AIKEN, S.C. – USCA, in conjunction with Director of Athletics Todd Wilkinson, is excited to announce the hiring of Keith Gorman as its Head Baseball Coach.

“We’re excited to bring Coach Gorman on board,” said Wilkinson. “He is a proven leader with a championship pedigree, a deep understanding of the game, and a commitment to building a winning culture. His record speaks volumes about his ability to lead student-athletes to success on and off the field.”

“What stood out about Keith was not just his winning record, but his holistic approach to coaching,” Wilkinson added. “He develops players into leaders, emphasizes academic success, and understands the value of community engagement. He is exactly the kind of coach who can elevate Pacer Baseball and represent USCA with integrity and pride.”

With over 21 years of experience, Gorman sports a record of 468-207 (.693). At Barton College, he produced a 152-116 (.567) record. Before coaching the Bulldogs, Gorman spent eight years at Cumberland County College, building a powerhouse program that went 316-91 (.776). 

“I’m incredibly honored and excited to be chosen to lead the tradition-rich USC Aiken Baseball program. My family and I are thrilled to become part of the Aiken community, and I’m deeply grateful to Athletic Director Todd Wilkinson, Deputy Director of Athletics Dexter Harris, and the entire search committee for their belief in me and for entrusting me with this opportunity. I also want to thank Chancellor Daniel Heimmermann and Provost Phillip Bridgmon for their support.

“My promise to both the university and the community is that our coaching staff will work relentlessly to build a program that excels on the field, in the classroom, and throughout the community.

“With outstanding facilities and a strong academic foundation, USCA is perfectly positioned to compete at the highest level in the toughest region in the country — and beyond. The future is bright for Pacer Baseball, and I’m truly grateful for the opportunity. Go Pacers!”

Gorman comes to USCA after three consecutive 30-plus win seasons at Barton. Under his guidance, the Bulldogs shattered the school record for wins (34 in 2024) and posted the highest three-year and two-year win totals in the program’s history.  

Gorman’s team produced a 31-22 ledger on the year, including a 19-11 record in Conference Carolinas play for the 2025 campaign, while finishing fifth in the league’s standings. Over the past three seasons, Barton tied for the second-most wins in league play behind only North Greenville.  

In 2024, his program started 11-0 and garnered the longest winning streak in program history. The team was ranked in the top 10 in the NCAA Division II Southeast Region poll for all 15 weeks. The squad was ranked as high as No. 18 in the NCBWA poll and No. 9 in the D2 Baseball rankings after sweeping Mount Olive.  

While at Cumberland, Gorman guided the program to the 2019 NJCAA Division III National Championship and was named the National Coach of the Year. His 2017 team finished 55-8, establishing an all-time wins record for any college in New Jersey. Gorman’s program had more wins from 2014-19 than any other NJCAA school. He led his squad to three trips to the World Series during his eight years at Cumberland.  

Gorman, a native of St. Joseph, Missouri, played collegiately at Kansas City (Kan.) CC and North Central (Mo.) College, before earning his bachelor’s degree from the University of Missouri and master’s degree from LaSalle University.

Coach Gorman will begin his duties on June 1, 2025.  A press conference to introduce him to the campus and community will tentatively be held within the third week of June.  

The City of Vineland and the Vineland Public Library cordially invite the public to a ribbon-cutting ceremony for the new Esports Room on Monday, June 16, at 4:00 pm. Guests will be able to get a first look at the state-of-the-art gaming equipment, meet the team behind the project, and learn more about plans for tournaments and leagues.

Equipped with high-performance gaming PCs, exciting lighting, and comfortable seating, the Esports Room will offer a welcoming atmosphere for casual players, competitive gamers, and curious newcomers alike. Whether you’re looking to hone your skills, join a local tournament, or simply connect with friends over a shared love of gaming, you will find it here.

