Sports
‘Top Gun’ cast: Where are they now?
From eye-popping aerial footage to an unmistakably ’80s soundtrack to the homoerotic beach volleyball scene, there’s a little something for everyone in Top Gun. The action classic, which follows a group of red-blooded pilots attending the Navy’s Fighter Weapons School in San Diego, was a major box office sensation, with its $176 million gross making it the […]

From eye-popping aerial footage to an unmistakably ’80s soundtrack to the homoerotic beach volleyball scene, there’s a little something for everyone in Top Gun. The action classic, which follows a group of red-blooded pilots attending the Navy’s Fighter Weapons School in San Diego, was a major box office sensation, with its $176 million gross making it the top movie of 1986.
One of the most fun elements of Top Gun all these years later is seeing so many cast members on the brink of stardom. Tom Cruise was certainly emerging as an A-lister at the time, with the film also boasting an impressive cast of actors who achieved further success following its release, including Val Kilmer, Anthony Edwards, Tim Robbins, and Meg Ryan.
Catch up with what the cast of Top Gun is up to now, ahead.
Tom Cruise (Maverick)
Paramount/Courtesy Everett Collection; Dave J Hogan/Getty Images
A young Tom Cruise booked one of his first major roles as Maverick in Top Gun. The actor played the Navy lieutenant after starring in Risky Business in 1983 and earning credits for Endless Love (1981), Taps (1981), The Outsiders (1983), All the Right Moves (1983), and Legend (1985).
Cruise was first offered the lead role in Top Gun in 1983, but it was Ridley Scott who helped convince him to take the part, introducing him to his brother, Tony. “It was aligned with the things that I love: movies and aviation,” the actor recalled in 2016.
In the years since his initial turn as Top Gun‘s famed aviator, Cruise only became more of a star. He earned Oscar nominations for his roles in Born on the Fourth of July (1989), Jerry Maguire (1996), and Magnolia (1999), winning Golden Globes for all three films. Cruise ruled the box office with gigs in Rain Man (1988), The Firm (1993), Vanilla Sky (2001), Minority Report (2002), The Last Samurai (2003), War of the Worlds (2005), and his eight-film Mission: Impossible franchise, which concluded in 2025.
Cruise reprised his role as Pete “Maverick” Mitchell in 2022 with the release of Top Gun: Maverick, which, like the first film, became a massive box-office success. Unlike the first film, however, the sequel went on to receive a Best Picture nomination, giving Cruise his first Oscar nomination as a producer. He is set to receive an Honorary Oscar for lifetime achievement in film in November 2025.
Cruise has been married three times, to Mimi Rogers from 1987 to 1990, Nicole Kidman from 1990 to 2001, and Katie Holmes from 2006 to 2012. He has two adopted children (Isabella Jane and Connor Antony) with Kidman, and a daughter (Suri) with Holmes.
Kelly McGillis (Charlie)
Paramount/Courtesy Everett Collection; Larry Busacca/Getty Images
Tom Cruise found his Top Gun love interest in Kelly McGillis, who played Charlotte “Charlie” Blackwood. McGillis portrayed the astrophysicist after spending a few years in the industry, picking up credits in Reuben, Reuben (1983) and on One Life to Live. She also earned Golden Globe and BAFTA nominations for her performance in Witness (1985) before playing Charlie.
“I had a great time shooting [Top Gun],” McGillis told EW in 2011. “It was like being at summer camp with a bunch of really good-looking guys. I used to love to rub the top of their heads when they got shaved. I really liked that. [Laughs.] And we had a great time. We all hung out together. We had fun. We played golf together and tennis together. I couldn’t have asked for anything better in my life.”
The actress continued her big-screen career following Top Gun, appearing in Made in Heaven (1987), The House on Carroll Street (1988), The Accused (1988), The Babe (1992), At First Sight (1999), and The Monkey’s Mask (2000).
In the 21st century, McGillis appeared in episodes of The L Word as Col. Gillian Davis, and starred in Stake Land (2010), The Innkeepers (2011), and We Are What We Are (2013). McGillis also hit the stage multiple times through the years in Broadway productions and with the Shakespeare Theatre Company.
