#10: Mount Mary will exit DIII and join the NAIA starting next fall. MMU President Isabelle Cherney: “The NAIA serves the interests of small institutions like ours and is a perfect fit for us. We will now be able to recruit student-athletes with scholarships, attracting new talent and improving the student-athlete and visitor experience. I anticipate an exciting new season with a fresh group of competitors, and above all, I am thrilled about the NAIA’s shared values of character-driven athletics.” (link)
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#9: Clarks Summit announces it will close with the institution “unable to offer classes starting in the fall of 2024.” From CSU: “The Board of Trustees and employees have worked to overcome the most recent challenges and have exhausted every viable solution to bridge a significant financial gap. Despite all efforts, the financial gap remains.” CSU has arranged teach-out agreements with Cairn and Liberty (DI). (link)
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#8: SUNY New Paltz will officially exit the SUNYAC and join the NJAC, effective in 2026-27, becoming the NJAC’s first full new member in more than four decades. Hawks AD Renee Bostic: “Moving to the New Jersey Athletic Conference presents opportunities to enhance the profile and competitiveness of Hawks athletics programs at a time when our varsity teams are performing at historic levels. Coordinating this transition along a two-year timeline will also help us provide a smooth experience for our current student athletes, particularly juniors and seniors who are focused on building on last year’s record-breaking season.” (link)
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#7: Knox names Kenyon Assoc. AD Justin Newell as its new AD, starting February 3. President C. Andrew McGandey: “Justin’s desire to build relationships with members of the Knox and Galesburg communities, passion for Knox’s mission, and extensive experience in all facets of athletics administration position him well to lead the growth of Knox athletics in the years to come.” Parker Executive Search assisted with the process. (link)
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#6: Penn State Berks selects TCNJ Asst. AD for Communications and Game Operations Barry Beal as its new AD. (link)
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#5: Mount Holyoke hires Goucher Senior Assoc. AD/SWA Andrea Ricketts-Preston as its next AD, starting February 1. VP of Student Life/Dean of Students Marcella Runell: "After conducting a national search with an incredible search committee and working with multiple stakeholders across campus, we are confident that Andrea will be a stellar leader for athletics and physical education." (link)
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#4: Wells announces it will close at the end of the semester. Board of Trustees Chair Marie Chapman Carroll and President Jonathan Gibralter writing: “As you may be aware, many small colleges like Wells have faced enormous financial challenges. These challenges have been exacerbated by a global pandemic, a shrinking pool of undergraduate students nationwide, inflationary pressures, and an overall negative sentiment towards higher education. Members of the board, many of whom are Wells graduates, have spent years trying to find creative solutions to raise revenues in hopes of avoiding closure, including most recently having conversations with other academic partners. We acknowledge the work from all board members and college leaders, especially members of the Cabinet, our faculty, staff, and graduates on creating strategic plans, sponsoring aggressive fundraising campaigns, launching innovative new programs and managing our resources with care. Your efforts are appreciated more than you know. But revenues, unfortunately, are not projected to be sufficient for Wells’ long-term financial stability.” (link)
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#3: Maryville AD Sara Quatrocky is no longer leading the Scots after four years in the chair. (link) |
#2: Bates AD Jason Fein will step down at the end of the month after seven and a half years leading the Bobcats. President Garry Jenkins: “Jason’s tenure at Bates has been marked by significant improvements to our athletics program and major achievements by our teams and their coaches. His commitment to our student-athletes has enhanced student success and heightened the pride we all feel in our college through the success of our Bobcats. On behalf of Bates College, I express our thanks for his dedicated service and I look forward to a bright future for Bates Athletics that builds upon his legacy.” (link)
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#1: In the D3FB Huddle’s Frank Rossi updates on his report of Keystone’s potential closure. “I want to be clear that the sourcing is now broadly based, including from inside the school, with several people outside the school having been made aware of a decision to close (including the teach-out schools that would receive Keystone students). The reason I won’t retract the earlier post is because it appears clear that a decision to close was being conveyed by the school, with details as minute as the potential waiver of final exams being provided and how conferences would handle scheduling as a result in winter sports and beyond. However, we were told by someone inside the school that something ‘new’ was brought to the table at some point today. While it is unlikely that it would be a partner school at this late point, it might be some sort of financial assistance to help keep the school open through the semester. […] the sourcing we received was more than mere conjecture, and the situation today appears to be in some way very fluid.” (link, link); KC Football HC Justin Higgins and others have refuted reporting the school’s closure, stating no decision has been made. (link)
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