Support & Auxiliary Services
1. INTRODUCTION:
My charge from this Athletic Task Force
was to collect information and data concerning the Support and Auxiliary
Services in the athletic department which include Sports Information, Trainers,
Cheerleaders, Dance Team, Pep Band, NCAA Compliance Coordinator and the
Administrative Assistant.
Present these findings to the group so
that recommendations can be made for the future direction of our athletic
department.
2. SPORTS INFORMATION
A. DESCRIPTION OF ROLE IN ATHLETICS
* Statistics coverage of all intercollegiate sports.
* Game administration at selected sporting events which includes being the
official scorekeeper and announcer.
* Web-casting (audio and video) of all basketball games, home baseball
games, and select other events.
* Promotions at most USCA home athletic events.
* Creating game programs for home athletic events.
* Photographer at athletic events.
* Creation and maintaining official athletics website.
* Pre-game information regarding upcoming athletic events.
* Post-game press releases on each athletic event (home and away).
* Student athletes hometown news releases.
* Creation and production of media guides for each sport.
* Monthly newsletter called “The Winners Circle”.
* Pacer Club marketing liaison.
* Athletic alumni database coordination.
* Some fundraising and marketing.
* Official spokesperson for the athletic department.
B. COMPARISON WITHIN PBC
* USC Aiken: 1 fulltime Director, I part time Asst., 1 work study for 11 sports.
* Armstrong Atlantic: I full time Director, 4 work study for 8 sports.
* Augusta State: I full time Director, 1 part time Asst., 4 work study for 10 sports.
* Clayton State: I full time Director, 2 work study for 8 sports.
* Columbus State: I full time Director, I full time Asst., 2 work study for 10 sports.
* Francis Marion: 1 full time Director, I work study for 12 sports.
* Georgia College&State: I full time Director, 1 intern, 1 grad student, 1 work study, I staff volunteer for home game duties for 10
sports.
* Kennesaw State: 1 full time Director, 1 full time Asst., 1 part time Asst., 6 work study for 10 sports.
*Lander: 1 full time Director, 1 part time Asst., 4 work study for 11 sports.
* North Florida: 1 full time Director, 1 full time Asst., 2 interns, 2 work study for 13 sports.
* UNC Pembroke: 1 full time Director, 1 part time Asst., 1 hill time Administrative
Asst. for SID only, 1 work study for 12 sports.
* USC Upstate: 1 full time Director, 1 full time Asst., 4 work study for 11 sports.
C. STRENGTHS
* Personnel — strong work ethic and the desire to do a great job.
* Writing ability.
* Design ability.
* Superior technology and equipment and the knowledge to get the most out of it.
* Promotion of USCA athletics through local, regional and national media outlets in 2002 generated 6,165 inches of newspaper coverage for a value of $66,052.00. In 2003 generated 8,410 inches of newspaper coverage for a value of $91,687.00.
D. WEAKNESSES
* Manpower to eliminate the number of work hours (avg. of 80 hours per weak, June & July- 40 hrs., August, September, October- 70-80 hrs., November, December, January, February, March- 90-100 hrs., April & May- 60-70 hrs.) to eliminate burnout and turnover.
* Manpower to create more feature stories.
* Manpower to create more hometown releases.
* Manpower to cover smaller sports.
* Lack of an Administrative Assistant.
* Lack of a Communications Department Internship
* New rules restricting the number of hours that part time assistants can work
E. NEEDS
* Manpower: full time assistant, intern, administrative assistant, more work study.
* Increase in budget to expand brochures, create schedule posters, create pocket schedule cards, and cover travel costs.
* Technology upkeep — rotation of equipment.
F. IMPROVEMENT IF NEEDS ARE MET
* More publicity
* More feature stories.
* More hometown releases.
* More coverage for the smaller sports.
* More coverage at away events.
* More web-cast for other sports.
* Improved brochures (which are valuable for publicity and recruiting).
* Less work hours to relieve burnout and turnover.
G. PRELIMINARY RECOMMENDATIONS
* Make our part time assistant a full time position.
* Create an administrative assistant position that would cover sports information
and trainer.
* Allocate scholarship money for a graduate assistant position.
* Allocate funding for 3 work study students.
* Allocate $5,000.00 increase in sports information budget to be used for improved brochures, schedule posters, pocket schedule cards, SID travel, and equipment rotation.
H. RATIONALE FOR RECOMMENDATIONS
* If these recommendations are met there will be an increase in publicity which will create more support that will in turn create an increase in ticket, concession, and Pacer Club membership revenue. And in time will pay for itself
I. GROUP DISCUSSION
3. TRAINING PROGRAM
A. DESCRIPTION OF THEIR ROLE IN ATHLETICS
* Provides care for injured student athletes in all sports.
* Provides emergency medical help at all practices and games for all sports.
