Sports
Here's a look at documents from sports organizations
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Six Teams in the NAIA Men's Volleyball Top 15 Remain Undefeated
KANSAS CITY, Missouri, Feb. 12 -- The National Association of Intercollegiate Athletics posted the following news release on Feb. 11, 2026:
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Six Teams in the NAIA Men's Volleyball Top 15 Remain Undefeated
The first regular-season NAIA Men's Volleyball Top 15 brings a wave of early season momentum shifts, highlighted by several undefeated teams climbing rapidly through the rankings.
The Master's (Calif.) holds steady at No. 1, securing all six first place votes after a flawless start, with Saint Xavier (Ill.) close behind at No. 2. The real shake ups, however, come just below them: Park
... Show Full Article
KANSAS CITY, Missouri, Feb. 12 -- The National Association of Intercollegiate Athletics posted the following news release on Feb. 11, 2026:
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Six Teams in the NAIA Men's Volleyball Top 15 Remain Undefeated
The first regular-season NAIA Men's Volleyball Top 15 brings a wave of early season momentum shifts, highlighted by several undefeated teams climbing rapidly through the rankings.
The Master's (Calif.) holds steady at No. 1, securing all six first place votes after a flawless start, with Saint Xavier (Ill.) close behind at No. 2. The real shake ups, however, come just below them: Park(Mo.) surges into the top three behind a steady 9-0 run, while Missouri Valley and Campbellsville (Ky.) round out a newly crowded, unbeaten top five. The middle of the poll features fresh faces and big moves, with Lawrence Tech (Mich.), William Penn (Iowa), OUAZ (Ariz.), Bethel (Ind.) and Lourdes (Ohio) all rising after strong performances across multiple tournaments. Meanwhile, St. Thomas (Fla.) and Georgetown (Ky.) slide following tough stretches.
1. The Master's (Calif.)
Games prior to next poll: Feb. 21 Vanguard
The Master's men's volleyball team has opened the season with an impressive 4-0 start, in their four-match stretch, the Mustangs hit over .300 three times--including a dominant .531 performance against Long Island University--while also displaying resilience, as seen in their four-set wins over Saint Xavier (Ill.) and Concordia Irvine. Isaac Seltzer has powered the offense with 58 kills at a .385 clip, averaging an outstanding 4.14 kills per set, while Trace Oswald and Ezra Vlad have added reliable secondary scoring with efficient swings and timely attacks. Setter Matthew Hamm has anchored the offense with exceptional distribution, averaging 10.00 assists per set, helping the Mustangs maintain a fast, dynamic rhythm.
2. Saint Xavier (Ill.)
Games prior to next poll: Feb. 13 Georgetown (Ky.), Feb. 17 Calumet (Ind.), Feb. 21 St. Ambrose (Iowa), Feb. 21 Cornerstone (Mich.), Feb. 23 Trinity Christian (Ill.)
Saint Xavier men's volleyball is off to a strong 6-2 start, riding a five match winning streak and showcasing a powerful, well balanced offense led by multiple high impact hitters. Graduate outside hitter Matt Pennala has been a dominant force, averaging 4.04 kills per set with 128 total points, while junior Caydann Cox provides an equally explosive presence at 3.19 kills per set. The Cougars' efficiency at the net has been bolstered by freshman middle Hayden Grange, who's hitting an impressive .520 on the year, and setter Cameron Daniels, directing the offense, who distributed more than 10 assists per set and has won the first two NAIA Setter of the Week Awards this season. After early road losses to The Master's (Calif.) and Concordia Irvine, Saint Xavier has rebounded, sweeping four of its last five matches and posting hitting percentages over .400 in several outings, including standout wins over Vanguard and Grand View (Iowa).
3. Park (Mo.)
Games prior to next poll: Feb. 12 Culver-Stockton (Mo.), Feb. 14 Missouri Valley, Feb. 17 Ottawa (Kan.), Feb. 20 Mount Mercy (Iowa), Feb. 21 Clarke (Iowa), Feb. 24 Kansas Wesleyan
Park men's volleyball has opened the season with a flawless 9-0 record, thanks to a deep attacking core led by Adrian Figueroa and Murillo Silva, who are each averaging an impressive 4.25 and 3.79 kills per set while hitting over .400. Park's efficiency at the net has been exceptional, with multiple hitters--including Mihailo Ivanovic, Moises Ortiz, and freshman standout Kaabeche Abdelmouaiz--swinging above .375 on the year. Their offense has been powered by strong setting from Jovan Nikolic and Umberto Caleca, who together distribute over 16 assists per match. With consistent production across five hitters averaging over two kills per set, plus high-impact depth from freshmen and seniors alike, Park has swept five opponents and battled through tough wins over Rockhurst and Oakland City (Ind.).
