems to follow McKibbins. He, along with four other former Chapman athletes, was announced as part of the 2025 Athletics Hall of Fame class.

“This honor isn’t just about stats or wins, it’s about the moments in the locker room, the battles on the field and the lifelong connections made along the way,” he said. “It’s a reminder of what we built together and the legacy we left behind.”

McKibbins captures the authentic greatness many athletes strive to obtain, and his legacy at Chapman rewards him for that. Discipline and hard work is a major part of excelling at anything you do, but the impact you make on anything is often a clear reflection of character.

The Chapman University Athletics Hall of Fame class is set to be inducted during the 42nd Annual Night of Champions and Hall of Fame Induction Weekend on Oct. 24 and Oct. 25, 2025.

Since 1980, Chapman’s Hall of Fame induction has honored athletic excellence and school spirit. Held each October, the two-day Night of Champions weekend reunites alumni and celebrates new inductees with a Friday banquet, a halftime announcement at Saturday’s home football game and a plaque unveiling on Victory Way.

All five inductees played within one of Chapman’s Division III teams and will make Panther history as a member of the third class in Chapman’s Hall of Fame History: Scott Martino ’01 (soccer), Jennifer Manship ’09 (water polo), Erin Dudzinski ’09 (softball), Brian Rauh ’14 (baseball) and McKibbins ’16 (football).

The Hall of Fame Committee Chair, Jack Bauerle summed up the significance of this event.

“To put it simply, these are the best of the best,” Bauerle said. “Being selected into Chapman’s Hall of Fame, just as any other hall of fame, puts you in elite company. These particular student athletes’ exemplified the pillars of the university, coupled with excellence in the classroom, the athletic field, court or aquatics. We want their legacy to continue and inspire the future Panthers.”

McKibbins further emphasized how not only discipline, but being a good person, defined his time at Chapman.

“I showed up every day with purpose,” he said. “I wasn’t chasing clout, I was chasing growth. I treated my teammates and my community with kindness and respect because, at the end of the day, how you treat people matters more than any stat sheet.”

By definition, exceptional means “unusually good: outstanding,” and to be recognized as such takes more than talent — it requires integrity, consistency and a mindset that elevates those around you. Athletes like McKibbins — and the rest of the 2025 class — embody that standard in the way they lead and live, both on and off the field.

“I believed in doing things the right way, showing up for others and building a reputation you can stand on long after the game’s over,” said McKibbins.

Manship, an accounting and business administration major, is now the second ever aquatics member of the Hall of Fame. Manship is a two-time All-American athlete who set Chapman’s record, scoring 223 goals in 2007. She stands as a trailblazer today, as the first Panther to score 100-plus goals in a season, and ranking second in the highest total goals in school history.

Beyond her athletics, Manship showcased every positive attribute of a teammate. Eric Ploessel, Chapman’s men and women’s water polo coach, described the incredible stature of Manship’s character beyond her skills in the water.

“(Manship) made all the players around her better,” said Ploessel. “That’s what made her such an amazing player. Besides the records she broke, it’s that she wanted her teammates to score and help them become better players. Finding a star that’s willing to make some of their teammates better is huge for programs.”

Ploessel, who coached Manship for three seasons, further said that her selflessness impacted more than her teammates and the game.

“She wants to make people around her better,” he said.“That included me. We butted heads a lot when I was coaching her but that was because she wanted the best out of me. She was the first player to demand more out of me. I was younger when I coached her with less experience than I do now. Coaching her made me a better coach.”

Manship said receiving the honor has been surreal — and incredibly meaningful. Her words echoed the same humble character that Ploessel described.

“We must celebrate the accomplishments of all past, present and future but to be called out as one of the greats, it somehow does not feel real,” she said.

Rauh, a business administration major, was drafted into the MLB for the Washington Nationals, before bouncing around in the minor leagues, and now provides professional-level baseball training for young athletes. He said that he believes his experience at Chapman built the foundation for his success.

Rauh credits his head coach, Tom Tereschuk, and his pitching coach, Dave Edwards, for playing a huge role in his development as not just a player but as a man.

“Neither of them let me get away with being average — or just good,” he said. “They wanted me to be great, and that’s how I live my life now, whether personally or professionally. That (mindset) was instilled in college with those two coaches who, again, saw more in me and wanted me to be something special.”