* Provides rehabilitation for all recovering injured student athletes.
* Administers all drug tests for the athletic department.
* Manages all athletic insurance claims and inquiries.
* Maintains all student athlete medical records.
* A resource for all coaches and student athletes in conditioning and nutrition.
B. COMPARISON WITHIN THE PBC
* USC Aiken: I full time certified head trainer, 2 certified asst. trainers(l works predominately within the sports medicine curriculum) for 11 sports.
* Armstrong Atlantic: 1 full time certified head trainer, 2 certified grad asst. trainers for 8 sports.
* Augusta State: I full time certified head trainer, 2 certified grad asst. trainers for 10 sports.
* Clayton State: 1 full time certified head trainer, I certified grad asst. trainer for 8 sports.
* Columbus State: 1 full time certified head trainer, S student trainers for 10 sports.
* Francis Marion: 1 full time certified head trainer, 2 part time certified asst. trainers for 12 sports.
* Georgia College & State: 1 hill time certified head trainer, 3 grad asst. for 10 sports.
* Kennesaw State: I full time certified head trainer, 2 full time certified asst. trainers for 10 sports.
* Lander: I full time certified head trainer, 2 full time certified asst. trainers for 11 sports.
* North Florida: 1 full time certified head trainer, 2 grad asst. for 13 sports.
* IJNC Pembroke: I full time certified head trainer, I full time certified trainer (program coordinator), 1 full time certified trainer (clinical coordinator), 1 full time certified trainer (lecturer) for 12 sports.
* USC Upstate: I full time certified head trainer, 2 full time certified asst. trainers for 11 sports.
C. STRENGTHS
* Professional knowledge and skills.
* Staying abreast of current trends and treatments.
* Relationship with coaches.
* Relationship with local doctors.
* Facility.
D. WEAKNESSES
* Number of certified trainers is not in NATA recommended compliance. We
should have 4 certified trainers.
* Number of hours worked (70 to 80 a week) which causes burnout and
turnover.
* Inability to cover all sports on away trips.
* Inability to cover non-traditional practices and workouts.
* Inability to attend more training workshops and conventions.
E. NEEDS
* 1 more full time certified asst. trainer.
* Funds for scholarships in the athletic training curriculum.
* Funds to recruit students for the athletic training curriculum.
* Funding for an administrative assistant to relieve the insurance workload.
* Funds to purchase a Biodex machine, which is the state of the art training room equipment.
F. IMPROVEMENT IF NEEDS ARE MET
* Would meet recommended NATA requirements.
* Lessen work hours to help with burnout and turnover.
* Ability to cover all sports equally.
* Ability to cover non-traditional practices and workouts.
* Strengthen our athletic training curriculum.
* Improve our training facility.
G. PRELIMINARY RECOMMENDATIONS
* Create another full time certified asst. trainer position.
* Allocate funds to be used as scholarship and recruiting for the athletic training curriculum.
* Purchase a Biodex machine.
H. RATIONALE OF RECOMMENDATIONS
* By adding another certified asst. trainer to the staff, we will be in the recommended NATA compliance and eliminate most of our training needs.
* Additional funding to our athletic training curriculum will produce more man
power in the future.
* The addition of the Biodex machine will help make our training facility second
to none.
I. GROUP DISCUSSION
4. CHEERLEADERS
A. DESCRIPTION OF THEIR ROLE IN ATHLETICS
* To promote and support the spirit of USCA athletics.
* Provides cheer and entertainment at basketball games.
* Participation in athletic department fundraisers.
* Competes in cheerleading competitions.
B. COMPARISON WITHIN THE PBC
* USC Aiken: 16 cheerleaders, 1 part time coach, 2 part time advisors.
* Armstrong Atlantic: 13 cheerleaders, 1 part time each (also coaches dance team)
* Augusta State: 18 cheerleaders, 1 part time coach.
* Clayton State: (started in 2003-04), 16 cheerleaders, 1 part time coach.
* Columbus State: 36, 1 part time coach.
* Francis Marion: 13 cheerleaders, 1 part time coach (sponsored by student life).
* Georgia College & State: 20 cheerleaders, I part time coach, 1 part time grad
asst. coach, I part time advisor.
* Kennesaw State: 32 cheerleaders, 1 part time coach.
* Lander: 13 cheerleaders, 1 part time coach, (no scholarships).
* North Florida: 16 cheerleaders, 1 part time coach.
* UINC Pembroke: 25 cheerleaders, 1 part time coach (also coaches dance team).
* USC Upstate: 17 cheerleaders, I part time coach.
C. STRENGTHS
* Opportunity for female and male students unable to play a sport at USC Aiken
to be a part of a team.
* Provides a support system for this group of students.
D. WEAKNESSES
* Cheerleading is not recognized as a sport by the NCAA.
