D1.ticker - News from Wednesday, July 13, 2016

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"Baylor Family, please welcome our new Vice President and Director of Athletics Mack Rhoades to Central Texas. #SicEm" (link); Statement from Rhoades on his move from Missouri, "This past year has taught me a great deal about who I am as a person and as a leader. I am very grateful to the people I've worked with and come to know throughout the state of Missouri. The experience has helped galvanize a commitment to my core values and to the values I want to infuse into an athletics program. I look forward to the opportunity to join Baylor University at this important time in history." (link); The Rhoades presser in Waco will take place next Monday (link); Tigers FB HC Odom says he spoke to Rhoades on Tuesday night concerning the move, wasn't aware of the development before that point (link); As you likely know, Deputy AD Baker has been elevated to Interim in Columbia (link); Not to be lost for Mizzou is an all-time high fundraising year for the university of $171M (link).

Closing in on 400 days with its AD chair vacant (on a full-time basis anyway), St. John's announced Assoc. VP for Athletics Meehan will replace General Counsel Oliva as interim AD effective August 1. A six-member search committee, which includes Board of Governors member and MBB TV announcer Turner, has been formed. No word on any search firm involvement. - link

Day 3 from SEC FB media days: News of the day was clearly the tense exchange between Alabama HC Saban & SEC Network's Finebaum when the latter pressed the former on the outcomes of some student-athletes who were recently arrested. Saban: "...Iâ€™m not going to convict him in the public. You said I was going to get criticized by you and the public and the media because Iâ€™m not going to suspend him, and I donâ€™t really care about that. Thatâ€™s the end of the conversation." Finebaum says his responsibility is to the viewing audience, more (link, link); Arkansas HC Bielema was his predictable self & rallied off a number of solid comments on the state of the game & his program (link); Kentucky HC Stoops on satellite camps, "We have not gotten a lot of out of them. We want to see players on our campus." (link)

Bloomberg is reporting Providence Equity Partners has hired Moelis & Co. to help "find a buyer" for Learfield with a potential price tag of $1B. Moelis was also involved when Providence bought a controlling stake in Learfield from Shamrock Capital Advisers back in 2013. No confirmation of the report has come from any of the three parties. Moelis is one of the top merger & acquisition firms in the world & has been a part of notable deals like Anheuser-Busch's 61.2B sale to InBev, Hilton Hotels going to The Blackstone Group for $26.5B & a litany of others. - link

At a Board of Regents meeting yesterday, Colorado Chancellor DiStefano communicated a story he learned back in the Spring semester from an athletics staffer of black student-athletes calling the Dal Ward Athletic Center "The Plantation." "(The staff member) said that even though the black football players and men's basketball players are getting a free education and a free ride, everything they do pays for the young white female playing tennis or on the golf team or track and field. He said they talk about being part of 'The Plantation,' that their sweat and tears are really for other people, not for them." DiStefano went on to say the situation is one reason why former black student-athletes don't return to the Boulder campus & "We gotta change something." - link

Yesterday, College FB Playoff Executive Director Hancock indicated he & his leadership team will take a hard look at moving the event's semifinals off New Year's Eve, starting with those scheduled for 2018, in order to find a better viewing slot. ESPN's McMurphy later sourced comments that the move was likely to be executed, "There's still work to be done. However, I doubt Bill would have said something if he didn't think he could get the room [of the commissioners] there." (link); Hancock also noted there being zero momentum for an expansion of the Playoff & contractually there's no "look in" that allows for the field to be expanded (link, link).

