INTERCOLLEGIATE ATHLETIC
COMMITTEE MEETING
ATTENDING: Charlie Bridgeford, Ron Brinkert, Jared
Bruggeman, Ray Diez, Phil Harmeson, Sue Jeno, Paul Kriegler, Ray Lefebvre,
Patti Mahar, Cindy Flom-Meland, Susan Nelson, Mark Rudolph,
Recorder: Bev Hopman
Susan Nelson called the
meeting to order at
Minutes: Spelling corrections were made to both the December 14
and January 25 minutes. Ray Diez moved
the minutes from the December 14, 2004, meeting be approved as corrected. Lowell Schweigert seconded. Motion carried. Ray Diez moved the minutes from the January
25, 2005, meeting be approved as corrected.
Bruce Smith seconded. Motion carried.
Football Letterwinners: Dale
Lennon had submitted a list of 2004 letterwinners for football. Sue Jeno moved the list of letterwinners be
approved as submitted by the head coach.
Ray Diez seconded. Motion
carried.
Athletic Director Search: Susan Nelson reported
she had volunteered to serve on the search committee as a representative of the
IAC. The President’s Office told her
that Phil Harmeson will be serving on the search committee as the IAC and
faculty representative. Jared Bruggeman
expressed concern that there are two athletic coaches and no athletic
administrative staff on the search committee.
He stated that it would have been inappropriate for there to be two
athletic administrators on the committee and no coaches and pointed out that the
administrators work directly with the AD everyday. Susan Nelson and Ray Diez both expressed
concerns that the faculty was underrepresented.
Susan Nelson asked if there were other groups on campus that had
expressed concerns. Phil Harmeson said
one group, the minority council, had contacted the President’s Office. Patti Mahar asked how many were on the search
committee. There are nine members. Lowell Schweigert said the business community
in
Roger Thomas said the job of
Athletic Director at UND is a challenge.
The job has changed dramatically since he was hired six years ago. UND has some unique issues such as Division
I, the logo, facilities and developing women’s hockey. Finances will be an even bigger issue in the
future. UND’s Athletic Department is
almost self supporting. Income is derived from endowed money, student fees,
licensing, ticket sales and FSC.
Athletics has also received some tuition waivers in the past. It is important that the new AD find new
revenue streams to keep UND Athletics on top.
Budget: Roger Thomas had a budget sheet for the IAC to
review. He indicated copies would be
made available to IAC members upon request.
Sue Jeno asked if there were particular areas where revenue fell
short. Roger Thomas replied that ticket
sales for basketball and men’s hockey were less than expected. Susan Nelson asked if ticket sales were the
“make or break” budget item for athletics.
Phil Harmeson replied that it is very complex. Roger Thomas said a better contract was
negotiated with the Alerus and new contracts being developed with REA and the
Alumni Association will benefit Athletics.
Department Reports
a. Department Update: Roger Thomas said the women’s basketball team
and the swim teams are both very high in
the rankings. With only twelve
conference games, there is very
little margin for error in basketball, but there is a chance UND could host NCC
playoff games.
Jared Bruggeman said UND will be hosting the Men’s Division
II Elite Eight Basketball
Tournament in March. This is an exciting
event and will be good for the city
of
The 40 Years of Women’s Athletics celebration went very
well. Roger Thomas said it was great to see female athletes from the
pioneer teams meet and mingle with recent alums. Jared Bruggeman said Maria Bruggeman had
indicated it was the best event she
has attended and that everyone had a great time.
b. Compliance: Jared Bruggeman said there was nothing
new to report.
c. Fighting
Sioux Club: Mark Rudolph indicated
nothing new to report on the FSC.
Old Business:
Class Credit for S/A:
Jared Bruggeman asked if any
progress had been made on issuing class credit for participation in varsity
athletics. Ron Brinkert said one of the
concerns expressed by PEXS was whether student-athletes would be double
dipping, getting credit for athletic participation and also getting credit for
101 PEXS classes. He indicated that S/U
grading would be recommended. Jared
Bruggeman said he would be willing to help in any way with this issue.
New Business:
Provisional Admission:
Phil Harmeson reported that
provisional admission has been approved for specific groups of students that
have a support system in place on campus such as student-athletes and Native
American students. Students who do not
meet standard admission requirements can be admitted under this system. They will need to take certain required
classes and will not be allowed to register for more than 15 credits. Roger Thomas stated that this may not
eliminate the problem for recruiting student-athletes since their application
will still need to go before a committee.
Jared Bruggeman said it was his understanding that Athletics could make
the decision in lieu of the admission committee. It is not clear if that is correct. Mark Rudolph asked if a rejection letter went
out to the prospective student-athlete if they did not meet admission
requirements. Yes, a letter does go
out. Sue Jeno suggested a list of
prospective student-athletes be provided to Admissions and that the IAC request
a letter not be sent unless the admission committee denies the application. Charlie Bridgeford asked how often the
admission committee would be meeting.
The plan is for them to meet once a week. Roger Thomas said the Athletic Department
would be not use the provisional admission for anyone that was below the NCAA
admission requirements. Sue Jeno will
continue to monitor the situation.
The meeting was
adjourned. The next meeting will be