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Edition #1647

September 15, 2025

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ECC Commissioner Jessica Grasso joins the inaugural ECC Podcast as she enters into her second year leading the league to dive into what is ahead in 2025-26. The conference will begin a new strategic planning process that will align with the DII strategic planning process. “We really want to make sure that we are focusing on those five areas that DII really lives by and goes by, that the ECC is also going to be in conjunction. So I think this is the right time to do it. The NCAA landscape is changing. It is sometimes a little bit not consistent, shall we say, so you have to be flexible and nimble. I think right now for us to identify how we can get better with this planning process is appropriate.” On the decision to partner with FloSports for its media rights: "We're just elevating ourselves. We're putting out a product that will have our membership meet those parameters that are becoming the acceptable viewership that wants to take part in it. And not only that, our student-athletes just want to be showcased better. They just want to be able to be seen at a better view, in a better light, and I think by joining with FloSports, we'll be able to provide that.” (link)

Fort Hays State AD Lisa Goddard McGuirk joins The “A Game” Show with MIAA Commissioner Mike Racy and KQ2’s Chris Roush to discuss a number of topics. On the state of the division: “I think Division II is operating from a position of strength. As I said, I think the balance is there, but in general, it's continuing to evolve. I think the biggest challenge for a lot of institutions is, I'm sure everyone has heard, nationally enrollment is on a little bit of a downward trend. I'm blessed to be at Fort Hays. We're operating from a position of strength, but you combine that with a rising cost of doing business. So you have those two conflicting things that are happening at the same time. So I think that's where, as we talked about, even new athletic directors and veteran athletic directors, it's really being nimble, being creative, and really having that solution-oriented mindset of really how can we best serve our students and keeping that at the forefront.” On preparing and leading through uncertainty as an AD, Goddard McGuirk credits her network of colleagues and involvement with the D2 ADA as vital resources, adding: “To best prepare, I think the biggest thing that we all can do is just be nimble, be innovative, and kind of look ahead and see maybe what's coming down the pike. So once again, really staying involved professionally and with your network is vital. I think it's always been important, but even more so now is really being nimble. For me, the north star is the student-athlete and the student-athlete experience and how can we best serve them.” (link)

Higher Ed Dive’s Naaz Modan reports the U.S. Energy Department has cancelled plans to issue a rule, meant to level the playing field between women and men in athletics, that would have removed a regulatory requirement for colleges and schools receiving funding from the agency by no longer requiring them to provide women or girls a chance to try out for contactless men’s or boys’ sports teams in cases where no equivalent sports team exists for them. Back in May, the Trump administration “quietly proposed rescinding this requirement, along with a handful of other regulatory changes, by issuing a ‘direct final rule.’ That process is usually reserved for uncontroversial regulations that are not expected to receive pushback, allowing an agency to issue new policies without incorporating changes based on public feedback. On Sept. 10, however, the Energy Department said it was withdrawing the proposed change entirely after it received over 21,000 comments — many of them opposing the changes. … A handful of other changes remain — albeit delayed — on the Energy Department’s docket that would impact colleges and schools receiving the agency’s grants.” Per Modan, the Energy Department “said in its notice of the proposal’s withdrawal that it is allowed to propose a rule in the future ‘that may be substantially identical or similar to those previously proposed.’” (link)

Facilities & Fundraising…
➤ UNC Pembroke officially opened its new Outdoor Sports Complex last week that includes major upgrades for Baseball and Softball, plus a new campus recreation turf field. AD Dick Christy: “It is always a proud day when you can upgrade the amenities and resources for a student's experience to match the level of effort that they and their coaches put in on a daily basis. This has been a long-time coming and we are so excited to share it with our community.” (link)
➤ Lander raised over $197K through its partnership with Hour-A-Thon. (link)
➤ Check out Maryville’s new court at Moloney Arena. (link)

Per NCAA Sports Sponsorship and Participation Rates Report data, the number of student-athletes participating in NCAA championship sports in 2024-25 climbed to an all-time high of 554,298, marking an increase of 15,268 YoY from 2023-24. Division II had a record 141,067 championship participants, up 2.9% from 2023-24, while sport sponsorship slightly increased by 11 programs to 5,021. Additionally, for the first time since 1982, Division I participant counts in NCAA sports climbed over 200K (202,353 for championship sports; 204,255 when combining with emerging sports), and Division III had a championship sport participant count of 210,878. Sponsorship and participation in emerging sports increased by more than 20% in 2024-25 as 6,992 athletes participated across three divisions. Schools across all three divisions sponsored 19,928 teams in NCAA championship sports, marking an all-time high and 62 more than 2023-24. More. (link, link - Full data dashboard)

