Edition #898
September 11, 2026
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Cumberland VP of Athletics and Facilities Ron Pavan sat down with College.town’s Anthony Grassi at the 2026 NACDA Convention to discuss the growth of the department, facilities and more. Here are some of his most notable comments…
➤ The Phoenix have grown to sponsor 37 varsity or JV programs, with five new programs coming online this year (2 varsity, 3 JV). That growth is set to continue as Cumberland’s strategic plan includes plans to add one sport program a year until they plateau. As CU thinks about future sports, Pavan: “Well, it all depends on how much it's going to cost. Travel, food, facilities. I mean, I've raised a lot of money and built a lot of facilities, but we can't have it upside down. … I'm raising money for turf for football. Well, until we put turf at football … we can't add men's and women's lacrosse. We'll tap ourselves out and we'll ruin the grass field. So you got to take your time. You got to raise the money, then add the sport.”
➤ Pavan on identifying Cumberland’s niche: “Well, when I first came and I don't mind sharing this, I wanted to own my backyard. … Cumberland is to transform lives. You're a student first and then an athlete. So for seven years in a row, we have like a 3.2 GPA. I have my own class attendance. So every week with my Assistant AD and I, we check all grades and attendance. So if you miss so many classes, you miss a game, two games, and then you're gone. … We found the niche where you're a student and then an athlete. Yeah, we've won a lot of conference and national titles, but we're producing people that are in the workforce. … And that's our niche is you're going to be a student-athlete and you're going to be successful in life.”
➤ Looking ahead, Pavan’s priorities as the department grows to 900 student-athletes: “I want to be competitive. I want to stay competitive. I want to win championships and national championships, but I want our student athletes to know that they can come back and they're proud 10 years from now, five years from now. I want not only turf, but I want to raise enough money to build another gym and some other facilities. And I'm very driven on that, but I also want to help the school. I want it to fit what Cumberland wants, and that's to transform lives by the power of education. And if we're not transforming lives, then I'm not doing a good job at Cumberland.” (link)
More from Heart of America Commissioner Nik Rule to Pigskin Breakdown on how the league is shifting its media approach. “With social media and the way we can do anything, creative content, we can get around the globe very quick. But I think one of the harder things to do that we have to be more intentional on is we have to make sure we're getting in our backyard though and on our front porch. So with newspapers closing in some of these small towns, we have to figure out a way to continue to deliver that messaging in our own communities. I actually think it's easier to deliver the message globally and a lot harder to deliver it locally. So we have to reinvent ourselves because some of those entities don't exist anymore. So I think schools have to be very intentional about delivering to their local community, making sure they're getting out boots on the ground, grassroots type stuff. … I would argue that although we have all these opportunities to continue to elevate our messaging from a global scale, actually it may be more work because we're having to really message 12 different ways.” (link)
Life taps Asst. AD Jeff Munn to serve as Interim AD. (link)
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With the Senate set to return to Washington for a three-week legislation window before departing until November, Politico’s Calen Razo, Kelsey Brugger and Jacob Wendler observe that Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer (D-NY) is about to step into a political minefield with the body preparing to take up the Protect College Sports Act as soon as next week – with perhaps as many reasons for his caucus to oppose it as support it. Schumer will need to decide if he wants to steer his members toward helping Republicans reach the 60-vote threshold. One Democratic Senate aide with knowledge of the negotiations believes there’s enough party opposition to tank the measure on the floor as a coalition of labor rights groups and the Congressional Black Caucus warn the bill is exploitative. “A good number of Democratic offices aren’t eager to tick off the AFL-CIO and NAACP, screw over college athletes and deliver Trump and Senate Republicans a major political win weeks before midterms. Bad policy. Terrible politics.” (link)
Lobbying for the Protect College Sports Act is in full swing ahead of an expected Senate vote process next week, per Ross Dellenger, who writing for On3, points to the multi-million dollar, “Saving College Sports” ad campaign featuring former Alabama HC/current ESPN College GameDay analyst Nick Saban and current Colorado HC Deion Sanders as the most visible effort. Here’s what you need to know…
➤ Lawmakers, White House representatives and industry stakeholders have been meeting weekly to discuss progress and publicly pushing the legislation as a pep rally is planned for Monday on Capitol Hill with college administrators and student-athletes.
