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

2. 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!

3. 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.

4. 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.

5. 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

6. 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

7. 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

8. 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

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

10. 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

11. 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

12. 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

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

14. *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?