Dr. Karen Weaver
@drkarenweaver.bsky.social
College Sports + Higher Education | Grad Faculty
@PennGSE | Forbes.com Contributor | Podcast: Trustees and Presidents-A Podcast for University Leaders on College Athletics: http://apple.co/2Mj390e | New Book on Presidents and Athletics coming soon.
@PennGSE | Forbes.com Contributor | Podcast: Trustees and Presidents-A Podcast for University Leaders on College Athletics: http://apple.co/2Mj390e | New Book on Presidents and Athletics coming soon.
Why in the world are the Philadelphia Eagles 🦅 playing at 3pm Friday afternoon???
Who thought this was a good idea?
Who thought this was a good idea?
a mascot for the eagles is standing in front of the word go birds
ALT: a mascot for the eagles is standing in front of the word go birds
media.tenor.com
November 25, 2025 at 3:18 PM
Why in the world are the Philadelphia Eagles 🦅 playing at 3pm Friday afternoon???
Who thought this was a good idea?
Who thought this was a good idea?
Reposted by Dr. Karen Weaver
🕊️My cousin hosts a morning touch football game every Thanksgiving. The invitation to it includes the usual bits (time, place, etc), but also this kind and wry reminder:
“This is a family friendly event. Kids 12 and under must get the ball once every 4 downs. Try not to steamroll anyone over 30.”
“This is a family friendly event. Kids 12 and under must get the ball once every 4 downs. Try not to steamroll anyone over 30.”
November 25, 2025 at 3:12 PM
🕊️My cousin hosts a morning touch football game every Thanksgiving. The invitation to it includes the usual bits (time, place, etc), but also this kind and wry reminder:
“This is a family friendly event. Kids 12 and under must get the ball once every 4 downs. Try not to steamroll anyone over 30.”
“This is a family friendly event. Kids 12 and under must get the ball once every 4 downs. Try not to steamroll anyone over 30.”
Reposted by Dr. Karen Weaver
As we talk about the dismantling of ED, I’ve often wondered, “why do we have an Education Department anyway?”
@ryanequinn.bsky.social answered my question and more in his latest.
www.insidehighered.com/news/governm...
@ryanequinn.bsky.social answered my question and more in his latest.
www.insidehighered.com/news/governm...
Trump Isn’t First President to Try to Break Up ED
An iteration of the department in 1867 lasted about a year before being demoted and not resurfacing until the Carter administration. Department or no, both Democrats and Republicans have expanded the ...
www.insidehighered.com
November 24, 2025 at 1:23 PM
As we talk about the dismantling of ED, I’ve often wondered, “why do we have an Education Department anyway?”
@ryanequinn.bsky.social answered my question and more in his latest.
www.insidehighered.com/news/governm...
@ryanequinn.bsky.social answered my question and more in his latest.
www.insidehighered.com/news/governm...
These struggles, and others happening right now, is why I teach--how many more institutions will chase the DI dream in the era of "opting-in" and ultimately damage their institution's financial standing?
h/t @daniellibit.bsky.social @sportico.bsky.social
www.sportico.com/leagues/coll...
h/t @daniellibit.bsky.social @sportico.bsky.social
www.sportico.com/leagues/coll...
Sunk-Cost Football: UMass’ Faltering Quest to Belong in the FBS
UMass bought the promise of big-time football in 2011, when it joined the FBS. Fourteen brutal years later, the Minutemen are doubling down.
www.sportico.com
November 24, 2025 at 2:51 PM
These struggles, and others happening right now, is why I teach--how many more institutions will chase the DI dream in the era of "opting-in" and ultimately damage their institution's financial standing?
h/t @daniellibit.bsky.social @sportico.bsky.social
www.sportico.com/leagues/coll...
h/t @daniellibit.bsky.social @sportico.bsky.social
www.sportico.com/leagues/coll...
