Sports

The Bold Type, with Commissioner Dan Butterly – May 5, 2025

Published

7 months ago

May 5, 2025

Good morning!

Last week, we celebrated crowning five new champions in The Big West, and a sixth happened last Tuesday as Long Beach State men’s golf secured a three-peat and new Big West record! Read more >>>

Yet again, I’d like to send another BIG THANK YOU to all Big West staff, institutional personnel, volunteers, athletic trainers, officials, game managers and SIDs that worked to make each of our seven championships in April a tremendous experience for our student-athletes. It is truly a BIG team effort, and I am very appreciative of each of you for your work. Thank you.

To each of you, the song this week is dedicated to you. “Hall of Fame” by will.i.am.

We’ve got three more Championships to go – starting this Wednesday at Anderson Family Field in Fullerton, Calif., for softball and Friday from Long Beach State as the track & field multi events get underway! More championship information can be found here >>>

Let’s get to The Bold Type!

tHE BIG WEST IN THE NATIONAL POSTSEASON – CONGRATULATIONS AND GOOD LUCK!

To Cal Poly beach volleyball, who made back-to-back semifinal appearances in the National Collegiate Beach Volleyball Championship as the No. 6 seed, taking down No. 11 LSU and No. 3 Stanford before falling to eventual national champion TCU. Read more >>>

To Big West champion UC Santa Barbara, who upended Rice in the first round of the 2025 NCAA Women’s Tennis Championship before falling to No. 2 Texas A&M in College Station, Texas! Read more >>>

To Big West champion UC Irvine and at-large selection UC Santa Barbara who competed this week in the 2025 NCAA Men’s Tennis Championship!

To our two teams and three individuals who punched their tickets to NCAA Women’s Golf Regionals! Due to expected weather in Lubbock, Texas, UC Davis teed off Sunday, and Big West champion Cal State Fullerton and Jasmine and Janae Leovao and Jensen Jalufka who open regional play today! Read more >>>

To Long Beach State and Hawai’i men’s volleyball teams for securing the top two seeds in the 2025 National Collegiate Volleyball Championship! The Beach and Rainbow Warriors open play from Columbus, Ohio on Thursday, May 8. Read more >>>

To Big West champ Hawai‘i who made the NCAA Women’s Water Polo Championship as the No. 4 seed and begin play from IUPUI on Friday, May 9, in the quarterfinal round! (Read more >>>

To Big West Champion Long Beach State and Big West student-athletes 2023 Big West Co-Champion Baron Szeto of Cal Poly and 2024 Big West Champion Tegan Andrews of Cal State Fullerton who earned entry into the NCAA Men’s Golf Championship regional field! They are set for competition May 12-14. Read more >>>

CONGRATULATIONS!

Softball

To the six teams set to take the field this week at Goodwin Family Field for the inaugural 2025 Big West Softball Championship! Good luck to Cal State Fullerton, CSUN, UC Santa Barbara, Long Beach State, Hawai’i and UC San Diego who will be on the diamond in Fullerton, Calif., after a great regular-season where we saw a four-way tie for second! Read more >>>

To regular-season champion Cal State Fullerton for claiming back-to-back titles, and will host the first-ever Big West softball championship!

Beach Volleyball

To Cal Poly beach volleyball head coach Todd Rogers, who was named to the NCAA Women’s Beach Volleyball Committee! His term of service on the committee will begin September 1, 2025, and continue through August 31, 2029.

To the All-Big West Beach Volleyball Teams and Award Winners! Read more >>>

To the six Big West beach volleyball student-athletes who were named AVCA Collegiate Beach All-American! Read more >>>

To the three Big West beach volleyball teams ranked in the AVCA Collegiate Beach Poll!
- No. 6 Cal Poly
- No. 8 Long Beach State
- No. 18 Hawai‘i

Men’s Golf

To Charlie Forster of Long Beach State who was selected to the international team for the 2025 Arnold Palmer Cup which will take place June 5-7, 2025 at Congaree Golf Club in Ridgeland, South Carolina! The Arnold Palmer Cup is a Ryder Cup style event for collegiate golfers and is one of the most prestigious events in collegiate golf. Learn more >>>

To Long Beach State, 26th in the latest Clippd rankings after winning The Big West Championship.

