Edition #1457
October 7, 2026
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SUNY Maritime selects Goldey-Beacom (DII) Assoc. AD for Academic Affairs/Women’s Basketball HC/SWA Bethann Burke as its new AD. Burke: “When I stepped onto campus, I could tell this was a place I wanted to be. Everyone I met was welcoming, and it was clear how much they care about their students. That family atmosphere means a lot to me. I'm looking forward to getting to know the student-athletes and coaches, supporting them in whatever way they need to be successful, and becoming part of the Maritime community.” (link)
UC Santa Cruz AD Chris Spells sat down with College.town’s Anthony Grassi at the 2026 NACDA Convention to dive into the unique elements of the Banana Slugs department. Here are some of Spells’ most notable comments…
➤ Being across the country from its closest Coast-To-Coast peer, scheduling has been Spells’ biggest challenge. With UCSC on the quarter system, that allows teams to travel more early in the season to capitalize on non-conference opportunities, but that does create logistical and competitive consistency challenges later in the season as teams try to ramp up for the postseason.
➤ On the fit in DIII: “The space that exists within Division III for that balance is something that's really important to us. And so again, while you could look at these other things and sure you'd maybe fix the travel portion or any other challenges, the Division III motto and philosophy really resonates with us. And then our student athletes come distinctly because of that. The only UC school that's Division III. And I think some people that can look like a challenge or kind of look like an outlier, like what's up with that? Or you can see it as what a unique opportunity. You can get a UC education while playing at the Division III level and having space to grow as a human so that when you graduate, you're ready for life.”
➤ With six months between being named to the position and starting in the chair, Spells got to understand some of the staffing challenges for the department. The main challenge Spells found was that, while everyone was incredibly hardworking, there was overlap in tasks. “What I need everyone to do is to do their job because then it reveals where the gaps are. … We've kind of mirrored that across the department so that everyone's really, I hope, feeling like they are aligned with what they're supposed to be doing and not feeling like they have to do everything. And so again, far from having it solved, but I do think we've taken some strides there so that people can really start to be proactive in their jobs. If you're just reactive and doing everything because the fire's there, you can't think about the future. You can't be innovating in that way. And so I want people to have that space to do that. And so we tried to align it in that way.” (link)
At its most recent meetings, the Membership Committee and the Interpretations and Legislation Committee declined to take positions on the age-based eligibility proposal up for a vote at the 2027 NCAA Convention. From both groups: “During its discussions, the committee recognized the complexities and nuances of the proposal and expressed concern that the full implications cannot be adequately assessed within the three-month period leading up to the business session. … The committee also expressed that the choice is not limited to the current eligibility model and the model outlined in the proposal. Other alternatives may better serve the division; however, the current timeline does not provide sufficient opportunity for the membership to develop, evaluate and consider additional options before the 2027 NCAA Convention.” The ILC also recommended the Management Council oppose the modifications to spring football practice, citing concerns about the strain on resources and personnel. (link, link)
Whittier has reversed its decision to eliminate women’s lacrosse and the program will resume competition this academic year. AD Rock Carter: “This program has people behind it who never stopped believing it belonged here. We are not putting it back the way it was. We are putting it back with more support behind it, and we are starting today.” The Poets will hire a HC and AC and increase the recruiting budget, with the college to undergo a gender equity review to implement a gender equity plan by the end of 2026-27. (link)
The SAA inks a multi-year deal with Athletic Solutions to support NIL opportunities for student-athletes. (link)
Saint Mary’s (MN) raised over $195K from 1,760 donors during its annual Cardinal Challenge. (link)
People & Places…
➤ Austin hires club coach/former West Texas A&M (DII) HC Kevin Blaskowski as its next Softball HC. (link)
➤ John Jay promotes Softball AC Matt Pellowski to HC. (link)
➤ Trine taps Women’s Golf HC Mackenna Kelly as SWA. (link)
➤ Westminster (PA) Women’s Basketball HC Rosanne Scott will step down from coaching, effective immediately, and shift to a new role as Asst. AD/SWA. AC Megan Sefcik will serve as Interim HC for this season. (link)
