D1.ticker - News from Wednesday, April 27, 2016

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An official announcement is coming this morning, but all indications point to Idaho moving its FB program to the FCS level & joining the rest of its portfolio in the Big Sky. Prez Staben, AD Spear & FB HC Petrino are all due at a presser this morning at 11a MT. Staben has previously stated that Independence wasn't an attractive option & "winning is better than losing." Outgoing Big Sky boss Fullerton thinks the move makes sense. First program on record to make the transition. (link); Scheduling hawk Sarzyniak wonders how the Vandals move will impact non-conference game contracts as USA Today's Wolken reports Idaho could play FBS for two more years still (link).

The NCAA Board of Governors has approved a new process to vet sites wanting to host post-season events all built around anti-discrimination. Chair & outgoing Kansas State Prez Schulz, "...it is important that we assure that community â€“ including our student-athletes and fans â€“ will always enjoy the experience of competing and watching at NCAA championships without concerns of discrimination." More. (link); The religious freedom bill in Missouri was defeated in the state House yesterday, a good sign for NCAA events in St. Louis & elsewhere in the state (link).

Jacksonville has a new AD as Senior Assoc. AD for Administration Ricker-Gilbert steps into the top spot with AD Horner moving to focus on his full-time professor work. The move is effective as of this Sunday, May 1st. Ricker-Gilbert has been with the Dolphins since 2014 after stints at Longwood & IPFW, "For the past couple years I have had the benefit of Dr. Horner's mentoring and it has been a pleasure working with him. I look very forward to building on the great foundation of improvements laid by Dr. Horner in the future." - link

Eastern Michigan Deputy AD Spears was the third candidate on campus at Montana State. Recalls spending a weekend in Bozeman back in 2002 & being impressed with MSU & the community. "Thereâ€™s this expectation, and rightly so, that this could be the premiere FCS institution in the country and whatâ€™s missing is an indoor practice facility, clearly. But I think the community would use that, too, so a partnership with the city, with the state, not just for Montana State but with the region. I think thereâ€™s something there, and I have to wrap my brain around how we communicate that." - link

Outgoing USC AD Haden talks about his tenure with the Trojans, "At age 63, I know who I am and who Iâ€™m about, and while lots of times there is outside noise and people criticizing who criticize you [for] virtually every decision you make. I think that belief in yourself helps you weather that storm." When he first arrived says he felt like a hamster on a wheel trying to keep up. Most proud of the departments academic achievements, but also points to solid competitive performance. "I donâ€™t want any special plaques or anything. Iâ€™m going to finish my job June 30, and I hope to have left it a better place for the next athletic director." - link

Cal locked up a rich new apparel deal with Under Armour & now all eyes are on UCLA. San Jose Mercury News reporter Wilner said yesterday on Twitter that Adidas didn't go hard after the Golden Bears with the intent of making sure they have enough cash to keep the Bruins. Scout's Pierson says UA will offer UCLA a deal in the same range as Michigan, Texas & Ohio State. Nike still fully in the mix, too. - link, link

NYT's Belson looks at the narrative of the need for more student-athlete compensation in college versus increasing pay in the NFL & says it's reasonable to conclude that the future will hold more early entrants to the Draft. Next season in the NFL, rookies will make $450,000. Ninety-six underclassmen declared this year, just short of the record of 98 in 2014. Agent Steinberg also believes advancements at the high school & college levels are better preparing student-athletes for the pro ranks. - link

Georgia Southern has made one of the most seamless transitions from FCS to FBS on record & this review of AD Kleinlein covers what's still on the docket for the Eagles. Fundraising is a consistent theme as Senior Assoc. AD Bostian notes donations are up by around 50% over the last couple of years. Corporate sales have seen the same surge with Learfield helping to double revenues to $1.4m. Kleinlein constantly on the move, "We need to do what puts us in best spot to succeed with money and with national recognition...And that goes for all of our teams." More. - link

