SUPPLEMENT NO. 12

Executive Comm 1/05
 
 


M E M O R A N D U M

TO:

NCAA EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE

FROM:

JACK SWARBRICK

DATE:

NOVEMBER 19, 2004

RE:

NCAA/USOC TASK FORCE

 

 

            On May 11, 2004, the NCAA and the United States Olympic Committee announced the formation of a joint task force ("the Task Force") to examine the decline of sponsorship of traditional Olympic sports by America's colleges and universities.  Reflective of the importance both organizations place on this issue, the NCAA and USOC have appointed very talented and experienced individuals to serve on the Task Force.  The members of the Task Force are:

                       

NAME

TITLE/INSTITUTION/ORGANIZATION

USOC Nominated

 

Richard Bender

Executive Director, USA Wrestling

Herman Frazier

Director of Athletics, University of Hawaii

Ron Galimore

Senior Director of Men’s Programs, USA Gymnastics

Courtney Johnson

Attorney, 2000 Olympian in Water Polo, and USOC Athletes Advisory Council Member

William Martin

Director of Athletics, University of Michigan

Andrew Valmon

Head Track and Field Coach, University of Maryland and USOC Athletes Advisory Council Member

Jon Vegosen

Vice-Chair of the US Tennis Association Collegiate Committee

Chuck Wielgus

Executive Director, USA Swimming

NCAA Nominated

 

Andy Geiger

Director of Athletics, The Ohio State University

Ian Gray

Vice-Chair, Student Athlete Advisory Committee

Larry James

Dean of Athletics and Recreational Programs and Services, Richard Stockton College of New Jersey

Kyle Kallander

Commissioner, Big South Conference, Chair Olympic Sports Liaison Committee

Cheryl Levick

Director of Athletics, Saint Louis University

Peter Likins

President, University of Arizona

Jean Lenti Ponsetto

Director of Athletics, DePaul University

 

 

It is my pleasure to be able to serve as the Chairman of the Task Force.

            The Task Force has met twice and will be meeting again during the NCAA Convention.  By way of updating you on our progress to date, the information that follows reflects the decisions we have made regarding how we are approaching our work.

 

Mission Statement

 

The mission of the NCAA/USOC Task Force is to develop recommendations for implementation by the NCAA and USOC designed to protect and expand the opportunities for American athletes and coaches to realize the benefits associated with participation in collegiate athletic programs in sports traditionally included in the program for the Olympic Games.

 

 Planning Assumptions

 

            1.         In well-administered programs, participation in collegiate athletics represents a uniquely valuable educational experience for student-athletes and enriches the quality of campus life generally.  As such, there is value in maximizing the opportunity for young people to participate in, and benefit from, that experience.

 

            2.         In protecting and expanding the opportunities for students to participate in intercollegiate athletics, there is further value in focusing on those sports that have traditionally been included in the program for the Olympic Games because: a) many of those sports have contributed significantly to the history and success of collegiate sports in America, b) the continued existence of some of these sports in collegiate athletic programs is at issue, and c) the presence of collegiate programs in Olympic sports has been a critical factor in this country’s success in the Olympic Games and international championships.

 

            3.         There is value in this country's participation in the Olympic Games because that participation provides a unique experience for athletes and coaches, promotes goodwill among countries, and is a unifying force within the United States. 

 

            4.         From among the sports which have both a championship sponsored by the NCAA and are traditionally included in the Olympic program, there is a subset of sports which either have experienced a measurable decline in sponsorship by colleges and universities during the past decade or are perceived as being at risk to experience such decline in the future if some form of intervention does not occur.  Those sports (subject to Task Force agreement as to which ones they are) will be the focus of the Task Force's work.

 

Operating Principles

 

            1.         The Task Force will be provided with a common base of information assembled by the Chair with the assistance of the NCAA and the USOC.  It is the Chair's responsibility to work with the USOC, NCAA, and members of the Task Force to resolve issues relating to the form and nature of the data included in this briefing book.

 

            2.         The Task Force will solicit input broadly.

 

            3.         The Task Force will adhere strictly to the charge given to it by the NCAA and USOC.  It is worth noting in this regard that the focus of the Task Force will not include a consideration of the merits of Title IX.  While the impacts of Title IX are likely to be relevant to the Task Force's deliberations, consideration of the merits or scope of the law as enforced and proposals for the modification of the law or its enforcement are not.

           

            4.         The committee will produce specific and substantive recommendations as part of the final report to be issued by September 30, 2005.  In developing those recommendations, proposals that enjoy broad support among the members of the Task Force will be given priority.  The Task Force will, however, also produce meeting minutes and interim reports to the NCAA and USOC so that a full record of recommendations considered by the Task Force will be available.

 

The Sports that are the Focus of our Efforts

 

            We began our analysis of this issue by first identifying those sports in which the NCAA hosts a championship.  We then eliminated those sports that are not part of the current Olympic program. From that list we then conducted a four-part analysis:

 

1.                  Has the percentage of member institutions sponsoring the sport decreased as measured by the difference between the ’02-’03 percentage of D-I institutions sponsoring the sport and the highest total during the past 14 years.

 

2.         If it has, does the recent experience suggest that programs are continuing to be dropped?

 

3.         Does the number of current programs (relative to the history of the sport) support the notion that the sport is at risk?

 

4.         Has there been a measurable decrease in squad size?

 

This analysis has led us to an initial focus for our work on the following sports:

 

High Risk

(Low Number/Negative Trends)

 

Women’s Gymnastics (64)

Men’s Fencing (21)

Men’s Gymnastics (17)

Men’s Rifle (27)

Men’s Volleyball (23)

Men’s Water Polo (21)

Men’s Wrestling (85)

          Moderate Risk

(High Number/Negative Trends)

 

    Men’s Swimming/Diving (143)

    Men’s Tennis (273)

    Men’s Indoor Track (252)

    Men’s Outdoor Track (270)

Note:  1)     Numbers in parentheses represents the number of Division I programs in each sport.

           2)      Men’s Rowing was eliminated from consideration at the outset because it is not included among the NCAA’s 39 Championships.  It is worth noting, however, that this Olympic sport also appears to be at risk as a  collegiate sport with the percentage of members sponsoring the sport declining from 15% in 1996/97 to 7% in 2002-03. From 1989-90 through 2002-03, 71 D-I programs were dropped.

 

 

            Having identified the scope, nature and approach to our work, we have now shifted our focus to exploring the ideas that may lead to the practical solutions we are seeking to help ensure the future of the at-risk sports in America’s colleges and universities.  To do that we have divided our activities into the seven categories reflected in the following diagram:

 

 

 

            We hope to conclude our deliberations this Spring and issue a final report on a timetable that is consistent with the NCAA's legislative process.  I hope you will not hesitate to contact me or any member of the Task Force with questions or ideas that you would like us to consider. 

 

            My contact information is:                     Jack Swarbrick

                                                                        Baker & Daniels

                                                                        300 North Meridian Street, Suite 2700

                                                                        Indianapolis, IN  46204

                                                                        (317) 237-1402

                                                                        jack.swarbrick@bakerd.com

 

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