Latest news with #Purdue
Yahoo
20 hours ago
- Sport
- Yahoo
Former Purdue, Maryland standout becomes HBCU coach
The post Former Purdue, Maryland standout becomes HBCU coach appeared first on ClutchPoints. Former Maryland and Purdue University hoops standout Whitney Bay is taking her coaching talents to an HBCU. She is set to become the new head women's basketball coach of West Virginia State University, per a statement by the institution. Advertisement 'I'm incredibly honored and humbled to be named the head women's basketball coach at WV State University,' Bays said in a statement. 'This university has a strong historical foundation, and I'm excited to build on that tradition. My vision is to develop champions on the court, in the classroom, and in life. It's good to be home. Go State!' 'Whitney Bays is a proven leader who has consistently elevated programs at every level, from high school state championships to NCAA Tournament success,' said Sean McAndrews, Interim Athletic Director at WVSU. 'Her ability to develop elite talent, like AAC All-Conference players and Big South All-Stars, while maintaining a relentless focus on academic accountability, makes her the perfect fit for our mission. Whitney's championship mindset, both as a player and coach, combined with her deep ties to West Virginia basketball, will ignite our program and inspire our student-athletes to compete at the highest level in the Mountain East Conference.' Bay has a basketball legacy synonymous with West Virginia, and the new position is a homecoming of sorts. She led Huntington High School to three consecutive state championship appearances, capped by back-to-back state titles during her time as an assistant coach for the program. During her high school playing career, Bays captured two Gatorade West Virginia Player of the Year titles and became a 1,000-point scorer. At Purdue University, Bays carved her name into the program's record books. From 2013 to 2015, she was a two-time All-Big Ten Second Team selection and the Big Ten Sixth Player of the Year in 2014. Her tenacity on the boards earned her the top rebounding average (8.9 per game) in Purdue's history, and she recorded 23 career double-doubles, ranking third all-time at Purdue. Advertisement Bays' success didn't stop after her collegiate career. She played professionally across several countries, dominating leagues internationally. Most notably, her achievements in Puerto Rico include being named League MVP and spearheading her team's run to a league championship. Bays has transitioned her skills into coaching and shown a knack for building winning teams. At Gardner-Webb University, she helped guide the team to a historic 29-5 record and an undefeated 21-0 Big South Conference season in 2023, culminating in the program's first NCAA Tournament berth in 12 years. Her work with the Bulldogs produced multiple individual accolades, including the Big South Player of the Year and Defensive Player of the Year. Her most recent role at the University of Memphis further demonstrated her ability to develop talent and craft winning strategies. While at Memphis, Bays coached standout players such as NCAA All-Conference honorees and rising stars who dominated the American Athletic Conference. Now, she joins a West Virginia State team that's coming off an 18-13 record in the 2024 season. Bay looks to build off of that success and turn the team into a sustained contender. Related: David Banner and other notable alumni of Southern University Related: HBCU alumna runs against her brother in Florida primary race
Indianapolis Star
2 days ago
- Sport
- Indianapolis Star
Purdue basketball looks forward to center who ‘opens up some things' returning stronger from injury
Daniel Jacobsen attacked Purdue men's basketball's first summer practice with an enthusiastic abandon, diving on the floor for a loose ball at one point and crashing into stout teammate Trey Kaufman-Renn in the process. Jacobsen spent months yearning for the thump of assistant coach Brandon Brantley's padded arm into his lower back. The Boilermakers' 7-foot-4 center was finally healthy, cleared for full contact — and most satisfyingly, back on the floor with his team in a real way. 'It's something I've been dying to do for months,' Jacobsen said after that June 9 practice. 'It kills me watching. So it was great to get out there.' A broken tibia one minute into the second game of his career became an inflection point in the 2024-25 season. Purdue never replaced his rim protection. Defensively, it missed the rebounding presence of his height and reach. His pick-and-roll opportunities with point guard Braden Smith — as well as his ability to stretch defenses from 3-point range — would have further complicated an already tough defensive assignment for opponents. Now Jacobsen stands as a significant reason why Purdue may be the nation's No. 1 preseason team. Matt Painter searched far and wide for help in the offseason, bringing in Australian center Oscar Cluff by way of South Dakota and guard Omer Mayer from Israel. All along, he also had Jacobsen ready to pick up where he left off from what started as an impressive freshman debut. Jacobsen departs with Team USA for the FIBA Under-19 World Cup in Switzerland around 40 pounds heavier than when he arrived at Purdue last summer. That cracked bone ruined his first-year plan. It also accelerated his second-year mission. Rob Jacobsen watched from home in Colorado as his son prepared to build upon his impressive debut — 13 points, seven rebounds and three blocks against Texas A&M Corpus Christi — in Purdue's second game against Northern Kentucky. Any parent knows every last detail does not always make it home from college. So the elder Jacobsen was surprised when his son took the court with a neoprene sleeve on his right leg from the shin up past his knee. Prepare for Purdue's championship drive with our book on the 2024 Final Four run 'Sometimes kids wear stuff like that for decoration as much as any real reason — elbow sleeves or whatever — because it looks good or makes them feel good,' Rob Jacobsen said. 