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More from CUNYAC Commissioner/Mammoth VP of Consulting Kurt Patberg’s Small College Conversation on if the model of a consultant managing a league is a replicable model for others: “Yes, if the person running it has a background in conference operations. And I don't think that this type of relationship is in the best interest, long-term, of a conference, but I think it can clearly be on a short-term basis for a conference.” Asked about the uniqueness of his current position, Patberg believes 80-90% of running a league is the same regardless of division, with the differences being in philosophy and nuance of each division or association. “Now, having said that, the CUNYAC is one of the most unique leagues that I've ever been associated with, as a consultant or as a commissioner. What I mean by that is you have very large, in a lot of cases large, public, mostly commuter institutions with limited to no dorms or residential capabilities that serve a unique type of student – a lot of first gen, very diverse, almost exclusively commuter and in some cases from low household incomes – but boy are they committed to playing sports. Some of these student-athletes work other jobs. They take the subway into their institutions. They compete at schools that sometimes have limited facilities because they're in a major metropolitan area where land is very expensive. It's just such a unique conference.” Also of note, from a big-picture DIII view, Patberg believes the legislative proposal to permit multiple AQ bids to leagues with at least 12 members in a sport could upset the apple cart given the already limited number of at-large  postseason opportunities. Full conversation on BOSCA. (link)

NCAA News & Notes…
➤ The Division I Administrative Committee has adopted a proposal permitting student-athletes and athletics department staff to bet on professional sports. The rule change must be approved by all three NCAA divisions with Division II and III expected to consider the proposal during their respective October meetings. If approved, the rule would then go into effect on Nov. 1. The NCAA’s prohibition on collegiate sports betting, and sharing information about college competitions with other bettors, remains in place with the committee also noting the action is not an endorsement of sports betting, particularly for student-athletes. The rule change was also supported by the Division I Student-Athlete Advisory Committee, which requested that the change come with continued and enhanced education and support for college athletes to prevent problem gambling among student-athletes. (link)
➤ The College Sports Commission has launched its anonymous tipline in partnership with RealResponse. CSC CEO Bryan Seeley: “This anonymous tipline provides an essential tool for identifying potential rules violations, gathering additional information and ultimately enforcing these new rules. We’re committed to robust enforcement of the rules while protecting those who come forward with useful information.” (link); Accordingly, check out the CSC’s new anonymous reporting page. (link)
➤ The DI Administrative Committee has approved the FBS Oversight Committee’s notification of transfer window dates. Moving forward, the DI football transfer window will be January 2-16. In cases of a head coach change, student-athletes will have a 15-day consecutive window beginning five days after a new coach is hired or announced. Student-athletes whose coaches have already departed are grandfathered in under previous rules. (link)
➤ The DI Administrative Committee has introduced a proposal that would modify rules for commercial logos on student-athletes' equipment, uniforms and apparel for non-NCAA championship competition. Under existing rules, the only commercial logo permitted on student-athletes' equipment or apparel during regular-season games is the logo of the equipment or apparel manufacturer. If the proposal is adopted, schools could place two additional commercial logos on uniforms and pregame/postgame apparel during non-NCAA championship competition. Furthermore, one additional commercial logo would be permitted on equipment used by student-athletes. The committee directed the playing rules committees and subcommittees to review the proposal and make sport-specific recommendations on national standards for placement of commercial logos. (link)

Facility Features…
➤ Averett’s $18M sale of its athletic complex has been delayed, with 46% of bondholders approving of the transaction that would see three investors take ownership of the property and the university lease the property for ten years, with a 10-year option, at a rental rate equal to a 4.5% annual return on the purchase price and retain control as primary tenant. (link)
➤ Wilmington has broken ground on the new Scheve Athletic Center. (link)
➤ Wittenberg upgraded its Natatorium with a new filtration system, repainted pool and new scoreboard. (link)
➤ Check out Simpson’s new Baseball scoreboard. (link)

It’s Personnel…
➤ Centre Deputy AD/Chief of Staff Michael Coffey is no longer with the athletic department. (link)
➤ St. John Fisher selects Finger Lakes (NJCAA) Asst. AD/Baseball HC Sean Marren as its new Assoc. AD. (link) 

