Indiana University Softball Adds Ally Miklesh as Assistant Coach
Indiana Softball Head Coach Shonda Stanton has announced Ally Miklesh has joined the program’s staff as an assistant coach. Miklesh comes to Bloomington after serving as an assistant coach at the University of Wisconsin-Stevens Point during the 2024 season. “I am excited to welcome Ally to our staff.” Stanton said. “Her familiarity with Big Ten play, competitive character and enthusiasm for the game make her a great addition. Coach Miklesh will serve as our outfield coach and oversee our small ball and baserunning components. Her background and success as a triple-threat athlete align well with that part of our offensive system.”
At UW-Stevens Point, Miklesh provided insight and instruction in film and practice sessions, built game plans surrounding approaches during games and developed hitting circuits based on opposing pitchers, among other responsibilities. In her lone season, she helped lead the team to a 32-9 record and their first NCAA Regional appearance since 2007. “Joining this decorated team is both an honor and a tremendous opportunity, and I am deeply grateful to Coach Stanton and the entire staff.” Miklesh said of the new role. “The Hoosier Softball program has a distinguished reputation for excelling year after year, and to be a part of such a dynamic group is truly exciting. I am eager to contribute to the continued growth and success of the program, leveraging my experience and enthusiasm to support and enhance the team’s performance.”
Prior to Stevens Point, Miklesh played collegiately at Wisconsin and Clemson. She played at Wisconsin during the 2019-2022 seasons while using her final year of eligibility at Clemson in the 2023 season. In her four years as a Badger, she registered 164 starts and 169 career appearances. Miklesh played the outfield and was a triple threat hitter. She posted 114 hits, 79 runs, 15 doubles, two triples, one home run, 48 RBI and 31 stolen bases. At Wisconsin, she was part of two teams that reached an NCAA Regional. The 2019 team went 43-14 and lost in the Norman Regional Final to Oklahoma while the 2022 squad reached the Gainesville Regional final. In 2022, she earned All-Big Ten Second Team and Academic All-Big Ten honors. Miklesh was also named a 2022 NFCA Third Team All-Region honoree, a 2022 NFCA All-America Scholar Athlete and a three-time All-Academic Big Ten honoree.
In her lone season at Clemson in 2023, Miklesh played in 60 games and recorded 45 hits, five doubles, one triple, one home run, 14 RBI and 18 stolen bases with a .306 batting average and was named to All-ACC third team. At Clemson, the team went 49-12, hosted and won an NCAA Regional before falling to Oklahoma in the Super Regional round. Miklesh is originally from Stevens Point, Wis. where she attended Stevens Point Area High School. She was a four-time first-team All-Wisconsin Valley conference selection and was a four-time all-state selection by the Wisconsin Fastpitch Coaches Association (WFCA). In 2018, she was named the WI outfielder of the year and conference player of the year. She also led her team to a state title in 2016.
Indiana University Baseball hires Blake Allen as Assistant Coach
A coach of over 20 years and a veteran leader with Midwest ties, former DePauw Head Coach Blake Allen was added to the Indiana Baseball staff as the program’s third assistant coach. Head Coach Jeff Mercer made the hire official on Friday morning, finalizing his 2025 coaching staff. He will wear the number four on his jersey. “Blake was my mentor and role model when we coached together at Western Kentucky,” Mercer said. “He taught me the obligation of a college baseball coach; the work ethic, investment and responsibility to provide the players your absolute best effort daily. Blake will bring that same level of care to Indiana. He’ll make us all better and I am excited to work with him again.”
Allen, who worked with Mercer during their overlapping stints at Western Kentucky, will coordinate team practice, help coach team defense, work with infielders and hitters and will man the third base box on gamedays. He brings along 20+ years of coaching experience as an assistant and head coach, highlighted by five years working at national powerhouse Vanderbilt. “I want to thank Coach Mercer and Indiana University for this wonderful opportunity,” Allen said. “I am grateful to be here at IU and I am extremely excited to work with Mercer, the players and this amazing staff.”