As the world turns at UC Davis: Chancellor Katehi has been placed on administrative leave in connection to "serious violations" of the university system's nepotism policies. The individual in question is Katehi's daughter-in-law who received promotions & pay increases over a two & a half year span of $50k & her supervisor's by $20k, plus Katehi's son now works in the same department as the daughter-in-law, placing him under her supervision. Katehi's lawyer says the move "smacks of scapegoating and a rush to judgment." - link

Another quality Harvard Business Review entry, "Teams Who Share Personal Stories Are More Effective." This one is from Harvard Biz School professor Gino who points to her own work & that from Georgetown, "...found in a qualitative study of diverse teams that openly discussing the unique qualities of different team members and integrating diverse perspectives allowed individuals to feel valued and respected." Overall thesis, "Making people aware of their own strengths results in better communication among team members and thus higher levels of performance." - link

The Pac-12 & Pac-12 Networks have launched "Follow the Pac-12 to Rio" that will allow fans & supporters to track all league student-athletes who will be involved in the upcoming Summer games in Brazil. Content will be populated by the league, member institutions & Pac-12 Networks. Thirty-one student-athletes affiliated with the league have already qualified for the Olympics, back in 2012 in London, eight of twelve conference members were represented on the medal podium. - link (release), link (microsite)

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Fox Sports' Mandel goes in on the situation at Baylor. Connects the reports of sexual assault or rape by nine women since 2009 to the Bears high-flying FB performances, "Nine is unconscionable. Especially when you realize most of those attacks could have been avoided... But when those offensive numbers start popping, try not to forget that other, more heartbreaking number of victims. And pray that nine never becomes 10." - link

NewsOK's Tramel looks at how the coming Big Ten-Fox deal could impact the Big 12. On the potential that B1G schools could be earning $40m+ annually in TV money when all is said & done, "Thatâ€™s a concern for the Big 12. And itâ€™s not a problem that can be solved by formation of a Big 12 Network...And even if a Big 12 Network could reap $8 million per school per year, that would not carry the Big 12 into Big Ten financial territory. The financial disparity is a long-term dilemma for the Big 12." - link

More on Texas A&M's new Softball & Track facilities that combined will cost upwards of $70m. Track HC Henry, "We haven't run a home (outdoor) track meet in seven years. We've got people graduating who've never run a home meet in front of their peers. If that was baseball, basketball or football, there would be an uprising." Both venues are expected to be completed in time for their respective 2018 schedules. AD Woodward says it's incredible Track has won eight National Championships without having the ability host an outdoor meet. - link

The Daily Pennsylvanian's Buchta writes on the state of Penn's athletic department currently highlighted by significant competitive success. Three Ivy League crowns are already in the bag & three more spring sports are well positioned for more. AD Calhoun's push to further engage the student body has worked with some nice attendance gains, plus the introduction of a post-season hoops tourney at the Palestra next year should be very well received. - link

Cincinnati's Nippert Stadium is getting a bit more work done as the first few rows of the facility will be removed to widen the playing surface & better accommodate FC Cincy as it pushes for an MLS expansion franchise. Cincinnati.com's Williams points out the overall capacity of the facility won't change, nor is the renovation expected to impact the Bearcats push to gain membership in the Big 12. FC Cincy has already paid for new turf & will also bear the cost of this construction. - link

The positioning of FB at Eastern Michigan has been front & center over the last few days & now the situation at UMass sounds similar. Today marks the second-to-last session for the Faculty Senate in Amherst this semester & the agenda includes a motion to "urge Chancellor Subbaswamy, President Meehan, and the Board of Trustees of the University to end Division I football (Football Bowl Subdivision) at the University of Massachusetts Amherst and either move to a different division or discontinue NCAA football altogether." - link

Historically ESPN has had a digital desk and a TV desk, but mobile and social media's rise has essentially erased the line between the two platforms and Public Editor Brady looks at the importance of the network's Exec. Dir. of News Operations' Kraft and his restructuring of the news desks into a 35-person team known internally as the University News Group. Why is this significant to you? "How the network gathers and disseminates news largely determines the quality of those products [SportsCenter, 30 for 30, etc)." Lots more. - link

