Sports

What House settlement means for Purdue

Some athletic departments have struck deals with private equity firms to better afford paying players through revenue sharing.Purdue has typically been fiscally responsible, so how will it go about revenue sharing and fundraising? Here’s what we learned.Purdue athletic director Mike Bobinski has publicly welcomed the revenue sharing era of college sports as a way to […]

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1 month ago

June 12, 2025

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When judge Claudia Wilken gave final approval to terms of theHouse vs. NCAA settlement last week, Bobinski’s letter to the Purdue community stressed the competitive upside — and the financial urgency — for the Boilermakers.

The initial $20.5 million which can be shared — and which Bobinski has said Purdue will fully utilize — is not the only added expense. Bobinski said Purdue will increase the number of athletic scholarships awarded in some sports. He asked for expanded support for the John Purdue Club, the primary athletics fundraising organization. He also urged contributions to athletics through the university’s “Victories & Heroes: Your Campaign for Purdue” initiative.

“This moment requires all of us — alumni, fans, donor and friends — to step up and be bold,” Bobinski wrote. “… Your support is not just appreciated — it is absolutely essential.”

Here’s what we know about what the settlement term means for Purdue, and how it is moving forward.

How will Purdue pay for revenue sharing?

Bobinski stated early and often Purdue will participate fully in revenue sharing. That $20.5 million obligation would have equated to 15.2% of the athletic department’s income for the 2023-24 fiscal year based on its annual report to the NCAA. (Figures for 2024-25 are not yet available.)

Additionally, the NCAA’s agreement to pay $2.6 billion in back pay damages to former athletes come out of its annual distributions to member schools. Purdue expects to receive about $1.2 million per year less from the NCAA for the next decade. It received $4.47 million in 2023-24.

Dating back to the hire of Barry Odom in December, both Bobinski and President Mung Chiang have suggested a change to the university’s financial relationship with athletics will help close the budget gap.

Per records compiled by the USA Today Network in partnership with the Knight-Newhouse College Athletics Database, Purdue was one of 11 Division I athletic programs from the more than 230 public schools in the 2023 fiscal year which either received no revenue from its university (eight) or returned any revenue it received (three).

Among the ways the university could help athletics would be to take on debt obligations. Purdue listed $14.5 million in “debt service, leases or rental fees” on its 2023-24 NCAA financial report. Direct overhead and administrative expenses — things like facilities maintenance, security, insurance and utilities — accounted for almost $13 million in expenses.

An announcement on the specific details will come. Whatever the solution, belt-tightening alone won’t get an already lean athletic department to its $20.5 million goal.

It remains to be seen how transparent Purdue will be about which sports receive what percentage of the revenue-sharing pool. However, based on reports from around the country, estimates have power conference schools allotting 70% to 75% to football and 15% to 20% to men’s basketball. The sports which by far bring in the most money will receive the lion’s share.

How do roster limits affect scholarships?

Not much will change for Purdue’s marquee sports. Odom said he expects to operate on the traditional 85-scholarship limit within the new roster limit of 105. Walk-ons can make up that gap.

Men’s basketball can use up to 15 scholarships, but don’t expect coach Matt Painter to fill up that allotment often, if at all. Keeping 13 players satisfied with their roles in any given year is difficult enough.

Also, teams have the option of grandfathering in current athletes who would otherwise put them over those roster limits. This most likely applies to walk-ons who will be allowed to keep their spot until their career is over.

Bobinski’s mention of adding scholarships might impact the non-full scholarship sports, which is everything outside of football, men’s and women’s basketball and volleyball.

Baseball used to be limited to 11.7 scholarships, distributed at the coach’s discretion, on a roster three or four times that numberr. Going forward, teams are not beholden to those scholarship limits. However, they cannot exceed newly established roster limits.

Baseball, for instance, can have up to 34 players on its roster. Purrdue’s roster from this past season included 44 names. In most other sports, based on rosters posted on the athletics website, Purdue operated below or near the new limits. It has known this new structure was coming for months.

Within the Big Ten, the impact will likely vary from school to school. In purely speculative example, historic wrestling powers Iowa and Penn State could offer more scholarships in that sport than most schools.

