Renovating the O’Connell Center is just one step in UF athletic director Jeremy Foley’s master plan. Foley spoke at length about the detailed plan to upgrade the 35-year-old facility on Saturday, a plan that will reduce the arena’s seating by roughly 1,000 seats and essentially turn the building into a new facility without tearing down the existing structure. With the renovation underway in a limited fashion and set to begin in full in mid-March, the university will now look ahead at the next facilities to be upgraded. “We have a master plan that’s developed for us right now by an architectural firm,” Foley said. “We hope to have that master plan here in February that looks at not only our football facilities but every facility we have and what can be done, what kind of price tag are we talking about. “We’ll sit down and figure out what our priorities are.” Among those priorities are continued efforts in football as well as softball, the athletic director said, although he isn’t sure what that will look like specifically. But some sort of improvement to Katie Seashole Pressly Softball Stadium is definitely on the agenda. -Graham Hack, Alligator, Read More
Twenty-three senior-level athletics administrators, committed to becoming directors of athletics, have been selected by the NCAA leadership development team to participate in the 2016 NCAA Pathway Program, a yearlong experiential learning opportunity. For the senior-level athletics administrators who participate, the program provides an unprecedented opportunity to gain insight into every facet of an athletics department, preparing them to become well-rounded leaders who are equipped with the tools an effective athletics director needs. Each program participant is mentored by a current NCAA athletics director and a current university chancellor or president who have committed to helping the pathway participants grow during the program and after completing it. Fifteen pathway participants from Division I institutions will come together for the first time in Portland, Oregon, for three days. Eight pathway participants representing NCAA Divisions II and III will gather together for the first time at the 2016 NCAA Convention in San Antonio. -Kyle C. Leach, Read More
Commissioner Mike Aresco has announced the hiring of Bernadette Cafarelli, a 32-year veteran in collegiate athletics public relations, as the American Athletic Conference’s associate commissioner for communications. Cafarelli comes to The American after spending the last 22 years at the University of Notre Dame, most recently as assistant athletics director/media relations. “I am delighted to welcome Bernie as a member of our senior staff,” said Aresco. “She is extremely well-respected, not only by her colleagues at the institutional and conference levels, but also by national and local media. Her vast experience, perspective and expertise will greatly enhance our strategic communications efforts.” Cafarelli will begin her duties at the American Athletic Conference in mid-January. –Read More
Yale and sportswear giant Under Armour signed a long-term partnership that will outfit the athletic program for the next decade. The deal, expected to be announced Monday, is the first exclusive shoe, apparel and equipment contract in school history. Under Armour, which famously outfits Maryland and Notre Dame, recently overtook Adidas as the second-largest sports apparel company in the United States and was on track to earn $4 billion in net revenue for 2015. Word is it was anxious to crack into the Ivy League, and more specifically, Yale. Terms of the deal aren’t likely to be made public, but sources say it’s a 10-year contract is worth in the neighborhood of $16 million, making it higher in annual value than current Nike deals for Big 10 conference members Illinois and Rutgers. It’s a major coup for Yale, especially since a portion of the contract will be paid in cash to help boost the school’s annual operations budget. No official word yet, but expect more TV broadcasts, more big-name opponents in New Haven and, perhaps, Under Armour-sponsored hockey and basketball tournaments. -Chris Malafronte, New Haven Register, Read More
The University of Nevada is seeking a Manager of Athletic Facilities. The Manager of Athletic Facilities (Events Center Technician) will direct and participate in the setup and removal of furnishings, fixtures and equipment used for sporting events, ice shows, rodeos and concerts at an indoor arena. The primary responsibility is to assist the department with the setup and teardown of home athletic events, serve as the primary event manager for various sports, coordinate with outside vendors when items are needed or need to be addressed, work with Facilities Services when submitting work orders to ensure issues are being attended to and coordinating labor needs for projects. –Apply Now
