INTERCOLLEGIATE ATHLETIC
COMMITTEE MEETING
ATTENDING: Rob Bollinger, Charlie Bridgeford, Ron
Brinkert, Tom Buning, Judy DeMers, Ray Diez, Lillian Elsinga, Cindy Flom-Meland,
Phil Harmeson, Sue Jeno, Donna Pearson, Betty Ralston,
Recorder: Bev Hopman
Ray Diez called the meeting
to order at
Minutes: The minutes from the
Review of the charge and duties of the IAC: Ray Diez
distributed copies of the duties of the IAC as outlined by the University
Senate. Several changes have been
made. Item 4 under Functions and
Responsibilities was changed to read,
“Review and approve all Athletic Department letterwinner awards. Under the same area, Item 11 was moved to
Item 12 and a new responsibility was listed as Item 11 “Provide ongoing support
for and monitoring of fan behavior policies and their effects on athletics and
academics at the University.” Copies of
the revised IAC information will be sent to all committee members.
Department Updates:
Hockey Seating: Tom Buning reported that the band has been
moved to the student section in the lower bowl for home hockey games. The first test of this move came when UND
played Northeastern on October 14 and 15.
The band did not affect anyone’s view of the game and added energy to
the student section. The AD reported
that most of the feedback has been positive.
Tom Buning said that Athletics and REA are still working to get the
students to sit during the game. He said
it seemed better on Saturday night. 1200
student season tickets were sold. The
season tickets allow 600 students to sit in the lower bowl on one night of the series
and the upper bowl on the second night of the series. There are approximately 900 student tickets held
to be sold as single game tickets. They
go on sale Monday morning the each week there is a home series. Unsold student tickets are made available to
the public on Thursday mornings.
Fan Behavior: Tom Buning said that the Department of
Athletics is working with the
NCAA Logo: Phil Harmeson reported that a second appeal
is near completion. It will be more
comprehensive than the first appeal and based on judicial fiat. It will also indicate that the NCAA
overstepped its authority. Tom Buning
added that a statement will be included in the appeal stating that while an
appeal is in process, UND will not act on the mandate to have new uniforms for
post season play.
Facilities: Tom Buning has requested the head coaches and
several of the areas within Athletics schedule Listening Days to give
presentations to the administrative staff.
Part of each presentation will include facilities needs and requests. AD Buning is trying to secure funding to hire
a consultant to develop a master facilities plan for Athletics. He said the old Engelstad Arena building is
of no value to Athletics, but that the space is very valuable. Phil Harmeson said that no decision has been
made on the use of the old Engelstad property.
Bruce Smith asked what needed to be done to secure the property for
Athletics. Phil Harmeson said Athletics
has to come up with a plan for the use.
Charlie Bridgeford asked if UND was trying to acquire additional
property around the University. Phil
Harmeson replied that UND is purchasing property all the time.
Compliance: Betty Ralston passed out several handouts to
the committee that covered the following topics: 1) Spring 2005 Academic Highlights - The
composite GPA for UND student-athletes was over 3.0 for the fourteenth out of
the last fifteen semesters. A copy is
attached. 2) The DI Academic Progress
Rate is within eligibility range. 3)NCAA
DI and DII proposed legislation. 4) Copies
of academic information that was sent to the coaches. 5) Information on exit interviews to be
conducted with seniors. 6) Compliance check.
Betty Ralston said she would like to have IAC become with both the exit
interviews and the compliance checks.
Ray Diez said that would be added to the agenda for the next
meeting.
Betty
Ralston said the deficiencies have been sent out. Of the 514 student-athletes, 183 had
deficiencies (36%). She said that number
does not concern and it is comparable to other schools. But she did say she is seeing too many
repeated courses and would like UND to implement DI standards toward
graduation.
Two
fall sport student-athletes have been nominated for post graduate
scholarships. They are Veronica Sackett,
cross country, 3.92 in Civil Engineering; and Dan Gagner, football, 3.78 in
accounting.
Sue
Jeno asked if there were any violations to report. Betty Ralston said there were no NCAA
violations at this time but that she has concentrated her time on making
certain that all of the student-athletes are eligible.
Tom
Buning thanked Betty Ralston for stepping into the job as Associate Athletic
Director/SWA and doing an excellent job for UND and the Athletic
Department.
Budget: Tom Buning passed out information on the
2005-06 budget to date. If no changes
are made, a $680,000 is projected. He is
working with the Athletic Business Manager and the Budget Office to find ways
to cut the budget. Five positions have
been eliminated with a savings of $250,000.
All of the sports have been asked to cut 10% from their operating
budget. It is projected that the balance
will be made up with increased giving through the Fighting Sioux Club. Rob Bollinger said that part of the research
done during the Department of Athletics strategic planning was the amount of
student fees paid at various institutions to support athletic programs. UND students contributed very little compared
to most schools. He mention the
Old Business:
Athletic
Credit for Sport Participation: Ron
Brinkert said the PEXS Department has not taken any further action on this
request. He requested the issue be
tabled until the next meeting.
Status
of IAC Chair for 2005-06: Ray Diez said
he will be on developmental leave during the second semester. He asked the committee if they would prefer
to elect a new chair at this time or have an election at the start of second
semester. Judy DeMers recommend that Ray
Diez continue as chair through January and that the IAC elect a new chair in
February. The committee agreed
unanimously.
New Business:
REA
Usage Agreement: Tom Buning said the REA
Usage Agreement is at the President’s Office for signatures. There are no major changes in the
agreement. He will use this year to
study the contract and recommend changes for next year.
Tom
Buning gave quick updates on the following:
The Hockey Hall of Fame will be held Oct. 28 and 29; Athletic is working
on redoing the web site; the media contracts are being evaluated; Athletics
will be hiring a new Assistant Athletic Director for Marketing and
Promotions. He displayed the Women’s
Hockey Media Guide. The cover had raised
some questions because of the crowd shot had been altered to show more people
in the stands than usually attend the games.
Tom Buning explained that the media guide is not used for marketing or
recruiting, it is for use by the media that cover athletic events. He also stated that any potential recruit
attends games and can see first hand what the typical attendance is.
Men’s
basketball had added two exhibition games, Nov. 7 and 9. They will be free of charge, but fans are
asked to bring non-perishable food items which will be donated to SAAC and
Mortar Board.
Division
I/Division II: Ray Diez asked what the
status was on a potential move to Division I.
Tom Buning said the President is forming a committee to investigate
reclassification. Phil Harmeson said
that reclassification is an institutional issue. Lowell Schweigert asked if the committee
would include members of the community.
Tom Buning said it will include faculty, alumni, letterwinners,
boosters, and members if the IAC.
Phil
Harmeson said this was the first IAC meeting he has attended under the new
Athletic administration. He said the
early reports have been favorable and he thanked Tom Buning, Betty Ralston and
Rob Bollinger for doing a great job.
Ray
Diez said if anyone had items for the next IAC meeting to e-mail them to
him. The meeting adjourned at