University of California San Diego Feasibility Study

Transcription

1 University of California San Diego Feasibility Study Options for Reclassifying to NCAA Division I & Adding Football Prepared by Athletics Staffing and Consultants March 11, 2011

2 OUTLINE FOR FEASIBILITY STUDY I. Executive Summary...4 II. Introduction and Scope of the Study A. Context and Purpose...10 B. Study Objectives and Goals...10 C. Process...11 D. Format...11 E. Background Information on UCSD...11 III. Division I Membership Requirements A. Introduction...15 B. UCSD Reclassification Overview...15 C. Differences Between NCAA Divisions...15 D. Summary of Division I Reclassification Process...17 E. Proposed New Division I Reclassification Process...17 IV. Division I Conference Options A. Introduction...19 B. Summary of Division I Conference Opportunities...19 C. Division I Conference Opportunities...20 D. Other Division I Institutions in California...31 E. Conclusions...32 V. Adding Football A. Introduction...33 B. Observations...33 C. Summary of UCSD Adding Football...34 D. Conference Opportunities...34 E. Expenses...37 F. Impact on Other Sports/Gender Equity/Title IX...47 G. Conclusions...48 VI. Title IX/Gender Equity A. Introduction...49 B. Summary of UCSD Title IX/Gender Equity...49 C. Meeting Equal Opportunity and Other Program Areas...50 D. Conclusions...53 UC San Diego DI/Football Feasibility Study Conducted by Athletics Staffing & Consultants 2

3 VII. Fiscal Analysis A. Introduction...54 B. Observations...54 C. Summary of Fiscal Analysis...55 D. Comparison of Average Revenue/Expenses...56 E. Caparison of Expenses of UCSD vs. Big West Conference...57 F. Future Expense Considerations...62 G. Future Revenue Options...71 H. Conclusions...75 VIII. Facilities A. Introduction...77 B. Observations...77 C. Review of Facilities...78 IX. Personnel and Support System Considerations A. Introduction...81 B. Observations...81 C. Conclusions...82 X. Timeline...87 XI. Appendix A. UCSD Background...88 B. UCSD Mission Statement...91 C. UCSD Principles of Community...91 D. Division I Recommended Reclassification Process...92 E. Proposed new Division I Reclassification Process...95 F. Composition of NCAA...99 G. Definitions H. Current NCAA Sports Sponsorship I. Division I Philosophy Statement J. Division II Philosophy Statement K. Equivalencies L. Division I Membership Requirements UC San Diego DI/Football Feasibility Study Conducted by Athletics Staffing & Consultants 3

4 I. EXECUTIVE SUMMARY The University of California San Diego (UCSD) offers a dynamic and successful intercollegiate athletics program that benefits student, student-athletes, faculty, staff and the greater community, as well as provides indirect benefits through student recruitment and retention. Successful athletics programs help universities by attracting students and student-athletes, and also serve as a rallying point for internal and external pride that translates into effective donor, and community relationships that benefit the entire institution. UCSD already attracts outstanding students but may lose some of these top students to other universities that have Division I athletic programs. A relatively new university (1960), UCSD is one of the nation s most accomplished research universities. The campus is located within walking distance to the Pacific Ocean and is only 12 miles from downtown San Diego. The total enrollment is near 30,000 students. Admitted freshmen s average high school GPA is 4.08 with an average ACT composite score of 29, a SAT critical reading score of 637, SAT Mathematics score of 677, and SAT writing score of 650. Along with academic success, UCSD has enjoyed remarkable success at both the Division II and III levels. UCSD teams have won 29 National Championships and 38 teams have finished as National Runners-Up. UCSD has won a total of 180 national, regional, and conference championships. Individually, 135 UCSD student-athletes have captured National Championships and 1,034 student-athletes have been named to All-America teams. UCSD student-athletes have excelled academically as well, earning 25 NCAA Post-Graduate Scholarships and 145 Academic All-America selections. Since the seasons, UCSD has placed in the top 10 in every year except one (12 th place) in the Sports Director's Cup, an award emblematic of the best overall athletics department in the country. Since moving to the Division II level in 2000, UCSD has placed in the top seven programs in the country on eight different occasions and finished second overall twice. UCSD Associated Students asked Athletics Staffing & Consultants (ASC) to conduct a feasibility study to determine if UCSD should reclassify to Division I and if adding football at the Division I or II level would be in the best interest of the University. The interest in conducting this study on the possible reclassification to Division I and adding football is precipitated by several factors: The student government interest in studying the possible impacts of adding football UCSD does not fit the changing profile of the average Division II institution (size, academics) Division I lifting the current moratorium in August 2011 of any Division II institutions transitioning to Division I UC San Diego DI/Football Feasibility Study Conducted by Athletics Staffing & Consultants 4

