The North Platte Community College women’s volleyball team is gearing up for its first season at the NJCAA Division I level, and head coach Alexa McCall couldn’t be more excited about the challenge ahead.

“This is my favorite time of year,” McCall said during Media Day. “Now it’s go time, we’re just excited to get everyone on the floor and start developing those relationships.”

The Knights return six players from a 14-21 squad that came up just short of a Region IX title last season, including sophomore Zoe Maher. For Maher, the heartbreak of falling to Central Community College in the championship has fueled the offseason.

“It was a tough loss,” Maher said. “But it taught us what we needed to do better for this year.”

The move to D1 comes with a familiar schedule, as NPCC already faced several top-tier programs last season. McCall says that experience combined with a strong incoming freshman class and better roster health has her team prepared to take the next step.

“Injuries caught up to us late last year,” McCall said. “We’ve adjusted the schedule to ease into competition a bit more and keep our players fresh.”

Maher, stepping more into a leadership role, says she's emphasized confidence and communication to the freshmen, two keys she believes will set the tone early.

“Everyone has something to contribute,” Maher said. “We just need to play like it.”

<div><iframe width='720' height='405' scrolling='no' frameborder='0' style='border: none;' src='https://www.wevideo.com/embed/#3857176777' allowfullscreen></iframe></div>The North Platte Community College women’s volleyball team is gearing up for its first season at the NJCAA Division I level, and head coach Alexa McCall couldn’t be more excited about the challenge ahead.“This is my favorite time of year,” McCall said during Media Day. “Now it’s go time, we’re just excited to get everyone on the floor and start developing those relationships.”The Knights return six players from a 14-21 squad that came up just short of a Region IX title last season, including sophomore Zoe Maher. For Maher, the heartbreak of falling to Central Community College in the championship has fueled the offseason.<div><iframe width='720' height='405' scrolling='no' frameborder='0' style='border: none;' src='https://www.wevideo.com/embed/#3857176722' allowfullscreen></iframe></div>“It was a tough loss,” Maher said. “But it taught us what we needed to do better for this year.”The move to D1 comes with a familiar schedule, as NPCC already faced several top-tier programs last season. McCall says that experience combined with a strong incoming freshman class and better roster health has her team prepared to take the next step.“Injuries caught up to us late last year,” McCall said. “We’ve adjusted the schedule to ease into competition a bit more and keep our players fresh.”Maher, stepping more into a leadership role, says she's emphasized confidence and communication to the freshmen, two keys she believes will set the tone early.“Everyone has something to contribute,” Maher said. “We just need to play like it.”

Sights and Sounds from North Platte Community College Women's Volleyball Media Day

ROSEMONT, Ill. – The Big Ten Conference on Wednesday announced the dates and host sites for 2025-26 Olympic sports championships and tournaments. A complete schedule is below.

The fall season kicks off on October 31 in East Lansing, Michigan, where Michigan State will host the 2025 cross country championships and, on November 6-9, Indiana hosts the Big Ten Field Hockey Tournament. Women’s soccer will crown its tournament champion on November 9 at Energizer Park, home of MLS side St. Louis CITY SC, while the men will do the same on November 16 on the campus of the tournament’s top seed.

The winter championships begin with Minnesota hosting women’s swimming and diving February 18-21, and Wisconsin welcoming the conference’s men’s swimming and diving squads from February 25-28. Indoor track and field, in which Big Ten schools claimed both the 2025 men’s and women’s NCAA championships, returns to the Indiana Farm Bureau Fall Creek Pavilion in Indianapolis on February 27-28.

The 2026 Big Ten Wrestling Championships will take place at the Bryce Jordan Center in State College, Pennsylvania, home of the four-time defending NCAA champion Nittany Lions. The Big Ten Ice Hockey Tournament will shift to a two-week, single-elimination format beginning in March 2026, with all games played on campus, and the championship hosted by the highest remaining seed during the weekend of March 20-21.

The University of Nebraska will host both the women’s and men’s gymnastics championships, with the women heading to Lincoln on March&nbsp; 20-21, and the men a week later on April 3-4. The Big Ten Women’s Lacrosse Tournament returns to Ann Arbor, Michigan, for the first time since 2018 on April 22-26, and the men’s tournament title will be handed out in Piscataway, New Jersey, on May 2 as Rutgers hosts for the first time since 2019.

Defending champion Ohio State will host the women’s tennis tournament in Columbus on April 23-26. On that same weekend, the 2026 men’s tennis tournament will take place in Ojai, California, which made its Big Ten debut in the spring hosting the women’s tournament.

The Big Ten Golf Championships head west for the first time, with the women’s championships taking place April 24-26 at Oakmont Country Club in Glendale, California, and the men teeing it up at Pumpkin Ridge Golf Club in North Plains, Oregon, on May 1-3.

The University of Maryland will host the Big Ten Softball Tournament for the first time from May 6-9. The 2026 outdoor track &amp; field championships will take place May 15-17 in Lincoln, Nebraska, while the 2026 rowing championships unfold that same weekend at the Indianapolis Rowing Center.

For the seventh straight year, the final Big Ten tournament title of the season will be handed out in Omaha, Nebraska, where the Big Ten Baseball Tournament presented by IFS.ai will be played at Charles Schwab Field Omaha from May 19-24.

Additional information about the 2025-26 Big Ten Championships will be distributed as it becomes available. To ensure you are among the first to receive updates on tickets and other details, please <a href="https://bigten.us22.list-manage.com/track/click?u=5bb23b8dc43662595503e50af&amp;id=d4f0335beb&amp;e=e7a56bedb9">signup here</a> or visit <a href="https://bigten.us22.list-manage.com/track/click?u=5bb23b8dc43662595503e50af&amp;id=f5e3be6f59&amp;e=e7a56bedb9">BigTen.org/Tickets</a>.

First Round/Quarterfinals at Purdue&nbsp;

Semis/Final at Energizer Park (St. Louis, Mo.)&nbsp;

Indiana Farm Bureau Fall Creek Pavilion&nbsp;

Semis at #1 and Highest Remaining Seed&nbsp;

Pumpkin Ridge CC (North Plains, Ore.)&nbsp;

Indianapolis Rowing Center (Indianapolis, Ind.)&nbsp;

Kearney, Neb. - Five former student-athletes and a former staff member will be inducted into the Nebraska-Kearney Athletic Hall of Fame during ceremonies on Homecoming weekend this Oct. 10-11. 

The 2025 Hall of Fame members are tennis player Kristen (Messbarger) Day (UNMC '10), track and field team member Dr. Leah (Lewis) Stade ('02), basketball player Janelle Miratsky ('99), wrestler Brandon Pfizenmaier ('03), football player Luke Van Matre ('85), and Dr. Daniel Slawski.&nbsp;

The Athletic Hall of Fame Banquet begins at 5:30 p.m. on Friday, Oct. 10, in the Gala Room in the Regional Engagement Center with a social hour. A dinner follows at 6:15 p.m. with the induction ceremony afterwards. To purchase a ticket for the Athletic Hall of Fame Banquet, visit <a href="http://unkalumni.org/homecoming">unkalumni.org/homecoming</a> by Oct. 1. Tickets are $40 per person ($45 starting Sept. 27), $15 for children aged 12 &amp; under.&nbsp;

On Saturday, Oct. 12, the class will be recognized at the Homecoming parade and at half time of the football game vs. Missouri Western State (2 p.m.).&nbsp;

A Kearney native, Day is among the top players in Loper women's tennis history. Her play helped the program reach new heights as UNK qualified for the NCAA Tournament between 2008-10. The Lopers won three Rocky Mountain Athletic Conference (RMAC) tourney titles during her career and advanced to the NCAA "Sweet 16" in 2009 and 2010.

Graduating with a B.S. degree in Nursing from UNMC, she overcame some injuries to win a then school-record 130 matches. Day was a three-time All-RMAC selection in singles, the 2007 RMAC and Central Region Freshman of the Year and the 2010 RMAC Player of the Year and the 2010 Central Region Senior Player of the Year. Day currently is a CRNA with CHI Health St. Francis.&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;

Dr. Stade, a Kearney native, was a three-time All-American in the triple jump between 2000-02. She finished sixth, eighth and seventh at the NCAA Indoor Championships and is one of just nine Loper women to be at least a three-time All-American at the Division II level.

One of six UNK women to have won at least five RMAC individual titles, she currently holds the school record in the indoor triple (40-2) and ranks second in the outdoor triple (40-1.50). Dr. Stade also ranks in the Top 10 in both the indoor and outdoor long jumps and was a member of three teams that were RMAC runners up. Finally, in 2002, UNK won the RMAC outdoor title, the first team crown in program history.

Dr. Stade currently is an assistant professor at UNMC in the Occupational Therapy program. She serves as the Academic Fieldwork Coordinator and is the chairperson for the Occupational Therapy Admissions Committee.

Miratsky, from Schuyler, is one of just three UNK women's basketball players in the Division II era (since 1990) to be a four-time all-conference selection. Currently holding school-record for career blocks (235) and career field goal percentage (54.1), she was part of teams that won 97 games and reached three NCAA Tournaments.

The forward currently ranks 13th on the career scoring list (1,343) and is in the career Top 10 in both rebounds and double doubles. She was a key member of the 1996-97 squad that won a school-record 28 games and reached the program's first NCAA "Sweet 16". Finally, Miratsky later served the program as a graduate assistant coach. She currently is an educational assistant in Lake Oswego, Oreg.&nbsp;

Pfizenmaier is one of 15 three-time All-Americans in UNK wrestling history as he placed fifth, third and second at 149-pounds at the NCAA Championships. The Green, Kan., native and is one of 25 Lopers to be a national runner up; at the time of graduation, he was only the sixth runner up at the D2 level.

