DEPARTMENT OF INTERCOLLEGIATE ATHLETICS

ACTION IDEAS TO ASSIST WITH ASU STRATEGIC PLAN

 

Second Draft For Discussion

October 15, 2004

 

 

 

Enhance the University’s reputation, visibility, and influence.

ü      Coaches and administrators will continue to strive for improvement in competitive performance (i.e., winning percentages, conference championships, and postseason appearances)

ü      Administrators will continue to keep the various publics informed through consistent and high-quality communication via news releases, the Athletics Web site, brochures, letters, promotional pieces, newsletters, notices, etc.

ü      The Athletics Department will strive to expand the communications process through campus-wide e-mail

ü      Administrators will assist in University preparations for the Centennial Celebration

ü      Marketing and Broadcasting will strive to expand the network of radio affiliates around the state and region

ü      Coaches, student-athletes, administrators, and the spirit character will continue involvement in community relations through speaking engagements, teaching, and appearances at charity events

ü      Coaches and administrators will strive to schedule appropriately to achieve desired winning percentages, maintain high RPIs, gain national recognition, and promote ticket sales

ü      Media Relations will continue to provide timely information to national, regional, local, and conference media outlets on athletic events, results of completed events, features, ideas for features, and nominations of student-athletes for awards

ü      The Athletics Department will review media guides and all athletics publications to identify areas for improvement and make necessary changes

ü      Media Relations will continue to build relationships in Little Rock

ü      Marketing will continue to enhance media trade agreements

ü      The Athletics Department will continue to build the pride factor of the University

ü      The Athletics Department will continue to solidify and build the University’s national standing among the public, NCAA, Sun Belt Conference, and within Division I-A

ü      The Athletics Department will continue to provide customer service foster relationships with sponsors, donors, etc.

ü      The Athletics Department will continue to build entertainment value around athletics contests and identify additional markets

ü      The Athletics Department will strive to maximize the national impact athletics plays in growing the reputation and image of the entire University

 


Enhance learning by focusing on the institution’s priorities – teaching, research, and service.

ü      Athletics staff members will be encouraged to increase participation in training and professional development initiatives provided by the University

ü      Athletics staff members will continue to provide research related to NCAA, Sun Belt Conference, and Athletics Department matters through various surveys and rankings

ü      Athletics staff members will serve as mentors for students in the classroom and in competitions by sharing life development and teaching experiences

 

Develop a cohesive campus community based on shared governance, excellent communication, and mutual respect.

ü      Administrators will continue to strengthen working relationships with the campus community through participation in campus events, classes, ceremonies, etc.

ü      The Athletics Department will continue to develop involvement opportunities with other campus divisions through all-staff meetings, honorary coaches, recruiting efforts, the certification process, and participation by staff members and coaches in campus activities and on campus committees

ü      The Athletics Department will strive to appreciate, recognize, and offer thanks for the efforts of those in other campus divisions

ü      Administrators and staff members will continue to offer students opportunities to succeed in televised events, marketing projects, and sports management experiences

ü      Administrators, staff members, and coaches will continue to serve as role models by speaking to classes, mentoring, etc.

 

Develop a culture of assessment to enhance institutional outcomes.

ü      Administrators will continue to monitor compliance with NCAA, Sun Belt Conference, and University rules and regulations

ü      Administrators will continue to monitor compliance with Title IX and Gender Equity guidelines

ü      Administrators will continue annual evaluations of all staff members and coaches

ü      The Athletics Department will continue to achieve goals that benefit the University

ü      The Athletics Department will strive to hold and attend workshops related to NCAA compliance and gender equity

ü      Administrators and coaches will continue to assess the progress of student-athletes in the areas of education and life skills

ü      Administrators, staff members, and coaches will continue to assess the progress of the department in supporting the university’s mission

ü      The Athletics Department will continue to measure its success against previous standards and similar institutions

ü      The Athletics Department will continue to attend national conferences seeking new ideas and opportunities

ü      The Athletics Department will continue to provide opportunities that draw students to the university through intercollegiate athletics competition

ü      Administrators will continue to conduct exit interviews of student-athletes and employees

ü      Administrators, staff members, and coaches will continue to serve as counselors and advisors

Increase enrollment, retention rate, and graduation rate of both undergraduate and graduate students.

