Intercollegiate Athletics

What is the program’s mission statement or statement of purpose? Why does the program exist?

The mission of the Eastern Illinois University Department of Intercollegiate Athletics is to
provide an environment in which student-athletes complete their undergraduate college
education and achieve athletics success at the highest possible level. The Department
is committed to offering a first-class competitive athletics program at the NCAA Division
I (FCS) level that promotes the values of Eastern Illinois University mission.  

The program exists to compliment the educational mission of the University.  The department has a responsibility to assist in the academic development of our students.  We do this through leadership, discipline, academic achievement and competitive excellence.  We focus on integrating the academic and personal development  of our student athletes. 

How does the program mission align with the university mission?

Eastern Illinois University considers intercollegiate athletics to be an integral part of the
University, providing students, faculty, alumni, and friends with an opportunity to share
in the life of the collegiate community. The Department has a responsibility to advance
the University’s role, ensuring athletics will be conducted in accordance with Eastern
Illinois University's educational mission.

Our Core Values:

 
Maintain a proper balance between academics and athletics.

Support the student-athletes as a whole person, academically and athletically, in
career development, community service, and related to personal well being.

Develop discipline, character, and teamwork….all necessary ingredients for
individual leadership and achievement.

Student-athletes, coaches, and staff must uphold a sense of character, honesty,
and integrity as they serve Eastern Illinois University.

Long term success increases exposure for Eastern Illinois University and
provides regional and national exposure.

Achieve athletic success on a regional and national level, without compromising
any core values.

Operate in a fiscally sound manner, balancing state, university and self
generated resources to create a competitive and appropriate budget.

Build, renovate and maintain facilities to provide a first class environment to allow
competition at the highest level of success.

Recruit Illinois students who are prepared for NCAA Division I competition.

Be a campus partner by strengthening and building relationships with students,
faculty, administrators, and staff from other areas of campus community.

Be a positive city, county, and state partner by strengthening and building
relationships with Charleston and Mattoon City Councils, operating departments,
and county government officials.

Empower individuals (student-athletes, coaches and staff) to make decisions in a
responsible and accountable manner that will lead to their success.

Provide excellence in customer service by communicating openly and honestly
with constituents, treating every EIU alumnus, ticket holder, fan, or contributor
with the utmost respect.

Promote good sportsmanship in all athletic endeavors.

Maintain an environment that promotes gender equity and embraces diversity,
providing fair and equitable treatment of all student-athletes and staff.

Maintain a positive, enjoyable, and family friendly work environment.

Whom does the program serve?

Eastern Illinois University Intercollegiate Athletic Department is a service
organization for several constituent groups that include: our student-athletes, the
student body, faculty and staff, alumni and friends, the sports media, and the
general community. Our basic obligations to these groups are twofold:

1. To develop and maintain a competitive athletic program that can be a
source of pride;

2. To allow members of these groups the opportunity to become involved
in the program, whether as a participant, contributor or spectator.

As stated in our philosophy, our primary purpose is to direct each of our studentathletes
toward growing as a total person, earning a meaningful degree, and
developing as an athlete. We should provide each student-athlete with the
chance to be involved in all areas of student life while in school and with the tools
to be successful in his/her career after graduation.

We should also strive to allow every member of the student body the opportunity
to be a part of the athletic program. Some students can be actively involved as
athletes, trainers, managers, cheerleaders, band members or student-assistants.
For the majority of students who participate as spectators, we have an obligation
to field competitive teams that represent the quality and purpose of the university.

Our program can and should be the single most important generator of positive
school spirit on campus. We must be receptive to student suggestions and
inquiries and must always treat students with courtesy.
The faculty and staff are the heart of the University and can be a very valuable
resource for the athletic program. As we perform our duties in an open,
competent and professional manner, we will be viewed with respect by the other
academic departments on campus and will be seen as an integral part of the
school. A sound, competitive athletic program will be a source of pride for faculty
and staff members. We must always be certain the faculty understands our
commitment to academics and is aware of our activities and plans. The
Intercollegiate Athletics Board is an excellent means to accomplish this goal.
Alumni and friends are the financial backbone of the athletic program, and we
must be sensitive to their needs.

