Athletic Board meeting

Much of the recent UW Athletic Board meeting was held in closed session, as the main business of the day was to debate matters of personnel (i.e. coaches’ contracts). While I hate to disappoint the Shared Gov. blogosphere, Wis. Stats. 19.85(1) (c) requires that I drop this topic immediately. That said, any changes will be made public as soon as the Board of Regents makes the final decisions on these matters (update on the splashier of these issues: http://host.madison.com/sports/columnists/andy_baggot/article_7c7d71eb-8ed7-5829-be35-677f808d3bd8.html).

Otherwise, the meeting began with a very inspiring “coaching spotlight” from Women’s Crew Coach Bebe Bryans. She noted that, despite some institutional disadvantages (e.g. Wisconsin weather), the lady rowers have been quite successful of late. They recently won the Big Ten championship in open weights (5 of 7 events, including the novice team – those who have never rowed competitively before) Pretty awesome for a team comprised of 70% walk-ons recruited at SOAR. Coach Bryans, in my estimation, represents UW’s athletic program exceedingly well, as do her student athletes.

AB Chair Walter Dickey is on a short sabbatical in Germany and Italy (teaching and researcher prison co-ops); thus, there was no Chair’s report.

Faculty Athletic Representative Shiela McGuirk relayed some interesting notes from Big Ten and WCHA (UW’s hockey conference) meetings. Notably, the U. of British Colombia (Canada) is petitioning for membership in the WCHA. This may or may not affect UW for long, as there’s a lot of talk of a Big Ten hockey conference since Penn State began it’s program (bringing the total number of Big Ten hockey programs to six).

Athletic Director Barry Alvarez reported that UW is currently leading the annual and all-time border battle against neighboring University of Minnesota. During one of those contests, women’s hockey broke NCAA attendance records and secured $1 matching donations from Becker Law offices for each ticket sold (These and collected food items were donated to Second Harvest). Coach Alvarez also noted that UW is the only school in the nation to appear in postseason football (bowl games) and basketball (NCAA tournament) every year since 2002/2003. Since 1996/1997, UW has made 27 appearances in postseason events in these two sports (leading all other programs in the nation).

Additionally, the Big Ten is debating a summer retention program for men’s basketball student athletes as well as some adaptations to rules regarding minimum Fall credit requirements for football student athletes. Regarding the latter, the Big Ten is pushing for a minimum penalty (i.e. suspension) for student athletes failing to pass 6 credits during the Fall semester. UW, however, is in favor of full reinstatement to the team if the student athlete completes the minimum number of credits for a calendar year.

A few notable issues were discussed in committee reports. The Equity, Diversity, and Student Welfare (EDSW) committee has been working on measures to ensure gender equity in coaches’ salaries. Additionally, due to concerns about cost and the ethics of forced medical testing, UW cast a vote against mandatory screening for sickle cell anemia (the Big Ten settled on keeping the current legislation, which allows students to opt out), and current Big Ten concussion policies have been deemed acceptable.

Student athlete representatives of the SACC discussed current volunteer and outreach work, including an upcoming blood drive (part of the Big Ten Challenge); the Mr. and Mrs. Bucky talent competition; the Buckinghams (academic awards for student athletes); and a proposed “adopt-a-badger” program at the Children’s Hospital.

Finally, UW Athletics has a new online newsletter, Varsity – currently the only one of its kind in the country. Any student who would like to subscribe can do so at UWbadgers.com or via the UW Athletics Facebook page. The publication features news stories, interviews, and A/V content.

 

Athletic Board Meeting, Friday, 10/15/10

The UW Athletic Board met at 1 p.m. on Friday, October 15, 2010, in Camp Randall Stadium’s Heritage Hall. The meeting was presided over by Chair Walter Dickey.

As the meeting began, introductions were made (for the sake of several journalists and non-board members in attendance, as well as myself, the new ASM representative). Minutes from last meeting (9/24) were entered into the record, the agenda was approved, and several announcements were made in regards to UW athletic competitions happening over the weekend and the health status of one absent faculty board member.

The first order of business was a “coach’s spotlight,” this week featuring Women’s Hockey Coach (and former notable Badger, US Olympic, and NHL hockey player) Mark Johnson. Johnson discussed the status of his program, his tenure as the most recent US Olympic Women’s Hockey Coach (Vancouver, BC), the new 2400-seat athletic facility for men’s hockey and basketball practice as well as women’s hockey competitions beginning in 2012, and the state of the sport in general.

