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Strategic Goal III
Develop and maintain outstanding sports programs which produce championship results.
huskie statue
Simmons soccer coach
ESPN and NIU
Objective #1 - Recruit, retain and develop quality coaches and support staff.
  1. Identify outstanding coaches and staff with an equitable and thorough interview and selection process.
  2. Enhance employee compensation to rank minimally in the top half of the MAC.
  3. Foster communication through multiple mediums (i.e., Town Hall, Head Coaches' meetings, Huskie Updates, e-mail, intranet)
  4. Share coaching "best practices" in monthly Head Coaches' Meetings.
  5. Promote "buddy system" among coaches and staff.
  6. Continue to encourage professional development opportunities among coaches and staff.
Objective #2 - Attract and retain qualified student-athletes who have demonstrated success on and off the field of competition.
  1. Develop a philosophy and department-wide understanding of our institutional identity
  2. Develop sport-specific recruiting philosophies.
  3. Maintain recruiting relationships within the northern Illinois and Chicagoland region.
  4. Emphasize special programs that highlight our support for student-athletes - academically, athletically and socially.
Objective #3 - Provide quality facilities and sport program support that are comparable at the highest level within the Mid-American Conference.
  1. Evaluate, maximize and improve student-athlete well-being and other program support units relative to MAC competitors.
  2. Monitor and improve our sports program operating budgets relative to MAC competitors.
  3. Update and communicate our facility plan.
  4. Increase accessibility to facilities for student-athlete skill development and improvement.
  5. Assess/improve/maintain practice and competitive facilities, locker rooms, and team meeting space.
Objective #4 - Establish and maintain a game day environment conducive to winning.
  1. Maintain quality games management.
  2. Work with campus constituents (e.g., housing and dining, campus police, Student Association, other pertinent student organizations) to support athletic events.
  3. Support quality spirit organizations.
  4. Solicit quality event entertainment.
  5. Implement sales ideas to increase attendance and not just add value for those already attending.
  6. Increase use of technology (television, radio, web site, etc.) to increase fan base and enhance connection with existing fans and supporters.
  7. Provide the highest level of customer service.
Objective #5 - Create scheduling opportunities that enhance competitiveness and the ability to win at the conference and national level (i.e., home events) for all sports.
  1. Sport administrators will work with coaches to develop a scheduling philosophy for each sport team.
  2. Encourage effort to maintain local and regional rivalries in all sports.
  3. Develop schedules that promote fan interest.
  4. Consider travel that enriches the educational benefits for student-athletes.
  5. Provide opportunities that enhance recruitment.
  6. Increase number of home competitions.