4. Missouri Valley
Games prior to next poll:
Missouri Valley has opened the season with a flawless 8-0 record with senior opposite Luca Hasse as the driving force of the attack, averaging 2.91 kills per set while hitting an impressive .443 to anchor the Vikings' offense. Freshman standouts Bart Mulder and Andrey Bastos have added reliable scoring on the pins, combining for nearly four kills per set and providing steady production in high pressure moments. Missouri Valley's middle blockers have been equally impactful, with veterans like Pedro Berti and Arthur Martenelli delivering a strong blocking presence and efficient hitting above .395. The Vikings' offense runs smoothly behind setter Leonardo Goncalves, whose 7.88 assists per set have kept the attack dynamic and unpredictable. Supported by a stable back row rotation and consistent serve receive, Missouri Valley has swept four opponents and secured key wins both at home and on the road.
5. Campbellsville (Ky.)
Games prior to next poll: Feb. 13 Bethel (Ind.), Feb. 14 Governors State (Ill.), Feb. 20 IU East (Ind.), Feb. 24 Brescia (Ga.)
Campbellsville men's volleyball has opened the season with an undefeated 10-0 start, establishing itself as one of the hottest teams in the NAIA with a deep, dynamic roster and impressive consistency across every matchup. Offensively, Campbellsville spreads the attack with remarkable balance: Ayoube Hamadache leads the team with 2.69 kills per set, while middle Pedro Zavatini has been incredibly efficient at a .509 hitting percentage. Freshman Savvas Christou and junior Denzel Madrigal add additional scoring punch on the pins, combining for over five kills per set. Setter Alonzo Vega has been the engine of the Tigers' offense, averaging 10.5 assists per set.
[View table in the link at bottom.]
Dropped from the Top 15: Westcliff (Calif.), Missouri Baptist, Benedictine Mesa (Ariz.), Hope International (Calif.)
Receiving Votes: Westcliff (Calif.) 22, Missouri Baptist 16, Reinhardt (Ga.) 14, Cornerstone (Mich.) 10, Oakland City (Ind.) 9
Poll Methodology
* The national poll is for publicity purposes only and does not influence the selection process for national championship consideration.
* A panel of head coaches representing each conference and the Continental Athletic Conference (Independents) votes in the poll.
* The Top 25 teams are selected using a points-based system:
- 30 points for a 1st-place vote, 29 for 2nd, 28 for 3rd, and so on.
* The highest and lowest rankings received by each team are discarded before final tallying.
* Teams receiving only one point are not listed as "receiving votes."
* For the Preseason Poll, there is no "previous ranking" column since it is the initial poll and differs from the prior rating system.
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Original text here: https://www.naia.org/sports/mvball/2025-26/releases/Poll_1
[Category: Sports]
NBA and American Express Announce Multiyear Partnership Extension
NEW YORK, Feb. 11 -- The National Basketball Association posted the following news release on Feb. 10, 2026:
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NBA and American Express announce multiyear partnership extension
American Express (NYSE: AXP) and the National Basketball Association (NBA) today announced a multiyear renewal of their longstanding partnership, which also spans the Women's National Basketball Association (WNBA), NBA G League, USA Basketball and NBA Take-Two Media. American Express, the leagues' Official Payment Partner, also maintains team partnerships with the Brooklyn Nets, Chicago Bulls, Los Angeles Lakers,
... Show Full Article
NEW YORK, Feb. 11 -- The National Basketball Association posted the following news release on Feb. 10, 2026:
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NBA and American Express announce multiyear partnership extension
American Express (NYSE: AXP) and the National Basketball Association (NBA) today announced a multiyear renewal of their longstanding partnership, which also spans the Women's National Basketball Association (WNBA), NBA G League, USA Basketball and NBA Take-Two Media. American Express, the leagues' Official Payment Partner, also maintains team partnerships with the Brooklyn Nets, Chicago Bulls, Los Angeles Lakers,Utah Jazz, and New York Liberty.
"Our longtime partnership with the NBA is rooted in a shared commitment to deliver exceptional experiences and access for our customers and fans, in-person and through digital platforms. This next chapter builds on that foundation," said Bess Spaeth, Executive Vice President, Global Brand Management and Experiences, American Express. "We continue to innovate across our global sports partnerships to deliver even more value and experiences -- whether you're at a live event or watching from home -- and are excited to keep raising the bar with the NBA for many seasons to come."
