Supporting Materials Finlandia University Athletics Expansion March ...
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Supporting Materials Finlandia University Athletics Expansion March 6, 2014 Historical Perspective Finlandia began sponsoring intercollegiate athletics at the NCAA Division III (DIII) level in 2006. DIII athletic program expansion continued in 2009 with the acquisition of 11.4 acres in west Hancock as part of the “Campus and Community: Together for Good” public-private partnership. Construction of McAfee Field followed shortly with its official dedication in 2011. Financial means of support for the construction of McAfee came from slightly more than $2.35 Million in private fundraising contributions. This support allowed for the construction of a state of the art synthetic Field Turf soccer and football field with accompanying bleacher seating, scoreboard, and modest press box amenities. McAfee Field serves as the home field for the Finlandia Lions men’s and women’s varsity soccer teams as well as outdoor practice accommodation for the university’s softball and baseball varsity teams when weather and field conditions deem necessary. It will also be the home of Finlandia Lions football and lacrosse as they are added accordingly to the slate of NCAA Division III programs sponsored by the university. In addition, McAfee Field serves as the home field for the Hancock High School varsity and junior varsity football teams.
Strategic Operational Investment The Finlandia University Administration and Board of Trustees have made strategic investments in the athletics program for the purposes of ramping up toward the NCAA Division III athletics-based enrollment growth agenda. Evidence of such follows. The athletics budget has seen an increase of 10% for operating expenses during the past two fiscal years while aggregate university expenditures have been reduced by 7%. This is a result of cost control, wise use of resources, and decisions regarding campus investments designed to better position Finlandia for enrollment growth.
1
In conjunction with increased operational funding for athletics, the athletics staff has undergone changes indicative of what most colleges and universities consider as standard staffing. Previous to this time, Finlandia was significantly understaffed and underfunded. The progression of adding staff and transitioning positions to full-time status in athletics has been as follows:
Year
Athletic Dept. Staffing
2009 – 2010
3 full-time athletic staff 4 head, 3/4 time staff 4 head, 1/2 time staff 8 part-time assistants
12 month salary 9 month or less, federal minimum 9 month or less Stipend-based, relative to sport season
2010 – 2011
4 full-time athletic staff 3 head, 3/4 time staff 4 head, 1/2 time staff 8 part-time assistants
12 month salary 9 month or less, federal minimum 9 month or less Stipend-based, relative to sport season
2011-2012
6 full-time athletic staff 3 head, 3/4 time 1 head, 1/2 time staff 8 part-time assistants
12 month salary 9 month or less, federal minimum 9 month or less Stipend-based, relative to sport season
2012-2013
9 full-time athletic staff 2 head, 1/2 time staff 1 head, 1/4 time staff 9 part-time assistants
12 month salary 9 month or less, federal minimum 9 month or less Stipend-based, relative to sport season
2013-2014
12 full-time athletic staff 2 head, 1/4 time staff 10 part-time assistants
2
Employment Status
12 month salary 9 month or less Stipend-based, relative to sport season
Turning to the Future – Creating and Sustaining Enduring Value Grounded in Finlandia University’s mission, Plan 2021, our new 7-year strategic plan, is based on a two-fold premise of “Vision” and “Value.” The Vision is one of wholeness, distinctiveness, and engagement. Value is grounded upon student-centeredness, with the university’s image and resources as key catalysts to bring vision and value to fruition as we strive to become our best. We must grow our enrollment efficiently and effectively in concert with our mission. Along our path of growth, we will remain student-centered and dedicate each day to ‘living’ our mission. This plan is mission-centered with a strategy of enrollment growth that is market -driven. Leading with the addition of NCAA Division III athletic programs via carefully structured and sequenced strategies and tactics, integrated with and augmented by academic programs, provides the most viable promise for enrollment growth under current context. This approach of growing and launching academic programs best able to absorb, retain, graduate, and place a growing student population, aligns with the primary target population of the growth agenda; students with academic promise who desire to participate in intercollegiate athletics. As it applies to our enrollment growth strategy, the NCAA Division III Philosophy states: “Academics are the primary focus for Division III student-athletes. The division minimizes the conflicts between athletics and academics and keeps studentathletes on a path to graduation through shorter practice and playing seasons, the number of contests, no redshirting, and regional competition that reduces time away from academic studies. Student-athletes are integrated on campus and treated like all other members of the general student-body, keeping them focused on being a student first.” (http://www.ncaa.org/about/division-iii-academics) To provide further rationale for embarking on an enrollment growth agenda in concert with NCAA Division III athletics, the new sport programs will allow Finlandia to become a full member of an established athletic conference. To do so, we must meet the criteria of conference application and subsequent membership. Conference membership will allow our athletic schedules to become more consistent and provide a better overall experience in the total educational experience for students who are also athletes at Finlandia. It is our intention to seek membership in the Upper Midwest Athletic Conference (UMAC). The UMAC Philosophy is included as an addendum to this communication regarding context for our enrollment growth agenda in Plan 2021.
