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JUNE 23, 2025 | composed by STEVE ULRICH

What administrators, coaches, parents and fans are reading. #whyD3
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TOP STORY
1. Juniata’s Foley Named DIII Honda Athlete of the Year

“Olivia Foley, a volleyball standout from Juniata College, has been named the Division III Honda Athlete of the Year, as announced today by Chris Voelz, Executive Director of the Collegiate Women Sports Awards (CWSA) presented by Honda.

Foley will be recognized alongside the Class of 2025 Honda Sports Award winners and the prestigious Honda Cup recipient on a live telecast airing Monday, June 30, 2025, at 7 PM ET on CBS Sports Network from New York City.

Foley capped off one of the most accomplished careers in NCAA Division III volleyball history. The graduate setter from Coldwater, Mich., led Juniata to a third consecutive NCAA Division III National Championship and back-to-back perfect 35-0 seasons, helping the Eagles extend their remarkable winning streak to 97 straight matches.”

» Court Awareness. “A two-time AVCA Division III Player of the Year and four-time AVCA All-American, Foley was the catalyst behind the nation’s most potent offense. She totaled 1,125 assists in 2024, averaging an NCAA-best 11.84 assists per set, and helped power a team that led the country in kills per set (14.20).”

» Quotable. “Her grit, work ethic and competitiveness are the qualities that every coach would love to have in their starting setter and our school and program have certainly benefitted in so many ways because Olivia chose to study and play here at Juniata,” said head coach Heather Pavlik.

» Finalists. Finalists for the 2025 DIII Honda Athlete of the Year included Natalie Bruns (Basketball, NYU), Faith Duncan (Cross Country, Wilmington), Amy Griffin (Field Hockey, Middlebury), Lauren Jarrett (Track & Field, UW La Crosse), Tristen Maddox (Softball, ETBU), Kaley McIntyre (Swimming & Diving, NYU), Hope Shue (Lacrosse, Middlebury), Olivia Soffer (Tennis, Babson), Katie Sullivan (Soccer, Johns Hopkins), and Alison Takamiya (Golf, George Fox).

» What They’re Saying. “While this award may appear to recognize an individual, to me it represents something much greater — the collective effort, heart, and determination of my entire team,” said Foley. “It’s a reflection of the countless hours, shared sacrifices, and unwavering support from those around me.”

» Read More

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STREAMING
2. UAA and FloSports Enter Exclusive Media Rights Agreement

“FloSports and the University Athletic Association (UAA) have entered into an exclusive five-year media rights agreement that will begin in the fall of 2025, bringing eight elite universities to the FloCollege platform. Through the agreement, FloSports will provide a global platform to live stream over 650 regular-season and postseason events annually. The partnership further reinforces FloSports commitment to supporting Division III athletics adding a sixth conference to the FloCollege portfolio.

FloCollege will deliver live and on-demand coverage for the UAA’s full sports calendar across 20 different sports. Beyond live competition, FloSports will also invest in original content and storytelling initiatives online and across social media aimed at elevating the profile of UAA student-athletes and institutions.”

» What They’re Saying. “I speak on behalf of all eight UAA institutions when I say how excited we are to partner with FloSports and bring UAA content to FloCollege,” commented Sarah Otey, Commissioner of the UAA. “UAA student-athletes are second to none in their academic and athletic successes - and we are grateful to have a streaming network that will give us an opportunity to appropriately promote them. This agreement will allow our institutions to ensure they can stream UAA competition and promote the UAA brand in a manner that best reflects the exceptional nature of our UAA student-athletes.”

» Worth Noting. “FloSports is investing more than $50 million to support rights fees, production, content, product technology, and marketing for its NCAA rights. The direct investment in conference rights helps member institutions apply funding towards their own broadcast and production capabilities to further enhance the quality of coverage across all sports, ensuring parity and inclusivity.”

» Be Smart. The UAA becomes the sixth DIII conference to sign with FloSports - Landmark, Little East, NEWMAC, SCAC and SCIAC.

