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| Athletic Director Stephanie Helgeson, Chancellor Charles H. Casey and chair of the the Athletic Review Committee Glenn Olsen, Ph.D. |
CROOKSTON, Minn. (January 10, 2007) – University of Minnesota, Crookston Chancellor Charles H. Casey announced today that the Crookston campus will continue to compete at the NCAA Division II level as a member of the Northern Sun Intercollegiate Conference (NSIC).
“Today I am reaffirming our commitment to the conference and to investing in our competitive success,” Casey said. “Division II is an exceptional model for academics and athletics nationally and we look forward to continuing to build excellence in this arena.” Casey also committed to finding a solution to keep the intercollegiate Golden Eagle hockey program on campus.
Casey cited several reasons for reaffirming a commitment to Division II and the NSIC, including increased enrollment of student athletes during the last ten years; the ability to maintain the current number of competitive sports programs; regional and national visibility provided by conference membership that aids in recruitment and retention; and the unique balance between academics and athletics provided by the NCAA Division II – emphasizing academic excellence, graduation and the development of student athletes as leaders.
“I believe that maintaining our membership in the NSIC is in the best long-term interest of the University of Minnesota, Crookston,” Casey continued. “It is a decision that balances the interests of both academics and athletics providing a complementary relationship that serves all students. Supporting the overall mission of the campus is my primary objective.”
UMC Athletic Director Stephanie Helgeson reflected both staff and student excitement about the announcement: “I am prepared, along with our coaches and athletic staff, to advance our intercollegiate program and have the opportunity to build excellence and standing in Division II.
“I know that our student athletes will be enthusiastic about the University’s commitment to invest, and our staff will work diligently together to make our program successful and competitive in this premiere national conference,” Helgeson said.
The announcement outlined a strategy for working with University officials to identify additional resources and outside fundraising opportunities to invest over a 3-year period in athletic staff, scholarships and operations and academic programs. This phased investment approach provides a concrete plan for moving forward while building more competitive programs. Chancellor Casey also committed to devoting internal campus resources to start the process immediately.
Plans under development call for directing initial resources to strengthen staff, scholarships and operations in the Golden Eagle football program. Scholarship enhancements in other areas will be looked at as well.
In reference to the Golden Eagle hockey program, Casey said the campus will work to remain a member of the Midwest Collegiate Hockey Association. If that option isn’t available, UMC will pursue the possibility of playing as an independent.
The decision, made by Casey, took place after careful review of a report presented by the Crookston Campus Athletic Review Committee, an 18-member committee chaired by local resident Glenn Olsen, Ph.D. The committee was charged with providing a comprehensive review of the University of Minnesota, Crookston (UMC) intercollegiate athletic program and released its findings Nov. 27, 2006, after five months of data collection and analysis.
Information was also gathered through six forums which sought input from individuals both on and off campus. Over the past year, the Crookston campus has made significant investments in academic program areas and Casey said the next phase calls for the strengthening of intercollegiate athletics.
The University of Minnesota, Crookston has been a member of the National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) Division II since 1998 and a member of the Northern Sun Intercollegiate Conference (NSIC) since 1999. Student athletes represent 26 percent of the total enrollment at UMC and more than 40 percent of the students of color on the campus. To view the entire announcement and Athletic Review Committee report, visit http://www.UMCrookston.edu.
The University of Minnesota, Crookston (UMC) delivers more than 24 different undergraduate degree programs, including online options, in agriculture; arts, humanities and social sciences; business; math, science and technology; and natural resources. UMC is dedicated to helping students and the region aim higher, reach further and dream big dreams. To learn more, visit www.UMCrookston.edu.
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