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As you likely know, satellite FB camps were limited to campus facilities & those normally used for game & practices yesterday by the NCAA Division I Council. Northwestern AD Phillips says the move, "limits the prospective student-athlete’s options who…deserve a chance to have interaction with the best coaches in the country regardless of where you’re from." Big Ten Commish Delany, "It is what it is. We made our case for holistic vs. ad hoc. You have to accept it. That's part of the (system) we signed on for. No reaction beyond that." Old Dominion HC Wilder, "I feel strongly these camps are a benefit to all the high school kids that cannot afford to travel individually to the schools they hope to attend due to the cost restraints on individual families." More. - link
Additional notes/reactions to the satellite camp ruling: Fox Sports columnist Feldman gathered some feedback, this from an unnamed non-Power 5 HC, "This happened because the SEC coaches are mad at Jim Harbaugh." (link); ESPN's McMurphy, "Source told @ESPN conferences that voted against satellite camps: ACC, Big 12, SEC, Pac-12, MWC, Sun Belt. In favor: B1G, AAC, C-USA, MAC." (link); Nebraska AD Eichorst, "My strong opinion is that geography and resources should not be a barrier to young people having access to the finest coaches in the country, but self-interest in the short term has trumped that notion." (link)
CBSSports.com's Solomon says the North Carolina MBB saga has forced the NCAA to redefine its academic misconduct policy, as yesterday the NCAA Division I Council passed its first modifications on the topic since 1983. "The new rules require schools to have their own academic integrity policies that apply to all students. Each school determines its own policies and the NCAA says a university must follow them when there's an academic integrity issue involving an athlete... Instead of 'academic extra benefits,' the NCAA now will say 'impermissible academic assistance,'" defined as 1) "Substantial assistance" not available to entire student body; or, 2) An academic exception that doesn't exist for entire student body. Other issues tackled by the NCAA Council this week included written transfer policies, charitable promotion approval process, funeral donations & more. - link
The NCAA released its findings on the MBB investigation at Southern Miss. Former HC Tyndall served with a 10-year show cause penalty due to his involvement that included arranging to manipulate the course work of prospective student-athletes, some who ended up in Hattiesburg & some who didn't. Also, helped to pay for schooling by networking money through coaches. AD McGillis, who inherited Tyndall, on the outcome that includes three years of probation & other penalties for USM, but no more post-season bans, "Today’s a good day because it’s behind us. I don’t think people truly realize the adversity (the basketball program) has endured for almost two years. I’m just really proud of our guys. They’ve suffered a lot, but they’ve persevered." - link, link
Former Minnesota FB All-American Stein, who also used to be the CEO/Prez of the Minnesota Timberwolves & the Target Center, announces he'll pursue the open AD chair for the Golden Gophers. "A combination of donors, legislators, Regents, alumni, faculty, coaches and fellow past Gopher athletes have reached out and encouraged me to seek the AD job. I have listened to their thoughts and concerns and have decided to pursue the position. I will submit my credentials to the search committee appointed by President Kaler." Says his professional history demonstrates he'd excel as AD, believes Minnesota has the greatest room for improvement of any Big Ten institution. - link
LSU announces an extended deal with OUTFRONT Media, new agreement runs through 2025-26, pretty standard statements from both camps. Of note, "Recently implemented partnerships include a unique Football National Signing Day campaign to welcome LSU's 24 signees by integrating OUTFRONT Media billboard resources in New Orleans and Monroe, La., along with social media and web elements. OUTFRONT Media Sports also created a unique partnership to elevate LSU halftimes, first integrating Grammy-nominated 3 Doors Down with the LSU Marching Band at the Nov. 28, 2015, home game." - link