5 NCAA conference realignment and the interest shown by Division I Big West Conference to possibly accept UCSD into membership, with a likely brief window of opportunity The four year moratorium, prohibiting new Division I members, will be lifted in August The Division I Leadership Council requested that the Board of Directors endorse membership requirements (noted completely in Chapter III). The three main requirements that the Leadership Council is requiring are: A one-time application fee of between $900,000-$1,300,000 Secured membership from a Bona fide Division I Conference Upon beginning the reclassification process the institution must provide a minimum of 50 percent of grants-in-aid maximums in 14 sports UCSD currently competes in the California Collegiate Athletic Association (CCAA). Beginning in , UCSD has won the last five CCAA Commissioner's Cup titles. As can be seen in Chapter IV (Division I Conference Options), from an institutional standpoint, UCSD meets the profile of the Division I Big West Universities much more than that of the Division II CCAA. UCSD has nearly 30,000 students compared to the Division II average of 3,071 and the CCAA average of 12,372. The average Division I school has an enrollment of 10,790 students and the Big West compares favorably with UCSD with an average of over 26,000 students. UCSD is also a much better fit with the Big West when comparing the type of student the Big West attracts. The Big West is much more comparable with SAT and ACT scores to UCSD than the CCAA. The average cost of attendance in the Big West is very similar to UCSD while the CCAA is much lower on average. Big West Universities are in closer proximity to UCSD than CCAA institutions (218 mile average vs. 371 miles). This compatibility with the Big West would bode favorably for the entire University to be affiliated with like institutions, as well as for the athletics department (to develop better rivals). ASC has provided benchmarking data for Division I and specifically the preferred Big West Conference. UCSD s academic profile, enrollment numbers, geographic proximity, and cost of attendance were in very close alignment with the average for members of the Big West Conference. The Big West Conference knows UCSD would be a good match for them and is very interested in the possibility of UCSD joining the conference. Not only is UCSD remarkably comparable to the academic profile, the conference would also like to expand to 10 to assist with scheduling. Timing is a key component for universities being accepted into conference membership. With so much Division I conference realignment and the interest shown by the Big West, it is recommended that UCSD make its intentions known to Big West representatives as soon as possible. UC San Diego DI/Football Feasibility Study Conducted by Athletics Staffing & Consultants 5

6 Members of UCSD s student government have an interest in adding football to the sports offerings at UCSD because of the school spirit the sport could create. The earliest UCSD could add football is Fall 2013 and would need to begin funding the sport almost immediately for either Division I or Division II. ASC looked into the feasibility of adding Division I or II football and evaluated the following considerations: competition, conference affiliation, facilities, personnel, costs, and Title IX implications. One-time start-up costs for football would range anywhere from $20.8 million to $33.8 million depending on quality of a stadium/support building/practice facilities. Yearly operational funding, athletic aid, and personnel would also be substantial. The least expensive way to add football would be at the Division I non-scholarship level. During the first year of competition ( ) UCSD would need to budget $1,746,200 for Division I non-scholarship football, $2,334,714 for Division II football and $3,038,701 for Division I football (Championship division formerly known as I-AA, not the Bowl Championship level). By the time the program is fully funded with scholarships in year four ( ), UCSD would need to budget $2,003,250 for non-scholarship football, $3,289,436 for Division II and $4,471,426 in Division I scholarship football. Division II and I (scholarship) football budgets would amount to more than half of the current UCSD athletics budget. UCSD has two Division I conference options with football: the non-scholarship Pioneer League where the University of San Diego participates, or the Big Sky Conference which consists of two schools from the Big West Conference and offers athletics scholarships. The Pioneer league has a Division III philosophy and does not offer athletic aid. UCSD has little in common with Pioneer League schools which have an average enrollment of 3,868 and an average distance from UCSD of 2,294 miles. The Big Sky only consists of five schools that average 995 miles from UCSD. Membership in the Big Sky would bring a much higher price tag due to scholarships. There is only one Division II school in the state of California with football - Humboldt State, which participates in the five-team Great Northwest Athletic Conference (GNAC). The closest Division II Conference that plays a full football conference schedule is the Rocky Mountain Athletics Conference (RMAC). The RMAC has 10 members in three states (Colorado, Nebraska, and New Mexico) and those schools have an average enrollment of 2,696 undergraduates. The average distance from UCSD to RMAC schools is 1,008 miles. Travel would be a major issue if UCSD was to implement Division II football. Humboldt State schedules universities from NCAA Divisions I, II, III and NAIA and must play four schools twice to fill an 11 game schedule. UC San Diego DI/Football Feasibility Study Conducted by Athletics Staffing & Consultants 6

7 UCSD currently meets Title IX (gender equity) standards but must continue to evaluate the men s and women s programs to avoid becoming non compliant with the standards. Adding football and 100 male student-athletes would make UCSD non compliant with Title IX guidelines unless more female sports were added and/or male sports were dropped. There are very few women s sports, with the exception of golf (which carries a small squad size) that could be added that would have competition within close proximity to UCSD. UCSD s athletics department s total revenue for is projected to be $7,447,000. If UCSD were to reclassify to Division I, it would no longer be within the top half of the Division in revenue, but near the bottom of Division I. It is best to compare UCSD s projected budget with other Division I non-football universities ($10,849,331), or the Big West Conference ($12,796,017 including two football schools, $11,521,851 excluding two football schools). As shown in Chapter VII, the biggest increase would have to be in athletic aid. UCSD distributed only $260,000 in athletics aid during To be competitive with mid major Division I universities and in particular the Big West Conference, it is recommended that UCSD increase the athletics aid budget by nearly $3.3 million to $3,666,293. It is recommended that UCSD award 80% of its athletic aid to California students to keep costs manageable. With the addition of needed personnel and increased operational needs UCSD s overall athletics budget would need to be over $12 million to be competitive within the Big West Conference. If reclassifying to Division I, it is recommended that eight additional staff members be added along with a shift in some assistant coaching positions. With the likelihood of shorter travel, operational budgets would not need to increase significantly in most sports. Men s and women s basketball would need to increase the most to stay competitive. Nearly $4.8 million of new revenue would need to be generated by to reach an athletic budget where UCSD could be competitive within the Big West Conference. These numbers would need to increase each year to keep up with rising costs. To reach these numbers UCSD would need to increase funding in the areas of fundraising, corporate partnerships, ticket sales, and student fees. UCSD would also need to add revenue streams through institutional support, a new student assessment, out-of-state tuition waivers, and game guarantees. Currently UCSD athletic facilities would meet the standards for Division I and the Big West Conference but improvements need to be made to the baseball facility. With improvement to the baseball facility, UCSD would have the facilities needed to recruit top players in the Big West Conference. UC San Diego DI/Football Feasibility Study Conducted by Athletics Staffing & Consultants 7