We must have a service attitude, which means
that every alumni, friend, or visitor should always be treated with complete
courtesy and respect. We must make purchasing tickets as convenient as
possible and always a pleasant experience. Many alumni and friends want to
become actively involved in recruiting, marketing, or fund-raising, and we should
allow them, under our direction, to assist our program in these areas.

What are the services provided? How do these services align with the university mission and program mission?

The services provided by the Athletic Department are to provide a well rounded collegiate experience to not only the student-athletes that compete for Eastern Illinois but also the student body that attends events; the surrounding community and business that see enhanced business and support during athletic events; and the exposure that intercollegiate athletics generates for the University as a whole to help with student enrollment and retention. 

In addition, the athletic department provides invaluable academic assistance to our student athletes.  Through our PASS (Panther Academic Support Services) program our athletes have the opportunity to seek personal assistance in their chosen field of study.  

Describe the program’s origins (e.g. year established, purpose, expectations).

Intercollegiate Athletics has existed at Eastern Illinois since the University's founding in 1899.  The Athletic Department currently provides opportunities for student-athletes to compete in twenty one (21) intercollegiate sports.  Seventeen (17) sports compete as members of the Ohio Valley Conference.  Three (3) sports (men's and women's swimming, men's soccer) compete as affiliate members of the Summit League.  One (1) sport (rugby) competes as an NCAA independent. 

 The purpose of the intercollegiate athletic program is stated clearly in the mission statement.  However, in general the department provides competitive opportunities, camaraderie with other like institutions and serve as a source of pride for EIU.

How has the unit changed or adapted over time?

As the landscape of intercollegiate athletics continues to change on the national scene EIU has also experienced many changes since the first competition occurred in 1899.  Men's programs have existed since 1899 with the beginning of football.  Women's programs did not begin in earnest until 1973 when women's basketball and softball were started as an official intercollegiate program.  

Intercollegiate athletics has elevated their program status from a beginning NAIA (National Association of Intercollegiate Athletics) program to a NCAA II (National Collegiate Athletic Association) to our current membership status of NCAA I, the highest level of competition in the NCAA.  As a member of NCAA I our football team participates in the FCS (Football Championship Subdivision).  Initially, the women's programs competed in the AIAW (Association of Intercollegiate Athletics for Women) until such time that the NCAA became the governing body for both men's and women's athletics.

Our programs have competed in a variety of conferences including the Association of Mid-Continent Universities later know as the Mid-Continent Conference, the Gateway Conference, Interstate Intercollegiate Athletic Conference, Summit League and the Missouri Valley Conference.  

Individual sport programs were added throughout the years to the current level sport sponsorship of twenty one (21) NCAA Division I programs. Ten (10) intercollegiate men's sports are currently offered, eleven (11) women's programs are offered.  Three of the women's programs have been added since 1995.

As the sport offerings grew additional staffing was necessary, including but limited to coaches (assistants and head), athletic training staff, strength and conditioning staff, compliance staff and academic staff.  In addition, the administrative staff has seen many changes during this time period.

If needed, provide supplemental comments to help the reader understand the program’s history and relevance to university mission.

In addition to the sport sponsorship, conference and national affiliation changes the program has experienced over the years, there have been internal adjustments as well.

Most notably the reporting line for the Director of Athletics was changed from the President to a direct report to the Vice President for Student Affairs.  This change was made in an effort to better integrate the department within the life of the campus community.  

Provide data, if available, on the numbers of students, faculty, staff, or others served by the program during the past four years. If no data are available, please estimate the numbers served annually.

Student-Athlete Numbers

FY13:

Total participants: 450

Men: 274

Women: 176

FY12:

Total participants: 438

Men: 271

Women: 167

FY11: 

Total participants: 474

Men: 284

Women: 190

Does the program offer any co-curricular opportunities for students (e.g., internships, RSO support, service-learning activities)? Please describe.

The Athletic Department serves as internship supervisors for undergraduate and graduate students looking to get practical application of knowledge and skills obtained in the classroom.  These students are required to obtain up to 360 hours for undergraduate internship and 90 hours for graduate internships.

Does the program contribute to the delivery of academic programs (e.g., providing professional expertise, serving as adjunct faculty)? Please describe.

