Although Long Island University proudly bears the nickname “Sharks,” it was the NCAA that took a substantial bite out of the institution this week.

The NCAA has placed LIU under a three-year probation period following an investigation that uncovered significant compliance issues within the university’s athletic programs. Over 1,000 student-athletes were found to be ineligible due to incomplete NCAA paperwork or improper certification, which hindered their ability to compete or practice legally.

The violations occurred from the 2020-21 to the 2023-24 academic years, highlighting LIU’s failure to adequately oversee its eligibility certification process, as detailed in the NCAA’s negotiated resolution released on Monday.

As a consequence, 35 of LIU’s athletic programs were found to be in breach of regulations. The NCAA has imposed a three-year probation and has decided to void team and individual records in sports where ineligible players participated during this timeframe.

The resolution specifically mentions several teams affected by these violations, including LIU’s baseball, football, men’s and women’s basketball, men’s golf, men’s soccer, softball, men’s and women’s indoor and outdoor track and field, and women’s volleyball teams.

Additionally, LIU will face a “$30,000 fine, plus 3% of the budgets for the four highest-budgeted sports programs involved in violations” and a two-week ban on recruiting activities on each sport during the first year of the school’s probation. 

A university spokesman confirmed to The Post that the penalties will not have any impact on the records or titles of the 2024-25 or 2025-26 seasons since there were no eligibility compliance issues at that point. 

It’s notable considering the LIU men’s basketball team won the NEC Tournament title and made its first appearance in the NCAA Tournament since 2013 this past season, and the softball team just won its second consecutive NEC regular season title on Monday.

The football team also captured its first FBS win last fall when it upset Eastern Michigan. 

The infractions occurred in part because of the merger of the athletic programs at LIU Brooklyn and LIU Post, resulting in one compliance staff member being responsible for overseeing the eligibility for student athletes involved in 35 programs. 

“The athletics department was split between two locations, with half at the Brooklyn campus and half at the Post location, resulting in communications inefficiencies between coaches and compliance staff about team rosters,” the negotiated resolution stated. 

“In total, initial eligibility certifications for 240 student-athletes were not completed before they practiced,” the report also said. “Of those, 176 competed impermissibly and/or received actual and necessary expenses while ineligible or not certified. An additional 658 student-athletes competed and 111 practiced without having required forms completed.”

The report does note that LIU self-reported the infraction to the NCAA, and a spokesman for the university said the school had “identified these eligibility certification matters through its compliance systems during a routine, university-wide review.”

“The issues date back several years and occurred during a period of operational disruption amid the COVID-19 pandemic,” the spokesman said. “The NCAA recognized the University’s collaborative approach throughout the review, and we worked closely with the NCAA while fully cooperating at every stage of the process.

“LIU maintains a strong, institution-wide culture of compliance. LIU’s current athletic compliance leadership and staff bring decades of Division I experience and are supported by comprehensive oversight systems. We are confident in our compliance structure and remain fully committed to operating with integrity and in full compliance with NCAA standards.”

The controversy surrounding New England Patriots head coach Mike Vrabel and sports journalist Dianna Russini shows no sign of fading, as Russini prepares to share her perspective on the high-profile situation.

Since the allegations regarding her involvement with Vrabel surfaced, Russini has maintained a low profile, issuing only a brief statement on social media to announce her immediate departure from The Athletic.

Amidst the emergence of photos suggesting their connection dates back at least six years, Russini opted to erase her online presence. Meanwhile, Vrabel revealed plans to seek counseling during the 2026 NFL Draft weekend.

Despite the ongoing media frenzy over the past month, the saga is far from concluded. The Daily Mail has learned that Russini is now prepared to break her silence.

A source close to the former ESPN sideline reporter stated, “Dianna is ready to talk, and major programs from Good Morning America to 60 Minutes are eager to secure an exclusive interview with her.”

‘But she doesn’t want to do it to bash Mike… she wants to do it so she can potentially reclaim her story, and reclaim the potential to get her career back on track. 

Mike Vrabel and Dianna Russini are seen together at a casino in Mississippi in January 2024 

Russini is understood to be weighing up an interview to give her side of the explosive story 

‘She has already hurt her reputation and her family… both Mike and Dianna have. This would be done to start picking up the pieces and explain where her head is at, and get her truth out there.’

The insider goes on to reveal that Russini has been wrangling over the decision for weeks, all while more rumors and speculation continues to spread far and wide. 

Page Six first ignited the firestorm by publishing pictures of Russini with the Patriots coach at a $2,500-a-night adults-only resort in Sedona, Arizona, in March. 

