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Walmart’s bakery decorators take the cake

NEW YORK — Inside a Walmart store in New Jersey, a worker puts the finishing touches on a cake with an edible ink Sponge Bob on top. A colleague creates a buttercream rosette border for a different cake, while another co-worker frosts a tier of what will be a triple-deck dessert. It’s graduation season, […]

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NEW YORK — Inside a Walmart store in New Jersey, a worker puts the finishing touches on a cake with an edible ink Sponge Bob on top. A colleague creates a buttercream rosette border for a different cake, while another co-worker frosts a tier of what will be a triple-deck dessert.

It’s graduation season, the busiest time of year for the 6,200 employees the nation’s largest retailer trained to hand-decorate cakes per customers’ orders. The cakes themselves come, pre-made, frozen and in a variety of shapes and sizes, from suppliers, not Walmart’s in-store bakeries.

But there’s no sugar-coating the importance the company places on its custom cake business. Its army of icing artisans are the highest paid hourly workers in a typical U.S. Walmart, excluding managers. Cake decorators earn an average of $19.25 per hour, compared with $18.25 for all non-managerial store workers, a company spokesperson said.

Melissa Fernandez, 36, started working in the electronics area and then the wireless services department of the Walmart in North Bergen, New Jersey, before she transferred to the deli area in search of better pay. But Fernandez had her eye on a cake decorating job and after spending two months getting trained by a store colleague, she picked up a piping bag full-time in 2021.

“I love baking at home. I love painting,” Fernandez said. “I love doing anything artistic, and I just always wanted to be a part of it.” After 11 years with Walmart, she said she now makes about $24.40 an hour.

Despite their elite status within Walmart, the retailer’s cake decorators have attracted detractors on social media.

The company promotes its personalized baked goods on TikTok, and the workers behind such creations do the same with their own profiles. As the content has grown in popularity, critics have accused Walmart decorators of stealing ideas and undercutting the work of professional cake artists with their low-priced products.

After TikTok videos praising Walmart’s $25 heart-shaped cakes with borders that resemble vintage lace cropped up before Valentine’s Day this year, a few bakers produced their own videos explaining why their cakes cost so much more and critiquing Walmart’s.

Debates ensued in the comments sections over whether Walmart represented evils of capitalism or served the needs of the masses.

A customized sheet cake that can be sliced to serve 96 people costs $59 at Walmart, about one-third to half the price that a nationwide sample of independent bakeries list online for similarly sized cakes. For $5.20 more, Walmart customers can add strawberry or “Bavarian creme” fillings, which like the bare cakes, are vendor-supplied.

The slice of the celebratory occasion cake market Walmart holds appears vast based on company-supplied figures. One out of four cakes sold in the U.S. comes from Walmart, and its employees will collectively decorate more than 1 million cakes during May and June, according to a company spokesperson.

The number of cakes decorated each day at the location where Fernandez works nearly doubles to 50-60 when school graduations come around, compared to 30-35 a day during the rest of the year, said Michael DeMarco, the manager of the store’s fresh food department. He credits the decorators’ talent and promotional efforts on TikTok.

“We’re getting a lot of repeat customers. We’re doing a lot more business because of just the viral sensations,” DeMarco said.

A TikTok video that showed Fernandez designing a $24 version of a customized bouquet cake — 12 cupcakes that are individually decorated and arranged to look like a bunch of flowers — received nearly a half-million views. The bouquet design was one of the North Bergen store’s most popular cakes last month, a company spokesperson said.

The dressy heart-shaped cakes, as well as cakes that resemble meals like sushi or a pile of spaghetti and meatballs, are popular too, she said. Fernandez also has created “burn away” cakes: an iced cake topped with an image printed on paper, which is set ablaze to reveal a different image underneath.

“TikTok helps me stay up to date,” she said. “A lot of trends that I see on there, within that week or within that month, customers will come asking about it. And we’re pretty up to date as well.”

Jazzing up a cake by hand requires skill, whether or not someone else did the baking, she said. Funneling buttercream frosting through a bag and various sized piping tips to yield the desired design without misplaced blobs is not the same as drawing or painting, Fernandez explained.

“There’s a lot of pressure points that you have to practice in order to get the borders correct and the right thickness or the right texture,” she said.

Tiffany Witzke, who has been a Walmart cake decorator since July 2016 and works at a store in Springfield, Missouri, has more than 912,000 followers on TikTok. The job attracts people who “can be extremely skilled and talented,” Witzke said, adding that customers want increasingly complicated designs.

