D2.ticker - News from Wednesday, August 24 & Thursday, August 25, 2016

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Lots from Dixie State AD Boothe, who says St. George is starting to look like a "university town" with local businesses visibly declaring their support for DSU. On the issue of stadium renovation, Boothe says that he expects to be "turning dirt" on after January 1, with the first phase of construction being the renovation of the track, turf and extra seating. Regarding conference affiliation and a possible move to the RMAC, Boothe notes DSU is operating from a position of strength: "We're in the driver's seat...We're wanted -- big time." Boothe adds that there is no obvious choice for what's best for DSU long-term, and that campus leadershp is currently weighing pros and cons. Finally, Boothe addresses the "uphill battle" of getting more students to games, identifying one particularly challenging factor as a dearth of students who live on campus. In response, Boothe says the school has developed an app which rewards student engagement and rebranded the D Club as the Stampede, which is now run through the student government. "If we could get a couple hundred kids there a night, that would make a huge difference." - link

Kentucky Wesleyan AD Mallory talks about changes within the department over the summer, including a new website currently being developed, a new annual fund for alumni and donors, and a new school-wide logo to be unveiled today. All of this, Mallory says, will help build the KWU brand and improve engagement with the community. "We may not have all the bells and whistles and all of the resources that others do, but what we can really excel at is providing that holistic scholar-athlete experience." The next question, he says is: "How do we engage more people? How do we get more people in the stands? Whatever we can do to create those opportunities, that's what we have to do. We're here to provide our student-athletes the best opportunities possible while they're in college...We're trying a lot of new things and going down roads we haven't been before. Change can be scary, but it's also exciting. We're excited about the direction we're headed." - link

The union representing professors and coaches of the Pennsylvania State System of Higher Ed yesterday authorized a strike on all 14 campuses. Professors and coaches have been working without a contract since June 30, 2015, and both sides began two days of collective bargaining negotiations yesterday. Union Prez Mash: "Our faculty and coaches clearly feel that the State System has not negotiated fairly; they are more interested in playing games than negotiating seriously. It is completely unfair to our students for the State System to continue to drag this process out. Eventually, there will be a contract. We don't know what the State System gains by continually creating distractions." Classes will begin as scheduled Monday, as union officials say the steps remaining in order for a strike to occur will not be completed before the fall semester. - link

The NCAA DII Committee on Infractions determined a former Lenoir-Rhyne MBB HC violated NCAA conduct by committing recruiting violations, failing to provide an atmosphere for compliance and not participating in an interview during the investigation process. In addition, the NCAA has determined that a former LRU MBB AC violated ethical conduct rules by instructing a student-athlete to provide misleading information and by not cooperating with the investigation. Penalties for the infractions include: public reprimand and censure, one year of probation (which began yesterday) and a three-year show-cause (ending August 25, 2019) for both coaches. - link

The Arkansas Tech Board of Trustees has given the university permission to pursue legal action against the NCAA, which has denied a series of appeals filed by the school in an effort to save 205 hoops victories. At issue is roughly $14K in housing benefits given to student-athletes in FB, hoops, volleyball, baseball and golf. - link

At an introductory press conference, Wingate VP/AD Poston explains why he selected new MLAX HC Boyle: "We feel like our lacrosse program is at a point where we can attract candidates who have had prior experience as a head coach...We were looking for a winner. ...We wanted somebody who can take our men's lacrosse program to the next level. This next level for us is beyond winning the SAC Championship, but also into the NCAA Tournament. We want to be able to contend for a national title." - link

In admin news:
+ Concordia (OR) names the MLS' Portland Timbers Media Relations Manager Simons, who has sports info experience at Saint Martin's and Colorado Mines, as asst AD for communications. - link
+ Cal State Dominguez Hills promotes Asst AD for Media Relations Miranda to asst AD for external relations and Asst SID Hoskin to director of athletic communications. - link

Texas A&M International announces an agreement Aramark, effective September 8, which will provide fans the opportunity to take advantage of special offers following home events this season. In addition, fans sporting TAMIU gear one hour before any home game will receive $1 off at Aramark dining locations. - link

Henderson State FB athletic trainer Redding pens an article for outsports.com detailing his decision to reveal that he is gay and the support he's received from team since coming out. He recalls the moments leading up to telling HC Maxfield: "I remember it taking a lap or two around the track to work myself up to it. After I blurted out the words, Scott had a question: 'Why didn't you tell me sooner?'" [...] "Aside from him being disappointed that I had waited so long to tell him, the rest of my coming-out conversation with him was great. I came out to his wife that evening and received much the same response. They are great people and some of my best friends." Redding also calls AD Jones the "best boss in the world. Our conversation was long and reaching, with him giving me nothing but support." Full story. - link

PennLive.com chronicles the circuitous route of three former DI wrestling student-athletes, all of whom have found a home at Lock Haven. All three were decorated wrestlers -- two were four-time state champions -- coming out of high school in Pennsylvania, but their respective first stops at Ohio State, Oklahoma State and West Virginia were beset by adversity, either on or off the mat. The result has been a "domino effect" which has left LHU with three championship-caliber wrestlers. HC Moore: "It's kind of like managing a professional sports team when you get guys like that in your program. You don't want to put a whole lot of pressure on these guys. This is really just the beginning. It's not the end-all. It's not a guaranteed top-15, top-10 finish. All it is, we have the potential in the room. We have talent. We have attention. Our donors, our supporters, we have their attention. It's just creating a buzz about the program." - link