"The NBA's extension with American Express reflects the depth and continued growth of our long-standing partnership," said Lauren Sullivan, SVP, Head of Partner Management, NBA. "Our expanded relationship deepens American Express' engagement across our league platforms and introduces new opportunities to connect with fans and Amex's Card Members through exclusive access to content and personalized experiences - bringing fans closer to the game they love."
Expanding the Partnership
Under the new agreement, American Express is deepening its presence across the league through increased investment in the WNBA and adding USA Basketball, including the Men's and Women's National Teams, and NBA Take-Two Media.
As part of this multi-year deal, American Express will serve as the entitlement partner of NBA Tip-Off and NBA G League Tip-Off. American Express is also the title partner of NBC and Peacock's NBA halftime show, American Express At the Half.
American Express and the NBA will launch a connected member program with NBA ID, the NBA's free membership program that provides fans access to a variety of benefits, including exclusive offers from NBA partners, ticket promotions, and members-only voting campaigns. The program will offer exclusive perks to American Express Card Members and NBA ID members who link their accounts.
In addition, American Express will be the presenting partner of exclusive content across NBA, WNBA, G League, USA Basketball and NBA Take-Two Media social channels.
Fan-Focused Experiences and Perks
American Express will continue to offer engaging experiences and value for basketball fans, including:
* American Express Card Member access to fast pass lanes at select marquee events, merchandise discounts and offers at NBAstore.com during specified periods throughout the season, and Amex Reserved Tickets(R) for NBA All-Star, NBA Draft, WNBA All-Star and USA Basketball Showcase.
* Reimagined NBA2K in-game perks and experiences beginning with 2K27.
* Jersey Assurance, which offers all fans who purchase a jersey from the NBA Store (in-store or online) the option to request a replacement jersey if that player switches teams within 90 days of purchase, or within 365 days if purchased with an American Express Card (replacements must be made within 14 days of the trade). Terms and restrictions apply. Learn more here.
* Special fan experiences around NBA All-Star and NBA Tip-Off including Card Member access to premium hospitality and experiences at marquee league events.
NBA All-Star 2026
At NBA All-Star 2026, American Express will offer Card Members and fans with special access to a vintage, NBA-inspired experience, at "The American Express x Fanatics Real Vintage Vault" in Venice Beach.
"The Vault" will feature a limited-edition merchandise collection curated in collaboration with Fanatics Real Vintage and available for purchase on-site. For a limited time, the collection will also be available on the Fanatics Real Vintage online store where Card Members can receive 10% off qualifying purchases this weekend by paying with an eligible American Express Card and using the code AMEX10 at check-out, while supplies last. The experience will also include a display of notable NBA memorabilia, perks for Card Members and a meet and greet with NBA players for Card Members who register on-site (space is extremely limited).
At NBA Crossover, Card Members can access a priority entrance "Fast Lane" for expedited entry into the event throughout the weekend.
Eligible American Express Card Members can also enroll in an offer to get $10 back after they spend $100 on official NBA All-Star merch at NBA Crossover and participating hotel locations. Terms and exclusions apply.
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About American Express
American Express (NYSE: AXP) is a global payments and premium lifestyle brand powered by technology. Our colleagues around the world back our customers with differentiated products, services and experiences that enrich lives and build business success.
Founded in 1850 and headquartered in New York, American Express' brand is built on trust, security, and service, and a rich history of delivering innovation and Membership value for our customers. With over a hundred million merchant locations across our global network, we seek to provide the world's best customer experience every day to a broad range of consumers, small and medium-sized businesses, and large corporations.
For more information about American Express, visit americanexpress.com, americanexpress.com/en-us/newsroom/, and ir.americanexpress.com.
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About the NBA
The National Basketball Association (NBA) is a global sports and media organization with the mission to inspire and connect people everywhere through the power of basketball. Built around five professional sports leagues: the NBA, WNBA, NBA G League, NBA 2K League and Basketball Africa League, the NBA has established a major international presence with games and programming available in 214 countries and territories in more than 50 languages, and merchandise for sale in more than 200 countries and territories on all seven continents. NBA rosters at the start of the 2025-26 season featured a record 135 international players from a record-tying 43 countries. The NBA's digital assets include NBA TV, NBA.com, the NBA App and NBA League Pass. The NBA has created one of the largest social media communities in the world, with more than 2.5 billion likes and followers globally across all leagues, team and player platforms. NBA Cares, the NBA's global social impact platform celebrating its 20th year, drives change on issues facing fans and communities in the areas of health and wellness, civic engagement, social justice and inclusion, and sustainability.
