Demographic & Financial Issues

B. What would RU need to do in order to be attractive to such conferences?

To move toward an invitation to join a more attractive conference, Radford Athletics must focus on building its Athletics Program with the internal infrastructure required to achieve and sustain success in the Big South Conference. The reality is that the Big South is the appropriate membership for Radford University at this time. Membership in other conferences attractive to Radford is not likely to become possible until Radford Athletics has achieved a level of competitive excellence far beyond its current position.

The first step in the Consultants’ response to this question was to clarify that the University’s expression, “the academic standing of a conference…” refers to the academic standards of each member university and the resulting composite academic profile of the conference. Radford Athletics Director, Greig Denny confirmed that, in fact, the intended definition is as stated above.

The academic achievements of Radford’s student-athlete represent the greatest source of strength of RU Athletics. Standing at or near the top of the Big South in most measures of academic success, RU student-athletes have demonstrated their commitment to educational pursuits and graduate at a rate higher than the general student body. The new NCAA Academic Progress Rate brought new attention to these achievements in 2004-2005.

As a rule, the relationship of academic standing is pertinent to a university’s conference decision but not determinative. In most cases, a university’s options are quite limited in number and usually the time line for a decision is extremely short. Further, the decision to join a conference is always made at the highest levels of a university involving the governing Board and the campus Chief Executive Officer. Therefore, the academic issues of the decision are given serious consideration as part of any deliberations. However for most universities in Division I today, other factors ultimately determine conference membership and they focus on the three categories below. See Consultant’s response to Question 5, for a complete listing of these considerations.

Demographic & Financial Issues

Academic Issues
Example of Academic Considerations

The most notable example of conference selection based in large measure on academic considerations was Penn State University’s surprise announcement in June 1990 to move from independent status to the Big Ten in FY 1991-92. That decision was the original stimulus for all other major conference realignment moves in the years since; however, there were many other political and financial issues involved in Penn State’s decision and the extraordinary strengths of the Big Ten in every category made their decision much easier. And while Penn State fits well with the other large land grant institutions of the Big Ten, its failure to serve as the “anchor” university of the Big East Conference has created extreme vulnerability for that league. The recent flight by three Big East schools to the Atlantic Coast Conference would probably not have occurred had Penn State stayed in the northeast region for athletics competition.

In an example closer to Radford University, the Atlantic Sun Conference (A-Sun) has experienced dramatic changes in the past few years. In FY 2005-2006, the A-Sun will have lost four (4) members from the previous year and will gain three (3) new members. From all available evidence about those changes, there was minimal consideration given to academics; rather, primary criteria were related to competitive, demographic and financial issues.

1. 
   Radford University (RU) will continue to compete in NCAA Division I.
   
2. 
   A competitive and winning athletic program enhances the reputation and image of the institution.
   
3. 
   Success in athletics engages and promotes the entire University as well as the surrounding community by creating unity, spirit and pride.
   
4. 
   There is a positive correlation between levels of financial support and levels of athletic success; therefore, RU must invest more funding in its athletic program in order to be successful.
   
5. 
   Radford University will continue its current sponsorship of nineteen sports.
   
6. 
   Due to the extension of sports seasons beyond the traditional academic year and to the intense summer recruitment period in many sports, Intercollegiate Athletics has become a twelve-month endeavor for everyone.
   

A successful plan is also based on essential values.

1. 
   Radford University should have the premier athletic program in its conference or in any other conference it aspires to join.
   
2. 
   Success of Men’s Basketball and Women’s Basketball offers the greatest potential for increased visibility and prestige for the University as a whole.
   
3. 
   Striving for the highest standards of academic achievement is a core component of student-athlete success.
   
4. 
   Radford University expects the highest ethical standards from its student-athletes, coaching and administrative staff, students, donors and other fans.
   
5. 
   Strict compliance with all institution, conference and NCAA rules and regulations is essential to a strong athletic program.
   
6. 
   The business of Radford University Intercollegiate Athletics will at all times be conducted according to sound fiscal and management principles.
   

• 
  Intercollegiate athletic participation is an integral part of the educational mission of the University, and athletic competition is offered to enhance the total development of the student. 
  

• 
  Through the Intercollegiate Athletics Program, the University will provide student-athletes with proper direction and motivation to help them grow academically, athletically, morally and socially.
  

• 
  Radford University’s Intercollegiate Athletics Program supports equitable opportunities for all student-athletes and staff, including women and minorities, and is committed to establishing and maintaining an environment that values cultural diversity.
  

• 
  The University will achieve excellence in all athletic programs within the boundaries of integrity and honesty, and adhere to the principles of fair play and amateur athletic competition as defined by the NCAA.
  
