July 1 - Moving Day 2024

[SW_Mustang]

This was what I was most interested in- if they would be doing this to get back in.

They are the odd ones out in the Big10 - even post expansion. Since AAU is a requirement to be admitted, lots of people think they knew they were going to get the boot and squeaked into the conference just in time.

[laker]

GSAC To Add Two New Members in 2025-26 - Golden State Athletic Conference (gsacsports.org)

[crixus]

GSAC To Add Two New Members in 2025-26 - Golden State Athletic Conference (gsacsports.org)

The GSAC is HQ'd here in SoCal. I'm glad they'll get back to double digit full members with the addition of SOKU and La Sierra. I like the name change and new logo. They changed their name to the Great Southwest Athletic Conference (because of the teams in Arizona) as of this academic year, which is already in session at some of the schools.

[SW_Mustang]

DIII Waynesburg University received a warning from their accreditor about compliance issues. It will likely be resolved, but it's worth noting:

Waynesburg University - Statement of Accreditation Status (msche.org)

[SW_Mustang]

There is a bunch of merger news out there too -

NCAA DIII Keystone College will merge with the Washington Institute for Education and Research (WIER) - day-to-day operations are expected to remain the same, but will WIER allow them to continue to keep sports?

Keystone College agrees to merge with D.C.-based nonprofit | Higher Ed Dive

NCJAA Lackawanna College is merging with non-sports Peirce College:

Lackawanna and Peirce colleges to merge | Higher Ed Dive

In Iowa - NAIA St. Ambrose University will acquire NAIA Mount Mercy University. Both campuses will be maintained - but with 48 athletic programs, I'm expecting cuts:

St. Ambrose University and Mount Mercy University to combine | Higher Ed Dive

[laker]

D3 Western Connecticut State becomes associate member of the Landmark in football.
WestConn joins Landmark Conference as Football Affiliate in 2025 (wcsu.edu)

[SW_Mustang]

I don't want to start a greater discussion on religion - but here's an article on Christian college closures I thought I'd share. They mention NAIA Cornerstone University as being in some serious financial trouble, and even DIII Wheaton College as having to face cuts:

More Christian Colleges Will Close. Can They Finish Well? - Christianity Today

[SW_Mustang]

Ohio State is expecting to lose roughly 150 student athletes - mostly in the Olympic sports. Expects other Big10 programs to do the same:

Ohio State Buckeyes AD Reveals Major Cost-Cutting Plans For Olympic Sports (si.com)

[Bballfan]

Not a surprise. And it is sad. Because they are disenfranchising 1,000's of underprivileged student athletes who otherwise could not afford a quality education.

All because of greed and the college football arms race.

[SW_Mustang]

In anticipation of a closure at North Idaho College, Couer D’Alene City Council rezoned the campus to be a university district. This prevents the trustees from selling the land to private interests as it can now only be used for higher education. NIC is a member of the NJCAA.

CDA City Council rezones North Idaho College's property | Spokane News | khq.com

(Article is paywall'd) It's tough to get a good read on this situation, but DIII New Jersey City University is cash strapped and looking at options. The mayor has proposed a merger with Hudson County Community College. It looks like if they don't find a solution, the best case scenario for NJCU is to become a satellite campus of another bigger university. Curiously, while NCCC does not currently have an athletics department, they did form a task force in 2022 and I found a Powerpoint from 2024 (second link, if anyone is interested).

Bayonne mayor: Merge NJCU, Hudson County Community College | Opinion - nj.com

PowerPoint Presentation (hccc.edu)

Do you guys like these kinds of updates? I try to keep them sports related, unless I feel like it's notable to the greater landscape of higher ed. I don't want to clutter the thread though with information on situations that haven't fully played out yet though if nobody is interested.

[cwfenn]

Ohio State is expecting to lose roughly 150 student athletes - mostly in the Olympic sports. Expects other Big10 programs to do the same:

Ohio State Buckeyes AD Reveals Major Cost-Cutting Plans For Olympic Sports (si.com)

I guess Ohio State didn’t want to travel to Alabama for a pay game!

[SW_Mustang]

In anticipation of a closure at North Idaho College, Couer D’Alene City Council rezoned the campus to be a university district. This prevents the trustees from selling the land to private interests as it can now only be used for higher education. NIC is a member of the NJCAA.

CDA City Council rezones North Idaho College's property | Spokane News | khq.com

I should mention here that the rezoning effort was not in attempt to save NIC, but only to prevent the land/facilities from being sold off by the trustees for any other purpose other than higher education if/when the school shuts down. Though - if that's not a grave sign of the state of things I don't know what is.

There was very little dissent from locals from what I can tell - with the majority of the concern about language in the measure and not the measure itself.

Be kinda cool if Idaho could step in and run the campus as a two-year. They already have facilities in CDA, not to mention a solid history with NIC. It would be the best was to preserve the college. Just my thoughts though.

[Bballfan]

I guess Ohio State didn’t want to travel to Alabama for a pay game!

I know you are making a joke, but they actually are traveling to Alabama in a few years. 2028 to be exact.

No word one what the payout will be...lol. But since a home and home series, each can pay the other a few million for travel and time.

I do like the updates on here BTW. Whatever is impacting higher education financially, it is going to impact D2 sports in some capacity eventually.

[cwfenn]

I know you are making a joke, but they actually are traveling to Alabama in a few years. 2028 to be exact.

No word one what the payout will be...lol. But since a home and home series, each can pay the other a few million for travel and time.

I do like the updates on here BTW. Whatever is impacting higher education financially, it is going to impact D2 sports in some capacity eventually.

The more you know…I had no idea Ohio State actually had a game at Alabama!

[Bballfan]

The more you know…I had no idea Ohio State actually had a game at Alabama!

They actually have home and homes with: Texas, Alabama, and Georgia scheduled (in that order). Who knows if all these matchups wlll remain on on the schedule,but yes some monster September matchups in the coming years.