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McLaren Global Sport Solutions SVP Bob Copeland has issued his 136-page report on the future considerations for Simon Fraser Football. The report states operating FB in a United States league is not feasible and that the best potential option for a return would be to join Canada West and U Sports, which would require an exemption voted on by a supermajority of members in both entities and $368K in application fees. If approved, a return to the gridiron before 2025 is “highly unlikely.” Those application fees would possibly be cost prohibitive, given a budget deficit of around $1M prior to this decision, which the report states was a contributing factor to eliminating FB. Such a move would also require renovations to Terry Fox Field to accommodate the larger Canadian football field that would impact the Track & Field space and create the need for more personnel and resources. The report concludes the most sustainable funding approach includes a collaborative approach from the university, student fees, alumni and boosters, adding of the latter that the SFU Football Alumni Society’s $3M in pledges over five years can “provide the incremental support required to sustain the football program.” On the athletic department broadly: “The operations of the Department of Athletics and Recreation are not sustainable in their current form, a finding consistent with a 2022 Benchmarking Report by Deloitte that indicated ‘a strong sense of urgency in financial viability’ for the Department. […] Financial sustainability is one of many important issues currently facing the Department. The lack of effective strategic planning also is a concern as is the lack of systematic evaluation of varsity programs and staff.” The report also includes a number of data points and comments regarding the strain of staff and resources and how that is impacting the student-athlete experience. Tons more. (link, link - Full report); President Joy Johnson on the report: “I recognize that the findings of this report may not be what the football community had hoped for, but Mr. Copeland has made clear that our starting point now must be setting the right foundation for Athletics and Recreation.”(link)

Trevecca Nazarene AD Mark Elliott sits down with Main Street Sports Today to dive into the Trojans’ move to the GSC and more. Elliott says he and the university maintained a relationship with the conference and Commissioner Matt Wilson over the years to reiterate TNU was open to join the league that will be a better geographic fit, as the average distance between conference members will fall from 438 miles to 273. Elliott also notes how important it is for the university’s leadership that the southeastern United States is the geographic district of the Nazarene church, which will impact recruiting and fan engagement for Nazarene families, and the ability to reignite old rivalries, which was sparked during a preseason volleyball match against Lee. On the facilities front, TNU will open a new 3,500 square-foot athletics-only weight room and is finalizing a partnership with the nearby STEM Academy to renovate and utilize its stadium for an outdoor track and field surface and to be the home of the Trojans’ new Women’s Lacrosse program. More. (link)

Fundraising & Partnerships:

+ Fort Hays State raised over $353K from its Tiger Auction and Dinner. (link)

+ The Peach Belt Conference has entered into a corporate partnership with Grid to become the league’s official athletic locker partner. (link)

Purdue Northwest will add STUNT as its 21st sport, starting in 2024-25. AD Rick Costello: “STUNT is a wonderful addition to the array of sport offerings at PNW and will create plenty of excitement for our students, faculty, staff, alumni and the Northwest Indiana community. Most importantly, STUNT will expand athletic participation opportunities for female student-athletes.” (link)

The transition from Golfstat to Spikemark as collegiate golf’s new scoring and ranking system has been fraught with technological problems, per NBC Sports’ Brentley Romine, who reports coaches have been beset by slow load times, system crashes and other difficulties. Romine also notes the site briefly shut down after a reported cyberattack, and its live-scoring platform remains paused. “And while the new company scrambles to pick up the pieces, coaches, players and their supporters are left frustrated and uncertain about what comes next.” One “prominent person within the sport” says: “It’s bad. College golf is in jeopardy right now.” Transylvania (DIII) Men’s Golf Coach Brian Lane resorted to keeping score manually and posting the leaderboards of a tournament hosted by his team to social media. Spikemark CEO Derek Freeman acknowledged the problems, writing in an email to coaches: “To put it in terms we can all understand, basically we hit it OB off of the first tee, duffed the chip, and followed up with a nice three-putt.” As the company continues trying to sort out its issues, some coaches are wondering whether the NCAA should terminate the partnership, but Romine notes it’s not as simple as returning to Golfstat because, as one source says: “They fired everybody.” A progress report from Spikemark is expected by the end of this week. (link)

It’s Personnel:

+ American International Assoc. AD for Business Operations Angelo Bruno is headed to Stonehill (DI) as Assoc. AD for External and Business Operations. (link)

+ Cal Poly Pomona names Cal State San Bernardino Asst. AD for Communications & Marketing Alex Kline as Asst. AD for Communications. (link)

