Can a Bubble Be Built?

 

PRESENTED BY CHI ALPHA SIGMA "recognizing college student-athletes who excel both on and off the field of competition." D3Playbook SEPTEMBER 30, 2020 | written by STEVE ULRICH your must-read briefing on what's driving the day in NCAA Division III   Our goal is to keep you - the influencers in DIII athletics - apprised of what's happening around Division III - the games, polls, news, happenings, awards, calendar of events, and much more. We hope you enjoy d3Playbook and that you'll share this with your friends, colleagues and co-workers.     >> Good Wednesday morning!  Did you watch the presidential debate last night? In a word, wow. >> Today's Word Count: 1,275.  >> Thanks for reading D3Playbook. Please recommend us to a friend or co-worker. Or share with your staff and bring them up-to-speed on what's happening in DIII.   1.  Can a Bubble Be Built? by Brendan Kleen, Global Sport Matters "As the NCAA crafts its championship events for the fall and spring semesters, it is looking to the pros for a roadmap.  During this pandemic, that means putting together a strict, safe, virus-free “bubble,” flush with plentiful testing, strict adherence to public health guidelines -- and a huge investment. After NCAA schools lost an estimated $375 million combined due to the cancelation of the men’s basketball tournaments, there is already a sense of urgency among the association and its membership to find a plan that can be safe, cost-effective, and entertaining for college basketball next spring. Based on the available evidence, the best and perhaps only way to do that is to form a bubble for the tournament, which brings together dozens of student-athletes and staff members from (at least) 68 teams across the country. But especially in a year that has seen an uptick in demonstrations among college athletes and more momentum in the courts toward compensating them, a full-fledged March Madness bubble has the potential to entirely fracture the line between amateurism and high-value performers. “A bubble reveals the tension at the heart of big-time college sports,” says Dr. Victoria Jackson, a sports historian and clinical assistant professor of history at Arizona State University. “(The NCAA claims to) treat athletes just like all students in one situation, and then the very next minute are acting in ways that treat students who play sports very differently from other students.” >> What's At Stake: "Should the NCAA move toward a bubble for any of its championships or major events this school year, safety will only cost money, but the efforts could cost the association its hold on amateurism." >> The Big Picture: "Were a college bubble to form, the logistics would be similar to what goes on inside the NBA’s clean site at Walt Disney World, from regular testing to maintain a clean environment, plus universal masking, restricted entry and exit and monitored social distancing to ensure one case doesn’t become an outbreak. Testing, according to Dr. Zachary Binney, an epidemiologist and assistant professor of quantitative theory at Emory University, would not even have to be daily if programs were fully safe in a bubble." >> The Bottom Line: "Another missed NCAA tournament paycheck would be dire for college athletics, but pulling it off could mean cracking an even bigger hole in amateurism. Because of that paradox, a bubble is likely to be a quite complicated solution to an admittedly massive problem for college sport."   >> Continue Reading   2.  NESCAC Votes NESCAC institutions have partnered with the ALL IN Campus Democracy Challenge for a NESCAC Votes initiative. The NESCAC Votes initiative seeks to inform and increase civic engagement and share non-partisan voter registration tools and resources in advance of Election Day on November 3.  The NESCAC athletic directors have committed to designate November 3 as a day off from athletic activity to support students in their ability to vote on Election Day and to be involved in the democratic process. As part of the NESCAC Votes initiative, each institution’s student-athlete advisory committee and student-athletes of color council will conduct a NESCAC Student-Athlete Voting Challenge. The challenge is aimed at getting 100% eligible student-athlete voter turnout on every NESCAC campus. The competition will be measured by how many student-athletes Take the Pledge to vote. Each time a student-athlete pledges to vote, their participation will be included on a leaderboard that will display how many students at each institution have pledged to vote. >> What They're Saying: “Part of the college experience is growing as a person and figuring out how citizens can impact their future. Exercising your right to vote is a way to be an active citizen and have an impact at the local, state, and national level. The decision by the NESCAC Athletic Directors to suspend athletic activities on Election Day demonstrates the importance they, and the conference as a whole, place on civic engagement by student-athletes," said Julia Martin, a senior on the Hamilton women's swimming & diving team and the NESCAC SAAC Chair. >> Keep Reading   3.  