NORTHERN KENTUCKY UNIVERSITY
UPRISING UPRISING UPRISING UPRISING Athletics Department Strategic Plan Division of Intercollegiate Athletics Strategic Plan
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TABLE OF CONTENTS 4 DI R E CTO R ’ S M E S S AG E 5 I NT R O DU CT I O N 6 E X E CU T I V E S U M M A RY 7 M I S S I O N, V I S I O N, CO R E VAL UE S 8 ST R AT E G I C P R I O R I T I E S I. Integrity, Accountability & Compliance II. Academic Achievement
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Student-Athlete Well-Being
IV. Competitive Excellence
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V. Facility Enhancement
VI. Campus & Community Engagement
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VII. Resource Development & Fiscal Management VIII. Brand Awareness
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MESSAGE FROM THE DIRECTOR OF ATHLETICS Success starts with a vision, is guided by a plan, and achieved through hard work and dedication. To that end, within Northern Kentucky University Athletics, we will foster a culture of integrity and comprehensive excellence with specific focus on our student-athletes. We will approach each day with passion and determination to accomplish eight strategic priorities aimed at sustainable growth. This plan is intended to support the more than 300 student-athletes competing in 17 sport programs and the dedicated coaches and staff who represent our University. It is our belief that NKU can achieve championship levels of success in academics, athletics, and leadership development. Our success will attract recognition and respect for the University, local community, and region. Along with the University, we will continue our rise toward new and even greater accomplishments. This plan outlines the objectives needed to build and grow NKU Athletics to levels of success not yet realized. We understand this plan is only as good as its implementation, and we will be steadfastly focused on execution. Your support is key in our ability to accomplish these goals.
Join the UPRISING! Go Norse!
Ken Bothof Director of Athletics
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INTRODUCTION
up-ris-ing:
an act or instance of rising up; an ascent
The strategic plan for NKU Athletics is the result of over a year of assessment, discussions, surveys, analysis, and feedback. This plan will be used as a point of reference to unite student-athletes, coaches, athletics staff, and the university community – including faculty, administration, alumni, and supporters of NKU Athletics. The plan establishes strategic priorities for NKU Athletics that enable effective and efficient management consistent with its core values and a common understanding of the department’s mission and vision for the future. The plan is a comprehensive yet fluid document intended as a five-year guide for the operation of the Division of Intercollegiate Athletics.
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EXECUTIVE SUMMARY The strategic planning process began with the arrival of new leadership in the department of athletics. Each full-time staff member, along with the head coaches, was asked to identify the successes, challenges, and aspirations for their program or area in written form. Individual discussions followed in an effort to gather additional information and feedback. This process identified three specific areas for further examination:
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BUSINESS AND FINANCE
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ACADEMIC SUPPORT
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SPORTS INFORMATION
Within six months, plans were underway to hire a new senior leadership position in budget and finance, a new academic advising position was added to provide additional advising and academic support to meet our future academic goals, and a re-organization was completed in Sports Information that included a new leadership position charged with developing a new communications department. Further analysis included surveying a wide variety of University constituents. The feedback was critical in identifying the strengths and opportunities included in this strategic plan. This work was supported by a Mission, Vision, and Values working group of six members. The group, representing a cross-section of the department, consisted of one member each from the coaching staff, marketing, development, academics and facilities, and was led by the Director of Athletics. Drafts were shared and discussed during all-staff and Athletic Council meetings throughout the process. Following the conclusion of the mission, vision, and values statements, work began on creating program expectations for each sport program. Much of the feedback (both written and verbal) suggested a need for clearly defined goals in the areas of competition, academics, and community engagement. Now, each sport program has clear expectations. Each coach and sport administrator will work collaboratively to determine those metrics with the Director of Athletics approving the final expectations for each program. New staff has been hired; a new mission has been created; a vision is being shared; the core values are spreading throughout the department; measurable expectations have been communicated to establish accountability; and feedback was sought from our constituents to build the best future for the studentathletes at NKU.
The UPRISING begins now! 6
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MISSION The mission of NKU Athletics is to advance the University’s vision while focusing on the well-being of our student-athletes as we prepare and empower each of them for academic and competitive success at NKU and beyond. We are committed to serving and engaging the University and local community while preserving and establishing meaningful and enduring relationships with alumni, friends, and fans. We will do so with uncompromising integrity and sportsmanship exceeding the guidance provided by the National Collegiate Athletic Association and Horizon League.
VISION NKU Athletics will embody comprehensive excellence. We will adhere to and excel in each of our core values while fostering an environment that promotes continuous learning, engagement, and fiscal responsibility.
C O R E VA L U E S INTEGRITY We will instill integrity in our student-athletes, coaches, and staff by conducting ourselves in an honest and trustworthy manner.
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STUDENT-ATHLETE WELL-BEING
2. We will make decisions to protect and enhance the physical 3.
and educational experience of our student-athletes.
EXCELLENCE We will provide our student-athletes, coaches, and staff the resources necessary to successfully compete academically and athletically.
