TicketsOct. 1, 2007
Raising the Bar Document
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Dear Bearcats Fan,
This position paper may be the most important communication I share with you during my tenure as director of athletics.
Since adopting our CATAPULT plan a little over one year ago, our focus has been on establishing a vision for Bearcats Athletics and assembling a leadership team that will achieve our stated ideals. Now we begin the task of positioning our program for long-term success by making some very difficult choices.
This report shares preliminary findings from a study being undertaken by the UC Economics Center for Education and Research on the significant role UC Athletics plays in the vitality of the campus and the economic vibrancy of the region. It also includes benchmark data comparing UC with peer institutions in the BIG EAST Conference and a report card that tracks our progress toward our CATAPULT
ideals.
Our objective is to gather your input through a series of surveys and public forums which will be administered throughout the year. Your feedback will inform our long-term strategic decision-making process.
Among the more crucial actions we will take in the coming months will be:
Prioritizing the capital needs of the athletics program.
Reviewing sport/program offerings - including the potential for changing the mix of sports.
Instituting an economic model to bring about fiscal stability.
Modifying the priority seating program for men's basketball.
The business decisions we make in the Department of Athletics over the next year will determine our viability as a championship caliber program for years to come.
That is why your role is vital.
The changing economic landscape in public higher education and college athletics mandates that we not only scrutinize all expenses, but examine ways to increase revenues. We recognize the importance of returning the men's basketball program to prominence and elevating the status of football in order to bring about economic stability. Yet, equally as critical in this endeavor is the need to expand our base of support. Investment from stakeholders in UC Athletics will be the margin of difference in accelerating the timetable for when championships are achieved and determining how consistent we perform at the highest levels over the next decade.
We ask you to participate in our efforts beginning this fall as we collect vital market information and develop a strategic direction for Bearcats Athletics. As a first step, I invite your thoughts and comments: bearcatad@uc.edu.
Thank you for your continued interest and loyal support of UC Athletics.
Director of Athletics