Friday, November 14, 2025
WKU Football prepares to host 100 Miles of Hate
Western Kentucky University Hilltoppers quarterback Rodney Tisdale Jr (16) fights off the Aggies defense during WKU’s game against NMSU on Nov 1, 2025 in Houchens Industries-L T Smith Stadium (Jacob Sebastian)
WKU looks to win its third straight game as it hosts rival Middle Tennessee for senior day in the 100 miles of hate rivalry at Houchens-Smith Stadium.
The Hilltoppers are riding the momentum of a 35-13 win over New Mexico State at home, bringing their record to 7-2, 5-1 Conference USA, on the season.
Redshirt freshman quarterback Rodney Tisdale Jr. threw for 301 yards and four touchdowns with just one interception, earning CUSA freshman of the week honors for the performance. Redshirt senior punter Cole Maynard earned the CUSA Special Teams Player of the Week.
IN PRINT: WKU
Read more by Austin Rice
Following the failure of Hilltopper, Normal and Regents halls, WKU plans to adopt a new public-private housing model, enlisting the help of a third-party organization.
Hilltopper Hall, originally opened in 2018 for $40 million, was closed in 2024 and set for demolition as of May via a press release sent out by the Student Life Foundation.
The SLF is a nonprofit organization that was established under former WKU President Gary Ransdell. The SLF was established to take on the debt associated with dorm construction and renovation, as well as to expedite the construction process.
IN PRINT: Speaking from experience: Da’Von Brown’s journey to the WKU coaching staff
Editor’s Note: The stats included in this piece were current at the release of the Herald’s homecoming print magazine on Oct 27
WKU Co-Defensive Coordinator Da’Von Brown’s collegiate career at Florida Atlantic University didn’t end with the trip to the NFL Draft he had envisioned.
Brown was a star defensive back in his hometown of Belle Glade, Florida, a town with a population of just 17,363 in 2024, according to the United States Census Bureau. He said if you weren’t playing sports in Belle Glade, “you’re working in a sugar mill or you’re in the streets.”
Brown dominated at Royal Palm Community High School during his junior year, leading the team with seven interceptions. His play earned him a 3-star rating from 24/7 Sports and a scholarship from nearby FAU.
Read more by Anthony Clauson
Coach DaVon Brown on the home game against Florida International University on Tuesday, Oct 14, 2025 (Summer Crawford)
Read more by Nathan Mueller
WKU Department of English
On Wednesday night, poetic words about space, Black identity, and Kentucky spilled out into Grise Hall’s hallways.
Ronald Davis, known as upfromsumdirt, was the third and final speaker for the Department of English’s Fall 2025 Creative Writing speaker series. During his presentation, he read from two of his published works and provided commentary on his process and purpose for writing.
upfromsumdirt is a Lexington based poet and artist who specializes in afrosurrealism and afrofuturism. Since beginning to write in 1985, he has published seven poetry books. His books feature his artwork and touch on themes of Black culture with science fiction elements. His work also features playing with words and homonyms to create various meanings.
Read more by Diego AlcarazMonje
Midcourt with Malone: Lady Toppers shock Wichita State with victory in overtime thriller
The Lady Toppers’ electric performance in the third quarter pushed them to a tight victory in overtime against the Wichita State University Shockers.
A second-half change of playstyle allowed WKU to make a 14-3 scoring run in the third quarter. The team clawed its way back from a 15-point deficit and stopped itself from losing two games in a row.
The win was much needed after the team dropped its first road game against the Longwood Lancers 80-42 WKU performed poorly in Virginia and doubled down on previous issues. Thirty turnovers and 1-21 three-point shooting killed the team’s chance at winning.
WKU Women’s Basketball prepares to host Indiana State
WKU Women’s Basketball look to will ride the momentum from its comeback
against Wichita State Tuesday into another home game Friday night against Indiana State.
Western Kentucky University head coach Greg Collins emphasizes a call during a game against Wichita State at Diddle Arena on Tuesday, Nov 11, 2025 (Summer Crawford)
Read more by Malone Farmer
Western Kentucky University guard Tia Shelling (3) drives toward the goal during a game against Wichita State at Diddle Arena on Tuesday, Nov 11, 2025 (Summer Crawford)
win
The Lady Toppers persevered through a 15-point deficit and an overtime period to defeat the WSU Shockers 73-71.
Four Lady Toppers posted double-digit performances against the Shockers. Senior guard Tia Shelling scored a career-high 20 points on 3-4 three-point shooting Senior forward Jeniffer Silva recorded her first career double-double, posting careerhighs in points, 17 and rebounds, 10. Sophomore forward Torri James scored a career-high 16 points, 12 of which were freethrows. Senior forward Zsofia Telegdy posted 12 points, shooting 4-7 from the field.
WKU Volleyball set for final regular season matchup
WKU Volleyball finishes up its regular season this weekend on the road against Liberty.
The Hilltoppers are coming off two wins last weekend over the Delaware Blue Hens Junior middle hitter Izzy Van De Wiele had a breakout weekend, finishing with 28 kills and 15 blocks across both games.
Freshman Kiara Knox continued her stellar freshman campaign, finishing with 29 kills.
Read more by Adrianna Lein
Western Kentucky University libero Tayler Baron (2) returns the ball on September 16, 2025 during the game against Vanderbilt in E A Diddle Arena (Summer Crawford)
Read more by Peyton Reid and Morgan Larkins
This week, Sports Reporter Peyton Reid talks with News Reporter Jamie Jamison talk Hilltopper Basketball’s win against Tennessee Tech Afterwards, Reid is joined by Sports
Reporter Morgan Larkins to discuss WKU Volleyball’s win against Delaware. The third segment sees Podcast Producer and Commentary Writer Malone Farmer and Sports Reporter Adrianna Lein talking Lady Topper Basketball’s win against Kentucky State and loss against Longwood University. For the final segment, Assistant Sports Editor Michael Givner Jr. and Sports Reporter Austin Rice talk NCAA Football.
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The College Heights Herald is the independent, student-run news organization operating on the campus of Western Kentucky University, emphasizing accuracy and truth while being a public forum for the fair display of diverse opinions and viewpoints The Herald works to be steadfast and unwavering in its pursuit of truth while being true to the tenets of the WKU Student Publications mission to grow exceptional journalists and innovative leaders through real-world experiences and a strong educational and ethical foundation centered on principled journalism All creative and editorial decisions are made by the Herald’s student leadership, and all consequences of those decisions are the sole responsibility of these student leaders While editorially and operationally independent from the university, the Herald participates in the mission of WKU to prepare students of all backgrounds to be productive, engaged and socially responsible citizen-leaders of a global society, both within and outside of its newsroom Views expressed are diverse and, as an independent publication, should not be taken as representative of views of WKU and any of its administration, faculty, staff, student body or other constituency.
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