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Illinois Springfield announces the "Stars Around Town" community engagement initiative, wherein student-athletes from T&F/XC, MSOC, WSOC and VB will visit local business and drop off schedules and posters. UIS says the initiative is meant to provide student-athletes with a way to give back to the community which supports them. - link

The GNAC announces Pacific Office Automation as a new corporate sponsor. The five-year agreement makes Pacific Office Automation the conference's Official Office Management Solution Company. GNAC Commish Haglund: "Aligning with a regional company known for its state-of-the-art technology and award-winning customer service is a perfect fit for the Great Northwest Athletic Conference and its nearly 2,000 student-athletes." Pacific Office Automation will also provide official programs for GNAC championship events and receive visibility on the conference website and in-game branding at conference championships. - link

The MIAA announces Pittcraft Printing as a new corporate sponsor. The deal makes Pittcraft the "Official Printing Company of the MIAA." Commish Boerigter: "It is our belief that the many products and services (beyond printing) that Pittcraft can provide for our member institutions will be a tremendous benefit to their operations." - link

Northwood MBB will take on Michigan State in an exhibition game October 27 in East Lansing. This will be the second time the two schools have faced off, with MSU having defeated Northwood in 2009. Northwood has also scheduled an exhibition game against Calvin for November 5. - link

In Olympic sport coaching movement:
+ Midwestern State names Ryal HC for SFTBL. Ryal, who served as AC last year, will hold the position on an interim basis this spring. - link
+ USciences names Padula HC for SFTBL. Padula comes from West Chester, where she worked as an AC last season. - link
+ Maryville names Southeast Missouri AC Decker its new SFTBL HC. - link
+ Sioux Falls names Vosler HC for women's golf. Vosler most recently served as AS for the women's team at Colorado-Colorado Springs. - link
+ St. Augustine's names Wilson as VB HC and Neal as SFTBL HC. Wilson previously served as AC at SAU from 2003-2011; Neal currently serves as SAU's bowling HC and SWA. - link

Digital media updates:
+ Winona State, in an effort to maximize visibility on Twitter, has changed its handle from @WSUWarriors to @WinonaStateATH. - link
+ Queens (NC) and SIDEARM Sports have partnered to develop the school's new athletics website. - link
+ Merrimack unveils its new Warrior fan rewards app - link
+ Carson-Newman officially opens its online store. - link

Presidents and chancellors in the news:
+ Maryville Prez Lomardi pledges $500K for multicultural scholarships. - link
+ Cal State Monterrey Bay Prez Ochoa gives an interview in which he discusses his desire for CSUMB to be a catalyst for the local economy. - link

Enrollment announcements:
+ West Florida announces a record enrollment of over 13,000 for the fall semester. - link
+ Maryville freshman enrollment is up a record 38.6% for the fall semester. - link
+ Colorado Christian also announces record enrollment by welcoming its largest freshmen class in history at 470. - link
+ Drury reports a 40% year-over-year increase in new student enrollment, welcoming 500 new students to campus for the fall semester. - link
+ Converse adds 300 new students for the fall semester, its largest class in 27 years. - link

In other genera academia news:
+ California State names Minor senior strategist for academic success and inclusiveness, effective September 1. Minor currently works for the DOE's office of postsecondary education. - link
+ Seton Hill receives a $500K grant from the Richard King Mellon Foundation to better prepare students for highly skilled jobs of the future in SW Pennsylvania. - link
+ UC San Diego ranks 14th, well ahead of system peers UC Berkeley and UCLA, in a global university ranking compiled by Shanghai Ranking Consultancy in China. - link
+ Augusta officially unveils its two new residence facilities, Oak Hall and Elm Hall. - link
+ Virginia-Wise opens its new $37M library, which was funded by the state. - link
+ Ashland announces the discontinuation of its tagline "Where Extraordinary Happens on Ordinary Days." Prez Campo says leadership felt it sounded "a little too corporate." - link

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(Posted from most recent over the last 30 days)

Director of Strategic Communications (Pennsylvania State Athletic Conference / Lock Haven, PA): Eighteen-member NCAA Division II athletic conference seeks director to oversee all aspects of Conference operations with special emphasis on public relations/athletic communications activities. More HERE.

Associate Athletics Director - Strategic Engagement (Texas A&M University-Commerce / Commerce, TX): The Associate Athletics Director – Strategic Engagement is responsible for leading and managing the revenue generating units, including Lion Sports Properties, ticket sales/service, and marketing. More HERE.

Assistant Athletics Director - Compliance (Texas A&M University-Commerce / Commerce, TX): The Assistant Athletics Director for Compliance directly manages NCAA compliance. Position is also responsible for managing rules education for student-athletes, coaches and administrators. More HERE.

Director of Athletics (CETYS Universidad / Mexicali, Baja California, México): Dir.of Athletics will guide the development and implementation of a comprehensive intercollegiate athletics program for CETYS capable of competing as a member of NCAA DII. Must be fluent in Spa & Eng. More HERE.

Assistant Athletic Director for External Affairs (University of Arkansas at Monticello / Monticello, AR): Responsible for achieving the annual fundraising goals through efficient and effective leadership and management of annual programs and corporate sales. More HERE.

Assistant Compliance & Game Day Operations (University of Montevallo / Montevallo, AL): The purpose of this position is to assist in the daily operations of the department’s compliance program and to assist in management and coordination of all game day operations. More HERE.

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