DAYTONA BEACH, Fla. –  Tyler Butler of B-CU Women’s Basketball and Jakobi Heady of B-CU Men’s Basketball have been named Wildcats of the Week for the week of December 15-21, 2025.

Tyler Butler was excellent for the Wildcats at the Stetson Hatter Invitational in DeLand. In two games against Stonehill and William & Mary, she totaled 23 points on an efficient 9-14 shooting with 18 rebounds, five blocks, and two steals.

Jakobi Heady starred in a road contest at the A10’s Saint Louis. He led all scorers with 23 on 8-14 showing with six rebounds, an assist, and three steals.

Each week, The Bethune-Cookman Office of Athletic Communications recognizes one male and one female student-athlete through the Wildcats of the Week award.

This award recognizes student-athletes who have excelled in competition, in the classroom, and in the community over the past week, exemplifying the Championship Culture of Wildcat Athletics. 

2025-26 Wildcats of the Week

December 15-21

W: Tyler Butler, Women’s Basketball

M: Jakobi Heady, Men’s Basketball

December 8-14

W: N/A (No Women’s Competition This Week

M: Jakobi Heady, Men’s Basketball

December 1-7

W: Daimoni Dorsey, Women’s Basketball

M: Sha’Nard Walker, Track & Field

November 24-30

W: Chanelle McDonald, Women’s Basketball

M: Jakobi Heady, Men’s Basketball

November 17-23

W: Jordan Brooks, Women’s Basketball

M: Timmy McClain, Football

November 10-16

W: Shayla Henry, Volleyball

M: Javon Ross, Football

November 3-9

W: Madison Molock, Tennis

M: Arterio Morris, Men’s Basketball

October 27-November 2

W: Amya Jennings, Volleyball

M: Andrew Kiplagat, Cross Country

October 20-26

W: Sthefany Carvalho, Volleyball

M: Jaylen Lewis, Football

October 13-19

W: Melissa Gonzalez, Volleyball

M: N/A (No Men’s Competition this Week)

October 6-12

W: Valencia Butler, Cross Country

M: Andrew Kiplagat, Cross Country

September 29-October 5

W: Amya Jennings, Volleyball

M: Ali Scott Jr., Football

September 22-28

W: Sierra Herndon, Volleyball

M: Javon Ross, Football

September 15-21

W: Zahara El-Zein

M: Maleek Huggins, Football

September 8-14

W: Nola Hemphill, Volleyball

M: Cam’Ron Ransom, Football

September 1-7

W: Reese Wilson, Women’s Golf

M: Stephen Sparrow Jr., Football

August 25 – 31

W: Kaleigh Williams, Volleyball

M: Andrew Kiplagat, Cross Country

For all the latest Bethune-Cookman Athletics news, follow us on Facebook (Bethune-Cookman Athletics), X (@BCUAthletics), Instagram (@BCU_Athletics) and BCUAthletics.com. 

 

SIOUX FALLS, S.D. – Four repeat honorees highlighted the 2025 Summit League Volleyball Academic All-League Team released by league officials Monday. There was a total of seven student-athletes named to the team that was voted on by the membership’s faculty athletic representatives and sports information directors.
 
South Dakota State’s Joslyn Richardson, a two-time Summit League Scholar of the Championship presented by JLG Architects, collected the second all-academic honor of her career. 

South Dakota’s Avery Van Hook also earned her second honor and was joined by teammates and first-time honorees Kamryn Farris and Amanda Loschen.

 

First team All-Summit Leaguer Kali Jurgensmeier of Omaha added a second all-academic award to her list of honors this season. 

 

North Dakota’s Lauren Perugini rounded out the quartet of repeat honorees while North Dakota State’s Ally Barth earned her first honor for the Bison.

 

To be eligible for the Academic All-League team, a student-athlete must have a cumulative grade point average of at least 3.30 (on a 4.0 scale), completed at least one full academic year at the current institution and participated in 50 percent of their team’s competitions.

 

Nominations are brought forth by sports information directors from the league’s ten institutions and voting is conducted by both the SIDs and facility athletic representatives (FARs). The team is made up of the seven student-athletes receiving the most votes with all ties standing.