Texas & Notre Dame FB will kick-off their 2016 schedules with a match-up in Austin that has now been moved to the Sunday of Labor Day weekend with it likely being played under the lights in a prime-time TV slot. Longhorns AD Perrin, "This schedule provides a wonderful opportunity to play the game in an exclusive window so everyone can see it. We discussed it quite a bit and took into account all of the factors in making the decision." - link
Oregon State AD Stansbury says his team is focused on growing the Beavers brand within the state, which is a bit of a different strategy than rival Oregon's national push. Focused heavily on engagement in Portland. Also commented on the high number of late-night FB kicks, "It's on everybody's radar. It's a hot topic everywhere. I'm coming to find out it's a hot topic beyond the Pac 12 as well... it's an issue, everywhere." - link
Another day, another set of comments from new Michigan AD Manuel, notes how the MBA he earned from UM's Ross School of Business back in 2005 is valuable when connecting the financial dots of the Wolverines budget. Also, talks more FB HC Harbaugh, the 'Fab Five' & the potential of returning banners to the Crisler Center, as well as possible beer sales in Michigan Stadium, "It’s not something I’ve had a conversation about at this point in time (at Michigan). But also being from New Orleans, it’s not something personally I’m against, people drinking beer and alcohol." - link
SB Nation's 'On the Banks' site dedicated to Rutgers athletics pens on the impact of AD Hobbs as the narrative around the Scarlet Knights continues to be highly positive, which is a clear change from years past, "Hobbs has completely reshaped the way the Rutgers athletics department operates. There is transparency and there is action being made to improve athletic facilities for the entire department. Hobbs is an experienced fundraiser and negotiator with strong political acumen in New Jersey. Hobbs has displayed a vision for elevating the entire Rutgers athletic department to a Big Ten level and is already putting it into action...This is truly an exciting time to be a fan of Rutgers sports." - link
With a 54-42 vote, the Senate axed a measure that would have required the FAA to set minimum seat-size standards for airlines. New York Sen. Schumer, who proposed the legislation, "When talking to travelers, the number one compliant I hear is shrinking legroom and cramped seats – unfortunately, that’s a message most republicans in Congress chose to ignore. At a time when the airlines are making record profits, a minimum seat standard is necessary to protect consumer health, safety and comfort and I will continue to fight for this in Congress." - link
Coaching developments: Georgia Tech AD Bobinski ends his MBB search by recruiting Memphis HC Pastner to the Yellow Jackets family (link);Looks like Bobinski was aided by DHR's Sugiyama (link); Stony Brook AD Heilbron hires Ohio State AC Boals for his MBB HC opening (link); Former Cal MBB AC Hufnagel, dismissed due to an alleged sexual harassment situation, has been hired in the same role at Nevada (link); New UNLV MBB HC Beard officially introduced in Vegas (link); McNeese State AD Hemphill promotes AC Cryer to WBB HC (link); FIU AD Garcia promotes Malcom to WBB HC (link); Louisiana Tech AD McClelland names AHC DeMoss as Interim WBB HC in Ruston (link)
Wisconsin State Senator Taylor continues questioning Wisconsin-Milwaukee AD Braun on her MBB HC decision-making. Says of the hire of new HC Jordan from Michigan, "(Iowa State assistant) T.J. Otzelberger was her first choice. Another coach, not her pick, and nothing in the environment has changed. What do we expect?...The (university) needs to put students' needs first. It's not just that we want to win. We need to make sure we're helping people to be well-rounded academically and community-based." - link
Former Temple & current La Salle Interim AD Bradshaw comments on the Owls plans to build a new $100m+ FB stadium, says if Temple desires to stay in a "mid-major conference" the plans for a 35k capacity venue make sense, but not if they want to eventually break into the "Power 5," "Gone will be the games of the Penn States and Notre Dames." Believes there needs to be a healthy amount of patience by both university leadership & neighborhood, more. - link
More on the bill sitting in Louisiana state government that would prohibit state schools from traveling outside a 375-mile radius for sporting events other than FB & hoops. Southland Commish Burnett, "I am aware of that and I find it interesting. No one from any of our schools are calling me with concern. I will believe this and take it seriously when I see it. I don’t think any of my colleagues at the Sun Belt or ConferenceUSA are losing any sleep over it yet and neither am I." - link
