Clemson hired Cal co-head coaches Justin Howell and Elisabeth Crandall-Howell, the school announced Monday.

The Board of Trustees Compensation Committee approved the hiring Monday morning, including $225,000 salaries for both members of the husband-and-wife coaching duo that has spent the last 13 years building the Golden Bears program, culminating in a national runner-up finish in 2024.

Justin and Liz were named Co-ACC Head Coaches of the Year in Cal’s first season in the conference after winning the regular season title. The Bears finished second at the ACC Championships before the team was narrowly eliminated in the Alabama regional final. They qualified two individuals to nationals this year.

“We’ve gotten to see the program that Justin and Liz built up close during their first season in the ACC, and the consistent excellence they have achieved speaks for itself,” said Clemson Director of Athletics Graham Neff. “In addition to many competitive accomplishments, their reputation has been praised time and again in our research. We emphasized finding a coaching staff with experience in some of the biggest moments, and who could continue the trajectory of our program – we feel we have that in Justin and Liz. We are impressed with their technical ability, approach to operations, plan for development, incorporation of health, wellness and recovery, and attention to detail. We are excited to see them get to work.”

“I’d like to thank President Clements and Athletics Director Graham Neff for this unbelievable opportunity to lead the Clemson Gymnastics program,” said Howell. “The world-class resources and support for Clemson student athletes to succeed in the classroom and on the competition floor are incredible. Liz and I are excited to bring our passion, energy, and pursuit of excellence to Tiger Town. Clemson is truly a special place. Go Tigers!”

“I cannot express how excited we are to come to TigerTown,” said Crandall-Howell. “The passion and commitment to excellence that runs through Clemson was clear from the moment we arrived on campus. The abundance of resources have been carefully and meticulously curated to support the student-athletes in every pursuit – sport, academics, career and leadership development – and to utilize those skills to go out into the world as leaders. It was, however, the people that we met in Clemson that confirmed that this is the place we need to be. Justin and I believe that Clemson gymnastics can become one of the top programs in the nation, and we cannot wait to get out there and get to work!”

The duo is known for their recruiting and growing said talented recruits into NCAA stars. Time will tell if any of the current Cal roster follows their head coaches to Clemson. One of the Bears’ top all-arounders, eMjae Frazier, already entered the transfer portal in April after graduating early and is looking for a team in her final year of eligibility.

Orono, Maine — Each year the Maine Business School and Graduate School of Business honor students and faculty for their achievements. Each honoree receives a certificate, blue cords to wear at graduation, and a locally-crafted paddle to commemorate their award. Below is a list of student athletes who were recognized with honors for the spring 2025 semester.

• Academic Achievement: Thomas Freel, Cooper Williams, Colin Fitzgerald – This award is given to one student in each of the majors and concentrations, for having the highest GPA.
• Outstanding Undergraduate International Student – Thomas Freel
• Outstanding Undergraduate Student Athlete – Colin Fitzgerald
• GSB Dean’s Award – Caroline Bornemann

For the full Maine Business School release, click here.

-UMaine-

Former Lethbridge Hurricanes goaltender Jackson Unger has committed to Colorado College, it was announced late last week.

A product of Calgary, Alta., Unger spent this past year splitting time between the Hurricanes and the Moose Jaw Warriors. In 21 games with Moose Jaw, he put up a 4-11-4 record, a 4.36 GAA and a .887 SP. After his trade to the Hurricanes, Unger posted a stat line of 22-7-3 to go along with a 2.42 GAA and a .909 SP.

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While the Hurricanes got swept by the Medicine Hat Tigers in the Eastern Conference Championship, Unger and the team still played solid hockey, with Unger posting a record of 8-8 as well as a 3.38 GAA and a .893 SP.

Drafted by the Warriors in the third round of the 2020 WHL Bantam Draft, Unger played in a total of 159 career WHL regular season games, putting up a 3.38 GAA and a .895 SP.

