Sports
The University of Colorado, Lawmakers Celebrate New State Law Supporting Student-Athlete Name, Image, and Likeness
University of Colorado Athletics hosted a special luncheon to recognize the many people who were instrumental in passing HB25-1041, a new state law that allows universities to compensate student-athletes for their Name, Image, and Likeness (NIL) rights, while also providing student-athlete privacy protection of that compensation.
In attendance were the sponsors of the bill, Senate President James Coleman, Senator Judy Amabile, and Representative Lesley Smith. Senator Barbara Kirkmeyer, a supporter of the bill, was also on hand, as were representatives from Governor Jared Polis’s office. University of Colorado Board of Regents Ray Scott, Ilana Spiegel, and Mark VanDriel were also there to give their support and thanks.
University of Colorado President Todd Saliman, University of Colorado Boulder Chancellor Justin Schwartz, and Athletic Director Rick George all spoke to express their gratitude for the hard work in getting the bill passed.
“This new Colorado law is critical to our student-athletes and their ability to realize the value of their many contributions on and off the field,” said CU President Saliman. “The effort to get here wasn’t without its challenges and I am particularly proud that we were able to ensure our student-athletes’ privacy as they navigate these formative years in education and sport.”
“All of us at CU Boulder are excited for the passage of this bill, which supports and protects our student-athletes as they find success across athletics and academics,” said Chancellor Schwartz. “Buffs are bold. We are strong. We are innovative. We live out those values across our campus, including in our athletic program .We aim to lead not just in competition but in building within our student-athletes the foundation for a successful life.”
“With the House settlement, which requires universities to share revenue with student-athletes, going into effect on July 1, this bill makes it possible for CU to enter this new era of college athletics on a foundation that will give us the best chance for success,” said Athletic Director George. “This is just the beginning and a lot is going to change as we continue to navigate these unprecedented times, but I am confident that thanks to this bill, CU Athletics is positioned for success in competition, in the classroom, and in the community now and for years to come.”
Among those who were present to celebrate the bill were those who are impacted the most, CU student-athletes and coaches. Student-athletes Riley Burkey (track & field) and Ben Finneseth (football) joined head men’s basketball coach Tad Boyle, football offensive coordinator Pat Schurmur, and football defensive coordinator Rob Livingston in personally thanking those who worked on the bill.
After lunch, the group gathered for a photo before taking a tour of the UC Health Champions Center.
Sports
Chloe Leluge Earns 2025 AVCA All-Pacific Region Honorable Mention
Ranking 2nd in the Big West and 36th in Division I with a .383 hitting percentage, Leluge has helped keep Cal Poly’s offense in the national top-20 for most of the season. The team currently sits 18th heading into the NCAA Tournament Regional Semifinals, marking the program’s first return to this stage since 2007.
Even if her career ended today, Leluge’s .372 career hitting percentage would far outpace the current program leader in the Division I era by 17 points. Her current season rate also places her in the top-10 on the program’s single-season leaderboard. A true two-way middle blocker, Leluge co-leads the team and the conference this season with 130 total blocks.
Just a few weeks ago, Cal Poly upset top-seeded UC Davis to win the Big West title and secure an automatic NCAA bid. Leluge, who committed only one error on 57 attacks throughout the tournament, was named Big West Championship MVP and later to Michella Chester’s NCAA Rotation of the Week.
Since then, Leluge has been instrumental in helping the Mustangs topple ranked programs BYU and USC in the NCAA Tournament to advance to the Sweet 16. She helped stun the Cougars in the first round’s opening set, tallying six kills to kickstart Cal Poly’s tournament run, before recording a trio of block assists against USC, extending her multi-block streak to 13 matches.
As arguably one of the best all-around middle blockers in the country, Leluge has positioned herself to continue an already legendary career while helping propel Cal Poly to one of the single greatest seasons in program history.
Sports
Cail Named to 2025 AVCA Central All-Region Team
JONESBORO, Ark. (12/9/25) – Arkansas State volleyball middle blocker Daedrianna Cail was named to the Division I Central All-Region First Team by the American Volleyball Coaches Association, as the organization announced its regional teams for the 2025 campaign on Tuesday.
Cail is the Red Wolves’ 10th AVCA All-Region selection in program history and the first to secure a spot on the first team since Mallory Warrington and Markie Schaedig achieved the feat in 2016.
The Marion native tallied a program-record 183 total blocks alongside 282 kills and a .355 attack percentage over 31 matches and 119 sets played. The All-Sun Belt Conference First Team selection ranks second nationally for total blocks and fifth for blocks per set, averaging 1.54.
