Provide the best athletic program in the Southland Conference while fostering an environment where the student-athlete excels on the field of competition.
Objective
Student-Athlete Athletic Recruitment
Identify student-athletes who will assist teams in achieving a top four standing in Southland Conference competition.
Indicator
Athletic Performance Criteria Report-Commissioners Cup Awards
Key criteria data consisting of cup, all-sports, team records, winning percentage and rankings is collected by the appropriate university department, the NCAA and Southland Conference. An ongoing evaluation by the President and the Director of Athletics is performed.
Criterion
Commissioner's Cup Standings
The department will finish in the top four of the Southland Conference Commissioners Cup, Mens All-Sports and Womens All-Sports standings.
Finding
Commissioners Cup Standings
The department finished fifth in the cup with a sixth place finish in the mens all-sports and fourth in the womens all-sports.
Criterion
Team Records, Winning Percentage and Rankings
At least 60% of all the athletic teams will achieve an overall winning percentage of at least 50% and finish in the top four of the Southland Conference final rankings.
Finding
Team Records, Winning Percentage And Rankings
Eleven out of sixteen sports had an overall winning percentage of at least 50% with four teams finishing in the top four of the Southland Conference final rankings.
Action
Evaluation
The director of athletics evaluated each department head and discussed strenghts and areas for improvement. An update was provided to the President during a regularly scheduled one on one.
Goal
University's Educational Enterprise
Provide an environment where the department is an integral part of the university's educational enterprise.
Objective
Student-Athlete Academic Environment
Provide an environment for student-athletes necessary to enhance the integrity of university, NCAA/Southland Conference policies, promote graduation and enhance life skills experiences.
Key criteria data consisting of graduation rates, NCAA Academic Progress Rate (APR), academic awards and grade point average is collected by the appropriate university department, the NCAA and Southland Conference. An ongoing evaluation by the President and the Director of Athletics is performed.
Criterion
Graduation Rates
The department will maintain a graduation rate higher than the general student graduation rate.
Finding
Graduation Rates
The department achieved a graduation rate higher than the general student population.
Criterion
NCAA Academic Progress Rate (APR)
All sports teams will maintain an APR ratio where no reductions in scholarships or additional penalties are applied.
Finding
NCAA Academic Progress Rate (APR)
Mens baseball, mens indoor track and womens basketball received scholarship reduction penalties. Improvement in scores was made in baseball and indoor track from 2007-2008.
Criterion
Academic Awards and Grade Point Average
The department will place in the top four of the Southland Conference in the number of All Academic Awards and maintain an overall department grade point average of 2.5 or better.
Finding
Academic Awards And Grade Point Average
The department placed the second highest number of all-academic selections in the Southland Conference. The department acheived an overall grade point average of 2.92.
Action
Academic Assessment
The director of athletics and associate director of athletics for student services reviewed individual sport recruiting strategies of prospective student-athletes to identify potential issues concerning APR penalties. Additionally, the compliance officer performed a study that provided data on problem student-athletes in each sport with APR issues comparing their academic problems and their status as freshman, four year college transfers and junior college transfers.
Goal
Entertainment And Image
Provide an environment for our alumni, community and friends of the university that encourages active participation in the department's programs and development activities.
Objective
Revenue Enhancement
Expand fundraising and marketing strategies that will improve attendance at events and generate revenue to enhance academic and athletic services.
Key criteria data consisting of all revenue generated by outside sources is collected by the appropriate university department, the NCAA and Southland Conference. An ongoing evaluation by the President and the Director of Athletics is performed.
Criterion
Outside Revenue Sources
The department will develop revenue benchmarks in NCAA, game guarantees, ticket sales, Bearkat Partners, corporate sales, royalties, concession, facilities operations, camp operations and other income. Once a three year benchmark has been determined the department will examine and determine the appropriate percentage increase goal.
Finding
Outside Revenue Sources
The department currently tracks and evaluates revenue data.
Action
Development
The department is in the process of hiring an Associate Director of Athletics for External Operations and has implementing a restructuring of the fundraising and marketing departments.
Goal
NCAA & Southland Conference
Provide an environment that is supportive of all NCAA Bylaws, Southland Conference Operating Principles, cultural diversity and equitable opportunities for minorities and women.
Objective
Compliance
Maintain compliance with all federal, state, NCAA and Southland Conference policies and guidelines.
Indicator
Athletic Performance Criteria Report-NCAA Violations/Hiring/Addition Of Womens Sports
Key criteria data consisting of NCAA major/secondary violations, hiring and adding of womens sports is collected by the appropriate university department, the NCAA and Southland Conference. An ongoing evaluation by the President and the Director of Athletics is performed.
Criterion
NCAA Secondary Violations
Secondary violation reports will not exceed eight.
Finding
NCAA Secondary Violations
The department reported five secondary violations.
Criterion
Hiring and Addition of Womens Sports
The department will track minority hiring and addition of womens sports and follow the policies and goals set by the university through the Human Resources department.
Finding
Hiring And Addition Of Womens Sports
The department hired a new head coach in womens bowling and is adding the sport fall 2009.
Criterion
Major NCAA Violations
The department will not have any major NCAA violations.
Finding
Major NCAA Violations
The department reported no major NCAA violations.
Action
Education And Certification
The department is currently implementing its NCAA self study plan. Letters of appointment have been distributed to all athletic department staff and appropriate university personnel with compliance responsibilites outlining their committment to rules compliance. Additional rules compliance criteria have been added to athletic department staff during their job performance evaluations.