Story by Big 10 CommunicationsROSEMONT, Ill. – The Big Ten Conference on Wednesday announced the dates and host sites for 2025-26 Olympic sports championships and tournaments. A complete schedule is below.The fall season kicks off on October 31 in East Lansing, Michigan, where Michigan State will host the 2025 cross country championships and, on November 6-9, Indiana hosts the Big Ten Field Hockey Tournament. Women’s soccer will crown its tournament champion on November 9 at Energizer Park, home of MLS side St. Louis CITY SC, while the men will do the same on November 16 on the campus of the tournament’s top seed.The winter championships begin with Minnesota hosting women’s swimming and diving February 18-21, and Wisconsin welcoming the conference’s men’s swimming and diving squads from February 25-28. Indoor track and field, in which Big Ten schools claimed both the 2025 men’s and women’s NCAA championships, returns to the Indiana Farm Bureau Fall Creek Pavilion in Indianapolis on February 27-28.The 2026 Big Ten Wrestling Championships will take place at the Bryce Jordan Center in State College, Pennsylvania, home of the four-time defending NCAA champion Nittany Lions. The Big Ten Ice Hockey Tournament will shift to a two-week, single-elimination format beginning in March 2026, with all games played on campus, and the championship hosted by the highest remaining seed during the weekend of March 20-21.The University of Nebraska will host both the women’s and men’s gymnastics championships, with the women heading to Lincoln on March&nbsp; 20-21, and the men a week later on April 3-4. The Big Ten Women’s Lacrosse Tournament returns to Ann Arbor, Michigan, for the first time since 2018 on April 22-26, and the men’s tournament title will be handed out in Piscataway, New Jersey, on May 2 as Rutgers hosts for the first time since 2019.Defending champion Ohio State will host the women’s tennis tournament in Columbus on April 23-26. On that same weekend, the 2026 men’s tennis tournament will take place in Ojai, California, which made its Big Ten debut in the spring hosting the women’s tournament.The Big Ten Golf Championships head west for the first time, with the women’s championships taking place April 24-26 at Oakmont Country Club in Glendale, California, and the men teeing it up at Pumpkin Ridge Golf Club in North Plains, Oregon, on May 1-3.The University of Maryland will host the Big Ten Softball Tournament for the first time from May 6-9. The 2026 outdoor track &amp; field championships will take place May 15-17 in Lincoln, Nebraska, while the 2026 rowing championships unfold that same weekend at the Indianapolis Rowing Center.For the seventh straight year, the final Big Ten tournament title of the season will be handed out in Omaha, Nebraska, where the Big Ten Baseball Tournament presented by IFS.ai will be played at Charles Schwab Field Omaha from May 19-24.Additional information about the 2025-26 Big Ten Championships will be distributed as it becomes available. To ensure you are among the first to receive updates on tickets and other details, please <a href="https://bigten.us22.list-manage.com/track/click?u=5bb23b8dc43662595503e50af&amp;id=d4f0335beb&amp;e=e7a56bedb9">signup here</a> or visit <a href="https://bigten.us22.list-manage.com/track/click?u=5bb23b8dc43662595503e50af&amp;id=f5e3be6f59&amp;e=e7a56bedb9">BigTen.org/Tickets</a>.**SPORT&nbsp;**DATES&nbsp;**HOST&nbsp;Cross Country&nbsp;Oct. 31&nbsp;Michigan State&nbsp;Field Hockey&nbsp;Nov. 6-9&nbsp;Indiana&nbsp;Women’s Soccer&nbsp;Oct. 30-Nov. 2&nbsp;Nov. 6-9&nbsp;First Round/Quarterfinals at Purdue&nbsp;Semis/Final at Energizer Park (St. Louis, Mo.)&nbsp;Men’s Soccer&nbsp;Nov. 12-16&nbsp;Semis/Final at #1 Seed&nbsp;Women’s Swimming &amp; Diving&nbsp;Feb. 18-21&nbsp;Minnesota&nbsp;Men’s Swimming &amp; Diving&nbsp;Feb. 25-28&nbsp;Wisconsin&nbsp;Indoor Track &amp; Field&nbsp;Feb. 27-28&nbsp;Indiana Farm Bureau Fall Creek Pavilion&nbsp;(Indianapolis, Ind.)&nbsp;Wrestling&nbsp;March 7-8&nbsp;Penn State&nbsp;Ice Hockey&nbsp;March 11&nbsp;March 14&nbsp;March 20/21&nbsp;Quarterfinals at #2, #3, #4 Seeds&nbsp;Semis at #1 and Highest Remaining Seed&nbsp;Final at Highest Remaining Seed&nbsp;Women’s Gymnastics&nbsp;March 20-21&nbsp;Nebraska&nbsp;Men’s Gymnastics&nbsp;April 3-4&nbsp;Nebraska&nbsp;Women’s Lacrosse&nbsp;April 22-26&nbsp;Michigan&nbsp;Women’s Tennis&nbsp;April 23-26&nbsp;Ohio State&nbsp;Men’s Tennis&nbsp;April 23-26&nbsp;Libbey Park (Ojai, Calif.)&nbsp;Women’s Golf&nbsp;April 24-26&nbsp;Oakmont CC (Glendale, Calif.)&nbsp;Men’s Lacrosse&nbsp;April 25&nbsp;April 30-May 2&nbsp;Round 1 at #3, #4 Seeds&nbsp;Rutgers&nbsp;Men’s Golf&nbsp;May 1-3&nbsp;Pumpkin Ridge CC (North Plains, Ore.)&nbsp;Softball&nbsp;May 6-9&nbsp;Maryland&nbsp;Outdoor Track &amp; Field&nbsp;May 15-17&nbsp;Nebraska&nbsp;Rowing&nbsp;May 16-17&nbsp;Indianapolis Rowing Center (Indianapolis, Ind.)&nbsp;Baseball (presented by IFS.ai)&nbsp;May 19-24&nbsp;Charles Schwab Field Omaha (Omaha, Neb.)Kearney, Neb. - Five former student-athletes and a former staff member will be inducted into the Nebraska-Kearney Athletic Hall of Fame during ceremonies on Homecoming weekend this Oct. 10-11. <figure>
 <img src="https://lh7-rt.googleusercontent.com/docsz/AD_4nXc53Lwq0g-fefxl36CjeIM9Hdxdwuc349-Txqwxvr1-BrVzt_KIRNjCEKMV6HV7FRdVBoDpv8oudWOsUQEYMbx3K1_PvpmRvLden1dluE5v_eDkp8b1CgPyym4dvY6JDtMqBDf_Aw?key=HwY_QQaJQVlPtJov-M7ZiA" alt="" />
 <figcaption></figcaption>
 </figure>The 2025 Hall of Fame members are tennis player Kristen (Messbarger) Day (UNMC '10), track and field team member Dr. Leah (Lewis) Stade ('02), basketball player Janelle Miratsky ('99), wrestler Brandon Pfizenmaier ('03), football player Luke Van Matre ('85), and Dr. Daniel Slawski.&nbsp;The Athletic Hall of Fame Banquet begins at 5:30 p.m. on Friday, Oct. 10, in the Gala Room in the Regional Engagement Center with a social hour. A dinner follows at 6:15 p.m. with the induction ceremony afterwards. To purchase a ticket for the Athletic Hall of Fame Banquet, visit <a href="http://unkalumni.org/homecoming">unkalumni.org/homecoming</a> by Oct. 1. Tickets are $40 per person ($45 starting Sept. 27), $15 for children aged 12 &amp; under.&nbsp;On Saturday, Oct. 12, the class will be recognized at the Homecoming parade and at half time of the football game vs. Missouri Western State (2 p.m.).&nbsp;A Kearney native, Day is among the top players in Loper women's tennis history. Her play helped the program reach new heights as UNK qualified for the NCAA Tournament between 2008-10. The Lopers won three Rocky Mountain Athletic Conference (RMAC) tourney titles during her career and advanced to the NCAA "Sweet 16" in 2009 and 2010.Graduating with a B.S. degree in Nursing from UNMC, she overcame some injuries to win a then school-record 130 matches. Day was a three-time All-RMAC selection in singles, the 2007 RMAC and Central Region Freshman of the Year and the 2010 RMAC Player of the Year and the 2010 Central Region Senior Player of the Year. Day currently is a CRNA with CHI Health St. Francis.&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Dr. Stade, a Kearney native, was a three-time All-American in the triple jump between 2000-02. She finished sixth, eighth and seventh at the NCAA Indoor Championships and is one of just nine Loper women to be at least a three-time All-American at the Division II level.One of six UNK women to have won at least five RMAC individual titles, she currently holds the school record in the indoor triple (40-2) and ranks second in the outdoor triple (40-1.50). Dr. Stade also ranks in the Top 10 in both the indoor and outdoor long jumps and was a member of three teams that were RMAC runners up. Finally, in 2002, UNK won the RMAC outdoor title, the first team crown in program history.Dr. Stade currently is an assistant professor at UNMC in the Occupational Therapy program. She serves as the Academic Fieldwork Coordinator and is the chairperson for the Occupational Therapy Admissions Committee.Miratsky, from Schuyler, is one of just three UNK women's basketball players in the Division II era (since 1990) to be a four-time all-conference selection. Currently holding school-record for career blocks (235) and career field goal percentage (54.1), she was part of teams that won 97 games and reached three NCAA Tournaments.<figure>
 <img src="https://lh7-rt.googleusercontent.com/docsz/AD_4nXfar0F4RXt38_iqEjsjEe8mHsoFB6u1mJn1W7Uc7tsI2bNs9jsRo9P9PSwgaaNJl8OLZdSME2WBSmOVQ6D8MvYeygADMARcbS97XgK3_ta4jSQ0Z4_DgfgHIc8t4H6dGzgy92bM?key=HwY_QQaJQVlPtJov-M7ZiA" alt="" />
 <figcaption></figcaption>
 </figure>The forward currently ranks 13th on the career scoring list (1,343) and is in the career Top 10 in both rebounds and double doubles. She was a key member of the 1996-97 squad that won a school-record 28 games and reached the program's first NCAA "Sweet 16". Finally, Miratsky later served the program as a graduate assistant coach. She currently is an educational assistant in Lake Oswego, Oreg.&nbsp;Pfizenmaier is one of 15 three-time All-Americans in UNK wrestling history as he placed fifth, third and second at 149-pounds at the NCAA Championships. The Green, Kan., native and is one of 25 Lopers to be a national runner up; at the time of graduation, he was only the sixth runner up at the D2 level.​A member of the 2002-03 National Runner Up squad, he had 99 career wins and won two RMAC/West Region individual titles. Finally, Pfizenmaier was part of three RMAC Championship teams and helped the Lopers beat rival Nebraska-Omaha to win the 2003 National Duals in Columbus, Ohio.He currently serves as a Construction Technology teacher at his alma mater of Clay Center High School.Van Matre is one of the top running backs in school history as he still holds the record for most rushing yards in a game (307). He achieved that at Washburn in 1982 with the milestone featuring a 94-yard scoring scamper.&nbsp;&nbsp;The Gibbon native was tabbed All-Central States Intercollegiate Conference (CSIC), All-Region and All-American as a senior in 1982. Currently ranked ninth on the career rushing list (2,355), Van Matre is one of only 13 Lopers to post a 1,000-rushing yard season. That effort (1,126/1982) came in just 10 games.​Twice leading the Lopers in rushing, he also was a starting punt and kick returner, helped Kearne State win three CSIC titles and was on the 1980 squad that won the program's first-ever NAIA playoff game. Finally, he was a pole vaulter on the track team.Dr. Slawski was a founding partner and president of New West Sports Medicine &amp; Orthopedic Surgery in Kearney. He had a two-decade association with Loper Athletics, serving as Head Team Physician for all sports and Medical Director of the Athletic Training program/Human performance lab.Also a UNK adjunct assistant professor, he was an Athletic Trainer supervisor for over 50 Central Nebraska and Northern Kansas High Schools. Dr. Slawski has published scientific journal articles and been a frequent speaker at local, national and international medical societies and won numerous accolades such as the Kearney Hub Freedom Award for Humanitarian Service and UNK's Ron &amp; Carol Cope Cornerstone of Excellence Award.A former Air Force Major, Dr. Slawski retired in 2019 after being a part-time sports medicine specialist at the Missouri Orthopedic Institute at the University of Missouri-Columbia. He now devotes his time as President of Guardian Hills, which he and his wife, Jo, co-founded the previous year. They have been married for over 40 years and have three adult sons, three daughters-in-law and three grandsons.&nbsp;

Big Ten announces 2025-26 Olympic Sports Championships hosts

Story by NU Athletic Communciation

Nebraska football defensive coordinator&nbsp;<a href="https://huskers.com/staff/john-butler">John Butler</a>&nbsp;met with members of the media following the team’s practice on Tuesday.

He discussed tackling and the physicality of the defense.&nbsp;

“From a physicality standpoint, that’s just something that we have to keep working at every day,” he said. “I think we’ve had, maybe this is our second true, full-padded practice. We’ve had a couple practices in uppers – I’ve said this before but football is such a unique game that you can practice all offseason, lift, train weights, but the contact aspect of this game and how it’s being limited by NCAA rules and even when you’re in the NFL, you can only have so many contact days. You have to maximize those. We’re working a lot of thud and strong thud tackles now. Eventually, we’ll get to some live on the ground stuff. You have to have that balance of maximizing the physicality of your whole team and our defense, but at the same time, keeping everybody healthy. It’s a work in progress.”

He spoke on how many players he wants to rotate into games.&nbsp;

“I think as many good players as you have,” he said. “The defensive line rotates – we try to rotate as many people as we can. I don’t think there’s a set number, but I think you’d like to be three deep at corner and two deep at each safety position. Kind of have a rotational aspect of your d-line. I don’t have a number in my head as far as a whole number, but you’ve obviously got to have backups and then backups to those backups. In today’s practice, we repped a lot of those younger players, trying to get them up to speed and get them up to the standard. Depth is huge, but as far as a number, I can’t really give you that.”

Butler talked about the front line and the players replacing Ty Robinson and Nash Hutmacher.

“I think our d-line is heading in the right direction," he said. “Terry (Bradden) is doing a great job of getting those guys ready. Obviously, it doesn’t take a rocket scientist to understand that Nash and Ty are one type of player and the guys we have are their own style and they have their own strengths. That’s our job as coaches, is to maximize their value based on their skill set within our scheme. We’re young there, but I’m encouraged by how those guys are developing. They made some impact plays out there today, both in the run game and in the pass game. This is a process and development program, so everybody is going to keep getting better every single day, the d-line specifically. We all know, to be good on defense, you have to have a good d-line, so that’s what we’re going to keep working toward.”

Fans can purchase single-game or 3-game mini plan tickets at&nbsp;<a href="http://huskers.com/tickets">huskers.com/tickets</a>. The 3-game mini plan includes the USC game, a choice between the Michigan State, Northwestern and Iowa matchups and a choice between the games against Akron and Houston Christian.&nbsp;

NU will open its season against the Cincinnati Bearcats on Thursday, August 28 at Arrowhead Stadium in Kansas City, Mo. The game, which starts at 8 p.m. (CT), will be televised on ESPN and can be heard across the Huskers Radio Network. The Huskers’ first home game is set for Saturday, Sept. 6 against the Akron Zips. That contest will kick off at 6:30 p.m. (CT) and can be seen on the Big Ten Network and heard across the Huskers Radio Network.&nbsp;

Story by NU Athletic Communciation<div><iframe width='720' height='405' scrolling='no' frameborder='0' style='border: none;' src='https://www.wevideo.com/embed/#3856556330' allowfullscreen></iframe></div>Nebraska football defensive coordinator&nbsp;<a href="https://huskers.com/staff/john-butler">John Butler</a>&nbsp;met with members of the media following the team’s practice on Tuesday.He discussed tackling and the physicality of the defense.&nbsp;“From a physicality standpoint, that’s just something that we have to keep working at every day,” he said. “I think we’ve had, maybe this is our second true, full-padded practice. We’ve had a couple practices in uppers – I’ve said this before but football is such a unique game that you can practice all offseason, lift, train weights, but the contact aspect of this game and how it’s being limited by NCAA rules and even when you’re in the NFL, you can only have so many contact days. You have to maximize those. We’re working a lot of thud and strong thud tackles now. Eventually, we’ll get to some live on the ground stuff. You have to have that balance of maximizing the physicality of your whole team and our defense, but at the same time, keeping everybody healthy. It’s a work in progress.”He spoke on how many players he wants to rotate into games.&nbsp;“I think as many good players as you have,” he said. “The defensive line rotates – we try to rotate as many people as we can. I don’t think there’s a set number, but I think you’d like to be three deep at corner and two deep at each safety position. Kind of have a rotational aspect of your d-line. I don’t have a number in my head as far as a whole number, but you’ve obviously got to have backups and then backups to those backups. In today’s practice, we repped a lot of those younger players, trying to get them up to speed and get them up to the standard. Depth is huge, but as far as a number, I can’t really give you that.”<div><iframe width='720' height='405' scrolling='no' frameborder='0' style='border: none;' src='https://www.wevideo.com/embed/#3856556434' allowfullscreen></iframe></div>Butler talked about the front line and the players replacing Ty Robinson and Nash Hutmacher.“I think our d-line is heading in the right direction," he said. “Terry (Bradden) is doing a great job of getting those guys ready. Obviously, it doesn’t take a rocket scientist to understand that Nash and Ty are one type of player and the guys we have are their own style and they have their own strengths. That’s our job as coaches, is to maximize their value based on their skill set within our scheme. We’re young there, but I’m encouraged by how those guys are developing. They made some impact plays out there today, both in the run game and in the pass game. This is a process and development program, so everybody is going to keep getting better every single day, the d-line specifically. We all know, to be good on defense, you have to have a good d-line, so that’s what we’re going to keep working toward.”Fans can purchase single-game or 3-game mini plan tickets at&nbsp;<a href="http://huskers.com/tickets">huskers.com/tickets</a>. The 3-game mini plan includes the USC game, a choice between the Michigan State, Northwestern and Iowa matchups and a choice between the games against Akron and Houston Christian.&nbsp;NU will open its season against the Cincinnati Bearcats on Thursday, August 28 at Arrowhead Stadium in Kansas City, Mo. The game, which starts at 8 p.m. (CT), will be televised on ESPN and can be heard across the Huskers Radio Network. The Huskers’ first home game is set for Saturday, Sept. 6 against the Akron Zips. That contest will kick off at 6:30 p.m. (CT) and can be seen on the Big Ten Network and heard across the Huskers Radio Network.&nbsp;

Butler discusses Physicality, Defensive Line

Story by NU Athletic Communication

Nebraska running back Emmett Johnson was on the initial list of candidates for the 2025 Doak Walker Award announced Tuesday. The award is presented to the nation’s most outstanding college running back.

Johnson comes off a sophomore season where he played in all 13 games, including five starts, and led the Huskers with 908 all-purpose years. His 39 catches were the most by a Husker running back since 2007.  

He flourished following the hiring of Dana Holgorsen as offensive coordinator in November, averaging 78.5 rushing yards per game over NU’s final four contests while also averaging 5.8 receptions in that span.  Johnson rushed for a career-high 113 yards against Wisconsin while catching six passes for a career-high 85 yards in the bowl-clinching win over the Badgers. Three of his four highest rushing totals of the year came in NU’s last three games, as he rushed for 71 yards on nearly four yards per per carry against a Hawkeye defense which was fourth nationally against the run and had 75 yards on 15 carries in NU’s bowl win over Boston College.

