Program Planning and Assessment

Program Planning and Assessment

Budget Year 2001-02

Program: Athletics and Intramurals

Division: Student Services

1.Program Mission/Purpose:

The Athletics and Intramural Department is designed to provide the students, faculty, and staff of Shoreline Community College with comprehensive recreational programs that will assist them in the promotion of their personal health and fitness. The primary function is to facilitate student success by helping students develop several important attributes including leadership, teamwork, competitiveness, personal fitness, discipline, skills, and abilities. The department helps prepare students for potential career opportunities in teaching and coaching. It also provides students with a foundation for lifelong recreational interests and purposeful use of leisure time. Athletics and Intramurals continue to be an important element at Shoreline as the college strives to meet the needs of the campus population.

2.Students/Clients Served by Program:

The Intramural and Athletic programs serve a wide range of students and clients. The Intramural program provides a constantly changing mix of recreational activities for students, faculty and staff. Current offerings include: aerobic conditioning, yoga, basketball, volleyball, soccer, racquetball, archery, skiing, backpacking, badminton, swimming, ping-pong, and river rafting. In recent years, the student population has shown less interest in competitive league activities and more interest in fitness activities such as aerobics and swimming. The population served by the Intramural Department is approximately 300 females and 300 males per quarter for a total of over 1,800 contacts annually.

The Athletic Department provides competitive intercollegiate experiences in women’s volleyball, men’s and women’s soccer, men’s and women’s basketball, men’s and women’s tennis, men’s and women’s archery, women’s softball, and men’s baseball. Student-athletes usually range in age from 18 to 21 years. Generally speaking, student-athletes are interested in furthering their education while continuing to participate in athletics at a highly competitive level.

3.Criteria for Measuring Program Effectiveness and Contribution to the College:

The effectiveness of the Intramural program can be measured by the number of programs offered, the attendance and participation level of each program, and the retention statistics in continuing programs. In addition, the program can be measured in terms of its ability to grow and change as the needs of the student population change.

The effectiveness of an Athletic program is traditionally measured in conference and regional titles and by the win/loss record of an athletic team. There are several other methods of measuring the effectiveness of an athletic program. Some of the methods that are currently being employed for the Shoreline program include:

1. Number of athletes participating on each team
2. Student retention rates in terms of athletic eligibility and GPA
3. Student placement on tournament, regional, and conference all-star teams
4. Number of student receiving Academic student/athlete awards
5. Performance statistics comparing Shoreline teams with conference opponents
6. Written season evaluations by both the players and the coaches
7. Student placement on post-community college intercollegiate teams

Other methods of measuring the effectiveness of an athletic program that could be instituted at Shoreline include:

1. Detailed assessment of the number and type of credits earned by student-athletes

1. Student-athlete degree completion rates
2. Rate of student-athlete transfer to four-year institutions

The Intercollegiate Athletic Department contributes to the college, as a whole, by providing the campus population and the surrounding community with a focal point: a source of community pride and the opportunity to participate as spectators at intercollegiate events. Attendance will vary, but annual attendance for athletic events is approximately 5000 individuals.

The athletic recruiting process further serves the college community by directly contacting at least 250 high schools in the NWAACC recruiting area each year. Over 1,000 perspective student-athletes are contacted annually. In addition, the Athletic Department provides the college with continuous exposure through coverage in local and regional papers including feature articles, scores, and statistics.

4.Enrollment/Staffing Trends

For the past couple of years, the Athletic and Intramural Department has had a stable staffing structure. The department currently employs one full time administrator, one part time assistant administrator, two full time classified staff, one part time classified staff, one hourly intramural coordinator, two hourly intramural fitness instructors (aerobics, personal training, circuit training), 10 head coaches, and numerous assistant coaches. All coaches are paid stipends as part time employees. As a result, the coaching staff will experience some turnover from year to year. There are currently four coaches on the staff who have been with the college for five years or more, and five coaches who have been with the college for three years of less.

Enrollment (participation) trends are discussed in section 6 – Program Self-Assessment.

5.Significant Anticipated Changes:

The Department anticipates at least three significant changes in the next couple of years. They include:

1. The athletic facility was built in the late 60’s, before Title IX (gender equity in athletics) was enacted. As a result, the men’s varsity locker room is significantly larger than the women’s varsity locker room. This is a situation that must be remedied. It is anticipated that the college will address this issue in the near future.

1. The Department is currently attempting to purchase one or two previously owned vans, which could be used to transport athletic teams to away games. Currently, the Department spends significant money each year on rental vehicles. It is anticipated that the purchase of these previously owned vehicles would significantly reduce the Department’s transportation budget.