8 The following feasibility study addresses a variety of key aspects necessary for a decision to transition to Division I or to add football at the Division I or II level. Specifically, the study is organized around the following components: Introduction and Scope of the Study Division I Membership Requirements Conference Options Adding Football and/or Additional Sports Title IX Compliance Fiscal analysis Facilities Personnel and Support System Considerations Timeline Included among the information are the following key questions for consideration What are the differences in NCAA membership in Division I and Division II? What process would be involved if UCSD athletics were to reclassify from Division I to Division II? At its current stage of operations, what steps would UCSD need to take to meet the requirements and/or standards for Division I, specifically for financial aid, operations, and personnel expenses? What are UCSD s best options for Division I Conference affiliation? Is football, at the Division I or II level, currently in the best interest of UCSD and can it be funded to be competitive at the Division I or II level? What are the Title IX (gender equity) implications? What would it cost UCSD to reclassify to Division I, and can additional revenues be generated to meet additional expenses? Does UCSD athletics currently have the quality of facilities that would enable it to be competitive in Division I? How would reclassification to Division I impact the current UCSD athletics personnel and support systems? This feasibility study examines these and other issues by exploring NCAA rules and requirements, as well as by comparing the size and scope of UCSD s current athletics program to athletics at other institutions. Each section in the study ends with a set of conclusions, which are intended to serve as a framework on which to base discussions. These discussions will ultimately lead to a recommended course of action that will be in the best interest of UCSD and its athletics program. UC San Diego DI/Football Feasibility Study Conducted by Athletics Staffing & Consultants 8

9 Recap of Executive Summary Division I is lifting the current moratorium in August 2011 A one-time application fee of between $900,000 and $1,300,000 will be needed UCSD would need to secure membership in a Division I conference prior to reclassification UCSD will need to increase grants-in-aids significantly to meet the 50 percent minimum the NCAA will require UCSD does not fit the changing profile of the average Division II institution (academics, size, mission) UCSD does fit the profile of the average Division I institution (academics, size, mission) Big West Conference universities resemble UCSD with academics, size, and costs Moving to the Big West would in all likelihood create very good rivalries because they are like universities and the proximity to UCSD The Big West Conference has a major interest in UCSD but timing is critical The Big West is the best fit in Division I or II for UCSD when comparing size, academics, finances, facilities, athletic achievements, geography, etc. Serious issues such as cost, competition, facilities, and Title IX compliance all need to be factored in if UCSD were to add football at either the Division I or II levels. UCSD is in compliance with Title IX specifications but must continue to monitor the men s and women s programs to make sure they remain in compliance. Adding football would make UCSD non compliant with Title IX specifications unless more sports were added or other men s programs dropped UCSD would need to increase revenue by nearly $4.8 million by and bring the athletics budget to approximately $12 million to be competitive in the Big West Conference Athletic aid, personnel, and operational budgets would all need to be increased, but athletic aid would bring the biggest increase with nearly a $3.3 million jump UCSD would need to increase the current revenue streams of fundraising, corporate partnerships, ticket sales, and student fees UCSD would need to find new funding sources. It is recommended that UCSD explore generating new funds for athletics through institutional support, out-of-state tuition waivers, a new student assessment, and game guarantees Eight additional staff members would need to be hired, and a restructuring of the assistant coaches would need to be implemented Currently UCSD athletic facilities would meet the standards for Division I and the Big West Conference but improvements need to be made to the baseball facility UC San Diego DI/Football Feasibility Study Conducted by Athletics Staffing & Consultants 9