EIU Athletics contributes to the delivery of academic programs in various ways.  We have several staff members who serve as adjunct faculty, the topics range from Coaching Theory classes, to Pharmacology.  Athletics Department staff also serve as guest lecturers in undergraduate and graduate level courses to enhance the learning experience. 

Our Certified Athletic Trainers serve as site supervisors for the Athletic Training Majors completing required fieldwork hours.  Our Athletic Training Facilities are also an approved clinical site by the National Athletic Training Association. 

The Athletic Department provides numerous Graduate Assistant opportunities on a yearly basis.  We provide them with excellent work experience as they obtain their master’s degree in the program of their choice.

If needed, provide supplemental comments to help the reader understand the internal demand for the program. Note any clarifications or special circumstances (e.g., curriculum changes made by another program) that should be considered when reviewing the above data.

Is the program accredited or approved by a recognized external agency or otherwise certified to meet established professional standards? Provide an executive summary of and link to the program’s most recent accreditation or certification report, if available.

The Intercollegiate Athletic Department is accredited through the NCAA Division I certification process. Certification was last completed in the Spring of 2010. A complete report can be found at the following link: http://eiu.edu/ncaa/docs/Recertification_Report.pdf

The certification process was a campus wide activity involving faculty and staff from various units. More information concerning the certification process can be found at the following website: http://eiu.edu/ncaa/ 

Is the program required to meet any regulatory or legal requirements? Is the program subject to any special auditing requirements?

The Intercollegiate Athletic Department is subject to meet Prong III of Title IX. The Office of Civil Rights and the athletic department work together to assure compliance with Title IX. More information and data related to the athletic department's compliance with Title IX can be found at: http://castle.eiu.edu/~civil/home/index.php#

Several employees within the athletic department are required to maintain professional accreditation related to their professional duties; which include athletic training, strength and conditioning coaches, and our equipment coordinator. The continued accreditation assures that these employees are current in all safety measures related to student-athlete welfare. Also, several of our coaches have attained professional certification through the coaching associations of their respective sports.  

The athletic department is required to complete several annual reports which audit our financial resources as well as review our student-athlete welfare policies. The annual financial reports include the following: Illinois Board of Higher Education, Department of Education EADA report, NCAA Financials Report, as well as financial reviews by internal and external auditors. The Intercollegiate Athletic Board conducts annual on-line surveys of all student-athletes who have exhausted eligibility, as well as conducts in person interviews with a portion from each team. These annual reviews by the IAB are done to ensure the athletic department is meeting the needs of our student-athlete population and servicing them to the highest standard. 

What are the most important outreach or public service activities supported by the program?

The Intercollegiate Athletic Department places a premium on community involvement through a multitude of channels involving our coaches, student-athletes, and staff. This is evident in all that we do and is a part of our core values.

To be specific, our student-athletes serve the community through thousands of volunteer hours with organizations and events such as the Carl Sandburg Jog-A-Thon, Special Olympics Family Festival, Habitat for Humanity, Standing Stone Community Center, and the Global Hunger Initiative which helps package food for Haiti. All of this falls under "EPIC", Eastern Panthers in the Community and Athletic Department initiatives to promote student-athlete involvement in the department, campus-wide, and community programs that foster service, leadership, and career development. 

The athletic department engages the Coles County community and the region as a whole through the countless number of Intercollegiate Athletic contests that take place on and off of our campus. This provides an intrinsic entertainment opportunity for students, families, and individuals throughout the year.

In addition to our athletic contests, the athletic department hosts a wide variety of events which attract tourists, visitors, and potential students to our campus and Charleston. These events include: IHSA State Track meets, the Coles County Clash Football game, camps, and clinics. At each event a multitude of prospective students visit campus.

The athletic department also engages the local community, friends of EIU, and Alumni through activities associated with the department as a whole and the fundraising arm of the Panther Club. The Panther Club hosts several events throughout the year, such as the Athletic Director's Gala, Spring Fling, and several golf outings. During our athletic contests, both home and away, the Panther Club  in collaboration with University Advancement, the Foundation, and the President's Office provides hospitality opportunities which fosters strong rapport with Alumni, donors, and friends of the university.   

How do the local community and the region benefit from the program?

