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Edition #1337

December 17, 2025

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RPI AD Kristie Bowers sits down with Wayne State (MI - DII) Deputy AD Candace Turner at the 2025 Women Leaders in Sports Convention to dive into leadership and development. Bowers points to flexibility as her key for leadership success, adding: “I'm going to put three things down in my journal that I'm going to get done and if those three things don't get done, there's tomorrow. There are other things that I'm worried about, from did I support my student-athletes? Did I support my coaches? Was I there in good moments and in bad moments? Did they feel like they had a frictionless process? And if they did, those three things don't matter. I'll get to them tomorrow.” On handling the changes across the NCAA as a multi-divisional department, Bowers is reminded of a quote at RPI, “Why not change the world?” Further: “When I talk to our donors and alums, that resonates with them; they want to make sure that their money is going to be going to something that is going to help further somebody and advance them. They want to make sure that they use all the time at RPI to the best of their ability to set them up for success in the future. … I always think about that with the noise. Is this like changing the world or is this just noise? And how does this impact my students being able to change the world? And if this isn't going to be something that's going to help them do good in the world and change the world, I'm okay right now. We'll keep doing what we're doing and keep pushing forward. I try to be really transparent about where we are, what we need from our alums, what we need from our donors, and how they can help our student athletes. 99% of it is hiring them, helping them get a career, helping mentor them, and helping them get to that next step, because teaching them is going to help them for a lifetime.” More on BOSCA. (link)

The Aspen Institute’s State of Play 2025 report finds that youth sports participation has effectively recovered from the pandemic, with 55.4% of children ages 6-17 playing organized sports in 2023, an increase from 53.8% in 2022 and the highest rate since 2019. However, the costs associated with youth sports have skyrocketed, rising a whopping 46% since 2019, exacerbating significant access gaps between income levels. Sports & Fitness Industry Association (SFIA) data from 2024 indicates a 6% YoY uptick in overall participation for ages 6-17, though regular participation among teenagers (13-17) continues to decline. The federal government has a national public health goal for youth sports participation to reach 63% by 2030, and the State of Play report found that “progress was made as 14 states and the District of Columbia reached the 63% mark – Vermont (72%), South Dakota (69%), New Hampshire (68%), Massachusetts (65%), Iowa (65%), Minnesota (65%), Washington D.C. (65%), Colorado (65%), North Dakota (64%), Nebraska (64%), Rhode Island (63%), Wyoming (63%), Maine (63%), Hawaii (63%) and Montana (63%). Kansas, Wisconsin and Illinois were within one percentage point of 63%. Overall, 34 states increased their participation in 2023. On a per-sport basis, golf, tennis and flag football were the only sports whose participation increased from five years ago. Flag football saw a 14% jump among kids age 6-17 and boys' high school volleyball participation grew 13% in 2024-25. Sports with the biggest fall among 13-17 year olds from five years ago were swimming, wrestling, track & field, cheerleading, ice hockey and lacrosse. Lots more in the full report. (link)

Wisconsin-River Falls receives a $1.5M estate gift from alums Mark Meydam and Katrina Larsen towards athletics staff development and a scholarship for agricultural education. (link)

Wittenberg has reconstructed the outfield at Betty Doughman Dillahunt Field and implemented a new irrigation system. The Tigers are actively fundraising for a new scoreboard as the facility’s next upgrade. (link)

Deal Digest…
➤ Westminster (PA) partners with Opendorse to create an NIL marketplace. (link)
➤ FloSports is expanding its motorsports footprint with the acquisition of the Lucas Oil Late Model Dirt Series (LOLMDS) from Lucas Oil Products. (link)

Coaches.wire…
➤ Anna Maria removes the interim tag from Women’s Soccer HC Ron Scarborough. (link)
➤ Maine-Farmington Softball HC Alyssa Williamson is headed to Saint Anselm (DII) in the same capacity. (link)
➤ McMurry names Football AC Leo Brownfield IV as the War Hawks’ first Women’s Flag Football HC. (link)
➤ Simmons Softball HC Brook Capello departs for the same role at Bentley (DII). (link)
➤ Thirty different sports had coaching staff movement this week, check out the full list in this morning’s edition of Coaches.wire. (link)

