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» 🍻 Monday, Monday. It’s Tax Day (or Patriots Day if you’re in Massachusetts). You can still enjoy this freebie edition of the D3Playbook though.

» 🗓️ What’s Happening This Week. The DIII Management Council begins a two-day meeting on Tuesday. The Board of Governors Executive Committee gathers on Wednesday, while the DIII Membership Committee and PROP meet on Thursday.

» Today’s Springsteen Lyrics. “Show a little faith, there’s magic in the night. You ain’t a beauty but hey you’re all right. Oh and that’s all right with me.”

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TOP STORY
1. D3 Super League

Could a “Super League” be coming to NCAA Division I football?

Frankly, it only matters to us as it pertains to Division III. But that got us thinking?

What would a DIII “Super League” look like? For what its worth, we don’t have any ideas, despite what past history has shown 😄. BTW, IYKYK. 😉 

» What We Want to Know. What do you think? What would a DIII “Super League” look like? Would it be 30-40 schools? How ‘bout 40-80? Eight leagues or 12? Or more? Is it even feasible? Can DIII continue with 400+ members?

» Let Us Know. Email us at [email protected] and use the subject “D3 Super League.” We’ll post the best responses next Monday right here.

BASEBALL

2. Greater Financial Strains Loom Over Wisconsin’s Public Universities

by Ben Unglesbee, Higher Ed Dive

“The Universities of Wisconsin system is facing major projected budget shortfalls in the coming years as financial reserves dwindle and retention rates fall.

These are the main themes the system’s president, Jay Rothman, pointed to in recently released third-party reports on the state’s universities.

The results were stark. At the University of Wisconsin-Oshkosh, for example, financial reserves are nearly depleted as expenses rise and revenues fall. The report on the institution predicted UW-Oshkosh will face a nearly $20 million budget deficit by the 2028 fiscal year and said it needs to act swiftly to avoid liquidity issues.”

» Backstory. “The reports on the system’s other universities tell a similar story. The analysis of the Parkside, Platteville and Whitewater campuses all contained notes warning of looming liquidity strains. Reports are still forthcoming for several universities in the system.”

» Behind The Curtain. “Declining retention and rising costs weren’t the only issues raised in the reports. Rothman called out other concerns, including aging facilities and maintenance backlogs, uncompetitive salaries for faculty and staff, programs that produce few graduates, and increased demand for student services, such as mental health.”

» Quotable. “For years, we have tried to make ends meet on the backs of those who provide the education students deserve and parents expect – our faculty and staff,” Rothman said in an open letter, alluding to recent layoffs at the state’s universities. “That should not have to continue.”

» Read More 

VOLLEYBALL (M)
3. Dancing at the Net

Eleven teams punched their ticket to the NCAA Division III Men’s Volleyball championship with automatic berths after capturing their conference title.

Who’s In. AMCC: Hiram; CUNYAC: Baruch; CCIW: Loras; CVC: Southern Virginia. GNAC: Wentworth; MAC: Stevens. MCVL: Wittenberg; NACC: Dominican; Skyline: St. Joseph’s (L.I.); United East: Lancaster Bible. UVC: NYU.

» Selection Show. The three Pool B slots and two Pool C at-large berths will be announced on Monday at 10 a.m. ET.

» 2024 Tournament. The first round will be conducted on Friday with the national quarterfinals slated for the following day. The semifinals and championship match take place on April 26-28 at Loras College.

FLAG FOOTBALL

4. Marymount Captures Inaugural AEC Flag Football Title

The first NCAA flag football championship is in the books and it belongs to Marymount University. The Saints defeated Immaculata, 52-0, in the title game after dispatching Centenary (N.J.) in the semifinal. The Mighty Macs downed Neumann, 13-7, in the opener.

Marymount’s Samantha Bulik earned MVP of the tournament after her five touchdown tallies, six flag pulls, and three interceptions.

» What They’re Saying. “Football is such an American sport, so just to have that opportunity for women was something that everyone was really excited about,” Atlantic East Commissioner Jessica Huntley said.

» Keep Reading

NEWS
5. Lightning Round

» 🎳 Bowling. William Smith’s Colleen Jump was named the 2023-24 Division III Rookie of the Year by the National Tenpin Coaches Association.

» 🤸‍♀️ Acrobatics and Tumbling. “The University of Mary Hardin-Baylor acrobatics and tumbling team won the 2024 National Collegiate Acrobatics and Tumbling Association Division III Tournament Championship Saturday in Wisconsin.

» 🏐 Beach Volleyball. Big weekend for the Cru as its beach volleyball team won the AVCA Small College title, defeating East Texas Baptist and Berry.

» 🏃 Track and Field. UW-La Crosse standout Sam Blaskowski became the first DIII athlete to break 10 seconds in the 100 meters, finishing with a 9.99 clocking. The time does not set a DIII record as it was wind-aided (+5.5). Johns Hopkins’ Victoria Khadiri broke her own national record in the triple jump with a leap of 13.43m (44’0.74” / +1.5w).

» 🏌️‍♂️ Golf (M). Avery Stansell of Rhodes was named the SwingU DIII College Player of the Month for March.

TRANSACTIONS
6. Comings and Goings

• HOPE - Ken George named assistant men’s basketball coach 

• HOWARD PAYNE - Isiah Aruajo named assistant strength and conditioning coach

• NORTHLAND - Announced cancellation of its softball season

• SOUTHERN MAINE - Ed Flaherty announced his retirement as head baseball coach at the end of the season

• SUNYAC - Announced Hilbert and SUNY Delhi will join conference as associate members in indoor and outdoor track and field in 2024-25. SUNY Delhi will also join in cross country in 2025-26

• TRANSYLVANIA - Juli Fulks resigned as head women’s basketball coach

• TRINITY (Conn.) - Emily Garner resigned as head women’s basketball coach

1 WEEKEND THING
7. Play of the Day

Runners-Up

⚾️ Walk it off, Cristian Holloway.

⚾️ What a catch, Zack Mazza.

🥍 Love a good goalie goal 

🥍 The dive FTW 

📬 Thanks for starting your day with us!

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