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U.S. Soccer Launches Committee to Provide Recommendations for the Future Success of …

ATLANTA (June 10, 2025) – U.S. Soccer has formally established the NextGen College Soccer Committee (NCS), a group comprised of diverse and influential leaders from higher education, professional sports, philanthropic organizations and the business community. This initiative supports U.S. Soccer’s ongoing commitment to evolve and elevate all levels of soccer in the United States and […]

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U.S. Soccer Launches Committee to Provide Recommendations for the Future Success of ...

ATLANTA (June 10, 2025) – U.S. Soccer has formally established the NextGen College Soccer Committee (NCS), a group comprised of diverse and influential leaders from higher education, professional sports, philanthropic organizations and the business community. This initiative supports U.S. Soccer’s ongoing commitment to evolve and elevate all levels of soccer in the United States and underscores the Federation’s “in service to soccer” strategy.

The committee will aim to integrate the college game more deeply into the broader U.S. Soccer ecosystem, while ensuring it remains a strong, sustainable platform for student-athlete education, player development, and community engagement. The group’s work will consider both the men’s and women’s college games, recognizing that the models and solutions may differ between the two. Additionally, the committee will provide input on commercial strategies, improvements to student-athlete welfare, and broader collaboration opportunities with the NCAA and appropriate governing bodies of the sport.

The NCS Committee will focus on two primary outcomes:

  1. Publishing a white paper by the start of the 2025-26 academic year, outlining recommendations to position both men’s and women’s college soccer to thrive in the rapidly evolving soccer ecosystem
  2. Engaging conferences and college programs interested in exploring these innovative solutions and opportunities, targeting implementation beginning during the 2026–27 academic year 

“College soccer is integral to the fabric and future of our sport in this country,” said U.S. Soccer CEO JT Batson. “The individuals joining this group bring unique perspectives and expertise that will help us build a model where college soccer can thrive in a modern, connected system – all working collaboratively in service to soccer.”

The NCS Committee will formally engage other key stakeholders via insight groups – including college coaches and administrators, current and recent college players,U.S. Soccer members, and governing bodies such as the NCAA and USOPC- to provide feedback andstrengthen the proposal.

While thiscommittee will focus on the college game and appropriate connectivity with professional leagues,U.S. Soccer will also be working directly with a group of pre-professional youth members including ECNL / US Club, Girls Academy, MLS Next, USL Academy, and US Youth Soccer,to properly consider the development pathway and progression to college soccer, ensuring any proposed solutions reflect the full scope of the game in the U.S.

Committee Leadership and Composition

Dan Helfrich, a member of U.S. Soccer’s Leadership Advisory Group and former Chair and CEO of Deloitte Consulting LLP, will serve as NCS Committee Chair. He will guide the committee’s direction and impact.The initial group includes leaders with backgrounds in education, league and club leadership, sponsorship, and national governance.

The inaugural committee also includes former college players, parents of student-athletes, athletic directors, university presidents, and long-time advocates of the game, ensuring representation and insight from all corners of the college soccer environment. The members of this group are connected to more than seven NCAA Division I conferences, bringing a diverse, inclusive, and informed perspective to the table. 

Members include:

MEMBER POSITION
Dan Helfrich U.S. Soccer Leadership Advisory Group member; Principal, Deloitte Consulting
Adrian Hanauer Owner, Seattle Sounders FC; Governor,
Ali Curtis Hermann Trophy Winner, Duke University; Senior Vice President, Major League Soccer
Amber Steele Vice President, Global Sports Partnerships, Coca-Cola; Atlanta Sports Council, Board Member
Angie Long Co-Owner, Kansas City Current; Former College Athlete, Princeton University
Chris Clunie Vice President & Director of Athletics, Davidson College
Craig Barry Executive Vice President & Chief Content Officer, Warner Bros. Discovery Sport
Darryll Pines President, University of Maryland
David Tyrie President of Marketing, Digital, and Specialized Consumer Client Solutions, Bank of America
Jeremy Alumbaugh President, USL Championship
John Wildhack Athletic Director, Syracuse University; Committee Member, NCAA Division I Men’s Basketball
Mark Abbott Former President & Deputy Commissioner, Major League Soccer
Mike Cullina Chair, U.S. Soccer Technical Development Committee
Patrick Kraft Athletic Director, Penn State University
Richard Motzkin Executive Vice-President & Managing Executive of Global Soccer, Wasserman
Ryan Nelsen High-performance specialist, FIFA; Former College Player, Stanford University
Sarah Jones Simmer Chief Operating Officer, National Women’s Soccer League

