#10: The Big South selects MVC Deputy Commissioner Montgomery as its next commissioner, starting May 15. Charleston Southern & Big South President Costin: “Announcing the Big South’s next commissioner is something that hasn’t happened in nearly 30 years, yet here we are. Kyle Kallander has captained the ship with a remarkably steady hand during the most turbulent waters in the history of college athletics. No one could have led this conference better than Kyle, so finding his successor was always going to seem like mission impossible. But we found the perfect candidate in Sherika Montgomery, whose meteoric rise from Big South student-athlete to Big South Commissioner offers the clearest possible evidence that the Big South Conference is in fact ‘Where Winners Are Made.’” Collegiate Sports Associates assisted with the search. (link)
|
#9: Colorado AD George shoots down speculation that the Buffs could vote to leave the Pac-12 as early as Monday: “There is absolutely no truth to this tweet.” (link) |
#8: Boise State’s new LED video board at Albertsons Stadium has been installed. Have a look. (link) |
#7: Illinois State AD Brennan has resigned after two & a half years of leading the Redbirds department. The release out of Normal indicates a national search will be executed to find & hire a new boss. (link); Meanwhile, WGLT releases information on a one-day $23,000 donor trip to the Big Ten Football Championship game in December of 2021, which was spearheaded by Brennan & has raised some eyebrows. “In response to questions from WGLT on Wednesday, ISU acknowledged spending that ‘appears to be inconsistent with the University’s mission and values’ and pledged a full financial review of Athletics.” (link)
|
#6: ESPN's Thamel reports ACC Commissioner Phillips is finalizing a three-year contract extension that will "essentially keep him atop the league through the rest of the decade." (link) |
#5: Teamworks Founder/CEO Maurides on his firm’s acquisition of ARMS as part of a $65M Series E funding round: “It's a game-changer for those working to transform their operations and deliver an exceptional athlete experience. ARMS' powerful workflow engine will have an impact beyond collegiate, with clear value for professional and military customers.” One source with “significant Power 5 experience running collegiate football operations” tells FootballScoop’s Brice that the union brings together “the leading compliance/recruiting software in the industry (ARMS)” and integrates it with Teamworks, which “provides everything else.” (link)
|
#4: Pac-12 Deputy Commissioner Zaninovich has agreed to take over as Managing Director at global strategic communications firm TrailRunner International. The Mercury News’ Wilner reports Zaninovich’s last day will be Friday; however, his first consulting project at TrailRunner will be to “advise the Pac-12 on the media negotiations, expansion and basketball strategy.” SBJ was first to report on the move. (link)
|
#3: If a Saturday Night Live skit is a proxy for broad cultural relevance, collegiate Women’s Basketball has made it. Last night a skit involving cast member Johnson, who is from New Orleans, impersonating LSU WBB student-athlete Reese from the Weekend Update desk. Topics covered: her initial reaction not to accept the White House’s invitation, NIL deals, the rise in popularity of WBB. Stay tuned for the real Reese’s reaction. (link)
|
#2: Illinois State AD Brennan has resigned after nearly two and a half years leading the Redbirds, per The Pantagraph's Reinhardt. (link) |
#1: ESPN's Thamel reports the Big Ten will former MLB COO/MLB Network President/CEO Petitti as its next commissioner. (link) |