Mission Statement: The mission of the Georgia State University Department of Athletics is to develop student-athletes in a setting that unites achievement in intercollegiate competition with academic excellence leading to degree completion. In addition, the Department of Athletics fosters among its student-athletes a sense of citizenship, leadership and social responsibility.
The athletic program adheres to the highest standards of integrity and ethics. The Georgia State University Department of Athletics promotes principles of good sportsmanship, honesty, and fiscal responsibility while maintaining compliance with university, state, federal and NCAA regulations. The department supports the university’s comprehensive commitment to promoting a diverse and equitable environment.
Through a regionally and nationally successful athletics program, the department creates a forum for celebrating the university’s advancement and building winning relationships with local, regional and national audiences.
INTENDED OUTCOME # 1: The Department of Athletics is succeeding in its efforts to graduate student-athletes in a timely manner.
Effective Indicators
Student-athletes who have exhausted their athletic eligibility are graduating at a percentage between 95% and 100%.
Success Criteria
Student-athletes who have completed their athletic eligibility will be measured over a six-year period beginning with their first year of competition. These student-athletes should be graduating at no less than a 95% rate. Percentages less than this would indicate the need to review the athletic academic support services unit and an evaluation of the academic credentials of those being admitted to the university.
Data will be collected via the NCAA reported graduation rates on a yearly basis. Internally, graduation rates will be measured each semester through the academic support services unit for all student-athletes who have exhausted their eligibility.
Positive results would indicate outcome is being met and reflecting the effectiveness of the athletic support unit and the quality of the student being admitted initially. Negative results will indicate the need to review the effectiveness of the academic support unit along with the admissions process of the student-athlete.
INTENDED OUTCOME # 2: To ensure that the Department of Athletics and the institution conforms to the NCAA operating principles for all rules compliance.
Effective Indicators
Zero Level I NCAA infractions for each year.
Level II infractions submitted range between 0-6 for each year.
Success Criteria
If a Level I infraction occurs, the entire compliance unit along with the internal compliance educational process would have to be reviewed.
If Level II infractions are not reduced, a need for improved coaching/student-athlete educational must be reviewed.
Data Collection and Analysis Procedures
The number of Level I and Level II compliance infractions will be monitored monthly by the athletic compliance unit and the Atlantic Sun Conference Office. If these infractions are the increase or remain the same, a revised compliance educational process will be looked at.
Utilization of Results
The results will be used to plan and expand if necessary the athletic compliance coaches/student-athlete educational/training process.
INTENDED OUTCOME # 3: Georgia State Athletics will continue its effort of finishing/placing within the top three schools of the conference all sports trophy for both the men’s and women’s total sports programs. In addition, the program will strive to place within the top 25 of the NCAA Athletic Director’s Cup Standings each year.
Effective Indicators
Men’s and women’s sports programs should be one of the top three all sports programs within the conference each year based on total points awarded for end of the year conference standings.
The number of sponsored sports competing at the end of the year in NCAA Tournament competition should be in the range of 25% to 30%. If this number is met, Georgia State’s Athletic Department should place within the top 25 of the Director’s Cup with the possibility of moving into the top ten.
Success Criteria
If the men’s, women’s or both programs fall below the top three sports programs in the conference, an evaluation of coaches, talent and resources will have to be assessed.
If the athletic programs fall below the 25th spot for the NCAA Director’s Cup, the above evaluations must be followed through with to increase the success rate of the overall sports programs as a group.
Data Collection and Analysis Procedures
Conference points awarded for individual teams final finish will be monitored throughout the year by the media relations unit and posted by the conference office.
NCAA provides an ongoing reporting of the success of each institution’s NCAA supported success rate.
Utilization of Results
These competitive results will be used to identify those sports within the program that may require additional resources, leadership change and/or scheduling review in an effort to improve on the competitiveness in the conference and nationally.
INTENDED OUTCOME # 4: Create fiscal integrity and stability within the athletic department while moving towards and annual budget that provides coaches and student-athletes with the financial resources necessary to be successful based on the expectations of the university’s senior management staff.
Effective Indicators
Total athletic budget increases by 20% each year for the next five-years as the athletic department transitions into a new athletic conference (the CAA). At the end of this five-year period, the total athletic budget must be in the range of 12 million dollars. Percentages less than these figures would indicate the need to review revenue sources both internal and external in an effort to reach the much need budgetary resources.
Success Criteria
At the beginning of each fiscal year, at least a 20% increase in revenues is essential while doubling the 2004-2005 budget by 2010. Individual revenue sources will be monitored monthly by the athletic finance unit to ensure these percentages are on target. Outcome will be successful as all marketing, development, student-fee, NCAA and other revenue projections are met. If projected revenue fall below expectations, this indicates that an immediate review of all revenue sources must take place.
Data Collection and Analysis Procedures
Financial numbers (internal & external) revenue sources will be monitored monthly by athletics finance unit, athletic finance committee and university’s VP of Finance Office. If a particular revenue source is falling short, an effort will then be made to identify the reason of the shortfall, impact and corrective action necessary.
Utilization of Results
Positive results would indicate increases to the annual budget are being met. Negative results would require an immediate evaluation of all revenue sources and projections.
INTENDED OUTCOME # 5: To increase the knowledge/awareness of Georgia State Athletics through an aggressive marketing, promotions and media relations blitz focused towards the following audiences: students, faculty & staff, youth groups and downtown corporations/businesses.
Effective Indicators
Percentage increase for men’s basketball attendance over the next five years averages 25% increase each year.
Percentage increase for women’s basketball attendance over the next five years averages 15% increase each year.
Student attendance at the end each year should make-up at a minimum 30% of each of the above percentages.
At least 75% of all athletic related material sent out should in some way reflect the importance of men’s and women’s basketball attendance.
Success Criteria
Attendance figures should increase significantly beginning with the 2004-2005 seasons for both men and women. If this is the case, then the outcome is being met. Less than a 25% increase in the men and 15% in the women would indicate the need to revisit the who the target audiences are, the vehicles put in place to reach each and which ones are deemed successful and which ones are not.
Data Collection and Analysis Procedures
Data will be collected via the athletic ticket office relating to the actual numbers of students, faculty & staff, special events, businesses and corporations and others attending the games. Less than the anticipated numbers in attendance, would indicate the need to revisit the vehicles implemented in the effort to reach the targeted markets.
Utilization of Results
Positive results would indicate outcome is being met at the levels anticipated. Negative results (poor crowds) would indicate the need to once again look at different ways of reaching the targeted audiences and/or placing an even greater emphasis on existing marketing and promotional efforts.
