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Compelling read on the background of Michigan State AD Hollis & the hurdles he's over come in his life & career, MBB HC Izzo was recently asked if he'd still be with the Spartans if it weren't for Hollis, "That's a question nobody's asked me and it's a little bit loaded...But if you want an honest answer? He has been instrumental in keeping me here." Oklahoma AD Castiglione on what Hollis has built, there's "an aura around Michigan State athletics right now," creative events such as the 2011 Carrier Classic part of that, Hollis talks future of the industry & lots more - link
Straight from 'Inside College Football' by CBSSports.com's Dodd, "Sources indicate Mountain West commissioner Craig Thompson isn't interested in the open Minnesota athletic director job. Minnesota is Thompson's alma mater. Even though it's a Big Ten job, it's still the Golden Gophers. Being MWC commissioner is still a better gig." - link (scroll down)
Orlando Sentinel's Murschel on the significant steps some schools are taking to combat FB attendance attrition & the at-home viewing experience, Auburn boss Jacobs on his new behemoth of a video board, "It's consistent with our brand of simply providing the best." Notre Dame AD Swarbrick on fan experience, "You want them (student-athletes) playing in vibrant, filled arenas and stadiums." Virginia Tech AD Babcock adds thoughts on the importance of attracting students for short- & long-term reasons, more - link
More on the same topic with a specific look at shoring-up student support, Florida Gulf Coast AD Kavanagh notes the scariest part is that students make up the next generation of donors, Oklahoma AD Castiglione with thoughts here, too, "interests and attitudes are changing so rapidly it's not easy to quickly identify what we need to do," Baylor Director of Technology Hartland says a good wi-fi connection is expected these days - link
Illinois Senior Assoc. AD Hood covers a bunch of ground on the Illini's massive upgrade to the State Farm Center, last 12 to 13 months have been quite busy & the project requires an eye on it everyday to ensure the right progress, enhancements a couple of years ago to Memorial Stadium helped make this process easier, has "complete confidence" it will get done by December 2nd, field measurements tend to be one of the biggest issues, didn't just make up figure of 64% toward completion last week, truly where project stood at the time - link
Florida FB works-out in its new indoor practice facility for the first time, which conveniently coincided with a rain shower in Gainesville, article includes a number of pictures of the interior of the new digs, looks like a majority, if not all, of the branding & signage pieces are in place, facility completed in just seven months & one day - link
Texas Monthly continues its reporting on the situation around Baylor FB student-athlete Ukwuachu & reviews how Boise State Asst. AD for Sports Medicine Paul described Ukwuachu's departure from the Broncos in documents, notes all correspondence he followed through with on the incident including FB HC Petersen, then-AD Coyle & a number of other administrators, also includes email Baylor Assoc. Dean for Student Conduct Administration sent to a counterpart at BSU asking for clarification on exactly why Ukwuachu was dismissed - link
A number of airlines are upping premium amenities for fliers as they continue to compete for market share & margin, Atmosphere Research Group founder Harteveldt, "The airlines are thinking more and more every day like retailers," high-paying business travelers getting most of the attention that includes revamped & sparkling new lounges in many large airports, curb-side entrances, transcontinental flight pampering (one that even includes a nanny) & more - link
NCAA Managing Director of the MBB Tournament Scott reviews her career, which included 17 years at Nike & the last four as Director of Governing Body Relations, points to the importance of mentors & the value of getting "chewed out" on the road of learning, "Look at them as coaches and not mentors. Coaches will tell you what you don't want to hear." Debunks some myths about the selection process, including that the committee considers how a team previously performed in the Tourney - link
Georgia Tech FB season ticket sales are up 12% year over year & expected to reach 33,500, total would be the highest since 2009, all premium seating options are sold out, Florida State match-up in late October has been cleaned out & November game versus Georgia is well on its way to the same result, Deputy AD Daniels pegs renewal rates in the mid-90s, ready to implement fan experience upgrades once the season kicks - link
