Edition #1796
September 14, 2026
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Menlo’s waiver to advance to active DII membership has been approved by the DII Management Council Subcommittee. The decision comes after the Membership Committee advanced the Oaks to a third year of the provisional membership process earlier this summer. AD Keith Spataro: “This is an extraordinary moment for Menlo College. The process from application to full membership was challenging, which makes today even more meaningful. We believed Menlo belonged in NCAA Division II, we believed in what our institution has built, and we stayed committed to seeing this through. … We have spent the last several years talking about where Menlo Athletics was going. Today, we do not have to talk about where we are going anymore. We're here. We're NCAA Division II. Now we get to see what we can do with it.” (link, link)
Mansfield AD Andrew Petko sat down with College.town’s Anthony Grassi at the 2026 NACDA Convention to discuss his first year leading the Mounties. D2.takeaways…
➤ On the opportunities he saw for athletics when interviewing for the role: “There's so much untapped potential. The one thing that was really intriguing to me, and I even understand it more, is that the people that are there really love Mansfield. They want Mansfield to be successful. That's what the unique charm is for the campus itself. The low-hanging fruit was just sponsorship and getting game attendance up, getting people really engaged in the community and coming out to games. We saw a really big increase in our attendance and basketball, which was one of my first goals. That was one of the first sports I really wanted to attack and make sure that we were successful in off the court and have a presence in the community.”
➤ The Mounties saw significant growth in year one, with sponsorship revenue and giving day totals up over 60% and 90%, respectively, and basketball attendance increasing over 20%. Petko on the biggest source of new fans: “Boots on the ground, going door to door. When you're trying to get a cup of coffee, go locally. … Then, just encouraging people to come and making sure we're advertising in the right places and using our social media wisely and just encouraging people to come, inviting them to come. A lot of people were never invited to come, so that was one of the first things, started inviting people to come.”
➤ On short-term and long-term facility needs: “Fresh paint goes a long way. So just enhancing our strength and conditioning room, just painting it, makes a world of a difference. … Just simple upgrades; paint really goes a long way all through our facilities, just doing a freshening up. Then long-term, we have some real big needs. Our field turf is really important. Our track. Turfing our baseball field. Our baseball team didn't even practice out in our field until about midway through our season.” (link)
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In a virtual news conference conducted today by those opposing passage of the Protect College Sports Act, Sen. Chris Murphy (D-CT) continued to take issue with the legislation as only protecting a “system of exploitation,” while granting the NCAA an “unprecedented antitrust exemption” to continue violating the law. Yahoo Sports’ Ross Dellenger notes Murphy will continue his work to oppose the bill this week. Murphy: “I hear my colleagues talk about the chaos … yes, things are different, but the chaos primarily impacts the coaches who all of a sudden have to work harder to keep athletes who are no longer indentured. … We should recognize this is a Civil Rights issue. Let’s not mince words, many of the most valuable athletes are Black and almost all of the people protecting the billions made in the industry are white.” (link); More from the nation’s capital…
➤ During today’s pro-PCSA presser, Senate Majority Leader John Thune (R-SD) had this to say of the legislation’s vote count. “We'll see if we have 60. I don't know the answer for sure yet. I hope we do. They've worked very hard to get the bill in a form that I think addresses and solves the problem.” Sen. Ted Cruz (R-TX) adds: “In the next 10 days, the Senate is voting on the Protect College Sports Act. We are slated to be in second as soon as the crypto bill is done.” (link, link)
➤ During Sen. Murphy’s anti-PCSA presser, NAACP President Derrick Johnson accused legislation supporters of attempting "to buy off members of the Congressional Black Caucus.” Johnson adds: “HBCUs deserve direct federal investment, not a political trade-off.” (link)
➤ Student-athletes that are part of the Wisne lawsuit have sent a letter to congressional leadership, expressing concern over the PCSA, which would eliminate a student-athletes’ right to sue the NCAA. A group of 11 organizations, including the AFL-CIO, Athletes.org, the NAACP, the National College Players Association, the United College Athletes Association and more, also sent a letter to Senate Majority Leader John Thune (R-SD) and Minority Leader Chuck Schumer (D-NY) expressing their opposition to the Protect College Sports Act as currently drafted. They strongly urge any Senate vote to be “delayed until the legislation more adequately addresses the needs and concerns of college athletes.” Full letters. (link, link)
