Northern Illinois University
Department of Intercollegiate Athletics
2015-18 Strategic Plan
Th
e mission of NIU Athletics is to enhance the University, community
and region through service and engagement while developing
champions in the classroom, in competition and in life.
MISSION STATEMENT
Th
e vision of NIU Athletics is to be a nationally-recognized NCAA
Division I program that wins championships and graduates
student-athletes with integrity while engaging a diverse community.
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NIU Athletics
HUSKIE CORE VALUES
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F
FORWARD
• Determination
Be resolute and disciplined in our pursuit of success. Be bold!
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ACCOUNTABILITY
• Integrity
Be personally responsible for all of our actions. Lead by example. Be guided by our ethical behavior,
adherence to rules compliance, academic honesty and thoughtful management of resources.
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MAXIMIZE
• Student-Centered
• Staff Retention
• Resources
Be steadfast in our commitment to the well-being, academic achievement and personal development
of our student-athletes. Maximize our capacity for success through resourcefulness, strategic
collaboration and adoption of best practices while capitalizing on our opportunities.
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INCLUSIVE
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Diversity
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Equity
Be a culture of respect for diversity in our people, ideas and services. Be committed to inclusivity,
diversity and gender equity while encouraging the personal and career growth of NIU student-athletes,
coaches and staff .
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LEGACY
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Tradition
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Excellence
Excel in the classroom, in competition and in our service to the community. Be defi ned by our passion,
legacy of achievement and our respect for tradition.
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YOU!
• Commitment
• Communiversity
We are committed to you - our stakeholders, our student-athletes and each other - at work, in our
community and in our lives.
COLLABORATION, ENGAGEMENT & PLANNING
Engage constituents through collaboration, service, events and success. Design and
implement department-wide planning practices that ensure the eff ective alignment of
priorities and resources.
1
Align NIU Athletics with the University’s mission, vision and strategic plan while
implementing communication strategies to enhance campus collaboration.
GOALS & OBJECTIVES
Provide monthly updates of upcoming Athletics and Convocation Center events for inclusion in the University calendar and promote a minimum of three faculty/staff appreciation events per year.
OBJECTIVE 1
Identify and communicate to Senior Staff and Department Heads available university and athletic department committee opportunities to encourage annual participation in a minimum of one committee per year.
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Develop strategies that strengthen partnerships between the
University, community and the northern Illinois region.
Implement quality control and management systems that
ensure continuous assessment of the strategic plan.
4
Develop, update and implement an emergency response plan
that includes crisis and safety procedures for all athletics
facilities.
OBJECTIVE 1
Continue to support Student Career Success through campus partnerships by encouraging participation in career fairs/forums and available programs/workshops.
• Create at least one (1) opportunity per year for corporate, alumni, and Huskie Athletic Fund donors to partner in hosting career forums, programs, and/or workshops for all NIU students.
• Develop and implement a minimum of fi ve internship opportunities per year in the athletic department for NIU students to earn academic credit.
Initiate contract and lease engagements that will impact the community and enhance revenue sharing.
• Identify and engage a minimum of one new potential facility partner. • Increase YMCA student-athlete camp involvement by two more per year. • Engage the Wooden Bat Leagues to bring a team to DeKalb by summer of 2017.
• Continue to strengthen relationships with the IHSA, corporate and community partners.
OBJECTIVE 2
Create a review process that will utilize Town Hall, Senior Staff , Department Head, and Department/Unit meetings to continually review and measure the success of our Strategic Plan; implement an open fi le sharing of agendas and minutes to promote transparency and open discussion.
OBJECTIVE 1
Establish an “Emergency Response Committee” by fall of 2015 that will meet a minimum of twice per year whose initial task is to collect and review current information and procedures and develop an Emergency Response Plan by spring 2016.
OBJECTIVE 1
Utilizing the Emergency Response Plan, educate Athletics staff bi-annually (spring and fall), beginning spring 2016.
CHAMPIONSHIP STANDARDS
Foster an environment that makes NIU a destination of choice/preferred choice.
Provide facilities that enhance the student and fan experience while maximizing revenue
opportunities. Provide the facilities, systems, personnel and funding that promote best
practices and enhanced performance.
1
Attract and retain quality student-athletes, staff and coaches by providing a positive
experience while fostering an inclusive environment.
GOALS & OBJECTIVES
Encourage all full-time athletics staff members to attend at least one professional development seminar, on campus or within the community, during the next three years.
OBJECTIVE 1
OBJECTIVE 2
Deliver a fi rst-class student-athlete experience by off ering a Meals Incidental to Participation program and upgraded transportation options.
• Provide at least one meal and one snack for all student-athletes during the academic fall and spring semesters, and continue to increase off erings and frequency over the next three years.
• Beginning fall 2015, require specifi c amenities for all outsourced transportation options.
Finish in the top half of the Mid-American Conference’s Reese and Jacoby standings every year over the next three years and continue to utilize adidas purchasing to incentivize head coaches based on their standings.
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Promote the University and NIU Athletics’ reputation both
internally and externally.
Advance the NIU Athletics Facilities Master Plan and
integrate with the University Master Plan.
Devise a comprehensive marketing plan designed to encompass all NIU sport programs while continuing to provide individual marketing plans for all sports.
OBJECTIVE 1
Identify and implement a soft ware program that will be used for all ticketing, development and marketing communications by fall 2017 in order to make data-driven marketing decisions.
OBJECTIVE 2
Schedule at least one non-conference opponent from the “Power 5” conferences both home and away for at least 50% of our sports programs by 2018; continue to work with coaches to schedule games on days and times that support fan experiences and student-athlete welfare.