The PwC SMU Athletic Forum Board of Directors will name 10 semifinalists in November, and three finalists, as voted on by the Doak Walker Award National Selection Committee, will also be announced in November. The committee will cast a second vote in December to determine the recipient. The National Selection Committee consists of past recipients, former NFL All-Pro and college All-America running backs, media members and selected special representatives. The recipient of the 2025 Doak Walker Award will be announced live on The Home Depot College Football Awards on December 12, 2024.

Story by NU Athletic CommunicationNebraska running back Emmett Johnson was on the initial list of candidates for the 2025 Doak Walker Award announced Tuesday. The award is presented to the nation’s most outstanding college running back.Johnson comes off a sophomore season where he played in all 13 games, including five starts, and led the Huskers with 908 all-purpose years. His 39 catches were the most by a Husker running back since 2007. He flourished following the hiring of Dana Holgorsen as offensive coordinator in November, averaging 78.5 rushing yards per game over NU’s final four contests while also averaging 5.8 receptions in that span. Johnson rushed for a career-high 113 yards against Wisconsin while catching six passes for a career-high 85 yards in the bowl-clinching win over the Badgers. Three of his four highest rushing totals of the year came in NU’s last three games, as he rushed for 71 yards on nearly four yards per per carry against a Hawkeye defense which was fourth nationally against the run and had 75 yards on 15 carries in NU’s bowl win over Boston College.The PwC SMU Athletic Forum Board of Directors will name 10 semifinalists in November, and three finalists, as voted on by the Doak Walker Award National Selection Committee, will also be announced in November. The committee will cast a second vote in December to determine the recipient. The National Selection Committee consists of past recipients, former NFL All-Pro and college All-America running backs, media members and selected special representatives. The recipient of the 2025 Doak Walker Award will be announced live on The Home Depot College Football Awards on December 12, 2024.

Johnson named to Doak Walker Award watch list

The Nebraska soccer team tied the South Dakota State Jackrabbits, 0-0, in an exhibition match in Brookings, S.D., on Tuesday night.&nbsp;

Ellie Felt recorded four shots, two on goal, while Ava Makovicka logged two shots, both of which were on goal. Graduate student Reagan Raabe added three shots and Ella Rudney had two.&nbsp;

Goalkeeper Cece Villa notched two saves in the second half to keep the Jackrabbits scoreless.&nbsp;

NU will continue exhibition play on Friday, Aug. 8 at 7 p.m. against the Colorado State Rams at Barbara Hibner Stadium.&nbsp; &nbsp;

Story by NU Athletic CommuncationThe Nebraska soccer team tied the South Dakota State Jackrabbits, 0-0, in an exhibition match in Brookings, S.D., on Tuesday night.&nbsp;Ellie Felt recorded four shots, two on goal, while Ava Makovicka logged two shots, both of which were on goal. Graduate student Reagan Raabe added three shots and Ella Rudney had two.&nbsp;Goalkeeper Cece Villa notched two saves in the second half to keep the Jackrabbits scoreless.&nbsp;NU will continue exhibition play on Friday, Aug. 8 at 7 p.m. against the Colorado State Rams at Barbara Hibner Stadium.&nbsp; &nbsp;<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2025/8/1754484108928.png" alt="Husker Soccer Box Score" />
 <figcaption>Husker Soccer Box Score</figcaption>
 </figure><figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2025/8/1754484084623.png" alt="Husker Soccer Box Score" />
 <figcaption>Husker Soccer Box Score</figcaption>
 </figure>

Huskers tie Jackrabbits in Exhibition Opener

Story by Omaha Supernovas Communication

OMAHA, Neb. —&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="https://db9xbvgbb.cc.rs6.net/tn.jsp?f=001ptrCy1-yobRr0iigUy0XPLMrCOpwn9URuYxnKeZKF8rGYJEoRay-EHsPaI3jqa4Ihf3lmN5ZRDreZSb3RXlqhw96y0lOnfdBRrpjTc13txPP3GD3IB5LBoUK71h4cbE-Xf_fnsz6k0dnO7NWtPrMmnbGH9gA4EbYGW3P_XCDP7M5UcXPyARFntliZaqEz57m&amp;c=v0WNSFuG1niDinen5FptTiQNk8GWFtnE2EaFizry6_SMYTk5iDIExw==&amp;ch=UVrt_TNL8T5R0FHRT4ZZf8y5CT8SvfJYATxft734uMt0EdgvJD4q_g==">Omaha Supernovas</a>, the world’s leading professional volleyball franchise, are excited to announce their inclusion in the unification of Pro Volleyball Federation and&nbsp;Major League Volleyball; a move to create a single, united league poised to elevate professional women’s volleyball in the United States. The unified league will be consolidated under the&nbsp;MLV branding.&nbsp;&nbsp;

MLV will continue to use the proven and highly successful franchise model to foster team competitiveness, deepen fan engagement, and fuel long-term brand growth – hallmarks that have propelled the Supernovas to record-breaking attendance, premier sponsorships, and championship-caliber performance on the court.&nbsp;

Continuing to play at the&nbsp;CHI Health Center&nbsp;in 2026 and beyond, this landmark consolidation will see the Supernovas compete as one of eight franchises when MLV launches in January 2026. Teams in Atlanta, Columbus, Dallas, Grand Rapids, Indianapolis, Orlando, and San Diego will begin play in 2026 with additional franchises in Washington D.C. and Northern California starting play in 2027.&nbsp;&nbsp;

The franchise’s next evolution will be spearheaded by&nbsp;Ben Priest, appointed&nbsp;Co-Owner &amp; Governor&nbsp;of the Omaha Supernovas, alongside Omaha Serial Entrepreneur&nbsp;Daniel White&nbsp;and Global Superstar&nbsp;Jason Derulo, as Majority Ownership and Co-Founders. Priest is one of the earliest and most influential U.S.-based executives to drive the cultural and strategic growth of Formula 1 in North America.&nbsp;

Joining them in this bold push is&nbsp;Dharpan Randhawa, named&nbsp;Co-Owner &amp; Commercial Advisor, who will architect the franchise’s commercial strategy. A globally respected sports executive and equity partner, Randhawa will work closely with existing Co-Owner and Operating Partner of the Supernovas,&nbsp;Kirk Thompson.&nbsp;

“This is a defining moment for the Supernovas and professional volleyball in the United States,”&nbsp;said&nbsp;Team President Diane Mendenhall. "Unified by the vision to elevate our sport to a major-league level, MLV reflects our commitment to delivering a world-class product on the court, creating unforgettable in-venue fan experiences, and building a stage where every young fan can dream of playing one day. MLV isn’t just here to elevate, but to lay the foundation for making professional volleyball a lasting part of the American sports culture and landscape.”&nbsp;&nbsp;

The Supernovas are global trailblazers in the growth of professional volleyball, coming off a historic 2025 season in which the franchise led the world in average attendance with 10,925 per match across 14 contests at the CHI Health Center – a 13% increase from 2024’s world-leading 9,656 average. Omaha drew a total attendance of 152,949 to mark a staggering 32% year-over-year increase.&nbsp;&nbsp;

The second-year franchise broke its own U.S. pro volleyball attendance record five times in 2025, including a new benchmark of 13,486 fans for the Supernovas’ five-set victory over the rival Atlanta Vibe for the season opener on January 10. Omaha had more than 10,000 at nine matches in 2025, including five attendance marks that topped 12,000.&nbsp;&nbsp;

Ticket information for the 2026 season, including renewals and new season tickets, will be announced in the coming days. Fans looking to take their experience to the next level for next season can fill out our&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="https://db9xbvgbb.cc.rs6.net/tn.jsp?f=001ptrCy1-yobRr0iigUy0XPLMrCOpwn9URuYxnKeZKF8rGYJEoRay-EAFcOb_cWhSgRnHEU9ssLkfg7Vr1wHV89-g7cybfrA9V1iW31DPJHDom--L5jQbgRlN9aAnIg9vvOvqLrmaWnAni6eQqPp56f6nVflKV1kCwqsv-2_XkaZq-ED0gSJxTYiEcs334ZL8G&amp;c=v0WNSFuG1niDinen5FptTiQNk8GWFtnE2EaFizry6_SMYTk5iDIExw==&amp;ch=UVrt_TNL8T5R0FHRT4ZZf8y5CT8SvfJYATxft734uMt0EdgvJD4q_g==">season ticket interest form</a>&nbsp;to be on a priority list to purchase season tickets.

Story by Omaha Supernovas CommunicationOMAHA, Neb. —&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="https://db9xbvgbb.cc.rs6.net/tn.jsp?f=001ptrCy1-yobRr0iigUy0XPLMrCOpwn9URuYxnKeZKF8rGYJEoRay-EHsPaI3jqa4Ihf3lmN5ZRDreZSb3RXlqhw96y0lOnfdBRrpjTc13txPP3GD3IB5LBoUK71h4cbE-Xf_fnsz6k0dnO7NWtPrMmnbGH9gA4EbYGW3P_XCDP7M5UcXPyARFntliZaqEz57m&amp;c=v0WNSFuG1niDinen5FptTiQNk8GWFtnE2EaFizry6_SMYTk5iDIExw==&amp;ch=UVrt_TNL8T5R0FHRT4ZZf8y5CT8SvfJYATxft734uMt0EdgvJD4q_g==">Omaha Supernovas</a>, the world’s leading professional volleyball franchise, are excited to announce their inclusion in the unification of Pro Volleyball Federation and&nbsp;Major League Volleyball; a move to create a single, united league poised to elevate professional women’s volleyball in the United States. The unified league will be consolidated under the&nbsp;MLV branding.&nbsp;&nbsp;MLV will continue to use the proven and highly successful franchise model to foster team competitiveness, deepen fan engagement, and fuel long-term brand growth – hallmarks that have propelled the Supernovas to record-breaking attendance, premier sponsorships, and championship-caliber performance on the court.&nbsp;Continuing to play at the&nbsp;CHI Health Center&nbsp;in 2026 and beyond, this landmark consolidation will see the Supernovas compete as one of eight franchises when MLV launches in January 2026. Teams in Atlanta, Columbus, Dallas, Grand Rapids, Indianapolis, Orlando, and San Diego will begin play in 2026 with additional franchises in Washington D.C. and Northern California starting play in 2027.&nbsp;&nbsp;The franchise’s next evolution will be spearheaded by&nbsp;Ben Priest, appointed&nbsp;Co-Owner &amp; Governor&nbsp;of the Omaha Supernovas, alongside Omaha Serial Entrepreneur&nbsp;Daniel White&nbsp;and Global Superstar&nbsp;Jason Derulo, as Majority Ownership and Co-Founders. Priest is one of the earliest and most influential U.S.-based executives to drive the cultural and strategic growth of Formula 1 in North America.&nbsp;Joining them in this bold push is&nbsp;Dharpan Randhawa, named&nbsp;Co-Owner &amp; Commercial Advisor, who will architect the franchise’s commercial strategy. A globally respected sports executive and equity partner, Randhawa will work closely with existing Co-Owner and Operating Partner of the Supernovas,&nbsp;Kirk Thompson.&nbsp;“This is a defining moment for the Supernovas and professional volleyball in the United States,”&nbsp;said&nbsp;Team President Diane Mendenhall. "Unified by the vision to elevate our sport to a major-league level, MLV reflects our commitment to delivering a world-class product on the court, creating unforgettable in-venue fan experiences, and building a stage where every young fan can dream of playing one day. MLV isn’t just here to elevate, but to lay the foundation for making professional volleyball a lasting part of the American sports culture and landscape.”&nbsp;&nbsp;The Supernovas are global trailblazers in the growth of professional volleyball, coming off a historic 2025 season in which the franchise led the world in average attendance with 10,925 per match across 14 contests at the CHI Health Center – a 13% increase from 2024’s world-leading 9,656 average. Omaha drew a total attendance of 152,949 to mark a staggering 32% year-over-year increase.&nbsp;&nbsp;The second-year franchise broke its own U.S. pro volleyball attendance record five times in 2025, including a new benchmark of 13,486 fans for the Supernovas’ five-set victory over the rival Atlanta Vibe for the season opener on January 10. Omaha had more than 10,000 at nine matches in 2025, including five attendance marks that topped 12,000.&nbsp;&nbsp;Ticket information for the 2026 season, including renewals and new season tickets, will be announced in the coming days. Fans looking to take their experience to the next level for next season can fill out our&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="https://db9xbvgbb.cc.rs6.net/tn.jsp?f=001ptrCy1-yobRr0iigUy0XPLMrCOpwn9URuYxnKeZKF8rGYJEoRay-EAFcOb_cWhSgRnHEU9ssLkfg7Vr1wHV89-g7cybfrA9V1iW31DPJHDom--L5jQbgRlN9aAnIg9vvOvqLrmaWnAni6eQqPp56f6nVflKV1kCwqsv-2_XkaZq-ED0gSJxTYiEcs334ZL8G&amp;c=v0WNSFuG1niDinen5FptTiQNk8GWFtnE2EaFizry6_SMYTk5iDIExw==&amp;ch=UVrt_TNL8T5R0FHRT4ZZf8y5CT8SvfJYATxft734uMt0EdgvJD4q_g==">season ticket interest form</a>&nbsp;to be on a priority list to purchase season tickets.

Omaha Supernovas lead new era as part of Major League Volleyball 2026

Story by NU Athletic Communications

Nebraska senior Drew Christo signed an undrafted free agent contract and reported to the spring training complex of the Atlanta Braves organization.

Christo is the third NU pitcher from this year’s team to continue with a Major League Baseball organization after Mason McConnaughey and Luke Broderick were selected in the MLB Draft earlier this summer.

A product of Elkhorn, Neb., Christo went 3-2 with a save and a 5.61 ERA in a team-high 31 appearances, which is tied for sixth-most in a season by an NU pitcher in program history. The right-hander totaled 51 strikeouts in 51.1 innings and held opponents to a .260 batting average in 2025.

Christo totaled seven wins, two saves and a 4.98 ERA in his four seasons with the Huskers. He recorded 128 punchouts in 133.2 innings while making 64 appearances on the mound, including 13 starts.