“When I first started, it was basically just borders and writing,” she said. “Now, everybody wants more and more and more on their cake.”

Liz Berman, owner of The Sleepy Baker, in Natick, Massachusetts, said she’s not worried about losing customers to Walmart because of her attention to detail and the premium ingredients she uses.

She charges $205 and up for a half-sized sheet cake, the bouquets made up of two dozen miniature cupcakes cost $110. All the cakes are made from scratch, and Berman said she designs everything herself.

“It’s just a totally different business model,” she said. “Everything I do is custom.”

For Walmart, the cake decorating business delivers higher profit margins than some other areas, such as groceries and electronics, according to Marshal Cohen, chief retail advisor at market research firm Circana. But it’s also resonating with shoppers looking for affordable luxuries.

“We’ve gone into a period where the consumer is saying, ‘This is good enough,’” Cohen said.

Customers interviewed at the North Bergen store on a recent weekday seemed to be satisfied. George Arango, 34, picked up two customized cakes, one to celebrate a co-worker’s retirement and the other for a colleague getting another job. After researching prices on various store websites, he decided to give Walmart a try.

“The price is fantastic,” he said. “I’m walking out with two cakes for $40.”



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Arizona Gymnastics Coach Rewarded With New Deal

The University of Arizona announced Thursday afternoon it has extended the contract of Wildcats gymnastics coach John Court through the 2028 season. His current deal is set to expire at the end of the 2026 season. The announcement comes on the heels of the athletic department extending baseball coach Chip Hale earlier in the week. […]

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The University of Arizona announced Thursday afternoon it has extended the contract of Wildcats gymnastics coach John Court through the 2028 season. His current deal is set to expire at the end of the 2026 season.

The announcement comes on the heels of the athletic department extending baseball coach Chip Hale earlier in the week.

Court is coming off of a highly fruitful 2025 season. He was named the Big 12 Coach of the Year and the team enjoyed tremendous success.

He has been at Arizona for 26 seasons. He started as an assistant to two different head coaches before taking the helm in 2017 on an interim basis. He was named head coach in 2018.

The Wildcats, known as the GymCats, finished second in their first season competing in the BIg 12. The only losses came to Utah on two separate occasions. They lost to the Utes in the regular season and in the conference championships.

The GymCats advanced to the NCAA Regional Finals for the first time since 2019. The team upset Georgia to place second in their session. They were one of the last 16 teams to still have life after they defeated Arizona State for the third time this season.

In addition to Court’s extension, he announced, last week, the promotion of Kylie Kratchwell to the position of associate head coach. She joins Taylor Spears as the two associate head coaches on the staff for the 2025-26 year.

“She is a person of high character, has increased our program’s national competitiveness, and has a positive approach in developing our student-athletes,” Court stated about Kratchwell and her promotion in the program’s press release, as reported by Kim Doss.

Kratchwell’s primary responsibilities involve the training of the ladies on the uneven bars and choreographing floor exercises. She has been at Arizona for three years and Arizona has finished in the top 25 on the uneven bars each season.

The two associate head coaches also assisted fifth-year senior Elena Deets earn Big 12 co-Specialist of the Year. Deets worked the uneven bars and the beam for the GymCats.

Also, please make sure you follow us today on our Facebook page when you make sure to click here! You can also then make sure that you weigh in on all of our daily coverage of the Arizona Wildcats and their various outstanding athletics programs, from football to basketball to Olympic sports!





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Utah vs. BYU in the rev-share era: How a shifting NIL marketplace could impact the rivalry

SALT LAKE CITY — Chris Hill was poolside Wednesday afternoon when he answered the phone, relaxing after a round of golf. The former Utah athletic director’s playing partner? His longtime counterpart in Provo, ex-Brigham Young AD Tom Holmoe. “When Tom announced his retirement, I told him we’d play a round to celebrate,” Hill explained. (Holmoe […]

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SALT LAKE CITY — Chris Hill was poolside Wednesday afternoon when he answered the phone, relaxing after a round of golf. The former Utah athletic director’s playing partner? His longtime counterpart in Provo, ex-Brigham Young AD Tom Holmoe.

“When Tom announced his retirement, I told him we’d play a round to celebrate,” Hill explained. (Holmoe stepped down this spring after two decades in charge of BYU athletics.)

“Tom and I always got along. People don’t understand that because of the whole Utah-BYU thing. But the schools had a lot in common, and they still do. They’ll vote the same way on a lot of Big 12 stuff.

“But there are some differences, obviously.”

