IMG Academy Apr 6, 2025 Over recent years we have seen a shift in the value of sports education as student-athletes increasingly have financial opportunities extending well beyond the historical scholarship model. We have seen three important shifts to the governing rules of college and high school sports: (1) Name, Image, and Likeness (NIL) becoming […]
Over recent years we have seen a shift in the value of sports education as student-athletes increasingly have financial opportunities extending well beyond the historical scholarship model.
We have seen three important shifts to the governing rules of college and high school sports: (1) Name, Image, and Likeness (NIL) becoming a viable revenue stream for college student-athletes, and to a lesser degree, high-school student-athletes; (2) Historical college sport-by-sport caps/limits on scholarships being removed or significantly increased; and now (3) A potential House v. NCAA settlement ruling tomorrow providing significant payments to former student-athletes, including up to 22% or c. $22 million of college sports revenue being shared with current and future student-athletes.
Complementing these shifts in regulation are the realities of the technology and social dynamics of this generation of student-athletes. We are living in a world where student-athletes have a direct ability to reach and influence their own audiences via social media, a dynamic that adds fuel to this moment. These student-athletes are undoubtedly able, unlike any prior generation, to directly drive engagement for the brands they represent, including their colleges.
Lastly, colleges are increasingly seeing sports on campus as having clear and direct impact to student experience and on enrollment funnels. Sports is among the few investments a college can make that (1) positively impacts student experience and builds community for all students at the school, (2) positively and broadly impacts alumni relations and donor activation, and (3) serves as a high-quality brand platform in a highly competitive environment, driving the volume and quality of college applications.
The upshot of these converging trends? A simple reality: the value of sports education and the value of a roster spot are increasing for student-athletes.
Historically, the benefits of being excellent academically and athletically were limited to a college scholarship. A scholarship is a game-changing opportunity for so many families around the country. Today and increasingly in the future, the opportunity will be even bigger.
Big seven-figure NIL deals may seem mainstream due to the press coverage, but in truth, a very small portion of college student-athletes receive significant six or seven figure NIL compensation. While I expect the size and breadth of NIL compensation to grow, as or more interesting to me is the impact of the elimination of historical scholarship caps, combined with the impact of collegiate revenue sharing for student-athletes.
We are still in the very early days of understanding the new allocations and size of this expanding value proposition, but my prediction is we will see significant, five and six figure, financial opportunities for many of the 400,000+ college student-athletes around the country.
Critically, these opportunities are not without challenges. I see too many stories and focus on the “deals” and the “money.” While those storylines are good for clicks and advertising, they are not helping our families. We need to be talking more and doing more in education and preparation. As high school and middle school educators, our job is to prepare students for all aspects of college and life.
This evolving opportunity for student-athletes means we have a new obligation to teach, support and prepare our families to meet the moment. We see four focus areas:
College matriculation education: The shifting value proposition in college is evolving and confusing, and it has a big impact on student decisions related to college matriculation. College counseling and sports recruiting need to evolve to create more clarity for families.
Character development: Identity, personal values and confidence are more important now than ever. Social media has its benefits, but it also comes with big challenges for teenage students. These challenges are heightened in sports, when factoring in NIL. The baseline question a student must answer is: who am I? Attaching personal identity to third party brands for money and agreeing to post on social media are a big decision. A student should first think hard and define their personal values and goals. Students need confidence in their “who am I?” and their personal values in a sometimes unforgiving social media world.
NIL and social media education: Rules and regulations can vary state by state and are a moving target right now. Families need to understand those rules, and they need support on the basics of contracts, key terms, and where to turn for help. Beyond those building blocks, students are asking about personal brand building and appropriate and strategic use of social media. As educators, our job is not to find or facilitate financial transactions for students; however, it is our job to make sure the students are prepared and confident to handle those opportunities.
Financial education: With more money being distributed more broadly and earlier than ever before in sports education, our students increasingly need a strong baseline of financial education in high school; from opening bank accounts to budgeting, saving and investing. These are critical skills to develop. There are money-related emotional skills to develop, too. As a college student athlete, having an income comes with social pressures and new social dynamics related to money. That challenge is trickling down to college and high school now.