Looking Ahead

U.S. Soccer, in collaboration with the NextGen College Soccer Committee, will work toward drafting an initial white paper by the end of the summer, incorporating input from key stakeholders across the soccer ecosystem. In parallel, U.S. Soccer will begin outreach to college programs and conferences to better understand their goals and interest in participating in the new opportunities or model(s).

About the U.S. Soccer Federation 

Founded in 1913, U.S. Soccer, a 501(c)(3) nonprofit, is the official governing body of the sport in the United States. Our vision is clear; we exist in service to soccer. Our ambition, working across the soccer ecosystem, is to ignite a national passion for the game. We believe soccer is more than a sport; it is a force for good. We are focused on three areas: Soccer Everywhere, ensuring everyone, everywhere experiences the joy of soccer; Soccer Success, our 27 National Teams and Pro Leagues winning on the world stage; and Soccer Investment, maximizing and diversifying investments to sustainably grow the game at all levels. For more information, visit ussoccer.com/ourvision.

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College Sports

This is the week college sports become pro sports

It would be naive to say major college sports have retained their aura of pure amateurism without creeping toward professionalism in recent decades. TV contracts have ballooned. Coaches’ salaries have swelled. The whole production of college sports has felt more professional. Name, image and likeness (NIL) has been a game-changer that puts money in athletes’ […]

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It would be naive to say major college sports have retained their aura of pure amateurism without creeping toward professionalism in recent decades.

TV contracts have ballooned. Coaches’ salaries have swelled. The whole production of college sports has felt more professional. Name, image and likeness (NIL) has been a game-changer that puts money in athletes’ pockets.

At any of those points along the way, you might have felt like college sports crossed a threshold. But for me, the real tipping point was the approval of the House settlement that authorizes actual revenue-sharing for athletes.

Straight payments from schools to athletes — up to $20.5 million per school this year — are different from anything else that has come before.

Better players on revenue-generating teams will earn considerable six-figure salaries. Administrators will manage the money in a way similar to how a pro team manages a salary cap.

Tuesday was the first day those payments could be made to athletes.

This is where the rubber hits the road — or, more specifically, where the money hits the bank accounts.



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Cole Hutson on what he’s majoring in at Boston University: ‘Hockey’

ARLINGTON, VA — Defenseman Cole Hutson may be preparing for his sophomore year of college, but his focus is firmly on the ice. Asked about his major at Boston University, Hutson had a simple answer. “Hockey,” he joked. Given Hutson’s on-ice performance last season, he’s passing with flying colors. After the Capitals selected him 43rd […]

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ARLINGTON, VA — Defenseman Cole Hutson may be preparing for his sophomore year of college, but his focus is firmly on the ice. Asked about his major at Boston University, Hutson had a simple answer.

“Hockey,” he joked.

Given Hutson’s on-ice performance last season, he’s passing with flying colors. After the Capitals selected him 43rd in the 2024 NHL Draft, he recorded 48 points (14g, 34a) in 19 games as a freshman at BU, winning the Tim Taylor Award as the NCAA’s rookie of the year and leading all first-year skaters in scoring.

Hutson acknowledged Wednesday that transitioning to the NCAA wasn’t easy, though he ultimately found success.

“I think it was obviously really tough on me,” he said. “It was a big adjustment, for sure, from the USHL. Just older guys that are more physical coming after you every night. That wore and tore on me every day, as it should. Just did what it takes to get to the next level, and it made me a lot better.”