What is Boiler BrandWorks?

Athletes can still earn income beyond their revenue share cut through those avenues currently associated with NIL: endorsements, brand campaigns, online influencing, etc.

In his letter, Bobinski announced the formation of Boiler BrandWorks. Described as an “in-house student-athlete marketing and brand-building unit,” this new arm of the athletic department will help athletes find and develop NIL deals with local and national businesses.

Per the university’s athletics careers website, it is hiring a director of NIL strategy and athlete marketing who will oversee Boiler BrandWorks.

Even with revenue share, programs will need to show they can maximize the earnings potential of their most marketable athletes. (Think Zach Edey, Braden Smith or football quarterbacks.) This new administrator and department are responsible for making that happen.

What happens to Boilermaker Alliance?

The 501c3 non-profit collective associated with the athletic department continues to operate. It was involved with the finalization of deal such as those struck by returning and incoming men’s basketball players and football’s two dozen-plus spring transfer portal additions.

Last winter, though, Bobinski predicted the end of the philanthropic model of NIL fundraising. Schools will no longer need to hook players up with deals attached to charitable organizations or activities.

However, a 501c6 entity known as Boiler Up Inc. also operates in conjunction with Boilermaker Alliance. The main difference between the two types of non-profits is Boiler Up Inc. can raise money through memberships or fundraising without any charitable endeavors.

This setup or something similar is fairly common at power conference athletic programs. In recent months, more collectives have begun sunsetting their 501c3 to focus on their other platform — some of which are for-profit LLCs. IU’s Hoosiers For Good announced last December it would cease operations early this year.

Purdue could keep some version of the current collective to facilitate fundraising beyond the John Purdue Club and the new, in-house marketing arm.

Will Purdue go down the private equity path?

College athletic programs across the country have begun to partner with private equity firms, or are exploring the idea. These firms would not take a stake in the athletic program. Rather, they would offer a private source of credit paid back over time.

Such a relationship could make sense for Purdue if it directly led to a long-term revenue enhancement. For example, taking private credit to fund an important facility or resource enhancement without asking for the money from the university.

However, Purdue prides itself on fiscal responsibility. It typically does not lead the pack in creative ways to spend money it does not have. This could be a realistic opportunity in time, depending on how the market evolves.

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Sports

BGSU volleyball adds Bosic, Hobson

The Bowling Green State University volleyball program and head coach Alex DelPiombo announced the signings of Anastasija Bozic and Avery Hobson on Monday morning. Bozic, a 6-foot-1 outside hitter, will come to the Falcons as a freshman from Panzevo, Serbia. Hobson, a 6-foot-1 junior outside hitter, will arrive in Bowling Green from Duquesne. Bozic is […]

Published

13 minutes ago

July 15, 2025

Your Sports Nation

The Bowling Green State University volleyball program and head coach Alex DelPiombo announced the signings of Anastasija Bozic and Avery Hobson on Monday morning.

Bozic, a 6-foot-1 outside hitter, will come to the Falcons as a freshman from Panzevo, Serbia. Hobson, a 6-foot-1 junior outside hitter, will arrive in Bowling Green from Duquesne.

Bozic is the eighth international student-athlete on the Falcons’ 2025 roster with players also from Canada, Croatia, Czech Republic and Poland.

In Serbia, Bozic most recently played for Ok “Kula” Gradacac in 2025 after competing with Ok “Zeleznicar” Lajovac from 2022-24.

With Ok Zelenznicar, she aided the team to a semifinal appearance in the 2023 and 2024 Serbian Super League Playoffs while also capturing the Cev Cup in both 2023 and 2024 as well. During the 2025 season Bozic earned the Best Scorer of the regular season honor for the Women’s OSBIH Premijer League.

“Anastasija joins our program as a freshman with an immense amount of high level experience,” said DelPiombo. “She is a winner and getting to know her in our recruiting process has made us excited to welcome her to BGSU and our community.

“Anastasija’s talent is just the start; her commitment to getting better, being a good teammate and passion for volleyball will be a big piece for our program.”

Bosic said, “I chose to attend BGSU because of its strong academic programs and excellent volleyball team. The university offers great opportunities for both my athletic and academic growth.

