Andrew Pistone

As many wise individuals have said over the years, it’s never a bad idea to
follow the money. By following its trail, one can usually find who has ultimate
power, discern where priorities lie, and understand why decisions are made.
Universities received stimulus payments, if you will, from the federal
government in the last year or so. How they decide to spend the money is their
prerogative, and many have made interesting calls about how much was earmarked
for their athletic department, and what they did with that slice.

> NEW: Tens of millions of dollars of federal #COVID
[https://twitter.com/hashtag/COVID?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw] relief funds
have already found their ways into D-I athletic departments, a @Sportico
[https://twitter.com/Sportico?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw] analysis has found. Programs
rich & poor are consuming stimulus monies for tests, PPE and lost revenue. My
story:https://t.co/stki7Lv3qU

— Daniel Libit (@DanielLibit) August 20, 2021
[https://twitter.com/DanielLibit/status/1428716409677307905?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw]
For example, the LSU athletic department received
[https://www.sportico.com/leagues/college-sports/2021/college-sports-covid-19-relief-1234637370/] 
$4 million of the funds the school was allotted by the federal government. They
elected to use almost 100% of that money on COVID testing for its players.
However, the athletic departments for Georgia State, Texas Tech and UTEP decided
to use their cut entirely against lost revenues. The University of Washington
spread their $2 million dollars around, devoting most of it to testing, but
allocating some funding for super senior scholarships, quarantine housing
services, and PPE/sanitation related costs.

> Athletics appears to have received about 43% of UNM's allocated HEERF II funds,
according to this table: https://t.co/CwlxcJee2x pic.twitter.com/Q6Nt392LU9
[https://t.co/Q6Nt392LU9]

— Daniel Libit (@DanielLibit) May 28, 2021
[https://twitter.com/DanielLibit/status/1398390580208603136?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw]
However, it’s unlikely that sports programs were factored into the federal
government’s equation when determining how much to give each university.

> “The goal was to just get money out quickly and help some colleges keep
operating,” noted University of Tennessee professor Robert Kelchen. “Athletics
was an afterthought, at most, and a non-thought most likely when Congress and
the Department of Education were thinking about how to allocate money. Via 
Sportico.com
[https://www.sportico.com/leagues/college-sports/2021/college-sports-covid-19-relief-1234637370/]
Athletic departments across the nations were hit hard by the pandemic during the
2020 season. Not being able to collect ticket sales, concession or merchandise
revenue was a huge wake up call for many schools. Enrollment figures for a
university would also affect their total profitability, and it’s not surprising
that families may have been deterred by for paying for room and board during a
pandemic. It was estimated
[https://www.post-gazette.com/sports/Pitt/2020/11/29/pitt-panthers-penn-state-nittany-lions-covid19-pandemic-ncaa-duquesne-dukes-robert-morris-colonials/stories/202011080031] 
that Robert Morris University could lose up to $2.4 million in revenue during
the 2020-2021 school year, due to decreased enrollment, and as much as a 75%
loss in ticket and corporate sales.

The distinction between the haves and the have nots was made very clear during
the pandemic, and smaller schools had to get creative with their tightened
budgets.

> “You know how you solve a problem at a Power Five school? You write a check. You
know how you solve a problem at a Robert Morris? You’ve got to figure out a
solution. That’s the difference,” Robert Morris athletic director Chris King
said for context. Via Post-Gazette.com
[https://www.post-gazette.com/sports/Pitt/2020/11/29/pitt-panthers-penn-state-nittany-lions-covid19-pandemic-ncaa-duquesne-dukes-robert-morris-colonials/stories/202011080031]
Every institution has different goals, inherent advantages, and built in
disadvantages. From the outside looking in, universities allocating hundreds of
thousands of dollars, or even millions towards keeping an athletic program
afloat might seem a little backwards. Academic sustainability and the measures
that can be taken to keep students learning should come first. But college
sports also plays a vital role in the lives of student athletes, which can help
to justify some of this spending.

What's Expected From COVID-19 Relief Packages For College Sports Teams

Jamison White

Kevin Kelley has gained national notoriety with his coaching style and outcomes
in the first two weeks of the college football season.

Kelley, who has moved up to the college level
[https://gobluehose.com/sports/football] for the first time after mastering
Arkansas High School football for over 20 years, won his first two games at
DI-FCS school Presbyterian College, but ran into some trouble in Week 3.

If you're unfamiliar with Kelley's story, or his play-calling style that has
turned heads at every level, you can read about him HERE
[https://gmtm.com/articles/the-high-school-football-coach-who-never-punts].

Presbyterian faced two NAIA teams in its first two weeks
[https://gobluehose.com/sports/football/schedule] of the season, winning those
two games by an average of 53 points. Quarterback Ren Hefley
[https://gobluehose.com/sports/football/roster/ren-hefley/5413] had 14
touchdowns and only two interceptions over those first two games.

> We’ve made it to Barker-Lane Stadium ahead of tonight battle with Campbell. 
#GoBlueHose
[https://twitter.com/hashtag/GoBlueHose?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw] #PCGoForIt
[https://twitter.com/hashtag/PCGoForIt?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw] 
pic.twitter.com/Jo9nTFjLk2 [https://t.co/Jo9nTFjLk2]

— PC Football (@BlueHoseFtball) September 18, 2021
[https://twitter.com/BlueHoseFtball/status/1439330782737223682?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw]
However, in Week 3 the team played a bigger challenge in their first FCS
opponent, Campbell College.

Campbell will be one of the better teams that Presbyterian will face this
season, but they were not up to the task in Week 3. The Camels of Campbell
College brought their best game and took it to Kelley’s Presbyterian College.

The final score of the game was 72-0 in favor of Campbell College.

> Final: Campbell 72 | Presbyterian 0

The Blue Hose begin PFL play next Saturday at 1 pm on the road against Dayton. 
#GoBlueHose
[https://twitter.com/hashtag/GoBlueHose?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw] #PCGoForIt
[https://twitter.com/hashtag/PCGoForIt?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw]

— PC Football (@BlueHoseFtball) September 19, 2021
[https://twitter.com/BlueHoseFtball/status/1439397274019315716?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw]
The team played with its usual aggressive tactics, but this time the difference
in talent level of the opposition may have shown some flaws in the game plan.
The offense struggled to say the least.

The aggressive nature lead to throwing seven interceptions, giving the Camels
many offensive possessions in plus territory that were turned into points. It
starts to beg the question of if this video game like style of play is works
against the better competition.

The strategy forces the defense of the other team to stop the team constantly
and if they cannot limit the offense of Presbyterian to 10 yards over four plays
the offense will score every time down the field.

However, when the defense has the edge in talent or game plan the team is in a
very deep hole and handing the opponent many advantageous opportunities.

> Enjoyed the conversation @ESPNMcGee
[https://twitter.com/ESPNMcGee?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw] . Next time maybe it will be
under better circumstances 😊 https://t.co/JyBNg7Rdvp

— Kevin Kelley (@coachkelley1) September 22, 2021
[https://twitter.com/coachkelley1/status/1440733615130701824?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw]
A good NFL analogy for the situation is the aggression from John Harbaugh going
for two and going for it on short 4th down situations. However, the difference
is that they have more athleticism and speed than most all their opponents,
which is why the aggression works.