10 A. CONTEXT AND PURPOSE: II. INTRODUCTION AND SCOPE OF THE STUDY The UCSD student government wanted to determine what amount of funding would be needed to add football and/or move to Division I. They also asked that UCSD determine the amount that student-fees would need to increase through a referendum if they were to add football and/or move to Division I. To comply with the student government s questions, the University of California San Diego (UCSD) administration asked Athletics Staffing and Consultants (ASC) to conduct a feasibility study to determine if UCSD should consider gaining entrance into Division I and if the University should add football to its list of sport offerings. The interest in conducting this study on the possible reclassification to Division I and adding football is precipitated by several factors: (1) The student government interest in studying the possible impacts of adding football; (2) UCSD does not fit the changing profile (an influx of small, private, religious based NAIA schools) of the average Division II institution; (3) Division I lifting the current moratorium of any Division II institutions transitioning to Division I; (4) NCAA conference realignment and the interest shown by Division I Big West Conference to possibly accept UCSD into membership, with a likely brief window of opportunity. B. STUDY OBJECTIVES AND GOALS: Primary objectives and goals of this study include the following: Evaluate Division I membership requirements including an analysis of UCSD s current position regarding such requirements. Determine financial impact on personnel, scholarships, operations, and facilities Identify Title IX issues and their implications Identify Division I legislation that would impact UCSD if reclassification occurs Determine if adding football at the Division I or II level would be in the best interest of UCSD. Evaluate finances, facilities, personnel issues, public relations, impact on other sports, etc. Recommend what level of competition each current sport should be competing and if sports should be added under the umbrella of intercollegiate athletics. Evaluate University and Athletics support systems regarding their possible readiness for reclassification to Division I Identify a Conference that would be the best fit for UCSD Make recommendations to reclassify to Division I or to remain in Division II C. PROCESS FOR DEVELOPING REPORT AND CAMPUS REVIEW: UC San Diego DI/Football Feasibility Study Conducted by Athletics Staffing & Consultants 10

11 To develop the report, interviews were conducted with UCSD administrators, faculty, staff, coaches, student-athletes, and student government representatives, as well as community supporters and leaders, conference officials, and NCAA officials. Support materials from schools, conference, and the NCAA were documented, analyzed and evaluated. Campus review should include faculty, students, senior administrators, the alumni association and development office. The ASC consultant would be available to meet with constituent groups. D. FORMAT: The study is arranged in the following manner Executive Summary Introduction and Scope of the Study Division I Membership Requirements NCAA Conference Options Adding Football and/or Additional Sports Title IX Compliance Fiscal analysis Facilities Personnel and Support System Considerations Timeline E. BACKGROUND INFORMATION ON UCSD: Founded in 1960, the University of California, San Diego (UCSD) is one of the nation s most prestigious research universities. Like many outstanding universities have accomplished, UCSD has been able to combine excellence in academics with a broad based athletics program. The same can be said for many similar AAU research institutions throughout the country that are successful in Division I athletics and enjoy an outstanding academic reputation (Cal, Stanford, Duke, North Carolina, Georgia Tech, UC Davis, UC Irvine, UC Santa Barbara, Harvard, Yale, etc.). Highly accomplished Division I athletics programs are consistent with top level academic institutions and enhances the overall reputation of institutions and the environment for its students. Given USCD s historic commitment to academic excellence, there is no reason they would not be able to continue with the priority of academic excellence in Division I. History of Athletics at UC San Diego The UCSD Intercollegiate Athletics Program began in the late 1960 s with the philosophy of providing a wide variety of sports opportunities for students without the provision of athletic grants in aid. In the early years, UCSD teams competed as independents against Southern UC San Diego DI/Football Feasibility Study Conducted by Athletics Staffing & Consultants 11

12 California teams in both the National Association of Intercollegiate Athletics (NAIA) and the National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) College Division. Many of these institutions maintained dual memberships in both of these organizations and most of them were small private institutions, several with church affiliation. Being an independent (non-conference member) presented scheduling problems for UCSD teams, thus the decision was made to join the NAIA which allowed conference opportunities and provided guaranteed scheduling in several sports. The NAIA institutions included Azusa Pacific, Biola, Cal Lutheran, Southern California College, Cal Baptist, Point Loma, and the seven Southern California Intercollegiate Athletics Conference (SCIAC) members: Whittier, La Verne, Cal Tech, Redlands, Occidental, Claremont and Pomona-Pitzer. The NAIA allowed for the awarding of athletics grant in aid, an opportunity utilized by all of the NAIA institutions in Southern California, with the exception of UCSD and the SCIAC members. In 1972, the NCAA changed its structure from two divisions (College and University) to three divisions based on the number of athletic grants awarded. Division I allowed for the awarding of the maximum number of grants designated for each sport. Division II allowed for a smaller maximum number in each sport and Division III prohibited the awarding of athletic grants and aid. Division I had a greater focus on establishing a national profile and greater spectator involvement. Division II provided for a more regional focus with some spectator orientation. The Division III profile was to be of a local nature during regular season competition with the participant being the focus. Within a few years, SCIAC members opted to drop their NAIA affiliation and participate fully in Division III, leaving UCSD as the only institution in the NAIA Southern California to not award athletic grants. The SCIAC was not open to UCSD membership due to conference members concern for UCSD s size and public affiliation. Thus in order to maintain scheduling opportunities, UCSD remained in the NAIA. In the late 70 s, it became more apparent that UCSD s involvement with the NAIA was a mismatch in institutional profiles, plus UCSD teams were disadvantaged by having to compete against teams with athletic grants. The decision was made to move the UCSD program solely to the Division III, a division philosophy that more closely paralleled that of UCSD. The problem was that UCSD had to participate as an independent in all sports since no conference opportunities were available. During the late 70 s, the early years of UCSD s Division III affiliation, the SCIAC members were eager to schedule UCSD as the Tritons were consistently on the losing end of these contests. As UCSD teams became more competitive throughout the 1980 s and 1990 s, scheduling opportunities with SCIAC members began to decrease dramatically to the extent that some UCSD teams were not able to meet Division III scheduling requirements. The SCIAC members consciously excluded UCSD from their schedules to enhance their own post season championship opportunities and diminish those for UCSD. The SCIAC members and other Division III schools felt that UCSD did not belong in Division III due to its enrollment size. While NCAA rules did not dictate an enrollment cap for membership in Division III, national discussions took place repeatedly on the possibility of restricting Division III memberships to small institutions only. The average enrollment of Division III schools was 2500 students or less. UCSD was among the larger institutions at Division III during the 80 s and UC San Diego DI/Football Feasibility Study Conducted by Athletics Staffing & Consultants 12

