2013 Indianapolis 500 Winner Tony Kanaan is this year’s Grand Marshal of the 2026 Indiana University Little 500 Bike Race The Grand Marshal for the 2026 men’s Little 500 at Indiana University is a racing legend in his own right. IU Student Foundation officials announced Friday morning that auto racing great Tony Kanaan will serve as this year’s grand marshal at the men’s race. The winner of the 2013 Indianapolis 500, Kanaan is racing royalty and familiar with Indiana. Billed as “The World’s Greatest College Weekend,” IU’s Little 500 is the largest collegiate bike racing competition in the country. This year marks the 75th running of the men’s race. Modeled after the famous Indy 500, riders compete in four-person teams around a track at Bill Armstrong Stadium in Bloomington. While the men’s race is 200 laps, or 50 miles, the women’s race is 100 laps or 25 miles. The men’s race, featuring Kanaan as Grand Marshal, is scheduled for 2 p.m. on Saturday, April 25. For more information and tickets, click here. IUSF confirmed Friday morning that three members of the National Championship-winning IU football team will serve as Grand Marshals for the women’s race. These players are Carter Smith, Charlie Becker and Kaiden Turner.
Indiana University Baseball Opens the Weekend with a Run-Rule Victory over Abilene Christian When the calendar flipped to April, Indiana’s bats picked up at a big rate. A trio of home runs, two from sophomore outfielder Hogan Denny, helped spark a 13-3 (F/7) win in the series opener Friday Night against Abilene Christian at Bart Kaufman Field. The Hoosiers are hitting .347 this month and have won seven of the last 10 games. For the second-straight Friday outing, IU spotted its pitching staff plenty of room to work with.
A six spot in the third inning chased the Abilene Christian starter and allowed veteran southpaw Tony Neubeck (W, 5-3) to settle back into the contest. Neubeck provided six strikeouts and gave up just two runs on a night where he didn’t have his best stuff. Freshman right-handed Kellen English pitched the final two innings. Denny returned to the lineup in big fashion, homering in his first at-bat since last Saturday.
Eight of IU’s nine starters recorded at least one hit. Sophomore outfielder Cole Decker is hitting .400 in the month of April and provided his first career four-hit effort in the win. Sophomore shortstop Cooper Malamazian had a single in the seventh inning for his 100th career base knock. The biggest thing that IU did on Friday night was save its best bullpen arms. Sophomore left-handed pitcher Brayton Thomas will get the ball in tomorrow’s middle game with a chance to win the series. He will have plenty of arms behind him as the Hoosiers go for their fourth-straight win.
Indiana University Track and Field Closes a Busy Day Two of Split Weekend Meets The Indiana track and field team closed the second day of a three-meet weekend on Friday. The Hoosiers spread across three meets, closing the Wake Forest Invitational and opening the Tom Jones Memorial and Gibson Invitational. “We took a step in the right direction,” said assistant coach Megan Tomei. “I’m really happy with the PR’s the hard work at training is showing. We’re staying hungry and disciplined for the next step.”
The second day of action started in Gainesville, Fla. with the sprinters and jump groups. Aliyah Johnson started the day setting a personal best in the women’s 200-meter sprint, ranking 13th in school history. In the 400-meter hurdles, John Colquitt improved on his personal best, finishing third overall with a time of 51.17. His time moves him to eighth all-time on the IU record list. In the field, the Hoosiers saw high performances from the jumps group. Lee Martin started the day with a new personal best in the high jump, finishing third with a height of 2.09m/6-10.25. Alex Smith closed the first day of the Tom Jones Memorial with a fourth-place finish in the long jump.
Indiana also started competition in the Gibson Invitational with the throws group. Makayla Hunter opened the day with a first-place finish in the women’s hammer throw, throwing a personal best mark of 55.03m. Bridget Beyer followed with a personal best (57.97m) in the hammer throw invite, moving her to sixth on the all-time record list. In the men’s hammer throws, Michael Neuenroth made a major improvement to his personal best, improving by nearly 15 feet. His new personal best of 62.73m now ranks sixth on the all-time Hoosier list. Seth Brosseau also saw a win in the men’s hammer throw, throwing a personal best distance of 56.16m. Dalton Boisseau and Rocklan Boisseau closed the first day from Terre Haute, Ind. in the men’s javelin event. Dalton earned the event win with a personal best throw of 66.20m while Rocklan followed in third with a throw of 57-meters.