Presbyterian is not blessed with the same talent and therefore may mean this
style of play will not work. The Blue Hose will have a chance to redeem
themselves in week four against league opponent Dayton.

College Football: Presbyterian College Coach Who Doesn't Punt Faces Huge Loss

Scotty Jenkins

Grrridiron Girls is starting their Fall 2021 Tour in October and they want to
meet females who are interested in playing football.

Whether you are experienced or not, the Grrridiron Girls Camps are a great
opportunity to meet other girls who love the sport and be coached by the first
female NFL coach, Dr. Jen Welter. [https://www.jenwelter.com/grrridirongirls]

To access the Grrridiron Girls Camp Registration page, CLICK HERE
[https://gmtm.com/organizations/247596/dr-jen-welter].


--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Step 1 - Click Participate On Your Event

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Once you see the list of events
[https://gmtm.com/organizations/247596/dr-jen-welter], select the city in which
you’d like to attend and click Participate.


--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

The camp dates for each region are below:

 * October 2 - New York
   [https://gmtm.com/virtuals/160/grrridiron-girls-new-york]
 * October 3 - Philadelphia
   [https://gmtm.com/virtuals/162/grrridiron-girls-philadelphia]
 * October 10 - New England
   [https://gmtm.com/virtuals/163/grrridiron-girls-new-england]
 * October 16 - Houston [https://gmtm.com/virtuals/164/grrridiron-girls-houston]
 * October 17 - Kansas City
   [https://gmtm.com/virtuals/165/grrridiron-girls-kansas-city]
 * October 24 - Miami [https://gmtm.com/virtuals/166/grrridiron-girls-miami]
 * October 31 - Baltimore
   [https://gmtm.com/virtuals/167/grrridiron-girls-baltimore]


--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Step 2 - Scroll Down & Find The Registration Activity

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

After you click Participate, you will find the event page with details about the
camp’s dates. Below that, you can scroll down to find the Registration activity.
Click the Participate button on the right side of the activity.


--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Step 3 - Fill Out The Registration Questionnaire

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Once you are in the Registration activity, answer all of the questions to let
the coaches know who you are, what experience you have, and why you love
football. All of the information is secure and will only be seen by the camp
organizers.


--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Step 4 - Submit Your Registration Form

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

After you answer all of the questions on the Registration page, scroll to the
bottom of the page and click Submit. This will send all of your information to
the Grrridiron Girls coaches and they will send you more information about the
camp you signed up for.

After you press Submit, you'll be redirected to a page that shows all of the
answers you submitted. Make sure to review all of your answers to make sure they
are correct. If you made a mistake, simply click Edit Submission on the bottom
left and you can make changes.

If you realize you submitted a Registration to the wrong camp location, click 
Remove Submission. Then, go back to the list of camp locations
[https://gmtm.com/organizations/247596/dr-jen-welter] and start over once you
find your city.


--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Once you press submit and double check your information, you're all set.
Afterwards, Grrridiron Girls will reach out to all of the camp participants with
more information about where their city's camp is located and what time the camp
will begin.

How To Register For The Grrridiron Girls Flag Football Camp

Bryan Armetta

Every so often, as in once a year, I look through my closet in an attempt to
find old clothes that may have been forgotten about. Often, the process simply
helps sort out what fits, what doesn't, and what needs to be gotten rid of. But
every so often, I'll find a shirt that slipped through the cracks, that
sweatshirt I loved in high school, or those pants I used to wear every weekend
my freshman year of college. 

The process is not so much about de-cluttering my wardrobe. Rather, it acts as a
way of taking me back to a time and place I may not have even realized I missed.

In essence, watching the Oregon Ducks take down Ohio State in Columbus on
September 11th was equivalent to that cozy sweatshirt from days gone by. The
win, which wasn't even as close as the 35-28 final score may suggest, was
perhaps the most important victory in about ten years for the Pac-12, college
football's least respected Power 5 conference. More importantly, it meant that
the Pac was back, or at least felt like it was. In-season implications aside,
the alignment of the college football universe simply feels right when midnight
madness matters.

> THANK YOU OREGON DUCKS FAMILY & EVERYONE WHO MADE THE TRIP TO COLUMBUS!!!
1-0 PROCESS BEGINS AGAIN…BUT WE ARE GOING TO ENJOY THIS FLIGHT!!! #GoDucks
[https://twitter.com/hashtag/GoDucks?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw] 
pic.twitter.com/MA1kdexowF [https://t.co/MA1kdexowF]

— Mario Cristobal (@coach_cristobal) September 11, 2021
[https://twitter.com/coach_cristobal/status/1436828893252575235?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw]
The win vaulted Oregon into the top four early in the season's AP polling, and
earned the program a level of respect they haven't had since the halcyon days of
Chip Kelly and Marcus Mariota. To be fair, the Ducks haven't exactly been
doormats since they lost the 2014 National Championship to Ohio State; it was
only two years ago that they ranked 5th in the final AP Poll, boosted by a 28-27
Rose Bowl victory over Wisconsin. 

However, for every high the past seven years has produced, there seems to have
been an equal amount of lows. The end of the Mark Helfrich era, the
oft-forgotten successor to Kelly, ended with a dismal 4-8 record. The following
year, promising head coach Willie Taggart bolted before the end of the season to
his dream job at Florida State (that worked out well
[https://www.tallahassee.com/story/sports/college/fsu/football/2019/11/03/florida-state-football-how-we-got-here-what-brought-willie-taggart-downfall-fsu-walt-bell-barnett/4149853002/]
). Even last year's pandemic-impacted season could be seen as a step back; the
Ducks were shellacked 34-17 by Iowa State in the Fiesta Bowl. 

The 2021 Ducks Are For Real...

Enthusiasm for Oregon, both on the field and on the recruiting trail
[https://247sports.com/college/oregon/ContentGallery/Oregon-Ducks-football-2019-recruiting-class-enroll--133383785/]
, has not been unwarranted. They have been unquestionably better under
Cristobal's watch compared to his two predecessors, and the future is bright.
With all that being said, you could have been excused for not buying the hype
coming from Eugene.

> Almost time to rack up some more wins. 👏

Saturday, September 18:@oregonfootball
[https://twitter.com/oregonfootball?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw] vs. Stony Brook
@ASUFootball [https://twitter.com/ASUFootball?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw] vs. BYU
@UCLAFootball [https://twitter.com/UCLAFootball?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw] vs. Fresno
State#Pac12FB [https://twitter.com/hashtag/Pac12FB?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw] 
 pic.twitter.com/Kdjq7oPaPt [https://t.co/Kdjq7oPaPt]

— Pac-12 Conference (@pac12) September 16, 2021
[https://twitter.com/pac12/status/1438638829381033993?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw]
Clearly, Oregon's enigmatic nature made picking them to break out a risky
proposition. Cristobal's teams have shown plenty of talent in the past, but
their ability to win consistently, let alone against high-quality opponents, has
never really been proven outside of the 2020 Rose Bowl. Prior to the win over
OSU this year, the Ducks had a mediocre record of 6-8 vs. Top 25 opponents since
2017, including a 1-3 mark against those outside of the Pac-12. Therefore,
despite being surrounded by unknowns, trendier choices to win the conference
[https://gmtm.com/articles/2021-which-college-football-teams-could-make-it-to-the-cfb-playoff] 
naturally emerged this offseason. 