Hill and Holmoe spent most of their round — call it the Holy Fore! — chatting about their families, but they talked shop, as well.

There was no shortage of topics, what with the chaotic state of college sports, life in the Big 12, the landmark House vs. NCAA lawsuit settlement and BYU’s sudden success on the field (and court).

The era of unchecked NIL has gone exceedingly well for the Cougars, who possess one of the richest donor bases in the country. They aren’t alone — not even in the Big 12. Texas Tech, with funding from oil billionaire Cody Campbell, has acquired football and basketball talent at a rate that exceeds historical norms.

“As a Utah guy, yeah, I’m concerned,” Hill said. “You look at the dollars, and it’s just the reality. Utah has great support, and Utah will be fine. But it’s no secret that BYU has more wealth.”

The Big 12 hopes to end the unchecked NIL sooner than later. Along with the ACC, Big Ten, Pac-12 and SEC — the named defendants in the House antitrust lawsuit — the conferences created the College Sports Commission to clean up a marketplace that, for four years, has been tantamount to pay-for-play.

Under the CSC structure, all deals worth at least $600 must be reported to NIL Go, a technology platform created by Deloitte that will determine whether contracts fall within a reasonable range of compensation. Rejected deals can be tweaked and resubmitted. There’s even a pathway to arbitration.

Brigham Young University Athletic Director Tom Holmoe hugs BYU President C. Shane Reese at the end of a press conference announcing Holmoe’s retirement at the end of the school year held at the BYU Broadcast Building on the university’s campus in Provo on Wednesday, Feb. 12, 2025.
Brigham Young University Athletic Director Tom Holmoe hugs BYU President C. Shane Reese at the end of a press conference announcing Holmoe’s retirement at the end of the school year held at the BYU Broadcast Building on the university’s campus in Provo on Wednesday, Feb. 12, 2025. (Photo: Isaac Hale, Deseret News)

Led by Bryan Seeley, a former chief investigator for Major League baseball, the CSC will have the authority to punish schools for playing athletes whose deals were not approved.

At least, that’s the plan.

“There will be challenges,” Big 12 commissioner Brett Yormark explained in early June, following the House settlement. “But we’re very confident.

“Our schools want rules. We’re providing rules, and we will be governed by those rules. And if you break those rules, the ramifications will be punitive.”

Not everyone is convinced the CSC will effectively rein in pay-for-play and create a market of legitimate NIL, where the dollars paid match the services performed.

“In theory, it’s fine,” Hill said. “If they can enforce it, then it’s a different ball game. But I’m skeptical. I just think they are going to get sued again and again until they can collectively bargain.”

Many share Hill’s gloomy outlook. The House settlement has not been codified by Congress. The NCAA does not have antitrust protection. Dozens of states have their own NIL laws on the books.

There is nothing and no one to stop an attorney from suing the CSC after an NIL deal is rejected. Why should a technology platform created by a company that’s paid by the conference be allowed to determine the reasonable range of compensation for services rendered?

AJ Dybantsa, the nation's No. 1 basketball recruit who has committed to BYU, holds a sign with students at halftime during an NCAA men’s basketball game against the West Virginia Mountaineers held at the Marriott Center in Provo on Saturday, March 1, 2025.
AJ Dybantsa, the nation’s No. 1 basketball recruit who has committed to BYU, holds a sign with students at halftime during an NCAA men’s basketball game against the West Virginia Mountaineers held at the Marriott Center in Provo on Saturday, March 1, 2025. (Photo: Isaac Hale, Deseret News)

The market determines the market, unless … the rules of the road have been collectively bargained.

You don’t see compensation lawsuits in the NFL or NBA, which have collective bargaining agreements between the leagues and the players’ unions.

But there are no CBAs in college sports because there are no unions in college sports. In order to form a union, the athletes must be employees, and the schools do not want athletes to be declared employees.

For many university presidents, athletic directors and conference executives, athlete employment is a non-starter.

Hill disagrees.

“Students can be employees,” he said, referring to non-athletes who work while attending college. “I don’t know what the problem is. Just call them athlete-workers. There’s no reason why they can’t be employees.

“The NCAA is going to get sued again and again until there’s a CBA. I don’t see the end of it until they are employees with a union and contracts and buyouts.”

The timing of Hill’s golf game with Holmoe wasn’t lost on the man who led Utah athletics for 31 years: It came one day after BYU’s latest recruiting success.

On Tuesday, the Cougars secured a commitment from five-star quarterback Ryder Lyons, a rising senior at Folsom High (California) who will join the team in the spring of 2027, following a one-year church mission.

