#10: Rice makes an early move on the diamond as the Owls have parted ways with Baseball HC José Cruz Jr. (link)
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#9: Oklahoma has promoted Marcus Bowman to Deputy AD for Business Development & Revenue Generation & Mackenzie Dilbeck to Deputy AD for Administration & Stakeholder Relations Chief of Staff/SWA. (link)
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#8: Check out Indiana Softball’s new locker room, complete with Hollman lockers. (link)
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#7: Northwestern AD Mark Jackson shows a video update of the progress at the new Ryan Field. Lots of cranes and steel beams. (link)
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#6: The Oregon-affiliated Division Street, in partnership with Nike, is releasing a custom series of Ducks-themed Air Max 95/97 hybrids with all sales proceeds to go back to Division Street. Check ‘em out. (link - news, link - shoes)
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#5: Cal State Bakersfield Softball HC Letty Olivarez and AC James Davenport, who is also Olivarez’s husband, have been placed on administrative leave by the school, according to D1Softball’s Justin McLeod. A school spokesperson declined to comment. (link)
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#4: Iowa Softball Interim HC Brian Levin has exited the program due to “cultural problem” he says came to a head after some student-athletes kneeled for the national anthem during games earlier in the month. Levin to The Daily Iowan: “It’s a problem in which some players are comfortable speaking up and some players are silenced for having different views or opinions. [...] That’s not an environment I condone or promote, let alone be blamed for later for creating. And not one I want to be a part of.” Hawkeyes AD Beth Goetz: “I am incredibly proud of the student-athletes and their commitment to focus on competing as Hawkeyes. It is unfortunate we needed to make the change in leadership at this time, but providing an environment for our student-athletes to be their best academically and athletically remains our priority.” AC Karl Gollan will lead the program on an interim basis. (link)
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#3: Northwestern Men’s Basketball HC Chris Collins claims the Wildcats’ hotel at the Big Ten Tournament in Indianapolis doesn’t have air conditioning: “We’re used to being treated like that by this league. The rooms were a thousand degrees. There was no AC in the hotel, and our guys’ rooms were 85 degrees, and that’s where the league puts you. Every way they turn, they’re trying to get us. [...] They said they’ve had this issue for the past 10 days at that hotel. [...] There’s been a lot of stuff happening to this team on and off the floor. They just keep showing up and fighting. If they’ve got to sleep in 85-degree weather and that’s what the league wants us to do, we’ll figure it out.” Collins’ comments came after his team’s win over Minnesota in the tourney’s first round. (link)
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#2: Delaware President Dennis Assanis informed the university faculty that the Blue Hens will conduct a national search for an AD amid the USA Swimming ordeal for Chrissi Rawak. Assanis: “These developments came at blazing speeds, and I was made aware in similar ways as every other person who reads the news. I don’t have access to it and I have not seen it. It’s confidential. [...] Somebody did ask me if we had that information when we hired Chrissi nine years ago, and I just want to say for the sake of the audience here, no, I didn’t have that information.” Interestingly, when asked if Rawak could reapply for the job, Assanis answered, “What Chrissi Rawak may want to do, I don’t know. I can’t speculate. She may want to apply to be reconsidered for the position, I don’t know at this point.” (link)
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#1: Western Carolina AD Alex Gary is stepping down after nearly five years in the role. WCU Chancellor Kelli R. Brown: "WCU will continue to move forward with our ambitious fundraising goals in support of the critical needs for athletics facilities within the increasing complexity of the regulatory and competition landscape of collegiate sports. I am immensely grateful to Alex for all he has done to advance Catamount athletics." Deputy AD Kyle Pifer will serve as Interim AD. WLOS News 13’s Chris Womack was among the first to report the news. (link, link)
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