Latest news with #AcademicAll-BigTen
Yahoo
an hour ago
- Sport
- Yahoo
Son of Devils Stanley Cup Champion Signs with Adirondack Thunder
The Adirondack Thunder announced Tuesday that they've signed defenseman Jimmy Dowd Jr., the son of former New Jersey Devils Stanley Cup champion Jim Dowd. The signing follows Dowd Jr.'s participation in the Devils' 2025 Development Camp. Dowd Jr. officially signed his first professional contract on July 30, 2025, with the ECHL affiliate of the New Jersey Devils. The Thunder are based in Glens Falls, New York, and will roster the 25-year-old for the 2025–26 season. Dowd Jr. recently wrapped up a five-year collegiate career with Penn State, where he appeared in 150 games and totaled 73 points. Last season, he played in 27 games and recorded 10 points. Among Penn State defensemen, Dowd Jr. ranks eighth in career points (50), tied for eighth in single-season points (21), and sixth in single-season assists (18). He was also named an Academic All-Big Ten honoree in 2022. Before college, Dowd Jr. played two seasons with the Chicago Steel of the USHL, helping them win the Eastern Conference Championship in 2019. He recorded 26 points during his time with the Steel. At 5-foot-9, Dowd Jr. brings speed and experience to the Thunder blue line. He attended the Devils' Development Camp earlier this summer, where he reunited with former NCAA rival Ethan Edwards. Edwards, a Michigan Wolverine, had faced Dowd Jr. three times during their college careers. Reflecting on their rivalry and now sharing the ice at camp, Dowd Jr. told 'Those big school rivalries—us and Michigan hate each other, all the teams hate each other. It breeds competitiveness every single night. I played against Edwards, and we're both here now. I can learn stuff from him even though he's younger than me. He's an unbelievable player, unbelievable skater. He sees the ice super well. It's funny, we were beating the heck out of each other in playoffs and now we're here, teammates at this camp. It's super cool.' Dowd Jr. is deeply familiar with the Devils organization. His father, Jim Dowd, played over 800 NHL games and won the 1995 Stanley Cup with New Jersey. A New Jersey native himself, Jim was the second-ever New Jersey high school hockey player to reach the NHL and famously brought the Stanley Cup back to his hometown after the Devils' championship. Now, Jimmy Dowd Jr. begins his own professional journey, looking to make his mark and continue the Dowd legacy within the Devils organization. Photo Credit: © Rick Osentoski-Imagn Images
USA Today
20-07-2025
- Sport
- USA Today
2025 Arizona Cardinals training camp roster preview: LB Cody Simon
We will preview every player on the Cardinals roster leading up to training camp. This is about LB Cody Simon. The Arizona Cardinals report to training camp on July 22 and begin the process of preparing for the regular season, forming the roster and determining starting jobs and roles on the team. Leading up to the start of camp, we will take a look at every player on the offseason roster, their background, their contract, their play in 2024, questions they face and their roster outlook. Next up is inside linebacker Cody Simon. Cody Simon background, 2024 season A fourth-round pick from Ohio State by the Cardinals in this year's draft, Simon was a team captain in 2024 and was named winner of the Bill Willis Block "O" jersey for leadership, toughness, accountability and highest of character. He was the defensive MVP in a playoff win over Oregon with 11 tackles (three for loss) and 2.0 sacks and in the national championship win with eight tackles (one for loss). In five seasons with the Buckeyes, Simon played 58 games with 30 starts, totaling 259 tackles (23 for loss), 10.0 sacks, 11 passes defensed, an interception and four quarterback hurries. Of the 259 tackles, 255 were in his final four seasons. In 2024, he had a career-high 112 tackles (13 for loss), 7.0 sacks and seven passes defensed. Aside from football, Simons was a Big Ten Conference distinguished scholar, a four-time Ohio State scholar-athlete and a four-time Academic All-Big Ten honoree who graduated with a degree in finance and is currently working on a master's degree in human development and family services. Cody Simon 2025 contract details, cap hit Simon's rookie four-year contract is worth $5.2 million, including a $1.005 million signing bonus. His base salary this year is $840,000 and he carries a salary-cap charge of $1.091 million. 2025 questions, roster outlook With ability, character and intelligence, Simon could give Akeem David-Gaither strong competition for the starting Mike linebacker job. He appears headed for that at some point, depending on how quickly he becomes comfortable with the defensive scheme. Get more Cardinals and NFL coverage from Cards Wire's Jess Root and others by listening to the latest on the Rise Up, See Red podcast. Subscribe on Spotify, YouTube or Apple podcasts.