Looking back on his experience, Rauh emphasized the importance of embracing the process and finding purpose in each moment.

“That’s what life’s about,” he said. “It’s not the end goal, it’s who you impact on the way. The relationships. The memories. It’s good to have goals and try to pursue them, but you also want to enjoy the process. When you look back, that’s the stuff you remember: the people I met along the way, the experiences, the games, the road trips and all that.”

Rauh said that it’s not only important to learn from the moments that positively impact you but also to take time to understand the negative ones because, together, they shape who we are.

“I tell a lot of the kids I work with (that) I would give anything to go back and live one of my worst outings I ever had on a baseball field,” Rauh said. “Just to be there in the atmosphere and compete again is something special that not a lot of people get to experience.”

Dudzinski, a marketing major, played softball for Chapman until 2009 but now she balances her life between work and motherhood and this recognition carries an ever deeper meaning.

“It means every ounce of sweat, every long car ride, every cheer from the sidelines was worth it,” Dudzinski said. “And now, as a new mom, I get to share this honor with my kids — to show them firsthand that hard work and passion can take you amazing places… and that, yes, their mom was kind of a big deal.”

Getting to this point in her life did not come easy for Dudzinski, however.

“Graduating in 2009 during the financial crisis wasn’t easy. Jobs were scarce, and no one was hiring,” she said. “But I landed an interview for a sales position, and they were specifically looking for former athletes — people who knew how to compete, hustle and thrive under pressure. I never imagined myself in sales, but now, years later, I’m leading a team and ranking as a top performer.”

Dudzinski also reflected on how her time on the field laid the foundation for everything that followed.

“Chapman didn’t just prepare me for the field — it prepared me for life,” she said.

From navigating a tough job market after graduation to rising through the ranks in her career, the mindset she built as a student-athlete stayed with her. Now, as she looks ahead to the Hall of Fame induction, she sees it as more than just a personal milestone — it’s a full-circle moment she gets to share with her family.

Martino, a business finance major, graduated from Chapman and says he’s had the pleasure of attending Hall of Fame events in the past, so to be considered and recognized is certainly an honor. He said that learned valuable lessons from playing soccer through the season’s highs and lows.

“We made the tournament the first three years and then in my senior year we did not make it,” Martino said. “The lesson of actually losing and learning how to deal with that and (learning) how to think through that actually was just as impactful as the winning seasons.”

Doug Aiken, assistant athletic director, and Steven Olveda, sports information director, shared their thoughts on the incredible achievements of the inductees.

“Brian Rauh’s streak of 24 wins to start his career was pretty special,” Aiken said. “Not sure that’s been done or will be done again at Chapman or elsewhere. He was as automatic a pitcher as I’ve ever seen. Same with Scott Martino’s 50-point season. Pretty incredible.”

Olveda followed, highlighting other standout athletes.

“Jeremiah was a threat to score every time he touched the ball on the football field,” Olveda said. “Everyone knew it and he would still find a way to break off a big run. Jennifer Manship was our scoring leader for over 15 years and is next in line of deserving student-athletes from the pool.”

He continued: “Erin Dudzinski was such a special player. She would take away hits in center field, double to lead off a game, or steal a base to put herself in scoring position. A champion on the softball diamond.”

As a society, we look to our heroes for inspiration and guidance. The Chapman Hall of Fame Class of 2025 embodies this ideal, representing individuals who not only excelled as athletes and students but also spread positive growth. Their legacies will extend beyond their personal achievements, being honored within Chapman.

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Buckeyes captain launches special Ohio State Beats by Dre headphones in ‘Beats Elite’ campaign

Buckeyes captain launches special Ohio State Beats by Dre headphones in ‘Beats Elite’ campaign originally appeared on A to Z Sports. Ohio State Buckeyes fans will have the chance to get some of the coolest school-branded headphones on the market as the 2025 college football season arrives. On Tuesday, Beats by Dre announced that nine […]

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August 20, 2025

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Buckeyes captain launches special Ohio State Beats by Dre headphones in ‘Beats Elite’ campaign originally appeared on A to Z Sports.

