MEMORANDUM

Date: February 22, 2013

To: Linda Howell, Instructor; John Delaney, UNF President; Lee Moon, Athletic Director;

Board of Trustees

From: Sean Yost, Dalton Carter, Chad Germany, Robert Travis

Re: Feasibility Study

General Information

Our group was tasked with determining the feasibility of developing a UNF football team and

program in the FCS. Our group has conducted research over the month of January 2013. Using

our data, we have determined the most reasonable course of action. A feasibility study was

produced using student polls, sports figures released by their respective universities and

administrative data. Attached is a copy of our feasibility study.

University of North Florida Football Feasibility Study

Considering NCAA Division I

and Football Championship Subdivision Football

February 15, 2013

Presented To:

Linda Howell, Writing Instructor

John Delaney, UNF President

Lee Moon, Athletic Director

University of North Florida

University of North Florida

Football Feasibility Study

Table of Contents

I. Executive Summary 4 II. Content 5-8

1. Study Objectives 5 1.1 Specific Study Objectives 5

2. Campus Survey Results 5 3. Emerging Trends & Program Expansion 6 4. Competition Report 6-7

4.1 Procedures Based on Conference Opponents 6 4.2 Growth Procedures 7

5. Financial Assessment Report 7-8 5.1 Analysis 7

5.2 Department Suggestions 8

6. Fundraising Strategies 8 6.1 Resources 8

6.2 Objectives 8

7. Dollar Allocations 9 III. Policy Adherence 9

1. NCAA Amateurism 9 IV. Gender Equity 10-11

1. Introduction 10

2. Gender Equity 10

3. Participation Opportunities 10

4. Athletic Scholarships 10

5. Athletic Program Components 10-11

6. Maintaining Equity 11

V. Big South Conference Considerations 12 VI. Recommendations & Conclusions 12 VII. Appendixes 13-15

A. 13

B. 14

C. 15

VIII. References 16

I. EXECUTIVE SUMMARY

The University of North Florida has seen a period of rapid growth over the last decade and

consequently the universitys opportunities are expanding. Bringing a football team to UNF would increase the schools visibility on a national stage and further entice prospective students to consider enrollment.

In order to bring a football program to UNF, several issues must be addressed. The cost of

developing a program and finding space for a program would strain an already tight budget. The

price of enrollment would surely rise to help compensate for the necessary funding. The

university would also need to add or take away certain sports programs in order to stay in

compliance with NCAA regulations, in addition to federal law. Finally, the school must decide

whether sponsoring a football program is in its best interest.

Our group has decided that acquiring a football team is feasible and would be an asset to the

university. A football team would not only provide potential for revenue, offering a large venue

to the public, but, it would also help thrust UNF into a national spotlight it has yet to experience.

II. CONTENT

1. STUDY OBJECTIVE

Objective: Our ultimate goal is to establish a football team and program in the FCS for the

University of North Florida. One of the most important steps is acquiring funding to introduce

the necessary staff, facilities and equipment for the programs upkeep. In addition, the Athletic Department will introduce accompanying athletic scholarships for prospective student athletes.

Our specific objectives include:

Developing an operative strategic timeline that will consider FCS conference realignments, academic and athletic support systems, program deadlines, etc., that could

yield a complete program as early as the fall of 2017.

Confirming with the Board of Trustees the 20 percent athletic fee increase that the student body will endure.

Training and supervising athletic instructors from several disciplines that will train our football team.

Creating and maintaining an athletic scholarship program in the FCS which will be subject to the academic improvements the NCAA will implement as of the 2016-2017

fall season.

In accordance with Title IX, to maintain gender equity, removal of an existing red male sport and introduction of an additional female sport. Either scenario would make it much

less likely that club sports like rugby could become a part of the athletic department.

Developing and promoting the program university wide to accrue popularity and school spirit, reinvigorating the UNF mantra No one like you, no place like this.

2. CAMPUS SURVEY RESULTS

Sources confirm that a survey has been conducted within the student body used to test the waters but the results have not been officially released. UNF President John Delaney, Athletic Director Lee Moon and the Board of Trustees have concluded that the majority of the student

body is in favor of a UNF football team. Despite an increase in student fees and tuition, students

made it a point that starting a football team and program would not impact them unreasonably.

