Independent Review of Former Indiana University Men’s Basketball Team Doctor Brad Bomba Sr. is Released An independent review has cleared former Indiana University basketball team Dr. Brad Bomba of any wrongdoing after allegations of sexual abuse surfaced in August. The university commissioned a law firm to investigate claims made by five former players who accused Bomba of sexually abusing them during rectal exams. Attorneys for the players noted that the report highlighted the exams as uncommon, with three medical experts concurring on this point. The investigation report concluded that Bomba conducted the examinations in a clinically appropriate manner and found no evidence that he derived any sexual gratification from performing them. The accusations against Bomba emerged in August, prompting the university to take action by hiring a law firm to conduct an independent review of the claims. The findings of the report have exonerated Bomba, though the attorneys for the players continue to emphasize the unusual nature of the exams.
Kurtis Rourke Gets Selected 25th Overall in the Canadian Football League Draft The Saskatchewan Roughriders selected Indiana quarterback Kurtis Rourke with the No. 25 pick, in the third round of the 2025 CFL Draft on Tuesday. Rouke posted 29 touchdowns and five interceptions in his only season with the Hoosiers. The Oakville, Ontario., native transferred to Indiana from Ohio for his final NCAA season and led the Big Ten school to an 11-2 record and a place in the inaugural 12-team College Football Playoff. Rouke’s breakout college season came in 2022 when he threw 25 touchdowns with only four picks for the Bobcats. For his efforts, he was named the Mid-American Conference Offensive Player of the Year. Rouke was taken in the seventh round, 227th overall of the NFL Draft by the San Francisco 49ers. “I think it takes a little bit of guts to make a pick like that, knowing there’s a possibility that you don’t get him,” Roughriders general manager Jeremy O’Day said. “It’s one of those risk-rewards. We’ve shown that we’re not scared to make those picks of guys we may or may not see. Obviously, you don’t want to miss too many times on those guys, and you want to re-stock your Canadian talent.
Indiana University Men’s Golfer Clay Merchent named All-Big Ten Second Team Indiana redshirt junior Clay Merchent was named All-Big Ten Second Team, the second all-league honor of his career, the Big Ten announced on Thursday. Merchent was atop the IU lineup in all 10 events for head coach Mike Mayer. He posted a scoring average of 71.50 across 30 rounds. Merchent played a team-best 19 rounds at or under par this season, including five rounds in the 60s. His scoring average is on track to rank fourth on the all-time Indiana list and is the lowest recorded by a Hoosier since Jorge Campillo (70.69) in the 2008-09 season. The Noblesville native was voted All-Big Ten First Team and Big Ten Freshman of the Year following the 2020-21 season. He holds a career stroke average of 72.85, the fourth lowest mark in program history. He ranks just behind former All-Americans Jeff Overton (2002-05), Campillo (2006-09), and Drew Salyers (2020-24).
Merchent earned an individual bid to the NCAA Urbana Regional, his third appearance in NCAA postseason play during his career at Indiana. Regional play will take place May 12-14 at six sites. The top five teams (30 teams total) and the low individual not on an advancing team (six individuals total) from each regional site will advance to play in the championships at Omni La Costa Resort & Spa in Carlsbad, California. The championship rounds will be contested from May 23-28. Sophomore Nick Piesen was named Indiana’s Big Ten Sportsmanship Award Honoree. The Strongsville, Ohio, native played 30 rounds across 10 events, compiled 14 rounds at or below par, including a season-low of 68 in the second round of the Boilermaker Invitational, and posted a stroke average of 72.97.
Former Indiana All-Star and Bloomington South Graduate Kyle Hankins Named Boys Basketball Coach at Lighthouse Christian Academy Kyle Hankins has been named the new Varsity Boys Basketball Coach at Lighthouse Christian Academy and will be an Assistant Athletic Director. Coach Hankins brings a wealth of experience and a passion for fostering excellence both on and off the court. With an impressive coaching background that includes roles at Brescia University, Kentucky Wesleyan College, Centre College, East Central University, Southwestern Christian University and Oklahoma Baptist University he has developed a deep understanding of the game and a proven ability to guide athletes to success. Hankins is Bloomington native and former standout player at Bloomington High School South and was awarded the honor of 2001 Indiana All Star. After high school he went on to Morehead State University to continue his playing career where he played all four years. He played on the 2003 Ohio Valley Conference Regular Season Championship team, the first time for the team in over 25 years. Hankins replaces John Winders who left after two seasons with a 16-31 overall record. The Lions have been eligible for the IHSAA Tournament since the 2020-21 season and their two winning seasons came under Jeff Mills who was 32-17 from 2021-23 and won their first Class 1A Boys Basketball Sectional Games in Program History losing to Bloomfield in the Championship game in 2023.
Tyrese Haliburton’s Dad John will stop Attending Indiana Pacers Games after Incident after the Game 5 Win Over the Milwaukee Bucks Tyrese Haliburton’s father will stop attending Pacers games, after his confrontation with Milwaukee Bucks star Giannis Antetokounmpo, according to ESPN. The confrontation came after Haliburton led the Pacers to an incredible comeback win in overtime April 29 to advance to the second round of the NBA playoffs over the Bucks. Both Antetokounmpo and Haliburton discussed the confrontation after the game, garnering national media attention. The news was first reported by ESPN reporter Shams Charania. He posted on X saying: “After conversations with Tyrese Haliburton’s father John Haliburton and the Indiana Pacers front office, John Haliburton will not attend the team’s home and road games for the foreseeable future, a Pacers spokesperson told ESPN.”
The confrontation happened at the end of Game 5 of the Pacers vs. Bucks series, as a triumphant elder Haliburton appeared to taunt the Bucks over their loss. Antetokounmpo stepped up to him, towering over him as the two exchanged words. Antetokounmpo said he likes Haliburton, calling him a great competitor, but he said John Haliburton displaying a towel with his son’s image while yelling “this is what we (expletive) do” was wrong. “I feel like that’s very, very disrespectful,” said Antetokounmpo, who finished with 30 points, 20 rebounds and 13 assists. “I had no idea it happened until I got back to the locker room and they showed me the video of my pops,” Haliburton said after he made the decisive layup with 1.3 seconds left to give Indiana a 119-118 victory and a 4-1 series win. “We had a little talk about it. I don’t agree with what transpired there. I think basketball is basketball, and let’s keep it on the court. I think he just got excited.”
Tickets for the WNBA All-Star Game in Indianapolis this Summer Sell-Out within Five Hours of Going on Sale The excitement is building for the 2025 WNBA All-Star Game, as the allocated tickets for the main event were completely purchased within 5 hours. However, basketball fans still have a chance to be part of the action with tickets available for the WNBA STARRY 3-Point Contest AND Kia WNBA Skills Challenge taking place on Friday, July 18, at Gainbridge Fieldhouse. This year marks a historic moment for Indianapolis, as it will host the WNBA All-Star Game for the first time on Saturday, July 19. In addition to the contests, fans can look forward to the inaugural Fever Fest, a comedy and musical festival set to take place on July 19. The event is hosted by Pacers Sports & Entertainment and Hartbeat—founded by comedian Kevin Hart. A star-studded lineup, including the halftime performer for the All-Star game, will be announced soon, with tickets available for purchase starting May 1 at 2 p.m. Also returning for its fourth consecutive year is WNBA Live, held on July 18 and 19 at the Indiana Convention Center. This fan-favorite event provides an opportunity to meet some of the WNBA’s biggest stars while celebrating basketball, fashion, music, and culture. Tickets for WNBA Live will be released in the coming weeks, offering an exciting addition to the All-Star weekend lineup.