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Athletics, Council on - Reports - 2007-2008

Annual Report
2007- 2008

The terms of Ms. Suzanne Weiner, Dr. Monica Leach, Dr. Sam Jones, Mr. Jim Ritcher (appointed by the Alumni Association), Dr. Ed Lindsay (Faculty Senate Liaison) will end on June 30, 2008. Members of the Council joined in thanking all of these individuals for their dedicated service. During 2007-08, Mr. David Rainer, Dr. Len Annetta, and Dr. March Krotee joined the Council. Mr. Randy Ramsey was appointed to represent the Wolfpack Club, due to the death of Mr. Bart Bartholomew. During the year, Student Government was represented by Mr. Matt Garcia and Mr. John Elias. Student-Athletes were represented by Mr. Ronnie Bouemboue, Ms. Kathryn Pegg, Mr. Brandon Costner, and Ms. Jana Angel. Dr. Jo-Ann Robinson was appointed an ex-officio member, replacing Dr. Karrie Dixon, representing the Student Diversity Office.

The Council met eight times during the year. In addition to the regular Council meetings, the Faculty Academic Committee met in January and in May to review student-athlete folders for the purpose of determining the continuing eligibility status for all student-athletes.

Issues addressed by the Council during the academic year included:

  • Athletic Facilities – Mr. Lee Fowler, or his representatives, provided monthly updates on the status of all new construction projects and renovation projects.
  • Academic Support – Mr.  Mr. Phil Moses, Director of the Academic Support Program for Student-Athletes, provided the Council with status reports at each Council meeting. The NCAA’s academic reforms have become a significant metric for monitoring academic progress; thus, it is important for the Council to monitor these metrics, as well as the academic eligibility status of student-athletes.
  • Athletics Department -- Mr. Lee Fowler, Athletics Director, or his designee attended each meeting of the Council and provided the Council an update on issues of significance within the Athletic Department.
  • Compliance Office – Given the responsibilities of the Athletics Department’s Compliance Office, the Associate AD for Compliance (Jon Fagg) was in attendance during most meetings of the Council. Mr. Fagg was often called on to respond to questions associated with NCAA rules. Additionally, Mr. Fagg explained the rationale associated with proposed NCAA legislation.
  • The Faculty Academic Committee met on several occasions for the purpose of 1) conducting eligibility reviews for all student-athletes (January and May), 2) reviewing the special situation within intercollegiate baseball, and 3) impact of intra-institutional curriculum transfers on student-athletes.
  • The Committee on Finance, Facilities, and Personnel worked with Ms. Diane Moose, Associate Athletic Director for Business Operations, and Ms. Beverly Armwood, Assistant Director for Business Operations, to review the budget for the 2007/08 and 2009/09 fiscal years.

Ms. Diane Moose, Associate AD for Business Operations, and Ms. Beverly Armwood, Assistant AD for Business for Business Operations, provide the Council with a comprehensive review of the Athletics Departments justification for a $17.50 increase in student fees. The Council commended Ms. Moose and Ms. Armwood for the thoroughness of the presentation and voted unanimously to support the proposed increase. The Chair was directed to write a letter to the chairs of the University Fee Committee expressing the Council’s support.

  • Invited Presentations – Mr. Charlie Rozanski, Associate AD for Sports Medicine, met with the Council to discuss revisions to the Drug Testing Policy for Student-Athletes.  Specifically, he pointed out the changes in the policy that were worked out with the university’s legal counsel to accomodate the Council’s concerns, which had been expressed earlier, regarding vague language, especially in the application of disciplinary actions. Overall, Mr. Rozanski as well as Council believe the changes are a significant improvement.

Mr. Dick Christy, Associate AD for External Relations, provided a presentation that detailed the specific activities that are in the purview of his office.

Mr. Shane Lyons, Associate Commissioner of the Atlantic Coast Conference, spoke about the history and mission of the conference as well as its organizational structure. He discussed the unique operational aspects of the conference, including revenue sharing, governance (primarily through Faculty Reps), and its commitment to academic excellence (ACC Inter-Institutional Collaborative).

Provost Larry Nielsen commented on a range of issues impacting academic programs and academic success. He specifically mentioned his concern about the student-athletes that transfer to other institutions. While he understands why a student may want to transfer based on the perception of better athletic opportunities, he is concerned when students transfer because they do not connect with the campus community.

Ms. Nora Lynn Finch, Senior Associate Athletic Director, discussed changes that she has seen in NC State athletics during her 31-year tenure. She specifically mentioned the increased opportunities for women both competitively and professionally (sports administration). She discussed her role as the Senior Women’s Administrator and the history of how this position came into being within the NCAA.

  • Student-Athlete Advisory Committee – SAAC representatives attended most of the Council meetings and discussed SAAC activities. Additionally, Ms. Suzanne Weiner, Chair of the Student Life, Equity, and Sportsmanship Committee, attended SAAC meetings.
  • Chancellor Oblinger met with the Council on two occasions. He attended the first meeting of the academic year to give the Council its charge and the met with the Council again in February, in executive session, to discuss the results of Dr. Ward’s three-year-review Performance Review as Faculty Athletic Representative.

Finally, Head Coaches representing Cheerleading and 14 varsity sports (Men’s Basketball, Men’s Golf, Wrestling, Women’s Basketball, Gymnastics, Men’s and Women’s Swimming and Diving, Women’s Golf, Women’s Tennis, Men’s Tennis, Baseball, Football, Volleyball and Women’s Soccer) attended Council meetings and provided brief overviews of their respective programs.

Respectfully submitted on behalf of the Council on Athletics,

Donn R. Ward

Donn R. Ward, Ph.D.
Faculty Athletics Representative and
Chair, Council on Athletics