Lyons, who picked BYU over Oregon, is part of a recruiting class that ranks third in the Big 12.

This, after the Cougars landed AJ Dybantsa, the No. 2 basketball recruit in the class of 2025.

And after they reached the Sweet 16 for the first time in more than a decade.

And after they won 11 football games.

In the world of unchecked NIL, talent follows the dollars. With Utah Jazz owner Ryan Smith and others lending their support, BYU has possessed the dollars needed to acquire talent at the highest level.

Hill circled back to the College Sports Commission — the great equalizer, in theory.

“If that’s the reality, then I don’t think there will be much difference between the schools,” he said. “But I think (the commission) will get sued. And I’m worried about it.”

The Key Takeaways for this article were generated with the assistance of large language models and reviewed by our editorial team. The article, itself, is solely human-written.



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What Schools are in the Big Ten? Complete Conference Guide

The Big Ten Conference isn’t just about sports—it’s a mix of history, academics, and tradition that dates back to 1896. People recognize Big Ten schools for their academic excellence, competitive sports teams, and passionate communities.    So, who’s in the conference in 2025? With all the changes in college athletics, it’s easy to lose track. […]

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The Big Ten Conference isn’t just about sports—it’s a mix of history, academics, and tradition that dates back to 1896. People recognize Big Ten schools for their academic excellence, competitive sports teams, and passionate communities.   

So, who’s in the conference in 2025? With all the changes in college athletics, it’s easy to lose track. Here’s your up-to-date guide to all 18 schools and what makes each one unique. 

The University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign is a global leader in research, especially in engineering and computer science. In 2024, the Illini won the Big Ten Men’s Basketball Tournament and reached the Elite Eight in the NCAA Tournament.  

  • Famous Athletes: Red Grange (NFL pioneer), Dick Butkus (NFL Hall of Famer), Deron Williams (NBA All-Star). 

Indiana’s world-famous Jacobs School of Music and men’s basketball program are just a couple reasons it stands out. In 2024, the Hoosiers football team had a historic 10-0 start under new head coach Curt Cignetti.   

  • Unique Major: Game Design & Development, combining art, storytelling, and tech.   

The University of Iowa is known for its strong healthcare and creative writing programs. On the court, Caitlin Clark’s record-breaking basketball career left a lasting legacy, with her jersey retired in 2025.   

  • Famous Athletes: Caitlin Clark (NCAA all-time scoring leader, 2024 WNBA Rookie of the Year), Nile Kinnick (Heisman Trophy winner, stadium namesake). 

Maryland is known for its journalism, engineering, and business programs. The student-athletes also excel in their academics, setting a record-high Academic Progress Rate in 2023–24.   

  • Notable Alumni: Kevin Plank (Under Armour founder), Sergey Brin (Google co-founder), Carly Fiorina (first female Fortune 20 CEO). 

  • Biggest Rival: In general, it’s Penn State. In lacrosse, Maryland battles with Johns Hopkins each year for a crab-shaped rivalry trophy.

  • Fun Fact: Students believe that rubbing the Testudo mascot statue brings good luck. On the flip side, the “Point of Failure” spot on campus is where they avoid stepping if they want to graduate on time.   

The University of Michigan is strong in both academics and sports, and it is often ranked one of the best public universities in the country. In 2024, Michigan took home the College Football Playoff Championship.   

  • Academic Spotlight: Business, engineering, and nursing programs consistently rank in the top 15 nationally. 

  • Unique Major: Interdisciplinary Program in the Environment, combining science, policy, and sustainability.  

  • Notable Alumni: Larry Page (Google co-founder), Madonna (iconic performer), James Earl Jones (actor, the voice of Darth Vader). 

  • Famous Athletes: Tom Brady (7-time Super Bowl champ), Desmond Howard (Heisman Trophy winner), Carol Hutchins (winningest NCAA softball coach). 

Michigan State University is known for its strong programs in education and veterinary medicine. It also shines in sports, with the men’s hockey team winning back-to-back Big Ten titles in 2024 and 2025.   

  • Unique Major: Sustainable Parks, Recreation, and Tourism, focused on managing outdoor spaces.   

  • Notable Alumni: James Caan (The Godfather actor), Sam Raimi (director of Spider-Man), Gretchen Whitmer (Governor of Michigan). 

  • Famous Athletes: Magic Johnson (NBA legend), Draymond Green (NBA), Savatheda Fynes (Olympic gold medalist). 