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Original text here: https://pr.nba.com/nba-american-express-partnership-extension/
[Category: Sports]
Six Head Coaches Named To AFCA Board Of Trustees
WACO, Texas, Feb. 10 [Category: Sports] -- The American Football Coaches Association posted the following news:
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Six Head Coaches Named To AFCA Board Of Trustees
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Texas Tech head coach Joey McGuire, New Mexico head coach Jason Eck, San Diego State head coach Sean Lewis, Montana State head coach Brent Vigen, Michigan State head coach Pat Fitzgerald, and Old Dominion head coach Ricky Rahne have been named to the Board of Trustees of the American Football Coaches Association (AFCA). Kentucky wide receivers coach Joe Price III has also been named to the board as an ex officio member.
McGuire
... Show Full Article
WACO, Texas, Feb. 10 [Category: Sports] -- The American Football Coaches Association posted the following news:
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Six Head Coaches Named To AFCA Board Of Trustees
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Texas Tech head coach Joey McGuire, New Mexico head coach Jason Eck, San Diego State head coach Sean Lewis, Montana State head coach Brent Vigen, Michigan State head coach Pat Fitzgerald, and Old Dominion head coach Ricky Rahne have been named to the Board of Trustees of the American Football Coaches Association (AFCA). Kentucky wide receivers coach Joe Price III has also been named to the board as an ex officio member.
McGuirewill be a second Big 12 representative, Eck will represent the Mountain West Conference, Lewis will represent the Pac-12 Conference, Vigen will be an FCS representative, Fitzgerald will be a second Big Ten representative, Rahne will represent the Sun Belt Conference, and Price will be chairman of the FBS Assistant Coaches Committee.
Those coaches will join a group of distinguished head coaches who guide the organization. The Board formulates policy and provides direction for the AFCA, which was founded in 1922 by Amos Alonzo Stagg, John Heisman and others. Returning members of the AFCA Board of Trustees include 2026 president Clark Lea of Vanderbilt, first vice-president Jim Catanzaro of Lake Forest, second vice-president Bret Bielema of Illinois and third vice-president Steve Ryan of Morningside.
Also serving on the Board in 2026 are: Jason Simpson, UT Martin; Alvin Parker, Virginia Union; Tony Elliott, Virginia; Brent Venables, Oklahoma; Jerheme Urban, Trinity (Tex.); Jas Bains, Western Colorado; Jamey Chadwell, Liberty; Jeff Monken, Army West Point; Lance Taylor, Western Michigan; Kalani Sitake, BYU; Rhett Lashlee, SMU; Van Malone, Hampton, ex officio member and chairman of the Minority Advancement Committee; Michael Christensen, Carson (Calif.) High School, ex officio member and chairman of the High School Committee; and Scott Strohmeier, Iowa Western Community College, ex officio member and Junior College representative. AFCA Executive Director Craig Bohl serves as secretary-treasurer of the organization.
McGuire completed his fourth season as head coach at Texas Tech by leading the Red Raiders to a 12-2 record, the program's first Big 12 Conference title and their first appearance in the College Football Playoff. The 12 wins were the most in a single season in program history. McGuire, who earned AFCA Region 4 Coach of the Year honors in 2025, owns a 35-18 record at Texas Tech. Prior to being named head coach for the Red Raiders, McGuire was an assistant coach at Baylor from 2017 to 2021. His first head coaching job came at Cedar Hill (Tex.) High School in 2003. McGuire earned an impressive 141-42 record during his 14 years as head coach with three class 5A state titles.
At New Mexico, Eck became the first Lobo head coach to lead his team to a bowl game in his first season. The Lobos went 9-4 and played in the 2025 Rate Bowl, tying for first place in the Mountain West with a 6-2 record. Those nine victories were also the most for a first-year head coach in New Mexico history. Eck came to Albuquerque after three successful seasons as the head coach at Idaho. He guided the Vandals to a 26-13 overall record with three straight trips to the FCS playoffs, including two quarterfinal appearances in his final two seasons. Eck increased his win total each season, culminating with a 10-4 record in 2024. He began his coaching career as a graduate assistant at Wisconsin in 1999 and spent time as an assistant coach at Colorado, Idaho, Winona State, Ball State, Hampton, Western Illinois, Minnesota State, Montana State, and South Dakota State before being named head coach at Idaho in 2022.
