The Bold Type

The Bold Type, with Commissioner Dan Butterly - Oct. 20, 2025

Good morning! 

  

Last week was a whirlwind of meetings and conversations — from discussions with student groups about the evolving landscape of college athletics to sessions with NCAA Enforcement, our lobbying consortium, and our partners at Van Wagner — and that was just last Monday morning. Days like these have become the new paradigm for all of us in Division I, as we work to stay ahead of constant change while keeping student-athlete well-being and their experience in The Big West at the heart of our efforts. 

After a full week of collaboration and progress across The Big West — we need a song to match the energy. Let’s go with “Best Day of My Life” by American Authors. 

  

Today is a great day for The Big West. Let’s get The Bold Type started! 


 

   CONGRATULATIONS   

  • To Tiffany Edlin at Long Beach State, who was appointed as a member of the NCAA Division I Softball Oversight Committee. Her term of service on the committee began October 14, 2025, and continues through August 31, 2028. 
  • To UC Irvine, who was selected as the preseason favorite to win the men’s basketball title this season, and the six student-athletes on the preseason team, as voted on by The Big West’s 11 head coaches. Read more >>> 
  • To Hawai’i, who was selected as the preseason favorite to win the women’s basketball title this season, and the seven members of the preseason team!  The preseason poll and team is selected by The Big West’s 11 head coaches. Read more >>> 
  • To our SIX men's water polo programs listed in the latest CWPA varsity poll!! 
    • No. 6 UC Davis
    • No. 8 UC San Diego
    • No. t-10 Long Beach State 
    • No. t-10 UC Santa Barbara
    • No. 16 UC Irvine 
    • Receiving votes Cal State Fullerton
  • To our amazing PLAYERS OF THE WEEK! 
    • Women's Soccer - Annika Smith, Cal Poly (offensive); Maddie Buckley, UC Santa Barbara (defensive); Shannon Porubski, Cal Poly (freshman)  
    • Men's Soccer - Wes Hastings, UC Riverside (offensive); Gavin House, UC Davis (defensive); Jacob Bernauer, Cal State Bakersfield (freshman) 
    • Women's Volleyball - Breeze Czapinski, UC Davis (offensive); Jessica Dean, UC Riverside (defensive); Mia Starr, UC Davis (setter); Logan King, Long Beach State (freshman)  
    • Cross Country - Muhammed Ahmed, UC Davis (men); Kaia Schmidt, UC Irvine (women) 
    • Men's Swimming & Diving - Mario Surkovic, Hawai'i  
    • Women's Swimming & Diving  - Samantha Banos, UC Santa Barbara 
    • Men's Water Polo - Levi Lentin, UC Santa Barbara 


 

   THE BIG WEST BASKETBALL PREVIEWS   

The 2025 Big West Basketball Previews with @TheFieldOf68 aired on Friday with a full day of coverage and conversation with Jeff Goodman, Richie Schueler, Tammy Blackburn and Tracy Warren and our coaches and student-athletes. Watch the show replay on YouTube now >>>   

The stories shared by our coaches, student-athletes and administrators, as well as updates on each Big West program as the season starts in two weeks, are well worth the watch. Thank you to our partners at Field of 68 for their tremendous coverage of The Big West.   

 

   BIG WEST "TOUGH LIKE TAMMY" INITIATIVE EYES $50,000 GRANT    

The Big West has announced the return of its Tough Like Tammy fundraising initiative for the 2025-26 women’s basketball season and the goal of securing a $50,000 grant from the Kay Yow Cancer Fund.  
 
The joint venture between Big West women’s basketball, the Kay Yow Cancer Fund and Big West women’s basketball analyst Tammy Blackburn, has raised more than $25,000 in support life-saving research on all cancers affecting women since its inception in 2023.  
 
At the heart of this movement is Tammy Blackburn—a stage 4 cancer thriver, fierce advocate and the inspiration behind this powerful initiative. The Tough Like Tammy campaign invites participation in all 11 Big West markets through Play4Kay game activations, direct support for women battling cancer, investment in local communities and offering hope and healing to those who need it most.  
 
The effort in 2025-26 revolves around securing a $50,000 grant to assist women in underserved communities in California. Currently, the Tough Like Tammy program stands over 60% of the way towards reaching the goal.  
 
Everyone is encouraged to assist in reaching the goal through one-time donations in any amount or pledges for each offensive rebound secured during the final month of the Big West women’s basketball season. Donations can be made at BigWest.org/TLT.  Read more >>> 


 

   THE BIG WEST CHAMPIONSHIP MERCHANDISE AVAILABLE NOW!   

The Big West announced the launch of a new official online store, BigWestShop.org. This new online shopping experience is a one-stop shop for championship merchandise for all 21 Big West sports including hats, t-shirts, sweatshirts and more. The initial fall championship apparel is now available, with more items to come forth in the weeks ahead. Read more >>> 

 

   HISPANIC HERITAGE MONTH HONORED ACROSS THE BIG WEST   

As Hispanic Heritage Month drew to a close, The Big West reflected on the celebrations and recognitions held across the conference. Read more >>> 

   
 

   CONDOLENCES   

The week was somber and provided a bit of reflection time as I learned of the passing of three senior DI administrators in my friend from the SEC Mark Womack, San Franciso Director of Athletics Larry Williams and former basketball official and coordinator of basketball officials in the Big 10 Terry Wymer.  May each of them rest in peace, and may their families know my prayers are with them.  