➤ Elsewhere in D.C., U.S. Rep. Tim Walberg (R-MI) and Sen. Jon Husted (R-OH) are introducing a bill that limits the amount of international athletes on a college sports roster to 20%, per Yahoo Sports’ Ross Dellenger, who notes the bill is called the ‘‘Training and Education for American Members in University Sports and Athletics Act” or TEAM USA Act. (link)
Deal Corner…
➤ Hawaii-Hilo inks a deal with Athlete’s Thread to provide NIL merchandise and trading card opportunities for student-athletes. (link)
➤ Rogers State signs a three-year agreement with Vertical Raise to serve as its preferred fundraising partner. (link)
➤ William Jewell partners with T-Shotz Golf and Entertainment to provide enhanced training access for golf student-athletes. (link)
It’s Personnel…
➤ Winston-Salem State Senior Assoc. AD for Administration/SWA Sonya Hurt is no longer with the Rams after nearly six years. (link)
➤ Molloy promotes Asst. AD for Internal Operations Casey Rafferty to Assoc. AD for Compliance. (link)
➤ Missouri S&T announces a trio of personnel moves: Missouri Western Intern Jazmine Servance named Asst. AD for NCAA Compliance, former Football HC Kirby Cannon hired as Asst. AD for Facilities and Game Operations and Athletics Communication Director Ryan Luttrell promoted to Asst. AD for Strategic Communications and Media Relations. (link, link, link)
➤ Fayetteville State Cross Country/Track & Field HC Inez Turner will transition to a full-time role as SWA. (link)
The DII and DIII Playing Rules Oversight Panel approved requiring men’s and women’s ice hockey student-athletes to wear cut-resistant equipment starting in 2027-28. (link)
Football remains the most popular spectator sport in the U.S. at 31%, though that figure sits at its lowest level since March 2001 (28%) due to lessened affinity among younger demographics, per a Gallup survey of 1,200 adults conducted over August 3-24. Just 20% of respondents aged 18-to-34 identified football as their preferred sport to watch, compared to 30% among those aged 35-to-54 and 38% for ages 55-and-older. Basketball remains second at 11%, down from its peak of 17% in 1997, while baseball sits at 10%. Soccer achieved its all-time poll high at 9%, placing it nearly on par with basketball and baseball. Overall, football has topped the annual measurement for 54 consecutive years since first surpassing baseball back in 1972, when 38% selected it as their preferred sport. (link)
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(Posted from most recent over the last 30 days)
(NEW!) Associate Commissioner for Strategic Communications (Southeastern Conference / Birmingham, AL): The Associate Commissioner for Strategic Communications will provide strategic leadership for the Southeastern Conference’s communication efforts. (DI) More details HERE.
Head Athletic Trainer (Jessup University / Rocklin, CA): Will serve student-athletes, and athletic depart.; oversee the day to day operations of athletic training facility and the prevention, assessment, treatment, and rehabilitation of athletic injuries! More details HERE.
Director of Athletic Communications (Jessup University / Rocklin, CA): The purpose of the Director of Athletic Communications is to oversee and lead the communications and marketing efforts of the athletic department, through both print and digital means. More details HERE.
Assoc. Athletic Trainer (Jessup University / Rocklin, CA): The Associate Athletic Trainer and performs essential athletic training duties and functions to ensure the health and safety of Jessup student-athletes. More details HERE.
Head Men's Volleyball Coach (Jessup University / Rocklin, CA): The Head Coach is responsible for instructing, initiating, developing, and leading a consistently competitive athletic program, including recruiting, scheduling, training, and coaching team members. More details HERE.
Women's Lacrosse Assistant Coach (Northern Michigan University / Marquette, MI): Assist the Head Women's Lacrosse Coach with all assigned duties associated with the intercollegiate women's lacrosse program. More details HERE.
Assistant Women's Lacrosse Coach (Frostburg State University / Frostburg, MD): Full-tIme Assistant Coach for Women's Lacrosse. More details HERE.
Assistant Coach, Women's Basketball (Babson College / Wellesley, MA): Assistant Coach, Women's Basketball at Babson College in Wellesley, MA. Full-time role assisting with coaching and administrative duties. Salary: $53,813 - $59,792. (DIII) More details HERE.
Vice President and Director of Athletics (Tennessee Wesleyan University / Athens, TN): TWU seeks a dynamic and highly relational leader who understands the important role athletics plays in advancing the University's mission, strengthening enrollment, enhancing the student experience. (NAIA) More details HERE. What would it cost to move to Athens? Click HERE.
