D2.ticker Top Ten - the most clicked stories of the past week |
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#10: Jamestown President Polly Peterson sits down with WDAY’s Dom Izzo to dive into the Jimmies’ move from NAIA to NCAA DII. In evaluating the move to the NCAA, Peterson states UJ coaches were supportive of the move “if we would commit to them. One of the things that they tell me a lot is, ‘Polly, you always talk about winning matters, so what does that mean in Division II? And how long does it mean that we have in our effort to start to win?’ […] We had made a lot of improvements to the way coaching culture was on campus, but it’s that little piece of what do scholarships look like, what does enrollment look like and those things we had to work our way through.” Peterson believes the systematic increases in resources have set up the department with a less drastic jump into the association. On going through the expedited membership process, Peterson has been very involved, adding: “We’re the first to go through the accelerated process, which means this year we have to be perfect. We have to be ready. We didn’t get that extra year and that was a good thing because our athletes don’t have to wait that extra year for postseason.” Peterson’s goal for athletics: Go into the NSIC successfully, be a competitor in all sports and be a champion in 3-4 sports. More. (link)
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#9: After a year in Canyon, West Texas A&M AD Doug Lipinski rolls out the department’s new strategic plan, “The West Texas Way.” The plan’s big five strategic initiatives: leadership development, championship culture, fan experience, community outreach, and financial metrics. Lipinski: “As the landscape of collegiate athletics continues to evolve, we are preparing for the changes. We are committed to be an ELITE nationally competitive athletics department that focuses on the overall student-athlete experience. […] Be ELITE in all we do is the standard. Our opportunities to ENHANCE and ELEVATE as we redefine EXCELLENCE. We will continue to ENHANCE our university and ELEVATE our commitment to being champions as we create a culture of EXCELLENCE. We are very fortunate to have great support through the strong fan base we call ‘Buff Nation’. […] Our department is responsible for generating about 30% of our annual operating budget. We are proud of how much our coaches, staff and student-athletes accomplish with the funds they have and we are grateful for the loyal financial support of so many. We need Buff Nation now more than ever to INVEST in WT student-athletes and the teams you love! As we continue to strive to be the best, it is essential we embrace innovation, creativity, encourage entrepreneurial ventures, adapt to swiftly changing environments, attract highly talented student-athletes and implement a comprehensive support system for us to be national leaders!” (link, link - full plan)
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#8: Simon Fraser has been exploring its future in the NCAA, according to The Province’s Steve Ewen, as the university writes in a statement: “SFU is proud to be Canada’s only NCAA team. We are working closely with the NCAA to understand evolving changes to the NCAA participation framework and how they may impact our programs and our student-athletes. It has also become more challenging to have student-athletes cross the U.S. border. Underlying these specific examples, like all post-secondary institutions, SFU needs to consider sustainability as we build successful programs. Because of these factors, the responsible step for SFU is to consider various governance models, costs and implications. This is something we are committed to do. We are aware that any change would be a huge decision for the university and would take some time. It would also need to include careful conversations with internal and external stakeholders.” (link)
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#7: Illinois Springfield selects St. Mary’s (TX) Women’s Volleyball HC Laura Ulrich for the same position leading the Prairie Stars. (link) |
#6: UT Dallas has rolled out episode one of its New Horizons series, documenting the Comets’ transition to DII. The behind-the-scenes content includes AD Angela Marin in the virtual meeting where UTD was accepted into the provisional membership process and this nugget from LSC Commissioner Jay Poerner on the league’s FloSports deal: “This is the second largest media rights deal that FloSports have ever signed at the collegiate level.” (link)
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#5: The DII Executive Board sponsors two proposals for the 2026 NCAA Convention: allowing five seasons of eligibility and establishing a Women’s Bowling Championship. Goldey-Beacom President/Board Chair Colleen Perry Keith: “Division II is taking meaningful steps to reshape legislation and policy in ways that better align with today's student-athlete experience. These proposals are about reducing unnecessary barriers, creating more equitable access to championships and supporting student-athletes as they pursue degrees on more individualized timelines." The board also approved a high-cost city per diem, expanded the Men’s Lacrosse championship, discontinuing the DII championships festival and more. Lastly, the group approved the division’s priorities for this academic year: the six-year operating plan, the 2027-30 triennial championship budget process, “Potential new championships, selection criteria and future joint championships,” and more. (link)
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#4: Pittsburgh State is the newest DII with a collective, with the launch of The Uncaged Collective. Retired Baseball HC Bob Fornelli will serve as the collective’s executive director. (link)
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#3: Florida Southern rolls out a new brand identity with refreshed logos, the addition of Columbia Blue as an accent color, and more. (link) |
#2: CollegeAD reports West Florida, Nova Southeastern and Lincoln Memorial have contacted ASUN and UAC officials “and have offered up a letter of intent, officially declaring interest in making the Division I jump.” This comes after Division I adopted a moratorium on new members jumping up to DI through 2027. (link)
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#1: Southwest Minnesota State selects Fort Lewis AD Travis Whipple as its new VP of Athletics, starting August 25. Interim President David Jones: “Travis Whipple brings with him, not only the experience of a national championship winning Division II student-athlete from an NSIC university in Minnesota, but the understanding of what success looks like having worked at ten colleges and universities, including three in Minnesota. His track record of supporting student success and connecting with communities made Travis the right choice to build on Mustang Athletics.” (link)
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