All of the aforementioned activities associated with community involvement benefit the EIU community, as well as Coles County, and East Central Illinois. This is particularly evident in the thousands of people and alunni attracted to the community as a result of our events. It is also true that the entertainment value that EIU Athletics provides to the campus is immeasurable. The Intercollegiate Athletic Department is directly responsible for thousands of dollars being spent on hotels, meals, and other entertainment opportunities utilized by the visitors to our community because of our department. 

Several of the aforementioned events such as the IHSA State Track Meets, Coles County Clash, and coaching camps and clinics provide prospective students an opportunity to experience Eastern Illinois University firsthand and can be seen as a highly valuable recruiting tool for the University.  

Our televised athletic contests provide an invaluable opportunity for our university to reach a regional sometimes national audience. During our televised athletic contests the university is afforded  an opportunity to advertise the campus as a whole at no cost to the university. Moreover, the athletic department generates media coverage through local TV, newspapers, publications, and websites that all are positive and free exposure for EIU. 

If needed, provide supplemental comments or data sources to help the reader understand the external demand for the program.

What are the two or three more important measureable outcomes tracked to assess program quality? Does the program conduct an outcomes assessment, and if so, what has been the impact?

What are two or three more important measureable outcomes tracked to assess program quality?

As part of our strategic plan we have developed eight (8) Department Goals we work towards.

Educate

Competitive Excellence

Commitment to Rules

Gender Equity/Diversity

Fiscal Responsibility

Resource Development

Customer Satisfaction

Facility Enhancement

All eight of these are highly important to the athletic department but Education and Competitive Excellence are the two that we use on a yearly basis to assess the quality of our program

Does the program conduct an outcomes assessment, and if so, what has been the impact?

Our outcomes assessment for education is based out of three components: Student-Athlete GPA, our Graduation Success Rate(GSR) and Academic Progress Rates(APR).

GPA:

Since Fall of 2008 we have had ten (10) consecutive semesters with a Department Average above a 3.0

GSR:

Over the past 9 Cohorts, EIU Student-Athletes have graduated at a higher rate than the general student population. 

APR:

APR measures two things: Eligibility  and Retention.  The NCAA has developed a benchmark for Team Success of 930.  Since 2008 we have not had any sanctions levied against a specific team or department because of poor APR performance.

Our outcomes assessment for competitive excellence is measured by how well a team finishes in the conference standings but more importantly how the athletic department as a whole finishes in the OVC Commissioners Cup.  The Ohio Valley Conference's Commissioner’s Cup is a symbol of overall athletic excellence in Conference-sponsored championships and is awarded annually to one member institution. EIU has won the OVC Commissioners Cup three (3) out of the four (4) previous years and the year we did not win the award we took second finishing 5.5 points behind the eventually winner.

What are the two or three most effective best practices that the program has implemented? What benefits have been gained from implementing these best practices?

Academic Support:

One best practice is having our own dedicated academic support personnel in the department.  This area known as Panther Academic Support Services (PASS) is composed of high quality individuals that are available from 8am to 9pm for all academic needs.  We have two (2) FTE’s, one (1) Part-time Employee and one (1) GA.  These individuals are solely responsible for supporting the academic needs of our student-athletes.  Their success with student-athletes can be best supported by the data provided in question one (1) of this section.

Student-Athlete Welfare:

EIU Athletics has made a strong push to increase our student-athlete welfare over the past 5 years since our Athletic Director, Barbara Burke, has been hired.  Since her arrival we have increased our Certified Athletic Trainers from four (4) FTE to six (6) FTE and two (2) GA to three (3) GA.  This has directly impacted the patient care we can provide to student-athletes.  At the same time, we have increased our Strength and Conditioning staff to provide better instruction and oversight.  Over the past five years we have gone from two (2) FTE to three (3) FTE and one (1) PT, twp (2) GA to three (3) GA.  Now, all of our student-athletes have a strength and conditioning program designed and supervised by a national accredited coach.

Since 2008, we have also changed our Travel Policy to allow our student-athletes a better experience but also providing them with higher safety standards.  No more than nine (9) individuals may travel in fifteen passenger vans, which makes most of our travel use charter buses.  Also, prior to 2008, student-athletes would have to share beds on road trips, our new policy only allows one (1) head per bed.