» Complete Release

NCAA
3. Five Named to Pathway Program

“The NCAA has selected 22 administrators across all three divisions for the 2025-26 Pathway Program, a yearlong initiative designed to prepare senior-level athletics administrators for their next career step as directors of athletics or conference commissioners.

The Pathway Program, led by NCAA leadership development, is an intensive, experiential learning opportunity for selected participants who work at an NCAA school or conference in Divisions I, II or III. It is designed to prepare high-potential administrators for executive-level leadership roles within intercollegiate athletics.”

» Five From DIII. Five of the 22 administrators come from the DIII ranks, including Sam Atkinson, associate AD for communications at Gallaudet; Bethany Marren, associate AD at RIT; Deidre Pierson, associate AD, Hamilton; Adam Skaggs, associate AD, Suffolk; and Richard Warren, associate VP for athletics, Hanover.

» Why It Matters. "The Pathway Program remains a proven cornerstone of leadership development in college athletics," said DeeDee Merritt, NCAA managing director of leadership development. "It equips senior-level administrators with the tools, insights and network to take the next step in their careers.”

» Continue Reading

TITLE IX
4. Why Did the Energy Department Issue a Title IX Ruling on Athletics?

by Kara Arundel, Higher Ed Dive

“Some colleges would no longer have to allow students to try out for a noncontact sports team that doesn’t align with their gender if there is no equivalent team for their gender, under a Title IX regulation issued recently by the U.S. Department of Energy — not the U.S. Department of Education.

The rule change is to go into effect July 15 unless “significant adverse comments” were received by June 16. The change would only apply to colleges that receive grant funding from the Energy Department.”

» Say What? “Specifically, the rule — called a “direct final rule” — would rescind the requirement that team sponsors offering teams for only one gender must allow members of the opposite gender to try out if no team exists for their gender, unless it is a contact sport. The rule defines contact sports as including boxing, wrestling, rugby, ice hockey, football, basketball and other sports that involve bodily contact.”

» Of Note. “The Association of Title IX Administrators, in comments submitted to the Energy Department and shared with K-12 Dive, said the rule would harm cisgender athletes, as well as transgender, transitioning, nonbinary and intersex athletes. In reality, the Energy Department change could lead to restrictions for 1,000 athletes when only one of those athletes may present a risk of unfair competitive advantage, ATIXA said.”

» Keep Reading

NEWS YOU CAN USE
5. Lightning Round ⚡️ 

» Tennis. The Tennis Recruiting Network has posted its top DIII recruiting classes for 2025. On the women’s side, MIT, Wesleyan CT and Chicago are ranked 1-2-3. There are seven NESCAC teams among the top 25, while the UAA is second with six. For the men, it’s a UAA sweep among the top three with Chicago, Washington U., and Emory at the top. The NESCAC has eight teams in the top 25, while the UAA placed five. The only other conference with more than two was the SCIAC (3).

TRANSACTIONS
6. Comings and Goings 

ADRIAN - Kenneth Beatty named head esports coach
BATES - Ian Gould named director of women’s golf
CONNECTICUT COLLEGE - Kevin Steel named head women’s swimming and diving coach
DELAWARE VALLEY - Jimmy Gulden named head baseball coach
HAMILTON - Brendan Ujvary named head men’s soccer coach
KEUKA - Courtney Lafler named head women’s lacrosse coach
MARY WASHINGTON - Kyle Hofstaedter named head men’s lacrosse coach
MORAVIAN - Noah Kandt named director of golf 
MOUNTAIN PACIFIC SPORTS FEDERATION - Announced addition of Connecticut College and Johns Hopkins as members in men’s water polo beginning this fall
NORWICH - Neal Anderson stepped down as head men’s lacrosse coach
PLATTSBURGH STATE - Nathan Petesch named head cross country/track and field coach
RIVIER - Jonathan Harper stepped down as director of athletics. Hank Parkinson named interim director
SAINT FRANCIS - Announced addition of men’s swimming as a varsity sport beginning in 2026-27
STEVENSON - Matt Bruneteau named head men’s ice hockey coach. Marcia Fletcher Williams named head cross country/track and field coach

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