This past weekend, the UFC announced that Mark Kerr will be entering the UFC Hall of Fame as part of the UFC HOF Class of 2025.  He will be inducted as part of the Pioneer Wing.

The ceremony will take place on June 26 as part of International Fight Week.

A Division I Champion from Syracuse at 190 pounds, Kerr made his MMA debut in 1997 and would win two tournaments in UFC, at UFC 14 and UFC 15, respectively.  He never competed in the UFC after that, but instead mainly competed in Pride over the next few years.  “The Smashing Machine” had a lifetime record of 15-11 and was considered one of the most influential fighters of his day.

A movie about his life starring Dwayne Johnson will be released this October.

We here at notinhalloffame.com would like to congratulate Mark Kerr on his impending induction.

Regular visitors of Notinhalloffame.com know that we are slowly working on the top 50 of every major team in the NHL, NBA, NFL, and MLB. Once that is done, we will examine how each team honors its past players, coaches, and executives. As such, it is important to us that UCLA has announced the nine-person Class of 2025.

The incoming members are:

Tracey Milburn Bailey, Women’s Soccer, 1998-2000.  A three-time All-Pac-10 selection, Milburn Bailey had a phenomenal 2000 Season, where she scored 13 Goals, was named the Pac-10 Player of the Year, led her school to the first-ever College Cup, and the first National Championship Game.  She later played professionally for the Washington Freedom of the Women’s United Soccer Association.

Mike Franks, Men’s Tennis, 1956-58.  Franks was a two-time All-American who led UCLA to a team championship in 1956.  In all three of his seasons with the Bruins, UCLA won at least a share of the conference championship.  He later competed at Wimbledon three times.

Cyndi Gallagher, Women’s Swimming and Diving Coach, 1988-2019.  A student-athlete herself at UCLA, Gallagher had a stellar career with a 202-107-2 record in dual meets.  She led the Bruins to two Pac-10 Titles (2001 & 2003), was a two-time Pac-10 Coach of the Year, and 11 of her athletes competed in the Olympics. 

Jason Kapono, Men’s Basketball, 2000-03.  Kapono scored 2,095 Points at UCLA (third all-time) and was an All-Pac-10 Selection in all four of his years with the Bruins.  He later played over 500 Games in the NBA, and won a Championship with the Miami Heat in 2006.

Brittani McCullogh, Women’s Gymnastics, 2008-11.  McCullough earned four All-America honors (one in vault and three on the floor) and in 2010, she won the Pac-10, Regionals, and National Titles on the floor exercise.

Kimberly Po, Women’s Tennis, 1990-91.  Po won the 1991 Pac-10 Doubles Title with Stella Sampras, and the pair were the runner-up for the National Championships.  Professionally, she won Mixed Doubles at the 1999 U.S. Open with Donald Johnson.

Sheena Johnson Tosta, Women’s Track and Field, 2001-04.  A ten-time All-American, Johnson Tosta won six Pac-10 Titles and was a two-time NCAA 400m Hurdle Champion.  She later competed in the 2004 and 2008 Olympics, winning a Silver Medal in the latter.

Lisa Willis, Women’s Basketball, 2003-06.  Willis compiled 1,677 Points and 368 Steals for the Bruins and was also a two-time All-Pac-10 Selection and the MVP of the 2006 Pac-10 Tournament.  She later played four seasons in the WNBA.

We here at Notinhalloffame.com would like to congratulate the incoming members of the UCLA Athletic Hall of Fame.

Regular visitors of Notinhalloffame.com know that we are slowly working on the top 50 of every major team in the NHL, NBA, NFL, and MLB. Once that is done, we will examine how each team honors its past players, coaches, and executives. As such, it is important to us that Texas Tech has announced the eight-person Class of 2025.

The Red Raiders' 2025 Hall of Fame Class spans multiple sports and will be formally inducted on November 7, with additional recognition during Texas Tech’s home game against BYU.

The 2025 Texas Tech Hall of Fame Class members are:

Ryan Aycock, Football, 2000-03.  Aycock helped the Red Raiders reach a bowl game in all four of his seasons, and the defensive back recorded 11 Interceptions and 338 Tackles. 

Janine Beckie, Women’s Soccer, 2012-15.  Beckie led Texas Tech to its first NCAA Tournament appearance, and then went on to the next three.  She also led the Red Raiders to their first conference title and set a school record with 57 Goals.  Internationally, she starred for Canada and won Olympic Gold in 2021, and professionally, she helped Manchester City win two FA Cups and two League Cups.

Gabriella Dominguez, Women’s Golf, 2009-13.  Dominguez finished eighth in the 2012 NCAA Championship, which is the same season she set the school record with a 72.8 scoring average.

JaCorian Duffield, Men’s Track and Field, 2011-15.  Duffield is one of the best High Jumpers in Red Raider history, having won the National Indoor and Outdoor Championships.