West Virginia Governor Patrick Morrisey has signed two bills regarding student-athlete NIL rights, according to WVNews’ John Mark Shaver, who adds that “House Bills 2595 and 2576, both of which were passed by the West Virginia Legislature during this year’s regular session and went into effect in April, will support student-athletes by allowing them to be compensated for their efforts through sponsorships, brand deals and other promotional activities. HB 2595 authorizes higher education institutions in the state to establish nonprofits to manage revenue sharing and student-athletes’ NIL opportunities. [...] Additionally, HB 2576, or the NIL Protection Act, not only allows student-athletes to be compensated with NIL monies, but also bans athletic associations, conferences and other governing bodies from ‘penalizing athletics with NIL-related activities.’” (link)

College.town continues to be the destination of choice for employers and job seekers alike. While the number of job opportunities posted on all other job boards throughout the industry plunged by 71% from August 2024 to August 2025, CollegeSports.jobs saw an August-to-August uptick of 19%, further establishing CollegeSports.jobs as the go-to place for employers who want to ensure they’re reaching the widest audience of professionals in the industry. (link)

Coaches.wire…
➤ American International names former Framingham State (DIII) Rugby HC Eric Olsen as the Yellow Jackets’ new Men’s Rugby HC. (link)
➤ Central Oklahoma selects former private coach Luke Reynolds as its new Women’s Rowing HC. (link)
➤ William Jewell hires Avila (NAIA) Softball AC Emma Ryan as the Cardinals’ next HC. (link)
➤ The heaviest coaching movement over the weekend was in baseball and softball, but plenty of other sports had coaching changes in the past few days. Check them all out in this edition of Coaches.wire. (link)

More Higher Ed…
➤ Southwestern Oklahoma State President Diana Lovell will return to her position next semester, as she takes extended personal time to be with family. Retired Northwestern Oklahoma State President Janet Cunningham will serve as Acting President. (link)
➤ After news that the U.S. Department of Education would end discretionary grant programs for a slew of minority-serving institutions, the DOE has canceled $350M in grants set to be distributed for programs that will now be redirected to areas that “advance Administration priorities.” (link)

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(Posted from most recent over the last 30 days)

Director, Governance and Compliance (Mountain West Conference / Las Vegas, NV): The Director, Governance & Compliance will serve the Mountain West Conference and its member institutions supporting the day-to-day aspects of the Conference’s governance and compliance services. (DI) More details HERE.

Associate Director of Athletics for Compliance and Student-Athlete Services (University of New Haven / West Haven, CT): Manages all aspects of NCAA compliance and eligibility, rules education, reporting, scholarships, and Title IX, while supporting student-athlete success and NCAA reclassification efforts. (DI) More details HERE.

Associate Athletic Director, Compliance Services (University of Illinois Springfield / Springfield, IL): Lead the strategic planning and management of compliance services at UIS Athletics, while serving as a key leader shaping the program’s vision, direction, and long-term success. More details HERE.

Senior Associate Athletics Director for Development (Dartmouth College / Hanover, NH): Reporting jointly to the VP for Development and the AD, provide strategic leadership for athletics fundraising and stewardship program. Charged with advancing annual, capital, and endowment giving. (DI) More details HERE.

Associate Director, Development Stewardship (Georgia Tech / Atlanta, GA): The position provides support to the Athletics Development Team and interacts regularly with the Director of Athletics and executive team members. (DI) More details HERE.

Chair of the Department of Physical Education and Director of Athletics (Pomona-Pitzer Colleges / Claremont, CA): Pomona-Pitzer Sagehens invites inquiries, nominations, and applications for the chair of the Department of Physical Education and Director of Athletics. (DIII) More details HERE.

Athletic Business Manager (Chadron State College / Chadron, NE): Responsible for the financial functions of the College’s athletic programs. Exercises discretion and independent judgment in providing financial oversight & administrative support to athletic staff. More details HERE.

Assistant Athletics Coach, Softball (Babson College / Wellesley, MA): Serves as a varsity Assistant Athletics Coach, Softball within the Department of Athletics and Recreation. (DIII) More details HERE.

Assistant Softball Coach (Northwestern Oklahoma State University / Alva, OK): This full-time role supports all aspects of the softball program, including recruiting, coaching, field prep, administration, and game-day operations, while helping student-athletes grow. More details HERE.

Assistant Coach-Track & Field (Emporia State University / Emporia, KS): Emporia State University Intercollegiate Athletics is seeking an Assistant Track & Field Coach. This position will assist the Head Coach in the development and management of the Track & Field program. More details HERE.

Assistant Athletic Director of Compliance (Eastern New Mexico University / Portales, NM): The Assistant Athletics Director for Compliance is responsible for the overall development, implementation, and review of the institution’s athletics compliance program. More details HERE.

Director, Athletics Communications (Florida Gulf Coast University / Fort Myers, FL): The Director, Athletics Communications oversees the planning, organization, and daily operations of the university's athletics communications. (DI) More details HERE.

