#10: Local KTXS profiles the non-conference travel burden placed on DIII Football programs in Texas, particularly Howard Payne and Hardin-Simmons, that have designs on building an at-large resume. HSU AD John Neese, on flying to Wisconsin and Massachusetts for games: “Regardless of what we look at, there's no inexpensive option right now. [...] Is it something everybody wants to do? Probably not. But it's something we need to do, and we want to do for our athletes.” HPU AD Hunter Sims indicates a charter flight to Oregon has jumped $60K to around $200K in the past five years. When asked if the cost burden is sustainable, Sims echoes Neese: “It's going to have to be. We're going to have to find a way, not that we have any other option.” (link)
|
#9: Landmark Commissioner Katie Boldvich sits down with All Things Division III Soccer with SimpleCoach to discuss a litany of topics, including the decision to move games behind the paywall with FloSports which is paying members “well over seven figures for three years.” Boldvich walks through the entire timeline of the decision and believes media rights deals are coming to DIII and being an early adopter allows the league to get their first contract and maybe a renewal as others explore a first deal, especially since media rights partners “don’t have infinite resources.” Further, Boldvich adds: “I understand why people are frustrated. I think it's coming from more conferences, and I hope we're not the solo bad guy for much longer.” On the addition of Football, Boldvich comments: “The conferences with football are treated differently than the conferences without football. There's a different perception from an outsider of what sports your conference sponsors, and even more specifically, do they sponsor football. So I really felt football was a key part of that equation for us to consistently be thought of at the national level. And I think it even comes down to a lot of different things, like coaches and administrators getting on NCAA committees, and having the opportunities to have their voices heard at the regional and national level.” Tons more, including the condensed nature of the college soccer season that does not have a simple solution, how expanding the DIII football postseason could open the door for other sports, and potential events in other sports similar to hoops at The Palestra in the 90-minute convo. (link)
|
#8: The CCC updates how it will continue to handle Hartford’s provisional transition to DIII. In 2023-24, year two of the process, the Hawks will continue to honor all athletic scholarships for student-athletes and play a full slate of games in men’s and women’s soccer, women’s volleyball, men’s and women’s basketball, baseball, softball and men’s and women’s lacrosse, but these games will be classified as non-conference and not count in the league standings. The Hawks can compete, but not score, in championships for men’s golf, men’s and women’s cross country and men’s and women’s track and field. In 2024-25, UH will no longer offer athletic aid and all contests against CCC opponents will count in the conference standings and the Hawks will be eligible for conference tournaments, but not for NCAA AQs. (link)
|
#7: Trinity (CT) will break ground this year on a $30.1M expansion of the George M. Ferris Athletic Center that is projected to be ready by March 2025. The 37K square-foot addition will include seven new squash courts with seating for over 1K fans, meeting rooms, recreation spaces and an open-air terrace. Athletics Campaign Committee Co-Chair Elissa Raether Kovas: “The new squash courts will position our varsity teams for the future to continue competing at the highest level each year. Additionally, the variety of new spaces available in the wellness and recreation center provide us opportunities to strengthen already existing relationships with community organizations that support wellness for the youth of Hartford.” (link)
|
#6: Facing an $18M budget shortfall, Wisconsin-Oshkosh will layoff 140 staff and eliminate another 110 positions for an overall 17.5% reduction in workforce, pending an additional reduction in adjunct educators. These cuts and the termination of in-person instruction at a satellite campus in Fond du Lac are expected to save $14.7M. (link, link)
|
#5: Linfield suspended Football HC Joseph Smith for last weekend’s game against George Fox, after an incident with an official. DC Jackson Vaughan will serve as Acting HC. (link)
|
#4: The DIII Management Council have enacted a number of changes following their meeting this week including a two-year blanket waiver for mental health hardship and increase championship per diem to $125. Looking to the NCAA Convention in January, the council supported establishing STUNT as an emerging sport, amending the DIII Philosophy Statement and lowering the number of participants for tennis from six to four. Further, the Management Council supports a recommendation to hire a consultant to conduct a financial analysis of DIII and will solicit feedback on championship budget enhancements for the 2024-26 budget cycle. (link)
|
#3: Cabrini Senior Assoc. AD for Operations & External Affairs Orlin Jespersen is no longer with the department. (link) |
#2: The initial Field Hockey (link), Men’s Soccer (link) and Women’s Soccer (link) regional rankings are live and listed in alphabetical order.
|
#1: Keystone AD Scott Gower will exit for a management position with BSN Sports and will be succeeded by Assoc. AD Kacy Manning. VP of Student Affairs and Dean of Students Nicole Langan: "We are extremely pleased to have Kacy Manning as our new director of athletics. In addition to her success as an administrator, head coach, and student-athlete, Kacy brings a tremendous respect for Keystone and its rich tradition of academic and athletic success." (link)
|
|
|