Story by NU Athletic CommunicationsNebraska senior Drew Christo signed an undrafted free agent contract and reported to the spring training complex of the Atlanta Braves organization.Christo is the third NU pitcher from this year’s team to continue with a Major League Baseball organization after Mason McConnaughey and Luke Broderick were selected in the MLB Draft earlier this summer.A product of Elkhorn, Neb., Christo went 3-2 with a save and a 5.61 ERA in a team-high 31 appearances, which is tied for sixth-most in a season by an NU pitcher in program history. The right-hander totaled 51 strikeouts in 51.1 innings and held opponents to a .260 batting average in 2025.Christo totaled seven wins, two saves and a 4.98 ERA in his four seasons with the Huskers. He recorded 128 punchouts in 133.2 innings while making 64 appearances on the mound, including 13 starts.

Christo inks Free Agent deal with Braves

In a landmark move for the sport, Pro Volleyball Federation (PVF) and Major League Volleyball have announced plans for a single, united league poised to elevate professional women’s volleyball in the United States. The unified league will be branded as&nbsp;MLV.

The unification and modernization of the business model brings in new team owners, league governance, ownership standards and an innovative approach to off-court player opportunities and fan engagement.

MLV will be the longest running professional women’s volleyball league and the only one operating with independently owned teams in-market, alongside a league structure built to resemble those at the pinnacle of sports. It will build on its first two successful seasons, which saw outstanding digital engagement, with more than 80 million social impressions, nearly one million total engagements and over 250,000 social followers. In addition, attendance has reached more than 750,000 over the first two campaigns, with 45 nationally-televised matches – including an inaugural All-Star Match that drew a peak viewership of 445,000 on CBS network television.

Scheduled to begin play in January 2026, MLV is an evolution of PVF and the upcoming campaign will be recorded as the league’s third season. This new structure and brand have been established to provide a centralized, elite platform for the sport - delivering world class competition, scalable infrastructure, national media exposure and commercial sustainability. It represents a definitive step forward for women’s pro volleyball, with the goal of elevating the sport to its rightful place among America’s major leagues.

MLV will feature the following team lineup for 2026 - Atlanta, Columbus, Dallas, Grand Rapids, Indianapolis, Omaha, Orlando and San Diego. In 2027, the league is currently slated to expand with two more franchises with the addition of teams in Washington DC and Northern California, who will use ’26 to introduce fans to the league in advance of their inaugural seasons. The Northern California team is majority owned by entrepreneur Vivek Ranadivé and DC is owned by the controlling partners of D.C. United.

The 2026 season will commence later this week, with the opening of the free agency signing period on Thursday, August 7 at 5 p.m. ET. At that time, teams will begin to construct their rosters in the hopes of capturing the MLV Championship. The league has several exciting subsequent announcements planned in the future, including season schedules, team ownership, special events and more.

BofA Securities acted as exclusive financial advisor to Pro Volleyball Federation.

Dan DeVos, CEO/Owner, Grand Rapids Rise:&nbsp;“This is a major step in the evolution of pro women’s volleyball here in the United States. Our love and dedication for this sport has been our foundation, and this next phase will be represented by a unified, professionally governed league with the scale and operational strength to match the ambitions of the sport. We’re delighted for what’s to come.”

Jen Spicher, Pro Volleyball Federation CEO:&nbsp;“To see the sport continue to grow with the consolidation of these teams and their leaders elevates the excitement level to new heights. Our belief in the team-ownership model that we played under for the first two seasons is stronger than ever and will showcase the sport at a greater level throughout the nation.”

Vivek Ranadivé, Owner, Northern California MLV Team:&nbsp;“I’m incredibly excited to bring MLV to Northern California. Women’s volleyball is one of the fastest-growing sports in the country, with fan interest and viewership at an all-time high. We have a unique opportunity to build something special, elevate these phenomenal athletes, and create unforgettable fan experiences.”

Benjamin Priest, Governing Co-Owner of Omaha Supernovas:&nbsp;“Bringing together a group of powerful visionaries and business leaders is no simple task - and for pro women’s volleyball this is a great example of collective bigger picture thinking. Beyond excited for what is to come.”

Major League Volleyball, entering its third season, is the first formal professional volleyball league for women in the United States. Designed to elevate the sport through world class competition, commercial innovation, and cultural relevance, MLV brings together elite athletes, visionary leadership and global ambition. With alignment to USA Volleyball and a commitment to Olympic development, MLV serves as the premier pathway from professional play to the world stage.

By Panhandle Post<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2025/8/1754404681670.jpeg" alt="courtesy Major League Volleyball" />
 <figcaption>courtesy Major League Volleyball</figcaption>
 </figure>In a landmark move for the sport, Pro Volleyball Federation (PVF) and Major League Volleyball have announced plans for a single, united league poised to elevate professional women’s volleyball in the United States. The unified league will be branded as&nbsp;MLV.The unification and modernization of the business model brings in new team owners, league governance, ownership standards and an innovative approach to off-court player opportunities and fan engagement.MLV will be the longest running professional women’s volleyball league and the only one operating with independently owned teams in-market, alongside a league structure built to resemble those at the pinnacle of sports. It will build on its first two successful seasons, which saw outstanding digital engagement, with more than 80 million social impressions, nearly one million total engagements and over 250,000 social followers. In addition, attendance has reached more than 750,000 over the first two campaigns, with 45 nationally-televised matches – including an inaugural All-Star Match that drew a peak viewership of 445,000 on CBS network television.Scheduled to begin play in January 2026, MLV is an evolution of PVF and the upcoming campaign will be recorded as the league’s third season. This new structure and brand have been established to provide a centralized, elite platform for the sport - delivering world class competition, scalable infrastructure, national media exposure and commercial sustainability. It represents a definitive step forward for women’s pro volleyball, with the goal of elevating the sport to its rightful place among America’s major leagues.MLV will feature the following team lineup for 2026 - Atlanta, Columbus, Dallas, Grand Rapids, Indianapolis, Omaha, Orlando and San Diego. In 2027, the league is currently slated to expand with two more franchises with the addition of teams in Washington DC and Northern California, who will use ’26 to introduce fans to the league in advance of their inaugural seasons. The Northern California team is majority owned by entrepreneur Vivek Ranadivé and DC is owned by the controlling partners of D.C. United.The 2026 season will commence later this week, with the opening of the free agency signing period on Thursday, August 7 at 5 p.m. ET. At that time, teams will begin to construct their rosters in the hopes of capturing the MLV Championship. The league has several exciting subsequent announcements planned in the future, including season schedules, team ownership, special events and more.BofA Securities acted as exclusive financial advisor to Pro Volleyball Federation.Dan DeVos, CEO/Owner, Grand Rapids Rise:&nbsp;“This is a major step in the evolution of pro women’s volleyball here in the United States. Our love and dedication for this sport has been our foundation, and this next phase will be represented by a unified, professionally governed league with the scale and operational strength to match the ambitions of the sport. We’re delighted for what’s to come.”Jen Spicher, Pro Volleyball Federation CEO:&nbsp;“To see the sport continue to grow with the consolidation of these teams and their leaders elevates the excitement level to new heights. Our belief in the team-ownership model that we played under for the first two seasons is stronger than ever and will showcase the sport at a greater level throughout the nation.”Vivek Ranadivé, Owner, Northern California MLV Team:&nbsp;“I’m incredibly excited to bring MLV to Northern California. Women’s volleyball is one of the fastest-growing sports in the country, with fan interest and viewership at an all-time high. We have a unique opportunity to build something special, elevate these phenomenal athletes, and create unforgettable fan experiences.”Benjamin Priest, Governing Co-Owner of Omaha Supernovas:&nbsp;“Bringing together a group of powerful visionaries and business leaders is no simple task - and for pro women’s volleyball this is a great example of collective bigger picture thinking. Beyond excited for what is to come.”About Major League VolleyballMajor League Volleyball, entering its third season, is the first formal professional volleyball league for women in the United States. Designed to elevate the sport through world class competition, commercial innovation, and cultural relevance, MLV brings together elite athletes, visionary leadership and global ambition. With alignment to USA Volleyball and a commitment to Olympic development, MLV serves as the premier pathway from professional play to the world stage.

Leagues Announce Historic Plan: The New MLV

Nebraska Baseball Head Coach Will Bolt announced the hiring of Kyle Nicholson as Director of Player Development on Monday.

Nicholson joins the Huskers after spending the 2025 campaign as the pitching coach at Mercyhurst and three seasons as the pitching coach at Indiana University of Pennsylvania in 2022-24.

In three seasons at IUP, Nicholson helped the Crimson Hawks to their best season in program history in 2024. The Crimson Hawks went 41-18 and finished one win shy of the national championship series at the DII College World Series while setting a program record for wins and concluding the season with a No. 4 national ranking.

Nicholson’s pitching staff played a key role in a big turnaround for the Crimson Hawks in his first season at IUP in 2022, helping the program to a 25-win improvement from 2021.

Prior to a three-year stint at IUP, Nicholson spent two seasons as an assistant coach at Bethel Park High School in 2020 and 2021. Under Nicholson’s guidance, Bethel Park finished 2021 with a 1.62 ERA in 176 innings and won the PIAA 5A state championship.

Nicholson was a graduate assistant on the Texas A&amp;M coaching staff for two seasons in 2011-12. The Aggies captured the Big 12 regular-season and tournament titles en route to a College World Series appearance in 2011, followed by an NCAA Regional appearance in 2012.

Nicholson played four seasons at Texas A&amp;M, making 83 appearances on the mound for the Aggies in 2004-07. An All-American and National Pitcher of the Year finalist in 2007, Nicholson went 11-3 with four saves and a 2.25 ERA as a senior.

He was drafted in the seventh round of the 2007 MLB Draft by the San Francisco Giants and earned the MiLB.com Short-Season Starting Pitcher of the Year and MiLB Most Spectacular Pitcher Award for the 2008 season.

A native of College Station, Texas, Nicholson earned his bachelor's degree in agricultural leadership and development from Texas A&amp;M in 2007. He and his wife, Megan, have two sons, Braedon and Eli, and two daughters, Averie and Lyla.

Story by NU Athletic CommunicationsNebraska Baseball Head Coach Will Bolt announced the hiring of Kyle Nicholson as Director of Player Development on Monday.Nicholson joins the Huskers after spending the 2025 campaign as the pitching coach at Mercyhurst and three seasons as the pitching coach at Indiana University of Pennsylvania in 2022-24.In three seasons at IUP, Nicholson helped the Crimson Hawks to their best season in program history in 2024. The Crimson Hawks went 41-18 and finished one win shy of the national championship series at the DII College World Series while setting a program record for wins and concluding the season with a No. 4 national ranking.Nicholson’s pitching staff played a key role in a big turnaround for the Crimson Hawks in his first season at IUP in 2022, helping the program to a 25-win improvement from 2021.Prior to a three-year stint at IUP, Nicholson spent two seasons as an assistant coach at Bethel Park High School in 2020 and 2021. Under Nicholson’s guidance, Bethel Park finished 2021 with a 1.62 ERA in 176 innings and won the PIAA 5A state championship.Nicholson was a graduate assistant on the Texas A&amp;M coaching staff for two seasons in 2011-12. The Aggies captured the Big 12 regular-season and tournament titles en route to a College World Series appearance in 2011, followed by an NCAA Regional appearance in 2012.Nicholson played four seasons at Texas A&amp;M, making 83 appearances on the mound for the Aggies in 2004-07. An All-American and National Pitcher of the Year finalist in 2007, Nicholson went 11-3 with four saves and a 2.25 ERA as a senior.He was drafted in the seventh round of the 2007 MLB Draft by the San Francisco Giants and earned the MiLB.com Short-Season Starting Pitcher of the Year and MiLB Most Spectacular Pitcher Award for the 2008 season.A native of College Station, Texas, Nicholson earned his bachelor's degree in agricultural leadership and development from Texas A&amp;M in 2007. He and his wife, Megan, have two sons, Braedon and Eli, and two daughters, Averie and Lyla.

Bolt adds Kyle Nicholson to Husker Baseball Staff

The Nebraska soccer team is set to travel to Brookings, S.D., to face the South Dakota State Jackrabbits in an exhibition match on Tuesday, Aug. 5 at 6 p.m. (CT).&nbsp;Following the contest at SDSU, the Huskers will host an exhibition against the Colorado State Rams at Barbara Hibner Stadium on Friday, Aug. 8 at 7 p.m. (CT). That game will be streamed on B1G+. Admission is free for fans.Quick Notes

Story by NU Athletic CommunicationsThe Nebraska soccer team is set to travel to Brookings, S.D., to face the South Dakota State Jackrabbits in an exhibition match on Tuesday, Aug. 5 at 6 p.m. (CT).&nbsp;Following the contest at SDSU, the Huskers will host an exhibition against the Colorado State Rams at Barbara Hibner Stadium on Friday, Aug. 8 at 7 p.m. (CT). That game will be streamed on B1G+. Admission is free for fans.Quick Notes<ul>
 <li>NU has 11 regular-season home games scheduled for its 11th season at Hibner Stadium in 2025, which includes five non-conference matches and six Big Ten contests. Additionally, the Big Red will host one exhibition.</li><li>Nebraska grabbed victories over Drake, Iowa State and Wyoming during the 2024 spring season.</li><li>NU returns 10 letterwinners from last season, along with sixth-year Reagan Raabe. Raabe was injured in both 2023 and 2024, but was a third-team All-Big Ten honoree in 2021 and 2022.</li><li>The Huskers welcome 15 newcomers in 2025, including 13 freshmen and two transfers. Alyse Then previously competed at Daytona State and SUNY, while Jo Sees comes to the Big Red from Kansas State.&nbsp;</li><li>Last season, goalie Cece Villa ranked second in the Big Ten with 4.89 saves per game.</li><li>During the 2024 season, the Huskers averaged 1,437 fans per game at Hibner Stadium, second most in Husker history and 11th in the nation. NU added a total attendance of 12,933, which ranked 18th nationally.</li><li>Head Coach John Walker enters his 32nd season, alongside assistant coaches Savanah Anderson-Baer (third season), Ian Bridge (10th season) and Dan Ball (first season). Walker has a 371-203-62 record in his career and has coached all 31 seasons in Nebraska soccer history.</li>
 </ul>Scouting the Jackrabbits<ul>
 <li>South Dakota State finished the 2024 season with a 15-5-2 overall record and 5-2-1 mark in conference play. The Jackrabbits won their second straight Summit League tournament championship last season. SDSU fell to Minnesota in the opening round of the 2024 NCAA Tournament.</li><li>After facing NU, South Dakota State will take on Iowa Lakes Community College on Friday, Aug. 8 in another exhibition match.&nbsp;</li><li>Head coach Brock Thompson is in his ninth season with the Jackrabbits. He holds a 108-30-22 record at SDSU and is 174-79-32 in his career.</li>
 </ul>

Huskers take on Jackrabbits in first Exhibition Match

University of Nebraska Athletics and Conference USA announced Monday (Aug. 4) that the Husker women’s bowling program will join CUSA as an affiliate member beginning with the 2025-26 season.