13 90 s with an average enrollment of 13,423. Due to the inability to schedule games as an independent Division III program and the size of UCSD, it was best for UCSD to move to Division II in In 2000, UCSD Intercollegiate Athletics joined the California Collegiate Athletic Association (CCAA). The CCAA Division II conference in California had a membership of Cal Poly Pomona, Cal State San Bernardino, San Francisco State, Bakersfield, Cal State Dominguez Hills, Cal State Los Angeles, Grand Canyon, Sonoma State, Chico State, Cal State Stanislaus, and UC Davis. Having another UC school in the conference, UC Davis, was a very attractive feature of the conference. While the CCAA did not provide conference opportunities for all of UCSD s 23 sports, the total program benefitted from the relationships with the other conference members and non-conference opportunities were enhanced for sports not officially sponsored by the CCAA. Since 2000, membership has changed dramatically in the CCAA with Grand Canyon, Bakersfield, and UC Davis leaving to move to Division I (Bakersfield and UC Davis) or switching Division II conferences (Grand Canyon). The departure of UC Davis left UC San Diego as the only UC school in the conference. The departed schools were replaced with Humboldt State, Cal State Monterey, and Cal State East Bay. As in 2000 when UCSD felt they had little in common with other Division III institutions, UCSD now finds itself in a similar situation 10 years later having very little in common with the other Division II/CCAA schools in terms of profile, academics and size. UCSD Athletics UCSD intercollegiate athletics teams have won 29 National Championships and 38 teams have finished as National Runners-Up. Forty-four others have achieved National Third Place honors. All told, UCSD has won a total of 180 national, regional, and conference championships. Individually, 135 UCSD student-athletes have captured National Championships and 1034 student-athletes have been named to All-America teams. UCSD student-athletes have excelled academically as well, earning 25 NCAA Post-Graduate Scholarships and 145 Academic All-America selections. Consistently, over 55 percent of the student-athletes earn a cumulative GPA of 3.0 or higher, placing them on the Athletic Director's Honor Roll. In 2009, UCSD was ranked first in Division II and 7th overall in the National Collegiate Scouting Association Power Rankings, which are based on student-athlete graduation rates, academic strength, and athletic prowess of the university. Since the seasons, UCSD has placed in the top 10 in every year except one in the Sports Director's Cup, an award emblematic of the best overall athletics department in the country. Since moving to the Division II level in 2000, UCSD has placed in the top seven programs in the country on eight different occasions and finished second overall twice. Beginning in , UCSD has won the last five California Collegiate Athletic Association Commissioner's Cup titles, an award symbolizing the best overall athletics department in the CCAA. UC San Diego DI/Football Feasibility Study Conducted by Athletics Staffing & Consultants 13

14 The Tritons compete in 23 sports Men Women Basketball Basketball Crew (not NCAA) Crew Cross Country Cross Country Fencing Fencing Soccer Soccer Swimming & Diving Swimming & Diving Tennis Tennis Track & Field Track & Field Volleyball Volleyball Water Polo Water Polo Baseball Softball Golf UCSD Athletics Department Mission Statement UC San Diego Athletics is committed to the physical, intellectual and personal development of students, enhancing the overall student life experience, and campus pride. The department sponsors a broad base of men s and women s intercollegiate sports, which promote the pursuit of excellence, strength of character, teamwork, ethical conduct, and diversity, as well as other lessons competitive sport teaches. As such, UC San Diego Athletics is inextricably linked to the educational mission of the University and the high standards to which it aspires. UCSD Athletics Department Vision As the University and UC San Diego Athletics continue to grow and evolve, we envision ourselves as being one of the premiere NCAA athletics programs in the nation; setting the standard in all aspects of competitive success, academic excellence, ethical conduct, studentathlete experience, campus pride, the development and retention of coaches and staff, and the establishment of lifelong relationships. We will continue to make UC San Diego Athletics organizationally and financially viable for any future campus, conference, and divisional opportunities. We will enhance campus, alumni, and community pride while fostering collaborations that increase our profile within the University and visibility throughout the region. UC San Diego DI/Football Feasibility Study Conducted by Athletics Staffing & Consultants 14