In his most recent stop, Allen served as the head coach at DePauw for the past eight seasons. His wife, Cristin, worked simultaneously at DePauw as the head women’s soccer coach. The Tigers finished 23-17 in 2024, the best mark of a team during his tenure. DePauw went 12-4 in the North Coast Athletic Conference. At DePauw, Allen oversaw the development of Grady Johnson as one of the league’s most prolific hitters in 2024. The freshman hit .370 on the season, collecting 61 hits over 165 at-bats in his freshman season. On the mound, Michael Vallone finished off his senior season with a 2.95 earned run average in 58.0 innings pitched. He worked a 7-1 record with a WHIP of 0.98. Vallone was named a Division Three All-American. Prior to his time at DePauw, Allen worked as an assistant coach at Vanderbilt across two different stints. He worked with Tim Corbin from 2004-08 and then again from 2015-16 in Nashville. He was part of the staff that won the 2007 SEC Regular Season and Tournament titles. In his initial tenure with the Commodores, Allen worked with hitters and catchers and assisted with strength and conditioning. His first four seasons saw him coach 38 players that signed professional contacts. Two of his catchers (Brian Hernandez – 2006, Shea Robin – 2008) were taken in the top 20 rounds of the MLB Draft.
The connection between Allen and Mercer dates back to their days together at Western Kentucky. Mercer, a volunteer assistant from 2012-13, worked with Allen who was a full-time assistant between 2009 and 2015 with the Hilltoppers. Allen worked in a variety of roles including time spent as the hitting, pitching and catching coach. During Allen’s time in Bowling Green, Western Kentucky was ranked in the top 25 on three occasions and won one Sun Belt Conference title and made the NCAA Tournament in 2009. That 2009 team finished as one of the best offensive lineups in program history. On the season, the Hilltoppers smashed 88 home runs, 124 doubles and hit .330. In five seasons working with the Western Kentucky hitters, its offense hit over .300 on two occasions and set then-program records in runs (538) and RBIs (490). He worked with outfielder Kes Carter who went on to become the 56th overall pick in the 2011 MLB Draft, the highest picked player in program history.
Allen began his playing days at DePauw but finished his collegiate career at Blackburn college, earning a Bachelor of Science degree in 2001. He went on to earn his Master of Science from Indiana State in 2003. In addition to baseball, Allen has previous experience working with football programs and strength staffs. He has two daughters – Keelyn and Quinley Jane – and a son, Rooney. His family resides in Plainfield.
B-Town Boulevard has been added to the Indiana University Football Gameday Experience
The south lawn of Memorial Stadium will transform into B-Town Boulevard to entertain the Hoosier faithful for the Indiana football program’s eight-game home schedule. The area will feature both free and paid fan experiences. B-town Boulevard opens to the public two-and-one-half hours prior to kick off with a festival-like pregame atmosphere that features a concert stage for live bands, food trucks, outdoor bar, and family-friendly games and attractions. Enjoy special performances every game by the Marching Hundred, RedSteppers, and IU Cheerleaders. Fans can pick-up the latest gameday apparel and merchandise from the IU Team Store location inside B-Town Boulevard. B-Town Boulevard closes just prior to kickoff.
B-Town Boulevard Tailgate Party & Game Ticket Package- Buy Now– Looking for a place to gather with friends before the game? Purchase an all-inclusive B-Town Boulevard tailgate package which includes a game ticket and access to a special pregame food and beverage menu inside B-Town Boulevard. When you arrive, simply check-in at the B-Town Boulevard Tailgate Party Pavilion (located adjacent to the outdoor bar), then sit-back, grab a bite to eat, and enjoy the festive atmosphere before the game. The menu includes fan favorites such as Texas BBQ, brats, and burgers. Water and soft drinks are included. Fans can purchase alcoholic beverages (beer, wine and liquor) separately at the B-Town Boulevard outdoor bar.
