W&M has reset the process by which they are evaluating the financial sustainability of their athletics programs. They will restore Men's gymnastics back to Division I status for 2021-2022, although with several other men's sports. Previously, under threat of a Title IX lawsuit, they restored the Women's Gymnastics program as part of a settlement. More work and help is needed to make this change permanent!
Link: Release
David McCreary, Assistant Coach at Arizona has announced viz Twitter that he is retiring after 44 years in the sport.
LIU has formally announced the hiring of former UCLA standout Hallie Mossett and former Michigan Wolverine Lauren Marinez as the two assistant coaches for the program.
Link: Release
Iowa State has promoted former standout Haylee Young to an assistant coach. She served as a volunteer assistant last season.
Link: Release
Iowa (W) has announced the hiring of Jessa Hansen Parker as an assistant. The former Iowa standout has been an assistant the last four seasons at UC Davis, and prior to that, at Cal for three seasons. She was also a club coach at Head Over Heels.
Link: Release
Wendy Carey has been named Assistant Coach at Centenary. She was a club gymnast at Texas Tech and brings strength and conditioning credentials and choreography skills to her new position.
Washington Head Coach Elise Ray-Statz has resigned to move with her family to be closer to her family on the East Coast. Assistant Ralph Rosso has been named the interim Head Coach. He served in that role during Ray-Statz's prior maternity leave and at ASU.
Link: Release
The SUNY Athletic Conference has made a decision to cancel the winter sports season, including Gymnastics at SUNY Cortland and SUNY Brockport.
Link: Article
Faced with a Title IX lawsuit, W&M has restored Women's Gymnastics, along with Women's volleyball and swimming. The programs were set to be cut due to the financial difficulties caused by COVID-19. Sadly, the Men's program remains cut and the path forward is even more challenging due to the heightened Title IX concerns.
Link: W&M Announcement
The NCAA Division I Council officially adopted a resolution to allow all Division I Winter sports athletes an additional year of eligibility, regardless if they compete this season or not. If implemented in the same fashion as the waivers granted to 2020 spring and fall athletes, those seniors that return next year won't count against their school's scholarship limits in 2021-2022. The additional year and scholarship are not guaranteed. They are up to the school's choice, and likely dictated by budget. If implemented the same as the rule in Division II, it appears that the relaxation of the scholarship limits does not apply to a senior that transfers schools for supplemental year of eligibility in 2021-2022.
Links: ESPN and NCAA Release
Sadly, despite a strong case, the Board of Regents of the University of Minnesota voted to cut Men's gymnastics, indoor track and field and tennis. The motion passed by a 7 to 5 vote. The Men's program had developed a counter proposal that showed a path to self-funding and the addition of a new women's sports paid for through a public club program. Originally, the University had been expecting up to a $70M shortfall in their budget. After the resumption of football, this deficit has been cut down to $30M. Despite this positive changes, these thee sports were not spared. Men's outdoor track and field has survived and roster cuts to other sports have been planned, but not finalized. These cuts on the women's side may be lessened with the decision to save men's outdoor track and field.
Link: MN Daily
UAA needs to raise $888K by February 15th, 2021 in order to save their program. Please see the link below for ways you can donate or pledge.
Link: GoFundMe
PSU has hired former AU standout Rachel Innis as an assistant. She's been an assistant at Temple for the last two seasons. Prior to that, she was a volunteer assistant at AU. She also danced professionally for four years at Walt Disney World.
Link: PSU Release
Oregon State has hired Bryan Raschilla as an assistant. The former Bama associate Head Coach has been a volunteer assistant at AU the past two seasons. He replaces Brian Amato, who left to join Nebraska.
Link: Release