Post by Sly Fox on Nov 14, 2005 19:55:10 GMT -5
The president of Presbyterian College commissioned a report on the future of the school's athletic programs. Here is the commission's findings:
www.presby.edu/presby_main/freeform_template_T7_R2391.html
Here is the executive summary:
www.presby.edu/presby_main/freeform_template_T7_R2413.html
Bottom line, its all set up now for the vote on July 25th. At that point barring any unforeseen changes, the Big South should be extending an invitation immediately thereafter.
It won't solve the overall problems of the league but it appears to be a step in the right direction.
www.presby.edu/presby_main/freeform_template_T7_R2391.html
Here is the executive summary:
EXECUTIVE SUMMARY
Recommendation of the President's Commission
Strategic Plan for Intercollegiate Athletics
Approved for distribution by the
Presbyterian College Board of Trustees Executive Committee
August 31, 2005
President's Charge to the Commission
"We are now at a crossroads in the development of the College. On all fronts we are making important progress in strengthening PC - our strategic plan is a well-conceived and energizing map of our future.
A high quality intercollegiate athletics program is (a historic) and defining characteristic of Presbyterian College. The time has come to examine how Blue Hose athletics fits in with our (strategic) plan. I believe that our future may be in Division I (with football at I-AA). However, we need an open and unbiased examination of this fact a clear statement of the reasons for such a move, the costs, and the benefits. I charge you to provide me with a report on your conclusions."
(Excerpt from the President's Charge to the Strategic Planning Commission for Athletics, Spring 2004)
History
Integrity in all programs has been an historic hallmark of PC. Sadly, the vision, mission, values, and goals of PC no longer align with our intercollegiate athletics associations and competition in NCAA Division II. Our coaches state that significant competitive inequities now exist, particularly in the South Atlantic Conference, generated by lower academic requirements, uneven recruiting practices, and an imbalance of financial aid expenditures. These differences, observed for many years, have grown more obvious with each passing athletic season.
Common wisdom holds that one is judged by the company one keeps. The higher education marketplace is a shining example of such. Our admissions folk note that on all fronts, consumers (prospective students and their parents) make their college choices by comparison shopping between institutions for financial aid, for academic excellence, for location, for competitive athletics.
Strikingly, we have found that Presbyterian College, a first-quality institution in all areas, is no longer perceived so in certain arenas because of its athletic membership in NCAA Division II. The logic behind the perception is simple but frustrating: if PC plays Furman, Wofford, or Davidson, we are considered on academic par with those schools. If PC plays North Greenville College, Tusculum, or Newberry, the same perception holds true.
More than one-fourth of the students at PC are varsity student-athletes. Increasingly they find themselves competing on the playing field with competitors who, while perhaps more athletically gifted, cannot compete with them in the classroom. The PC coaches note anecdotally that academically and athletically gifted high school student athletes choose not to consider PC because PC is not a Division I member. These student-athletes move toward those colleges and universities where they can compete against the "best of the best" in all arenas.
In addition to those students who wish to compete in a sport, parents of both prospective athletes and non-athletic students judge a school by many of the same criteria. They want their school compared with those they consider the best.
As a commission, we believe that the college's current athletic division status will negatively affect the college's long-term financial health and overall competitiveness in the student marketplace and impede progress in accomplishing our strategic vision.
Recommendation
To address these issues, this commission concludes that Presbyterian College's athletic program should move to NCAA Division I (NCAA Division I-AA for Football).
Rationale
We believe that a move to NCAA Division I membership would allow the college to:
Recruit and enroll student-athletes who are both academically and athletically gifted;
Enhance the visibility and market stature of the College among prospective parents, students, student-athletes, and peer institutions in the region and nationally;
Correct the academic and competitive inequities that currently exist between our competitors and us;
Contribute significantly toward accomplishing the college's long-term strategic vision as outlined in the strategic plan for 2010.
This move would be consistent with the priorities of the college as a leading liberal arts institution and will, the commission believes, substantially assist the college in achieving its strategic vision for its future.
It is critical to note that the faculty representatives on the Strategic Planning Commission emphasize that the College must continue to build and reinforce its academic standards and reputation. Every member of the commission affirms this commitment to Presbyterian College's academic integrity, and holds this to be true regardless of our NCAA status.
Commission members have studied both the advantages and disadvantages associated with remaining in Division II or choosing to move to Division I. An additional analysis was made of the pros and cons of Division III. The consensus of the Commission is that neither Division II nor III are viable options.
Our recommendation does not come lightly. It would be easy to focus only on the estimated costs (found in the appendices) associated with a decision to move to Division I. That said, the disadvantages of remaining in Division II or moving to Division III are significant and, we believe, compelling.