As the dust has settled on the first three weeks of an incredibly young
campaign, any notions of Oregon not being the Pac-12's team to beat have been
silenced. A dynamic offense led by running back C.J. Verdell, and his stellar
backup Travis Dye, has gashed opposing defenses. At quarterback, Boston College
transfer Anthony Brown has played smart, risk-averse football while mixing in
some rushing ability of his own. A sturdy defense that has kept opponents to
under 20 points a game is headlined by former five-star Kayvon Thibodeaux, a
likely top pick in the 2022 NFL Draft.

> GO DUCKS!!! #GoDucks
[https://twitter.com/hashtag/GoDucks?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw] 
pic.twitter.com/0WOqmduOIY [https://t.co/0WOqmduOIY]

— Mario Cristobal (@coach_cristobal) September 16, 2021
[https://twitter.com/coach_cristobal/status/1438503094183026690?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw]
As long as the big pieces on the Ducks offense stay healthy, which is not
guaranteed
[https://www.registerguard.com/story/sports/college/football/2021/09/18/no-4-oregon-ducks-rout-stony-brook-qb-anthony-brown-leaves-injury/8400567002/]
, and the defense continues its solid play, it's hard to envision any of their
remaining Pac-12 opponents slowing them down.

...But Who Can Challenge Them?

Competition is key to gaining legitimacy in the uber-exclusive, downright
monopolized world of college football. 

Therein lies the problem for the Pac-12 as a whole. Oregon may be en route to
reclaiming its former elite status, but most other programs in the conference
have been derailed this season. That presents a slim margin for error for the
Ducks, even with a win over Ohio State on their resume. 

USC, seen as the likeliest choice to win the Pac-12 South, suffered a
humiliating 42-28 home loss to Stanford two weeks ago, prompting the firing of
head coach Clay Helton
[https://www.espn.com/college-football/story/_/id/32204357/usc-trojans-fire-head-football-coach-clay-helton]
. Arizona State started off strong at 2-0, but lost its way in Provo against BYU
last weekend. Utah, Colorado, and Arizona have a combined 2-7 record.

> Trojans get back on track. 💪#FightOn
[https://twitter.com/hashtag/FightOn?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw] | #Pac12FB
[https://twitter.com/hashtag/Pac12FB?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw] | 
@PacPremierBank [https://twitter.com/PacPremierBank?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw] 
pic.twitter.com/xasl9OgpVK [https://t.co/xasl9OgpVK]

— Pac-12 Conference (@pac12) September 18, 2021
[https://twitter.com/pac12/status/1439365341180665857?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw]
Up north, Washington's two losses on the year were both equally humiliating; a
season opening defeat against FCS Montana and a 31-10 rout at the hands of
Michigan. Oregon State has shown some scrappiness this season, but their failure
to beat Purdue makes national relevance unlikely for the Beavers. Cal and
Washington State should continue to perpetuate in mediocrity, as they have for
most of the past decade.

Stanford, often the chief protagonist in Oregon's once-annual quest for
conference supremacy, has had an inconsistent season. The optimist may point
towards two straight road wins, including their takedown of USC, as signs that
the Cardinal are poised to challenge the Ducks for the Pac-12 North. The
pessimist would mention an embarrassing season opener against Kansas State that
saw their offense held to a paltry 233 yards on the day.

> All @StanfordFball [https://twitter.com/StanfordFball?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw] for
the win! 🌲🤓#GoStanford
[https://twitter.com/hashtag/GoStanford?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw] | #Pac12FB
[https://twitter.com/hashtag/Pac12FB?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw] | 
@PacPremierBank [https://twitter.com/PacPremierBank?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw] 
pic.twitter.com/Ns4XyA88NM [https://t.co/Ns4XyA88NM]

— Pac-12 Conference (@pac12) September 19, 2021
[https://twitter.com/pac12/status/1439431310477459456?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw]
That leaves us with UCLA, helmed by who other than Chip Kelly. After destroying
Hawaii, the Bruins went on to upset LSU at home, catapulting them to 13th in AP
polling. Any good vibes were stifled last weekend when Fresno State came to the
Rose Bowl and ran up and down the field on their way to a 40-37 win. Although
Fresno State is a ranked team that proved their worth in a seven-point loss to
Oregon earlier this season, it was an unquestionably bad loss for a UCLA team
looking to take control of the Pac-12 South.

> First @AP_Top25 [https://twitter.com/AP_Top25?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw] Poll of the
season & we’ve got 🖐 #Pac12FB
[https://twitter.com/hashtag/Pac12FB?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw] teams holding
down the fort.

1️⃣2️⃣ @oregonfootball [https://twitter.com/oregonfootball?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw]
1️⃣4️⃣ @USC_FB [https://twitter.com/USC_FB?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw]
1️⃣6️⃣ @UCLAFootball [https://twitter.com/UCLAFootball?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw]
2️⃣1️⃣ @Utah_Football [https://twitter.com/Utah_Football?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw]
2️⃣3️⃣ @ASUFootball [https://twitter.com/ASUFootball?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw]
#BackThePac
[https://twitter.com/hashtag/BackThePac?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw] 
pic.twitter.com/SFLx14ycAE [https://t.co/SFLx14ycAE]

— Pac-12 Conference (@pac12) September 7, 2021
[https://twitter.com/pac12/status/1435324493107396608?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw]
So, what is the Pac-12? Ultimately, it looks a lot like it has in most recent
years: programs filled with promise, but ultimately crippled by inconsistency
and a flat-out inability to perform at a high level against out of conference
opponents. The difference this season lies in an Oregon squad that has the
makings of a bonafide CFP contender. The diminished strength of its conference
peers could be what vaults the Ducks to an undefeated season...or it could lead
to their ruin with just one loss. 

The Pac-12 isn't back just yet. Too many of its once-fearsome member schools
have yet to truly put it together. Still, having one national power within its
ranks is cause for celebration. With a contending Oregon comes increased
attention, from both fans and recruits alike, that can have a trickle-down
effect for the rest of the conference. 

Now, the Ducks must fit into the musty old sweater that is title competition,
while balancing the hopes and dreams of a Pac-12 starving for a shred of
recognition on the national stage.

No pressure.

Are the Oregon Ducks (and Pac-12 Football) Back?

Aria Modirmassihai

Hockey has always been one of the last few major team sports without a majority
of their players coming from the United States.

Ice rinks and arenas across the country has always been dominated by a mix of
Europeans, and Canadians. Even the NHL, which is the largest league in the
world, relies on a steady talent supply from countries in which Hockey is more
prominent.

Lately, however, the trend has been heading in the opposite direction. With more
American kids playing hockey, more money and resources are being thrown into the
sport.

This investment has paid off with more American athletes going on to play hockey
at both the collegiate and professional levels.

In the last 25 years, the total number of hockey players in the US has grown by
over 230%, making ice hockey one of the fastest-growing sports in the country.

Despite the exponential growth of the sport, college hockey has yet to see any
new DI programs. Fortunately, a new venture-backed by USA Hockey with a large
investment from the NHL is looking to create new opportunities for the newest
influx of American Hockey players.

The group is called College Hockey Inc. [https://collegehockeyinc.com/], and
their goal is to help Division I schools start their own new hockey programs.

