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Ilona Maher slams Quinnipiac for moving women’s varsity rugby team to club

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Team USA star Ilona Maher is not happy with her alma mater, Quinnipiac University, after their recent decision regarding their women’s rugby team.

The university released a statement on Tuesday, stating a realignment of their athletics program “to support long-term competitive, financial, and Title IX objectives.” Within the statement, the women’s rugby team is transitioning from a varsity team to a club team “at the conclusion of the current competitive cycle.”

“These decisions are never easy, but they are essential to ensuring that Quinnipiac Athletics remains equitable, competitive, and sustainable for the long term,” athletic director Greg Amodio said in the statement.

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Ilona Maher looking on during Women's Rugby World Cup match at York Community Stadium

Ilona Maher of the USA looks on during the Women’s Rugby World Cup 2025 Pool A match between the USA and Australia at York Community Stadium in York, England, on Aug. 30, 2025. (Stu Forster/Getty Images)

Quinnipiac’s transition of the women’s rugby team “follows a holistic assessment that incorporates competitive sustainability, national participation trends, resource allocation, and gender equity impacts,” according to the statement.

No matter the case, Maher is furious, and she went public with it on social media.

“Shame on you,” she posted to her Instagram Stories while tagging the school and the athletics page with a screenshot of the statement showcasing the decision.

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USA RUGBY TO INTRODUCE ‘OPEN’ GENDER CATEGORY FOR TRANS ATHLETES

Then, Maher posted a text chain she had with an unknown recipient, where she asked if “girls will lose scholarships and everything.”

“Yes,” the other line responded. “None of them can afford to stay. I have two athletes who have no parents. They have nowhere to go if they aren’t at QU. I can’t believe this happened.”

The statement adds the university will “redirect varsity level resources to programs with greater long-term stability and strategic alignment,” which would confirm this text chain about scholarships for the women in the program.

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Ilona Maher standing on basketball court before NCAA women's championship game

Ilona Maher is seen before the NCAA women’s basketball national championship game between UCLA and South Carolina at Mortgage Matchup Center in Phoenix, Ariz., on April 5, 2026. (Christian Petersen/Getty Images)

“This action is in no way meant to diminish the dedication, effort or ability of these fine student athletes, coaches and alumni,” Amodio added. “They have contributed greatly to Quinnipiac Athletics and to the vitality and history of the University.”

The Bobcats are also adding a men’s indoor and outdoor distance running program to their existing track and field squad as part of this new realignment. The university viewed it as a “high impact opportunity” to advance “both competitive and gender equity objectives” for the athletics program.

“Athletics will coordinate with Campus Recreation to ensure women’s rugby remains a well-resources and organized club program and will work closely with students to ensure a smooth and respectful transition,” the statement continued.

Maher, 29, was recruited to join the Bobcats’ women’s rugby team after playing at Norwich University — her first year ever playing the game. Maher’s father, Michael, encouraged her to try it after she grew tired of softball.

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Ilona Maher playing rugby during a match at LNER Community Stadium in York

Ilona Maher of the United States plays during the Women’s Rugby World Cup match against Samoa at LNER Community Stadium in York on Sept. 6, 2025. (Michael Driver/MI News/NurPhoto)

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Maher helped Quinnipiac win three National Intercollegiate Rugby Association championships, and she was named to the NIRA All-American team all three of those years. She was also given the MA Sorensen Award as the country’s top collegiate women’s player in 2017.

In 2024, Maher was a key piece in helping Team USA’s women’s rugby team secure the country’s first-ever medal in the sport, winning bronze over Australia.

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Arsenal water bottles sold outside Etihad ahead of crunch Man City clash

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Arsenal-themed water bottles were on sale outside the Etihad Stadium as Manchester City fans ramped up the banter ahead of Sunday’s crucial title clash.

City were hoping to move within three points of the Gunners at the top of the table – with a game in hand – with victory over Mikel Arteta’s side.

Supporters quipped Arsenal were “bottling it” after losing to Bournemouth last weekend.

