Allegiant Air and Notre Dame Global Partnerships, the official multimedia rights holder for the University of Notre Dame Athletics Department, have announced a multi–year agreement designating Allegiant “The Official Airline Partner of Notre Dame Athletics.”

The partnership launches in conjunction with the 2025 fall sports season. Allegiant serves eight routes from South Bend International Airport, including the launch of nonstop service to Fort Lauderdale, Florida, beginning this week ahead of Notre Dame football’s game at the University of Miami on August 31.

“With a shared commitment to excellence, it is a natural fit for Allegiant to align our brand with Notre Dame athletics,” said Drew Wells, Allegiant Airlines chief commercial officer. “We have been flying Notre Dame students and alumni for two decades, and we know sports have the universal power to unite people with a common goal of celebrating their favorite teams. We’re excited to expand our presence in the South Bend community and welcome the Fighting Irish on board.”

Allegiant started operations at South Bend International Airport in 2005 and this agreement will grow the airline’s presence and nonstop travel options at SBN. Sweepstakes will be specially designed to provide fans with premium game day hospitality.

The partnership will include branded social and digital content and exclusive fan engagement initiatives. Notre Dame athletics will use Allegiant’s services not only to offer fans, students and alumni travel options, but also to transport many of the university’s athletic teams in the coming years.

“We’re pleased to welcome Allegiant’s partnership and mutual commitment to investing in the South Bend community,” said Jim Fraleigh, Notre Dame deputy athletics director, corporate relations. “We look forward to connecting generations of Fighting Irish across the country with affordable, reliable travel and unforgettable game day experiences.”

The Association of Pickleball Players, National Intramural and Recreational Sports Association, Selkirk Sport and USA Pickleball are joining forces to serve and grow college pickleball across the United States.

Since debuting in the 2023-24 academic year, the APP Selkirk Collegiate Series will be a NIRSA Championship Series event sanctioned by USA Pickleball. The APP will host seven regional qualifiers across the country and culminate the season with the 2026 APP Selkirk U.S. Collegiate Championships hosted at The Courts, Cape Coral in March 2026.

“I am so grateful for the incredible collaboration between the APP, NIRSA, Selkirk and USA Pickleball,” said Shannon Dan, EVP of Strategy and Growth at the APP. “Our collective mission is to grow the game of pickleball on college campuses and each organization has stepped up to bring meaningful benefits to college programs and players. From funding and education to equipment and a national competition platform, this offering will be transformational for college pickleball.”

In total, college players will battle for $85,000 in prize money, including $5,000 per qualifier and $50,000 in the APP Selkirk U.S. Collegiate Championships. Pickleball joins basketball, flag football, soccer, and tennis as part of the NIRSA Championship Series portfolio, expanding experiential learning opportunities for thousands of NIRSA members.

“USA Pickleball is committed to nurturing the growth of pickleball within the collegiate space, recognizing the unique opportunity colleges present for expanding our sport,” said Chris Zukas, vice president of membership development and service at USA Pickleball. “We’re focused on equipping administrators, coaches, and students with meaningful resources and dedicated support that they need. By investing in college pickleball today, we’re shaping the future of our sport, building a strong foundation for continued growth.”

2025-26 Season Schedule

October 25-26: APP Selkirk Collegiate Qualifier – Idaho (The Flying Pickle Boise, Idaho)
November 8-9: APP Selkirk Collegiate Qualifier – Arizona [held alongside the APP Mesa Open] (Arizona Athletic Grounds Mesa, Arizona)
November 15-16: APP Selkirk Collegiate Qualifier – Colorado (Chicken N Pickle Thornton, Colorado)
November 22-23: APP Selkirk Collegiate Qualifier – Kansas (Chicken N Pickle Overland Park, Kansas)
January 10-11: APP Selkirk Collegiate Qualifier – Florida (The Courts Cape Coral, Florida)
January 24-25: APP Selkirk Collegiate Qualifier – Texas (Chicken N Pickle Webster, Texas)
January 31-February 1: APP Selkirk Collegiate Qualifier – New Jersey (Pickleball Kingdom Hamilton, New Jersey)
March 6-8: APP Selkirk U.S. Collegiate Championships (The Courts Cape Coral, Florida)

Robin Harris, Grace Latz and Sydney Barta will join the United States Olympic and Paralympic Committee’s Collegiate Advisory Council  as new members.

Harris, executive director at the Ivy League, joins the council after at the 2024 Olympic Summer Games, the Ivy League had the fourth-most athletes on Team USA with 51 athletes across 12 sports. As an Olympian, USRowing board member, chair of the USRowing Athlete Council, Team USA Athletes’ Commission alternate and former collegiate rower at the University of Wisconsin-Madison, Latz brings a wealth of experience from both the Team USA and collegiate systems. Barta, the first Paralympian on the Stanford track and field roster and Paralympic representative on the Team USA Athletes’ Commission, is a 2024 World Para Athletics Championships silver medalist and a six-time Parapan American Games medalist.