Students and administration alike recognize that the universitys credibility is severely affected and potentially invalidated without a football team and program.

The Board of Trustees have released a very rough timeline, stating that the earliest we can expect

an operational team on campus after the rigorous preliminary processes of developing an athletic

staff, support, recruiting, training, practices, etc., is the fall of 2017. As team development is still

it its earliest stages, the department has yet to release a preliminary budget. According to the

Boards surveys, though student feedback indicates a football team and program is well-received, what the department must continue to look at is how the addition of a football team will impact

the universitys other elements.

3. EMERGING TRENDS & PROGRAM EXPANSION

The NCAA and National Football Foundation & College Hall of Fame (NFF) have recognized

that 17 new collegiate football programs are expected to launch between the 2012 and 2014

seasons. The NCAA highlighted these schools, whose administrations stated various reasons

from school to school for starting a program. However, the corporations broadly determined that

schools in the south, where football is a regional staple, have ultimately acknowledged that their

college administrations see the value of enriching the students educational experiences with the sport.

UNF seeks to increase enrollment while strengthening its institutional profile. UNF President

John Delaney, Athletic Director Lee Moon and the Board of Trustees have acknowledged the

emergent reality that the university faces when incoming students are deciding which college to

attend. Put simply, the university is not looked at the same without a football program.

Administrations immediate response to this is to reinvent the campus profile, moving from a commuter school to a destination school. With an operational football program, there would be more academic opportunities available. The university would be more apt to employ students,

have them intern and utilize them in research projects and athletic endeavors which could supply

research grants, increasing athletics funding overall.

4. COMPETITION REPORT

4.1 PROCEDURES BASED ON CONFERENCE OPPONENTS

The University of North Florida has a student body which exceeds the seating capacity of

Hodges Stadium, a trait which it would not share with its Big South neighbors, were it to join

this conference. The implications of these findings suggests that the university would have to

worry less about filling the stadium with such a robust student population, but also runs the risk

of denying admittance to possible patrons of the program.

By comparing UNF to our potential conference opponents, we can best understand the options at

hand.

Renovate Hodges Stadium Relatively minor changes and additions could be made to the stadium that could

maintain a football program in its infancy. Create Additional Seating

The most rational placement of the expanded seating would be directly across from the

existing seating, creating a visitors side. This would help add balance to Hodges

Stadium. Prepare Space for Housing and Maintaining a Team

The university could opt to find the spaces it needs for a football team within existing

structures such as Hodges stadium, although adjustments would need to be made.

Another possibility would be to combine a team facility with a seating structure.

4.2 GROWTH PROCEDURES

The University of North Florida would likely compete in the Big South Division I-AA

conference. The schools that sponsor football teams in this conference are Charleston Southern,

Coastal Carolina, Gardner Webb, Presbyterian University, Virginia Military Institute, and

Liberty University. Several of these football teams have flourished over the years, allowing for

stadium expansions and facility upgrades.

By examining schools which have had successes building their programs over the years, UNF

can better understand what to expect if they were to move forward with sponsoring a team.

Coastal Carolina is an example of a school which has grown largely due to its football teams success. Since their inaugural season in 2003 they have added facilities that benefit the entirety

of the athletic program, but clearly have a focus on football. These facilities include a State-of-the-Art weight room within a structure that backs up to their north end zone and provides 2000 additional seats, as well as housing football and other athletic offices. The field house, which

contains the weight room, training facilities, and seats, was completed in 2010, seven years after

their first season.

Liberty University has recently expanded their stadium from 12,000 seats to 19,200 in 2010 and

plans are being made to expand the seating to 30,000 in the near future.

Unfortunately, not every school in the conference can boast strong student support and unbridled

growth in recent years. Gardner Webb wasnt able to produce an average attendance of even half their capacity for the 2012 season.

