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ESU Strategic Plan

Endorsed by AAB  – November 18, 2011 – Approved by President January 23, 2012
 
Emporia State University Department of Intercollegiate Athletics
 
Strategic Plan
 
Part I
 
Introduction
 
The Emporia State University Department of Intercollegiate Athletics is a member of the NCAA, Division II, and competes in the Mid-American Intercollegiate Athletics Association (MIAA), along with current members:
 
            Central Missouri                                             Fort Hays State
            Lincoln                                                            Missouri Southern State                                
            Missouri Western State                                  Northwest Missouri State                                   
            Pittsburg State                                                Southwest Baptist
            Truman State                                                  Washburn
           
 
In August of 2012, these four institutions will join the MIAA, bringing total membership to 15 institutions.
 
            Central Oklahoma                                           Lindenwood
            Nebraska-Kearney                                          Northeastern Oklahoma State
 
The University sponsors 15 intercollegiate sports for men and women, including:
 
Men’s Sports:                                                             Women’s Sports
 
            Baseball                                                         Basketball
            Basketball                                                      Cross Country
            Cross Country                                                Indoor Track and Field
            Football                                                          Outdoor Track and Field
            Indoor Track and Field                                   Soccer
            Outdoor Track and Field                                Softball
            Tennis                                                             Tennis
                                                                                    Volleyball
 
The University recognizes intercollegiate athletics as an integral part of its mission and is committed to the pursuit of excellence with its athletics programs.  The Athletics Department operates in support of the University’s educational, research and scholarly mission.  The Department seeks to keep these five major principles in balance in the conduct of the athletics programs.
 
  • Be a good front door, and representative of the University, community and State.
  • Follow NCAA, MIAA and University rules.
  • Be fiscally responsible.
  • Enhance the educational experience of student-athletes.
  • Field competitive teams.
 
 
Part II
 
Vision, Mission & Core Values
 
Vision:
 
To continue to be a department that is a leader in NCAA Division II, to field teams of national caliber, and to enhance the academic reputation of our University.
 
Mission Statement:
 
In harmony with the fundamental mission of Emporia State University and purposes of the NCAA and MIAA, the Department of Intercollegiate Athletics believes that a well-conducted athletics program, based on sound educational principles and practices, places the welfare of the student-athlete as the primary concern.
 
Core Values:
 
            Excellence                                                       Integrity
            Sportsmanship                                                Responsibility
            Respect                                                           Accountability           
            Commitment to diversity and equity
 
 
Part III
 
Objectives, Goals & Strategies
 
Objectives:
 
  1. Field teams that are competitive at the national level of NCAA D-II.
  1. Provide student-athletes with the tools needed for academic excellence and other areas of personal growth.
  1. Secure financial resources to supplement the annual University allocations necessary to support programs that are nationally competitive.
  1. Provide quality competitive and practice facilities.
  1. Operate in compliance with all NCAA, MIAA and University rules and regulations.
 
 
Objective #1
 
Field teams that are competitive at the national level of NCAA D-II.
 
Goals:
 
  • Participate in NCAA post-season tournaments in all sports on a regular basis.
  • Continue to have student-athletes recognized with distinctions of All-MIAA, All-Region, and All-American.
 
Strategies:
 
  • Continue to enhance resources to allow coaches to recruit championship caliber student-athletes.
  • Enhance student-athlete athletic performance by providing exceptional services in strength and conditioning, sports medicine, and practice equipment.
  • Commit to hiring coaches and staff who share the Department’s core values in responsibility, integrity, sportsmanship, fair play, respect, and equity.
  • Retain quality coaches and staff by providing compensation packages that are competitive with conference championship programs.
  • Properly publicize athletic success to present the positive image of the University and ESU Athletics.
 
 
Objective #2
 
Provide student-athletes with the tools needed for academic excellence and other areas of personal growth.
 
Goals:
 
  • Achieve and maintain a Federal Graduation Rate and NCAA Academic Success Rate that exceeds the rates for the overall ESU student body.
  • Achieve an annual NCSS ASR of 65% or higher.
  • Achieve an average team GPA that exceeds the overall ESU student body.
  • Maintain a retention rate of 70% or higher.
  • Expand opportunities for our student-athletes and coaches to share their talents with the larger community through service activities.
 
Strategies:
 
  • Continue to require all incoming student-athletes take the GOALS class.
  • Continue to work with the Student Advising Office on identifying student-athletes during the enrollment process.
  • Enhance the computer and study hall resources of the University and Department.
  • Continue to emphasize to coaches and student-athletes the importance of academic success.
  • Support the efforts of ESU’s SAAC.
 
 
Objective #3
 
Secure financial resources to supplement the annual University allocation necessary to support programs that are nationally competitive.
 
Goals:
 
  • Provide an overall budget increases that raise ESU’s Athletics expenditures to the average of the MIAA.
  • Provide initial allocations to each sport programs that allows them to use the maximum equivalency levels set by the NCAA and MIAA.
  • Review the Athletics Department’s relationship and procedures with the ESU Foundation by June, 2012.
  • Explore innovative ways to increase University financial support of Athletics by June, 2012.
 
Strategies:
 
  • Maintain strong relationships with past major donors and foundations.
  • Identify new potential donors through event and alumni activities.
  • Identify current donors who have become able to increase current giving levels.
  • Help total University enrollment grow by working with Admissions Office on student recruitment activities.
  • Create positive game day experiences for fans and donors.
  • Create a steady and reliable revenue stream on endowed funds held at the ESU Foundation.
  • Ensure coaches make wise investments, and know the difference between a “want” and a “need”.
  • Maintain fiscal accountability to the University Business Office.
 
 
Objective #4
 
Provide quality competitive and practice facilities.
 
Goals:
 
  • Develop a comprehensive strategic facility plan for Athletics by June, 2012 that will allow for ESU to maintain and raise the quality of our facilities in comparison to our conference peers that include, but are not limited to:  
 
  • Install a soccer scoreboard.
  • Upgrade equipment and quality of our Athletic Training Rooms.
  • Artificial turf for gym B.
  • Resurface ESU Track.
  • Install a new football video/scoreboard in Welch Stadium.
  • Finish projects at Trusler Sports Complex (softball dugout, covered batting cages).
  • Purchase computers for Athletics Study Hall.
  • Build an indoor track and workout facility.
  • Build a minimum of six tennis courts at Trusler Sports Complex.
  • Create an endowment for repair and upkeep of all athletic facilities.
 
Strategies:
 
  • Identify donors and corporate partners with the interest and ability to support substantial facility improvements, without redirecting current annual funds that are being contributed.
  • Continue to work with other community partners who use athletic facilities to increase the likelihood of their financial support.
  • Continue to work with University Facilities to use University labor and materials at greatly reduced costs.
  • Continually expand the inventory of naming opportunities.
  • Work with University to develop long range annual funding for controlled maintenance and repairs of athletic facilities.
 
 
Objective #5
 
Operate in compliance with all NCAA, MIAA and University rules and regulations.
 
Goals:
 
  • Experience no major NCAA or MIAA rules violations.
 
Strategies:
 
  • Maintain institutional control through continued relationships with administrative departments throughout campus.
  • Complete NCAA Self Study and Compliance Blueprint Program as required by the MIAA and NCAA.
  • Utilize the Athletics Advisory Board and University Committee on Compliance as a means of institutional control and education.
  • Continue rules education sessions at monthly coaches meetings.
  • Continue to educate student-athletes through the GOALS class and student-athlete handbook.
  • Continue to educate alumni, boosters and fans of NCAA and MIAA rules through ticket mailings and donor solicitations.