Town Hall   The Middle Atlantic Conference (MAC) is proud to team up with the Minnesota Intercollegiate Athletic Conference (MIAC) to provide a town hall for student-athletes, coaches, and administrators to discuss social and racial justice on college campuses. The MAC and MIAC will host two Town Halls on Race and Social Justice on Tuesday, October 27. A morning session will be tailored towards administrators and coaches, and an evening session will be open for student-athletes. The two panel discussions will help break down what social justice looks like on campus and how we can help break down the barriers for not only student-athletes but aalso coaches and administrators. The administrator and coach panel will be moderated by Niya Blair-Hackworth, Director of Inclusion at the NCAA. Panelists will include: Chris Dixon, Director of Athletic Diversity & Inclusion at Augsburg University Erika Moyer, Head Strength & Conditioning Coach and Diversity, Equity, & Inclusion Representative at Hood College Kelsey Koelzer, Head Women's Ice Hockey Coach at Arcadia University Jason Verdugo, Associate Vice President and Athletic Director at Hamline University The student-athlete panel will be moderated by Chris Dixon, Director of Athletic Diversity & Inclusion at Augsburg University. Panelists will include: Erika Moyer, Head Strength & Conditioning Coach and Diversity, Equity, & Inclusion Representative at Hood College Kelsey Koelzer, Head Women's Ice Hockey Coach at Arcadia University Talia Williams, Women's Volleyball Student-Athlete / MIAC National SAAC Representative at Carleton College Both town hall sessions will provide participants the opportunity to discuss with the panelists and break down what is happening not only on their campus but also across both conferences. Contact your athletic department for registration information.   Subscribe to d3Playbook    SPONSORED MESSAGE   Chi Alpha Sigma is the first national scholar-athlete society to honor those collegiate student-athletes who have excelled in both the classroom and in athletic competition. Chi Alpha Sigma recognizes college student-athletes who receive a varsity letter in their sport, achieve junior academic standing or higher after their fifth full-time semester, and earn a 3.4 cumulative grade point average. Student-athletes who compete for a collegiate club team are also eligible if the club team is overseen by the athletics department at the local chapter. Find out more at ChiAlphaSigma.com   4.  Star of the Day Mary Hardin-Baylor's Sarah Kmiecik pulled away from the field with a final-round 71 to take medalist honors at the Lady Cru Invitational. The freshman bettered her opening round score by two shots on the way to her first collegiate victory. The Cru won the team title by seven shots over East Texas Baptist. Wartburg's Joe Freiburger and Loras' Kassie Rosenbum were named the USTFCCCA Division III athletes of the week.   5. Conference Call   Today we continue our look at Division III conferences with those formed in the super 70s.   Conference: New England Small College Athletic Conference Commissioner: Andrea Savage Headquarters: Hadley, Mass. Website: NESCAC.com Founded: 1971 In 1899, Amherst, Wesleyan and Williams first began to compete together as the “Triangular League.” Now it’s known as the Little Three. Remaining Charter Members (10): Amherst, Bates, Bowdoin, Colby, Hamilton, Middlebury, Trinity, Tufts, Wesleyan, Williams Other Core Members (1): Connecticut College (1982)   Oldest: Williams (1793) Largest: Tufts (5,448) Smallest: Connecticut College (1,796) Longest Trip: 446 miles (Colby to Hamilton) Championship Sports: 27 >> Tomorrow: Empire 8 sources: Google Maps, EADA   6.  Comings and Goings   LAWRENCE - Eric Momberg named head fencing coach NORTH ATLANTIC CONFERENCE - Annika Dyhrberg named SAAC president PLATTSBURGH STATE - Sam Van Dorn named head softball coach ST. JOSEPH'S, Brooklyn - Sean Salomons named head men's volleyball coach ST. THOMAS (Texas) - Laurisa Richard named assistant athletic trainer   7.  1 Nostalgia Thing    Sound familiar? "There’s a lot of disappointment happening in our days, so nobody wants tears at the table. Let’s treat ourselves to something we all will like," Esmee Williams, who looks at where home cooking is heading for Allrecipes.com, based in Seattle, tells the AP. Boomer and Gen X nostalgia dishes like chicken Kiev, chicken à la king, cheese fondue and salmon patties have become more popular, she says.   Subscribe to d3Playbook