Despite two straight 3-9 seasons in FB and a MBB program that won just two games after December 29th last season, Wake Forest AD Wellman offers that 2015-16 was "a year of progress and improvement...in the vast majority of our sports" and believes "we've got the right coaches to move in the right direction." Also, notes the importance of in-progress and planned facility improvements, including a $58M sports performance center, $4.5M golf facility, baseball renovations, a new hoops practice gym, and tennis complex renovations in advance of hosting the NCAA championships in 2018: "Kids are making their decisions earlier, and they're basing their decisions much more on facilities than maybe what happened 10-15 years ago. It's important to be in the ball game, facility-wise, and we are more than in the ball game with out facilities today." link

Iowa has informed former Senior Assoc. AD Meyer, who is suing the school after being reassigned to a project manager position not related to athletics, that her employment will be terminated in September. Meyer contends the move is further evidence of retaliation over her allegations about wage discrimination and gender bias. At the time of Meyer's reassignment, AD Barta noted that Meyer's partner, former field hockey HC Griesbaum, was planning her own lawsuit against UI. - link

Former College of Charleston AD Baker, whose 15-year tenure ended in 2007, is back in the fold as the new executive director of CoC's athletics fundraising arm, the Cougar Club. Per Prez McConnell: "As a former member and leader of the Collegeâ€™s athletics department, Jerry worked tirelessly to enhance the student-athlete experience and game-day atmosphere at our institution. I am so pleased he is coming home to his alma mater. His passion, energy and leadership for student-athletes will serve the College well moving forward." During his tenure, Baker oversaw the transition from NAIA and numerous facility developments. This move is all the more interesting with the university on the search for a new AD. - link

New York Governor Cuomo's stance against North Carolina HB2 law means the scheduled MBB match-up between Albany & Duke is off. The Great Danes were contracted to visit Cameron Indoor Stadium for a November 12th tip as part of the Naismith Basketball Hall of Fame Tip Off Tournament. Albany Field Hockey also won't travel to games at North Carolina or Duke. Syracuse, because it's a private institution, is not impacted by Cuomo's position. - link

A couple of interesting notes: Twenty-six Michigan student-athletes will be a part of the U.S. Olympic delegation in Rio & the Wolverines have dedicated a portion of its website to track their developments (link, link). Has anyone come across a listing of all DI student-athletes who will compete in Rio?; The China money train investment into global entertainment & sports continues as Dalian Wanda is reportedly negotiating to buy 49% of Paramount Pictures that could end up being an $8B to $10B transaction (link).

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Nicholls State has tabbed WBB HC Plaisance, who has previously admin experience at Loyola New Orleans (NAIA), as interim AD, with the stated goal of having the chair filled full-time by October. Prez Murphy wants a wide range of input, including from student-athletes, coaches, and community members, and states that having DI experience is a priority for candidates: "We can't offer a multi-million dollar salary, but we are Division I and that is attractive particularly for someone who is an assistant or associate (athletic director) or someone who does conference work or has some experience with the NCAA." Murphy also cites honesty, compliance, and commitment to the student-athlete experience as prerequisites. - link

Good read on Samford AD Newton, his family & its roots, plus his upbringing in the industry. Notes the connection of Joe Dean Jr. hiring him at Converse, then on to Nike & eventually helping ADs hire HCs, "I helped John Calipari get the job at UK." After a two-year stint in Lexington, "Then Samford called to see if I was interested in the ADâ€™s job. It felt like home. I left the Final Four and came here for my new job. The memories I had and the lessons I learned at Samford drew me back." Continues to enjoy learning from student-athletes, more. - link

The Coloradoan's Stephens recaps his attendance at Colorado State's Stadium Advisory Group meeting earlier in the week and urges fans not to rush to judgement on the efficacy of the project on day one. The meeting included a video conference with Baylor Executive Assoc. AD Joos, as BU's two-year-old McLane Stadium and Waco's population are reasonable comps for the new Sonny Lubick Field and Fort Collins. CSU has 50% more parking spaces than BU and could actually avoid some of the congestion and parking issues that pushed the Bears to fund a shuttle operated by the city. Joos also told the SAG that early regrets include not having enough fan amenities (concessions, bathrooms, premium seating). - link

Virginia Tech extended the contract of MBB HC Williams through 2022-23. Set to make $2.5M this season, Williams' final year salary would rise to $3.3M. Per AD Babcock: "Coach Williams has made a positive impact on the culture of our basketball program at Virginia Tech in a very short time." The school also announced two scholarships endowed by Williams: one for a female student-athlete and one for an undergrad registered with Services for Students with Disabilities. - link

More HC moves: Wright State stays in-house to fill its recently opened baseball slot and promotes three-year AC Mercer to the top spot (link); Massachusetts baseball HC Stone announced he will retire after the 2017 season, his 30th with the program (link); Arizona State men's golf HC Mickelson has resigned to pursue opportunities outside college athletics (link); After just one season, George Mason extended the contract of MBB HC Paulson one year through 2020-21 (link).