The jibes gathered momentum when a City fan was pictured holding an Arsenal bottle to his lips during their side’s 3-0 win at Chelsea. The image went viral.

(Getty)

Some enterprising fans took advantage of the situation to sell their own Arsenal-labelled bottles of water outside the ground on Sunday.

It came amid a buoyant atmosphere, with City fans greeting their team coach with blue flares.

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City went into the game with momentum having also beaten Arsenal in the Carabao Cup final last month and progressed to the FA Cup semi-finals.

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‘Shocked’ Max Verstappen pays tribute to driver killed at Nurburgring

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Racing driver Juha Miettinen has died following a multi-car collision during the ADAC 24h Nurburgring Qualifiers in Germany, an event also scheduled to feature four-time Formula One champion Max Verstappen.

Miettinen, 66, was involved in a serious incident early on, which saw seven competitors collide.

According to organisers, race control immediately halted the competition, and emergency services swiftly attended the scene.

Despite rapid intervention, Miettinen could not be saved.

He was removed from his vehicle and later pronounced dead at the medical centre after resuscitation attempts proved unsuccessful.

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“Shocked by what’s happened today,” Verstappen, who was not competing at the time of the incident, wrote in a post to his Instagram Stories.

Motorsport is something we all love, but in times like this it is a reminder of how dangerous it can be.

“Sending my heartfelt condolences to Juha’s family and loved ones.”

The full statement from organisers of the race read: “During the first race of the ADAC 24h Nurburgring Qualifiers (18 April 2026), a serious accident involving seven competitors occurred in the early stages of the race.

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“Following the collision between several vehicles, race control immediately halted the race to allow for extensive recovery and rescue operations.

“Despite the immediate arrival of emergency services, the emergency medics were unable to save the driver involved, Juha Miettinen (BMW 325i, £121), after he had been extracted from the vehicle; the driver died at the Medical Centre after all attempts at resuscitation proved unsuccessful.

“The other six drivers involved were taken to the Medical Centre and nearby hospitals for precautionary examinations. None of the injured are in a life-threatening condition.

“The race will not resume on Saturday evening. The thoughts of everyone involved in the 24 Hours of Nurburgring are with the bereaved family of Juha Miettinen.”

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Organisers confirmed that competition would not resume on Saturday evening, and there will be a minute’s silence held in Miettinen’s honour during the grid formation when competition resumes at 1pm local time on Sunday.

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The P/PTSD Perspective: Position Change, Back for Year 3, and Explosive Route in Draft

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Jun 10, 2025; Minneapolis, MN, USA; Minnesota Vikings guard Donovan Jackson (74) and offensive tackle Walter Rouse (73) practice during minicamp at the Minnesota Vikings Training Facility. Mandatory Credit: Matt Krohn-Imagn Images

PurplePTSD works in partnership with Vikings Territory, similarly doing their utmost to offer top-notch coverage of the Minnesota Vikings. As a result, we’re promoting five of their top articles of the past month in “The P/PTSD Perspective.” Take a peek at some of their best stuff.

The P/PTSD Perspective: April 18th, 2026

1) Delayed Position Change Could Save Former Vikings Draftee: The idea of shuffling Walter Rouse around has been in the chatter for a little while. He offers great size and does awesome off-field work. Choosing him in the 6th always meant taking a slow approach, but it’s getting to be time to see him get onto the field.

Dec 16, 2024; Minneapolis, Minnesota, USA; Minnesota Vikings Winter Warrior helmet before the game against the Chicago Bears at U.S. Bank Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Brad Rempel-Imagn Images.

2) Promising Vikings Defender is Officially Back for Year 3: Not too bad, eh? Jalen Redmond is making close to nothing on the cap. He has eviscerated expectations. Seeing him continue to do so will mean that he becomes very rich soon enough.

3) Mel Kiper Goes Explosive Route in Latest Vikings Mock Draft: Everyone is getting the final mocks across the finish line with less than a week to go. The Vikings are likely to turn toward a defender to begin the event, but not everyone agrees. We’ll see what Rob Brzezinski does.