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What's Next for Sports

 

PRESENTED BY CHI ALPHA SIGMA "recognizing college student-athletes who excel both on and off the field of competition." D3Playbook SEPTEMBER 29, 2020 | written by STEVE ULRICH your must-read briefing on what's driving the day in NCAA Division III Our goal is to keep you - the influencers in DIII athletics - apprised of what's happening around Division III - the games, polls, news, happenings, awards, calendar of events, and much more. We hope you enjoy d3Playbook and that you'll share this with your friends, colleagues and co-workers.   >> Good Tuesday Morning.  Congrats to the Stanley Cup champion Tampa Bay Lightning. And to the NHL for completing its 2020 season, albeit in a bubble. >> Today's Word Count: 1,004 >> Thanks for reading D3Playbook. Please recommend us to a friend or co-worker. Or share with your staff and bring them up-to-speed on what's happening in DIII.   Subscribe to d3Playbook   1.  What's Next for Sports   by Alex Silverman, MorningConsult / Getty Images / Morning Consult Illustration by Kelly Rice Could the next wave of sports fans be fizzling? A MorningConsult poll found that Generation Z - those born between 1997 and 2012 - are less likely than the general populations to identify as sports fans. In fact, just 53 percent of those between the ages of 13 and 23 considered themselves sports fans, compared to 69 percent of millennials. Gen Z’s relative disinterest in sports is reflected in its viewing habits: While 42 percent of all adults, and 50 percent of millennials, said they watch live sports at least once a week, only 1 in 4 individuals ages 13-23 said the same. In addition, Gen Zers were twice as likely as millennials to say they “never” watch live sports. >> Reality Check: “Sports properties need to make sure that their games are digestible and available via streaming products,” Zach Leonsis, senior VP of strategic initatives at Monumental Sports & Entertainment, said. “They need to make their games engaging by fostering gamification, daily fantasy, free-to-play games and, ultimately, sports betting.” >> Between The Lines: "While most professional, collegiate and amateur sports properties have sought to reach Gen Z via social media, leaders in the industry said individual athletes play an outsize role in generating interest in teams and leagues among younger fans. Esports properties in particular benefit from the fact that their athletes are far more accessible to fans than those in traditional sports." >> What's Next: "College athletes are seeing strong growth on the platform, TikTok said, which could be partially due to the fact that most of these athletes are members of Gen Z themselves. However, most of Gen Z’s “favorites” are pros: Collegiate players made up less than 1 percent of favorite sports figure responses in the poll." >> Of Note: Are they playing sports and not watching sports? Or not playing and not watching? >> Continue Reading    2.  Learning a B1G Lesson by Don Yaeger, Forbes   “If you ain’t first, you’re last.”  That gem of a quote from fictitious racecar driver Ricky Bobby was a classic moment from the movie, Talladega Nights. Although grammatically incorrect, it is a snapshot of the competitive mindset that drives many in the sports and business world.  It’s why there are rarely any commemorative t-shirts distributed to the runners-up. It’s why we never give a premium parking space to an “Almost Employee of the Month” and tend to quickly forget about the team that loses the championship finals regardless of their successful journey to get there. It’s also why, in leadership, being the first to make a major decision is a big deal. Back on March 11, we saw it live when Big Ten commissioner Kevin Warren became the first of the NCAA’s Power Five conference decision-makers to cancel all sports activity—including the revenue generating men’s and women’s basketball tournaments. As the