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Winston-Salem
State begins climb to NCAA Div I status
July 7, 2004
Winston-Salem, N.C. - The Board of Trustees at Winston-Salem
State University (WSSU) has approved a plan to seek reclassification
of the school's athletic programs to compete at the National
Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) Division I level.
WSSU, currently a member of Division II, will submit an application to the NCAA seeking the change in classification by December 1 as required by the athletic association's bylaws. This step will formally start a five-year process that culminates with WSSU teams and athletes gaining eligibility to compete for all Division I championships, except men's and women's basketball, during the 2009-10 seasons. "Moving up to NCAA Division I advances our university's strategic plan and will offer our talented student-athletes even more challenging competition," said Harold L. Martin, Sr., WSSU's chancellor. "Specifically, competing on a bigger stage will elevate awareness of WSSU and our reputation for excellence regionally and nationally, while creating opportunities to generate even more revenue from our athletic programs." In recent years, WSSU's population has grown by 15 to 20 percent annually and now numbers over 4,100 students. This figure is expected to top 6,100 by 2010. Reclassifying the university's athletic programs is consistent with this emerging position as a much larger and nationally recognized institution, according to Martin. The university plans to remain a member of NCAA Division II through the 2005-06 seasons while beginning the reclassification process. During this period, WSSU hopes to maintain its status as a full member of the Central Intercollegiate Athletic Association (CIAA), subject to agreement with conference officials and member institutions.
The reclassification plan approved by WSSU's Board of Trustees calls for substantial investment in, and expansion of, athletic facilities, programs and staff, actions necessary to comply with NCAA rules for Division I members.
Specific plan elements include:
- Spending $4 million over a five-year period to improve and upgrade athletic facilities; an additional $6.7 million to renovate the CE Gaines Center could be allocated through the university's capital plan, which would expand total facilities investments to $10.7 million.
Adding six new sports, which likely will include: men's and women's indoor
and outdoor track & field teams; baseball, and women's golf.
- Increasing funds available for athletic scholarships by four-fold, to $1.6 million, in the 2005-06 academic year; these investments will enable WSSU to comply with NCAA Division I guidelines by granting the equivalent of at least 50 full-time athletic scholarships beyond those awarded for football, and men's and women's basketball.
- Expanding the Athletic Department staff by 15, including 9 full-time and 6
part-time positions; new hires will include both coaches and administrative
personnel.
Board approval of the plan completes an exhaustive review and planning process that began in April 2003. Two task forces chaired by Dr. Percy "Chico" Caldwell, WSSU's Director of Athletics, evaluated all aspects of the university's athletics programs, including facilities, budgets, conference affiliation and level of competition, as well as the feasibility of - and preparedness for - advancement to NCAA Division I competition. Next, they developed recommendations that defined the plan. The broad-based committees included WSSU student-athletes, students, alumni and administrators, as well as a renowned intercollegiate athletic official, local business leaders and Winston-Salem city government officials. "Successfully achieving NCAA Division I status, and then competitive excellence at this high level, will require passionate support from everyone in the WSSU family and our local community," Caldwell explained. "We begin reclassification with confidence, knowing that voices of all WSSU stakeholders have been heard, and that our plan addresses their aspirations, needs and concerns."
After submitting its formal application to the NCAA, WSSU will enter an "exploratory period" that spans the 2005-06 academic calendar and athletic seasons. In this phase, the university will evaluate progress toward compliance with Division I requirements while retaining an option to end the process and remain a Division II member. Following completion of the exploratory phase in 2006, WSSU must demonstrate compliance with NCAA Division I guidelines for academic admissions standards, number of sports programs, gender equity and financial aid. The school also must submit a strategic plan and update it in the three successive years. In 2009-10, the fifth and final year of the process, WSSU will host a certification visit by NCAA officials and begin full participation in all Division I championships except men's and women's basketball.
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