Other photos have since emerged appearing to show the pair looking cozy at a New York bar back in 2020 – the whole alleged affair occurring while both parties were married.

‘She [Dianna] is making difficult decisions on talking or not, but she is leaning toward talking,’ the source claims. ‘She has to get to a better place; she doesn’t want to exploit her family anymore negatively. If it is done, it has to be done right. That is where things stand right now.’

Russini has covered Vrabel since his days with the Titans, when she still worked for ESPN 

Russini married fast food executive Kevin Goldschmidt in 2020 during the pandemic

On the Patriots’ side, meanwhile, there is understandable angst that a Russini tell-all interview will fire the story back into the headlines again, just as it has started to calm down.

Around the NFL Draft at the end of April, Vrabel’s name was on every reporters’ lips, but not regarding the team’s draft picks, but instead his alleged extracurricular activities.

Every statement from the head coach or the team seemed to make matters worse, and the crisis management PR went into overdrive.

In the weeks since, headlines have begun to dissipate, and Patriots news now surrounds draft picks and free agency pick-ups.

That could all change, though, and they’re preparing for every eventuality in New England.

‘Mike and the Patriots wouldn’t be surprised one bit if she eventually talks about it in a TV appearance… and he will likely do the same,’ our source explains. 

Mike and Jen Vrabel, pictured during his Patriots unveiling, share two children together

‘Would they rather have the story go away, absolutely! But they aren’t going to pressure her not to do it. It is her life; she can do whatever she wants with it. 

‘If it happens, it is something they will deal with at the time but are focusing on the team instead. They can’t obsess over it, because everything that is out is already out.

‘The franchise has dealt with many other controversies, and they will weather through this no matter if she talks or not.’

The Daily Mail reported earlier this month that Russini’s marriage has taken a ‘serious hit’ in the wake of the scandal. 

While Vrabel has issued an apology to his family and agreed to seek counseling over the allegations, Russini’s only public comment was to deny everything.

Russini’s husband, Kevin Goldschmidt, is said to be reeling from the public nature of the controversy, which has put an immense strain on their union.

Vrabel and Russini are pictured together, years before the Post scandal erupted this month

‘Her husband has felt sidelined for a long time, and this controversy might be what finally pushes things to a breaking point,’ the source added.

‘At the same time, he’s dealing with the embarrassment, still cares about her, and would want to find some way to fix things if he can. The emasculation has taken a toll though.’

Vrabel and his wife Jen, meanwhile, are said to have jetted to Park City, Utah, for an emergency 24-hour summit to address the state of their marriage, according to Page Six.

Jen was seen arriving back in Boston last Tuesday in new photos obtained by the Daily Mail. Dressed in a sweatshirt and jeans, she was alone as she climbed into a taxi, with her husband having already made the trip back. 

As Jen touched back down on the East Coast, one insider told the Daily Mail that, as it stands, their marriage is hanging in the balance, with Jen set to make a ‘tough decision’ in the near future amid the ongoing saga.

‘Jen is p***ed, embarrassed, and horrified that this is her life right now,’ the source told the Daily Mail. 

‘To live through this in the public eye, being judged by friends and family, being judged by people she has never met. It is a nightmare.’

‘But as much as the trust has been broken, the “till death do us part” is what she is trying to make work,’ the source continued.

EXCLUSIVE TO FOX: Authorities have intensified their search for Craig Berry, who is on the run after allegedly shooting his wife. Recently acquired footage reveals a bloodhound leading officers through secluded forests as Berry, considered armed and dangerous, vanished further into the challenging landscape.

Footage from the Tennessee Highway Patrol, obtained by Fox News Digital, captures the coordinated efforts of troopers, deputies, and the Stewart County Sheriff’s Office investigators. They are seen navigating thick woodlands with a K9 unit in pursuit of Berry, mere hours after the May 1 shooting incident.

Berry, who possesses Special Forces training, is alleged to have shot his wife during a domestic altercation before escaping into the nearby forest, triggering an extensive manhunt. Authorities have reported that the victim survived and is currently receiving medical care at a hospital.

Following the shooting, investigators issued a warrant for Berry’s arrest for second-degree attempted murder on May 4.

The newly released video highlights law enforcement’s deployment of a bloodhound to trace fugitive Craig Berry through the dense forests of Stewart County, Tennessee, shortly after he purportedly shot his wife and fled the scene.

Four days following Berry’s disappearance, the veteran continues to evade capture as local, state and federal agencies converge in rural Tennessee to locate him.