These four critical education areas for student-athletes and their families need attention. I would venture that nearly every high-school has student-athletes dealing with this evolving landscape, and I hope that as an IMG Academy community we can surround our students with the resources required to be successful.
Mizzou gymnastics star graduates this spring | Mizzou Xtra
COLUMBIA − Amari Celestine is a force on the floor. She has been a part of Mizzou Gymnastics all four years of her college career. She has been involved with gymnastics since she was a toddler. “I really don’t consider myself good at any other sport,” Celestine said. “Gymnastics has always just been innate to me […]
COLUMBIA − Amari Celestine is a force on the floor. She has been a part of Mizzou Gymnastics all four years of her college career.
She has been involved with gymnastics since she was a toddler.
“I really don’t consider myself good at any other sport,” Celestine said. “Gymnastics has always just been innate to me its just been natural.”
Celestine’s ultimate goal that drove her was getting to college. Now, after helping her team place third at the NCAA Championship final, Celestine will graduate on Saturday.
Celestine helped her team score the highest floor score in Mizzou Gymnastics program history. She has scored 9.900 or higher on floor in 10 of 16 meets this season. She recorded five-straight scores of 9.900+ on bars.
After Mizzou gymnastics earned a third place finish at the NCAA Championship final, Amari talked about the doubters that did not think the team would make it that far. She is a crucial part of uplift to the team, and was determined to leave a mark at Mizzou.
“We can’t let what they feel about us define our efforts,” Celestine said. “We want to say, okay, well this is gonna be the sweetest ‘I told you so’ in the world. Like, you’re gonna see, you’re gonna learn, so I think that’s been really helpful,” Celestine said.
Since being at Mizzou, Amari has earned a handful of awards, earning WCGA Vault Floor First Team All-American in 2022, WCGA All-Around Second Team All-American and WCGA South Central Regional Gymnast of the Year this year. She was also named the 2025 NCAA Seattle Regional Outright Vault Champion.
Celestine has been on the All-SEC team four times. She is only one of two Mizzou gymnasts to earn four All-American honors in four years.
With being on the team for four years, Celestine serves as a leader and a player her teammates can count on. “If I could describe Amari in one word, it would be inspiring,” fellow Mizzou gymnast, Kennedy Griffin, said.
Griffin is a sophomore gymnast who has been under Celestine’s wing. She said she appreciates how Amari genuinely cares for her and her team as teammates and as people outside of the sport.
“She is someone I can come to with something even outside of gymnastics, like helping me apply to an internship that I’m currently doing,” Griffin said.
Post graduation, Amari will be an intern at Rich Paul’s sports agency in Los Angeles, Klutch Sports Agency. She will also be a graduate assistant in southern Alabama this coming fall.
Northwestern Wildcats Ready for NCAA Lacrosse Quarterfinal Vs. Penn
When Northwestern takes the field Thursday at Martin Stadium, the Wildcats will have the opportunity to reach their sixth consecutive Final Four. Just like 2024, Penn stands in the way in the NCAA Tournament Quarterfinal. The ‘Cats have two decades of championship-caliber history, but they aren’t looking to the past as they gear up for […]
When Northwestern takes the field Thursday at Martin Stadium, the Wildcats will have the opportunity to reach their sixth consecutive Final Four. Just like 2024, Penn stands in the way in the NCAA Tournament Quarterfinal.
The ‘Cats have two decades of championship-caliber history, but they aren’t looking to the past as they gear up for another title run. Instead, they’re taking it one game at a time.
“This is such an exciting time of the year,” senior midfielder Emerson Boelig said on Wednesday. “We call it Christmas because, like holiday season, you’re so excited. Everyone on the team is ready to go for the next game, and you’re only guaranteed one game, so why wouldn’t we put everything we can into it?”
Northwestern, the No. 3 seed in the NCAA Tournament, enters Thursday with a 17-2 record. The team’s only two losses have come to No. 1 North Carolina and No. 2 Boston College.
The Wildcats played six opponents this season who reached the NCAA Tournament, but the Penn Quakers were not one of them. Madison Taylor, the nation’s leading scorer who logged a tournament-record 10 goals against Michigan on Sunday, said the ‘Cats relish the challenge that comes with facing a team for the first time.