One of the turning points, in his assessment, was playing for Team USA at World Juniors. Hutson was arguably the team’s best player, becoming the first defenseman in tournament history to lead the all players in scoring with 11 points (3g, 8a) in 7 games.

Hutson pointed to Capitals rookie Ryan Leonard as someone he particularly benefitted from playing with at the tournament.

“I think just obviously playing with all those unbelievable players that were there (gave me confidence),” he said. “Just them reading the same plays that I was and just reading off each other really well. I think playing with a guy that is here right now, Ryan Leonard, he changes the tempo of games, and playing with a guy like that can help your team win games just like that.”

After his season ended with a loss in the NCAA National Championship game, Hutson found himself rooting against the team that had drafted him just months before. His brother Lane, who won the Calder Trophy in his rookie season with the Montreal Canadiens, matched up against the Capitals in the NHL playoffs.

So when the series moved to Montreal for Game 3, Cole made the trip to cheer him on, complete with a Canadiens-themed sweater.

His fashion choices earned some lighthearted backlash in DC — head coach Spencer Carbery joked that the sweater was “terrible” — but Hutson pointed out that the Capitals weren’t the ones who ponied up for the seats.

“I know a lot of the fans saw me in a Habs sweater. (I) took a lot of crap from the staff and management here, but what I told them is ‘He bought me the ticket, so I’ve got to cheer for him in his seats,’” he said.

Next time, however, Hutson hopes he won’t need a ticket.

“If that series comes back around, hopefully I’m playing in it,” he said.

But Hutson doesn’t feel ready to jump to the NHL just yet. He showed plenty of scoring talent last season, but he plans to work on his defensive game next year to balance out his play.

“Just rounding out my game, being super mature (on) both sides of the puck,” he said of his goals. “I think taking care of the defensive side before I jump for the offensive part of the game — even though it’s a lot more fun than the defensive side — that’s where you’re going to need (to improve) to make it to the next level.”

Beyond just his development goals, Hutson is plenty happy to spend another year at school. He told reporters that his plan was always to play at least two seasons at BU, maybe even three or four if he’s enjoying himself. His freshman year experience only reinforced that belief.

“I had such a fun first year, and it’d be stupid not to go back,” he said.

And if he can continue what he started last year, Hutson’s sure to get an A+ in hockey.



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Golf influencer Grace Charis talks feeding into ‘golf girl’ role, balancing tournament play and social media content

Grace Charis has made a name for herself in the golf world, becoming a top influencer with over eight million combined followers on social media. And the 22-year-old has done this without being a pro golfer. Charis posts videos of her golfing mixed in with content that some would call a little spicy for social […]

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Grace Charis has made a name for herself in the golf world, becoming a top influencer with over eight million combined followers on social media. And the 22-year-old has done this without being a pro golfer.

Charis posts videos of her golfing mixed in with content that some would call a little spicy for social media. On3 recently caught up with Charis and asked if she intended to become a golf influencer when she took up the sport during the COVID-19 pandemic.

“Not necessarily. It just compounded,” Grace Charis told On3. “So, it took off, it did well, and I just kept posting, and so I was cycled into this niche. And people just would see me as that. So it’s almost like I got stuck into it, but I really enjoyed it. I think it has to do with people’s view on me being the golf girl, but also me feeding into that. So I wasn’t against it.”

Charis has 3.7 million followers on Instagram, three million followers on TikTok, one million followers on X/Twitter and 1.5 million subscribers on her YouTube channel. She believes people enjoy her content for multiple reasons.

“I’m pretty positive and happy, and I’m in a good space outside. It’s usually a beautiful scene, or it’s an interesting hole, or there’s something captivating about my content,” she explained. “So, I think people are just engaged with what I’m doing. Because I’ll do some cool stuff.”

Grace Charis competed in Spain last month

Charis enjoys making content, but she continues to grow as a golfer by competing in more tournaments. Last month, Charis competed in Spain at the Tenerife Women’s Open. Later this month, Charis will compete in a tournament that is “on the border of Texas and Arkansas,” two hours from where she lives in Dallas, she said.

