D2.ticker - Weekend Wrap-up from September 9-11, 2016

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We unknowingly teased this on Friday, but the Colorado-Colorado Springs Board of Regents gave approval to build a new baseball stadium, as well as an indoor T&F facility. The two facilities are expected to cost $12M ($7M for T&F and $5M for baseball), with a goal of completion at the beginning of 2018. Chancellor Shockley-Zalabak wrote, prior to the board's deliberations: "The continued vitality of the athletics program at UCCS hinges, in part, on the completion of these facilities. There will be a positive impact on student recruitment and retention if this project is approved. It has been shown through the success of teams using the Gallogly Events Center that support of an engaged program can lead to significant success.” AD Gibson echoes the the recruiting sentiment and notes that "we have already received strong interest from individuals and businesses who are ready to take part in this project." - link

West Florida FB won its first-ever home game in front of a sold out crowd of 6,288. UWF Prez Bense reflects on the path to bringing the FB dream to financial reality, which included the state Legislature denying the school's request to bond the student facility fee and to increase the athletic fee. VP for University Advancement Kelly indicates that the Student Government Association voting to increase the percentage of the athletic fee, as well as getting the ability to play at Blue Wahoos Stadium, allowed UWF to save money "to accommodate startup," while AD Scott notes the budget has grown from a few hundred thousand dollars to about $1.5M this year. A 25,000-seat, on-campus facility and seven parking garages are part of the school's 10-year master plan, although Kelly admits "that’s not in the cards. At least not in the foreseeable future." However, the recent $1M naming rights donation from Pen Air is an early step toward building a stadium around an already existing turf field. Much could also depend on UWF's ability to turn itself into an "emerging preeminent university," in order to maximize funding from the state. As part of that vision, some connected to UWF have expressed pie-in-the-sky FBS (DI) dreams, but Scott brushes those off for the time being: "For us right now, being a large player in Division II puts athletics where it needs to be financially and it’s affordable for our university. If we double our size and become much larger maybe it becomes a different conversation, but where we are now, I think athletics is in the right position for the institution." - link

Prior to its inaugural home game, West Florida held its first “Argo Walk,” with student-athletes engaging with fans on their way into the stadium. UWF Asst AD Berg: "It's a way for people to see the student-athletes without the equipment on and see their face and build the connection so it's kind of cool. Obviously a lot of schools do it and we took a look at how that's done. A lot of planning went into this. We tried to put it on a timeline for fans in tailgating areas, so they knew it was time to walk over the Argo Walk. A lot went into this to make sure it works properly." Berg also expresses positivity about such tailgating that started around the stadium early Saturday morning: "This has never happened before in Pensacola/ And this was just our first game. We will build on it from here." - link

Following the completion of the inaugural D2 West Region Volleyball Showcase, GNAC Commish Haglund called the three-conference extravaganza, which featured 76 non-conference matchups over three days, a "resounding success." On the event's scale and reach: "While I could be mistaken, I find it hard to believe there could be another regular season event in DII that has featured every institution in a region AND equaled or exceeded the number of 38 participating teams. If wrong, I'm happy to be corrected -- because regional events on this type of scale epitomize the competitive philosophy of DII." And more on the event's impact: "By coming together and making the Showcase a reality, the GNAC, PacWest and CCAA served each of their members well by providing a structured format and an all-inclusive event. It ultimately will yield more meaningful data when the time comes to select the five at-large teams from our region to the NCAA tournament field." - link

In recent broadcast announcements:
+ Minnesota State Moorehead has renewed its TV agreement with WDAY for 2016-2017 to provide all home FB and hoops conference games live, plus a monthly DragonsLIVE show. - link
+ St. Cloud State introduces a new, weekly live-streamed talk show that will feature various coaches and S-As. - link

Concordia-St. Paul announces Fandrei Center Football Locker Project, which allows alumni to sponsor a locker for $1,500, which 21 alumni have already signed on to do (either in lump-sum, three annual installments, or monthly payments over three years). HC Currier: "It will allow us to continue to make upgrades to our locker room facility including new showers and carpeting for the expanded area where we'll add 16 lockers in the same new style we upgraded to last year. It allows us to continue to recognize our former players in a way that connects them to the player that wears their number today." - link

Outsports.com reports that Shippensburg T&F student-athlete Davies is one of at least 50 current S-As who have publicly identified as LGBT. The latter number represents a 35% increase from the previous school year. - link

Digital media updates:
+ Slippery Rock has teamed up with SIDEARM Sports to make its website more responsive and mobile friendly. - link
+ Valdosta State launched a new online store, allowing for easier access and mobility, while also improving the line of apparel, ranging from drinkware and duffle bags to customizable jerseys. - link

Oklahoma Panhandle State upset Arkansas-Pine Bluff (DI) for the Aggies' first win against an DI opponent in school history. While OPSU lead by four at the half, the Aggies were down 16-7 heading into the fourth quarter before scoring 13 unanswered points and stalling a final UAPB drive to win 20-16. OPSU HC Gaskamp: "It's a historic win for the program and I hope we can ride the momentum into next week's game against a good Western New Mexico team." - link