Reposted by Dr. Karen Weaver
"The high-income admissions advantage at Ivy-Plus colleges is driven by....(1) preferences for children of alumni, (2) weight placed on non-academic credentials, and (3) athletic recruitment" which are "uncorrelated or negatively correlated with post-college outcomes" unlike SAT/ACT scores
Recently accepted by #QJE, “Diversifying Society’s Leaders? The Determinants and Causal Effects of Admission to Highly Selective Private Colleges,” by Chetty (@Oppinsights), Deming, and Friedman: doi.org/10.1093/qje/...
Diversifying Society’s Leaders? The Determinants and Causal Effects of Admission to Highly Selective Private Colleges*
Abstract. We use anonymized admissions data from several colleges linked to income tax records and SAT and ACT test scores to study the determinants and ca
doi.org
November 23, 2025 at 9:29 PM
"The high-income admissions advantage at Ivy-Plus colleges is driven by....(1) preferences for children of alumni, (2) weight placed on non-academic credentials, and (3) athletic recruitment" which are "uncorrelated or negatively correlated with post-college outcomes" unlike SAT/ACT scores
Reposted by Dr. Karen Weaver
“.. I feel like they’ve intentionally come in with this desire for shock and awe. .. Who will this help, what they’ve just done? Because it hasn’t helped Charlotte.”
@nytimes.com
www.nytimes.com/2025/11/22/u...
@nytimes.com
www.nytimes.com/2025/11/22/u...
November 23, 2025 at 10:09 PM
“.. I feel like they’ve intentionally come in with this desire for shock and awe. .. Who will this help, what they’ve just done? Because it hasn’t helped Charlotte.”
@nytimes.com
www.nytimes.com/2025/11/22/u...
@nytimes.com
www.nytimes.com/2025/11/22/u...
🚀 Sacramento State is thinking outside the box to implement a major transition in Hornet athletics 🏈 🐝
President Luke Wood tells me: "Moving from FCS to FBS is not just about sports; it’s about community, economic growth, and providing opportunities for students!" 🌍
YouTube: youtu.be/BWGz1G5_gSU
President Luke Wood tells me: "Moving from FCS to FBS is not just about sports; it’s about community, economic growth, and providing opportunities for students!" 🌍
YouTube: youtu.be/BWGz1G5_gSU
November 23, 2025 at 8:35 PM
🚀 Sacramento State is thinking outside the box to implement a major transition in Hornet athletics 🏈 🐝
President Luke Wood tells me: "Moving from FCS to FBS is not just about sports; it’s about community, economic growth, and providing opportunities for students!" 🌍
YouTube: youtu.be/BWGz1G5_gSU
President Luke Wood tells me: "Moving from FCS to FBS is not just about sports; it’s about community, economic growth, and providing opportunities for students!" 🌍
YouTube: youtu.be/BWGz1G5_gSU
Reposted by Dr. Karen Weaver
I profiled Azzi Fudd.
After all the injuries and doubt, and dealing with that as her life became more and more public, here's a story of getting back to once was — mentally, physically — then becoming even better: www.washingtonpost.com/sports/2025/...
After all the injuries and doubt, and dealing with that as her life became more and more public, here's a story of getting back to once was — mentally, physically — then becoming even better: www.washingtonpost.com/sports/2025/...
Azzi Fudd was a can’t-miss basketball star. Then she had to prove it again.
Injuries and self-doubt nearly derailed a prodigy. Now in her final college season, she has rediscovered just how good she can be.
www.washingtonpost.com
November 23, 2025 at 1:38 PM
I profiled Azzi Fudd.
After all the injuries and doubt, and dealing with that as her life became more and more public, here's a story of getting back to once was — mentally, physically — then becoming even better: www.washingtonpost.com/sports/2025/...
After all the injuries and doubt, and dealing with that as her life became more and more public, here's a story of getting back to once was — mentally, physically — then becoming even better: www.washingtonpost.com/sports/2025/...
Reposted by Dr. Karen Weaver
If you’re a journalist who’s still on Twitter, from now on in your writing you have to replace “the American people want” with “troll bots in Eastern Europe demand”
Being there makes your judgment suspect. I don’t care how savvy you think you are, you’re marinating in a disinformation campaign.
