Division II workshop shows ‘can-do’ attitude

PHILADELPHIA –Division II completed its third Community-Engagement/Game-Environment Workshop on Thursday, with the emphasis shifting notably from description of theory to ideas for implementation.

About 60 administrators representing every Division II conference participated in the workshop, which covered the spectrum of ways in which Division II seeks to distinguish itself from other college sports membership groupings.

Metro State President Stephen Jordan, chair of the Division II Presidents Council, told the participants that successful institutional and conference promotion begins with an understanding of the broader goals, purposes and objectives of Division II, all of which can be found in the Division II strategic-positioning platform and its six attributes: learning, passion, sportsmanship, resourcefulness, balance and service.

“The words ‘I Chose Division II’ are key to it all,” he said. “We’re saying, ‘I came here because I chose to be part of this.”

The day was filled with the sharing of ideas, with recognition for one especially effective concept. Kutztown University of Pennsylvania was honored with Division II’s national community-engagement award for its “Paint the Town Gold” initiative. Activities included a window painting contest, a pep rally and a community-based “Spirit Strut” to the football stadium on game day. The school also conducted a canned-food drive for a local food bank for the entire week.

Thursday’s workshop toggled easily between community-engagement and game-environment matters, treating them as if they were different pieces in the larger puzzle of how to use intercollegiate athletics to promote the overall institution.

Panelists noted signs of progress.

Speaking to fan behavior, New Haven Athletics Director Debbie Chin said, “It’s a good thing when you see your student-athletes doing things they weren’t told to do, like going and getting that fan who is out of control, which is something that actually happened at our place.” Chin also noted how the equipment manager, not acting on any directive, challenged fans’ behavior at a men’s volleyball match. New Haven’s student-athlete advisory committee followed up on the problem.

Winona State AD Larry Holstad, whose men’s basketball program has won two of the last four Division II championships, said his institution has built a quality atmosphere while aggressively policing inappropriate behavior. “Our opponents say it’s a tough place to play, but it’s a fun place to play.”

University of Indianapolis AD Sue Willey re-emphasized the fun component, telling participants about the successful “Tailgate Town” and “Kids’ Zone” initiatives that her program has put in place for home football games. The accommodations for kids – an in-game playground in view of parents during the game and access to the playing fields after competition has concluded – have been especially effective. “It all comes back to family and fun,” she said. “That’s what we’re trying to do.”

Mars Hill AD David Riggins emphasized that administrators should monitor game environments in all sports, not just football and basketball. He noted that he has given some thought to what can be done to improve the setting for sports such as golf, which traditionally have little spectator support.

But he also noted that challenges remain.

“We have to figure out a way to explode the ‘home-court’ myth,” he said, challenging the notion that abusive environments contribute to success. “One thing that helps is places like Winona State that have great environments – and they win.”

Riggins also suggested that the overall climate would improve if more data were collected and applied. To that end, he suggested that institutions ask student-athletes for advice on what could be done to improve competition environments. Also, conference members might want to have a formal debrief on the subject at the end of each academic year to evaluate successes and failures.

Tim Selgo, athletics director at Grand Valley State and chair of the Division II Management Council, also noted that ADs must make sure their staffs support the mindset.

“It starts with your staff,” he said. “SIDs have to buy into this, they and your marketing people if you have them.”

To illustrate, Selgo told of a conversation with a fan on the way to Philadelphia. He described what Division II is trying to accomplish with its community-based approach to marketing.

“He told me, ‘If I knew about it, I would go,’ ” Selgo said. “But that’s the operative word: If.”

In the meantime, Selgo said that administrators should not fret about finding the perfect distinction between appropriate and inappropriate behavior. He said that profanity and personal attacks are always inappropriate, but after that, good judgment comes into play.

“My comfort level is how I feel as a parent,” he said. “I have three kids at home, and I’m really your average Joe. So if it’s making me uncomfortable, it’s probably bothering other people, too.”