SCU President's Commission on Athletic's Report Due by Year's End

"The Bucking Bronco"

We love the Broncos.  We celebrate wins and agonize losses.  We WONDER:  why can't we contend with the WCC men's basketball kingpins?  Is it recruiting?  Coaching?  Facilities?  Academic admission policies?  Resources?  I mean, Spokane versus Silicon Valley and some of the best weather in the nation - really!

Maybe it's some of or all of the above.

The tom-toms were beating and Father Engh and the SCU leadership team heard them. This past June he established the President's Commission on Athletics.

Their Mission:  Study and Report

1. How can a stronger Intercollegiate program enhance our mission and vision?
2. To what extent would this increase our national and local reputation as a Jesuit and Catholic University?
3. What resources would be needed to "do it right"?
4. Can it be done without jeopardizing our compliance and academic standards?

This, potentially is VERY exciting news.  IF, we have the resolve to act and implement.  We're talking about contending in the WCC, striving for appearances on the national stage, hey - maybe even a big upset win or two.  This may be a "game" changer.  Not immediately - I know we are all impatient...

The makeup of the committee is impressive.  Not your usual "say yes" cast of characters. These people have real "cred".  They've seen it, done, it, financed it, and measured it - been there.

The committee bench-marked the WCC and other national programs (we are not talking Duke here) to find out how they've done it and how WE could do it.  Our own athletic program presented their "as is" case and what they felt would be needed to achieve better results.

It's too bad we are a bit late to the party - but I hope we just got on the invite list.

Our competitors have discovered that they can "monetize" athletics - particularly basketball and not lower any standards.  The PR and Brand exposure received on the national level is estimated to be a hundred million to duplicate - yes that's right, $100M.  Sold out games, TV contracts, corporate sponsors want in.  

In many cases, it also helps fund raising - leading to more yearly contributions and growing endowments.  Do applications to these schools rise?  They do - not in every case, but in a number of them.  Does this reputation help other sports - yes it can.  

The timetable goes down like this.  The report has been completed and due to Father Engh on December 15th.  Disseminated to the Board of Trustees for review and consideration at their February 14, 2014 meeting.

If the answer is go forward, changes will be necessary.  It will take more University budget commitment, fund raising, and most importantly, a plan with clear achievement measurements and accountability.  

More like the real world of Silicon Valley we live in.  

It's a fantastic opportunity....Do we have the vision and resolve?  The season ticket holders and other Bronco fans will be thinking about the possibilities every game...