* Divisions I, II and III
athletics administrators

June 16/Orlando, Florida

Process Step 2.7

Attending: Bubba Cunningham, Gary Barta, Paul Krebs, Cheryl Marra, Mary McElroy, Ciechelle Willis, John D'Argenio, Patrick Elliott, Chip Smith, Mike Moore, Judy Rose, Stan Williamson, Mac Cassell, Jim Fallis, Bill Fusco, Larry Marfise, Kathleen McNally, Phil Roach, Randy Warrick, Bill Kilka, John Carey, Don DiJulia, Frank Diskin, Kathy Turpin, Ed Hass, Tim Shea, Steve Wallo, Debby DeAngeles, Art Eason, John Biddiscombe, Bill Eng and Roger Kindel. Facilitator: Paul Meyer, Tecker Consultants.

Key discussion points/emerging themes

"As you go through this strategic-thinking session, think broadly. Don't be constrained by what is today -- think about what should be. But as you are envisioning the future, add some realism to your thoughts -- reach an intersection between what's realistic and what's different. In the future, the NCAA may want to do some things the same way, but just because we've done things in the past this way doesn't mean we should do the same in the future. As you think about values, think about what you want the NCAA to stand for. We are first and foremost a membership organization, and together we're all committed to the success of college sports. This strategic-planning process will help us determine how best to do this -- together."

Division I's concepts for the NCAA's core purpose included: providing for an environment of fair and equitable competition through the administration of championships, legislation and enforcement; creating athletics and academic opportunities for young people; creating future leaders through intercollegiate opportunities and experiences; and infusing NCAA values into how people live their lives.

Division II's input included the idea that the NCAA be recognized as the Association that provides education through the intercollegiate athletics experience; provides positive influences on all levels of sport competition; and regulates intercollegiate athletics, provides championships and provides a level playing field.

Division III's ideas included that the NCAA be recognized as a diverse organization that, through its practices, provides local communities and the world with educational leaders rich in experience, provides equitable and meaningful championships experiences, is recognized as a leader in sport, serves and regulate intercollegiate athletics, and is the definite resource for collegiate athletics with regard to ethical behavior and diversity.

Core values discussion points: In their dialogue about core values, athletics administrators noted the following points:

Division I's articulation of the NCAA's core values included a positive learning environment for student-athletes, integrity, diversity and inclusiveness, opportunity, health and safety of student-athletes, fairness and a level playing field, sportsmanship, collaboration, accountability, transparency and honesty.

Division II's values echoed Division I's and also highlighted health and safety, and diversity.

Among Division III's thoughts on NCAA core values were integrity, equity, participation, safety, fiscal responsibility, level playing field, service and value to student-athletes, protection of the health and safety of participants, provision of an environment that supports the mission of educational institutions, provisions of equitable competition opportunities (not just by gender), and the promotion of competitive integrity.

Envisioned future

In their dialogue about the envisioned future, these themes emerged from Divisions I, II and III administrators:

They observed that this emerging theme suggested several choices: inspiring appreciation vs. catalyzing acceptance vs. influencing culture. A key question that arose out of the discussion was whether we want to export a model or simply inspire a set of values to the global environment.

Additional input from Division I was for the NCAA to be a representative organization that aggressively seeks to develop students of character, that enhances their education through collegiate athletics (which gives them the foundation to become world, community and organizational leaders), to be the forum for resolving differences between the BCS and non-BCS conferences and schools, and to be the advocate and protector of the values inherent in intercollegiate athletics within the context of academic success. In the envisioned future, the NCAA will have brought fiscal sanity to collegiate athletics and it will be the recognized leader in shaping the direction of college athletics through a more cohesive representation of its members. All student-athletes will feel equitable; there will be diversity and continuity in the vision. The NCAA will create such a positive environment in intercollegiate athletics that every young person will want to be a part of intercollegiate athletics.

Division II's input included that the NCAA be recognized as the organization that creates the world leaders. It should be known as an organization that produced presidents of the United States and chief executive officers. It should be more diverse in participation and leadership and more central to the mission of higher education. The NCAA should be the catalyst to change the mind-set of the media and then the public to value participation more than the victory. The NCAA will have a financial plan that will benefit the student-athlete experience first, and institutions and conferences second. It should be known for redefining the difference between amateur and professional sports. There should be a community-service structure to communicate the message of sportsmanship, education and volunteerism by student-athletes.