Ohio State Buckeyes fans will have the chance to get some of the coolest school-branded headphones on the market as the 2025 college football season arrives. On Tuesday, Beats by Dre announced that nine athletes have partnered with the brand to represent their Beats Elite class. At the forefront of the marketing is Buckeyes safety Caleb Downs.

It includes some of the best players in the sport ahead of their upcoming seasons with Alabama WR Ryan Williams, Michigan QB Bryce Underwood, Georgia RB Nate Frazier, Texas LB Colin Simmons, Oregon QB Dante Moore, Florida QB DJ Lagway, Oklahoma QB John Mateer, and South Carolina QB LaNorris Sellers.

View the original article to see embedded media.

For the third consecutive year, Beats by Dre has rolled out its name, image, and likeness (NIL) campaign, showcasing some of college football’s brightest stars. Each year’s group has featured standout athletes who dominate on the field, including Downs, now a two-time member of the prestigious ‘Beats Elite’ after earning the honor in 2024.

This year’s class includes seven of the most marketable figures in college sports, extending beyond just football. The lineup boasts impressive NIL valuations: Sellers ($3.7M), Lagway ($3.7M), Underwood ($3M), Mateer ($2.7M), Williams ($2.7M), Downs ($2.4M), and Simmons ($1.5M), all ranking among the Top-50 overall and Top-30 in college football. Frazier ($827K) and Moore ($640K) also command significant valuations, cementing their influence.

These athletes are not only marketable but also among the top talents projected for the upcoming season, representing some of the sport’s elite programs. Sellers, Lagway, Moore, Mateer, Williams, and Underwood rank in the top 12 for Heisman Trophy odds, according to BetMGM.

They’ve also earned widespread preseason accolades, with Williams, Downs, and Simmons named AP Preseason All-Americans, while Sellers and Frazier joined them as preseason all-conference picks in the SEC and Big Ten. Additionally, their nine programs are all among the top 12 in BetMGM’s odds to claim the College Football Playoff national title.

This story was originally reported by A to Z Sports on Aug 19, 2025, where it first appeared.

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Robinhood to Roll Out Football Prediction Markets

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August 20, 2025

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Soccer faces Texas in first of three-game road trip

TEMPE – Sun Devil Soccer returns to the pitch on Thursday when it faces Texas in Austin for Arizona State’s first road match of the season, scheduled for 5 p.m. MST at Mike A. Myers Stadium and Soccer Field. The match can be seen on SEC Network+, which is part of ESPN+ that requires a […]

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August 20, 2025

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TEMPE – Sun Devil Soccer returns to the pitch on Thursday when it faces Texas in Austin for Arizona State’s first road match of the season, scheduled for 5 p.m. MST at Mike A. Myers Stadium and Soccer Field.

The match can be seen on SEC Network+, which is part of ESPN+ that requires a subscription.

The Sun Devils meet the Longhorns for the first time since August 22, 2014 when both sides played to a 2-2 draw in extra time at the Outriggers Resorts Shootout in Honolulu, Hawaii. Texas holds a 1-0-2 series advantage and this will mark the second trip to Austin for the Sun Devils since 2008.

ASU opened the season at home last Thursday with a 2-0 clean sheet victory over Nevada with goals by Miki Hayashi and Peyton Marcisz. Veteran goalkeeper Pauline Nelles secured her 19th career shutout with two saves to secure the victory.

The Sun Devils finished their first contest outshooting the Wildcats 18-5, with 11 shots coming on goal. ASU also managed 12 corner kicks last Thursday without allowing Nevada a corner kick opportunity.

Defender Addison Baltodano registered a team-leading four shots, three coming on goal in 45:22 minutes of playing time. Forwards Tatum Thomason and Cameron Valladores combined for six shots, three being on goal with Valladores earning an assist in the second half.

About Texas:
The Longhorns dropped their season opener against Northwestern State with a 3-2 result and totaled a 25-7 advantage in shots, with 16 coming on goal. They rebounded with a 2-1 victory over Long Beach State last Sunday.

Reigning SEC Freshman of the Year Amalia Villarreal has one goal and leads the team in shots with 12, 10 coming on net. Last season, Texas went 17-4-2 with a 10-1-2 record at home. The Longhorns then won the SEC tournament and made the second round of the NCAA Tournament before falling to No. 16 Michigan State, 2-3, in overtime.

