AUGUST 21, 2025 | composed by STEVE ULRICH

No publication covers NCAA Division III better. #whyD3
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🏑  Fall Sports Are Back. Enjoy our free coverage through August 29.

🗞️ In Today’s Edition. Texas Billionaire Leading College Sports Lobbying Effort. Virginia Wesleyan Changing Name. Battle of the Bands, Day 2. AI On The Sidelines.

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TOP STORY

1. The Texas Oil Billionaire Leading the Newest College Sports Lobbying Effort

by Amanda Christovich, Front Office Sports

“For years, a group of college sports stakeholders - from the NCAA and conferences to coaches associations and NIL collectives - have been jockeying for political influence in Washington to determine the future of college sports. Despite spending millions of dollars on lobbying, none have been successful so far in pushing through legislation in Congress.

But now, there’s a new lobbying force to be reckoned with - one who has the support of President Donald Trump.”

» Driving The News. “Texas oil and natural gas billionaire Cody Campbell was able to gain influence through a combination of college sports industry experience and political positioning. He serves as the chair of the Texas Tech board of regents and board member of Texas Tech’s NIL collective, The Matador Club. But unlike other college sports stakeholders looking from the outside in, Campbell came from inside the Trump policy circle.”

» Between The Lines. “Several months ago, Campbell established a nonprofit called Saving College Sports. The organization’s IRS affiliation - 501(c)(4) - is often considered a “social welfare organization,” which means it can’t support a particular political candidate, but it does have more freedom for lobbying and political activity than 501(c)(3)s, which is how the NCAA and athletic conferences are designated.”

» Why It Matters. “The organization believes that athletes should be amateurs, rather than employees, and a governing body should have the legal authority to set rules about college sports without fear of being challenged by litigation or state laws. But the organization that runs college sports shouldn’t be the NCAA, Campbell says.”

» Quotable. “The current bill [SCORE Act] is not a comprehensive solution to the problem,” Campbell says. “We don’t have a governing body that is representative of the entire college sports landscape. It doesn’t represent the smaller institutions very well. It doesn’t represent the student athletes at all. And more than anything, it just doesn’t function very efficiently.”

» Keep Reading

COLLEGES
2. Virginia Wesleyan University Will Be Renamed Batten University in 2026

“In recognition of the University’s significant institutional transformation, including the expansion of academic offerings, relocation of the Virginia Museum of Contemporary Art to its Virginia Beach campus, and planned integration of Sentara College of Health Sciences — all largely made possible by the Batten family — Virginia Wesleyan University will be renamed Batten University in 2026.

Dr. Nancy DeFord, Chair of the University’s Board of Trustees, announced the name change today to an audience of over 400 guests during a celebration of The Batten Legacy at VWU. Dr. DeFord shared that the Board voted unanimously to rename the University in honor of Jane Batten and the Batten family, whose commitment to the institution began in 1978.”

» Situational Awareness. “Chartered in 1961 as a private liberal arts college, Virginia Wesleyan has evolved into a nationally recognized university. Mrs. Batten’s deep commitment to education and environmental stewardship has profoundly shaped the institution. The university’s student center was constructed thanks to a gift from the Battens and named in Mrs. Batten’s honor in 2002. Scholarships bearing the Batten name have helped thousands of students access a Virginia Wesleyan education for decades.”

» The Bottom Line. “The name change will take effect July 1, 2026, coinciding with a significant moment in the University’s continued evolution.”

» Learn More

FIGHT SONGS
3. Battle of the Bands

It’s the bi-annual D3Playbook “Best Fight Song” competition. Two-time defending champion Adrian looks to “three-peat” but 31 other fight songs look to knock the Bulldogs from their throne.

» How to Vote. Click on each school’s link to listen to the song. Then go to the D3Playbook twitter site and cast your vote for the winning song in each matchup. We started yesterday with the left side and conclude round one with the right side of the bracket today. The Sweet 16 is scheduled for Friday and Monday, with the Elite 8 set for next Tuesday. The semifinals will be held on August 27 with the championship matchup set for August 28.

TRANSACTIONS
4. Comings and Goings 

• BREVARD - Austin Hurley named head men’s lacrosse coach

• BUFFALO STATE - Blair Estafaa resigned as head women’s basketball coach

• CENTENARY (La.) - Brayden Reeves named assistant director for strategic communications

• CHATHAM - Vic Galati named interim head swimming and diving coach

• EDGEWOOD - Mitch Wilkins named head men’s lacrosse coach

• SALEM STATE - James Wouralis named assistant director for athletics communications

• SALVE REGINA - Zech Klenn no longer serving as head men’s ice hockey coach

• SOUTHERN ATHLETIC ASSOCIATION - Bella Boston named assistant for championships

• THIEL - Paul Gray resigned as head softball coach

• TRANSYLVANIA - Krystal Cammuse named interim head field hockey coach

• VTSU LYNDON - Antonia Peretti named head softball coach

• WESTMINSTER (Mo.) - Jalen Laughlin named interim head men’s wrestling coach

• WILLIAM PATERSON - Dave Nehls named head swimming and diving coach

1 THING
5. AI Coming to a Sideline Near You

by Ina Fried, Axios

“Microsoft is giving NFL teams 2,500 new AI-powered Copilot+ tablets.

🎥 The devices let coaches and players quickly pull up video clips from specific scenarios, such as scoring plays. Coaches up in the booth are also getting AI tools for navigating massive Excel spreadsheets with data on personnel groupings, snap counts and more.

Yes, but: The league — at least for now — is using AI to allow coaches and players to get to the information they want faster, but not allowing the technology to offer its own play call suggestions.”

» Read More

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