Nebraska is one of three affiliate members joining Conference USA in bowling for the 2025-26 season, along with Wright State and Sacred Heart. The 12-team bowling conference also includes Arkansas State, Jacksonville State, Louisiana Tech, Sam Houston, Tulane, Valparaiso, Vanderbilt, Wichita State and Youngstown State.

“We are excited to have Nebraska Bowling join Conference USA as an affiliate member,” Nebraska Athletic Director Troy Dannen said. “The move aligns with our department’s philosophy of putting our programs in the best position to compete for success at the national level. In two seasons, CUSA has become the premier conference in college bowling, and the additions of Nebraska, along with Sacred Heart and Wright State, only make it stronger. This will provide our student-athletes with a championship-level event prior to the NCAA Championships. We have a long history of success in bowling, and I know Coach Klempa and his team are looking forward to the opportunity to compete for conference championships for the first time in program history.”

“We are honored to be afforded the opportunity to join Conference USA as an affiliate member,” Bowling Head Coach Paul Klempa said. “This bowling conference is unequivocally the strongest group of teams in the country, and we are excited to be included in what will be fierce competition each season. CUSA includes a large portion of the&nbsp;top-10&nbsp;teams in the country and is a natural fit for Nebraska to be among them in conference competition. The opportunity to join CUSA allows us to compete in late March, right before the NCAA postseason begins, and that will help our team be competitively sharp for the NCAA Championship.&nbsp; I would like to thank Athletic Director Troy Dannen and our administration for their help in getting Nebraska Bowling included in the most prestigious bowling conference in the country.”

The Huskers, who had been independent since the program elevated to varsity status during the 1997-98 season, will join what is the toughest conference in college bowling.&nbsp;&nbsp;In the two seasons since it sponsored women’s bowling, Conference USA has had back-to-back NCAA champions (Youngstown State in 2025, Jacksonville State in 2024) and seven of the eight national semifinalists. The only team outside CUSA to reach the national semifinals was the Huskers in 2025. The schools now competing in CUSA have accounted for 12 of the 21 NCAA titles, including four of the last five since 2021.

The Nebraska bowling program has enjoyed unparalleled success since becoming a varsity sport during the 1997-98 season. The Huskers have won eight national championships, including six NCAA titles since women’s bowling became an NCAA Championship sport in 2004.&nbsp; The Huskers have finished first or second 10 times in 21 all-time NCAA Championships and are the only program to compete in every NCAA Championship. Nebraska has had nine bowlers combine for 12 National Bowler-of-the-Year honors since 2000, most recently Jillian Martin in 2025, while 34 bowlers have combined to earn 74 All-America awards since 1998. Under Head Coach Paul Klempa, Nebraska has a trio of&nbsp;top-three&nbsp;NCAA finishes over the past five seasons, including the program’s sixth NCAA title in 2021.

Story by NU Athletic CommunicationsUniversity of Nebraska Athletics and Conference USA announced Monday (Aug. 4) that the Husker women’s bowling program will join CUSA as an affiliate member beginning with the 2025-26 season.Nebraska is one of three affiliate members joining Conference USA in bowling for the 2025-26 season, along with Wright State and Sacred Heart. The 12-team bowling conference also includes Arkansas State, Jacksonville State, Louisiana Tech, Sam Houston, Tulane, Valparaiso, Vanderbilt, Wichita State and Youngstown State.“We are excited to have Nebraska Bowling join Conference USA as an affiliate member,” Nebraska Athletic Director Troy Dannen said. “The move aligns with our department’s philosophy of putting our programs in the best position to compete for success at the national level. In two seasons, CUSA has become the premier conference in college bowling, and the additions of Nebraska, along with Sacred Heart and Wright State, only make it stronger. This will provide our student-athletes with a championship-level event prior to the NCAA Championships. We have a long history of success in bowling, and I know Coach Klempa and his team are looking forward to the opportunity to compete for conference championships for the first time in program history.”“We are honored to be afforded the opportunity to join Conference USA as an affiliate member,” Bowling Head Coach Paul Klempa said. “This bowling conference is unequivocally the strongest group of teams in the country, and we are excited to be included in what will be fierce competition each season. CUSA includes a large portion of the&nbsp;top-10&nbsp;teams in the country and is a natural fit for Nebraska to be among them in conference competition. The opportunity to join CUSA allows us to compete in late March, right before the NCAA postseason begins, and that will help our team be competitively sharp for the NCAA Championship.&nbsp; I would like to thank Athletic Director Troy Dannen and our administration for their help in getting Nebraska Bowling included in the most prestigious bowling conference in the country.”The Huskers, who had been independent since the program elevated to varsity status during the 1997-98 season, will join what is the toughest conference in college bowling.&nbsp;&nbsp;In the two seasons since it sponsored women’s bowling, Conference USA has had back-to-back NCAA champions (Youngstown State in 2025, Jacksonville State in 2024) and seven of the eight national semifinalists. The only team outside CUSA to reach the national semifinals was the Huskers in 2025. The schools now competing in CUSA have accounted for 12 of the 21 NCAA titles, including four of the last five since 2021.The Nebraska bowling program has enjoyed unparalleled success since becoming a varsity sport during the 1997-98 season. The Huskers have won eight national championships, including six NCAA titles since women’s bowling became an NCAA Championship sport in 2004.&nbsp; The Huskers have finished first or second 10 times in 21 all-time NCAA Championships and are the only program to compete in every NCAA Championship. Nebraska has had nine bowlers combine for 12 National Bowler-of-the-Year honors since 2000, most recently Jillian Martin in 2025, while 34 bowlers have combined to earn 74 All-America awards since 1998. Under Head Coach Paul Klempa, Nebraska has a trio of&nbsp;top-three&nbsp;NCAA finishes over the past five seasons, including the program’s sixth NCAA title in 2021.

Nebraska Bowling to join Conference USA as affiliate member

North Platte, NE – After a 2024 Football campaign that saw North Platte High barely miss out on the Class A football playoffs, Head Coach Kurt Altig is ready to usher in a new era of Bulldog Football – one defined by the team's youth and a huge emphasis on fundamentals.

Coming off a 4-5 season, the Bulldogs were one of several teams in the mix for the final playoff spot before ultimately finishing 17th out of the playoffs. “It’s crazy how it comes down to hundredths of points,” Altig said. “You have to control your own destiny.” Despite a below .500 record, North Platte was able to put up competitive showings against some of the stronger teams in Class A, like Lincoln Southeast and Lincoln East.

Now, after years of small roster movement, Altig heads into the season with the largest turnover of talent he has seen since taking over the head coaching duties at North Platte High. The Bulldogs graduated 19 starters and more than 24 total players, leaving the depth chart largely blank heading into the season's start. “We’ve got a whole bunch of new faces,” he said. “It’s our job now to find the right spots for them.”

The youth movement will be anchored by returning starters Jake Kincaid and Treyton Burke, two players Altig is counting on to lead both vocally and by example. “You know, those guys, they have the most varsity experience coming in,” Altig said. “We're really going to lean on them.” Burke, who has recently committed to Chadron State, and Kincaid bring rare varsity experience to a group that is largely making its Friday night debut soon.

Despite the new faces, North Platte won’t stray far from their identity. Expect more of the Bulldog way with their Flex-Bone offense, and a defense designed to stop the run and frustrate opponents. “Coaches hate playing us, they hate playing our offense,” Altig said. “That’s why we run it.”

North Platte opens the season at home against Kearney on August 29th. While Altig didn’t want to commit to making record predictions, he said the team’s main goal is simple. Get back to the playoffs. “We're going to play our brand of football and give ourselves a chance,” he said. “That's all we can ask for.”

<div><iframe title="North Platte High Football reloads with youth, eyes playoff return in 2025 Season" allowtransparency="true" height="150" width="100%" style="border: none; min-width: min(100%, 430px);height:150px;" scrolling="no" data-name="pb-iframe-player" src="https://www.podbean.com/player-v2/?i=44qtz-1923840-pb&from=pb6admin&share=1&download=1&rtl=0&fonts=Times%20New%20Roman&skin=3267a3&font-color=auto&logo_link=episode_page&btn-skin=ff6d00" loading="lazy"></iframe></div>North Platte, NE – After a 2024 Football campaign that saw North Platte High barely miss out on the Class A football playoffs, Head Coach Kurt Altig is ready to usher in a new era of Bulldog Football – one defined by the team's youth and a huge emphasis on fundamentals.Coming off a 4-5 season, the Bulldogs were one of several teams in the mix for the final playoff spot before ultimately finishing 17th out of the playoffs. “It’s crazy how it comes down to hundredths of points,” Altig said. “You have to control your own destiny.” Despite a below .500 record, North Platte was able to put up competitive showings against some of the stronger teams in Class A, like Lincoln Southeast and Lincoln East.Now, after years of small roster movement, Altig heads into the season with the largest turnover of talent he has seen since taking over the head coaching duties at North Platte High. The Bulldogs graduated 19 starters and more than 24 total players, leaving the depth chart largely blank heading into the season's start. “We’ve got a whole bunch of new faces,” he said. “It’s our job now to find the right spots for them.”The youth movement will be anchored by returning starters Jake Kincaid and Treyton Burke, two players Altig is counting on to lead both vocally and by example. “You know, those guys, they have the most varsity experience coming in,” Altig said. “We're really going to lean on them.” Burke, who has recently committed to Chadron State, and Kincaid bring rare varsity experience to a group that is largely making its Friday night debut soon.Despite the new faces, North Platte won’t stray far from their identity. Expect more of the Bulldog way with their Flex-Bone offense, and a defense designed to stop the run and frustrate opponents. “Coaches hate playing us, they hate playing our offense,” Altig said. “That’s why we run it.”North Platte opens the season at home against Kearney on August 29th. While Altig didn’t want to commit to making record predictions, he said the team’s main goal is simple. Get back to the playoffs. “We're going to play our brand of football and give ourselves a chance,” he said. “That's all we can ask for.”

North Platte High Football reloads with youth, eyes playoff return in 2025 Season

Nebraska track and field graduate Tyus Wilson won the gold medal in the high jump at the USATF Outdoor Championships on Sunday in Eugene, Ore.&nbsp;

Wilson was the only high jumper to clear 7-5 1/4 (2.27m), doing so on his third attempt to clinch the title. He outdueled 2024 Olympics silver medalist Shelby McEwen and 2024 Olympian JuVaughn Harrison to win the U.S. national title.&nbsp;

Wilson was a five-time All-American for the Huskers and won the 2025 NCAA Indoor high jump gold medal. He was also the runner-up at the 2024 NCAA Outdoor Championships. Wilson was a four-time Big Ten champion, sweeping the indoor and outdoor conference titles each of the past two years. He earned two Big Ten Field Athlete of the Year honors. Wilson also excelled in the classroom where he was a two-time Academic All-American.

A native of Sterling, Kan., Wilson will compete at the NACAC Championships in The Bahamas Aug. 15-17 as he seeks to secure enough points to gain a spot on the U.S. team for the World Athletics Championships in Tokyo this September.

Story by NU Athletic CommunicationsNebraska track and field graduate Tyus Wilson won the gold medal in the high jump at the USATF Outdoor Championships on Sunday in Eugene, Ore.&nbsp;Wilson was the only high jumper to clear 7-5 1/4 (2.27m), doing so on his third attempt to clinch the title. He outdueled 2024 Olympics silver medalist Shelby McEwen and 2024 Olympian JuVaughn Harrison to win the U.S. national title.&nbsp;Wilson was a five-time All-American for the Huskers and won the 2025 NCAA Indoor high jump gold medal. He was also the runner-up at the 2024 NCAA Outdoor Championships. Wilson was a four-time Big Ten champion, sweeping the indoor and outdoor conference titles each of the past two years. He earned two Big Ten Field Athlete of the Year honors. Wilson also excelled in the classroom where he was a two-time Academic All-American.A native of Sterling, Kan., Wilson will compete at the NACAC Championships in The Bahamas Aug. 15-17 as he seeks to secure enough points to gain a spot on the U.S. team for the World Athletics Championships in Tokyo this September.

Wilson wins High Jump Gold at USATF Championships

Story by UNK Athletic Communications

Kearney, Neb. - Five former student-athletes and a former staff member will be inducted into the Nebraska-Kearney Athletic Hall of Fame during ceremonies on Homecoming weekend this Oct. 10-11. ​

Miratsky, from Schuyler, is one of just three UNK women's basketball players in the Division II era (since 1990) to be a four-time all-conference selection. Currently holding school-record for career blocks (235) and career field goal percentage (54.1), she was part of teams that won 97 games and reached three NCAA Tournaments.​

​A member of the 2002-03 National Runner Up squad, he had 99 career wins and won two RMAC/West Region individual titles. Finally, Pfizenmaier was part of three RMAC Championship teams and helped the Lopers beat rival Nebraska-Omaha to win the 2003 National Duals in Columbus, Ohio.

He currently serves as a Construction Technology teacher at his alma mater of Clay Center High School.

Van Matre is one of the top running backs in school history as he still holds the record for most rushing yards in a game (307). He achieved that at Washburn in 1982 with the milestone featuring a 94-yard scoring scamper.&nbsp;&nbsp;

The Gibbon native was tabbed All-Central States Intercollegiate Conference (CSIC), All-Region and All-American as a senior in 1982. Currently ranked ninth on the career rushing list (2,355), Van Matre is one of only 13 Lopers to post a 1,000-rushing yard season. That effort (1,126/1982) came in just 10 games.

​Twice leading the Lopers in rushing, he also was a starting punt and kick returner, helped Kearne State win three CSIC titles and was on the 1980 squad that won the program's first-ever NAIA playoff game. Finally, he was a pole vaulter on the track team.

Dr. Slawski was a founding partner and president of New West Sports Medicine &amp; Orthopedic Surgery in Kearney. He had a two-decade association with Loper Athletics, serving as Head Team Physician for all sports and Medical Director of the Athletic Training program/Human performance lab.

Also a UNK adjunct assistant professor, he was an Athletic Trainer supervisor for over 50 Central Nebraska and Northern Kansas High Schools. Dr. Slawski has published scientific journal articles and been a frequent speaker at local, national and international medical societies and won numerous accolades such as the Kearney Hub Freedom Award for Humanitarian Service and UNK's Ron &amp; Carol Cope Cornerstone of Excellence Award.