Women’s Tennis

To the 2025 All-Big West Women’s Tennis Team and award winners! Read more >>>

To the two women’s tennis teams ranked in ITA Rankings!

To our women’s tennis singles players ranked in ITA Rankings!
- No. 16 Amelia Honer (UCSB)
- No. 123 Ana Vilcek (UH) (LINK)

To our doubles pair ranked in ITA Rankings!

Men’s Tennis

To the 2025 All-Big West Men’s Tennis Team and award winners! Read more >>>

To our two teams ranked in ITA Rankings!
- No. 35 UC Santa Barbara
- No. 44 UC Irvine (LINK)

To our four men’s tennis singles players ranked in ITA Rankings!
- No. 64 Gianluca Brunkow (UCSB)
- No. 65 Noah Zamora (UCI)
- No. 106 Azuma Visaya (UH)
- No. 118 Diogo Morais (UCSB) (LINK)

To our men’s tennis doubles pairs ranked in ITA Rankings!

Men’s Volleyball

Women’s Water Polo

Baseball

To UC Irvine baseball who is nationally ranked: 7th by Perfect Game, 8th by D1Baseball, 9th by USA Today Coaches, 9th by Baseball America and 13th by NCBWA!

To Cal Poly, UC Santa Barbara and Hawaii baseball who are receiving votes in the National College Baseball Writers of America poll.

And more!

To Angie Allen, Assistant Commissioner for Compliance and Student-Athlete Engagement, who was featured in Sports Business Ventures – “How a Coach’s Daughter Became a Leader in College Sports.” Read more >>

And, to our Big West Player of the Week!

Baseball – Andrew Wright, Cal State Fullerton (pitcher); Chase Call, UC Irvine (field player)

Softball – Trisha McCleskey, Cal State Fullerton (pitcher); Ellyana Cinzori, Hawai‘i (field player); Sara Cocchillos, Cal State Fullerton (freshman)

Track & Field – Vincent Atilano, Cal Poly (men’s track); Rory Devaney, Cal Poly (men’s field); Mia Shepard, UC Santa Barbara (women’s track); Chelsea Aninyei, UC Riverside (women’s field)

WELCOME ONTARIO INTERNATIONAL AIRPORT

We announced that Ontario International Airport, in addition to being “The Official Airport of The Big West,” has become the presenting sponsor of The Big West Baseball Championship, presented by Ontario International Airport. Read more >>> Here is a peek at the new logo.

NCAA LEGAL UPDATE

In the intricate landscape of legal disputes involving the NCAA, recent developments have brought to light significant judicial rulings that could shape the future of collegiate sports governance. At the forefront is the House case, where a settlement approval was stalled due to lingering roster limit issues. Judge Wilken’s recent order has called for a collaborative resolution among the parties involved, preventing a potential trial. This highlights the complexities inherent in legal negotiations where multiple legal representatives bring diverse opinions to the table. The aim remains to find a consensus that aligns with legal precedents while addressing concerns raised by various stakeholders. The deadline is Wednesday to respond to the concern of Judge Wilken.

Concurrently, a notable victory was achieved in the Chalmers lawsuit, part of a broader series of cases involving former student-athletes. These lawsuits challenge the NCAA’s historical use of student-athletes’ names, images, and likenesses (NIL) without compensation. A federal judge in New York dismissed claims of ongoing violations, asserting that any potential grievances should have been addressed at the time of the alleged NIL misappropriation. This decision not only sets a precedent but also potentially discourages similar lawsuits, which could have substantial financial implications if allowed to proceed to discovery.

Amidst these legal battles, the NCAA faces ongoing eligibility lawsuits that question the governing body’s rules and regulations. These cases span various scenarios, from the application of eligibility waivers to the counting of competition seasons. The Pavia decision, currently under appeal, is among the pivotal cases that could redefine how seasons of competition are counted, especially for junior college athletes. As these cases unfold, they underscore the challenge of maintaining consistent policies across different judicial interpretations, with potential impacts on the athletic careers of student-athletes nationwide.