“It’s an exciting opportunity to play a different opponent,” Taylor said. “We’re all really embracing that, working really hard on the field and watching film off the field… We’re really excited just to go out there and play one last game at home this year.”
Boehlig and Taylor were both on the 2023 National Championship team, as well as the 2024 group that fell just short in a rematch with Boston College. While each postseason game gives the players experience in high-pressure moments, Taylor said that coach Kelly Amonte Hiller preaches calmness throughout the game.
It’s this calmness that could take the Wildcats all the way to their ninth National Championship. First, though, Northwestern will have to get past the Quakers on Thursday, with the opening draw set for 11 a.m. CT.
Better golf swing: Nick Saban, Tommy Tuberville, Charles Barkley or Kalen DeBoer? You tell us
College football coaches are all about evaluating talent. Now, we want you to flip the script and evaluate a couple of former coaches when it comes to their golf swing. Who has the better swing: Nick Saban or Tommy Tuberville? Both were in action this week at the Regions Tradition Celebrity Pro-Am golf tournament at […]
College football coaches are all about evaluating talent.
Now, we want you to flip the script and evaluate a couple of former coaches when it comes to their golf swing.
Who has the better swing: Nick Saban or Tommy Tuberville?
Both were in action this week at the Regions Tradition Celebrity Pro-Am golf tournament at Greystone in Hoover.
And, just for fun, we’ll throw in a couple of pretty prominent folks for your consideration.
In addition to the former Alabama and Auburn coaches, consider Auburn football great Bo Jackson, Auburn basketball legend Charles Barkley, Auburn coach Hugh Freeze, Alabama coach Kalen DeBoer, former Alabama quarterback AJ McCarron and Georgia coach Kirby Smart.
Like being a member of the College Football Playoff committee, your evaluation is completely subjective.
There was plenty opinions and interactions among the high-profile ball strikers Wednesday.
Barkley and DeBoer shared some pleasantries.
Meanwhile, DeBoer couldn’t dodge the ever-lingering question about the Crimson Tide quarterback battle.
Barkley, on the other hand, is a huge fan of Birmingham, went after the NCAA and NIL, then revealed his go-to playlist and how much weight he has lost.
Saban, of course, talked about his new appointment to President Donald Trump’s sports commission.
Plenty to sink your teeth into, but what about those swings?
Mark Heim is a reporter for The Alabama Media Group. Follow him on Twitter @Mark_Heim. He can be heard on “The Opening Kickoff” on WNSP-FM 105.5 FM in Mobile or on the free Sound of Mobile App from 6 to 9 a.m. daily.
Renata Engel to serve as interim vice president for Commonwealth campuses | University Park Campus News
Renata Engel has been named interim vice president for Commonwealth campuses and executive chancellor of the Commonwealth campuses, effective May 19. Formerly the Vice Provost for Online Education, Engel will be filling the role previously left by Margo DelliCarpini, who had moved on to pursue a career at The College of New Jersey. Karen Pollack […]
Renata Engel has been named interim vice president for Commonwealth campuses and executive chancellor of the Commonwealth campuses, effective May 19.
Formerly the Vice Provost for Online Education, Engel will be filling the role previously left by Margo DelliCarpini, who had moved on to pursue a career at The College of New Jersey. Karen Pollack will fill Engel’s former position.
Engel’s previously held Associate Vice Provost for Online Programs, Associate Dean for Academic Programs in the College of Engineering and Director for the Schreyer Institute for Teaching Excellence at Penn State.
“I know this is a time of great change for our Commonwealth Campus communities as the University’s leadership team and Board of Trustees consider changes that will position Penn State for success long into the future,” Engel said in a Penn State press release.
Engel was an undergraduate student at a commonwealth campus herself, and started her bachelor’s degree in engineering science at Penn State Fayette, and later graduated from the University Park campus. Engel then went on to complete a doctorate in engineering mechanics from the University of South Florida.
Shewas a part of the launch of the Penn State World Campus Chaiken Center for Student Success, which works to “ support resources that have been developed for World Campus students” and bring together academic advising services, according to the release.
“I have always thought that we are at our best as a University when we work together to develop innovative solutions to solve our challenges,” Engel said. “That is why I approach every decision or recommendation with the breadth and comprehensiveness of this university in mind.”