15 A. INTRODUCTION: III. DIVISION I MEMBERSHIP REQUIREMENTS This section details the most recently proposed requirements and procedures a school must fulfill while reclassifying from Division II to Division I. B. RECLASSIFICATION OVERVIEW: On August 9, 2007, the Division I Board of Directors adopted Legislative Proposal , which established a four-year moratorium that prohibited consideration of any new institutional, conference or multi-divisional Division I members until August The Board concluded that the time was right, following similar moratoriums in Divisions II and III, for the Division I membership to assess and study the impact of membership migration and to develop reasonable philosophical expectations and legislative requirements for membership in the division. The Board requested the Leadership Council to conduct this study and to make appropriate recommendations regarding possible NCAA legislation. A preliminary report of recommendations was provided to the Board of Directors in April 2009 and the Division I governance structure, member conferences and institutions were asked to provide reactions. C. DIFFERENCES BETWEEN NCAA DIVISIONS: Division I Division I member institutions have to sponsor at least seven sports for men and seven for women (or six for men and eight for women) with two team sports for each gender. Each playing season has to be represented by each gender as well. There are contest and participant minimums for each sport, as well as scheduling criteria. For sports other than football and basketball, Division I schools must play 100 percent of the minimum number of contests against Division I opponents -- anything over the minimum number of games has to be 50 percent Division I. Men's and women's basketball teams have to play all but two games against Division I teams; for men, they must play one-third of all their contests in the home arena. Schools that have football are classified as Football Bowl Subdivision (formerly Division I-A) or NCAA Football Championship Subdivision (formerly Division I-AA). Football Bowl Subdivision schools are usually fairly elaborate programs. Football Bowl Subdivision teams have to meet minimum attendance requirements (average 15,000 people in actual or paid attendance per home game), which must be met once in a rolling two-year period. NCAA UC San Diego DI/Football Feasibility Study Conducted by Athletics Staffing & Consultants 15

16 Football Championship Subdivision teams do not need to meet minimum attendance requirements. Division I schools must meet minimum financial aid awards for their athletics program, and there are maximum financial aid awards for each sport that a Division I school cannot exceed. Division II Division II institutions have to sponsor at least five sports for men and five for women, (or four for men and six for women), with two team sports for each gender, and each playing season represented by each gender. There are contest and participant minimums for each sport, as well as scheduling criteria -- football and men's and women's basketball teams must play at least 50 percent of their games against Division II or Football Bowl Subdivision (formerly Division I- A) or Football Championship Subdivision (formerly Division I-AA) opponents. For sports other than football and basketball there are only minimum contest scheduling requirements. There are not attendance requirements for football, or arena game requirements for basketball. There are maximum financial aid awards for each sport that a Division II school must not exceed. Division II teams usually feature a number of local or in-state student-athletes. Many Division II student-athletes pay for school through a combination of scholarship money, grants, student loans and employment earnings. Division II athletics programs are often financed in the institution's budget similar to academic departments on campus. Division III Division III institutions have to sponsor at least five sports for men and five for women, with two team sports for each gender, and each playing season represented by each gender. There are minimum contest and participant minimums for each sport. Division III athletics features student-athletes who receive no financial aid related to their athletic ability and athletic departments are staffed and funded like any other department in the university. Division III athletics departments place special importance on the impact of athletics on the participants rather than on the spectators. Division III athletics encourages participation by maximizing the number and variety of athletics opportunities available to students, placing primary emphasis on regional in-season and conference competition. UC San Diego DI/Football Feasibility Study Conducted by Athletics Staffing & Consultants 16

17 D. SUMMARY OF DIVISION I RECLASSIFICATION PROCESS: The Division I Leadership Council requested that the Board of Directors endorse recommendations for further discussion and debate by Division I membership groups and conferences during the spring 2010 and that in August 2010, the Board sponsor appropriate legislative proposals for membership consideration in January and April The Leadership Council recommends that potential new members of Division I shall enter the division through a four-year reclassification process following no less than five-years of membership in Division II. An application fee of between $900,000-$1,300,000 will be required before entering the reclassification process. Upon beginning the reclassification process, the institution must meet Division I sports sponsorship requirements (i.e., 50 percent of the grantsin-aid maximums in the conference sponsored sports in which the institution will participate). A preliminary NCAA certification shall be required in year 1 of the four-year reclassification period and a full compliance review shall be required before final election to Division I membership. A member institution in Division I will qualify to begin receiving revenue distributions related to sports sponsorship and grants-in-aid upon serving three calendar years as an active Division I member. The detailed Division I Leadership Council recommendation to the Board of Directors can be found in Appendix E. E. PROPOSED NEW DIVISION I RECLASSIFICATION PROCESS: The following information outlines the membership reclassification process for any Division II or non-ncaa institution seeking to reclassify its entire athletics program to Division I membership. The reclassifying institution must have been an active Division II member for the preceding five years The institution must be meeting applicable Division I minimum financial aid and sportssponsorship membership requirements The institution must have been extended a bona fide offer of membership by an active Division I multisport voting conference UC San Diego DI/Football Feasibility Study Conducted by Athletics Staffing & Consultants 17

