Board of Trustee Support For The Division II Collegiate Athletics Model

Division II Strategic Positioning Initiatives History of the Strategic Positioning Platform Who we are “Life in the Balance” Institution’s mission and values helps to provide a quality educational experience. Athletic programs help support and enhance the mission of the institution.

Background on the Strategic Positioning Initiative Division II Chancellors and Presidents Summit held in June Division II Presidents Council agreed to implement a comprehensive study related to the division’s defining characteristics and key attributes. Strategic positioning of Division II – ‘illuminate’ Division II in way that will call attention to the core values and guiding principles of Division II. The Division II Presidents Council partnered with the NCAA Branding and Communications staff. Hired a consultant--Jeff Jacobs, who is an independent marketing and branding consultant.

Research Division II Presidents Council approached the strategic positioning initiative as a data-driven research project. Fall various membership and public focus groups. March online quantitative research surveys to three groups: a. Division II campus and conference office personnel; b. Division II student-athletes; and c. General public, identified as college sports fans.

Research Results “Balance” is a commonly associated theme; however, more likely a supporting fact or attribute and not the strategic position of the division. The benefits derived from balancing academics and athletics are more appropriate for the positioning and messaging of Division II. The general public appears to be unfamiliar with the NCAA divisional structure in general and Division II, specifically. An overwhelming majority (91 percent) of Division II student-athletes would recommend a Division II institution to a prospective student-athlete. The Division II membership believes that a priority for the division should be to increase support in the local community.

Research Results An overwhelming majority (91 percent) of Division II student-athletes would recommend a Division II institution to a prospective student-athlete. The Division II membership believes that a priority for the division should be to increase awareness and support in the local community.

Strategic Positioning Platform The platform is the definition of who we are, what we believe in and why we do the things we do. Provides a common set of principles and talking points. Creates consistency or “one voice” across Division II communications. Key Words: – Comprehensive Program of Learning and Development. – Personal Setting. – Path to Graduation. – Knowledge for life ahead.

Strategic Positioning Platform Positioning Statement Life in the Balance. Higher education has lasting importance on an individual’s future success. For this reason, the emphasis for the student- athlete experience in Division II is a comprehensive program of learning and development in a personal setting. The Division II approach provides growth opportunities through academic achievement, learning in high- level athletic competition and development of positive societal attitudes in service to community. The balance and integration of these different areas of learning opportunity provide Division II student-athletes a path to graduation while cultivating a variety of skills and knowledge for life ahead.

Strategic Positioning Platform Division II Attributes  Learning  Service  Passion  Sportsmanship  Resourcefulness  Balance

Division II Strategic Positioning Initiatives Academic Excellence – Graduation Rates – Retention – Academic Standards

What Does “I Chose Division II” Mean? In interviews with student-athletes, alumni, administration, faculty and coaches of Division II schools, it was often noted that Division II should not be viewed in comparison to Division I or Division III. Division II provides for a comprehensive program of learning and development in a personal setting with high-level athletics competition. This statement echoes the pride of Division II members. For many different reasons, they chose Division II.

Division II Strategic Positioning Initiatives History of Community Engagement – Community engagement brings people to campus. – Athletics is the front porch of the Institution and offers us an opportunity to show off other aspects of the university. – Community Engagement is about building relationships.

Community Engagement Initiative Research indicates that a priority for Division II should be to increase support in the local community. Contracted with Rich Luker, who is recognized as one of the nation’s best researchers in analyzing sport and leisure trends. Dr. Luker assisted Division II with the development of a tool kit to assist schools in developing community-based programs and outreach strategies that will benefit the school, the student-athlete and the community. diinetwork.org

Division II Strategic Positioning Initiatives Creating a Positive Game Environment  Comfort  Civility  Lively and Entertaining

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DIINetwork.org DIICommunity.org

Game Environment The Theory-- If athletics can serve as an institution’s “front porch” to community, your “house” (e.g., gymnasium) better be in order or your “guests” (fans) may decide not to return to your campus activities and events. For our athletics contests, this means a focus on the complete Division II Game Environment. The Challenge-- We must reconnect the educational purpose of our athletics programs to the environment that we manage and help control at Division II athletics events.