5. FINANCIAL ASSESSMENT REPORT

5.1 ANALYSIS

An analysis of UNFs sports programs indicates that of our 17 Division I sports (seven male, 10 female) only one, basketball, is turning a profit. If UNF were to support a football program,

circumventing this deficit would require increasing athletics funding and potentially removing

less successful sports teams.

The following numbers highlight the fiscal issues surrounding the introduction of a Division I

football program in the FCS (Football Championship Division):

UNFs athletics budget receives the majority of its funding through allocated revenues, primarily student fees which currently sit at $16.33 per credit hour. Our dependency is

comparable to Florida Gulf Coast Universitys (FGCU) budget composed approximately 78 percent of student fees.

The department was allotted $9 per credit hour during the 2000-2001 school year. These fees have increased steadily into 2013-2014 and can be expected to grow to compensate

rising demand in the coming years.

Adding a football team would likely double the athletics budget which is currently around $8.3 million.

Supporting a football program in the FCS also requires an additional female sport to satisfy the gender equity requirements of Title IX, meaning additional funding will be

necessary.

5.2 DEPARTMENT SUGGESTIONS

Suggestions from Athletic Director Lee Moon and UNF President John Delaney indicate that

funding for a football program would outweigh the funding of all of the other sports already in

commission combined. The Athletic Department has expressed uncertainty regarding how to

disburse any unused monies from each departments allotted funds as Delaney and the Board of Trustees have not yet finalized the proposals.

Beginning with a referendum to be included in the nearest Student Government elections,

gauging student interest, we can begin implementing different methods of fundraising.

6. FUNDRAISING STRATEGIES

6.1 RESOURCES

Commitment to a large use of student fees to support the athletics budget is protocol for schools that are Division I without football in addition to schools that have FCS teams. Apart from

student fees, the department is responsible for generated revenue for its programs which comes

from gate receipts, donations, conference distributions and other miscellaneous sources such as

the NCAA (National College Athletic Association), television & radio advertising, corporate

sponsorships and/or special events.

6.2 OBJECTIVES

Objectives: Our ultimate goal is to establish a University Football Team & Program in the FCS.

One of the most important steps is acquiring funding to introduce the necessary staff, facilities

and equipment for the programs upkeep. In addition, the Athletic Department will introduce accompanying athletic scholarships for prospective student-athletes. Our specific objectives

include:

Developing an operative strategic timeline that will consider FCS conference realignments, academic and athletic support systems, program deadlines, etc., that could

yield a complete program as early as the fall of 2017.

Confirming with the Board of Trustees the 20 percent athletic fee increase that the student body will endure.

Training and supervising athletic instructors from several disciplines that will train our University football team.

Creating and maintaining an athletic scholarship program in the FCS which will be subject to the academic improvements the NCAA will implement as of the 2016-2017

fall season.

In accordance with Title IX, to maintain gender equity, removal of an existing red male sport and introduction of an additional female sport. Either scenario would make it much

less likely that club sports like rugby could become a part of the athletic department.

Developing and promoting the program university-wide to accrue popularity and school spirit, reinvigorating the UNF mantra No one like you, no place like this.

7. DOLLAR ALLOCATIONS

UNF President John Delaney has spoken about athletic funding making it abundantly clear that

funding for a University football program may not impede academic funding. UNF prides itself

on its excellent academic achievements setting our university apart from other colleges and

universities in the southeast. Funding will be collected by the following groups:

Osprey Club, established in 1982, the official fundraising arm for the UNF Athletics Department. Osprey Club provides support for student-athlete scholarships, athletic

facilities and sports-specific operating funds.

The Athletics Department, who will oversee the development of training facilities, stadium renovations, and other campus wide modifications that may be necessary. In

accordance with the UNF Master Plan (2010-2020) which details the academic

expansions that are expected to take place, the Athletics Department must provide

outlines of their renovations, such that they do not violate building codes or take

resources from academic departments.

II. POLICY ADHERENCE

1. NCAA AMATEURISM

At this stage in development, what is most important is increasing the student body. The NCAA

requires a 15,000 attendance average for all home games. In addition, there are academic

requirements which the student athletes must meet to compete.