18 The institution and conference must complete an application form accompanied by an application fee no later than June 1 preceding entry into year one of the reclassification process The institution must submit a skeletal strategic plan to the Administration Cabinet that addresses the Division I philosophy statement and athletics certification operating principles approved by the conference office no later than June 1 preceding entry into year one of the reclassification process In years 1-4 of the reclassification UCSD representatives (president, the director of athletics, the senior woman administrator, the faculty athletics representative and the senior compliance administrator) would have to attend an orientation session conducted by the national office staff, the NCAA Convention Division I Issues Forum and business sessions and the regional rules seminar conducted by the NCAA. UCSD would be expected to process institutional and individual student-athlete violations of Division I legislation through the Division I enforcement and student-athlete reinstatement processes. An annual report and an updated strategic plan would need to be submitted by June 1 based on feedback from the previous year s plan. In year one UCSD would have to apply all Division I legislation except scheduling requirements and continuing eligibility requirements for student-athletes who are completing their final season of competition and were enrolled at the institution at least one year prior to entering year one of the reclassification process. They would have to complete a preliminary NCAA athletics certification orientation. In year two of reclassification UCSD would need to be in full compliance with all Division I legislation and membership requirements. It would need to complete a compliance review conducted by the national office and submit a report with an institutional response to the findings and recommendations. In year four UCSD would have to successfully complete an NCAA athletics certification and evaluation visit. After completion of the four year reclassification process, the Board of Directors, on the recommendation of the Division I Administration Cabinet, shall have the authority to elect the institution to active Division I status. The institution must submit a progress report to the Committee on Athletics Certification regarding its progress on any plans for improvement. Following the four year reclassification period UCSD would qualify immediately to receive Student-Athlete Opportunity, Special Assistance and Academic Enhancement Funds, as well as basketball grant funds as determined by the institution s conference. UC San Diego DI/Football Feasibility Study Conducted by Athletics Staffing & Consultants 18

19 A. INTRODUCTION: IV. DIVISION I CONFERENCE OPTIONS The new NCAA proposed legislation for Division I membership mandates a current Division I conference must accept an institution into membership prior to being a candidate for Division I membership. Because of this UCSD must find a conference that would welcome them and has member institutions with similar academic, athletic, and geographic profiles. With a restructuring phase within Division I these days, conferences are looking to expand in most cases and top media markets are a key in making decisions. B. SUMMARY OF DIVISION I CONFERENCE OPPORTUNITIES: There are 31 Division I conferences, but makeup and geography would eliminate most of those conferences from consideration. The two other Division I institutions in San Diego, San Diego State (Mountain West) and the University of San Diego (West Coast Conference), are very different in a variety of ways from UC San Diego and are joined by like members to make up their respective Conferences. The Mountain West Conference is a Bowl Subdivision conference and puts a great deal of emphasis on football. The average athletics budget in the Mountain West is nearly $32 million and only has one university in the State of California (San Diego State). The Mountain West membership would not be interested in UC San Diego at this point because UC San Diego does not have the resources to be competitive in bowl coalition football. The average athletics budget in the West Coast Conference is $13,822,383 and five of its seven members are from California including the University of San Diego. UCSD does not fit the profile of the West Coast Conference which is made up of seven private faith based institutions that offer only 13 sports. The Big West Conference is a conference made up of eight public universities and one private university, and all are located in the state of California. There are many things that make the Big West a good fit for UC San Diego, including size, cost, budgets, academic profile, and geography. The Big West would like to increase to 10 members, does not have representation in the San Diego region, and has an interest because of the academic and athletic reputation of UC San Diego as well as the San Diego area media market. UC San Diego DI/Football Feasibility Study Conducted by Athletics Staffing & Consultants 19

20 C. DIVISION I CONFERENCE OPPORTUNITIES: I. MOUNTAIN WEST CONFERENCE HISTORY According to the Mountain West website, the Mountain West Conference was conceived on May 26, 1998, when the presidents of eight institutions - Air Force, BYU, Colorado State, New Mexico, San Diego State, UNLV, Utah and Wyoming - decided to form a new Division I-A intercollegiate athletic conference. The split from the former 16-team conference re-established continuity and stability among the membership within the new league and signaled the continuation of athletic rivalries. Five of the MWC's eight original members have been conference rivals since the 1960s (BYU, Utah, New Mexico, Wyoming, Colorado State), while San Diego State (1978) and Air Force (1980) were longtime members as well. UNLV and TCU entered the fold in TCU rejoined the group with its first year of competition in the Mountain West in , completing the Conference membership as it stands today. Utah will be leaving the Mountain West to move to the PAC 10 and Boise State will be entering the Mountain West. The Conference places a great deal of emphasis on football but has also had success lately in basketball. With the addition of The Mtn. - The Mountain West Sports Network to DIRECTV on August 27, 2008, the Mountain West Conference enjoyed unprecedented national television exposure in with 48 football, 103 men's basketball and 32 women's basketball contests airing across the country through a combination of telecasts on The Mtn., CBS College Sports Network (formerly CSTV) and VERSUS. In addition to the new satellite carriage agreement, The Mtn. has been available to cable subscribers in the MWC footprint since it first aired in Mountain West Membership The nine Mountain West Universities have an average enrollment of 20,799 undergraduate students and are located in seven different states. They all sponsor bowl coalition football and have an average athletics budget of $31,898,300. UC San Diego DI/Football Feasibility Study Conducted by Athletics Staffing & Consultants 20

