Latest news with #SaintLeo
Yahoo
24-07-2025
- Sport
- Yahoo
College Basketball Team Mourning Loss Of 34-Year-Old Assistant Coach
College Basketball Team Mourning Loss Of 34-Year-Old Assistant Coach originally appeared on The Spun. Last week, a fatal crash involving six vehicles occurred in Calhoun County, South Carolina. It turns out one of the people who died in this accident was a college basketball coach. According to reports, a Chevrolet heading west crashed right into a GMC SUV in eastbound traffic. Both drivers, 34-year-old Daniel Waln and 61-year-old Sherry Short, were killed in this accident. Waln was an assistant basketball coach at Saint Leo. He joined the program during the 2024-25 season. Prior to joining Saint Leo's program, Waln had coaching stints at Catwaba College, West Virginia Wesleyan College, Lees-McRae College and Santa Fe Community College. On July 22, Saint Leo issued a statement on Waln's death. "We are heartbroken by the sudden and tragic loss of Coach," Saint Leo president of athletics Marcal Lazenby said. "Daniel was more than a coach, he was a mentor, a leader, and a bright spirit who made a profound impact on our student-athletes and the entire Saint Leo family. His passion for the game and commitment to our university were evident in everything he did. We will miss him deeply, and our thoughts and prayers are with his family, friends, and all who have the privilege of knowing him." Saint Leo men's basketball coach Spencer Henke also commented on this devastating situation. "It's a tragic loss for our program, our university, and the entire college basketball community," Henke said. "Coach Waln made a profound impact on every life he touched, and I am beyond thankful for his commitment to helping me grow our program to the level I believe Saint Leo men's basketball can and should be at. His passion, enthusiasm, and desire to make the most of every moment will live with me and our players for the rest of our lives. My condolences to the Waln family and all those impacted by this tragic loss. Please keep his loved ones and our program in your thoughts and prayers." Well before he became a college basketball coach, Waln was a star athlete at Ashe County High School. He played basketball, baseball and football at that level, earning athlete of the year. Waln is survived by his mother Kim Marie Waln, his girlfriend, Brittany Brooks, and countless cousins. Our thoughts are with his loved ones during this difficult time. College Basketball Team Mourning Loss Of 34-Year-Old Assistant Coach first appeared on The Spun on Jul 23, 2025 This story was originally reported by The Spun on Jul 23, 2025, where it first appeared.
Associated Press
27-06-2025
- Business
- Associated Press
Saint Leo University Receives Significant Gift from Tampa Tech Icon, Arnie Bellini
Saint Leo, Fla., June 27, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Saint Leo University has received a transformative $1.5 million donation from Tampa-based tech visionary and philanthropist Arnie Bellini, founder of ConnectWise and CEO of Bellini Capital. The gift builds on an initial $500,000 contribution made in 2024, with a recent additional $1 million investment. This impactful support will significantly expand the university's reach in cybersecurity education, fueling initiatives designed to close workforce gaps and prepare students for high-demand careers. The donation will establish The Bellini Family Endowed Scholarship, the university's first dedicated cybersecurity scholarship, supporting students pursuing degrees in cybersecurity or demonstrating a strong passion for the field. It will also advance several strategic initiatives, including Saint Leo's first partnership with industry experts to create a new model for comprehensive, innovative cybersecurity training, with programming planned to begin in 2025. 'The cybersecurity threat is real, constant, and growing, and CyberBay is already a magnet for talent and innovation to address the need,' said Arnie Bellini. 'Right here in the Tampa Bay region, the demand for skilled cyber professionals is immediate and urgent—and the jobs are high-paying and high-impact. Saint Leo has proven itself as a powerhouse in cyber education, and this investment will amplify their impact and accelerate the pipeline of talent.' According to industry research, the global cybersecurity workforce gap surpassed 4 million jobs in 2023, including more than 500,000 vacancies in the United States. Florida ranks among the top five states in demand for cybersecurity professionals. The new training program will provide an expedited, flexible way for working adults to gain foundational cybersecurity skills. This revolutionary approach to cybersecurity education creates standardized training modules for industry wide adoption. Offered entirely online and self-paced, the program is designed to serve as a talent pipeline for employers across Tampa Bay and beyond, helping individuals transition into critical tech roles faster. 'Arnie Bellini's generosity accelerates our mission to educate ethical tech leaders and bridge the gap between academic learning and real-world application,' said Steve Carroll, chief information officer at Saint Leo University. 'This gift will impact Tampa Bay's workforce for generations to come.' Saint Leo University has earned national recognition for its cybersecurity program and is designated a National Center of Academic Excellence in Cyber Defense Education by the NSA and U.S. Department of Homeland Security. In 2023, the university established the College of Computing, Artificial Intelligence, Robotics, and Data Science to meet the rising demand for high-quality education in the tech sector. More than 500 students are currently pursuing cybersecurity degrees at Saint Leo. ### ABOUT SAINT LEO UNIVERSITY Saint Leo University is a Catholic Benedictine university dedicated to helping learners of all backgrounds and ages gain the competence and courage to be more. Offering more than 55-degree programs to more than 13,000 students each year, the nonprofit university is known for providing a values-based education in the liberal arts tradition and a community of belonging for those who seek a greater purpose in life. Saint Leo is regionally accredited and offers a campus in the Tampa Bay area of Florida, regional education centers, and several online programs. The university is home to more than 106,000 alumni. Learn more at or follow us on Facebook, Instagram, Twitter and LinkedIn. Rosali Salazar Vistra Communications [email protected]
Yahoo
07-05-2025
- Sport
- Yahoo
Mississippi College softballs thoughts before they head to South Region 2
WJTV speaks with first year head coach for Mississippi College and two freshmen before they head to South Region 2 at Saint Leo. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WJTV.
