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.
KPI
Athletic Performance Criteria Report-Commissioners Cup Awards, Team Records, Winning Percentage And Rankings
The department reviews key criteria data from the NCAA and Southland Conference consisting of commissioner's cup standings, all-sports results, team records, winning percentage and tournament participation. The criteria establishes that the department will finish in the top four of the Southland Conference Commissioner's Cup, Men's All-Sports and Women's All-Sports standings. Additionally, the department will have at least 60% of all its teams achieve an overall winning percentage above 50% and at least 70% will finish in the top four of the final conference rankings. The President and the Director of Athletics perform annual evaluations on the status of each program and the overall department.
Result
Athletic Performance Criteria Report-Commissioners Cup Awards, Team Records, Winning Percentage And Rankings
The department finished fifth in the overall cup standings with a fifth place finish in the men's all-sports and fourth in the women's all-sports trophies.
Thirteen of seventeen sports (76%) had an overall winning percentage of at least 50% with eight of seventeen sports finishing in the top four of the Southland Conference final rankings. Three sports, football (#2), bowling (#8) and baseball (#25) finished in the top 25 NCAA national rankings. Still, to improve each sport’s performance, meetings with department heads were planned.
Action
Evaluation
The director of athletics evaluated each department head and discussed strengths to determine areas for improvement. Findings were discussed with the President during regularly scheduled one on one meetings. The department experienced on the field athletic success that was demonstrated by improving winning percentages, team records, conference and national rankings. These improvements will only serve to move the department towards the goal of winning Southland Conference All-Sports trophies. The department will continue to strive to be the best NCAA Football Championship Subdivision (FCS) program it can be while exploring any opportunities to consider a move to the NCAA Football Bowl Subdivision (FBS) level.
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.
The department reviews key criteria data collected by the NCAA, Southland Conference and appropriate university departments consisting of graduation rates, NCAA Academic Progress Rate (APR), academic awards and grade point average. An ongoing evaluation by the President and the Director of Athletics is performed.
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.
The department will maintain a graduation rate higher than the general student graduation rate.
All sports teams will maintain an APR ratio where no reductions in scholarships or additional penalties are applied.
Result
Performance Criteria Report
The department increased the number of academic awards by eleven student-athletes and placed fourth in the Southland Conference all academic awards. The department continued to increase the overall grade point average from a 2.89 to a 2.96.
The department achieved a graduation rate of 68%, which is higher than the general student population by 19 percentage points.
The department did not receive any scholarship reductions based upon APR results, however there was a two point overall department drop from the 2010-2011 academic year. This reduction was due to corrections of past reports, retention issues in men's golf and a change in coaching staff in baseball.
Action
Academic Assessment
The director of athletics, associate director of athletics for student services, compliance officer and sports head coaches continue to evaluate and implement individual sport recruiting strategies of prospective student-athletes. The department continues to recruit and retain quality student-athletes who must meet the university's regular admission and progress towards a degree standards. They compete with other Southland Conference sports programs who are not held to the same high admission standards.
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.
The department reviews key criteria data generated by outside revenue streams. The criteria establishes that the department will increase revenues by a total of 5% from NCAA, game guarantees, ticket sales, Bearkat Champions, corporate sales, royalties, concessions, facilities operations and other income. Additionally, attendance levels will continue to exhibit factual levels in order to determine future attendance benchmarks. The President and the Director of Athletics performed ongoing evaluations quarterly and annually.
The department has experienced a 33% increase in outside revenue from the 2010-2011 academic year. This was due to the success of the Battle of the Piney Woods football game being played at Reliant Stadium, football & baseball success and increased game guarantee, ticket sales, sponsorships, concessions and royalty revenues.
Action
Ticket Revenue And Development
The department has implemented an external revenue strategic plan that includes increasing staff from one staff member to nine over the past three years. Additionally, team-on-the-field success, television opportunities, emphasis on season tickets, sponsorships, marketing and university enrollment have been the major factor increasing revenues.
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.
KPI
Athletic Performance Criteria Report-NCAA Violations/Hiring/Addition Of Women's Sports
The department reviews key criteria data collected by the NCAA, Southland Conference and appropriate university departments. The criterion consists of NCAA major/secondary violations, hiring of staff and Title IX plans. The President, Director of Athletics, Associate Director of Student Service and Compliance perform ongoing evaluations. An emphasis of creating a positive NCAA compliance environment will be implemented by the department. Attention to policies and procedures set forth by the university, along with the goals set by the university through the Human Resources department, continue to enhance minority and women's opportunities and are a priority.
Result
Athletic Performance Criteria Report-NCAA Violations/Hiring/Addition Of Women's
The department did not have any NCAA major violations but exceeded the number of NCAA secondary violation by one. This can be attributed to the addition of new staff members in individual sports and administration. Implementation of Southland Conference and university internal audits continue to assist the department in identifying and correcting issues. This is a positive process that proactively assists the compliance officer promote an environment of NCAA compliance.
The department has added several new coaching and administrative positions and continues to work with Human Resources to improve minority and women's opportunities. The department experienced a 1% reduction in minority hiring but is still ahead of 2009-2010 low.
Action
Athletic Performance Criteria Report-NCAA Violations/Hiring/Addition Of Women's
The department will implement the NCAA self-study plan and oversees compliance through education, external and internal audits. The Southland Conference and university's Office of Audits and Analysis assist compliance officer with the necessary tools to promote an atmosphere of compliance and institutional control.