1. It is anticipated that the Department will be allowed to complete the gymnasium remodel that was started several years ago. Four of the six backboards have been replaced with the safer “short board” variety. However the remaining two backboards must be replaced in order for the facility to be considered safe. In addition, the end pads in the gym are old and worn through in several places. These are also a safety concern and must be replaced.

6.Program Self-Assessment:

Criteria for measuring program effectiveness was established in section three above. An analysis of each of these criteria is included in this section.

The number of participants in the Intramural program has been somewhat stable over the past few years with an average of over 1,800 participants annually. Participation patterns have changed in the past few years with students showing an increased interest in non-competitive fitness activities (aerobics, swimming, skiing), and a decreased interest in competitive sport leagues.

In terms of wins and losses, the most successful varsity athletic teams in the past few years have been the women’s volleyball team and the men’s basketball team. In 2001, the women’s volleyball team captured their first Northern Division title in school history with an 11-1 record. They finished fifth in the NWAACC tournament. Other criteria, which are used to measure the effectiveness of the athletic program, are detailed below:

1. Number of athletes participating on each team

In 2000-01, the college had 128 individuals achieve eligibility for varsity athletics. This included 56 females and 72 males. If each of the college’s varsity teams were to carry full rosters, then there would be room for 74 female athletes and 66 male athletes. The Department often has difficulty identifying adequate numbers of interested women athletes in order to fill the rosters of some of the women’s sports. This is especially true for women’s soccer and softball.

2. Student retention rates in terms of athletic eligibility and GPA

For the 2001-02 school year, the Athletic Department will have at least 30 athletes who will be returning to compete as second year participants. All of these athletes have completed at least 36 credits and have maintained a GPA of at least 2.0.

3. Student placement on regional and conference all-star teams

Shoreline placed 14 students on regional and conference all-star teams during the 2000-01 academic year.

4. Number of Academic student/athlete awards

Shoreline produced 10 Academic Leaders during the 2000-01 school year. In addition, four Shoreline athletes received membership on the NWAACC All-Academic team.

5. Performance statistics comparing Shoreline teams with conference opponents

These statistics are maintained for each sport.

6. Written season evaluations by both the players and the coaches

Evaluations are completed at the end of each season and contribute to the future direction of each sport.

7. Student placement on post-community college intercollegiate teams

Shoreline normally places between 15 and 25 players on post community college intercollegiate athletic teams each year.

The following methods of measuring the effectiveness of the Shoreline Athletic program could be instituted with the addition of a “Student Success Coordinator” position.

1. Detailed assessment of the number and type of credits earned by each student-athlete.

1. Student-athlete degree completion rates.
2. Rate of student-athlete transfer to four-year institutions.

The Athletics and Intramural department has several strengths and weaknesses that must be part of this self-assessment. They include:

• Strengths

1. Committed and talented personnel within the department have contributed to the success of many student-athletes.
2. The commitment to student academic success by the Department and by the College.

1. Both the Intramural and Athletic programs are very diverse in their offerings. Because of this, the programs appeal to a large proportion of our student population.
2. Just prior to the 1999-2000 school year Archery became a varsity sport. This is an exciting new direction for a program that appeals to members of both genders.
3. Shoreline is continuing to negotiate with the City of Shoreline Parks Department in an effort to form a partnership that would facilitate the construction of an outdoor sports complex on our campus. Hopefully, this partnership will develop and flourish in the near future.
4. The athletic training contract that exists between the College and Healthsouth provides the athletes and coaching staff with the support needed to evaluate and rehabilitate injuries related to competitive athletics. This program has reduced the college’s liability in cases of athletic injuries.
5. Fund raising programs continue to be an important component of the Athletic Department. Individual sport fundraisers, like the volleyball camp and the annual Christmas concert, help coaches to augment their budgets. Department-wide fundraisers, like the Athletic Annual and the vending machine profits, provide benefits for the entire department.

• Areas needing improvement

1. Coaching stipends are currently paid from SBA funds, not from the General Fund. This is a situation that is almost unique within the NWAACC and it puts Shoreline at a competitive disadvantage. Since coaching stipend levels are negotiated within the faculty contract, it only makes sense that the General Fund pay for these stipends.
2. Although several areas within the athletic facility have been recently improved, there are still several parts of the facility that need improvement. Following is a list of facility needs:

• Gymnasium. Four of the six baskets were replaced as part of emergency repairs several years ago. The remaining two baskets should be replaced this year. The end pads on the north and south walls of the gym are falling apart and also should be replaced.
• An on campus baseball/softball/soccer complex needs to be constructed using either college funds or in conjunction with the City of Shoreline Parks Department. Shoreline currently has no baseball facility. Consequently, the team is forced to rent Edmonds Community College’s baseball field for games. Softball holds practice and games off campus at Shoreview Park. The existing soccer facility is substandard.
• Remodel and expand the Fitness Center. Although $35,000 worth of new equipment was recently installed in the fitness center, more equipment will need to be purchased (or leased) and the room will need to be expanded.

