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Strategic Plan
Davis & Elkins College
Athletic Department Strategic Plan
2010-2015
Vision
A well funded, academically successful, locally and regionally visible program competing for Conference, Regional, National Championships in top quality facilities who recruit, develop, and graduate well-rounded student athletes.
Overall College Mission Statement
To prepare and inspire students for success and for thoughtful engagement in the world
Athletic Department Mission Statement
The Davis & Elkins College Athletics Department is to provide the student-athletes with an opportunity to compete at a national recognized NCAA Division II level, while receiving a quality education consistent with the College’s mission. The Athletics Department, as an extension of the educational process is committed to assisting student-athletes to achieve the academic and athletic potential and to become contributing members of society.
Strategic Priorities
Athletic Success: Provide opportunities for student-athletes and teams to compete at the highest levels on a Conference, Regional and National Stage.
- Vital Success Factors (Year 1, 3 & 5)
Year 1
- Finish in the top 10 of the WVIAC Presidents and Commissioners Cup Standings
- Finish in top 8 in both men and women standings in WVIAC
- 30% of teams qualify for post-season competition
(Conference/Regional/National tournament participation)
Year 3
- Finish in the top 6 of the WVIAC Presidents and Commissioners Cup Standings
- Finish in top 6 in both men and women standings in WVIAC
- 50% of teams qualify for post season competition
- Be recognized on the National Association of Collegiate Directors of Athletics Cup List (NACDA)
Year 5
- Finish in the top 4 of the WVIAC Presidents and Commissioners Cup Standings
- Finish in the top 4 in both men and women standings in WVIAC
- 75% of teams qualify for post season competition
- Make the top 200 on the NACDA Cup list
- Strategies for Success
- Provide necessary resources (scholarship dollars, recruiting budgets, dynamic website) to attract student-athletes
- Develop short-term and long-term facility priorities and plans to ensure quality athletic department facilities
- Attract and retain quality athletic department staff members
Academic Success: Recruit, graduate and prepare student-athletes to become a contributing member of society by providing services that enable student-athletes to achieve academic and career success
- Vital Success Factors (Year 1, 3, & 5)
Year 1
- Achieve an overall GPA of 3.0 or higher for the entire athletic department
- Have more than 50% of student-athletes with a 3.0 GPA or higher
- Have less than 25% with a 2.3 GPA or lower
- Continue to achieve higher graduation rates than general population
Year 3
- Achieve an overall GPA of 3.0 or higher for entire athletic department
- Have more than 60% of student-athletes with a 3.0 GPA or higher
- Have less than 20% with a 2.3 GPA or lower
- Continue to achieve higher graduation rates than general population
Year 5
- Achieve an overall GPA of 3.0 or higher for entire athletic department
- Have more than 70% of student-athletes with a 3.0 GPA or higher
- Have less than 15% with a 2.3 GPA or lower
- Continue to achieve higher graduation rates than general population
- Strategies for Success
- Develop and implement a program with the Naylor Learning Center and the Office of Institutional Effectiveness to assure student-athletes academic growth
- Continue to track the academic progress of all D&E student-athletes with a special emphasis on our at-risk population (cumulative GPA less than 2.3)
Student-Athlete Welfare: Ensure a safe, healthy, and equitable environment to nurture the development and growth of our student-athletes
- Vital Success Factors ( Year 1, 3, & 5)
Year 1
- Decrease injuries that require surgical intervention
- Look into the plus factors of having a Strength and Conditioning consultant to create sport specific workouts and dietary plans for athletes
- Identify ways to help our student-athletes live better off of their respective playing fields
- Create a committee to design a “Living Well” program for athletes
Year 3
- Chart the number of injuries that required surgery over the previous athletic seasons
- Evaluate the effectiveness of our “Living Well” program for athletes
- Continue to review sport specific workouts and dietary plans and the positive and/or negative effect
Year 5
- Chart the number of injuries that required surgery over previous athletic seasons
- Check percentage of serious injuries (not requiring surgery) and see if they have decreased since the implementation of “Living Well” program and Strength and Conditioning Consultant
- Strategies for Success
- Establish a strength and conditioning program that focuses on injury prevention and athletic performance
- Continue to improve and upgrade weight room facility
- Continue to improve and upgrade training room facility
- Create guidelines for athletic department team travel
Budget Development and Forecasting: Develop a comprehensive plan to better track revenue streams, utilize current financial resources and obtain future financial resources
- Vital Success Factors
Year 1
- Establish base line information with regard to all athletic revenue stream
^ Student Fees
^ Gate Revenues
^ Sponsorship Dollars
^ Senators Club Membership
^ Foundation Gifts
^ Team Fundraising
^ Other
- Increase Senator Club giving by 10%
- Complete a study of D&E Athletics impact on the local community
- Identify the financial impact of our Athletic Department on the campus community
Year 3
- Develop strategy for establishment of a reserve fund to assist with future expenses
- Increase Senator Club giving by 15%
Year 5
- Complete study on athletic revenue and percentage of revenue break down (measures where revenue was generated from)
- Increase Senator Club giving by 20%
- Strategies for Success
- Establish a departmental database of all athletic alumni, Senators Club members, and corporate sponsors of D&E Athletics
- Create consistencies within Senators Club giving levels and benefits
- Create a committee to study D&E athletic economic impact
- Obtain benchmark financial data from Peer Institutions by sport
- Collaboration – Utilize on campus resources to supplement and support the athletic department. Identify areas of possible collaborative efforts between athletics and other D&E departments
Community Engagement: Heighten awareness of D&E athletics by creating and delivering programs, events and services that educate and engage the D&E/Elkins/Highlands community
- Vital Success Factors
- Track paid and actual attendance at home contests
- Measure column inches in the Intermountain and other printed media
- Track number of hits on the D&E website; specifically D&E athletic website
- Conduct a marketing survey to determine the current level of awareness and interest
- Identify athletic sponsored programs and events that bring individuals and/or groups on the D&E campus
- Strategies for Success
- Create a staff and student-athlete recognition page on the website
- Create and implement an athletic event calendar
- Encourage student-athletes and staff to serve on campus committees
- Create a marketing committee to develop and distribute a survey to the campus, Elkins, and Highlands community
- Add the tracking of media coverage and website hits to the job responsibilities of our Sports Information Director
Miscellaneous
- Create Traditions
- Create a more marketable mascot
- Efficiency – Streamlining Process