A former Air Force Major, Dr. Slawski retired in 2019 after being a part-time sports medicine specialist at the Missouri Orthopedic Institute at the University of Missouri-Columbia. He now devotes his time as President of Guardian Hills, which he and his wife, Jo, co-founded the previous year. They have been married for over 40 years and have three adult sons, three daughters-in-law and three grandsons.&nbsp;

Story by UNK Athletic CommunicationsKearney, Neb. - Five former student-athletes and a former staff member will be inducted into the Nebraska-Kearney Athletic Hall of Fame during ceremonies on Homecoming weekend this Oct. 10-11. ​The 2025 Hall of Fame members are tennis player Kristen (Messbarger) Day (UNMC '10), track and field team member Dr. Leah (Lewis) Stade ('02), basketball player Janelle Miratsky ('99), wrestler Brandon Pfizenmaier ('03), football player Luke Van Matre ('85), and Dr. Daniel Slawski.&nbsp;The Athletic Hall of Fame Banquet begins at 5:30 p.m. on Friday, Oct. 10, in the Gala Room in the Regional Engagement Center with a social hour. A dinner follows at 6:15 p.m. with the induction ceremony afterwards. To purchase a ticket for the Athletic Hall of Fame Banquet, visit <a href="http://unkalumni.org/homecoming">unkalumni.org/homecoming</a> by Oct. 1. Tickets are $40 per person ($45 starting Sept. 27), $15 for children aged 12 &amp; under.&nbsp;On Saturday, Oct. 12, the class will be recognized at the Homecoming parade and at half time of the football game vs. Missouri Western State (2 p.m.).&nbsp;A Kearney native, Day is among the top players in Loper women's tennis history. Her play helped the program reach new heights as UNK qualified for the NCAA Tournament between 2008-10. The Lopers won three Rocky Mountain Athletic Conference (RMAC) tourney titles during her career and advanced to the NCAA "Sweet 16" in 2009 and 2010.Graduating with a B.S. degree in Nursing from UNMC, she overcame some injuries to win a then school-record 130 matches. Day was a three-time All-RMAC selection in singles, the 2007 RMAC and Central Region Freshman of the Year and the 2010 RMAC Player of the Year and the 2010 Central Region Senior Player of the Year. Day currently is a CRNA with CHI Health St. Francis.&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Dr. Stade, a Kearney native, was a three-time All-American in the triple jump between 2000-02. She finished sixth, eighth and seventh at the NCAA Indoor Championships and is one of just nine Loper women to be at least a three-time All-American at the Division II level.One of six UNK women to have won at least five RMAC individual titles, she currently holds the school record in the indoor triple (40-2) and ranks second in the outdoor triple (40-1.50). Dr. Stade also ranks in the Top 10 in both the indoor and outdoor long jumps and was a member of three teams that were RMAC runners up. Finally, in 2002, UNK won the RMAC outdoor title, the first team crown in program history.Dr. Stade currently is an assistant professor at UNMC in the Occupational Therapy program. She serves as the Academic Fieldwork Coordinator and is the chairperson for the Occupational Therapy Admissions Committee.Miratsky, from Schuyler, is one of just three UNK women's basketball players in the Division II era (since 1990) to be a four-time all-conference selection. Currently holding school-record for career blocks (235) and career field goal percentage (54.1), she was part of teams that won 97 games and reached three NCAA Tournaments.​The forward currently ranks 13th on the career scoring list (1,343) and is in the career Top 10 in both rebounds and double doubles. She was a key member of the 1996-97 squad that won a school-record 28 games and reached the program's first NCAA "Sweet 16". Finally, Miratsky later served the program as a graduate assistant coach. She currently is an educational assistant in Lake Oswego, Oreg.&nbsp;Pfizenmaier is one of 15 three-time All-Americans in UNK wrestling history as he placed fifth, third and second at 149-pounds at the NCAA Championships. The Green, Kan., native and is one of 25 Lopers to be a national runner up; at the time of graduation, he was only the sixth runner up at the D2 level.​A member of the 2002-03 National Runner Up squad, he had 99 career wins and won two RMAC/West Region individual titles. Finally, Pfizenmaier was part of three RMAC Championship teams and helped the Lopers beat rival Nebraska-Omaha to win the 2003 National Duals in Columbus, Ohio.He currently serves as a Construction Technology teacher at his alma mater of Clay Center High School.Van Matre is one of the top running backs in school history as he still holds the record for most rushing yards in a game (307). He achieved that at Washburn in 1982 with the milestone featuring a 94-yard scoring scamper.&nbsp;&nbsp;The Gibbon native was tabbed All-Central States Intercollegiate Conference (CSIC), All-Region and All-American as a senior in 1982. Currently ranked ninth on the career rushing list (2,355), Van Matre is one of only 13 Lopers to post a 1,000-rushing yard season. That effort (1,126/1982) came in just 10 games.​Twice leading the Lopers in rushing, he also was a starting punt and kick returner, helped Kearne State win three CSIC titles and was on the 1980 squad that won the program's first-ever NAIA playoff game. Finally, he was a pole vaulter on the track team.Dr. Slawski was a founding partner and president of New West Sports Medicine &amp; Orthopedic Surgery in Kearney. He had a two-decade association with Loper Athletics, serving as Head Team Physician for all sports and Medical Director of the Athletic Training program/Human performance lab.Also a UNK adjunct assistant professor, he was an Athletic Trainer supervisor for over 50 Central Nebraska and Northern Kansas High Schools. Dr. Slawski has published scientific journal articles and been a frequent speaker at local, national and international medical societies and won numerous accolades such as the Kearney Hub Freedom Award for Humanitarian Service and UNK's Ron &amp; Carol Cope Cornerstone of Excellence Award.A former Air Force Major, Dr. Slawski retired in 2019 after being a part-time sports medicine specialist at the Missouri Orthopedic Institute at the University of Missouri-Columbia. He now devotes his time as President of Guardian Hills, which he and his wife, Jo, co-founded the previous year. They have been married for over 40 years and have three adult sons, three daughters-in-law and three grandsons.&nbsp;

2025 UNK Hall of Fame Class Announced

The Nebraska women's basketball team claimed special mention from the Women's Basketball Coaches Association as one of the top performing teams in the Big Ten Conference for the 2024-25 academic year.

The Huskers, who earned their third trip to the NCAA Tournament in the past four seasons, posted a program-best 3.579 grade-point average during the year. Nebraska's cumulative combined GPA under Coach&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="https://huskers.com/staff/amy-williams">Amy Williams</a>&nbsp;was the second-highest in the 18-team Big Ten, trailing only a 3.597 GPA by Illinois. Nebraska's team GPA ranked 10th among the 68 teams that qualified for the 2025 NCAA Tournament and 39th among the more than 360 NCAA Division I women's basketball schools.

Overall, 115 NCAA Division I women's basketball programs were recognized by the WBCA for carrying a 3.0 GPA or better for the 2024-25 academic year.

Top 10 Big Ten Women's Basketball Team GPAs (2024-25)

Top 10 NCAA Tournament Team GPAs (2024-25)

Story by NU Athletic CommunicationsThe Nebraska women's basketball team claimed special mention from the Women's Basketball Coaches Association as one of the top performing teams in the Big Ten Conference for the 2024-25 academic year.The Huskers, who earned their third trip to the NCAA Tournament in the past four seasons, posted a program-best 3.579 grade-point average during the year. Nebraska's cumulative combined GPA under Coach&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="https://huskers.com/staff/amy-williams">Amy Williams</a>&nbsp;was the second-highest in the 18-team Big Ten, trailing only a 3.597 GPA by Illinois. Nebraska's team GPA ranked 10th among the 68 teams that qualified for the 2025 NCAA Tournament and 39th among the more than 360 NCAA Division I women's basketball schools.Overall, 115 NCAA Division I women's basketball programs were recognized by the WBCA for carrying a 3.0 GPA or better for the 2024-25 academic year.Top 10 Big Ten Women's Basketball Team GPAs (2024-25)1. Illinois - 3.5972. Nebraska - 3.5793. Michigan State - 3.5304. Indiana - 3.5285. Minnesota - 3.5216. Iowa - 3.4957. Northwestern - 3.4278. USC - 3.3489. Ohio State - 3.26310. Oregon - 3.168Top 10 NCAA Tournament Team GPAs (2024-25)1. Green Bay – 3.8622. South Dakota State – 3.7603. Creighton – 3.7574. Tennessee Tech – 3.6995. Montana State – 3.6946. Iowa State – 3.6587. Lehigh – 3.6158. Illinois – 3.5979. South Florida – 3.58410. Nebraska – 3.579

Huskers earn Academic Recognition from WBCA

The Nebraska men’s tennis team has added Matt Shearer to its roster for the 2025-26 season. Shearer comes to Nebraska after a standout career at William Carey University, an NAIA school in Mississippi.

Shearer was an All-American and a three-time first-team all-conference selection at William Carey. He won more than 20 singles and 20 doubles matches over his final two seasons, posting nearly 50 combined victories during those two years.

In 2025, Shearer was an NAIA All-American who ended the year with a national singles ranking of No. 10. He was the NAIA National Player of the Week in April after a 5-0 week that included a win over the No. 7-ranked singles player. Shearer compiled an 11-1 singles record and a 13-3 doubles record in 2025. He was the Southern State Athletic Conference Championship MVP and also earned a spot on the ITA Indoor Nationals All-Tournament Team in doubles.

A team co-captain, Shearer’s play helped William Carey win the 2025 Southern State Athletic Conference championship and advance to the round of 16 of the NAIA National Championship Tournament. In 2024, Shearer recorded double-digit victories in both singles and doubles and was a first-team All-Southern State Athletic Conference selection. Shearer was also a first-team all-conference pick in 2023.

Shearer, who hopes to pursue a professional career in doubles, believes Nebraska will help him reach his goals.

“I’m transferring to Nebraska for my fifth season to experience Division I tennis and compete at a high level with a Power Four program,” Shearer said. “I’m excited to be a part of a big school environment and challenge myself against top competition.”

Head Coach Peter Kobelt said Shearer will be an excellent addition to the Husker roster.

“We are very excited about Matt joining the program this January,” Kobelt said. “He brings a lot to the table from a tennis standpoint, especially in doubles. More importantly, he’s a great person, and he’ll represent Nebraska the right way off the court as well.”

A native of Auckland, New Zealand, Shearer joins a Husker program that is coming off a record-breaking season. Nebraska finished with a top-40 national ranking for the first time in program history in 2024-25, while also setting a school record with eight Big Ten Conference victories.

Story by NU Athletic CommunicationThe Nebraska men’s tennis team has added Matt Shearer to its roster for the 2025-26 season. Shearer comes to Nebraska after a standout career at William Carey University, an NAIA school in Mississippi.Shearer was an All-American and a three-time first-team all-conference selection at William Carey. He won more than 20 singles and 20 doubles matches over his final two seasons, posting nearly 50 combined victories during those two years.In 2025, Shearer was an NAIA All-American who ended the year with a national singles ranking of No. 10. He was the NAIA National Player of the Week in April after a 5-0 week that included a win over the No. 7-ranked singles player. Shearer compiled an 11-1 singles record and a 13-3 doubles record in 2025. He was the Southern State Athletic Conference Championship MVP and also earned a spot on the ITA Indoor Nationals All-Tournament Team in doubles.A team co-captain, Shearer’s play helped William Carey win the 2025 Southern State Athletic Conference championship and advance to the round of 16 of the NAIA National Championship Tournament. In 2024, Shearer recorded double-digit victories in both singles and doubles and was a first-team All-Southern State Athletic Conference selection. Shearer was also a first-team all-conference pick in 2023.Shearer, who hopes to pursue a professional career in doubles, believes Nebraska will help him reach his goals.“I’m transferring to Nebraska for my fifth season to experience Division I tennis and compete at a high level with a Power Four program,” Shearer said. “I’m excited to be a part of a big school environment and challenge myself against top competition.”Head Coach Peter Kobelt said Shearer will be an excellent addition to the Husker roster.“We are very excited about Matt joining the program this January,” Kobelt said. “He brings a lot to the table from a tennis standpoint, especially in doubles. More importantly, he’s a great person, and he’ll represent Nebraska the right way off the court as well.”A native of Auckland, New Zealand, Shearer joins a Husker program that is coming off a record-breaking season. Nebraska finished with a top-40 national ranking for the first time in program history in 2024-25, while also setting a school record with eight Big Ten Conference victories.

Huskers add Matt Shearer to Roster

Lincoln, Nebraska, July 30, 2025&nbsp;— Pioneer has been helping heroes in the field for generations but usually it’s corn and soybean fields across the Midwest.&nbsp;&nbsp;

Pioneer deepens its commitment to support everyday heroes as the title sponsor of the “Heroes Game” between the Nebraska Cornhuskers and Iowa Hawkeyes this fall. The 15th&nbsp;annual matchup between the Big Ten Conference rivals will kick off at 11:00 a.m. CT on Friday, Nov. 28, 2025, at Memorial Stadium in Lincoln, Nebraska.&nbsp;

The 2025 Pioneer Heroes Game will continue the rich tradition of recognizing and celebrating local heroes who exemplify the goal of positively impacting their community and inspiring others. One citizen-hero from each state and team will be selected and honored at the Pioneer Heroes Game in Iowa City. The winners will receive VIP treatment as special guests, with on-field recognition and their names inscribed on the Heroes Trophy, which goes to the winning team of the annual contest.&nbsp;

“Agriculture plays an important role across Iowa and Nebraska,” said Todd Frazier, VP, U.S. Marketing, Corteva Agriscience. “That’s why we’re excited to continue sponsoring the annual Heroes Game – honoring those local heroes that live and work in the communities Pioneer serves every day is one small way we can express our appreciation.”

“Nebraska is proud to once again partner with Pioneer and the University of Iowa to continue to build the tradition of the Heroes Game,” said Nebraska Athletic Director Troy Dannen. “Pioneer is an iconic brand in agriculture, which makes for a natural connection with a game pitting two universities in Midwest states deeply rooted in agriculture. We appreciate that Pioneer values being a part of a game that not only showcases great college football on Thanksgiving weekend, but also has a mission of honoring outstanding citizens in the two states.”

Hero nominations will be accepted online through October 10, 2025, at&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="https://huskers.com/hero">https://huskers.com/hero</a>. Fans are encouraged to nominate everyday citizens of Nebraska who have performed extraordinary acts of heroism.&nbsp;&nbsp;

Pioneer, a current partner of both the Nebraska Cornhuskers and Iowa Hawkeyes, is a multi-year title sponsor of the Heroes Game. The ongoing relationship between Pioneer and Nebraska is overseen by Huskers Athletic Partners, a Playfly Sports Property, the University’s athletics multimedia rightsholder. The ongoing relationship between Pioneer and Iowa is overseen by Learfield’s Hawkeye Sports Properties, the University’s athletics multimedia rightsholder and locally based team.