OBJECTIVE 3
Strengthen the NIU Brand through the following methods: • Increase royalties on licensed goods by 25%.
• Offi cially release NIU brand standards.
• Use ESPN3 School Production broadcasts, as well as national television appearances, to promote NIU athletic stories and university initiatives.
• Showcase and market in-venue the accomplishments of NIU student-athletes by highlighting their academic, athletic and social achievements during every game.
OBJECTIVE 4
Identify a minimum of two projects from the Athletics Facilities Master Plan to create facilities that meet requirements for hosting conference, NCAA, and post-season competition. Submit annual bids to host NCAA/post-season competition.
OBJECTIVE 1
Recognize campus partnerships to be included in the Athletics Facilities Master Plan and secure a minimum of one campus entity that will partner with athletics to support its vision.
OBJECTIVE 2
Th rough the Huskie Athletic Fund and major gift program, increase private support for athletic facilities by 25% over course of three years by developing strategic corporate partnerships.
OBJECTIVE 3
Undertake and begin execution of NIU Athletics’ capital campaign.
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Maintain a fi nancial model that ensures the fi scal stability of NIU Athletics.
FINANCIAL SUSTAINABILITY
Improve the fan experience to generate further awareness and increase attendance at
sporting and Convocation Center events.
GOALS & OBJECTIVES
Annually review marketing plans to ensure technology inclusion in order to develop creative uses for in-game/in-venue use.
OBJECTIVE 1
OBJECTIVE 2
Develop, implement, and sell new premium seating experiences, including but not limited to: • Football End Zone Club
a) Conduct an annual review of sales goals with an expectation of a 10% increase each year. • Convocation Center Suites
a) Conduct an annual review of sales goals and suite packages to achieve optimal fan experience and 100% occupancy rate. • Women’s Basketball
a) Create a fan experience by fall 2015 that will increase ticket sales by 20%. • Volleyball
Maximize current relationships and non-traditional methods
to realize additional revenue streams.
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Develop a business plan that supports the vision of the NIU
Athletics department.
Identify fi ve new purchasing agreements per academic year.
OBJECTIVE 1
Create and/or enter into an agreement with campus partners or vendors to support and enhance student attendance through a marketing / incentive program by summer 2016.
OBJECTIVE 3
Create and implement a season ticket holder referral program to increase fan loyalty and participation by spring 2016.
OBJECTIVE 4
Identify internal and external partners for maximum operational effi ciencies.
• Partner with campus resources for travel agent service within the next academic year to improve coaching staff communication and budget effi ciencies.
• By fall 2016, ascertain opportunities for outsource staffi ng that could reduce costs.
OBJECTIVE 2
Develop an information technology plan that includes fan experience upgrades and increased operational effi ciencies with the athletic department.
• Install Wi-Fi in the Yard at Huskie Stadium with a 100% completion date by 2018. • Fully implement Offi ce 365 within the athletic department and annually organize
training seminars and surveys to review and enhance IT operations.
OBJECTIVE 3
Defi ne and provide resources to support competitive expectations that will increase self-generated revenue by 10% each academic year (as a percentage of overall revenue).
OBJECTIVE 1
Implement a zero-based budgeting process; complete a timely budget development process and annually conduct a review of department priorities.
OBJECTIVE 2
Secure a minimum of one naming rights partner in the 2015-2016 academic year to establish Phase I of the Facilities Master Plan.
STUDENT-ATHLETE EXPERIENCE
Strengthen and enhance the student-athlete experience in a well-balanced athletic,
academic, social and mental environment. Be nationally recognized for academic and
athletic achievement through a commitment to best practices and innovation.
1
Inspire student-athlete leadership development.
GOALS & OBJECTIVES
Nominate a minimum of three (3) student-athletes for MAC or NCAA leadership training opportunities in the form of committees or forums.
OBJECTIVE 1
Annually nominate one (1) to two (2) student-athletes for postgraduate scholarships.
OBJECTIVE 2
Encourage 15% of student-athletes to become involved with campus organizations outside of athletics and increase number by fi ve percent each year thereaft er.
OBJECTIVE 3
Encourage at least one student-athlete per sport program to be involved in Captain’s Council.
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Meet and exceed student-athlete well-being standards.
Provide optimal student-athlete support services and
programming through a strong infrastructure while preparing
for life aft er graduation.
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Strengthen the NIU Athletics’ brand through student-athlete
engagement with campus and community.
Conduct annual review of concussion protocols by medical staff and provide annual training and education for student-athletes, coaches, administration and medical staff .
OBJECTIVE 1
Annually nominate one full-time staff member to attend a collegiate-focused sports medicine conference.
OBJECTIVE 2
Annually schedule a minimum of four (4) workshops for student-athletes and staff that focus on current trends and issues.
OBJECTIVE 3
Strive to put student-athlete mental health best practices in place through collaboration with campus entities and the MAC Task Force.
OBJECTIVE 4
Annually host a minimum of one featured community, business or campus leader speaker per semester through the Huskie Experience workshops.
OBJECTIVE 1
Adopt the Huskies without Boarders study-abroad program in January 2016 with targeted fi rst trip in May 2016.
OBJECTIVE 2
Th rough promotion and education during the recruiting process, strive for fi ve (5) student-athlete Honors Program students per year.
OBJECTIVE 1
Continue to promote and educate student-athletes on Engaged Learning opportunities through TLC, Research Rookies, and Undergraduate Research.
OBJECTIVE 2
Engage 90% of student-athletes in community-service initiatives.