Stockton will layoff 14 faculty and seven staff members as it faces a $20M structural deficit. With state funding decreasing by $2.6M, plus another $2M cut in state funding for its Atlantic City campus, the university is using $24.6M in reserves to cover its budget shortfalls. (link, link)
The National College Attainment Network’s annual Affordability Gap survey found that just 32% of 542 public bachelor’s-granting institutions were affordable in 2023-24, the most recent year with complete data, with the average affordability gap totaling $1,801. The gap grew larger than previous years, despite FY24 including a $500 increase to the maximum Pell Grant award. Notable: “In 2023-24, food prices remained high following a spike in 2022, and housing prices, especially rent, also continued to rise. During that academic year, living expenses made up a larger share of the cost of attendance than tuition and fees, on average. Because NCAN’s model accounts for the full cost of attendance, these trends are accounted for in the analysis. … NCAN’s analysis of Pell funding suggests that if the maximum award had been indexed to inflation since the 2023-24 academic year, it would be about $8,100 today.” Across the country, 12 states did not have a single public B.A.-granting school where aid, family contribution and earnings covered the cost of attendance and in just 10 states, the average school was financially within reach for students. Full report. (link)
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(Posted from most recent over the last 30 days)
(NEW!) Director, Governance and Compliance (Mountain West Conference / Las Vegas, NV): The Director, Governance & Compliance will serve the Mountain West Conference and its member institutions supporting the day-to-day aspects of the Conference’s governance and compliance services. (DI) More details HERE.
(NEW!) Associate Athletic Trainer (Spalding University / Louisville, KY): Associate Athletic Trainer - maintain and coordinate a comprehensive sports medicine program, under the leadership of the Head Athletic Trainer. More details HERE.
(NEW!) Assistant Athletic Trainer (Spalding University / Louisville, KY): The full-time Assistant Athletic Trainer will maintain and coordinate a comprehensive sports medicine program for Spalding University athletics under the leadership of the Head Athletic Trainer. More details HERE.
Assistant Director Athletic Communication (Saint Francis University / Loretto, PA): Saint Francis University, a Division III member of the Presidents’ Athletic Conference, invites applications for a full time Assistant Director, Athletic Communications. More details HERE.
Assistant Vice President, Licensing & Trademarks (University of Houston / Houston, TX): Lead the University of Houston System's licensing & trademarks strategy, protecting institutional brands and driving revenue through high-impact partnerships and innovative licensing programs. (DI) More details HERE.
Coordinator, Athletic Communications (Stevenson University / Owings Mills, MD): Assist the Dir., Athletics Communications with the internal and external media distribution for Stevenson’s Athletics Department, with a primary focus on the department’s video/webcasting efforts. More details HERE.
Vice President and Director of Athletics (Rice University / Houston, TX): Rice seeks a strategic athletics leader to drive championship success, strengthen student-athlete experiences, grow revenue, elevate Rice nationally, and navigate college athletics’ evolving landscape. (DI) More details HERE. What would it cost to move to Houston? Click HERE. The D1.dossier for this position can be found HERE.
Senior Vice President - Men's Basketball (Atlantic Coast Conference / Charlotte, NC): Senior leader for ACC Men’s Basketball, driving competitive success, national profile, championship experience and commercial value while overseeing scheduling, officiating and key partnerships. (DI) More details HERE. What would it cost to move to Charlotte? Click HERE.
Assistant Men's Basketball Coach (Augustana College – Illinois / Rock Island, IL): Augustana College is seeking a dynamic, energetic and knowledgeable Assistant Men's Basketball Coach to join the staff of one the most historically strong programs in the NCAA D3 ranks. More details HERE.
Assistant Athletic Director for Athletic Communications (Lawrence University / Appleton, WI): This position plays a key role in elevating the visibility of Lawrence Athletics through strategic media relations, digital content creation, live streaming management, and statistical services. More details HERE.
Director of Athletics (Shenandoah University / Winchester, VA): Lead 75+ coaches and staff to drive competitive and academic success across 23 DIII sports. Expand the Hornets' community impact and athletic fundraising in the Shenandoah Valley. More details HERE. What would it cost to move to Winchester? Click HERE.
Commissioner (Southern Conference / Spartanburg, SC): Reporting to the Council of Presidents, the Commissioner serves as the Conference's chief executive officer, providing strategic, administrative, and external leadership for member institutions. (DI) More details HERE. What would it cost to move to Spartanburg? Click HERE.