From the Halls of Congress…
➤ Representative Michael Baumgartner (R-WA) has introduced the “Protect College Sports from Private Equity and Foreign Influence Act” (PROTECT Act) aimed at “blocking private equity deals with athletic departments or conferences,” according to Front Office Sports’ Amanda Christovich, who notes the bill attempts to block hedge or foreign sovereign fund deals by amending “the Higher Education Act of 1965 to say that no school or conference could sell an ownership stake or transfer ‘profit, net-revenue, or gross revenue’ to a sovereign wealth fund, private equity fund, or hedge fund. (That includes outside entities created to spin off assets like media rights or real estate.) It also prohibits any type of deal that ‘grants such firm or fund control rights over athletics decisions, institutional branding, scheduling, personnel, or student participation.’ Other financial agreements, like donor gifts, bank loans, public bonds, or vendor contracts would still be allowed.“ Lots more. (link)
➤ The SAFE Act is “as notable for what it omits as for what it includes,” writes Sportico’s Daniel Libit and Michael McCann, who posit the Democrat-sponsored legislation “steers clear of the two most pressing and controversial issues in the college sports reform debate: whether the NCAA and other college sports governing bodies should be inoculated from future antitrust litigation; and whether college athletes should be entitled to collectively bargain.” U.S. Senator Maria Cantwell (D-WA): “Collective bargaining certainly would be one way to manage the system, but this is where we are today.” Former National Labor Relations Board General Counsel Jennifer Abruzzo, who “forcefully advocated for recognizing college athletes as employees” during her tenure, argues taking a passive collective bargaining approach is misguided. Abruzzo: “Leaving it to the play of economic forces will create chaos, in my opinion. It’s got to be full robust collective bargaining rights, not whatever may be cherry-picked by schools (as in) their players’ best interests,” and only Congress can ensure that. Libit and McCann note “Democratic sources say that the three senators’ decision not to codify collective bargaining rights in writing largely recognized the reality that the college sports market has increasingly come to embrace the concept—if not, the coinage—on its own,” before adding “the chances of the SAFE Act actually passing this GOP-dominated Congress are next to nil.” More. (link)

Fundraising Developments…
➤ Southwestern’s Pirates for Pirates Challenge raised over $273K for athletics from 1,268 donors. (link)
➤ Maryville’s Wha Hae Campaign set a record, bringing in over $192K. (link) 

Brevard will begin simulcasting select upcoming Men’s Soccer matches in Spanish and Portuguese, as 22 different countries are represented within the program. Assistant Professor of Communication/Program Coordinator Dr. Charles Ecenbarger: “This opportunity highlights the incredible initiative and talent of our students. For Martin and Matheus to lead bilingual broadcasts at the collegiate level is not only a first for Brevard but also an important step in preparing them for global careers in sports media. I'm proud to see our Communication students taking on projects that set new standards and showcase the value of their work.” (link)

Sport Sponsorship…
➤ The MASCAC will add Men’s Lacrosse HC as its 20th sponsored sport, with Anna Maria, Massachusetts Maritime, MCLA, Salem State, Thomas (ME), Husson and Maine Maritime comprising the initial membership. (link)
➤ The SCAC will sponsor Women’s Flag Football next year as its 19th championship sport. The league will have Centenary (LA), Concordia (TX), Hendrix and Millsaps compete in a double-round robin schedule. (link)
➤ William Smith will add Women’s Flag Football, starting in 2026-27. (link)
➤ Rhode Island College will add Men’s Volleyball as its newest varsity sport beginning next year. (link)

Deal Digest…
➤ The PAC inks an extension with The Zone to provide mental health support for PAC student-athletes. (link)
➤ Lyon partners with Influxer to create customized NIL merchandise opportunities for student-athletes. (link) 
➤ Dickinson is the latest to sign on with FanWord to use its AI-powered platform to support its storytelling efforts. (link)
➤ The SAA teams up with Officially Human to promote respect for officials. (link)

Mitchell names Keene State Women’s Basketball AC Tory Kennedy as the Mariners’ next HC. (link)

Coaches.wire…
➤ Dallas Cross Country/Track & Field HC Nick Schneigert is no longer leading the program. Volunteer AC Blair Casey will serve as Interim HC. (link)
➤ Elmira names St. John Fisher Women’s Volleyball AC Eddie Daoreuang as its new Men’s Volleyball HC. (link)
➤ North Central (IL) Men's Lacrosse HC Jay Farrell is no longer leading the program after a decade at the helm. (link)
➤ Salve Regina hires Worcester State Men’s Ice Hockey HC Jay Punsky and Black Bear Sports Group GM/Director of Girl’s Hockey Meghan Toomey as its Men’s and Women’s Ice Hockey HCs, respectively. (link)
➤ Former Worcester State HC Bob Deraney will return to the bench to lead the Lancers after serving as Head of Scouting for the Worcester Railers (ECHL). (link)