Task Force Executive Summary
Following a four-month study of the Southern Oregon University's athletic program, a task force appointed by SOU President Mary Cullinan has issued its report.
The group interviewed representatives from Western Oregon University, Oregon Institute of Technology, the National Association of Intercollegiate Athletics (NAIA), the National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA), and other organizations. They also reviewed a wide variety of financial data and other information pertaining to athletics at SOU.
The task force report notes that, only when SOU has achieved excellence in its current status within the NAIA will it be possible to make application to NCAA, Division II. “Excellence” in this report is defined by issues such as appropriate funding, adequate facilities, community and student interest, stable enrollment generation and retention, program integrity, and academic success.
The task force report stresses that it is important to work with a time line. President Cullinan notes that, “Without a time line, goals, and benchmarks, planning does not move forward. And, in order to achieve athletic excellence, we must stabilize financial support.” In response to the task force recommendation, President Cullinan will appoint a group composed of representatives from on and off campus to carefully detail the resources and steps that can move the campus toward possible NCAA membership in the next five to seven years.
The task force also grappled with the issue of football at SOU. “Because of our independent status,” concludes the Task Force report “we are at the mercy of external forces for the assurance of home football games against opponents we have a fair chance of competing against. This in turn creates dissatisfaction from the students at SOU who feel their student-fee dollars aren't invested in a program that gives them a satisfactory return. Football must find a conference. . . . Making a forced entry into NCAA DII at this time for the sake of football is not a realistic option.” The report calls for a reassessment of the status of football after the 2010 football season. “Football is important to SOU and the community,” states Interim Athletic Director
Matt Sayre. “This is the beginning of a positive effort to find a solution to our scheduling issues. Our success depends largely on the willingness of other football-playing schools in the west to enter into long-term scheduling agreements with us, or allow us into a conference.”
The SOU president and vice presidents have accepted the Task Force report and will review the timelines, budgets, and actions the task force proposed.
“I want to thank the Task Force for their research, thoughtful deliberation, and commitment to excellence,” said President Cullinan. “This is the first comprehensive review of SOU's athletic mission. It provides the framework to substantively improve our athletic program and include athletics in our strategic planning for the whole university.”
