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http://www.usdcoyotes.com/sports/new...ELEASE_ID=1831
VERMILLION, S.D. -- University of South Dakota Athletic Director Joel Nielsen, citing competitiveness, funding and compliance, announced Tuesday that the South Dakota Athletics Department will take numerous actions in a three-year, three-prong plan.
The cornerstone of the plan is a commitment to invest $1.126 million in the athletics program during the next three years. These new funds will be directed to scholarships, facility enhancement, expanded staff, recruiting and other areas.
This announcement of the initial phase of the plan follows a 12-month review of the department by an Athletic Review Committee, appointed by USD President James W. Abbott in April 2003. The review committee, chaired by Julie Greenfield of Sioux Falls, S.D., submitted a preliminary report to Nielsen on March 26. The report contained an assessment of all 18 USD athletic programs, based on a predetermined set of criteria. After submission of the report, Nielsen assessed the committee’s recommendations, and in consultation with President Abbott and Vice President of Finance and Administration Greg Redlin, developed a plan that addresses competitiveness, funding and compliance. The Athletic Review Committee will continue to develop a more long range strategic plan for future release.
“I want to thank the Athletic Review Committee for its contributions during the past 12 months and look forward to their continuing work as we build a strategic plan for the future,” said Nielsen. “They have submitted preliminary recommendations that we believe keeps our athletic program on high ground. I am encouraged that we are making substantial changes that bring equity to our athletic program.”
In this plan, Nielsen said USD will make substantial increases in its women’s sports budget, while also making corrective measures in participation levels, increasing female participation opportunities by 23 percent. The plan calls for the addition of 19 women scholarships, increasing the women’s recruiting budget, upgrading facilities, among other actions in the next three years. This plan also retains competitive funding for all programs (male and female). USD will finance this new plan through internal reallocation, student fees and increasing fundraising efforts. As part of this action, USD will discontinue its baseball program following the 2004 season.
As has been the case at various schools across the nation, including in the North Central Conference, budgeting problems have forced the discontinuation of athletic programs. Nielsen noted that ending baseball at USD was a difficult decision, given the tradition of baseball at the school and the impact it would have on 38 student-athletes, as well as the coaching staff of the program. However, the decision was in the best interest for the future of Coyote Athletics. The move to discontinue baseball will allow $100,000 to be reallocated, including 2.5 scholarships, to other programs.
“I am saddened that this measure to discontinue baseball had to be taken,” said Nielsen. “However, we have to address the problems at hand. It is important that we have an athletic program that operates under fiscally responsible objectives, meets competitiveness expectations, while addressing gender equity and Title IX requirements.
http://www.usdcoyotes.com/sports/new...ELEASE_ID=1831
VERMILLION, S.D. -- University of South Dakota Athletic Director Joel Nielsen, citing competitiveness, funding and compliance, announced Tuesday that the South Dakota Athletics Department will take numerous actions in a three-year, three-prong plan.
The cornerstone of the plan is a commitment to invest $1.126 million in the athletics program during the next three years. These new funds will be directed to scholarships, facility enhancement, expanded staff, recruiting and other areas.
This announcement of the initial phase of the plan follows a 12-month review of the department by an Athletic Review Committee, appointed by USD President James W. Abbott in April 2003. The review committee, chaired by Julie Greenfield of Sioux Falls, S.D., submitted a preliminary report to Nielsen on March 26. The report contained an assessment of all 18 USD athletic programs, based on a predetermined set of criteria. After submission of the report, Nielsen assessed the committee’s recommendations, and in consultation with President Abbott and Vice President of Finance and Administration Greg Redlin, developed a plan that addresses competitiveness, funding and compliance. The Athletic Review Committee will continue to develop a more long range strategic plan for future release.
“I want to thank the Athletic Review Committee for its contributions during the past 12 months and look forward to their continuing work as we build a strategic plan for the future,” said Nielsen. “They have submitted preliminary recommendations that we believe keeps our athletic program on high ground. I am encouraged that we are making substantial changes that bring equity to our athletic program.”
In this plan, Nielsen said USD will make substantial increases in its women’s sports budget, while also making corrective measures in participation levels, increasing female participation opportunities by 23 percent. The plan calls for the addition of 19 women scholarships, increasing the women’s recruiting budget, upgrading facilities, among other actions in the next three years. This plan also retains competitive funding for all programs (male and female). USD will finance this new plan through internal reallocation, student fees and increasing fundraising efforts. As part of this action, USD will discontinue its baseball program following the 2004 season.
As has been the case at various schools across the nation, including in the North Central Conference, budgeting problems have forced the discontinuation of athletic programs. Nielsen noted that ending baseball at USD was a difficult decision, given the tradition of baseball at the school and the impact it would have on 38 student-athletes, as well as the coaching staff of the program. However, the decision was in the best interest for the future of Coyote Athletics. The move to discontinue baseball will allow $100,000 to be reallocated, including 2.5 scholarships, to other programs.
“I am saddened that this measure to discontinue baseball had to be taken,” said Nielsen. “However, we have to address the problems at hand. It is important that we have an athletic program that operates under fiscally responsible objectives, meets competitiveness expectations, while addressing gender equity and Title IX requirements.
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