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
Commissioner's Cup Standings
The department finished fifth in the overall cup standings with a fifth place finish in the men's all-sports and third in the women's all-sports trophy.
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
Seven out of 16 sports (43%) had an overall winning percentage of at least 50% with seven of 16 sports (43%) finishing in the top four of the Southland Conference final rankings.
Action
Evaluation
The director of athletics evaluated each department head and discussed strengths to determine areas for improvement. An update was provided to the President during a regularly scheduled one on one meeeting. The director of athletics made change of leadership in the football program and hired a new head football coach in December 2009. Additionally, the department of athletics has completed a feasibility study by NACDA Consultants evaluating financial and administrative needs to improve competitive levels.
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 of 65%, which is higher than the general student population by approximately 18 percentage points.
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)
The department reduced the number of teams with APR team penalties from three to one, with only men's baseball receiving scholarship reduction penalties. Men's baseball continues an upward trend toward improving their overall APR.
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 third highest number of all-academic selections in the Southland Conference. The department acheived an overall grade point average of 2.90.
Action
Academic Assessment
The director of athletics, associate director of athletics for student services, compliance officer and sports head coaches implemented individual sport recruiting strategies of prospective student-athletes. Roster management by the compliance officer and head coaches have had a positive impact on APR improvement. Additionally, discussions with university enrollment management and academic affairs personnel have determine a need to implement a general studies degree program.
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 increase revenues by a total of 5% from NCAA, game guarantees, ticket sales, Bearkat Partners, corporate sales, royalties, concession, facilities operations, camp operations and other income.
Finding
Outside Revenue Sources
The department of athletics had revenue increases in tickets (12%), concessions (34%), Bearkat Champions (9%), facility rentals (3%) and other revenue or fundraisers (16%). The department had reductions in game guarantees (20%), royalties (37%), corporate (42%) and program/ads (16%). Overall revenue from outside sources decreased by 1%.
Action
Ticket Revenue And Development
The department hired an associate director of athletics for external operations, assistant director of athletics for tickets and marketing coordinator. The department implemented a budget for these areas and restructured the policies and procedures for tickets and development. The department is in the process of hiring three additional staff members in this area for FY 2011.
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
Major NCAA Violations
The department will not have any major NCAA violations.
Finding
Major NCAA Violations
The department reported no major NCAA violations.
Criterion
NCAA Secondary Violations
Secondary violation reports will not exceed eight.
Finding
NCAA Secondary Violations
The department reported seven 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 Women's Sports
The department hired three new non-caucasion staff members during FY 2010. The new women's sport of bowling has recruited student athletes and will begin competition fall 2010.
Action
Compliance
The department has hired a new compliance officer who is in the process of implementing the NCAA self study plan, revising compliance policies and montoring compliance through education and periodic evaluations of documents.