* Do not have a full time coach.
* Not enough scholarship money.
* Not enough operating money.
E. NEEDS
* To be recognized as a sport by the NCAA.
* A full time coach.
* Bigger scholarship budget.
* Bigger operating budget.
F. IMPROVEMENT IF NEEDS ARE MET
* If recognized by the NCAA, cheerleading would have more credibility.
* Having a full time coach would make practices and workouts more frequent
and improved.
* A bigger scholarship budget would allow for the actual recruitment of high
school and junior college cheerleaders.
* A bigger operating budget would allow a coach to purchase better uniforms and
other needed equipment.
G. TO THINK ABOUT
* To make a decision whether they are just for cheer or competitive cheer.
* To move cheerleading out of athletics and back into student services.
* To use part or all funding for cheerleaders to improve sports information or the training program.
H. RATIONALE
* If they are going to be competitive than we need to treat them that way and hire a full time coach and increase the scholarship and operating budget.
* If they are just for cheer at basketball games, it would best suit to move them to student services.
* Since cheerleading is not recognized as a sport by the NCAA and the support it gives to the athletic department is minimal, the funds would be better served in a department that gives maximum support, such as sports information and the training program.
I. GROUP DISCUSSION
5. DANCE TEAM
A. DESCRIPTION OF THEIR ROLE IN ATHLETICS
* To promote and support the spirit of USC Aiken athletics.
* Provides entertainment at basketball games.
* Participates in athletic department fundraisers.
* Competes in dance team competitions.
* Enhances visual arts training by giving performance opportunities.
B. COMPARISON WITHIN THE PBC
* USC Aiken: 11 dancers, 1 part time choreographer, 2 part time advisors.
* Armstrong Atlantic: No dance team.
* Augusta State: Just starting one this year, no more info.
* Clayton State: No dance team.
* Columbus State: 14 dancers, 1 part time coach.
* Francis Marion: No dance team.
* Georgia College & State: 8 dancers, 1 part time coach.
* Kennesaw State: They have a dance team. No info.
* Lander: No dance team.
* North Florida: They have a dance team. No info.
* UNC Pembroke: No dance team.
* USC Upstate: They have a dance team, 1 part time coach.
C. STRENGTHS
* The opportunity for females that are unable to play a sport at USC Aiken to be
part of a team.
* Provides a support system for this group of students.
* Gives dancers an audience to perform in front of
D. WEAKNESSES
* Dance is not recognized as a sport by the NCAA.
* Do not have a full time coach.
* Not enough scholarship money.
* Not enough operating money.
* Limited on the support that can be given to the athletic department.
E. NEEDS
* To be recognized as a sport by the NCAA.
* A full time coach.
* A bigger scholarship budget.
* A bigger operating budget.
F. IMPROVEMENT IF NEEDS ARE MET
* If recognized as a sport by the NCAA, dance would have credibility.
* With the addition of a full time coach, practices and workouts would be more frequent and improved.
* A bigger scholarship budget would allow a coach to recruit high school and junior college dancers.
* A bigger operating budget would allow a coach to purchase better uniforms and needed equipment.
G. TO THINK ABOUT
* To move the dance team out of athletics and into the Department of Visual and Performing Arts.
* To use part or all of the funding for the dance team to improve sports information and the training program.
H. RATIONALE
* Since dance is not recognized as a sport by the NCAA and the support given to the athletic department is so minimal. I feel the funding and efforts would better serve a department that gives maximum support, such as sports information and the training program.
I. GROUP DISCUSSION
6. PEP BAND
A. DESCRIPTION OF THEIR ROLE IN ATHLETICS
* To provide entertainment at basketball games.
B. COMPARISON WITHIN THE PBC
* Schools that have a pep band: USC Aiken, Augusta State, Columbus State, Georgia College & State, Kennesaw State, North Florida, UNC Pembroke.
* Schools that do not have a pep band: Armstrong Atlantic, Clayton State, Francis Marion, Lander, USC Upstate.
C. STRENGTHS
* Opportunity for musicians to perform in front of an audience.
D. WEAKNESSES
* Pep band is not recognized as a sport by the NCAA.
* Very limited in the support given to the athletic department.
E. PRELIMINARY RECOMMENDATIONS
* To move the pep band out of athletics and into the Department of Visual and Performing Arts.
* To use all or part of the funding from the pep band to improve sports
information and the training program.
F. RATIONALE OF RECOMMENDATIONS
* Since the pep band is not recognized as a sport by the NCAA and the
support to the athletic department is so minimal; the funding would be better served improving a department that gives maximum support to athletics, such as sports information and the training program.
G. GROUP DISCUSSION
7. COMPLIANCE COORDINATOR
A. DESCRIPTION OF HIS ROLE IN ATHLETICS
* Calculates and determines the eligibility of each student athlete within the
standards set by USC Aiken, Peach Belt Conference and the NCAA.