'I wasn't sure what it was.' Jacobsen had felt some pain in the leg. He thought perhaps he was dealing with a case of shin splints. He'd been working hard to earn that spot in the starting lineup. Gain required pain. In truth, a stress fracture had begun to form in that leg. One minute into the game against the Norse, a defender bumped that specific area of the leg as he and Jacobsen stumbled over each other in the lane. That fluke contact cracked Jacobsen's lower leg bone. Multiple medical personnel later told the family that might have been the best possible scenario. The bone was compromised enough that a catastrophic break, such as the open fractures suffered by Louisville's Kevin Ware or Paul George while with the Pacers, could have awaited in his future. 'It was kind of going to happen eventually,' Jacobsen said. Jacobsen's only previous injury of significance came after his sophomore year of high school, when he fell and injured a wrist. He wore cast and the bone took an annoyingly long time to heal. This injury, though, required surgery and bed rest. Leaving bed was no picnic, either. Imagine the difficulty of doing everyday tasks without bending one leg. Now imagine you're the size of a small tree. Following surgery at Forte Sports Medicine and Orthopedics in Carmel, Jacobsen needed an emotional boost, too. He received the full extent of the Boilermaker family treatment. Rob said that extended down to the student managers who helped around the apartment, including one who made a special laundromat trip for an oversized bed comforter. 'It reinforced it in spades — that you're dealing with good people who are good people first and good basketball people second,' Rob said. 'All the way down to the freshman student managers. They're there for the right reasons.' When he left active status, Jacobsen joined a dedicated subgroup of the roster. On the road, he often worked out with classmate Jack Benter, using a conventional redshirt season, and the Boilermaker walk-ons. After team dinners on the road, director of strength and conditioning Jason Kabo took them to the sometimes hit-or-miss hotel fitness room to get in a workout. Occasionally they stumbled onto a rare treasure, such as one in Michigan with a squat rack. Kabo said Jacobsen lifted six or even seven days a week during the season. Initially that involved a lot of balance work and upper body exercises, back one day, chest the next. When they finished, Koba whipped up a protein shake for recovery. 'We were inseparable,' Kabo said. Jacobsen missed three weeks of Purdue's summer program prior to last season while helping Team USA win gold at another FIBA event: the U17 World Cup. He came back around 210 pounds — gangly, at least relative to most Big Ten big men. Players struggle to add weight before the season because they are working so hard on their conditioning. Same goes for in season, since they burn so many calories on a near daily basis. Jacobsen managed to get up to the 230 range by the time of the injury. According to Kabo, because post-surgery recovery kept Jacobsen out of the weight room, he dropped almost all the way back to his arrival weight. One of the only positives Jacobsen could take from the injury was how it allowed him to begin gaining weight faster than if he had been playing. Kabo said while Jacobsen lost weight post-surgery, he did not lose muscle mass. With those one-on-one workouts, he eventually added 35 pounds to his bench press max. He started summer practice at 253 pounds. Only one day in, he said he already felt harder to displace in the post. 'We hope that he can continue to do that, or at the worst maintain his weight,' Painter said. 'Once you get into the season, you're not going to gain weight. But if you can maintain, that really helps.' Kaufman-Renn did not want to publicly judge the impact of a bigger Jacobsen off a single practice. He gladly spoke about what the center's return means for a national championship-aspirant team. 'I'm really looking forward to, not just him, but the combination of Braden and him playing together, and me being able to play the 4 and kind of play alongside them — just because he's such a lob threat and he can shoot the ball,' Kaufman-Renn said. 