Story by NU Athletic CommunicationsLincoln, Nebraska, July 30, 2025&nbsp;— Pioneer has been helping heroes in the field for generations but usually it’s corn and soybean fields across the Midwest.&nbsp;&nbsp;Pioneer deepens its commitment to support everyday heroes as the title sponsor of the “Heroes Game” between the Nebraska Cornhuskers and Iowa Hawkeyes this fall. The 15th&nbsp;annual matchup between the Big Ten Conference rivals will kick off at 11:00 a.m. CT on Friday, Nov. 28, 2025, at Memorial Stadium in Lincoln, Nebraska.&nbsp;The 2025 Pioneer Heroes Game will continue the rich tradition of recognizing and celebrating local heroes who exemplify the goal of positively impacting their community and inspiring others. One citizen-hero from each state and team will be selected and honored at the Pioneer Heroes Game in Iowa City. The winners will receive VIP treatment as special guests, with on-field recognition and their names inscribed on the Heroes Trophy, which goes to the winning team of the annual contest.&nbsp;“Agriculture plays an important role across Iowa and Nebraska,” said Todd Frazier, VP, U.S. Marketing, Corteva Agriscience. “That’s why we’re excited to continue sponsoring the annual Heroes Game – honoring those local heroes that live and work in the communities Pioneer serves every day is one small way we can express our appreciation.”“Nebraska is proud to once again partner with Pioneer and the University of Iowa to continue to build the tradition of the Heroes Game,” said Nebraska Athletic Director Troy Dannen. “Pioneer is an iconic brand in agriculture, which makes for a natural connection with a game pitting two universities in Midwest states deeply rooted in agriculture. We appreciate that Pioneer values being a part of a game that not only showcases great college football on Thanksgiving weekend, but also has a mission of honoring outstanding citizens in the two states.”Hero nominations will be accepted online through October 10, 2025, at&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="https://huskers.com/hero">https://huskers.com/hero</a>. Fans are encouraged to nominate everyday citizens of Nebraska who have performed extraordinary acts of heroism.&nbsp;&nbsp;Pioneer, a current partner of both the Nebraska Cornhuskers and Iowa Hawkeyes, is a multi-year title sponsor of the Heroes Game. The ongoing relationship between Pioneer and Nebraska is overseen by Huskers Athletic Partners, a Playfly Sports Property, the University’s athletics multimedia rightsholder. The ongoing relationship between Pioneer and Iowa is overseen by Learfield’s Hawkeye Sports Properties, the University’s athletics multimedia rightsholder and locally based team.

Pioneer to honor Local Heroes as title sponsor in “Heroes Game”

OMAHA, Neb.&nbsp;–&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="https://db9xbvgbb.cc.rs6.net/tn.jsp?f=001xobYdGdRvjj3LQs09nsd_lSprj-Kvng5bPGquhtGUvVXy0yPnOjW26LG1KsELInQ72bmCz5CS0kuyObwHmqxGtM8Q_XuLv5BfuH6gK9GCVH-9qwK0VkSKBxnioD3Cx_prHD4UHWLg3DSdTPyGFFXEfqZ9cKUWC_7&amp;c=SHUKVJ8Skk8FcSSa-4RaC-8YJ9uoJvu0a_fXZPC15uQ_jzh4xmhmZw==&amp;ch=5W_NGLRsUVFgeih-QnnAfitiDKYvMP9kIInCRddOPcWYqitUoHKocQ==">Omaha Supernovas</a><a target="_blank" href="https://db9xbvgbb.cc.rs6.net/tn.jsp?f=001xobYdGdRvjj3LQs09nsd_lSprj-Kvng5bPGquhtGUvVXy0yPnOjW26LG1KsELInQ72bmCz5CS0kuyObwHmqxGtM8Q_XuLv5BfuH6gK9GCVH-9qwK0VkSKBxnioD3Cx_prHD4UHWLg3ALGABRRBwyScLKB_3p4c6q&amp;c=SHUKVJ8Skk8FcSSa-4RaC-8YJ9uoJvu0a_fXZPC15uQ_jzh4xmhmZw==&amp;ch=5W_NGLRsUVFgeih-QnnAfitiDKYvMP9kIInCRddOPcWYqitUoHKocQ==">,</a>&nbsp;the world's leading professional volleyball franchise, proudly congratulates&nbsp;Allison Whitten&nbsp;on joining the College of Saint Mary volleyball coaching staff.&nbsp;

A South Carolina native, Whitten recently finished her first professional season with the Supernovas in 2025, emerging as the team’s starting libero over the final five matches. Her strong defensive play helped propel Omaha to capture the league’s regular season title.&nbsp;&nbsp;

"I'm extremely excited for the opportunity to join the coaching staff at CSM! The fall college season is the perfect complement to the professional season in the spring, allowing me to experience the best of both coaching and playing,” Whitten said. “It's a chance for me to stay connected with the sport I love and keep developing as a player. That experience helps me bring even more back to the court as a coach. My hope is to add to the previous success of the Flames while continuing to train and prepare myself for the upcoming pro season."&nbsp;

Before turning pro, Whitten enjoyed a standout five-year collegiate career. She was a four-year starter at Morehead State before transferring to Creighton for her final season in 2022. There, she became the Bluejays’ starting libero and aided the program to a share of the Big East title and a berth in the NCAA Tournament.&nbsp;&nbsp;

"I am extremely happy to have Allison join our staff,'' CSM Head Coach&nbsp;Rick Pruett&nbsp;said. "She will bring a lot of energy and knowledge to our team. She will be our passing and defensive coach and will help our team to improve those parts of our game.''&nbsp;

Pruett enters his ninth season leading the Flames, having compiled a 146-96record with four NAIA national tournament appearances. He also currently serves as the Supernovas’ Director of Operations.&nbsp;

The College of Saint Mary has been a premier partner of the Supernovas since the team’s inaugural season. CSM’s&nbsp;Lied Fitness Center and Fieldhouse&nbsp;currently serves as the franchise’s official practice facility, providing a state-of-the-art space for training, practices, and special events. One highlight was the 2025 Supernovas Season Ticket Member event, which brought more than 1,200 fans into the fieldhouse to watch an open practice. Following nearly 18 months of construction, the $18 million facility opened in August 2021. The project included a 75,000 square foot addition to the existing Lied Fitness Center, along with a 15,000 square foot renovation of the original space.&nbsp;

About Omaha Supernovas&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;

The Omaha Supernovas are the world’s leading professional volleyball franchise, boasting the No. 1 Pro Volleyball average attendance in the world over the past two seasons. Competing at the CHI Health Center in downtown Omaha, the Supernovas won the first Pro Volleyball Championship in its inaugural season in 2024. That momentum carried over into 2025 where the Supernovas captured the league’s regular-season title while continuing to break its own world records. As the driving force in professional volleyball, the Supernovas have set the standard for in-venue fan experience, community engagement, player treatment, sponsorships, and strategic brand building.&nbsp;

Story by Omaha Supernovas CommunicationOMAHA, Neb.&nbsp;–&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="https://db9xbvgbb.cc.rs6.net/tn.jsp?f=001xobYdGdRvjj3LQs09nsd_lSprj-Kvng5bPGquhtGUvVXy0yPnOjW26LG1KsELInQ72bmCz5CS0kuyObwHmqxGtM8Q_XuLv5BfuH6gK9GCVH-9qwK0VkSKBxnioD3Cx_prHD4UHWLg3DSdTPyGFFXEfqZ9cKUWC_7&amp;c=SHUKVJ8Skk8FcSSa-4RaC-8YJ9uoJvu0a_fXZPC15uQ_jzh4xmhmZw==&amp;ch=5W_NGLRsUVFgeih-QnnAfitiDKYvMP9kIInCRddOPcWYqitUoHKocQ==">Omaha Supernovas</a><a target="_blank" href="https://db9xbvgbb.cc.rs6.net/tn.jsp?f=001xobYdGdRvjj3LQs09nsd_lSprj-Kvng5bPGquhtGUvVXy0yPnOjW26LG1KsELInQ72bmCz5CS0kuyObwHmqxGtM8Q_XuLv5BfuH6gK9GCVH-9qwK0VkSKBxnioD3Cx_prHD4UHWLg3ALGABRRBwyScLKB_3p4c6q&amp;c=SHUKVJ8Skk8FcSSa-4RaC-8YJ9uoJvu0a_fXZPC15uQ_jzh4xmhmZw==&amp;ch=5W_NGLRsUVFgeih-QnnAfitiDKYvMP9kIInCRddOPcWYqitUoHKocQ==">,</a>&nbsp;the world's leading professional volleyball franchise, proudly congratulates&nbsp;Allison Whitten&nbsp;on joining the College of Saint Mary volleyball coaching staff.&nbsp;A South Carolina native, Whitten recently finished her first professional season with the Supernovas in 2025, emerging as the team’s starting libero over the final five matches. Her strong defensive play helped propel Omaha to capture the league’s regular season title.&nbsp;&nbsp;"I'm extremely excited for the opportunity to join the coaching staff at CSM! The fall college season is the perfect complement to the professional season in the spring, allowing me to experience the best of both coaching and playing,” Whitten said. “It's a chance for me to stay connected with the sport I love and keep developing as a player. That experience helps me bring even more back to the court as a coach. My hope is to add to the previous success of the Flames while continuing to train and prepare myself for the upcoming pro season."&nbsp;Before turning pro, Whitten enjoyed a standout five-year collegiate career. She was a four-year starter at Morehead State before transferring to Creighton for her final season in 2022. There, she became the Bluejays’ starting libero and aided the program to a share of the Big East title and a berth in the NCAA Tournament.&nbsp;&nbsp;"I am extremely happy to have Allison join our staff,'' CSM Head Coach&nbsp;Rick Pruett&nbsp;said. "She will bring a lot of energy and knowledge to our team. She will be our passing and defensive coach and will help our team to improve those parts of our game.''&nbsp;Pruett enters his ninth season leading the Flames, having compiled a 146-96record with four NAIA national tournament appearances. He also currently serves as the Supernovas’ Director of Operations.&nbsp;The College of Saint Mary has been a premier partner of the Supernovas since the team’s inaugural season. CSM’s&nbsp;Lied Fitness Center and Fieldhouse&nbsp;currently serves as the franchise’s official practice facility, providing a state-of-the-art space for training, practices, and special events. One highlight was the 2025 Supernovas Season Ticket Member event, which brought more than 1,200 fans into the fieldhouse to watch an open practice. Following nearly 18 months of construction, the $18 million facility opened in August 2021. The project included a 75,000 square foot addition to the existing Lied Fitness Center, along with a 15,000 square foot renovation of the original space.&nbsp;About Omaha Supernovas&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;The Omaha Supernovas are the world’s leading professional volleyball franchise, boasting the No. 1 Pro Volleyball average attendance in the world over the past two seasons. Competing at the CHI Health Center in downtown Omaha, the Supernovas won the first Pro Volleyball Championship in its inaugural season in 2024. That momentum carried over into 2025 where the Supernovas captured the league’s regular-season title while continuing to break its own world records. As the driving force in professional volleyball, the Supernovas have set the standard for in-venue fan experience, community engagement, player treatment, sponsorships, and strategic brand building.&nbsp;

Supernovas Libero Allison Whitten named Assistant Coach at College of Saint Mary 

NORTH PLATTE, Neb. (July 29, 2025) — After two days of competition on North Platte’s premier golf courses, the 2025 North Platte Junior Ambassadors Golf Tournament crowned its age-group champions Tuesday following the final round at Rivers Edge Golf Course.

The annual two-day event brought together dozens of young golfers ranging from age 7 to 18. The opening round was held Monday at Lake Maloney Golf Course, with Tuesday’s final round challenging players with the tighter fairways and hazards of Rivers Edge.

In the 16-18 boys division, Reid Loop emerged as the overall winner with a two-day total of +8, fending off a charge from Logan Hayes (+16) and Camden Weaver (+17). Loop’s consistent play across both days proved key as he held off a competitive field of 19 players.

Among younger players, Cooper Rippen took the Boys 7-9 title with a total of +10, finishing ten strokes ahead of runner-up Carter Schwartz (+20). Rippen’s opening round lead held strong despite pressure from the field.

Henry Amen dazzled in the Boys 10-11 category, shooting a tournament-best -8, the only sub-par performance across all age groups. Elias Champ placed second at -1, while Ryan O’Neill finished third at +11.

The Girls 16-18 division was won by Allie Jones with a two-day total of +25, ahead of Sawyer Swarm (+30) and Ansley Cadwallader (+59).

In the Girls 8-10 division, Merelise Champ topped the leaderboard at +25, while Hadley Amen claimed the Girls 11-12 title at +17. Micajah Long shot +38 to win the Girls 14-15 flight.

The Junior Ambassadors tournament remains a showcase for youth golf in western Nebraska, offering players a chance to compete in a formal setting and prepare for future high school and collegiate competition.

