The department is committed to academic achievement and athletic excellence that strengthens learning opportunities within an ever-changing environment where the student-athlete excels in the classroom and on the field of competition.
Objective
Student-Athlete Academic Environment
Provide an environment for student-athletes necessary to enhance the university's educational enterprise, 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 and NCAA Academic Progress Rate (APR). An ongoing evaluation by the President and the director of athletics is performed.
1. The department will maintain a graduation rate higher than the general student graduation rate.
2. All sports teams will maintain an APR ratio where no reductions in scholarships or additional penalties are applied.
The department experienced a 3% increase in the student-athlete graduation rate over the previous year. In addition, the student-athlete graduation rate was 5% higher than the university student graduation rate. Another factor that contributed to the increase in graduation rates was that the department did not receive any scholarship reductions based upon NCAA Academic Progress Rate (APR) results.
The department received 27 Southland Conference academic awards that placed us in the top quarter of the Southland Conference. Three student-athletes were named Southland Conference Student-Athletes of the Year in their respective sports. The department achieved the highest grade point average ever by posting an overall grade point average of 3.10. This demonstrates that the department is competing at a high academic level and this recognition confirms the indicators success. The intensive focus in academic advisement and tutorial services within the Athletic Learning Enhancement Center (LEC) engage student-athletes in preparation for a successful academic learning environment.
Action
Academic Standards For Athletes
The director of athletics, assoicate director of athletics for student services, assistant director of athletics for compliance and sports head coaches (Athletic Administrative Team) review 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 standardized admission process and progress toward degree requirements. Our quality of academic standards is higher than the NCAA minimum standards. In comparision, our competitors in the Southland Conference as well as other Texas universities do not have this requirement. The Academic Performance Indicator Report will continue to be reviewed to ensure student athlete success and progress. In 2014-2015 the Athletic Administrative Team developed a plan to identify key indicators in admission requirements, continuing eligibility standards and progress towards a degree to provide academic enhancement services necessary to continue improvements in student-athlete academic performance. Additionally, the department added an Assistant Director of Athletics for Certification and Compliance. The individual hired had been the Director of Admissions for the University with experience in identifying key admission success indicators. In 2015-2016 the Athletic Administrative Team will develop a plan to expand the athletic academic staff to enhance services necessary for institutional control.
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 Standings, Team Conference/Tournament Standings, NCAA Post-Season Participation
The department reviews key criteria data from the NCAA and Southland Conference consisting of:
Commissioner's Cup Standings
Team Records
Winning Percentage
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 60% 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 Excellence Performance Indicators
The department finished third in the overall Southland Conference Commisioner's Cup standings. Men sports won their 4th overall trophy while the women placed 4th. This is due to 14 of 17 sports (82%) having an overall winning percentage of at least 50%, with 11 of 17 sports (65%) finishing in the top four of the Southland Conference final standings. Five sports, football, men's & women's indoor/outdoor track, men's golf and bowling earned NCAA post-season tournament appearances. Both football and women's bowling returned to NCAA Division I Championship as a semi-finalists.
Action
Competition Results
The director of athletics evaluated each department head and program outcomes to determine areas for improvement. Findings were discussed with the President during regularly scheduled one on one meetings. The department experienced another quality performance year that was demonstrated by improving winning percentages, team records, conference and national rankings. The department continues to be one of the best Southland Conference and NCAA Football Championship Subdivision (FCS) programs. This has enabled us to hire and retain quality coaches and staff who evaluate and recruit qualtiy student athletes. The 2010 Feasibility Study update was completed and data was implemented to to ensure the financial levels are market appropriate to retain quality staff. In 2015-2016 the department will implement contracts for all head coaches and increase administrative and coaching staff positions based upon feasibility study findings.
Goal
Institutional Control
The department is committed to excellence in the areas of institutional control through compliance, diversity and equitable opportunity, which provides an environment that is supportive of all university, NCAA Bylaws and Southland Conference Operating Principles for minorities and women.
Objective
Policy And Guideline Compliance
Maintain compliance with all federal, state, university, NCAA and Southland Conference policies and guidelines.
KPI
Athletic Performance Criteria Report-Compliance
The department reviews key criteria data collected by the NCAA, Southland Conference and appropriate university departments. The indicators consist of NCAA major/secondary violations and Title IX plans.
Result
Athletic Compliance Performance Indicators
The department did not have any NCAA major violations and eight secondary violations. We have seen a slight increase of one secondary violation, that is not an issue, due to an enhanced compliance education program that ensures department staff and student-athletes are implementing appropriate standards. 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 coordinator to promote an environment of NCAA compliance.