The NCAA Eligibility Center verifies the academic and amateur statuses of all Divisions I and II

student-athletes. The current student-athlete requirements are as follows:

Graduate high school.

Complete a minimum of 16 core courses for Division I or 14 core courses for Division II.

Earn the minimum required grade point average (GPA) for core classes.

Earn a qualifying test score for either the SAT or ACT.

Earn final amateurism certification from the NCAA Eligibility Center.

For Division I student-athletes who will enroll in August 2016 and later, the requirements to

compete in the first year will change. In addition to the above standards, prospects must:

Earn at least a 2.3 grade-point average in core courses.

Meet an increased sliding-scale standard (for example, an SAT score of 1,000 requires a

2.5 high school core course GPA).

Successfully complete 10 of the 16 total required core courses before the start of their

senior year in high school. Seven of the 10 courses must be successfully completed in

English, math and science.

III. GENDER & EQUITY

1. INTRODUCTION:

UNF and the Athletics Department are committed to an inclusive campus environment that

promotes equity of opportunity. Policies and procedures that best demonstrate dedication to this

principle must be monitored - especially with the addition of Women's Golf in 2012-13 with at

least 10 more student-athletes.

The major transition considerations facing UNF sponsoring FCS Football include establishing a

timeline, achieving FCS Football conference membership, and satisfying NCAA requirements.

Other inherent timeline considerations would include introducing womens sports with provisions for Title IX as well as providing necessary support facilities.

2. GENDER EQUITY:

Title IX of the Education Amendments prohibits discrimination based on sex in all programs and activities at universities which receive federal funds. All programs and activities of the institution fall under this jurisdiction. Intercollegiate athletics are specifically mentioned.

There are three basic parts to the Title IX regulation as it pertains to intercollegiate athletics. 3. PARTICIPATION OPPORTUNITIES:

Proportionality: Participation in athletics by men and women are evened out to undergraduate enrollment. Continuous program expansion: A history and continuing practice of program growth for the underrepresented gender within the complete athletic program. Interests and Abilities: Fully and effectively accommodating the male gender within the athletic program to even out with current womens teams.

4. ATHLETIC SCHOLARSHIPS:

Athletics scholarship dollars must be awarded to women and men at the same proportion as their respective rate of participation in the intercollegiate athletics program. At the moment, women outnumber the men by three sports.

5. ATHLETIC PROGRAM COMPONENTS:

Compliance with each component is evaluated by comparing the availability, efficiency and type of benefits, opportunities and treatment of both sexes. If the components are found to be equivalent, then the institution will be in compliance. Under the equivalence standard, identical benefits, opportunities, or treatment are not required, provided the overall point of any difference does not have an immediate impact on one sex.

Maintaining Title IX compliance is required regardless of UNF's NCAA membership classification. Currently, UNF meets the first test of Effective Accommodation of Student Interests and Abilities component of Title IX.

UNF exceeds Title IX requirements by awarding more athletic opportunities and financial assistance to women. Additionally, scholarships for Women's Golf and Women's Soccer will exacerbate this situation. If football is added, the current variance will assist in equalizing the distribution of financial aid across male rosters.

6. MAINTAINING EQUITY

As indicated by Title IX, if UNF were to adopt a football program in the FCS, an additional

female sport would need to be added as well. Currently, women sports are favored in diversity on

campus. The Athletics Department boasts three additional female sports to the male sports. This

is consistent with the gender ratio on campus. Several courses could be taken regarding what

female sport the Athletics Department could present to the Board of Trustees for discussion.

Some of these additions include:

Womens Surfing

According to Transworld Magazine, Florida boasts the 7th best surfing college in

America, Flagler College in St. Augustine as well as a powerhouse collegiate surf team.

In addition, their surf team the Saints has reasonable access to Jacksonvilles facilities which could prove to be adequate competition for a UNF surf team. Considering our

gender ratio and nearness to the coast, a surf team could prove to be a viable alternative

presenting additional research grants and scholarship opportunities. To complement a

UNF potential surf team, UNF could capitalize further on its proximity to the coast and

present new course curriculums that specialize in ocean engineering, oceanography,

coastal technology, ecology, etc.