Being there makes your judgment suspect. I don’t care how savvy you think you are, you’re marinating in a disinformation campaign.
November 23, 2025 at 4:27 PM
If you’re a journalist who’s still on Twitter, from now on in your writing you have to replace “the American people want” with “troll bots in Eastern Europe demand”
Being there makes your judgment suspect. I don’t care how savvy you think you are, you’re marinating in a disinformation campaign.
Being there makes your judgment suspect. I don’t care how savvy you think you are, you’re marinating in a disinformation campaign.
Reposted by Dr. Karen Weaver
"Given that the Big Ten is about to create 'a for-profit company using what are essentially public dollars,' [a Penn State trustee] argued, boards need to know more in order to be able to advise their institutions accordingly."
www.insidehighered.com/news/governa...
www.insidehighered.com/news/governa...
Secretive Big Ten Deal Riles Trustees
The Big Ten is weighing a $2.4 billion private equity deal. But multiple trustees at member institutions say they aren’t getting enough information and the proposal has been rushed.
www.insidehighered.com
November 22, 2025 at 7:43 PM
"Given that the Big Ten is about to create 'a for-profit company using what are essentially public dollars,' [a Penn State trustee] argued, boards need to know more in order to be able to advise their institutions accordingly."
www.insidehighered.com/news/governa...
www.insidehighered.com/news/governa...
Reposted by Dr. Karen Weaver
Once more for those in the back: VACCINES DON’T CAUSE AUTISM. Just ask @peterhotezmdphd.bsky.social www.press.jhu.edu/books/title/... @hopkinspress.bsky.social
Vaccines Did Not Cause Rachel's Autism
My Journey as a Vaccine Scientist, Pediatrician, and Autism Dad
www.press.jhu.edu
November 20, 2025 at 9:16 PM
Once more for those in the back: VACCINES DON’T CAUSE AUTISM. Just ask @peterhotezmdphd.bsky.social www.press.jhu.edu/books/title/... @hopkinspress.bsky.social
Big Ten's $2.4B Deal: When Trustees Get Left in the Dark
HINT: it's never a good idea not to include trustees.
Thanks to ACTA's Armand Alacbey for being so clear about trustee oversight of college athletics.
FULL Conversation: youtu.be/Fxr75oqx7Gc
HINT: it's never a good idea not to include trustees.
Thanks to ACTA's Armand Alacbey for being so clear about trustee oversight of college athletics.
FULL Conversation: youtu.be/Fxr75oqx7Gc
November 19, 2025 at 8:59 PM
Big Ten's $2.4B Deal: When Trustees Get Left in the Dark
HINT: it's never a good idea not to include trustees.
Thanks to ACTA's Armand Alacbey for being so clear about trustee oversight of college athletics.
FULL Conversation: youtu.be/Fxr75oqx7Gc
HINT: it's never a good idea not to include trustees.
Thanks to ACTA's Armand Alacbey for being so clear about trustee oversight of college athletics.
FULL Conversation: youtu.be/Fxr75oqx7Gc
Reposted by Dr. Karen Weaver
You know those university ads?
The ones with shots of the leafy quad + students looking into a microscope?
A lot of them look different this football season, focusing more on specific research initiatives.
And one reason why is the reason for a lot of things in this country.
An example:
The ones with shots of the leafy quad + students looking into a microscope?
A lot of them look different this football season, focusing more on specific research initiatives.
And one reason why is the reason for a lot of things in this country.
An example:
November 19, 2025 at 4:17 PM
You know those university ads?
The ones with shots of the leafy quad + students looking into a microscope?
A lot of them look different this football season, focusing more on specific research initiatives.
And one reason why is the reason for a lot of things in this country.
An example:
The ones with shots of the leafy quad + students looking into a microscope?
A lot of them look different this football season, focusing more on specific research initiatives.
And one reason why is the reason for a lot of things in this country.
