Western State Colorado University Intercollegiate Athletics Policies ...
Western State Colorado University Department of
Intercollegiate Athletics Policies, Procedures and Plans (3P) Manual Section: Contest Scheduling Policy Last revised and updated and revised June 10, 2016
Contest Scheduling A strong good faith effort must be made to minimize the academic conflicts of student-athletes, especially missed class time. The intercollegiate athletic program believes strongly in supporting the academic pursuits of the student-athletes and facilitate a process that ultimately leads them to graduation. The fact that the student-athletes at Western consistently have significantly higher graduation rates than the general student body is evidence of that. Additionally, Western State Colorado University has committed to be a member of the NCAA Division II and the Rocky Mountain Athletic Conference (RMAC). This commitment includes many obligations including, but not limited to competing in the minimum number of intercollegiate contests relative to each sport program as required by the NCAA and competing in all contests as required by the RMAC schedule. Most sport programs have RMAC schedules that are developed by the RMAC Athletic Director’s Council in consultation with coaches and the RMAC Faculty Athletic Representatives Council. Missed class time and minimizing academic conflict are always a significant part of this decision making process. For some sport programs the RMAC schedules are constructed by the coaches within the other parameters that affect scheduling. All sport programs have scheduling that is beyond the RMAC schedule and the same is true of all other NCAA Division II and RMAC institutions. In most cases, the respective head coach works to complete the non-conference segments of their schedule, but the athletic director is involved in some cases. Scheduling of athletic contests is determined by a number of factors including, but not limited to: -
Minimizing academic conflict including missed class time NCAA Division II and Rocky Mountain Athletic Conference scheduling requirements Desire for building and maintaining a competitive program Desire to provide unique and positive co-educational experiences for student-athletes Availability of facilities and conflict with scheduling of other sport program competitive events Need for “guarantee” games in order to supplement budgets Travel and availability of opponents Geographic proximity Need to compete in events or against institutions that enhance the specific program or individual athlete’s ability to advance to post-season competition Budget
In all cases in which the coach is in charge of scheduling and athletic contest home or away, consultation with the Athletic Management Team is required prior to committing to that event. The following individuals comprise the Athletic Management Team -
Athletics Director Associate Athletic Director for Internal Operations and Compliance. This is primarily to assure that the coach not exceed their maximum allowable contests and meet other NCAA and RMAC scheduling requirement standards.
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Assistant Athletic Director/Senior Woman Administrator. This is primarily for home events to assure the facilities are available and other needs for a home athletic event.
These individuals will also assess the academic conflict impact that the scheduling of the respective event may have. Adhering to these policies is important for many reasons including, but not limited to: -
Minimizing academic conflict Assuring Budget availability Assuring compliance with NCAA and RMAC rules and regulations Assuring availability of home facilities Assuring proper support staff are notified such as Athletic Trainers, Sports Information Directors and Event personnel, as they need to plan and conduct their responsibilities accordingly
When a game contract is involved, especially when there is a monetary guarantee and/or penalty for cancellation, the coach must first have this approved by the Associate Athletic Director for Internal Operations and Compliance and then the Athletic Director prior to fully committing to the event or signing the contract. When a coach is organizing any kind of community engagement initiative in conjunction with their home event, this must be approved by the Management Team. This is especially important when another collegiate event or high school event is scheduled to use our facilities. Communication with the Sports Information Director is also important early in this planning process. This includes such promotions as “parent night”, “staff appreciation night”, “senior night” or “community night.” This communication needs to be well ahead of time, detailed, and organized. It also needs to be communicated both verbally and in writing. Student-Athletes of all programs have protocols in place to notify professors they are student-athletes and the times they plan to miss. They are responsible to communicate directly before and after their absence and the coach also sends out notification at the beginning of each semester and a few days prior to departure from campus. Many of these policies, procedures and protocols are outlined in the Intercollegiate Athletic Committee (IAC) Resolution. Additionally, all coaches work with the studentathletes and their advisors in doing all that is possible to schedule classes to minimize conflict and still maintain reasonable progress toward a degree.