Division III's input on the NCAA's envisioned future included that the NCAA provide overall leadership in support of student-athletes and be recognized as diverse and honoring diversity. It should be known for integrity -- for being ethical and open, providing leadership and means to solve and address divisional issues and supporting institutional control and commitment to institutions' educational missions. It should be an organization of trust and openness that supports the graduation success of future leaders. It should support student-athletes and their success in classes and in competition and provide an environment that promotes opportunity for a diverse group of students to compete in athletics that is based on ethical standards and educational values that enhance the values of our society.

Five- to 10-year future

In their dialogue about the five- to 10-year future, these themes emerged from Divisions I, II and III athletics administrators:

Demographic trends: In this area, Division I saw that female participation will grow fastest. There will be racial diversity, an aging student population, higher stress levels and an increase in nontraditional students. The length of time required to finish college will increase. There will be an increase in foreign students who do not give as much to universities. There will be many factors competing for fan attention and dollars. The types of sports that kids choose may not align with traditional offerings. More than 50 percent of marriages will end in divorce; this will increase to 60 percent. There will be earlier specialization of interest in sports among kids. The demographics of the general population will raise questions about who will buy tickets and what their interests will be. Age vs. interests suggests that traditional loyalties may change and that fans may be less engaged. There may be changes in conference affiliation, and there will be growth of federation by sport rather than by conferences.

Division II suggested that there will be an aging population, and that the population will continue to shift to the coasts. There will be an increase in nontraditional students, and the college-age population will continue to increase through 2010. People in leadership positions may stay longer in their positions. There will be changing family dynamic -- two-income homes and an increasing percentage of women working and men in the home. There will be more football dads and fewer soccer moms. There will be continued increases in female participation and enrollment, and different cultures will have an economic impact on buying power in different regions of the country.

Division III suggested that there will be a more diverse population among both teachers and students. Intercollegiate athletics will become international athletics -- and the world will seem smaller. There will be a more diverse population served. There will be an increase in the traditional 18-22 aged college students, but there will be more older and returning students. There will be more international students with more issues as travel situations become more difficult worldwide. There will be more nontraditional students in college, more students with different educational levels and skills, more single-parent families and an increasingly larger senior group. State funding will continue to be reduced. There will be greater oversight over education, and federal funding will continue to dry up.

Business and economic climate: Division I's view of the future in this area included predictions that international athletes will make up a greater percentage of the recruiting pool; this will increase recruiting costs. Community colleges will compete with other institutions for students because of increased tuition and fees. There will continue to be rising costs in higher education. There will be inadequate precollegiate preparation that will require more collegiate remediation. Deficits facing collegiate athletics budgets will continue. Conference affiliations and BCS affiliations may shift. Coaches' salaries and television contracts will continue to be issues. "Minor" sports will disappear because of economic factors. State funding for higher education will decrease, which will yield increases in tuition and expectations of external funding without becoming too commercial. There will be more competition for entertainment dollars from sources like arena football and hockey. There will continue to be a lack of trust in accounting practices. Salaries will continue to escalate. TV/radio revenues will decline. State funding reductions will cause a dramatic increase in tuition fees. Overhead will increasingly be a self-sustaining entity, and commercial restrictions will be an issue. Conference affiliations may change, and there will be continued fear of conferences breaking off. Professional sports will increasingly seek to take the best athletes sooner.

Division II's view suggested that there may be a significant decrease in state funding. There will be an increasingly global economy and more free trade. There will be different areas of marketplace concentration. The unemployment rate will increase. Different cultures will affect buying power in different areas.

Division III's view included that the economy will cycle and we will need to respond to it. Both parents will be working in many families. Global education and distance learning will increase. There will be more study abroad. There will be greater conflict between technical education and liberal arts education. Business will be selective with its goals and expectations for higher education. Students will go to school for more than four years.

