ODU Unveils New Strategic Plan for Athletics
Old Dominion University President John R. Broderick and Athletic Director Camden Wood Selig on March 22 unveiled a new strategic plan for athletics for 2011-2015, which reaffirms the university's commitment to student-athlete success and creates a bold new vision for the athletics program.
"There are few programs in the nation that can boast the success of Old Dominion University's athletic programs," said Broderick. "Since 1975, Monarch teams have won 28 national championships and four individual NCAA titles, while graduating over 90 percent of the student-athletes who have exhausted their eligibility. Maintaining and improving on these successes in the current collegiate athletic environment requires new initiatives and goals to remain both academically and athletically competitive."
In July 2010, Old Dominion ushered in a new era in university athletics with the appointment of Selig as director of athletics. Shortly after his arrival, and supported by Broderick, Selig charged the ODU community to develop and implement a strategic plan that would build upon the successes of the past and ensure a dynamic future for ODU athletics.
"Our new plan complements the university's Strategic Plan for 2009-2014, aligning its mission, core values and goals to those of our institution," said Selig.
The addition of football in 2009, along with changes in the profile of ODU student-athletes, suggested that the timing was right to review the university's long-standing compliance with the federal government's Title IX. With that in mind, ODU's strategic plan for athletics intends to accomplish the following:
1. Reaffirm ODU Athletics' mission, vision and core values.
2. Ensure alignment of ODU Athletics' mission, vision, core values, priorities and initiatives with those of the greater university.
3. Identify the priorities, goals and specific objectives that will enable ODU Athletics to fulfill its mission and achieve its vision.
4. Identify specific initiatives that will be implemented to assist ODU in reaching its goals and objectives.
5. Provide a management and planning tool for the Director of Athletics and ODU Athletics staff.
6. Provide an analysis of Title IX compliance to serve as a basis for the development of a Title IX compliance plan, which will be included in the athletics strategic plan.
7. Enable and foster effective decision-making within the university and, especially, within the Department of Athletics, with a common understanding of departmental priorities, objectives and initiatives.
Selig appointed a Strategic Planning Committee of 21 members, from a wide range of constituent groups, to oversee the strategic planning process. The committee's charge was to develop a plan that would be used by the athletics department to set priorities, allocate resources and serve as a unifying point of reference for coaches, student-athletes, athletics department staff, the university community, alumni and supporters of Monarch athletics. Collegiate Sports Associates, led by Todd Turner, former athletic director at the University of Washington, Vanderbilt University, the University of Connecticut and North Carolina State University, was engaged to assist in the planning process.
Seven areas of focus were identified, along with goals in each area accompanied by strategies with action plans. The areas of concentration are:
1. Academic excellence
2. Competitive excellence
3. Compliance
4. Equity/diversity
5. Resources
6. Civic engagement
7. Plan for the future.
In all, 21 goals were identified and 78 separate and distinct strategies for achieving the objectives were then developed and incorporated into the athletics strategic plan. The working group also identified more than 130 initial action steps that would need to be taken to fully implement the strategies and to achieve the overall goals and objectives of the plan.
The strategic plan and Title IX review were presented and approved by the Board of Visitors and Old Dominion Athletic Foundation Executive Committee, and presented to the Department of Athletics and university community in February 2011.
The new mission, vision and core values of the strategic plan are as follows:
In support of the Old Dominion University mission, the Department of Athletics recruits and develops a diverse population of highly skilled student-athletes that compete at the NCAA Division I level. Our commitment is to enable student-athletes to reach their full potential academically, athletically, and as citizens. We enrich the campus experience and serve as a gateway to the University by enhancing its visibility and reputation.
ODU ATHLETICS VISION STATEMENT
As a result of the academic and personal achievements of our student-athletes, our competitive success, and the work of our coaches and athletics staff, we will be recognized nationally for excellence in intercollegiate athletics. We will be strategic in our decision-making, always positioning ourselves to take advantage of changes in the landscape of NCAA Division I athletics.
ODU ATHLETICS STATEMENT of CORE VALUES
Integrity: Commitment to the highest standards of conduct and sportsmanship.
Student-athlete well-being: Provide opportunities for student-athletes to reach their full potential as students, athletes and citizens.
Equity & diversity: Support the inclusion of all people regardless of race, color, origin, age, religion, sex, sexual orientation, veteran status or disability.
Excellence: To strive for academic and athletic excellence within the university, Conference, national and international level.
"As conditions change, so too may the goals and the strategies and action steps, as we want to make sure the strategic plan serves as a dynamic, ever-changing guide for us to achieve our new vision for ODU Athletics," added Selig. "We all have a role in its success: student-athletes, parents, coaches, athletic staff, university faculty/staff, corporate sponsors, our fans and donors."