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Black Hills State AD Scott Larson will resign this week after stepping into the role in September, citing personal and family issues. Long-time Women's Basketball HC Mark Nore will serve as Interim AD through the 2023-24 academic year. (link)

Winston-Salem State AD Etienne Thomas sits down with AthleticDirectorU’s Tai M. Brown at the 2023 Women Leaders Convention to discuss how she developed a culture at WSSU, the culture of “culture of graduating champions” and mantra “Protect the Legacy,” her strategies for instilling intentionality among her coaches and staff, and more. Thomas credits Football HC Robert Massey with creating the “Protect the Legacy” during his interview process, which she expanded across the entire department. “We have a rich history of being champions on and off the field of play and that is so important for us to be able to protect that in 2023 and for our student-athletes to remember and to figure out how to win. […] So as AD, when you’ve got people winning in the classroom, you have to make sure the resources are there so they’re winning in the field of play.” On the importance of being a part of the WSSU Ramily, Thomas interviews every hire in the department to both get a feel for who they are as individuals and allow them to get to know her so she can start to create meaningful relationships with the entire department. Asked about how she handles when an individual may not fit in the department, it starts with intentional conversations based on facts and asking thoughtful questions “because a lot of times you’ll find that people are thinking about the bottom line. If you’re in a crucial season or it’s a contract year, you need to win, that's great, but you have to look at the data and the facts. That has to inform our decision. Just like you say all money isn’t green, everybody is not the right fit for your staff.” More. (link)

As part of his sports law predictions for 2024, Sportico’s Michael McCann believes NCAA President Charlie Baker will attempt to settle ongoing litigation on multiple fronts. “Settlements would call for the NCAA and member schools to pay hundreds of millions or billions of dollars to resolve past harms to athletes. Former and current college athletes would be paid, and their attorneys would net healthy cuts, too. … What methodologies should be used to determine how much money each player gets? That question could lead to sharp differences of opinion, including among star and ordinary players and among athletes who play different sports, are on different teams and at different schools. Baker would also need to craft a plan that member conferences and schools—as well as their insurance companies and financial backers—could accept.” McCann also believes there is a strong chance the NLRB petitions involving Dartmouth (DI) and USC (DI) could succeed, but appeals will likely drag the process into 2025 or beyond. Meanwhile, the Power 4 is likely on the path to further contraction, as McCann notes some schools can afford to pay the players wages, share TV money and still comply with Title IX. “Provided the NCAA changes amateurism rules, the athletes at these schools could remain as students. There’s no law preventing a school employee from also being a student. That won’t be the world in 2024, but if the Pac-12 folds and the ACC struggles to maintain its membership in 2024, that world won’t be so far off.” More, including potential outcomes in Diamond’s bankruptcy proceedings. (link)

WeCOACH CEO Vanessa Fuchs sat down with Connect/MB Sports’ Matt Banker at the 2023 Women Leaders National Convention to dive into the group’s “We Connect” program, support offerings, encouraging a pipeline of future leaders and more. The program is a product of the feedback from coaches for a desire to have peer-to-peer learning, adding that they have benefited from learning across all sports and levels. Asked about the WeCOACH’s Catch A Vision program, Fuchs says the focus is creating a pipeline for future coaches which will allow for more diverse candidate pools. “It's really with the intent to start identifying early – that's I think going to be the key. We have to identify women as they're coming out of their high school playing careers, their collegiate playing careers, maybe they're even retiring from a pro career, and they aspire to get into this critical profession of coaching that we've got to identify them early and start to intentionally groom them for that first coaching job.” Check out the full conversation only on Connect. (link)

Ahead of Minot State’s ACHA Men’s Hockey team facing two DI opponents last week, Beavers leadership dispelled any thought that the program would move to DI, with AD Kevin Forde stating: “That’s the first thing people thought. ‘Oh, they’re getting ready to make the move to Division I.’ And we have not had any kind of serious conversations about that. We’re here. We feel like [the ACHA] is a good level for us. This is good competition for us at this point in time. Never say never, but right now this is where we want to be for sure.” President Steve Shirley adding: “That is not on the current radar, that's not on the horizon as we sit here right now. The reality of that dollars and cents wise is a massive one. […] Resource-wise and the way we treat the program, and the facility we play in, the experience our students have, I think you would hold it up against any program in the country at that level.” Moving forward, the independent program will join the Midwest College Hockey conference and plans to capitalize on the momentum of playing two ranked DI programs. Forde: “You gotta make hay while you can, right? […] If we just do these two games, and then we don't do anything for the next five to 10 years, that’s not going to do us any good. We’ve got to continue this kind of momentum if you will, to try to get more of our teams to play these kind of exhibitions to get Minot State University out there more in the mainstream.” (link)

It’s Personnel:

