MAC Adds Neumann

Becomes 17th member of Conference in 2026-27

Author

Steve Ulrich
April 18, 2025 • Estimated Reading Time: 11 minutes

APRIL 18, 2025 | composed by STEVE ULRICH
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TOP STORY
1. MAC Adds Neumann

“The Middle Atlantic Conferences (MAC) Executive Committee Chair and Misericordia University President Dan Myers announced the addition of Neumann University as the 17th member of the MAC beginning in the 2026-27 academic year.

Neumann already competes in the MAC as an affiliate member in ice hockey, one of the university’s established athletic programs. The Knights won the Division III national championship in 2009, and the MAC’s strong commitment to hockey supports the development of Neumann’s men’s and women’s programs, which currently include more than 80 student-athletes across varsity and club levels.

The Knights will bring a slate of nine men’s and 10 women’s NCAA teams to the MAC, including baseball, basketball, field hockey, lacrosse, soccer, volleyball and more. In the last year, the Knights have won conference titles in soccer and basketball.”

» Quotable. “On behalf of the presidents of the member institutions of the Middle Atlantic Conference, it is my honor to welcome Neumann University to the conference,” said Myers. “Neumann is well positioned within the MAC footprint and brings a holistic approach to developing student-athletes that fits well with the MAC values. We look forward to competing against the Knights beginning in 2026-27.”

» What They’re Saying. The Middle Atlantic Conference is thrilled to welcome Neumann University," said MAC Executive Director Megan Morrison. "Neumann's commitment to holistic student-athlete development, rooted in their strong institutional values, aligns perfectly with the MAC's emphasis on academic excellence, sportsmanship, and community engagement.”

CONFERENCES
2. Holloway Named SLIAC Commissioner

“The St. Louis Intercollegiate Athletic Conference (SLIAC) welcomes Chassidy Holloway as its next commissioner.

Holloway comes to the SLIAC after spending the previous eight years with the Midwest Conference, the last three of which have been as the Associate Executive Director. After joining the Midwest Conference as the Director of Sport Administration, Holloway rose through the ranks as the Director of Sport Administration and External Operations and Assistant Executive Director before assuming her most recent position.

Holloway is an active member of Women Leaders in Sports, where she formed a leadership group for current and aspiring conference office administrators, member of the Professional Development Standing Committee for the Division III Associate Commissioner's Group, and has served on the Division III Women's Soccer Regional Advisory Committee.”

» Driving the News. "There were many outstanding candidates within the final pool of applicants for the commissioner's position," said President Donald P. Lofe, Jr. "Each individual finalist had multiple strong points; however Chassidy Holloway continually rose to the top of the candidate group. Her continued development and success within her position at the Midwest Conference as well as her knowledge and experience at the national level were extraordinary. The SLIAC President's Council is extremely excited about the ability to hire Chassidy, and we all are looking forward to her leading and enhancing the overall stature of the SLIAC in the coming years."

» What They’re Saying. "I believe deeply in the SLIAC’s mission and the shared values of our member institutions to holistically develop students and ensure that athletics remain an integral part of that experience. I am truly humbled and look forward to serving and collaborating with the membership to continue elevating both the academic and athletic journey of our student-athletes,” said Holloway.”

APPRECIATION
3. Jay Byers

by Kim Norvell and Donnelle Eller, Des Moines Register

“Jay Byers, the president of Simpson College and former longtime CEO of the Greater Des Moines Partnership, has died unexpectedly.

Byers, 54, was found dead at the Sigler House, the president's residence near campus, on April 17 after a welfare check around noon. Byers had been president of the private college in Indianola since July 2023.

Indianola Police Chief Brian Sher said the cause of death was under investigation but there was no reason to suspect foul play. Byers had suffered injuries in a serious automobile accident last June but had recovered and resumed his duties.”

