Edition #899
September 15, 2026
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The Protect College Sports Act has surpassed the 60-vote threshold to proceed through the first of three procedural votes. Yahoo Sports’ Ross Dellenger on next steps: “One day’s time (and 60 votes) is required between each vote. Leaders are targeting mid-next week for the final vote.” (link)
Arizona Christian has been awarded the School of Character Award. President Len Munsil: “We have long believed that we do sports discipleship at Arizona Christian University as well as any university in America, and this award is validation of that belief and a tribute to the men and women who coach and who lead in our athletic program. Our Athletic Director, Dr. Peter Dryer, and our Transformational Coach, Randy Chambers, are leading examples of this. Every coach and leader in our athletics program buys into our institutional commitment to build faith and character among our student-athletes.” (link)
Congratulations to the honorees from today’s 2026 NAIA National Awards Day. Honorees include Keiser AD Kris Swogger (AD of the Year), CCC Commissioner Rob Cashell (Charles Morris Administrator of the Year), Dickinson State Asst. AD/SWL/Softball HC Kristen Fleury (Female Trailblazer of the Year), Park (MO) AD Kristin Gillette (NAIA RISE Leader of the Year), College of Idaho Women’s Volleyball HC Liz Mendiola (Coach of Character Award) and more. Montreat Women’s Soccer and Saint Mary (KS) Men’s Swimming were honored as Team of Character Award winners. NAIA Hall of Fame inductees include Columbia (MO) AD Cindy Potter, WHAC Eligibility Chair/former Cornerstone FAR Larry Bos and more. Full list of winners. (link)
Yahoo Sports’ Ross Dellenger reports the revised legislation features several alterations, including the narrowing of federal preemption, flexibility with pending lawsuits, a transfer portal carveout and contractual protections for College Football Playoff/league TV deals. More details from Dellenger…
➤ Athletes utilizing one of the exceptions to transfer for a second time can do so outside of the transfer portal window. Exceptions without penalty include: (1) discontinuation of sport; (2) HC change; (3) sexual assault/harassment by school employee; and (4) graduation.
➤ “[The bill] narrows federal preemption of state laws to leave more flexibility for state laws related to, for example, the participation of transgender athletes. A group of Republicans, including [Sen.] Tommy Tuberville (R-AL), raised concerns about the impact of transgender state laws.”
More from Cumberland VP of Athletics and Facilities Ron Pavan’s Small College Conversation on hiring and leadership lessons after 18 years in the chair. Key takeaways…
➤ On the role of the AD in supporting the institution’s strategic direction: “I think it should start with the administration. The AD could come in or a coach can, but you have to have good leadership on the top. So it's hard to make change. … The AD needs a platform to talk and for someone to listen and not just talk and hear. I think that the really important thing is to hear and sit in a room and get a good strategic plan and keep changing that plan. Not say, ‘Okay, this is the only roadmap we're having.’ In athletics, the bus breaks down, your best player gets hurt and nobody cares. You still have to play the game, so you must be able to change.”
➤ Opportunities for the NAIA: “I think NAIA could be a landing point. There are a lot of schools that maybe can't afford the NCAA or don't know what's going to happen, where you could add JV sports where every dollar counts in the NCAA. … We're adding JV sports, and we're helping fund the enrollment in athletics and helping the enrollment department. I think that's the way to go right now until we figure out, is the [enrollment] cliff going to stop or where are we going to go for the next 10 years? Because there are some schools that need help, but they don't want to change. … When you don't change, you stay the same or you go backwards. And so I think if they don't change, it could really hurt their institution.”
➤ The conversation with potential hires: “Tell me what's the most difficult thing you've done in your life. I want to know where your heart is. Your heart lies where you are. Not your brain. You can be really smart but not have a good heart. So if you're not going to help young people, then it's not a good fit. You shouldn't come. If you're going to cuss people out, it's not the place to be. I have a standard. We don't play bad music in a weigh room, anywhere. We have a standard, but I want to check your heart out. Where is your heart lies the crux of the matter.” (link)
U.S. Rep. Tim Walberg (R-MI) and Sen. Jon Husted (R-OH) have introduced a bill that limits the amount of international athletes on a college sports roster to 20%, per 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)
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The Department of Homeland Security’s controversial rule eliminating the "duration of status" policy for international students was set to go into effect today, capping incoming F-1 visa holders at a four-year maximum stay, regardless of whether their degree program requires additional time. U.S. District Court Judge for the District of Massachusetts F. Dennis Saylor IV postponed the rule late Monday, stating the administration failed to provide adequate time for public comments or show a connection between the rule and its national security objectives. More. (link, 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 Archery & Shotgun Sports Coach (Missouri Valley College / Marshall, MO): Missouri Valley University seeks an energetic, visionary, and student-centered Head Coach to provide leadership for the Universities Men's and Women's Archery/Shotgun team. More details HERE. What would it cost to move to Marshall? Click 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. More details HERE. What would it cost to move to Athens? Click 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.
Head Track & Field Coach (Missouri Valley College / Marshall, MO): Missouri Valley College seeks an energetic, visionary, and student-centered Head Track & Field Coach to provide leadership for the College's men's and women's track & field programs More details HERE.
Assistant Softball Coach (Northwestern College / Orange City, IA): Seeking assistant softball coach applicants to assist in leading a nationally contending program that won 3 consecutive GPAC titles from 2023-2025 and hosted back-to-back NAIA regionals in 2024-2025. More details HERE.
Assistant Women's Flag Football Coach (Hesston College / Hesston, KS): Assist the Head Coach in supporting the women’s flag football program through student-athlete development, recruitment and retention, team and equipment management, and practice and game preparation. 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.