But does Charis have a hard time balancing preparing for tournaments and putting out engaging content? “That’s interesting you bring that up, because it has been, a lot of times when I compete, I can’t think of anything besides competing and learning the course, and making sure that I’m in the right headspace,” she said. “But I think over time, because you get very locked in on that, but over time, I’m also just trying to have fun out there.

Will Grace Charis make the jump to pro?

“…… You want to stay focused and not have some kind of video take you out of your headspace there. But if there’s something interesting, I’m like, “No, this is too cool to not document. I have to.” It’s part of my nature, try and share that.”

Kyle Terada-USA TODAY Network

Charis’s success as an influencer has led to her launching an apparel line called Dialed Golf. When talking about the company, Charis said, “I just wanted a golf brand that reflects who I am as a person, where the performance meets personality. And I think my company, Dialed Golf, is reflective of that. There’s a lot of creativity and comfort. So, the performance wear, everything on there is just comfortable, well-made.”

Charis seems to be in a good spot in her career. And when it comes to her future in the sport, Charis is not ruling out a plan to go pro.

“I do like tournament golf. I don’t see myself quitting anytime soon,” Charis said. “It’s been good for me as a person, just in general. So, I can see myself just keep playing. And if the low rounds come and I have the opportunity to go pro, that would be amazing. But just playing as many tournaments as I can, trying to make cuts, trying to make a little bread out there, would be great.”



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Attorney General Jackley Seeks Public’s Assistance in Investigation of Former Rapid City Gymnastics Coach

Attorney General Jackley Seeks Public’s Assistance in Investigation of Former Rapid City Gymnastics Coach PIERRE, S.D. – South Dakota Attorney General Marty Jackley announces the South Dakota Division of Criminal Investigation (DCI)’s Internet Crimes Against Children (ICAC) Task Force seeks the public’s assistance in the investigation of a former Rapid City Gymnastics Coach who faces […]

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Attorney General Jackley Seeks Public’s Assistance in Investigation of Former Rapid City Gymnastics Coach

PIERRE, S.D. – South Dakota Attorney General Marty Jackley announces the South Dakota Division of Criminal Investigation (DCI)’s Internet Crimes Against Children (ICAC) Task Force seeks the public’s assistance in the investigation of a former Rapid City Gymnastics Coach who faces federal Child Pornography charges.

Hayden Sengua, 25, has been indicted on multiple counts involving Receipt of Child Pornography and Possession of Child Pornography. Sengua worked at Just Jymnastics in Rapid City until May 2024, when his employment was terminated. He previously worked as a gymnastics coach in Oregon.

Sengua is alleged to have possessed images and videos of children in the Rapid City area whom he may have coached. The defendant is presumed innocent under the U.S. Constitution.

“We are asking members of the public, whose children have been coached by the defendant to contact us with any pertinent information,” said Attorney General Jackley. “We need to determine if any more local children may have been exploited and ensure they receive necessary care and attention.”

People with information about this case can contact the DCI at 605-394-2258.

The investigation is being conducted by the South Dakota Division of Criminal Investigation (DCI) – Internet Crimes Against Children Task Force and the Pennington County Sheriff’s Office.

The U.S. Attorney’s Release on the case can be found here:

-30-



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History-making HBCU gymnastics program ends as star athlete transfers to SEC

Morgan Price Fisk University’s groundbreaking gymnastics program (the first ever at a historically Black college or university [HBCU]) is coming to a close just as one of its most celebrated athletes prepares for a new chapter. The Nashville-based university announced on June 6 that it will discontinue its gymnastics program at the end of the […]

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Morgan Price

Fisk University’s groundbreaking gymnastics program (the first ever at a historically Black college or university [HBCU]) is coming to a close just as one of its most celebrated athletes prepares for a new chapter.

The Nashville-based university announced on June 6 that it will discontinue its gymnastics program at the end of the 2025–26 academic year. The final season of competition will be spring 2026. The decision, according to Fisk officials, was based on the sport’s lack of affiliation with HBCU athletic conferences, which created challenges in scheduling and recruiting.