In another development, the Smart settlement, related to volunteer baseball coaches, nears approval. This settlement, valued at approximately $50 million, represents a significant financial commitment for the NCAA. It demonstrates the organization’s ongoing efforts to resolve disputes amicably, though it also highlights the financial strain such settlements can impose. As similar cases, like the Cologne case, continue to evolve, the NCAA remains vigilant in navigating these legal waters, balancing the interests of all involved parties. The $50 million will be paid by the NCAA, not individual conferences or institutions.

The current legal environment for the NCAA is marked by a series of complex litigations, each with unique implications for the future of collegiate sports. While these cases present challenges, they also offer opportunities for the NCAA to refine its policies and adapt to the evolving landscape of collegiate athletics. As appellate courts weigh in, their decisions will likely provide much-needed clarity, helping to stabilize the regulatory environment for student-athletes, institutions, and the NCAA alike. As these legal narratives unfold, they will undoubtedly contribute to shaping the future framework of collegiate sports governance.

MEDIA REPORTS CONCERNING THE NCAA, BROADCASTING AND LEGAL ISSUES

Kennyhertz Perry attorney Mit Winter observes that an “issue with having buyouts/liquidated damages tied to NIL agreements is that schools and/or collectives have to show the amount was a reasonable estimate of potential damages in the event of breach. (link)

Disney CEO Bob Iger’s remarks at last week’s World Congress of Sports, where he noted that younger audiences are “gravitating to new platforms” and like “bite-size entertainment.” As it relates to Flagship, Iger explained the idea is to give younger fans more personalization, including multiple screens and camera angles. (link)

Former Arizona State swimming student-athlete/House v. NCAA lead plaintiff Grant House was “kept in the dark about some aspects of the case — mainly, he was not informed that roster limits would be part of the case, and they have sparked widespread backlash,” according to Five Star Fans Founder/CEO Tina Provost, who notes much of the ire has been directed at House directly. House explains that “the cuts have been happening for years, but now it feels like I’m the face of it. It’s hard to hear the anger, especially when people think I’m the reason their dreams are being cut short. I can only speak to my role in the settlement, but I didn’t come into this wanting to hurt anyone. I didn’t know that roster limits would be part of the case.” (link)

The U.S. Education Department’s Office for Civil Rights has ruled that Penn violated Title IX by allowing Lia Thomas to compete on the women’s swimming team in 2022. From the department’s press release: “OCR notified UPenn President J. Larry Jameson that the University’s policies and practices violated Title IX by denying women equal opportunities by permitting males to compete in women’s intercollegiate athletics and to occupy women-only intimate facilities.” (link)

Front Office Sports’ Amanda Christovich writes on notable language in the House settlement that “aims to ensure the plaintiffs’ lawyers won’t disrupt the yearslong, multimillion-dollar federal lobbying campaign in Congress the NCAA and Power 5 conferences have waged to protect amateurism and rein in the athletes’ rights movement. The settlement essentially says lawyers for the college athletes—who have sued the NCAA—-must support any legislation in line with the settlement, and remain publicly neutral on key related issues, like athlete employment.” (link)

A California federal judge granted preliminary approval Wednesday to a group of roughly 1,000 Division 1 volunteer baseball coaches for their settlement under which the NCAA would pay $49.5 million to resolve their proposed antitrust class action challenging a since-repealed ‘uniform wage fix’ bylaw.” (link)

QUOTE OF THE DAY

“Remember that as a mentor, you are someone’s hero.” – Credited to Billy Colburn

Please have a great week. Say thank you to your athletic trainers, game managers and SIDs for the work they have done for you and your student-athletes not only this week, but all year.

Be Someone’s hero today. Even a small action can achieve that goal.

Dan

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Nabwe Tabbed as Athlete to Watch by Big Ten

Published

4 minutes ago

December 9, 2025

Your Sports Nation

MINNEAPOLIS – University of Minnesota redshirt junior Anthonett Nabwe has been named the indoor track and field Athlete to Watch by the Big Ten, the conference office announced on Tuesday.