+ Walsh adds former Malone Sports Information Director Donovan Martin Jr. as Asst. AD for Operations. (link)

Coaches.wire:

+ Thomas More taps Men’s Golf alum Sebastian Sims as the Saints’ new Men’s and Women’s Golf HC. (link)

+ Tiffin hires Webber (NAIA) Women’s Lacrosse AC Samantha Cozzolino as the Dragons’ HC. (link)

+ West Liberty Softball HC Herb Minch is stepping down after a quarter century in charge of the program. AC Nikki Nuzum will step in to serve as Interim HC. (link)

Social n Sport’s Jessica Smith offers some advice on how sports organizations should measure social media goals. Smith explains that setting YoY goals for engagements, impressions, followers and other metrics are good to keep track of but “living and breathing by these metrics and thinking they are a key indicator of good work is a miss.” For one, there are too many uncontrollable variables associated with sports, especially winning & losing. Smith advises that any “goal-setting initiative should start with the overall organizational goals. What is the business trying to achieve, and how can social and content support those?” For instance, if increasing revenue is the goal, then an objective might be: “Create a digital playbook for the sponsorship team by Q1 that features sellable assets to assist sales efforts.” Smith closes: “Don’t get caught up in the rat race of trying to reach x number of total impressions in a season. Anyone can play that game, but the strongest social teams play the game of achieving goals and objectives that actually map back to the business.” (link)

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(Posted from most recent over the last 30 days)

(NEW!) Head Coach for Men’s Cross Country and Track and Field (Haverford College / Haverford, PA): Haverford College invites applications to our available full time (at least 37.5 hours per week), exempt, benefits-eligible Head Coach for Men’s Cross Country and Track and Field position. (DIII) More details HERE.

(NEW!) Men’s and Women’s Golf Graduate Assistant (St. Mary's University / San Antonio, TX): Assist the Director of Golf with daily tasks, including administration, coaching, and recruiting. Traveling with the Golf teams is required. $1,000 stipend per semester. To apply, e-mail your resume to: cmccarthy@stmarytx.edu

Assistant Athletics Director of Community Partnerships and Revenue Generation (Cal Poly Humboldt / Arcata, CA): Assistant Athletics Director of Community Partnerships and Revenue Generation – Intercollegiate Athletics F/T position in Intercollegiate Athletics. First review, 9/23/2023. Open until filled. More details HERE.

Coordinator, Athletics Advancement & Athletics Friends Groups (Princeton University / Princeton, NJ): This position supports the overall function of the Athletics Advancement team emphasizing on the oversight of communications & annual events for the 18 sport-specific varsity Athletics Friends Groups. (DI) More details HERE.

Associate Athletic Director of Facilities and Operations (Barton College / Wilson, NC): Leadership/oversight for all game-day operations, daily scheduling/ maintenance of athletic facilities, revenue generation re: ticket sales, camps/conferences/etc. Serves on Ath. Sr Leadership Team. More details HERE.

Coordinator of Operations and Events (Bucknell University / Lewisburg, PA): Serve as a game day events manager for various athletic events. Work closely with various University offices, the coaching staff, student-athletes, outside groups, and spectators. (DI) More details HERE.

Deputy Director of Athletics for Student Services and Compliance (Northwest Missouri State University / Maryville, MO): This position will serve as an integral part of the department's leadership team, focused on NCAA DII compliance issues. More details HERE.

Account Executive DII/DIII (Teamworks / Remote): We are looking for a confident, enthusiastic Account Executive to play a critical role in growing the company's footprint in Collegiate Division II/III athletics. More details HERE.

Director of Athletics (University of Washington / Seattle, WA): UW seeks an experienced, innovative leader to direct a comprehensive intercollegiate athletics program, while demonstrating a commitment to a program of academic and competitive success. (DI) More details HERE.

Athletic Trainer (Rochester Institute of Technology / Rochester, NY): The Athletic Trainer supports the medical needs for all 22 intercollegiate NCAA Division III sports and 2 Division I sports (men’s and women’s ice hockey). (DIII) More details HERE.

Assistant Athletic Director for Compliance and Academic Services (Missouri Southern State University / Joplin, MO): The Assistant Athletic Director for Compliance and Academic Services leads the efforts to ensure the Athletic Department maintains NCAA, MIAA, and MSSU compliance for MSSU's 15 Division II sports. More details HERE.

Assistant Athletic Director of Development (University of Central Missouri / Warrensburg, MO): Serves as UCM Athletics' lead on Mule Train (annual fund), signature events, donor hospitality and engagement, and coordinates with AVP on awarding endowed scholarships. More details HERE.