“While we are tremendously proud of the history our gymnastics team has made in just three years, we look forward to focusing on our conference-affiliated teams to strengthen our impact in the HBCU Athletic Conference,” said Fisk Director of Athletics Valencia Jordan. “Fisk is grateful for the hard work, dedication and tenacity of its gymnasts, staff members, and coaches who made this program possible.”

Among those gymnasts is Morgan Price, the North Texas standout who rewrote the history books during her time at Fisk. Price made headlines in 2022 when she flipped her commitment from the University of Arkansas to join Fisk’s newly formed gymnastics program. Her bold move paid off: she became the first gymnast from an HBCU to win a national title, the first to earn a perfect 10 on the uneven bars, and a three-time All-American. Over three seasons, she captured six national championships—milestones never before reached by an HBCU gymnast.

Now, with the end of Fisk’s program on the horizon, Price is returning to her original commitment. She will transfer to the University of Arkansas and join the Razorbacks gymnastics team in 2026, reuniting with her older sister, Frankie Price, who has been a member of the team since 2022.

The move brings Price full circle. Born in Lebanon, Tennessee (just 25 miles east of Nashville) she later moved to North Texas to train and graduated from Coppell High School. With a 9.900 career high across all events and multiple 39.500 all-around scores, she now brings elite experience to Arkansas and will train under head coach and Olympic gold medalist Jordyn Wieber.

As she heads into her senior season and prepares to join the talent-heavy Southeastern Conference, Price leaves behind a powerful legacy at Fisk: a symbol of what’s possible when opportunity, talent, and purpose align. Her story, and the short-lived but historic Fisk program, have left a permanent mark on collegiate gymnastics.

“Morgan Price has served as a phenomenal ambassador for Fisk University and embodied the incredible ways our institution continues its history-making legacy,” said President Agenia Clark. “I am extremely proud of all she has accomplished and the light she’s been able to shine on Fisk.”



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University of New Hampshire

DURHAM, N.H. – University of New Hampshire junior defenseman Brendan Fitzgerald (North Reading, Mass.), junior forward Marty Lavins (Riga, Latvia), sophomore forward Ryan MacPherson (Windsor, Ontario) and sophomore defenseman Josh Player (Thorofare, N.J.) are on National Hockey League Development Camp rosters taking place from June 30-July 6.     The development camps feature top prospects […]

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DURHAM, N.H. – University of New Hampshire junior defenseman Brendan Fitzgerald (North Reading, Mass.), junior forward Marty Lavins (Riga, Latvia), sophomore forward Ryan MacPherson (Windsor, Ontario) and sophomore defenseman Josh Player (Thorofare, N.J.) are on National Hockey League Development Camp rosters taking place from June 30-July 6.
 
 
The development camps feature top prospects who will participate in team meetings, off-ice testing, on-ice sessions and scrimmages.
 


 
NHL Development Camps:
 
 
Who: Brendan Fitzgerald
Team: San Jose Sharks
Where: Tech CU Arena (San Jose, Calif.)
 

Fitzgerald has played in 62 career games with one goal and seven assists for eight points over his first two seasons at UNH.

 


 

 
Who: Marty Lavins
Team: Toronto Maple Leafs
Where: Ford Performance Centre (Etobicoke, Ontario)
 

Lavins has appeared in 70 games over his two seasons as a Wildcat with 13 goals and 18 assists for 31 points.

 


  

Who: Ryan MacPherson
Team: Philadelphia Flyers
Where: Flyers Training Center (Voorhees, N.J.)
 

MacPherson, who was drafted in the sixth round by the Flyers with the 172nd overall pick in the 2023 NHL Draft, appeared in 18 games as a freshman with one goal and one assist for two points.

 


 

 
Who: Josh Player
Team: New Jersey Devils
Where: RWJBarnabas Hockey House (Newark, N.J.)
 

Player appeared in 13 games during his freshman season for the Wildcats making his debut at Merrimack on Oct. 18.

 

 


 
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.  
 



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