Following a 90 minute meeting with members of the Rattler Boosters board of directors, it was revealed that Florida A&M is seeking upwards of $314K from the group as a correction for funds that should have previously been routed through FAMU's Foundation. FAMU is now seeking cash over in-kind donations, while one Boosters board member proposed a "walkaway number" of roughly $93K. Despite the gap, AD Overton sounds encouraged by the negotiations: "No one ever gets what they want in a compromise. If compromise is whatâ€™s necessary to move the needle and to create scholarships and maintain scholarships for student athletes, weâ€™re going to do it and weâ€™re going to do it every single time." - link

Listen: Raleigh-based WRALSportsFan.com's Ovies & ACC Net's Durham discussed the upcoming ACC FB media event in Charlotte. Most notably for us, the pair wondered if an announcement could come before on the league's new and/or expanded deal with ESPN. Ovies has been on top of the developments & positions a scenario where ESPN buys the ACC Digital Network & wraps it into a new OTT play for the league. Lots more (link); Read the tea leaves however you prefer, but ABC is relaunching its streaming service to include a number of previous shows, but also a handful of short-form efforts created specifically for the new product (link).

presented by P aciolan

Major buzz last night & this morning on NBA stars James, Paul, Wade & Anthony taking the stage at the ESPYs & voicing a need for social change in connection to events in the likes of Baton Rouge, Dallas & Orlando. Paul: "Generations ago, legends like Jesse Owens, Jackie Robinson, Muhammad Ali, John Carlos and Tommie Smith, Kareem Abdul-Jabbar, Jim Brown, Billie Jean King, Arthur Ashe and countless others, they set a model for what athletes should stand for. So we choose to follow in their footsteps." James: "Tonight we're honoring Muhammad Ali, the GOAT (greatest of all time). But to do his legacy any justice, let's use this moment as a call to action to all professional athletes to educate ourselves, explore these issues, speak up, use our influence and renounce all violence and, most importantly, go back to our communities, invest our time, our resources, help rebuild them, help strengthen them, help change them. We all have to do better." More, links includes video. - link

Kansas has asked for the dismissal of the Title IX lawsuit filed by a former Jayhawks student-athlete on the grounds of "as a matter of law, under Title IX, KU is not responsible for the claims." While the university regrets if the student was subjected to any sexual harassment, "KU may be liable for peer-on-peer harassment only where it has actual knowledge of ongoing sexual harassment and remains deliberately indifferent to it." - link

ead more here: http://www.kansascity.com/news/local/article89170527.html#storylink=cpy

Minnesota State-Mankato has officially applied for Men's Hockey membership in the NCHC. AD Buisman: "This step today is by no means an end, itâ€™s a beginning. Itâ€™s exploratory for us. Weâ€™ve had a long-standing relationship with the WCHA. It is the sum and total of our history in Division I hockey. Itâ€™s been a great partnership. I think itâ€™s a plan in which we are examining all possibilities, including the possibility of remaining in the WCHA. I want to emphasize itâ€™s in a very preliminary stage of the process. I would characterize it as exploratory for us and an information gathering stage for the NCHC. I think weâ€™re a long ways from any certainty about our future membership with the NCHC." WCHA Commish Robertson "deeply disappointed," but respects Buisman's investigative move. - link