Lewis turned San Diego State around in his second season as head coach, leading the Aztecs from a 3-9 record in 2024 to a 9-4 mark in 2025. SDSU finished tied for first in the Mountain West Conference regular season and appeared in the New Mexico Bowl. The former Wisconsin tight end arrived at San Diego State after one season as the offensive coordinator at Colorado. Prior to that, Lewis was the head coach at Kent State from 2018 to 2022. He guided the Golden Flashes to a pair of bowl games and the Mid-American Conference East Division title in 2021. Lewis began his coaching career at Richards (Ill.) High School in 2008, then moved to the college ranks in 2010 as the tight ends coach at Nebraska-Omaha. He was a graduate assistant at Akron in 2011, then worked as an assistant coach at Eastern Illinois, Bowling Green and Syracuse before arriving at Kent State as head coach.
Vigen completed his fifth season at Montana State by guiding the Bobcats to their first national title since 1984. Montana State went 14-2 overall, won the Big Sky Conference for a second year in a row, and beat Illinois State, 35-34 in overtime, to claim the 2025 FCS national championship. Since he arrived at Montana State in 2021, Vigen has led the Bobcats to the playoffs every year with three national championship game appearances and finished first or second in the Big Sky every season. He began his coaching career at North Dakota State in 1998 when his playing days were over. Vigen coached tight ends, quarterbacks and running backs until he moved up to offensive coordinator in 2009. He continued as OC at Wyoming under head coach Craig Bohl from 2014 to 2020 before becoming the head coach at Montana State.
The 2026 season will be Pat Fitzgerald's first as head coach of the Michigan State Spartans. He returns to the sidelines after serving 17 years as head coach at his alma mater, Northwestern. From 2006 to 2022, Fitzgerald guided the Wildcats to 110 victories, 10 bowl games and two Big Ten West Division titles. The winningest head coach in Northwestern history, Fitzgerald was named Big Ten Coach of the Year twice and won the Dodd Trophy in 2020 after leading the Wildcats to a No. 10 national ranking and victory over Auburn in the Citrus Bowl. Northwestern won the AFCA Academic Achievement Award seven times under Fitzgerald, and he was named Honorary Head Coach of the 2017 Allstate AFCA Good Works Team. Fitzgerald returns to the AFCA Board of Trustees after serving as president of the association in 2021. His first run on the board was from 2012 to 2021.
In 2025, Rahne led Old Dominion to their best finish in 10 years. The Monarchs finished second in the Sun Belt East Division, recorded an overall record of 10-3 and beat South Florida in the StaffDNA Cure Bowl. His first season as head coach was cancelled because of the Covid-19 pandemic, but since then, Rahne has guided Old Dominion to 30 wins and three bowl game appearances. Prior to be named head coach at ODU, Rahne spent six seasons at Penn State as quarterbacks and tight ends coach, then eventually offensive coordinator his final two years. He began his coaching career at Holy Cross in 2004, then returned to his alma mater, Cornell, in 2005 as running backs coach. Rahne spent five years at Kansas State, then followed new head coach James Franklin to Vanderbilt as quarterbacks coach from 2011 to 2013.
Price will begin his first season as wide receivers coach at Kentucky after spending the last six seasons at UTSA. He was the associate head coach, pass game coordinator and wide receivers coach his final three seasons with the Roadrunners after he started out as director of player personnel in 2020. Price started his coaching career at Galena Park (Tex.) High School in 2009 and spent five years as an assistant coach, video coordinator, player development coordinator and recruiting coordinator. He moved on to North Shore (Tex.) High School in 2014 as passing game coordinator, wide receivers coach and recruiting coordinator before making the jump to college football at Illinois in 2019 as the Director of High School Relations.
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Original text here: https://www.afca.com/six-head-coaches-named-to-afca-board-of-trustees/
CIAA INDOOR TRACK AND FIELD ATHLETES OF THE WEEK
CHARLOTTE, North Carolina, Feb. 10 [Category: Sports] -- The Central Intercollegiate Athletic Association issued the following news:
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CIAA INDOOR TRACK AND FIELD ATHLETES OF THE WEEK
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Charlotte, NC (February 10, 2026) - CIAA Indoor Track and Field programs delivered national caliber performances across multiple events as the regular season concluded. Three student athletes earned recognition for their standout results during the week of February 1 through February 7.