> Ed Robson speaking in front of this year’s team at the ribbon cutting of the 
@EdRobsonArena [https://twitter.com/EdRobsonArena?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw] and
Yalich Student Services Center. pic.twitter.com/8zX0YvWhgc
[https://t.co/8zX0YvWhgc]

— CC Hockey (@CCTigerHKY) September 18, 2021
[https://twitter.com/CCTigerHKY/status/1439308657305477128?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw]
The group began work on the implementation of new varsity hockey programs with
Penn State
[https://gopsusports.com/news/2021/8/30/mens-hockey-announces-complete-2021-22-schedule.aspx]
, eight years ago, and then at brought a hockey team to Arizona State
[https://thesundevils.com/news/2021/7/24/mens-ice-hockey-doan-drafted-highest-in-asu-history-murchison-goes-in.aspx] 
four years later.

The Nittany Lions are now the 9th ranked team in NCAA college hockey, and the
Sun Devils are 14th.

> gold >> maize 🔱 pic.twitter.com/qMnFmWUupQ [https://t.co/qMnFmWUupQ]

— Sun Devil Hockey (@SunDevilHockey) September 20, 2021
[https://twitter.com/SunDevilHockey/status/1440072201034555412?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw]
Over the past 15 years, NCAA alumni playing in the NHL have grown 55%, including
327 former college hockey players making NHL rosters for the 2018-19 season.

One out of three players taking the ice in the NHL last year developed their
game in the collegiate hockey ranks. And 49 of 60 NCAA schools with a Division I
team had a former player on an active NHL roster.

As impressive as those numbers are, there is still much room for growth. Those
60 programs make up a little over 15% of all Division I schools.


--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Another area where hockey is visibly different than the last generation is
diversity between athletes and in the coaching ranks.

In the last season, thirteen black women were on active Division I and III
rosters. This is more than three times the amount in 2019.

> Let’s talk about Renee Hess. 

Renee or as you may know her as @BlackGirlHockey
[https://twitter.com/BlackGirlHockey?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw] founded BGHC in 2018
to unite black women in the hockey community. 

But she’s done so much more. pic.twitter.com/Bs08yd211T
[https://t.co/Bs08yd211T]

— Sebastian J (@SebJackson90) February 4, 2021
[https://twitter.com/SebJackson90/status/1357403704358486018?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw]
Arcadia University Women’s Hockey coach Kelsey Koelzer
[https://arcadiaknights.com/staff-directory/kelsey-koelzer/298], who is the
first black woman to coach in the NCAA, spoke about the recent emergence of
young black female hockey stars,

> "As I'm recruiting, I feel I'm constantly shocked that it's getting less and
less out of the ordinary to see girls that are getting recruited to NCAA
[Division I] who are (Black),... I think it’s a really hopeful sign”.
> This is Kelsey Koelzer. 
Pronounced just like it’s spelled. 
Princeton. Kaz Finalist. First overall pick in the 2016 NWHL Draft. Riveter.
Team NWHL. 
She is a hockey star. 

The second period of Team NWHL-Team USA has begun. pic.twitter.com/nCyHpUXrgW
[https://t.co/nCyHpUXrgW]

— PHF (@NWHL) January 15, 2018
[https://twitter.com/NWHL/status/952998888696434688?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw]
Koelzer, who will be coaching Arcadia's
[https://arcadiaknights.com/news/2019/9/9/womens-hockey-standout-former-top-overall-pick-koelzer-named-arcadias-head-womens-ice-hockey-coach.aspx]
inaugural season in 2021-2022 , was also the first black woman to be drafted in
the National Women's Hockey League draft.


--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

If these trends continue the future of college Hockey seems very bright. More
kids trading in cleats and basketball shoes for ice skates and hockey Sticks
means more American men and women playing in college.

It means that the day might come where the majority of NHL players are developed
in college and high school programs.

College Hockey is growing, becoming more diverse in America

Changes are coming to the NCAA Division III cross country regional model that
has been in place
[https://www.miacathletics.com/general/2021-22/releases/20210723bxmnhm] for an
estimated minimum of 40 years. Starting in September 2021, there will be ten
regions in the newest alignment format. The Men’s and Women’s Track and Field
and Cross Country committee put this into practice over the summer. The new
regions in the updated breakout will be: The East, Great Lakes, Metro,
Mid-Atlantic, Mideast, Midwest, Niagara, North, South and West.

This varies slightly from the incumbent eight region model, which featured
larger divisions like the Atlantic, Central and New England groups.

Realignment for the sport had been a long time coming. Cross country has grown
notably throughout the last 15 years in Division III, and the influx of
institutions offering the sport was a motivating factor in deciding to break up
schools into evenly distributed groups moving forward. Under the old system,
there would be regions that contained
[https://www.sagegators.com/general/2020-21/releases/20210712n3a6lu] many more
schools than others, and it caused a logistics issue with trying to find venues
large enough to accommodate them all.

> 𝗧𝗨𝗥𝗡 𝗜𝗧 𝗨𝗣 𝗧𝗢 𝟭𝟬

The @NCAADIII [https://twitter.com/NCAADIII?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw] Men’s and
Women’s Track & Field and Cross Country Committee, as well as the DIII
Championships Committee, approved a 10-region realignment model for cross
country that will be effective on September 1, 2021.

📄 https://t.co/Gzpo74dAFN pic.twitter.com/eWd4B2V2Bk [https://t.co/eWd4B2V2Bk]

— USTFCCCA (@USTFCCCA) July 8, 2021
[https://twitter.com/USTFCCCA/status/1413196190305329153?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw]
It looks like the realignment is being received favorably, including by Russell
Sage College’s David Taranto.

> “The new Mideast Region will allow Russell Sage to compete against the same
teams that we see on a weekly basis at some of the smaller regional
invitationals,” the men’s and women’s coach opined. “We will be able to continue
regional rivalries and give our athletes the opportunity to qualify for
Nationals against a strong field.” Via SageGators.com
[https://www.sagegators.com/general/2020-21/releases/20210712n3a6lu]
There were no 2020 cross country championships held to the pandemic. In 2019,
Johns Hopkins University came out victorious in the women’s side, and will
compete in the Mid-Atlantic region. The men’s 2019 championship was claimed by
Pomona-Pitzer colleges, who find themselves in the West region.

Every school is hoping to make it Louisville, Kentucky on Saturday November 20th
, when the Division III Cross Country Championships will take place.

Division III Cross Country Runs Into Re-Alignment

Alexis Peltzer-Harding

The following states have produced some of the top-quality athletes in the
country. This list is based on which states had the most athletes recruited as a
top 100 player in the country.

These athletes may not have ended up playing college basketball in their home
state. However, the success they found in college may tell you something about
where they got started.


--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

(5) Indiana
Indiana is an interesting case of popular and successful athletes. They have had
some of the best sibling pairs of athletes, the Zeller brother's being just one
example.

The freshmen who have come out of Indiana are known for their skills and the way
that they can take the basketball programs at their respective schools to the
next level. The Hoosiers' athletic program is best known for basketball and the
athletes that go through that program.

The history of the college's NCAA championships encourages the state to have a
lot of camaraderie around the sport.


--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

(4) Illinois
Chicago, Illinois is a city that pumps out athletes like it's nothing. In 2014
both of the top two prospects were from Chicago. Getting athletes from Chicago
is a privilege and the city is a pinnacle point for sports in the Midwest.

The Chicago area and Illinois have had a total of 68 players drafted to the NBA
since the beginning of the league.

