President Pelton's Charge to the Trustee Working Group on Athletics

February 2007

Athletics represents a significant aspect of Willamette undergraduate life. In any given academic year, it is estimated that more than one-third of the undergraduate student population participates in athletics. At Willamette we believe that individual intercollegiate athletics competition should aid the educational experience, and there is evidence of a connection between excellence in athletics and academic achievement: Last year, for example, 150 of our varsity athletes maintained a GPA of 3.5 or higher.

At its best, athletics broadens, rather than narrows, the educational experience. It contributes to the emotional and personal growth of student-athletes. It helps student-athletes to make choices and take responsibility for those choices; it increases confidence as they grow in competence; it teaches flexibility, adaptability and how to work and get along with others. It teaches them to be leaders – on as well as off the playing fields – thus preparing them to assume their roles as effective citizens of the larger world after they leave Willamette.

There have been two significant and notable changes in Willamette athletics during the last decade:

• Shift of national affiliation from NAIA to NCAA
• Fitness culture that has significantly increased demand on facilities.

NCAA affiliation

Willamette belongs to the Northwest Conference, founded in 1926. In addition to Willamette, the Conference includes Linfield, Lewis and Clark, Willamette, Pacific and George Fox, University of Puget Sound, Pacific Lutheran, Whitman and Whitworth. In 1997, all nine conference institutions shifted national affiliation from the NAIA to the NCAA. NCAA Division III philosophy encourages participation by maximizing the number and variety of athletics opportunities available to student-athletes, placing primary emphasis on regional in-season and conference competition. Additionally, NCAA Division III institutions – unlike NAIA institutions – may not offer financial aid to students related to their athletic skills. The NCAA Division III financial aid policy fundamentally changed the way in which Willamette was allowed to recruit, enroll and retain student-athletes. In recent years, Division III has redoubled its efforts to ensure that its financial policies are adhered to by all of its member institutions.

Fitness Culture

During the last several years, as faculty, staff and students emphasis on fitness has grown, so too has the demand on athletic facilities. More than two out of three Willamette students participate in some form of organized athletic activity on a regular basis. The Office of Human Resources has established a wellness program for faculty and staff. Community members increasingly view Willamette as a fitness and recreational center. As such, there are growing expectations about the quality and quantity of exercise equipment and fitness programs as well as the use of playing fields and indoor practice facilities. An increase in recreational demand has placed a very heavy burden on Willamette’s ability to replace fitness equipment as well as provide the necessary administrative oversight for programs, maintenance and operations.

Ten years has passed since Willamette’s shift to NCAA Division III. During those years, the Board of Trustees has not undertaken a comprehensive review of the Athletics program. Therefore, I propose that the Board of Trustees establish an Athletic Working Group whose purpose will be to develop an Athletics program strategic plan for the next decade. In order to complete successfully its work, the Working Group should consider the following:

• Develop a philosophy statement and role of the athletics program at Willamette;
• Review intercollegiate athletics, fitness and non-intercollegiate programs with respect to capital and operating resources and needs;
• Review relationship (working or otherwise) of Intercollegiate Athletics, EXSCI, Intramurals, Club Sports and Recreation, including structure;
• Assess recruitment/enrollment strategies;
• Review competition schedule in light of the shift from NAIA to NCAA III;
• Assess risk management strategies;
• Develop a comparative peer institution group;
• Assess comparative data and other metrics within peer institution group; and
• Develop a fund-raising strategy for the athletics program during the life of the strategic plan.

I urge the Working Group to meet with students, faculty, staff and alumni in order to assess athletics program needs and opportunities as well as its appropriate role at Willamette.

M. Lee Pelton
President