WOMEN'S TRACK ATHLETE OF THE WEEK
Morgan Coverson-Springs, Claflin University
Sophomore sprinter Morgan Coverson-Springs
... Show Full Article
CHARLOTTE, North Carolina, Feb. 10 [Category: Sports] -- The Central Intercollegiate Athletic Association issued the following news:
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CIAA INDOOR TRACK AND FIELD ATHLETES OF THE WEEK
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Charlotte, NC (February 10, 2026) - CIAA Indoor Track and Field programs delivered national caliber performances across multiple events as the regular season concluded. Three student athletes earned recognition for their standout results during the week of February 1 through February 7.
WOMEN'S TRACK ATHLETE OF THE WEEK
Morgan Coverson-Springs, Claflin University
Sophomore sprinter Morgan Coverson-Springscontinued her standout indoor season with a national level performance at the Carolina Classic hosted by the University of South Carolina. She recorded an 8.47 in the women's 60 meter hurdles, the tenth fastest time in the nation this season, further establishing herself among the top hurdlers in Division II.
WOMEN'S FIELD ATHLETE OF THE WEEK
Lanyjah Gunter, Winston-Salem State University
Junior jumper Lanyjah Gunter turned in a strong multi event performance, placing second in the long jump with a new personal best mark of 5.76 meters. She also finished eighth in the triple jump with a mark of 11.17 meters, contributing valuable results across the horizontal jumps.
MEN'S TRACK ATHLETE OF THE WEEK
Jaevon Riley, Claflin University
Senior sprinter Jaevon Riley set the national standard once again at the Carolina Classic, winning the men's 400 meters with a time of 46.42, the top mark in the nation this season. Riley also played a key role on Claflin's 4x400 meter relay team, which recorded a qualifying time of 3:14.79.
CIAA Indoor Track and Field now turns its focus to the 2026 CIAA Indoor Track and Field Championships, which will take place this weekend, February 15 through February 16, at Tryon International in Mill Spring, North Carolina.
Media Contact
Anna M. Butzlaff
Associate Commissioner, Strategic Communications
Central Intercollegiate Athletic Association (CIAA)
abutzlaff@theciaa.com
About the CIAA
Founded in 1912, the Central Intercollegiate Athletic Association (CIAA) is the first, and longest running, African American athletic conference in the United States and one of the most recognized conferences in Division II. The CIAA conducts 14 championships attended by more than 150000 fans from around the country. The Basketball Tournament has been honored as a 2019 Champion of Economic Impact in Sports Tourism by Sports Destination Management for both 2018 and 2019.
Headquartered in Charlotte, North Carolina, the CIAA is governed by the Presidents and Chancellors of its 12 member institutions: Bowie State University, Bluefield State University, Claflin University, Elizabeth City State University, Fayetteville State University, Johnson C. Smith University, Lincoln University of Pennsylvania, Livingstone College, Shaw University, Virginia State University, Virginia Union University, and Winston-Salem State University. For more information on the CIAA, visit theciaa.com and follow us on Facebook, Instagram and TikTok.
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Original text here: https://theciaa.com/news/2026/2/9/about-the-ciaa-ciaa-indoor-track-and-field-athletes-of-the-week.aspx
Urban Edge Network to Broadcast Entirety of NAIA Men's and Women's Basketball Championships
KANSAS CITY, Missouri, Feb. 6 -- The National Association of Intercollegiate Athletics posted the following news release on Feb. 5, 2026:
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Urban Edge Network to Broadcast Entirety of NAIA Men's and Women's Basketball Championships
Urban Edge Network (UEN) will air every game of the 2026 NAIA Men's and Women's Basketball Championships, providing wall-to-wall coverage from the First and Second Round, March 13-14, through the national championship games on March 24.
UEN's coverage includes all First and Second Round games for both tournaments, with 48 men's games and 48 women's games broadcast
... Show Full Article
KANSAS CITY, Missouri, Feb. 6 -- The National Association of Intercollegiate Athletics posted the following news release on Feb. 5, 2026:
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Urban Edge Network to Broadcast Entirety of NAIA Men's and Women's Basketball Championships
Urban Edge Network (UEN) will air every game of the 2026 NAIA Men's and Women's Basketball Championships, providing wall-to-wall coverage from the First and Second Round, March 13-14, through the national championship games on March 24.
UEN's coverage includes all First and Second Round games for both tournaments, with 48 men's games and 48 women's games broadcastlive from campus sites across the country.