With Unger heading to join the Tigers, they’re getting a goalie who should be able to challenge for starts as soon as he steps onto campus. While he’s had his ups and downs like anyone else in the WHL, Unger has all the makings of a valuable starting goalie in the NCAA.

MANSFIELD, Mass. – The Northeast-10 Conference announced on Monday its list of 25 student-athletes that have been nominated for Man and Woman of the Year in 2024-25. Both honors are selected by the Conference’s Senior Woman Administrator (SWA) Council. 

Each nominee is a senior student-athlete that has excelled in all areas of their collegiate careers – on the playing surface, in the classroom and in the community. The two winners are set to be announced at the NE10 Banquet at Fratello’s Events in the Millyard (Manchester, N.H.) on the night of Tuesday, June 3.

ALL-TIME WINNERS OF MAN & WOMAN OF THE YEAR

Each NE10 institution nominates student-athletes for both Man and Woman of the Year. The 2024-25 academic year marks the 13th time that the league will award the NE10 Man of the Year honor, while the NE10 Woman of the Year honor has been awarded since 2005-06 and will be put forth as the league’s official NCAA Woman of the Year candidate.

Women’s basketball leads all sports with four nominees for Woman of the Year, while field hockey has three and softball has two. Football leads with three nominees for Man of the Year, while baseball, soccer and track & field have two each. 

2024-25 NE10 Man and Woman of the Year Nominees

Adelphi: Courtney Wengryn (SB) and Matthew Wenz (T&F)

AIC: Morgan Martellio (FH) and Anderson Cuello Batista (BSB)

Assumption: Marina Callahan (WBB) and Eric Giarnese (BSB)

Bentley: Maggie Whitmore (WBB) and Joe Rivers (FB)

Franklin Pierce: Aino Martikainen (WSOC) & Kesinee Prukmathakul (WGOLF) and Ryan Outerbridge (XC/T&F)

New Haven: Katie Schenk (WLAX) and Joe Vitale (FB)

Pace: Krista Dietz (FH) & Brianna Shea (SB) and Tray Alexander (MBB) & Daniel Zabbia (MLAX)

Saint Anselm: Melanie Hoyt (WBB) and Brandon Potts (FB)

Saint Michael’s: Alexandra Báez Rentas (VB) and David Ciancio (MHOC)

SCSU: Katie Williamson (WBB) and Alexandre Rajao da Cunha (MSOC)

SNHU: Annemartine Christis (FH) and Preston Neal (MSOC)

ABOUT THE NE10

The NE10 is an association of 11 diverse institutions serving student-athletes across 24 NCAA Division II sports. Together we build brilliant futures by embracing the journey of every student-athlete.

Each year, 4,500 of those student-athletes compete in conference championships in 24 sports, making the NE10 the largest DII conference in the country in terms of sport sponsorship. Leading the way in the classroom, on the field and within the community, the NE10 is proud of its comprehensive program and the experience it provides student-athletes.

Fans can subscribe via this link to follow NE10 NOW on FloSports this season.  The partnership between the NE10 and FloSports works to provide funds back to the athletic departments of the Northeast-10 Conference in support of student-athletes while promoting the league on a national platform.

MORGANTOWN, W.Va. – West Virginia University senior outfielder Jace Rinehart has been named the WVU Student-Athlete of the Week, presented by University Apartments.
 
Rinehart hit .600 with five doubles, a home run, and six RBI while scoring eight runs. He had at least one hit in all four games, three multi-RBI games, and scored at least one run in all four games this week.
 
Against Kansas State, the Mannington, West Virginia native collected his 50th RBI of the season. He also hit his 20th double which leads the Big 12. Rinehart and the rest of the 16th-ranked Mountaineers will be back home this weekend for the regular season finale against Kansas. First pitch on Thursday from Kendrick Family Ballpark is set for 6:30 p.m.
 
This Week in Baseball: West Virgina plays its final regular season series of the season, May 15-17, against Kansas at Kendrick Family Ballpark … first pitch on Thursday and Friday is set for 6:30 p.m. with Saturday slated for a 1 p.m. start … the Mountaineers need one win to clinch the Big 12 title.