Legislation and regulation: Division I's predictions included that academic reform will continue to be an issue in intercollegiate athletics. Professional sports involvement will increase; student-athletes will leave intercollegiate athletics earlier in their careers. The sport specialization of international students will have an effect on American intercollegiate athletics. State governments will be more involved in funding. There will be changes in Title IX. There will be federations by sport. The relationship of intercollegiate athletics with professional sports will need to change. Conferences (member groups) will increasingly break away from the NCAA.

Division II's view suggested that there will be an increase in state and federal regulation of higher education and that financial aid will be necessary for more students. Affiliate associations and other groups may impose legislation affecting athletics.

Division III's comments included the notion that there will be continued issues regarding funding. There may be a split in Division III in the future as differences in the size of institutions, financial resources and traditions become more significant. Gaps will become more obvious, and groups within the division may evidence little common ground. The future of Division III may be different than the reality of today.

Technology and science: Division I's comments in this area included the notion that computer-based broadcasts may affect attendance and may reduce active participation in sports since many kids learn/play interactive games rather than traditional sports. Distance learning vs. one-to-one contact will be an issue. TV options and purchase options will be an issue. As technology increases, more expenditures will be expected for new "bells and whistles." Electronic games will evolve to where you can manage your own game. Chasing the latest technology will continue to be costly -- turf, video-editing, etc. The desire to get the latest and greatest will increase the initial and ongoing costs of infrastructure.

Division II's comments suggested that there will be an increased technological impact on competition, including possible competition through digital and video technologies.

Division III remarked that we can hardly guess where technology will take us. There will be pressure to try and use all the new technology. Distance learning will have a greater effect on education. There may be an attendant impact on values, with less personal contact.

Political and social values: Division I suggested that fan behavior will become more unruly; fans' expectation of college sports will change. There will be more individualism demonstrated by participants. Students will demand more in terms of scholarships. There will be the possibility of major conferences breaking from the NCAA. International politics, war and other conflicts will affect sporting events.

Division II noted that there will be a shift from team/group emphasis to individual concerns. There will be an increasing distrust of governmental agencies.

Division III noted that changes in youth sports will yield many effects, including parental involvement. Athletes will want more control in sports and intercollegiate athletics, and parents will demand more involvement; there will be more student-athlete involvement and power coming from AAU and Little League, for example. There will be a greater value placed on diversity and openness to all lifestyles. Education will need to justify its worth. There will be less one-to-one contact with students. Consumer expectations will vary by group and will increase. If the NCAA doesn't behave ethically, the government will look at our business a la the U.S. Olympic Committee.

Five- to 10-year planning -- mega issues

In their dialogue about mega issues, these themes emerged from Divisions I, II and III athletics administrators:

Division I's key questions included the following:

Does men's basketball have too much power since it's the major funding source of the NCAA?

Should the NCAA dictate or facilitate issues?

Will the need for institutional control remain a large issue?

Will there be other groups that try to influence intercollegiate sports?

How do we diversify our revenue sources?

What will be the future impact of Division I basketball tournament on revenue sources for the Association?

How do we deal with sportsmanship issues?

How do we educate the public about the mission of intercollegiate athletics?

How does the NCAA overcome the negative perception among collegiate sports fans?

Division II's questions included:

How can the Association assist the membership in cost containment?

How can the Association embrace changing sport interest, such as X games and nontraditional sports?

How can the Association refocus athletics toward the central mission of the university and how will this play with our publics?

How will we keep student-athlete welfare as the primary focus?

Where is the balance between regional and national competition?

How do we balance our philosophies with the competitive nature of sport?

How can the NCAA diversify the revenue stream away from the basketball tournament?

How can the NCAA model effective and open communication between coaches and athletics directors to avoid organizational conflict?

What role will the NCAA have in the BCS?

Take a good look at what institutional control means and how institutional control is affected by legislation.

Adopt a more inclusive form of governance.

Keep student-athlete welfare as No. 1 priority.