“I was impressed by the supportive community, the coaching staff’s dedication, and the chance to study while competing at a high level. BGSU feels like the perfect place for me to develop my skills and prepare for my future career.”

Hobson will join the Falcons after two seasons with Duquesne. As a freshman in 2023, Hobson was named to the A-10 All-Rookie Team as well as being a two-time A-10 Rookie of the Week.

She followed it up in 2024 by being named to the CSC Academic All-District Team. As for her stats, Hobson appeared in 212 sets over all 56 matches during her two seasons with the Dukes. During her time, she landed 513 kills and 61 aces while adding 534 digs and 90 blocks on the defensive end.

She posted at least 200 kills, 200 digs, 35 blocks and 25 aces in each season, including 296 kills during her freshman campaign.

“Our program is very proud of our past accomplishments, but we are always looking to get better and take steps forward,” said DelPiombo.

“Avery has the tools and competitiveness to help us on that journey. Avery’s experience and drive to be great will immediately impact us. We’re so excited to welcome her to our program and Falcon Nation and know she’s going to be a great fit in our BGSU community and gym.”

With the Dukes, Hobson recorded 12 double-doubles, including double-digit digs in 27 matches and double-digit kills in 21 matches. As a freshman in 2023, her 296 kills led the team while her 3.02 kills per set ranked eighth in the A-10 conference while finishing fourth on the team in digs.

As for her sophomore campaign, Hobson flipped the script, leading the team in digs with 282, averaging 2.47 per set, while finishing fourth on the team in kills.

Before her time at Duquesne, Hobson aided Hamilton Southeastern to a 34-1 record and an Indiana Class 4A state title in 2022. She earned First Team All-State, All-District and All-Conference honors while being named a First Team All-American by MaxPreps.

She was also one of five finalists for the first-annual Indiana High School Volleyball Coaches Association (IHSVCA) Indiana Ms. Volleyball. As for club, Hobson competed with Circle City Volleyball Club.

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Lake Worth Christian volleyball leaves no doubt as Palm Beach’s best of last 25 years

Head coach Terri Kaiser hails volleyball as the ultimate team sport, and under her watch, Lake Worth Christian has become the ultimate volleyball program when it comes to Palm Beach County. The Palm Beach Post’s “Summer Celebration” series takes a look at the last 25 years in each sport, but one would have to go […]

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34 minutes ago

July 15, 2025

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Head coach Terri Kaiser hails volleyball as the ultimate team sport, and under her watch, Lake Worth Christian has become the ultimate volleyball program when it comes to Palm Beach County.

The Palm Beach Post’s “Summer Celebration” series takes a look at the last 25 years in each sport, but one would have to go long beyond that to find the roots of Kaiser’s impact on Lake Worth Christian’s community.

A bricklayer, in the truest sense.

Entering her 37th year at the school — split into two stretches — Kaiser remembers laying pipe in the ground to help expand what was at that point a one-building school.

Lake Worth Christian High School volleyball coachTerri Kaiser of walks onstage to receive the Courage Award at the Palm Beach County Sports Awards on May 28, 2025 at the Palm Beach County Convention Center in West Palm Beach, Florida.

A look back at this year: Lake Worth Christian focusing on ‘the little things’

“We didn’t build the gym until the 90s,” she said. “This is very important: Lake Worth Christian encouraged students first, and athletes followed.”

But when it came time for athletics, Kaiser quickly made her mark.

Surprisingly, she didn’t start out coaching volleyball.

Looking back at her career as a multi-sport athlete in high school and college, Kaiser admitted that softball was her best sport and is in fact what she started coaching in her first years at Lake Worth Christian.

But then she was asked about coaching volleyball, and a moment’s hesitation transformed over the years into a dynasty-like run perhaps unlike any other in the county.

Part of that is because as the sport has evolved, Kaiser has evolved right along with it.

“Volleyball is one of those sports that has evolved, changed, more than any other sport,” she said, pointing to a number of rule adjustments. “The rules keep changing. Volleyball, in the past 25 years has gone from best two out of three games to three out of five now. If you’re not doing it 12 months out of the year and touching the volleyball and playing the club circuit, you can’t evolve to be that next-level player.”