 
 

   UPDATE ON FEDERAL LEGISLATION   

I wish I could provide an update, but with the federal government shutdown, there is not much of an update to provide.  The Collegiate Commissioner’s Association did send a letter on behalf of the CCA to members of Congress on Friday afternoon.  There are two simple messages within the letter: 

  • We have a common desire to serve the best interests of all student-athletes by bringing long-term stability to college sports, and we believe the SCORE Act does that. 

  • Given the diversity of our conferences, we thought it was important to provide a joint statement of support for the SCORE Act. 

Based on NCAA updates this week, staff believes there is support in the House of Representatives to pass the SCORE Act once the federal government shutdown is lifted. It would then move on to the Senate.  


   MEDIA REPORTS ON NCAA AND LEGAL MATTERS   

  • USA Today’s Steve Berkowitz reports “U.S. District Court Judge Claudia Wilken has ordered that a hearing be held Nov. 6 ‘on objections to the continuation of the’ going-forward, injunctive aspects of the NCAA-House settlement, which also is on appeal to the 9th U.S. Circuit of Appeals. Several new objections to settlement and manner in which it is being implemented have been filed in recent weeks, including those concerning roster limits and schools' decisions on whether to give athletes a designation that would let them not count against the limits for another school.” (link)  
  • U.S. Soccer has released its NextGen White Paper, authored by the NextGen College Soccer Committee (NCSC), outlining recommendations for changing college soccer. Recommendations include regional conference realignment with promotion and relegation; a full-school-year competition calendar; professional player eligibility; and enhanced commercial opportunities. (link)  
  • A Knight Commission survey of 376 university presidents, ADs, SWAs and FARs found that a “significant majority (62%) of leaders believe Division I is headed in a negative direction. This frank assessment is most pronounced among university presidents and chancellors (80%), reflecting a concern at the highest levels of institutional leadership about the stability of college sports.” More survey results… 
    • Leaders question the sustainability of the DI structure, with 62% of all respondents expressing doubt that DI remains viable as a single entity within the NCAA. This sentiment from a majority of presidents (69%) and athletics directors (55%) “may signal that the current alignment of Division I institutions is seen as increasingly unworkable,” according to the Knight Commission.  
    • Further still, respondents indicate overwhelming concern (79%), with 48% saying they are “extremely concerned,” about their athletics programs’ “future reliance on institutional funds and student fees to balance their budgets.” 
    • Expressing the greatest amount of concern were the leaders most responsible for finances – presidents (86%) and athletics directors (80%). The survey responses did not show significant difference between the views of FBS leaders (74%) and non-FBS leaders (82%) on this question, signaling a financial sustainability issue that is affecting schools at all Division I levels. 
    • There does remain a staunch commitment to the academic mission, with 98% of leaders supporting athletes being enrolled full-time and graduating (99%). Teams meeting academic standards for postseason competition (95%) also serves as a “crucial anchor, reinforcing that the academic mission remains central to the purpose of college athletics.”  
    • One AD remarks: “College Athletics needs real leaders. Campus presidents and ADs turn over too fast and have too much self-interest to preserve the best interest of college sports at large. We need leaders who will look out for the greater good of college sports, and will be respected by presidents, ADs, administrators, coaches, student-athletes, and fans.”  
    • A FAR adds: “The whole enterprise is being tainted and jeopardized by money and power. Sports should give students access to higher education and to opportunities to compete and develop as human beings. I’m not opposed to paying athletes reasonable amounts in sports that generate a net profit for universities. But most D1 institutions lose money on sports.”  
    • Lots more in the full report. (link) 
  • NCAA SVP of External Affairs Tim Buckley participated in a discussion about federal legislation and college sports as part of the Knight Commission meeting last week. Key takeaways… 
    • Buckley reiterated the NCAA’s position that “student-athlete leaders at every level of the NCAA are opposed to becoming employees. They cite not wanting their coach to become a boss. They cite the tax implications that come with being an employee. Our schools at every single level, every single subdivision of Division I and across the association, are opposed to their student-athletes becoming employees. They cite the ruinous cost implications of such a change. … I don’t think there’s a school out there in the United States of America today that could afford to turn all of their student-athletes to employees, increase their FTE headcount by 10, 15, 20% overnight. There would be cuts.”  
    • For comparison, Buckley noted the House settlement is optional; therefore, “schools don’t have to participate in the House settlement. And even if they opt in, they can participate at any financial level they want. There’s no minimum. There is just the cap. Employment would not be optional.”  
    • Buckley also extolled the SCORE Act as the “first bipartisan bill that enshrines into federal law NIL rights for every student-athlete, health and mental health, and academic benefits.” He contrasts that with the SAFE Act, which he argues “appears to undo a lot of that authority that your smaller schools – and especially your Division II and Division III – now have in the process, and it would replace it with a government-appointed board that has tremendous authority to withhold media-rights revenue from schools if certain conditions aren’t met.” Buckley also noted: “Unfortunately, the SAFE Act does not address employment, but the SCORE Act does. That’s one of the central reasons we are advocating for it.” 
    • Finally, Buckley defended the NCAA’s revenue distribution and governance as “direct democracy” and points out that lawsuits and legal uncertainty stalled progress but are easing. Furthermore, he projects continued revenue growth and emphasizes that effective rule enforcement requires limited liability protections from Congress. 
    • Here’s the full video. (link) 
  • San Diego President James Harris argues in an New York Times op-ed that the Power 4 has grown so dominant that it should form a standalone football association run by pro-style administrators with its own rules, revenue distribution, and scheduling. “That would allow these programs to reap the benefits of their popularity while not setting the course for the rest of the member schools, like a tanker pulling a line of rowboats. (link) 
  • While Maine did opt into the House settlement, it has so far held off from paying student-athletes, and Black Bears AD Jude Killy explains the decision was about flexibility: “Opting out would guarantee you couldn’t do anything different than how you’re operating right now or how you’ve operated in the past. Opting in doesn’t mean we’re going to do different things, but it does provide you the ability to do different things if you choose to.” Killy adds that reduction in revenue due to the House settlement will be in the hundreds of thousands of dollars each year. “It’s not insignificant. You do try and map that out so we’re more prepared in the future than we are in the immediacy of it.” (link) 
  • Yahoo Sports’ Ross Dellenger reports a University of California pension system investment fund is in negotiations to infuse about $2.4B in immediate cash into the Big Ten and its 18 schools to create a subsidiary, Big Ten Enterprises. Those with knowledge of the negotiations spoke anonymously on the potential 20-year agreement with the investment fund, better known as UC Investments, a $190B entity responsible for managing the system’s portfolio. More. (link) 
  • In reacting to news that UC Investments was negotiating to secure a stake in the Big Ten’s new business subsidiary, Texas Tech Board of Regents Chair Cody Campbell pulled no punches, remarking: “It would be very interesting to know (and somebody should directly ask) how much money Tony Petitti will personally make from this Big Ten Private Equity deal - both in the immediate term and over the course of the extended grant of rights. Big Ten members (and all of college football) should know the exact amount. The answer should be ‘Zero Dollars’, and maybe it is? But this deal he’s pushing so hard doesn’t seem to make much business sense on the surface, and it will have a major and damaging impact on the entire college sports ecosystem.” (link) 
  • Yahoo Sports’ Ross Dellenger reports the Michigan Board of Regents “solidified its position in opposing the league’s 20-year, $2.4B investment proposal” during a Thursday meeting. More of note: “The pushback may impact any approval of the current structure of the capital proposal as it requires unanimity among the 18 schools under the terms of the deal. At best, a decision is expected to be delayed and any vote tabled from Big Ten membership, something many expected to occur this week. [...] …several officials in support of the capital proposal believe that the conference should continue with the concept without USC and Michigan. Presumably under this plan, league officials, with approval from the investment fund, would create new terms and only extend the grant of rights and distribute capital to those 16 supporters. It’s not clear if this is even possible.” (link) 
 

