#10: Check out the qualifiers for the DII Men’s Wrestling championships. (link) |
#9: Cal State Dominguez Hills has elevated Softball AC Katie Garcia to HC following the retirement of HC Jim Maier earlier this month. (link) |
#8: USC Aiken Women’s Basketball HC Mark Miller resigns after nine seasons leading the Pacers. (link) |
#7: Missouri-St. Louis will discontinue Men’s and Women’s Track & Field after this season, citing “a lack of facility, budget considerations, and program enrollment trends.” AD Holly Sheilley: “By streamlining our offerings, we can enhance support for our cross-country teams while uplifting our 15 total sport programs, ensuring they remain competitive and well-resourced.” (link)
|
#6: Findlay has decided to terminate its MOU to merge with Bluffton (DIII), with athletics being a key factor, as the university notes in the release: “A key element of the merger was maintaining sports teams at two different NCAA divisions. However, regulations necessitate separate processes for athletic financial aid distribution and prohibit the sharing of resources and sports facilities, resulting in fewer synergies in those areas than originally anticipated.” UF President Katherine Fell: “Some higher education organizations may find mergers the best path forward. For us, due diligence in this case has demonstrated that partnering in key ways is a better solution.” (link)
|
#5: “The bulk of my career I’ve worked in Division I and there’s been some major changes over the last few years that are not quite aligned with who I am, both professionally and personally. So I was starting to look at Division II opportunities, and even at some point was thinking about leaving college athletics. […] It was just a perfect fit for what I was looking for. It was a school that you can tell were committed to success in athletics, and they truly cared about their students.” That’s Chico State AD Eric Coleman on why the Wildcats were the right fit for him. On what his focus is now: “I want to maintain a balanced budget. I want to build on this culture that great coaches want to be part of. And most of all, I want our students to achieve at a high level where they are not just graduating, but they are going on to graduate school, medical school, and successful careers, staying connected to Chico, and giving back.” (link)
|
#4: Central Oklahoma will hire a new Women’s Basketball HC after parting with HC Emma Andrews after three seasons. (link) |
#3: West Virginia State AD Nate Burton will depart after 11 years with the university to become the Senior Assoc. AD for External Affairs and Revenue Generation at Furman (DI). WVSU VP/Chief of Staff Eric Jackson: “Nate Burton led by example, embodying dedication, teamwork, and service in every aspect of his role. He wasn't just an administrator—he was hands-on, tackling facility repairs, enhancing game-day experiences, and ensuring that players and coaches had the support they needed to succeed.” Assoc. AD Sean McAndrews will serve as Interim AD. (link) Burton’s advice for his successor: “The first thing are the people. The staff that we have here, student-athletes that we have, leadership across campus, great people who are very talented and want the best for the students at West Virginia State University. […] The success that we’ve had at West Virginia State, if it weren’t for the city of Charleston, Kanawha County and the state of West Virginia, we wouldn’t have achieved very much, so very appreciative of all of those aspects, but just really the people here are second to none.” (link)
|
#2: No changes atop the final Men’s Basketball regional rankings, which are led by West Liberty, Washburn, Daemen, Missouri S&T, Nova Southeastern, Colorado School of Mines, Columbus State and Point Loma. (link); Texas Woman’s and Union sit atop their respective regions in the final women's rankings, alongside Seton Hill, Pittsburg State, Bentley, Grand Valley State, North Georgia and Cal State Dominguez Hills who all continue to be the top team in their region. (link)
|
#1: Missouri-St. Louis rolls out a new primary logo with an updated Louie image. AD Holly Sheilley: “We are thrilled to unveil our new mascot graphic, a bold and dynamic representation of the pride, passion, and energy that defines our athletics program. Wanting more is what continues to move us as we continue to build a culture of excellence and unity within our campus and community.” (link)
|
|
|