  • Iconic Eatery: Conrad’s Grill, known for late-night “Spartan Wraps” stuffed with tots, cheese, chicken, and all kinds of comfort food combinations. 

Located in the Twin Cities, the University of Minnesota excels in health sciences and business. The Golden Gophers are consistently top performers in hockey and wrestling. 

  • Coolest Major: Biomedical Engineering with a Biomedical Imaging Emphasis, combining anatomy, 3D modeling, and communication.   

  • Notable Alumni: Hubert Humphrey (former U.S. Vice President), Jessica Lange (actress who won two Oscars, three Emmys, and a Tony). 

As Nebraska’s flagship land-grant university, the home of the Big Red stands out for its strengths in agricultural sciences and education. On the field, the baseball team won the 2025 Big Ten Tournament as the No. 8 seed to defend their 2024 title. 

  • Unique Program: Nebraska Translator and Interpreter Corps, which seeks to eliminate language barriers and create strong, dynamic connections between the different communities in Nebraska. 

  • Notable Alumni: Warren Buffett (CEO of Berkshire Hathaway), Johnny Carson (The Tonight Show legend), Willa Cather (Pulitzer Prize-winning author). 

  • Star Athletes: Jordan Burroughs (Olympic gold medalist in wrestling), Jordan Larson (Olympic gold medalist, volleyball). 

  • Iconic Eatery: Yia Yia’s Pizza, a downtown Lincoln staple with unique pizza flavors, loaded baked potatoes, and loaded cheese bread. 

  • Hidden Gem: The Speech & Debate Team, the oldest student group on campus, took home national titles in 2022 and 2023.   

Located just north of Chicago, Northwestern combines elite academics with Big Ten athletics. Boasting a 98% graduation success rate—the highest in FBS programs—the Wildcats are also getting a brand-new, state-of-the-art stadium in 2026. 

  • Notable Alumni: Stephen Colbert (comedian and TV host), George R.R. Martin (Game of Thrones author), Kathryn Hahn (comedian, actress). 

Ohio State blends top-tier academics with powerhouse athletics. The Buckeyes claimed their ninth football championship in January 2025 alongside 12 national titles during the 2023–24 season.  

  • Notable Alumni: R.L. Stine (Goosebumps author), George Steinbrenner (legendary Yankees owner), Patricia Heaton (Everybody Loves Raymond). 

  • Famous Athletes: Eddie George (Heisman winner), Jack Nicklaus (golf legend), Katie Smith (WNBA Hall of Famer). 

  • Iconic Eatery: Buckeye Donuts, a 24/7 spot with fresh donuts, all-day breakfast, and gyros.  

A leader in environmental science, education, and law, the University of Oregon officially joined the Big Ten in 2024. The Ducks hit the ground running, winning eight conference titles in their first year—more than any other Big Ten school.   

  • Coolest Major: Sports Product Design, blending engineering, creativity, and sustainability in the sports industry.   

  • Famous Athletes: Sabrina Ionescu (Olympic gold medalist, WNBA star), Ashton Eaton (Olympic decathlon champion). 

  • Iconic Eatery: Duck’s House, a popular game day spot with a UO-themed menu, including the “Oregon Waffle.” 

Located in University Park, Penn State excels in engineering and business. With one of the largest alumni networks worldwide, the Nittany Lions are also a force athletically, especially in football and wrestling.  

  • Academic Spotlight: Smeal College of Business, renowned for its supply chain, operations, and management programs.   

  • Unique Major: Turfgrass Science—training experts who manage fields for stadiums, golf courses, and more.   

  • Notable Alumni: Keegan-Michael Key (comedian), Jonathan Frakes (Star Trek), Lara Spencer (Good Morning America). 

  • Star Athletes: Saquon Barkley (NFL star), David Taylor (Olympic wrestling champ), Ali Krieger (FIFA World Cup winner). 

Purdue is a leader in engineering, aerospace, and agriculture with an impressive reputation in both academics and athletics. Its engineering programs and men’s basketball team consistently grab national attention.  

  • Academic Highlight: College of Engineering, especially strong in aerospace, mechanical, and civil engineering.   

  • Notable Alumni: Neil Armstrong (first person on the moon), Gus Grissom (NASA astronaut), Janice Voss (astronaut). 

  • Star Athletes: Drew Brees (NFL MVP), Glenn Robinson (NBA star), Stephanie White (WNBA star and coach). 

  • Iconic Eatery: Triple XXX Family Restaurant, Indiana’s oldest drive-in diner, known for root beer and burgers.   

