Anita Bottazzo Joins Indiana University Women’s Swimming The 2026 SEC Champion and NCAA runner-up in the 100-yard breaststroke is joining ‘Breaststroke U.’ Indiana head swimming coach Ray Looze announced on Tuesday (June 2) the transfer addition of Anita Bottazzo, an incoming junior from Venice, Italy, transferring from the University of Florida. “We are excited to add Anita to next year’s team,” IU head swimming coach Ray Looze said. “She comes with a fantastic resume of success at both the NCAA and international levels. We look to help make her Olympic podium dreams come true.”
Bottazzo joins IU as a seven-time All-American and three-time SEC Champion. As a sophomore, Bottazzo swept the breaststroke events at the SEC Championships before finishing second in the 100 breast at the NCAA Championships as well as seventh in the 200 breast. Internationally, Bottazzo placed fourth in the 50-meter breaststroke and sixth in the 100-meter breaststroke at the 2025 World Aquatics Championships after becoming Italy’s national champion in both events. Bottazzo’s addition boosts Indiana’s medley relays, joining three first-team All-Americans: senior Miranda Grana and sophomores Alex Shackell and Liberty Clark.
Bottazzo joins the nation’s premier breaststroke program, led by Looze. Looze’s breaststrokers have combined for eight Olympic medals (individual and relay), four of them gold. Indiana has won 12 NCAA breaststroke championships and 32 Big Ten breaststroke titles during Looze’s tenure, including nine of the last 11 conference titles in the women’s 200-yard breaststroke. The Indiana men led the nation in breaststroke scoring at each of the last two NCAA Championships.
Gabriela Garayo Aranceta Signs with Indiana University Field Hockey Indiana Field Hockey coach Kayla Bashore announced the signing of Gabriela Garayo Aranceta on Tuesday morning. Garayo Aranceta is the fifth signee of the program’s 2026 class alongside Elle Obenour, Helen Grahe, Jessie Mauro and Elise Eves. She will arrive in Bloomington in August. Garayo Aranceta is from Santander, Spain and attended Colegio de Fomento Torrevelo-Peñalabra in Cantabria, Spain. She played club for Real Sociedad de Tenis de La Magdalena and coach Tomás Gonzalez. Garayo Aranceta is a midfielder. As part of her club, she was a two-time youth cup champion, and her team took first and third place in the Spanish Youth Championship. With the Spanish U18 National Team, she was part of a first and second place finish in the Six Nations Tournament. They also got third place in the U18 Regional Championship and second place in the U16 Regional Championship. She is undecided on her major at this time. She is the daughter of Manuel and Rocio and has a sister named Ángela. Why She Picked IU: “The great team environment and the high academic level of the university.”
Merchants Bank and Indiana University Athletics Announce Summer Signing Series Featuring Student-Athletes Merchants Bank and Indiana University Athletics announced its Summer Signing Series, giving fans the opportunity to meet select Hoosier student-athletes, including key members from IU football. The series will take place on four selected days in June from 1-2 p.m., with two to four student-athletes scheduled to appear each week for autographs and fan interactions. Dates include Friday, June 5; Friday, June 12; Thursday, June 18; and Friday, June 26. All appearances will be held at the new Merchants Bank branch located at 101 W. Kirkwood Ave., Suite 030, in downtown Bloomington.
This Summer Signing Series further highlights the growing relationship between Merchants Bank and IU Athletics, which began with the announcement of a transformative $50 million sponsorship last August. The new Bloomington branch, which opened in April, deepens the connection between the two organizations while strengthening engagement with student-athletes, local business owners, and the Bloomington community. “The Summer Signing Series marks the first of many exciting activities we plan to launch in partnership with IU Athletics,” said Michael Dunlap, president and CEO of Merchants Bank. “We are committed to delivering meaningful value to our community, and bringing fans together with their favorite student-athletes after a perfect season is an exciting way to kick things off. With a 20-year sponsorship, we believe the opportunities to grow together are endless.”