Coverage continues at the final sites with 15 games from the NAIA Men's Basketball Championship in Kansas City, Mo., and 15 games from the NAIA Women's Basketball Championship in Sioux City, Iowa. All final site games will be produced by Tourbeau Sports Group.
NAIA Network coverage will begin at the final sites, complementing UEN's early-round broadcasts to deliver complete championship access for fans nationwide.
Urban Edge Network has demonstrated strong audience growth across NAIA championships, drawing nearly 3 million viewers during NAIA fall championships and another 2 million viewers in January programming, primarily NAIA basketball coverage, generating nearly 6 million advertising impressions.
"Broadcasting every game of both tournaments ensures NAIA student-athletes, coaches, and fans have unmatched access to the championship experience," said Austin Bennett, NAIA Vice President for Championships. "UEN's reach and commitment to NAIA broadcasts continue to elevate the visibility of NAIA basketball on a national stage."
All games will be available via Urban Edge Network's digital platforms, with additional distribution details to be announced closer to the start of postseason play. For links to UEN and NAIA Network apps, including information on UEN's connected TV app, visit www.naia.org/watch.
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Original text here: https://www.naia.org/sports-information-directors/2025-26/UEN-Basketball
[Category: Sports]
USA Softball Names 2026 U-18 Women's National Team
OKLAHOMA CITY, Oklahoma, Feb. 6 -- USA Softball issued the following news on Feb. 5, 2026:
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USA Softball Names 2026 U-18 Women's National Team
After advancing through the High Performance Program (HPP), USA Softball has announced the athletes that will represent the U.S. on the international stage at the 2026 U-18 Women's Pan American Championship.
Known as "The Pipeline to the Women's National Team Program," the selected athletes worked their way through the HPP at the local level before ultimately being chosen by the Junior Women's National Team Selection Committee (JWNTSC) after competing
... Show Full Article
OKLAHOMA CITY, Oklahoma, Feb. 6 -- USA Softball issued the following news on Feb. 5, 2026:
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USA Softball Names 2026 U-18 Women's National Team
After advancing through the High Performance Program (HPP), USA Softball has announced the athletes that will represent the U.S. on the international stage at the 2026 U-18 Women's Pan American Championship.
Known as "The Pipeline to the Women's National Team Program," the selected athletes worked their way through the HPP at the local level before ultimately being chosen by the Junior Women's National Team Selection Committee (JWNTSC) after competingin the 2025 HPP National Selection Event.
Click here (https://www.usasoftball.com/?page_id=30250) to view the 2026 U-18 Women's National Team roster
"Seeing these athletes earn the opportunity to represent Team USA is truly special," said Chris Sebren, Chief Sport Development/Performance Officer. "Their hard work as they went through the High Performance Program has brought them to this moment. The process is competitive and requires commitment at every step, from local identifiers to the National Selection Event. We're proud of this group and look forward to watching them compete on the international stage."
The 2026 U-18 Pan American Championship roster features a mix of familiar faces and rookie talent, including six returning U-18 WNT veterans that were a part of the World Championship squad last year: Anabela Abdullah, Aspen Boulware, Brielle Gardiner, Lilly "Goose" Goodwin, Julianna "Goose" Hutchens and Brooklyn Paratore. Among those with prior USA Softball experience are five athletes from previous U-15 Women's National Teams, including Macie Bryant (2023) and Michaela Landers (2025), while Abdullah, Boulware and Paratore were also members of the 2023 U-15 team. Eight athletes will make their debut wearing the Red, White and Blue. The roster includes athletes from nine different states and four USA Softball regions. California (Region 10) leads with six players, followed by Texas (Region 5) with three. Arizona (Region 10) and Georgia (Region 3) each have two athletes represented, while Florida, North Carolina and South Carolina (Region 3), along with Oklahoma (Region 5) and Utah (Region 9), each have one athlete on the roster.
A part of the Junior Women's National Team program since 2019, Kyla Holas will return as head coach of the Eagles. Holas previously led the U-18 squad to a gold medal finish at the 2025 World Baseball Softball Confederation (WBSC) World Cup Finals, marking her third World Championship title as head coach, while also securing a record-setting fifth consecutive World Championship for the program. Under her leadership, the U-18 WNT has not lost a single game since 2021 and currently holds a 48-game winning streak at the World Championship level.