Cail posted five-plus blocks in 18 matches and registered a career high of 15 to lead A-State past Texas State in a 3-2 (15-25, 25-23, 25-23, 22-25, 15-10) victory in the Sun Belt Volleyball Tournament semifinals. In addition, the senior landed double-digit kills in 14 matches, including a season and career high of 19 at Georgia State on Sept. 26.
Cail was named Sun Belt Volleyball Tournament Most Outstanding Player following the Scarlet and Black’s victory over James Madison in the championship round.
Following the all-region selection, Cail is eligible for AVCA All-America consideration. All-America teams will be announced on Wednesday, Dec. 17.
SOCIAL MEDIA
Fans can follow the team on Twitter (@AStateVB) and Instagram (astatevb) along with liking the Arkansas State Red Wolves Volleyball page on Facebook for the latest news and updates regarding the team.
Sports
EIU Hosts Former OVC Rival On Wednesday
Wednesday, December 10 • 7 pm
Charleston, Ill. • Groniger Arena
GAME INFO
RADIO: Hit Mix 88.9 WEIU
TV: ESPN+
LIVE STATS: www.eiupanthers.com
SERIES RECORD: EKU leads 28-18
LAST MEETING: EIU 81, EIU 66 on Dec. 14, 2024 at Berea College (Ky.)
NOTES: EIU Complete Game Notes
GAME 9
Eastern Illinois plays its second straight home game as the Panthers will have four of five contests at Groniger Arena in the month of December. The Panthers host former Ohio Valley Conference rival Eastern Kentucky on Wednesday night. EIU lost its OVC opener on Saturday against Lindenwood falling to 2-6 on the season with three straight losses. It was EIU’s first loss at home this season and snapped a four game home win streak. Eastern Kentucky snapped its seven game losing skid at home over the weekend with a big win over IU East to move the Colonels to 2-7 on the season.
JACOBI WITH A DOUBLE-DOUBLE
Graduate student Kooper Jacobi posted his first double-double of the season on Saturday with 20 points and 10 rebounds against Lindenwood. Jacobi led the OVC in both rebounding (8.9 rpg) and double-doubles (9) last year and had just missed adding to his career total in two other games this season. The double-double against Lindenwood was the 12th of his EIU career as he continues to inch his way towards 500 career rebounds at EIU (453 at EIU … 8.1 rpg for EIU career / 538 college career).
OLAFIOYE WITH A CAREER HIGH
Last season Malik Olafioye scored in double figures in two games cracking the double figure mark for the first time with ten points in the OVC opener at Southeast Missouri and posting a season high 11 points in a win over Blackburn. In this year’s OVC opener with Lindenwood, Olafioye again opened conference play with double figure scoring as he finished with a career high 14 points going 5-of-10 from the field and 3-of-4 from the line. His previous high this season was nine points in the opener at Valparaiso.
PANTHERS GOOD IN THE FIRST HALF
Eastern Illinois opened the first half of OVC play on Saturday connecting for the Panthers best 20 minutes of the season as they shot 54.8 percent from the floor to take a 41-34 lead into the break. It was the fourth time this season EIU has shot 50 percent or better in a half with 51.7 percent at home against Tiffin in the first half and second half efforts at Central Arkansas and at Purdue. On the season EIU is shooting 41.0 percent from the field (10th in the OVC) while averaging 62.1 points per game (11th in the OVC).
UP NEXT
Sunday – December 14, 2025 at #4 Iowa State (12 pm on ESPN+)
Sports
NIU Women’s Golf Signs One for 2026-27 Season
Women’s Golf | December 8
DeKALB, Ill.—Northern Illinois University women’s golf coach Kim Kester has announced the signing of Nethra Sheri for the upcoming season.
Sheri comes to the Huskies women’s golf program after competing for Coppell High School in Irving, Texas. With the Cowboys, Sheri was a member of the team that claimed the 2025 6A State Championship, placed third at the 2024 6A State tournament, and claimed District championships in 2023, 2024, and 2025. Sheri also tied for first place at District championships and took third at Regionals.
Sheri has made her mark on the junior golf tour, competing with the Texas Junior Golf Team, All-American Tour, and American Junior Golf Tour. With the Texas Junior team, Sheri has claimed two victories and six top-5 finishes. Sheri added four top-15 finishes with the American Junior Golf tour, and two wins with the All-American tour. Additionally, Sheri was the Women’s Southern Amateur Quarterfinalist in 2025.
