Picking The Field

 

written by STEVE ULRICH your must-read briefing on what's driving the day in NCAA Division III >> Hello Wednesday. I don't think it's an upset unless you are at least two seeds below. Don't @ me. >> Thanks for reading D3Playbook. Please refer a friend or two. Help me get to 2,000 subscribers by the end of the month.   A free subscription to D3Playbook. Yes, please. TOP STORY 1. Picking The Field   Yesterday, we explained the differences between Pools A, B and C when it comes time to select the field for the upcoming NCAA Division IIII fall championship tournaments. Today, we'll try to explain how at-large teams are selected as well as matchups are determined. Below you will find information from the 2022 DIII Soccer Pre-Championship Manual, although this criteria defines almost all team championships. The regional rankings are vital in the selection of at-large or Pool C teams. And in the minds of many, strength of schedule is god when it comes to ranking teams. After the AQs are in place, the top remaining teams from each region are compared against each other. In soccer and volleyball, this involves 10 teams under comparison at a time. If the New England region, for example, has A1, A2 and A3 still eligible for at-large consideration, A2 and A3 cannot even be discussed by the committee until A1 has been added to the field. And A3 cannot be discussed until A2 is in, etc. So the further down a team is in the regional rankings after not winning its conference title, the less likely it is to be selected to the tournament field. In my experience, the first 75-80 percent of the at-large selections are easy. It's the final few that present committees with their biggest challenges. >> Thursday. The Bracket. A MESSAGE FROM MORNING BREW   2.6 million people wake up to this newsletter every morning There's a reason over 2.6 million people start their day with Morning Brew - the daily email that delivers the latest news from Wall Street to Silicon Valley. Business news doesn't have to be dry and dense...make your mornings more enjoyable, for free. Check it out! Powered by Swapstack CONFERENCES 2.   McMurry To Join SCAC McMurry University has accepted an offer of membership into the Southern Collegiate Athletic Conference (SCAC), becoming the 10th member of the NCAA Division III league. The institution, which has been an affiliate member of the SCAC in the sports of men’s and women’s swimming and diving since 2015, will become a core member of the league effective the 2024-25 academic year. >> Court Awareness: McMurry currently has 20 varsity programs and more than 500 student-athletes. Men’s intercollegiate teams include baseball, basketball, cross country, football, golf, soccer, swimming and diving, tennis, and track and field. Women’s intercollegiate teams include basketball, cross country, golf, soccer, softball, swimming and diving, tennis, track and field, and volleyball. >> What They're Saying: “The SCAC is a prestigious conference and McMurry University is honored to join,” said McMurry President Dr. Sandra Harper. “I know the commissioner and most of the SCAC presidents quite well and I look forward to working with them in the future. McMurry is currently undergoing a new strategic planning process to guide the university until 2030. This conference move blends nicely with the strategic direction that we foresee for McMurry regarding the balance between athletics and academics.” >> Worth Noting: "Today is an exciting day,” said SCAC commissioner Dwayne Hanberry. “McMurry will fit seamlessly within our current structure – both geographically and culturally - and It’s always flattering when a quality institution wants to be a part of what you are doing.” >>  Complete Release EXPANSION 3.   Schreiner To Add Football, Swimming courtesy The Kerr County Lead "Schreiner University President Charlie McCormick told the Kerrville City Council on Tuesday afternoon that the university's board of trustees could greenlight re-establishing a football program next week. During a presentation about the university's long-term plans, McCormick said the university is prepared to add a football and women's swimming program. The two additions could trigger significant facilities spending on the campus, including adding a football stadium and track and field complex. McCormick said the university would consider a partnership with the city to renovate the Olympic Pool complex. McCormick said the longtail from adding football would result in about 40% growth in students