#10: Kenyon MSOC HC Brown resigns after 18 seasons. (link) |
#9: Babson AD Lynch sits down with the college magazine to discuss athletics’ championship culture and more. On the change in culture: “It’s been a slow steady march, but we’ve become relevant nationally in a lot of different sports. Now, there’s this real championship culture that we have where every team wants to be a part of it. Every coach who joins our program now has a sense that that’s the type of program that we are, that we chase championships, and we have student-athletes on podiums at the end of the year.” Asked about athletics’ new vision, Lynch states: “The plan really provides our coaches with bookend goals that every one of them can repeat to every student-athlete they talk to. It helps clarify for people what the vision of the department is and what the direction of the department is. So it helps our coaches, it helps student-athletes we’re recruiting, it helps our administrators when everybody’s talking the same language and driving toward the same goals. That’s what separates us.” On the addition of WGOLF this year, Lynch: “Babson is in a financial position unlike a lot of other schools that are dropping sports or adding sports simply to add bodies to their undergraduate population. Babson is in a position of strength right now where we have a whole different set of reasons for adding the program. We actually think we can be good in the sport.” (link)
|
#8: Check out the progress on Wisconsin-Eau Claire's $110M Sonnentag Complex, which includes both a 5K seat arena and full FB practice field, which will be the eighth largest in the entire nation once finished. (link) |
#7: New England College is bringing FB back to Henniker, starting in fall 2024. President Lesperance: “Today’s announcement is bold. It is not without risk. Rare is the opportunity to do something so impactful through athletics and academics and today is that day. I am confident that this community will rise to the occasion.” (link)
|
#6: Hamline moves quickly and promotes WBB HC/Compliance Director Focke to succeed outgoing AD Verdugo as Asst. VP/AD. HU also elevates Assoc. AD Rittler to Senior Assoc. AD overseeing "financial and programmatic aspects of the Athletic Department." President Miller: "I am confident that Alex's leadership and clear vision will set the direction for the Athletic Department. I have no doubt that, together, Alex and Beth will continue the commitment to excellence and student development that defines the Hamline University student-athletic experience." (link)
|
#5: The ASC selects Big 12 (DI) VP for Governance Flores as its next commissioner, effective immediately. Mary Hardin-Baylor President O'Rear: “David Flores is a visionary leader with a proven track record of success and rich experiences throughout his career of service in collegiate athletics. He comes highly recommended, and the American Southwest Conference Council of Presidents is thrilled to have David serving as our new commissioner. The ASC has enjoyed remarkable success on a national level, and we look forward to even greater days ahead with David leading us into the future.” (link)
|
#4: The Centennial Conference rolls out a brand refresh via Skye Design Studios and updated website via SIDEARM Sports. Executive Director Hoeg: “It was vital that the Centennial Conference refresh our logo and solidify our story as we celebrate 30 years as a conference. Our vision was to create a brand that aligned to our status as an elite Division III league excelling academically and athletically. The result of this project is a timeless mark and collateral materials that are not only cohesive, but also representative of who we are as an organization.” (link)
|
#3: Westminster (MO) has named former Iowa Wesleyan VP for Advancement and Athletics Zander as its new VP of Intercollegiate Athletics, Athletics Advancement, and Strategic Programs. MBB/WGOLF HC Creal, who led the Blue Jays on an interim basis, will add responsibilities as Assoc. AD. WBB HC Washington has been elevated to Asst. AD/SWA. (link)
|
#2: Cabrini will be sold to Villanova and cease as an individual entity after the 2023-24 academic year, per D3Sports’ Coleman and McHugh. The duo report: “An official announcement is expected once Villanova’s full Board of Trustees votes. The plan has already been approved by a board committee. […] Villanova is expected to use the acquisition to house its law school, meaning the campus … will host undergraduates no longer.“ (link)
|
#1: Pratt will exit the Coast-to-Coast and join the Atlantic East starting in 2024-25, becoming the conference's eighth member. Cannoneers AD Rickard: "Joining the Atlantic East is a great opportunity for Pratt and this is the perfect time to make the move as we continue to grow and elevate our department. The institutions in the conference have the academic and athletic profiles we've been looking for and adding a regular conference schedule will enhance our student-athlete experience greatly." (link)
|