Federal tax documents from 2014 show what key Duke administrators made, starting with MBB HC Kryzzewski's $4.02M, FB HC Cutcliffe's $2.26M, WBB HC McCallie's $1.08M & AD White's $980,750. As you know, Duke is in the early stages of search for a new President & outgoing Prez Brodhead pulled-in $1.13M in '14, which is more than double his initial pay of $517,500 in 2005. VP for Public Affairs & Government Relations Schoenfeld says there's no pre-set salary for the new Prez. - link

Good idea from SB Nation as it gets feedback from FB official on five new rules of note for this season: 1) Coaches can now be ejected if charged with two unsportsmanlike foul penalties; 2) No more tripping of the ball carrier; 3) A ball carrier who "gives himself up" is no considered defenseless for targeting foul considerations; 4) Targeting of the knee or shoulder areas will be closely watched; and, 5) A lengthy explanation around the number of lineman, what numbers they're wearing within kicking situations. - link

Also noticed: New Mexico State cuts Equestrian amid budget concerns (link); Over 1,600 people showed up at Kyle Field at Texas A&M to play Pokemon Go (link); Daktronics will install a new, four-sided, impressive-looking center-hung scoreboard in Iowa's Carver-Hawkeye Arena (link); Idaho State's Holt Arena also getting digital board upgrades (link); Fanatics is now officially running the online store for Kansas (link); 98% of the first-time alcohol sales at the College World Series was beer (link); Morgan State is considering the reinstatement of Men's LAX (link); Former Baylor FB HC Briles says he will coach again (link); NBA Commish Silver says he's completely in support of athletes promoting issues important to them (link); Louisville's new Board of Trustees gathered for the first time & Prez Ramsey did not offer his resignation, plus new Chair Bridgeman is already at odds with the media on open meeting laws (link); Exited Temple Provost Dai says he didn't know about the university's $22M deficit until this past March, more (link).

Oakland Athletic Director, Jeff Konya, made an interesting decision earlier in the week to hire co-HCs to oversee the Grizzlies Baseball program. While it's not the first time college athletics has seen co-HCs, it's pretty uncommon, especially for Baseball. In today's lengthy 1.Q, Jeff covers a significant amount of ground on the methodology he & his staff used to make the call, why it was the best move for the program in its current state, some details on exactly how the arrangement is going to work, plus Konya's framework on how he interviews candidates to identify authenticity & a whole lot more. Listen by clicking the link. - link (length - 21:46)

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(Posted from most recent over the last 30 days)

(NEW!) Assistant Athletic Director - Compliance (Georgia Tech Athletics / Atlanta, GA): Provide leadership & oversight in development, administration, evaluation, & oversight of a comprehensive compliance program including education, monitoring, interpretation & enforcement of policies. More details HERE.

Asst/Assoc Athletic Directors (The University of Akron / Akron, OH): UA Athletics has openings for Marketing & Promotions. Details/apply at http://www.uakron.edu/jobs. Job ID# 9638 & 9639. EEO/AA Employer/Veterans/Disabled. More details HERE.

Associate Director of Development, Buff and Blue Fund (George Washington University / Washington DC): Manager of the annual fund and will execute a comprehensive, yearly campaign for Athletics. This position will have a prospect portfolio and also coordinates the stewardship for the over 1,800 donors. More details HERE.

Director of Sports Nutrition (University of Tennessee Athletics / Knoxville, TN): The Director of Sports Nutrition oversees the provision of nutrition and performance related services for student-athletes competing on behalf of Tennessee Athletics. More details HERE.

Post-Grad Athletic Intern (Texas Tech University / Lubbock, TX): Evaluate, communicate and manage university resources to achieve organizational goals. Build and foster relationships with student organizations. Apply at http://goo.gl/0boVth. More details HERE.

Division of Intercollegiate Athletics / Strength & Conditioning Coach (Cal State University Los Angeles / Los Angeles, CA): Strength & Conditioning Coach for the Division of Intercollegiate Athletic to oversee the strength and conditioning of our 11 menâ€™s and womenâ€™s sports. More details HERE.

Assistant Commissioner for Communications (Patriot League / Center Valley, PA): The Assistant Commissioner for Communications oversees the coordination, production and dissemination of League information, and coordinate content through social media to promote the League. More details HERE.