» What They’re Saying. “We are all in shock. This is not something that you expect," Terry Handley, chair of the Simpson Board of Trustees, said. "Jay was beloved here on campus and in the greater Des Moines community. ... Jay was also well known and beloved on a state level, federal level with his work in government. So Jay has had tremendous amount of influence and impact during his career."

» Quotable. “I’ve known Jay Byers for decades as he’s served Iowans as a congressional staffer & leader making a big impact on economic development & education in our state Barbara & I are praying for Jay’s family & friends as we all cope w this tragic loss.” - Chuck Grassley, Iowa senator

» What’s Next. “Classes at the college are canceled until April 22 and grief counselors were being made available. The board and other college officials will discuss April 18 who will take over interim presidential duties, Handley said.”

FOOTBALL
4. Changes to Injury Timeouts Approved in Football

“The NCAA Playing Rules Oversight Panel on Wednesday approved modifications to the injury timeout rules in football, beginning with the 2025-26 season.

Under the new rule, if medical personnel enter the field to evaluate an injured player after the ball is spotted by the officiating crew for the next play, that player's team will be charged a timeout.

If the team does not have any timeouts remaining, a 5-yard delay-of-game penalty will be assessed.”

» Elsewhere. “The panel also approved a rule change regarding overtime timeouts. If a game reaches a third overtime, each team will have one timeout beginning with the third overtime until a winner is determined.”

» Between The Lines. “When the decision on instant replay is announced, the referee will only say that the call on the field is "upheld" or "overturned." The terms "confirmed" and "stands" will not be used.”

VOLLEYBALL (M)
5. The Sweet 16

Baruch, Nichols and St. Joseph’s (L.I.) advanced to the second round of the NCAA DIII men’s volleyball championship tournament after posting four-set wins.

SOCCER
6. Experimental Video Review Challenges Approved

“An optional experimental video review coaches challenge rule in conference games in men's and women's soccer was approved by the NCAA Playing Rules Oversight Panel on Wednesday. The experimental rule will go into effect this fall.

Under the rule, coaches will have one video review challenge. If the challenge is successful, the coach will retain the right to challenge one more time for the rest of the match.

If the challenge is unsuccessful, the coach loses the right to challenge for the rest of the match.”

» Field Awareness. “The panel approved the adoption of two rules that were put in place by the International Football Association Board in July.”

NEWS YOU CAN USE
7. Lightning Round ⚡️ 

» Golf. Washington U., Wellesley, Carnegie Mellon, Emory, and George Fox top their respective regions as the NCAA DIII women’s golf regional rankings were released Thursday.

» Students. “The Northern Athletics Collegiate Conference (NACC) has announced its initial recipients of the NACC FAR Award. The award was developed by the NACC's Faculty Athletics Representatives (FARs) in order to recognize outstanding achievements and commitment in three essential areas - academic performance, contribution to athletics, and service to the campus community.”

» #WhyD3. Former Washington U. baseball standout Caleb Durbin was on his way to Milwaukee on Thursday as the Brewers moved to generate more production from third base.

» Baseball. Marietta grad Brett Carson has signed with the Texas Tailgaters - the main opponent of the Savannah Bananas. "I was selected from a prospective player group of over 1,000 applicants to attend one of seven tryouts," said Carson of the selection process.

» Opinion. “Azusa Pacific is coming to town, what does that mean for Chapman?”

TRANSACTIONS
8. Comings and Goings

KING’S - Kirby Szalkowski named head field hockey coach
MILLSAPS - Conner Kuykendall named head men’s basketball coach
NORWICH - Dominick Dawes named head men’s ice hockey coach
OBERLIN - Abigail Yunker named assistant women’s basketball coach
SAINT VINCENT - Becky Pizer stepped down as lead athletic trainer
THIEL - Mo De La Garza and Jyair Thomas named assistant football coaches
WELLESLEY - Greg Margolis named head soccer coach
WESTMINSTER (Pa.) - Ryan Francis named head men’s soccer coach

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