"Representing the USA is always a blessing," said Holas. "I am excited to go into the tournament with so many returners who have previously won a World Cup and know the standards that comes with wearing USA on your chest. The committee did a great job of selecting some of the best athletes in their age groups and positions, and I am looking forward to seeing them perform at training camp and on the international stage," she added.
This roster marks the fourth group of athletes to advance through the HPP program, following the selection of the U-15 WNT in 2023, the U-18 WNT in 2024 and both JWNT squads in 2025 -- showcasing the opportunity of being involved in "The Pipeline to the Women's National Team Program". The HPP was created in 2020 with the goal of identifying a pool of athletes to train, compete and represent USA Softball in domestic and international competition. The program focuses on providing an equal opportunity for players to showcase their talent while growing the game of softball in the United States.
Click here (https://www.usasoftball.com/team-usa/womens-national-team-program/) for more info on the USA Softball Women's National Teams Program
Additional information on the upcoming 2026 U-18 Women's Pan American Championship will be announced at a later date.
To learn more about the HPP or to get involved, visit USASoftball.com.
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Table: 2026 U-18 Women's Pan American Championship Roster
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Original text here: https://www.usasoftball.com/news/2026/02/05/usa-softball-names-2026-u-18-womens-national-team/
[Category: BizSports]
NAIA Announces Spiideo Partnership
KANSAS CITY, Missouri, Feb. 6 -- The National Association of Intercollegiate Athletics posted the following news release on Feb. 5, 2026:
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NAIA Announces Spiideo Partnership
The National Association of Intercollegiate Athletics (NAIA) has signed a partnership agreement with Spiideo as the Official Instant Replay Solution of the NAIA National Championships.
Spiideo's automated sports video solutions will be utilized at NAIA championships to capture instant replays, enhance in-game and post-game analysis, and provide coaches, officials, and teams with efficient, on-demand access to important
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KANSAS CITY, Missouri, Feb. 6 -- The National Association of Intercollegiate Athletics posted the following news release on Feb. 5, 2026:
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NAIA Announces Spiideo Partnership
The National Association of Intercollegiate Athletics (NAIA) has signed a partnership agreement with Spiideo as the Official Instant Replay Solution of the NAIA National Championships.
Spiideo's automated sports video solutions will be utilized at NAIA championships to capture instant replays, enhance in-game and post-game analysis, and provide coaches, officials, and teams with efficient, on-demand access to importantgame moments.
"As the Official Instant Replay Solution of NAIA National Championships, we're thrilled to deliver championship-ready video across the mat, the court, and the field," noted Spiideo Co-Founder and CEO Patrik Olsson. "This partnership reflects a shared commitment to providing officials, athletic directors, commissioners, coaches, and teams with a single video platform that supports not only replay, but all video workflows for analysis, broadcasting, and more."
The partnership between the NAIA and Spiideo will support multiple NAIA national championship events by providing consistent, reliable instant replay technology that enhances officiating accuracy, competitive fairness, and overall championship operations. Spiideo's technology offers automated capture from multiple angles without the need for on-site camera operators, allowing for seamless integration into NAIA events.
"Partnering with Spiideo allows us to continue elevating the NAIA championship experience," said Austin Bennett, NAIA Vice President of Championships. "Spiideo's video replay services support competitive integrity and help ensure our championships reflect the high standards of excellence we expect at NAIA events, which ultimately enhances the championship experience for our member institutions, their student-athletes, and their coaches."
The agreement runs through December 2028.
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NATIONAL ASSOCIATION OF INTERCOLLEGIATE ATHLETICS (NAIA)
The National Association of Intercollegiate Athletics (NAIA), headquartered in Kansas City, Mo., is a governing body of small athletics programs dedicated to character-driven intercollegiate athletics. NAIA members provide more than 83,000 student-athletes with opportunities to play college sports, earn $1.3 billion in financial aid from NAIA institutions, and compete in 29 national championships. naia.org | @NAIA
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About Spiideo
Spiideo is the leading AI-powered video and data solution for leagues, broadcasters, federations, and clubs. The cloud-based platform from Spiideo revolutionizes how sports are captured, analyzed, broadcast, and officiated--delivering the tools necessary for commercializing sports and improving performance.
With millions of hours of automated sports production annually, Spiideo is trusted by thousands of teams and installed in more than 6,000 venues across 60 countries. From the Premier League, NHL, and NBA to Serie A, MLS, NCAA, and countless other leagues worldwide, Spiideo is redefining sports video and data at every level of the game.
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Original text here: https://www.naia.org/general/2025-26/Releases/Spiideo_Press_Release
[Category: Sports]
