Intercollegiate Athletics Vision

 

Southern Illinois University Edwardsville has experienced a steady and sustained enrollment growth.  In a short period of time, it has matured into an institution known throughout the state and region for its high-quality academic programs, beautiful campus and excellent faculty.

 

Continued growth of the University is assured with the advent of enhanced academic programs such as the School of Pharmacy and the real possibility of a newly renovated Science Building.  Student support services requirements are increasing, and a plan to construct an additional 500-bed residence hall is underway.  Student Health Service and Counseling Services facilities are likely to be improved and expanded to accommodate the increased student population as a result of enrollment growth.  These are illustrative of a vibrant and growing campus.

 

In recent years, the Intercollegiate Athletics program has achieved many athletic accomplishments that include:

 

A.        The men’s soccer program has achieved national success.

B.         The men’s basketball program has been ranked nationally for the first time and has achieved conference-level success.

C.         The men’s and women’s track and field programs, as well as the men’s wrestling program, continue to send athletes in increasing numbers to compete at the national level.

D.        The women’s volleyball and softball programs have enjoyed successes beyond expectation.

 

SIUE has over the years become a respected program in the Great Lakes Valley Conference including achieving the coveted President’s Cup.

 

Such success is the result of careful strategic planning. In the fall of 1999, a University-wide task force, commissioned by Chancellor Werner, examined the question of adding football to the Intercollegiate Athletics’ portfolio.  The task force concluded that the institution was not in a position to make the necessary investment, but rather recommended that the Athletics program be tiered into three levels with men’s and women’s basketball positioned as the institutional flagship programs.  It further suggested that upon completion of a five-year enhancement and upon achievement of national recognition and success, the institution should embark upon a study to develop and shape the future of Intercollegiate Athletics at SIUE. Subsequently, with the support of Student Government, Student Affairs embarked upon a five-year enhancement effort to strengthen SIUE Intercollegiate Athletics and move it to a higher level of success.

 

With the completion of the five-year enhancement program, it is now apparent that SIUE is positioned to develop a strategic plan for the next phase of our program:  What should SIUE aspire to be in Intercollegiate Athletics?

 

A careful review of the athletic program is warranted with a focus on the following:

 

A.        Mission: Determine the rationale and define the value for any necessary changes within the context of SIUE’s mission, vision, values, and goals.

B.         Levels:  Review the following options;

1.         Division II:  Continue to strengthen the existing Intercollegiate Athletics program to become the very best at this level utilizing the present tiering system, with special emphasis on tier four that includes wrestling and men’s golf (both of these programs are externally funded).

2.         Division I: Consider transitioning from a Division II level to a Division I level with both the appropriate level of financial resources as well as the necessary facilities to be competitive to achieve national recognition.

3.         Division I/Division II Hybrid:  Remain at the Division II level, but move two key programs into a Division I level (as allowed by the NCAA) with the appropriate resources and consistent with NCAA/GLVC policies.

C.         Programmatic Resources:  Determine the additional personnel, improved and/or expanded facilities, scholarship and operating enhancements, and estimated costs to meet the needs of each option.

D.        Financial Resources:  Determine the financial resources including increases in student fees and/or a comprehensive fund raising effort, as well as revenue generation to meet the needs of each option.

 

Core Values

 

The following Core Values shall guide the process.

 

A.        Student-Athlete’s Academic Welfare:  We must protect, preserve and promote academic achievement that is above the national norms.

B.         Student-Athlete’s Personal Welfare:  We must support in and out of class needs for personal enrichment and development.

C.         Character:  We must remain committed to personal integrity and the promotion of ethical development.

D.        Competitive:  We must be competitive in an appropriate conference as well as at the national level.

E.         Title IX:  We must remain committed not only to the letter of the law, but also to the spirit and intent of Title IX.

F.         Conference:  We must protect and preserve our academic and competitive integrity by seeking membership in the appropriate conference.

 

 

Time Frame

 

It is anticipated that the work of this Task Force will be completed in a time frame of no later than eighteen (18) months with progress reports every three (3) months.