Athletics Communications Associate Director (University of Notre Dame / Notre Dame, IN): Directs and oversees news and feature content creation for women's BB and golf. More information at http://apptrkr.com/835680. EOE. More details HERE.

Assistant Director, Marketing & Fan Engagement (The University of Arizona / Tucson, AZ): Plan and execute marketing, sales and game presentation plans for volleyball, gymnastics and softball. Assist with football game presentation. Liaison to ZonaZoo student organization. More details HERE.

Assistant Director of Athletic Marketing (Baylor University / Waco, TX): The Baylor Bears are seeking an Assistant Director of Athletic Marketing. For a full job description and to apply, go to https://jobs.baylor.edu. AA/EOE. More details HERE.

Assistant Athletic Director, Budget and Business Services (University of Oregon Athletic Department / Eugene, OR): Develop and monitor department's $110 million expense budget. Administer financial reporting including NCAA audit; Department of Education EADA report and NCAA EADA reports. More details HERE.

Assistant Athletic Director - Facilities, Operations & Events (Georgia Tech Athletics / Atlanta, GA): Position supports overall oversight & leadership in event operations & athletic facilities. Primary ownership including game management of football, external events management, & select facilities. More details HERE.

Director of the Brown University Sports Foundation & Associate Athletic Director of Development, Division of Advancement (Brown University / Providence, RI): The Director oversees a staff of 6 to provide all of the Universityâ€™s athletic advancement activities to engage & solicit Brownâ€™s 17,000+ athletic alumni/ae, parents, & donors. More details HERE.

Director of Marketing & Sales (University of Richmond Athletics / Richmond, VA): Serves on the team tasked to increase attendance, fan engagement, and revenue for ticketed sports. Major areas of emphasis are on student engagement, Kids Club, fan development, and fan experience. More details HERE.

Assistant Director of Athletic Event Management (University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill / Chapel Hill, NC): Assists with game day logistics for Football & various Olympic Sports. Includes staffing, parking, security, visiting teams, & officials. Serves as ACC & NCAA tournament director for assigned sports. More details HERE.

Head Men's Tennis Coach (Old Dominion University / Norfolk, VA): The Head Menâ€™s Tennis Coach will be responsible for leading all phases of the program in accordance with NCAA, Conference and University rules. More details HERE.

Assistant Athletic Director - Ticket Sales & Operations (University of Oklahoma - Norman Campus / Norman, OK): The Assistant Athletics Director for Ticket Sales and Operations will lead and manage all elements of the Ticket Sales and Operations Center within The University of Oklahoma Athletics Department. More details HERE.

Sports Broadcaster (Georgia Tech Athletics / Atlanta, GA):Position serves as the face and voice of Georgia Tech Athletics in all radio and video production. More details HERE.

Assistant Director, Flynn Fund (Boston College / Boston, MA): Annual Fund position focused on donor-based seating/parking retention and benefit fulfillment. Ensures optimal customer service is provided to maximize philanthropy to Boston College Athletics. More details HERE.

Video Producer (Kansas State University / K-State Athletics, Inc. / Manhattan, KS): This position requires camera work, editing and producing video projects, as well as other projects assigned by the Assistant Director of Video Services and/or Director of Video Services. More details HERE.

Director of Marketing & Fan Engagement (University of Arizona / Tucson, AZ): Serve as marketing lead for menâ€™s basketball, assist with football (including serving as game presentation director and leading the development and execution of digital revenue generation strategy). More details HERE.

Digital Marketing Coordinator (University of Arizona / Tucson, AZ): Coordinate the implementation of digital marketing initiatives, including, but not limited to the following: social media, e-mail marketing, digital advertising and reporting. More details HERE.

Assistant Director of Marketing (Northwestern University / Evanston, IL): Responsible for marketing oversight of select sport programs. Facilitates the creation & execution of strategic plans supporting brand awareness, ticket sales & other revenue-generating initiatives. More details HERE.

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.

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.

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