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Returning from its Labor Day weekend hiatus, Small College Athletics #scachat on Twitter discusses strategies for administering multiple events in a given day/week, SID priorities on a Fall Saturday when 4-5 home/road contests may be ongoing, use and compensation of interns, GAs & students in admin capacities, heat of the moment issues faced when hosting events, which athletics ops staff "knows how everything works," non-varsity events hosted at athletic facilities, and prioritization of scheduling in main arena. - link

DII student-athletes set a few NCAA records over the weekend:
+ Newman VB set a couple records in its 3-2 victory over Black Hills State. The schools combined for the highest scoring set in DII since the move to the 25-point game in 2008, with 76 combined points in the fourth set, which the Jets won. The Jets also set the NCAA record for all divisions by scoring 131 points over the five-set match. - link
+ Missouri-St. Louis MGOLF S-A Lindberg tied the collegiate record for lowest score in history with an 11-under 60. Lindberg is the 10th collegiate golfer in history to shoot a 60. - link

On the flip side, defending national champ Pfeiffer MSOC's pursuit of the all-time DII winning streak came to an end with a 2-1 loss to highly-regarded Lynn. The Falcons were six wins shy of the all-time record and this was the team's first loss since November, 2014. Pfeiffer HC Reasso on the result and the opponent: "We have to tip our hats to Lynn, they are a great team. We will take our 'L' like men and move on. It's been a great run and now it's time to go on another one. ...We wanted to test ourselves with strong opponents and we played two of the best teams in the country on any level. To come away with a win over Palm Beach Atlantic and a 2-1 road loss to the number four team in the nation is encouraging." - link

Recently released facility pics include:
+ Ashland unveils its new tennis complex, which is now open to the public. - link
+ Mary cut the ribbon on a new all-female residence hall (video included). - link

West Alabama FB student-athlete Grammer had a unique path that led him to Livingston. He began his collegiate career at Middle Tennessee State (DI) where he broke 15 program records. After losing the starting job prior to his junior campaign, Grammer offered to play special teams before spending a year as a skill position player, but ultimately decided to transfer to be able to play QB again. Growing up not far from UWA, the decision made sense. “UWA has always had a place in my heart. ...I was aware of their success and athletic culture from a young age. My grandparents also live down the road on the water, and the rest of my family is just 60 miles away in Tuscaloosa, so it made the transition a lot smoother for me and I have absolutely loved it.” For the senior who would like to get into coaching, his goals are clear, “Have fun and pay it forward…. I want to pay it forward to these guys and come back every year and see them take that next step…. The only stat I care about, and the team cares about, is wins.” - link

Point Loma MSOC S-A Velazquez pens a "Letter to My Freshman Self," in which he outlines four simple messages: be bold, be selfless, worry less, and "make space for fun times with good friends." Throughout the letter, he harps on the significance that religion has on his life and his plan: "Trust in God and the abilities He has gifted you with; you're here for a reason, so enjoy it. ...Push yourself as far as you can in both the classroom and on the pitch, but when the day's work is done, rest and thank God because even the hardest work is rewarded with the understanding that you gave it your all, you didn't give up, and, ultimately, you improved." - link

The National Association of Collegiate eSports officially launched on Wednesday. The association has expanded to 20 institutions for this academic year, including Maryville, who was a founding member, and Southwest Baptist. Pikeville (NAIA) HC VanHoose “The association is providing a legitimate structure for varsity programs to grow and compete in the eSports ecosystem.” As the NAC eSports is looking to expand, the qualifications for membership are that the institutions must be fully accredited by an authorized accrediting agency and officially endorsed by the school that they represent. And while some institutions offer "eSports specific scholarships," the financial aid is dependent on each specific institution. As the market for eSports grows, the NAC eSports will host its inaugural invitational this upcoming spring, with a full regular season and postseason schedule in the 2017-2018 academic year. - link

Presidents and chancellors in the news:
+ New Southern Connecticut State Prez Bertolino outlines the challenges his institution faces, as he seeks to improve enrollment numbers, make SCSU more accessible via online and flexible scheduling, and raise the overall profile of the university to help highlight its strengths. - link
+ Dallas Baptist inaugurated Prez Wright, the sixth president of DBU. - link

In general academia news:
+ Philadelphia U. and Thomas Jefferson (n/a) have signed a combination agreement that is expected to be complete in 2017. The integration will create Philadelphia's fifth-largest university, with a leading health sciences university and a university that excels with design, architecture, textiles, and business. - link
+ Southwestern Oklahoma State enrollment increased 4.1% from last fall, bringing total enrollment in Weatherford to 5,040. - link
+ North Alabama's Board of Trustees will vote later this week on changes to the university bylaws including: the separation fo the university and the UNA Foundation; the appointment of the UNA Prez and finance officer as the only staff members present on the board of the foundation; the establishment of a set number of board members, and the ability to change that number with a "two-thirds vote of approval of the board." - link
+ Azusa Pacific checks in tied for 13th nationally among medium-sized schools (3,000-9,999 enrollment) on Teach For America's list for most alumni joining its 2016 corps of teachers. APU is the only DII on any of the large/medium/small lists. - link

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(Posted from most recent over the last 30 days)

Director of Athletic Communications (Kentucky Wesleyan College / Owensboro, KY): Responsible for promoting the athletic department externally via the website, social media, traditional media, and other channels. Oversees statistical operations for all 17 varsity sports. More details HERE.

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.

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.

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