Latest news with #CollegeWorldSeries
Los Angeles Times
2 days ago
- Business
- Los Angeles Times
After successful Big Ten debut, UCLA has designs on something even bigger
It's a chaotic time in college sports, the rules seeming to change daily and some athletes making nearly as much money as their coaches. At UCLA, the revenue-sharing era officially starts Friday. Athletes will undoubtedly keep refreshing their PayPal accounts to check for that first payment from the pot of $20.5 million that will be distributed in the first year. Meanwhile, Bruins athletic director Martin Jarmond will be keeping tabs on another bottom line — following up a successful Big Ten debut with something far bigger. Having tallied 10 conference championships between the Big Ten and Mountain Pacific Sports Federation — more than any other Big Ten school — UCLA could be poised for a breakthrough in its two marquee sports as part of a potentially historic year across the board for its athletic department. The football team landed transfer Nico Iamaleava from Tennessee and the men's basketball team brought in Donovan Dent from New Mexico, giving UCLA perhaps its best quarterback-point guard combination since Josh Rosen and Lonzo Ball nearly a decade ago. 'If you look at our athletic program,' Jarmond, who recently completed his fifth year on the job, told The Times, 'there's an energy and buzz that I feel we haven't had since I've been here, and that's why I'm most positive now.' At a recent player-run practice on campus, Jarmond watched Iamaleava step up in the pocket and fire a 50-yard pass down the sideline to wide receiver Kwazi Gilmer. 'Nico made a play that I don't know how many other guys in the country could make,' Jarmond said, 'and I was like, 'whoa.' Like, that's pretty cool, you know?' There's lots of intrigue to behold in Westwood these days. Fresh off a Final Four run, the women's basketball team bolstered itself with the additions of sharpshooter Gianna Kneepkens, a highly coveted transfer from Utah, and freshman Sienna Betts, the younger sister of All-America center Lauren Betts. Oh, and don't forget that softball slugger Megan Grant will make Pauley Pavilion a second home as part of her bid to become a two-sport standout. Grant will also once again combine with Jordan Woolery as perhaps the nation's top-hitting duo in their bid to help the softball team not only make it back to the Women's College World Series but win the whole thing this time. The baseball team that just made the College World Series is bringing back shortstop Roch Cholowsky, the probable No. 1 pick in the 2026 Major League Baseball draft, and recently learned that high school pitcher Angel Cervantes will play for the Bruins next season instead of the Pittsburgh Pirates after contract negotiations ended with the recent draftee. Jarmond said he was confident the team could continue to play at Jackie Robinson Stadium in 2026 after a judge issued a stay of legal proceedings that threatened to force the Bruins to go elsewhere. The men's water polo team will try to defend its national championship with Ryder Dodd trying to top a season in which the freshman scored a MPSF-record 102 goals. After finishing as runner-up to national champion Oklahoma, the women's gymnastics team will welcome a top recruiting class plus the return of two-time Olympic medalist Jordan Chiles. Jarmond said he appreciates working for a university administration that understands the importance of supporting a strong Olympic sports program, particularly with the 2028 Summer Olympics headed to Los Angeles. 'This is the time to continue to invest in our Olympic sports and make sure that we have the excellence that UCLA is known for,' Jarmond said, 'and we're going to uphold that tradition.' Unlike other schools that have imposed student fees to help offset rising athletic department costs upon the onset of revenue sharing, UCLA officials have not discussed such a move, Jarmond said. The Bruins will instead focus on revenue generation through fundraising, ticket sales, sponsorships and new creative endeavors. The school plans to partner with an outside firm to help its athletes with content creation to boost their social media following, making them more attractive to brands that could hire them for name, image and likeness deals. Jarmond said he's not aware of any NIL deals involving UCLA athletes being rejected by the new College Sports Commission, though there remains a backlog of deals under review. Deals of $600 or more are evaluated by a clearinghouse called NIL Go to ensure they represent fair market value and a legitimate business purpose. The role of collectives in offering additional compensation to athletes beyond revenue sharing continues to evolve as part of a shift away from what was previously considered a hard cap on earnings. 'I'm optimistic that it's going to work out,' Jarmond said of maximizing earnings opportunities for athletes. 