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Yesterday, Sports Illustrated's Deitsch interviewed SBJ's Ourand to analyze all the moves in sports media over the past week or so. One of Ourand's themes was total surprise that ESPN couldn't ante up more cash to keep Mike Tirico, Skip Bayless or secure the first half of the Big Ten package that looks to be going to Fox. Believes it's a sure sign of new cost conscious measures out of Bristol. Both still think the B1G & ESPN will figure out the second half of the package. Deitsch says in retrospect the Longhorn Network was a miss. CBS lauded for sticking to its gameplan, not overreaching on rights fees & being a great long-term partner. "No easy path forward" for the Pac-12 Networks. Lots more. - link

The Football Bowl Association's latest "Seven on Seven" entry is with Arizona AD Byrne. On his hiring philosophy with constant HC movement, "You always have to have a thought process each year of what you would do. It is a fluid list that you usually do not want to actually use but you must be prepared." Adds that the current lineup of bowl games doesn't need additions, believes fundraising is just as hard today as it was 10 years ago & gets asked most often about team performances & when the Pac-12 Networks will show up on DirecTV. - link

Minneapolis Star Tribune's Gonzalez reports the Big Ten will not pursue Arizona State Men's Hockey for league membership. Affiliate membership in the conference looks to be based around three things: history of success, academic standards & geographic locations. The Sun Devils are now likely to land in either the WCHA or the NCHC. Per reports ASU brass met with WCHA counterparts at the Frozen Four in Tampa. - link

Stanford looks to be the first department to move to a carbon-neutral air travel footprint as student-led organization Stanford Carbon Offsets to Reduce Emissions (SCORE) will help the Cardinal with investing in a landfill methane recycling project. Last year, student-athletes generated a total of 2,600 metric tons of carbon dioxide from 14,000 flights. The pilot program will be funded by grant money & will only cover emissions of in-season travel. - link

What would be a day without satellite FB camp talk? Michigan FB HC Harbaugh was asked if he expects the ban to be overturned by the NCAA Board of Directors, "Am I expecting? I can't say I'm expecting it. Hopefully they get it right. It benefits who we're supposed to be benefiting. But expecting something? I can't look you in the eye and say I'm expecting one thing or another." Has not submitted any counter proposal, "The board of (directors) is going to look at it, so, I'm waiting for that decision." - link

Also noticed: More first year review by Missouri AD Rhoades in a long piece from the Tigers website (link); East Carolina has a new Chancellor in Valdosta State (DII) Interim Prez Staton, will begin in Greenville on July 1st (link); Nice photo gallery of improvements made by Louisville to its University of Louisville Golf Club. AD Jurich says he wants it to be on par with the high-profile Valhalla Golf Club nearby that has hosted PGA & Ryder Cup events. (link); Kentucky WBB HC Mitchell vows to turn-around his program after six student-athletes & all three ACs have exited (link); UCF Men's Tennis HC Cashman won't be back with the Knights (link); Adidas' earnings were up nicely for Q1 that led to its stock price jumping by 6.4% yesterday morning (link).

More AD search/hiring talk with a local media member as the next two 1.Qs cover the process at Montana State with KTVQ sports reporter, Scott Breen. Today's segment covers fan expectations versus those of university leadership, facility projects that would help to elevate the Bobcats, what skill set is needed to lead MSU at this point in time & more. Additional details & analysis from Breen tomorrow. Listen by clicking the link. - link (length - 8:07)

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Assistant Director - Fan Development (University of Minnesota - Twin Cities / Minneapolis, MN): Develop, direct, coordinate strategic marketing plans. Work with the department for sports to ensure communication to stake holders and their events are attended by the greatest amount of people. More details HERE.

Senior Associate Athletic Director (University of Northern Iowa / Cedar Falls, IA): Serves on senior staff; oversees specific sport program areas; ensures programs operate in full compliance with NCAA & conference rules; establishes, implements & monitors gender equity plan; etc. More details HERE.

Social Media & Digital Engagement Coordinator (Kansas State University / K-State Athletics, Inc. / Manhattan, KS): A full-time salaried position responsible for developing and executing a comprehensive social media/digital marketing strategy for K-State Athletics channels. More details HERE.