Associate Athletic Director for External Relations (Florida Gulf Coast University / Fort Myers, FL): The Associate Athletic Director for External Relations is responsible for the strategic leadership and operational oversight of all external units within the Department of Athletics. (DI) More details HERE.

Assistant Athletic Trainer (Eastern New Mexico University / Portales, NM): Eastern New Mexico University, an NCAA Division II institution and a member of the Lone Star Conference, is seeking applicants for an assistant athletic trainer full-time. More details HERE.

Head Softball Coach (Wingate University / Wingate, NC): Position Title: Head Softball Coach Institution: Wingate University Location: Wingate, North Carolina Department: Athletics Conference Affiliation: NCAA Division II – South Atlantic Conference More details HERE.

Grad Coaching Asst (Adams State University / Alamosa, CO): Help head and asst coach with practice plans, extra individual practices with players. Help with lineup and player development. More details HERE.

Athletics Groundskeeper (Florida Gulf Coast University / Fort Myers, FL): The Athletics Groundskeeper is responsible for maintenance and care of the fields and surrounding grounds at the Outdoor Athletic Complexes. (DI) More details HERE.

Assistant Registrar for Athletic Academic Compliance (Jessup University / Rocklin, CA): Assists with the assessment and maintenance of athlete academic eligibility for all students, performs degree audits, and evaluates transcripts in accordance with NCAA DII requirements More details HERE.

Athletic Trainer (Doane College / Crete, NE): The Athletic Trainer is responsible for preventing, treating, and rehabilitating injuries for student-athletes while supporting assigned sports teams during practices and competitions. (NAIA) More details HERE.

Athletics Compliance Coordinator (Western Colorado University / Gunnison, CO): Is responsible for the strict compliance of the athletic department to the National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) and Rocky Mountain Athletic Conference (RMAC) rules and policies. More details HERE.

Assistant Director - Strategic Communications (Stephen F Austin State University / Nacogdoches, TX): Athletic Communications role managing media relations, event coverage, and storytelling to promote student-athletes, coaches, and programs, enhancing visibility for the department and university. (DI) More details HERE.

Associate Director, Fundraising & Partnerships (University of Louisville / Louisville, KY): The Associate Director, Fundraising & Partnerships will support revenue generation efforts through corporate partnerships, philanthropic giving, NIL fundraising, and premium seat sales. (DI) More details HERE.

Athletic Facilities and Game Day Operations Manager (Haverford College / Haverford, PA): Haverford College invites applications for our full-time (37.5 hours per week), exempt, benefits-eligible Athletic Facilities and Game Day Operations Manager opportunity. (DIII) More details HERE.

Senior Director, Principal Giving - Athletics (University of Cincinnati Foundation / Cincinnati, OH): The Sr. Director, Principal Giving serves UC Athletics & is responsible for the identification, qualification, engagement, solicitation & personalized stewardship of prospects & donors at the $1M+. (DI) More details HERE.

Assistant Baseball (Pitching) Coach (St. Mary's University – Texas / San Antonio, TX): Assist the Head Coach with pitching instruction, recruiting, training, and mentoring student-athletes while supporting St. Mary’s baseball program and mission. More details HERE.

Head Coach-Baseball (Emporia State University / Emporia, KS): Emporia State University Intercollegiate Athletics is seeking a Head Coach-Baseball. More details HERE.

Assistant Dir Athletics/External Ops (Northern State University / Aberdeen, SD): The position responsibilities include but are not limited to leading efforts related to corporate sponsorships, suites sales & premium seating, season ticket sales for the Wolves Club. More details HERE.

Director of Athletics Media Relations (Coker University / Hartsville, SC): Coker University, a member of NCAA Division II and the South Atlantic Conference, invites applications for the position of Director of Athletics Media Relations. More details HERE.

Assistant Athletics Director, Major Gifts (Florida Gulf Coast University / Fort Myers, FL): The Assistant Athletics Director, Major Gifts is a frontline major gift officer who identifies, qualifies, cultivates, solicits, and stewards major and principal gift donors for FGCU Athletics. (DI) More details HERE.

Head Strength & Conditioning Coach (Jessup University / Rocklin, CA): The Head Strength & Conditioning Coach is responsible for the development & management of individual & group performance training programs for student-athletes participating in the athletics program More details HERE.

Director of Athletics, Fitness and Recreation (Kenyon College / Gambier, OH): Director of Athletics at Kenyon is a senior leader shaping a bold vision that unites academics, athletics, and student life—championing 23 sports, facilities, wellness, and campus engagement. (DIII) More details HERE.

Director - Digital and Social Media (Stephen F Austin State University / Nacogdoches, TX): The Director of Digital and Social Media directs digital and social media content, strategy, and hosting to boost exposure, awareness, and fan connection for the athletic department. (DI) More details HERE.

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