Authorities say Berry is armed with at least one handgun, may be carrying additional ammunition and should be considered highly dangerous.

“He is very familiar with the area,” Sheriff Frankie Gray said.

The Stewart County Sheriff’s Office says Craig Berry was captured by a trail camera wearing camouflage clothing. (Stewart County Sheriff’s Office)

A person believed to be Berry was captured by a trail camera wearing camouflage clothing, the sheriff’s office said when releasing the photo.

“We’re actively looking, but have NO idea if he is still in the area, so we’re asking you to please check your trail cameras, cause we’re not ruling anything out,” the sheriff’s office wrote. “We are asking if you see anything please report any sightings call 911, and remain on ALERT and lock all your doors.”

Craig Berry, the sheriff’s office said, is a retired special forces veteran and has extensive training in survival tactics. Officials added “he is an excellent swimmer and diver, and is in good physical shape.” (Stewart County Sheriff’s Office)

Who is Craig Berry?

The Stewart County Sheriff’s Office described Berry as a retired Special Forces veteran wearing camouflage clothing and said he should be considered “armed and dangerous.”

Deputies added that Berry is an “excellent swimmer and diver” and is believed to be in “good physical shape,” stating he has “extensive training” in survival tactics.

Stewart County Schools said in a statement on Facebook that Berry’s wife, whose condition is unknown, is a schoolteacher.

“We are aware of a serious incident involving one of our staff members. We understand this news may be upsetting to students, staff, and families. Please know that this incident did not occur on school grounds, and there is no ongoing threat to our schools,” the school district said. “Our thoughts are with our staff member and her loved ones during this time. We will continue to respect her privacy.”

Craig Berry is seen in an undated photo released by the Stewart County Sheriff’s Office. (Stewart County Sheriff’s Office)

The man accused of trying to murder his wife is not believed to have a phone or any other form of communication on him after he fled the area on Friday morning.

The search zone has steadily expanded from the initial scene near Old Paris Highway to include Gray’s Landing and corridors along highways 232 and 79.

Dover, which has a population of about 2,000, is about two hours outside Nashville.

Craig Berry was last seen near River Trace Road, and authorities are conducting a “very detailed search” of the area from River Trace Road to Highway 79 to parts of Highway 232 this week, the sheriff’s office said Monday. (Stewart County Sheriff’s Office)

Sheriff Gray said it could be a “lengthy process” in tracking down Berry, urging residents in the area to “lock all your doors.”

In a statement to Fox News Digital, the Tennessee Highway Patrol said that it is continuing to assist the Stewart County Sheriff’s Office, the Tennessee Bureau of Investigation and the U.S. Marshals Service with helicopters and troopers, as needed, in the hunt for Berry.

People are asked to contact the Stewart County Sheriff’s Office at 931-232-6863, if they see him or know his whereabouts.

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In Tuesday night’s CNN debate, Xavier Becerra and Tom Steyer, the leading Democratic contenders in the California gubernatorial race following Eric Swalwell’s unexpected exit, found themselves on the defensive. Both candidates faced a barrage of attacks from their Republican and Democratic challengers as they vied for a coveted spot in the state’s “jungle primary,” where only the top two finishers, regardless of party affiliation, progress to the next round.

Throughout the debate, the competition remained relatively balanced. However, Katie Porter, who had initially been a strong contender, made a critical misstep by inadvertently highlighting her own temperament as a potential issue, which shifted the dynamics on stage.

Following Porter’s gaffe, Chad Bianco seized the moment, capturing the audience’s attention for a significant portion of the debate.

Meanwhile, Steve Hilton injected a light-hearted tone into the proceedings, delivering pointed critiques with a smile. Antonio Villaraigosa, on the other hand, appeared increasingly desperate as he attempted to challenge the frontrunners with little success. Matt Mahan positioned himself as the moderate voice, attempting to appeal to both sides of the political spectrum.

Steve Hilton took a whimsical approach, smiling as he delivered policy zingers. Antonio Villaraigosa looked desperate, as he flailed at the frontrunners. And Matt Mahan tried to triangulate between both sides as the moderate in the race.

Notably, Hilton and Bianco avoided attacking each other, and were even friendly onstage. They seem to realize that each of them only has a chance if the other also qualifies; they have to finish first and second.

Whether that happens might be a shrinking possibility, if Democrats can settle on one strong candidate. Viewed as a contest between Becerra and Steyer, Becerra won. But the field is still spread too thinly among Democrats to make any outcome certain, and the two Republicans are still in with a shot to win.