  • Fun Fact: Purdue’s official mascot, the Boilermaker Special, is an actual train that drives around campus and is a regular at games.   

One of the oldest colleges in the U.S., Rutgers is the main research university in New Jersey. The university is well-known for its strong programs in health, environmental, social, and behavioral sciences. 

  • Unique Major: Packaging Engineering, a rare program blending engineering, materials science, and design for sustainability.   

The University of California Los Angeles is a top public research university with standout programs in life sciences, education, and fine arts. A bright spot in both academics and athletics, the Bruins captured their first Big Ten Women’s Basketball Tournament Championship in 2025.   

  • Strongest Major: Design Media Arts, which combines design, art, and technology for creativity in the digital age. 

  • Famous Alumni: John Williams (composer, Star Wars), Ben Stiller (comedian/actor), Marilyn Monroe (iconic actress, singer, model). 

  • Famous Athletes: Jackie Robinson (baseball icon), Kareem Abdul-Jabbar (NBA legend), Dot Richardson (Olympic gold medalist, collegiate softball coach). 

  • Iconic Eatery: Lamonica’s NY Pizza, the late-night, Westwood institution known for its Brooklyn-made pies. 

The University of Southern California is a private research powerhouse, well-known for its cinematic arts, engineering, and business programs. The Trojans secured the Big Ten Women’s Outdoor Track & Field Championship in 2025. 

  • Unique Major: Narrative Studies, preparing students for storytelling in novels, films, theatre, and more. 

  • Famous Alumni: George Lucas (Star Wars creator), Will Ferrell (actor, comedian), Shonda Rhimes (producer and screenwriter). 

  • Famous Athletes: Allyson Felix (most decorated track athlete in history), Reggie Bush (Heisman winner, NFL star). 

The University of Washington is a leading public research school and excels in areas like computer science, nursing, and engineering. In their debut Big Ten season, UW made a big impression, grabbing multiple NCAA individual national titles.  

  • Unique Major: Aquatic & Fishery Sciences, which (pun intended) dives into aquatic organisms, freshwater and marine environments, and aquatic sustainability. 

As Wisconsin’s flagship university, UW–Madison is a leader in computer science, economics, and food science. Its student section is known for the “Jump Around” tradition, when everyone jumps to the song at the end of the third quarter. 

  • Unique Program: The Fermented Foods & Beverages certificate, which teaches students how to create products like beer, cheese, kimchi, and kombucha.   

  • Famous Alumni: Dick Cheney (former U.S. Vice President), Charles Lindbergh (aviation pioneer), Lorraine Hansberry (first African American author to have a play on Broadway). 

  • Notable Graduated Athletes: Russell Wilson (NFL quarterback), J.J. Watt (NFL defensive superstar), Rose Lavelle (FIFA World Cup Champion, Olympic medalist). 

The Big Ten is a powerhouse of academics, athletics, and tradition. With legendary rivalries, incredible schools, and vibrant campus cultures, it’s where competition meets community. Whether it’s a packed stadium on game day or a classroom full of bright ideas, the Big Ten continues to inspire and connect a thriving community.   

That’s the full list of Big Ten schools!   

Did we miss anything? What topic should we cover next? Tell us!

@BigTen on X, Instagram, TikTok, and Facebook. 

 



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Kellogg’s Frosted Flakes® and WMU Celebrate Hockey National Title with Commemorative Cereal Box

Story Links KALAMAZOO, Mich. – Western Michigan University Athletics, in collaboration with Kellogg’s Frosted Flakes® and Bronco Sports Partners, is proud to announce the launch of a limited-edition commemorative Frosted Flakes cereal box in celebration of the WMU Hockey team’s historic 2025 NCAA Men’s Hockey National Championship. “This is such […]

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KALAMAZOO, Mich. – Western Michigan University Athletics, in collaboration with Kellogg’s Frosted Flakes® and Bronco Sports Partners, is proud to announce the launch of a limited-edition commemorative Frosted Flakes cereal box in celebration of the WMU Hockey team’s historic 2025 NCAA Men’s Hockey National Championship.

“This is such a fun and unique way to celebrate one of the greatest athletic accomplishments in our department’s history,” said Dan Bartholomae, Vice President and Director of Athletics at Western Michigan. “To collaborate with such an iconic Michigan brand and see Buster Bronco featured alongside Tony the Tiger is a powerful tribute to our championship team and a memorable keepsake for our fans.”

