#10: The Tennessean’s Aria Gerson shares some footage of Vanderbilt’s progress on FirstBank Stadium, which now has a permanent video board in the north end zone. There’s no video board in the south end zone yet, but there is a small scoreboard with the score, clock, down and distance. Take a look. (link)
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#9: George Mason’s men's basketball team was scheduled for a foreign tour in the Bahamas this week; however, upon arriving at the airport the team reportedly discovered that no flights, hotels, or games had been booked. The trip was subsequently canceled by the hosting company, Revive by The VII Group, despite several boosters and donors already having arrived in the Bahamas, per College Basketball Report. (link); Chris Williams, the organizer of the trip, tells The Field of 68’s Jeff Goodman that he takes full responsibility for the cancellation of the trip and that the company he outsourced the flights to never booked them. Williams says the hotels and games were booked and scheduled, but had to be canceled. Williams also insists there is no truth to the report that the team got to the airport before finding out the flights hadn’t been booked. (link); Here’s the full state from the Revive by The VII Group. (link)
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#8: Houston has narrowed its AD search down to two finalists in New Mexico AD Eddie Nuñez and Tennessee Deputy AD for Championship Resources/CRO Ryan Alpert, according to PaperCity’s Chris Baldwin, who adds: “UH chancellor Renu Khator and Board of Regents Chairman Tilman Fertitta want to have the AD decision made by next week with a Board of Regents meeting already scheduled for the week at Fertitta’s Post Oak Hotel.” Also from Baldwin: “The source close to UH leadership tells PaperCity that there was a final five that is now down to Nuñez and Alpert. While a long roll call of names and ‘candidates’ have been thrown out by other media outlets — including former West Virginia AD and longtime sports executive Oliver Luck, who never was involved in this search — the source close to UH’s decision makers say many of those names were never under consideration.” Per the source: “Two (of the so-called candidates) I’ve never heard of. And one we’re not interviewing.” (link)
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#7: Florida A&M Interim President Timothy Beard explained his evaluation and assessment of each senior leadership member played a role in the decision to make the sweeping changes announced as part of a 100-day action plan. “I’ve been studying the team. I’ve also been looking at the bold and striking strategic plan. I want to make sure the personnel is appropriate to make sure those strategies are completed. We make decisions based on the plan and accountability.” Beard declined to comment on specific “employee-type issues” but said there will be a plan in place to ensure there are no compromise in the level of service to students. “Students represent our number one client. If we fail them, we fail.” (link)
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#6: Nebraska Executive AD for Compliance Jamie Vaughn is headed to Texas A&M as Executive Assoc. AD for Internal Operations. (link)
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#5: Northern Arizona announces its first-ever alternate identity, the Astrojacks. The new alternate identity was chosen to “recognize and celebrate Flagstaff and the greater Northern Arizona region's rich lunar legacy, including Flagstaff being named the world's first International Dark Sky City in 2001.” The Astrojacks will compete in soccer in September, volleyball in October, women’s basketball in January and men’s basketball in February. Check out the new logo and mascot, Blouie the Space Ox. (link)
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#4: Jelly Roll's "Get By" will be ESPN's anthem for the 2024 College Football season. Have a look at the promo video. (link)
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#3: Check out the first renderings of the Diamond District baseball stadium in Richmond that will serve as home to VCU’s baseball team. (link)
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#2: Air Force throws its helmet in the ring for Most Awesome Football Uniform of the Year after unveiling the AFSOC (Air Force Special Operations Command) unis, which feature a winged dagger on the front of the uniform meant to represent "swift and silent mobilization of forces” and on the back bumper of the helmet is the AFSOC motto: Any Place. Any Time. Anywhere.” The AFSOC dagger is also featured on the left leg while the combat control motto of “First There” is featured on the right. Behold. (link)
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#1: Florida A&M AD Tiffani-Dawn Sykes is no longer with the Rattlers. Sykes sent the following email to staffers: “The purpose of this communication is to let you know that effective immediately, I am no longer employed at FAMU. Please route any questions or concerns to AVP for Athletics, Michael Smith until you receive additional direction from Interim President Timothy Beard. Best of luck to each of you!” (link); HBCU Gameday’s Vaughn Wilson reports that FAMU Interim President Timothy Beard has asked for the immediate resignations of members of the FAMU senior leadership team. Those impacted include the COO, provost, general counsel, chief of staff, communications and director and Sykes, among others. From a form letter sent by Beard: “Please know that this request may not be a reflection of your individual contributions or dedication to our institution. Your hard work and commitment to the University over the years have been invaluable, and we deeply appreciate the many ways you have served our community. However, at this time, we believe that new leadership is essential for the University to achieve its long-term goals. … Please see attached the template to utilize relative to submitting your resignation letter no later than the close of business on 8/13/2024. This decision was not made lightly and is rooted in a commitment to ensuring that our University is positioned for future success and growth.” (link)
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