In Winston-Salem, N.C. the cream and crimson closed out the final day of the Wake Forest Invitational with five individual personal bests. Maddie Rocchio and Ava Jarrell started the day running in respective 1,500-meter opens. Rocchio ran a personal best 4:35.25 in Open five, followed by Jarrell who finished third in Open six. In the men’s 1,500’s, matt Kim started in Open seven, finishing fourth with a personal best time of 3:46.02. Later in the evening Joey Rastrelli (4:24.46) and Lily Myers (4:19.09) each set personal bests in the women’s 1,500-meter invites. Claire Overfelt closed the day with the women’s 5,000-meter run. Her time of 16:09.44 finished third in the race and moved her inside the top-20 all-time in Indiana school history.
Former Indiana University Women’s Basketball Player Edessa Noyan Transfers to Nebraska Nebraska women’s basketball picked up its first player from the portal in Indiana forward Edessa Noyan, the team announced early Friday morning. Noyan, a 6-foot-3 junior from Botkyrka, Sweden, averaged 5.8 points and rebounds per game while shooting 55.1% from the field last year. The Huskers and Hoosiers have swapped forwards in the portal, as former Nebraska forward Jessica Petrie committed to Indiana earlier this week. Noyan will look to fill the void left by Petrie, as someone who can get a bucket on the offensive end. Noyan brings a new skillset Nebraska needed last year as well in someone who can rebound the ball. Noyan started her career at Virginia before transferring to Indiana and now to Nebraska. She also played for Sweden’s FIBA basketball team, where in 2024, she averaged 8.4 points per game and six rebounds per game.
Indiana Fever Re-sign Aliyah Boston to a New WNBA History Making Contract The Indiana Fever and Aliyah Boston have agreed to a new contract, with the center signing a new, multiyear agreement through the 2029 WNBA season. With the agreement, Boston becomes the first player in WNBA history to sign a deal under the newly created Exceptional Performance on Initial Contract (EPIC) provision. “Entering just her fourth season, Aliyah is already one of the best players in the WNBA. She’s been a foundational piece of the Indiana Fever since she was drafted here in 2023. We’re thrilled to be able to reward her with this new contract and make history, and most importantly, lock her in as a cornerstone of the Fever for years to come,” Indiana Fever COO and General Manager Amber Cox said. “Despite already being an All-WNBA caliber player, Aliyah has just scratched the surface in terms of the player she can become. In addition, her intangibles are unmatched. She is a leader, a connector and consistent contributor to our community. There is not a better person to go down in history as the first recipient of this type of groundbreaking agreement.”
“I’m super blessed and grateful for this opportunity and to continue my journey here with the Fever. God is good!” Boston said. “I’m excited for the future ahead for both myself and for our team, and I can’t wait to keep building upon everything we have accomplished so far. Go Fever!” As part of the league’s new Collective Bargaining Agreement, the EPIC provision enables top-performing players on rookie contracts to renegotiate the final year of their rookie contract as part of a multi-year extension, contingent upon being named to either the All-WNBA First or Second Team, or named Most Valuable Player within their first three years of play. Boston, who was entering the 2026 season on the fourth, and final, year of her rookie contract, was named to the All-WNBA Second Team in 2025. Over her first three seasons in the WNBA, the University of South Carolina product has compiled one of the most decorated resumes during that time. In addition to her 2025 All-WNBA Second team.
Her production in her first three years as a pro has been remarkably consistent, but Boston emphasized her playmaking abilities with Indiana’s diverse offense in last season’s campaign. She averaged 3.7 assists per game – a noticeable jump from her rookie (2.2) and even sophomore (3.2) assist numbers. “We’ve seen her in so many different roles,” coach Stephanie White said of Boston. “In college, predominantly back to the basket. Her rookie year, predominantly back to the basket. Then you get her playing with [Caitlin Clark], and you see her so much in the pick-and-roll. “…Her leadership has continued to improve. I think her passing, she’s a real instinctual, high IQ player. Her passing continues to improve as well.”
The agreement keeps Boston paired with fellow Rookie of the Year Award winner Clark for years to come. The duo is one of the WNBA’s most dynamic guard-post pairings and executes an elite pick-and-roll game. When both Boston and Clark are healthy, the pair torments defenses as a multi-level scoring threat. Boston isn’t just a capable paint scorer – her assist numbers are on the rise because she recognizes a defense’s actions and she responds accordingly. As she adapts to become more of a hub for offense, Boston’s game diversifies, as does the Fever’s. “As she continues to grow more confident in this role that she’s playing, I think you’re going to just continue to see her flourish,” White said of Boston. The new extension ensures Boston will flourish in Indiana as she helps the Fever in their pursuit of WNBA championships.