Fans are encouraged to follow the official Merchants Bank and Indiana University Athletics social media channels for updates about the student-athletes participating each week, with names announced a few days prior to each appearance. In addition to autograph opportunities, attendees will also receive free T-shirts and other IU-branded giveaways. “This series is a fantastic opportunity to engage directly with our loyal fans and build excitement as we prepare for fall athletics,” said Luke Reiff, general manager of IU Sports Properties. “We are thankful for Merchants Bank’s support of IU Athletics and for helping bring the Bloomington community together.”
Omar Cooper Jr. Signs His Rookie Contract with the New York Jets Former IU football wide receiver Omar Cooper, Jr. has signed his first NFL contract with the New York Jets. Cooper was selected in the first round by New York in last April’s NFL Draft. According to Spotrac, Cooper Jr. signed a 4-year, $17,474,203 contract with the Jets, including a $9,168,512 signing bonus, $17,474,203 guaranteed, and an average annual salary of $4,368,551. In 2026, Cooper Jr. will earn a base salary of $885,000 and a signing bonus of $9,168,512. The Jets took Cooper with the No. 30 overall pick. He appears set to wear No. 83 for New York. Cooper is one of three former Hoosiers with the club, joining D’Angelo Ponds and Marcelino McCrary-Ball. “It’s really just a blessing, knowing that a team really thinks so highly of me to trade up for me,” Cooper told nyjets.com right after he was drafted by the Jets. “I was just excited, pure joy, just grateful, really.” After committing to Tom Allen with the class of 2022, the Indianapolis product (Lawrence North H.S.) spent four seasons in Bloomington, two with Allen and his final two with Curt Cignetti. In 2024, the 6-0, 199-pounder ranked fourth in the FBS with 21.2 yards/catch on 28 receptions for 594 yards and 7 touchdowns. Last season, he posted career bests with 69 catches for 937 yards (13.6 yards/catch) and 13 TDs, tied for third in the FBS.
Indianapolis Colts Sign 2026 Draft Picks Jalen Farmer and Bryce Boettcher The Indianapolis Colts on Tuesday signed guard Jalen Farmer and linebacker Bryce Boettcher, meaning their entire eight-player 2026 NFL Draft class is now under contract. Both Farmer (No. 113 overall) and Boettcher (No. 135 overall) were fourth-round picks. The 6-foot-5, 312-pound Farmer started 24 games at right guard while at Kentucky. Boettcher played both baseball and football at Oregon and totaled 136 tackles over 15 games for the Ducks in 2025.
On Monday the Colts signed undrafted free agent center Josh Kreutz, undrafted free agent cornerback Jai’Onte’ McMillan and free agent quarterback Easton Stick. The team also waived cornerback Wyett Ekeler, guard LaDarius Henderson and quarterback Seth Henigan. Kreutz, 6-2, 290 pounds, played in 53 career games (37 starts) at Illinois (2021-25). As a team captain in 2025, he started 12 games at center. Kreutz garnered All-Big Ten Honorable Mention recognition from the coaches and media in 2023 and 2024. His last name is pronounced krew-tz. McMillan, 5-10, 190 pounds, appeared in 22 games (four starts) at Minnesota (2024-25) and registered 40 tackles (29 solo), half a tackle for loss and one pass defensed. Prior to Minnesota, he saw action in 33 games at TCU (2020-23) and totaled 15 tackles (13 solo), 2.0 tackles for loss, 1.0 sack, four passes defensed and one interception. His first name is pronounced JAY-on-tay.
Stick, 6-1, 224 pounds, has played in six career games (four starts) in his time with the Atlanta Falcons (2025) and Los Angeles Chargers (2019-2024). He has completed 112-of-175 passes for 1,133 yards with three touchdowns and one interception for an 85.7 passer rating. Stick has also registered 28 carries for 142 yards (5.1 avg.) and one touchdown. He was originally selected by the Chargers in the fifth round (166th overall) of the 2019 NFL Draft out of North Dakota State. In 2025, Stick spent time on the Falcons’ active roster and practice squad but did not see game action. Ekeler, 5-10, 199 pounds, was originally signed to the team’s practice squad on December 30, 2025. Collegiately, he played in 49 career games at Wyoming (2020-24) and compiled 197 tackles (127 solo), 7.5 tackles for loss, 2.0 sacks, 19 passes defensed, four interceptions (one returned for a touchdown), three forced fumbles and two fumble recoveries.