McGillis has two daughters with ex-husband Fred Tillman. She came out as a lesbian in 2009 and was in a civil union with Melanie Leis from 2010 to 2011.
Val Kilmer (Iceman)
Paramount/Courtesy Everett Collection; Jerod Harris/Getty Images
Val Kilmer joined Top Gun as Tom “Iceman” Kazansky, another lieutenant in the Navy who butts heads with Maverick. Kilmer came into the gig with just three onscreen credits to his name: 1984’s Top Secret!, a 1985 installment of ABC Afterschool Specials, and Real Genius in 1985.
Following his turn as Iceman, Kilmer continued to fill his résumé with notable roles, starring in such films as Willow (1988), The Doors (1991), True Romance (1993), and Tombstone (1993) before playing Batman in 1995’s Batman Forever. In the years since, Kilmer hit the big screen in Heat (1995), The Island of Dr. Moreau (1996), The Ghost and the Darkness (1996), The Saint (1997), At First Sight (1999), Kiss Kiss Bang Bang (2005), Déjà Vu (2006), and MacGruber (2010).
He also appeared in episodes of Knight Rider, The Spoils of Babylon, and Psych. Kilmer was the subject of the 2021 documentary Val, which chronicled his battle with throat cancer. He returned to play Iceman in Top Gun: Maverick, providing one of the film’s most touching scenes.
“Making that first film, we were all so young, but even then there was a special bond between us all. After shooting, we would laugh and dance the night away,” Kilmer wrote for EW in 2022. “Coming back to work with Tom more than 30 years later, it was like no time had passed at all.”
Kilmer died in April 2025 at the age of 65 after a bout with pneumonia.
Anthony Edwards (Goose)
Paramount/Courtesy Everett Collection; Andrew Toth/FilmMagic
With a decade in the industry to his name, Anthony Edwards landed what would be a key role in Top Gun. The actor played Nick “Goose” Bradshaw, a close friend and comrade to Maverick, flying with the aviator until his untimely death. Edwards, who made his onscreen debut in the ’70s, appeared in Fast Times at Ridgemont High (1982), Heart Like a Wheel (1983), the short-lived ’80s sitcom It Takes Two, Revenge of the Nerds (1984), and The Sure Thing (1985).
He reprised his role as Gilbert for Revenge of the Nerds II: Nerds in Paradise in 1987, and appeared in Miracle Mile (1988), Pet Sematary II (1992), early ’90s episodes of Northern Exposure, The Client (1994), Playing by Heart (1998), Northfork (2003), The Forgotten (2004), and Zodiac (2007).
Edwards earned Emmy nominations and a Golden Globe win for his extended stint on ER as Dr. Mark Greene. He went on to win an Emmy in 2010 for his work as an executive producer on the TV movie Temple Grandin, and popped up in Flipped (2010), a 2015 episode of Girls, and recurring roles on Billions and Inventing Anna.
Edwards has four children with ex-wife Jeanine Lobell. He married actress Mare Winningham in 2021.
Tom Skerritt (Viper)
Paramount/Courtesy Everett Collection; Gilbert Carrasquillo/FilmMagic
Tom Skerritt made his appearance in Top Gun as Mike “Viper” Metcalf, a high-achieving and wise chief instructor with the unit. Skerritt came into the gig with decades of experience to his name, having earned previous credits for M*A*S*H (1970), Fuzz (1972), Thieves Like Us (1974), The Turning Point (1977), Up in Smoke (1978), Alien (1979), and The Dead Zone (1983).
Following Top Gun, Skerritt did a late-’80s stint on Cheers, earned Golden Globe nominations and an Emmy win for his turn as Jimmy Brock on Picket Fences in the ’90s, and appeared in Steel Magnolias (1989), The Rookie (1990), Poison Ivy (1992), A River Runs Through It (1992), Singles (1992), Contact (1997), Smoke Signals (1998), The Other Sister (1999), and Tears of the Sun (2003).
Skerritt had a recurring role as William Walker on Brothers & Sisters and James Paisley on The Good Wife, and hit the big screen in Whiteout (2009), Ted (2012), At Middleton (2013), A Hologram for the King (2016), and East of the Mountains (2021).
Skerritt has been married to Julie Tokashiki since 1998. He has a daughter with Tokashiki and four other children from previous marriages.
