#10: Gallaudet Football donned the first 5G-connected helmets through a collaboration with AT&T. The QB will receive the play in augmented reality on the digital display located within the visor. AT&T’s 5G will enable the plays to be sent and received at a speed that keeps up with the pace of the game. HC Chuck Goldstein: “We work out the same way as every other college football program, we practice the same way, we compete the same way. The difference between coaching a hearing team compared to a Deaf team is first the communication. The AT&T 5G-connected helmet will change football.” As part of their collaboration, AT&T is donating $500K to the Bison FB program and providing every student-athlete with a new helmet. Check them out. (link)
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#9: A trio of professors at Centre lead a team of a dozen students that provide analytics for the Colonels coaches. In one instance, a pair of students ran expected points data that Football HC Andy Frye uses to help determine play-calling. Professor Jeff Heath explains that he “thought it’d be a great way to have that connection between academics and athletics. [...] It’s very unique in Division III. I’d say we are definitely one of — at most — a small handful of schools doing this level of analysis for our athletic programs.” (link)
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#8: Vermont State announces voluntary faculty buyouts as part of cost-saving efforts. (link) |
#7: Salisbury dedicates its Softball stadium after late Softball and Volleyball HC Margie Knight. (link) |
#6: Averett VP/AD Meg Stevens officially became president of Women Leaders in Sports during this week’s convention in New Orleans. (link) |
#5: Ferrum elevates Football HC and alum Cleive Adams to AD. Adams: "I'm excited for the opportunity to mentor, and shape the next generation of student-athletes on our campus as well as provide our coaches and support staff with the resources and support they need to establish one of the top athletic departments in the region. My mission is to partner with the campus community to build a program that will be consistently competitive in the ODAC, by developing a commitment to academic success, campus pride, leadership, civility, diversity and inclusion, athletic development, and a commitment to winning." Interim President Mira Martin will continue to double as Interim AD until January when Adams will search for his successor on the gridiron. (link, link)
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#4: The CCS will add provisional DIII member Asbury, starting next fall, keeping the league's membership at nine. Commissioner Beth Vansant: “From the beginning of the formation of the Collegiate Conference of the South, expanding membership has been a topic of conversation. [...] Asbury truly understands the NCAA Division III philosophy and commitment to a holistic approach for student-athletes.” (link)
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#3: Members of Roanoke Women’s Swimming team held a press conference last Thursday to push back against a transgender student-athlete joining the team. The student-athlete ultimately withdrew the request to compete for the women’s team. Student-athlete and co-captain Lily Mullens: “When we finally worked up the guts to explain how we felt to the higher ups at our school, we were told that we had support, but not once was that support exhibited to us in practical terms.” President Frank Shushok: “In making this decision, the focus of senior administration and the board of trustees was on maintaining fairness in competition and protecting the integrity of all athletics at Roanoke College. We remain committed to supporting our LGBTQ+ community and our student-athletes, all of whom are valued members of our vibrant community.” (link, link)
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#2: Carthage unveils its new Softball stadium. (link) |
#1: Western New England AD Dino Pollock is no longer leading the Golden Bears after stepping into the chair in January. Assoc. AD Jennifer Kolins has stepped in as Acting AD. Pollock's LinkedIn reflects that he has exited WNE. (link, link)
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