'I really think that opens up some things. Obviously I'm not as much of a lob threat, so to give Braden that option to go to consistently — I think it's going to be key for our team.' Offensively, Jacobsen's goal is to be difficult to define. He wants to excel in all variants of pick-and-roll action. He wants to stretch defenses with the perimeter touch he barely had time to display prior to last season's injury. He should immediately become one of the better shot-blockers in the Big Ten. Despite what assumptions one might make from his size, though, Painter said Jacobsen must establish himself as a consistent rebounder. Purdue already bolstered one of last season's vulnerabilities when it brought on Cluff. Painter pointed out how last season's team was one of the nation's most efficient in transition, but could not capitalize enough due to its rebounding shortcomings. Last season, under the circumstances, that issue was at least understandable, if not entirely acceptable. This season, Purdue endeavors to give opponents a painfully small margin for error in all facets. The development Jacobsen reaches for this summer remains essential to that. The international competition in Switzerland becomes the next stage. Former Purdue assistant and Notre Dame coach Micah Shrewsberry serves as one of the assistants. For the training camp in Colorado Springs, Purdue assistant Brandon Brantley sent Jacobsen's summer program to Shrewsberry, one of the Team USA assistant coaches. Jacobsen said he began to feel like himself again about a month before summer practice began. He's also a new self — one he's eager to finally inflict on the Big Ten.
Techday NZ
3 days ago
- Business
- Techday NZ
Device Authority launches KeyScaler 2025 with AI automation
Device Authority has released KeyScaler 2025, an update to its IoT identity security platform that introduces enhanced automation, a redesigned user interface, and new support for industrial edge environments. KeyScaler 2025 has been developed in response to increasing security concerns related to unmanaged IoT devices, which remain a significant vector for cyberattacks. Industry research indicates that one third of data breaches involve an IoT device and more than half of these devices have critical vulnerabilities that are susceptible to exploitation. The new platform release emphasises alignment with the latest recommendations from the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST), aiming to simplify and secure the full lifecycle of unmanaged devices. A key component of this update is the integration of AI-supported automation throughout the platform, intended to allow for more effective and hands-off remediation of device vulnerabilities. An important element of KeyScaler 2025 is its newly designed user interface, which streamlines device onboarding and lifecycle management. The company states that the interface is both faster to operate and provides greater visibility and control over an organisation's IoT identity estate. Enhanced insight and accessibility are central themes for this release, with the intent of making lifecycle management of large device fleets more practicable for IT and security teams. KeyScaler 2025 introduces a new Edge Remote Access Controller, which provides policy-based, secure remote access to IoT and operational technology (OT) devices at the network edge. This is particularly pertinent for industrial adopters following the Purdue model for manufacturing, as it supports secure management of device identities within segmented industrial control system layers. Device Authority's Chief Executive Officer, Darron Antill, commented on the new release, explaining the rationale and expected impact: "KeyScaler 2025 is the result of listening to our customers and the market who are requiring even greater visibility, control and automated remediation of their unmanaged device security. Incorporating AI-powered features into the core platform and introducing new innovative approaches to Edge security management ensures that even the most vulnerable devices remain secure without the need for human intervention, therefore significantly reducing business risk. The platform's faster and simpler integrations and ease of deployment make this an even more frictionless experience and is a further step to helping organizations achieve complete end to end device and data trust." The integration of artificial intelligence is intended to reduce the requirement for manual intervention in the security management of IoT devices. By automating processes such as threat detection, response, and remediation, Device Authority states that organisations can achieve improved security outcomes and decrease business risk arising from unmanaged devices. The Edge Remote Access Controller is being positioned as a solution for the secure enforcement of access policies at the industrial edge. By managing and governing remote connectivity according to organisational policies, the tool is designed to provide compliance with diverse cybersecurity regulations and frameworks, including requirements set out under the EU Cyber Resilience Act as well as anticipated U.S. Department of Defense guidance for OT/IoT systems. Device Authority also highlights its automated and closed-loop protection model. This approach aims to mitigate the impact of human error, speed up incident response, and minimise regulatory risk by providing end-to-end visibility and control across potentially vast and complex device estates. According to Device Authority, major OT/IoT deployments can see device identities outnumbering human identities by a factor of 45 to 1. This rising proportion of nonhuman identities within enterprise environments has made the management and protection of such assets a growing priority for security professionals. KeyScaler 2025 and its associated tools, including KeyScaler-as-a-Service (KSaaS) and a discovery tool for nonhuman identities and vulnerabilities, are part of Device Authority's strategy to help organisations adapt to an increasingly connected and regulated landscape. The company emphasises the need for complete visibility and intelligent automated controls as the scale and importance of IoT deployments continue to grow.