Here’s how each did:

Xavier Becerra: A- The former Secretary of Health and Human Services defended the state’s high gas tax, again — an untenable position. But he did so with poise and gravitas, and repeated that he had fought Trump in court. He also deflected some of the attacks other candidates flung at him all evening — though he struggled to explain away the corruption scandal that Hilton brought up late in the debate.

Chad Bianco: B+ Another strong, at times exceptional, performance from the unshakable sheriff. But he took some damage when Villaraigosa attacked him for being an “Oath Keeper.” No one really remembers what that means, but it reminded voters of their doubts about a candidate who has hung out on the right. He played into his strengths as a law enforcement official, and kept his cool even when attacking.

Steve Hilton: B A solid performance, but he had to dance around questions tying him to the president — such as whether Trump won the 2020 election, and whether he would continue Trump’s policy of deporting illegal aliens. He sounded evasive when he should have faced these questions squarely. He did launch a solid attack on Becerra, but might have left it too late in the debate to make a difference.

Tom Steyer: B- This was his best performance ever, which isn’t saying much, but he had to defend himself for much of the first half hour against attacks, and did well enough. He still comes across as clownish, and strains to convince viewers that all his endorsements are about more than buying support with his money. He also said that the billionaire tax doesn’t go far enough, whatever that means.

Matt Mahan: C The mayor of San Jose should be running away with this race. But his constant attempts to triangulate are too complicated. He tried attacking other candidates, and most of his attacks fell flat. He also manages to look young and inexperienced, despite the fact that he actually has a good record. He also quickly sought to reassure voters that he does not, in fact, want to reduce the size of government.

Antonio Villaraigosa: D He looked desperate from the start, launching into attacks on the frontrunners without stating anything about who he is or what he stands for. He attacked Hilton but then tried to pick up Hilton’s attack on Becerra over alleged corruption. It’s odd that he made the debate stage but that Tony Thurmond couldn’t swing an invite from CNN. It’s not even clear why Villaraigosa is still running.

Katie Porter: D- Abysmal performance from a candidate who really needed to do well. She committed political malpractice by bringing up the thing voters don’t like about her — temperament — and then used foul language, as if driving home the point. She also made odd faces at times (she and Steyer would be amusing to watch on a split screen with the sound off). She was scrappy, but not a good kind of scrappy.

Moderators: B Solid job overall, and they let the candidates go at each other. Some of their questions singled out individual candidates, but not unfairly. Kaitlan Collins introduced a whopper of a question about whether California would jail Trump administration officials over immigration enforcement (it’s against the Constitution).

But she and Elex Michaelson steered the lively discussion capably.

Joel Pollak is the opinion editor of the California Post.

The long-suffering fans of the NHL’s Toronto Maple Leafs received a welcome boost on Tuesday night when the team secured the top spot in the draft lottery.

The Maple Leafs will have the first pick in the upcoming NHL Draft, a selection that promises access to a pool of talented players. Leading the pack is Penn State forward Gavin McKenna, who is widely expected to be the top choice.

John Chayka, the newly appointed general manager of the Maple Leafs, has been monitoring McKenna’s progress well before stepping into his role in Toronto.

“I’ve been following him for several years, and his skill set is exceptional,” Chayka commented. “His creativity, puck handling, and shooting abilities are remarkable. It’s a strong package, and I look forward to discussing it further with our scouts. There’s a lot of enthusiasm around many players, including Gavin.”

Despite having only an 8.5 percent chance, Toronto managed to win the draft lottery. The team faced the possibility of losing its first-round pick to the Bruins if they didn’t land within the top five. Instead, they’ll now give up first-round picks in 2027 and 2028 to Philadelphia and Boston.

It’s unclear which pick will go to the Bruins and which will be awarded to the Flyers. Deputy commissioner Bill Daly has called it a complicated situation, which has yet to be resolved.

McKenna’s remarkable run at Penn State was nearly sidetracked by a felony assault charge that was later dropped.

The Toronto Maple Leafs will pick first overall in next month’s NHL Draft, when a flurry of top stars will be available. Most notably, Penn State’s Gavin McKenna is expected to go first 

Canada forward Gavin McKenna (9) controls the puck during the second period of an IIHF World Junior Hockey Championship bronze medal game against Finland on January 5

The 18-year-old from Canada’s Yukon Territory was charged with felony aggravated assault, misdemeanor simple assault, disorderly conduct, and harassment on January 31 after an off-campus altercation. 

Video showed McKenna punch another man, who suffered a broken jaw according to authorities.