Now a two-time indoor Big Ten champion, Nabwe returns to the college indoor scene where she owns the NCAA No. 21 mark all-time in the weight throw at 24.22m (79-5 1/2) while also holding the second-best indoor shot put mark all-time at Minnesota at 17.23m (56-6 1/2). Last indoor season Nabwe became the first Big Ten weight thrower in nine years to repeat as champion at the Big Ten Indoor Championships and was just the fifth Big Ten women’s weight thrower all-time to defend their conference title.

Safe to say Anthonett Nabwe 🇱🇷 is the #ncaaTF LEADER in the weight throw!

23.74m (77-10 3/4) in her December season opening throw for the two-time @bigten weight throw champion#SkiUMah | #Gophers pic.twitter.com/A3A91n3v95

— Minnesota Cross Country, Track & Field (@GopherCCTF) December 6, 2025

With the NCAA indoor track and field season underway, the Big Ten listed athletes from each member institution as Athletes to Watch for the 2025-26 campaign. The 2025-26 indoor track and field season will culminate at the Big Ten Indoor Championships in Indianapolis, Ind., from Feb. 26-28, along with the NCAA Indoor Championships in Fayetteville, Ark., from March 13-14.

For more information on the Gophers, continue to check back with GopherSports.com. Keep up with the University of Minnesota cross country and track and field team on X, Instagram (@GopherCCTF) and on Facebook, so you do not miss any content during the season.

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Virginia Volleyball | Ennist Named AVCA East Coast Region Freshman of the Year

Published

5 minutes ago

December 9, 2025

Your Sports Nation

LOUISVILLE, Ky. – Virginia outside hitter Reagan Ennist has been named American Volleyball Coaches Association (AVCA) East Coast Region Freshman of the Year, the association announced on Tuesday (Dec. 9). Ennist also landed on the All-Region team.

Ennist becomes the third Cavalier to earn AVCA region Freshman of the Year honors and the first since Anna Walsh in 2015. Overall, she is the 23rd UVA volleyball player to garner All-Region team recognition.

The Clifton Park, N. Y., native, proved to be one of the best freshmen in the country, racking up 383 kills and 427 points in 102 sets to lead the Virginia attack. Ennist’s 383 kills were the fifth-most by a Cavalier freshman in program history, while her average of 3.75 kills per set is the second-highest mark by a freshman ever.

On the national stage, Ennist placed seventh among freshmen in kills per set and points per set, while ranking ninth in total kills and 13th in total points.

Ennist exploded on the scene with a record-setting 32-kill match against Syracuse on Oct. 5 en route to the first of her three ACC Freshman of the Week awards. In total, Ennist tallied seven matches with 20 or more kills this season, the most by a Cavalier in the Shannon Wells era.

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Cowan Named Patriot League Track Athlete of the Week

Published

20 minutes ago

December 9, 2025

Your Sports Nation

BETHLEHEM, Pa. — Sophomore Thomas Cowan of the Boston University track & field team was named the Patriot League Track Athlete of the Week, the League announced Tuesday afternoon.

Cowan crossed the 800m finish line in 1:47.88 at the Sharon Colyear-Danville Season Opener on Saturday, finishing third overall and second among collegians. His mark is the second-fastest at BU and he is just one of two Patriot League runners to record a sub-1:48 time indoors since at least 2004. The time is also the fastest in Division I after the opening weekend of events.

This is Cowan’s first Track Athlete of the Week honor and it marks back-to-back years of the Terriers having a men’s Track Athlete of the Week recipient after the first weekend of competition.

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Emma Grace Named to AVCA All-Region Team

Published

21 minutes ago

December 9, 2025

Your Sports Nation

LEXINGTON, Ky. – Emma Grace became the 11th player in program history to be named to the AVCA All-Region Team. Grace was one of 14 players to earn a spot on the Midwest All-Region First Team.

The redshirt senior led Xavier in kills (379) and points (429) this season en route to the program’s first NCAA appearance since 2007. She ranks in the top-10 of the BIG EAST with 3.41 kills, 3.14 digs and 3.86 points per set.