Henderson, 6-4, 312 pounds, was originally signed to the team’s practice squad on December 16, 2025. He also spent time on the Cleveland Browns practice squad last season. As a rookie in 2024, Henderson spent the entire season on the Houston Texans Injured Reserve list. He was originally selected by the Texans in the seventh round (249th overall) of the 2024 NFL Draft out of Michigan. Henigan, 6-3, 215 pounds, was originally signed to the team’s practice squad on December 29, 2025. Last season, he was elevated to the active roster for Week 18 at Houston but did not see game action. Henigan spent Weeks 1-4 of the 2025 season on the Jacksonville Jaguars practice squad. He participated in the Jaguars’ 2025 offseason program and training camp after originally signing with the team as an undrafted free agent on April 28, 2025, out of Memphis.
Colts Pro Football Hall of Famer Raymond Berry Passes Away at Age 93 Raymond Berry, the Hall of Fame wide receiver who teamed with Baltimore quarterback Johnny Unitas for one of the NFL’s greatest passing combinations and helped lead the Colts to victory over the New York Giants in the storied 1958 championship game, has died. He was 93. Berry, who later coached the New England Patriots in Super Bowl XX, died May 25, the Pro Football Hall of Fame said Monday. His family said in a statement that Berry died peacefully at home in Murfreesboro, Tennessee, surrounded by family, including his wife of 65 years, Sally.
A 20th round draft pick out of SMU in 1954, the Texas native became a model for the virtues of hard work and determination. He had average speed, legs of different length, a bad back, imperfect eyesight and oversized feet that in high school gave him the nickname “Skis.” But he willed himself into a superstar through exhaustive preparation and study, whether using Silly Putty to strengthen his fingers or simulating entire games on the practice field. He was among the most reliable receivers in league history, rarely dropping a pass and fumbling only twice, according to the Pro Football Reference website. By his own count, he developed 88 separate routes to get open, his discipline so unyielding that even his coach, Weeb Ewbank, tried to intervene. “One of his drills was to throw nothing but bad balls to him,” Ewbank told the Los Angeles Times in 1986. “I used to have to run John (Unitas) off — ‘John, you’ve had enough throwing today’ — and he’d say, ‘Yeah, talk to that guy out there.’”
Over 13 seasons, Berry caught a then-record 631 passes (Jerry Rice is now the all-time leader, with 1,549) for 68 touchdowns, led the NFL in receptions three times and played in six Pro Bowls. A mainstay of one of the league’s top offenses, featuring Unitas, running back Lenny Moore and offensive lineman Jim Parker, Berry played on championship teams in 1958 and 1959 and a runner-up in 1964. Berry was inducted into the NFL Hall of Fame in 1973, and was voted on to the league’s 50th anniversary and 75th anniversary teams. The Colts retired his uniform number, 82. Southern Methodist University retired his number from college, 87.
Berry was at his peak during a signature day in NFL history: the 1958 finale against the Giants at Yankee Stadium, an overtime classic nationally televised and often cited as one of the sport’s greatest games and the starting point for the league’s rise over the following decades. Playing against the NFL’s toughest defense, Berry caught 12 passes for 178 yards and one touchdown, including three consecutive receptions during the 86-yard drive that tied the game 17-17 in regulation and two crucial grabs during the 80-yard drive that gave the Colts a 23-17 win. The league’s first championship to finish in overtime helped make Unitas a hero and Berry his ideal target. “We worked and got to know each other and developed timing you just can’t get any other way,” Berry later told the radio program Sports & Torts. “He (Unitas) knew I was going to be there when I was supposed to be there and he knew I was going to catch it.”
After retiring in 1967, Berry was a wide receivers coach for the Dallas Cowboys, Cleveland Browns and New England Patriots, and head coach of the Pats from 1984-89. He finished 48-39 with New England, including an 11-5 season in 1985 and a trip to Super Bowl XX. But the Patriots were crushed 46-10 by the Chicago Bears and soon after the Boston Globe revealed that several New England players had drug problems. Berry had been a source for the Globe story and his push for the team to agree to drug testing was forcefully opposed by the NFL players union. Berry, a deeply religious man who didn’t drink or smoke, had personal reasons for supporting drug treatment. His former Colts teammate, All-Pro defensive tackle Gene “Big Daddy” Lipscomb, had struggled with addiction. “They didn’t help him, they just cut him,” Berry told The Patriot Ledger in 1986. “Three years later, he was dead.”
