D1.ticker - News from Saturday, June 25, 2016

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Gaffe from yesterday as I included a clip on the Great Alaska Shootout's deal with Basketball Travelers, Inc., which actually happened way back in August of last year. No idea how I missed that key detail. The field for the 2016 version of the tourney was announced late last week & includes Nevada, Buffalo, Oakland, UC Davis, Weber State, Drake & Iona. - link

Profile on former ESPN executive Brown who helped to mold FB schedules for a long stretch of his time with the Worldwide Leader & is now consulting with schools on his own. Brown is working with the likes of Penn State, which allows the Nittany Lions access to his Rolodex, deep knowledge of all FB scheduling's moving parts & software that presumably details which schools have what dates open & other key data. "It's actually a business with a low success ratio. You just have to keep digging away at it and throwing a lot of things at the wall and eventually something will work....You just try to identify what people's needs are, match them up exactly and help them find games when they need them." - link

The new Big Ten-ESPN TV deal has some around the league wondering if a piece of conference distributions should go back to the campus side of the house. President pro tem of the Iowa Board of Regents Mulholland: "That is a question that we are investigating. I know we are looking into it, and thatâ€™s the best information I can give you right now." Iowa AD Barta adds: "There have been discussions in regards to all Big Ten schools using some of their resources to invest back into academic missions, but nothing final." More, including a chart at the bottom with Iowa's operating revenue growth from $61.676M in 2005 to $105.969M in 2015. - link

BYU has been widely mentioned as a possible candidate for Big 12 expansion if the league were to decide on that course of action. But, playing on Sundays is not something the folks in Provo are willing to budge on as detailed by this Deseret News piece. AD Holmoe: "The closest thing I can say is that the mission of our athletic department is aligned with the mission of our school, and that makes it easy to keep what matters in focus." Holmoe goes on to note why the WCC is such a good fit & how the only mandate the school has in joining a 'Power 5' league is not playing on Sundays. Columnist Call: "As history has shown, BYU is determined to keep the Sabbath Day holy, regardless of the consequences." - link

The 2016-17 budget at Arkansas comes in at over $105M, the first time the Razorbacks have eclipsed the $100M mark. It's a 8.4% jump from last year & includes a $2.335M transfer to the university. SEC distributions projected at $37.5M (up from $34M), FB ticket sales expected to be $31M (up from $27M), MBB tix sales down to $6.15M from $6.4M. Debt service equals $9.8M. AD Long believes the department is in its best financial position since he arrived, credits Senior Assoc. AD/CFO Hamilton & HCs for running a steady ship, also points to lowering concessions prices last year as a benefit for fans. - link

Despite almost struggles in FB, MBB, and baseball, Auburn AD Jacobs believes he has the right coaches in place atop those programs. Jacobs notes the "masterful job in keeping those young guys together" after a mid-fall coaching change by baseball HC Thompson, who other ADs told Jacobs they would have hired for openings this year if he wasn't already locked up. MBB HC Pearl will enter his third season with a retooled roster following a year of injuries and departures, while FB HC Malzahn's contract was extended thru 2020. Jacobs: "Absolutely we have to do better but I can tell you this: We're not sparing any resources to give each of those coaches â€” those three and the other 12 â€” an opportunity to be successful. Whatever it is they need, certainly within reason, but having been in this business and played, I know what's within reason." - link

A bit more NBA Draft wrap-up: Twenty-nine underclassmen ended up being selected last Thursday night, but 59 entered their names, thus a high-water mark was set with 30 not having their names called against a previous top mark of 17, 58 student-athletes withdrew by the deadline (link); The Ringer's Frazier takes a look at Kentucky MBB HC Calipari's approach to recruiting & preparing student-athletes for the Draft. Ends with, "Yet, with each passing season, Calipariâ€™s pool of players continues to grow and more kids are handed their fishing rods. If you stick around, you might get replaced. The brand stays strong as long as the machine keeps moving. Itâ€™s cutthroat â€” but at least Calâ€™s honest about it" (link).

