#10: Randolph-Macon WSOC HC Howell resigns after nine seasons. AC Blake to serve as interim HC. (link) |
#9: Mary Hardin-Baylor names former Concordia (TX) Softball HC/Compliance Director Acosta as its new Assoc. AD/Compliance Officer. (link) |
#8: DIII VP McCleary joins D3Hoopsville’s McHugh to discuss the state of DIII. With a new budget cycle on the horizon in FY25, McCleary doesn’t see the ~80/20 budget split between championships and the enrichment fund to change, “but that’s something that again depending on the feedback from the membership then that filters through strategic planning and finance, filters through the championships committee, different committees as it bubbles up to the councils for final approval. I think the membership is very pleased with us putting a bit more money towards our championships, but at the same time protecting the enrichment fund.” McCleary also notes DIII will undergo an external review of all programs funded by the enrichment fund. On the size of the membership, McCleary expects the trend of a slight decline in membership to continue as institutions reclassify, eliminate athletics or close all together. Further: “While we may get some interest, we’re probably going to lose some institutions, so I don’t see us growing back up to 450. I also am not sure we’re going to drop all the way down to 275, but I do believe that we’ll probably over the next five years lose more institutions than we’re going to get.” More. (link)
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#7: Check out the DIII Top 25’s Net Efficiency for MBB (link) and WBB (link), courtesy of D3 Sports Data.
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#6: A study from a trio of Rowan researchers examined the increase and prevalence in anxiety among DIII student-athletes during the pandemic. Notable: “Female student-athletes had an increase in mild, moderate, and severe cases in comparison to the male student-athletes. Females report almost three times more likely than males to report some level of anxiety. […] Specifically, significant differences were reported among female participants rostered on an individual sport team in comparison to female participants rostered on a team with teammates. Female student-athletes rostered in an individual sport were over three times more likely than female athletes rostered in a team sport to report experiencing mild to severe anxiety. No such difference was found for male participants. For student-athletes who participated in team sports, females were almost two-and-half times more likely than men to report mild to severe anxiety.” (link)
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#5: Vermont State University announces NVU-Johnson will transition to USCAA starting in 2024-25, per VTDigger's Darling. President Grewal states the goal “is to strengthen and expand access to our athletics offerings.” (link)
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#4: The first MBB (link) and WBB (link) regional rankings have been released. As a reminder, these rankings are in alphabetical order.
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#3: Emmanuel names Asst. AD/Softball HC Berry as the Saints' next AD. EC President Boyd: "Olivia Berry has demonstrated that she has the vision, expertise and passion to advance Emmanuel's storied athletics program and its legacy of competitiveness and success. What is more, she understands the vital role that athletics plays in fulfilling the College's Catholic educational mission to form the whole student—and in cultivating the values of teamwork, selflessness and integrity. We look forward to all Olivia will do to attract promising student-athletes to our 16 Division III varsity athletic teams and to provide them with superb opportunities to electrify our community with their athleticism and heart." (link)
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#2: Keene State AD Racicot will step down later this month after nearly four years leading the Owls to become the Asst. AD for Event Management at Pitt (DI). Raciot: "It was hard to pass up an opportunity to work again in Division I athletics. It can be more volatile; you really don't know the future, but at least I will be working in a familiar setting, in a professional sports city, surrounded by family and friends. Right now, Pitt athletics is operating on all cylinders. We have a young event staff, but the chance to work hosting NCAA tournaments, ACC Championships … that's intriguing and exciting." (link)
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#1: John Carroll AD Morgan will exit University Heights to become the new Commissioner of the Atlantic Hockey Association and College Hockey America. JCU President Miciak: "Michelle has been a fantastic leader for John Carroll University athletics during a transformative time in our community. Her dedication to elevating our athletic programs has improved John Carroll's standing in the Ohio Athletic Conference and on a national level. We are grateful for Michelle's service to JCU and we wish her continued success as she takes this next step in her career." (link)
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