coronavirus pandemic continued to topple dominoes throughout collegiate and professional sports, Warren’s leadership was commended for being decisive, proactive and intuitive. Move the calendar ahead six months and Warren last week faced one of the hardest things to do in a position of leadership: Admit when a choice you’ve made was no longer a good one." >> Why it Matters: "In this damned-if-you-do, damned-if-you-don’t moment, what stands out is how poorly the Big Ten has handled communication of its thought process. When everything is moving at lightning speed and challenge surrounds you, the best know you can only succeed by OVER communicating." >> Be Smart: "Leaders are charged with making decisions all the time in the best interest of the business or the personnel. The ones who are able to showcase both a great business acumen and empathy for the staff are the ones highly regarded." >> Keep Reading     3.  Bowers Powers Way to Win   Dubuque junior Madison Bowers carded a two-over-par 74 on a breezy day to take medalist honors at the (Mount Mercy) Mustang Fall Invite. The two-time All-A-R-C selection posted a three-shot victory over Luther's Morgan Krantz. The hosts captured the team title with a 336 - four shots better than the Spartans.   SPONSORED MESSAGE   Chi Alpha Sigma is the first national scholar-athlete society to honor those collegiate student-athletes who have excelled in both the classroom and in athletic competition. Chi Alpha Sigma recognizes college student-athletes who receive a varsity letter in their sport, achieve junior academic standing or higher after their fifth full-time semester, and earn a 3.4 cumulative grade point average. Student-athletes who compete for a collegiate club team are also eligible if the club team is overseen by the athletics department at the local chapter. Find out more at ChiAlphaSigma.com   4.  Conference Call We continue our look at Division III conferences with those formed in the super 70s     Conference: Massachusetts State Collegiate Athletic Conference Commissioner: Angela Baumann Headquarters: Westfield, Mass. Website: MASCAC.com Founded: June 1971 Remaining Charter Members (7): Bridgewater State, Fitchburg State, Framingham State, MCLA, Salem State, Westfield State, Worcester State Other Core Members (1): Massachusetts Maritime (1974)   Oldest: Westfield State (1838) Largest: Bridgewater State (7,835) Smallest: MCLA (1,106) Longest Trip: 181 miles (MCLA to Massachusetts Maritime) Championship Sports: 18 >> Tomorrow: NESCAC sources: Google Maps, EADA   5.  Comings and Goings   BALDWIN WALLACE - Noah Jackson and Trocon Keneah named assistant football coaches DICKINSON - Jorge Chapoy named head men's soccer coach PENN STATE ALTOONA - Halee Adams named head women's basketball coach PENN STATE BEHREND - Chris Viscuso named strength and conditioning coach ST. JOHN FISHER - Kelly Bergamo named assistant field hockey coach. Matt Toohey named assistant baseball coach TRINITY, Conn. - Kyle Cusson and Arianna Cirelli named assistant strength and conditioning coaches   6.  1 Debate Thing   A Division III institution takes center stage tonight as the first 2020 presidential debate takes place at the Sheila and Eric Samson Pavilion on the health education campus of Case Western Reserve University. It is Case's second time serving as host of a debate; in 2004, the university hosted the vice-presidential debate between Dick Cheney and John Edwards in the Veale Convocation Recreation and Athletic Center. More than 300 students, faculty and staff were part of the volunteer corps, with responsibilities ranging from handing scripts to CNN anchors and driving media personalities around campus in a golf cart. “Hands down, [it was] one of the biggest, glitziest events ever to happen on campus in my career, and I’ve been here 30 years,” said Colleen Barker-Williamson, director of student activities and leadership in the Division of Student Affairs.   Subscribe to d3Playbook