and staff. If trustees approve, Schreiner will compete in the NCAA Division III and the Southern Collegiate Athletic Conference." >> What's Next: "Conference rival Trinity University in San Antonio carries 115 players and 13 coaches. Other SCAC universities are expected to add football - significantly cutting down travel. The only other SCAC program that offers football is Texas Lutheran. Trinity plays in a conference with teams located across the South." >> Reality Check: "For more than a year, the university studied the implementation of a football program, including how much it would cost. Initial estimates are that it's $3-5 million startup cost, but McCormick detailed a capital facilities plan that showed more than $30 million in spending." >> Continue Reading SOCCER 4.   Ch-Ch-Changes At the Top Both the women's and men's polls have new leaders as Misericordia and Messiah sit atop the latest United Soccer Coaches Association DIII rankings. Women Misericordia, 16-0-1 Johns Hopkins, 15-0-2 Christopher Newport, 14-0-2 Case Western Reserve, 14-0-1 Messiah, 15-1-2 William Smith, 11-1-4 Carnegie Mellon, 12-1-2 Amherst, 14-2 Trinity (Texas), 18-0-1 Calvin, 15-0-1 >> Top 10 Showdown: The UAA does not have a championship tournament, but does have a match that could determine the AQ on Saturday as No. 4 Case Western Reserve takes on No. 7 Carnegie Mellon. >> Tournaments We're Watching This Week: NESCAC (8-Amherst, 11-Williams, 19-Trinity, 22-Tufts, 24-Middlebury); NJAC (12-Montclair, 21-TCNJ, 23-Rowan); A-R-C (15-Loras, 17-Wartburg); NEWMAC (16-MIT, 25-Babson) >> Complete Poll   Men Messiah, 17-0-1 Chicago, 15-0-1 Kenyon, 15-0-1 Stevens, 15-0-2 Gustavus Adolphus, 13-0-4 Amherst, 11-1-5 Franklin & Marshall, 12-1-3 Bowdoin, 11-1-4 Montclair State, 14-1-4 North Central (Ill.), 14-0-4 >> Tournaments We're Watching This Week: NESCAC (6-Amherst, 8-Bowdoin, 20-Middlebury); Centennial (7-F&M, 19-Johns Hopkins); C2C (12-Christopher Newport, 18-Mary Washington); Northwest (16-Pacific Lutheran, 25-Willamette)   >> Complete Poll A MESSAGE FROM TRENDS     Your next business idea, delivered weekly.   Trends tells you the next big thing – months before everyone else. Their dynamic team of business analysts already outlined 1,000+ vetted business ideas you can start in a weekend, and they send new ideas and market signals straight to your inbox weekly.   Try Trends for a week for only $1! Powered by Swapstack VOLLEYBALL 5.   26 Up, 26 Down For Athenas   Claremont-Mudd-Scripps is right where they started at the beginning of the year - No. 1 in the latest AVCA women's volleyball rankings were released Tuesday.   Claremont-M-S (90), 26-0 Juniata, 26-1 Trinity (Texas), 25-3 Calvin, 23-3 Northwestern (Minn.), 28-2 Emory, 18-6 (tie) NYU, 21-4 (tie) UW-Oshkosh, 30-4 Washington (Mo.), 27-4 Berry, 20-4  >> Tournaments We're Watching This Week: MIAA (4-Calvin, 16-Hope, 24-Albion); UAA (T6-Emory, T6-NYU, 9-Washington, Mo.); WIAC (8-Oshkosh, 12-Whitewater, 15-Stevens Point, 17-Eau Claire); NESCAC (13-Wesleyan, 23-Tufts) >> Complete Poll FIELD HOCKEY 6.   Sea Gulls Sit Atop Poll   Salisbury remains in the top spot in the country according to this week's NFHCA coaches' poll.    Salisbury, 16-0 Middlebury, 15-1 Rowan, 17-1 Johns Hopkins, 14-3 Trinity (Conn.), 13-3 Williams, 14-4 Messiah, 14-2 Amherst, 12-4 Tufts, 11-5 Babson, 16-3 >> Tournaments We're Watching This Week: C2C (1-Salisbury, 17-Christopher Newport); NESCAC (2-Middlebury, 5-Trinity, 6-Williams, 9-Tufts); NJAC (3-Rowan, 11-Kean); Centennial (4-Johns Hopkins, 15-Franklin & Marshall); MAC Commonwealth (7-Messiah, 13-York); NEWMAC (10-Babson, 12-MIT); ODAC (16-Washington and Lee, 18-Shenandoah, 19-Lynchburg) >> Complete Poll NEWS 7.   Lightning Round     News Baldwin Wallace announced the addition of men's and women's bowling as varsity sports beginning in 2023-24.   Happy Birthday Cake and candles for Jenna Roberts, Muskingum.   Do you know someone celebrating a birthday soon? Drop us a line at D3Playbook@gmail.com. TRANSACTIONS 7.  Comings and Goings   CHICAGO - Carlif Taylor named strength and conditioning coach ST. SCHOLASTICA - Dana Moore announced her retirement as head women's volleyball coach TUFTS - Tommy Eastman named assistant men's basketball coach. Norie Hammond named associate swimming and diving coach. Meghan Claflin named assistant coach   Thanks for starting your day with us. What did you think of today's newsletter?  Please invite your friends to sign up for D3Playbook

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