MSU Transition to NCAA Division II Athletics

In the spring of 2009, Minot State University decided to explore transitioning athletic programs into the National Collegiate Athletic Association Division II. MSU applied for Division II membership in the summer of 2009 and found out in July of 2009 that the university was accepted into the three-year process. The decision to apply for Division II membership came at the end of nearly four years of research by committees from Minot State, the athletics department, administrators, the community and Beaver Booster Club members.

The most recent research done by Minot State, to determine whether or not moving to Division II would be good for the university, started when an NCAA Division II Task Force was formed in January 2009. A thorough study was conducted with meetings and open forums with key stakeholders, including coaches, student athletes, faculty, staff, MSU Board of Regents, Beaver Booster Club members, the Beaver Booster Board of Directors and the community.

Support for such a move was strong and a recommendation to apply for NCAA Division II membership was made by the Task Force in early April of 2009. Formal resolutions of support for Division II application were made by the MSU Board of Regents and the Beaver Booster Board of Directors. The plan to apply for Division II membership was presented to all faculty and staff during all-campus open forums in the spring of 2009. Written reviews and input from faculty and staff were solicited regarding this plan. Faculty Senate, Staff Senate and the Student Government Association, as well as the University Cabinet and Planning and Budgeting Council were consulted and invited to provide input. Guided by the task force recommendation, the campus open forums and consultation and the input from the community forums, the President’s Staff endorsed the move and authorized applying for membership. Throughout this process, our colleagues in the Dakota Athletic Conference were kept fully apprised.

Rationale and Research related to a Division II Transition
A move to NCAA Division II fits the future mold of Minot State University. Our Vision 2013 goal is to achieve national distinction as one of the premier public, regional universities in the “great” Great Plains. To attain this goal will require the university to explore new avenues to create an opportunity for truly the best and brightest students within the Great Plains. To assist in accomplishing this, we must elevate our key academic programs and athletic endeavors onto a larger stage. A move to NCAA Division II can assist us in reaching this community-wide goal of being a premier university for decades to come.

In our quest to become a premier public, regional university in the Great Plains, the MSU Office of Academic and Institutional Projects conducted a thorough review of all institutions in the Great Plains. The researchers began with more than 400 schools, and narrowed the list to the following 10 aspiration peer institutions: Northern State University, Bemidji State University, University of Nebraska-Kearney, Wayne State University, Minnesota State University-Mankato, Winona State University, Pittsburgh State University, St. Cloud State University, Chadron State University and Emporia State University. These 10 institutions were studied extensively and several key indicators were reviewed including graduation rates, retention rates, acceptance rates, faculty salaries, faculty-student ratios, alumni giving rates and many more. One interesting indicator was that all 10 peer institutions are members of NCAA Division II, which made it abundantly clear that NCAA Division II membership is appropriate for our university and that our university is well aligned with the character and mission of DII institutions.

Minot State University is committed to becoming a strong and viable member of NCAA Division II. The Division II mission of integrating intercollegiate athletics into higher education for the benefit of students and student athletes is consistent with the mission and goals of our institution and athletics department. We strongly believe that athletics plays an integral role in the operation and life of a successful university.

Q. Why make a move to Division II?
A. The membership makeup of the National Association of Intercollegiate Athletics has changed drastically in the past 30 years. While the NAIA remains a strong and viable organization, since the 1970s membership has dropped from almost 600 institutions to just under 300 members today. More than 80 percent of the schools participating right now in the NAIA are private schools with a school enrollment of less than 1,700 students. As a regional public institution and with an enrollment of more than 3,600, Minot State University is more accurately aligned with Division II institutions than with that of today’s NAIA institutions. Sixty percent of the 280 member schools in Division II are public institutions with enrollments just over 4,000.

Q. How will a move to Division II impact the rest of the university?
A. Minot State University’s Vision 2013 appears to be very consistent with the Division II philosophy that includes community engagement, balance and development of the “whole person.” Minot State University truly believes a successful athletics program can enhance the institution on all levels. The move will also allow us to reach a wider audience, to tell the story of Minot State University, its high-quality academic programs, low student-to-faculty ratio, competitive in-state tuition rate, community engagement and success in athletics. The NCAA Division II’s mission focuses on life in the balance, which matches to the tee MSU’s own mission and vision.