➤ The question is will all of this stumping lead to the bill’s passage? If the Clarity Act fails, it’s likely the Senate takes up the PCSA, potentially as soon as Tuesday but probably more likely Wednesday or Thursday. The timeline could slow depending on how many amendments to the bill are made and if they garner enough support for debate and a vote. If the bill passes the Senate, the House must then adopt it, but it’s not scheduled to return to session until after November’s mid-term elections.
➤ Dellenger: “If the Senate does adopt the legislation, can President Trump, an ardent supporter of the bill’s passage, convince House leadership to remain in session to take up the act? Though it’s a long shot, there is a shot – if the Senate can pass the legislation by a wide majority (probably more than 70 votes).” (link)
➤ More than 90 organizations spent $31.4M in total Q2 lobbying efforts on behalf of the PCSA, per Open Secrets’ Joedy McCreary, who notes that Texas Tech Board of Regents Chair Cody Campbell’s Saving College Sports nonprofit has led the advocacy push with the Senate preparing for a vote between September 15-26. Out of $820K in total lobbying dollars since its formation, Campbell’s group spent $190K during Q2. Lobbying participation has ranged from some of the biggest brands at college sports’ highest level (Ohio State, Michigan, Notre Dame) to Group of Six programs to the National Association of Broadcasters and NCTA – the Internet and Television Association. (link)
Lewis-Clark State relaunches its former Warrior Athletic Association as the Warrior Booster Club, with giving levels ranging from $50 to $2,500. AD Jim Klemann: “This club creates an opportunity for alumni, fans, families and community members to directly impact the success of our student-athletes. The passion and commitment of our supporters have always been at the heart of our success, and the Warrior Booster Club provides a meaningful way to invest in the experiences and opportunities that help our athletes excel both on and off the field. Together, we are building a stronger future for LC State Athletics while fostering the pride and tradition that makes being a Warrior so special.” (link)
The SAC announces new partnerships with Opendorse, as the league’s official NIL marketplace, and Spry, to help streamline operations at member institutions. (link, link)
It’s Personnel…
➤ St. Thomas (FL) President David Armstrong has resigned after he was placed on leave in July as the university investigates claims of an institutional policy violation. (link)
➤ Texas A&M-Texarkana Assoc. AD for Operations and Facilities Reid Johnson is headed to Houston (NCAA DI) as Asst. AD of Facilities and Events. (link)
➤ Pacific Union Asst. AD for Compliance Daniel Morales is no longer in the role. (link)
Coaches Corner…
➤ Hesston promotes Men’s Golf Interim HC Chad Fuqua to Director of Golf. (link)
➤ St. Francis (IL) elevates Softball AC Mike Kaddatz to HC. (link)
➤ UNT Dallas names choreographer Rhodessa Bell as its Competitive Dance HC. (link)
Southern Oregon will receive the second $7.5M of the $15M in emergency state funding approved earlier this year. President Rick Bailey: “This is the turning of a corner for Southern Oregon University. Our short-term financial security is assured, and we are proceeding full-speed ahead with our plan to transform SOU's academic and operational model for the long term.” (link)
Another week and diesel prices reached another record on Friday, moving past $6 per gallon as the U.S. war with Iran continues disrupting the global oil supply chain. The national average of nearly $6.06 is up 21 cents from last week and represents a 60% increase from the $3.76 mark prior to the start of the Middle East conflict back in February. Per the AP’s Wyatte Grantham-Philips, when adjusted for inflation, fuel prices have been higher in the past. “Ahead of the 2008 financial crisis, for example, diesel hit about $4.74 a gallon, equivalent to $7.20 in 2026. … And 2022’s then-record of nearly $5.82 — reached just months after Russia invaded Ukraine — would be about $6.56 this year when accounting for inflation.” Prices at the pump for regular gasoline reached $4.29 on average in the U.S. on Friday, up 15 cents from a week ago. (link, link)
Interested in advertising a department opening in NAIA.ticker? Click here to submit your position. Post your department-wide openings with CollegeSports.jobs, where thousands of administrators coaches get news and updates about the world of college sports.
(Posted from most recent over the last 30 days)
(NEW!) 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.
Account Executive (University of Louisville / Louisville, KY): Drive new sales and renewals for football and men's basketball, manage 1,000+ accounts, deliver customer service, build relationships, and consistently meet sales and outreach goals. (DI) More details HERE.