Strategic Plan for Longwood University Athletics “A Blueprint for Success”

Strategic Plan for Longwood University Athletics “A Blueprint for Success” — 2009-2014 — LONGWOOD UNIVERSITY Strategic Plan for Longwood University Athletics Table of Contents Introduction . 2 Longwood Athletics . 3 Mission and Core Values . 4 Vision . 4 Climate and Landscape of Division I Athletics . 5 Expectations . 7 Guiding Principles . 7 Strategic Initiatives . 8 Summary . 17 Strategic Plan Timeline . 18 – 1 – LONGWOOD UNIVERSITY Introduction As Longwood University moves into the mainstream of In 2007, Longwood Division I Athletics, it is clear that the University is entering University adopted a five a new and different world . To maximize the investment that year strategic plan, From the institution has made, it is of paramount importance that Vision to Action: The Five Longwood University and Longwood Athletics implement Year Plan . This plan has strategic initiatives that will provide the maximum benefit four themes: Distinctive possible from the decision to make the transition from Divi- Impact, Engaged Learning, sion II . Therefore, it is necessary to establish a strategic plan Superior Performance, and that will lay a foundation for continued intercollegiate athlet- Responsible Stewardship . ics success within the Division I framework . The University will focus its efforts on advancing the Division I athletics programs are highly competitive and mission and fulfilling the demand great resources . At the highest level, annual budgets vision of the institution as approach $115 million . Payouts to conferences and schools outlined in that plan . This for participation in bowl games and the NCAA basketball strategic plan for athletics tournament amount to tens of millions of dollars . Some has been designed to support programs will have more than sixty of their competitions the University plan and was televised locally, regionally, and nationally . The annual salary developed based on the fol- of a head coach has been as high as $4 million, while assis- lowing five precepts: tant coaches often make more than the university president . Facilities like the John Paul Jones arena at the University of 1 . The plan should seek the best and most realistic way to Virginia have a price tag of $130 million with annual operat- position Longwood Athletics within Division I . Successful, ing costs of almost $4 million . yet realistic, development of athletics programs can elevate a university’s profile on a national level . Needless to say the upper echelon of 2 . To be successful, the plan should be based on a clear vision this spectrum is not for Longwood Athletics . This vision should be presented to for every Division I all Longwood constituencies so that they can clearly envi- member . Many uni- sion the future of the Lancers . versities operate with significantly smaller 3 . A plan should consider the impact of current trends on the budgets for athlet- success of Longwood Athletics and should pay particular ics and still maintain attention to the importance of conference affiliation for quality and perspec- Longwood . tive . Programs that are successful under- 4 . The plan should anticipate trends that will affect the future stand the importance of Longwood Athletics and the overall landscape of inter- of selective excellence collegiate athletics . and are positioned within their univer- 5 . The plan should reflect the philosophical principles and sity to take advantage basic values that serve as the foundation for decision- of the opportunities making in the Department of Athletics, paying particular that are available . In attention to the welfare and treatment of student-athletes, November 2002, the the role of athletics within the university, and the control Longwood University and oversight of each individual sport and staff member . Administration made the bold move to elevate Longwood athletics to Division I sta- The plan based on these five foundational precepts will tus . Now it is up to the current administration to continue to lead to a Longwood athletics program which is viable and make similar bold moves so that the ultimate long-term value competitive at the Division I level and that supports the mis- to the University of this transition will be realized . sion of the University . – 2 – LONGWOOD UNIVERSITY Longwood Athletics Longwood University is the third oldest public univer- to outperform the general student population in terms of sity in the Commonwealth of Virginia with a consistent graduation rates and grade point averages . Longwood Athlet- undergraduate enrollment of approximately 4,000 students . ics has received high scores on NCAA academic standards For much of its history Longwood was a women’s college such as the APR and the Graduation Success Rate . In 2008- emphasizing teacher education . Longwood is classified as an 09 two teams, women’s golf and tennis, were pubically and Independent Division I institution that does not spon- nationally recognized for sor football . This profile of Longwood has presented a perfect mark of 1000 in challenges for its intercollegiate athletics program . the APR . There have been misperceptions of the University and limited fiscal resources . It has been difficult for Long- Longwood has made wood Athletics to gain “brand recognition” out-of-state, a significant commitment while in-state Longwood is sometimes viewed as still to the capital infrastruc- competing at the Division II level . This lack of recog- ture in almost all of the nition presents a challenge in the recruitment of staff school’s sponsored pro- and student-athletes who desire to be associated with a grams as illustrated by the Division I school . following examples . The tennis program received The primary source of funding for intercollegiate upgraded playing surfaces . athletics at Longwood is student fees, which accounts A facility was constructed for 85 percent of the approximate $6 million in opera- off-campus with locker tional funds received by the athletics department . To rooms and artificial turf develop an athletics program that is consistently com- surface for field hockey and petitive the financial resources must grow . However, women’s lacrosse . Men’s undergraduate enrollment will not increase significantly and women’s soccer have in the near future and student fees cannot be raised benefited by having newly to provide more funds . Thus private sources must be constructed Bermuda cultivated to foster additional growth . grass playing fields . The baseball and softball fields received new lights, locker rooms, and playing surfaces . Willet Hall, Despite these serious challenges, Longwood Athletics has the basketball arena, underwent renovations that included provided a positive environment by achieving student success revamped lighting, new paint, a new floor, and installation in the classroom and being competitive on the field . The of chair-back seating . The institution recently completed the University also maintains a commitment to athletics through construction of a 3,400 square foot athletic training facility . capital development and plans for future sport sponsorship . These additions helped to bolster Longwood’s preparation for the Division I environment . Longwood Athletics remains In the past five years, Lancer teams have earned quality a priority as demonstrated by the University’s construction victories against long-estab- plan for the future: The Longwood University Master lished Division I programs . In Plan for 2009 through 2020 states that intercollegiate the spring of 2007, prior to athletics will have a new basketball convocation center, completed reclassification, the relocated and enhanced tennis courts, and a new facil- men’s golf program reached ity to house the department’s coaches and staff . the NCAA Division I East Regional . Overall, the teams’ Lastly, during the NCAA Certification process winning percentage in 2008- Longwood made a commitment to Title IX and 09 was .493, up from .396 in the promotion of diversity education . The Athletics 2004-05 when all Longwood Department will begin the sponsorship of an added athletics programs were first women’s program in 2012 to meet the proportional- required to maintain a Division ity measurement of a gender equitable campus . The I schedule . University is also aware that an additional sport may be necessary to secure conference affiliation . Academically, Longwood student-athletes have continued – 3 – LONGWOOD UNIVERSITY Mission and Core Values Vision Our mission: Longwood University Athletics will be rec- The vision for Longwood Athletics is to have Lancer ognized as a model among its peers in the pursuit of academic student-athletes competing for conference championships and athletic excellence through its commitment to champion and earning the right to represent the conference in NCAA citizen leaders . championships . These Longwood Our core values: student-athletes will be • Principle – To promote and nurture the highest standards supported by enthu- of integrity and sportsmanship siastic fans consisting of fellow students, • Respect – To ensure and protect an environment of trust, Longwood faculty and communication, and cooperation staff, the South Central Virginia community, • Inspiration – To foster a culture of leadership and motiva- and proud alumni tion within the campus community and beyond and friends . Not only will student-athletes • Diversity – To embrace and actuate inclusion, equity, and achieve success in individuality among all constituents athletic competition but they will become

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