Brexit, one more time with thoughts from Harvard economics & public policy professor Rogoff on the thresholds needed for such a massive change, which connects to any governing body. "The real lunacy of the United Kingdomâ€™s vote to leave the European Union...was the absurdly low bar for exit, requiring only a simple majority. Given voter turnout of 70%, this meant that the leave campaign won with only 36% of eligible voters backing it." Also, "...in practice, most countries require a "supermajority" for nation-defining decisions, not a mere 51%. There is no universal figure like 60%, but the general principle is that, at a bare minimum, the majority ought to be demonstrably stable. A country should not be making fundamental, irreversible changes based on a razor-thin minority that might prevail only during a brief window of emotion." More. - link

presented by Anthony Travel

Kansas AD Zenger on the impact of full cost of attendance, "I would tell you that our student-athletes have benefitted greatly. Their quality of life has been enhanced." The Kansas City Star interviewed a number of student-athletes from around it area on the upgrade, most comment how it has helped their situations, though a Missouri FB team member expressed frustration at having bookstore debts deducted from his COA check. Kansas State AD Currie, Tigers boss Rhoades, UMKC AD Wilson & Missouri State AD Moats also comment on the impact that their institutions. - link

Wichita State HCs and admin discuss the impact that offering department-wide cost-of-attendance has had so far, thanks to $500K from the Shocker Athletic Scholarship Organization. Senior Assoc. AD Endicott says HCs of all 15 sports can now "walk in and recruit against anybody." Volleyball HC Lamb hasn't encountered the question much, but expects to more in the future and is "very impressed" that WSU is able to provide. As the only MVC program to provide COA to all of its sports, even partial-scholarship sports are seeing benefits; softball HC Bredbenner: "To compete against the Big 12, Big 10, SEC â€” those are kids I have to give cost of attendance to. Weâ€™re going to have to, to match up with those schools." - link

36-year career recap for retiring Old Dominion Senior Assoc. AD for External Relations White, whose departure AD Selig calls "a punch in the stomach." Selig says White's position will be "redefined" because "there's just no way one person can do what Debbie did." The daughter of a FB coach, White started her professional sports sojurn in the 1970s as the first full-time female sportswriter in the commonwealth of Virginia and then became, at the time, one of only three female SIDs in DI. The woman who helped promote then-national power ODU WBB is credited by former HC Stanley with breaking "down a lot of barriers in how women's basketball was being perceived." With FB in her blood and two cancer diagnoses in her past, White plans to work part-time and hit up "a bucket list of stadiums I'd like to get to before I leave this Earth." - link

Faced with the prospect of losing honorable mention all-Big Ten selection White (the team's top scorer and rebounder) as a grad transfer, even after White withdrew his name from consideration for the NBA draft, Nebraska AD Eichorst and MBB HC Miles have been curt in their immediate reactions. Miles acknowledged communication with White and the student-athlete's request for transfer, but declined other comment, "with disgust in his voice," per the article's writer. Eichorst would not commit to the extent of White release: "Coach Miles will get back to you regarding Andrewâ€™s transfer situation when he knows more." - link

CBS, Fox, NBC, and ESPN have been dropped from an antitrust lawsuit over NFL broadcast deals. Of note is a judge's decision in May that consolidated which law firms were going to function as co-lead plaintiffs' counsel, a decision that relegated Cohen Milstein, which included the four networks in its filing, to a steering committee. While the NFL and DirecTV are now the main defendants in the complaint, the networks could still be called upon for discovery demands for contracts and communications. - link

With the focus on professional sports, long read on how locker room culture is still the primary deterrent for gay athletes coming out publicly. Interestingly, it's not necessarily homophobic exchanges, but those of a hyper-sexualized heterosexual nature that "marginalize" gay athletes from conversation. OutSports.com and the You Can Play Project are cited as postive steps, although one professional soccer player says "there needs to be more mental help" from a psychological services standpoint. OutSports.com co-founder Zeigler also offers that owners need to take a more active role and guarantee roster and salary protections for players "they already know" are gay, but are hesitant to come out. - link

