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Keiser ends Northwestern’s 27-game win streak to take home its first Football red banner in a 31-21 victory, avenging last season’s championship loss. Seahawks HC Doug Socha: “These kids have done such a great job. We have a saying 'ride the wave' and they did it through all the momentum swings. [...] Our guys don't flinch, our coaches did a great job, but most important our players stayed calm and found a way. […] This team had an edge to them and it took some time for us to figure out what we were going to be. But, like I told them last night in our pre-game talk was, we didn’t go through the motions, our guys came to work, were very routine. [...] We talk a lot about people plus our process equals winning, and here it is today.” (link, link)

Columbia International appoints Asst. AD Stefan Vasiloff as Interim AD. (link)

Mount Marty AD Andy Bernatow joins the Lancer Locker Show to talk all things athletics. The Lancers led the GPAC in football attendance this year and were one of the most attended across the NAIA this season, with a sellout homecoming game against Dakota Wesleyan that brought in over 3,800 fans. On the facility front, MMU was able to work with the local high school to both get new video boards that will see Cimpl Arena get a new 13’ x 10’ video board. Bernatow: “It's one of those things, the battle for progression. You just always want to be working on something that you can apply and execute so we are definitely proud of that, but we've got a few more projects we're working on there. The Hall of Fame that we have in there is going to switch over to being digital and interactive on a Promethean board and then that floor is getting a little older so that's one of the things on the horizon too. We don't want to stop with just one video board. The reference is 360-viewing so doesn't matter where you sit in the arena that you can have a look at a video board so the goal is hopefully get up another video board in that room just diagonal across arena so it doesn't matter where you're sitting you can get your eyes on the video board.” More. (link)

As aspiring NCAA DII member Jamestown preps its application for NCAA membership, AD Austin Hieb talks about getting up to speed on the compliance side (“the NCAA and NAIA both have rules, their rules are just different”) and anticipates hiring a compliance administrator. On the recruiting side of the ledger, coaches downplay the lack of postseason opportunities for two seasons, with Women’s Volleyball HC Jon Hegerle indicating UJ is exploring the possibility of playing in NCCAA tournaments. Hegerle, on the multi-year wait for postseason play: “I think initially that’s a turnoff for a competitive player [...] But the challenge is to get them past that and to see what is our program like and what is it about? [...] Is this going to be an environment where they grow as athletes, as people, that’s gonna help them in their future? For some, maybe they can’t see past that. [...] When you look at the players that we have in the program right now, I’m not sure that getting to the postseason was one of the big selling points for them coming.” (link)

Lawrence Tech hires long-time high school HC Scott Merchant as its new Football HC. (link)

Coaches.wire:

+ Benedictine (KS) Women’s Soccer HC Lincoln Roblee will step down after 18 years. (link)

+ Life names United Flag Football League National Director Zack Demarais as its inaugural Women’s Flag Football HC. Women’s Soccer HC Meg McGonigle will assist with administration of the new program. (link)

+ Ottawa (KS) elevates Men’s Volleyball and Women’s Volleyball AC Ashan Jordan to Men’s Volleyball HC. (link)

Quick Hits:

+ Hope International will add Sideline Cheer in Fall 2024, with the program being led by STUNT HC Kori Johnson. (link)

+ Ottawa (KS) Women’s Flag Football AC/Director of Strategic Initiatives Katie Sowers has been named HC for the Italian Women's Flag Football National Team. (link)

Senators Marco Rubio (R-Fla.) and Jeanne Shaheen (R-N.H.) sent a letter to the NCAA pushing for flag football programs to be added to the collegiate lineup ahead of the 2028 Olympics. The letter to NCAA President Charlie Baker, in part “Recently, the Olympic Committee announced that flag football will be an official Olympic sport at the summer 2028 games. This welcomed news serves as a prime opportunity for the National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) to encourage its participating colleges and universities to offer women’s flag football as an emerging sport. … With this growing sport, and its benefits to women, the Olympic Committee’s announcement is timely. The NCAA should use this opportunity to proactively educate and encourage its schools to formalize programs. This in turn would allow collegiate women scholarship opportunities and serve as a feeder to the Olympics where they can proudly represent their country and school.” (link)