Yahoo
3 days ago
- Business
- Yahoo
Purdue University and Hello Sunshine partner on new platform to inspire the next generation of bold, curious young women
Sunnie will work to foster community among Gen Z girls, empowering them to envision bright futures – including careers in STEM WEST LAFAYETTE, Ind., June 25, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Purdue University is the official university partner of Sunnie, a multi-platform media brand geared toward Gen Z girls and young women. The multifaceted platform was created by Hello Sunshine, a next-generation media company founded by award-winning actress, author and entrepreneur Reese Witherspoon. The new platform – built by and made for Gen Z girls and women – strives to amplify female voices and empowers them to live up to their potential through storytelling across platforms, including experiential, digital content and editorial. Sunnie aims to build community among Gen Z girls and young women, emboldening them to imagine possible careers, including STEM fields. Powered by Purdue's commitment to accessibility and academic rigor in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics, the university will help design curricula that not only respond to the demands of the evolving tech workforce but also engage and inspire Gen Z girls by aligning with their academic interests, personal values, and creative passions. 'Purdue and Hello Sunshine share a powerful belief that when girls can see paths forward that reflect their interests, their dreams and their potential, there's no limit to what they can imagine or achieve,' said Kelly Hiller, chief marketing officer for Purdue University. 'At a time when social media can so profoundly shape how girls see themselves and their futures, we are excited to help support a space that replaces pressure with positivity, where storytelling meets passions, like STEM, and girls are inspired to see themselves as confident, curious and capable of shaping the future.' The national brand launch of Sunnie and the Purdue partnership were announced Wednesday (June 18) at The Cannes Lions International Festival of Creativity in Cannes, France. The festival, often described as the 'Oscars of the advertising world,' is one of the most prestigious global events in the fields of advertising, marketing, communications and creative media. 'Gen Z isn't waiting for permission — they're boldly shaping culture, community, and conversation in ways that are deeply intentional and inspiring,' said Maureen Polo, Head of Direct to Consumer at Hello Sunshine. 'That's why we're so excited to partner with Purdue University as the official University partner of Sunnie. Their team has been instrumental in helping launch this exciting venture for Hello Sunshine. Purdue's commitment to research, innovation, and student empowerment aligns perfectly with our mission to create spaces where young women feel truly seen, heard, and supported." As part of the new collaboration, Sunnie and Purdue will co-develop custom content, engaging curriculum and online resources that will serve as a 'playbook' centered around relevant subject matters, such as the building blocks for a STEM career. In addition, Purdue will also be a part of IRL (in real life) events planned to add a deeper layer of connection and community to the initiative. The platform will also offer continuing education opportunities for caregivers of Gen Z'ers, including certification programs, through Purdue University's online programs. This partnership reinforces Purdue's national leadership in STEM by showing up in modern, culturally relevant areas and aligning directly with the university's institutional priorities to expand access, drive enrollment and cultivate the next generation of trailblazers. 'The path to innovation begins long before college,' said Lucy Flesch, Frederick L. Hovde Dean of the College of Science. 'As a scientist and an educator, I've seen how early exposure to STEM can spark ambition and agency — especially for girls who may may not yet see themselves in these fields. It's important to show them how it can connect to their passions — we unlock potential that might've otherwise gone unseen.' Amplified by Purdue's colleges of Engineering and Science, Purdue Polytechnic Institute, and the Mitch Daniels School of Business, Purdue has the largest undergraduate STEM enrollment of any top 50-ranked university in the country. 'This directly supports a five-year goal of making Purdue the most desired STEM destination for young women,' said Arvind Raman, the John A. Edwardson Dean of the College of Engineering.'Gen Z girls are growing up in a world shaped by technology, and we want them not just to keep up—but to lead.' Industry partnerships are a hallmark of excellence for Purdue University and Purdue Brand Studio, the university's in-house marketing agency, as they play a central role in advancing the university's mission of innovation, impact and intellectual leadership on a national and global scale. Recent key industry partnershipsBrand Collaborations Leveraging the momentum of Taylor Swift's 'Eras Tour' last November in Indianapolis, Purdue hosted 'In Our STEM Era,' an immersive event in partnership with global beauty company e.l.f. Cosmetics, that attracted over 10,000 attendees. Purdue Brand Studio produced and premiered its first-ever feature film. 