Director for Communications and Broadcasting (San Jose State University / San Jose, CA): Serve as the men's basketball communications contact, strategy into increased video production efforts needed for MW Network production, and cover additional sports as assigned from communications. (DI) More details HERE.

Head Women's Softball Coach/Instructor for Physical Education (Claremont-Mudd-Scripps Athletics / Claremont, CA): This head coaching position manages all facets of the women’s softball program. Teaching responsibilities include instruction in PE courses. Full-time, non-tenure track, athletic faculty appointment. (DIII) More details HERE.

Associate Athletic Director, Facilities Operations and Event Management (Wayne State University / Detroit, MI): This position oversees the day-to-day operations of all athletic facilities, event management, budgets for athletic facilities, and capital building projects. This position reports to the AD. More details HERE.

Director of Development, Annual Fund (Montana State University / Bozeman, MT): The position is responsible for overseeing, promoting and expanding the Bobcat Athletic Scholarship Fund for Bobcat Athletics. (DI) More details HERE.

Assistant Athletic Trainer (Radford University / Radford, VA): The Assistant Athletic Trainer will assist in the daily health care of student athletes and Sports Medicine Facility operation under the direction of the Associate AD for Sports Medicine. (DI) More details HERE.

Director of Highlander Club (Radford University / Radford, VA): The Director of the Highlander Club is responsible for the strategic planning, communication, organization, and oversight of the Radford Athletics Highlander Club. (DI) More details HERE.

Senior Associate Athletic Director (Boston University / Boston, MA): Oversees and directs all academic, compliance, social and community related activities for student-athletes, including leadership, career development and performance & wellness. (DI) More details HERE.

Assistant Women's Lacrosse Coach (Bucknell University / Lewisburg, PA): As a part of the Department of Athletics and Recreation, be responsible for working closely with the Head Coach on administering phases of this varsity intercollegiate sport program. (DI) More details HERE.

Associate Athletic Director for Revenue Generation (UW-Parkside Athletics / Kenosha, WI): The Asst. AD For Revenue Generation will provide leadership and strategic direction for all revenue-generating aspects within Athletics. Areas include sponsorships, fundraising, and ticketing. More details HERE.

Assistant Commissioner for External Relations (South Atlantic Conference / Rock Hill, SC): The position is primarily responsible for the implementation of a comprehensive external relations plan that promotes and aligns with the league's overall mission and strategic goals. More details HERE.

Associate Director of Marketing For Gameday Events (Loyola University Maryland / Baltimore, MD): Develop marketing plans focused on increasing attendance and further enhancing the image of Loyola Athletics. Plan, script and execute time lines for all home events that have been widely recognized! (DI) More details HERE.

Business Manager (Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference (MEAC) / Norfolk, VA): Looking for an experienced Business Manager to oversee the finances of our conference office. The ideal candidate will be well-versed in all matters of business. (DI) More details HERE.

Financial Analyst (Athletics Operations) (University of Minnesota Duluth / Duluth, MN): Ongoing financial & operational activities for UMD Athletics which includes monthly financial reporting, reconciliation, review, and analysis of budgets. More details HERE.

Assistant Director of Graphic Design (SMU / Dallas, TX): Assistant Director of Graphic Design will play a crucial role in executing the SMU Athletic Department's digital, marketing, & social media strategy, to establish SMU as a leader in college sports. (DI) More details HERE.

Assistant Softball Coach (Purdue University Northwest / Hammond, IN): Serve as Assistant Softball Coach reporting to the Head Softball Coach. Assist head coach in the planning, organizing, and coaching of the softball team Strong knowledge of softball skills. More details HERE.

Head Stunt Coach (Purdue University Northwest / Hammond, IN): Serve as Head Coach for the Stunt program and develop the foundation for the NCAA Division II STUNT program! Plan, organize, recruit and develop the Stunt, Cheer and Dance programs. More details HERE.

Head Women's Ice Hockey Coach (Purdue University Northwest / Hammond, IN): Serve as Head Women's Ice Hockey Coach develop the foundation for an American Collegiate Hockey Association Division 1 team! Plan, organize, recruit and develop the Women's Ice Hockey programs. More details HERE.

Men's and Women's Track & Field Graduate Assistant Coach (Wisconsin Lutheran College / Milwaukee, WI): 24-month position, starts 9/1/23. Assist w/ the program, including recruiting, coaching & planning. $17,500 stipend & daily meals. Submit cover letter, resume and references to charles.woodall@wlc.edu More details HERE.

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