S&P Global Ratings is projecting a “bifurcated” outlook for higher education next year, with strong institutions faring well and less selective colleges expected to face challenges. According to its report, S&P forecasts operating pressures will increase in 2024 with enrollment challenges and wage and expense growth combining for “weaker” operating margins than 2023. “Although we expect greater economic stresses in 2024, we also expect higher-rated institutions with solid demand will maintain their creditworthiness as they continue to generate positive cash flow and operating margins, thus sustaining their healthy balance sheets.” (link)

Bloomberg News’ Nic Querolo, Danielle Moran and Marie Patino dive into the challenging economics facing small colleges and identified five metrics to “identify increasing pressures on higher-ed institutions through 2021,” with around 170 meeting at least three criteria. Those metrics: three-year average acceptance rate over 80%; three-year average yield rate below 20%; three consecutive years of falling full-time enrollment, losing at least 10%; three straight years of growing institutional aid to students, up at least 10%; and three consecutive years of operating losses. The research of 973 schools found five with all five metrics as of 2021 that are still open. NACUBO VP of Consulting and Business Development Jim Hundrieser adds: “I wish I could say the pandemic was such an anomaly, that by next year or the year after, 98% of the schools that have those flags are going to be in a different state. I see nothing that suggests that. […] We need to be reconsidering and re-evaluating our systems. This is an opportunity for institutions to take a critical look and think about how they will operate differently.” Wittenberg (NCAA DIII) President Michael Frandsen, whose institution meets all five: “You have an industry with falling demand and overcapacity. We would be foolish to expect anything other than consolidation and shakeout. […] Every time I get together with presidents, more and more of us are talking about struggles. It’s real, and people who are in denial about it are going to have a real problem.” Notably, many institutions pushed back on the research, citing changes that have occurred in the last two years or the manner in which data was evaluated. (link)

Nearly 80% of Americans surveyed in a new U.S. News-Harris Poll study believe higher education institutions are more worried about their endowment than creating leaders of tomorrow. The respondents indicate the biggest problem is that if colleges and universities don’t become more accessible to all people and emphasize diversity, then the leaders of tomorrow will all be the same. Meanwhile, more than 60% of those surveyed believe colleges and universities are prioritizing donors, press and other external factors over students. In regards to the Israel-Hamas war, two-thirds of Americans say they believe campuses should uphold free speech even if some deem the language deplorable, and 57% think that the entire issue is overblown since Palestinians are being harmed in the conflict as well. 63% believe that higher ed institutions aren’t handling antisemitism on campus effectively, and 60% believe that colleges and university presidents should be dismissed from their jobs. (link)

Interested in advertising a department opening in NAIA.ticker? Click here to submit your position. Post your department-wide openings with NAIA.ticker/NAIA.jobs, where thousands of administrators start their days and where tens of thousands of coaches get news and updates about their respective sports via our latest product, Coaches.wire.

(Posted from most recent over the last 30 days)

(NEW!) Director for Center for Sports Medicine and Performance (Indiana State University / Terre Haute, IN): The Director leads and is responsible for the daily operations of the CSMP to ensure student-athletes receive appropriate health care and conditioning and collaborates with medical professionals. (DI) More details HERE.

(NEW!) Men's Head Soccer Coach (North Central University / Minneapolis, MN): This full time, benefits eligible position is responsible for the development and maintenance of an effective and competitive NCAA Division III men's soccer program. (DIII) More details HERE.

(NEW!) Women's Head Soccer Coach (North Central University / Minneapolis, MN): This full time, benefits eligible position is responsible for the development and maintenance of an effective and competitive NCAA Division III women's soccer program. (DIII) More details HERE.

Assistant Athletic Trainer (Bloomsburg Athletics / Bloomsburg, PA): Join best in class Athletic Training Department focused on compassionate evidence- based medicine & leadership development, through personal & professional growth, centered around life work balance. (DII) More details HERE.

Athletics Communications Assistant (University of Chicago / Chicago, IL): Reporting to the Director of Sports Information and Promotions, the Athletics Communications Assistant will support the overall mission and vision of the University of Chicago and Athletics. (DIII) More details HERE.

Senior Associate Commissioner, Internal Operations (America East Conference / Boston, MA): Serve in a key leadership role at the conference office, located in Boston's lively Seaport District, overseeing all aspects of internal operations including financial operations and human resources. (DI) More details HERE.