Beginning this year, the University of Nebraska-Lincoln is uniting under a new Nebraska ‘N’. The new mark is an updated Iron ‘N’, made slightly taller to fit within a square pixel grid. Lonna Kliment, the director of licensing and branding for Nebraska Athletics, said the Iron ‘N’ was chosen because it was the most recognizable of the three designs. “From the academic side as well, it’s probably going to help them in recruiting students,” she said. “Not to say that the Academic ‘N’ wasn’t useful, but I think the Athletic ‘N’ was more known throughout the country.” Marcelo Plioplis, the creative director with University Communications who created the new icon, said another reason the Iron ‘N’ design was chosen because it’s been around the longest. “We wanted to keep the tradition of our Iron ‘N’ that has been around for a number of decades,” he said. “We have a lot of recognition within our wider audiences and alumni (with that mark).” This will be the first time in UNL’s history that there has been a single ‘N’. The main reasoning behind this shift to a single ‘N’ is to unite the university, according to Plioplis. -Bailey Schulz, The Daily Nebraskan, Read More
While no imminent changes are expected to the format of the College Football Playoff, two Power 5 commissioners agreed Sunday that there should eventually be further discussions about scheduling the semifinals on New Year’s Eve. “I think it’s something we do need to take a look at,” ACC commissioner John Swofford said Sunday morning at an informal news conference preceding the College Football National Championship Game presented by AT&T. “It’s an imperfect world in terms of our putting this together. What was decided on best met the objectives in the total picture of what was trying to be accomplished and what we were working with. There were some limitations as to what we were working with. Whether it will be adjusted down the road, I don’t think that’s imminent by any means, but at the same time we need to take a look at those things and the last thing you want to ever do is to … put your head in the sand and not acknowledge issues that might or can be corrected.” -Heather Dinich, ESPN, Read More
The Big 12’s future membership number and its ability to stage a football championship game could become clearer this week. Gradually, a picture has emerged of what a compromise might look like at the NCAA convention this week in San Antonio. SEC commissioner Greg Sankey said Sunday his conference will vote against proposals that would change the format of football championship games, but he did indicate a willingness to find a different way for the Big 12 to stage a championship game if it wants one. “Is there a way to allow a 10-team conference to play full round robin and play a championship game?” Sankey asked. “I think that’s worthy of a conversation, but it hasn’t been introduced for formal consideration at this point.” Big 12 commissioner Bob Bowlsby said the conference does not want to add members or be forced to play two divisions. If there’s any sort of compromise, “those two provisions would have to be considered,” Bowlsby said. The ACC and Big 12 long ago developed legislation that would basically allow conferences to determine how they stage championship games. A year ago, it looked like this legislation would easily pass. That’s no longer the case. The Big Ten submitted an amendment that would require conference title games to only be held between division winners. The current NCAA rule requires 12-team conferences with two divisions of at least six teams in round-robin play. The rule was created in 1987 so a 14-school conference in Division II, the Pennsylvania State Athletics Conference, could stage a championship game that would be exempt from the NCAA’s regular-season limit. -Jon Solomon, CBS Sports, Read More
Marquette University is seeking to hire an Assistant Athletic Director, Marketing & Fan Engagement. The Assistant Athletic Director, Marketing & Fan Engagement will develop and implement marketing, game operations and promotional plans to enhance the brand and revenue of Marquette Athletics. He/she is responsible for many external operations of the department; delivers, directs and implements the strategy plan for marketing, promotions, game management, community outreach, and student spirit groups. –Apply Now
The University of Iowa said Friday it will pay $15,000 to settle a lawsuit brought by a football player who was one of 13 Hawkeyes hospitalized with a serious muscle disorder following a high-intensity 2011 workout. A university lawyer notified court officials of the settlement with William Lowe ahead of a hearing Friday in his personal injury lawsuit. School spokeswoman Jeneane Beck said hours later the university will make the $15,000 settlement payment — a fraction of Lowe’s initial $200,000 claim — once a state panel signs off. Lowe’s lawsuit alleged that coaches and trainers failed to properly supervise the January 2011 workout and didn’t immediately offer medical care after he and others reported severe pain and symptoms. The former backup cornerback argued that his injuries were aggravated because he was required to participate in additional workouts in the following days. Lowe and 12 others were eventually hospitalized and diagnosed with exertional rhabdomyolysis, which is the result of muscles breaking down and releasing proteins into the bloodstream. It can cause kidney failure and even death. Now 26, the Cleveland native contended the program was negligent in “developing and implementing a dangerous improper training program” and should have to pay damages for his pain and suffering. Trial had been scheduled for later this month in Iowa City. -Ryan J. Foley, Associated Press, Read More
