#10: The number of high-school graduates will reach a record high in 2025 and then decline steadily for many years, according to a new report from the Western Interstate Commission for Higher Education (WICHE), which indicates that during that period, the number of students graduating from public high schools who identify as Hispanic or multiracial will continue to increase while the number of students of all other races and ethnicities will decline. From the report: “This inflection point comes as other challenges loom. Concerns about college affordability, questions about the value of postsecondary education, and a favorable labor market with relatively high starting wages and low unemployment put additional pressures on already-declining postsecondary enrollment.” The report goes on to point out that “while the [enrollment] cliff metaphor is useful to illustrate the impending demographic shift for policymakers, the reality will be a slower and steadier decline.” Specifically, WICHE projects the number of high school graduates will reach its 2025 peak of nearly 3.9M before gradually dropping to around 3.4M in 2041, which would be in line with 2010 levels. Among regions, only the South will see a net increase in high-school graduates (3%) between 2023 and 2041, according to the projections. The Northeast (-17%), Midwest (-16%), and West (-20%) will see declines. A total of 38 states will see a decline in high-school graduates. And five states with large populations — California, Illinois, Michigan, New York, and Pennsylvania — will account for three-quarters of the total projected decline nationally. During that time, a handful of states will see significant increases, including Tennessee (15%), South Carolina (14%), and Florida (12%). Lots more in the full report. (link)
|
#9: Lynn took home two national titles as Men’s Soccer beat Charleston 3-2 and Women’s Volleyball held off San Francisco State in five sets for its first title. (link, link)
|
#8: Coker Men’s Soccer HC Michael Antoniewicz has accepted the same position at USC Upstate (DI). (link) |
#7: The official 2026 NCAA Men's Final Four logo was unveiled, featuring elements and colors that represent Indianapolis and the state of Indiana. SVP of Basketball Dan Gavitt: "We are excited to be back in our hometown of Indianapolis for the 2026 men's basketball championships — it's special for all of us to have the Men's Final Four in the same city on the same weekend as the championships in Divisions II and III, and we know our community will come out to support all of the fantastic student-athletes.” (link)
|
#6: Northwest Missouri State taps Southwestern (DIII) Director of Development for Intercollegiate Athletics Tim Yourison as Deputy AD. (link) |
#5: Shepherd has received $30M in state funding towards facility projects including a new multi-purpose building which will include a weight room, training room, athletics offices and more. (link) |
#4: Bloomfield and Montclair State (DIII) have unveiled the athletics plan following the institutions’ merger, subject to NCAA approval. Montclair will transition Men’s and Women’s Lacrosse to club and add Women’s Flag Football this upcoming year for a department of 17 varsity DIII programs, plus “Four Bloomfield programs – men's and women's basketball, men's soccer and softball – will continue to compete at the NCAA Division II level, with Bloomfield maintaining affiliate membership in the Central Atlantic Collegiate Conference (CACC). The remaining Bloomfield sports, baseball and women's volleyball, will transition to club status to ensure more access to all students to participate in the sports at a competitive level.” Montclair also has plans to make additional investments into Bloomfield’s successful esports program. MSU AD Rob Chesney: “This new model is an innovative approach to ensuring every student has as many options to participate in athletics as possible. Whether it is new NCAA programs or enhanced club sports opportunities, we are creating a future in which all students will have a platform to develop leadership, teamwork and wellness skills to further enrich their overall campus experience.” (link)
|
#3: Eastern New Mexico will discontinue Men’s Soccer effective immediately. AD Kevin Fite: “This program was reinstated three years ago with the hope that a stable and successful program could be developed that would provide collegiate playing opportunities in this area. Unfortunately, we have seen limited competitive success, considerable roster turnover each year and limited participants from this state and region. With the departure of Brandon Misuraca and significant team members from this year's squad in the transfer portal, now seems like the most opportune time to initiate a transition to discontinue men's soccer.” (link)
|
#2: Earlier this week, Oklahoma State Representative Anthony Moore (R-57) introduced HB 1017, the Oklahoma College Athletic Conference Act, which seeks to create a new DII conference of in-state institutions and the Oklahoma NCAA Division II Athletic Conference Exploration Commission composed of the presidents of 10 DII members in Oklahoma: Northeastern State, Southwestern Oklahoma State, Northwestern Oklahoma State, Southeastern Oklahoma State, East Central, Cameron, Rogers State, Oklahoma Christian, Southern Nazarene and Oklahoma Baptist. The commission will be tasked with evaluating the feasibility of a new conference, with the assistance of outside consultants if desired, and funded through a continuing fund, “not subject to fiscal year limitations.” Full text. (link)
|
#1: Lenoir-Rhyne selects Saint Anselm VP for Athletics Daron Montgomery for the same role with the Bears. President Fred Whitt on the hire of Montgomery, an LR alum: "We are thrilled to welcome Daron Montgomery home to Lenoir-Rhyne. His passion for student-athlete development, commitment to academic excellence, proven leadership abilities and commitment to Lenior-Rhyne make him the ideal person to lead our athletics program into the future.” Collegiate Sports Associates assisted with the search. (link)
|
|
|
