UNK Antelope

I never thought of the Transformers movies as anything more than loud action films. They were just something I watched growing up, playing in the background of my childhood. But looking back now, I realize they meant more to me than I noticed at the time. They were some of the first movies that made going to the theater feel like an event. I remember sitting there, completely locked in, watching giant robots transform and tear through entire cities, thinking I had never seen anything cooler.

With classes set to begin on Monday and coursework ready to be completed, many Lopers are looking to start the semester off on the right foot. In college, finding the perfect place to study is crucial to your success in the classroom. Here’s our guide to the best places around town to crack open your textbook and get to work. UNK’s Calvin T.

Coming off last season with a record of 30-4 and hosting the NCAA Central Regional, fans of the UNK volleyball team may be wondering what is next, considering the loss of some key players. Peyton Neff was the back-to-back MIAA setter of the year, Emilee Lane and Abby Rose were also All-MIAA members and Aleena Peterson was pivotal in the back row for the Lopers. Specifically, Neff’s graduation left a hole as a team cannot function successfully without a setter.

Building a program takes time; in fact, UNK’s soccer team is still younger than its players. Following an MIAA tournament appearance in 2024, injuries plagued the squad last year and a return to the conference tourney is on the squad’s mind entering the fall. Coach Rob Breton enters the season in his fourth season at the helm of the Lopers and said he sees better days ahead. “I think that we as a program have yet to reach the heights that we can,” Breton said.

UNK’s new student government administration was inaugurated in April and campaigned on increasing student engagement. Their efforts will begin in the fall at Blue Gold Welcome, an event meant to connect new and current students to campus and student organizations. This year’s student body president and student body regent said that early connections are essential for students in their college careers.

With classrooms ready to be filled on Monday and residence halls opening their doors to a new wave of students, The Antelope is ready to usher in a new era. There are a lot of new names on our editorial staff list this year, but our mission remains the same. We hope to continue to share the array of stories that can be found on our campus and shed light on the important issues that impact the university and our community.

For the UNK football program, the past few seasons have been about building something new. At the beginning of coach Ryan Held’s fourth year, that process has started to turn into something more. After improving their win total each year, the Lopers will no longer be focused only on getting better. Instead, the expectation will be to take the next step. That mindset has become a central theme throughout the program as players and coaches look ahead to the upcoming season.

Starting college at UNK can feel overwhelming at first. Between classes, living on your own and figuring out campus life, there is a lot to adjust to in a short amount of time. While orientation covers the basics, there are many everyday things that new students only learn through experience. One of the biggest adjustments for freshmen is living in a residence hall. If you have a roommate, communication is important early on.

With two national champions and eight All-American honors, UNK track and field completed its season at the NCAA Outdoor Track and Field Championships in Emporia, Kansas. The women scored their most points at nationals since 2006, while the men had their best team finish since 2012. With 11 qualifiers (two women, nine men), their 34 points are the second-highest total in program history, next to the 38 they scored 20 years ago.

The UNK golf team closed the season on Thursday with an appearance at the NCAA Division II Championships at the PGA National Resort in Palm Beach Gardens, Florida. The Lopers returned to the national stage for the second time in school history, competing in a pool of 18 teams during the three-day, 54-hole tournament. Freshman Pella Broms said the national tournament was the team’s end goal throughout the entire season.