Associate Director of Marketing (UCLA / Los Angeles, CA): Responsible for the oversight, development, and implementation of the department's marketing and promotional efforts of special events and specific sports, including Women's Basketball. More details HERE.

Director of Video Content - Athletics (James Madison University / Harrisonburg, VA): The Director of Athletics Video Content will guide and direct the department's video strategy related to event coverage, creative content and collaboration with other key content developers. More details HERE.

Director of Marketing for Athletics (SMU / Dallas, TX): The Director of Marketing is responsible for formulating and implementing promotional and marketing plans to increase interest, attendance and financial support for the athletics department. More details HERE.

Director of Compliance (Georgia Tech Athletics / Atlanta, GA): Provide leadership & oversight with development, administration, evaluation & oversight of compliance program, including education, monitoring, interpretation, & overall enforcement of policies. More details HERE.

Director of Events & Event Services (University of Dayton / Dayton, OH): The Director of Events and Event Services, coordinates personnel and daily activities involved in the execution of events, including event staff, security and safety of the facility and guests. More details HERE.

Athletic Marketing Graduate Assistant (Clemson University Athletic Department / Clemson, SC): Offers a recent college graduate an opportunity to experience all aspects of external operations with a heavy emphasis on marketing and game management while completing a graduate degree program. More details HERE.

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Director of Event Operations & Athletic Facilities (Georgia Tech Athletics / Atlanta, GA): This position has overall oversight & leadership in event operations & athletic facilities. Primary ownership includes game management of football, external events management, & select facilities. More details HERE.

Associate Athletic Director for Development - Annual Fund & Premium Seating (Temple University / Philadelphia, PA): The Associate Athletics Director for Development will develop and manage all aspects of the premium seat and seat donations programs and is responsible for all aspects of the Owl Club program. More details HERE.

Assistant Athletic Director - Communications & Public Relations (Georgia Tech Athletics / Atlanta, GA): The Assistant Athletic Director, Athletic Communications & Public Relations provides strategic leadership and direction across the athletic communications and public relations department. More details HERE.

Senior Associate Athletics Director for Business & Finance (University of Washington / Seattle, WA): Serve on the executive team to achieve departmental goals and objectives. Manage an annual budget in excess of $100 million, manage internal business operations, and long-term financial planning. More details HERE.

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Director of Athletics (Bowling Green State University / Bowling Green, OH): The Director of Intercollegiate Athletics has direct responsibility for the Universityâ€™s NCAA Division I Intercollegiate Athletics Program and manages the Stroh Center and the BGSU Ice Arena. The Director supervises a staff of approximately 135 and manages an annual budget of $25.6 million. The position reports directly to the President of the University and is a member of the Presidentâ€™s Cabinet. More details HERE.

Sr. Development Officer/Development Officer - Athletics (University of Minnesota - Twin Cities / Minneapolis, MN): The Development Officer will be responsible for identifying, cultivating, soliciting and stewarding major gifts, both current and deferred, to the Department of Intercollegiate Athletics. More details HERE.

Assistant Athletic Director - Fan Development (University of Minnesota - Twin Cities / Minneapolis, MN): Serve as a leader in the athletics department in support of its mission, vision and values. This position will provide strategic direction to the fan development unit within the department. More details HERE.

Director of Communications (Grand Canyon University / Phoenix, AZ): GCU seeks Director of Communications to assist with the gathering and dissemination of statistics and information for its intercollegiate athletic teams, both to internal and external sources. More details HERE.

Marketing Graduate Assistant (University of Louisiana Monroe / Monroe, LA): Mktg and promo coordinator for soccer, baseball and assistance with menâ€™s and womenâ€™s basketball, as well as football. Create scripts, in-game proms, mktg plans, and PA for non-revenue sports. More details HERE.

Director of MustangVision Productions (SMU / Dallas, TX): The Director of MustangVision Productions will be responsible for the overall management, vision and growth of the SMUâ€™s video production services. More details HERE.

Assistant Coach - Women's Soccer (UNC Asheville / Asheville, NC): Assist in all phases of a NCAA Division I womenâ€™s soccer program in a manner that upholds the philosophy and objectives of the Athletics Department, University, and Big South Conference. More details HERE.

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