MORE CAMPUS COVERAGE
Penn State President Neeli Bendapudi released the Commonwealth campus closure recommendation…
If you’re interested in submitting a Letter to the Editor, click here.
Young soccer players are finding different ways to launch pro careers
Of the emerging young players in the National Women’s Soccer League this season, Sam Meza has had one of the more unusual journeys to start her professional career. Meza was drafted by the Seattle Regin in 2024 out of North Carolina. She made one appearance with the team before she was loaned to the Dallas […]
Of the emerging young players in the National Women’s Soccer League this season, Sam Meza has had one of the more unusual journeys to start her professional career.
Meza was drafted by the Seattle Regin in 2024 out of North Carolina. She made one appearance with the team before she was loaned to the Dallas Trinity for the first season of the women’s pro USL Super League.
Meza, who earned Super League player of the month honors for November, was brought back to Seattle this season.
She’s one of several young NWSL players who have launched their careers in an ever-growing women’s soccer ecosystem that offers a variety of professional pathways. Other players have skipped college soccer, or have navigated the job hunt without the benefit of a college draft.
While Meza considered the loan a blow at the time, now she sees the value in it.
“Ultimately, it was an opportunity for me to learn prove to myself, which is the most important, and to prove to everybody else that I was a player that I’ve always been. It just took me a little bit more time to get to where I wanted to be,” Meza said.
As veteran midfielder Jess Fishlock nurses a knee injury, Meza has started six games for the Reign. She assisted on Jordyn Huitema’s game-tying goal in a 1-1 draw with Bay FC last month, and she is tied for second in the league for tackles with 32.
Angel City FC forward Riley Tiernan (33) runs during an NWSL soccer match against the San Diego Wave FC in Los Angeles, March 16, 2025. Credit: AP/Kyusung Gong
“She’s a great example of how loans can be really good, and sticking with it, sticking to the journey, because last year was really challenging for her going on loan,” Reign coach Laura Harvey said. “She wanted to do it in the end, but I’m sure she would have preferred to be with us the whole time.”
Meza, a Dallas native, is a member of the final draft class in the NWSL. The league eliminated the college draft in the latest collective bargaining agreement and 2025 was the first year without a draft.
She’s also one of a handful of players who have been loaned to the Super League, which is on the top tier of women’s soccer in the United States alongside the NWSL but is only in its first season. Those deals are expected to grow.
North Carolina Courage defender Natalia Staude followed a similar path. She started her pro career on loan to the Super League’s Tampa Bay Sun before joining the Courage this season.
Alyssa Thompson, left, and her younger sister Gisele Thompson speak to the media at the National Women’s Soccer League Media Day at the Beverly Hilton in Beverly Hills, Calif., Jan. 24, 2025. Credit: AP/Anne M. Peterson
NWSL Commissioner Jessica Berman has said one of the strengths of the league on the international stage is its depth — and part of that is due to its emerging young stars. The loan process helps develop young players who in the past may have left soccer altogether.
“There have been examples where our teams have loaned players to those other leagues when they anticipate that a particular player isn’t going to get playing minutes, or that it’s not the right fit from a technical environment perspective, but they want to give the player an opportunity to continue to develop and play,” Berman said. “So I think optionality for players is good, and I think a robust ecosystem that allows for players at all levels to be able to continue to play is a good thing for the sport.”
Some of the other emerging young players who haven’t taken traditional paths to launch their pro careers:
Riley Tiernan, Angel City
In the absence of a draft, Tiernan was a non-roster invitee to Angel City’s preseason training camp this year. She did so well she earned herself a spot on the team and signed a two-year contract. She’s scored five goals, tied for second in the league.
Claire Hutton, Kansas City Current
Hutton initially committed to North Carolina but then decided to go pro instead. She was signed by the Current ahead of the 2024 season via the NWSL’s Under-18 Entry Mechanism and was a finalist for NWSL Rookie of the Year. Hutton followed in the footsteps of other talented NWSL players who skipped college, including Mallory Swanson and Trinity Rodman.
Olivia Moultrie, Portland Thorns
Although Moultrie made her professional debut in 2021, she’s still just 19 years old. She turned pro at just 13 when she hired an agent and signed a deal with Nike. But she wasn’t allowed to play professionally because of an NWSL rule that required players to be 18. In 2021, she sued for the right to play and won. Moultrie’s legal fight created the pathway for the rule that Hutton and many others have used to turn pro.
