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The Advantages of NCAA Division III Media Partnerships

Academic All-America Softball. Levine Named NWC Commissioner. Little League Scandal

Author

Steve Ulrich
June 20, 2024 • Estimated Reading Time: 12 minutes

JUNE 20, 2024 | written by STEVE ULRICH

The news that you need to know about non-scholarship college athletics and those that love it.
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» 🌅 Good Thursday Morning. Hope you’re surviving the heat and can enjoy the upcoming weekend.

» 🗓️ What’s Happening Today. The Strategic Planning and Finance Committee is scheduled for a virtual meeting today.

TOP STORY
1. The Advantages of NCAA Division III Media Partnerships

by Mark Floreani, FloSports

“Divisions II and III and their member institutions are facing challenges of a different sort that stem largely from a lack of funding and exposure. According to Forbes, as many as 13 NCAA D-III colleges are about to close or have closed since 2020, which has led to 282 sports teams being lost.

There are myriad factors leading to these most severe outcomes and no single remedy. But there is at least one arrow in the quiver that can be used to help support these programs, and that lies with media representation.

Last week, we announced the launch of FloCollege—an all-in-one NCAA media platform focused on D-II and D-III sports—and our commitment to invest $50 million into its success. The mission is to build a single destination that can elevate our partner programs while infusing a new revenue stream to support them. We believe, as do our partner conferences, that this can tackle several critical obstacles while also creating a meaningful business opportunity for FloSports.”

» Why It Matters. “Media deals deliver a direct investment into the conferences and member institutions, creating, in many cases, an untapped revenue channel. The deals we structure with partners deliver funds to athletic programs that enhance production capabilities and technology. This, in turn, can be a resource to communications, journalism and broadcast schools, providing a knock-on effect that benefits the larger student body.”

» The Bottom Line. “When D-II and D-III sports gain media attention and access to an international platform, they attract larger audiences and potential donors. Alumni, when kept engaged through regular updates, editorial, social programming and broadcasts of games, are more likely to contribute financially to their alma maters. Increased visibility also can lead to better sponsorship deals for the schools.”

» Worth Noting. “The need for increased media representation of NCAA Division II and III sports is clear and compelling. From securing better funding for schools to raising the profiles of women’s sports and fostering community, the benefits are manifold.”

ACADEMICS

2. Saathoff Headlines Academic All-America Softball Team

Linfield junior first baseman Kaili Saathoff was named the Academic All-America Team Member of the Year as the College Sports Communicators unveiled their 2024 DIII softball team.

A double major in mathematics and physics with a 4.0 GPA, Saathoff hit .479 with 23 doubles, one home run, 43 RBI and 71 runs scored as the Wildcats became the second team in collegiate softball history to register an unbeaten regular season. A repeat winner of the NCAA’s Elite 90 Award, she was named second-team All-America.

Twelve of the 33 members of the Academic All-America® Division II softball teams boast a perfect 4.0 GPA in their undergraduate work or graduate school. The 11 members of the first team have an average GPA of 3.94.

First Team
C-Anna Jackson, Berry, Sr., Nursing, 3.67
DP-Emma Wade, York PA, Jr., Civil Engineering, 3.83
IF-Kaili Saathoff, Linfield, Jr., Mathematics/Physics, 4.00
IF-Karson Bagelmann, Adrian, Sr., Political Science, 4.00
IF-KaiLi Gross, Case Western Reserve, Sr., Biomedical Engineering, 4.00
IF-Brynn Nelson, Linfield, Jr., Economics & Mathematics, 3.96
OF-Abby Mace, Salisbury, Grad, Social Work, 3.77/4.00
OF-Mary Frances Ellis, East Texas Baptist, Jr., Finance & Accounting, 4.00
OF-Kaci Neveling, TCNJ, Grad, School Counseling, 4.00/4.00
P-Sophia DiCocco, Tufts, Sr., International Relations, 3.88
P-Kennedy Carruth, Belhaven, Grad, Business Administration, 3.79/4.00

CONFERENCES
3. Levine Named Northwest Conference Commissioner

“After conducting a national search, the Northwest Conference (NWC) Presidents Council has officially appointed Shana Levine as the conference's full-time commissioner, marking a significant milestone in the organization's leadership. With an extensive background in athletic administration, strategic planning, and familiarity with NCAA policies and procedures, Levine's appointment represents a strategic move toward enhancing the conference's standing within collegiate athletics.

Levine's professional journey includes her role as Partner of 3 Fold Group Consulting, where she collaborated extensively with NCAA institutions and conferences, particularly within Division III, on strategic planning and gender equity initiatives. Prior to this, she served as the Director of Athletics & Physical Education at Lewis & Clark College, offering invaluable insights into the dynamics of the Northwest Conference.”

» What They’re Saying. “We are greatly pleased that Shana Levine has accepted our invitation to serve as Commissioner of the Northwest Conference,” said Co-Chairs of the Northwest Conference search committee, President Scott McQuilkin and President Robin Holmes-Sullivan. “From an exceptional field of candidates, Shana emerged as a person with exceptional background and professional experience, a comprehensive vision for the future of our conference, and the trust and confidence from conference presidents and athletics staff.”

» Quotable. "I look forward to collaborating with all our schools to enhance the conference experience for all our student-athletes, expand our national presence, and highlight the unique attributes and stunning locations that make the NWC an exceptional Division III destination,” said Levine.

NEWS
4. Lightning Round

» 🗞️ News. “The Biden administration’s new rule overhauling Title IX, the federal gender-equity law, is on hold in Indiana, Kentucky, Ohio, Tennessee, Virginia and West Virginia after a federal judge issued an order temporarily blocking the regulations from taking effect in those states Aug. 1.

» 📰 News. “Emerson College in Boston said in a message to staff that student protests are one of the reasons why freshman enrollment this fall is "significantly below" projections. Now the school is planning budget cuts and may reduce faculty positions as a result of the decline.”

TRANSACTIONS
5. Comings and Goings

1 THING
6. Little League Scandal

“A youth baseball game came to a halt in a small Philadelphia suburb last month when parents started pointing up at the sky.

It wasn't a ball, or a bird, that caught their eye — but rather, a banner, towed by an airplane, calling out a parent by name.

⚾️ The Springfield Little League stunt has caused a scandal in the Montgomery County town, angering community members and prompting an investigation.

The flyover targeted a father who had complained about league scheduling.

Parents flocked to a township board meeting last week to decry the flyover, which many perceive as bullying and evidence of a toxic culture among adults in the league.”

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