What Presidents Need to Know About Intercollegiate Athletics AGB Institute for Leadership and Governance in Higher Education June 17, 2019 Dr. Carol Cartwright AGB Senior Consultant Co-Chair, Knight Commission on Intercollegiate Athletics

Principles The governing board is ultimately accountable for athletics policy in keeping with its fiduciary duties. Principles

Principles The governing board must accept accountability for the integrity of the athletics program and ensure that it aligns with the educational mission. Principles

Principles Governing boards must develop systematic approaches for their responsibilities and apply them diligently. Principles

Areas of Focus Student Welfare Fiscal Integrity Academic Integrity Equity Governance

Board Commitment and Accountability Delegates to president but recognizes ultimate accountability for athletics policy and effective fiduciary oversight. Monitors the finances and business model of the athletics program. Affirms accountability for upholding the integrity of the athletics program and ensures that it advances the educational mission. From: AGB Statement on Intercollegiate Athletics, 2018 Board Commitment and Accountability

Board Commitment and Accountability Periodically reviews information about athletics and ensures that mission and goals of athletics are aligned with institutional mission and goals. Ensures that the president conveys to the athletics director the board’s expectations for compliance and ethical conduct. Ensures that thorough background checks are conducted for prospective employees; has a policy protecting whistleblowers. From: AGB Statement on Intercollegiate Athletics, 2018 Board Commitment and Accountability

Board Commitment and Accountability Monitors policies about the use of campus athletic facilities, including youth camps and other related activities. Ensures that there are institutional policies about physical safety risks and stays informed about medical research and well-being of student athletes. From: AGB Statement on Intercollegiate Athletics, 2018 Board Commitment and Accountability

Board Commitment and Accountability Reviews and monitors outcomes for institution’s plans for gender equity under Title IX; monitors athletics programs for complying with laws and regulations about sexual misconduct. Ensures that donor and sponsorship support of athletics reflects institutional priorities and that there is institutional control of those revenues. . From: AGB Statement on Intercollegiate Athletics, 2018 Board Commitment and Accountability

Board Commitment and Accountability The Board . . . Monitors Affirms Reviews Ensures Approves What does the President do? Board Commitment and Accountability

“. . .member-led organization dedicated to the well-being and lifelong success of college athletes.” 1,117 colleges and universities 100 athletics conferences 40 affiliated sports organizations About 500,000 student athletes; 19,750 teams; 90 championships in 24 sports. Source: NCAA website What is the NCAA?

NCAA Priorities ACADEMICS Opportunities to earn a college degree WELL-BEING Keep college sports safe; physical and mental well-being FAIRNESS Respect, integrity, and responsibility on and off the field NCAA Priorities

Who Are the Players? COLLEGE AND UNIVERSITY PRESIDENTS ATHELTICS DIRECTORS FACULTY ATHLETICS REPRESENTATIVES CONFERENCE COMMISSIONERS AND STAFF ACADEMIC SUPPORT STAFF COACHES SPORTS INFORMATION DIRECTORS HEALTH AND SAFETY PERSONNEL Who Are the Players?

Who Makes The Rules? THE RULES ARE MADE BY THE MEMBER INSTITUTIONS. Representatives from member institutions serve on committees. The committees (and conferences) propose rules and policies. The membership reviews and approves rules and policies. The specific governance approach varies among the three divisions. Who Makes The Rules?

How is the NCAA Governed? Division I has a representative form of governance. The Board of Directors includes presidents and chancellors from institutions who are members of Division I conferences. In Division II and Division III all members participate and all institutions have a vote. How is the NCAA Governed?

How is the NCAA Governed? The Board of Governors is the governing body for the entire organization. Presidents and chancellors from each of the three divisions address issues that pertain to the entire membership. How is the NCAA Governed?

What Are the Characteristics of the Divisions? DIVISION I 351 INSTITUTIONS (32% of NCAA) 9895 student athletes (1 in 25 students) DIVISION II 308 INSTITUTIONS (28% of NCAA) 2514 student athletes (1 in 11 students) DIVISION III 443 INSTITUTIONS (40% of NCAA) 1736 student athletes (1 in 6 students) What Are the Characteristics of the Divisions?

What Are the Characteristics of the Divisions? DIVISION I 59% receive some level of athletics aid DIVISION II 62% receive some level of athletics aid DIVISION III 80% receive some form of academic grant or need-based scholarship More than $3 billion is given annually in Div. I and II. What Are the Characteristics of the Divisions?

Some Facts about NCAA Student Athletes About 2% of high school athletes are awarded some form of athletics scholarships to compete in college. On average, NCAA student athletes graduate at a higher rate than the general student body. Fewer than 2% of NCAA student athletes go on to be professional athletes. Some Facts about NCAA Student Athletes

The National Association of Intercollegiate Athletics is an athletics association for small colleges and universities in North America. 251 members—81% private institutions with an average full-time enrollment of 1700. 65,000 student athletes in 21 conferences. $600 million awarded annually in scholarships. What is the NAIA?

The Knight Commission on Intercollegiate Athletics First convened in 1989. Issued Keeping Faith With the Student-Athlete: A New Model for Intercollegiate Athletics in 1991. Recommended presidential control and leadership and a focus on academic integrity and fiscal integrity verified by a transparent certification process (a 1+3 model). The Knight Commission on Intercollegiate Athletics

The Knight Commission Reconvened in 2000. Issued Keeping Faith With the Student-Athlete: A New Model for Intercollegiate Athletics in 2001. Released third major report, Restoring the Balance: Dollars, Values and the Future of College Sports in 2010. The Knight Commission

Restoring the Balance report calls for strengthening accountability by: Requiring greater transparency, including measures to compare athletics and academic spending; Rewarding practices that make academic values a priority; and Treating college athletes as students first and foremost. The Knight Commission

Knight Commission Impact Improved graduation success rates of student athletes. More than 80% receive degrees. Incentives tied to academic success. At least 50% of team must be on track to graduate to be eligible for post-season championships. Portion of March Madness revenues now used to reward schools for meeting academic criteria. Knight Commission Impact

Knight Commission Impact Greater emphasis on student athlete well-being and educational experience. More health and safety protections. More time off from sports. Included in policymaking. Presidential leadership for college sports embedded in every level of governance. Knight Commission Impact

AGB Board of Director’s Statement on Governing Board’s Responsibilities for Intercollegiate Athletics, AGB Press, 2018. “The ROI of Athletics” by John Gerdy, Trusteeship, September/October, 2016. “Governance in Intercollegiate Athletics: Boards Must Know the Score” by John Casteen and Rick Legon, Trusteeship, November/December, 2012. Resources

“What is the Board’s Role in Overseeing Intercollegiate Athletics “What is the Board’s Role in Overseeing Intercollegiate Athletics?” by Carol Cartwright, Trusteeship, November/December, 2017. “Why Boards Shouldn’t Be Spectators for Athletics” Trusteeship, September/October, 2018. www.KnightCommission.org www.NCAA.org Resources