“We are excited to welcome Nethra to the NIU golf family,” noted Kester. “She brings a lot of tournament experience to NIU. She has had a great junior career. We are excited to see what she can do academically and athletically.”
The 2025-26 NIU women’s golf team returns to action on January 25-27 as they compete at the UCF Challenge in Orlando, Florida.
Want to stay in the know with NIU Women’s Golf? Follow the team on Facebook (Northern Illinois University Women’s Golf), X/Twitter (@NIUWomensGolf), and on Instagram (@niuwomensgolf).
Sports
Watch Nebraska volleyball vs Kansas: TV channel, time, streaming
Dec. 9, 2025, 5:15 a.m. CT
The Nebraska volleyball team enters the Sweet 16 of the NCAA tournament after sweeping Kansas State last Saturday. The Huskers now face the Kansas Jayhawks, who defeated Miami in four sets.
Nebraska’s offense ranks first nationally with a .352 hitting percentage. The defense is equally impressive, ranking first nationally in opponent hitting percentage at .125.
Junior Harper Murray leads the team with 3.55 kills and 2.15 digs per set and a team high 30 aces. Setter Bergen Reilly runs the offense at an elite level with an average of 10.31 assists and 2.73 digs per set. Middle blocker Andi Jackson is averaging 2.75 kills per set on .467 hitting with 1.13 blocks per set.
Kansas is in the Sweet 16 for the fourth time in school history and the first time since 2021. Rhian Swanson averages 3.09 kills per set. Setter Katie Dalton averages 8.88 assists per set and was named All-Big 12 Second Team.
Nebraska is 63-5 against Kansas. The Jayhawks have lost the last 57 matches in the series.
Watch Nebraska volleyball vs Kansas live on ESPN+Here’s how to watch Nebraska-Kansas volleyball on Friday, including time, TV schedule and streaming information:
What channel is Nebraska volleyball vs. Kansas on?
TV Channel: ESPN2
Livestream:ESPN+ (subscriber only)
Nebraska-Kansas volleyball in the Sweet 16 of the NCAA tournament can be seen on ESPN2. Huskers Radio Network will have audio coverage of all Nebraska matches on Huskers Radio Network affiliates, Huskers.com and the Huskers app. John Baylor and Lauren Cook West will be on the call. Streaming options for the game include ESPN+.
Nebraska volleyball vs. Kansas time today
- Date: Friday, Dec. 12
- Start time: 30 minutes after the Texas A&M-Louisville match at 6 p.m. CT
The NCAA regional contest between Nebraska and Kansas starts 30 minutes following the conclusion of the Texas A&M-Louisville match, which begins at 6 p.m. CT from the Bob Devaney Sports Center in Lincoln, Nebraska.
Nebraska volleyball 2025 schedule (30-0, 20-0)
Aug. 22 – vs. Pittsburgh – WIN 3-1 (25-22, 25-11, 20-25, 25-23)
Aug. 24 – vs. Stanford – WIN 3-0 (25-13, 25-19, 25-14)
Aug. 29 – at Lipscomb – WIN 3-0 (25-13, 25-21, 25-15)
Aug. 31 – vs Kentucky – WIN 3-2 (24-26, 20-25, 25-19, 25-23, 15-8)
Sept. 5 – vs. Wright State – WIN 3-0 (25-16, 25-16, 25-20)
Sept. 7 – vs. California – WIN 3-0 (25-15, 25-18, 25-12)
Sept. 12 – vs. Utah – WIN 3-1 (21-25, 25-8, 25-18, 25-13)
Sept. 13 – vs. Grand Canyon – WIN 3-0 (25-12, 25-23, 25-18)
Sept. 16 – at Creighton – WIN 3-2 (25-17, 21-25, 25-18, 24-26, 15-9)
Sept. 20 – vs. Arizona – WIN 3-0 (25-19, 25-23, 25-18)
Sept. 24 – vs. Michigan – WIN 3-0 (25-6, 25-15, 25-13)
Sept. 27 – vs. Maryland – WIN 3-0 (25-14, 27-25, 25-14)
Oct. 3 – at Penn State – WIN 3-0 (25-6, 25-15, 25-13)
Oct. 4 – at Rutgers – WIN 3-0 (25-17, 25-15, 25-16)
Oct. 10 – vs. Washington – WIN 3-0 (25-14, 25-18, 25-16)
Oct. 12 – at Purdue – WIN 3-0 (25-23, 25-16, 25-15)
Oct. 17 – at Michigan State – WIN 3-0 (25-15, 25-18, 25-20)
Oct. 19 – at Michigan – WIN 3-0 (25-18, 25-13, 25-18)
Oct. 24 – vs. Northwestern – WIN 3-0 (25-17, 25-13, 25-17)
Oct. 25 – vs. Michigan State – WIN 3-0 (25-15, 25-15, 25-18)
Oct. 31 – at Wisconsin – WIN 3-0 (25-22, 25-19, 25-13)