Southern Utah has found its replacement for Ed Lamb, a man the T’Birds’ former head football coach gave his vote of confidence for. The school announced Sunday that Demario Warren, who has been on the coaching staff for eight years and the past two as the T’Birds’ defensive coordinator, has been promoted to become the 12th head coach in program history. “He’s built this thing brick by brick with Ed Lamb. He has a very innate understanding of who we are, kind of that more with less mentality,” Southern Utah athletic director Jason Butikofer said of Warren in a phone interview with the Deseret News Sunday night. “Throughout the process, I knew from the onset that he was a young up-and-comer and he was well-respected amongst the team. Through this exhaustive national search that we went through, he proved that he can lead and he really built a lot of confidence with me with his vision for this program.” -Brandon Judd, Deseret News, Read More
ALFRED UNIVERSITY seeks applicants for graduate assistants in Football, M/W XC & Track and Field, Softball, and Game Day Operations. Graduate Assistants will assist head coach with working towards a master’s degree. Candidates must be accepted into the Graduate School at Alfred University. Master’s degree offerings, include MS in Education (Literacy), Master in Business Administration (MBS), MS in Engineering, and MSEd/CAS in Counseling. The position is a two year appointment and the university provides free tuition. Stipends may be available. Apply here
More than a quarter of all Division I colleges, 43 percent of all universities that play in the high-profile Football Bowl Subdivision and more than half the members of the Power Five conferences committed major violations of National Collegiate Athletic Association rules in the last decade, an Inside Higher Ed analysis shows. The NCAA’s Division I Committee on Infractions issued findings of major violations in 114 cases during the 10-year period from January 2006 through December 2015, according to a review of the association’s major infractions database. Of the 351 colleges and universities in Division I, 96 were found guilty of such infractions. Sixteen institutions were censured more than once, and two — the University of Oklahoma and West Virginia University — were punished three times each. The proportion of violators was significantly higher among the NCAA’s most-visible members, those who play in the Football Bowl Subdivision, and even higher among the universities in the highest-octane conferences, known as the Power Five. The association punished 56 of the current 128 FBS institutions during the 10-year span, including eight of the 10 members of the Big 12 Conference (yes, there are only 10 universities in the Big 12, and 14 in the Big Ten Conference, after the latest conference realignment) and at least half of the members of the American Athletic, Pac-12 and Southeastern Conferences. -Doug Lederman, Inside Higher ED, Read More
Coach Dave Rice and UNLV have parted ways, the school announced Sunday night. Rice, 47, went to the NCAA tournament in his first two seasons but did not make the postseason the past two. The move comes after the Rebels (9-7) lost five of six and started 0-3 in Mountain West play. According to a source, Rice was informed of his firing earlier Sunday. He met with the team at 5 p.m. PT to let the players know of his dismissal. “Earlier today, I met with Dave Rice, and after discussing the direction of our season, we mutually agreed that it was time for a change,” athletic director Tina Kunzer-Murphy said in a statement. “He will always be a cherished member of the Runnin’ Rebel family, and we are grateful for all he has done for this program. However, being winless in conference play and losing five of the last six games is simply not good enough for Runnin’ Rebel basketball.” UNLV assistant coach Todd Simon, in his third year on staff, will replace Rice on an interim basis. -Jeff Goodman and Andy Katz, ESPN, Read More
Penn State Harrisburg is seeking Coordinator of Athletic Programs 4 (Men’s Head Soccer Coach/Coordinator of Athletic Programs). This position is responsible for the oversight and operation of the NCAA Division III varsity intercollegiate soccer program, including all aspects of coaching, recruiting, budgeting, scheduling and managing the intercollegiate program within the policies, and principles of Penn State University and the NCAA. The Coach/Coordinator will be responsible for compliance with University policies, state laws, including those pertaining. This is a Fixed-Term appointment funded through December 31, 2016 with possibility of refunding. Apply here
