Chaves: News and Notes
News & Notes from the AD
Each quarter, UND Director of Athletics Bill Chaves will provide an update of newsworthy tidbits that pertain to achievements, ongoing projects and what's ahead. Browse past editions below:

2024 Summer Update
18:83 Speaker Series




 
 
 
2024 North Dakota Athletics Town Hall

         
            
 

 
January 2024 News & Notes
070924_Bill_ChavesDear UND Athletic Supporters,

It is hard to believe that 2023 is in our rearview mirror and 2024 is upon us. It has become my custom to send a one-page letter to begin the new year primarily to thank all of you who support our student-athletes (SA’s), our athletic department and our university. It literally takes a team to provide an NCAA Division I experience for our students, and you are a tremendous part of the reason why we can.

The last several New Year’s letters, I have mentioned the disruption that is occurring in intercollegiate athletics – primarily at the Division I level. The NCAA ushered in a new President on March 1 st as Charlie Baker took the reins from Mark Emmert after a decade leading the Association.

Since his arrival in March, President Baker has continued to try and provide stability and foresight into the future of what college athletics will look like but his abilities to chart a new direction has certainly been challenged by a number of competing issues. A myriad of court cases around the country continue to question the Association’s rules on all fronts. These cases have been brought forth by attorney generals of states, former SA’s, attorneys who see opportunity and the membership as well. In addition, other factors have occurred simultaneously:
  • Covid providing SA’s an extra year of eligibility
  • The introduction of the transfer portal
  • The ability to transfer in all sports without having to sit a year in residency
  • Multi-time transfers allowed to play right away
  • Name, image and likeness opportunities for SA’s
I write this all to provide a little perspective on the times that we are in. I am always confident that through evolution and change we will emerge stronger on the other side. Please know that our athletic senior staff as well as UND administration continues to keep a pulse on what is next in college athletics understanding it is our responsibility to make sure that we put UND athletics in the best place possible for the next generation to come.

Looking ahead to 2024, it should be a transformational year for us as we will be departing our beloved Hyslop Sports Center. Be on the lookout for opportunities in and around Homecoming so that we can provide a proper “send-off” to a building that has meant so much to so many over its 73 years of existence.

In April (27 th ), we will again have our bi-annual Champions Ball. This event, done in partnership with our teammates at UND Alumni/Foundation, is always a sold-out affair and never disappoints. The proceeds benefit athletic scholarships as well as our newly formed 701 awards. If you are interested in going, please reach out to Val Sussex in our Alumni/Foundation office.

In closing, I want to just thank you again for all that you do to support our student-athletes. Every day we realize just how lucky we are to call the University of North Dakota our home!!

Best,
Bill Chaves