“The connection between college athletics and the Olympic and Paralympic movements has never been more vital,” said USOPC Chief Executive Officer Sarah Hirshland. “Many of Team USA’s most successful and promising athletes come from the collegiate sports system, and the guidance of collegiate leaders is essential to Team USA’s growth and success. We’re excited to welcome Robin, Grace and Sydney to the Collegiate Advisory Council – their deep commitment to student-athletes and Olympic and Paralympic sport will be invaluable as we continue to strengthen this important partnership.”

Harris, Latz and Barta will begin their appointments at the council’s annual meeting at the Women Leaders in Sports national convention this fall.  Harris will replace Scott Stricklin, Latz will replace Chaunté Lowe and Barta will replace Jessica Heims, who have all completed their terms. The 12-member council will be comprised of:

• Bernard Muir (USOPC CAC chair)
• Sydney Barta (Stanford University)
• Greg Byrne (University of Alabama)
• Jen Cohen (University of Southern California)
• Lauren Crandall (Wake Forest University)
• Bubba Cunningham (University of North Carolina/USOPC board representative)
• Mark Harlan (University of Utah)
• Robin Harris (The Ivy League)
• Grace Latz (University of Wisconsin-Madison)
• Rob Mullens (University of Oregon)
• Jamie Pollard (Iowa State University)
• Kendall Spencer (University of New Mexico)

Visit Tuscaloosa and the city of Northport, Alabama, have been awarded the HBCU Athletic Conference’s Baseball and Softball Championships through 2028 at the newly constructed River Run Park one mile north of the Stillman College campus, the first time a college softball and baseball conference championship has been hosted north of the river in Tuscaloosa County.

The agreement extends Visit Tuscaloosa’s partnership with the HBCU Athletic Conference, which began in October 2023 when the then Gulf Coast Athletic Conference announced Visit Tuscaloosa would host the conference basketball championship at Stillman College. That bid was extended through the 2025—2026 seasons.

“We are thrilled to welcome the HBCUAC back to Tuscaloosa and to showcase all our community has to offer, including this brand new sports complex in Northport,” said Kelsey Rush, president and chief executive officer of Visit Tuscaloosa. “From our state-of-the-art facilities at River Run Park to the vibrant energy of our entire area, we look forward to hosting student-athletes, coaches, and fans for an unforgettable championship experience.”

Tuscaloosa County will now be home to three HBCUAC championships in the 2026 spring semester. Each championship includes a welcome reception hosted by Visit Tuscaloosa.

“The opportunity to bring 16 teams to our baseball and softball championships in Northport for the next three years is a win for our student-athletes, fans, and the entire conference,” said Dr. Kiki Baker Barnes, HBCUAC Commissioner. “River Run Park will provide a premier stage for competition, and Visit Tuscaloosa’s commitment to creating an exceptional experience will make these championships memorable for years to come.”

The United States Collegiate Athletic Association has announced the promotion of Barbara Jean Bertges from chief operating officer to chief executive officer to the organization as it expands opportunities, enhances student-athlete experiences and strengthens its national footprint.

Bertjes has held the position of chief operating officer for the past four years and before that was the USCAA’s director of championships and development for two years. She has been instrumental in elevating the quality and consistency of the association’s championship programs and services.

“We are so incredibly proud to have BJ Bertges serving as the CEO of the USCAA,” said Jennifer Laney, president of the USCAA Board of Directors. “She brings a unique and deeply valuable perspective to this role. She has lived the experience of our member institutions, both as a coach and as an administrator, and she brings that insight into every decision she makes. Her leadership is grounded by putting both the student-athletes and our member institutions at the forefront of her decision making.”

Prior to joining the USCAA national office, Bertges served at Penn State Beaver where she held roles in both athletic administration and coaching. In her current role, that experience allows her to stay connected to the daily realities of student-athletes, coaches and campus leaders.

“The USCAA has been a constant throughout my career, even before joining the staff in the national office,” said Bertges. “I am honored to be promoted to CEO of the Association and I’m grateful for the trust placed in me by our Board of Directors and proud to continue working alongside such a dedicated team.”

The National Junior College Athletic Association has announced a partnership renewal with the PGA of America to grow the game through sharing professional and career opportunities with two-year collegiate golfers.

The PGA of America will collaborate with NJCAA golf programs to present student-athletes with engagement in the game of golf beyond their collegiate experience, including career prospects within the sport.

NJCAA will continue to connect the PGA with the two-year collegiate golf community by giving access to PGA career consultants, recruiters and leaders to participate and speak at NJCAA Golf Championships.