Nov. 2 – vs. Oregon – WIN 3-0 (25-21, 25-20, 25-12)
Nov. 6 – vs. Illinois – WIN 3-0 (25-11, 25-15, 25-14)
Nov. 8 – at Minnesota – WIN 3-0 (25-15, 25-21, 25-20)
Nov. 14 – at UCLA – WIN 3-1 (25-17, 25-23, 19-25, 25-15)
Nov. 16 – at USC – WIN 3-0 (25-13, 25-16, 25-20)
Nov. 20 – vs. Iowa – WIN 3-0 (25-15, 25-21, 25-18)
Nov. 22 – at Indiana – WIN 3-0 (25-19, 25-16, 25-22)
Nov. 28 – vs. Penn State – WIN 3-0 (25-14, 25-11, 25-14)
Nov. 29 – vs. Ohio State – WIN 3-0 (25-16, 25-13, 25-20)
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Sports
Liberty League Performers of the Week for December 8
Men’s Basketball Performer of the Week – Evan Cabral
Evan Cabral had a monster week for Ithaca as he averaged 26.7 points on 33-of-49 shooting for the floor, to go along with 6.7 rebounds, 3.0 steals and 2.3 assists per game. Cabral started the week with a career-high 31 points in a loss to Rochester as he went 12-for-23 shooting with seven rebounds and four steals. He then shot 12-for-16 for 27 points with eight boards and four steals at Vassar. Cabral concluded the week with 22 points on 9-of-10 shooting in a win at Skidmore.
Women’s Track & Field – Field Performer of the Week – Rachel Larson
Rachel Larson was a fourth place finisher with a time of 8.58 seconds in the 60-meter hurdles to open the 2025-26 season at Cornell’s Greg Page Relays. That time is currently No. 1 in Division III after the opening weekend of the season.
Women’s Swimming & Diving – Swimmer of the Week – Elizabeth Bodie
Sophomore Elizabeth Bodie had an impressive three day Bomber Invitational in which Ithaca totaled 2,307 points to outpace Rochester (2,037.5) and Smith College (1,135). Bodie won the 100-yard butterfly (56.54) added a runner-up in the 200 fly (2:08.15) and was third in the 100-yard backstroke (58.68) in an IC 1-2-3 finish. She also contributed to Ithaca’s 800-yard freestyle relay winning team that produced a finals time of 7:49.41.
Women’s Track & Field Rookie of the Week – Lola Gitlin
Lola Gitlin posted a time of 10:25.57 in the 3000-meter run to finish third overall in her first collegiate track race at the Cornell Greg Page Relays.
HONOR ROLL
Junior guard Tori Drevna had another steady week for the Bombers averaging 14.0 points per game across three appearances. Drevna connected on 3-of-4 and 2-of-3 from downtown against Rochester and Vassar, as she tallied 17 points along with seven boards and six assists in the loss to the ‘Jackets. She also nearly tallied her first double-double of the season in the 69-54 win over Skidmore with 13 points and eight rebounds.
Senior diver Kian Long was able to earn valuable team points for Ithaca as they nearly doubled the score of second-place University of Rochester across the three day Bomber Invitational. Long began his weekend winning on the 3-meter as he was second going into the evenings finals before outpacing Hobart’s Daniel Barrientos with a finals score of 513.95, compared to Barrientos who put together a 504.90. The senior diver followed it up with nearly a 50 point win on the 1-meter boards as he put together a finals score of 482.25, which bested Alfred University’s Jaxson McQuaid (436.00).
Graduate freestyler Matthew Mitros was impressive across Ithaca three day Bomber Invitational in which they won over the University of Rochester and five other schools. Mitros captured the 50 free (20.26, NCAA B‑cut) and powered Ithaca’s winning 200 free (1:22.48) and 400 medley relays (3:21.88) on opening night, then helping the Bombers take Friday’s 200 medley relay to cap a three‑relay sweep. He also scored a second-place finish in the 100-yard butterfly (50.05).
Lily Seyfert claimed fifth in the shot put with a heave of 12.78 meters, which is currently ninth in the nation, to begin the season at the Cornell Greg Page Relays.
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