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Notre Dame College AD Scott Swain will depart after a dozen years leading the Falcons to accept the same position at Point Park (NAIA) and guide the Pioneers through its DII membership process. (link)

Extra Points’ Matt Brown parses some of the claims made during last week’s congressional NIL hearing, including NCAA President Charlie Baker’s assertion that if all student-athletes are made employees, then an “an enormous number of student-athlete opportunities” will be lost. Brown agrees with the arithmetic but is doubtful that every student-athlete must be designated as an employee. “If a school does not have the money or political will to pay an athlete like an employee, they could simply elect to not treat an athlete like an employee. Rather than wholesale cut programs en masse, Baker, conference commissioners, or school-leaders could also push for a conversation about how to reform the obligations and terms of Olympic sport management to simply comply with the FLSA. That conversation has largely not happened in public.” On the other side of the equation, Brown asks why the NCAA isn’t seeking an antitrust exemption to contain coaching salaries and buyouts as a means to help save the imperiled Olympic sports. “If cost control was actually a major concern from college athletics leaders, you’d think that would also be part of their ask to lawmakers, no? That’d probably help pay for a few more sports programs.” More from Brown. (link)

On the heels of the 50-year anniversary of the NCAA creating its three-division structure, MIAA Commissioner Mike Racy asks if now is the time for the association to take a broader look at the divisional setup. “There needs to be a better system for all NCAA members that provides greater stability and alignment. There’s got to be a better way to distinguish the divisions that the roman numerals we use now. I think there’s work to be done, not just for that upper level Division I, but for all of the NCAA. […] Maybe there’s a better way that we should structure the NCAA than we have for the past 50 years, and I think those are appropriate questions to put in front of some committee or group to start to answer.” (link)

PacWest Commissioner Jessica Harbison Weaver chats with D2.ticker/Connect’s Anthony Grassi at the 2023 Women Leaders in Sports Convention about her transition to commissioner, plans for year one and beyond, industry changes and more. In her first year, Harbison Weaver’s focus is being accessible with plans to visit all 14 members that span California and Hawai’i. Beyond year 1, the focus is growth: “Not in the way of membership. We want to grow in brand awareness. We want to grow in a better student-athlete experience. … I am getting a lot of really great feedback and a lot of really great ways to drive our initiatives as the PacWest forward and just make a better splash in the area.” The conference and members have been engaged with state and congressional representatives about what certain legislative changes would pose for their institutions, adding the conference and its leaders have taken a wait-and-see approach before deciding what some type of employment model would mean for the league. Full conversation only on Connect. (link)

The University of North Carolina System Board of Governors is entertaining giving its president & board the power to block any conference realignment moves. From The Raleigh News & Observer: “The proposed policy change, which is on the agenda for the board’s University Governance committee meeting Wednesday, would require chancellors across the 16-university system to give the UNC System President, currently Peter Hans, ‘advance notice prior to executing any agreement which would result in the constituent institution’s transfer, removal, or joining of an athletic conference association.’ Such notice would need to include a ‘financial plan’ associated with the proposed conference move, which the president could either approve or disapprove, the policy states. If the president approves the financial plan, he would then submit the notice and plan to the Board of Governors.” (link)

It’s Personnel:

+ Simon Fraser Executive Director for Student Affairs Tracey Mason-Innes has taken on the role of Acting AD. (link)

+ Lubbock Christian selects Georgia Southern (DI) Asst. Director of NCAA Compliance/former LCU Asst. AD Jessica Pope as the Chaps’ new Deputy AD for Compliance. (link)

+ Augustana Assoc. AD for Compliance/SWA Madison Peterson is no longer in the role. Asst. Director of Athletics Administration Nick Moen will serve as Interim Director of Compliance. (link)

NCAA CMO Brian Hainline led a panel discussion on student-athlete mental health that included JED Foundation CMO Laura Erickson-Schroth; Virginia State AVP for Intercollegiate Athletics Peggy Davis; and Arizona State (DI) Tran Ethnic and Minority Psychology and Experiences Lab Director Alisia (Giac-Thao) Tran. Panelists shared their thoughts on ways to create healthy environments that normalize seeking mental health care, address inclusion and belonging, and foster student-athlete experiences of personal growth, self-acceptance and positive relationships with others, and Tran pointed out that coaches tend to have particularly close relationships with their student-athletes and calls on them to leverage that to monitor for potential signs that players may need help. “I think the message for coaches is that you can be a great starting point, but you don’t have to shoulder it all. … Know that you’re not supposed to be the one-stop shop for this. You’re not supposed to take on all of this burden because mental health is something that we can all help each other with, and so helping them know they can be a starting point and feel confident to do some of the things that you're doing but then be attuned to some of those things…and then using the systems that are in place” to ensure the student-athlete receives the help they need. Full session. (link)