USA Today
15-07-2025
- Sport
- USA Today
Two Ohio State football players recognized as Big Ten 'Distinguished Scholar Athletes'
On Monday, the Big Ten announced the names of its distinguished scholars, and two Ohio State football players were among the list of names honored. Senior nickelback Lorenzo Styles Jr. and junior wide receiver Carnell Tate were both named Big Ten Conference Distinguished Scholars by the league. Styles graduated in May, but with a cool twist, because his father, Styles Sr., also graduated with him through the athletic program's degree completion program. The younger Styles walked away with a degree in consumer and family financial services and earned his fifth academic award as a Buckeye, joining his previous two Academic All-Big Ten honors and two OSU Scholar-Athlete recognitions. Tate is still working on his degree in sport industry. He, too, has five academic honors to date, with two OSU Scholar-Athlete awards, two Academic All-Big Ten honors, and now a distinguished scholar honor added. To earn the Big Ten's Distinguished Scholar Athlete award, a student must have earned Academic All-Big Ten honors the previous academic year, maintained full-time enrollment, and have a grade point average of 3.70 or greater. It's refreshing to see these two put in the work off the field and in the classroom. Congrats to both, and we can't wait to see what the future holds inside the 'Shoe as well this fall. Contact/Follow us @BuckeyesWire on X (formerly Twitter) and like our page on Facebook to follow ongoing coverage of Ohio State news, notes and opinion. Follow Phil Harrison on X.
Pink Villa
26-06-2025
- Entertainment
- Pink Villa
Who is Connor McCaffery? A look at Caitlin Clark's boyfriend and how they met
At 26, Connor McCaffery has already carved his own path in basketball, first as a savvy point guard for the University of Iowa, then as an assistant coach at Butler University. But since April 2023, he's been equally known for his relationship with WNBA phenomenon Caitlin Clark. The pair first crossed paths as Hawkeyes teammates and kept their romance under wraps until Caitlin went Instagram official four months later. Now, their shared passion for hoops strengthens a partnership marked by milestone tributes, public support, and a genuine connection that extends far beyond the stat sheet. From Hawkeye standout to sideline coach Connor McCaffery spent six seasons with the Iowa Hawkeyes, earning five Academic All-Big Ten honors and tying the school record with 111 wins. A two-sport athlete who also excelled in baseball, he wrapped his collegiate career in May 2023 with degrees in finance and political science. As reported by Hello! Magazine, he began his professional journey as a team assistant for the NBA's Indiana Pacers before joining Butler University Athletics as an assistant coach in September 2024. His new role drew public support from Caitlin, who said he 'worked super hard for that' and expressed excitement for his future. Butler head coach Thad Matta praised his 'high-level playing career' and NBA experience, citing McCaffery's analytical skills and family pedigree—Connor comes from a basketball-centric family. His father, Fran, coached at Iowa for 14 years before taking the head coaching job at the University of Pennsylvania in March 2025. Despite his mother's hopes that he would avoid the high-pressure coaching world, Connor's path in basketball seems firmly set. Caitlin and Connor: A Hawkeye love story indeed Connor and Caitlin first met in the gym at Iowa, forming a friendship that blossomed into romance in April 2023. Four months later, in August 2023, Caitlin shared photos of them cuddled on a boat, captioned 'Best end to summer,' with a heart emoji. The couple then celebrated their first anniversary on April 24, 2024, with mutual Instagram tributes—Connor wrote, 'One year w the best… you never cease to amaze me,' while Caitlin's post was captioned with, 'You make every day better.' Similar posts followed this year, with Caitlin calling him her 'favorite person,' while Connor posted a picture of them taking a walk hand-in-hand, captioned '2 years. keep being u.' Their public declarations reveal a relationship built on mutual admiration and light-hearted competition. Caitlin even joked in another post that she hopes he would one day 'finally find a way to outshoot me.' And while the two haven't talked publicly about engagement, they're heading into year three stronger than ever. One thing's clear: whether it's game day or date night, they've got each other's backs.
USA Today
13-05-2025
- Sport
- USA Today
Michigan State football OL transfer Jacob Merritt commits to MAC school
Michigan State football OL transfer Jacob Merritt commits to MAC school Former Michigan State offensive lineman Jacob Merritt has found a new home in the Mid-American Conference A former Michigan State reserve offensive lineman has landed at a Mid-American Conference school. Jacob Merritt is officially transferring to Buffalo of the MAC. The Buffalo Bulls official football account shared the transfer commitment and signing of Merritt on Monday night. Merritt entered the transfer portal last month after spring practice wrapped up. He is a redshirt sophomore walk-on who never saw game action during his time at Michigan State but was considered to be a strong scout team player and in line for a back-up role this upcoming season. Merritt is from Northville, Mich. and was two-time Academic All-Big Ten selection. Merritt will have three years of eligibility remaining. Merritt is one of a few former Spartans to recently announce transfer commitments to MAC schools. James Schott and Bai Jobe also committed to Miami (OH) of the MAC in the last few weeks. 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.