What external recognitions (e.g., awards, accommodations, professional certifications, references in trade publications) have the program and its staff received in the past three years?

NATA Board of Certification – Certified Athletic Trainer

State of Illinois Licensed Athletic Trainer

American Heart Association – CPR, First Aid, and AED

Sound Assisted Soft Tissue Mobilization (SASTM) Certified – similar to the Graston Technique

Level 4 American Swim Coaches Association

USA Swimming Coach Certified

American Red Cross First Aid/CPR/AED Instructor

Life Guard Certified

Safety Training for Swim Coaches Certified

Certified Kinesio Taping Practitioner

Active Release Technique Lower Body Certified

Is the program active with any regional, national, or international professional organizations?

NACDA-National Association of Collegiate Directors of Athletics

NAAC-National Association of Athletics Compliance

NAADD-National Association of Athletic Development Directors

NACMA-National Association of Collegiate Marketing Administrators

NATA-National Athletic Trainers Association

Intercollegiate Tennis Association

Illinois Athletic Trainers Association (IATA)-Region 4 Representative

Great Lakes Athletic Trainers Association (GLATA)-Meeting Committee

National Strength and Conditioning Association

USA Weightlifting

Collegiate Strength and Conditioning Coaches Association

American Swim Coaches Association

Collegiate Swim Coaches of America Association

Kinesio® Taping Association International

AFCA (American Football Coaches Association)

NCAA Division I Championships Cabinet

WBB Rules Committee-Chair

NACWAA (National Association Collegiate Women's Athletic Administrators)

National Football Foundation

Note any presentations, publications, or offices held in the last three years.

WBB Rules Committee-Chair (NCAA Women's Basketball)

Illinois Athletic Trainers Association (IATA)-Region 4 Representative

Great Lakes Athletic Trainers Association (GLATA)-Meeting Committee

If needed, provide supplemental comments or data sources to help the reader understand the quality of program outcomes.

Note any special benefits (e.g., personnel support, equipment, permanent improvements) that the program has received in the past three years from its grants and other sponsored programs.

Due to the Intercollegiate Athletic Department's membership in the NCAA as a Division I institution, we receive more than $360,000 of funding based on our sport sponsorship and other NCAA grants. As a member institution of the Ohio Valley Conference we receive monies generated from the NCAA Men's Basketball Tournament, royalties, and marketing resources. All of these resources can exceed $130,000 on a yearly basis. The department also receives royalties from collegiate licensing of televised events. 

How does the program benefit from donor gifts (e.g., scholarships, endowed chairs)? Does donor support provide a significant percentage of the program’s overall funding?

The Intercollegiate Athletic Department at Eastern Illinois University relies heavily on donor support and external funding. In fact, on a yearly basis over $500,000 is generated through donor contributions and special events. These monies are utilized to support the operating budgets for all 21 sports.

Moreover,  the athletic department has undertaken several capital campaigns in an effort to improve facilities and student-athlete opportunities. The Baker/Warmoth Hall of Champions within Lantz Arena gave a face lift to the entire lobby and provided the department and university with a legitimate Hall of Fame venue; this project was brought about with the generation of over $150,000 in external funds. Also, the Club Room at Lantz Arena was dedicated as the Ike Kennard Club Room, and subsequently renovated as a direct result of outstanding donor support. The athletic department continues to raise money for our "Blueprint for Success" campaign, with the Bob Spoo Campaign being front and center as work towards renovating the weight room and O'Brien facility. Lastly, the men's basketball locker room is being expanded and renovated with the help of donor support. 

On a yearly basis, the athletic department holds an Annual Fund Drive for Panther Club members and supporters of the department; this brings in in excess of $350,000 annually. The Spring Fling is another annual fundraiser/auction that has brought in on average over $133,000 over the last three years. During this same time period the Department of Athletics has hosted three Athletic Director Gala's. Each of the events have generated over $200,000 towards facility enhancements.

List two or three key relationships that the program maintains with external constituencies (e.g., community colleges, other universities, government bodies). How do these relationships advance the university mission or otherwise benefit the university?

The competitive aspect of our unit provides daily interaction with numerous regional and national collegiate institutions, both community colleges and other four year institutions. 

