PacWest Strategic Plan

MISSION STATEMENT 

To be determined.

KEY FOCUS AREA I:  STRUCTURE

Priority A - Governance

Outcomes:

1. To review and update the conference purpose, philosophy and core values.
2. To update written operational policies and procedures.
3. To assess and determine the role and participation of all constituent groups in conference governance (Presidents, AD’s, FAR’s, SWA’s, Coaches and Student-Athletes)
4. To assess and implement written policies for institutional membership commitments (including resignation from the conference).
5. To assess and implement policies dealing with required institutional commitments in scholarship funding.
6. To establish a conference Ethics Committee to review and enforce expectations and consequences related to sportsmanship and conduct.
7. To construct a timetable for development of the conference office.

Priority B:  Membership and Expansion

Outcomes:

1. To develop an expansion plan that will target desired number of institutions, geographic considerations and desired characteristics of new members.

Priority C:  Communication

Outcomes:

1. To conduct an annual in-person conference retreat and/or meetings for athletic directors and other appropriate personnel. To conduct an in-person meeting of Presidents/CEOs/and Chancellors.
2. To develop a communication plan between conference office and all designated groups in governance structure.

Priority D:  Sports Sponsorship 

Outcomes:

1. To maintain a core requirement of conference sports in the minimum number required for NCAA membership.
2. To establish conference sponsorship of other appropriate sports (beyond the core requirement) according to the interest and needs of the membership.

KEY FOCUS AREA II:  NCAA

Priority A: National Status and Participation

Outcomes:

1. To achieve and maintain active conference status with the NCAA.
2. To increase and maintain PACWEST automatic bids to NCAA Championships. 
3. To determine and implement conference policies related to institutional attendance at NCAA meetings and events.  
4. To increase membership in PACWEST participation in NCAA Committees, with nominees for each vacant position on National and West Region committees.

Priority B:  Compliance, Rules Education & Eligibility

Outcomes:

1. To increase conference sponsorship of NCAA rules education related meetings.
2. To establish requirements for institutional compliance officers to attend NCAA National or Regional Compliance Seminar annually. 
3. To increase conference interpretation and enforcement of NCAA legislation by naming a conference compliance liaison.
4. To develop uniform mechanisms to communicate NCAA legislation to prospective and current student-athletes.
5. To review current conference academic requirements for grade point average (already in place), satisfactory progress and student-athlete retention.

KEY FOCUS AREA III: STUDENT-ATHLETE WELFARE

Priority A:  Academics

Outcomes:

1. To review the potential of and assist institutions with providing distance learning opportunities for traveling athletic teams. 
2. To develop philosophies regarding final exam conflicts with regular and post-season competition.

Priority B:  Health and Safety

Outcomes:

1. To establish a “Health and Safety” Committee to initiate and develop conference wide programming for student-athletes in areas such as substance abuse, leadership, etc.

KEY FOCUS AREA IV:  COMPETITION

Priority A:  Scheduling

Outcomes:

1. To implement policies requiring the conference office to develop schedules in appropriate team sports. Schedules should minimize missed class time and be cost effective and budget conscious.

Priority B:  Championships 

Outcomes:

1. To review and determine on a sport by sport basis how the conference will determine a champion in all sponsored sports.
2. To assess and enhance the student-athlete championship experience.

Priority C: Officiating

Outcomes:

1. To develop policies and procedures for the recruitment, coordination, assignment and evaluation of conference officials.
2. To develop and require an annual training and development program for conference officials.

Priority D:  Game Management

Outcome:

1. To review and develop game management protocol and regulations for all conference sports.

KEY FOCUS AREA V:  VISIBILITY AND EXPOSURE

Priority A:  Regional and National Brand

Outcomes:

1. To establish conference branding and advertising presence in each member community.
2. To maximize national (NCAA) awareness and recognition for the conference.

Priority B:  Media

Outcomes:

1. Establish a conference internet or broadcast package of games.
2. To produce a conference brochure or magazine on annual basis.  
3. To release on a timely (need to define) basis conference weekly and post-season awards and recognition.

Priority C:  Recognition

Outcomes:

1. To determine policies and procedures to recognize conference all academic team(s).   
2. To establish a conference Academic Achievement award.
3. To establish and recognize an institutional graduation rates award for member institutions.
4. To establish a PacWest Conference Community Engagement Award to be presented to a member institution on an annual basis.
5. To establish and recognize an institutional sportsmanship award for member institutions.
6. To develop recognition protocols for outstanding student-athlete accomplishments outside of athletics.

KEY FOCUS AREA VI:  FINANCES

Priority A:  Fiscal Management

Outcomes:

1. To create and empower a Finance Committee to work with the Commissioner on an ongoing basis to manage conference finances.
2. To develop a conference business plan including a consistent five-year budget.

Priority B:  Corporate Sponsorship

Potential Outcomes:

1. To generate league wide sponsorship revenue as established in the budget approved by presidents.