Michael Ironside (Jester)
Paramount/Courtesy Everett Collection; Jeff Vespa/WireImage
Michael Ironside kicked off his career in the ’70s and earned early credits in Scanners (1981), Visiting Hours (1982), Spacehunter: Adventures in the Forbidden Zone (1983), and The Falcon and the Snowman (1985), in addition to episodes of Hill Street Blues, V, and V: The Final Battle. He then played Rick “Jester” Heatherly in Top Gun, an instructor for the unit.
Ironside followed up the gig with credits for Total Recall (1990); Highlander II: The Quickening (1991); Free Willy (1993); The Next Karate Kid (1994); Major Payne (1995); Starship Troopers (1997); Walker, Texas Ranger; The Perfect Storm (2000); ER; The Machinist (2004); and Terminator Salvation (2009).
The veteran actor also appeared as Captain in X-Men: First Class (2011), voiced Ultra Magnus in various Transformers releases, and appeared on shows like The Alienist, This Is Us, and The Dropout.
Ironside married Karen Dinwiddie in 1986; he has a daughter with her and another from a previous marriage.
John Stockwell (Cougar)
Paramount/Courtesy Everett Collection; Craig Barritt/WireImage
John Stockwell joined Top Gun as Bill “Cougar” Cortell, one of Maverick’s wingmen who makes an early exit from flying. Before becoming the airman, Stockwell appeared in Losin’ It (1983), Eddie and the Cruisers (1983), Christine (1983), Radioactive Dreams (1985), My Science Project (1985), and episodes of North and South.
After Top Gun, Stockwell earned acclaim for his writing, picked up an Emmy nomination for his 2000 TV movie Cheaters, and went on to pen the scripts for Rock Star (2001) and Blue Crush (2002). He also stepped behind the camera as a director, helming Cheaters, Crazy/Beautiful (2001), Blue Crush, Into the Blue (2005), Turistas (2006), Middle of Nowhere (2008), a handful of episodes of The L Word, and Dark Tide (2012).
Stockwell has three children with his wife, Helene Henderson. His niece is Florence + the Machine vocalist Florence Welch.
Whip Hubley (Hollywood)
Paramount/Courtesy Everett Collection; Kevin Winter/Getty Images
Top Gun found its “Hollywood” in Whip Hubley, who played the wingman with the real name of Rick Neven. He had a few roles before the gig, appearing in St. Elmo’s Fire (1985), as well as episodes of Magnum, P.I. and North and South.
Hubley spent the late-’80s in TV movies, and picked up ’90s credits for Life Goes On; Murder, She Wrote; Coneheads (1993); Species (1995); Executive Decision (1996); and A Very Brady Sequel (1996). In the years since, he has largely focused on television, landing bit roles in one-off episodes of The Practice, Charmed, The District, and CSI: Miami.
Hubley is married to Dinah Minot, an associate producer at Saturday Night Live in the late-’80s.
Barry Tubb (Wolfman)
Paramount/Courtesy Everett Collection; Paul Moseley/Fort Worth Star-Telegram/TNS via Getty Images
Barry Tubb worked with “Hollywood” in Top Gun as Leonard “Wolfman” Wolfe, an officer assisting the lieutenant. Tubb began his onscreen career in the ’80s, appearing in Mask (1985), The Legend of Billie Jean (1985), and episodes of Bay City Blues, The Mississippi, and Hill Street Blues before joining Top Gun.
He went on to play Jasper Fant in Lonesome Dove (1989) and Return to Lonesome Dove (1994), and starred in Guilty by Suspicion (1991), American Outlaws (2001), and The Three Burials of Melquiades Estrada (2005). He played Tom Cafferty for an arc on Friday Night Lights and appeared in a few episodes of NBC’s Revolution.
In 2024, Tubb sued Paramount Pictures for using his image in Top Gun: Maverick without his permission.
Rick Rossovich (Slider)
Paramount/Courtesy Everett Collection; YouTube
Slider may have smelled, but Rick Rossovich hardly stunk as the junior grade lieutenant, whose real name was Ron Kerner.