Yahoo's The Vertical executed a solid NBA Draft streaming show last Thursday night. @SportsTVRatings with a interesting read here on comparing apples to apples when it comes to TV & digital viewership. Hint: it's really hard to do. Ultimately, The Vertical had a nice debut, but ESPN also produced millions of impressions & while Yahoo is promoting a number of 3.7M viewers in total, ESPN likely had 3M per minute of its coverage. More on this niche topic, but important as the OTT debate continues. - link

presented by P aciolan

"Our investments in people and the resources they need are a big part of helping our programs be successful and compete against the best in the country." That's Oklahoma AD Castiglione on an excellent stretch of competitive results for the Sooners. WBB HC Coale says it's about more that funding, also points to culture & mindset. Men's Gymnastics HC Williams: "It's not just about the revenue sports, but about all the programs doing well." Castiglione likes all freshmen student-athletes living in Headington Hall, built in 2013, as a key ingredient to establishing strong culture. - link

New Belmont AD Corley & Lipscomb AD Hutchinson Q&A with The Tennessean on the overall theme of how to keep their brands relevant in a busy Nashville marketplace. Corley notes both sides of the Nashville coin as the city normally sells itself in the recruiting of perspective student-athletes. Hutchinson says there's no fighting agains the pro organizations in town, but his marketing team can push greater access to coaches & student-athletes that can be appealing to families, kids, fans & supporters. Neither have any plans to add sports at the moment. Hutchinson expresses some challenges with his Atlantic Sun alignment. More. - link

The facilities arms race in the MAC explored as an indoor FB space for Ball State is still some years away. The Cardinals & Buffalo are the only two league members without a full indoor field at its fingertips. New Bowling Green FB HC Jinks notes the importance of being able to go inside when installing a new system, though Drake Group head Gurney is skeptical, "I would submit that Ball State would not lose a single recruit as a result of not having an indoor facility." - link

Moving the FCS from an 11-game regular season to 12 debated by HCs & administrative leaders. New CAA boss D'Antonio says more analysis is needed, but the initial reaction from those around his conference was pretty tepid. A number of HCs point to the 63 scholarship limit within the division as a limiter as student-athlete health is a big issue come the end of the season & into the Playoffs. - link

Colorado is hosting two Dead & Company concerts next weekend, but the amount the university will make from the events isn't being disclosed. Chief Spokesperson Hoff says the figures will be shared once final tallies are complete. One number we do know is the $250K rental fee for Folsom Field. A former CU concert organizer says the hosts never made that much money. Another interesting note in the article is AD George recently telling the university's Board $94M had been raised toward a goal of $105M, the majority of which went to facility upgrades. - link

Also noticed: Parker Executive Search has a strong history with the University of Tennessee & will again work with the institution, this time on the identifying, interviewing, vetting & hiring a new Chancellor (link); With the new Big Ten-ESPN tie-up to go alongside the league's deal with Fox, sports TV scheduling expert Sarzyniak uses the 2015 FB schedule as a template for how he thinks the picks would have worked out between the two networks (link); Tampa Bay is pushing hard again to get another Frozen Four (link).

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(Posted from most recent over the last 30 days)

(NEW!) Deputy Athletics Director, External Affairs & Revenue Development (UC Davis Athletics / Davis, CA): The Deputy AD, is responsible for both the development of funding sources for the athletics program and oversight of the department's external relations activities. More details HERE.

(NEW!) Assistant AD for Student Success/SWA (Cal State Monterey Bay / Seaside, CA): Senior leadership position will assist with overall direction & management of Department of Athletics. Focus areas: academic advising, health & wellness, career development, SAAC and Title IX. More details HERE.

Senior Associate/Associate Athletics Director (University of Minnesota - Twin Cities / Minneapolis, MN): Provides strategic leadership to the Department of Athletics. They will assist in advancing the department's mission, vision, and strategic plan including its commitment to equity and diversity. More details HERE.

Associate Commissioner for Football (Colonial Athletic Association / Richmond, VA): Manage day-to-day operations of football. Assist w/long term strategies to position the CAA as a leader in the sport. Manage budget, Media Day. Branding CAA Football. Scheduling. More details HERE.

Director of Operations for Softball & Volleyball (University of Oregon Athletic Department / Eugene, OR): Responsible for managing the efficient operation of the softball and volleyball offices including budget oversight, team travel, camps and oversight of game day activities. More details HERE.

