Key elements of the final draft of the NCAA strategic plan, which will be presented during the 2004 Convention:

Draft Core Purpose

Our purpose is to govern competition in a fair, safe, equitable and sportsmanlike manner, and to integrate intercollegiate athletics into higher education so that the educational experience of the student-athlete is paramount.

Draft Core Values

The Association -- through its member institutions, conferences and national office staff -- shares a belief in and commitment to:

The collegiate model of athletics in which students participate as an avocation, balancing their academic, social and athletics experiences.

The highest levels of integrity and sportsmanship.

The pursuit of excellence in both academics and athletics.

The supporting role that intercollegiate athletics plays in the higher education mission and in enhancing the sense of community and strengthening the identity of member institutions.

An inclusive culture that fosters equitable participation for student-athletes and career opportunities for coaches and administrators from diverse backgrounds.

Respect for institutional autonomy and philosophical differences.

Presidential leadership of intercollegiate athletics at the campus, conference and national levels.

Future Description

Intercollegiate athletics will be understood as a valued enhancement to a quality higher education experience.

Student-athletes will be better prepared to achieve their potential because they have participated in intercollegiate athletics. They will regard athletics endeavors as a valued part of their undergraduate education.

Chief executive officers of member institutions will lead intercollegiate athletics at campus, conference and national levels.

Members will view their Association as an essential partner in governing intercollegiate competition and enhancing the integration of academics and athletics.

Intercollegiate athletics will be perceived by Association members and the public as complementary to higher education. Academic success among student-athletes will enable the Association and its members to positively influence the perception of college sports.

Individuals at all levels of intercollegiate athletics will be accountable to the highest standards of behavior.

The public will view the Association as a trusted organization, and wholly support its purpose and practices.

Draft 3- to 5-year

outcome-oriented goals

Student-athletes will be better educated and prepared for increased achievement and success.

Objectives

1.1 Increase support of reform efforts that emerge from the governance structure.

Primary responsibility: governance structure and national office.

Secondary responsibility: member institutions.

1.2 Increase the number of student-athletes who succeed academically.

Primary responsibility: member institutions.

Secondary responsibility: member conferences and governance structure.

1. 3 Increase opportunities for student-athletes to integrate their academic, athletics and social interests.

Primary responsibility: member institutions.

Secondary responsibility: member conferences and governance structure.

1. 4 Enhance the leadership role of athletics administrators and increase the role of coaches as advocates for the values of intercollegiate athletics.

Primary responsibility: member institutions.

Secondary responsibility: member conferences, affiliated organizations and national office.

2. The Student-Athlete Experience

Student-athletes will be enriched by a collegiate athletics experience based on fair and reasonable standards, and a commitment to sportsmanship.

Objectives

2.1 Increase the application of fairer and more flexible regulations that favor student-athletes.

Secondary responsibility: member institutions and conferences.

2.2 Increase the opportunities for women to participate in intercollegiate athletics at all levels.

Secondary responsibility: national office, governance structure and affiliated organizations.

2.3 Increase sportsmanship in intercollegiate athletics among student-athletes, coaches and fans.

Primary responsibility: member institutions and conferences.

Secondary responsibility: governance structure, affiliated organizations and national office.

3. Informed Governance and Decision-Making

Member institutions and conferences will have access to data, research and best practices that assist governance and management of intercollegiate athletics.

Objectives

3.1 Increase opportunities and support for chief executive officers to participate and make more informed decisions about intercollegiate athletics.

Secondary responsibility: member institutions.

3.2 Increase opportunities for member institutions and conferences to share best practices in support of the Association's core values (for example, managing commercialism, risk management, crisis management).

Primary responsibility: national office.

Secondary responsibility: member institutions and conferences.

3.3 Increase the number and quality of research initiatives on relevant issues (for example, academics, finances, health and safety) to help member institutions and conferences make informed decisions.

Secondary responsibility: governance structure, member institutions and conferences.

3.4 Increase opportunities for affiliated organizations to provide input for more informed decision-making.

Primary responsibility: governance structure and affiliated organizations.

Secondary responsibility: member institutions and national office.

3.5 Enhance hiring practices for administrators, coaches and other athletics personnel, resulting in more inclusive leadership in intercollegiate athletics.

Primary responsibility: member institutions.

Secondary responsibility: member conferences and governance structure.

4. Effective National Office Administration

The national office will be operated in an accountable, effective and efficient manner.

Objectives

4.1 Increase partnerships with the membership. Better define the national office's role.

Primary responsibility: national office and membership.

Secondary responsibility: governance structure and member conferences.

4.2 Increase flexibility, responsiveness and efficiency of interpretations, enforcement and appeals processes. Expedite investigatory processes for major infractions.

Primary responsibility: national office and governance structure.

Secondary responsibility: member institutions and conferences.

4.3 Increase the timeliness, clarity, conciseness and effectiveness of membership communication.

Secondary responsibility: governance structure, member institutions and conferences.

4.4 Increase use of current technology to improve the effectiveness and efficiencies of Association processes.

Secondary responsibility: membership and conferences.

The public will gain a greater understanding of and confidence in the integrity of intercollegiate athletics and will more readily support its values.

5.1 Increase the public's confidence in the Association as a whole.

Primary responsibility: national office.

Secondary responsibility: member institutions and conferences.

5.2 Increase awareness of and advocacy for the positive values of intercollegiate athletics among the media and the public and within the membership.

Secondary responsibility: national office.

Definition of Terms

This plan involves all NCAA entities, defined as follows:

The Association is the corporate entity comprising member institutions, conferences, the governance structure (for example, boards, cabinets, committees) and affiliated entities (for example, coaches associations), as well as student-athletes, coaches and athletics administrators.

The membership of the Association is primarily the colleges and universities. It is campus-based.

The national office is the employees in Indianapolis who make up the infrastructure of the Association.