Other private liberal arts institutions of our size and financial means have shown that a transition to NCAA Division I membership can enhance an institution's standing in many dimensions. As commission members we believe that the College will realize broad enhancements in many domains while upholding "all that is best" about Presbyterian College. Further, we believe, and there is evidence to support the fact, that our academic reputation will be enhanced through the various benefits of membership in Division I.
We believe that strong support does exist in many camps for such a move. At the same time, the broadest possible support from all of the college's constituent groups should be sought. A communications plan that both informs primary internal and external constituencies of the change and impact on college life and solicits support from these groups should be developed and disseminated in a timely manner.
While we should not underestimate the challenge associated with such a move, we believe that it will result in significant long-term gain for the college. With that in mind, we respectfully recommend that Presbyterian College apply for membership in the Big South Conference of NCAA Division I. The next deadline for membership applications is September 1, 2006[1]. Application at this time would make PC eligible for full Division I membership on September 1, 2011.
Financial Action Steps
The following action steps are recommended to assure the overall financial strength of the College during the transitional period and to position our athletic programs in a favorable competitive position:
Scholarships
PC should immediately move to raise $6 million in cash to enhance and strengthen endowed scholarships for athletics by 2010.
Strategy: This endowment objective represents a portion of the $33 million goal in the current capital campaign and will help assure that we maintain a robust financial aid program for all students. This will facilitate a move from the current 72 in athletic scholarships to 117 athletic scholarships while avoiding any negative impact on our overall financial program for academically gifted students, assuring the overall financial strength of the College, and meeting the basic scholarship levels needed to be reasonably competitive during the transition period. It should be noted that if all PC aid allocated to athletes in 2005 is converted to athletic scholarships, the total equals the 117 athletic scholarship equivalency required in this plan. An eight- month drive to obtain five-year pledges for this amount is planned between September 2005 and May 2006.
Staff and Operating Budgets
The athletic budget for salaries and operations will need to increase by approximately $1.3 million (above present levels) by the end of the transition period. This represents an annual compound growth rate in the athletic budget between 9% and 10% over the full transition period. By the end of the transition, we forecast that the athletic salary and operations budget would represent 6.93% of College expenditures versus 5.82% at present.
Strategy: These increased operating requirements will be addressed by one or both of two strategies based on actual financial requirements new Scotsman Club memberships/ higher gift levels and increased Student Athletic Fees/Ticket prices.
Facilities
It is anticipated that an additional $2.3 million will need to be raised for additional facility support.
Strategies: We will refocus the original $2.3 million campaign goal for tennis (not yet addressed) to the stated needs for all sports as required by the Division I conference we join. This then becomes a redefined objective for the five years remaining in the campaign.
We appreciate the opportunity to present this report for consideration. We stand ready to answer any questions that you may have on this matter that we believe is critical to the future of the college.
Recommendation of the President's Commission
Strategic Plan for Intercollegiate Athletics
Approved for distribution by the
Presbyterian College Board of Trustees Executive Committee
August 31, 2005
President's Charge to the Commission
"We are now at a crossroads in the development of the College. On all fronts we are making important progress in strengthening PC - our strategic plan is a well-conceived and energizing map of our future.
A high quality intercollegiate athletics program is (a historic) and defining characteristic of Presbyterian College. The time has come to examine how Blue Hose athletics fits in with our (strategic) plan. I believe that our future may be in Division I (with football at I-AA). However, we need an open and unbiased examination of this fact a clear statement of the reasons for such a move, the costs, and the benefits. I charge you to provide me with a report on your conclusions."
(Excerpt from the President's Charge to the Strategic Planning Commission for Athletics, Spring 2004)
History
Integrity in all programs has been an historic hallmark of PC. Sadly, the vision, mission, values, and goals of PC no longer align with our intercollegiate athletics associations and competition in NCAA Division II. Our coaches state that significant competitive inequities now exist, particularly in the South Atlantic Conference, generated by lower academic requirements, uneven recruiting practices, and an imbalance of financial aid expenditures. These differences, observed for many years, have grown more obvious with each passing athletic season.
Common wisdom holds that one is judged by the company one keeps. The higher education marketplace is a shining example of such. Our admissions folk note that on all fronts, consumers (prospective students and their parents) make their college choices by comparison shopping between institutions for financial aid, for academic excellence, for location, for competitive athletics.
Strikingly, we have found that Presbyterian College, a first-quality institution in all areas, is no longer perceived so in certain arenas because of its athletic membership in NCAA Division II. The logic behind the perception is simple but frustrating: if PC plays Furman, Wofford, or Davidson, we are considered on academic par with those schools. If PC plays North Greenville College, Tusculum, or Newberry, the same perception holds true.
More than one-fourth of the students at PC are varsity student-athletes. Increasingly they find themselves competing on the playing field with competitors who, while perhaps more athletically gifted, cannot compete with them in the classroom. The PC coaches note anecdotally that academically and athletically gifted high school student athletes choose not to consider PC because PC is not a Division I member. These student-athletes move toward those colleges and universities where they can compete against the "best of the best" in all arenas.
