Members Present: Dan Franklin, Orby Moss, Andrew Sumner, Bill Thomas, Martha Bullard, Rankin Cooter, Thom Wubbenhorst, James Maxey
Members Absent: Kelly Cervany, Norman Crandell, Richard Fendler, John Marshall, David Martin, Kurt Keppler, Hiram Johnston, John Diehl, Stephan Turkheimmer, Debra Snell, John Rowell
Additional Attendees: Carol Owen, Blaine Hughes
Call To Order
The meeting was called to order at 10:05 by chair Daniel Franklin.
Approval of Minutes
A quorum was not present, approval of minutes would be taken by e-mail.
Athletic Schedules
The athletic schedules were not yet available. It was still too early to present them. We will approve them later in the Spring.
Grade Reports
Carol Cohen handed out reports on fall grades. The fall quarter GPA was a 2.71, with the women's combined team being a 2.76, and the men's a 2.54. Three students were on the faculty scholars list and an all time high of 21 were on the Dean's list. Congratulations went out to all the teams' efforts.
5thYear Program
There are 17 athletes in the program this year. Four have already graduated and all of them should graduate by summer quarter. The program has a 97% graduation rate. Only three of the 98 who have participated haven't graduated.
The six year graduation rate for athletes in 54% compared to the overall GSU graduation rate of 41%.
Wheelchair Basketball
We will have wheelchair basketball on campus starting fall semester. The USDAF gave $100,000 to help start the program. We are currently looking for a head coach. The team will have 5-8 players and can be co-ed. For the beginning year, if the student is eligible to get into GSU then they can be on the team. Starting the second year, each person must pass all NCAA requirements and guidelines. The season will be during the regular basketball season.
Report by Athletic Director
Cross Country team won conference championships. Men and Women's soccer won conference championships. Volleyball and women's cross country were both second in the conference championships. GSU is leading the conference in all sports points.
The NCAA/SACS visit will be the first week in March. The self study is out and everything looks in order for the athletics department.
The candlelight dinner for wrestling had a great turnout, nearly 230 people were in attendance. Support is growing for the sport.
This year's basketball season tickets were up and the walk-up ticket sales were also way up from previous years. The pep band was moved to the center section of the stands and it has seemed to help have a better impact on the crowd and team.
Thirty-nine athletes made the All American TAAC Team, which was over 1/4 of the total roster.
Volleyball coach Sandy Stein resigned at the and of the season, we are currently looking for a new head coach.
The Athletics budget is going to have a short-fall directly related to upgrading the men's basketball program. There had to be double payment to the old and new coaches, which made last year finish exactly even. But, there is still a $500,000 need to get the program where it wants to be. Once it is done for men, we do the same for the women. The external support was no where near the expected $500,000. It was closer to $250,000 with a possible $70-90,000 more. The issues that will be addressed are raising money, cutting budgets, athletics association, and possibly seeking a loan. The push to improve the men's basketball program wasn't just for their program; it helps the entire university with publicity, all sports, and the image of the university.
Orby wanted to make sure Pat Carroll was noted for all her hard work on the self-study, she did an excellent job.
New Business
None
Adjournment
The meeting was adjourned at 10:50 a.m.
Recorder, Leslie Williams