“We were just a bunch of young guys; it was all testosterone,” Rossovich told ScreenRant in 2021. “And the Navy kind of fueled it, because we were surrounded by all these Ace pilots who were the real deal. These are the guys that don’t get there by accident; you really have to have some kind of some mettle to get there. Every day was like, ‘Okay, you better come prepared. You better be ready.’ It was just a joy, though.”
Rossovich came into the gig after earning previous credits for The Lords of Discipline (1983), Streets of Fire (1984), and The Terminator (1984), and episodes of Fantasy Island, B.J. and the Bear, and Eight Is Enough.
After playing Slider, Rossovich continued to act, appearing in The Morning After (1986), Roxanne (1987), Navy Seals (1990), and Truth or Consequences, N.M. (1997). He had an arc on ER as Dr. John “Tag” Taglieri, and spent two years playing Lt. Anthony Palermo on Pacific Blue. Rossovich took a bit of a hiatus from acting in the 2000s, but returned for smaller projects in the 2010s.
He has two children with his wife, Eva.
Tim Robbins (Merlin)
Paramount/Courtesy Everett Collection; Matthias Nareyek/Getty Images
Tim Robbins found his spot in Top Gun as Samuel “Merlin” Wells, an officer who works with Maverick. Robbins joined the flick after a few years in the industry, boasting early-’80s credits in No Small Affair (1984), The Sure Thing (1985), and Fraternity Vacation (1985), and episodes of St. Elsewhere, The Love Boat, and Hill Street Blues.
Following Top Gun, Robbins spent the next decade starring in Bull Durham (1988), Erik the Viking (1989), Cadillac Man (1990), Jacob’s Ladder (1990), The Hudsucker Proxy (1994), The Shawshank Redemption (1994), Ready to Wear (1994), and I.Q. (1994). After picking up Golden Globes for The Player (1992) and Short Cuts (1993), Robbins earned his first Oscar nomination for directing 1995’s Dead Man Walking.
Going on to star in Nothing to Lose (1997), Arlington Road (1999), Mission to Mars (2000), High Fidelity (2000), and Antitrust (2001), Robbins also won the Best Supporting Actor Golden Globe and Oscar for 2003’s Mystic River. In the years since, he appeared in Code 46 (2003), War of the Worlds, Zathura: A Space Adventure (2005), Tenacious D in The Pick of Destiny (2006), The Lucky Ones (2008), Green Lantern (2011), Welcome to Me (2014), and Dark Waters (2019). He is one of the stars of the Apple TV+ sci-fi drama Silo.
Robbins has two sons with Susan Sarandon, with whom he was in a relationship from 1988 to 2009. He was married to Gratiela Brancusi from 2017 to 2022.
Clarence Gilyard Jr. (Sundown)
Paramount/Courtesy Everett Collection; J. P. Aussenard/WireImage
After appearing in episodes of Diff’rent Strokes, CHiPs, and The Duck Factory, Clarence Gilyard Jr. joined Top Gun as Marcus “Sundown” Williams, who works with Maverick after Goose’s death but struggles in light of the tragedy.
After the flick, Gilyard appeared in Die Hard (1988) and spent four years on Matlock as Conrad McMasters before booking his most famous role to date: James Trivette on Walker, Texas Ranger. He starred in the series from 1993 to 2001, and reprised his role in a few other spinoff projects. In the 2010s, Gilyard popped up in indie movies while also working as an associate professor of theater at the University of Nevada, Las Vegas.
Gilyard had six children between two marriages. The actor died in 2022 after a long illness, at the age of 66.
James Tolkan (Stinger)
Paramount/Courtesy Everett Collection; Bobby Bank/WireImage
James Tolkan played Tom “Stinger” Jardian in Top Gun, a commander who oversees Maverick. The veteran actor boasted pre-Top Gun credits in a slew of films, including They Might Be Giants (1971), The Friends of Eddie Coyle (1973), Serpico (1973), Love and Death (1975), The Amityville Horror (1979), Prince of the City (1981), WarGames (1983), and Back to the Future (1985).