Grace was a unanimous All-BIG EAST Team selection for the first time in her career. She also earned a spot on the BIG EAST All-Tournament Team after leading the Musketeers to their second-ever BIG EAST finals match appearance.

The Kentucky native was a four-time BIG EAST weekly honor roll selection this season. She led XU to a 3-0 weekend at the Xavier Invitational to earn Tournament MVP honors. She was also named to the Stacheville Challenge All-Tournament Team for her performance in Xavier’s 3-0 opening weekend at Austin Peay.

The outside hitter posted 19 double-doubles this season to end her career with 44 total. She had 20+ kills in five separate matches this year and hit above .300 on 12 different occasions. She had a career-high 23 kills against Miami (OH) on September 5 and matched it again at Villanova on October 4.

Grace finished her Xavier career ninth all-time in points with 1291. She became the third player in program history to record at least 1000 kills, 1000 digs and 100 aces.

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Grace Camerlingo Earns Patriot League Women’s Rookie of the Week

Published

36 minutes ago

December 9, 2025

Your Sports Nation

LEWISBURG, Pa.- Grace Camerlingo made an instantaneous impact in her first collegiate meet at the Bison Opener with her showing in the 60-meter dash and the conference acknowledged her debut by christening the freshman with Patriot League Women’s Rookie of the Week, as announced Tuesday by the league office.

Camerlingo sizzled in the 60-meter dash finals, recording a time of 7.62 to finish second in the event, and it required a personal record (7.59) by the winner from Penn State, to edge the Bison freshman. More impressively, Camerlingo improved upon her preliminary mark of 7.68, displaying veteran stamina.

“It was a great opener for Grace,” said Bucknell sprints coach Richard Alexander. “She came to Bucknell without much track experience, so she is just scratching the surface of her potential.”

Her 7.62 time slotted her third in the Bucknell record book between Orange & Blue legends Meghan Quinn and current Bison multi & jumps coach Kaitlin Salisbury.

Bucknell track & field returns to action next month at the Nittany Lion Challenge.

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Volleyball Senior Trio Earns AVCA All-Region Honors

Published

37 minutes ago

December 9, 2025

Your Sports Nation

OMAHA, Neb. — Three senior leaders on the Creighton Volleyball team were honored with All-Region acclaim by the American Volleyball Coaches Association on Tuesday. Annalea Maeder, Ava Martin and Kiara Reinhardt were recognized as the best of the best from the West Region, which consists of 18 teams from the states of Colorado, Nebraska, Nevada, Utah and Wyoming.

The 213 student-athletes who made All-Region represent 109 different schools.

This year’s awards mark the 11th straight year that Creighton has had two or more student-athletes earn First Team All-Region acclaim, putting the Bluejays in elite company with the likes of Texas (25 straight years), Kentucky (16), Minnesota (16), Nebraska (15), Wisconsin (14) and Pittsburgh (11).

Creighton’s 36 First Team All-Region selections since 2015 ranks 10th-most nationally, trailing only Nebraska (51), Kentucky (49), Texas (48), Minnesota (46), Stanford (46), Pittsburgh (45), Wisconsin (41), Florida (38) and Louisville (38).

Maeder is in her first season at Creighton, but fifth overall in college after four years at Cal. In her lone season with the Bluejays, Maeder has been a seven-time BIG EAST Setter of the Week and leads the league with 10.69 assists per set. The Ried, Switzerland product also ranks fourth in the BIG EAST with 0.41 aces per set and directs a Bluejay offense that hits a league-best .292. Maeder was named All-BIG EAST and named BIG EAST Setter of the Year.

Martin is the BIG EAST’s only player on the AVCA National Player of the Year Watch List, and lived up to the Preseason BIG EAST Player of the Year hype she was anointed by league coaches before the fall. Martin finished in the top 10 in the BIG EAST in league play in points per set (5.16), kills per set (4.52), aces per set (0.50) and hitting percentage (.376). In her career, she’s fourth in CU history with 1,607 kills and third with 127 aces. The Overland Park, Kan., native was named BIG EAST Tournament MVP and was recently the second pick in the Major League Volleyball Draft. This is Martin’s third straight First Team All-Region accolade, making her just the fifth player in program history to be honored three times or more along with Jaali Winters (2015-18), Kendra Wait (2021-24), Kelli Browning (2012-14) and Norah Sis (2021, 2022, 2024).