+ Midwest Sprint Football League selects New Haven Interim AD Ron Prettyman as its new commissioner following the resignation of current Drive & Company (D2.ticker parent company) COO/former Fontbonne (DIII) VP for Athletics Maria Buckel. Calumet College of St. Joseph (NAIA) President/Search Committee Chair Amy McCormack: “Ron has extensive leadership in collegiate athletics, and his past experience at the NCAA organizing championships and with administration duties align well with those of the MSFL commissioner. His energy, enthusiasm for the growth of the league, and his professional experience will be of great benefit as we expand the Midwest Sprint Football League in size and visibility.” (link)

+ Bridgeport selects Pace Asst. AD for Communications Jim Sheehan for the same position. (link)

+ Eastern New Mexico Softball HC Amanda Fefel will serve as SWA. (link)

Franklin Pierce freshman Men’s Soccer student-athlete Erik Valdovinos helped the NCAA make history this season putting together the first Spanish-language broadcast for a Men’s or Women’s Soccer Final Four competition in any division. Valdovinos, with the help of students Richard Rosa and Evan Coady and Ravens Sports Network were able to broadcast all six men’s and women’s games after finding initial success during the NE10 tournament. FPU AD Rachel Burleson: “We have a large population of Spanish-speaking student-athletes who are from Spanish-speaking countries, and their parents don’t speak English or a very limited amount of English. Our idea and thought was to allow those families to be a part of something as well. Our coaches have built a tremendous program with really, really amazing student-athletes, so their families should be a part of it, no different than our English-speaking families. […] I think Erik and his personality and what he’s done on this broadcast, especially only being a sophomore, I think has been tremendous for him and for the institution.” (link)

Coaches.wire:

+ Erskine names Gardner-Webb (DI) AC/EC alum Lucy Hutto as its new Women’s Soccer HC. (link)

+ King hires East Tennessee State (DI) Volleyball AC Haley Price as its new HC. (link)

+ Shippensburg selects Assoc. Director of Recreation/Volunteer Softball AC Dylan Curtis as its next Women’s Tennis HC. (link)

+ West Georgia taps Georgia Southern (DI) Women’s Soccer AC Mallory Sayre as its next HC. (link)

+ Florida Tech Director of Esports Dana Hustedt steps down and will be succeeded by Lawrence Tech (NAIA) HC Danielle Sirekis. (link)

Quick Hits:

+ Daemen signs a five-year deal with ADPRO to sign its apparel partnership with Under Armour. (link)

+ Ouachita Baptist has begun work on its Track & Field complex that is set to be complete this summer. (link)

+ Bemidji State Men’s Basketball student-athlete Colin Schaefer has been charged with sexual conduct with a minor. (link)

Interested in advertising a job opening in D2.ticker? Click here to submit your position. Post your department-wide openings with D2.ticker/D2.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!) Assistant Director of Athletics for Compliance (Lubbock Christian University / Lubbock, TX): Oversee and ensure departmental compliance with NCAA, conference, and institutional rules and policies. Be knowledgeable and current with all applicable NCAA, conference, and departmental policies. More details HERE.

(NEW!) Athletics and Communications Video Specialist (Central College / Pella, IA): Responsible for the creative implementation of video content at successful Div. III institution for promotional use on multiple digital platforms with an emphasis on targeting prospective students. (DIII) More details HERE.

(NEW!) Assistant Athletics Director for Compliance (Stephen F. Austin State University / Nacogdoches, TX): This is a supervisory position responsible for managing a comprehensive compliance program to ensure all athletics programs & institutional support areas comply with NCAA & conference regulations. (DI) More details HERE.

Associate Vice President / Executive Director of Athletics (University of San Diego / San Diego, CA): Reporting to the President, the Associate VP / Executive Director of Athletics (AVP/EDA) is a member of the President’s Strategic Leadership Team and leads all areas of the Athletic Department. (DI) More details HERE. The D1.dossier for this position is available HERE.

Director of Development (Southern Utah University / Cedar City, UT): The Director of Development will oversee the day-to-day operations of SUU Athletics Development. The Candidate will assist with the organization and coordination of SUU Athletics Special Events. (DI) More details HERE.

Athletic Operations Coordinator (Barton College / Wilson, NC): The Athletics Operations Coordinator will be involved with all aspects of the department, with specific emphasis on providing support in the areas of compliance, finance, revenue generation, and the office of the Vice President. More details HERE.

Assistant Athletic Trainer (University of Illinois Springfield (UIS) / Springfield, IL): Assist in the prevention, management, and care of injuries encountered in competitive athletics at DII institution in GLVC. More details HERE.

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.

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.

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. 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.

Assistant Athletic Trainer (Adams State University / Alamosa, CO): Responsibilities include coordinating and delivering athletic training services to the student-athletes of Adams State University. This is a full-time position. 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.

Asst/Assoc. Athletic Director for Compliance (East Stroudsburg University / East Stroudsburg, PA): We are hiring an Assistant/Associate Athletic Director for Compliance. This position is responsible for all NCAA Athletic student compliance and is a 12 month tenure track faculty role. 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.

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. 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. More details HERE.

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.

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