Intercollegiate Athletics Policies, Procedures and Plans (3P) Manual Section: Contest Scheduling Policy Last revised and updated and revised June 10, 2016
Contest Scheduling A strong good faith effort must be made to minimize the academic conflicts of student-athletes, especially missed class time. The intercollegiate athletic program believes strongly in supporting the academic pursuits of the student-athletes and facilitate a process that ultimately leads them to graduation. The fact that the student-athletes at Western consistently have significantly higher graduation rates than the general student body is evidence of that. Additionally, Western State Colorado University has committed to be a member of the NCAA Division II and the Rocky Mountain Athletic Conference (RMAC). This commitment includes many obligations including, but not limited to competing in the minimum number of intercollegiate contests relative to each sport program as required by the NCAA and competing in all contests as required by the RMAC schedule. Most sport programs have RMAC schedules that are developed by the RMAC Athletic Director’s Council in consultation with coaches and the RMAC Faculty Athletic Representatives Council. Missed class time and minimizing academic conflict are always a significant part of this decision making process. For some sport programs the RMAC schedules are constructed by the coaches within the other parameters that affect scheduling. All sport programs have scheduling that is beyond the RMAC schedule and the same is true of all other NCAA Division II and RMAC institutions. In most cases, the respective head coach works to complete the non-conference segments of their schedule, but the athletic director is involved in some cases. Scheduling of athletic contests is determined by a number of factors including, but not limited to: -
Minimizing academic conflict including missed class time NCAA Division II and Rocky Mountain Athletic Conference scheduling requirements Desire for building and maintaining a competitive program Desire to provide unique and positive co-educational experiences for student-athletes Availability of facilities and conflict with scheduling of other sport program competitive events Need for “guarantee” games in order to supplement budgets Travel and availability of opponents Geographic proximity Need to compete in events or against institutions that enhance the specific program or individual athlete’s ability to advance to post-season competition Budget
In all cases in which the coach is in charge of scheduling and athletic contest home or away, consultation with the Athletic Management Team is required prior to committing to that event. The following individuals comprise the Athletic Management Team -
Athletics Director Associate Athletic Director for Internal Operations and Compliance. This is primarily to assure that the coach not exceed their maximum allowable contests and meet other NCAA and RMAC scheduling requirement standards.
-
Assistant Athletic Director/Senior Woman Administrator. This is primarily for home events to assure the facilities are available and other needs for a home athletic event.
These individuals will also assess the academic conflict impact that the scheduling of the respective event may have. Adhering to these policies is important for many reasons including, but not limited to: -
Minimizing academic conflict Assuring Budget availability Assuring compliance with NCAA and RMAC rules and regulations Assuring availability of home facilities Assuring proper support staff are notified such as Athletic Trainers, Sports Information Directors and Event personnel, as they need to plan and conduct their responsibilities accordingly
When a game contract is involved, especially when there is a monetary guarantee and/or penalty for cancellation, the coach must first have this approved by the Associate Athletic Director for Internal Operations and Compliance and then the Athletic Director prior to fully committing to the event or signing the contract. When a coach is organizing any kind of community engagement initiative in conjunction with their home event, this must be approved by the Management Team. This is especially important when another collegiate event or high school event is scheduled to use our facilities. Communication with the Sports Information Director is also important early in this planning process. This includes such promotions as “parent night”, “staff appreciation night”, “senior night” or “community night.” This communication needs to be well ahead of time, detailed, and organized. It also needs to be communicated both verbally and in writing. Student-Athletes of all programs have protocols in place to notify professors they are student-athletes and the times they plan to miss. They are responsible to communicate directly before and after their absence and the coach also sends out notification at the beginning of each semester and a few days prior to departure from campus. Many of these policies, procedures and protocols are outlined in the Intercollegiate Athletic Committee (IAC) Resolution. Additionally, all coaches work with the studentathletes and their advisors in doing all that is possible to schedule classes to minimize conflict and still maintain reasonable progress toward a degree.
