19 Indiana University Student Athletes rewarded for Academic Excellence
Nineteen Indiana University student-athletes across nine sports were named recipients of the 1A Faculty Athletics Representatives Academic Excellence Award, the organization announced this week. The Award is given annually to student-athletes who graduate with a cumulative GPA of 3.80 or above and have participated in at least two years of NCAA intercollegiate athletics at a Football Bowl Subdivision institution.
The athletes receiving the award are listed below. Jen Blitchok – Women’s Soccer
Luke Boha – Men’s Soccer
Sophie Carmosino – Rowing
Zoe Crouch – Water Polo
Maddie Dalton – Women’s Track and Field/Cross Country
Jacob Destrampe – Men’s Swimming and Diving
Katherine Hawkins – Water Polo
Tatum Hayes – Softball
Quinten Helmer – Men’s Soccer
Ryley Ober – Women’s Swimming and Diving
Noelle Peplowski – Women’s Swimming and Diving
Bryant Pratt – Men’s Soccer
Mikaela Ramirez – Women’s Track and Field/Cross Country
Kaley Rammelsberg – Volleyball
Margaret Rogers – Women’s Swimming and Diving
Alyssa Skorge – Women’s Track and Field/Cross Country
Elizabeth Stanhope – Women’s Track and Field/Cross Country
Megan Wampler – Women’s Soccer
Ben Yeagley – Men’s Soccer
Indiana-Iowa Women’s Basketball game watched by over 1 Million Viewers on FOX
FOX College Hoops announced Wednesday that the then-No. 14 Indiana women’s basketball game at No. 3 Iowa Saturday had 1,043,000 viewers, the third most-watched women’s game in the network’s history. Despite the snowy, frigid conditions in Iowa City, an announced 14,998 fans packed into Carver-Hawkeye Arena for the game, which Indiana lost, 84-57. Caitlin Clark scored 30 points. The Hoosiers’ game on Thanksgiving night against Tennessee in the Fort Myers Tip-Off had 1,118,000 television viewers. That game broke FOX’s viewership record for the most-watched women’s college basketball game and it stands as the network’s most-watched game this season.
Indiana University Softball players Brianna Copeland and Taylor Minnick named to D1 Softball’s top 100 Preseason Players List
Indiana juniors Brianna Copeland and Taylor Minnick were both announced in the D100 Preseason Top 100 Player Rankings by D1 Softball on Thursday morning. Copeland, a pitcher and utility, was ranked at No. 45, and Minnick, an outfielder, slotted at No. 79 in the national rankings. Both players return for their junior season following fantastic 2023 campaigns where the duo each earned NFCA Third Team All-American honors.
Copeland was fantastic all year in the circle, posting a 22-4 record and 148 strikeouts while forcing opponents to hit for a .265 batting average. She threw her first career no-hitter last season, as well, in a 10-strikeout performance against Prairie View A&M (2/10/23). She also played a big role at the plate for the Hoosiers, logging 30 extra base hits, including 14 home runs and 48 RBI.
Minnick enters her junior season after an impressive 2023 showing where she notched a .390 batting average on 62 hits with 12 home runs and 55 RBI. Her .522 on base percentage ranked top-20 in the NCAA last season. The Bloomington, Ind. Native also posted a 36-game streak of reaching base along with a 17 multi-RBI streak. Minnick recorded 20 multi-hit games on the season.
Indianapolis to host the 2025 NFL Scouting Combine
After much negotiation, it was confirmed on Thursday that Indianapolis will host the 2025 NFL Combine. Prior to the announcement, 2024 was the last year the Combine was scheduled to be in Indianapolis. Several local companies such as Visit Indy, the Indiana Convention Center & Lucas Oil Stadium, the City of Indianapolis, IU Health, the Indiana Sports Corp and the Indianapolis Colts spearheaded the pitch to keep the Combine in town for the 37th year.