Even with rival Ohio State set to test alcohol sales at FB games, Michigan still isn't entertaining the idea, two officials from UM both noted there are "no discussions of this that we are aware of," former AD Brandon commented on this line of thinking before his departure & talked about the general liability involved, especially as it pertained to making sure only those over 21 were served - link
Rhode Island AD Bjorn has budgeted $90,000 to cover full cost of attendance awards for MBB & WBB student-athletes, right now if a perspective hooper was choosing between the Rams & Providence, playing in Kingston would result in $12,776 of additional monies over four years versus $7,200 with the Friars, PU implementing for MBB, WBB & Men's Hockey at an overall cost of $115,000, AD Driscoll wants to do it for all sports, but has to fundraise or find the money - link
Nebraska held a FB scrimmage yesterday for students, a tradition that wasn't executed the last two years, per Senior Assoc. AD for Marketing & Communications Witty it was new HC Riley's call, "He is big on engaging the entire Husker Nation, and this is a chance to engage the students," a handful of students comment on their excitement about the upcoming season & their access to the team yesterday - link
New Mexico State AD Moccia & team pressing hard to sell-out the Aggies FB home-opener against Georgia State, if season ticket number of 5,326 is reached again the department will still need to move another 7,765 to pack Aggie Memorial Stadium, 9,684 single game tix have already been sold, would mark the first sell-out since 2008, capacity is 29,319, "It's our job to get people excited...I felt that from our standpoint, we needed to to put a charge into the fan base." - link
I can only imagine the fun some of you will have with this one, VHS Camcorder app can now shoot videos that look and sound like they have been in storage 30 years. A real-time effect preview allows you to "age" the picture at an exact moment by dragging your finger around the screen or simply shaking the device. Let the creativity begin. - link
The Minnesota Star Tribune still pressing forward on implications of the Teague situation at Minnesota, wonders about the school's Title IX commitment in light of the incidents, NACWAA boss Phillips believes that anyone with documented sexual discrimination complaints & settlements should not be hired in a role of leadership in higher ed, FAR Leo issues caution on the top of settlements, "I don't think this is as uncommon as you think it is, suing for discrimination when you're let go" - link
Oregon State is one place where student FB attendance has not waned, 6,000 allotment is commonly exceeded on game day, Asst. AD for Sports Marketing Elcano notes the benefit of having an on-campus stadium, "It's huge. They walk by basically the main part of campus no matter what dorm they're in." Assoc. AD for Communications Fenk echos the importance of mobile network access, new FB HC Andersen plans to address the student section before the Beavers first game, more - link
Cincinnati AD Bohn expects the Bearcats FB season-opener in the newly renovated Nippert Stadium to sell-out, though tickets do still remain, season packages have surpassed 17,000, the highest mark since 2010, four high school games next weekend will give operations staff some dry runs, Bohn adds that some cosmetic touches may still be required after the first kick-off, "Our fans will see some things evolve over time" - link
Secrecy around FB practices is legit & CBSSports.com's Dodd reports on a situation at Oregon where Pac-12 Networks personnel, including analyst Conway, caught glimpses of the Ducks practice & led to local police being called to diffuse the situation, no comments all around, Dodd notes the sticky situation of it being the Pac-12 Networks job to promote the league & its FB programs - link
Pittsburgh FB HC Narduzzi details the lessons he learned from his late father & former Youngstown State AD & FB HC Bill, in the small world of college athletics Mark Mangino was a GA for the elder Narduzzi with the Penguins & said he never missed a day of work even after starting treatments for Hodgkin's lymphoma, another former YSU AC Thomas sees so many of the same ideals & beliefs in the younger Narduzzi who is nearly set for his inaugural season with the Panthers - link
More on the new deal between Adidas & the NHL, previous rights fee with Reebok reportedly worth $35m - this one expected to be double that. Big changes in store for design of the uniforms for each of the 30 NHL teams as Adidas will make an aggressive push to have uniforms more identifiable with the brand. Talk at team presidents meeting last year of allowing corporate sponsors to put logos on jersey fronts, estimated to increase revenue by $4m per team - link