Through the development and implementation of our competitive schedules, our Athletic Department establishes professional working relationships with other collegiate institutions, professional organizations such as the NCAA as well as the Charleston community.  The recruitment process provides the athletic department an opportunity to market and promote Eastern Illinois University to numerous high schools regionally and nationally.  Our efforts to recruit international students provides an opportunity to market our University on an International stage. Our external fundraising efforts engage the alumni base and supporters of Eastern Illinois University throughout the year. As is the case with most Universities, the athletic department is a window that the entire University can be viewed through; moreover, the athletic department opens doors for EIU that simply would not be opened. This  manifests itself through fan support, donor contributions, marketing, and most importantly media exposure.  

If needed, provide supplemental comments to help the reader understand the resources generated by the program. Note any clarifications or special circumstances (e.g., revenue pass-throughs) that should be considered when reviewing the above data.

Provide an executive summary of and link to any metrics or benchmarks that the program tracks to measure productivity.

 In 2010 the Department of Intercollegiate Athletics developed a comprehensive strategic plan.  The core mission of the plan was to provide a "road map" for success.  Strategies (metrics) developed to assist the department included but are not limited to: academic success, athletic excellence, a commitment to diversity and gender equity, financial stability and community service.  On a yearly basis the senior staff of the department reviews the strategic plan to track progress and make adjustments as necessary for continued success.  Please find embedded a link to the full strategic plan.

http://www.eiupanthers.com/custompages/Strategic%20Plan%202010-2015_R816.pdf?tab=strategicplan2010-15

In addition to the strategic plan individual expectations for each sport program have been developed and shared with the coaching staff.  The expectations for the programs vary depending upon funding and scholarship opportunities for each sport.  We have included a link for a sampling of information provided to the head coaches. The sampling details fundamental differences in sport expectations. 

Each year the Director of Athletics completes a year in review that is provided to the Vice President for Student Affairs.  This review aligns with the priorities of President Perry, including but not limited to: service and leadership opportunities and outreach.  For your review we have provided a link to the past three years Intercollegiate Athletics Annual Reports.

Finally, the Director of Athletics is required to provide a Board of Trustees report each September.  This report outlines much of the information provided in the year end review.

http://www.eiupanthers.com/sports/2013/11/11/eiu_program_analysis_links.aspx

What initiatives has the program implemented to enhance staff productivity (e.g., access to training, workflow improvements)? Briefly describe the costs and benefits of these initiatives.

In the past two years the department has limited the opportunities to attend national conventions.  We have focused on allowing those to attend who are required to maintain a prescribed level of certification.  For example, athletic trainers, strength coaches and equipment trainers would be and are provided opportunities to attend training sessions at the national level.

Full time coaches consistently attend their national conventions when appropriate and the desire is there.  

There are many opportunities for training for the senior level staff.  However, due to finances we have not been attending national meetings on a consistent basis.  Depending upon the location of the meeting(s) and the content of the information we would determine who best to represent the institution.  For example, it is important that our compliance unit attend the NCAA Compliance Seminar, our SWA has recently attended the Title IX seminar.  Two years ago senior staff attended NACDA (National Association Collegiate Director's of Athletics), the national leading organization for athletic administrators.  Due to the nature of the discussion at the upcoming NCAA Convention the department has planned for the Director of Athletics to attend this meeting.  It has been three years since anyone attended the NCAA National Convention due to cost and location of meeting.

Given a reduction in these opportunities, internally we have consistently looked at ways to improve the productivity of the staff.  We have taken the opportunity to adjust job duties, completed performance audits and utilized this information to work more efficiently.  

If needed, provide supplemental comments to help the reader understand the productivity of the program. Note any clarifications or special circumstances (e.g., accreditation requirements, curricular changes, program restructuring) that should be considered when reviewing the above data.

As a member of the National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) Eastern Illinois University Department of Intercollegiate Athletics is committed to the following:

• value based legislation
• amateurism
• fair competition
• integrity and sportsmanship
• institutional control and compliance
• student-athlete well-being
• sound academic standards
• responsible recruiting standards
• diversity and inclusion

In 2010 the Department of Intercollegiate Athletics underwent a NCAA Re-certification review.  The goal of the self-study was to complete a comprehensive self-study of intercollegiate athletics at Eastern Illinois
University (EIU). This self-study included a programmatic review to determine compliance with NCAA operating
principles. The process allowed EIU to recognize praiseworthy aspects of the athletic program that meet or exceed
NCAA standards, to identify opportunities for improving the athletic program, and to assure that the athletics
program remains closely tied to the institutional mission with respect to serving the needs of students. Following the review EIU was fully certified by the NCAA.  Please find below the full re-certification document.