'I'm optimistic that we will adapt to whatever situation that presents itself based on hard cap, soft cap, whatever cap.' UCLA is also strengthening the infrastructure of its men's and women's basketball teams with the hiring of an assistant general manager for each sport to help with recruiting and navigating the transfer portal. When it comes to revenue sharing payments, Jarmond said he's leaving it up to coaches to dictate how much each player makes. Football coach DeShaun Foster said he divvied up his team's money based on talent, with general manager Khary Darlington and assistant general manager Steven Price assigning values for each player based on previous NFL front office experience dealing with salary structures. 'They loved that we had people explaining to them how you're getting this money or why you're not getting this money,' Foster said of his players, 'and I think that resonated with them.' Across all sports, the Bruins are seeking a strong encore after an initial Big Ten season that saw the school place fifth in the Learfield Director's Cup standings, its best finish since 2018. UCLA athletes posted what Jarmond called a 'phenomenal' 3.22 grade-point average through winter quarter (the latest for which figures are available) despite the travel challenges presented by playing in a coast-to-coast conference. For UCLA athletics to reach the heights that Jarmond wants, its football and men's basketball teams must win big, and he believes the coaches and influx of talent on each of those teams will give them a chance to do so next season. Iamaleava's arrival has generated heightened excitement about a football team that went 5-7 in Foster's debut season. Jarmond said two recruits he met with on their campus visits mentioned the quarterback as one of the reasons they wanted to come to UCLA. 'You know, we just have more interest and buzz, and it's cool,' Jarmond said. 'I think DeShaun has created that, and Nico and the guys.' What excites Jarmond most is the potential to be on a victory lap that's picking up speed. 'This is a great time for UCLA athletics,' Jarmond said, 'and I feel like it's just the beginning.'
USA Today
3 days ago
- Sport
- USA Today
Auburn baseball's 'rock solid foundation' creates positive outlook from Baseball America
Auburn baseball loses a ton from its Super Regional team in 2025, but a reloaded roster will put the Tigers in position to compete for Omaha next season. Auburn baseball turned in one of the nation's best turnarounds in 2025, and are poised for bigger dreams next season. One year after winning just 27 games, and posting an 8-22 record against SEC foes, the Auburn Tigers bounced back to improve their win total by 14 games and hosted its first-ever Super Regional. College baseball experts at Baseball America feel that the Tigers have plenty left in the tank, and will compete for a slot at the College World Series in 2026. In its "way-too-early" top 25 for the 2026 season, Baseball America placed Auburn at No. 5 after finishing the 2025 season at No. 10. Jacob Rudner and Peter Flaherty point out that true freshmen such as Chris Rembert, Christian Chatterton, and Eric Guevara, as well as transfers Todd Clay and Drew Whalen, will keep Auburn at the top of the SEC, as well as the nation, next season. Auburn rapidly climbed from the SEC cellar back into the league's elite in 2025, more than doubling its eight conference wins from the year prior. That success was fueled in part by key contributors no longer with the program—namely ace Samuel Dutton and outfielder Ike Irish—whose production will be tough to replicate. But returning talents Chris Rembert, Chase Fralick, Eric Guevara, Bub Terrell, Christian Chatterton and Andreas Alvarez provide a rock-solid foundation the Tigers have built upon through recruiting. Auburn bolstered its pitching staff with the additions of Drew Whalen (Western Kentucky), Ethan Harden (Belmont) and Jake Marciano (Virginia Tech). Offensively, Ryan Farber (Texas State), Todd Clay (Alabama-Birmingham) and Logan Greggorio (Northern Illinois) are promising additions. Pitching and infield will be the areas Auburn head coach Butch Thompson will aim to rebuild for next season after graduation and the MLB draft ravaged the Tigers' roster. Infielders Cooper McMurray, Eric Snow, and Deric Fabian, as well as pitchers Samuel Dutton, Parker Carlson, Cade Fisher, Carson Myers, Cam Tilly, Dylan Watts, and Hayden Murphy were all drafted by Major League Baseball organizations. The greatest loss will be Ike Irish, who was selected No. 19 overall by the Baltimore Orioles. Irish's versatility in the field, as well as his power at the plate, will be missed greatly next season. However, Thompson's ability to prepare will aid Auburn this season. Auburn will return several key players including catcher Chase Fralick, outfielders Lucas Steele and Bub Terrell, and infielder Eric Guevara and Chris Rembert, all return to the Auburn lineup next season. Christian Chatterton, Jackson Sanders, Andreas Alvarez, Alex Petrovic, and Saxon Roberts return to the Tigers' pitching staff while others such as Mason Koch, Connor Gatwood, and Trevor Booton look to log more innings in 2026. Baseball America's top-five is SEC heavy. Defending College World Series champion LSU checks in at No. 2, followed by Texas at No. 3 and Mississippi State at No. 4. UCLA is the top team to watch this season according to Baseball America as they are set to return many lineup pieces, as well as their entire weekend rotation. The Bruins finished 44-18 with a College World Series appearance, and will aim for the same target next season. 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__