Berry married fellow Texan Sally Crook in 1960. They had three children. He was born in Corpus Christi in 1933 and would credit some of his success to his high school coach, his father, Mark Raymond Berry, who taught his son the basics of football even if he didn’t play him much. He attended Schreiner College in Kerrville for a year before transferring to SMU, where during one crucial game he fumbled twice, mistakes he vowed not to commit in the pros. With the Colts, he caught only 13 passes in his rookie season, but the following year the team signed a free agent quarterback cut by the Pittsburgh Steelers — Unitas. The two soon began practicing together. “I didn’t know my butt from first base about how to run pass routes,” Berry told Sports & Torts. “If you saw both of us in training camp in 1956, you may have gone away sobbing. We were two pitiful football players, good grief.”
Colts owner and CEO Carlie Irsay-Gordon issued the following statement Monday, June 1 on Berry’s death: “It is with very heavy hearts that we extend our condolences to the family of Colts legend Raymond Berry, who passed away last week. In NFL history, there are only a handful of players who we can say truly changed the sport. Raymond Berry is one of the few names on that list. As a player during a historic era of Colts football, Raymond redefined the standard for what a wide receiver could and should be. He set records, was selected to multiple All-Pro and Pro Bowl teams, and retired as the NFL’s all-time leader in receiving yards and receptions. One of his most memorable moments came during the 1958 NFL Championship, when he had a career day on the field in the ‘Greatest Game Ever Played.’ Simply put, not only was Raymond Berry one the greatest players in the history of the Colts, but he was one of the most influential and foundational players of the modern NFL.
Bryce Taylor named Noblesville Boom Head Coach The Noblesville Boom, the NBA G League affiliate of the Indiana Pacers, announced Monday that Bryce Taylor has been named head coach, succeeding Tom Hankins. Taylor was previously an assistant coach with the Boom for the past three seasons (2023-26), where he helped the team achieve an 84-67 overall record with two NBA G League playoff appearances, while producing six NBA call-ups. Taylor began his coaching career as a player development coach for the Pacers (2021-22) before being named an assistant coach for EWE Baskets Oldenburg (2022-23) in Germany. “We could not be more excited about the qualities Bryce brings to our organization as our next head coach,” Noblesville Boom General Manager Chris Taylor said. “He has made a significant impact over the past several seasons in his role as an assistant, and his playing experience has helped him develop a natural ability to connect with players at this level. He understands what the NBA G League is all about and has fully bought in to our ‘embrace the grind’ culture while remaining committed to developing not only our players, but also our staff, both on and off the court.”
“I’m incredibly honored and grateful for the opportunity to lead the Boom,” Bryce Taylor said. “I want to thank the Pacers organization and our front office for their trust and belief in me. As I enter my fifth season, I’ve had the privilege of learning from outstanding people across the organization. I’m excited to build on the strong foundation already in place with the Boom, develop our players and staff, and create an environment centered on professionalism, accountability and growth. Our focus will be on competing at a high level every day while helping our players reach the next step in their careers.” Prior to his coaching career, Taylor played professionally overseas in Germany and Italy for 13 seasons following a standout career at Oregon. He also participated in the NBA Summer League in both 2008 and 2010, appearing in five games as a member of the Pacers in 2010.
Taylor succeeds former head coach Tom Hankins, who served as the team’s head coach for the past six seasons (2021-26) and became the franchise’s all-time winningest coach with a 141-112 record. During his tenure, Hankins led the team to three NBA G League playoff appearances (2023-25) and guided 12 players to NBA call-ups, while eight players earned All-NBA G League honors. That group included Oscar Tshiebwe, who was named NBA G League Rookie of the Year during the 2023-24 season. “I would be remiss if I did not offer a sincere thank you to Coach Hankins for his dedication and contributions to our organization,” Chris Taylor said. “I have learned a great deal from him and am grateful to call him a lifelong friend.”