Associate Athletic Director - Development (Central Michigan University / Mt. Pleasant, MI): This position is responsible for major gift fundraising efforts and serves as a member of the Athletics department senior staff. More details HERE.

Associate Athletic Director/Business Operations (University of Portland / Portland, OR): The Associate Athletic Director/Business Operations is responsible for managing all business and finance operations for the University of Portland Department of Athletics. More details HERE.

Senior Associate AD for Sport Administration & Event Management (University of Iowa / Iowa City, IA): The University of Iowa seeks applications for a Sr Associate AD for Sport Admin & Event Management. This position serves on the executive team to provide leadership to 24 varsity sport programs. More details HERE.

Assistant Director - Smith Center Complex (University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill / Chapel Hill, NC): Position coordinates a variety of tasks related to general management of three facilities. Includes daily business processes/operations, personnel, purchasing, security, parking & technical services. More details HERE.

Major Gifts Officer 4 (Director of Major Gifts) (Pennsylvania State University / University Park, PA): A top frontline fundraiser is needed in the role of Director of Major Gifts to engage alumni and friends as partners in supporting Intercollegiate Athletics. More details HERE.

Director of Athletics (Morgan State University / Baltimore, MD): The ideal candidate will provide strategic leadership and possess a strong desire to enhance and sustain a competitive athletics program that values a commitment to â€œstudent-athletesâ€ success. More details HERE.

Senior Production Manager - Video Boards (University of Arkansas / Fayetteville, AR): The Senior Production Manager for Video Boards will be the lead point of contact for all matters relating to video boards (et al.) at the University of Arkansas athletics facilities. More details HERE.

Program Assistant (Development) (Northwestern University / Evanston, IL): Collaborates w/ athletics development gift officers in prospect research & portfolio mgmt; Utilizing data, analytics & reporting to maximize the fundraising opportunities & success for NU Athletics. More details HERE.

Assistant Football Coach (Bowling Green State University / Bowling Green, OH): This position is to assist the head coach in all phases of the program including recruiting student-athletes, organization and design of practice and competition and any other duties as assigned. More details HERE.

Senior Director of Communications and Digital Media (American Athletic Conference / Providence, RI): The individual will serve as a member of the Conferenceâ€™s communications/external relations and digital teams. The position reports to the Associate Commissioner for Communications/External Relations. More details HERE.

Director of Major Gifts, Athletics (Temple University / Philadelphia. PA): The incumbent will manage a portfolio of 150-200 donors/prospects and is responsible for identifying and qualifying prospects, engaging, cultivating, and directly soliciting donors for major gifts. More details HERE.

Director of Development, Annual Fund (Temple University / Philadelphia. PA): The incumbent will manage a portfolio of 250 annual fund donors who give $2,500 or less and assist in the planning and administering of projects for the purpose of soliciting gifts. More details HERE.

Digital Content Specialist (Northwestern University / Evanston, IL): Programming & administration of the dept's content creation & social media practices, particularly as it relates to the support of ticket sales, sponsorship & other revenue generating initiatives. More details HERE.

Director of Development (Texas State University / San Marcos, TX): Executes all solicitation/stewardship plans for the annual fund, maintains accurate gift records, coordinates donor events, oversees hospitality areas and supervises two full-time staff members. More details HERE.

Assistant AD - Marketing & Fan Engagement (Arkansas State University / Jonesboro, AR): A-State Athletics seeks an Assistant AD â€“ Marketing & Fan Engagement. Primary role will be to maximize the reach and monetize the success of the programs through marketing, ticket sales & retention. More details HERE.

Manager - Promotions and Fan Engagement Athletics (Texas Tech University / Lubbock, TX): Direct oversight of the promotions and fan engagement efforts for Baseball, Volleyball and other sports as assigned. Manage department social media efforts & collaborate with Ticket Sales/Operations. More details HERE.

Director of Marketing - Athletics, Marketing & Communications (Boston University / Boston, MA): The Director of Marketing develops and implements strategies to improve and enhance the visibility of the Boston University Department of Athletics. More details HERE.