Michigan coach Jim Harbaugh has another unique idea. U-M is attempting to hold a portion of its spring football practice in Florida at the IMG Academy, according to a person with knowledge of the plans but is not authorized to speak publicly. The news was first reported by TheWolverine.com. While a Michigan official was unable to comment at this time, the plan makes sense. IMG Academy is located in Bradenton, Fla. and has dorm-style rooms and small apartments available plus multiple football fields on its campus. There is also a common dining hall area for the team to eat if necessary. Harbaugh has made multiple trips to visit the campus during recruiting since coming to Michigan, including a trip during Michigan’s football bye week last October. Michigan is in the enviable position of having a large football budget (over $64 million surplus for the 2013-14 fiscal year) so the resources would not be a problem. The issues would be the location and the amount of practice time. The NCAA spring practice rules (bylaw 17.10.6.4) govern how often a team can practice (15 times) and the span (34 calendar days not counting schools vacations) and how much contact there can be (only in 12 of the 15 practices). There is nothing noted about the location. -Mark Snyder, Detroit Free Press, Read More
University of Minnesota seeks an Associate/Senior Associate Athletics Director. The associate/senior associate athletics director will serve as a member of the leadership team for the Department of Athletics. This position will work to advance the mission, vision and values of the department. This position is responsible for providing strategic oversight and leadership support with goal setting, personnel and performance management and budget planning and monitoring for the select department administrative support units; serves as the sport administrator for assigned sport programs; develops strategies and initiatives to promote the value of diversity and equity in a broad-based intercollegiate athletics program; plans and executes initiatives and special projects directed by the athletics director. Apply here
University of Nevada is seeking Manager of Athletic Facilities. Manager of Athletic Facilities (Events Center Technician) will direct and participate in the setup and removal of furnishings, fixtures and equipment used for sporting events, ice shows, rodeos and concerts at an indoor arena. The primary responsibility is to assist the department with the setup and teardown of home athletic events, serve as the primary event manager for various sports, coordinate with outside vendors when items are needed or need to be addressed, work with Facilities Services when submitting work orders to ensure issues are being attended to and coordinating labor needs for projects. Apply here
The University of Indianapolis seeks applicants for an Athletics Business Manager in the Athletic Department. This is a full-time exempt staff position.The Athletics Business Manager is responsible for all athletics business and personnel functions. This position will serve as a liaison between the Athletics Department and the UIndy Accounting office as well as the Business Department and Human Resources. The office manager is responsible for reconciling credit cards summaries, reconciling all financial tracking spreadsheets with UIndy’s accounting system (Banner), and conducting financial tracking of the Greyhound Club. The manager will prepare financial reports to the Vice President for Intercollegiate Athletics as needed. This position is responsible for the processing of check requests (guarantees, officials, team travel, and invoices) purchase orders, budget transfers, and deposits. Apply here
Appalachian State University is seeking Director of Annual Giving for Athletics. The Director of Annual Giving for Athletics will be responsible for the annual solicitation of Yosef Club donors and prospects to grow financial support for Appalachian State athletics. The primary focus will be the management, planning and implementation of a donor centric annual fundraising operation that consists of direct mail, ticket and parking coordination, marketing, direct face to face solicitations and stewardship/benefit allocation. This position works closely with athletic development staff, ticket office and coaches. Apply here
Texas A&M University is seeking an Assistant Athletics Director for Marketing. The Assistant Athletics Director for Marketing is responsible to lead, direct, and supervise the Texas A&M Athletics Marketing staff in developing marketing plans and initiatives for the Texas &M Athletics Department and each of its 20 sports programs. Maximize department branding, support and affinity through strategic communication, event attendance and special initiatives. Preferred Education and Experience include Master’s degree and three years of athletics administration experience with three years of athletics/event marketing experience. Apply here
