INSTITUTIONAL BOARD OF ADVISORS

January 11, 2006

 

Attending: Board Members: Mr. Robinson, Chair; Ms. Chiles, Ms. Hardy, Mr. Miller, Ms. Smith, Mr. Goolsby, Mr. Smith, Mr. Segsworth, Mr. Cooper  Others: President Bayless, President Harris, Dr. Janeksela, Dr. Sathyamoorthy, Dr. Brown, Ms. Kerby, Mr. Fauver, Ms. Graham, Mr. Prince, Ms. Bayless, Ms. Dubois, Mr. Darling, Dr. Goodman, Mr. Neese

 

The purpose of the meeting was to discuss moving WVU Tech’s athletic programs from National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) Division II status to National Association of Intercollegiate Athletics (NAIA) status.  Interim Athletic Director Gary Prince gave an overview of the merits of such a change including;

 

•    Tech’s historical affiliation with NAIA

•    More freedom to interact with potential athletes and with high schools

•    Membership in the prestigious Mid-South Conference

•    The ability to recruit more athletes

•    Two-year students can participate on athletic teams

•    Athletic personnel can work as a part of other campus offices more freely

•     Ability to be more competitive

•    There are no required number of sports

•    Changes in the number and configuration of sports is easier

•    NAIA membership is more cost effective over the long term

•    NAIA monitors student academic performance more closely, certifying their eligibility twice per year rather than once per year in NCAA

•    Current coaches are fully supportive of the move

•    The WVU Tech Cabinet approved the move to NAIA

 

Discussion included an assurance that Title IX compliance will continue.  Questions about the NAIA’s process of entry, membership in the Mid-South Conference and the reaction of the West Virginia Intercollegiate Athletic Conference (WVIAC) were answered.

 

A motion to approve the application of WVU Tech to the NAIA and the Mid-South Conference was made with a proviso that should the opportunity to return to a reconstituted WVIAC (if reverted to the NAIA) be available, the institution would strongly consider rejoining that Conference.  The motion was presented by Mike Miller and Seconded by Nancy Thomas.  This motion passed without dissent and the meeting was adjourned.