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Grand Valley State AD announcement is drawing closer. GVSU VP of Finance and Administration Bachmeier noted that Turnkey Sports & Entertainment helped quell candidate concerns about reporting directly to him instead of the president, and said: "One thing I am certain about; we won't be re-opening the search. We have four qualified candidates. It's been a tough call. They're good people, but we expected that. We believe we are the undisputed DII athletic program in the country." - link
Lynn signed a 4-year deal worth more than $1m in promotional allotment and price discounts that extends its department-wide footwear, apparel, and accessory partnership with adidas through 2020. LU AD Crosby on the agreement, "adidas is truly a global sports brand and, like Lynn, focuses on shaping the future through innovation. ... Throughout our talks with adidas and Baker’s Sports, they put great value in the Lynn partnership and collaborated to ensure that the Fighting Knights brand advances its reach." - link
Washburn and Vivature Sports have agreed to deal to introduce Vivaature's athletics’ training software and billing solution that will pay WU a projected $500k over the next five years. Vivature CEO Bass on the deal, “We are so pleased to partner with Washburn University in their efforts to provide leading edge student-athlete care, and to generate new revenues that will help them pursue championships.” Vivature reports one-third of the MIAA is now part of its Revenue Generation Program. - link
Fresno Pacific has announced that Asst Coach Haydock will be the Sunbirds' new MBB HC. AD Henderson is optimistic about the positive impact the former high school coach will have on and off the court, "I'm confident that C.J. will not only bring a high level of basketball expertise, but he will also be investing in the right areas on campus and in the community that will make everyone proud. His values and character will make our culture special, which will put our student-athletes in an opportunity to succeed." - link
Glenville State has hired Sacramento State (DI) Asst Coach Stephens to be the school's new WBB HC. Stephens played for the Lady Pioneers and joined the program's coaching staff after graduating. A press conference will take place Monday to reintroduce Stephens to the campus community. - link
Minnesota State Mankato MBB HC Margenthaler addresses rumor of his candidacy for a DI position: "With the recent coaching change at South Dakota State, I'm flattered to be in the conversation for their vacant position. However, I'm committed to Minnesota State and am not interested in pursuing this or any other opportunities at this time." - link
Philadelphia has announced that the school will add women's golf for the 2016-17 season. Like the men's program, the women's team will also use The ACE Club, a Gary Player Signature Design course, as its home course. Per AD Shirley: "We feel that we are in a unique situation to offer women's golf and play on one of the best courses in the area. There has been interest on-campus to make the sport an attractive addition." - link
Florida Tech AD Jurgens reflects on the four decades he has spent at the helm of the Panthers athletic department. Jurgens used a philosophy of “you have to be able to be successful with a little if you’re ever going to be able to be successful with a lot” to grow FIT from seven varsity sports to 22. The long-time administrator gives praise to S-As whenever he gets a chance and understands that it is their overall well-being that really matters. - link
Over 200 Illinois Springfield S-As will call members of the STARS Club and thank them personally for their donations and support of the school's athletic programs as part of UIS' 2nd Annual Thank-A-Thon next week. Associate AD For External Affaors Kabbes on the event, "The chance for our young men and women to connect with those passionate about their programs is outstanding. It's great experience for our kids to share their story with the donors and connect with them on a personal level." - link
Sport and department fundraising events:
+ Black Hills State triathlon is holding a Just "Tri" It event, a low-key, mini triathlon to allow competitors a chance to give the sport a "tri," with registration $15/person. - link
+ King and the Tornado Athletic Club launched a crowdfunding campaign to raise $2k in 60 days for MTEN & WTEN. Per Asst AD for External Affairs Rahn: "Our teams have a new opportunity to reach beyond the traditional fundraising circles when we use our RallyMe platform." - link
We’re sure this is breaking news for everyone, but Lubbock Christian WBB beat Alaska Anchorage 78-73 to win the national title and finish the season undefeated in the program's first year of DII eligibility. - link
Outgoing LCU WBB S-A Hampton says she hopes "we built a foundation to start off D-II for Lubbock Christian. ... and there’s no better way to get these girls going into the next D-II (season) than the national championship.” On the growth of the program during his tenure, HC Gomez notes, "A lot of our success came not as a result of me as a coach. ... We got a new arena. It was easy to recruit to. The school was growing. It became an attractive place for student-athletes to go. It wasn’t necessarily all of a sudden they had been terrible and I came and they were good. It took a while.” - link
The LCU campus is pumped about the Lady Chaps' success. One LCU student said that a professor cancelled class under the premise that "if Villanova can cancel so can we because we're champions, too." Limited edition championship shirts sold out in 45 minutes. - link