The exclusive box features Kellogg’s Frosted Flakes icon Tony the Tiger® alongside WMU’s beloved Buster Bronco, paying tribute to the national championship WMU Hockey Team. The box sleeve is designed to serve as a collector’s item or gift and does not include cereal, making it a perfect keepsake for fans, alums and memorabilia collectors.

Each commemorative box will be sold for $20.25—a symbolic nod to the Broncos’ 2025 title. With only a limited number of boxes available for purchase, fans are encouraged to make their purchase before they run out.

“As a company with deep roots in West Michigan, we are thrilled to join Bronco’s fans everywhere to celebrate WMU’s historic win,” said Doug VanDeVelde, WK Kellogg Co’s Chief Growth Officer. “What better way to recognize this milestone than with a special edition collectors item box. To quote our friend Tony, we think the Broncos are simply gr-r-reat!”  

Boxes will be shipped directly to fans and make the perfect addition to a home, office, fan cave, or gift collection. More information on availability and ordering can be found at https://kelloggstore.com/products/wmu-hockey-champs

ABOUT WK KELLOGG CO

At WK Kellogg Co, we bring our best to everyone, every day through our trusted foods and brands. Our journey began in 1894, when our founder W.K. Kellogg reimagined the future of food with the creation of Corn Flakes, changing breakfast forever. Our iconic brand portfolio includes Kellogg’s Frosted Flakes®, Rice Krispies®, Froot Loops®, Kashi®, Special K®, Kellogg’s Raisin Bran®, and Bear Naked®. With a presence in the majority of households across North America, our brands play a key role in enhancing the lives of millions of consumers every day, promoting a strong sense of physical, emotional and societal wellbeing. Our beloved brand characters, including Tony the Tiger® and Toucan Sam®, represent our deep connections with the consumers and communities we serve.  Through our sustainable business platform – Feeding HappinessTM – we aim to build healthier and happier futures for families, kids and communities. We are making a positive impact, while creating foods that bring joy and nourishment to consumers. For more information about WK Kellogg Co and Feeding Happiness, visit www.wkkellogg.com.

 

 



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Bob Motzko Relied on Previous International Success, Familiarity When Putting Together World Juniors Staff

Motzko hired Miller to join him at Minnesota as associate head coach in 2022.  “He’s got an elephant for a memory,” Motzko said of Miller. “It’s crazy the knowledge that he has, and the experience.” Though Motzko has never worked with Brown at the collegiate level, they first coached with each other as assistants at […]

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Motzko hired Miller to join him at Minnesota as associate head coach in 2022. 

“He’s got an elephant for a memory,” Motzko said of Miller. “It’s crazy the knowledge that he has, and the experience.”

Though Motzko has never worked with Brown at the collegiate level, they first coached with each other as assistants at World Juniors in 2014 and have been close friends ever since. 

Identifying himself as a “Western guy,” Motzko – a lifelong Minnesotan – said the team needed some “East Coast flair,” which is where Brown comes in. 

A Scituate, Massachusetts, native, Brown recently finished his third season coaching his alma mater, Boston College. His personal relationship with BC forwards James Hagens and Teddy Stiga could come in handy, as both are eligible to return for 2026 after helping the U.S. win gold in January. 

Among Motzko’s assistants, his relationship with Garrett Raboin runs the deepest. The current coach of Augustana University played for Motzko at St. Cloud State from 2006 to 2010 before joining his former coach behind the bench. Raboin went on to be one of Motzko’s assistants for 10 years, following him from St. Cloud to Minnesota in 2017. 

“I know what Garrett can do because I’ve worked with him for so long, and I know he did a terrific job [at World Juniors].”

Raboin has been an assistant at the last two World Junior Championships and will get the chance to win his third straight gold medal. 

David Lassonde will have the same opportunity. Lassonde — the national goaltending coach for USA Hockey — has coached at 16 international events, including the 2022 Winter Olympics. He’s back for another run as the goaltending coach this winter. 

John Vanbiesbrouck, the assistant executive director of hockey operations for USA Hockey, noted that everyone at the National Team Development Program calls Lassonde “OBC: Old Ball Coach” because he loves everything about the game.”

While goaltending is his specialty, Lassonde is an emotionally intelligent coach who connects with any hockey player, Vanbiesbrouck said 

“He’s a professor of the sport; he’s an educator at heart; he’s a teacher on and off the ice,” Vanbiesbrouck said of Lassonde. “What he lends to us is that blend between players and coaches.”