Coaches.wire:

+ Carson-Newman Director of Volleyball Ashley Tiernan is no longer leading the Eagles. Beach Volleyball HC Cat Lind is serving as Interim HC. (link)

+ Clark Atlanta has added former Morehouse Track and Field AC Carmellia Shivers-Cole as Cross Country/Track and Field HC. (link)

+ Chestnut Hill Men’s Soccer HC David Castellanos is headed back to Drexel (DI) as HC. (link)

+ Newberry promotes Men’s and Women’s Tennis AC Aletta Macheli to Acting HC for this season. (link)

Presidents & Chancellors in the News:

+ Eastern New Mexico signs Chancellor James Johnston to a four-year extension through January 1, 2028. (link)

+ Pittsburg State President Dan Shipp’s next fundraising campaign is “Dan Golfs the Four States” in which he will play at eight courses across Kansas, Missouri, Oklahoma and Arkansas over eight days in May to raise $3M for student-athlete scholarships. This follows last year’s Dan Bikes Kansas that raised over $8M. (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)

Director of Intercollegiate Athletics (Arkansas - Little Rock / Little Rock, AR): Little Rock is now accepting applications for their Director of Intercollegiate Athletics position. Jobplex (a DHR Global company) is overseeing the search process on behalf of Little Rock. (DI) More details HERE. The D1.dossier for this position is available HERE.

Director, Athletic Communications (Texas A&M University-Kingsville / Kingsville, TX): The Director of Athletic Communications, under general direction, manages the development and implementation of most athletic marketing promotions and public relations programs directed to numerous internal and external constituencies. More details HERE.

Director of Athletics and Recreation (American University / Washington, D.C.): The Director of Athletics and Recreation is responsible for the athletic budget, personnel, strategic planning, fund-raising, marketing, sports facilities, and overall management. (DI) More details HERE. The D1.dossier for this position is available HERE.

Commissioner (Northwest Conference (NWC) / Forest Grove, OR): Reporting to the President’s Council, the Commissioner will lead strategy development and conference operations in support of the mission, values, and student-athlete educational focus of the NWC. (DIII) More details HERE.

Assistant AD/Director for Creative Strategy and Social Media (Abilene Christian University / Abilene, TX): This position will oversee all facets of the department’s digital and social media efforts as it relates to graphic design, photography and videography to tell the story of ACU Athletics. (DI) More details HERE.

Conference Commissioner (East Coast Conference / West Babylon, NY): The East Coast Conference (ECC) Commissioner is the Chief Executive Officer of the conference. This individual will provide strategic and operational leadership. More details HERE.

Sport Information Director, Assistant (Texas A&M International University / Laredo, TX): The Assistant Director, Sports Information, under general supervision, assists in publicity efforts for all sponsored sports, including writing press releases and feature stories. More details HERE.

Director of Athletics (Albion College / Albion, MI): This position is responsible for the overall leadership, vision, and oversight of the College's intercollegiate athletics and recreational programs. (DIII) More details HERE

Commissioner (University Athletic Association / Rochester, NY): Reporting to the President Council, the Commissioner is the principal administrative officer of the UAA and will work collaboratively with the Presidents to develop and execute a strategic plan. (DIII) More details HERE.

Director of Intercollegiate Athletics (Henderson State University / Arkadelphia, AR): Candidate directs all aspects of the Department of Intercollegiate Athletics including the overall direction, management, coordination and supervision of 14 sports teams and over 400 student-athletes. More details HERE.

Assistant Coach - Men’s Lacrosse (Haverford College / Haverford, PA): Haverford College invites applications for our full-time (37.5 hours per week), exempt, fixed term, benefits-eligible Assistant Coach for Men’s Lacrosse opportunity. (DIII) More details HERE.

Assistant Coach - Women’s Lacrosse (Haverford College / Haverford, PA): Haverford College invites applications for our full-time (37.5 hours per week), exempt, fixed term, benefits-eligible Assistant Coach for Women’s Lacrosse opportunity. (DIII) More details HERE.

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.

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.

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.

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