 

2025 Summit League Volleyball Academic All-League Team

 *Career Academic All-League honors
 
#SummitVB
 

HAMMOND, La. – Former All-American Angie Simpson has been named the new head volleyball coach at Southeastern Louisiana University, SLU Director of Athletics Jay Artigues announced Monday.
 
Simpson’s hire is pending approval from the University of Louisiana System’s Board of Supervisors.
 
“I’m extremely excited to be able to bring in a coach of Angie’s caliber,” Artigues commented. “She is well-renowned in the beach volleyball community and is a huge addition to our department. Angie is the type of coach that will make our program a consistent contender. We are very fortunate to have her in Hammond and I’m excited about the future of our beach volleyball program.”
 
Simpson is excited to be taking over a young Southeastern program that was established in 2020.
 
“Southeastern already has the infrastructure in place and the support from the administration to evolve into a nationally recognized program,” Simpson commented. “I’m eager to hit the ground running, because with the facilities, community culture and institutional support already in place, the expectation is to win the conference and earn an NCAA (Championships) bid.”
 
Simpson grew up in Muncie, Ind., where she helped Muncie Burris to three state championships during her prep career. The Owls were the No. 1 ranked team in the USA Today national high school ranks in three of Simpson’s four seasons and finished 162-1 during her time at MBHS.
 
Simpson played outside hitter on the indoor volleyball team at Penn State, where she was named an All-American as a senior and was a two-time All-Big Ten Conference selection. During her collegiate career with the Nittany Lions, Penn State made two Final Four appearances and won a pair of conference championships.
 
Simpson’s collegiate career was prior to the NCAA’s sponsorship of beach volleyball, but Simpson spent several years on the AVP (Association of Volleyball Professionals) Tour. One of Simpson’s most frequent partners was Jennifer Kessy, who earned a silver medal at the 2012 Summer Olympics.
 
“When I met with the team it felt so comfortable, because I’ve been in their shoes before,” Simpson said. “Our administration is dedicating a full-time coach to our beach volleyball program and we’re going to be in it together. I feel with my playing experience I have a unique knowledge base to share and pass forward with this generation of players and I’m completely committed to the process.”
 
Following her beach volleyball career, Simpson spent two decades working in the Biotech and health care leadership field in California. She kept involved in the volleyball community, serving as a broadcaster for Fox Sports Net, ESPN and other outlets.

 

As her son, Colby, a tight end signed to play football next fall at Tulane, reached high school, many of his friends requested Simpson come lend her vast knowledge to the Oaks Christian High School beach volleyball team. In her first season, OCHS won the CIF D2 championship and Simpson also led the program to back-to-back Marmonte League titles.

 

“With my son finishing up high school and set to head off to college, I thought this was a perfect time to return to my passion of coaching volleyball,” Simpson said. “Once I started with Oaks Christian and we won that CIF D2 championship, I just thought ‘I’m back’.

 

“I feel really confident that I know how to win,” Simpson continued. “I’ve been winning on and off the court and throughout my professional career. I’m going to pass that knowledge on to this team.”

 

The Southeastern beach volleyball team will open the 2026 season in February.

 

SOCIAL MEDIA

For more information on Southeastern Athletics, follow @LionUpAthletics on X and Instagram or like /LionUpAthletics on Facebook.

 

CLEAR BAG POLICY

Southeastern Athletics has instituted a clear bag policy for all ticketed events. For more information on the clear bag policy, visit www.LionSports.net/clear.

 

Established in 1787, York College of Pennsylvania is a private, four-year college located in the city of York, a hub of arts and industry between Baltimore and Philadelphia. Housed on 190 picturesque acres, the college is known for its focus on experiential learning and community engagement, serving over 4,000 undergraduate and 300+ graduate students in more than 70 baccalaureate majors, along with 20+ graduate and professional programs. Deeply rooted in the liberal arts and recognized for excellence in its professional nursing, business, engineering, and education programs, York is ranked among the nation’s top 50 Best Value Schools by U.S. News. The College’s robust recreation and athletics program is among the best in the region, and is home to 23 NCAA III Division sports teams and 30+ intramural sports. A Princeton Review Best Northeastern College, York prides itself on its experienced, engaged faculty; its high-impact and student-centric philosophy; and its long-standing commitment to affordability and accessibility.

York College is committed to building a diverse college community and encourages members of underrepresented groups to apply.