Warner Bros. Discovery's board unanimously rejected Paramount Skydance's hostile $30-per-share all-cash takeover bid, valued at $108.4B, in favor of a competing proposal from Netflix, which WBD Chair Samuel Di Piazza termed "superior" and more certain. While Paramount CEO David Ellison argued his offer provides better value and regulatory prospects, the WBD board expressed concern over the financing structure, noting the absence of a direct backstop from the Ellison family and the recent exit of Jared Kushner’s Affinity Partners. Netflix's cash-and-stock proposal, valued at an equity value of $72B, would acquire WBD’s streaming and studio assets while spinning off its cable networks, as reported previously, and Netflix Co-CEO Greg Peters maintains that “our deal structure is clean, it’s certain, we’re a scaled company. … We’ve got a strong investment-grade balance sheet. He similarly dismissed antitrust questions, arguing that the share of U.S. TV viewership is still competitive and that the audiences for Netflix and HBO Max streaming services are complementary. “We have a good case, and we believe that we should defend that case and make that case strongly.” Ellison, meanwhile, indicates in a statement that “I have been encouraged by the feedback we have received from WBD shareholders who clearly understand the benefits of our offer. We will continue to move forward to deliver this transaction, which is in the best interest of WBD shareholders, consumers, and the creative industries.” (link)

A Washington Post-University of Maryland poll finds Americans are increasingly concerned about the influence of the sports gambling industry, with 36% now viewing the expansion of legal betting as "a bad thing" – up from 23% in 2022 – while only 14% view it positively. The negative sentiment is growing sharply even among those participating in the activity; 20% of respondents who bet on sports in the last five years now view the increased availability as negative, a significant jump from just 3% three years ago. Concerns about addiction (70%), fixed games (66%), and underage gambling (64%) remain high across the board. While a majority (51%) of active bettors believe discussing odds during broadcasts makes sports "more interesting," only 9% of non-gamblers agree, highlighting a sharp divide in how betting content is received by the general viewing public. The poll asked specifically about prop bets and found that while a majority (57%) were unfamiliar with the term and opinion on their legality was split (27% disallow vs. 23% allow), roughly 60% of Americans believe prop bets are "at least somewhat likely" to lead to games being fixed or rigged. (link)

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(Posted from most recent over the last 30 days)

(NEW!) Women's Soccer Head Coach (University of California – Santa Cruz / Santa Cruz, CA): Under the direction of the Director of Athletics and Recreation, the Head Coach leads a competitive intercollegiate athletics sports program. More details HERE.

(NEW!) Women’s Flag Football Head Coach (Newberry College / Newberry, SC): Newberry College (NCAA D2) seeks qualified applicants for Women’s Flag Football Head Coach. (DII) More details HERE.

(NEW!) Head Men's and Women's Tennis Coach (St. Mary's College of Maryland / St. Mary's City, MD): St. Mary's College of Maryland is accepting résumés for the Head Men's and Women's Tennis Coach position. Duties include managing all phases of a Division III Men's and Women's Tennis program. More details HERE.

Assistant Women's Lacrosse Coach (Mount Holyoke College / South Hadley, MA): The Assistant Lacrosse Coach supports all management aspects of a competitive NCAA Division III program, reporting directly to the Head Coach. More details HERE.

Associate Director of Development, Major Gifts (Texas Christian University / Fort Worth, TX): This position is responsible for supporting the philanthropic revenue growth of TCU Athletics. The primary focus is on cultivating and soliciting donors for commitments of $100,000+. (DI) More details HERE.

Dietitian (Johns Hopkins University / Baltimore, MD): Part time athletics dietitian, about 8-10 hours a week. Can be flexible/hybrid model. More details HERE.

Head Coach Women's Volleyball (Westminster University / Salt Lake City, UT): The head coach for the Westminster University Women’s Volleyball program is responsible for oversight, leadership, recruitment/retention, student-athlete experience, and fostering a winning culture. (DII) More details HERE.

Head Coach, Women's Volleyball (Rowan University / Glassboro, NJ): Head coach for the Rowan University Women’s Volleyball program who will be charged with oversight, leadership, recruitment/retention, student-athlete experience, and ensuring a winning culture. More details HERE.

Intern / Assistant Women's Lacrosse Coach (Hanover College / Hanover, IN): Seeking dynamic person to assist with management of WLAX program, including game prep/film evaluation, practices/skill development, team supervision/ops, recruiting/scouting, fundraising, & coaching. More details HERE.

Associate AD for Budget and Planning/Chief Operating Officer (Fort Hays State University / Hays, KS): Provide visionary leadership to all areas of departmental internal operations. Liaison with areas across campus. Articulate and execute the department's strategic plan in a fiscally sound manner. (DII) More details HERE.