The 2016 edition of the NCAA MBB Final Four set attendance and viewership records according to the NCAA. The two-session attendance total of 149,845 ranks second all time, as did the title game's 74,340 attendees. The semifinals 75,505 fans are an NRG Stadium attendance record. The title game saw 3.4m live video streams, up 16% from last year and a single-game NCAA Tourney record. The 18.1m live hours marked the most video consumption of any tournament ever. Lots more. - link
Despite a push by students at Central Michigan, Senior Assoc. AD for External Operations Willey says a school mascot isn't in the cards, "We don't have a mascot, (but) we're really comfortable with our branding and position. There's a great responsibility that comes along with (using the Chippewa name) and our use of that name — our logos, our marks — it's all been developed over the course of many years in conjunction with our partners at the Saginaw Chippewa Indian Tribe." - link
More on the NCAA's decision to allow FB coaches to have unlimited digital contact with prospective student-athletes through the likes of text message & Snapchat. 247Sports national scouting director Simmons, "This essentially allowed the inevitable...If a kid doesn’t want to talk to a coach, he can ignore the message. It’s a common sense deregulation because these guys are communicating regularly anyway. It’s not going to change or accelerate the recruiting process." A bit more. - link
Quinnipiac will face North Dakota tonight in Tampa with a Men's Hockey National Championship on the line. QU HC Pecknold recounts how he came to lead his program back in 1994, "I needed the job. I needed to do something. My plan was, OK, this may be the worst Division III team in the country. I'll build it up in two or three years and I'll move on to something better where I can actually make money and survive. The first year was all about survival." More on this pretty remarkable story & tonight's match-up. - link (scroll down)
Allegations of gender discrimination at Iowa will see four investigators from the U.S. Department of Education’s Office for Civil Rights visit campus next week to speak to every Hawkeyes HC, plus conversations with student-athletes & other administrators. In advance of being on campus 41 questions were emailed to UI brass that included changes to programs, promotional materials & information on financial aid. - link
Interesting piece from HoopDirt.com on what coaches should know about their agents, outlines what conflict of interest means, how sports agencies work, the intersection of HC representation with AD representation & how many agents handle a portfolio of HCs, who in many times are up for the same HC opening. "Consider who your agent represents and how their representation is going to have a direct effect on you!" - link
Good little read on Illinois State Operations Manager Smith & his routine at events to make sure everything runs smoothly. Typically arrives for hoops games eight hours ahead of time, during the game is constantly monitoring all the moving parts behind the scenes, "If I don't get out of my chair it's been a really good night because nothing has happened." Oversees seven full-time staffers & 40 student workers, "We're all family here in the campus community and within out department. It feels good to come to work everyday." - link
Facility updates: Oklahoma held a "topping out" ceremony for its renovations at Gaylord Family Oklahoma Memorial Stadium, AD Castiglione says the project is on schedule with tickets moving everyday (link); Louisville's new Thornton's Academic Center for Excellence connected to the south end of Papa John's Cardinal Stadium will open on July 4th, Asst. AD for Facilities & Championships Heird, " It's exceeded our expectations." (link, includes video & pics)
Also noticed: Freelancer Wells, who is covering the Frozen Four, "North Dakota-Denver drew 361K per @sportstvratings. Up from 290K for BU-UND in 2015 and 335K for MN-UND in 2014." (link); "The Alabama Supreme Court on Friday overturned a 2015 circuit court decision that found former Alabama State University athletic director Stacy Danley had been wrongfully terminated and awarded him $140,000." (link); This is a pretty useful chart when trying to figure out which old media companies have invested in new-age digital plays, FanDuel, re/code, DraftKings, BuzzFeed & more (link)
