PORTLAND, Ore. – The Great Northwest Athletic Conference (GNAC) announced their 2024-25 GNAC Faculty Athletic Representative Scholar-Athletes, presented by Barnes & Noble College, and the Alaska Nanooks had 45 recipients. For a third year in a row, the GNAC recorded a record total of student-athletes earning the FAR honors, as 426 individuals were named on Tuesday.

Click here to view the entire 2024-25 list.

This number broke the previous record-breaking number of 394, set back in 2023-24. The GNAC FAR Scholar Athlete Award is presented to all student-athletes listed on any squad at a GNAC institution, regardless of whether the sport is a GNAC championship sport, who have compiled a cumulative grade point average of 3.85 or greater. Conference affiliate members could nominate only student-athletes from the sport in which they compete within the GNAC.

A faculty athletic representative (FAR) is a member of the faculty at an NCAA member institution who has been designated to serve as a liaison between the institution’s faculty and the athletic department. The FAR serves as a representative of the institution in conference and NCAA affairs.

The role of the FAR is “to ensure that the academic institution establishes and maintains the appropriate balance between academics and athletics.”

Female Recipients

Name	Sport	Academic Major	Year	GPA	Hometown
Rachael Charles	Rifle	Biological Sciences	Jr.	3.90	Urbandale, Iowa
Kinley Erickson **	Volleyball	Communication	Sr.	3.92	North Pole, Alaska
Elena Guc	Volleyball	Homeland Security	Jr.	4.00	East China, Mich.
Sára Karasová ***	Rifle	Sport & Recreation Business	Sr.	3.96	Šenov, Czech Republic
Lucie Kissenberger	Rifle	Biological Sciences	Fr.	4.00	Neuves-Maisons, France
Kendall Kramer *	Cross Country/Nordic Ski	Biological Sciences	Sr.	3.89	Fairbanks, Alaska
Miranda Lomax	Basketball	Business Administration	Jr.	3.85	Cathlamet, Wash.
Haylee Lyons	Volleyball	Business	Fr.	3.90	Kaimuki, Hawaii
Olivia Manley	Cross Country	Psychology	Fr.	3.87	Fairbanks, Alaska
Tristian Martin *	Basketball	Homeland Security	Sr.	3.86	Fairbanks, Alaska
Jordan O’Connor	Swimming	Marine Studies	Sr.	3.95	Jersey Shore, Pa.
Cecelia Ossi	Rifle	Business Administration	Sr.	3.96	Annandale, N.J.
Janci Pangburn	Swimming	Undeclared	Fr.	3.93	Tulsa, Okla.
Hazel Probst	Cross Country	Anthropology	Fr.	3.86	Fairbanks, Alaska
Sariah Rodgers	Swimming	Undeclared	Fr.	3.88	Fairbanks, Alaska
Larissa Scatamburlo	Volleyball	Biological Sciences	Jr.	4.00	Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
Cosima Schmeidel	Swimming	Biology	Fr.	3.87	Dusseldorf, Germany
Madison Schuh	Cross Country	Wildlife Biology	Fr.	3.89	Anchorage, Alaska
Jayda Van Dyke *	Basketball	Business Administration	Sr.	3.90	Herriman, Utah
Ashlyn White	Volleyball	Civil Engineering	Fr.	4.00	Goodyear, Ariz.
Delainey Zock ***	Cross Country	Wildlife Biology & Conservation	Jr.	3.88	Anchorage, Alaska
Rilee White ****	Volleyball	Biological Sciences	Sr.	4.00	Goodyear, Ariz.

Male Recipients

Name	Sport	Academic Major	Year	GPA	Hometown
Noah Barlage	Ice Hockey	Business Administration	Fr.	3.89	Humboldt, Sask.
Lars Tobias Bernhoft-Osa	Rifle	Accounting	Jr.	3.95	Rykkinn, Norway
Braden Birnie **	Ice Hockey	Business Administration	Jr.	3.89	Weyburn, Sask.
Benjamin Browning	Cross Country	Computer Science	Fr.	3.96	Kimberly, Idaho
Adam Cardona	Ice Hockey	Business Administration	So.	3.87	Beconsfield, Que.
Nicholas Grabko	Ice Hockey	Business Administration	Sr.	3.91	Channahon, Ill.
Blake Hanley	Cross Country/Skiing	Homeland Security	Fr.	3.93	Anchorage, Alaska
William Lawson-Body *	Ice Hockey	Accounting	So.	3.98	Grand Forks, N.D.
Bryce Monrean	Ice Hockey	Business Administration	Fr.	3.92	Anchorage, Alaska
Philipp Moosmayer **	Cross Country/Skiing	Digital Journalism	Jr.	3.89	Lutkritch, Germany
Paxson Ott	Cross Country	Biomedical Science	Fr.	3.96	Fairbanks, Alaska
Matteo Pecchia	Ice Hockey	Business Administration	So.	3.86	Nobleton, Ont.
Jace Peters	Cross Country/Skiing	Mechanical Engineering	So.	3.88	Leadville, Colo.
Peyton Platter	Ice Hockey	Business Administration	Fr.	3.92	Eau Claire, Wis.
Carson Reed	Ice Hockey	Business Administration	Fr.	3.94	Warroad, Minn.
Ruben Rhodes	Cross Country	Biochemistry	Fr.	3.90	Anchorage, Alaska
Matthew Rickard	Ice Hockey	Business Administration	Sr.	3.88	Coventry, R.I.
Gabriele Rigaudo	Cross Country/Skiing	Biological Sciences	Fr.	4.00	Raccavione, Italy
Brendan Ross	Ice Hockey	Accounting	Fr.	4.00	Calgary, Alta.
Broten Sabo *	Ice Hockey	Business Administration	So.	3.91	Rosemount, Minn.
Dean Spak	Ice Hockey	Business Administration	Fr.	3.94	Calgary, Alta.
Tyler Waram	Ice Hockey	Accounting	Fr.	3.94	Edmonds, Wash.