Nelles in Net:
The senior goalkeeper has made 58-straight starts in goal for the Sun Devils and notched her 19th career shutout in the win over the Wildcats. Currently, with 231 career saves, she ranks fourth in program history and is one of five Sun Devils to have recorded 200+ saves in their career. She has played 4,410 consecutive minutes in goal for the Sun Devils. Nelles is three wins away from surpassing Kim Bingham (2003-06) for third in program history in career wins.

The senior goalie is five clean sheets away from tying Chandley Morris (2011-15) for most shutouts by an ASU goalie in program history. She is aiming to become the second Sun Devil goalie to have 20+ shutouts in a career.

Milestone watch:

Pauline Nelles is 34 saves away from surpassing Kim Bingham for third in program history.
Nelles is two starts away from making 60 career starts at goalie, which would rank fourth by a goalie in ASU history.
Forward Cameron Valladares is four games away from 50 career matches.
Valladares is two points away from 30 career points.
Washington transfer Tatum Thomason is 3 starts away from 50 career starts.
Thomason is 2 goals away from 10 career goals.

Early Season Success:
Since 2018 the Sun Devils have had a run of success in the opening month of play, compiling a 15-0-6 record in the month of August. ASU has outscored teams 62-13 in those games.

Preseason Recognition:
Reigning Big 12 Freshman of the Year Kierra Blundell was named to the 2025 Big 12 Preseason Team and is the only sophomore forward to make the list. She earned spots on the 2024 Big 12 Second Team All-Conference honors and on the 2024 Big 12 All-Freshman list.

Welcome to Tempe:
The Sun Devils have welcomed 14 new players to the roster and return 12 players from the 2024 season. Midfielder Miki Hayashi made an impact last week with the first Sun Devil goal of the year from a corner kick after playing her freshman season at Tyler Junior College. In addition, UCLA transfer Peyton Marcisz registered her first career goal in the win over Nevada last Thursday.

Spanning the Globe:
The Sun Devil soccer team has 17 international student-athletes competing, led by Canada with seven players. England (four) and South Africa (two) also have multiple players, while Japan, Norway, Germany and the Netherlands have one player each.

Barrett, The Honors College:
The Sun Devils have nine student-athletes enrolled in Barrett, The Honors College. Honors students are diverse and come from a wide range of backgrounds. Barrett students take additional honors courses and are required to complete a thesis during their college experience.

Soccer student-athletes in Barrett, The Honors College:
Norah Bell, Business
Kierra Blundell, Sports Science and Performance Programming
Addison Haws, Biological Sciences (Biomedical Sciences)
Miki Hayashi, Data Science
Olivia Herrera, Business (Sports Business)
Brianna Nunley, Marketing
Katie Ozard, Medical Studies
Tano Uzezi-Itesa, Health Sciences
Ava Wright, Biological Sciences, (Biomedical Sciences)

Blundell’s Best:
Appearing in all 19 matches as a freshman last season, Blundell garnered 2024 Big 12 Freshman of the Year honors and scored a team-best nine goals, which was ninth nationally among freshmen last year and eighth in the Big 12 overall.

The sophomore had two multi-goal games last season, including a hat trick against Penn. Her two game-winning goals came against Houston and Penn. In 2024, the Sun Devils were 7-3-1 when Blundell registered at least one point in a match.

Looking Ahead:
ASU continues its three-match road trip with a match against Texas State on Sunday, August 24 at 9 a.m. MST in San Marcos, Texas, which can be seen on ESPN+.

Be sure to stay connected with Sun Devil Soccer throughout the season on social media by following @SunDevilSoccer on Instagram, X (formerly twitter), and Facebook.

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Men’s Basketball, NEC Unveils 2025-26 Conference Schedule

Story Links EASTON, Mass. – The Stonehill men’s basketball program has announced its NEC conference schedule on Tuesday afternoon. In its fourth year as an NCAA Division I member and first as NCAA tournament eligible, the Skyhawks will open up NEC action a day into the new year, hosting the University of […]

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August 20, 2025

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EASTON, Mass. – The Stonehill men’s basketball program has announced its NEC conference schedule on Tuesday afternoon.

In its fourth year as an NCAA Division I member and first as NCAA tournament eligible, the Skyhawks will open up NEC action a day into the new year, hosting the University of New Haven on January 2.