'Boilers to Mars' follows the academic and professional careers of four fictional Purdue students who ultimately take part in a historic first mission to Mars. The film was supported by SpaceKids Global, an organization that aims to inspire and empower young people by introducing them to the range of careers available in space exploration and technology. In April 2024 Purdue collaborated with two globally recognized brands — the Indianapolis Motor Speedway and NASA — for the Total Solar Eclipse Viewing Event. The interactive outdoor event, held at the famed raceway, was the largest single day of earned media exposure in Purdue history. Scientific Alliances In May Eli Lilly & Company committed $250 million to an eight-year research partnership with Purdue, focusing on AI-driven drug discovery, development and manufacturing. In January Purdue announced the Young Institute Pharmaceutical Manufacturing Consortium in partnership with Lilly and Merck & Co. Inc. to revolutionize pharmaceutical manufacturing. Purdue and Elanco Animal Health are co-developing the One Health Innovation District in Indianapolis. The initiative will advance knowledge and innovation related to animal, human and plant well-being through novel interdisciplinary initiatives and partnerships with industry. About Purdue University Purdue University is a public research university leading with excellence at scale. Ranked among top 10 public universities in the United States, Purdue discovers, disseminates and deploys knowledge with a quality and at a scale second to none. More than 107,000 students study at Purdue across multiple campuses, locations and modalities, including more than 58,000 at our main campus in West Lafayette and Indianapolis. Committed to affordability and accessibility, Purdue's main campus has frozen tuition 14 years in a row. See how Purdue never stops in the persistent pursuit of the next giant leap — including its comprehensive urban expansion, the Mitch Daniels School of Business, Purdue Computes and the One Health initiative — at About Hello SunshineFounded by Reese Witherspoon, Hello Sunshine puts women at the center of every story it creates, celebrates and discovers. Hello Sunshine tells stories across all platforms — from scripted and unscripted television, feature films, animated series, podcasts, audio storytelling and digital series — all shining a light on where women are now and helping them chart a new path forward. Hello Sunshine is also home to Reese's Book Club. Fast growing in reach and influence, this community is propelled by meaningful connections with stories, authors, and fellow members. Hello Sunshine is part of Candle Media, an independent, creator-friendly home for cutting-edge, high-quality, category-defining brands and franchises. By bringing together elite talent operating at the intersection of content, community and commerce, it helps to position leading entertainment businesses for accelerated, sustainable growth in the current market and beyond. Candle is run by its co-chairmen and co-CEOs, leading entertainment executives Kevin Mayer and Tom Staggs, and backed by investment capital from funds managed by Blackstone's flagship private equity business. Media contact: Wes Mills, wemills@ in to access your portfolio
USA Today
3 days ago
- Sport
- USA Today
Class of 2026 defensive lineman chooses a Big Ten rival over Wisconsin, Indiana
Committed!!#BoilerUp #HammerDown 🚂 Class of 2026 defensive lineman Kobe Cherry committed to Purdue on Monday. The three-star recruit chose the Boilermakers over other finalists Indiana and Wisconsin. His offer sheet also included Louisville, Minnesota, Toledo and Washington. 247Sports ranks Cherry as the No. 1,357 player in the class of 2026, the No. 147 defensive lineman and the No. 21 recruit from the state of Indiana. The 6-foot-5 lineman only took an official visit to Purdue. Notably, the in-state Boilermakers had long been the prohibitive favorites to land his commitment. He joins a Purdue class of 2026 that now ranks No. 35 nationally with 18 players committed. That class recently surpassed the Badgers' group (No. 51) in the national rankings. That movement has occurred as Wisconsin has gone 10 days without a commitment. The Badgers do already have two defensive linemen pledged to the class: Djidjou Bah and Arthur Scott. Bah's status is worth monitoring, however, as he recently took an official visit to Missouri. Wisconsin may be tasked with extra work to retain his commitment. Contact/Follow @TheBadgersWire on X (formerly Twitter) and like our page on Facebook to follow ongoing coverage of Wisconsin Badgers news, notes and opinion