* Handles all rules compliance such as accountable hours, recruiting and declaration of playing seasons.
* Handles all student athlete academic progress such as semester grade checks, meeting with student probation committee and along with the FAR, being the go
between for academics and athletics.
* Handles all NCAA rules education for coaches and student athletes.
* Handles all NCAA reports.
B. COMPARISON WITHIN THE PBC
* All schools do things differently.
* Each has at least one compliance coordinator.
C. STRENGTHS
* Knowledge of USC Aiken, Peach Belt Conference and NCAA rules and regulations.
* Time management skills.
* Team player which allows him to get along with varying personalities in stressful situations.
D. WEAKNESSES
* Not enough oversight or checks and balances in the beginning of the eligibility process.
* Has the task of processing all but 8 sports in a short amount of time during the
beginning of the fall semester by himself
E. NEEDS
* Funding for an intern or an administrative assistant that could be shared with another area.
F. IMPROVEMENT IF NEEDS ARE MET
* More organization.
* Easier to meet USC Aiken, Peach Belt and NCAA deadlines.
* Allow him to use more oversight and checks and balances in the beginning of the recruiting process.
* Allow him to focus on other important areas such as academic support and life skill support.
G. PRELIMINARY RECOMMENDATIONS
* Funding for an intern or administrative assistant to be shared by the Compliance Coordinator and the Assistant Athletic Director for Business and Student Athletic Services.
H. RATIONALE FOR RECOMMENDATIONS
* With so many student athletes to be processed in such a short period of time it is more than a one person job.
I. SPECIAL RECOMMENDATION
* To implement a freshman seminar course for student athletes to be taught by an athletic department administrator.
** RATIONALE: It would improve student athlete success in the classroom, improve student athlete retention and address student athlete welfare issues.
J. GROUP DISCUSSION
8. ATHLETIC DEPARTMENT ADMINISTRATIVE ASSISTANT
A. DESCRIPTION OF THEIR ROLE IN ATHLETICS
* Taking care of all the Athletic Directors secretarial needs.
* Taking care of all the coaches travel paperwork.
* Sorting and labeling all out-going bulk mail.
* Sorting and opening all incoming mail.
* Taking care of all Pacer Club correspondence.
* Logging in all checks received in the mail.
* Answering and directing all calls to main athletic department phone.
* Assisting with summer camp correspondence.
B. COMPARISON WITHIN THE PBC
* Most athletic departments have at least 2 administrative assistants.
C. STRENGTHS
* Computer skills.
* Organizational skills
* Experience.
D. WEAKNESSES
* Spread to thin at times.
* Not enough work space.
E. NEEDS
* More work space.
* A receptionist for the athletic department.
F. IMPROVEMENT IF NEEDS ARE MET
* Would be more organized.
* Would be able to stay on task if not interrupted by telephone.
G. PRELIMINARY RECOMMENDATIONS
* I have none.
H. RATIONALE FOR RECOMMENDATIONS
*N/A
I. GROUP DISCUSSION
9. ASSISTANT ATHLETIC DIRECTOR FOR BUSINESS AND STUDENT ATHLETE SERVICES AND SENIOR WOMEN'S ADMINISTRATOR
A. DESCRIPTION OF HER ROLE IN ATHLETICS
* Fiscal management for the athletic department which includes:
budgeting auditing bookkeeping authorization deposits
* Handles all business for 39 accounts with a total budget of 1.8 million dollars.
* Game administration.
* Advisor for the Student Athlete Advisory Committee.
* Special events coordinating
* Reports for athletic department to USC Aiken, PBC and the Federal
Government.
* Represents USC Aiken at the PBC Annual Meeting.
* Is included in all major athletic department decisions regarding major policies.
B. COMPARISON WITHIN THE PBC
* Only Augusta State and Lander have this position appointed to 1 person.
C. STRENGTHS
* Understanding budget process.
* Organizational skills.
* Computer skills.
* Visible and available to all student athletes.
* Dealing with coaches in stressful situations.
* Multi-tasking.
* A very good role model for our female athletes.
D. WEAKNESSES
* She is spread very thin between obligations.
E. NEEDS
* Administrative assistant to be shared with Compliance Coordinator.
* More work and storage space.
F. IMPROVEMENT IF NEEDS ARE MET
* Her quantity would have more quality.
G. PRELIMINARY RECOMMENDATIONS
* Create an Administrative Assistant position that would cover the Assistant Athletic Director for Business and Student Athlete Services and Senior Women’s Administrator and the Compliance Coordinator.
H. RATIONALE FOR RECOMMENDATIONS
* This would allow her to spend more time on one thing than time on more than one thing, causing the quality of work to increase.
I. GROUP DISCUSSION