Last Week in Baseball: The Mountaineers went 1-3 this past week, dropping a midweek contest at Pitt before going 1-2 on the road at Kansas State … the Mountaineers fell to Pitt, 10-9, on Tuesday at Charles L. Cost Field … senior Jace Rinehart, junior Sam White, and senior Kyle West all drove in two runs … WVU dropped the opener to Kansas State, 8-7 … West and junior Logan Sauve each had three hits … redshirt senior allowed two runs

in 7.0 innings while striking out three … in a 10-3 victory on Saturday over the Wildcats, junior Ben McDougal tossed 4.2 scoreless innings and allowed just one hit in relief to earn his first win … West hit a grand slam in the win … on Sunday, the Mountaineers fell 14-9 … White had three hits including a home run while Rinehart scored four runs.

Notes: In last week’s polls, West Virginia sits at No. 7 in Perfect Game, No. 13 in NCBWA, No. 13 in the USA Today Coaches Poll, No. 9 in Baseball America, No. 18 in The Athletic, and No. 12 by D1Baseball, which is recognized by the NCAA … the Mountaineers need one win or an Arizona State loss to clinch their second Big 12 title in the last three seasons … the Mountaineers matched a program record with their 40th win of the season … WVU is one of just 10 teams with 40 wins this season … 23 road wins for the Mountaineers leads the country.

 

This week in Track and Field: West Virginia kicks off the post season at the Big 12 Outdoor Championships on May 15-17 … this year’s outdoor championship will be hosted by Kansas at Rock Chalk Park in Lawrence, Kansas.

 

Last week in Track and Field: The Mountaineers hosted the WVU Last Chance Meet on May 10, which served as the final regular season meet of the season … the WVU Last Chance was highlighted by WVU’s clean sweep in the women’s 1,500 meters … sophomore Eva Rinker took first place in the event, with a time of 4:42.07 … she was trailed by freshman Jennifer O’Palko and redshirt junior Kase Torchia in second and third place with personal best times of 4:45.47, and 4:49.83, respectively.

 

Notes: Freshman Joy Naukot ranks No. 7 nationally in the 10,000 meters, as well as No. 1 in the Mid-Atlantic region and No. 1 in the Big 12 conference … graduate student Sarah Tait checks in at No. 7 nationally in the 3,000-meter steeplechase, as well as No. 28 in the 5,000 meters and No. 34 in the 1,500 meters … additionally, freshman Naomi Kemboi ranks No. 26 nationally in the 5,000 meters while redshirt sophomore Annishka McDonald checks in at No. 46 in the high jump.

 

This Week in Rowing: West Virginia will compete in the Big 12 Championship on Sunday, May 18, in Sarasota, Florida. 

 

Last Week in Rowing: The Mountaineers did not compete.

 

This Week in Golf: Junior golfer Kaleb Wilson begins play in the NCAA Regional at Poplar Grove Golf Course in Amherst, Virginia, late Sunday afternoon … the NCAA Regional was scheduled to get underway on Monday … Wilson, a native of Knoxville, Tennessee, is the second NCAA individual qualifier in school history … in 2021, Mark Goetz became the first WVU golfer to qualify for an NCAA Regional and finished second … last year, Wilson competed at the NCAA Championship as part of WVU’s team qualification … Wilson will play 54 holes against nine other individuals in the regional … the low individual not on an advancing team from each of the six regional sites will advance to the NCAA Championship at Omni La Costa Resort & Spa in Carlsbad, California, in late May … last fall, Wilson won his first collegiate tournament at the Nemacolin Collegiate Invitational and was the only golfer to shoot under par in all three rounds (71-68-70=209) to finish -7 … the golf team has been invited to the GOLFWEEK National Golf Invitational (NGI) Championship at Ak-Chin Southern Dunes Golf Club in Maricopa, Arizona, from May 16-18 … the 54-hole event will have the same scoring format as a traditional college team event with each team starting five players and counting the four best scores.