1. The meeting came to order at 10:35 a.m. Members attending were Faculty representatives Jacqueline Berning, Charlie Shub and Travis Peterson; SAAC representative Jason Shaver; Staff Representative Gudrun McCollum; and UBAC representative Al Schoffstall.
Also attending were Coach Russ Caton and Assistant Athletics Director Brian Hardy.
2. The minutes of the February 10 meeting were approved without dissent.
3. Coach Caton's season wrap up Report:
The season opened with a road trip to play two D-I schools in Utah and Idaho. The team was terrible against Weber State, but played well at Idaho State, losing by 4 in overtime. The season was up and down, just like the first two games. With the opening of the Gallogly Events Center, the team pulled together and made the playoffs again. Not only that, but they placed 3rd in the east, as high as the team has ever finished. They accomplished that despite 2 starters being sidelined with injuries. Unfortunately, Metro State was edged out for the east championship by Colorado School of Mines so the team again traveled to Metro instead of somewhere else for the playoff game. The team swept Nebraska - Kearney for the first time ever and have established themselves as a conference playoff team, getting to the playoffs 3 out of the past four seasons.
Future goals include hosting conference playoff games and qualifying for the NCAA tournament.
Players seem to be thriving within the University, achieving a 3.2 GPA and not having disciplinary issues for several years. The players are graduating. Both seniors are on track to graduate, one in my and the other after student teaching.
In response to a question, Caton noted that most college students are poor and with academics and athletics it is hard to find time for employment on top of that load. He noted that the better funded programs seem to enjoy more success, and is pleased that his players are performing at the top half of the league despite the program being below average in funding.
In response to another question, Caton noted that he likes the new Gallogly Event Center because we can finally accommodate all the fans who want to attend. He described playing there as a great experience and specifically referred to crowd involvement at the grand opening win against Regis.
In response to a question regarding team members working out during the off season, Caton observed that since both the old gym and the new Gallogly event center would be carpeted after April 1, any such activities would likely be at the rec center. This led to a broad ranging conversation described below.
4. Assistant Athletics Director Brian Hardy reported on plans for providing academic services.
Hardy noted that the athletics department fosters athletics growth, but academic growth is left to the academic units or handled on an ad hoc basis. Athletics wants to do more in terms of facilitating academic growth. A group including Hardy, compliance coordinator Adkins, and coach/SAAC adviser/champs-life skills liaison Ridenour will be coordinating the effort.
Included will be academic enhancement sessions, probably held in the evening, probably in the ROAR area, that will be mandatory for incoming student athletes and continuing student athletes who do not meet an academic prowess requirement. Also included will be formally scheduled study time on road trips in certain sports as appropriate.
These sessions are slated to include presentations on life skills, time management, conflict resolution, leadership and other topics of interest.
Eventually, there may be specific freshman seminars for student athletes. Apparently other groups have targeted freshman seminars as well. On this point, there was some discussion about the tradeoffs among a separate seminar being more targeted, and an integrated seminar serving to better integrate student athletes into the larger campus community.
Another issue discussed was how to get better feedback on student athlete performance. Clearly, the early alert system can be helpful, but there are tools like Nova Southeastern's SAPA (student attendance and performance adjustment) that might provide better data.
This effort might also serve as a recruiting tool by showing parents UCCS is one of the RMAC leaders in providing academic support services in addition to our already outstanding learning centers program.
Hardy will attend the eventing enhancement sessions and a graduate assistant might be involved.
The committee was extremely supportive.
5. The committee had a broad discussion of facilities issues.
There is concern that it is difficult to showcase the event center to prospective student athletes when it is being used for other purposes.
There is concern that some folks outside of athletics are referring to the old gym as the ballroom.
There is concern that co-opting the facilities illustrates a lessened commitment to athletics.
There is concern that these decisions that necessitate using the rec center for athletics workouts go against the philosophy that the rec center was NOT to be used for athletics purposes as the rec center was paid for with student fees specifically for the rec center, and not for athletics.
There is concern that there will no longer be appropriate space for summer camps on campus. This could have a negative impact on revenue and recruiting as there will be lost revenue from lowered camp attendance and the campers will see a lack of commitment to athletics.
There is concern that the facilities will be severely under utilized.
6. Jason Shaver gave the SAAC (Student Athlete Advisory Committee) report.
- Owing to their concerns about facilities, the SAAC has formed a committee on facilities.
- The teams sent valentine cards to hospitalized children.
- Student athletes participated in Dr. Seuss day at Will Rogers Elementary School. The event included student athletes reading Dr. Seuss Books to the students.
- The February 19 basketball games against Colorado School of Mines included a fund raiser for the Make a Wish Foundation. SAAC has already raised more money than last year.
- Picnic: Sunday, April 25 after the Regis game at approximately 3:00 PM
- CUSPY: Wednesday, April 28 in the old gym.
7. New Business
The committee agreed to change the time of the May meeting to 9:00 to 10:30 to avoid a conflict with a final exam being given by the FAR that day.
8. At 11:50, the meeting was adjourned.
