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Top 10 Most Read is released every Friday afternoon, allowing you to compare the most read stories over the past seven days to your own interest list. Feedback, as always, is welcome to Matt@D1ticker.com.
#10: On Thursday, Minnesota FB HC Fleck pushed a video via social media of two recent Gophers camps that featured what the experience is like & included prospective student-athletes in the footage. While normally, "Institutions are not allowed to post videos of prospective student athletes for recruiting purposes," in this situation, Fleck "is using the video as an advertisement for Minnesota's camps, which is allowed per NCAA rules." It looks like Fleck & his team are in the clear with the loophole after a number of programs reportedly turned in the situation. (link)
#9: Rise & repeat on reporters who take issue with search firms. This time it's the Akron Beacon Journal's Dyer on the $60K Akron AD Williams paid to DHR for assistance in the process that led to new MBB HC Groce. Dyer believes Groce was an obvious choice & wonders if the vetting process could have been completed by a Google search. Notes additional interest in the gig, including a letter from NBA star James to Williams & university Prez Wilson advocating for the HC at his alma mater, St. Vincent-St. Mary HC Joyce, to take over the Zips program. (link)
#8:Purdue is conducting interviews for a new Deputy AD, according to the Journal & Courier, which reports that Southern Utah AD Butikofer and Oregon Senior Assoc. AD for Marketing and Public Relations Pintens were in West Lafayette for interviews last week. Boilermakers AD Bobinski says the position will have oversight of external operations, including marketing, communication and licensing. "They will function as a chief operation person when I'm not here, which happens a lot. They would be next in command and empowered to make decisions across the whole organization. It's going to keep things moving so it doesn't bog down when I happen to be somewhere else." Bobinski does not commit to a hiring timeline, only to say it will be done this summer. (link)
#7: Tailgate Guys continues to roll with the addition of an Atlantic Region, so far comprised of Virginia Tech & Wake Forest, to be joined by "at least one more additional University partnership in the area this fall." Winston-Salem will serve as the home office for the new region. Deacs AD Wellman calls Tailgate Guys "best in class." (link)
#6: Detailed read on the new College Athletic Protection Agreement, which, per CBS Sports' Dodd "would make negotiable such items as medical treatment/insurance beyond an athlete's eligibility and an automatic release from a scholarship should a player want to transfer." The CAP Agreement can be used in place of the NLI, includes an "all-encompassing" transfer release in the event the student-athlete decides to move on, plus clauses that project scholarship monies due to athletic performance. National College Players Association boss Huma with a number of supporting comments, AFCA Executive Director Berry wants to learn more. (link); Here's the full CAP Guarantee document. (link)
#5: The Chattanooga Times Free Press' Henley suggests eight leaders who could be the next UT Chattanooga AD: 1) Interim AD Altizer; 2) Senior Assoc. AD/SWA Herron; 3) Senior Assoc. AD for Communications & Innovation Blackman; 4) Senior Assoc. AD for External Operations Horton; 5) Former Tennessee FB HC Fulmer; 6) Georgia Tech Assoc. AD for Administration & Finance Lewis; 7) North Texas Executive Sr. Assoc. AD Peck; and, 8) SMU Senior Assoc. AD/COO White. (link)
#4: Chattanooga Times Free Press' Wiedmer argues the new AD for UT Chattanooga needs to have a strong marketing skill set, "...find someone who has previously worked in college athletics but possibly also in minor league baseball marketing. Find someone who knows how to make a Saturday afternoon or evening at Finley Stadium more appealing to young families than it apparently is now. Find someone who wants to be upwardly mobile but not to the point he forgets to pour all his energy into this job if considering a new one." Wiedmer also says, "spend some money to make more money and generate more interest from all the folks in this town who have pretty much shown no interest in UTC athletics in the past." Fundraising looks to be another key area of need as a $18.5M campaign push for new facilities is still $7M to $8M short of goal. (link)
#3: The College Football Playoff hires Texas Executive Senior Assoc. AD/CFO Marmion as its new Chief Financial Officer. CFP boss Hancock: "Dave is a wonderful person with the highest integrity. He will fit very well with our team because of his experience, intellect and work ethic. He is a national leader among financial officers in college athletics. We are delighted to have him." Marmion: "I am thrilled to join the College Football Playoff. To be able to work with industry leaders like Bill Hancock and (chief operating officer) Michael Kelly, as well as their fantastic staff, is such an incredible opportunity. As I went through the process, it was the people at the CFP that made this a position I couldn’t pass up. I can’t wait to start working with them and put on a first-class championship in Atlanta." (link)
#2: Learfield announces the acquisition of Spectra's Ticketing and Fan Engagement division, formerly known as Paciolan, from Comcast Spectacor. Learfield CEO Brown says the company has "long admired" Paciolan. "Not only is it a great service with a number of segment-leading products, the reputation of its people, beginning with its founders and current management, is without peer. We couldn’t be happier and look forward to having Paciolan as part of the Learfield family." Paciolan's leadership structure - specifically Founder Kleinberger, CEO Butler & Prez Damron - will remain in place. As part of the deal, the Paciolan brand will be front & center once again. Terms of the acquisition, which will be finalized in roughly a month, have not been disclosed. (link)
#1: UT Chattanooga AD Blackburn: "The time has come for me to resign as Vice Chancellor and Director of Athletics. I love UTC and the city of Chattanooga. I'm grateful for the time allowed to serve this great school and city." Senior Assoc. AD for Internal Operations Altizer named interim. Chattanooga Times Free Press' Henley: "According to a source, Blackburn's resignation is not discipline-related, but will still serve as a major blow to an athletic department that experienced lots of success during his four-year tenure." (link)