Video coaches Jacob LeRoy and Travis Winter round out the staff. Motzko described LeRoy, the director of hockey operations for the Gophers since 2021, as his “right-hand person” at Minnesota.

Winter, a St. Cloud native who’s the associate head coach at Bemidji State’s, is the only staff member who Motzko’s never worked with before.

“It’s always great when you get to add a new guy to your staff,” Motzko said. “Travis is a terrific young coach that’s doing a great job [at Bemidji State].”

The next step for this staff will be evaluating the U.S. talent pool at the World Junior Summer Showcase, taking place July 25 to Aug. 2 at Ridder Arena in Minneapolis. Tickets are on-sale now. 

When asked what he’ll look for the most out of players during the evaluation process, Motzko emphasized the important of leadership. 

“Who’s going to take hold of the leadership of the group inside from the players, because that carries such a strong message throughout the whole time together,” he said. 

Story from Red Line Editorial, Inc.





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2nd Boston Soccer Alum Accuses Coach of Abuse After Alex Cooper

A second former Boston University women’s soccer player is detailing allegations of “psychological and emotional abuse” by former coach Nancy Feldman. After “Call Her Daddy” podcast host Alex Cooper, 30, accused Feldman of sexual harassment in her recent Hulu docuseries, Call Her Alex, BU alum Sophia Woodland is speaking out about her alleged experiences with […]

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June 27, 2025

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2nd Boston Soccer Alum Accuses Coach of Abuse After Alex Cooper

A second former Boston University women’s soccer player is detailing allegations of “psychological and emotional abuse” by former coach Nancy Feldman.

After “Call Her Daddy” podcast host Alex Cooper, 30, accused Feldman of sexual harassment in her recent Hulu docuseries, Call Her Alex, BU alum Sophia Woodland is speaking out about her alleged experiences with the retired soccer coach. (Woodland played for the BU women’s soccer team from 2019 to 2022, per online records.)

The former college soccer player told the Boston Globe in an interview published on Thursday, June 26, that she underwent years of therapy to process Feldman’s “psychological and emotional abuse,” which she said focused largely on her body.

“The biggest issue Nancy had was my body,” Woodland told the outlet. “And that was all I heard for my three years that I played under her. … I would get so anxious all the time.”

According to the Boston Globe, in 2022, a university psychologist emailed members of the women’s soccer team that she wanted to raise their concerns about Feldman to the university’s higher-ups. Ultimately, she didn’t and Feldman retired in 2022. (A BU spokesperson told the outlet that a player reached out to the psychologist and objected to her escalating the issue.)

“We were like, ‘Okay, good luck.’ Multiple teammates had gone to the athletic department. Multiple parents had already gone,” Woodland said, expressing skepticism that the psychologist’s efforts would have any real consequences.

Us Weekly has reached out to Feldman and Boston University for comment.

Woodland also reacted to a recent letter signed by 99 former BU soccer players in support of Feldman. Earlier in June, TMZ reported it had obtained a copy of a letter cosigned by dozens of BU alumni stating that their experiences with Feldman vastly differed from the sexual harassment claims made by Cooper in her docuseries.

The former players said, in part, that they “categorically never felt unsafe” under Feldman. “We were never at risk of or witness to inappropriate behavior or anything that could be characterized as sexual harassment,” they added, per TMZ.

”There are gonna be people who had a different experience or didn’t think that [Feldman] was all that bad,” Woodland told the Boston Globe. “Abusers can’t abuse everyone, right? So the 99 people that signed that letter, I’m like, ‘You guys are — no offense — extremely inconsiderate.’”

Nancy Feldman BU Coach

Nancy Feldman YouTube

“Just because you had a good experience doesn’t mean that she was incapable of harming other people,” Woodland added.

Cooper played for the BU women’s soccer team between 2013 and 2015. She alleged in Hulu’s Call Her Alex docuseries, released on June 10, that Feldman began to “fixate on me, way more than any other teammate of mine” during her sophomore year.

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“[It] was all based in her wanting to know who I was dating, her making comments about my body and her always wanting to be alone with me,” she said, per People.

“It was this psychotic game of, ‘You want to play? Tell me about your sex life,’” Cooper alleged.

Feldman could not be reached for comment at the time. However, a Boston University spokesperson told Us in a June 13 statement, “Boston University has a zero-tolerance policy for sexual harassment. We have a robust system of resources, support and staff dedicated to student wellbeing and a thorough reporting process through our Equal Opportunity Office. We encourage members of our community to report any concerns, and we remain committed to fostering a safe and secure campus environment for all.”

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