ü      Coaches will identify and recruit student-athletes with higher academic accomplishments

ü      Student Services will increase the pool of qualified tutors

ü      Academic advisors will improve class scheduling of student-athletes and monitoring of progress in those classes

ü      Administrators will meet periodically with coaches to reinforce the importance of graduation rates and review outcomes by sport

ü      Student Services and academic advisors will meet periodically with student-athletes to encourage, motivate, and review their progress toward completion of degrees

ü      Student Services will enhance and expand the Life Skills program

ü      Administrators will require coaches to award the maximum number of available scholarships

ü      Administrators and coaches will continue to stress the importance and quality of study hall

ü      Administrators, staff members, and coaches will continue to participate on University committees as assigned to increase enrollment

ü      The Athletics Department will continue to improve the athletics program to expose the campus to more people

ü      The Athletics Department will continue to provide a great experience to people at athletics venues

ü      The Athletics Department will continue to stress the importance of the classroom element for student-athletes

ü      The Athletics Department will continue to expect higher graduation rates for student-athletes than those of the general student body

ü      The Athletics Department will continue to expect competitive graduation rates for student-athletes on in-state and national comparisons

ü      The Athletics Department will continue to seek and achieve Sun Belt Conference academic awards

 

Enhance the diversity and inclusiveness of students, faculty, staff, and curriculum.

ü      Coaches will continue to identify and recruit more minority student-athletes and more female student-athletes

ü      Coaches will continue to contact minority and female students on campus and encourage walk-on participation in Athletics

ü      Coaches will continue to identify and visit high schools in the region with large minority populations to evaluate prospective student-athletes

ü      Administrators will continue to identify and increase the number of qualified minority and female coaches and staff members as openings become available

ü      Administrators, staff members, and coaches will continue to strengthen relationships with faculty members

 


Increase resources to the University.

ü      Administrators will continue to solicit major gifts for renovation and enhancement of facilities (i.e., Performance Enhancement Complex, Women’s Basketball suite of offices, etc.)

ü      Marketing and Development will continue to study methods to increase season ticket sales in all applicable sports (i.e., combine various season ticket packages, review pricing options, develop better renewal strategies, identify additional markets, etc.)

ü      Marketing will continue to establish additional trade agreements with electronic and print media for advertising

ü      Marketing will continue to identify additional markets for group sales (i.e., churches, civic organizations, corporations, etc.)

ü      Marketing and Development will continue to renew current corporate sponsors and donors and identify new sponsors and donors among individuals, the business sector, and foundations

ü      Marketing will continue to work with Business Services to study methods to increase merchandise sales

ü      Indian Club will continue to strive for increases in memberships and donations

ü      Administrators and coaches will continue to host marquee events (i.e., Indian Club outings and golf tournaments, Locker Legends, Grand Slam, Alumni Golf Tournament at homecoming, etc.)

ü      The Athletics Department will continue to promote the University within the alumni base and local community

ü      Indian Club will continue to develop new and creative ways to increase revenue

 

Strategically manage resources among divisions and colleges based on institutional priorities.

ü      Administrators, department heads, and coaches will strive to reduce costs in equipment, supplies, and travel at every opportunity

ü      The Athletics Department will continue to utilize campus resources and share with other divisions (i.e., Alumni Office, Creative Services, Printing Services, Copy Center, ASU Radio-TV, HPESS, etc.)

ü      The Athletics Department will continue to reinforce an environment of fiduciary responsibility among staff members and coaches

ü      The Athletics Department will continue to develop a mentality of proactive planning rather than reactive response to management of resources