Little Change in the program
Auburn University is moving its 2026 home game with Baylor from Jordan-Hare to Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta. This will help supercharge the opportunities and image of NIL for the Tigers as part of an arrangement with the Aflac Kickoff Game.
In short, athletic director John Cohen stated that they will never stop student-athletes from receiving financial benefits, calling the decision a step toward long-term player support.
During a SEC head coaches teleconference, head coach Kirby Smart stated, “You know, you’re working to generate revenue for your players, which is the lifeblood of your program, but you’re also trying to entertain and make sure your customers, the ticket, the home ticket fans, the alumni, the people who buy your seats, are just as engaged.”
While the move presents new NIL possibilities for student-athletes, it has drawn criticism from some Auburn residents concerned about the financial impact on the local economy.
Bioinformatics Superstar
Dr. Mary Lauren Benton (BSI ‘15), assistant professor of bioinformatics at Baylor University’s School of Engineering and Computer Science, has been named of three 2025 KEEN Rising Stars – a national honor recognizing educators who infuse an entrepreneurial mindset into engineering education.
In a Baylor news release, Benton said, “Engineering with an entrepreneurial mindset helps students see beyond a single assignment to the people and problems they can impact.”
As a recipient of the Rising Star, she will receive a $10,000 grant from the Kern Family Foundation with a project of her choosing. Benton’s research focuses on the application of computer science methods to interpret how DNA sequences alter genome function and impact disease risk.
Faith and Sports
Paul Emory Putz, PhD (Ph.D. ’18), director of the Faith & Sports Institute and program director for the Master of Arts in Theology and Sports Studies at Baylor University’s George W. Truett Theological Seminary, has been awarded the Frank S. and Elizabeth D. Brewer Prize – honoring work of outstanding scholarship in the history of Christianity by a first-time author.
The Spirit of the Game, published by Oxford University Press, explores how the Christian athlete movement that emerged in the 1920s helped shape American sports and religious life.
In an article from Baylor, Putz said, “I often tell people that my book is not just about sports; it is really about American Christianity through the lens of sports. To have that vision recognized and affirmed by my fellow scholars is an incredible honor.”
Improving Kidney Health
Tiffany Jones-Smith (‘95) is reshaping how Texas tackles kidney disease. As president and CEO of the Texas Kidney Foundation and chair of the Texas Chronic Kidney Disease Task Force, Jones-Smith has led efforts that screened more than 16,000 Texans, educated multiple households, and built the state’s largest community-based kidney health dataset.
As the first woman, African American, and person living with a genetic kidney disease to chair the state task force, Jones-Smith is using education and advocacy to change how communities think about kidney disease.
Soccer on a Roll
Senior midfielder Tyler Isgrig continues to draw national attention by recently being named one of 35 players on the 2025 Hermann Trophy Midseason Watch List. The award is named in honor of the late Robert Hermann, businessman and soccer executive who founded the National Professional Soccer League. In just her third year, Isgrig has started all 12 matches, logging 968 minutes while leading the Bears with five goals and three assists.
Junior midfielder Aryanna Jimison was named Big 12 Offensive Player of the Week after racking up a brace against Colorado and two assists against Iowa State.
Now ranked No.14 nationally and heads to host Senior Night at Betty Lou Mays at 7 p.m. against BYU.
