S&P Says Higher Ed Has Mixed Outlook

 

written by STEVE ULRICH your must-read briefing on what's driving the day in NCAA Division III >> It's Friday. It's gonna be a great weekend.    >> Do Your Record Books Need An Update? Email us. We have solutions. >> Thanks for reading D3Playbook. Help us keep this site free. Support D3Playbook and our advertisers by clicking their links.    Yes. I want to subscribe to D3Playbook TOP STORY 1. S&P Says Higher Ed Has Mixed Outlook   by Rick Seltzer, Higher Ed Dive "The U.S. higher education sector enters 2023 with a mixed outlook, S&P Global Ratings said Wednesday, calling prospects for colleges stable but divided. Strong institutions that already enjoy good credit ratings should expect continued high student demand and flexibility setting prices, S&P projects. At the other end of the spectrum, weaker institutions face expenses that are likely to grow faster than revenue.  In the middle of the pack are others — including those operating regionally and with nonselective admissions — that still face rising competition and pressure on their operating margins." >> Situational Awareness: "In the upcoming year, S&P forecasts a shallow recession, which could affect everything from public funding available for colleges to students’ ability to enroll and pay for tuition. But S&P isn’t more pessimistic about the sector as a whole in part because it is tracking many colleges with strong financial reserves that will provide them with flexibility." >> Yes, But: “Many schools were able to make it through the pandemic with the aid of these much-needed (federal relief) funds, but for many weaker institutions, as this emergency support rolls off, revenue instability and operating risks will resume,” the report said. >> Of Note: "S&P expects the number of college closures and mergers to rise more quickly in the coming years, with small and unaccredited institutions bearing the brunt. Those with a strong brand, good real estate or valuable core offerings will be more attractive for mergers or acquisitions, while colleges without those advantages are more likely to close, the report said." >> Continue Reading A MESSAGE FROM BRIGHT CELLARS     Discover Wines You Love Bright Cellars is the monthly wine club that matches you with wine that you'll love, based on an algorithm that selects wines based on your taste preferences. Created to not only deliver excellent wine, but to also give the added bonus of learning about your wines and own tastes.   Get 50% off the first 6 bottle order!   ALUMNI 2. Eagles' Coach Nick Sirianni Owes Much To Mount Union And Coach Larry Kehres by Steve Doerschuk, Canton Repository "Although Larry Kehres believes in Nick Sirianni, he had to wonder what his star pupil got himself into. Fifteen months ago, Kehres was on the road, checking up on the Toledo Rockets, whose defensive coordinator is his son Vince, and whose head coach, Jason Candle, played for him at Mount Union. It was October 2021. Sirianni was in his first season as head coach of the Philadelphia Eagles. He had replaced Doug Pederson — who led the Eagles to their first Super Bowl title, following the 2017 season, but was fired after three years of failing to get back to a Super Bowl." >> Field Awareness: Sirianni was an unpopular choice among fans and media when he was hired. In grading the NFL's seven 2021 head coaching appointments, for example, USA Today gave the Urban Meyer hire in Jacksonville a "B." The Sirianni selection drew a "D" and was termed "uninspiring." >> Quotable: "Who knows where Nick would be if he hadn't gone to Mount Union?" (older brother) Mike said. "Coach Kehres was so influential. "We've kept a relationship with him. We've kept asking him for advice." >> What They're Saying: "I think the world of Nick," said former Indianapolis head coach Frank Reich. "I think he is a brilliant offensive mind. He is a tireless worker. He pays attention to detail. He has a dynamic coaching personality." >> Read More A MESSAGE FROM THE GIST     Women-led and written by women Covers the biggest headlines in men's & women's sports Provides a refreshing female voice and perspective on sports And it's free ICE HOCKEY 3. Gustavus' Olinger Shatters Spine; 'Has Angel On Her Shoulder' by Maddie Paul, KEYC "Friends and family describe 21-year-old Gustavus senior Heather Olinger as a positive and tough hockey teammate. Especially since Olinger eagerly returns to play after recovering from any injury, such as the three anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) tears she’s had ever since middle school. On Friday, Jan. 13, Olinger’s parents watched in horror as she was checked from behind and flew head-first into the boards, during a women’s hockey game between Gustavus Adolphus College and St. Benedict’s College." >> Backstory: "Olinger suffered from a C-7 fracture and a T-4 burst fracture on the ice, which required immediate hospitalization and a major spinal surgery on Monday night. Surgeons told Olinger’s parents that she had an angel on her shoulder that night and it’s a miracle Olinger isn’t paralyzed." >> Good News: Childhood friend Megan Munger and others created a GoFundMe page with a goal to raise $500 toward Olinger’s medical bills.  As of Wednesday night, nearly $10,000 has been raised from over 150 donors and counting, including various hockey teams across the country. >> What They're Saying: “To see all the support that the hockey community, friends and family, people we don’t even know, it is what keeps us going,” Cherrie Olinger said. >> Read More STREAMING 4. Weekend Watchlist A holiday weekend filled with great Division III action awaits. Here's what we are keeping an eye on.  Men #22 Washington U. (12-2) at #19 Case Western Reserve (11-2), 730p (Fri.) #2 Randolph-Macon (16-1) at Roanoke (14-3), 2p (Sat.) #11 Middlebury (14-2) at #6 Williams (16-1), 3p (Sat.) #21 Calvin (13-3) at #16 Trine (15-1), 3p (Sat.) #7 Rochester (11-2) at NYU (12-1), 12p (Sun.)  Women #16 UW-Eau Claire (15-3) at UW-La Crosse (15-3), 4p (Sat.) #7 Rochester (13-1) at #8 NYU (11-2), 12p (Sun.)   Ice Hockey (M) #6 Oswego (11-5-1) at #13 Plattsburgh (11-4-2), 7p (Fri.)   Ice Hockey (W) #12 Nazareth (13-3) at #11 Elmira (13-5), 3p (Sat.)   Volleyball (M) #6 North Central, Ill. (0-0) vs. #7 New Paltz (1-0), 8p (Fri.) #3 Wentworth (1-0) vs. #8 Juniata (1-0), 11a (Sat.) #4 Stevens (3-1) vs. #5 Vassar (0-0), 5p (Sat.)   Wrestling (M) #17 UW-Platteville (8-4) at #4 UW-La Crosse (11-2), 8p (Fri.) NEWS  5.  Lightning Round    News Sources have confirmed to Dave Campbell’s Texas Football that Sul Ross State is expected to transition to NCAA Division II and join the Lone Star Conference on July 1, 2024. The Lobos have been charter members of the American Southwest Conference since 1996. The decision marks a return to the LSC for the Lobos, who was a member of the conference from 1950-1976 when the LSC competed in NAIA.     Happy Birthday Cake and candles for Samantha Kastner, assistant AD, Notre Dane (Md.); and Samantha Barany, executive director, CSCAA (Sun.) Do you know of someone celebrating a birthday soon? Drop us a line at D3Playbook@gmail.com. TRANSACTIONS 6.  Comings and Goings   DEFIANCE - Derek Woodley resigned as athletic director and head baseball coach. Megan Warren named acting athletic director FDU-FLORHAM - Sierra Slack named interim head women's lacrosse coach ILLINOIS COLLEGE - Jeff Edison named head golf coach PLATTSBURGH STATE - Jeff Pluta named assistant baseball coach UW-WHITEWATER - Corey A. King named chancellor  Thanks for starting your day with us. Have a safe and enjoyable weekend. What did you think of today's newsletter? Please invite your friends to sign up for D3Playbook

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