Edition #4
September 11, 2026
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More from Northampton AD Troy Tucker’s Small College Converation on his priorities for the Spartans, sport sponsorship and culture. Key takeaways…
➤ Facility priorities: “We need a big project. We're 21 years in from the last big athletic project, and we've had some deep conversations about a turf facility for baseball that soccer might share with that, and that's what we need. I mean, again, recruiting, a lot of the high schools have those type of facilities, so to come to here where it's just grass, natural grass, sometimes they look at it as a step backwards. I've always felt too as a junior college, you really need something that's a wow factor to bring people in because again, you're fighting stigmas. If it's a theater, if it's a conference center, if it's something on your campus that draws people to come to your campus, and I think that type of facility here could be that, because in our area, there are not a lot of turf, lit baseball fields in this area.”
➤ On sport sponsorship, Tucker hopes to add cross country next year and is keeping an eye on flag football and women’s soccer. On the core administrative criteria required before adding new sport programs: “It's really going to the administration saying, one, there's competition for us on the collegiate level that we can get to relatively easy. Two, we have the facilities to be able to have the sport. Three, the high schools in our area have participation in that sport that we can recruit from. And four, again, to be very upfront, can we win? Can we be very good in the sport?”
➤ On establishing the culture: “It's my responsibility to hold people accountable and call people out when the standard's not met. There might be a reason why we didn't meet the standard and that's okay. But my feeling has always been if I don't tell you we didn't meet the standard today, then now do people say, well, it's okay to be [below our standard]. … We've really tried to focus on those little small things that make the difference. But at the same time for the coaches, you need to let them do their job and it's my job to make sure they've got the resources to do their job.” (link)
College of Western Idaho has applied to join the NJCAA, as the Otters are set to lauch intramural sports and recreation programs this academic year. NJCAA officials are set to visit campus next month, with the NJCAA Board of Regents expected to decide on CWI’s application in the spring. If approved, the Otters would join the Scenic West and Region 18. President Gordon Jones: “As CWI continues to grow, we’re focused on building an athletics program that strengthens school spirit and opportunity for our students and community. Pursuing NJCAA membership reflects our commitment to creating a sustainable, high-quality intercollegiate experience that complements academics and enriches campus life.” The approach to building an athletic department: “CWI plans to take a deliberate approach to building its intercollegiate athletics program. A team would not begin competing until it is fully funded, with each sport supported by an endowment. This model is intended to provide stable, long-term support for CWI Athletics. Specific sports, competition schedules, facilities, and start dates will be announced as plans are finalized, funding is secured, and the NJCAA membership process advances.” (link)
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)
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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)
St. Clair County will offer free admission and free livestreams to all Skippers’ home events this season. Interim AD Dane Vos: “I’m extremely excited to help build an athletic program that brings our college and community even closer together. As a former student-athlete, I know how meaningful it is to look into the stands and see people from your community supporting you." SC4 Chief of Staff/SVP Sara Rutallie: “This is about making SC4 athletics accessible to everyone … Removing the cost of admission and offering free livestreams allows us to reach more people and create an even stronger Skippers community.” (link)
Deal Corner…
➤ Coastal Alabama partners with Neptune Gametime to provide licensed and lyric-safe music across Coastal’s three athletic campuses. (link)
➤ Dallas College will continue operating DAC Sports Network for its seven campuses, with the assistance from the North Lake Video Technology Department and Kaha Digital. In its inaugural year, DAC Sport Network brought in over 6K views across 34 broadcasts. (link)
➤ Southeast teams up with FanWord to use its AI-powered FanWord Assist platform to support its storytelling efforts. (link)
Coaches Corner…
➤ Ellsworth has placed Football HC Matt White on paid leave for the year, per multiple sources. DC Chris Bonta will serve as Interim HC. (link, link)
➤ Hocking selects Vienna (WV) Parks & Recreation Director/former college AC Eddie Atkinson Men’s and Women’s Track & Field HC. (link)
➤ Marshalltown hires Marshalltown High Bowling HC Nathan Clark as its first Men’s and Women’s Bowling HC. (link)
➤ Rowan College of South New Jersey-Cumberland names former Wilmington (NCAA DII) HC Reggie Hopkins as Men’s and Women’s Track & Field HC. (link)
➤ Wake Tech Women’s Soccer HC Sebastian Vecchio steps down for personal reasons, but will remain with the program. The Eagles promote AC Sara Leone as be its next Women’s Soccer HC. (link)
More Higher Ed…
➤ Carl Sandburg President Seamus Reilly will retire at the end of this academic year after over nine years leading the college. (link)
➤ Pellissippi State President L. Anthony Wise Jr. announces his retirement in May 2027. (link)
➤ Earlier this week, the Maryland General Assembly’s Joint Audit and Evaluation Committee met to discuss the findings of a state audit this summer that found Baltimore City had awarded $264K in aid to 145 potential “ghost students” and around $20M worth of equipment was missing. This follows an audit from four years ago that found some similar violations. BCCC President/CEO Debra McCurdy: “The audit at this point, is served to assist to validate the state of college for the new day, and we’ve been working for that new day. … These findings can be taken care of. They can be fixed so that we can demonstrate continuous improvement in operation at the institution.” More. (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)