Minority Leadership
Institute

June 25/Indianapolis

Process Step 2.12

Attending: Mark Alnutt, Roger Bell, Troy Arthur, Kevin Crosby, David Flores, Anthony Quin Dean, Lonnie Folks, Patrick Hairston, Manny Hendrix, Keith Grant, Bryan L. Hicks, Curtis J. Hollomon, Joseph McIver, Demetrius Marlowe, Steven Neil, Walter Moore Jr., Darryl Pope, Kevin Porter, Robert "Tony" O'Neal, T.J. Shelton, Dell D. Robinson, George Smith and Timothy Wise. Facilitator: Bud Crouch, Tecker Consultants.

Key discussion points/emerging themes

Core ideology discussion points: The group noted that any NCAA core purpose must focus on student-athletes. The attributes of preparation, academics and good citizenship are important.

Core values ideas: The group's input to NCAA's core values included "PRIDE -- people, respect, integrity, diversity, ethics." Core values should be to be true to your word, act right or become extinct, and to exhibit integrity, honesty, dedication, diversity, teamwork, support for the whole person (mind, body, and soul), fairness and accountability.

Envisioned future

In their dialogue about the envisioned future, these themes emerged from Minority Leadership Institute participants:

The group centered on the audacious goal that "the NCAA will be recognized for aligning money, sport and diversity." Vivid descriptions of what life will be like when this is achieved included the following:

Pro sports will supplement membership dues.

The NCAA will be the global model for excellence in academic and amateur athletes while reflecting diversity.

To own a sports television network that will rival ESPN.

All coaches also will teach.

There will be equal revenue distribution, higher graduation rates and superior on-the-field performance.

Five- to 10-year future

In their dialogue about the five- to 10-year future, these themes emerged from the Minority Institute Leadership participants:

In the area of demographics, the health of youth will continue to decline. Women's athletics participation will increase. Minority populations will increase and potentially change the mix of college athletics. The number of foreign students will increase; they may not be as interested in sports. Interest in recreational and club sports will increase. The average age of the college student will increase. There may be an increase in foreign teams playing North American teams. There will be an increase in the adoption of North American sports worldwide. There will be an increase in the number of student-athletes having families during college. Baby boomers will retire and become the new fan base. There will be smaller families. Health-care costs will continue to increase. The Hispanic population will continue to increase. Urban sprawl will continue to increase. The change in the gender makeup of sports will affect the sporting culture. Sport interests will change; current major sports could become minor sports. The number of females attending college will increase at a higher rate than males. The fan base will increasingly change as a result of changing demographics (aging, growth of minority populations, increase of women in athletics, etc.)

In the area of legislation and regulation, the group predicted that there will be less deregulation. There will be increased institutional control. There will be increased monitoring and accountability, and state funding will continue to influence available funding for sports.

Regarding technology and science, they noted that there will be an increase in the use of dietary supplements by younger and younger students. There will be an increase in the use of online classes affecting student populations on campus. Because of medical improvements, the rate of injury recovery will increase. There will be increased teleworking opportunities for employees. Technology will increasingly become more affordable. The Internet will increasingly influence sport popularity. Technology will increase the accessibility of athletics. Technology also will increasingly affect work hours and flexibility and will compete for time, money and personal energy. Science increasingly will enhance athletics performance. New technology will significantly change the way education is delivered. Wireless technology will have an increasing effect on communication.

Five- to 10-year planning -- mega issues

In their dialogue about mega issues, these themes emerged from the Minority Institute Leadership participants:

How will the NCAA assist universities and colleges with increased security issues?

How will the NCAA handle the possible elimination of the television contract?

How will the NCAA deal with current trends and legal violations?

How will the NCAA articulate the increased academic standards to two-year colleges and high schools so that students can be adequately prepared?

How will the NCAA deal with the negative public perception of collegiate sports?

How will the NCAA assist with increasing the opportunities for minorities in collegiate athletics?

How will the NCAA handle the possible elimination of Title IX?

How will the NCAA assist in addressing the escalating cost of athletics?

How will the NCAA handle academic reform and create/establish relationships with the university provost and faculty?

One piece of advice

The purity of athletics should be the "guiding light."

Society will follow the NCAA's lead.

Don't forget those stakeholder groups that do not traditionally have a voice.

Identify ways to assist institutions in hiring more minorities in top-level positions.

Keep seeking the advice of members at all levels, and take that advice seriously.