After Top Gun, Tolkan played Norman Keyes in a few episodes of Remington Steele, Mike Ragland in The Hat Squad, and Dallas Cassel in Cobra, and hit the big screen in Armed and Dangerous (1986), Masters of the Universe (1987), Back to the Future Part II (1989), Family Business (1989), Back to the Future Part III (1990), Dick Tracy (1990), and Problem Child 2 (1991). In the 2010s, he played Judge Fidler in HBO’s 2013 film Phil Spector, and popped up in 2015’s Bone Tomahawk.
Tolkan has been married to his wife, Parmelee Welles, since 1971.
Meg Ryan (Carole)
Paramount/Courtesy Everett Collection; Ernesto Di Stefano Photography/Getty Images
Early in her career, Meg Ryan played Goose’s wife Carole in Top Gun. Ryan picked up the gig after appearing in episodes of As the World Turns, ABC Afterschool Specials, and Charles in Charge in the ’80s.
She went on to star in Armed and Dangerous (1986), Innerspace (1987), D.O.A. (1988), and The Presidio (1988) before picking up her first Golden Globe nomination for 1989’s When Harry Met Sally. She landed two more nominations in the years that followed, for Sleepless in Seattle (1993) and You’ve Got Mail (1998), and ruled the box office with her rom-com turns.
Ryan has popped up in episodes of Curb Your Enthusiasm and Web Therapy, and reunited with former costar Tom Hanks in 2015’s Ithaca, which she also directed. She co-wrote, directed, and starred in the 2023 rom-com What Happens Later with David Duchovny.
Ryan has two children with ex-husband Dennis Quaid, including actor Jack Quaid.
Adrian Pasdar (Chipper)
Paramount/Courtesy Everett Collection; Albert L. Ortega/Getty Images
Adrian Pasdar made his onscreen debut in Top Gun as Charles “Chipper” Piper, a lieutenant in the unit.
“It was just a wild experience for me,” Pasdar recalled to Philly Magazine in 2007. “I was 19. And [Tom] Cruise was one of the nicest guys in the world. Every time I’ve seen him since then, he’s been a gentleman.”
The gig kicked off a busy career for the actor, who spent the late-’80s and early-’90s in Solarbabies (1986), Near Dark (1987), and Carlito’s Way (1993).
He went on to earn credits for Mysterious Ways, Judging Amy, Desperate Housewives, and Heroes in the 2000s, and lent his voice to The Super Hero Squad Show and the Iron Man series. His recent small-screen gigs include 2010s episodes of Castle, Political Animals, The Lying Game, Hulk and the Agents of S.M.A.S.H., Ultimate Spider-Man, Marvel’s Avengers Assemble, and Marvel’s Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D.
Pasdar has two children with the Chicks vocalist Natalie Maines, to whom he was married from 2000 to 2019.
Sports
2025 Providence Journal Rhode Island All State Boys Volleyball Team
Here’s how high-school athletes are chosen for The Providence Journal All-State awards The Providence Journal has been selecting high school All-State teams for more than 80 years. Here’s what goes into our calculation. Journal Staff The Providence Journal is proud to announce the 2025 All-State Volleyball first and second teams. The Journal Sports staff, with […]

Here’s how high-school athletes are chosen for The Providence Journal All-State awards
The Providence Journal has been selecting high school All-State teams for more than 80 years. Here’s what goes into our calculation.
Journal Staff
The Providence Journal is proud to announce the 2025 All-State Volleyball first and second teams. The Journal Sports staff, with some help from the coaches associations, determine the first- and second-team members. All first-team members were nominees for Player of the Year in that sport, and winners were announced at the All-State Awards show held June 18 at the Providence Performing Arts Center, featuring Rhode Island FC midfielder Clay Holstad.
The 2025 Providence Journal All-State Boys Volleyball
First Team
Ryan Harrington, North Kingstown
Outside hitter, senior
Harrington was a treat to watch over the last three seasons. He earned a spot on the Journal’s first-team All-State squad last season, and this year, he brings home more honors. The undersized outside hitter was a threat to win a point at any time and for that reason, he’s earned the Providence Journal’s Player of the Year award. Harrington also has a wicked serve and led NK to back-to-back runner-up finishes in Division I. North Kingstown will certainly miss Harrington as he competes for Stevenson University’s beach volleyball team next year.