According to Mayor Anthony Fanucci,” The room is a modern, engaging space for all residents providing a safe and structured environment for players to enjoy. The initiative is part of the city’s broader effort to diversify recreational programming and provide innovative outlets for fun and community engagement. Thank you to the staff of the city’s IS Department for your hard work in putting this impressive room together.”

Access to the Esports Room will be free with a valid Vineland library card and a parent or guardian permission slip, so be sure to sign up or renew your card to take part in this exciting new offering.

News

Triton High School in Erwin, North Carolina has been selected as the winner of Brightspeed’s “Bright Future Esports Lab Contest.”

By: Brad Randall, Broadband Communities

After counting more than 4,000 votes cast, a North Carolina high school has been named the winner of an esports lab contest led by Brightspeed and Stay Plugged In.

The contest, which saw competition from more than 50 schools, included weeks of public voting.

As a result of the victory, the school will receive a new STEM and esports lab, with completion expected in time for the beginning of the 2025-26 school year, according to Brightspeed.

Triton High School in Erwin, North Carolina has been selected as the winner of Brightspeed’s “Bright Future Esports Lab Contest.” Courtesy photo/ Brightspeed

In announcing the school’s victory, Brightspeed said the school’s “bold vision for innovation, technology and hands-on learning was evident in their AI Lab submission during the contest.”

Rick Suarez, a managing director at Stay Plugged In, said the achievement represents more than just winning a contest.

“It is about celebrating students, community, and the future,” Suarez said. “In partnership with Brightspeed, we’re thrilled to help open the doors to opportunity, where technology, education and gaming intersect.”

Stay Plugged In, established in 2020, is described as a leading esports recruiting platform in the U.S., a summary of the organization stated.

‘An incredible honor’

Marshall Jones, the principal of Triton High School, also offered comment in Brightspeed’s announcement.

Jones called it “an incredible honor for our school.”

“Winning is the result of being elevated by our community, family, friends, and school,” Jones also said. “This is an opportunity to bring the future of education to our community for generations to come.”

According to Brightspeed, the initiative invited schools across the company’s North Carolina footprint to compete.

Sabrina Anderson, a local marketing manager at Brightspeed, said the North Carolina-based ISP believes access is the gateway to oppertuinity.

“We’re proud to support an organization like Stay Plugged In, because its mission is similar to our own: investing in communities, creating opportunities and empowering people with access to critical resources,” Anderson said.

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BetMGM has taken a major step toward expanding its U.S. footprint by securing market access in Missouri through a new partnership with Century Casinos. With the state set to launch regulated sports betting on December 1, BetMGM joins a growing list of operators preparing to enter the Show-Me State.

The agreement gives BetMGM — a joint venture between MGM Resorts International and UK-based gaming giant Entain — the green light to operate its online sportsbook in Missouri. This move comes through a market-access deal with Century Casino and Hotel Cape Girardeau, a subsidiary of Century Casinos.

A Strategic Play in a Competitive Market

Under the terms of the agreement, BetMGM will pay Century Casinos a share of net gaming revenue, with a guaranteed minimum to ensure consistent income for the land-based casino operator. While financial details remain under wraps, the structure is similar to many market-access arrangements in other U.S. states.

Notably, the partnership also includes the option to open a retail sportsbook at Century’s Cape Girardeau location. However, that decision will ultimately rest with Century Casinos, depending on future strategic goals and market dynamics.

Erwin Haitzmann and Peter Hoetzinger, co-CEOs of Century Casinos, welcomed the move, saying:

“We are excited to partner with BetMGM, a leading online sports betting and gaming entertainment company with a dynamic and innovative brand. This partnership is another step forward in leveraging our Missouri licenses and delivering premium entertainment experiences for our customers.”

For BetMGM, the deal represents a crucial foothold in what could become a lucrative sports betting landscape. Missouri has a passionate sports fan base and is home to several major teams, creating a fertile ground for sportsbooks.

