The Importance of Division I Athletics to the University Community BRONCOS The Importance of Division I Athletics to the University Community

We Commonly Own Athletics* Athletics is the front porch of the university Our alumni and donors expect athletic recognition Clear research has been done on the return on investment and value added: Student athletes bring students to other programs Creates a unique experience for every student Increases retention Legislators refer to NCAA division status when referring to the size and prestige of universities, as do students and fans A significant population of our students said they would not have chosen WMU if it were not a DI institution It’s a GREAT Day to be a BRONCO!

Mission of the Athletic Board The Division of Intercollegiate Athletics at Western Michigan University reports to the Athletic Board. The board is comprised of students, faculty and alumni who are appointed by the president of the university. The university's faculty representative to the NCAA, MAC, NCHC serves as chairperson of the Athletic Board and reports directly to the president’s office, the AAUP and the Faculty Senate in order to assure the appropriate guidelines are being adhere to at Western Michigan University.

Mission of the Athletic Board, cont. The primary purpose of the Athletic Board is to serve as an oversight body assuring institutional commitment to the missions of academics, athletics and student well-being. Student-athletes are particularly encouraged and welcomed to express their concerns about the vitality of the relationship between academics and athletics at WMU. The input of the faculty, staff, and other members of the university community is integral to the Athletics Board; all are encouraged to submit questions or comments to the chair.

The Athletic Board may offer recommendations on such matters as: Academic standards for student-athletes Conduct of intercollegiate athletics program Personnel policies Athletic ticket policies Athletic contest scheduling policies Commitment to diversity and student well being considerations (Title VII and IX) Promotional activities, public relations, and publicity Student-athlete academic concerns

Appointed Athletic Board Members 2013 Fred Sitkins- Chair Industrial & Manufacturing Engineering Halbert Bates Advising, Haworth College of Business Dr. James Lewis Department of Human Performance Dr. Charles Crawford Department of Sociology Dr. Susan Stapleton, Dean Graduate College Scot Conant Student Recruitment Outreach Director Dr. Richard Gershon Department of Communication Lisa DeChano-Cook, Ph.D. Department of Geography

Appointed Athletic Board Members 2013 Student Members: Eric Nederhoed Industrial & Manufacturing Engineering Ashley Hunault College of Education & Human Development Ex-Officio Members: Kathy Beauregard Director of Athletics Dave Corstange Senior Associate Athletic Director

Athletic Support Staff Dennis Corbin Associate Athletic Director Monty Porter Associate Athletic Director: Business Operations Jeffrey Stone Associate Athletic Director: Academic Compliance Services Amy Washington Administrative Assistant to Athletics Director

Standing committees of the Athletic Board Academic Integrity Rules Compliance Gender Equity Student-Athlete Welfare

Fall 2012 Student-Athlete Academics TEAM GPA Baseball 3.25 Men’s Basketball 3.13 Football 2.81 Hockey 3.08 Men’s Soccer 3.43 Men’s Tennis 3.53 Women’s Basketball 3.19 Cross Country 3.59 Golf 3.56 Gymnastics 3.76 Women’s Soccer 3.66 Softball 3.00 Women’s Tennis Track 3.31 Volleyball 3.30 MEN’S OVERALL GPA 3.04 WOMEN’S OVERALL GPA 3.41 TOTAL OVERALL GPA

Fall 2012 Student-Athlete Academics 253 out of 365 total student athletes had a 3.0 fall semester GPA or higher (69.3%) Only 5 student athletes had a cumulative GPA below 2.0 at the end of the fall semester Currently, 38 out of 67 Bronco Seniors hold over a 3.2 cumulative GPA The Mid American Conference (MAC) Faculty Athletics Award winner 2 consecutive years MAC Scholar Athlete of the Week: 5 Female 4 Male

2013 Top Ten Senior Scholar-Athletes Student GPA Sport Major Katlin Abbs 4.00 Gymnastics Speech Pathology & Audiology Sarah Wright Occupational Therapy Kelsey Baskins 3.99 Women’s Soccer Accountancy Kaylee Imel 3.97 Golf Anina Cicerone 3.88 Biomedical Sciences Ben Samson 3.85 Football Cara Cremeans 3.83 Track Food Marketing Brandon Pokley 3.77 Men’s Tennis Finance Ross Vanderploeg Interdisciplinary Health Services Brittany Adams 3.73

Fall 2012 Student-Athlete Academics NCAA Academic Progress Rate (APR): A rolling four-year average; 930 rate required WMU APR ranges from 951-1000 WMU exceeds the national graduation success rate

*If we commonly own athletics, we need to commonly support athletics Faculty could: Be visible as a Bronco Attend athletic events Encourage students to attend Challenge their colleagues Attend student athlete recognition events, e.g. Senior Recognition Ceremony Monday, April 15th, 5 p.m. at the Fetzer Center Being a Bronco benefits all of us. Comments/Questions?