An example:
"The era of trying to be all things to all people for most schools is over. Schools will instead have to decide which Job to Be Done they want to excel at and which ones they’ll purposely forego."
www.forbes.com/sites/michae...
www.forbes.com/sites/michae...
New Study: Business As Usual Could Doom Dozens Of New England Colleges
15 New England colleges, many with well-known brands, are already facing serious liquidity challenges at their current levels of enrollment—or will do so shortly.
www.forbes.com
November 19, 2025 at 3:44 PM
"The era of trying to be all things to all people for most schools is over. Schools will instead have to decide which Job to Be Done they want to excel at and which ones they’ll purposely forego."
www.forbes.com/sites/michae...
www.forbes.com/sites/michae...
Reposted by Dr. Karen Weaver
Zohran Mamdani's campaign has made it clear that affordability is a top priority among voters. How can he strike the right balance between lower rents and more housing, and can other mayor's follow his lead?
The New Localism: What Mamdani Taught Us About Housing
Zohran Mamdani proved that affordability is a top priority for voters. Can American cities make rents lower and also build more housing?
thephiladelphiacitizen.org
November 18, 2025 at 9:02 PM
Zohran Mamdani's campaign has made it clear that affordability is a top priority among voters. How can he strike the right balance between lower rents and more housing, and can other mayor's follow his lead?
Reposted by Dr. Karen Weaver
I will never forget having to edit Jamal’s final, posthumous piece for the Washington Post, after he was murdered.
He was calling for free expression in the Arab world. You can read it here :
www.washingtonpost.com/opinions/glo...
He was calling for free expression in the Arab world. You can read it here :
www.washingtonpost.com/opinions/glo...
Opinion | Jamal Khashoggi: What the Arab world needs most is free expression
The Arab world needs a modern version of the old transnational media so citizens can be informed about global events.
www.washingtonpost.com
November 18, 2025 at 6:48 PM
I will never forget having to edit Jamal’s final, posthumous piece for the Washington Post, after he was murdered.
He was calling for free expression in the Arab world. You can read it here :
www.washingtonpost.com/opinions/glo...
He was calling for free expression in the Arab world. You can read it here :
www.washingtonpost.com/opinions/glo...
McMahon has argued that the recently ended government shutdown showed how unnecessary her agency is.
“Students kept going to class. Teachers continued to get paid. There were no disruptions in sports seasons or bus routes."
wapo.st/4i6ZRr5
“Students kept going to class. Teachers continued to get paid. There were no disruptions in sports seasons or bus routes."
wapo.st/4i6ZRr5
Trump administration to announce dismantling of some of Education Dept.
President Donald Trump signed an executive order in March seeking to close the department, but only Congress has the power to do that.
wapo.st
November 18, 2025 at 5:49 PM
McMahon has argued that the recently ended government shutdown showed how unnecessary her agency is.
“Students kept going to class. Teachers continued to get paid. There were no disruptions in sports seasons or bus routes."
wapo.st/4i6ZRr5
“Students kept going to class. Teachers continued to get paid. There were no disruptions in sports seasons or bus routes."
wapo.st/4i6ZRr5
Could a Separate Governance Structure for Power 4 Football Alleviate the College Sports Doom Loop? Jim Harris of the University of San Diego Thinks So.
Full conversation: youtu.be/-wlEjWOmGOU
Full conversation: youtu.be/-wlEjWOmGOU
November 18, 2025 at 3:07 PM
Could a Separate Governance Structure for Power 4 Football Alleviate the College Sports Doom Loop? Jim Harris of the University of San Diego Thinks So.
Full conversation: youtu.be/-wlEjWOmGOU
Full conversation: youtu.be/-wlEjWOmGOU
Reposted by Dr. Karen Weaver
“The influence that money played in securing this pardon is unprecedented,” says Elizabeth Oyer, former U.S. pardon attorney, about President Trump’s pardon of crypto billionaire Changpeng Zhao.
