On Campus
When Pennsylvania State University announced in early May it would stop distributing student football tickets on a first-come, first-served basis and institute a lottery system, it expected some backlash. But it didn't expect that, hours after the announcement, thousands of Penn State students would come together on social networking Web sites to denounce the decision and begin plans for a campus rally.
Title IX
For nearly 30 years, Don Palmer served as both Head Boys' Basketball Coach and Head Girls' Basketball Coach at Milford High School in Highland, Mich.--posts he was able to hold simultaneously thanks to Michigan's nontraditional fall season for girls' basketball. But this summer, Palmer had to choose one over the other.
Sportsmanship
In a couple of weeks, Lackawanna (N.Y.) High School Athletic Director Heidi Steckstor will begin hearing the sweet sounds of fall practices: shoulder pads crunching, volleyballs bouncing, cross country runners heading out for a run. But there will be one sound missing. Not one ball will sing through the air on the boys' soccer field.
Restructuring
Over the past year, the NCAA Division III Working Group on Membership Issues has been discussing ideas on how to split the division in two. In May, it issued its first report.
Rules Changes
Throughout the three-year history of the Academic Progress Rate (APR) scores, baseball programs have struggled mightily. In the most recent set of scores, baseball programs fared second worst of all sports, with almost 16 percent of teams facing scholarship reductions after failing to reach the 925 cutoff point, and nearly half of those teams posting an APR below 900.
New Media
Video highlights of your high school's latest sporting events could soon be available at the push of a button. CSTV has announced plans for video-on-demand television channels devoted to high school sports, which will feature specialized content by state.
Sports Medicine
In May, the National Athletic Trainers' Association and the NCAA unveiled a report examining 16 years of injury data on college athletes in 15 sports. Published in a special issue of the Journal of Athletic Training, the report provides the broadest picture to date of how, when, and why athletes are injured.
High School News
When people talk about fantasy football, discussions usually revolve around statistics from the previous week's NFL games or which pro players are poised for a big season. But more than ever, these leagues aren't featuring just pro athletes. They are also including players who take the field on Friday nights.
Boise (Idaho) High School
Marketing
Looking for a way to market your football team to females? Try inviting them to a special clinic just for women.
Risk Management
Great drills make great practices. But without the correct safety precautions, even the best drill can end in disaster.
Cover Story
Whether you're in front of microphones or one-on-one with a coach, how you communicate will ultimately determine your success. In this article, athletic directors provide advice on speaking, listening, and making the most of your message.
Student-Athlete Welfare
For student-athletes, social networking Web sites can mean anonymity and zero responsibility. That's why it's critical to educate and form policies on this hugely popular new phenomenon.
Leadership
If you're like most athletic directors, stress is a part of your job. But unlike most, this author has developed specific strategies to keep it at bay.
On Campus
Thanks to a lack of funding and recruiting difficulties, historically black colleges and universities are struggling to remain competitive. In response, some are rethinking their mission.
Game Management
Amid the cheers and revelry and action, threats to security at your sporting events are possible. A new group is helping athletic departments implement proactive policies
What's been a high-end trend in the past decade for professional sports teams is now finding its way into all levels of school athletic facilities: personalizing locker rooms. To add that personal touch, some universities have spent hundreds of thousands of dollars renovating their facilities while high schools have spent tens of thousands of dollars. But why?