Aaron Hunt, Football, 1999-2002.  Hunt was a phenomenal pass rusher for Texas Tech, having recorded 34 Sacks, 46.5 Tackles for Loss, and played a part in two bowl wins (2002 Tangerine and 2003 Houston).  He later played ten years in the Canadian Football League.

Matt Kastelic, Baseball, 1995-96.  Kastelic was a three-time All-America Selection, and Texas Tech had a 100-29 record in his games played.  He helped the Red Raiders reach their first two NCAA Tournaments and win their first Conference Tournament.  Individually, Kastellic batted .389 with a school-record 97 Stolen Bases.

B.J. Symons, Football, 2001-03.  Symons threw for an FBS record 5,833 Yards in 2003 under the explosive Mike Leach offense and held 11 NCAA records after he left the school. 

Cierra White, Track and Field, 2012-15.  White, a three-time Big 12 Champion sprinter, was an 11-time All-America honoree.

We here at Notinhalloffame.com would like to congratulate the incoming members of the Texas Tech Athletic Hall of Fame.

Learn the latest trends and techniques for marketing casinos in 2025 and beyond, including leveraging influencers on TikTok and engaging customers.

Casino Marketing Strategies for Web 3.0

Marketing in the present technological era is no longer a one-size-fits-all game, and even the gaming and casino industry is not left out. It has entered a new period in which people in 2025 must be proactive in hunting for customers and connecting with them through every possible channel, especially those that include traditional and new media. With all these tools and platforms available to them, marketers are free to try anything from TikTok to VR spaces in the metaverse today, more than ever before.

TikTok Takes Center Stage

Video reigns supreme in 2025, and TikTok has led the charge with its short, snackable clips that grab attention. The platform now boasts over 1.5 billion monthly active users, making it a prime channel for Robocat wanting exposure to new players.

Younger generations like Millennials and Gen Z grew up on social media and are receptive to branding efforts there. By partnering with gaming-focused influencers on TikTok, casinos can organically integrate their offerings into content already capturing this lucrative market.

Influencer marketing has become a $20 billion industry, and the right TikTok personalities can drive real results:

• Humanizing your brand
• Generating excitement around new games and promotions
• Boosting sign-ups and activity from new demographics

But viral trends move quickly, so casinos must stay nimble and on top of the latest memes and challenges.

Getting Immersive with VR and AR

Virtual and augmented reality open new dimensions for casino marketing. Full VR spaces in the metaverse allow brands to create engaging environments beyond what’s possible in the real world. With customizable avatars, users can socialize and get to know your casino offerings in a fun way.

Table games and slots can be simulated in VR, letting people preview the experience. And AR overlays during live sporting events provide a second-screen experience to complement the action. March Madness brackets, Super Bowl squares, and wacky prop bets can be integrated via AR for seamless entertainment.

Of course, regulatory hurdles around real-money gaming still exist in most jurisdictions. But the foundation is being laid for integrated metaverse casinos, where tokens and cryptocurrency will fuel the next generation of immersive gambling. Forward-looking brands are claiming their virtual real estate now before the VR land rush truly takes off.

Hybrid Experiences Bridge Gaps

For all the promise of digital engagement, real-world experiences still drive growth for casinos. Special events and tournaments bring in new customers while rewarding loyal patrons. Their challenge is bridging the gap between physical and virtual worlds to provide hybrid experiences.

Hybrid event technology is maturing quickly. Streaming allows remote users to follow the action and even compete in some cases. Integrated mobile apps let in-person and virtual attendees interact via live polls, leaderboards, mini-games, and prizes powered by RFID, NFC, and QR codes.

With flexible formats spanning both worlds, casinos can maximize reach and revenue. Promotions like interactive scavenger hunts on casino floors encourage exploration while engaging online participants. Branded hashtags and user-generated content incentives make events more shareable across social media.

The lines between physical and digital continue to blur. Successful casinos will embrace omnichannel strategies to engage customers wherever they are—in person or online.

Looking Ahead to Web 3.0 Marketing

Marketing technology will keep evolving along with the internet itself. Web 3.0 and the metaverse will open new avenues to connect with audiences:

• Decentralization through blockchain makes transparency and security a priority. Gambling on decentralized platforms allows for provably fair games.
• User ownership of data and digital assets puts more control in individuals’ hands. Casino tokens and NFT prizes are the next wave of rewards programs.
• Machine learning and AI will enable more personalized and predictive engagement based on context and preferences.
• Interconnected environments centered on avatars persist between experiences. Your casino avatar travels with you across virtual worlds.

The past decade has seen unprecedented changes in how we interact online and access entertainment. Rather than being intimidated by constant change, forward-looking casino marketers embrace this fluidity and adapt quickly to engage customers wherever they are—both today and in the evolving internet landscapes of tomorrow.