In addition to those students who wish to compete in a sport, parents of both prospective athletes and non-athletic students judge a school by many of the same criteria. They want their school compared with those they consider the best.
As a commission, we believe that the college's current athletic division status will negatively affect the college's long-term financial health and overall competitiveness in the student marketplace and impede progress in accomplishing our strategic vision.
Recommendation
To address these issues, this commission concludes that Presbyterian College's athletic program should move to NCAA Division I (NCAA Division I-AA for Football).
Rationale
We believe that a move to NCAA Division I membership would allow the college to:
Recruit and enroll student-athletes who are both academically and athletically gifted;
Enhance the visibility and market stature of the College among prospective parents, students, student-athletes, and peer institutions in the region and nationally;
Correct the academic and competitive inequities that currently exist between our competitors and us;
Contribute significantly toward accomplishing the college's long-term strategic vision as outlined in the strategic plan for 2010.
This move would be consistent with the priorities of the college as a leading liberal arts institution and will, the commission believes, substantially assist the college in achieving its strategic vision for its future.
It is critical to note that the faculty representatives on the Strategic Planning Commission emphasize that the College must continue to build and reinforce its academic standards and reputation. Every member of the commission affirms this commitment to Presbyterian College's academic integrity, and holds this to be true regardless of our NCAA status.
Commission members have studied both the advantages and disadvantages associated with remaining in Division II or choosing to move to Division I. An additional analysis was made of the pros and cons of Division III. The consensus of the Commission is that neither Division II nor III are viable options.
Our recommendation does not come lightly. It would be easy to focus only on the estimated costs (found in the appendices) associated with a decision to move to Division I. That said, the disadvantages of remaining in Division II or moving to Division III are significant and, we believe, compelling.
Other private liberal arts institutions of our size and financial means have shown that a transition to NCAA Division I membership can enhance an institution's standing in many dimensions. As commission members we believe that the College will realize broad enhancements in many domains while upholding "all that is best" about Presbyterian College. Further, we believe, and there is evidence to support the fact, that our academic reputation will be enhanced through the various benefits of membership in Division I.
We believe that strong support does exist in many camps for such a move. At the same time, the broadest possible support from all of the college's constituent groups should be sought. A communications plan that both informs primary internal and external constituencies of the change and impact on college life and solicits support from these groups should be developed and disseminated in a timely manner.
While we should not underestimate the challenge associated with such a move, we believe that it will result in significant long-term gain for the college. With that in mind, we respectfully recommend that Presbyterian College apply for membership in the Big South Conference of NCAA Division I. The next deadline for membership applications is September 1, 2006[1]. Application at this time would make PC eligible for full Division I membership on September 1, 2011.
Financial Action Steps
The following action steps are recommended to assure the overall financial strength of the College during the transitional period and to position our athletic programs in a favorable competitive position:
Scholarships
PC should immediately move to raise $6 million in cash to enhance and strengthen endowed scholarships for athletics by 2010.
Strategy: This endowment objective represents a portion of the $33 million goal in the current capital campaign and will help assure that we maintain a robust financial aid program for all students. This will facilitate a move from the current 72 in athletic scholarships to 117 athletic scholarships while avoiding any negative impact on our overall financial program for academically gifted students, assuring the overall financial strength of the College, and meeting the basic scholarship levels needed to be reasonably competitive during the transition period. It should be noted that if all PC aid allocated to athletes in 2005 is converted to athletic scholarships, the total equals the 117 athletic scholarship equivalency required in this plan. An eight- month drive to obtain five-year pledges for this amount is planned between September 2005 and May 2006.
Staff and Operating Budgets
The athletic budget for salaries and operations will need to increase by approximately $1.3 million (above present levels) by the end of the transition period. This represents an annual compound growth rate in the athletic budget between 9% and 10% over the full transition period. By the end of the transition, we forecast that the athletic salary and operations budget would represent 6.93% of College expenditures versus 5.82% at present.
Strategy: These increased operating requirements will be addressed by one or both of two strategies based on actual financial requirements new Scotsman Club memberships/ higher gift levels and increased Student Athletic Fees/Ticket prices.
Facilities
It is anticipated that an additional $2.3 million will need to be raised for additional facility support.
Strategies: We will refocus the original $2.3 million campaign goal for tennis (not yet addressed) to the stated needs for all sports as required by the Division I conference we join. This then becomes a redefined objective for the five years remaining in the campaign.
We appreciate the opportunity to present this report for consideration. We stand ready to answer any questions that you may have on this matter that we believe is critical to the future of the college.
www.presby.edu/presby_main/freeform_template_T7_R2413.html
Bottom line, its all set up now for the vote on July 25th. At that point barring any unforeseen changes, the Big South should be extending an invitation immediately thereafter.
It won't solve the overall problems of the league but it appears to be a step in the right direction.