Action
Institutional Monitoring
The department added an Assistant Director of Athletics for Certification and Compliance. The individual hired had been the Director of Admissions for the University with experience in identifying key admission success indicators and certification of eligibility. This addition completed the academic and compliance area staff re-structureing that began in 2013-2014 to enhance monitoring activities and APR solutions. These changes allowed staff to increase the level of detail needed to discover eligibility and retention points that improve or maintain compliance and APR levels. The department has presented a plan through the university budget process and will undergo an external Title IX review in fall 2015 to determine the addition of a new women's sport with a potential implementation date of Fall 2017. The Athletic Administrative Team will also develop a plan to expand the athletic academic staff to enhance services necessary for institutional control.
Goal
Brand Expansion
The department is committed to superior branding performance in market share growth, increasing attandance and visibility of the program.
Objective
Media Opportunities, Market Share Growth And Licensing
Increase local and national media opportunities, market share growth, game attendance and visibility of the athletic program through advertising and control of officially licensed products.
KPI
Athletic Performance Indicator Report-Marketing Expansion And Branding Opportunities
The department reviews key criteria data tracked internally by the associate director of athletics for external operations. The criteria establishes that the department will increase the total game attendance by 5%. Team appearances will occur with one national televised game and three regional televised games per year. Market share growth will be determined by the number of licensed retail businesses who register to produce licensed apparel. A marketing strategy is currently being developed in conjunction with LLP to determine the appropriate levels of market share growth. The goal is to have this developed by fall 2015.
Result
Athletic Marketing Expansion And Branding Opportunities Performance Indicators
The department experienced a drop in attendance with football (including the Battle of the Piney Woods at NRG Stadium) due to fewer home games and Stephen F. Austin University selling less tickets to the BOTPW game. Our tickets sales for that event saw a slight increase of 142 tickets sold from the previous year. Men's and women's basketball, baseball and softball attendance decrease by 646 tickets. This reflects a slight decrease in attendance due to baseball having a rain out versus Texas A&M. Men's and women's basketball had attendance increase of 3795 and 2208 respectively due to playing more double header home contests.
The number of total of licensees for 2014-2015 is 186. This is a total of 16 new licensees. This is due to the new marketing brand company that monitors the University's logo and brand being able to oversee a full contract year.
The department apperared on ESPN-1 time, ESPN2-1 time, ESPN 3-15 times, Longhorn Network-2 times, SEC Network-2 times and Mountain West Network-1 time. This is a total of 17 national appearances and 5regional appearances, which is 5 less appearances than 2013-2104. This due to regioinal networks Root Sports and Fox Sports not being able to carry our games due to Southland Conference agreements with ESPN3.
Action
Expansion Opportunities
During the last five years, this department has experienced a winning record due to athletic team success, and the implementation of the corporate sales, marketing and donor management staff. The growth in attendance licensing and media opportunities will be dependent upon team performance and marketing strategies. In 2015-2016, the department goal is to increase attendance at games by 5%. A marketing strategy began in 2014-2015 to develop in conjunction with SMA Strategic Marketing Associates the appropriate levels of market share growth. The goal is to have the final version completed and implemented by fall 2016.
Goal
Revenue Generation
The department is committed to promoting active financial participation in student centered athletic programs and activities.
Objective
Revenue Enhancement
Expand ticket sales, annual and major gifts, media revenue, concessions, royalities and coporate sponsorships and endowments that will generate revenue to enhance academic and athletic services.
The department reviews key indicator data generated by outside revenue streams. The criteria establishes that the department will increase revenues by a total of 5% from ticket sales, annual and major gifts, media revenue, concessions, royalities and coporate sponsorships and endowments. Additionally, attendance levels will exhibit actual levels in order to determine future attendance benchmarks. The department will also increase corporate revenue opportunities through the addition of new scoreboards and videoboards by the fall of 2015.
Result
Athletic External Revenue Performance Indicators
The prelimnary close out revenue totals reflect an 5.66% decrease in ticket sales, annual and major gifts, media revenue, concessions, royalities and coporate sponsorships and endowments.
Action
External Revenue Review
The preliminary close out totals for 2014-2015 will be finalized in the NCAA Financial Report in January 2016, and based upon the initial calculations the program has experienced a 5.66% decrease under the 5% stated goal. During the last five years, this department has experienced a winning record due to athletic team success, and the implementation of the corporate sales, marketing and donor management staff. The growth in external revenue will be dependent upon the retention of current Bearkat Champions, which consists of ticket sales, annual and major gifts, media revenue, concessions, royalities and coporate sponsorships and endowments. The 5.66% decrease in 2014-2015 reflects a redcution in football ticket and concession revenue due to less home games, NCAA distributions and endowment interest revenue. The preliminary revenue totals for 2014-2015 are $2,062,094. In 2015-2016, the preliminary revenue totals will increase by 5%. The department will increase corporate revenue opportunities through the addition of new scoreboards and videoboards by the fall of 2016 and increased home football games.
The department will undergo an external athletic facility master plan review, with the goal to revise the 2008 University Master Plan for athletics.