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JUNE 2, 2025 | composed by STEVE ULRICH

What administrators, coaches, parents and fans are reading. #whyD3
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TOP STORY
1. The Future of Small College Athletics

by Jim Abbott

“Just like a big box store, higher education is a business. For years the world has looked at colleges and universities as non-profit entities that serve the higher purpose of educating young people, conducting research, and providing a positive impact on society. While each of these priorities can commonly be found in higher education strategic plans, the fact is that plans require funding.

Colleges and universities generate revenue in a variety of ways including charitable gifts, federal grants, state funding, and enrollment. Without fail, for most institutions, enrollment revenue (tuition, fees, room/board) is the critical component on the balance sheet. For years, enrollment at colleges and universities has been declining. While there are outlier schools that have maintained or increased their enrollment, there are far more that have seen precipitous drops. Lower enrollment means less revenue and less revenue means smaller operating budgets, deferred maintenance, and difficult decisions.

This is a reality for many small colleges and universities who have faced these challenges for the past several years. During this time, athletic departments at these schools have seen their roles change dramatically. 25-30 years ago, athletic departments at NCAA D2 and D3 schools, as well as NAIA and 2-year schools primarily existed to bolster school and community pride, enhance campus life, and increase the visibility (think “front porch) of the university.”

» Driving The News. “For many small colleges, adding sports offered temporary respite to revenue challenges. A new team brought new students and new revenue. Keep in mind that each new team also had expenses including coaching salaries, scholarships (or institutional discount), and operating expenses. However, at the same time that athletic departments were growing, schools were still losing traditional (non-athletes) student enrollment. In many cases, a school might add 200 students through athletics but still have lower overall enrollment. For many, flat enrollment from year to year was a success.”

» What’s Next. “Small college athletic leaders should be contemplating this scenario now. What would happen if the funding from the NCAA stopped or was dramatically reduced when the NCAA’s current television agreement expires in 2032? For Division 2 and 3 schools this would likely require an increase in the amount of conference dues paid (or a decrease in services provided for the conference) and additional budget dollars available for post-season travel. In short, the cost of doing business would increase significantly for schools that are already facing enrollment drops and budget cuts. For the most successful schools, post-season travel alone could become a $500,000 or more annual expense.”

» Worth Noting. “When I contemplate the future of small college higher education I believe more resolutely than ever that athletics will continue to be an important part of campus. That having been said, it must be reimagined in a way that allows the institutions to sustainably support it. Most likely this will mean a reorganization of schools to create more geographically centered conferences with like-minded and similarly funded missions.”

» Continue Reading

BASEBALL
2. Messiah, Whitewater One Win Away

One team was expected to contend for a berth in the final series. Another … well, let’s just say most thought they were just happy to be there.

No. 3 seed Wisconsin-Whitewater and No. 8 seed Messiah emerged from the weekend with 2-0 records and are a win away from a berth in the DIII College World Series best-of-3 finale.

The Warhawks defeated Trinity TX, 7-3, and No. 2 seeded Denison, 11-4, to find themselves on the verge of a return to the final round. Messiah stunned top-seed and top-ranked Johns Hopkins, 16-7, and took down No. 4 Endicott, 9-5, to reach Monday’s pod final.

The Gulls ousted Kean, 5-4, on Robbie Wladkowski’s two-run HR in the seventh to earn a spot opposite the Falcons on Monday. Endicott needs two wins against Messiah to move into the final. Rowan got a complete-game performance from Austin Kreyenhagen to end Denison’s season, 6-1, and put the Profs up against UWW, needing two wins to advance.

» Bracket

SOFTBALL
3. And Then There Were Two

It will be Virginia Wesleyan and Trine for the DIII softball national championship.

The top-ranked Marlins reached the final series by dispatching Randolph-Macon, 3-1, in a winner-take-all pod final. Virginia Wesleyan (49-4) put three runs on the board in the top of the fourth and Hannah Hearl made them stand up, allowing just a single run on three hits for her 14th win of the season. Sarah Prosser’s two-run double was the key hit in the frame.

The Thunder forced extras with three runs in the bottom of the seventh and pushed across the game-winner in the eighth to overcome Linfield, 10-9. Tyra Marcum hit a two-run homer to close the deficit to 9-8 and Emma Beyer delivered the game-tying single. Jo Trine brought home the winning run in the eighth with a long sacrifice fly to center field that plated Ainsley Phillips with the winning run.

The best-of-3 series for the national title begins Tuesday at noon.

» Bracket

ROWING
4. Twice as Nice For Tufts

“The Tufts University women's rowing team won its second straight NCAA Championship this morning with a dominating performance on Lake Mercer.

Tufts' performance was even stronger than last year when they won their first national title in Ohio. That came on the strength of a first varsity win and second varsity runner-up finish which gave Tufts a 54 score. Today the Jumbos landed a perfect team score of 56 with the two victories. Today's 1V8 NCAA victory is the second in a row for the Jumbos.”

» Recap
» Replay

NEWS YOU CAN USE
5. Lightning Round ⚡️ 

» Golf. Washington and Lee sophomore Jonathan McEwen was named the NCAA DIII Jack Nicklaus National Player of the Year.

» Alumni. Tip 'o’ the hat to Simpson College men’s basketball alum and general manager of the Indiana Pacers, Chad Buchanan, on reaching the NBA Finals.

» Partnership. “Stevenson University's Athletics Department has entered a new partnership with Under Armour, the official outfitter for its 900+ student-athletes. The agreement, which runs through the next five years, makes the Baltimore-based footwear and apparel company the exclusive outfitter of Stevenson's 29 NCAA intercollegiate athletic teams and 13 Club teams, coaches, and staff.

TRANSACTIONS
6. Comings and Goings 

ADRIAN - Kirsty McGregor named assistant women’s soccer coach
ALMA - Jared Guy resigned as head tennis coach
CENTENARY (La.) - Patrick Garrett named head swimming coach
HENDRIX - Craig Kitchgessner resigned as head tennis coach
HIRAM - Brittany Dye named head men’s volleyball coach
KNOX - Tyler Sheikh named head men’s soccer coach
PIEDMONT - Greg Neeley resigned as head men’s basketball coach
ST. JOHN FISHER - Linda Michele announced her retirement as head women’s lacrosse coach
VERMONT STATE - David Bergh announced his retirement as president after the 2025-26 academic year
YORK (N.Y.) - Jason Marshall resigned as head women’s basketball coach
WILLIAM PEACE - Erin Rosier named head athletic trainer
WISCONSIN LUTHERAN - Mike Rossum stepped down as assistant football coach

1 THING
7. The Thrill of Victory 

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