#10: Horned Frogs AD Donati takes exception to a tweet from the Action Network’s Rovell indicating TCU didn’t sell out its College Football Playoff title game ticket allotment. Donati: “Fake news. Was ironically just in our ticket office and confirmed. We sold out of our allotment with well over 5,000 ticket requests we couldn’t fill. Feel free to contact me directly in the future Darren with your questions.” (link)
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#9: Down in Coral Gables, Miami (FL) unveils full renderings for its new seven-story, 172,000-square foot Football Operations complex, which includes all the normal bells & whistles, plus a “recruiting corridor, featuring an immersive, 360-degree digital experience,” saltwater float tanks, red light therapy, a meditation room, a relaxation lounge, skyline views from the seventh floor rooftop terrace, digital media lab, NIL suite & a golf simulator. Arquitectonica & HOK are in for the design & build. Per the release: “Miami Athletics will soon announce a campaign to help support and enhance the project.” (link)
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#8: Former West Virginia AD/NCAA EVP Luck will begin immediately as the executive director of the new ASUN and WAC FB partnership. Luck's role as a consultant will begin as the league is hoping to begin in 2024. (link); Luck: “Together, with WAC Commissioner Brian Thornton and ASUN Commissioner Ted Gumbart, we are going to build and execute a game plan for success. The NCAA is in a transformational stage and now is a great time to build a new football conference." (link)
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#7: You had one job…bring the unis to the game. Texas A&M MBB was assessed a technical foul in Wednesday's matchup against Florida for leaving their uniforms at the hotel. Despite that, and the delay of game caused by the oops, the Aggies went on to beat the Gators. (link)
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#6: Is Seminole Boosters the first donor organization to run a TV commercial during a bowl game? Check out this spot the group ran on ESPN during the Cheez-It Bowl between Florida State & Oklahoma. (link)
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#5: Florida A&M AD Sykes started Wednesday, but Tuesday took to Twitter asking current or former college athletic directors to give her one piece of advice. She got lots of feedback, including this from Loyola Marymount boss Pintens: “Be authentic & be yourself,” and this from Kent State leader Richmond: “Take a moment to marvel at your accomplishment and engage everyone you meet with high energy, a listening ear, and love.” Pro wrestler/actor Cena and Georgia Senator Warnock chimed in, as well. (link)
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#4: Track all this week's administrative talent moves on The Wire over at Collegiate Sports Connect, including transitions at La Salle, Liberty, Texas State, Texas, Western Michigan, Mississippi State, Clemson, Penn State, Lindenwood, Athlete Licensing Company, Rice & Campbell. (link)
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#3: SMU names Baylor Deputy AD Rogers to the newly-created role of Deputy AD for Internal Affairs for the Mustangs. Rogers will also have sport administrator duties for Men’s Soccer, Women’s Soccer and Women’s Basketball, along with assuming the SWA title this spring. (link)
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#2: Texas FB HC Sarkisian lost his composure for a moment in the pre-game tunnel right before the Alamo Bowl. Sarkisian gave a game ops staffer an ear full for placing a hand on his chest as he waited for the cue for the Longhorns to take the field. NSFW lip reading. (link)
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#1: The DI Transformation Committee has delivered its wide-ranging final report to the DI Board of Directors ahead of next week's NCAA Convention. On the topic of "Elevating support for student-athletes' mental, physical, and academic well-being," the committee's extensive recommendations include requiring a minimum of two years of medical coverage following graduation or completing one's athletic experience for athletic-related injuries, a requirement for a "direct pathway for full-time clinical services of a licensed mental health professional exclusively dedicated to serving student-athletes," providing 10 years of graduation completion funds for full scholarship student-athletes, a new DI governance structure with greater student-athlete participation and more. Related to enhancing the championship experience, the committee is recommending to "Accommodate access for 25% of active Division I members in good standing in team sports sponsored by more than 200 schools," and alter the DI revenue distribution model to "reflect contemporary Division I values and account for athletic performance in more sports than men’s basketball," among other recommendations. Finally on "Building a faster, fairer, and more equitable Division I," the committee is recommending the BoD be the highest governing body in the NCAA and consider revising its composition while maintaining its size, and eliminate the volunteer coach designation and alter official and unofficial visits and much more. Tons more. (link)
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