In her time at Lake Worth Christian, Kaiser has become a coach that surrounds herself with the game throughout the year, and she says that’s made as big a difference as any in helping the program find success.

“I think what’s evolved for Lake Worth Christian volleyball is the consistency, the willingness of me and other people that coach with me in the program to stay involved for the last 25 years in a 12-month program.”

Kaiser’s dedication to the program matches the importance it carries for her, in her heart.

Lake Worth Christian carries a unique sense of community for Kaiser, but it goes deeper than that.

It’s family, in the literal sense.

All four of her kids attended the school from kindergarten through senior year, and all four went to college at Palm Beach Atlantic. While Joy VanDyke remains coaching at Cardinal Newman after coaching for a time with her mother, two live in North Carolina and one lives in Texas, now.

The roots are the same, though, a testament to Kaiser’s depiction of loyalty being the hidden truth behind why the Lake Worth Christian volleyball program has been so successful.

“I think loyalty speaks a lot,” Kaiser said, who then took a moment to reflect on all of the players of the last 25 years and beyond that had won The Post’s Player of the Year recognition.

“Everyone, if you look at the list, they pretty much all were at Lake Worth Christian for longer than two years,” she said. “They didn’t just come in when the program was good. They came into the program from the beginning. Their ‘claim to fame’ — is that a good phrase? — would be, they were loyal. They were consistent. They stayed. And that’s different than what you have in the world right now.”

The idea of family extends to those players she’s coached, too.

Rather than focusing on the state championships under her watch — 2011, 2012, 2015, 2019, 2020, with another four runner-up finishes — Kaiser instead spoke with excitement about a cross-country trip she has planned this week.

2017 Volleyball Small Schools Player of the Year: Sarah Franklin, Lake Worth Christian

The veteran coach is traveling to Texas to watch former Lake Worth Christian standout Sarah Franklin play in the Volleyball Nations League as the star outside hitter and former Player of the Year continues her Olympian-sized dreams.

In the era of instant gratification, it’s players like Franklin and others that Kaiser said stayed in the Defenders program and took the time to develop and play as year-round players.

And in that light, going forward, Kaiser says that while the question of best program in the last 25 years is an interesting one, she asks an intriguing follow-up.

“What school is going to give the biggest incentive to play there? It might be a unique year to do a ‘who had the most successful program in 25 years for each spot’ story. A good question would be, are they going to continue down that path?”

Certainly, it’s a question that will be answered in time. But for Kaiser, there is no time like the present, and her love for volleyball is as strong as ever.

Alex Peterman covers high school sports for The Palm Beach Post. He can be reached at apeterman@gannett.com.

Girls Volleyball Player of the Year winners (2000-25)

Lake Worth Christian – 11
Boca Raton Christian – 3

Palm Beach County girls volleyball state championship (2000-25)

Lake Worth Christian – 5

This article originally appeared on Palm Beach Post: How Lake Worth Christian volleyball built a dynasty built on loyalty

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White Pigeon grad to play volleyball with Glen Oaks

WHITE PIGEON — White Pigeon volleyball coach Melissa Gales believes Layla Abner will be able to play a strong game of volleyball at the next level. She has seen the signs of Abner’s ability both on and off the courts. Now, Abner will look to take the next steps in furthering her career with volleyball […]

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54 minutes ago

July 15, 2025

Your Sports Nation

WHITE PIGEON — White Pigeon volleyball coach Melissa Gales believes Layla Abner will be able to play a strong game of volleyball at the next level.

She has seen the signs of Abner’s ability both on and off the courts. Now, Abner will look to take the next steps in furthering her career with volleyball at Glen Oaks Community College beginning next month. It is a step, Abner said, which she is both excited for and nervous.

But that’s just fine, because it shows that she cares.

“I really think it’s a good fit for her, I think she will excel in anything she does,” Gales said of Abner. “She is a very motivated person, I think. She knows what she wants to do and school is obviously important to her as well.”

Abner is cautiously optimistic. But she is happy with herself in finding a place like Glen Oaks where she can continue to become her own person. Moving on to the college ranks as an athlete can be a lot for a graduating high school senior.

