ROSEMONT, Ill. (July 12, 2023) – For the second consecutive year, the Big Ten Conference will lead an unparalleled educational journey for selected student-athletes, coaches, administrators and stakeholders. The “Big Life Series: Selma to Montgomery”, takes place Friday, July 14 through Sunday, July 16, 2023. This immersive and transformational experience will follow the steps of the United States civil rights movement during a trip to Alabama.

The “Big Life Series” is a cornerstone initiative led by the Big Ten Equality Coalition and highlights the conference’s ongoing commitment to examine and search for answers to the racial, social, religious and cultural challenges faced by our country. This year’s event will also feature participants from a handful of Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCU), including Florida A&M University, Howard University and North Carolina A&T University. The centerpiece of the Alabama experience will be a march across the historic Edmund Pettus Bridge in Selma, site of the 1965 Bloody Sunday attack.

The trip begins on Friday, July 14 with visits to several local civil rights museums, including the Rosa Parks Museum, Freedom Riders Museum and Montgomery Interpretive Center, located on the campus of Alabama State University. Friday evening will include keynote speaker and civil rights activist Sheyann Webb-Christburg, known as the “smallest freedom fighter”. The evening will conclude with an empowering and educational panel featuring young civil rights leaders representing the Southern Poverty Law Center and the ACLU.

The event continues Saturday, July 15 with a bus trip to Selma and a community service project. Attendees will pack back-to-school backpacks with school supplies and balls provided by Wilson Sporting Goods to promote a healthy and active lifestyle. This will be followed with a visit to the First Baptist Church, the site where the Dallas County Voters League mobilized hundreds of students to begin their landmark civil rights march from Selma to Montgomery in 1965. Attendees will hear from several local speakers including Mayor James Perkins Jr., Lynda Blackmon Lowery and Warren Billy Young. Participants in this year’s “Big Life Series” will then make their own walk across the Edmund Pettus Bridge before the group returns to Montgomery. Community activist Doris Dozier Crenshaw will address the group at the Alabama Department of Archives and History. The final event on Saturday will be a visit to the award-winning Legacy Museum, which provides an immersive experience from enslavement to mass incarceration.

The 2023 “Big Life Series: Selma to Montgomery” trip is sponsored in part by the Capital One Orange Bowl and the Tournament of Roses Association and Rose Bowl Game.

The Big Ten Equality Coalition features student-athletes, coaches, athletic directors, chancellors, presidents, and other members of the Big Ten Conference family from all 14 member institutions. It has a stated goal of seeking tangible ways to combat racism and hate around the world, while also empowering student-athletes to express their rights to free speech and peaceful protest actively and constructively. Following the death of Minneapolis resident George Floyd, then-Big Ten Conference Commissioner Kevin Warren wrote an open letter on June 1, 2020, officially announcing the formation of the Equality Coalition and the United States Library of Congress included the letter in its historic collection. An early product of the Equality Coalition was the creation of the Big Ten Voter Registration Initiative. The nonpartisan, conference-wide collaboration encourages student-athletes to take part in the electoral process and is led by a Voter Registration Committee that includes representatives from all 14 Big Ten Conference member institutions. The Big Life Series is one of the signature examples of the Big Ten Equality Coalition in action.

The Big Ten Conference (bigten.org) is an association of world-class universities whose member institutions share a common mission of research, graduate, professional and undergraduate teaching, and public service. Founded in 1896, the Big Ten Conference has sustained a comprehensive set of shared practices and policies that enforce the priority of academics in the lives of students competing in intercollegiate athletics and emphasize the values of integrity, fairness, and competitiveness. The broad-based programs of the 14 Big Ten Conference institutions will provide over $200 million in direct financial support to more than 9,800 students for more than 11,000 participation opportunities on 350 teams in 42 different sports. The Big Ten Conference sponsors 28 official conference sports, 14 for men and 14 for women, including the addition of men’s ice hockey and men’s and women’s lacrosse since 2013.

ARLINGTON, TEXAS – The Big 12 has extended its agreement through the 2030 season to continue to host the Dr Pepper Big 12 Football Championship at AT&T Stadium in Arlington, Texas. Widely considered to be one of the premier venues across the globe, AT&T Stadium has hosted the last eight Big 12 Conference title games.

This partnership continuation will see a variety of Championship enhancements introduced, including a reimagined halftime show, an increase in premium seating, a larger focus on sponsorship activation, expanded merchandise presence in the team store and throughout the venue, and much more.