Malone University Head Football Coach Eric Hehman has resigned to accept the head coach position at Olivet Nazarene University. Hehman had served as the Pioneers’ head coach for the past six seasons, guiding the football program during Malone’s transition to NCAA Division II membership. Malone University Director of Athletics Charlie Grimes has announced that longtime Walsh University defensive coordinator and veteran Stark County coach Fred Thomas has been appointed head coach of the Pioneers. In addition to his 16 seasons at Walsh, Thomas’ extensive coaching resume also includes time as the defensive coordinator at Youngstown State University and as the head coach at Girard, Alliance, and GlenOak High Schools. Thomas was a member of the Malone coaching staff during the 2015 season, serving as a defensive assistant. Read More
Concord University head coach Garin Justice is the new offensive line coach for Florida Atlantic coach Charlie Partridge, according to a source. Justice later updated his Twitter bio to confirm the news and tweeted a message of support to his former players. Justice became Concord’s offensive line coach and strength & conditioning coordinator in 2009 and was promoted to head coach two years later. He had a 40–17 record in his five seasons at the NCAA Division II school located in Athens, W.Va. – Thayer Evans. SI.com. Read More.
Syracuse University head football coach Dino Babers will be bringing along his strength and conditioning staff from his time at Bowling Green State University. The outgoing football strength and conditioning coach, Will Hicks, will be remaining at Syracuse to head the school’s Olympic sports teams. Sean Edinger will be the new assistant athletic director for athletic performance at Syracuse. – CSCS. Read More.
A former member of the USA Men’s National Fastpitch Softball Team and gold medalist at the 2002 Pam Am qualifier, Kerry Shaw is the new University of Mary softball head coach. Shaw joins the Marauders after spending last season as an assistant coach at NCAA Division I Southeast Missouri State University. Shaw has extensive experience coaching both softball and baseball and enjoyed a successful collegiate baseball career followed by a three-year stint in the minor leagues. – Jon Montoya, Northern Sun. Read More.
St. John’s University invites applications for a Graduate Assistant position in Athletics Sports Performance Department. This position is for the 2016 Academic Year and begins at the start of the Fall 2016 semester. Apply here.
Debbie Harmison White, senior associate athletic director for external relations at Old Dominion University, will retire in June after 36 years in the ODU athletic department, as announced today by Director of Athletics Dr. Wood Selig.White joined the staff at ODU in 1979 as the assistant sports information director, and was promoted to sports information director the following year, playing a key role in the national exposure that both the men’s and women’s basketball programs enjoyed in the early 1980’s. – ODUSports. Read More.
Athletic Director Juan Mascaro has named Randy Thompson the next Head Coach of Brevard College’s track program. Thompson began his coaching career at North Gaston High School and later moved to Ashbrook High School, where he worked with both the track and field and football programs. He joined Brevard’s football coaching staff in 2014 after stints at Greensboro College and fellow South Atlantic Conference member Lenoir-Rhyne. Thompson graduated from Western Carolina in 2004 after a career as a dual-sport athlete, spending a year on the track and field team competing in the 100- and 200-meter dashes.
University of Texas officials might feel a bit of a buzz after selling more than $1.8 million during the school’s first year offering alcoholic beverages at Longhorn football games. More than half of the total came from sales of light beer. -Benjamin Wermund, Houston Chronicle, Read More
Best known as a Rutgers two-time interim athletics director and former dean of Rutgers College for 13 years, Carl Kirschner is no longer the Chair of the Academic Oversight Committee for Intercollegiate Athletics, according to multiple sources. Kirschner, a professor of Spanish at Rutgers since 1976 and a longtime supporter of Rutgers athletics, held the committee chair position since 1997. The committee reviews the applications of prospective student-athletes and monitors their academic progress. The move appears to be more fallout from an abnormal year at the intersection of academics and athletics. It is believed that Kirschner will remain with the university in some capacities, but Rutgers officials did not immediately respond to a request for comment. -Ryan Dunleavy, Asbury Park Press, Read More
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