Athletics Affiliation

Holy Names University recently submitted an application for membership in Division II of the NCAA. The following executive summary provides further information about HNU's application.

Executive Summary

During the last two years, Holy Names University has enthusiastically embraced the idea of membership in Division II of the NCAA. After learning the results of the 2011 application process, we collected information from a variety of constituents about our strengths and limitations, and we used this information to further assess our position and consider our next
steps. Our process has been thorough and transparent, and we continue to have the unanimous support of Trustees, students, faculty, and member institutions in the PacWest. The following links provide further information about the process and the findings of the task report:

• Background
• Time-Table/Critical Dates for the Task Force
• O & L Consulting Report
• HNU Athletics Affiliation Survey
• Project Plan

Holy Names University is fully committed to having a model athletics program that strives to provide a high quality intercollegiate athletics experience for all student athletes. We are committed to continuing to work with students and colleagues to implement the provisions of the
strategic plan for HNU Athletics: HNU Hawks 2016: Mission, Vision and Goals, and we are committed to successfully competing within Division II of the NCAA.

Sponsored by the Sisters of the Holy Names, HNU was founded in Oakland, CA, in 1868. As an academic community, HNU is committed to the full development of each student, offering a liberal education rooted in the Catholic tradition, and empowering a diverse student body for
leadership and service in a diverse world. HNU is a private, coeducational institution with a total Spring 2012 enrollment of 1,276 students.

As one of the most diverse institutions of higher education in the United States, Holy Names University is in the unique position of serving a student body reflective of the future. Our urban location complements our commitments to access, our educational approaches support success
and empowerment, and our core values of hospitality, justice, and service lead our students to pursue positive contributions to individuals and their communities.

In essence, the ideals of Division II of the NCAA and the core values of Holy Names University (Hospitality, Social Justice, and Service) are clearly aligned, which makes our institution an outstanding fit for the Association.

HNU Athletics, which has taken a comprehensive and thorough approach to ensure that its actions align with the strategic platform of Division II of the NCAA, emphasizes the total educational experience of student athletes, and has not only articulated its future, but has demonstrated that it is capable of realizing it.

First, HNU Hawks 2016: Mission, Vision and Goals presents the core values and strategic goals that underscore HNU Athletics. It also includes the mission statement: "Holy Names University Athletics is committed to the full development of all student athletes through their engagement in the total educational experience, and the actions necessary to realize the vision set forth by the plan." The plan was developed during spring 2011 and a significant number of actions have already been accomplished, including:

1. Commitments to addition of administrative support.
2. Transitioning part-time coaches to full-time coaching positions.
3. Increased budget allocations to the department of athletics (operational).
4. Beginnings of a capital campaign for on-campus facilities.

Second, the feasibility studies done during the last two years were extensive and included data collection about HNU Athletics as it pertains to the 21 guiding principles for a model athletic program, developed by the Division II Athletics Directors Association. SWOT analyses were conducted by administrative staff and recommendations made for next steps. In essence, we discovered that HNU Athletics was stronger on all of the principles than initially conceived.

Third, addressing items we learned since first applying for membership with Division II of the NCAA, we developed a Fact Sheet (See Fact Sheet) that illustrates the comprehensive nature of Holy Names University. In addition to the figures listed on the Fact Sheet, traditional student enrollments at HNU have risen 48% since 2006, and full-time staff members in HNU Athletics
now stands at 10, an increase of 500% over the same time period.

Additionally, we have made significant investments in facilities on campus (scoreboards, bleachers, locker rooms), initiated a $7 million dollar capital campaign for on campus state of the art softball and soccer facilities, and secured first-class facilities off-campus for baseball, softball, soccer, tennis and golf. Fourth, HNU Athletics continues to enhance the necessary
resources and personnel to operate a NCAA Division II athletics program that is consistent with the Life in the Balance platform:

1. HNU Athletics Administration:
a. Director of Athletics, full-time
b. Associate Director of Athletics/ATC, full-time
c. Assistant Director of Athletics/SWA, full-time
d. Assistant Director of Athletics, full-time
e. Compliance Coordinator, full-time
f. Director of Sports Medicine, full-time
g. Faculty Athletics Representative (FAR), full-time, tenured professor

2. Diversity: A core value for HNU, nearly 80% of our students are from under-represented groups and nearly 50% of our undergraduates are first-generation students.