Associate/Assistant Director of Athletics - Revenue Innovation & Advancement (Fort Hays State University / Hays, KS): Provide strategic leadership in all areas of revenue generation. Solicit support from various areas (sponsors, donors, alumni, etc.). Oversee staff planning and execution of major fundraising events. (DII) More details HERE.

Director of Athletics (Juniata College / Huntingdon, PA): Lead a dynamic NCAA Division III athletics program, driving student success, competitive excellence, and strategic growth across 24 varsity sports. More details HERE.

Head Volleyball Coach (Fort Hays State University / Hays, KS): Organize, develop, recruit and administer all functions of a D-II Women’s Volleyball program funded for national success. Other VB staff positions are FT Assistant and Grad Assistant. (DII) More details HERE.

Women's Flag Football Head Coach (University of Illinois Springfield / Springfield, IL): Great opportunity to build a new women's flag football program, planning to compete in the spring 2027 season! Join our team of high achievers and build something special! (DII) More details HERE.

Athletic Trainer (Western Connecticut State University / Danbury, CT): Western Connecticut State University is pleased to announce that applications are being accepted for the position of Athletic Trainer. More details HERE.

Head Football Coach (The Catholic University of America / Washington, DC): Manage all aspects of CUA’s football program, including coaching, staff supervision, recruiting, retention of student athletes, fiscal management, fundraising and facility assistance. More details HERE.

Commissioner (Horizon League / Indianapolis, IN): Reporting to the Board of Presidents, the Commissioner works closely with the Chancellors/Presidents and Athletic Directors of the member institutions to advance the mission and vision of the League. (DI) More details HERE.

Assistant Coach Of Nordic Skiing (Williams College / Williamstown, MA): The Williams College Nordic Ski Team is searching for an energetic and organized Assistant Coach to join our successful NCAA program! More details HERE.

Head Women's Volleyball Coach (Luther College / Decorah, IA): Luther College seeks a dynamic Head Women’s Volleyball Coach to lead the program, develop student-athletes, recruit talent, and foster a competitive, positive team culture. More details HERE.

Women's Field Hockey, Head Coach (Transylvania University / Lexington, KY): Seeking knowledgeable individual to lead overall vision, direction, and day-to-day operation of the program including student-athlete well-being, academic achievement, and competitive success. More details HERE.

Head Field Hockey Coach (Kenyon College / Gambier, OH): A full time, 10-month reporting position with benefits. Will be in charge of the NCAA DIII Field Hockey program in accordance and compliance with NCAA, NCAC, & Kenyon College policies & regulations. More details HERE.

Head Coach - Football (Hamline University / St. Paul, MN): The primary purpose of this position is to provide leadership and administrative direction for day to day program operations which primarily involves coaching, program planning, and recruiting. More details HERE.

Assistant/Associate Director, Athletics Leadership Giving (Trinity College – Connecticut / Hartford, CT): The Assistant/Associate Director oversees a giving program dedicated to meeting annual athletics fundraising goals and expanding the number of leadership-level donors. More details HERE.

Assistant Athletic Director (SUNY College of Agriculture & Technology at Cobleskill / Cobleskill, NY): The Assistant Athletic Director reports to the Athletic Director and plays a key leadership role in the administration of the Fighting Tigers' NCAA Division III intercollegiate athletics program. More details HERE.

Head Women's Volleyball Coach (Ripon College / Ripon, WI): Join the Redhawks family, bringing a high level of enthusiasm and strategy to our Women's Volleyball Team as we grow and thrive in the MWC. More details HERE.

Head Football Coach (Northern Michigan University / Marquette, MI): NMU invites applications for the position of Head Football Coach, a 12-month, full-time position responsible for providing leadership, vision, and direction for all aspects of the program. (DII) More details HERE.

Head Football Coach (Gettysburg College / Gettysburg, PA): The College is seeking a dynamic and innovative individual who has a strong administrative, collaborative and student-focused background to serve as head football coach. More details HERE.

Assistant Men’s & Women’s Track & Field Coach (Shot Put, Discus) (Centre College / Danville, KY): Provide assistance in the leadership of appropriate coaching, recruiting, and administrative duties for a nationally competitive Division III track and field program. More details HERE.

Senior Associate Director of Development, Athletics (University of Chicago / Chicago, IL): Leads the athletics fundraising team, setting and implementing fundraising goals, strategies, and priorities in collaboration with colleagues in Athletics, ARD, and the College. More details HERE

Head Coach, Football (Geneva College / Beaver Falls, PA): Provides overall direction of the Football program which competes in the Presidents’ Athletic Conference (PAC) and NCAA Division III. More details HERE.

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