Reinhardt is a sixth-year senior who became the winningest player (123) in program history and in position to set a CU single-season record for hitting percentage. She owns 801 career kills, is fourth in program history with 530 blocks and fifth with a .333 hitting percentage. Reinhardt was the eighth pick in the Major League Volleyball Draft from Cedarburg, Wis.

This is the second straight season Creighton has been in the West Region, a change from past years when CU was in the East Region and fought for honors among various teams from the Atlantic Coast Conference, America East Conference, Atlantic 10 Conference, BIG EAST Conference, Coastal Athletic Association, Ivy League, Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference and Patriot Leagues, in addition to then-independent Hartford.

No. 11 Creighton (27-5) is in the midst of its 14th straight trip to the NCAA Tournament and will travel to the campus of the University of Kentucky later today in anticipation of Thursday’s 12 p.m. Central contest vs. No. 8 Arizona State (28-3) that will be nationally-televised on ESPN2.

All-America honors will be announced next Wednesday (Dec. 17) prior to next week’s Final Four in Kansas City.

CENTRAL REGION

Player of the Year: Shaylee Myers, Kansas State University, OH, Sr.

Freshman of the Year: Jovanna Zelenovic, University of Kansas, RS

Coach of the Year: Bobbi Petersen, University of Northern Iowa

EAST COAST REGION

Player of the Year: Olivia Babcock, University of Pittsburgh, RS, Jr.

Freshman of the Year: Reagan Ennist, University of Virginia, OH

Coach of the Year: Dan Fisher, University of Pittsburgh

MIDWEST REGION

Player of the Year: Kenna Wollard, Purdue University, OH, Jr.

Freshman of the Year: Teodora Krickovic, Indiana University, S

Coach of the Year: Dave Shondell, Purdue University

NORTH REGION

Player of the Year: Mimi Colyer, University of Wisconsin, Sr., OH

Freshman of the Year: Ava Poinsett, Yale University, OH

Coach of the Year: Kelly Sheffield, University of Wisconsin

NORTHWEST REGION

Player of the Year:Julia Hanson, University of Minnesota, OH, Sr.

Freshman of the Year: Alanah Clemente, University of Oregon, RS

Coach of the Year: Keegan Cook, University of Minnesota

PACIFIC REGION

Player of the Year: Elia Rubin, Stanford University, OH, Sr.

Freshman of the Year: Logan Parks, Stanford University, S

Coach of the Year: Kevin Hambly, Stanford University

SOUTH REGION

Player of the Year: Eva Hudson, University of Kentucky, OH, Sr.

Freshman of the Year: Kassie O’Brien, University of Kentucky, S

Coach of the Year: Craig Skinner, University of Kentucky

SOUTHEAST REGION

Player of the Year: Flormarie Heredia Colon, University of Miami, OH, Sr.

Freshman of the Year: Lily Hayes, University of Florida, L

Coach of the Year: Heather Gearhart, Winthrop University

SOUTHWEST REGION

Player of the Year: Torrey Stafford, University of Texas, OH, Jr.

Freshman of the Year: Cari Spears, University of Texas, RS

Coach of the Year: Sam Erger, Southern Methodist University

WEST REGION

Player of the Year: Bergen Reilly, University of Nebraska, S, Jr.

Freshman of the Year: Suli Davis, Brigham Young University, OH

Coach of the Year: Dani Busboom Kelly, University of Nebraska

2025 AVCA DIVISION I REGION COACHES OF THE YEAR

The following coaches have been selected as this year’s AVCA Region Coaches of the Year. Each of the honorees can be considered for the AVCA National Coach of the Year, and the awards will be presented at the Coaches Honors Luncheon in Kansas City on Dec. 18, at the 2025 AVCA Convention.