The following week, Centre County District Attorney and State College Police announced that the video was not clear evidence McKenna acted with intent to cause serious harm and as a result, decided to drop the aggravated assault charge, which carried a potential 20-year prison sentence.

McKenna still faces misdemeanor counts of simple assault, disorderly conduct, and harassment.  

He was at the bar Doggie’s Pub in downtown State College with friends following an outdoor game against Michigan State, according to student news website Onward State.

Toronto won the lottery, followed by San Jose, Vancouver, Chicago and the New York Rangers

Detailed view of the Draft Lottery Percentages to start the 2026 NHL Draft Lottery set 

The website reports that McKenna allegedly assaulted an unidentified individual, leaving him with a broken jaw.

The incident which led to McKenna allegedly throwing a punch has not been officially confirmed.

However, multiple reports indicate that the Penn State hockey team was in a private room at the bar when a person unrelated to the team began verbally harassing a member of McKenna’s family.

Vancouver, which had the best odds at the top pick, will select third on June 26 in Buffalo.

San Jose has the second pick, while Chicago, the New York Rangers, Calgary, Seattle, Winnipeg, reigning-champion Florida and Nashville round out the top ten.

Swedish winger Ivar Stenberg is expected to get some consideration for the top pick, but McKenna’s one season with the Nittany Lions may be tough to beat. In addition to his 15 goals, McKenna added 36 assists as Penn State reached the NCAA Tournament.  

The Leafs have not raised the Stanley Cup since 1967. They last picked first overall in 2016, when they selected American phenom, Auston Matthews. 

In Franklin Park, Illinois, the Illinois State Police have initiated a probe into a fatal shooting involving Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) officers, as confirmed by a spokesperson from the department. The investigation is being conducted by the Public Integrity Task Force in the western suburbs.

The Franklin Park Police Department officially requested that the task force look into the shooting incident of Silverio Villegas-Gonzalez, 38, which occurred on September 12. This was confirmed by the spokesperson on Tuesday.

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The Public Integrity Task Force has already commenced its preliminary investigation. Once their inquiry is finalized, the case will be forwarded to the Cook County State’s Attorney’s Office for further review, according to the spokesperson.

The Cook County State’s Attorney’s Office released a statement affirming their collaboration with the Illinois State Police. They stated, “We have been in contact with ISP and will play a supportive role in their investigation, in accordance with our Federal Immigration Enforcement Action Response Protocol. We are unable to comment further on a pending law enforcement investigation.”

This investigation is unfolding shortly after the Illinois Accountability Commission wrapped up its examination of the Department of Homeland Security’s “Midway Blitz” immigration operation in the Chicago area. The commission referred some federal agents involved for further investigation and potential charges.

Back in September, ABC7 obtained body camera video of Franklin Park police responding to the shooting, which happened near Grand and Elder Lane.

DHS said the shooting unfolded when the man they were targeting in a traffic stop drove his car toward officers, hitting one of them.

The bodycam video, obtained from the Franklin Park Police Department through the Freedom of Information Act, shows police officers speaking with witnesses and ICE agents moments after the deadly shooting. And the ICE officer, who shot the man after being hit, described his own injuries as “nothing major.”

The footage begins with officers arriving to the scene. It shows Villegas-Gonzalez, who DHS says was an undocumented immigrant with a history of reckless driving, being treated on the ground after being shot by an ICE agent.

“He tried to run us over,” an ICE agent says in the video.

ABC7 blurred Villegas-Gonzalez’s body as well as faces of bystanders and witnesses.

Villegas-Gonzalez, who his family says, came to the United States more than 20 years ago from Mexico, died at the hospital.

In the video, an officer asks an ICE agent if there are any other suspects, and the agent responds, “He’s the only one.”

The shooting happened after, federal authorities say, Villegas-Gonzalez tried to escape arrest by driving away. They say during that alleged escape, “One of the ICE officers was hit by the car and dragged a significant distance. Fearing for his own life, the officer fired his weapon.”

DHS said the ICE officer suffered severe injuries and was stabilized at the hospital before being released.

The bodycam video shows how that federal agent, seen with a torn pants leg, described his injuries to responding officers on scene.

“I got dragged a little bit,” he says. “Uh, just a left knee injury, and some lacerations. Nothing major.”

Cellphone video obtained by ABC7 that same day shows when ICE officers removed Villegas-Gonzalez from his car, which crashed into a box truck.

In a response to ABC7 in September, DHS said the officer who fired his weapon has been an ICE officer since 2021, and was the first time he fired his weapon in a use-of-force incident.

The video in the player above is from a previous report.