Assistant Director of Marketing, Social Media Specialist (University of Oregon Athletic Department / Eugene, OR): Responsible for creation, production, operation and execution of social media marketing & communications strategies to maximize fan engagement and brand awareness. More details HERE.

Athletics Communications Assistant Director (2 Positions) (University of Notre Dame / Notre Dame, IN): Directs and oversees content creation, aggregation and distribution for (1) track & field/women's lacrosse (2) volleyball/baseball. Responsible for overall team communications functions. EEO/AA. More details HERE.

Assistant Athletic Director for Compliance (University of Massachusetts Lowell / Lowell, MA): Under direction of the Sr. Associate Athletics Director/SWA, this position will oversee a comprehensive Division I compliance program within specific policies/procedures. More details HERE.

Assistant Director of Basketball and Football Operations (Big Ten Conference / Rosemont, IL): Assist with BB tournaments, FB kickoff luncheon, championship game, operations, marketing/ticket management, manuals. Womenâ€™s BB tournament director. Secondary liaison with local organizing committees. More details HERE.

Assistant Director of Sports Administration (Big Ten Conference / Rosemont, IL): Liaison for assigned sports. Assist in management of Championships & SCORE community relations initiative. Provide support to Sports Management Committee. Manage awards program. Create schedules. More details HERE.

Assistant Director, Ohio Bobcat Club (Ohio University / Athens, OH): This position will focus on assisting the Associate Director with the day-to-day operations of the annual campaign. More details HERE.

Assistant Commissioner for Compliance and Governance (America East Conference / Boston, MA): Lead, manage and provide strategy for the conference's compliance and governance program with a league that is creative, collaborative, forward-thinking and forward-moving. More details HERE.

Director of Ticket Sales and Operations (Georgia Tech Athletics / Atlanta, GA): Provide exemplary customer service to fans & other GTAA departments. Work within our mission to increase revenue by ticket sales & fan experience platforms through industry-leading best practices. More details HERE.

Assistant Commissioner, Communications (Big Ten Conference / Rosemont, IL): Leads communications & institutional efforts. Oversees communications for conference sponsored sports. Prepares & executes media operations including media days championship games & tournaments. More details HERE.

Assistant Director of Ticket Operations (University of Arkansas / Fayetteville, AR): Responsible for building event infrastructure using the Paciolan/Spectra system for assigned sports and using that information to oversee ticket accuracy and ticket distribution for each event. More details HERE.

Assistant Athletic Director Marketing/New Media (Florida International University / Miami, FL): Develops & executes a creative marketing, social media, & public relations plan that will allow the department to maximize its revenue potential and attendance while building the brand image of FIU. More details HERE.

Director of Communications (The University of Southern Mississippi / Hattiesburg, MS): The Director of Communications will serve as the primary communications officer for designated sports and will be a key component of a fully integrated marketing and communications department. More details HERE.

Director of Athletics Communications / Men's Basketball (North Carolina State University / Raleigh, NC): Serve as the primary contact for communications efforts for the NC State menâ€™s basketball program and other Athletics programs as assigned. Serve as a senior member of the communications staff. More details HERE.

Director of Athletic Financial Aid (North Carolina State University / Raleigh, NC): Serve as the primary liaison between Athletic Department and the NC State Office of Scholarships and Financial Aid. Work closely with student-athletes to ensure each completes a FAFSA form. More details HERE.

Associate Athletic Director-Marketing (University of New Hampshire / Durham, NH): University of New Hampshire, an NCAA Division I member institution is seeking an Associate Athletic Director for Marketing. Equal Opportunity/Equal Access/Affirmative Action institution. More details HERE.

General Manager & Account Executive (Peak Sports MGMT / Multiple Positions, USA): These positions are responsible for, yet not limited to, overseeing and executing the advertising, sponsorship, and corporate relationship building on behalf of the university. More details HERE.

Executive Director, Athletic Development Operations (University of California, Berkeley / Berkeley, CA): This position manages Athletics Development support staff responsible for raising critical unrestricted and sport specific private support for the Department of Athletics. More details HERE.

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