Zhao didn’t respond to 60 Minutes’ request for an interview. cbsn.ws/4806u9Y
Zhao didn’t respond to 60 Minutes’ request for an interview. cbsn.ws/4806u9Y
November 17, 2025 at 12:53 AM
“The influence that money played in securing this pardon is unprecedented,” says Elizabeth Oyer, former U.S. pardon attorney, about President Trump’s pardon of crypto billionaire Changpeng Zhao.
Zhao didn’t respond to 60 Minutes’ request for an interview. cbsn.ws/4806u9Y
Zhao didn’t respond to 60 Minutes’ request for an interview. cbsn.ws/4806u9Y
Reposted by Dr. Karen Weaver
Holy mole. This is a must-watch.
60 Minutes is doing a story on Trump's crypto corruption tonight. I did a lot of work with them in the background - it's a great team and Scott is genuinely committed to journalism.
Nothing from my interview made the cut - which is disappointing - but so happy they got this past Bari.
Watch.
Nothing from my interview made the cut - which is disappointing - but so happy they got this past Bari.
Watch.
November 17, 2025 at 1:06 AM
Holy mole. This is a must-watch.
Reposted by Dr. Karen Weaver
NEW: UNC-Chapel Hill WILL raise in-state tuition by 3%, or $211, for 2026-27.
Follows two days of extensive, convoluted debate by trustees and a committee asking for a new proposal from staff. Administration stuck to their initial plan, which got 6-5 approval today. (Four trustees absent.)
Follows two days of extensive, convoluted debate by trustees and a committee asking for a new proposal from staff. Administration stuck to their initial plan, which got 6-5 approval today. (Four trustees absent.)
November 13, 2025 at 4:09 PM
NEW: UNC-Chapel Hill WILL raise in-state tuition by 3%, or $211, for 2026-27.
Follows two days of extensive, convoluted debate by trustees and a committee asking for a new proposal from staff. Administration stuck to their initial plan, which got 6-5 approval today. (Four trustees absent.)
Follows two days of extensive, convoluted debate by trustees and a committee asking for a new proposal from staff. Administration stuck to their initial plan, which got 6-5 approval today. (Four trustees absent.)
Reposted by Dr. Karen Weaver
The decade-long trend of states increasing funding for public higher education is rapidly coming to an end. This will set up a battle among institutions for students, which flagship universities (and some community colleges) will likely win.
Higher Education’s Uncertain Fiscal Future
In times of financial strain, state lawmakers often cut higher education funding first, expecting that federal funds and tuition dollars will help, temporarily, to make up the gap. For most states, hi...
www.pew.org
November 13, 2025 at 2:52 PM
The decade-long trend of states increasing funding for public higher education is rapidly coming to an end. This will set up a battle among institutions for students, which flagship universities (and some community colleges) will likely win.
The Trump administration will likely have to issue $195 billion in refunds to the businesses that have been hurt by tariffs. That process could take months or years — or might never happen.
This chart is revealing @profgalloway.com Now we can see who's paying for Trump's tariffs-us, going forward.
This chart is revealing @profgalloway.com Now we can see who's paying for Trump's tariffs-us, going forward.
November 13, 2025 at 3:51 PM
The Trump administration will likely have to issue $195 billion in refunds to the businesses that have been hurt by tariffs. That process could take months or years — or might never happen.
This chart is revealing @profgalloway.com Now we can see who's paying for Trump's tariffs-us, going forward.
This chart is revealing @profgalloway.com Now we can see who's paying for Trump's tariffs-us, going forward.
Reposted by Dr. Karen Weaver
Exclusive: NBCUniversal is adding to its mix of sports offerings Monday by launching a new cable channel, dubbed NBCSN.
NBCUniversal Launching New Cable Sports Channel
The new NBCSN channel will launch Monday and carry mostly sports that are also streamed on NBCU’s Peacock service, including N.B.A. games, Big Ten college football, golf and Premier League soccer.
on.wsj.com
November 13, 2025 at 10:43 AM
Exclusive: NBCUniversal is adding to its mix of sports offerings Monday by launching a new cable channel, dubbed NBCSN.