   QUOTE OF THE DAY   

“One person practicing sportsmanship is far better than a hundred teaching it.”  Credited to Knute Rockne 

  

"If I’m walking on or off the court and I see a little girl holding her hand over the railing wanting a high five, or hear a mom yell, ‘thank you for doing this for my daughter,’ it’s like, ‘wow, this is really happening,'" said NBA referee Natalie Sago. "It’s crazy. I swear, every night I go on the floor I get the chills non-stop. It’s so fun. The people that you meet, the girls you are inspiring. It’s just awesome to say that this is our job.” 


   THE BIG WEST IS BOLD.   

As we prepare for upcoming championships, The Big West will be be a little more BOLD in the weeks ahead.  

Big  

Opportunity,  

Local, and  

Dedicated. 

  

The Big West is BIG – 11 institutions, representing hundreds of thousands of students and millions of alumni across the globe. 

A home for big ideas and big OPPORTUNITY. 

Our schools have produced physicians and physicists. Accountants and astronauts. And on the field – conference champions, national champions, Olympic champions. 

And we do it all here ...

Because we are LOCAL. 11 institutions sharing common geography, which means intense, historic, home-grown rivalries. Competition brings out the best in all of us. And shorter travel for our student-athletes and our fans. Above all… 

We are DEDICATED to creating the best and brightest future for all of our students. A focus on academic opportunity and athletic success – a place where you can become the best version of yourself. 

We are the Big West. And we are BOLD about today and the future ... 


   LET'S CLOSE IT OUT   

Let’s take a moment to celebrate how far we’ve come and the incredible momentum across our conference. Every success story, every initiative, and every broadcast moment reflects the strength of our campuses and our people. 

  

It’s going to be a great day — because you are part of The Big West. 

Dan