“When I figured out where I was going, I was kind of proud of myself,” Abner said. “It is a big step but I’m happy to have it figured out.”

Abner plays the defensive specialist position, which is often a thankless one. It requires a lot of lateral movement and taking on the big hits of the opposing offenses. So why continue to play volleyball?

“I started in like, sixth grade, and ever since then I have just loved the sport. I like the competitiveness it has,” she said. “I’m a fan of the joy it brings to me, as well. It can be frustrating at times, but I love that the sport makes me happy.”

This past year, as a senior, Abner earned honorable mention accolades by the SouthWest10 Conference.

Abner spoke highly of the team she played with as a senior this past year. It was her final year with the Chiefs, which made it special enough, but Abner said it was also a year which helped her grow. She was proud of the team’s play on both offense and defense, additionally saying she felt like the team was more of a family.

“We all worked together so well this year, I think that was important,” she said. “This year changed quite a bit for me, I think.”

In the classroom, Abner said she plans to follow a career in nursing or potentially culinary.

She prefers baking to cooking, saying the ability to master brownies, cookies and cupcakes is quite a bit of fun.

Abner will miss her friends and teammates from White Pigeon when she moves on to the next level. She won’t be far away, but the new chapter brings along new challenges among other things.

Gales said Abner’s growth as a senior, even though she had only been coaching her for a year or so, was noticeable.

“She probably blossomed most her senior year, she was a staple for us defensively in serve-receive,” Gales said. “I think she really challenged herself as a player this year, learning to push herself.”

Abner said she appreciated what Gales did to help her this year. Getting to the next level can always be tough, she knows, but continuing to build confidence in herself will be a big movement forward.

“I’m pretty nervous, I don’t really know why but I am,” Abner said. “I think it’s meeting new people, learning new things. I’m not the best with that, there is some social anxiety, but I think it will be OK.”

Contact Sports Editor Brandon Watson at bwatson@gannett.com. Follow him on X, formerly known as Twitter, @BwatsonSJ.

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Sports

Shipway steps into Chair role on interim basis; view AGM agenda

Alison Shipway is to become Volleyball England’s Chair of the Board on an interim basis, starting after Saturday’s (19th July) Annual General Meeting. The organisation’s Vice Chair will temporarily take over from Adam Walker – who steps down at the weekend after completing the maximum eight-year term of service – while the process to identify […]

Published

58 minutes ago

July 15, 2025

Your Sports Nation

Alison Shipway is to become Volleyball England’s Chair of the Board on an interim basis, starting after Saturday’s (19th July) Annual General Meeting.

The organisation’s Vice Chair will temporarily take over from Adam Walker – who steps down at the weekend after completing the maximum eight-year term of service – while the process to identify and appoint a permanent successor is concluded.

“I’m honoured to step into the role of Interim Chair at Volleyball England whilst we continue our critical recruitment of a new Chair to take up the role on a permanent basis,” said Shipway.

“As a committed and highly-skilled Board, we remain collectively focused on continuing to ensure effective governance and robust strategic oversight, and importantly, supporting the whole volleyball community as we embrace the opportunities and challenges ahead.

“My immediate priority is to support with the transition to a new Chair’s tenure with steady and collaborative leadership as we all move forward together.”

Meanwhile, the agenda for the AGM, which will be staged at Loughborough SportPark, starting at 11.30am, can be viewed here.

For those who cannot attend in person, it will be streamed on Volleyball England’s YouTube Channel, which can be viewed by clicking here (stream will appear when live).

The Volleyball England Foundation AGM will also take place on the same day at the same venue, starting at the slightly earlier time of 10.30am.

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Controversial Sprinter Eyes Team USA After Lying About Drug Test

Getty Image / iStockphoto Audio By Carbonatix Randolph Ross finally made his long-awaited return to track and field after a three-year absence from the sport due to a suspension. The Olympic gold medalist proved he is ready to compete alongside the best runners in the world. It will be interesting to see how long it […]

Published

1 hour ago

July 15, 2025

Your Sports Nation

Randolph Ross Track 400 Return Ban Drug Test — Getty Image / iStockphoto

Audio By Carbonatix

Randolph Ross finally made his long-awaited return to track and field after a three-year absence from the sport due to a suspension. The Olympic gold medalist proved he is ready to compete alongside the best runners in the world.