1. Transportation for the athletic teams is another area of weakness in this department. There simply is not enough on-campus transportation to accommodate our needs. This problem is currently being addressed through the proposed purchase of used vans for the Department.

7.Diversity/Multiculturalism

The Athletic and Intramural Department is at the forefront of the College’s effort to recruit and retain minority athletes and employees. Coaches within the department recruit student-athletics that are best for the program, regardless of their ethnic background. All varsity teams tend to attract a large proportion of minority athletes. Retaining these athletes for two years is very important to the on-field success of the teams, and is a high priority within the department.

Five of the ten head coaches within the department are members of ethnic minority groups. In addition, the Intramural Coordinator is also a member of a minority group.

8.Achievement of 2000-01 program Goals/Objectives:

Several goals were established for both Intramurals and Athletics during the 2000-01 budget year. This section contains a report on the status of these goals.

1. DEPARTMENTAL GOALS

• Funding of a “Student Success Coordinator position.

This goal was not achieved due to lack of funding.

2. INTRAMURAL GOALS

• Continue to experiment with various on-campus intramural activities that target the student population and the employees of the college in an effort to find new and interesting activities.

The Department continues to make good progress in this area.

3. ATHLETIC GOALS

• Increase S&A funding of all sports so that fixed costs will be covered and some enhancement expenditures will be possible.

The S&A funding formula has been changed in a way that provides for more stable funding of athletics and intramurals.

• Funding for coaching stipends, athletic insurance, the athletic training service contract, and conference dues should be shifted from S&A funds to the General Fund.

None of these goals were accomplished last year due to lack of funding.

• Fully fund athletic grants (from S&A funds) to the highest level allowed by the NWAACC in all sports.

This area of Athletic Department funding has received approximately 50% of requested funds during each of the past two years. .

• Plan and begin construction of a baseball/softball/soccer complex for use in the 2000 season.

Very little progress has been made in this area in the past year.

• Carry out a total remodel of the gymnasium including the floor, the baskets, and the bleachers.

Many areas of the gymnasium were improved during the summer of 1999. The tartan gym floor was replaced with wood, the roof over the gymnasium was replaced, the walls in the racquetball courts were repaired and painted, and the wood floors in the racquetball courts and in the mini gym were sanded down and refinished. In addition, the bleachers were repaired and adjusted. These upgrades represent the most substantial facility improvement that this department has experienced since the building was constructed.

Two baskets and the end pads should be replaced in order to complete the project.

• Remodel and expand the Fitness Center to meet the needs of the general student population and of the athletes.

Although $35,000 worth of new equipment was recently installed in the fitness center, more equipment will need to be purchased (or leased) and the room will need to be expanded.

• Make coaching positions more appealing by linking them with full-time positions across campus

No progress has been made in this area

• Work toward a solution to the transportation problem for school programs by acquiring more vans and by allowing the Physical Education department to administer all motor pool vehicles.

This problem is currently being addressed through the proposed purchase of used vans for the Department.

9.2001-02 Program Goals/Objectives:

The Department has achieved some successes in accomplishing goals that were established for this school year. Other goals have not been accomplished or have been only partially accomplished. Efforts will be made towards the accomplishment of these goals during the 2001-02 school year. These goals include:

1. DEPARTMENTAL GOALS

• Funding of a “Student Success Coordinator” position. The accomplishment of this goal would set Shoreline apart from other Community Colleges and would facilitate the academic success of our student/athletes.

2. INTRAMURAL GOALS

• Continue to experiment with various on-campus intramural programs that target the student population and the employees of the college in an effort to find new and interesting activities.
• Expand the breadth of extramural programs by identifying interested students and networking with other colleges.

3. ATHLETIC GOALS

• Continue to work on a fund raising program, based on gym rentals, which will help cover the maintenance costs of the new gym floor and could help with other facility improvements.

• Plan and begin construction of a baseball/softball/soccer complex for use in the 2003 season.

• Continue to focus on improving the academic success of student-athletes.
• Significantly increase the visibility of the Athletic Department through a more intense promotional program.

• Funding for coaching stipends should be shifted from S&A funds to the General Fund.
• Fully fund athletic grants (from S&A funds) to the highest level allowed by the NWAACC in all sports.

• Continue to work on the remodel and expansion of the Fitness Center to meet the needs of the general student population and of the athletes.

• Make coaching positions more appealing by linking them with full-time positions across campus.
• Continue to work towards a solution to the transportation problem for school programs by acquiring more vans.
• Continue to improve the unity and cohesiveness of the coaching staff.

10.Preparers of Report:

• Ken Burrus - Lead
• Mary Segle
• Marilu Neally
• Coaching staff