#10: As Point Park (NAIA) awaits approval into the DII membership process, the Pioneers will add Men’s and Women’s Lacrosse and Wrestling to its portfolio, with the department hoping to have all four HC hires made by the middle of May. The lacrosse programs will compete at Highmark Stadium, home of the USL’s Pittsburgh Riverhounds SC, with Montour Sports Complex as a backup, similar to Point Park’s Soccer programs. PPU is in the process of outfitting an unused space in the student center to serve as the wrestling practice space. (link)
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#9: The NCAA Men's and Women's Soccer Rules Committee recommended that, in all three levels of men's and women's soccer, the clock be stopped on all substitutions made by the team leading the game or if the score is tied in the last 15 minutes of the second half and in overtime periods. The NCAA Playing Rules Oversight Panel approved expanding video review to allow referees to initiate reviews for penalty kick situations, potential straight red cards, potential offside violations on goal-scoring opportunities and denial of obvious goal-scoring opportunities. The panel also approved the golden goal overtime format for postseason play. (link)
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#8: Kentucky State selects Eastern Kentucky (DI) Assoc. AD for Development Grant Stepp as its new AD, starting this week. President Koffi Akakpo: “Grant Stepp's track record of leadership and dedication to student success make him an excellent fit for Kentucky State University. We are thrilled to welcome him to our team and look forward to the positive impact he will have on our athletic programs and the entire KSU community.” (link)
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#7: Postseason Updates:
+ East Stroudsburg, Pittsburg State, Wilmington, Indianapolis, West Texas A&M, Tampa, Wingate and Western Washington sit atop their respective Softball regions. (link)
+ The latest Men’s Lacrosse regional rankings are led by Adelphi and Tampa. (link)
+ Check out the initial Women’s Lacrosse regional rankings. (link)
+ The Men’s Tennis regional rankings have Charleston, Washburn, Thomas Jefferson, Indianapolis, Midwestern State, Saint Leo, Flagler and Azusa Pacific atop each respective region. (link)
+ Charleston, Washburn, Queens, Indianapolis, Midwestern State, Lynn, North Georgia and Academy of Art lead their respective Women’s Tennis regions. (link)
+ Here are the latest Women’s Rowing regional rankings. (link)
+ Check out the initial Baseball regional rankings. (link) |
#6: Former Quincy Men’s and Women’s Tennis HC Brian Holzgrafe has been awarded $2.9M in a countersuit against a former student for defamation. (link) |
#5: Amidst the ongoing financial and accreditation crisis at Saint Augustine’s, the Falcons will compete in 11 sports this upcoming season, per AD Lin Dawson. Notably absent from the list of sports is Football. (link) |
#4: A new rule finalized by the U.S. Department of Labor will require colleges and universities to provide either a pay raise or overtime benefits to thousands of admissions officers, student affairs professionals and athletics staffers. Previously, universities were exempt from clocking work hours and providing overtime pay to any employee salaried at or above $35,568. The new rule raises that bar nearly 65% to $58,656, effective January 1, 2025. The change is expected to impact roughly 4M employees nationwide, and the Biden administration has tried to address concerns about the timeline by breaking the shift into two parts—first a smaller increase to $43,888 by July 1, and then a larger jump to $58,656 in the new year. American Council on Education President Ted Mitchell: “We are disappointed that DOL failed to fully address the concerns raised by the entire higher education community. Ultimately, students will be harmed if institutions are forced to cut services, reduce financial aid, reduce staffing, and raise tuition to address the rapid growth in costs this rule would produce.” (link)
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#3: West Texas A&M AD Michael McBroom is set to become the next AD at Stephen F. Austin (DI), per Dave Campbell's Texas Football's Cory Hogue. (link) |
#2: D2.ticker surveyed DII ADs around the country about their thoughts on sport sponsorship and the health of their respective institutions. 63% of respondents are considering adding sports, with significant interest in Women’s Flag Football and Women’s Lacrosse. On the other hand, 11% of respondents are considering eliminating sports. Check out the full survey, which includes more on specific sport considerations, schools at risk of closure, those considering reclassification and more. (link)
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#1: Post AD Ronnie Palmer has resigned after nearly nine years leading the Eagles, per 1320 AM WATR’s Christopher Saunders. Palmer is no longer listed on the Eagles’ staff directory. (link, link)
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