It will be interesting to see how long it takes him to get back to full form.

Ross first burst onto the scene in track and field as a sophomore at North Carolina A&T. The 6-foot-1 sprinter finished second at the NCAA Division-I Indoor Track and Field Championships in 2021. He later won the 400 flat at the Outdoor Championships that same year with the 19th-fastest time in history.

The world immediately took note of Ross as a legitimate competitor on the highest level. He was not just a flash in the pan and, nine days later, he qualified for the 2020/21 Olympics with a third-place finish at the U.S. Trials. Team USA also added him to the gold-medal winning 4×400 relay team.

Randolph Ross stayed hot.

Less than one full year after Ross ran for the United States in Tokyo, the Aggies sprinter avenged his loss at the Indoor Championships in the 400 and reclaimed his crown at the Outdoor Championships. Both wins were by a pretty significant margin. It was a reassurance that he was here to stay.

His reign of terror did not last long.

Liar, liar, pants on fire.

Ross was suspended by the Athletics Integrity Unit on July 16, 2022. A retroactive three-year ban was put into place in December, dating back to July 1.

Randolph Ross committed multiple doping violations, including whereabouts failures and three missed tests. The most damning evidence was his attempt to fabricate an email to testing officials to explain his third of three absences.

His email claimed that he had to take an academic exam at the exact time of his drug test so he was unable to be there as required. If that was true, he might’ve been excused. However, the Athletics Integrity Unit later discovered the full truth.

At no point was Randolph Ross required to be in class at the time of his drug tests. It was a bold-faced lie and, as a result, he was changed with tampering. The charge led to a three-year ban from competition.

Time is up!

July 1, 2025 marked the end of Ross’ lengthy suspension. The 24-year-old was finally allowed to return.

His first opportunity to get back on the track took place at the World Athletics Continental Tour in Marseille, France. He ran on the bronze level against a pretty decent field of professionals.

Ross finished second to American Demarius Smith with a time of 45.41. The world-leading time in the 400 this year sits at 43.76 so there is still a long way to go but, all things considered, it was a pretty strong showing for a guy who had not run competitively since 2022!

I am interested to see how Randolph Ross fares at the U.S. Outdoor Track and Field Championships later this month— if he even runs. How does he stack up against the best sprinters in the country after a three-year hiatus? Based on his most recent result, it doesn’t look great. Stay tuned.

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Hot Buy! Volleyball Tickets on Sale for Vikings’ 2025 Season

Story Links PORTLAND, Ore. — Temperatures soaring in Portland over the weekend gave an appropriate precursor for the Portland State volleyball team, as all tickets (single, group and season) to the Vikings’ 2025 season went on sale Monday. Volleyball tickets have been some of the hottest buys at Viking Pavilion recently. […]

Published

2 hours ago

July 15, 2025

Your Sports Nation

PORTLAND, Ore. — Temperatures soaring in Portland over the weekend gave an appropriate precursor for the Portland State volleyball team, as all tickets (single, group and season) to the Vikings’ 2025 season went on sale Monday.

Volleyball tickets have been some of the hottest buys at Viking Pavilion recently. The Portland State volleyball program has broken its single-match attendance record at Viking Pavilion in each of the past three seasons. A record 1,340 fans saw the Vikings take on then-No. 12 Oregon last September.

The Vikings will host the Ducks again this September, when they’ll look to break the attendance record for a fourth straight year. The date with the Ducks comes as part of back-to-back matches against in-state rivals Oregon and Oregon State. The Vikings host the Ducks Friday, Sept. 19, at 7 p.m., then face the Beavers Saturday, Sept. 20, at 5 p.m.

Big Sky Conference play starts the following week, as the Vikings host Idaho State Thursday, Sept. 25, at 7 p.m.

All tickets can be purchased online through the Portland State University Box Office. Season tickets start at $79 while single-match tickets start at $10. Contact Malik Thirdgill, Director of Ticket Sales and Service, at mthird2@pdx.edu for more information.

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