INTERCOLLEGIATE ATHLETIC
COMMITTEE MEETING
ATTENDING: Charlie Bridgeford, Maria Bruggeman, Judy DeMers,
Ray Diez, Lillian Elsinga, Susan Jeno, Susan Nelson, Elizabeth Nichols,
Recorder: Bev Hopman
The meeting was called to order by Sue Jeno at
Minutes: Judy
DeMers moved the minutes from
Schedules: A composite schedule for the 2003-04
school year was presented to the committee for their
approval. Ray Diez moved the schedules
be approved. Elizabeth Nichols
seconded. Motion carried.
Budget:
John Sirignano reported that as fiscal year 2003 draws to a close,
the Athletic Department is monitoring expenses very closely and with the carry
over from last year expects to finish this year within budget. The department has just received the packets
for FY04. With salary increases,
increased insurance costs and higher tuition, he expects the new budget to be
over $5 million. The athletic
administration is currently looking at ways to cut waste and streamline
expenses. Ray Diez requested that the
IAC receive quarterly budget reports as they have in previous years. He suggested October, January, March and May
as report dates. John Sirignano agreed
to have quarterly reports prepared.
Facilities: Sue Jeno asked how the student’s decision to erect a free standing building for their new wellness center would affect the Athletic Department. John Sirignano replied that it will free up space in the Hyslop. He also reported that Athletics is awaiting a final sign off by the president to approve an addition to Ralph Engelstad Arena for men’s and women’s basketball and volleyball. The ND State Legislature has already granted approval for the construction. If an agreement can be reached in time for a July ground breaking, the new facility would be ready for use by the fall of 2004. ICON Architectural Group has been hired to build the facility. Susan Nelson suggested that a conference area with the ability to host speakers be added. John Sirignano said that at this time no conference areas were in the plans. The projected cost for the facility is $6.5 million and will have a 3500-4000 seat arena, a dry land training area, volleyball and basketball practice facilities and a “Traditions” area. The seats will be similar to those in the Alerus and bleachers can be utilized at both ends of the court. Weekly meetings are being held with the coaches to make certain it meets the needs and expectations of their programs. REA will take a loan to finance the building and pay it back through increased ticket sales and suite revenue. No University money will be used and no fund drives are planned at this time.
Lowell Schweigert asked how this will impact the Hyslop. Maria Bruggeman said that it will provide more open space in the locker rooms as well as easier access to the practice facilities. John Sirignano added that the same problems the students encountered with remodeling the Hyslop will also prevent Athletics from implementing major renovations. Charlie Bridgeford asked about an indoor track. Ray Diez said one of the options proposed was to remove the exterior shell from the old Engelstad Arena, leaving the frame in place, then a new outside wall would be added further out from the building, enclosing an indoor track. Planning for an indoor track and indoor multi-sport training facility are currently on hold. The Athletic Department will work with the Alumni Association on the possibility of a future capital campaign for athletic facilities.
Compliance: Jared Bruggeman was not available for this meeting. Bev Hopman reported on his behalf that there have been eight reports filed with the NCAA since July of 2002. Nine different athletic programs or administrative offices have reported in secondary violations or student-athlete reinstatement and ten by-laws were violated. The reporting year ends June 30 and a complete report will be available for the fall IAC meeting. Many student-athletes receive requests to make public appearances at schools, churches, hospitals, etc. The NCAA requires documentation of all such activities. Athletics is asking the IAC’s assistance in making certain that all of these requests are channeled through the Athletic Marketing Department to control who the student-athletes are meeting with and to track their community service hours. Lillian Elsinga stated for the record that Jared Bruggeman and the coaches do a good job in adhering to NCAA regulations. Bev Hopman reported that UND continues to garner NCAA post-graduate scholarship awards. In addition to Kate Cahill and Kelby Klosterman who received awards in the fall, Becky Moen was awarded an NCAA post-graduate scholarship for winter. Mac Schneider received the Walter Byers Post-graduate Scholarship, one of the top awards from the NCAA.
Student
Seating: John Sirignano said that a compromise was
reached with Student Government and that student seating for hockey will not be
moved. The lower bowl student seats will
be sold as season tickets for a designated seat. If a student does not sit down or is
disruptive during the game, their ticket will be cancelled and they will not be
allowed to purchase student tickets in the future. A zero tolerance policy will be
enforced. Sue Jeno asked how this would
be policed and about handicap seating in the student section. John Sirignano said that Student Government
will monitor the first games of the season.
If the students sit down during play, the handicap section will not need
to be moved or adapted.
Gender
Equity: Bev
Hopman stated that Jared Bruggeman will compile the EADA Report (Title IX and
Gender Equity) which is due to the Department of Education on
Athletic
Staff Update: John
Sirignano reported that the two vacant assistant athletic director positions
have been filled. Sherry Penner will be
replacing Kathy McCann as Senior Women’s Administrator and Asst. AD for
Facility and Game Management. UND has
been awarded a NCAA grant that will offset a portion of her salary for the
first three years. Mark Rudolph will be
the Asst. AD for Development and Director of the Fighting Sioux Club. His position will allow Rob Bollinger and
Jeff Bowen to devote more time to developing endowments, planned giving and
capital fund drives.
Letterwinners: Judy DeMers commented on the discrepancy between the number of
letterwinners on the men’s hockey team vs. the women’s hockey team. She asked what standards were used. Bev Hopman said that each coach develops
their own standards, but the Athletic Department did not have the criteria they
used. Maria Bruggeman said this issue
has been discussed by the coaches and she recommend that the Athletic
Department request a copy of each coaches’ letterwinner guidelines. Bev Hopman said she would follow up with
Roger Thomas.
IAC
Alumni Membership: Sue Jeno reported that the University Senate
addressed the issue of alumni representation on the IAC and has reduced the
number of alumni representatives from three to two. She has visited with the Alumni Office and
they will try to find a female representative to fill the next vacancy.
Saturday/Sunday
Basketball and Volleyball: Charlie Bridgeford asked what the status was
on the proposal to change basketball and volleyball to Saturday/Sunday games. Sue Jeno said that she had not received a
response to her memo, but Phil Harmeson had indicated it would be discussed at
the NCC spring meetings. Lillian Elsinga
asked if any steps were taken to poll the fans or the student-athletes. Sue Jeno said she had letters from the teams
involved indicating they were not in favor of a change. There was some discussion regarding polling
the fans and becoming more pro-active on the issue. Sue Jeno said she would check with Roger
Thomas and the President’s Office after the NCC spring meetings. She will let the IAC members know if any
further action needs to be taken.
Ray Diez moved the meeting be adjourned,
Lillian Elsinga seconded. Motion
carried. The meeting adjourned at
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Sue Jeno visited with Phil Harmeson after the
NCC spring meeting. The proposal to
change basketball and volleyball to Saturday-Sunday did not go forward.