The state overall ensures that anybody that enters their basketball program
leaves with a better understanding of the sport and a higher degree of skill.


--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

(3) North Carolina 
This state is a given to be on this list. With Duke and North Carolina being
among the biggest names in college basketball every year, the state molds their
athletes to match this level of playing.

Growing up in a state where all eyes are on the Tar Heels and the Blue Devils,
young basketball players seem to always make playing for one of the state's top
schools their goal. This checks out for the number of quality basketball
athletes that North Carolina puts into each year's national recruiting class.


--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

(2) California
California is one of the biggest states which means the amount of athletes is
already going to be more fertile.

Having to keep up with the powerhouses of the West Coast Conference, such as the
Gonzaga Bulldogs, pushes the athletes to get to the top. Having their legendary
program, UCLA is another motivator for athletes in southern California.

While these are all great things, California could not be number one because
they seem to have dry spells when producing athletes. When they do send out a
star athlete, however, they end up being one of the top talents of their
generation.


--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

(1) Texas
Texas athletics is in another league. They send the top athletes for not only
basketball but also football. Texas focuses a lot on the performance of its
athletes and athleticism is very well admired in the state.

Although many of the top Texas athletes do not end up staying in the state, it
is big news when a large Division I school in the state gets a top prospect from
the area. With a total of 21 Division I colleges in the state, they try to boost
the drive to win from a young age for athletes in the huge region.


--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

In any sport, one can notice that some of the best athletic performances from
collegiate athletes will be consistent with the states that have some of the
best Division I college programs in that sport.

This can be a result of camaraderie, motivation, or even the history of a family
being involved in those athletic programs. In the end, every state trains its
athletes to the best of its ability.

Five States That Produce The Most Men's College Basketball Recruits

The LSU Tigers went to the top in the previous season, hardly losing to the
Bulldogs. However, this loss has lit a fire under each of the athletes and they
have been preparing to dominate the upcoming season. 

Currently, the Tigers women's soccer team [https://twitter.com/LSUSoccer?s=20] 
hold the streak for the most wins in a row at an astounding 7-0. Not only is
that the case, but many of those games they have massively outscored their
opponents. They've set out to prove that they do not take losing lightly and do
not plan on doing so again.

> 3⃣,0⃣2⃣1⃣

The largest crowd in LSU Soccer history! Thank you Tiger Nation 💜💛#GeauxTigers
[https://twitter.com/hashtag/GeauxTigers?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw] 
pic.twitter.com/pfbYnK77a2 [https://t.co/pfbYnK77a2]

— LSU Soccer (@LSUSoccer) September 18, 2021
[https://twitter.com/LSUSoccer/status/1439058374457323524?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw]
Their best performance was in the 2020 SEC tournament  This is when they played
those incredible ranked matches. They were able to pull off upsets and even made
it all the way to the quarter finals. 

The SEC tournament was big for them, however, according to the team it is only
the first in a long line of accomplishments. 

At the end of that season their record stood at 8-8-3. Their determination is
outwardly present as they work harder than ever to achieve their ultimate goals. 

These all seem like great soccer stats, however, why are they significant?

Just mere seasons ago LSU was regarded as an easy team. They had trouble in
every match they played and wins were scarce. The transformation of the Tigers
was huge and the fans are incredibly excited to see what they do next.

> Tradition Lives Here#GeauxTigers
[https://twitter.com/hashtag/GeauxTigers?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw] 
pic.twitter.com/EeairPvHtp [https://t.co/EeairPvHtp]

— LSU Soccer (@LSUSoccer) February 20, 2020
[https://twitter.com/LSUSoccer/status/1230284681066582021?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw]
The Tigers are aware and happy to learn from every game, win or loss. It's
something that makes a good soccer team anywhere and they've mastered it and
used their skills to their best ability. 

However, even with the most solid go-getter attitude they couldn't get the wins
they've received without some type of based talent on their side. This is where
their upperclassmen come in.

> What a special night. I came to LSU because of the passionate fan base. Last
night I got to witness that first hand. The atmosphere was ELECTRIC! Tiger fans
let’s keep building this together. Thank you 🙌💜💛 #GeauxTigers
[https://twitter.com/hashtag/GeauxTigers?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw] 
pic.twitter.com/uDiV4R70rZ [https://t.co/uDiV4R70rZ]

— Sian Hudson (@LSUCoachSian) September 18, 2021
[https://twitter.com/LSUCoachSian/status/1439222886158508034?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw]
LSU has a variety of seasoned athletes that turn the team dynamic into something
special. Experience is key when it comes to sports of any kind. Skill can come
easily to some, however, experience is what builds the IQ of the sport and that
is imperative within any good team.

Their upperclassmen come from all around
[https://lsusports.net/sports/sc/roster/]. They've got a solid base that have
learned and grown at LSU, being with the team through it all. They also have
newer recruits from all around.

LSU makes it a point to continue to look for experienced players to improve
their roster. Upperclassmen come from all around to be a part of a growing
successful team. 

Not only do they find teammates within the states, but they even have found
players in Canada and even Ghana. With the base they have and an increasing
level of experience and practice, it is the hope of all Tigers fans that this
season will be their best yet.

All of their hard work in recruiting, learning, and practicing will pay off to
if they continue on their path. Tigers fan or otherwise it will be great to see
what these incredible female athletes do this season.

Women’s Soccer: The LSU Tigers Claw Their Way To The Top Spot

In recent years the taboo of sports betting has started to come down and
gambling on your favorite team is starting to become easier and more accessible
to people around the country. It begs the question how does it effect the
schools and athletes that make up the NCAA.

22 states now have legalized sports betting, but not everything looks the same
state to state. For example, in Oregon the state offers an app that is run by
the state lottery. This allows people to place bets on their favorite local
teams like the Blazers or Timbers or on teams halfway across the country or even
world. However, they Oregonians cannot legally bet through the app on any
college sports.

The state took measure to take college sports off their books after the two
largest universities in the state, University of Oregon and Oregon State
University, made complaints that they were seeing no part of the winnings
despite being public universities. This opens up a large question of when states
legalize sports betting how does that look and what is most fair.

However, not every state is set up like Oregon. New Jersey on the other hand is
run mostly by the likes of sports betting behemoths like Draftkings. This
private company does offer college sports on their books and even reports that
the highest percentage of bets are placed on college sports.

As sports betting spreads and more and more large universities see companies or
states profiting off their athletic programs will more schools put up a fight?
The biggest difference comes in the form of a private company versus a state
facilitating bets on their own universities.

States like Oregon are now in a tough spot as they have lost customers to
illegal online sportsbooks due to not offering college sports. Now that college
athletes can make money off their name, image and likeness, should they also see
a benefit from the millions of dollars bet on them every season?

How Continued Legalization of Sports Betting Affects College Sports

Even though the summer is coming to an end, the swimming pool will still be a
place to focus your attention this fall. There’s no shortage of talent entering
the NCAA this season, and they’ll be looking to make a big splash when they
compete for their universities.

One of the most promising prospects to keep an eye on this season will be Tori
Huske, who grew up in Arlington, Virginia. If that name sounds familiar, it
might ring a bell because of her participation in the Olympics this summer. She
participated in the Women’s 100m Butterfly, finishing fourth, and was part of
the Mixed 4 x 100m Medley Relay, which finished fifth.