Head Athletic Trainer (Colorado State University – Pueblo / Pueblo, CO): Provide overall leadership for sports medicine by developing the athletic training vision and strategic direction for CSU Pueblo Sports Medicine. More details HERE.
Jamie and Ellen Pollard Endowed Director of Athletics (Iowa State University / Ames, IA): Iowa State seeks a visionary, strategic leader to serve as its next Director of Athletics and build upon a proud tradition of innovation and competitive excellence. (DI) More details HERE. What would it cost to move to Ames? Click HERE. The D1.dossier for this position is available HERE.
Assistant Athletic Trainer (Frostburg State University / Frostburg, MD): Full Time Assistant Athletic Trainer. More details HERE.
Assistant Athletic Trainer (Adams State University / Alamosa, CO): Assistant Athletic Trainer at Adams State University. More details HERE.
Assistant Director of Sports Medicine/Athletic Trainer (Adams State University / Alamosa, CO): Assistant Director of Sports Medicine/Athletic Trainer. More details HERE.
Assistant Director of Events and Services (Central Atlantic Collegiate Conference / Woodbridge, CT): A full-time position responsible for managing championship operations, conference awards, financial procedures, NCAA grants and as the primary liaison for selected sport oversight across the CACC. More details HERE.
Assistant Coach - Men's Lacrosse (Babson College / Wellesley, MA): Assistant Coach for Men's Lacrosse at Babson College, Wellesley, MA. Full-time role assisting in coaching and recruitment. (DIII) More details HERE.
Deputy Athletic Director - Chief Operating Officer (Colorado Mesa University / Grand Junction, CO): Working closely with the Director of Athletics, the COO will oversee athletic facilities, event management, capital projects, operational budgets, staffing, and departmental policies and procedures. More details HERE. What would it cost to move to Grand Junction? Click HERE.
Athletic Trainer (Colorado Mesa University / Grand Junction, CO): Responsibilities include coordinating pre-season medical examinations, maintaining medical records, communicating with coaches & medical staff, and making clinical decisions. More details HERE.
Athletics Business Manager (Augusta University / Augusta, GA): The Athletics Business Manager (Business Manager 1) position manages all matters of financial reporting, budgeting, contracts, and collection of funds for the Athletic Department. More details HERE.
Assistant Director of Stewardship and Administration (University of Pennsylvania – Penn / Philadelphia, PA): Shape the donor experience for Penn Athletics, strengthening relationships with alumni and supporters while driving stewardship, engagement, and growth across 33 varsity programs. (DI) More details HERE.
Assistant Director, Creative Services (Big Ten Conference / Rosemont, IL): This position will support the creation and execution of compelling visual content that enhances the Conference's brand, events, championships, and marketing initiatives. (DI) More details HERE.
Graduate Assistant - Women's Soccer (Lakeland University / Plymouth, WI): Responsible for assisting the Head Coach, primarily with recruiting, organizing and running practices, fundraising, promotional activities, and other related assigned responsibilities. (DIII) More details HERE.
Academics and Student Athlete Development Graduate Assistant (Frostburg State University / Frostburg, MD): Graduate Assistant for Academics and Student Athlete Development. More details HERE.
Coordinator of Women's Wrestling Officials (Rocky Mountain Athletic Conference / Colorado Springs, CO): The Coordinator of Women’s Wrestling Officials shall be responsible for the assignment, evaluation, and training of officials for contests held by members of the Rocky Mountain Athletic Conference. More details HERE.
Director of Business Operations/Assistant AD-Business Operations (University of Wisconsin – Milwaukee / Milwaukee, WI): Position performs all financial duties within the athletic department. Supports the Deputy AD in budget management and advises staff on policies. Has the potential for an Assistant AD title. (DI) More details HERE.
Associate Head Coach-Cross Country & Track & Field (University of Mary / Bismarck, ND): University of Mary is seeking a highly motivated and experienced Associate Head Coach Cross Country and Track & Field to assist with the leadership, development, and administration. More details HERE.
Sports Information Graduate Assistant (West Virginia Wesleyan College / Buckhannon, WV): The Sports Information Graduate Assistant (GA) position is a 10-month graduate assistant position beginning August 1, 2026 and reports to the Sports Information Director. More details HERE.