The Florida Institute of Technology in Melbourne, much like UNF is minutes from the

water. One of the most widely recognized surf breaks along the eastern coast, Sebastian

Inlet, presents good practice space to students and surfers all around. Much like Flagler

College, FIT could prove to be a formidable division opponent in the NSSA/ NE

conference.

Womens Lacrosse

As of the 2012-2013 season, the Big South Conference has opened Womens Lacrosse as a competitive avenue. UNF could take administrative measures to employ Womens Lacrosse as an additional female sport. Being a relatively new sport for our

projected conference opponents, there are no clear predictions that can be made about the

divisional prospects, but the sport could help female student athletes and strengthen the

institutional profile.

IV. BIG SOUTH CONFERENCE CONSIDERATIONS

The Big South Conference is a collegiate athletic conference for the NCAAs Division I sports programs. Big South Conference members are part of the FCS (formerly called the Division I-

AA). With the 2011-2012 conference realignments, the additions of Campbell and Longwood

broke the conference into its northern and southern divisions, hosting six teams each. Teams are

to play the other five divisional opponents twice, (once home, once away) and teams outside of

their respective division once, totaling 16 games in all. Comparatively, UNF surpasses most of

the other schools in our projected division in terms of student body population and stadium size.

The university would not be subject to as many campus improvements and renovations as would

other members in our conference who either do not have a stadium or a stadium as large as ours.

V. RECOMMENDATIONS & CONCLUSION

UNF will follow an informed process to reach a decision toward implementing a football

program in the FCS. If we choose to proceed with an initiative, it would be in careful

consideration of the campuss policies, funding and allocations. Athletics would become a campus-wide priority. Final recommendations include:

UNF should review the institutional profiles of its projected divisional peers to best determine which athletics model best matches the UNF profile.

The Athletics Department should collaborate with the Board of Trustees and other necessary departments to incorporate the athletic improvements with the Master Plan

2010-2020 so that campus resources are not disbursed unevenly. This will strengthen the

athletic operations effectiveness.

UNF should remain respective of the budget, support systems, and personnel that contribute to the student-athletes success.

UNF should develop an Athletics Compliance Team that heads the football program that includes members of the NCAA Eligibility Committee.

Develop retention plans for sports and student athletes that may fall below acceptable standards and make improvement efforts.

Appendixes

A.

As the graph displays, most of these schools have a student body with a female population

greater than the male population, with the exception of VMI, which is a military institute.

Gardner Webb and Charleston Southern both have female ratios higher than that of UNF. This

graph suggests that Title IX does not hinder schools that have greater female populations in their

efforts towards acquiring a football team.

0

10

20

30

40

50

60

70

80

90

100

CharlestonSouthern

CoastalCarolina

GardnerWebb

PresbyterianCollege

VirginiaMilitaryInstitute

LibertyUniversity

UNF

Females

Males

B.

Full Qualifier Academic Redshirt Nonqualified

Complete 16 Core Courses:

10 of the 16 core courses must

be complete before 7th

semester (senior year) of high

school.

7 of the 10 core courses must be

in English, Math, or Science.

Complete 16 core courses. Does not meet requirements for

Full Qualifier or Academic

Redshirt status.

Minimum Core-Course GPA of

2.3

Minimum Core-Course GPA of

2.0

Meet the Competition sliding

scale requirement of GPA and

ACT/SAT score.

Meet the Academic Redshirt

sliding scale requirement of

GPA and ACT/SAT score.

Graduate from high school. Graduate from high school.

C.

Capacity vs. Attendance and Student Population

The graph above illustrates the relationship between Big South schools that have football teams

between their student body populations, average attendance for the 2012 season and stadium

seating capacities. Many schools have a fair attendance record even when their stadiums seating capacity exceeds (sometimes far exceeds as is the case for VMI) the student body populations.

0

5000

10000

15000

20000

25000

Capacity

Avg Att 2012

Student Pop

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2012 - 2013 women's golf roster. (n.d.). Retrieved from

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