Final Results — North Platte Junior Ambassadors Golf Tournament

Round 1: Lake Maloney Golf Course • Round 2: Rivers Edge Golf Course

NORTH PLATTE, Neb. (July 29, 2025) — After two days of competition on North Platte’s premier golf courses, the 2025 North Platte Junior Ambassadors Golf Tournament crowned its age-group champions Tuesday following the final round at Rivers Edge Golf Course.The annual two-day event brought together dozens of young golfers ranging from age 7 to 18. The opening round was held Monday at Lake Maloney Golf Course, with Tuesday’s final round challenging players with the tighter fairways and hazards of Rivers Edge.In the 16-18 boys division, Reid Loop emerged as the overall winner with a two-day total of +8, fending off a charge from Logan Hayes (+16) and Camden Weaver (+17). Loop’s consistent play across both days proved key as he held off a competitive field of 19 players.Among younger players, Cooper Rippen took the Boys 7-9 title with a total of +10, finishing ten strokes ahead of runner-up Carter Schwartz (+20). Rippen’s opening round lead held strong despite pressure from the field.Henry Amen dazzled in the Boys 10-11 category, shooting a tournament-best -8, the only sub-par performance across all age groups. Elias Champ placed second at -1, while Ryan O’Neill finished third at +11.The Girls 16-18 division was won by Allie Jones with a two-day total of +25, ahead of Sawyer Swarm (+30) and Ansley Cadwallader (+59).In the Girls 8-10 division, Merelise Champ topped the leaderboard at +25, while Hadley Amen claimed the Girls 11-12 title at +17. Micajah Long shot +38 to win the Girls 14-15 flight.The Junior Ambassadors tournament remains a showcase for youth golf in western Nebraska, offering players a chance to compete in a formal setting and prepare for future high school and collegiate competition.<h2>Final Results — North Platte Junior Ambassadors Golf Tournament</h2>Round 1: Lake Maloney Golf Course • Round 2: Rivers Edge Golf CourseBoys 7-9<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2025/7/1753842142390.jpeg" alt="Winners of the Boys 7-9 flight stand on the stage Tuesday following the final day of play at the 2025 Junior Ambassador Classic in North Platte. Pictured left to right are: Cooper Rippen, McCook, &nbsp;(first place); Carter Schwartz, Kearney, (second); Cooper Peers, Mullen, (third) and Aric Sharp, McCook, (fourth)" />
 <figcaption>Winners of the Boys 7-9 flight stand on the stage Tuesday following the final day of play at the 2025 Junior Ambassador Classic in North Platte. Pictured left to right are: Cooper Rippen, McCook, &nbsp;(first place); Carter Schwartz, Kearney, (second); Cooper Peers, Mullen, (third) and Aric Sharp, McCook, (fourth)</figcaption>
 </figure><ol>
 <li>+10 Cooper Rippen
</li><li>+20 Carter Schwartz
</li><li>+34 Cooper Peers
</li><li>Aric Sharp
</li><li>Hank Blaylock
</li><li>Brooks Baker
</li><li>Teddy Burwick
</li><li>Quincy Purvis
NS. Patrick Halouska
</li>
 </ol>Boys 10-11<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2025/7/1753842231023.jpeg" alt="Winners of the Boys 10-11 flight stand on the stage Tuesday following the final day of play at the 2025 Junior Ambassador Classic in North Platte. Pictured left to right are: Henry Amen, Imperial, (first); Elias Champ, Fremont, (second); Ryan O’Neill, North Platte, (third); Jase Wolf, Stuart, (fourth) and Owen Purvis, Kearney, (fifth). " />
 <figcaption>Winners of the Boys 10-11 flight stand on the stage Tuesday following the final day of play at the 2025 Junior Ambassador Classic in North Platte. Pictured left to right are: Henry Amen, Imperial, (first); Elias Champ, Fremont, (second); Ryan O’Neill, North Platte, (third); Jase Wolf, Stuart, (fourth) and Owen Purvis, Kearney, (fifth). </figcaption>
 </figure><ol>
 <li>-8 Henry Amen
</li><li>-1 Elias Champ
</li><li>+11 Ryan O’Neill
</li><li>Jase Wolf
</li><li>Owen Purvis
</li><li>Seve Jarzynka
</li><li>Maddox Bash
</li><li>Ryder Schmoldt
</li><li>Max Burwick
</li>
 </ol>Boys 12-13<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2025/7/1753842299265.jpeg" alt="Winners of the Boys 12-13 flight stand on the stage Tuesday following the final day of play at the 2025 Junior Ambassador Classic in North Platte. Pictured left to right are: Noah Sedlacek, Kearney, (first); Alec Simonson, North Platte, (second); Kaden Brown, North Platte, (third); Cray Kleewein, North Platte, (fourth) and Jackson Phillips, North Platte, (fifth)." />
 <figcaption>Winners of the Boys 12-13 flight stand on the stage Tuesday following the final day of play at the 2025 Junior Ambassador Classic in North Platte. Pictured left to right are: Noah Sedlacek, Kearney, (first); Alec Simonson, North Platte, (second); Kaden Brown, North Platte, (third); Cray Kleewein, North Platte, (fourth) and Jackson Phillips, North Platte, (fifth).</figcaption>
 </figure><ol>
 <li>+33 Noah Sedlacek
</li><li>+41 Alec Simonson
</li><li>+46 Kaden Brown
</li><li>Cray Kleewein
</li><li>Jackson Phillips&nbsp;</li><li>T6. Austin Schmoldt&nbsp;</li><li>T6. Greyson Roelfs
</li><li>Grayson Fleck
</li><li>Max Haneborg
</li><li>Tate Brinker
</li><li>Cruz Bear Killer&nbsp;</li><li>T12. Ridley Hofstetter&nbsp;</li><li>T12. Kaden Blaylock
</li><li>Zarek Malsbury&nbsp;</li><li>NC. Kazuki Kitabatake
</li>
 </ol>Boys 14-15<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2025/7/1753842445561.jpeg" alt="Winners of the Boys 14-15 flight stand on the stage Tuesday following the final day of play at the 2025 Junior Ambassador Classic in North Platte. Pictured left to right are: Connor Bash, Kearney, (first); Ben Werner, Mullen, (second); Jaylen Cummings, North Platte (third); Keaton Loop, McCook, (tie for fourth) and Lawson Cochran, Kearney, (tie for fourth)." />
 <figcaption>Winners of the Boys 14-15 flight stand on the stage Tuesday following the final day of play at the 2025 Junior Ambassador Classic in North Platte. Pictured left to right are: Connor Bash, Kearney, (first); Ben Werner, Mullen, (second); Jaylen Cummings, North Platte (third); Keaton Loop, McCook, (tie for fourth) and Lawson Cochran, Kearney, (tie for fourth).</figcaption>
 </figure><ol>
 <li>+11 Connor Bash
</li><li>+14 Ben Werner
</li><li>+20 Jaylen Cummings&nbsp;</li><li>T4. Keaton Loop&nbsp;</li><li>T4. Lawson Cockran
</li><li>Brody Hedstrom
</li><li>Landry Hammond
</li><li>Samuel Hunter
</li><li>Daxton Harmon
</li><li>Mattix Woodburn
</li><li>Brody Evans
</li><li>Teegan O’Brien
</li><li>Liam Bargell
</li><li>Jackson Weaver
</li><li>Jude Swarm
</li><li>Lukas Dawson
</li><li>Peyton Mustin
NS. Chase Ehlers
</li>
 </ol>Boys 16-18<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2025/7/1753842526877.jpeg" alt="Winners of the Boys 16-18 flight stand on the stage Tuesday following the final day of play at the 2025 Junior Ambassador Classic in North Platte. Pictured left to right are: Reid Loop, McCook, (first); Logan Hayes, North Platte, (second); Camden Weaver, North Platte, (third); Charlie Hunter, North Platte, (fourth); Landon Shepherd, North Platte, (fifth)." />
 <figcaption>Winners of the Boys 16-18 flight stand on the stage Tuesday following the final day of play at the 2025 Junior Ambassador Classic in North Platte. Pictured left to right are: Reid Loop, McCook, (first); Logan Hayes, North Platte, (second); Camden Weaver, North Platte, (third); Charlie Hunter, North Platte, (fourth); Landon Shepherd, North Platte, (fifth).</figcaption>
 </figure><ol>
 <li>+8 Reid Loop
</li><li>+16 Logan Hayes
</li><li>+17 Camden Weaver
</li><li>Charlie Hunter
</li><li>Landon Shepherd
</li><li>Trey Bartels&nbsp;</li><li>T7. Tucker Kemp&nbsp;</li><li>T7. Jaxon Weedman&nbsp;</li><li>T9. Caden Stankoski&nbsp;</li><li>T9. Timothy Blakely
</li><li>Karter Phillips
</li><li>Logan Robirds
</li><li>Wyatt Benes
</li><li>Haydn Stretesky
</li><li>Tanner Owens
</li><li>Crew Witthuhn
</li><li>Eli Fiscus
NC. Madden Robinson
NC. Nehemiah Andrews
</li>
 </ol>Girls 8-10<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2025/7/1753842600123.jpeg" alt="Winners of the Girls 8-10 flight stand on the stage Tuesday following the final day of play at the 2025 Junior Ambassador Classic in North Platte. Pictured left to right are: Merelise Champ, Fremont, (first); Hanami Kitabatake, Kearney, (second) and Amity Loop, McCook, (third)." />
 <figcaption>Winners of the Girls 8-10 flight stand on the stage Tuesday following the final day of play at the 2025 Junior Ambassador Classic in North Platte. Pictured left to right are: Merelise Champ, Fremont, (first); Hanami Kitabatake, Kearney, (second) and Amity Loop, McCook, (third).</figcaption>
 </figure><ol>
 <li>+25 Merelise Champ
</li><li>+57 Hanami Kitabatake
</li><li>+68 Amity Loop
</li>
 </ol>Girls 11-12<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2025/7/1753842651831.jpeg" alt="Winners of the Girls 11-12 flight stand on the stage Tuesday following the final day of play at the 2025 Junior Ambassador Classic in North Platte. Pictured left to right are: Hadley Amen, Imperial, (first) and Myla Panas, Bridgeport, (second). " />
 <figcaption>Winners of the Girls 11-12 flight stand on the stage Tuesday following the final day of play at the 2025 Junior Ambassador Classic in North Platte. Pictured left to right are: Hadley Amen, Imperial, (first) and Myla Panas, Bridgeport, (second). </figcaption>
 </figure><ol>
 <li>+17 Hadley Amen
</li><li>+20 Myla Panas
</li>
 </ol>Girls 14-15<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2025/7/1753842697555.jpeg" alt="Winners of the Girls 14-15 flight stand on the stage Tuesday following the final day of play at the 2025 Junior Ambassador Classic in North Platte. Pictured left to right are: Micajah Long, Kearney, (first); Janee Wagner, North Platte, (second); Gia Baker, North Platte, (third); Cyline Covey, North Platte, (fourth) and Taylor Race, North Platte, (fifth)." />
 <figcaption>Winners of the Girls 14-15 flight stand on the stage Tuesday following the final day of play at the 2025 Junior Ambassador Classic in North Platte. Pictured left to right are: Micajah Long, Kearney, (first); Janee Wagner, North Platte, (second); Gia Baker, North Platte, (third); Cyline Covey, North Platte, (fourth) and Taylor Race, North Platte, (fifth).</figcaption>
 </figure><ol>
 <li>+38 Micajah Long
</li><li>+41 Janee Wagner
</li><li>+57 Gia Baker
</li><li>Cyline Covey
</li><li>Taylor Race
</li><li>Izetta Schultz
</li><li>Oliwia Wiezorek
</li>
 </ol>Girls 16-18<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2025/7/1753842752215.jpeg" alt="Winners of the Girls 16-18 flight stand on the stage Tuesday following the final day of play at the 2025 Junior Ambassador Classic in North Platte. Pictured left to right are: Allie Jones, North Platte, (first); Sawyer Swarm, Kearney, (second); Ansley Cadwallader, Atkinson, (third); Neeva Fisher, North Platte, (fourth) and Presley Pettera, North Platte, (fifth)." />
 <figcaption>Winners of the Girls 16-18 flight stand on the stage Tuesday following the final day of play at the 2025 Junior Ambassador Classic in North Platte. Pictured left to right are: Allie Jones, North Platte, (first); Sawyer Swarm, Kearney, (second); Ansley Cadwallader, Atkinson, (third); Neeva Fisher, North Platte, (fourth) and Presley Pettera, North Platte, (fifth).</figcaption>
 </figure><ol>
 <li>+25 Allie Jones
</li><li>+30 Sawyer Swarm
</li><li>+59 Ansley Cadwallader
</li><li>Neeva Fisher
</li><li>Presley Pettera</li>
 </ol>

Rippen, Amen, and Loop Top Divisions at Junior Ambassador Golf Finals

Story by UNK Athletic Communication

UNK went 5-6 (3-6 MIAA) last fall, posting a 3-3 record in games decided by eight points or less. The Lopers had a 4-2 road mark and eight all-league selections.&nbsp;

The Lopers tallied 28 points in the coaches' poll, just a point behind Missouri Western, to rank eighth. Last year in St. Joseph, UNK walked off the Griffons, 24-23. Right ahead of this pair is Northwest Missouri with 41 points. The Blue &amp; Gold downed the Bearcats, 21-14, at Cope Stadium last September.

On the media side, the Lopers tallied 120 points to rank seventh with Emporia (167) coming in sixth. Mo West (107) is behind UNK with Pittsburg State and Central Oklahoma occupying the top two spots in each poll. UCO won the 2024 regular season title with a 8-1 league mark, followed by Pitt (7-2).

Story by UNK Athletic CommunicationUNK went 5-6 (3-6 MIAA) last fall, posting a 3-3 record in games decided by eight points or less. The Lopers had a 4-2 road mark and eight all-league selections.&nbsp;The Lopers tallied 28 points in the coaches' poll, just a point behind Missouri Western, to rank eighth. Last year in St. Joseph, UNK walked off the Griffons, 24-23. Right ahead of this pair is Northwest Missouri with 41 points. The Blue &amp; Gold downed the Bearcats, 21-14, at Cope Stadium last September.On the media side, the Lopers tallied 120 points to rank seventh with Emporia (167) coming in sixth. Mo West (107) is behind UNK with Pittsburg State and Central Oklahoma occupying the top two spots in each poll. UCO won the 2024 regular season title with a 8-1 league mark, followed by Pitt (7-2).Held and his staff have 29 letterwinners returning from a 5-6 squad including 13 starters (four offense, five defense and four special teams). Besides Harris and Johnson, returning veterans include All-MIAA offensive linemen Wyatt Marr (Lincoln Lutheran) and Carter Klein (Pleasanton), wide receiver/punt returner Zane Schawang (Waverly), d-linemen Caleb Freeland (Folsom, Calif.) and Josh Davies-Balogun (Richmond, Texas), linebacker Parker Wise (Kearney H.S.) and defensive backs Jovan Marsh (Robbins, Ill.) and CJ Kuehl (Indianola, Ia.).&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Fall camp begins on Monday, Aug. 4, with the opener set for Thursday, Aug. 29, at Wayne State.&nbsp;MIAA Coaches Poll (1st Place) – Points1. Central Oklahoma [7] - 78 points2. Pittsburg State [3] - 75 points3. Fort Hays State - 62 points4. Central Missouri - 57 points5. Emporia State - 50 points6. Northwest Missouri - 41 points7. Missouri Western - 29 points8. UNK - 28 points9. Washburn - 21 points10. Missouri Southern - 9 points2025 MIAA FOOTBALL PRESEASON MEDIA POLL1. Pittsburg State [13] - 310 points2. Central Oklahoma [18] - 307 points3. Fort Hays State [2] - 271 points4. Central Missouri [1] - 239 points5. Northwest Missouri - 215 points6. Emporia State - 167 points7. UNK - 120 points8. Missouri Western - 107 points9. Washburn - 88 points10. Missouri Southern - 46 points&nbsp;