“The Big 12 is thrilled to announce our Football Championship will be staying at AT&T Stadium through 2030,” said Big 12 Commissioner Brett Yormark. “The Big 12 and AT&T Stadium both call the Metroplex home – through this extension, we will host our Football Championship at a world-class venue in our own backyard. We are grateful for the support and partnership of the Dallas Cowboys organization.”

“We have enjoyed an incredible relationship with the Big 12 Conference, and are honored to continue hosting the Big 12 Championship Game at AT&T Stadium,” said Dallas Cowboys Chief Operating Officer Stephen Jones. “The games, fans and atmosphere have been incredible, and we’re thrilled to continue the tradition of having the best teams in the Big 12 earn the right to play for the title in Arlington.”

The 2022 Big 12 Football Championship, held at AT&T Stadium, had the second-highest attendance of all conference title games with 69,335 spectators as No. 10 K-State defeated No. 3 TCU, 31-28 in OT. Additionally, the 2022 Football Championship game delivered 9.4M viewers on ABC, the most watched Big 12 Championship since 2018. Ratings were up 15% from 2021, peaking at 12.7M viewers, the most of any conference championship across all networks.

Off the field, the 2022 Big 12 Football Championship debuted a variety of new in-game entertainment, broadcast and marketing enhancements, Grammy Award-winning, multi-platinum singer, songwriter and actress Ashanti performed the National Anthem. Unified World Welterweight Boxing Champion Errol Spence Jr. led the ceremonial coin toss while media personality Rachel DeMita served as the in-game host. Additionally, DJ Poizon Ivy provided in-game music. The Big 12 also partnered with streetwear fashion brand A Bathing Ape (BAPE) to introduce on-field co-branded Big 12 x BAPE marks.

AT&T Stadium opened in 2009 and hosted both the 2009 and 2010 Big 12 Championship games. After a six-year absence, the contest was reinstated in 2017. Tickets to the 2023 Dr Pepper Big 12 Football Championship will go on sale on August 12.

AMES, Iowa – Iowa State head tennis coach Jaron Maestas has announced the hiring of Auburn University at Montgomery men’s and women’s head coach Yair Banuelos as assistant coach for the Cyclone program. Banuelos spent the last six seasons leading both AUM programs and was twice named the school’s head coach of the year (2018, 2023).

“Yair has stood out to me because of the man he is,” Maestas said. “With 10 years of head coaching experience I felt he was the right fit with the vision for the future. We welcome him and his family to Ames.”

“I am thrilled to join a program like Iowa State,” Banuelos added. “I want to thank Coach Maestas for this incredible opportunity. I know we are going to be a hard-working team and will keep Iowa State tennis as a top program. Our passion, enthusiasm and love for college tennis will make this program truly special.”

Banuelos led both the AUM men’s and women’s program to the NCAA Division II South Regional in 2022-23, with the team’s combining to go 34-15 overall. The women’s team finished 18-6 last season and defeated six Top 50 teams, highlighted by a win over No. 6 North Georgia.

On the women’s side, the Warhawks went 9-1 in Gulf South Conference action and finished the season ranked No. 19 in the ITA Rankings. Three of his players earned all-conference honors and his doubles team of Estefania Garcia and Regina Urbiola finished the year ranked No. 7 and earned All-America honors.

The Warhawks, who moved to NCAA Division II in 2017, reached the last two NCAA Women’s Tournaments.

Banuelos took over both programs in 2018 and posted a 67-47 in guiding the AUM women’s program during its beginning years of Division II, while also recording a 64-46 record on the men’s side.

Banuelos arrived at AUM after a four-year stint leading both the men’s and women’s programs at his alma mater, Western New Mexico University, a Division II program in Silver City, New Mexico.

He was named Rocky Mountain Athletic Conference Coach of the Year in 2015 after leading the Mustang women to the regular season title. Western New Mexico won the 2015 and 2016 RMAC Tournament.

Banuelos, a Mexico City, Mexico native, earned his associate’s degree in health and wellness from Riverside City College in 2009. He obtained his bachelor’s degree in kinesiology with a minor in coaching from Western New Mexico University in 2011 and his master’s degree in interdisciplinary studies with concentrations in kinesiology and psychology in 2013.

Banuelos excelled on the court at WNM, earning Rocky Mountain Athletic Conference Player of the Year honors as a junior in 2010 and Senior Player of the Year honors in the South Central Region in 2011. He was singles and doubles All-RMAC first team as a junior and senior.