Of greater note, Huske was part of the Women’s 4 x 100m Medley Relay which
brought home a silver medal. She recorded that fastest reaction time for her
team in that event at a minuscule 0.27 seconds. Her achievements before setting
foot on campus as a college freshman are certainly notable, but the
ultra-competitive Huske was hoping for an even better result at the Olympics.

> Oh, yes. And Tori Huske, from across the river in Arlington, VA, who broke her
own American record in the butterfly and will join Katie and Phoebe as
representatives of the DC metro area at the Olympics!

— David Cole (@DavidColeACLU) June 20, 2021
[https://twitter.com/DavidColeACLU/status/1406702770506375171?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw]
> “Being so close to the gold like that was a little disappointing,” Huske
confessed. Via InsideNova.com
[https://www.insidenova.com/sports/olympic-silver-medalist-torri-huske-rates-experience-a-success/article_da416176-f5f6-11eb-b9eb-3b0e93773c10.html]
Huske will be swimming for Stanford University this fall, and will be a prized
addition to the program.

On the boys side, Aiden Hayes will be a primary prospect to watch. From
Oklahoma, Hayes is excited to be part of a recent movement that is putting his
home state on the map as a hotbed of swimming talent.

> “It’s a really big deal. Oklahoma doesn’t get the recognition in swimming. It is
definitely not the biggest sport, or even top five. But it has started to pick
up around the state,” he commented. Via SwimmingWorldMagazine.com
[https://www.swimmingworldmagazine.com/news/swimming-world-august-2021-presents-the-male-high-school-swimmer-of-the-year-aiden-hayes/]
Hayes was chosen as Swimming World’s Male High School Swimmer of the Year, and
has a bright future ahead of him. He re-wrote national recordbooks in the 100m
Butterfly and the 50 yard Freestyle in his high school career. Hayes will
continue swimming into stardom at North Carolina State University, and will be
certainly be a person of interest come the next Olympics in 2024.

> Swimming World August 2021 Presents - The Male High School Swimmer of the Year:
Aiden Hayes - https://t.co/ilQ3kzhNvj pic.twitter.com/V9b3b0hCwQ
[https://t.co/V9b3b0hCwQ]

— Swimming World (@SwimmingWorld) August 2, 2021
[https://twitter.com/SwimmingWorld/status/1422242491256872969?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw]

Diving Into 2021’s Top Swimming Recruits

Since launching their first Virtual Event event a little over a year ago, GMTM
has seen a huge boost in the amount of female athletes creating a profile and
submitting videos.

That's because GMTM revolutionized way for athletes to send videos directly to
real coaching staffs promising awesome opportunities in a number of sports.

From Olympic teams hosting digital tryouts to college programs hosting virtual
campus visits, GMTM has connected thousands of female athletes to real
opportunities in sports.

With their free profiles and events, GMTM has helped females from every corner
of North America and beyond continue to be found by recruiters and brands during
one of the most trying times for athletes.

From Digital Combine To An Olympic Team
When a global pandemic sidelined every single athlete, GMTM was quick to
leverage their brand new technology to host Virtual Events for Olympic
organizations and college teams.

The first to see the worth in GMTM's video uploading platform that allowed
athletes to submit tryout videos and control their own recruiting platform was
USA Bobsled & Skeleton.

Team USA was desperate to continue their talent identification process despite
social distancing. So, when they sent out the link to their free Digital Combine
on gmtm.com, they weren't surprised to see a huge number of football and male
track athletes submit tryout videos.

What did surprise them, though, was that out of the hundreds of athletes who
submitted videos, a huge number of them were from really talented and motivated
female athletes.

In the duration of the USA Bobsled & Skeleton Digital Combine, coaches received
over 40 submissions from female athletes hoping to be chosen for the Olympic
squad. And from that group, four were invited to an in-person training camp in
Lake Placid to try the sport.

One of those was Lauren Brzozowzki, a former Track & Field athlete at Elon
University.

After her first run, Brzozowzki found a new passion for the sport and it showed.
The coaches at the camp invited her to join the USA Bobsled team officially.
Now, the former track athlete is staring down a gold medal in a different sport.

Another female who was selected for the national team, based on her digital
combine submission came from a very different background.

Riley Compton, a Marine Aviation Logisitics Officer, submitted her tryout videos
for Team USA last fall. A few months later, she was able to add a new title to
decorated resume - pilot of a bobsleigh on the National Developmental Team.

Compton still serves as a 2nd Lieutenant in the U.S. Marines at Fort Pendleton
in California - thousands of miles from either of the country's two bobsleigh
tracks. Fortunately for her though, Bobsled is a combination of weightlifting
and sprinting, two activities she is able to perform on the base while away from
the ice.

Improving Access To National Team Opportunities
While Bobsled isn't usually the focus for many young women, GMTM has also helped
other international Olympic teams discover athletes that will soon represent
their countries in more popular women's sports.

One of those is Volleyball Canada, the country's national governing body for
women's volleyball, who launched a series of junior-level events in early 2021.

The virtual events, which ranged from the U15 to the U21 level, were Team
Canada's official first step in trying out for national teams and
state-sponsored development programs. Each event took place during a period of
social distancing in the country, so athletes submitted personal drills from
gyms at every corner of the country.

In the five different women's tryouts Volleyball Canada hosted, almost ___
athletes submitted videos. 

The virtual event also costed under $50.00, a fraction of what it costed in past
year's for athletes to attend an in-person tryout in their province's larger
cities.

For the girls that weren't chosen for Canada's national team, the effort was not
in vain. Their tryout videos now live on their GMTM profiles, where college
coaches from across Canada and the United States can watch and discover athletes
from under-recruited areas.

In fact, GMTM even hosts Virtual Visits for a number of college volleyball teams
in the U.S., as well as teams from other sports. Currently, there are 7 Virtual
Visits athletes can participate in for FREE ranging from basketball to field
hockey to rowing.

Introducing Female Athletes To Emerging Sports
While most athletes find GMTM through opportunities their coaches share with
them, there are still plenty of unique organizations that are looking for the
right athlete to change sports.

GMTM profiles allow the best athletes to display every type of skill they have,
making it very easy for coaches in other sports to find top talent that might
not be looking for them.

For instance, USA Team Handball launched a Virtual Combine
[https://gmtm.com/virtuals/64/usa-team-handball-combine] on GMTM in order to
find interested female basketball and volleyball athletes and expose them to
their sport. Historically, a majority of Team USA's handball athletes have
started in the sport after excelling in others.

Another example is the American Flag Football League, which has a rapidly
growing Women's Division, with teams and athletes from across the nation. They
will soon launch an AFFL Virtual Showcase to help women interested in playing
football find a place to compete professionally.

How GMTM Is Changing The Way Females Athletes Are Recruited

On July 1st college sports saw a long-awaited change that shocked the foundation
of amateur sports forever. Finally, college athletes could begin profiting off
of their name, image, and likeness. Right away the top college, and even some
high school, stars began signing deals worth hundreds of thousands and even
millions of dollars. And while many of these athletes are playing at Division I
NCAA schools, many athletes enrolled at HBCUs have also begun cashing in on the
new rules.

HBCUs have seen a huge increase in attention in the media, spearheaded by
professional athletes such as Chris Paul and Lebron James, over the past 2
years. For too long, the athletes and programs at these schools had been
overlooked, not anymore.