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GLOUCESTER, Mass. – Senior captain Alex Gagne (Bedford, N.H.) and senior defenseman Luke Reid (Warman, Saskatchewan) of the University of New Hampshire men’s hockey team have been named America Hockey Coaches Association Krampade All-American Scholars.
 
 
To earn recognition on this ninth annual list, a student-athlete had to attain a 3.75 or higher GPA in each semester of the 2024-25 academic year and had to play in 40 percent of the team’s games; exceptions were granted for injuries and backup goaltenders. The school is also required to be an AHCA member.
 
 

Both Gagne (Sport Management & Leadership) and Reid (Communication) posted perfect 4.00 GPAs during the 2024-25 season. Recently they both earned Hockey East Top Scholar Athlete honors for compiling the highest GPA at their position for the season. The two Wildcats were also named to the Academic All-Star Team.
 
 
This is the first time Gagne and Reid have earned this accolade.

 

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2025-26 UNH men’s hockey season tickets are now available and can be purchased at UNHWildcats.com/BuyTickets or by calling the ticket office at (603) 862-4000. Don’t miss the most exciting family entertainment in New Hampshire. 
 

Projected 2026 No. 1 overall NHL draft pick Gavin McKenna headlines a big group of Canadian hockey stars choosing to play college hockey next season — and he’s reportedly committed to Penn State for 2025-26.

The Nittany Lions are fresh off their first Frozen Four appearance in 2025, but one of the sport’s top prospects choosing to play for a program that’s younger than him certainly raises eyebrows. Were the Gophers even in the mix?

As of July 8, the Gophers have 24 players projected to be on their 2025-26 roster, none of whom come from the CHL (Canadian Hockey League) ranks. That’s an anomaly compared to their Big Ten rivals, all of whom have reportedly added at least one player from Canada’s top junior league.

Is it a money thing? We don’t have those answers, but McKenna will reportedly make around $700,000 to play for Penn State next season. Michigan State reportedly offered $200,000 to $300,000 as the other finalist in McKenna’s recruitment. Did the Gophers make him an offer?

There were plenty of rumors about McKenna’s college hockey future, but Minnesota not even being mentioned is baffling. The Gophers are a college hockey blue blood, making McKenna’s decision feel analogous to Luka Dončić wanting to play a year of college hoops without Duke or Kentucky being considered.

McKenna instantly makes Penn State the favorite to win the Big Ten next season, less than 15 years after the program turned Division I in 2012-13. Should the Gophers be concerned they’re getting lapped by programs with far less history and cachet?

In the short term, probably not. Minnesota just had five players selected in last month’s NHL Draft, and they’ll still be among the most talented teams in college hockey next season. But they’re no longer getting their pick of the litter in recruiting.

Penn State landing McKenna just months after its Frozen Four run signals they’ve officially arrived as a national power. Minnesota can no longer lean solely on tradition and a strong developmental track record when competing for the best players.

Did the Gophers even try to recruit McKenna? If the answer is no, that might be the bigger issue. At the end of the day, college sports have become a talent acquisition business, and programs around the country are getting creative with how they build rosters.

This isn’t a reason to panic in Minnesota, but it’s absolutely a reason to raise eyebrows — and maybe a warning sign that it’s going to cost significant money to lure the best talent in the future.

HANOVER, N.H. – The College Swimming and Diving Coaches Association of America (CSCAA) announced that both the Dartmouth men’s and women’s swimming and diving teams have been named to the Scholar All-America team for the Spring 2025 semester.
 
The Big Green programs are two of 763 teams from 432 institutions to be recognized by the CSCAA. To receive the honor, teams must achieve a grade point average of 3.0 or higher during the Spring 2025 semester.
 
In addition, there were seven total individual Big Green swimmers and divers from the men’s and women’s teams who received the honor of Individual Scholar All-America. To qualify, the student-athletes must earn a 3.5 grade point average in the classroom while also meeting a “B” standard time in a swim event or qualify for Diving Zones in a diving event.
 