CENTRAL REGION COACH OF THE YEAR

Bobbi Petersen, University of Northern Iowa

2025 Record (as of Dec. 9): 26-6

Petersen was named the Missouri Valley Coach of the Year for a conference-record, fourth-straight season. She helped UNI win 20 or more matches for the 22nd time in her 26-year career, and the squad gave her a 13th MVC regular-season championship and a third-consecutive undefeated conference season.

EAST COAST REGION COACH OF THE YEAR

Dan Fisher, University of Pittsburgh

2025 Record (as of Dec. 9): 28-4

Pittsburgh has been a force again this season under Fisher, who is in his 13th season on the sidelines for the Panthers. Fisher guided his 2025 squad to the school’s fourth-straight ACC title, and they are 28-4 heading into the regional round of this year’s NCAA Championship. He picked up his 400th win as a head collegiate coach in early September.

MIDWEST REGION COACH OF THE YEAR

Dave Shondell, Purdue University

2025 Record (as of Dec. 9): 26-6

The 24-year coaching veteran is enjoying another very successful season. In addition to notching career coaching win No. 500, he weathered losing a number of key transfers and kept Purdue playing at an elite level in 2025. Among his squad’s many accomplishments, they have recorded nine wins over ranked teams so far this season.

NORTH REGION COACH OF THE YEAR

Kelly Sheffield, University of Wisconsin

2025 Record (as of Dec. 9): 26-4

Another year, another stellar season for Sheffield and the Badgers. The veteran coach’s team is finding its stride at the right time, as they rolled through the early rounds of the 2025 NCAA Championship with a pair of sweeps and head into this week’s regional on an 11-match win streak. Early this season, he earned his 600th career coaching victory.

NORTHWEST REGION COACH OF THE YEAR

Keegan Cook, University of Minnesota

2025 Record (as of Dec. 9): 24-9

Cook has done a lot of impressive things in his career, but the fact that his team is in the Sweet 16 of the 2025 NCAA Championship is remarkable. His Gophers, who began the season ranked 12th, lost four starters to season-ending injuries early in the year. The team persevered, stayed in the poll all season, and got sixth in the Big Ten.

PACIFIC REGION COACH OF THE YEAR

Kevin Hambly, Stanford University

2025 Record (as of Dec. 9): 29-4

Despite losing a number of key players from last season, Hambly and the Cardinal have enjoyed a very successful campaign so far in 2025. His ninth season at Stanford included an Atlantic Coast Conference title and another NCAA Championship Sweet Sixteen appearance. Late this season, he earned his 400th career coaching victory.

SOUTH REGION COACH OF THE YEAR

Craig Skinner, University of Kentucky

2025 Record (as of Dec. 9): 27-2

Skinner more than earned his second-consecutive Region Coach of the Year award, as his team has taken no prisoners in 2025. They enter the Sweet 16 on a 24-match winning streak and ran the table in the Southeastern Conference, earning both the regular-season title—the school’s ninth in a row—and SEC Tournament championship.

SOUTHEAST REGION COACH OF THE YEAR

Heather Gearhart, Winthrop University

2025 Record (as of Dec. 9): 18-7

Gearhart made her third season as the head coach at Winthrop a memorable one. She helped the Eagles take home the 2025 Big South Conference regular-season title, after they went 12-2 in league play and closed the regular-season with a 10-match winning streak. The team had five players on the 2025 All-Big South teams.

SOUTHWEST REGION COACH OF THE YEAR

Sam Erger, Southern Methodist University

2025 Record (as of Dec. 9): 27-5

Erger and the Mustangs have solidified their place in the upper echelon of Division I volleyball in 2025. The fourth-year SMU coach has her team is in the Sweet Sixteen for the first time in program history. In the NCAA Championship second-round sweep of Florida over the weekend, she picked up her 100th career win at SMU.

WEST REGION COACH OF THE YEAR

Dani Busboom Kelly, University of Nebraska

2025 Record (as of Dec. 9): 32-0

Replacing a legend is never easy, but Busboom Kelly has proven that she’s up to the challenge in her first year as head coach at Nebraska. Her 2025 team has made history with a 30-0 regular-season record and 20-0 mark in Big Ten play. How dominant have the Huskers been? They enter the Sweet 16 having dropped only seven sets this season.