Charles Pincince, Cranston East
Outside hitter, senior
Pincince was one of the most powerful hitters in the state this past season. His calm demeanor on the court made him the perfect go-to for Cranston East in crunch time and he always delivered. The senior led the Thunderbolts to their first state championship with a five-set win over North Kingstown. Pincince was named to the second team last year, but jumps up to the state’s highest honors for the first time in his career this season.
Cody Tow, North Kingstown
Outside hitter, senior
Tow makes his second consecutive appearance on the Providence Journal All-State first team. His reliable play at the net gave North Kingstown plenty of hitting options over the years. Tow finished with 236 kills this past spring and 24 aces. He also made the Journal’s second team as a sophomore.
Christopher Benell, La Salle
Middle, senior
La Salle wasn’t able to defend its title this season, but that didn’t stop Benell from having a standout spring. The 6-foot-4 middle blocker delivered big hits and was tremendous defensively for the Rams. He finished with 20 solo blocks, and 71 total, with 166 kills. This is his first appearance on the Journal’s All-State team.
Dennis Dixon, Cranston East
Middle, senior
Dixon was probably the most athletic player in the state this past season. His defense helped power Cranston East to the state crown and his hitting ability was a welcome addition. Dixon’s vertical made him a threat, but his best trait was his ability to hang in the air longer than most. The senior could wait until the last second before delivering a hit and it was impossible to defend.
Caleb Xum, Cranston East
Setter, senior
Xum was the best setter in the state this past season. But he made the unselfish move to libero for the state championship. The senior’s defense was more important to Cranston East’s title chances than his ability to direct the offense. Xum was all over the court in the championship match and the Thunderbolts benefited from it as they upset North Kingstown.
Stephen Dufour, North Kingstown
Libero, senior
Dufour lands on the Providence Journal All-State first team for the second straight season. The senior tallied 253 digs this past season with 16 aces in the defensive specialist position. He helped lead NK to a runner-up finish for the second consecutive spring.
The 2025 Providence Journal All-State Boys Volleyball Second Team
OH — Jamilson De Pina Almeida, Central Falls, Senior
OH — Jahmir Evans, La Salle, Senior
OH — Masiah Prak-Preaster, Coventry, Senior
MB — Jackson Colton, Lincoln, Senior
MB — Henry Kenyon, Westerly, Junior
S — Sebastian DeCubellis, Lincoln, Senior
L — Ty Cotta, La Salle, Senior
Sports
Volleyball to Celebrate 50 Years in 2025 – Ole Miss Athletics
OXFORD, Miss. – The Ole Miss volleyball program is set to honor the many who have impacted the program as it celebrates fifty years in advance of the 2025 regular season. Throughout the entirety of the 2025 season, Ole Miss athletics and the volleyball program will honor and recognize many who have contributed to […]

Throughout the entirety of the 2025 season, Ole Miss athletics and the volleyball program will honor and recognize many who have contributed to the success and legacy of the program.
Fans also have the opportunity to ensure success over the next 50 years of Ole Miss volleyball by donating a $50 gift to the Grove Collective in support of the program.
The program has tallied over 800 wins, reached five NCAA Tournaments and won the 2017 NIVC championship. Nineteen student-athletes have earned All-SEC honors, 16 have earned AVCA All-Region and three have been named All-Americans as the program has blossomed over generations of standout student-athletes.
The success of the program has built on the foundation of countless student-athletes who have gone on to earn a degree from the University of Mississippi and take their talents throughout the world.
Be sure to follow OleMissVB on all social platforms and stay tuned for content throughout the season featuring former coaches and players.
Get rewarded for attending events by joining Rebel Rewards powered by Coca-Cola, the official fan loyalty program of the Ole Miss Rebels. Download the Ole Miss Sports mobile app, sign up for a Rebel Rewards account, and start earning points immediately that can be redeemed for exclusive prizes and experiences.
Keep up with all the latest news and information on the Rebels by following Ole Miss Volleyball on X at @OleMissVB, on Instagram at @olemissvb and on Facebook at Ole Miss Volleyball. See exclusive photo and video content from behind the scenes and connect in real time with everything Ole Miss.
