#10: In a piece for the Chronicle of Higher Education that focuses on the benefits to small colleges of adding sports, Lynchburg (DIII) VP for Enrollment, Marketing and Communications Aaron Basko asks and answers: “Is creating new athletics programs and expanding enrollment and the number of athletes on campus a magic bullet for small colleges? Probably not. There are a limited number of viable new sports to add, especially if colleges only consider those that do not come with a high price tag for new facilities. Coaches can also expand roster sizes only so much before their programs become unmanageable, or until their players become disgruntled at the lack of playing time and transfer or drop out. The other factor to consider is campus culture. When institutions become dominated by athletes, nonathletes can begin to feel like second-class citizens, which can hurt retention. There is a limit to how far colleges can ride the horse. At the same time, an enrollment-focused athletics strategy can be a big help to institutions on the margins, and can be particularly helpful in down markets. [...] As colleges revamp their student-success programs, sports can help. Athletes tend to stay enrolled at higher rates than nonathletes — they have stronger reasons to stay at the institution. [...] Increasing revenue through retention can be just as important as raising revenue through adding new students.” (link)
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#9: Women Leaders in College Sports is evolving to Women Leaders in Sports. Pittsburgh (DI) AD/Women Leaders President and Board Chair Heather Lyke: "This is more than a mere name change. It is a brand evolution that reflects the impressive growth and impact our organization continues to have on women leaders beyond the collegiate athletics space. The advancement of women’s sports in terms of participation, investment, and attention is at historic highs. The time is right for our organization to broaden our impact to engage, inspire, and develop women in leadership at all levels of sports and society at large.” (link)
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#8: Lubbock Christian has filed a motion to dismiss in a copyright infringement case brought by Louisiana Christian (NAIA). (link) |
#7: Washburn has received a $1M donation from the Capitol Federal Foundation to fund a two-phase renovation for Lee Arena that will bring a new court, upgraded seating and technology, new sports medicine space, renovated locker rooms and more. (link)
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#6: Under a rule proposed by the Biden administration, workers who make ~$55K a year or less would be eligible for overtime by default, an increase from the previous threshold of $35,568. Acting Labor Secretary Julie Su: “A cornerstone of workers’ rights in this country is the right to a 40-hour workweek [and] the promise that you get to go home after 40 hours or you get higher pay. I’ve heard from workers again and again about working long hours, for no extra pay.” (link)
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#5: Shepherd is working to review issues that may impact student-athlete eligibility and has notified the PSAC. AD Chauncey Winbush: “We are at an early stage of assessing the information and will carefully review the impact of errors that were made. The University is committed to appropriate public disclosure, while honoring student privacy. I will be working transparently with PSAC officials to address any problems that arise and want to thank everyone assisting in the process.” (link)
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#4: Anderson SID Randy Jones pens his perspective on the role as he exits after 14 years, writing: “I haven't embraced the rising – and often unrealistic – expectations that many school administrations have placed on SIDs or athletic communicators. I have been very fortunate to work alongside some tremendously dedicated and talented people who have understood what we do and how we do it, but that isn't always the case. Over the past few years, quality people have left the profession in droves because of the unrealistic expectations caused by additional responsibilities and schools trying to boost school enrollment by adding sport after sport without adding support personnel. We can't properly do our jobs without the people on the other end being able to do theirs, and a lot of places are simply overloaded. […] Unfortunately, a lot of resources and most of the focus now is on the hype, seven-second video clips and poorly-worded social media posts, which are a lot of flash and not much substance. No one has time - or wants to - or has the ability - to write the student-athletes' stories anymore. Record-keeping, accurate stats and history aren't a priority – until they aren't there.” (link)
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#3: Alderson Broaddus files for bankruptcy and will close. (link) |
#2: Southern Connecticut State AD Chris Barker has resigned for another opportunity after two years leading the Owls. Senior Assoc. AD/Director of Compliance Matt Letkowski will serve as Interim AD. (link) |
#1: West Georgia is seeking to move to DI and join the ASUN and UAC, pending board approval on Friday, per Extra Points' Matt Brown, who adds the move would take place in 2024-25. (link)
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