Head Softball Coach (Hanover College / Hanover, IN): Seeking dynamic, resourceful coach to lead a competitive Softball program, including all aspects of planning-managing-maintaining program w/primary emphasis on recruiting quality student-athletes. More details HERE. What would it cost to move to Hanover? Click HERE.
Athletic Trainer (Williams College / Williamstown, MA): Williams College is seeking a skilled and enthusiastic Athletic Trainer to join us in supporting our student athletes. More details HERE.
Head Coach, Strength & Conditioning (Stevenson University / Owings Mills, MD): The Head Coach, Strength & Conditioning provides expertise, guidance, and training in the area of strength training and physical conditioning for all intercollegiate athletes. More details HERE.
Assistant Coach - Women's Basketball (Allegheny College / Meadville, PA): Please see full description below. More details HERE.
Interim Head Women's Basketball Coach (Suffolk University / Boston, MA): This position is full-time and time-limited, beginning at the time of hire and continuing through 6/30/27. The individual selected for this interim role is encouraged to apply for the permanent role. More details HERE. What would it cost to move to Boston? Click HERE.
Head Flag Football Coach (Ursinus College / Collegeville, PA): Summary and Scope of Position: The Head Women’s Flag Football Coach is responsible for the administration and organization of a successful women’s flag football program. More details HERE. What would it cost to move to Collegeville? Click HERE.
Head Softball Coach (Ursinus College / Collegeville, PA): The Head Coach is responsible for the administration and organization of a successful athletic program that competes in the Centennial Conference at the NCAA Division III level. More details HERE. What would it cost to move to Collegeville? Click HERE.
Athletic Event & Facility Operations Specialist (Fort Hays State University / Hays, KS): The Athletic Events and Facilities Specialist assists with maintaining & preparing facilities to ensure a safe, clean, & professional environment for student-athletes, staff, & spectators. (DII) More details HERE.
Athletics Event Management Administrator (Brandeis University / Waltham, MA): Brandeis is hiring an Athletic Event Management Administrator to support the logistical execution and facility readiness for varsity contests at the NCAA Division III level and aquatics operations. More details HERE.
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 Men's Lacrosse Coach (Thiel College / Greenville, PA): Thiel College seeks an innovative and energetic Head Men’s Lacrosse Coach to lead and advance its NCAA Division III Men’s lacrosse program. More details HERE. What would it cost to move to Greenville? Click HERE.
Assistant Coach, Women's Hockey (Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute – RPI / Troy, NY): Assist the Head Coach in managing a Division I women’s hockey program, including recruiting, player development, academic and personal support and on/off-ice instruction. More details HERE.
Administrative Coordinator (Chapman University / Orange, CA): The Administrative Coordinator supports the Athletics Department's daily operations, front office, finances, HR, and fundraising events. Requires collaborating across campus and working flexible hours More details HERE.
Events and Travel Manager - Athletic Administration (Washington University in St. Louis / St. Louis, MO): Manager of Events and Travel - Athletics. More details HERE.
Assistant Director of Athletic Communications (Franklin & Marshall College / Lancaster, PA): Assist the Director of Athletics Communication in all areas of media relations, promotion and creative content for the department, executing gameday production and supervising gameday personnel. More details HERE.
Assistant Director of Athletic Communications (Loras College / Dubuque, IA): Will assist in the communications and media relations for all 24 varsity athletic programs, including the 23 NCAA Division III athletic teams. More details HERE.
Head Softball Coach (Alfred State College / Alfred, NY): The Head Coach is the person responsible for all aspects of leading a NCAA program in the sport of Softball. More details HERE. What would it cost to move to Alfred? Click HERE.
Head Coach MW Swimming/Aquatics Director (Misericordia University / Dallas, PA): Leadership, administration, and overall operation of the swimming program. More details HERE. What would it cost to move to Dallas? Click HERE.
Internship and Assistant Track & Field / Cross Country Coach: (Thiel College / Greenville, PA): Thiel College seeks an Intern to serve as Assistant Track & Field / Cross Country Coach More details HERE.
Head Coach - William Smith Tennis (Hobart & William Smith College / Geneva, NY): The William Smith Tennis Head Coach is responsible for the organization and management of a highly competitive NCAA Division III tennis program More details HERE.