The Race to Go Live in Missouri

BetMGM is not the only operator eyeing Missouri. In March, bet365 announced a market-access deal with the St. Louis Cardinals, one of six professional sports teams eligible to partner with sportsbooks under state law. Other eligible teams include:

Missouri’s regulations allow both land-based casinos and professional sports teams to partner with online sportsbooks. There are 13 licensed casinos in the state, including locations operated by Caesars Entertainment, Boyd Gaming, PENN Entertainment, Bally’s, and Affinity Gaming.

In addition to those tethered licenses, Missouri will issue two untethered licenses. These standalone permits are up for grabs via an open application process. The deadline for submissions is July 15, and the state’s Gaming Commission is expected to announce the successful applicants by August 15.

The Missouri Gaming Commission laid out its roadmap for the rollout earlier this month, confirming that operators meeting all regulatory requirements will be able to go live on December 1, 2025. The market is expected to be robust right out of the gate, driven by strong local interest and competitive partnerships.

What This Means for Missouri Bettors

Once the market goes live, Missourians will be able to place wagers on sports through licensed online platforms like BetMGM — provided they are at least 21 years old and physically located within state lines.

BetMGM, known for its user-friendly interface, competitive odds, and integration with MGM Resorts’ loyalty program (MGM Rewards), will likely seek to attract Missouri players through promotions and brand partnerships. If Century Casinos decides to open a physical sportsbook, it would also provide bettors with a brick-and-mortar location for placing bets and watching games.

The inclusion of retail sportsbooks is expected to enhance the overall betting experience, especially in areas with high foot traffic and strong local sports allegiance.

Industry Implications

For BetMGM, this move is part of a larger strategy to solidify its position as a top-tier operator in the U.S. sports betting scene. The company already holds licenses in more than 25 states and has been aggressive in securing partnerships in emerging markets.

Missouri represents a high-potential addition to BetMGM’s growing portfolio. With nearby states like Illinois, Kansas, and Iowa already offering legal sports betting, the Missouri launch helps close a regional gap and reduces out-of-state leakage, a major concern for local lawmakers and casinos.

For Century Casinos, the partnership is a smart monetization of its state license, allowing it to participate in the online gaming boom without the overhead of running its own sportsbook operation. It also aligns the company with a well-established national brand, potentially driving foot traffic and brand recognition at its Cape Girardeau property.

Final Thoughts

BetMGM’s entrance into Missouri is yet another sign of the growing importance of market-access deals in the U.S. sports betting ecosystem. As the countdown to the December launch continues, expect more operators to announce partnerships with local casinos and sports teams, each vying for a piece of the action.

With robust competition, a passionate sports culture, and regulatory clarity, Missouri is shaping up to be one of the most anticipated sports betting markets of the year.

Cities around the world have been showing their enthusiasm for gaming as an educational tool, and New York City is helping to lead that charge with its first annual NYC Video Game Festival on Saturday, May 31. The day-long event will feature esports competitions, arcades, and indie game demos, all taking place at Convene Brookfield Place in lower Manhattan.

The NYC Video Game Festival will also host the finals of the fifth-annual Minecraft Education Battle of the Boroughs Esports competition. The competition has fostered creativity among the school kids of New York City as they’re tasked with solving some of the city’s challenges using the tools within Minecraft. For example, last year, kids were tasked with designing a new Brooklyn Army Terminal Climate Innovation Hub.

Each borough of New York City will be sending three finalist teams (representing elementary, middle, and high school) for a total of 15 teams competing.

In addition to the Minecraft competition, New York-based colleges will be sending their best and brightest Fortnite and Valorant players to compete in the 2025 Collegiate Championship. One of the teams competing is The Quad Gods, the world’s first all-quadriplegic esports team, which was recently featured in an HBO Documentary.

The May 31 event is just the beginning, as New York City is planning on hosting a variety of gaming events over the next several months as part of its NYC Summer of Games initiative. A full rundown of all of this summer’s events can be found here.

Polygon is thrilled to partner with New York City as part of this event, which has allowed kids to really prove that games have the ability to solve real-life challenges. We hope to see you there!