  
  
• 
  The Intercollegiate Athletics Program at Radford University will maintain a strong and competitive NCAA Division I program in all sponsored sports.  Intercollegiate athletic competition aims not only to enhance the total development of the student-athlete but also to benefit and enhance spirit and school pride among the entire student body, the University, the surrounding community and the Commonwealth.
  
  
  
• 
  Radford University’s Intercollegiate Athletics Program embraces the NCAA’s principles of sportsmanship and ethical conduct through promoting the characteristics of courtesy, fairness and respect.
  

To establish Radford University as a consistently winning intercollegiate athletic program capable of competing at the national level in any of its sponsored sports.

At least fifty percent of RU intercollegiate sports will win their conference tournaments and progress to post-season play over the next five years.

Radford University’s Intercollegiate Athletics Program (RUIAP) will have the best overall winning percentage in all sports in their conference.

Radford University will successfully compete on the regional and national levels against top-tier conferences and schools.

To enhance the image and visibility of the University by increasing the level, and

thereby the attractiveness, of competition both at home and on the road by both the

men’s and women’s basketball programs.

Radford University will increase the level of competition by playing more out-of-conference teams in the top 100 RPI (relative power index).

Radford University will maintain and enforce a strong and comprehensive compliance program and thereby maintain its probation-free status.

Radford University will increase revenues generated through the basketball programs through successful competition against teams with high media recognition.

To maintain and enhance the outstanding academic achievement record of our student-athletes.

Radford University will maintain retention and graduation rates and average G.P.A. for student athletes at a level that consistently exceeds those of the general student body.

Radford University will achieve and maintain retention and graduation rates and average G.P.A. for student athletes that consistently exceed those of the conference and the NCAA and places RU’s graduation and retention rates among the top schools nationally.

To provide and maintain intercollegiate athletic facilities that will allow Radford University to recruit the most elite prospective student-athletes while operating safe, clean and enjoyable first class venues for competition and practice for all sponsored sports.

The Athletic Director and the Director of Recreational Complexes will maintain a rolling five-year plan to specify renovations, repairs and new construction needs. Currently identified needs include:

• 
  An artificial playing surface for field hockey
  
• 
  Lights and dugouts for the baseball field, and indoor hitting tunnels
  
• 
  A press box for softball
  
• 
  Indoor tennis courts
  
• 
  A master plan for an indoor track and field facility
  
• 
  A facility for volleyball
  
• 
  An indoor practice facility for golf
  
• 
  A strength, conditioning, and training facility that will accommodate all sponsored sports at a level to allow them to excel.
  

Objective #2

The Vice President for Student Affairs will present athletic facility needs to the University administration for inclusion in the capital master plan process.
Goal #5.

To enhance Radford University’s image through an excellent ongoing public relations campaign and effective communication through all types of media technology.

Objective #1

RUIAP will enhance its recruiting publications.

RUIAP will develop a state-of-the-art Intercollegiate Athletics website.

Radford University will develop and update promotional videos that highlight Intercollegiate Athletics achievements.

RUIAP will develop a regularly broadcast television program to promote RUIAP.

Commissioner Bill Bibb - Atlantic Sun Conference

Commissioner Kyle Kallander - Big South Conference

Commissioner Tom Yeager - Colonial Athletic Association

Commissioner Jon LeCrone- Horizon League

Commissioner Jon Steinbrecher - Ohio Valley Conference

Commissioner Danny Morrison - Southern Conference

Athletics Director Joe Dean, Jr. – Birmingham Southern University

Athletics Director Stan Williamson – Campbell University

Head Men’s Basketball Coach Jim Platt – Charleston Southern University

Dr. Norleen Pomerantz, Vice President, Student Affairs

Mr. David Burdette Vice President for Business and Governmental Affairs

Wilbur W. Stanton Acting Vice President for Academic Affairs

Stephen H. Lerch Associate Vice President for Academic Programs

Chuck Hayes, Faculty Athletics Representative

Ronald W. Downs Director, Dedmon Center

David Horton Director, The Radford Alumni Association

Greig Denny, Athletics Director

Tom Lillard, Director of Athletic Development

Max Appleby, Strength & Conditioning Coach

Jackie Snell, Head Trainer/Senior Woman Administrator

Linda King, Business Manager

Drew Dickerson, Director of Media Relations

Ed Posaski, Director Marketing/Promotions

Stephanie Stacer, Compliance Coordinator

Head Coaches

Jerry Porter, Women’s Basketball Head Coach

Spencer Smith, Men’s Soccer

Jeff Woods, Field Hockey

Ben Sohrabi, Women’s Soccer

Amy Kvilhaug, Softball

Lew Kent, Baseball

Michael Burch, Volleyball