Latest news with #BillBender
USA Today
12-07-2025
- Sport
- USA Today
Michigan State football left off Sporting News' preseason bowl projections
Will Michigan State snap its three-year bowl-less streak this upcoming season? Bill Bender at Sporting News doesn't think so. Bender released updated bowl projections late last month, which failed to include the Spartans. Bender elected to have Wisconsin land in the GameAbove Sports Bowl and Rutgers in the Rate Bowl over Michigan State finding its way into those two lower tier Big Ten bowl games. Michigan State is looking to bounce back from a rough finish to the opening season under new head coach Jonathan Smith. The Spartans opened 2024 with a 3-0 record before struggling to reach bowl eligibility and finishing 5-7 overall. Michigan State comes into this season with a win total over-under of 5.5 so the betting experts think the Spartans will once again be right around bowl eligibility this year. However, most of the preseason bowl projections I've came across are like Bender and don't have the Spartans bowling this year. The Spartans will kick off the 2025 season on August 29 against in-state foe Western Michigan. Kickoff from Spartan Stadium is scheduled for 7 p.m. ET and will be televised on FS1. Contact/Follow us @The SpartansWire on X (formerly Twitter) and like our page on Facebook to follow ongoing coverage of Michigan State news, notes and opinion. You can also follow Robert Bondy on X @RobertBondy5.
USA Today
04-07-2025
- Sport
- USA Today
Sporting News projects Auburn football to meet FSU in bowl season
Sporting News forecasts Auburn to meet an old nonconference rival in bowl season. Auburn football fans have the same mindset as former Oakland Raiders owner Al Davis when it comes to its outlook on the season, "just win, baby." Auburn football has failed to win more than six games since the 2019 season, and its coaching staff has worked to bring in the best talent to rebuild the program into an SEC Championship contender, as well as a player in College Football Playoff chatter. However, fans are antsy and are ready to see rebuilding efforts show on the field. One publication believes the Tigers are taking a step in the right direction as a recent projection sends the Tigers to a quality Florida bowl game. Sporting News recently dropped its preseason bowl projections, pairing Auburn with an old non-conference rival in Florida State. The forecast, published by Bill Bender, predicts the Tigers and Seminoles will meet in the TaxSlayer Gator Bowl on Dec. 27 at EverBank Stadium in Jacksonville, Florida. This projection is interesting as it puts two teams on similar paths together in a postseason game. The Seminoles showed promise of being a College Football Playoff contender in 2023 by entering bowl season with a 13-0 record. However, their playoff dreams were dashed when quarterback Jordan Travis suffered a season-ending injury in Florida State's win over North Alabama. Travis was deemed a Heisman Trophy candidate, and the playoff committee felt that the Seminoles were not as powerful of a team without him, which resulted in Alabama earning the fourth College Football Playoff slot. The Seminoles lost to Georgia in the Orange Bowl, 63-3, a game that the Seminoles are still recovering from. Last season, Florida State finished 2-10, and are looking to return to national prominence. The two programs, which are separated by less than 200 miles, have played 19 times in history. Auburn owns a 13-5-1 record over the Seminoles, but Florida State won the recent game, 34-31, in the 2013 BCS National Championship Game. Contact/Follow us @TheAuburnWire on X (Twitter), and like our page on Facebook to follow ongoing coverage of Auburn news, notes, and opinions. You can also follow Taylor on Twitter @TaylorJones__
Associated Press
11-03-2025
- Business
- Associated Press
GrammaTech Appoints Lt. Gen. Bill Bender (Ret.), Cybersecurity and IT Leader, to Board of Directors
ITHACA, NEW YORK / ACCESS Newswire / March 11, 2025 / GrammaTech, Inc., a seasoned developer of advanced cyber capability in support of government, intelligence and mission-critical infrastructure is pleased to announce the appointment of Lieutenant General Bill Bender US Air Force (Ret.) to its Board of Directors. A seasoned board member, technology industry executive, and retired three-star general, Lt Gen Bender brings extensive expertise in IT, cybersecurity, and governance to the Board Member Lt Gen Bill Bender GrammaTech Appoints Lt. Gen. Bill Bender (Ret.), Cybersecurity and IT Leader, to Board of Directors With a distinguished career spanning the public and private sectors, Lt Gen Bender has held key leadership roles in technology, defense, and business strategy. As the former Chief Information Officer (CIO) of the United States Air Force (USAF), he oversaw a $17 billion IT budget and led a 54,000-person workforce, spearheading modernization and cybersecurity initiatives. His contributions to IT innovation included establishing the first Chief Information Security Officer (CISO) and Chief Data Officer (CDO) offices in the Department of Defense and launching the USAF's Cloud First strategy. Lt Gen Bender also brings a wealth of experience from the private sector, having served as Senior Vice President at Leidos, where he played a pivotal role in driving business growth from $10 billion to $15 billion. He is a highly regarded board member and advisor, with experience on the boards of Tangram Flex, Smartsheet, and AFCEA International, where he previously served as Chair and currently contributes to the Cybersecurity Committee. Additionally, he provides strategic guidance to startups and enterprises through his role as a Principal at Deep Water Point & Associates and as a Strategic Growth Advisor at Keeper Technology. 'We are thrilled to welcome Bill to our board. His exceptional leadership in technology, defense, and business strategy strengthens GrammaTech's position at the forefront of cybersecurity and code modernization, working closely with the U.S. Department of Defense and Intelligence Community.' said Dan Goodwin, GrammaTech's CEO. Ray DeMeo, GrammaTech Chief Growth Officer added 'General Bender's experience and strategic vision make him an invaluable teammate in support of our mission.' Throughout his career, Lt Gen Bender has played a critical role in shaping technology and security strategies for both government and commercial entities. His leadership in defense technology includes his tenure as Deputy Chief at the Office of Security Cooperation in Baghdad, where he led foreign military sales to Iraq, and his command of the USAF Expeditionary Center, overseeing global operations and sustainment. 'I am honored to join the Board of GrammaTech at such an exciting time,' said General Bender. 'I look forward to contributing my experience in technology, cybersecurity, and strategic growth to help drive the company's mission forward.' The General also served in advisory roles for leading global organizations including Samsung, Cylance, Symantec, Tanium, Dun & Bradstreet, and Smartsheet. 301-530-2900 SOURCE: GrammaTech