3. Service: A core value for HNU, student athletes are involved not only on campus, but in a multitude of ways off campus. They provide tutoring, serve meals to the homeless and do a variety of other service work in Oakland, surrounding communities, and in Tutwiler, MS.

4. Oversight and Institutional Control: There is a demonstrated history of leadership and oversight by the President and other senior officers at the University as it pertains to HNU Athletics. This extends to the Enrollment Management and Student Affairs Committee of the Board of Trustees, which provides oversight for HNU Athletics. HNU believes fully in the concept of integration and the principle of institutional control and
consistently acts on both items.

5. Financial Aid: The University has provided generous athletic scholarships to students, and has a plan for bringing the number of those scholarships in line with the numbers allowed by NCAA Division II.

6. Conference Membership: In fall 2012, HNU will begin competing in the Pacific West Conference. We are very excited by this opportunity, and pleased to have the unanimous support of the PacWest and its member institutions. HNU has very close historic and athletic associations with several of the PacWest’s current members. We look forward to the regional rivalries and most importantly, we look forward to being part of an association dedicated to the success of its students and member institutions.

7. Sports Sponsorships: Presently, Holy Names University offers ten varsity-level sports, and as of fall 2012, we will begin intercollegiate competition in baseball and women’s tennis. We plan to add men’s tennis and women’s golf as intercollegiate sports by fall 2013. These sports, and the necessary staff to operate them, will further enhance administrative, operational, and coaching resources in the department.

8. Sports Achievements: Since becoming a charter member of the Cal Pac in 1996, HNU Athletics has earned:
· 69 Academic All-Americans
· 7 California Pacific Conference All-Sports Awards
· 54 conference championships
· 36 NAIA national tournament appearances
· 26 regional tournament appearances
· 3 regional championships
· 25 conference MVP’s
· 35 NAIA All-Americans
· 26 conference coach of the year awards

9. Operating Budget: The financial commitment HNU has made to athletics exceeds the average funding spent by active member institutions. HNU has established programs for baseball and women's tennis for fall 2012 and has plans in place to add men's tennis and women's golf to begin play in fall 2013. The university has developed a capital campaign plan that includes $7,000,000 in sports facilities additions.

10. Student Athlete Advisory Committee: Officially named the Hawk Student Athlete Advisory Committee, it provides a regular forum for students to be an integral part of the governance process.

11. Student Success: Working closely with institutional departments and systems, the Department of Athletics tracks the academic progress of student athletes and has implemented programs and interventions to enhance academic success. Presently, the graduation rate of student athletes at HNU significantly exceeds the rate of other students.

12. Compliance: Under the leadership of its full-time Compliance Coordinator and Compliance Committee, HNU is in the process of drafting detailed step-by-step procedures to properly monitor and document rules compliance. Facets of the program governing countable athletically related activities and recruiting activities have been implemented during the 2011-12 academic year. Other components will be added throughout the year. HNU will fully function under NCAA and Pacific West Conference rules when it first competes as a conference member in fall 2012.

Fifth, Holy Names University fully embraces the NCAA Division II Strategic Positioning Platform. We are committed to excellence, and the idea that the total educational experience of students is critical to their academic and athletic success. HNU Athletics has a road map in place, through its strategic plan, for pursuing excellence, emphasizing the total educational experience, and helping students succeed socially, academically and athletically.

Finally, we are committed to the principle of institutional control. HNU is dedicated to ensuring that student athletes learn through an overall balanced experience of being a college student and athlete. Integration, oversight, sound fiscal controls, financial aid, and the active involvement of senior administrative staff and the Faculty Athletics Representative are all critical to ensuring the academic and athletic success of our students.