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#10: The qualifiers for the DII Swimming and Diving Championships in Indianapolis, Ind., have been released. (link)
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#9: Mary Men’s Basketball HC Jack Nelson resigns after four seasons at the helm. (link) |
#8: Dave Campbell’s Texas Football’s Cory Hogue ponders how the LSC can “reclaim its DII football dominance,” with the claim that the conference was the SEC of DII just five years ago. On Football, Hogue calls for removing Cameron and Oklahoma Christian, which “align more with the MIAA footprint” and addresses concerns raised by the Oklahoma legislature; ending the associate membership for Central Washington and Western Oregon, citing the travel expenditures; and adding DIII members East Texas Baptist, Hardin-Simmons and Mary-Hardin Baylor to bring the 18 full members, 11 of which play football. Hogue: “This arrangement would give the schools that sponsor football greater influence in conference decision-making. Why does this matter? Success in athletics, particularly in football, brings national attention to a school and conference. Achieving success in football also attracts more donors, the ensuing notoriety provides free publicity for schools constantly seeking to increase enrollment. The reality is that schools that don't sponsor football are less likely to vote for measures benefiting football programs, resulting in a decline in the on-field product. […] ultimately, these actions would enhance the LSC for the future, at least until the FCS conferences decide to expand by adding teams from the conference again.” (link)
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#7: During a legislative hearing at Sonoma State, SSU Interim President Emily Cutrer says the university will provide a comeback plan within the next 60 days as the university faces a $24M budget shortfall. California State Senator Mike McGuire: “It's up to the university and it's up to the CSU system to develop that comeback plan. We are prepared to invest but what are we investing in? The only thing that has been advanced are cuts. […] Sonoma State is not corporate America, it's not Tesla, simply cutting your way out of this isn't going to be successful.” (link)
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#6: Fort Valley State removes the interim tag from AD Daphnie Johnson who has been leading the Wildcats for the last year. President Paul Jones: “Daphnie Johnson's leadership has already made a tremendous impact on our athletic programs. Her vision and commitment to student-athlete success make her the ideal leader to take FVSU Athletics to new heights.” (link)
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#5: Oklahoma House Bill 1017, the Oklahoma College Athletic Conference Act, has passed the House Education Oversight Committee and is set to be heard on the floor. The Oklahoman’s Murray Evans and Joe Mussatto report the push for this legislation to explore the feasibility and creation of a new conference was Oklahoma Christian and Northeastern State, along with two non-Oklahoma schools, being reportedly denied entry to the GAC by members in Arkansas. Bill co-sponsor Anthony Moore: “The focus is on our student-athletes and our universities. Their experience is not very beneficial when they’re spending all this time on buses. It’s also not equitable for the schools to be able to travel long distances. We’re just trying to do what we can to make sure to look at these issues. I know some of those schools would like to probably be in other conferences and there may or may not be conferences that are blocking them from coming in, so this is exploring new opportunities. I’m not putting anyone in a box they don’t want to be in, but I want everyone to explore the opportunities they need.” OCU AD David Lynn believes an Oklahoma-only league “would be a huge benefit.” Central Oklahoma AD Stan Wagnon, whose Bronchos are not included in the legislation, is “supportive of the other schools in Oklahoma doing what they feel is best for them just like we’re going to look out for UCO. […] The MIAA has been a good fit for us. I think in many ways it has stretched us to become more competitive. … We know that if we can find a way to compete at the highest level in our conference, then we feel tested and proven to then compete for regional and national championships.” One notable area of concern raised in committees was the “six-year ban on post-season play” for a new conference. (link, link)
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#4: Northern State Men’s Basketball HC Saul Phillips’ tenure in charge has ended after six seasons with the Wolves. (link) |
#3: The second Men’s Basketball regional rankings are led by West Liberty, Washburn, Daemen, Missouri S&T, Nova Southeastern, Colorado School of Mines, Columbus State and Point Loma. (link); Seton Hill, Pittsburg State, Bentley, Grand Valley State, Lubbock Christian, Embry-Riddle, North Georgia and Cal State Dominguez Hills sit atop their respective regions in the latest women's regional rankings. (link)
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#2: Virginia State names former Florida A&M (DI) AD/VSU alum Tiffani-Dawn Sykes as its new AD, starting March 31. President Makola Abdullah: “Virginia State University athletics has a long history of excellence, and I am confident in Tiffani-Dawn Sykes’ ability to uphold that tradition. Her values, vision, professional experience, and passion for our University made her a perfect fit for this role. We are extremely fortunate to have her back home as a member of our Trojan Family.” (link)
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#1: King AD David Hicks has resigned after 14 years at the helm, per WCYB NBC 5. The university has tapped Asst. AD for Operations and Student Services/SWA Dawn Regan and Women’s Basketball HC/Asst. AD Josh Thompson as Co-Interim AD. (link)
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