Notre Dame and Villanova to Open the 2026-27 Women’s and Men’s College Basketball Seasons in Rome, Italy with a Doubleheader The Notre Dame men’s and women’s basketball teams will officially kick off the 2026-27 season on an international stage. Both Irish squads will take on Villanova in Rome in the Eternal City Tip-Off — a November 1 doubleheader broadcast by Fox Sports. A collaboration of On Location, Players Era and FOX Sports, the Eternal City Tip-Off features the men’s contest at 9:30 a.m. ET on Fox, followed by the women’s contest at 12:00 p.m. ET on FS1. Further details, including the event venue, will be released at a later date.
Inspired by the recent election of Pope Leo XIV, the first American-born Pope, student-athletes from two of the United States’ top Catholic universities will travel to Rome and Vatican City for a one-of-a-kind international experience to begin their college hoops season – including a planned audience with Pope Leo XIV set to take place ahead of the game. “Pope Leo has spoken in such inspiring ways about the value of sport, emphasizing that sport is a ‘school of life’ that integrates the body, mind, and spirit, a vision both Notre Dame and Villanova wholeheartedly embrace,” said Rev. Robert A. Dowd, C.S.C., President of the University of Notre Dame. “We are honored to join Villanova for what is sure to be the experience of a lifetime for our student-athletes and fans. We know well the transformative impact of spending time in a city that is so central to our faith and rich in history, having established Notre Dame Rome in 2014, which allows us to host hundreds of students and scholars from around the world each year. It’s exciting and most fitting to add athletic competitions to our many activities in Rome.”
The Notre Dame women are no strangers to opening a season on European soil, as the group kicked off the 2023-24 campaign in Paris. The Fighting Irish women’s basketball team is coming off its first Elite Eight appearance since 2019 and its fifth consecutive Sweet 16. Notre Dame is led by All-American Hannah Hidalgo, who is the reigning Naismith Defensive Player of the Year, Lieberman Award winner and ACC Player of the Year. Last season, she became the first men’s or women’s college basketball player to average at least 25 points, five rebounds, five assists and five steals per game, and she broke the NCAA single season record with 202 steals. “We are incredibly excited to compete in Rome against Villanova in what will be a historic moment for collegiate basketball,” Karen and Kevin Keyes Family Head Coach Niele Ivey said. “For me, this is about more than the game—it’s about giving our student-athletes a truly holistic experience. Opportunities like this have the power to be life-changing, expanding their perspective far beyond the court. “The University of Notre Dame is a global brand, and we’re proud to represent that tradition on an international stage. Breaking barriers and prioritizing the full student-athlete experience will always matter to me, and this trip embodies exactly that.”
For the Notre Dame men, it will mark the first regular-season game outside the United States in program history. It is believed to be the first game outside the United States to start a men’s college basketball season in history. The 2026-27 season will mark Coach Micah Shrewsberry’s fourth year at the helm of the program, as he’ll lead a new-look Irish squad into the Rome season opener. The men’s team will be led by senior Braeden Shrewsberry, who ended last season with 238 career made threes, moving into the program’s all-time top 10. In addition, Braeden joined the program’s 1,000-point club after averaging 11.9 ppg as a junior. “We’re incredibly honored to be a part of the Eternal City Tip-Off and open our season in Rome,” Glenn & Stacey Murphy Men’s Basketball Head Coach Micah Shrewsberry said. “This opportunity reflects what makes the University of Notre Dame unique — combining elite competition with meaningful global and cultural experiences. It’s a special chance for our student-athletes to represent our university on an international stage while growing in ways that extend far beyond basketball.”
The contest between the two Catholic college basketball institutions promises to be an exciting start to the 2026-27 season on FOX. For Players Era, this international showcase is the newest college basketball tentpole event, building on the momentum from this year’s highly anticipated Players Era Men’s and Women’s Championships, which brought together the strongest-ever in-season tournament fields this past November. On Location will offer Official Experience Packages that bring fans closer than ever to the action on and off the court. These packages will provide fans with the ultimate game weekend experience, blending sport and local culture through premium seating, access to special events in Vatican City, guided tours, an exclusive welcome event, a selection of luxury hotels and more. Visit eternalcitytip-off.com and place a fully refundable Priority Access deposit to guarantee a spot at this historic event and first choice of hospitality experiences ahead of the general public on-sale, tentatively scheduled for early May.