UAA HC McCarthy is still very proud of his team after coming up just short of the national championship, "They’ll wake up probably next week and realize what kind of experience we went through here and how special it was and what kind of stage they got to play on and how many people in Anchorage came to watch them – and when they made that run, how many bar fans were going crazy.” The game drew a crowd of about 3,000 to Bankers Life Fieldhouse and about 300 fans made the trip from Alaska. - link
McCarthy also talks attendance and recruiting at UAA, where he focuses on in-state talent, "We’re fortunate to be in a state where it doesn’t get a lot of exposure. ... So usually, unless it’s a Pac-12 (DI) level player, we get first dibs at least to pitch them to stay in state.” McCarthy also stresses to PSAs the benefits of playing in front of 1,000+ fans every night and how much the community is invested in the team, "If they want to matter and they want people to care, Alaska’s definitely a place where they get to play on that stage.” - link
Transition is always challenging, both for the person coming in and for the people who have been in place. Devin Crosby, Lynn AD, offers a unique perspective into how he works to integrate himself and to alleviate the angst. Listen by clicking the link. - link (length - 5:28)
Our deepest condolences to the family and friends of former Shepherd coaching great and AD Starkey, who passed away this past Saturday. The Robert G. Starkey Skybox and Academic Support Center was dedicated last November to honor his legacy. - link
Administrators from Nova Southeastern, Barry, Palm Beach Atlantic, Upper Iowa, Alaska Fairbanks and Rogers State are among 20 facilitators taking part in the annual NCAA Student-Athlete Leadership Forum being held April 7-10 in Phoenix. More than 200 S-As will take part in the event. - link
In athletic administration movement:
+ Saint Anselm hired Wisconsin Stevens Point (DIII) Asst AD for Media Relations Capelle as Assoc AD and promoted Asst AD/SWA McGrath to Assoc AD/SWA. - link
+ A little behind on this one, but California Baptist hired Urban Sports and Entertainment Group SVP/Partner Fuller as Assoc AD for Marketing and Media Relations. - link
Recent digital media updates:
+ Powered by SuperFanU, the Le Moyne Dolphin Fan Rewards app is now available for fans through their mobile device. - link
+ Assumption fans can now download the new Hound Nation Fan Rewards app. - link
+ Concordia has unveiled their new gocugo.com website. - link
In Olympic sport coaching movement:
+ Saint Rose promoted WVB Asst Coach Volpe-Rivera to HC. - link
+ Western Oregon named Chico State WVB Asst Coach Gott as its next HC. - link
+ Eckerd MSOC HC Neagu resigned to take an Asst Coach position at North Carolina (DI). - link
+ Colorado Mesa S&D HC Allen announced his resignation. - link
Southern New Hampshire will hold a ribbon-cutting ceremony to officially open their new baseball facility at Penmen Field later this week. The upgraded facility includes a new press box and scoreboard as well as the addition of permanent seating and restrooms. - link
In a fan engagement promotion run by the PA State System of Higher Education via a Twitter poll, Kutztown's mascot Avalanche, defended his title and won the 2016 Mascot Madness Championship over Rocky of Slippery Rock, as nearly 9.000 votes were cast in the championship round. - link, link
West Liberty MBB S-A French and Lubbock Christian WBB S-A Szabois won this year's NCAA Elite 90 Awards. - link (WLU), link (LCU)
Rosters have been announced for USA D-2 Basketball's 2016 Brazil Tour. Central Missouri MBB HC Karleskint Pittsburgh State WBB HC Lord will serve as HCs. USA Sport Tours and Events Dir Smith, "We feel that we have some of the best of the best representing NCAA Division II basketball and their universities. These players have been high achievers both on the court and in the classroom. They represent everything good that the NCAA Division II institutions have to offer." - link
Former Kentucky State MBB HC McLendon has been posthumously elected to the Naismith Basketball Hall of Fame. - link
Off campus, but on the radar:
+ Former Shippensburg star Gracey will be the top American entrant in the 120th running of the Boston Marathon later this month. - link
+ Two Sioux Falls swimming PSAs have earned the right to compete in their country's Olympic Trials in an effort to qualify for the 2016 Olympics. Mackenzie Crane will compete at the Canadian Olympic Trials this week and Leah Eagleton competed at the New Zealand Olympic Trials last week. - link
In general academia news:
+ Drury will hold a Coffee & Chat session this Saturday to announce who will be the next president of the university. The confidential search yielded 200 candidates, including 30 current or former presidents. - link and link
+ West Virginia Wesleyan has raised about $25m for scholarships, equipment and capital improvements on campus. The school is in the midst of a capital campaign to raise $30m by June 30, 2017. - link
+ Sioux Falls has rolled out a new program called 3+1, which is designed for accounting, business or entrepreneurial studies students to complete their bachelor's degree in three years. The +1 is for students who want to add on another year for a master's degree in business administration. - link
+ Forbes has released its Top 300 list of America's Best Value Colleges, UCSD #5, Colorado Mines #45, Bentley #80 in top 100. - link
+ Mississippi’s governor has signed a bill into law that allows businesses to refuse services to gay couples based on religious objections. - link