Next, the Chair gave his report, which largely centered around discussions last month between the Chair, UW Athletic Director Barry Alvarez, and Big Ten Commissioner Jim Delaney. The three discussed the University of Michigan’s alleged football violations; the recently rescinded rule requiring freshman student athletes to maintain a 1.65/4.0 grade point average (still in effect for Sophomores and beyond); a proposed amendment to intra-conference transfer rules that would allow a high school senior committed to one Big Ten university to transfer to another with a one-year sit/one-year loss of eligibility in the case of a “triggering event” (e.g. firing of a coach or family event); a proposed Women’s Soccer conference tournament and related concerns about student athletes missing classes; an $80 million donation to the new Penn State University hockey program; and a proposed longitudinal study of concussions consisting of five cohorts and lengthy follow-up periods (this would be supported by the National Institutes of Health).

In his report, Athletic Director Barry Alvarez began by discussing the ESPN presence on campus for the UW-OSU football game the following day, opining that it would be good for recruiting and national exposure. He also noted the Mike Lucas or the Cap Times had been hired to produce written and video content for UWBadgers.com; that former football standout Lee Evans (now of the Buffalo Bills) would serve as Honorary Captain for Saturday’s game; and that the men’s basketball team had their first scheduled practice today (10/15). AD Alvarez also noted that the Big Ten Cross Country Championship would be held at University Ridge golf course in Madison on Sunday, 10/31, and suggested that the quality of the course was such that an NCAA championship event may be held there in the future. Finally, the AD noted that former UW Chancellor and current Miami University President Donna Shalala had spoken earlier that morning at the UW School of Nursing, and had praised an arrangement for the Nursing School to collect the proceeds from the 2011 football spring game.

Committee reports were brief, as many committees had not met since the last Athletic Board meeting. Academics had met to discuss the status of a number of student athlete independent studies – an issue that seemed under control. Nothing else of particular note emerged from committee reports.

The Chair of the Ad Hoc Committee called for adoption of the “Clayton Report,” an ad hoc report with which I am not particularly familiar as a recent addition to the Board. The report has been written about in the Badger Herald, among other places, and is accessible to those who are interested. The report was adopted by a voice vote (with yours truly abstaining, and all others seemingly in favor of adoption).

Next there was some debate over a motion, also by the Ad Hoc Committee, to move the Medical Advisory Committee (MAC) under the umbrella of the Equity, Diversity and Student Welfare (EDSW) Committee. Up until that point, it had been an independent committee with seemingly little influence, despite the gravitas of issues discussed (e.g. concussions, drug testing). Debate regarding this motion centered around potential strains on the time of the EDSW, as all seemed to agree that the MAC was underrepresented and underutilized. The suggestion was made that the MAC be combined with EDSW on a trial basis, and this motion was approved unanimously by a voice vote.

Thus concluded the business of the Athletic Board on October 15, 2010. The next full board meeting is scheduled for Friday, 12/10; however, an additional meeting may be scheduled in the interim.

Note: I have yet to be officially appointed to a sub-committee, though I have planned to meet with the Chair soon to discuss the issue. Apparently there are several options, and I’d like to be where I would be most useful, as it seems like a lot of the substantive work of the Athletic Board is accomplished by sub-committees.

Nicholas Brigham Schmuhl

1st Athletic Board Meeting

9/24/10

The meeting began with introductions and then moved straight into reports.  Chair Walter Dickey spoke first, very generally about current events.

Athletic Director Barry Alvarez followed.  He first presented the board with an outststanding highlight video of last year’s athletic successes.  He then spoke very positively about the addition of Nebraska to the conference, stressing that the move will be beneficial for the entire Big Ten.  He also made the point that our Football facilities, including the locker room and weight room need updating if we are to continue to competitively recruit top talent.

Next each committee presented a report to the board.  They were general overviews as few committees have had a chance to meet next this year.

There was then lengthy discussion regarding the “Clayton Report”.  A report composed by the ad hoc committee to determine ”The Role of the Athletic Board”.  Majority of the discussion was about how to ensure proper communication  and information flow between the board and the athletic department.

The meeting closed with a lengthy discussion about a medical advisory board.  It appears this will continue to be discussed heavily in future meetings.

The next full board meeting is Friday, October 15th.

-Kyler Royston