April1, 2026 – Athletic Board – Minutes

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Time: Wednesday at 8:30 AM
Location: Microsoft Teams

Attendees:  Bella Lipski, Jim Cleary, Monna Arvinen-Barrow, Qingsu Cheng, Cathy Rossi, Mandy Sheriff, Isabel Roloff, Clare Faurote, Jennifer Earl Boehm, Adam Ahearn, Thomas Gamboa, Chris Jenkyns, Kevin Keenan, Josie Johnson, Peter Baran, Bo Zhang, Jennifer Haas

Guests:  Mark Goldin and Zach Beaschler

  1. Called to order at 8:31 AM
  2. Approved the March 2026 meeting minutes
  3. Guest:  Mark Goldin, Head Women’s Tennis Coach
    1. Started the season off beating Marquette for the second year in a row and a first time win over UIC.  After that the team was hit with the injury bug and lost 3 players.
    2. Team is very successful in the classroom and in the community.
    3. All International this year, signed a player from Green Bay for next year who is one of the top players in the state.
       
  4. Updates from the Athletic Department:
    1. Report from Kathy Litzau on behalf of Director of Athletics, Amanda Braun
      1. Amanda is in Phoenix for the NCAA WBB Final Four as the chair of the NCAA WBB Committee.
      2. Spring Sports
        • Tennis and baseball are both in league play.  Both play at home this weekend.  Tennis is gearing up for the HL Championships that are April 24-26.
        • Track is a few meets into the outdoor season with some record setting performances.
      3. All other sports are in off-season training. 
      4. Fall sports are all competing in their spring seasons, where they are permitted to compete against other teams a limited number of times.
      5. First Kentucky Derby Tailgate on May 2nd at 4 PM in the OHOW Center.  It is a scholarship fund raiser. Group pricing for larger groups.
      6. Golden Panthers on Monday, May 4th at 7 PM in the Union Ballroom.  All board members are invited.
    2. Athletics Report (written) discussion – Adam highlighted the success of the Panther Pride Initiative.
  5. Student-Athlete Updates
    1. MKE SAAC & Horizon League SAAC – Belle Roloff, Zach Schmidt, Josie Johnson and Bella Lipski
      SAAC
      1. Meeting in March featured Dr. Monna Arvinen-Barrow in a Q&A about services in Sport Psychology.
      2. Zach Beaschler is coming to talk about NIL in April and discuss changes with the House Settlement.
      3. May will be a fun celebration of the year.
    2. HL SAAC hasn’t met since the last meeting.
  6. Report from Academic Integrity – minutes were reviewed by Clare Faurote
  7. Business
    1. Select James Wright Award Winner – All nominees were approved as recipients.
    2. Jenn can assist in presenting these awards at the Golden Panthers. Monna will be attending as well.
  8. Closing announcements
    1. Meeting next month, May 6th, is in-person in Pavilion 148.
    2. Fiscal, Equity, Personnel meets after on the same Teams link.
  9. Adjournment at 9:10 AM