They will go on the road for a pair of games against Wagner College (Jan. 4) and Central Connecticut State (Jan. 8) before returning home to face Chicago State (Jan. 10). After two games on the road against Mercyhurst (Jan. 17) and Saint Francis (Jan. 19), Stonehill will begin a three-game homestand against LIU (Jan. 23), Central Connecticut State (Jan. 25) and Fairleigh Dickinson (Jan. 29).

The Skyhawks will head back out on the road for three games, before concluding the regular season with four out of five games at home: Wagner (Feb. 14), Le Moyne (Feb. 21), Saint Francis (Feb. 26), and Mercyhurst (Feb. 28).

All Stonehill home games will be broadcast live on NEC Front Row – the NEC’s digital broadcast platform. Tickets for the 2025-26 season, including season ticket packages, will be available at a later date.

For the latest on Stonehill Athletics, follow the Skyhawks via social media on Twitter, Facebook and Instagram and check out its all new website, powered by Sidearm Sports, at stonehillskyhawks.com.

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Gymnastics: SJV’s Beltra makes college decision

Giovaninna Beltra of St. John Vianney on vault during the Shore Conference Gymnastics Championships at Brick Memorial High School on Saturday October 28, 2023. Duncan Williams | For NJ Advance Media One of New Jersey’s top gymnasts has officially made her college decision. Giovannina Beltra of St. John Vianney announced that she will continue her career […]

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August 20, 2025

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Gym: Shore Conference Championship — Giovaninna Beltra of St. John Vianney on vault during the Shore Conference Gymnastics Championships at Brick Memorial High School on Saturday October 28, 2023. Duncan Williams | For NJ Advance Media

One of New Jersey’s top gymnasts has officially made her college decision.

Giovannina Beltra of St. John Vianney announced that she will continue her career at Boise State.

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Texas A&M duo set to be featured on SONIC commercials in historic NIL deal

A pair of Texas A&M stars began their NIL journey with SONIC, marking the fast-food chain’s first-ever NIL deals, which will feature the Aggie athletes in television commercials. Alongside actor and former professional athlete Terry Crews, sophomore quarterback Marcel Reed and running back Rueben Owens II were invitees to take part in the groundbreaking commercial […]

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5 hours ago

August 20, 2025

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A pair of Texas A&M stars began their NIL journey with SONIC, marking the fast-food chain’s first-ever NIL deals, which will feature the Aggie athletes in television commercials.

Alongside actor and former professional athlete Terry Crews, sophomore quarterback Marcel Reed and running back Rueben Owens II were invitees to take part in the groundbreaking commercial series. Reed and Owens II are two of three college football athletes selected, along with representatives from the Texas Longhorns. According to reports from KDAF CW 33 in Austin, Texas, Crews will serve as the on-set acting coach for the young stars.

GigEm247 beat writer Carter Karels posted the hilarious preview snippet of Crews preparing the Aggies and Longhorns on techniques, which included how to hold SONIC’s burgers.

Per reports from KDAF, the first set of commercials featuring the athletes from the respective universities will air on the weekend of August 30. While Reed and Owens II are learning how to properly hold SONIC products for the upcoming NIL deal with the brand, the pair will also be integral pieces to head coach Mike Elko’s offense in 2025.

Reed was thrown into the fire and immediately rose from the ashes like a phoenix against elite competition, as the Nashville, Tenn., native thrived in his first collegiate start in 2024 in a 33-20 victory over the Florida Gators in Gainesville.

Entering his third year at Texas A&M and joining Reed in the Aggies’ offensive backfield is Owens II. The 5-foot-11 back from El Campo, Texas, dons the Jason Vorhees famous hockey mask from Friday the 13th for a reason, as his innate ability to seek contact and zip past defenders makes him a tremendous piece to one of the best running back rooms in the Southeastern Conference, along with Le’Veon Moss.

Both stars have earned their reward off the field, but there are still major achievements the duo is aiming for as they enter this year’s campaign in College Station.

Contact/Follow us @AggiesWire on X (formerly Twitter) and like our page on Facebook to follow ongoing coverage of Texas A&M news, notes and opinions. Follow Dylan on X: @dylanmflippo.

This article originally appeared on Aggies Wire: Texas A&M’s Reed, Owens II earn historic NIL deal with SONIC

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