Sports
Shipyard park in Green Bay to include climbing wall, volleyball courts
The next phase of The Shipyard redevelopment could bring a new dog park, large concert venue and beach volleyball courts to the area along the Fox River. Construction of a 225-unit apartment will start this year, but work on the second phase of improvements won’t start until 2026. Renderings of The Shipyard park’s features were […]

The next phase of The Shipyard redevelopment could bring a new dog park, large concert venue and beach volleyball courts to the area along the Fox River.
Construction of a 225-unit apartment will start this year, but work on the second phase of improvements won’t start until 2026.
Renderings of The Shipyard park’s features were revealed at the city’s Parks Committee meeting July 9. The new park would include:
- An exercise area with a climbing wall and areas for yard games
- Dog park in a fenced area
- A couple beach volleyball courts suitable for leagues or multiple teams along the Fox River
- Plenty of outdoor and terraced seating areas
- A kids’ playground
- Shipyard-themed art sculpture
- Concession stand
- Splash pad with music and LED lighting
- Stage and lawn area to hold shows for up to 4,000 people
Some of the playground equipment would be themed like a crane or boat to uniquely represent The Shipyard area.
City parks director Dan Ditscheit said the consultant is 50% done with the design so the renderings of the new park could change.
“This gives you the general character of what we’re looking at,” Ditscheit said.
Construction of the park is scheduled to begin in spring 2026. About $10 million, including $5 million through a federal Land and Water Conservation Fund Grant, will go toward this phase of Shipyard improvements.
Under the first phase of improvements, to The Shipyard, a riverfront promenade, fishing pier, floating docks and kayak launch were installed along the Fox River in 2024. Merge Urban Development will get started on constructing a 225-unit, three building mixed-use project this year. The first two buildings will have 109 units that will be connected through a skywalk.
The final, third phase of Shipyard redevelopment, if the city finds funding for it, would create an outdoor market area consisting of shipping containers around the park, Ditscheit said.
Contact Benita Mathew at bmathew@gannett.com.
Sports
NWC volleyball hosts high school camp
Northwest College kicked off its summer activities in June with a camp hosting high school athletes from around the region, led by new coach Nicole Buck alongside former NCAA Division I men’s volleyball coach Tom Peterson. Over the three day camp, the Trappers welcomed in several dozen high schoolers to Cabre Gym, while also hosting […]

Northwest College kicked off its summer activities in June with a camp hosting high school athletes from around the region, led by new coach Nicole Buck alongside former NCAA Division I men’s volleyball coach Tom Peterson.
Over the three day camp, the Trappers welcomed in several dozen high schoolers to Cabre Gym, while also hosting younger athletes at Powell Middle School with local high school coaches.
“It was really nice to have that many girls because you just want to be able to grow the sport of volleyball, and you want kids to be able to take advantage of opportunities,” Buck said. “Then it just gives us a chance to see what kind of talent and potential is out there in the next few years, kids that we might be able to recruit. It’s good to have some of our incoming and returning athletes here too, to kind of evaluate and see what kind of kids caught their eye as well.”
Helping with the camp was Peterson, a two-time NCAA Division I national champion and now NCAA Division III national champion coach who brought his experience to the gym and gave the high schoolers an opportunity to learn from one of the best coaches in the country.
“It’s really incredible to have Tom here. I mean, we were joking because after they won the national championship, a couple of his athletes asked Chat GPT who were the top 10 greatest volleyball coaches of all time, and he was listed as No. 2,” Buck said. “It’s just kind of cool. He obviously has so many years of experience and so much knowledge that even though I’ve known him for so many years, I learn something new every time I’m around him. And I love that the kids can have that opportunity too.”
She said bringing in Peterson pushed the camp to another level, bringing out more competition from the players that allowed them to stretch their abilities and find that next level.
Holding this camp so early in the summer, Buck said it allowed her to get new connections in the area heading into her first season as the Trapper coach, and get a better understanding of the athletes who are soon to be graduating.
“It helps build the recruiting pool for sure. I walked away with probably 10 new contacts that I didn’t really have, and it helps me better understand our local kids and coaches too,” Buck said. “I love getting local kids when we can, it helps build those relationships. Recruiting is such a numbers game, and so it just adds more numbers and you get to see for yourself, instead of just on film, what some of these kids are capable of.”
