College athletics across the United States are closing out 2025 with a flurry of milestones, record-breaking performances, and innovative partnerships, as programs from Georgia to Texas and Ohio to Dallas celebrate achievements that have set new standards on and off the field. From contract extensions for top athletic directors to historic ticket donation initiatives and Hall of Fame recognitions, the collegiate sports landscape is brimming with energy and promise as the new year approaches.
In Athens, Georgia, the University of Georgia Athletic Association made headlines on December 22, 2025, by unanimously approving a significant adjustment to the contract of Josh Brooks, J. Reid Parker Director of Athletics. Brooks, who has served as the driving force behind Georgia Athletics for five years, now sees his contract extended through 2031, with a notable base salary increase of $125,000 per year. This raises his six-year average yearly compensation, not including incentives, from $1.525 million to $1.750 million—a testament to his impact and the university’s commitment to retaining top leadership.
UGA President Jere W. Morehead praised Brooks, stating, “Since his hiring, Josh Brooks has been an outstanding leader for Georgia Athletics and proven to be one of the nation's most successful and widely respected athletic directors. I am pleased we have secured his long-term future with the University of Georgia.” The contract also introduces increased goal-based incentives, particularly for student-athlete academic performance and the final Learfield Directors Cup standings, reinforcing Georgia’s holistic approach to collegiate sports excellence.
Brooks, reflecting on the extension, expressed gratitude: “I want to thank President Morehead for his leadership and his unwavering support and guidance throughout my five years as athletic director. At the University of Georgia, I am surrounded by the brightest people in our profession. Without the colleagues I serve alongside every day, our coaches and student-athletes, none of these accomplishments are possible. My family and I are honored to be a part of the Bulldog family, and we look forward to many more years leading this academic and athletic powerhouse.”
The numbers back up Brooks’ leadership. Georgia Athletics tied the school record with four national titles this past spring, claiming championships in women’s tennis, women’s track, and equestrian. The football program clinched back-to-back SEC crowns for the first time since 1980, while the basketball squads notched a combined 24-1 record to start the 2025-26 season—a new school mark. Baseball racked up 86 wins and secured a top-8 national seed in each of the last two years. Soccer made NCAA tournament appearances in four consecutive seasons for the first time in program history, and men’s cross country returned to the NCAA championships after a 12-year hiatus.
Georgia’s success isn’t limited to the playing field. Student-athletes set a new school record for the highest GPA in an academic season, posting a 3.26 cumulative GPA. The Bulldogs also celebrated individual honors: Dasha Vidmanova was named SEC Roy F. Kramer Female Athlete of the Year, Abby McCulloh earned SEC H. Boyd McWhorter Scholar-Athlete of the Year, and both Vidmanova and Aaliyah Butler took home Honda Awards. It’s a golden era for the Bulldogs, with the university’s commitment to both academic and athletic achievement shining through.
Meanwhile, in the Lone Star State, the University of Texas Rio Grande Valley (UTRGV) Athletics is making waves of its own, partnering with 1st Tix, powered by the Veteran Tickets Foundation (Vet Tix). This partnership, announced December 22, 2025, enables UTRGV season ticket holders to donate unused basketball and baseball tickets to first responders—including law enforcement, firefighters, EMTs, nurses, and 911 dispatchers. The process is streamlined through the Showpass ticket transfer feature, with donations sent to [email protected]. Fans receive tax deductions and confirmation emails, making the act of giving back both rewarding and straightforward.
Through this initiative, UTRGV Athletics supports 1st Tix’s mission of providing free event tickets to first responders, helping reduce stress, strengthen family bonds, and encourage ongoing engagement with the community. Since its inception in 2008, Vet Tix has distributed over 30 million free tickets to more than 2.4 million members nationwide—a staggering figure that underscores the impact of such partnerships. With 44 home games remaining in the 2025-26 season—11 men’s basketball, 11 women’s basketball, and 22 baseball—fans have ample opportunities to participate in this effort, further weaving the fabric of sports and service together in the Rio Grande Valley.
Up in Cincinnati, Xavier University is gearing up for a celebration of its own. On December 22, 2025, ticket registration opened for the 2026 Xavier Athletics Hall of Fame event, scheduled for January 31 at the James & Caroline Duff Banquet Center in the Cintas Center. This year’s class features standout athletes and coaches: Drew Lavender from men’s basketball, Melanie Balcomb from women’s basketball, and Andy Pope from men’s golf. The induction ceremony, set to run from 4:15 p.m. to 6:00 p.m., offers fans a chance to honor these legends for just $20, which includes light refreshments, dessert, and non-alcoholic beverages, with a cash bar available.
The Hall of Fame festivities will be interwoven with Xavier’s men’s basketball game against DePaul, where the inductees will be recognized during halftime. Melanie Balcomb will also receive special recognition at the women’s basketball game versus Butler on February 1. These celebrations not only honor past achievements but also connect generations of Musketeers, creating lasting memories and inspiring current student-athletes to reach new heights.
Not to be outdone, SMU Athletics in Dallas is basking in the glow of a record-breaking fall semester. The Mustangs’ football team soared to No. 21 in the College Football Playoff rankings and No. 16 in the AP Poll, while men’s soccer reached No. 5 nationally, volleyball climbed to No. 7, and equestrian settled in at No. 2. Men’s golf, swimming & diving, and women’s golf all earned top-30 national rankings, and men’s basketball received votes in both the AP and Coaches polls.
It wasn’t just about rankings. Football set Ford Stadium records for both average fan attendance (33,530) and student attendance (4,186), and the homecoming game against Miami became the highest-grossing football game in program history for ticket sales and concessions. On the field, SMU teams secured four postseason bids: football earned a Holiday Bowl invitation, volleyball advanced to the NCAA Sweet 16 for the first time, men’s soccer earned a No. 5 NCAA seed and reached the second round, and cross country placed fifth at the NCAA South Central Regional.
Men’s soccer delivered a historic first ACC Championship for SMU by defeating No. 4 Virginia in the tournament final, setting multiple attendance records in the process. Volleyball’s banner season included the highest ticket sales and attendance records in program history, with Averi Carlson earning ACC Setter of the Year and an ACC-record seven Setter of the Week honors. Across all fall sports, SMU posted a combined ACC record of 28-13-5 and an overall mark of 54-23-6, cementing their place among the nation’s elite. Individual accolades abounded, with 20 All-ACC honors, six All-Americans, and 15 Mustangs appearing on 18 National Player of the Year watch lists. Volleyball head coach Sam Erger was named AVCA Regional Coach of the Year for the second consecutive season.
As 2025 draws to a close, these stories from Georgia, Texas, Ohio, and Dallas highlight the vibrancy and resilience of college athletics. Whether it’s breaking records, giving back to first responders, honoring legendary figures, or setting new standards for excellence, collegiate sports continue to inspire and unite communities across the country. The momentum is undeniable—and with so many teams and athletes poised for even greater achievements, the stage is set for an unforgettable 2026.