Director of Athletic Communications (University of North Georgia / Dahlonega, GA ): The Director of Athletic Communications is responsible for assisting in promoting a positive image, both internally and externally, of the University's 13-sport NCAA intercollegiate athletics program. (DII) More details HERE.

Head Coach, Sprint Football/Athletic Administrator (Caldwell University / Caldwell, NJ): Responsible for all facets of the sprint football program including; recruiting, scheduling, player development and administrative duties as assigned. (DII) More details HERE.

Assistant Football Coach (Offensive Coordinator) (William Woods University / Fulton, MO): Join fast, responsible growth in the NAIA as the inaugural football team's Offensive Coordinator. Seeking dynamic, prepared individual to establish foundational football success in Mid-Missouri. More details HERE.

Head Women's Volleyball Coach (Lake Forest College / Lake Forest, IL): Full-time position responsible for the management of all areas of the program, supporting the team comprehensively in their student-athlete experience and enhancing our rich Tradition of Excellence. (DIII) More details HERE.

Associate Head Women's Golf Coach (Trevecca Nazarene University/ Nashville, TN): Assist the Director of Golf in all aspects of coaching the women's golf team to include, but not limited to the following: daily practice, team travel, NCAA compliance, budgets, and player relations. (DII) To apply, please email dbhead@trevecca.edu.

Women's Soccer Head Coach (Wells College / Aurora, NY): Full time position that oversees all aspects of the Women’s Soccer program, to develop and encourage individual and team success, and recruit academically and athletically talented student-athletes. (DIII) More details HERE.

Development Officer - Athletics (Auburn University / Auburn, AL): The selected candidate will plan, organize, and implement fund-raising activities for one or more organization units within Auburn University. (DI) More details HERE.

Head Women's Volleyball Coach (Houghton University / Houghton, NY): Responsible for all facets of the volleyball program including; recruiting, scheduling, player development, budget management, understanding of NCAA rules, additional duties as assigned. (DIII) More details HERE.

Men's and Women's Golf Coach (University of Dallas / Irving, TX): The Golf Coach is responsible for overall operation and conduct of the men’s and women’s golf programs. (DIII) More details HERE.

Head Women's Volleyball Coach (Lawrence Tech / Southfield, MI): Leads and manages various aspects of the women's volleyball program, while aligning with the University Mission and Athletic Department Mission, and developing young women to be leaders. More details HERE.

Head Volleyball Coach (Meredith College / Raleigh, NC): Head coach opening in the heart of Raleigh, NC. This is a full-time, 10-month, position. Head coach will oversee all aspects of this NCAA DIII program. (DIII) More details HERE.

Coordinator for Football/HPES Staff Instructor (Luther College / Decorah, IA): Luther College, a top liberal arts college located in the beautiful Driftless region of northeast Iowa is looking to hire a Defensive or Special Teams Coordinator with a proven track record of success (DIII) More details HERE.

Head Coach, Men's Soccer (Washington University / St. Louis, MO): The position will manage the daily operations of a NCAA Division III intercollegiate sport program competing in the University Athletic Association (“UAA”). This is a 10-month, full-time position. (DIII) More details HERE.

Assistant Director, Athletics Alumni Engagement and Annual Giving (University of Chicago / Chicago, IL): Reporting to the Senior Associate Director of Development, Athletics and in coordination with Alumni Engagement and Annual Giving (AEAG), the Assistant Director, Athletics-Alumni Engagement. (DIII) More details HERE.

Assistant Athletic Director, Communications (Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute / Troy, NY): The Assistant Athletic Director for Communications assists with the day-to-day operations of the athletic department as well as program/coach evaluation & supervision. (DIII) More details HERE.

Assistant Athletic Trainer (Coastal Carolina University / Conway, SC): Coastal Carolina University is currently accepting applications for the following position: Assistant Athletic Trainer in the Department of Intercollegiate Athletics. (DI) More details HERE.

Assistant Director, Sports Information (Texas A&M International University / Laredo, TX): Assists in publicity efforts for all sponsored sports, including writing press releases and feature stories. Produces and edits game programs, game notes, and media guides. (DII) More details HERE.

Head Football Coach (Missouri Valley College / Marshall, MO): Candidates will oversee all aspects of the program to ensure its success, including but not limited to scheduling, recruiting, retention, fundraising, staff management, alumni and community engagement (NAIA) More details HERE.

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