After the camp, Buck is hopeful the campers took a number of things back with them to their high school seasons, whether that be new skills or drills, along with a new sense of understanding why they train the way they do.
“Tom and his player, they don’t just talk about skills or philosophies,” Buck said. “They really help the kids try to understand kind of the why behind things and maybe, why do we do it this way in this situation? They do a lot of situational training, so I just hope they take away having their mind stretched as much as their physical abilities.”
She said it was a blessing to start the summer with the camp, and said it was important to have so many kids see the campus.
“I think it was a good thing for our community and our school, and I’m excited that more and more kids are getting on our campus,” Buck said. “I hope they also take away that Northwest is a pretty cool place to be.”
Sports
Volleyball Reveals Challenging Slate For 2025
CONWAY, S.C. – Twelve home matches and nine matches against teams that competed in the 2024 NCAA Tournament highlight the 2025 Coastal Carolina volleyball schedule released Thursday. The 2025 campaign features 28 contests, comprising 12 non-conference and 16 Sun Belt Conference matches. The Chanticleers will host three power conference teams (Maryland, North Carolina, […]

The 2025 campaign features 28 contests, comprising 12 non-conference and 16 Sun Belt Conference matches. The Chanticleers will host three power conference teams (Maryland, North Carolina, South Carolina) and travel to two others (Miami, NC State) before beginning league play the last weekend of September.
“We were able to put together a challenging non-conference schedule for the 2025 season that will prepare us for a robust Sun Belt slate,” Chanticleer head coach Steve Loeswick said. “We’re proud to welcome some top-tier programs to Conway this fall and showcase an elite level of competition to our community in our pursuit of another championship.”
The 2025 campaign begins at home with Labor Day weekend matches against Maryland (Aug. 29) and North Carolina (Aug. 31), before hosting South Carolina (Sept. 3) to conclude its season-opening three-match homestand.
The Chants will be on the road for the remainder of the month, heading first to Davidson, N.C., for three matches in the Wildcat Classic (Sept. 5-6), then traveling to Raleigh for three more matches in the Wolfpack Invitational (Sept. 12-14) the following weekend.
CCU will face the 2024 MEAC champion Delaware State during the Wildcat Classic, along with Elon and host Davidson. It will also face off against Horizon League winner Cleveland State at the Wolfpack Invitational, as well as Utah Valley, and host NC State.
The Chants will head to South Florida for back-to-back matches against Miami (Sept. 18) and FIU (Sept. 19) in the 305 Invitational before closing the non-conference slate at home against UNCW (Oct. 15).
Coastal opens Sun Belt play against Marshall (Sept. 26-27) in Huntington, W.Va., and welcomes Old Dominion (Oct. 3-4) to the HTC Center the first weekend of October to open its home conference slate.
The Chanticleers will also host Sun Belt opponents James Madison (Oct. 17-18), Appalachian State (Oct. 24-25), and South Alabama (Nov. 14-15).
The Chants’ other SBC road matches are against Georgia State (Oct. 9-10), Georgia Southern (Oct. 31-Nov. 1), and reigning conference champion Texas State (Nov. 7-8).
Coastal Carolina will also travel to the College of Charleston for an exhibition game on Aug. 23.
The 2025 Sun Belt Conference Championship will be held Nov. 19-23 at the Foley Events Center in Foley, Ala.
For complete coverage of CCU volleyball, follow the Chants on social media @CoastalVB (Twitter/Instagram), facebook.com/CCUChanticleers (Facebook), @GoCCUSports (Instagram), or visit the official home of Coastal Carolina Athletics at goccusports.com.
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Singapore women’s water polo team seeking better result at World Aquatics Championships
Singapore’s women’s water polo team made its maiden appearance at the World Aquatics Championships last year, and finished last amid tough competition. The team hopes to do better this year. They will first face Paris Olympics silver medallists Australia in their opening group game, and subsequently be up against New Zealand and Italy. Alif Amsyar […]

Singapore’s women’s water polo team made its maiden appearance at the World Aquatics Championships last year, and finished last amid tough competition. The team hopes to do better this year. They will first face Paris Olympics silver medallists Australia in their opening group game, and subsequently be up against New Zealand and Italy. Alif Amsyar reports.
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