From the women’s side, Alyssa Palacios, Klara Johnsson Stjernström and Maggie Lambdin were recognized. Meanwhile on the men’s side, Aryeh Lesch, Everett Tai, Jacob Turner and McCoy Lyman were honored. All seven were named to the Second Team.
 

Big 12 Commissioner Brett Yormark is doubling down on his preference to stay with only five automatic qualifiers if the College Football Playoff does expand from 12 to 16 teams as many expect after this season, instead of each of the four power conferences being guaranteed multiple bids.

“We have the responsibility to do what’s right for college football … not what’s right for one or two or more conferences,” Yormark said Tuesday at Big 12 football media days. “I think 5-11 is fair. Earn it on the field, assuming we want to expand. I love the current format, but if we’re going to expand, let’s do it in a way that’s fair and equitable and gives everyone a chance.”

While the SEC and Big Ten will have more of a say on the playoff format starting in 2026, when ESPN’s $7.8 billion contract kicks in, Yormark believes the 5-11 format would be good for now and in the future. He said ACC Commissioner Jim Phillips feels the same way, and is expected to express that during his league’s media days in two weeks.

“We do not need a professional model because we are not the NFL,” Yormark said. “We are college football and we must act like it.”

In the 12-team format still in place for this season, the five highest-ranked conference champions are guaranteed spots in the playoff. The difference this year is that the top four highest-ranked champions are no longer guaranteed the top four seeds that come with first-round byes.

Among potential 16-team formats would be four automatic qualifiers from both the SEC and Big Ten, and two each for the Big 12 and ACC. The Big 12 last season had only conference champion Arizona State make the playoff last season.

[Related: How 2024-25 CFP Would’ve Looked Under Proposed Expansion Formats]

“We want to earn it on the field,” Yormark said. “It might not be the best solution today for the Big 12, given your comments about (automatic qualifiers), but long term, knowing the progress we’re making, the investments we’re making, it’s the right format for us.”

Yormark, who is going into his fourth year as Big 12 commissioner, believes that the landmark NCAA House settlement will have a positive impact for all conferences, especially if the College Sports Commission works the way it is intended in enforcing the rules in the remade system.

“It will. I have a lot of faith in Bryan Seely,” Yormark said of the former Major League Baseball executive named CEO of the new CSC. “It should create a level playing field, and I’m not giving that up.”

The Big 12 was already in transition and still at 10 teams when Yormark arrived in 2022. BYU, Cincinnati, Houston and UCF joined the league the following year.

Texas and Oklahoma, who won football national championships while in the Big 12, completed their long-planned move to the SEC last year. That is when Pac-12 schools Arizona, Arizona State, Colorado and Utah came into what is now a 16-team Big 12.

“I think parity matters, and I think ultimately over time, and that’s hopefully sooner than later, there’ll be a couple of our schools that will emerge, you know, as elite schools that are always part of the conversations at the highest levels. And that’s what we’re working towards,” Yormark said. “But it starts with parity and being competitive top to bottom. And I think we’re there.”

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Big 12 commissioner Brett Yormark is “doubling down” on his support for a new College Football Playoff format dubbed the “5+11” model.

The Big 12 and ACC have pushed the model, which would award automatic bids to the five highest-ranked conference champions, and 11 at-large bids determined by the CFP selection committee. The Big Ten, however, has put more focus on a format that would award four automatic bids to Big Ten and SEC teams, and two to the Big 12 and ACC.

About a month after Utah athletic director Mark Harlan voiced his support for the 5+11 postseason model, Yormark reiterated where the Big 12 stands during the league’s media days in Orlando, Florida, this week.

“We continue to believe the 5+11 model proposed by the Big 12 and the ACC is the right playoff format for college football,” Yormark said. “We want to earn it on the field.”

“We do not need a professional model, because we are not the NFL,” Yormark said. “We are college football, and we must act like it.”

According to the latest projections from ESPN FPI, only one Big 12 team — Kansas State — has greater than a 22% chance of making the 12-team CFP next season. Yormark, though, expects the league to exceed expectations in 2025-26.

“I fully expect the Big 12 to earn multiple playoff bids this year and show once again, we can compete with anyone,” Yormark said.

The Big 12 comes off a 2024-25 campaign in which it struggled against the SEC and Big Ten, the two conferences that hold authority over any future postseason format. The Big 12 went 2-5 overall against the SEC, with its two victories coming over 2-10 Mississippi State and 7-6 Arkansas. Big 10 foes went 3-1 against the Big 12 in the regular season, though Kansas State earned the Big 12 a victory over the Big 10 in the postseason by taking down Rutgers, 44-41, in the Rate Bowl.

The Utes open their 2025 campaign against a Big Ten opponent on Aug. 30, when they take on UCLA at the Rose Bowl.

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