The Thompson Sisters, Angel City
Alyssa was the first high school player drafted into the NWSL when she was the No. 1 pick in 2023. Gisele Thompson was just 17 when she joined Angel City ahead of the 2024 season through the under-18 rule. She scored this month against Bay FC with an assist from Alyssa for the league’s first sister-to-sister goal.
NCAA Baseball Regional Preview: Bulldogs Open Up with No. 1 UW-Whitewater on Friday
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ADRIAN, Mich. – Nicolay Field will once again host the NCAA Division III Baseball Regionals for the first time since 2019. The Adrian College baseball team earned a spot in the tournament after winning the MIAA Tournament last […]
ADRIAN, Mich. – Nicolay Field will once again host the NCAA Division III Baseball Regionals for the first time since 2019. The Adrian College baseball team earned a spot in the tournament after winning the MIAA Tournament last weekend. Entering as the No. 4 seed in a competitive four-team regional, the Bulldogs will aim to advance to the Super Regionals for the second consecutive season.
About the Bulldogs
Adrian heads into the tournament with a 28-16 overall record and a 16-5 mark in MIAA play. The Bulldogs are currently riding a four-game winning streak, having battled through the consolation bracket to claim the conference title.
Freshman Jake Burns leads the offense with a .385 batting average, while Nic Bruder is heating up at the right time, batting .347 and carrying a 10-game hitting streak. David Kedrow leads the team in RBIs with 51, followed closely by Ryan Davis (48) and Easton Rogers (43), who anchor the heart of the lineup.
On the mound, the Bulldogs rely on a strong starting trio: Jaxon Clark (4.13 ERA), Landon Kozlowski (4.04 ERA), and Ambrose Horwath (3.40 ERA). The bullpen has been a strength, with closer Ryan Davis standing out with a remarkable 0.75 ERA over 36 innings and five saves.
No. 1 Seed: UW-Whitewater Warhawks
Top-seeded UW-Whitewater enters the Regional as the No. 3 team in the nation after earning an automatic bid by defeating UW-Oshkosh in the WIAC Championship. The Warhawks boast a 39-5 overall record and a dominant 24-4 conference finish.
UW-Whitewater leads the nation in team batting average (.364), slugging percentage (.629), and home runs (93). With five players posting double-digit home run totals, the Warhawks will look to power their way to another Regional title. On the mound, their top three starters hold ERAs of 2.66, 3.03, and 5.36.
No. 2 Seed: Washington University (WashU) Bears
WashU earned an at-large bid from the UAA after finishing 25-15 overall and 10-10 in conference play. Ranked 30th in the NPI, the Bears return to the NCAA Tournament for the first time since 2021.
Offensively, WashU is hitting .300 as a team, with one batter over .400 and three others above .300. Their pitching staff is deep and dependable, led by starters with ERAs of 1.84, 2.54, and 3.86.
No. 3 Seed: Ohio Northern University Polar Bears
Ohio Northern earned an at-large bid from the OAC after a 29-12 overall record and a 13-3 conference finish. The Polar Bears, ranked 34th in the NPI, fell to Baldwin Wallace in the OAC Championship Game.
While the team is batting .288 overall, seven players are hitting above .300. The pitching staff has been consistent all season, anchored by their ace who holds a 2.42 ERA, and limiting opponents to a .255 average.
Tournament Schedule
Adrian will face top-seeded UW-Whitewater in Game 2 of the Regional on Friday, May 16 at 2:30 PM. This marks the first meeting between the two teams since the dramatic 2021 Regionals, when the Bulldogs walked off back-to-back games against the Warhawks to earn a trip to the College World Series.
The tournament opens with No. 2 WashU taking on No. 3 Ohio Northern at 11:00 AM on Friday. Elimination games will take place on Saturday at 11:00 AM, 2:30 PM, and 6:00 PM, with the Regional Championship set for Sunday.
Fan Information
Fans can watch every game live online for free via the NCAA Champs Pass, presented by Adrian College TV. Live stats and ticket information are available at www.adrianbulldogs.com. For complete tournament coverage—including brackets, parking info, and streaming links—click HERE.