As stated in the description a program's effectiveness can be negatively impacted if resources are not readily available or spread too thin.  We can demonstrate that in comparison to other like conferences our resources spent per student athlete is well below the average.  This is a product of our sport sponsorship and number of student athletes we are trying to serve.  We cannot service all of our programs at the same level with the current level of funding.

 http://www.eiupanthers.com/custompages/program%20analysis/Athlete%20Expenses%20Per%20SA.pdf

 http://www.eiu.edu/ncaa/docs/Recertification_Report.pdf

If needed, provide supplemental comments to help the reader understand the costs associated with the program. Note any clarifications or special circumstances (e.g., expenditures made centrally or externally, expenditures made on behalf of other units) that should be considered when reviewing the above data.

Nationally the competitive nature of Intercollegiate Athletics continually challenges the financial resources of our department, as we continue to support our coaches and athletic programs in the recruiting battles for outstanding perspective student-athletes.

Despite the fact that several of our athletic programs are understaffed and not fully funded in scholarships, based on NCAA limits, we have managed to maintain a competitive program in the Ohio Valley Conference. Additional resources for staffing and scholarships would provide all of our athletic programs an opportunity to compete at a national level. 

How does the program seek to distinguish itself from similar programs at other institutions?

All of our Athletic Programs seek to distinguish themselves from similar programs at other schools in various methods, but all programs have similar methods:

EIU Athletics recruits high quality individuals who want to be a part of the EIU community, not just be a student-athlete on their respective team.  Student-Athletes know when they are a member of our athletic program; they are required to have a high moral and social code of conduct.  Also, they know they will be fully integrated with the campus community and do numerous outreach events to help the Athletic Department and Campus Community as a whole

EIU Athletics continues to excel in the classroom with (ten) 10 consecutive semesters with an average GPA of 3.0 or higher.   Also, our Student-Athletes graduate at a higher rate than a non-student-athlete does here at EIU.  EIU Athletics has a commitment to high academic excellence and assisting student-athletes in achieving their college degree.

EIU Athletics demands the highest standards from the staff to make sure that our Student-Athletes get the best experience possible while attending EIU.  By making sure our Student-Athletes have a positive experience while they are at EIU, this helps with Alumni Relations and potential to give back to EIU.

Note any unique and/or essential contributions that the program makes to the university.

Our student-athletes graduate and maintain GPA’s that are above average for EIU students. As a department we do a significant amount of community service and outreach projects that help EIU and the Charleston community and are also a credit to the reputation of EIU. 

Benefits EIU Athletics Provides to the surrounding community:

Over 1000 Hours per year of Community Service

Over 50 Camps/Clinics

Over 300 Home Events each year that allow the community and region to come to campus

 In addition we provide participation opportunities for marching band members, pep band members, Pink Panther Dance team members and the EIU Cheerleading squads.

Our relationship with WEIU is outstanding.  We serve as an excellent training ground for students who desire to enter this field of study.  The students receive hands on live training through our various athletic events. They work behind the camera, assist with video board productions and internal and external video presentations.

The School of Journalism benefits from intercollegiate athletics as the staff of the DEN regularly attends and reports out on the sport programs.  

As referenced in an earlier section the Department of Intercollegiate Athletics partners with Kinesiology and Sport Studies to provide hands on athletic training opportunities for students entering the field of Sports Medicine.  Our facilities are shared and our programs complement each other in this academic endeavor.  The athletic department benefits from the student athletic trainers and the student athletic trainers are receiving invaluable learning opportunities.

