USI signs Ezeagu for 2025-26
EVANSVILLE, Ind. – University of Southern Indiana Men’s Basketball announced the signing of forward Ben Ezeague for the 2025-26 season.
“We are very excited that Ben has decided to join our program and are confident that he has the character and the talent to help us win,” said USI Head Coach Stan Gouard. “He is a multi-faceted player who is long, strong, physical, and versatile enough to play multiple positions.
“Ben can be a high-volume rebounder and a blue-collar player who can impact winning without needing to be an offensive focal point,” concluded Gouard.
Ezeague is transferring to USI after spending last season at Appalachian State University. He appeared in six games for the Mountaineers last season, averaging 2.8 points and 2.0 rebounds per contest. The 6-2 guard scored a season-best 12 points and grabbed a season-high nine rebounds versus St. Andrews University.
Prior to playing last year for Appalachian State, Ezeague started 54 games over two seasons at Hill College (2023-24) and Western Texas College (2022-23). He was named All-Conference for Hill College after averaging 12.8 points and 6.1 rebounds.
The Brampton, Ontario, native lettered in basketball at Potter’s House High School (Jacksonville, Florida).
The USI Screaming Eagles are a member of the Ohio Valley Conference and will be NCAA Tournament eligible in 2025-26 following the completion of the accelerated transition from Division II. USI has reached the OVC Championship in two of the first three seasons of Division I action.
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University of Evansville Receives $33,000 in Grants from Efroymson Family Fund to Advance Visual Arts and Student Experience
EVANSVILLE, IND. (06/11/2025) The University of Evansville (UE) Department of Art has received $33,000 in grants from the Efroymson Family Fund. This generous funding will enhance visual arts programming, expand the University’s permanent art collections, and provide immersive, career-building experiences for students during the 2025-2026 academic year.
A grant of $23,000 will support four core initiatives: the Efroymson Emerging Contemporary Artist Lecture Series ($9,000), a marketing intern ($2,000), a Bridge Year Fellowship ($10,000), and a Permanent Collections Intern ($2,000). A separate $10,000 grant will fund the acquisition and exhibition of urban and street art.
“This continued support allows us to grow meaningful opportunities for our students while strengthening our presence in the regional art community,” said Todd A. Matteson, Chair and Associate Professor of Art. “We are deeply grateful to the Efroymson Family Fund for investing in our vision for the future of the arts at UE.”
Now entering its fourteenth year, the Emerging Contemporary Artist Lecture Series brings practicing artists from across the country to campus for multi-day residencies. These artists engage directly with students, share insights into their practice, and exhibit work in the Melvin M. Peterson Gallery.
The Bridge Year Fellowship provides recent graduates with studio space, mentoring opportunities, and teaching experience, preparing them for advanced study or professional careers in the arts. Marketing and Permanent Collections internships offer hands-on roles in gallery promotion, collections management, and event planning.
“These positions empower students to apply classroom learning to real-world settings while supporting the visibility and vibrancy of our programs,” Matteson added.
The additional $10,000 grant will allow the department to grow its new collection of urban and street art. Recent acquisitions include works by Shepard Fairey, Dot Dot Dot, and Joachim, gifted from the collections of Dan Mason and John Nordgauer. The funding will support further acquisitions, conservation efforts, and related programming.
“All contributions from the Efroymson Family Fund are fully allocated to these initiatives, ensuring every dollar makes a direct and lasting impact,” said Sylvia DeVault ’85, Senior Director of Major Gifts. “This support exemplifies the kind of partnership that elevates the student experience and fuels creative changemaking across campus and community.”
For more information about UE’s Department of Art, visit evansville.edu/art.
About the Efroymson Family Fund
The Efroymson Family Fund, a donor-advised fund of the Central Indiana Community Foundation, is committed to enhancing quality of life through investments in arts, education, and community development across the Midwest.
The University of Evansville is a private, comprehensive university with a solid foundation in the arts and sciences and professional schools in business, engineering, education, and health sciences. Established in 1854, UE is recognized across the globe for its rich tradition of innovative, academic excellence and dynamic campus community of #Changemakers.
Home of the Purple Aces, UE is located in the southwestern region of Indiana and offers over 75 majors, 17 Division I sports, and a unique study abroad experience at Harlaxton, the University’s very own Victorian manor located in the countryside of England. For more information, please visit evansville.edu.
Deputy and Shafford selected among OVC Community Service Award recipients
BRENTWOOD, Tenn. – The recipients of the 2024-25 Ohio Valley Conference Community Service Awards have been announced. University of Southern Indiana was represented by men’s swimming and diving sophomore Nathan Deputy and women’s basketball senior Vanessa Shafford.
The awards, first bestowed in 2022-23, are based on activities that took place during the 2024-25 academic year and recognize outstanding student-athletes for the contributions they make away from the playing surface, both on campus and in the community.
OVC member institutions who competed in the League during the 2024-25 academic year were able to select a maximum of one male and one female student-athlete from their institution to be honored. In total, 18 individuals were honored with the awards this year.