21 Mountain West Conference Enrollment Location Enrollment Air Force Academy Academy, CO 4,100 Brigham Young Provo, UT 30,000 Colorado State Fort Collins, CO 25,382 New Mexico Albuquerque, NM 24,250 San Diego State San Diego, CA 30,000 Texas Christian Fort Worth, TX 8,000 UNLV Las Vegas, NV 25,000 Utah Salt Lake City, UT 28,437 Wyoming Laramie, WY 12,021 Mountain West Average 20,799 SPORTS SPONSORSHIPS The Mountain West sponsors 19 championships 10 women s and nine men s. Men s Sports Baseball Basketball Cross Country Golf Football Swimming & Diving Tennis Indoor Track & Field Outdoor Track & Field Women s Sports Softball Basketball Cross Country Golf Soccer Swimming & Diving Tennis Indoor Track & Field Outdoor Track & Field Volleyball Is The Mountain West the Right fit for UC San Diego? The Mountain West Conference is a Bowl Subdivision conference and puts a great deal of emphasis on football. The average athletics budget in the Mountain West is $31,898,300 and only has one university in the State of California (San Diego State). The Mountain West membership would not be interested in UC San Diego at this point because UC San Diego does not have the resources to consider being competitive in bowl coalition football. UC San Diego DI/Football Feasibility Study Conducted by Athletics Staffing & Consultants 21

22 II. THE WEST COAST CONFERENCE History According to the West Coast Conference website, the West Coast Conference was formed in 1952 to provide a convenient venue for five San Francisco Bay Area schools to compete in basketball. The Conference has grown to eight members which span the western coast of the United States from Canada to Mexico. The conference is characterized by the stability of its membership - only two conferences have been together longer. The eight member conference has five institutions that have been in the conference for over 55 years while the other three institutions have been members for over 29 years. West Coast Conference Membership The West Coast Conference consists of seven private faith based universities with an average undergraduate enrollment of 6,613 with five of the seven institutions being located in California. West Coast Conference Enrollment Location Enrollment Gonzaga Spokane, WA 6,375 Loyola Marymount Los Angeles, CA 8,300 Pepperdine Malibu, CA 8,000 University of Portland Portland, OR 3,300 St. Mary's College Moraga, CA 4,768 University of San Diego San Diego, CA 7,548 University of San Francisco San Francisco, CA 8,000 Santa Clara Santa Clara, CA 8,377 WCC Average 6,834 UC San Diego DI/Football Feasibility Study Conducted by Athletics Staffing & Consultants 22

23 West Coast Conference Sports Sponsorships The West Coast Conference sponsors 13 championships seven women s and six men s. Men s Sports Baseball Basketball Cross Country Golf Soccer Tennis Women s Sports Rowing Basketball Cross Country Golf Soccer Tennis Volleyball Is the West Coast Conference the Right fit for UC San Diego? The West Coast Conference is a conference made up of seven private faith based institutions that offers 13 sports. The average athletics budget in the West Coast Conference is $13,822,383 and five of its seven members are from California including the University of San Diego. The West Coast Conference membership would not be interested in UC San Diego because it is a State institution. UC San Diego DI/Football Feasibility Study Conducted by Athletics Staffing & Consultants 23

24 III. THE BIG WEST CONFERENCE History The Big West Conference was formed as the Pacific Coast Athletic Association on July 1, Cal State LA, Fresno State, Long Beach State and San Diego State were members of the California Collegiate Athletic Association. At the time, San Jose State, UC Santa Barbara and Pacific were members of the West Coast Athletic Conference. Officials of the seven colleges and universities assembled as a body in May of 1969, tied up loose ends and less than two months later the PCAA was born. The original PCAA lineup changed in the early years and by 1975, charter members UCSB and CSLA had dropped football and SDSU left the conference in football only. In 1974, Cal State Fullerton moved into the conference. By 1977, UC Irvine joined the Big West and UCSB was back in - both as non-football playing institutions - while Utah State became the first non- California member of the circuit, transforming the PCAA into a regional conference. UNLV (1981) and New Mexico State (1984) soon followed suit, bringing the league's membership to 10 universities. In the fall of 1983, the PCAA became the first western conference to incorporate women's athletic programs into the conference. Charter women's members UC Irvine, UC Santa Barbara and UNLV competed in five championships. By the end of 1985, Pacific, Hawai'i, Cal State Fullerton, Long Beach State, San Diego State, Fresno State and San Jose State had joined the women's conference. The PCAA upped its women's sponsorship to eight championships. The PCAA began its 20th year of existence in 1988 by changing its name to the Big West Conference. With the inclusion of the states of Utah, Nevada, and New Mexico, the term -Big West- more accurately represented the conference. Since the name Big West has been used, conference teams have won nine NCAA team championships. The conference has undergone membership changes throughout its long history, the most recent ones significantly enhancing its stability. Following the academic year, Idaho and Utah State left the Big West, creating an eight-team league comprised of all California schools: Cal Poly, Cal State Fullerton, Cal State Northridge, Long Beach State, UC Irvine, UC Riverside, UC Santa Barbara and Pacific. A ninth school, UC Davis, became the newest member of the Big West on July 1, 2007 after completing a four-year reclassification process from Division II to Division I. The University of Hawaii will begin competing in the conference in Until that point the Big West owns the distinction of being the nation s only conference with its entire membership located in one state. The conference has claimed 17 team national championships in its history, including six in women s volleyball, two in baseball, one in softball and one in men s basketball. Men s soccer was the newest sport added to the list when UC Santa Barbara claimed the national title in Individually, Big West athletes also have claimed several titles in such sports as swimming, track and field, and golf. The Big West has had 26 student-athletes win individual national championships. UC San Diego DI/Football Feasibility Study Conducted by Athletics Staffing & Consultants 24