“As golf continues to surge in popularity, interest in pursuing careers within the $102 billion golf industry has also increased,” said PGA of America President Don Rea Jr. “We are excited to continue our collaboration with the NJCAA and connect student-athletes with PGA of America members for mentorship, leadership and career opportunities.”

The PGA of America consists of more than 30,000 golf professionals around the country who serve as the recognized teachers and leaders of the game and promote its growth.

“The NJCAA is very excited to renew our partnership and continue working with the PGA of America,” said Christopher Parker, NJCAA president and chief executive officer. “This partnership will continue presenting opportunities for two-year collegiate golfers and prepare student-athletes for success long-term within the sport.”

Naiya Dalce has been named the CIAA’s coordinator for championships, compliance and governance to support championships operations, compliance protocols and governance initiatives.

Dalce’s background includes internships with Alcon Laboratories, Inc., Rise HBCU and the USPTO Clinic, as well as event planning experience with the Durham Sports Commission. She recently was part of the NFL HBCU Experienceship Seed Kit Program where she placed second in a league-sponsored competition.

“We are thrilled to welcome Naiya to the CIAA team,” said Eddie Weatherington, senior associate commissioner for governance and sport administration. “She brings a wealth of legal knowledge and a deep understanding of the evolving landscape of collegiate athletics. Her experience, work ethic, and passion for the student-athlete experience will be invaluable as we continue to grow our championships and compliance efforts.”

Dalce also participated in the Black Sports Business Academy, a development program designed to equip students with the tools, connections, and insights needed to successfully navigate and advance within sports industry careers.

The NCAA Division I council has introduced proposals that would establish national collegiate championships for the sports of women’s stunt and women’s acrobatics and tumbling.

Should the proposals be adopted by all three NCAA divisions, championships committees would begin work in stunt and acrobatics and tumbling in January 2026, with the first championship for each sport expected to occur during the spring season in 2027.

In May of this year, the NCAA Committee on Women’s Athletics voted to recommend Divisions I, II and III sponsor legislation to add championships in the sports. One championship event for athletes across all three divisions would be held for each sport initially.

Acrobatics and tumbling became an emerging sport in 2020 and stunt received that designation in 2023. Each sport is sponsored by more than 40 schools across the three divisions, the minimum threshold for achieving championship status.

The council also introduced a proposal to add women’s flag football to the Emerging Sports for Women program. Flag football has grown in popularity at the youth sports level and will make its Olympic debut at the 2028 Olympic Summer Games in Los Angeles. The proposal will be considered in October.

Another point of action by the council was to separate the scoring at the fencing championships to recognize teams in both men’s and women’s fencing. Currently, men’s and women’s fencing teams compete for one title and women’s only teams — which are sponsored by nine schools — are statistically unable to win a championship under the existing scoring format.

For this change to take effect, it must be supported by Divisions II and III because fencing operates as a National Collegiate Championship involving teams from all three divisions. Divisions II and III are expected to consider the proposal in July.

U.S. Biathlon and Paul Smith’s College have announced an extension of their strategic education partnership through June 2028, as the two entities continue the advancement of biathlon in the United States and expand opportunities for collegiate athletes.

As the official education partner of U.S. Biathlon, Paul Smith’s College in Brighton, New York, will continue to provide a pathway for student–athletes to pursue academics while training and competing. The renewed agreement will further support scholarships, internships and enhanced training opportunities.

“Our partnership with Paul Smith’s College is a cornerstone of our collegiate strategy and the broader growth of biathlon in the United States,” said Jack Gierhart, president and chief executive officer of U.S. Biathlon. “Paul Smith’s has demonstrated an unwavering commitment to creating an environment where student-athletes can succeed athletically and academically. We are excited to continue building this model for other colleges and universities to follow.”

Since the partnership was established in 2020, Paul Smith’s College has become a national leader in collegiate biathlon. The college helped launch the U.S. Biathlon Collegiate National Championships and has fielded the largest team at each edition.

“Paul Smith’s College is proud to continue our partnership with U.S. Biathlon and to serve as a model for integrating athletic and academic excellence,” said Zack Luzzi, director of athletics at Paul Smith’s College. “We are committed to providing biathletes with the resources, coaching, and academic support they need to reach their full potential. This partnership reflects our broader mission to deliver an education that works-in the classroom, on the trails, and throughout life.”

Matt Dougherty, head Nordic and biathlon coach at Paul Smith’s College, has served on U.S. Biathlon’s Collegiate Advisory Panel since its inception.

“At Paul Smith’s College, we view biathlon as more than a sport — it is an opportunity to develop resilience, discipline and leadership,” said Dougherty. “Our athletes have access to unparalleled training in the heart of the Adirondacks, combined with an education grounded in hands–on experience and real–world application. We look forward to continuing to grow the sport and welcome more student-athletes to our program.”