Rosters Announced for the 21st Annual Hoosiers Gym All Star Girls and Boys Basketball Doubleheader in Knightstown The 21st annual Hoosier Gym All-Star Classic is set to take place Saturday, April 25 at the iconic gym in Knightstown. The girls’ game will tip off at 11:00 a.m., followed by the boys’ game shortly after. Tickets for this year’s game can be bought at TheHoosierGym.com for $25. The purchase of a ticket is good for admittance to both games. Since 2006, the All-Star Classic has featured some of the state’s best senior basketball players. The film honors the legacy of the 1986 film Hoosiers, and the game includes teams named the ‘Hickory Huskers’ and ‘Terhune Tigers’, who were rivals from the movie. This year’s roster has an impressive selection of Indiana All-Stars, which can be found below. Each player will be listed with their high school, and their planned destination to play next year.
Hickory Huskers Girls-Alonna Divine, Pike, Detroit-Mercy, Kamrah Banks, Crispus Attucks, Central Florida, Vanessa Rosswurm, Norwell, Indiana Wesleyan, Maddy Shirley, Evansville Central, Southern Indiana, Mollie Ernstes, Jennings County, Kansas, Lexi Primus, North Knox, Lipscomb, Brooklynn Renn, Silver Creek, Kansas, Kennedy Holman, HSE, Oregon, Komari Booker, Pike, Northern Illinois and Kayla Stidham, HSE, Bowling Green. The Hickory Huskers will be coached by Keith Hollins (Pike) and Sabrina Williams (Pike). Dave Barlow will serve as the honorary coach.
Terhune Tigers Girls-Joslyn Bricker, Warsaw, Indiana Wesleyan, Brooke Zartman, Warsaw, Miami (OH), Laniah Wills, Lapel, Butler, Indiah Hutchinson, Hammond Central, Howard, Kelis Dansby, Jeffersonville, Louisiana-Lafayette, Elise Coleman, Floyd Central, Western Kentucky, Lillian Barnes, Valparaiso, Ball State, Gracyn Gilliard, Center Grove, Uncommitted*, Katie Reed, Washington, Murray State, Gabby Helsom, Homestead, Toledo and Myah Epps, Homestead, Louisville. The Terhune Tigers will be coached by Lenny Krebs (Warsaw), Kelly Kratz (Valparaiso), and Jim Speicher will serve as the honorary coach.
Hickory Huskers Boys-Baron Walker, Noblesville, Butler, Nick Shrewsberry, South Bend St. Joseph, Notre Dame, Brayden Goff, Northview, Marian, Blake Neill, Bloomfield, Uncommitted*, Luke Ertel, Mt. Vernon, Purdue, Gavin Keller, Hauser, Hanover, Keaton Aldridge Jr., Cathedral, Detroit Mercy, Brennan Miller, Lawrence North, Southern Illinois-Edwardsville, Dane Caldwell, Silver Creek, Richmond, Evan Harrell, Carmel, Bellarmine and Justin Curry, Noblesville, Valparaiso. The Hickory Huskers will be coached by Joe Bradburn (Mt. Vernon), Drew Fountain (Mt. Vernon), and Gabe Rose (Mt. Vernon) will serve as the honorary manager.
Terhune Tigers Boys-Korbyn Hammel, Kokomo, Uncommited*, Drew Haffner, Westfield, Abilene Christian, Mason Darrell, Crown Point, Bellarmine, Terrence Hayes Jr., Gary 21st Century, Uncommited*, Brady Klopfenstein, Terre Haute North, Bellarmine, Kai McGrew, Fishers, Ball State, Dikembe Shaw, Crown Point, Illinois-Chicago, Brady Scholl, Northridge, Indiana Wesleyan, Jashawn Ladd, Ben Davis, College of Charleston and Noah Smith, Plainfield, DePaul. The Terhune Tigers will be coached by Drew Schauss (Kokomo) and Matt Schauss (Columbia City), both are former participants in the game. Rick Schauss, the first 1,000 point-scorer in Bellmont high school history, will serve as the honorary coach.