“The OVC has always been about a sense of community,” said OVC Commissioner Beth DeBauche. “We are delighted to continue to bestow these awards to these outstanding student-athletes who are giving back to their communities.”
Over her four seasons at USI, Shafford has shared her time in seven different organizations, including Habitat for Humanity, Feed Evansville, the Challenger League, More than Pink Walk, HEAD Start, S.M.I.L.E. Mile, and Young & Established. Deputy volunteered to help with activities involving Habitat for Humanity, the Special Olympics Polar Plunge.
The 2024-25 recipients are:
• Vanessa Shafford (basketball), Southern Indiana
• Nathan Deputy (swimming & diving), Southern Indiana
• Joel Allen (cross country/track & field), Little Rock
• Hayden Bell (rifle), Morehead State
• Sam Cruz (cross country/track & field), Eastern Illinois
• Taylor Ellis (tennis), Tennessee State
• Mary Fetter (soccer), SIUE
• Liz Galvin (soccer), Eastern Illinois
• Reghan Grimes (basketball), Tennessee Tech
• Myah Hough (beach volleyball), Lindenwood
• Kolby Jones (track & field), Tennessee State
• David Kamwanga (basketball), UT Martin
• Haden Maxwell (golf), Tennessee Tech
• Jack Meyer (baseball), Lindenwood
• Katja Mueller (golf), Little Rock
• Kayla Turner (soccer), Western Illinois
• Elena Veerdecchia (beach volleyball), Morehead State
• Rileigh Weiss (equestrian), UT Martin
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EPD DAILY ACTIVITY REPORT
FOOTNOTE: EPD DAILY ACTIVITY REPORT information was provided by the EPD and posted by the City-County-County Observer without opinion, bias, or editing.
Willeman quality start leads Otters to series opening win
The Otters sent out Landon Willeman for his second start of the year against the Crushers. He started off hot, sending the first three batters he saw down in the bottom of the first.
In the top of the second, Evansville would open up the scoring. A leadoff walk followed by a JT Benson single set the Otters up perfectly. With the bases loaded and two outs, Alain Camou delivered with a chopper up the middle for a single that scored two.
Heading into the bottom of the third, the score was still 2-0 Evansville. Lake Erie started their frame with a double. This would be followed by a sharp line drive to left field. On the liner Keenan Taylor saw the ball pop out of his mit on a jump, but while falling down caught the ball. He popped up to his feet and threw a strike to JJ Cruz at second to cut down the baserunner trying to get back. It would go down as a 9-4 double play and saved Evansville a run.
The top of the fourth was a big one for Evansville. Logan Brown doubled to begin the inning and was driven in by Taylor the very next at bat. Ellis Schwartz reached via the walk and put runners on the corners. A balk from the Lake Erie pitcher scored a run, then Graham Brown hit an RBI double to make it 5-0.
Lake Erie would strike in the fifth but only got two. After the sixth, Willeman was pulled from the game after a quality start. He tossed six frames, working around six hits, only allowing two runs, and struck out one.
In the seventh, the Otters pounced again and scored two thanks to a two-RBI double from L. Brown. This made the score 7-2.
Those insurance runs were all the bullpen needed. Nick McAuliffe entered in the ninth and struck out three straight batters after giving up a leadoff single.
The Otters are back at it tomorrow at 6:05 PM CT in Avon, Ohio for the second game of this three-game set.
USI signs Brown for 2025-26
EVANSVILLE, Ind. – University of Southern Indiana Men’s Basketball announced the signing of guard Amaree Brown for the 2025-26 season.
“We’re excited to welcome Amaree to our basketball family,” said USI Head Coach Stan Gouard. “He brings a high-level work ethic and competitive edge from his time at Oklahoma Panhandle.
“We believe his length, athleticism, and toughness will make an immediate impact and help elevate our program,” concluded Gouard.
Brown is transferring to USI after spending two seasons at Oklahoma Panhandle State University. He appeared in 53 games, making 46 starts, for the Aggies the last two seasons, averaging 14.6 points, 3.9 rebounds, and 2.0 assists per game.
In 2024-25, Brown averaged a two-year best 17.8 points, 4.3 rebounds, and 2.2 assists per game. He posted a career-high 34 points versus the University of North Texas Dallas and a season-high eight rebounds on three different occasions.
Brown opened his collegiate career in 2023-24 by posting 11.0 points and 3.5 rebounds per contest. He dropped in a season-best 26 points against Southwestern Christian College, while grabbing a career-best 10 rebounds versus UNT Dallas.
Before starting his collegiate career, Brown lettered in basketball at Wells Community Academy (Chicago, Illinois). The 6-5 guard helped the Wells Academy to the Chicago city and regional championships.
The USI Screaming Eagles are a member of the Ohio Valley Conference and will be NCAA Tournament eligible in 2025-26 following the completion of the accelerated transition from Division II. USI has reached the OVC Championship in two of the first three seasons of Division I action.