USA Today
4 days ago
- Sport
- USA Today
LSU baseball star Daniel Dickinson officially decides to go pro, signs with Brewers
Former LSU baseball second baseman Daniel Dickinson officially inked a deal with the Milwaukee Brewers on Friday. Dickinson was selected in the sixth round, the No. 185th overall pick, in this year's MLB Draft. According to Bryan Lazare, Dickinson's deal is $325,00, which puts him $20,000 below slot value. There wasn't much doubt about Dickinson's plans and a return to LSU was always unlikely, but this makes it official. Dickinson spent one year with the Tigers after beginning his career at Utah Valley State. Dickinson posted an OPS over 1.000 in both of his seasons at Utah Valley, which made him sought-after when he entered the transfer portal ahead of the 2025 season. Dickinson was a key cog in the LSU lineup as the Tigers won the College World Series. Dickinson hit .315 with 12 home runs and 14 doubles. He nearly walked as much as he struck out with a 40/42 ratio. Dickinson finished his college career with a .351 batting average and 1.051 OPS. Here's what the scouting report had to say about Dickinson ahead of the draft: "Dickinson excels at making contact with a simple right-handed swing and outstanding hand-eye coordination. He controls the strike zone well, uses the entire field and has no obvious weaknesses at the plate. There are questions about how much impact he'll make with wood bats, however, because he has average raw power at best (mostly to his pull side) and slashed .182/.311/.222 between Team USA and the Cape Cod League last summer."
USA Today
5 days ago
- Sport
- USA Today
Top Clemson baseball roster hopeful for 2026 officially signs with MLB team
One of Clemson baseball's biggest roster hopefuls for 2026 has signed a professional contract. As expected, All-American outfielder Ryan Wideman signed with the San Diego Padres late Wednesday night. The Padres selected Wideman in the third round of the MLB draft earlier this month. The son of former Clemson basketball player Tom Wideman, Ryan Wideman was one of the top players in the transfer portal following his junior season this summer and transferred to the Tigers on June 11. His chances of being drafted and forgoing his senior season were always a threat, but being taken No. 99 overall with an estimated pick value of $773,000 made his signing feel pretty inevitable. Wideman played in all 60 games last season at Western Kentucky and hit .398 with 10 home runs, 36 extra base hits, and 68 RBIs. He also stole 45 bases in 47 attempts as a top-of-the-order threat. Clemson signee Dax Kilby, an 18-year-old shortstop from Newnan High School in Georgia, was another player the Tigers hoped to have on their 2026 roster that was taken early in MLB's draft. The New York Yankees drafted Kilby in the first round with the No. 39 overall pick and formally announced his signing on July 18. Clemson finished 45-18 overall last season and was the No. 11 overall seed in the NCAA Tournament. The Tigers made their third straight regional appearance under coach Erik Bakich, but the program's College World Series drought officially reached 15 years since their last appearance in 2010. Contact us @Clemson_Wire on X, and like our page on Facebook for ongoing coverage of Clemson Tigers news and notes, plus opinions.
USA Today
6 days ago
- Sport
- USA Today
LSU baseball star Kade Anderson signs for just below slot value with Seattle Mariners
Former LSU baseball pitcher Kade Anderson put pen to paper with the Seattle Mariners following his No. 3 overall selection in the 2025 MLB Draft. Anderson and the Mariners agreed to terms for a signing bonus of $8.8 million. It is the seventh-largest bonus in MLB Draft history. The slot value of the No.3 overall pick was set at $9,504,400, roughly $700,000 more than Anderson's bonus. Ahead of the draft, several mock drafts had Anderson going first overall to the Washington Nationals. He was ranked the No. 2 prospect in the 2025 class, per after a stellar sophomore season at LSU catapulted his draft stock. Anderson led the nation with 180 strikeouts and was one of the sport's most dominant pitchers while leading the Tigers to the 2025 national championship. He threw a complete game against Coastal Carolina in the College World Series final and claimed the series' MVP award. After seeing limited action out of the bullpen in 2024, Anderson claimed the ace role as the Friday night starter for the Tigers. He threw 119 innings and posted a 3.18 ERA, ending his career as a first-team All-American and Baseball America's pitcher of the year.