“Indianapolis has a storied history with the NFL Combine, so we are thrilled to continue partnering with Visit Indy, the Indianapolis Colts and our local partners for the event in 2025,” executive vice president of club business and league events Peter O’Reilly said. “The city has continued to innovate and help us evolve both the setup for the football evaluation process as well as growing in-person experience for football fans in the region and across the country.”
Indiana University Men’s Basketball Signee Liam McNeeley named to the Naismith Midseason Player of the Year Watch List
The Naismith Award High School Player of the Year watch list was officially released on Thursday afternoon, naming 25 candidates from around the country — including one Indiana basketball signee. Indiana’s Liam McNeeley was among the players selected. The Montverde (Fla.) Academy wing is having a terrific senior season, averaging 13.3 points, 3.5 rebounds and 2.3 assists per game this season. In five NIBC league games he’s averaging 13.8 points and shooting 55.6 percent (15-of-27) on 3s. He ranks second in made 3s in the league and third in percentage.
The 6-foot-7 wing is also coming off MVP honors over the weekend at the Hoophall Classic for his 22-point performance as Montverde took down Prolific Prep in one of the most talented games in any event this season. It included over a dozen ranked players across three different class, including the No. 1 overall players in the 2024, 2025 and 2026 classes. “The biggest story for Montverde, though, was the play of McNeeley,” 247Sports National Basketball Director Eric Bossi wrote. “Headed to Indiana, the 6-foot-7 forward was rock solid on both ends of the floor. He showcased his ability to be a sniper from deep making 4-5 three-pointers. However, it was the spirit he played with and some strong drives to the rim that really stood out. This is a kid who is skilled and does whatever asked and it’s quite clear that his teammates love playing with him.”
McNeeley is the fourth five-star prospect to commit to Indiana under Mike Woodson. He is the second-highest prospect to commit to Indiana since 2018. “He does all the necessary things on and off the floor, but I just like the fact that he competes. He likes to compete. He can shoot the ball. He can pass the ball. He handles the basketball. There’s a lot of quality things that he does on the floor and we’re fortunate enough to get him,” Woodson said this fall.” … I’ll put it this way, I think he’s college ready from a physical standpoint.” He chose Indiana over Kansas, which were his final two programs. He also had offers from Texas, Michigan, Oklahoma, Arkansas, Alabama and nearly two dozen other programs. Currently, Kel’el Ware and Mackenzie Mgbako are the two players on the roster with the honor. It’s the first time since 2016 that Indiana has multiple McDonald All-American’s on the same roster. Current Indiana basketball target Derik Queen a teammate of McNeeley’s is also on the midseason watch list.
Indy Eleven sign Mid-Fielder Max Schneider for the 2024 season
Indy Eleven has announced the signing of midfielder Max Schneider, who comes to the Circle City after a pair of seasons with the St. Louis CITY SC organization at both the MLS and MLS NEXT Pro levels. Per club policy, terms of the deal will not be disclosed, and status is pending league and federation approval.
The 6-3, 185-pound midfielder from Cologne, Germany, signed with St. Louis CITY2 in February 2022, playing in its inaugural MLS NEXT Pro season and helping the squad to an appearance in the MLS NEXT Pro Cup. In 25 matches, including U.S. Open Cup and league playoffs, Schneider scored three goals and tallied four assists. In November 2022 he was promoted to the first team for CITY as part of the roster for its first MLS season and returned on loan to CITY2 in March 2023. Schneider played in 27 matches, making 25 starts, for the MLS NEXT side in 2023 and registered six assists.
Schneider enjoyed a decorated collegiate career spanning from 2019-21, helping Marshall to the 2020 NCAA National Championship. During his three seasons, the Thundering Herd won nearly 70% of their games, made three NCAA Tournament appearances and captured two regular season and one conference tournament crown. Schneider played in 52 matches at Marshall, making 50 starts, and registered six goals and seven assists. Following the 2020 season, he was named to the NCAA All-Tournament Team and the United Soccer Coaches All-Region Second Team. Prior to his time in the States, Schneider player for Bayer Leverkusen Academy in Germany.
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