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Apr 22, 2009; New York, NY, USA; ESPN analyst Mel Kiper Jr. during the 2010 NFL Draft at Radio City Music Hall. Mandatory Credit: Howard Smith-US PRESSWIRE.

4) Vikings QB Room Draws Bad Review: Wait and see. Each of the passers within that room has flaws, but that’s true for the majority of QBs in the league. There aren’t too many players within the Patrick Mahomes, Josh Allen, and Lamar Jackson range. Minnesota’s QB spot is likely to do just fine in 2026.

5) Vikings Reportedly Doing Homework on High-Speed Runner: Some combination of Aaron Jones and Jordan Mason are set to do the bulk of the work at running back. In 2026, that’s a decent pair. What happens, though, if there’s an injury? Even if they stay healthy, preparing for 2027 makes sense.

Dec 25, 2025; Minneapolis, Minnesota, USA; Minnesota Vikings running back Aaron Jones Sr. (33) celebrates after scoring a touchdown against the Detroit Lions in the first quarter at U.S. Bank Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Matt Krohn-Imagn Images

Enjoy the extra reading, Vikings fans.


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Senior Editor for Vikings Territory & PurplePTSD . Twitter & Bluesky: @VikingsGazette. Email: k.joudry[at]vikingsterritory[dot]com. Canadian. Jude 1:24-25.

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“Khamzat vs. Bo” – Fans react as Khamzat Chimaev signs with Real American Freestyle

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Real American Freestyle (RAF) has made its biggest signing yet. Khamzat Chimaev has officially joined the freestyle wrestling league. The promotion has, however, yet to confirm a debut date and opponent for the UFC middleweight champion. Suffice it to say, fans are excited.

RAF recently confirmed the signing on their social media handles and also aired a short promo during RAF 08.

Check out Khamzat Chimaev’s signing announcement below:

Get the latest updates on One Championship Rankings at Sportskeeda and more

Chimaev is one of the greatest wrestling-based grapplers the UFC has ever seen. The undefeated fighter holds a takedown average of 5.29, with an 80% takedown defense.

Furthermore, he is a three-time Swedish freestyle wrestling gold medalist, winning twice at 86 kg (190 pounds) in 2016 and 2017, before returning to claim the top spot again in 2018 at 92 kg (202 pounds).

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At the Swedish national championships, Chimaev is 12-0 with seven technical falls and three pins.

With several MMA stars, including Colby Covington, Yoel Romero, and Bo Nickal, already signed to RAF, the possibilities are endless for Chimaev. True to form, as the news of the signing went viral, fans swarmed social media, sharing their reactions.

@jeetisnotunique wrote:

“Khamzat vs. Bo in RAF would be blockbuster.”

@Incognito_Guy07 chimed in:

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“Will he be competing once every 18 months for RAF like he does with UFC, I wonder?”

@GuardyGuard440 exclaimed:

“Oh my god, the matchups. Bo, get your boots ready.”

@combatmoments wrote:

“Kyle Snyder vs. Khamzat would feed generations.”

Check out a few more comments below:

Screenshots courtesy: @arielhelwani on XScreenshots courtesy: @arielhelwani on X
Screenshots courtesy: @arielhelwani on X

An Olympic gold medalist game to wrestle Khamzat Chimaev at RAF

Khamzat Chimaev’s RAF signing has certainly shaken things up. While the promotion has yet to find an opponent for ‘Borz’, an Olympic gold medalist said he’d be game to take on the UFC star.

During the post-event press conference for RAF 08, 2016 Rio Olympics gold medalist and four-time world champion Kyle Snyder opined that it would be good for Chimaev to get a few RAF wrestling matches under his belt, before he faces him.

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The reigning RAF light heavyweight champion added:

“Yeah, I mean, I think, give him a couple of matches first. Not that he’s got to earn the spot, but I think for his own benefit, just having a couple of wrestling matches underneath him will be good. And if he ever wants to compete against me, I mean, I’m always ready, so anytime.”