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Hoop Dreams

 

PRESENTED BY CHI ALPHA SIGMA "recognizing college student-athletes who excel both on and off the field of competition."   D3Playbook SEPTEMBER 28, 2020 | written by STEVE ULRICH your must-read briefing on what's driving the day in NCAA Division III Our goal is to keep you - the influencers in DIII athletics - apprised of what's happening around Division III - the games, polls, news, happenings, awards, calendar of events, and much more. We hope you enjoy d3Playbook and that you'll share this with your friends, colleagues and co-workers.   >> Good Monday Morning   >> Today's Word Count: 801. An easy way to start your work week. >> Today's Subscriber Count: 1,460.  Thank you for your support. >> Thanks for reading D3Playbook. Please recommend us to a friend or co-worker. Or share with your staff and bring them up-to-speed on what's happening in DIII.   Subscribe to d3Playbook 1.  Hoop Dreams by Charlie Henry, NCAA "The NCAA Sport Science Institute, in partnership with the NCAA COVID-19 Medical Advisory Group, has released the Core Principles of Resocialization of Collegiate Basketball, its latest set of health and safety guidelines focused on COVID-19 and the first set of guidelines concentrated on basketball. The guidelines include updates on testing, travel considerations, and access to the court and bench areas. They were presented to and supported by the NCAA Board of Governors on Friday. The guidelines suggest testing three times per week on non-consecutive days throughout the season, including for officials, as well as the logistics of appropriately distancing Tier 1 individuals (student-athletes and essential personnel who are in regular proximity to them) from other essential personnel during games. >> Quotable: “This basketball resocialization guidance is based on the best information available in a rapidly changing COVID-19 environment.” said NCAA President Mark Emmert. “It is predicated on the assumption that rapid testing capabilities will be readily available later this year. We will constantly assess emerging information as we prepare for the start of the basketball season at the end of November.” >> Quotable II: “The guidelines reflect recommendations from collaboration with the NCAA COVID-19 Medical Advisory Group, which features representatives from across the membership,” said NCAA Chief Medical Officer Brian Hainline. “We will continue to work with them and others from the Association in safeguarding student-athlete well-being.” >> Yes, But: Can Division III do this? I've heard from at least one former coach who says no. >> Continue Reading    2.  Winter Sports Update With recent announcements coming from the North Eastern Athletic and St. Louis Intercollegiate Athletic Conferences to not begin winter sports competitions until January 1 at the earliest, we have put together a list of conferences that have made such announcements. If we have missed yours, please let us know. Allegheny Mountain American Rivers Atlantic East Capital City University of New York Great Northeast Commonwealth Coast Heartland Landmark Liberty Little East Massachusetts Michigan Middle Atlantic Midwest Minnesota New England Collegiate (NECC) New Jersey NEWMAC North Coast North Eastern Northern Athletics Ohio Old Dominion Presidents Southern Athletic (SAA) Southern California (SCIAC) Southern Collegiate (SCAC) St. Louis State University of New York Upper Midwest USA South Wisconsin    3.  AFCA Good Works Team As a time-honored tradition for the past 29 years, Allstate and the American Football Coaches Association (AFCA) are recognizing five Division III student-athletes named to the 2020 Allstate AFCA Good Works Team® for stepping up to help those in need. Annually, Allstate partners with the AFCA to spotlight student-athletes whose remarkable stories often go unnoticed. The final roster was chosen from 149 nominees. Eleven of the 22 players are from the NCAA Football Bowl Subdivision; 11 are from the NCAA Football Championship Subdivision, Divisions II, III and the National Association of Intercollegiate Athletics; and one honorary head coach. At ESPN.com/Allstate, fans can vote for the 2020 Allstate AFCA Good Works Team captain once a day now through Nov. 22.   Mike Delich, Bethel Jackson Ross, Chicago Steven Spirakis, Rochester Chris Backes, Saint John's Andrew Whitaker, Washington (Mo.) >> Complete Release from AFCA   SPONSORED MESSAGE   Chi Alpha Sigma is the first national scholar-athlete society to honor those collegiate student-athletes who have excelled in both the classroom and in athletic competition. Chi Alpha Sigma recognizes college student-athletes who receive a varsity letter in their sport, achieve junior academic standing or higher after their fifth full-time semester, and earn a 3.4 cumulative grade point average. Student-athletes who compete for a collegiate club team are also eligible id the club team is overseen by the athletics department at the local chapter.   Find out more at ChiAlphaSigma.com   4. Weekend Stars The American Rivers Conference held its men's tennis fall championship tournament at three locations in the Des Moines area last weekend. Luther's Nyathi Motlojoa (pictured) captured the A singles crown by going 5-0 in a six-contestant round-robin, dropping only 10 games in his eight-game pro sets. The Norse's Brook Norwood and Max Loen combined for the A doubles title, also posting a perfect 5-0 mark.   5.  Conference Call Today we continue our look at Division III conferences with those formed in the super 70s. Conference: Upper Midwest Athletic Conference Commissioner: Corey Borchardt Headquarters: St. Paul, Minn. Website: UMACathletics.com Founded: 1972 Originally called Twin Rivers Conference; changed name in 1983 Remaining Charter Members (1): U. of Northwestern Other Core Members (8): Crown (1994), Martin Luther (1995), St. Scholastica (1995), Northland (1998), Minnesota-Morris (2003), Bethany Lutheran (2004), North Central U. (2013), UW-Superior (2015) Associates (4): Greenville (FB), Iowa Wesleyan (FB), Westminster, Mo. (FB)   Oldest: UW-Superior (1893) Largest: St. Scholastica (2,061) Smallest: Northland (557) Championship Sports: 18 Longest Trip: 320 miles (Martin Luther to Northland) >> Tuesday: Massachusetts Collegiate Athletic Conference sources: Google Maps, EADA   6.  Comings and Goings   DENISON - Caroline Little named assistant field hockey coach HUNTINGDON - Paige Ward named assistant women's basketball coach MARYVILLE - Jeff McCord promoted to full-time assistant men's basketball coach MOUNT ALOYSIUS - Announced it is adding men's volleyball as a varsity sport SUNY PURCHASE - Daniel Bozzelli named head men's basketball coach   7.  1 Playoff Thing   Although my team missed the playoffs for the ninth straight season - even in an expanded year (but who's bitter?) - the MLB playoffs begin on Tuesday. Tough to pick against the Dodgers. Who ya got?   Subscribe to d3Playbook

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