At the graduate and undergraduate level we provide numerous opportunities for Kinesiology and Sport Studies students the opportunity to work in various areas of the department, including but not limited to, marketing and promotions, compliance, game management and development.

http://eiu.touchpros.com/allAmericans.asp?sectionName=aa&sectionID=4&sport=29

http://eiu.touchpros.com/hallOfFame.asp?sectionName=hof

http://www.eiupanthers.com/sports/2007/6/25/In%20The%20Pros.aspx?tab=eiuinthepros

http://www.eiupanthers.com/sports/2007/6/25/olympians.aspx?tab=eiuolympians

http://www.eiupanthers.com/sports/2007/7/9/nationalchampionships.aspx?tab=nationalchampionships

http://www.eiupanthers.com/sports/2007/6/25/Retired%20Numbers.aspx?tab=retirednumbers

http://www.eiupanthers.com/sports/2007/6/25/School%20Songs.aspx?tab=schoolsongs

http://www.eiupanthers.com/sports/2007/6/25/Panther%20Mascot.aspx?tab=panthermascot

http://www.eiupanthers.com/sports/2007/6/25/Cheer%20Team.aspx?tab=cheerteam

http://www.eiupanthers.com/sports/2007/6/25/Pink%20Panthers.aspx?tab=pinkpantherdanceteam

http://www.eiu.edu/~marching_band/

Provide any program-specific metrics that help to document program contributions or program quality. Examples of some commonly used program-specific metrics may be found here.

If needed, provide supplemental comments to help the reader understand the program impact on the university mission.

Provide a link to or listing of the program’s goals and/or strategic plan.

http://www.eiupanthers.com/custompages/Strategic%20Plan%202010-2015_R816.pdf?tab=strategicplan2010-15

What role will the program have in the implementation of the university’s strategic plan (provide link to strategic plan)?

The Department of Intercollegiate Athletics (DIA) role in the University strategic plan is stated clearly in the core values of the Executive Summary.  The four core values are excellence, personal relationships, accessibility and service.  Without question the DIA supports and has integrated these values into the program.  We have a responsibility to provide opportunities for student academic success, which we clearly do, we have an expectation for athletic success which has been proven by numerous recent successes and we emphasis the service component through our EPIC (Eastern Panthers In the Community) program, providing a variety of community service opportunities for our student athletes.  

The strategic plan listed in this document aligns with not only the mission and values of the DIA but also with the values of the institution.  Our number one objective is to provide an environment in which student-athletes complete their undergraduate college education and achieve athletics success at the highest possible level. The university's strategic plan states  ..."Eastern nurtures student success, and we expect our students to achieve their fullest academic and personal potential."  The DIA does exactly this.  Our coaches and staff work on a day to day and one on one basis with the students to enhance their academic, athletic and personal experiences.  This is evidenced by the academic success of our athletes.  In addition, through these efforts the retention of our athletes is outstanding accounting for an graduation success rate that is higher then the general student population.

Athletics can be a window into the university.  Most recently, with the success of the football program we have seen a surge in national media exposure and requests for interviews in a variety of social media sites, television and print media.  At this time the positive impact this exposure may have on potential applications is yet to be known but given the research completed by other institutions the potential for growth is there.  Athletics can and should play a major role in the marketing and communications efforts of the university.

In the next two or three years, what best practices, improvements in operations, or other opportunities to advance the university’s mission are likely to be implemented?

It is the intention of the department to continue to build off of the Mission of Excellence strategic plan developed in 2010.

We will continue our best practices of academic achievement. The department can and should play a role in enrollment and retention of students.  We can support the university by being a excellent role model for the campus at large.  Our commitment to excellence in all that we do needs to remain a focal point.  The expectation for success both in the classroom and on the field of competition is a factor in campus satisfaction.  It is important that we continue to prove to the administration and faculty that we are committed to the academic success of our students. We can improve our academic operations by enhancing our academic facilities, staying current with technology advances and providing additional staffing when funding is available.  In addition, it is critical that we recruit students who are academically prepared to be successful at the Division I level.

We will continue to strive for and elevate our expectations for athletic success.  It is critical that we continue to monitor the intercollegiate landscape and make adjustments as appropriate.  This may be in the form of sports sponsorship and/or conference affiliation as examples.  We must consistently evaluate our staffing levels and consider that our success is tied to leadership.  We will continue to monitor and adjust our individual sport programs expectations, creating long and short term goals that align with the university and department missions statements.

If needed, provide supplemental comments to help the reader understand future opportunities for the program.