INCLUSIVENESS We value diversity and embrace the perspectives and contributions of each individual.
UNIVERSITY ENGAGEMENT We will ingrain ourselves in the fabric of University life.
COMMUNITY INTERACTION We recognize there is great responsibility and pride in representing NKU by being actively involved in our community.
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S T R AT E G I C P R I O R I T I E S I.
INTEGRITY, ACCOUNTABILITY & COMPLIANCE
G O A L : Student-athletes, coaches, and staff will exhibit high
standards regarding academic integrity, sportsmanship, and personal behavior
Objective 1: Foster a team environment that optimizes personnel and resources and is organizationally efficient Objective 2: Foster an environment of accountability and continuous learning Objective 3: Comply with federal, state, NCAA, Horizon League, and University rules and regulations
aligns with core value: II.
ACADEMIC ACHIEVEMENT
G O A L : Empower student-athletes to complete their academic
careers at the highest level possible
Objective 1: Graduate student-athletes at a rate higher than the general student body while achieving a graduation success rate at or above the national average for Division I institutions Objective 2: All teams should have an Academic Progress Rate (APR) above 950 Objective 3: All teams should achieve an overall Grade Point Average (GPA) of 3.00 or better each semester Objective 4: Recognize and celebrate individual and team academic achievement
aligns with core value:
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INTEGRITY
STUDENT-ATHLETE WELL-BEING, EXCELLENCE
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S T R AT E G I C P R I O R I T I E S III.
STUDENT-ATHLETE WELL-BEING
G O A L : Provide the necessary resources and support for student-
athletes to reach their potential physically and mentally
Objective 1: Promote and support the health and well-being of all student-athletes Objective 2: Provide tools that support student-athletes’ preparation for leadership and career success Objective 3: Make NKU Athletics a welcoming and supporting environment for all student-athletes Objective 4: Provide a safe environment free from harassment and discrimination
aligns with core value: IV.
COMPETITIVE EXCELLENCE
G O A L : Field competitive teams both in conference and nationally Objective 1: Qualify each team for post-season competition and NCAA Championships, with expectations identified for each program Objective 2: Provide each team scholarship allocations commensurate with NCAA and conference regulations Objective 3: Provide the NCAA maximum number of allowable coaches and appropriate support staff to be effective and efficient Objective 4: Hire and retain the coaches and staff who embrace and exemplify the core values of NKU Athletics Objective 5: Improve and maintain competition, training and support facilities to provide a quality environment for student-athletes Objective 6: Provide equipment, supplies, sports medicine support, game environment, and administrative staff support for competitive success
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INCLUSIVENESS
EXCELLENCE Division of Intercollegiate Athletics Strategic Plan
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S T R AT E G I C P R I O R I T I E S V.
FACILITY ENHANCEMENT
G O A L : Create an athletics facilities master plan that supports
each of our sports teams while enhancing the student- athlete and fan experience
Objective 1: Address immediate facilities needs Objective 2: Develop comprehensive long-term facility upgrade and maintenance plans Objective 3: Consider the fan experience in all future facility enhancements
aligns with core value: VI.
CAMPUS & COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT
G O A L : Engage the campus and community in partnerships to
better connect the department to our constituents
Objective 1: Foster a culture of outreach and community service that is embraced by student-athletes, coaches and staff Objective 2: Use consistent communication to inspire and inform our supporters, instill pride, and provide a clear call to action in support of our vision Objective 3: Increase faculty, staff, and student attendance at athletic events
aligns with core value:
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STUDENT-ATHLETE WELL-BEING, EXCELLENCE
UNIVERSITY ENGAGEMENT, COMMUNITY INTERACTION
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S T R AT E G I C P R I O R I T I E S VII. RESOURCE DEVELOPMENT & FISCAL MANAGEMENT
G O A L : Provide adequate financial resources to enable our teams
to compete and win championships
Objective 1: Maximize all revenue streams Objective 2: Responsibly provide and manage the resources necessary to meet the goals of the NKU Athletics program while maintaining fiscal stability Objective 3: Exercise stewardship of departmental resources to achieve efficiency and effectiveness Objective 4: Develop a facility fundraising plan that addresses our facility enhancement plan
aligns with core value:
VIII. BRAND AWARENESS
G O A L : Build a positive image for NKU Athletics that is consistent,
recognizable, and respected
Objective 1: Position NKU to gain positive regional and national recognition that is consistent, distinctive, and in alignment with our mission and vision, as well as the mission and vision of the University Objective 2: Increase average annual attendance at each of our athletic events Objective 3: Increase presence of NKU merchandise in off-campus retail stores Objective 4: Increase amount of home games we televise or live stream each year
aligns with core value:
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INTEGRITY, EXCELLENCE
COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT, EXCELLENCE
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nkunorse.com This publication was prepared by Northern Kentucky University and printed with state funds (KRS 57.375). NKU is an affirmative action/equal opportunity institution. MC01315