Game Environment This initiative is being led by Division II chancellors and presidents. Conference offices are branding this pledge sheet and loading their chancellors ‟ and presidents ‟ signatures on the home page of the conference Web site (with a link to the NCAA Game Environment Web site) to promote this initiative among conference fans and supporters.

Game Environment Game Environment is more than just a focus on “sportsmanship.” This Division II initiative measures success in three critical areas: 1.Civility at the event. 2.Comfort as part of the event experience. 3.Entertaining qualities during event.

Texas A&M University-Kingsville FRESHMAN-COHORT GRADUATION RATES All StudentsStudent-Athletes # Graduation Rate30%51% Four-Class Average29%38% Student-Athlete Academic Success Rate52%

Average Division II Federal Rates vs. ASRs 2002 Entering Cohort Only Federal Rate Student Body Federal Rate Student-Athletes ASR Overall47%55%71% Men43%49%64% Women51%63%82%

Reasons to Believe Graduation Rates Division II’s student-athlete graduation rate is consistently 10 to 15 percentage points higher than the total student body.

Financial Responsibility Partial-Scholarship Model Impacts on Campus Culture Division II Strategic Positioning Initiatives

The simulation model was developed to help colleges and universities understand the value of athletics for the institution

Division II Features-12 Reasons to Believe 1. Graduation Rates. Division II’s student-athlete graduation rate is consistently 10 to 15 percentage points higher than the total student body. 2.Class Time. Division II’s regionalization philosophy rewards the scheduling of local or regional opponents in the regular season, resulting in limited missed class time for student- athletes. 3. Athletics Scholarships. Many Division II student- athletes receive athletics scholarships and other forms of financial aid to pay for school.

Division II Features-12 Reasons to Believe 4. Personal Attention. Student-athletes receive a quality education at DII institutions that often feature an exceptional teacher-to-student ratio. 5. Additional Assistance. The Degree-Completion Scholarship Program provides deserving Division II student-athletes who have exhausted their collegiate eligibility with financial assistance. 6. National Championships Opportunities. Division II features unparalleled opportunity for student-athletes to advance to national championship competition as a result of the division’s generous championship access ratios.

Division II Features-12 Reasons to Believe 7. Community Partnerships. Division II has initiated national community partnerships with the Make-A-Wish Foundation and Habitat for Humanity. 8. Unique Fiscal Model. Division II offers a unique fiscal model for intercollegiate athletics that redefines the institutional value for sponsoring sports and offering athletics scholarships. 9. Innovative Solutions. Division II encourages innovative policy and program decisions unique to the NCAA, such as the development of Division II National Championships Festivals and a national community-engagement program.

Division II Features-12 Reasons to Believe 10. Teacher/Coaches. Many Division II coaches continue to provide other services for their institution and in the community, including teaching and mentoring. 11. Proud Alumni. Former Division II student-athletes include governors, senators, entertainers, corporate leaders and professional athletes. 12. National Recognition. Division II student-athletes have received the NCAA’s highest individual honors, including winning the Walter Byers Scholarship Award (the Association’s top student-athlete) and the NCAA Woman of the Year Award

Division II Current Gender Equity Plan Requirements No plans are submitted for review. Schools answer yes/no questions on the Institutional Self-Study Guide (ISSG). Conduct a comprehensive self-study and evaluation of their athletics programs at least once every five years using the ISSG. Written Statement of Philosophy for Athletics Should support “equitable opportunity (as defined under Title IX and the OCR Guidelines)” for all student-athletes and staff Complied with/Reviewed its Gender Equity Plan in the last year Inclusion of the SWA on the athletics management team.

What Can Division II Do? Create Positive Outcomes: Education, Communication and Commitment Develop a Gender Equity Plan Form a Gender Equity Committee Gather Data -- Sample Excel Spreadsheets Support training for Title IX and Gender Equity

DIVISION II NATIONAL CHAMPIONSHIPS FESTIVAL Key Points Division II is the only division that hosts this Olympic-style event in which multiple championships occur Student-athlete lounge NCAA Corporate Champions involvement Community Engagement Special Events Opening Ceremonies Closing Ceremonies Fan Festival

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