The first HBCU athlete to sign an endorsement deal was Ky’Wuan Dukes, a star
wide receiver at Johnson C. Smith University in North Carolina. Dukes, a
Freshman Redshirt, signed a deal with famous Charlotte-based fried chicken
fast-food chain Bojangles. Both Dukes and Bojangles are very excited about the
new partnership.

Other players that have signed deals include Alabama A&M receiver Zabrian Moore
and running back Gary Charles, who signed deals with Boost Mobile. In addition
to Moore and Charles, Jackson State University star defensive end Antwan Owen
inked an agreement with Three Kings Grooming, a Black-owned, hair product shop
based in New York. Norfolk State University’s Rayquan Smith also signed a
lucrative deal with popular athletic brand Eastbay. The star Runningback was the
featured athlete in their #Betheone campaign, showcasing his elite footwork in
the main video ad.

The largest deal signed featuring an HBCU athlete was earned by incoming
Tennessee State Freshman Hercy Miller. The incoming college hoops star has
signed a 4 year, $2 million endorsement deal with tech company Web Apps America,
according to his father and hip hop legend Master P. Miller will become the
first HBCU athlete, and one of the first college athletes, to sign a
multi-million dollar deal. Miller chose to sign with Tennessee State despite
receiving offers from top NCAA schools such as UCLA, USC, LSU, and Missouri.
Demonstrating how the recent increase in media coverage has made HBCUs a more
competitive alternative to NCAA programs to top recruits.

Florida A&M has taken the first step in response to the new NIL rules to help
their players put themselves in the best position to succeed. FAMU announced a
5-year partnership with INFLCR and Teamworks to help prepare its
student-athletes with marketing, education, and resources to help build their
personal brands. As players are finally able to profit off their abilities, it
is very important that they are given the proper tools to help manage their
money. It is nice to see an institution like FAMU address those priorities for
its players.

As HBCUs continue to rise in fame, more players will choose them as their next
step after high school. This means that larger names will be playing in these
conferences and bringing large endorsement deals with them.

Which HBCU Athletes Have Signed NIL Deals This Summer

Rebekah Morris

Finding a good college, team, coach, and place to spend four years of your life
is important and exciting! There are a lot of factors to consider when making
the decision of where to go to college, but we've focused on the questions to
ask during the recruitment process.

Here are nine questions to ask a coach that you're communicating with to see if
you have found the right team to play for:


--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

1) What is the team culture like?
Asking the coach about the team culture is huge.  You want your values to line
up with the team's values. Does the coach value hard work, working out, and a
good team bond or does the coach have other values that don't align with yours?

When answering this question the hope is that the coach will explain what the
team is like, how the group works together, and what the coach focuses on to
grow values, ideals, and integrity within a sports program. 


--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

2) What is a typical practice like?
All coaches run their practices differently. Some practices are more focused on
individual work (a position working on a specific skill set), some practices
consist of an emphasis on team drills, and then there are a lot of options and
plans in between. You will be practicing every day (besides game day) for the
season and should make sure that the practice sounds like a practice you want to
participate in. Plus, it is great to hear what the coach expects during the
practices and what the coach places the most value on during practices.


--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

3) Where does the team live?
Are freshman required to live in the dorms? What happens after freshman year?
Asking this question can show more of the team's relationship if you find out
that different girls on the volleyball team live together in an apartment
building or house after freshman year. Based on the coaches answer you will see
if the team is close or not. A lot of sports coaches encourage teammates to live
together or close by, and you will also learn what kind of living options are
available at that college.


--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

4) What do you do outside of volleyball with the team to bond?
Starting as a freshman, or if you are a transfer student, at a college can be
filled with anxious moments about fitting in and finding friends. But when
you're on a sports team it's much easier and less stressful to make friends and
have connections with people because you automatically have a group of people
you will become close with. Ask about what the team does outside of volleyball
to bond shows if the coach implements relationship growth between team members
off the court. A coach might plan (or have captains plan) a camping trip, a
community aid event, a bowling night, a carbo load, or any other experience that
will enable teammates to learn what each other is like as a person, not just as
a volleyball player.


--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

5) What are your team goals?
Every coach and team focuses on different elements of the game. If defense is
your favorite thing to work on and the coach emphasizes and values defense over
anything else, then you might fall right in with working hard on defensive moves
and techniques. Asking for team goals will clarify what the coach might focus on
during practices as well as what the coach is looking for in an individual.
Every team is at a different place in their program as well: one's team goal
might be to win a tournament, one's might be to have an even record, and
another's might be to win a game against a longstanding rival. Knowing these
goals will help you be prepared for team expectations.


--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

6) Do athletes have study halls or tutors to help with classwork?
The reason why we go to college is for our studies and making sure that the
coach places an emphasis on that can be important as well. Does the team meet in
the library every Tuesday and Thursday night after practice to make sure that
homework and studying is not only getting done but emphasized? Are freshman
assigned upperclassmen mentors to help with their new experience in college?
Asking about the access to study halls and tutors will 1) show your interest in
the academia side of college and 2) ensure that there are resources and help
available for you to succeed.


--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

7) Are the players involved in other extracurriculars? 
Even though you think you're schedule might be full with classes and volleyball,
some members of the team might participate in other curriculars, depending on
the coach's rules and your time schedule. This could be work study, joining a
club, playing intramural sports, writing for the university magazine, and many
other curriculars. Ask the coach to see if this is an option and if your
schedule is too full and complete you can ask about availability for this in the
spring.


--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

8) Do you have meetings with your players during the season?
Transparency and communication is important for a coach and player to have a
good relationship. Some coaches input preseason, midseason, and postseason
meetings with each of their players in order to assure that there are no
misunderstandings happening.


--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

9) What happens during the off season / spring season? 
When your season is over there is still work to do. Ask your coach if the team
does anything during the off season and what the spring season will look like!
Maybe the girls get together on their own to play volleyball a couple times a
week, or everyone meets in the gym for work out sessions together at a certain
time. Playing volleyball in college consists of more than just playing for three
months during the fall. Spring season is often more position-focused and can be
a time where a player finds the most growth and development in a position.


--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Getting answers to these questions will show you what the coach and team is like
at the college you're looking at going.


--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

One more thing each recruit should do before deciding which school to attend:
Ask the coach if you can join in on a practice before you commit - OR - schedule
a night to stay with some members of the team so that you can get a feel for the
environment and atmosphere of the college before you make a decision.


--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Nine Questions To Ask Volleyball Coaches During Recruitment

It was only a matter of time before the benefits of Name, Image, and Likeness
trickled down from the heights of Power 5 football and basketball to some of the
little guys. But, even as more athletes signed deals late this summer, few
believed the excitement of NIL would ever affect Division-III sports.

Until Thursday night, when the Whittier College football program signed the
first team-wide NIL deal.

> THE FIRST D3 PROGRAM TO SIGN A NIL DEAL

we make history

— Tony Caljean (@coachkage) September 17, 2021
[https://twitter.com/coachkage/status/1438697433463025667?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw]
A member of the Southern California Intercollegiate Athletic Conference,
Whittier College is located just east of downtown Los Angeles. But the Poets'
first Name, Image, and Likeness deal did not come from a production company or
music label.

Instead, it came from the industry that has maybe collected the most signatures
from college athletes so far: Food.