B-Town Boulevard Group Tents- Contact: Maggie Coates (macoates@iu.edu)– Let IU Athletics help you arrange an unforgettable pregame tent party for you and your group. Whether you’re hosting a large or small gathering, IU Athletics and its hospitality partner, Master Rental, offers customizable group tailgating options. All group tents are located around B-Town Boulevard, just steps away from the stadium, and each tailgate party includes tent, tables, table coverings, seating, setup and breakdown. Additional equipment such as beverage stations, lighting, heaters, and more are also available. Game tickets, parking, and catering can be added as well to the group tailgate experience. Groups numbering 35 or more fans are required to utilize IU Athletics’ official group tailgate caterer – Garnish Catering. To arrange a group tailgate tent party at B-Town Boulevard contact Maggie Coates at macoates@iu.edu.
The Indiana Fever Open the Post Olympic Break with a win over the Phoenix Mercury
In the team’s first game back following the Olympic break, the Indiana Fever (12-15) defeated the Phoenix Mercury, 98-89, in its highest scoring game of the season at Gainbridge Fieldhouse. With the win, Indiana finished 3-0 in the regular season series against Phoenix and swept the Mercury for the first time since the 2015 regular season. Friday was the fourth consecutive game Aliyah Boston, Caitlin Clark, Kelsey Mitchell and NaLyssa Smith all scored in double figures with Boston, Clark, Mitchell and Smith all scoring double figures by halftime on Friday night. Clark led Indiana in scoring and recorded her 10th double-double of the season with 29 points, 10 assists and also pulled down five rebounds. Clark went 9-of-10 from the free throw line and made four 3-point field goals. Mitchell tied a season-high 28 points and notched a season-high six made 3-point field goals, passing Allie Quigley for 17th on the all-time made 3-point field goals list. Mitchell also grabbed five rebounds and dished out three assists. Friday’s matchup marked Clark’s 11th game scoring at least 20 points this season and Mitchell’s eighth 20-point scoring effort this season.
Boston and Smith combined for 27 points in the win, as Boston recorded 14 points and Smith tallied 13. Both players also pulled down nine rebounds each.
The Fever went on a 22-9 run for more than five minutes in the first quarter and outscored Phoenix, 33-16, going into the second quarter. In the first quarter, Clark pitched in 13 of her 29 points and 10 of Mitchell’s 28 points helped Indiana race out to the lead. Indiana’s first quarter run extended into the second quarter as the Fever went on a 23-8 run for more than six minutes and ended the first half up, 54-37, which was its second largest lead at the half this season. The Fever went on a 12-3 run toward the end of the third quarter and Fever forward Katie Lou Samuelson hit a 3-point field goal at the buzzer, putting Indiana up, 73-65, going into the fourth. Former Indiana University Standout Grace Berger did not play. Indiana outscored Phoenix in paint points, 34-10, bench points, 11-6 and led by as much as 28 points halfway through the second quarter. On Phoenix’s end, four Mercury (14-13) players scored in double figures, led by Kahleah Copper’s game-high 32 points. Copper added eight rebounds and six assists as well. Mercury guards Natasha Cloud and Diana Taurasi followed with 19 and 16 points, respectively, and Cloud tallied a season-high five made 3-point field goals. Cloud and Taurasi combined for six rebounds and six assists. Mercury center Brittney Griner added 10 points and four rebounds.
Indianapolis Colts get their first win of the Preseason over the Arizona Cardinals
Jason Bean, Tyler Goodson, and Zavier Scott each rushed for one touchdown Saturday night, helping the Indianapolis Colts hold off the mistake-prone Arizona Cardinals 21-13 in a matchup of backups at Lucas Oil Stadium in Indianapolis. Coaches Shane Steichen and Jonathan Gannon each opted to sit most of their starters after holding two joint practices earlier this week. Clayton Tune started at quarterback for the Cardinals and was 8 of 10 with 79 yards and a 12-yard TD run late in the first half while Desmond Ridder finished the game 6 of 10 for 71 yards. Trey Benson carried nine times for 43 yards, but Arizona had nearly as many penalties (11) as first downs (13). Indy took a 7-0 lead on Goodson’s 8-yard TD run late in the first quarter. Arizona answered with a 40-yard field goal early in the second quarter and capitalized on an interception when Tune scored on a 12-yard run in the final minute of the first half to make it 10-7. Bean rebounded by opening the second half with a 75-yard drive, capped by Scott’s 6-yard scoring run, before punching it in himself to give Indy a 21-13 lead. The Colts visit Cincinnati on Thursday, two days after a joint practice against the Bengals.