3
There are numerous student-centered factors that make a strong case for an enrollment growth agenda led by NCAA Division III athletic program expansion. Students participating in NCAA Division III Athletics:
Report participating in club sports and intramural sports at greater rates than non-athletes Report active academic engagement and participation in academic “extras,” such as research with faculty, study abroad opportunities and capstone/senior thesis projects Are more likely to report “leadership potential” as an important consideration in choosing a career Report significantly greater gains in time management when compared with nonathletes Report greater involvement in volunteering Are more likely to report that they see themselves as part of the campus community Have equal opportunity and access to financial aid as the general student body – but are not awarded aid based on athletics leadership, ability, performance or participation Three-quarters of all student-athletes in Division III receive some form of grant or non-athletics scholarship
Current thinking and planning in conjunction with pending application for UMAC membership, suggests the following schedule for new sport sponsorship and the enrollment projections based on NCAA Division III squad (roster) sizes:
Year 2014-15 2015-16 2016-17 2017-18 2018-19 2019-20
Sport Projected Student/Athletes/yr Pre-Football and Tennis 25 Football, Tennis, and Nordic Skiing 75 Football, Tennis, Nordic Skiing, and Wrestling 49 Football, Tennis, Nordic Skiing, Wrestling, and Women’s Lacrosse 41 Football, Tennis, Nordic Skiing, Wrestling, Women’s Lacrosse and Men’s Lacrosse 22 Football, Tennis, Nordic Skiing, Wrestling, Women’s Lacrosse, Men’s Lacrosse, and Men’s Volleyball 15 Total Additional Student/Athletes over 7 Years =
4
217
Accompanying Facilities Improvements Paavo Nurmi Center Renovation
Fitness Center and amenities where existing swimming pool is located, plus locker room renovations, including wiring and HVAC.
McAfee Field
Fieldhouse - complete with locker rooms, restrooms, coaches offices, strength and conditioning amenities, sports medicine accommodations, officials’ locker rooms, and storage space. Stadium bleacher seating on the home side to accommodate 1000 spectators and press box with public address system and media-friendly technology
Turfhouse – a metal frame building (134’ x 260’) covered with weather resistant synthetic sides and roof with artificial surface to accommodate four competition tennis courts converting to large space indoor practice accommodations for all Finlandia fall and spring season sports during inclement weather or permissible off-season development sessions.
5
Supporting Materials Finlandia University Athletics Expansion March 6, 2014 Historical Perspective Finlandia began sponsoring intercollegiate athletics at the NCAA Division III (DIII) level in 2006. DIII athletic program expansion continued in 2009 with the acquisition of 11.4 acres in west Hancock as part of the “Campus and Community: Together for Good” public-private partnership. Construction of McAfee Field followed shortly with its official dedication in 2011. Financial means of support for the construction of McAfee came from slightly more than $2.35 Million in private fundraising contributions. This support allowed for the construction of a state of the art synthetic Field Turf soccer and football field with accompanying bleacher seating, scoreboard, and modest press box amenities. McAfee Field serves as the home field for the Finlandia Lions men’s and women’s varsity soccer teams as well as outdoor practice accommodation for the university’s softball and baseball varsity teams when weather and field conditions deem necessary. It will also be the home of Finlandia Lions football and lacrosse as they are added accordingly to the slate of NCAA Division III programs sponsored by the university. In addition, McAfee Field serves as the home field for the Hancock High School varsity and junior varsity football teams.
Strategic Operational Investment The Finlandia University Administration and Board of Trustees have made strategic investments in the athletics program for the purposes of ramping up toward the NCAA Division III athletics-based enrollment growth agenda. Evidence of such follows. The athletics budget has seen an increase of 10% for operating expenses during the past two fiscal years while aggregate university expenditures have been reduced by 7%. This is a result of cost control, wise use of resources, and decisions regarding campus investments designed to better position Finlandia for enrollment growth.