"Yeah, the deal is with a local restaurant," explained Tony Caljean, an
Assistant Coach and Recruiting Coordinator at Whittier in a call Friday morning.

Caljean gave a few of the details of their deal that they finalized on Thursday.
In exchange some sponsored tweets featuring the restaurant posted to the Poets
Twitter account [https://twitter.com/Poetfootball], Whittier Football will
receive "catered food" and and players will get "some free meals."

While the deal is not as lucrative or publicized as Clemson QB D.J.
Uiagalelei's
partnership with Bojangles
[https://theclemsoninsider.com/2021/07/22/check-out-d-j-s-bojangles-commercial/]
, Caljean understands it is an exciting first step for Division III athletes and
coaches.

> Duhh you know that @Bojangles
[https://twitter.com/Bojangles?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw] dropped their new Bo’s
Chicken Sandwich🔥! Go get up and get you the best thing out right now!! 
#bojangles [https://twitter.com/hashtag/bojangles?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw] 
#itsbotime [https://twitter.com/hashtag/itsbotime?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw] 
#partner [https://twitter.com/hashtag/partner?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw] 
pic.twitter.com/dUlW8Ahn3r [https://t.co/dUlW8Ahn3r]

— 🌟 DJ Uiagalelei 🌟 (@DJUiagalelei) August 2, 2021
[https://twitter.com/DJUiagalelei/status/1422255896747548674?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw]
"Division III is a little bit different than Division I and people might not
recognize our players," Caljean said about the team-wide deal, "but they'll
recognize our logo and stuff like that."

While the reason for the deal comes from the team's brand and logo recognition
in the area, the players themselves, not the university will be receiving the
benefits. 

That was an aspect of the deal that really excited Caljean and Whittier head
coach Mike Neale. The ability for these young athletes to be doing business on
their own and seeing the benefits of their abilities off of the field.

"This is all through football, and has nothing to do with athletics or Whittier
at all," Caljean said. "They were specifically targeting the football team and
we're just using all of the social media accounts of our football players and
our football coaches."

> This season, for all the Pro and College games, check out Zendejas Mexican
Restaurant in San Dimas! TVs, great food and lots of fun!

— Michael Neale (@CoachNeale) September 17, 2021
[https://twitter.com/CoachNeale/status/1438710077876150280?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw]
Caljean serves as Defensive Coordinator for Michael Neale, who is beginning his
fifth season as the Head Coach for the Poets following eight seasons as an
assistant at Albright College
[https://gmtm.com/virtuals/42/albright-college-virtual-visit]. Now in Los
Angeles, the new Whittier head coach is seeking his first winning season
following a cancelled 2020 season.

Though Neale and Caljean are focused on finishing their 2021 season strong in
the SCIAC [https://www.wcpoets.com/sports/fball/2021-22/schedule], the young
coach can't help but be excited for the opportunities NIL introduces for future
recruits.

> Your 2021-2022 Whittier Poets! #FAMILY
[https://twitter.com/hashtag/FAMILY?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw] 
pic.twitter.com/qoHLcM2EBu [https://t.co/qoHLcM2EBu]

— Whittier Poet Football (@Poetfootball) September 6, 2021
[https://twitter.com/Poetfootball/status/1434990492698103808?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw]
"I think it definitely helps to be among the first ones to do it," Caljean said,
"And we're really lucky to be in LA and have some powerful alumni that are
pushing to get this stuff done. As other schools come up with new things, we are
definitely going to push the buck forward for our athletes."

However it goes for Neale, Caljean, and their team this year, it is certain they
are helping to forward the conversation of Name, Image, and Likeness for lower
tier athletic programs.

And that chatter is desperately needed.

In a report published a few days ago, it was found that the average NIL deal for
Division III athletes was only a tenth as valuable as the average Division I
athlete's ($47 for D-III versus $471 for D-I).

Division I sports, specifically football and basketball, are huge moneymakers at
schools with nationwide alumni groups and fanbases. But, this early stat shows
that Division III coaches and athletes need to be very creative in how they
pursue deals.

Whittier College is doing just that.

Whittier College Becomes First Division-III Program To Sign NIL Deal

Gordon Ernst was the head coach of the tennis team at Georgetown. He began his
coaching career there in 2006, previously being a coach for the University of
Pennsylvania and Northwestern.

He was also widely known for helping the Obama family with their tennis
abilities. Specifically, he's spoken out about his experience in coaching
Michelle Obama. 

His abilities were widely known as being impressive and people would seek him
out. As a result, he was recognized in the New England Tennis Hall of Fame in
2015. 

Gordon ErnstHe left Georgetown in 2018 but that remains the coaching experience
that he is best known for. 

Regardless of his past, Ernst has recently been under investigation. The scandal
started in 2019 when he was arrested for being part of a group that would submit
false test scores and documents for aspiring students to allow them to get into
higher-level schools. 

> Gordon Ernst was accused of taking more than $2.7 million in bribes for coveted
spots on the Hoyas tennis teams, prosecutors said. https://t.co/YMBMpeHSDg

— The Washington Post (@washingtonpost) September 16, 2021
[https://twitter.com/washingtonpost/status/1438316214258970624?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw]
"Operation Varsity Blues" is the operation that Ernst is being convicted for. He
accepted more than $2 million in bribes to accept these kids. This wasn't the
first time that he was suspected of something out of the ordinary.

In 2018 when he left Georgetown is was because he was under investigation
regaurding the athletes he was recruiting for the team. They seemed to be of
lesser athletic ability than would normally be accepted with the team's
standards. 

However, the incident was allegedly not reported to his next employers and he
was able to continue coaching the sport. 

Charges have been pushed on him and upwards of 50 others that were involved with
the plot. His legal team has been putting together a case for 2 years, the time
that Ernst has been fighting the charges.

On Wednesday, it was public knowledge that Ernst had pled guilty in the case.
His legal team had fought for him, but with the publicity of his wrongdoings and
the evidence it was hard to built a case. 

His trial was the first one in the string of trials that will ensue on the other
participants. They were sure to set a strong precedent in his punishment. He
will see no less than a year in jail and has the potential to spend 4 years
behind bars. 

> Disgraced former Georgetown University tennis coach Gordon Ernst has been
accused of taking bribes from wealthy parents like Amin Khoury, who on Wednesday
became the latest Georgetown parent to be implicated in the sprawling college
admissions scandal. https://t.co/KPx4A89ldm

— The Hoya (@thehoya) September 4, 2020
[https://twitter.com/thehoya/status/1301882927941386242?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw]
He will also be giving up the money that he earned through the scheme. Ernst is
not the only one that has pled guilty or plans too. As of now, 47 other
participants in the scandal have plead guilty for the crime.

It seems that, from the court and jury's standing on the overwhelming evidence
of their issue, pleading guilty would be the most beneficial to avoid a much
more serious situation. The parents are also being persecuted, 33 of the 47 are
parents of the false recruits. 

Some people are already behind bars as well, the longest being a parent, Douglas
Hodge. He has served 9 months in jail so far for what he did.

Ernst isn't the first and won't be the last in the ongoing court case to take
down the people that ruined the college recruiting process for years. Giving
children false hope, favoritism, and denying worthy candidates is all being
avenged through the courts.

Former Georgetown Tennis Coach Pleads Guilty In Admissions Scandal

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