Notre Dame Suspends its Men’s Swimming Program for One Year due to Gambling Violations
Notre Dame suspended its men’s swimming program Thursday for at least one year after an external review found members of the team violated NCAA rules by wagering among themselves on results of their competitions and failed to “treat one another with dignity and respect.” “In order to ensure that this behavior ends and to rebuild a culture of dignity, respect, and exemplary conduct, we have decided to suspend the men’s swimming program for at least one academic year,” athletic director Pete Bevacqua said in a statement. Notre Dame did not reveal details of the review done by a law firm.
According to a person with knowledge of the situation, members of the team had set up a makeshift, internal sportsbook where athletes could wager on the times posted by themselves or teammates at meets. Athletes were not found to have bet on opposing teams or on any other Notre Dame athletic events, the person said. The person spoke on condition of anonymity because Notre Dame was not making the contents of the report public. The person said more than 60% of the returning team, which includes 25 swimmers, took part in betting on the performances of members of the team. The review also revealed some members of the team had bet among themselves on events such as the Super Bowl and March Madness basketball tournament games. The person said a group text chat with members of the team filled with derogatory remarks and messages was also found. No evidence of physical hazing or abuse was uncovered.
Sports Illustrated first reported the details of the gambling violations found in the review. The women’s swimming and diving teams and the men’s diving team were not found to have been involved. Bevcaqua said coach Chris Lindauer and his staff fully cooperated with the review. No coaches were dismissed. “The review found that the staff was not aware of gambling or the scope and extent of other troubling behaviors because team members effectively concealed such behaviors from the coaches and staff through concerted efforts,” Bevacqua said. “According to the review, when the staff became aware of certain isolated incidents of unacceptable conduct, they treated them seriously and professionally.” Lindauer served as an assistant coach for USA Swimming at the recent Olympics and Fighting Irish swimmer Chris Guiliano won an Olympic gold medal as part of Team USA’s 400-meter freestyle relay team. According to the person who spoke to the AP, the review did not find evidence Guiliano took part in the wagering.
“While it has been a difficult few months, I am confident that Notre Dame took the correct steps to ensure this misconduct does not continue,” Lindauer said in a statement. “I am hopeful we will emerge from this situation stronger than ever.” Notre Dame said administrators received reports of misconduct after last school year and brought in the law firm Ropes & Gray to do a review in June. Members of the team will be permitted to transfer, though NCAA sanctions would follow those found to have broken rules against gambling. “The national office is aware that Notre Dame has declared several student-athletes ineligible in light of potential violations of sports betting rules,” NCAA spokeswoman Meghan Durham Wright said in a statement. “We continue to work with the school as it determines what occurred. The NCAA does not comment on specific eligibility cases due to student privacy laws, and we have no further comment at this time.” The NCAA has modified in recent months its sanctions for gambling violations to make the penalties less punitive for small wagers and those placed on sports outside of those in which the athletes compete. “We hope this decision sends a clear and unequivocal message reaffirming that commitment and expectation,” Bevacqua said. “And, as we do after any major action, we will continue to review our internal processes and reporting structures to ensure that we are doing all that we can to nurture a positive experience for all Notre Dame student-athletes.”
Other college sports teams have been ensnared in recent gambling cases. Alabama fired baseball coach Brad Bohannon in May 2023 after Ohio authorities discovered that suspicious wagers involving his team were placed at a Cincinnati casino. About the same time, Iowa authorities announced they were investigating illegal sports wagers made by college athletes at Iowa and Iowa State. Criminal charges were filed against about two dozen athletes, with most taking plea deals and a few having charges dismissed when a judge affirmed a defense motion that there was no probable cause for the investigation. Still, all were declared ineligible by the NCAA, including five starters on the ISU football team. Several athletes filed a civil rights lawsuit against the Iowa Division of Criminal Investigation.
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