1
In conjunction with increased operational funding for athletics, the athletics staff has undergone changes indicative of what most colleges and universities consider as standard staffing. Previous to this time, Finlandia was significantly understaffed and underfunded. The progression of adding staff and transitioning positions to full-time status in athletics has been as follows:
Year
Athletic Dept. Staffing
2009 – 2010
3 full-time athletic staff 4 head, 3/4 time staff 4 head, 1/2 time staff 8 part-time assistants
12 month salary 9 month or less, federal minimum 9 month or less Stipend-based, relative to sport season
2010 – 2011
4 full-time athletic staff 3 head, 3/4 time staff 4 head, 1/2 time staff 8 part-time assistants
12 month salary 9 month or less, federal minimum 9 month or less Stipend-based, relative to sport season
2011-2012
6 full-time athletic staff 3 head, 3/4 time 1 head, 1/2 time staff 8 part-time assistants
12 month salary 9 month or less, federal minimum 9 month or less Stipend-based, relative to sport season
2012-2013
9 full-time athletic staff 2 head, 1/2 time staff 1 head, 1/4 time staff 9 part-time assistants
12 month salary 9 month or less, federal minimum 9 month or less Stipend-based, relative to sport season
2013-2014
12 full-time athletic staff 2 head, 1/4 time staff 10 part-time assistants
2
Employment Status
12 month salary 9 month or less Stipend-based, relative to sport season
Turning to the Future – Creating and Sustaining Enduring Value Grounded in Finlandia University’s mission, Plan 2021, our new 7-year strategic plan, is based on a two-fold premise of “Vision” and “Value.” The Vision is one of wholeness, distinctiveness, and engagement. Value is grounded upon student-centeredness, with the university’s image and resources as key catalysts to bring vision and value to fruition as we strive to become our best. We must grow our enrollment efficiently and effectively in concert with our mission. Along our path of growth, we will remain student-centered and dedicate each day to ‘living’ our mission. This plan is mission-centered with a strategy of enrollment growth that is market -driven. Leading with the addition of NCAA Division III athletic programs via carefully structured and sequenced strategies and tactics, integrated with and augmented by academic programs, provides the most viable promise for enrollment growth under current context. This approach of growing and launching academic programs best able to absorb, retain, graduate, and place a growing student population, aligns with the primary target population of the growth agenda; students with academic promise who desire to participate in intercollegiate athletics. As it applies to our enrollment growth strategy, the NCAA Division III Philosophy states: “Academics are the primary focus for Division III student-athletes. The division minimizes the conflicts between athletics and academics and keeps studentathletes on a path to graduation through shorter practice and playing seasons, the number of contests, no redshirting, and regional competition that reduces time away from academic studies. Student-athletes are integrated on campus and treated like all other members of the general student-body, keeping them focused on being a student first.” (http://www.ncaa.org/about/division-iii-academics) To provide further rationale for embarking on an enrollment growth agenda in concert with NCAA Division III athletics, the new sport programs will allow Finlandia to become a full member of an established athletic conference. To do so, we must meet the criteria of conference application and subsequent membership. Conference membership will allow our athletic schedules to become more consistent and provide a better overall experience in the total educational experience for students who are also athletes at Finlandia. It is our intention to seek membership in the Upper Midwest Athletic Conference (UMAC). The UMAC Philosophy is included as an addendum to this communication regarding context for our enrollment growth agenda in Plan 2021.
3
There are numerous student-centered factors that make a strong case for an enrollment growth agenda led by NCAA Division III athletic program expansion. Students participating in NCAA Division III Athletics:
Report participating in club sports and intramural sports at greater rates than non-athletes Report active academic engagement and participation in academic “extras,” such as research with faculty, study abroad opportunities and capstone/senior thesis projects Are more likely to report “leadership potential” as an important consideration in choosing a career Report significantly greater gains in time management when compared with nonathletes Report greater involvement in volunteering Are more likely to report that they see themselves as part of the campus community Have equal opportunity and access to financial aid as the general student body – but are not awarded aid based on athletics leadership, ability, performance or participation Three-quarters of all student-athletes in Division III receive some form of grant or non-athletics scholarship
Current thinking and planning in conjunction with pending application for UMAC membership, suggests the following schedule for new sport sponsorship and the enrollment projections based on NCAA Division III squad (roster) sizes:
Year 2014-15 2015-16 2016-17 2017-18 2018-19 2019-20
Sport Projected Student/Athletes/yr Pre-Football and Tennis 25 Football, Tennis, and Nordic Skiing 75 Football, Tennis, Nordic Skiing, and Wrestling 49 Football, Tennis, Nordic Skiing, Wrestling, and Women’s Lacrosse 41 Football, Tennis, Nordic Skiing, Wrestling, Women’s Lacrosse and Men’s Lacrosse 22 Football, Tennis, Nordic Skiing, Wrestling, Women’s Lacrosse, Men’s Lacrosse, and Men’s Volleyball 15 Total Additional Student/Athletes over 7 Years =
4
217
Accompanying Facilities Improvements Paavo Nurmi Center Renovation
Fitness Center and amenities where existing swimming pool is located, plus locker room renovations, including wiring and HVAC.
McAfee Field
Fieldhouse - complete with locker rooms, restrooms, coaches offices, strength and conditioning amenities, sports medicine accommodations, officials’ locker rooms, and storage space. Stadium bleacher seating on the home side to accommodate 1000 spectators and press box with public address system and media-friendly technology
Turfhouse – a metal frame building (134’ x 260’) covered with weather resistant synthetic sides and roof with artificial surface to accommodate four competition tennis courts converting to large space indoor practice accommodations for all Finlandia fall and spring season sports during inclement weather or permissible off-season development sessions.
5