In his final season playing, Banuelos went 6-0 in both singles and doubles during conference play.

Banuelos is married to Doris Banuelos. The couple has a son, Sebastian.

ARLINGTON, Texas – During his opening remarks at Big 12 Football Media Day, Commissioner Brett Yormark unveiled the Conference’s new brand spot, titled “Countdown”. This brand anthem is a part of a larger brand refresh and serves as a Conference rallying cry for the upcoming season. The spot can be viewed below.

Watch here.

“The Big 12 is committed to thriving at the intersection of sports and culture and getting on the consciousness of current and future student-athletes,” said Big 12 Commissioner Brett Yormark. “This dynamic new brand spot reflects on our rich history and points towards our future – and shows we are greater than 12.”

In October of 2022, the Big 12 Conference announced its partnership with independent creative agency, Translation, to contemporize the brand and scale its national relevance to appeal to a younger, more diverse audience. This brand spot – as well as a new suite of Big 12 creative assets – are the result of the Big 12 and Translation’s shared goal of a more contemporary and modern look for the Conference.

“Our work for the Big 12 is about embracing the new world of college athletics. We want to celebrate student-athletes and their successes both on and off the field,” said Steve Stoute, Founder and CEO of Translation. “As for the conference at large, we want the Big 12 to move at the speed of the shifting landscape and be known as the conference that embraces change, diversity, individuality, and is a pioneer in college sports.”

The brand spot features student-athletes from all 14 Big 12 Conference member institutions. The film is voiced by UnitedMasters artist and viral sensation BigXThaPlug. The Texas-born and bred rapper was recently named an “Artist To Watch Out For” in 2023 by Spin Magazine after his success with “Texas,” “Big Stepper,” and recently rang in the season for the Texas Rangers.

ABOUT TRANSLATION
Translation is an independent creative agency built to help ambitious brands harness the power of culture to solve their biggest challenges. For over 15 years, Translation has partnered with brands and creators to build and grow disruptive platforms that foster deeper community engagement. This experience has given us unparalleled insight into the dynamics of culture and affinities that link people together. Backed by Alphabet, Andreessen Horowitz, and 21st Century Fox, we are reimagining how brands and artists tell their stories, create value, and push culture forward. For more information, visit translationllc.com and follow us on Instagram (@wearetranslation) and Twitter (@pulseofculture).

AMES, Iowa – Iowa State head soccer coach Matt Fannon has announced the promotion of assistant coach CC Cobb to associate head coach.

“We are delighted to improve CC’s title,” Fannon said. “It is a thoroughly deserved change that comes about because she has consistently and tirelessly shown her ability to lead and grow our program. She has a wonderfully strong growth mindset and challenges our women to be their best every day. She is strong, capable, energetic and has become a good friend in her time here. I am fortunate to work with her.”

Cobb, who is entering her second season with the Cyclones, works with all field players and is also the team’s recruiting coordinator.

Cobb arrived in Ames after a two-year stint with Albany, where she served as an assistant coach. With the Great Danes, Cobb helped lead her student-athletes to 11 All-American East Conference honors. When Cobb came to Iowa State, twins Jada and Jasmine Colbert followed her to ISU.

A 2014 graduate of Tennessee, Cobb played both the 2012 and 2013 seasons for the Volunteers as a midfielder. The Boca Raton, Fla., native began her collegiate career at Florida State, where she spent her freshman and sophomore seasons before changing out the garnet for Volunteer Orange.

Iowa State’s 2023 campaign is set to kick off in just a little over a month as the Cyclones are slated to open the season with a home matchup against the Arizona Wildcats on August 17.

IOWA CITY, Iowa – Junior from the University of Iowa, Emma Dabinett, was named a CRCA All-American with Honorable Mention distinction. It marks the first time since 2019 a student-athlete with rowing program has been named All-America.

Dabinett is a two-time First Team All-Big Ten selection and has been on the academic All-Big Ten in as many years in her career at Iowa.

She competed for the Hawkeyes in the Varsity Eight boat that placed second at the Pac-12 Invite and fifth at the Big Ten Championships earlier this year. Her boat earned Big Ten weekly honors on April 18, 2023, after sweeping the competition at the Big Ten/Big 12 Double Dual.

QUOTING HEAD COACH JEFF GARBUTT

“I am so happy that Emma has been recognized for her contribution to our team by the CRCA.  She is the catalyst behind our team’s growth the past season and I am excited to see where she can lead us this season.”