Q. How does the university plan on funding the move to Division II?
A. The university expects to support the move to Division II through increased athletic enrollment, a student fee, increased revenues realized through increased dorm residency, food service subscriptions and fundraising. Other funding sources include ticket revenue, sponsorships and game guarantees. Minot State University has contracted with a major consulting firm to provide funding and fundraising benchmarks for other Division II schools.

Q. What is the timeline for becoming a full-fledged member of Division II?
A. In 2009-10, Minot State will begin year one of candidacy, followed by candidacy year two, if specific criteria are met and if invited in 2010-2011. During these years Minot State will remain an active member within the NAIA. Year three (2011-12) is known as a provisional year, and Minot State will be required to drop its NAIA membership, and transition into NCAA rules and regulations. Minot State would become a full NCAA member in our fourth year of transition, the 2012-13 academic year. Currently, Minot State is working closely with its consultants and with the NCAA to make adjustments in its policies and procedures to meet the expectations of the NCAA. An NCAA vendor evaluation visit occurred during December of 2009. The report provided MSU with a clear sense of what we are doing well and what adjustments we need to make. University President David Fuller has attended an NCAA meeting in Indianapolis, and he, the athletic director, compliance director and the MSU faculty athletic representative attended the national meeting in Atlanta where they attended important workshops and meetings.

Q. How will this transition period of three years impact our involvement in the DAC and NAIA?
A. Minot State University remains a proud member of the Dakota Athletic Conference and will be an active member of the NAIA until the 2011-12 academic year. As well, MSU plans to continue competing within the DAC until the fall of 2011. The Beavers will be full members of the NCAA, and eligible for postseason play, in the 2012-13 season.

Q. Will the university need to add or eliminate any sports in order to join Division II?
A. Minot State will not be eliminating any of the 12 existing athletic teams, instead we are adding a women’s soccer program, to start play in the fall of 2010, and reinstating men’s wrestling, with meets to begin in the winter of 2010. For more information on these two programs, please go to our athletics Web site, msubeavers.com.

Q. What changes are in store for scholarships available under NCAA Division II?
A. The goal is to increase athletic scholarships by at least 50% over the next five years.

Q. Does this move to Division II affect gender equity concerns?
A. Minot State University, as always, will continue to comply with all necessary state, federal and academic regulations regarding gender equity.

Q. What are the plans for conference affiliation in NCAA Division II?
A. The university is exploring a potential new conference. We have already applied for membership in the Northern Sun Intercollegiate Conference, with schools in North Dakota, South Dakota, Minnesota, Iowa and Nebraska. We will most likely not know our future conference until at least 2011.

Q. Will the athletic teams be traveling more for road games?
A. Travel time continues to be a major concern in our budgeting. The amount of time MSU student athletes will be out of the classroom will depend on our conference affiliation and athletic team schedules. We are always mindful that those on athletic teams are students first and athletes second, to remain attentive to NCAA Division II’s pledge for life in the balance.

Q. Will I be able to find Minot State on regional or national sports TV stations?
A. Being a part of Division II does bring an increased possibility of playing on regional or national sports networks. For example, the NSIC, a conference Minot State is interested in joining, receives considerable regional television exposure through a special Midcontinent channel.

Q. Are our current athletic facilities up-to-par, in order to compete with other Division II schools?
A. With the MSU Dome as one of the largest domed facilities in the upper Midwest, we feel that Minot State is well on its way to having quality athletic venues available for student athletes and fans. Plans are underway to renovate the existing Herb Parker Stadium and install athletic turf for football and soccer games. Our current agreement with the City of Minot and other entities to use existing softball, baseball and golf venues remains intact.

Q. With a new, higher level of competition, does that mean Minot State will stop recruiting North Dakota athletes?
A. No. We remain dedicated to attracting the best local, regional and statewide student athletes to offer North Dakotans a chance to compete at one of the highest levels of collegiate athletics.

Q. Will student fees be impacted by the move to Division II?
A. The university is exploring all options for potential funding. Minot State is planning on seeking the support from the students through a minimal fee increase of $15. All student fee changes are reviewed by the Student Government Association.

Q. How is our alumni base responding to this move and will they be asked to financially help support increased costs?
A. Minot State received strong backing from the MSU Board of Regents, Beaver Booster Club members and the Beaver Booster Board of Directors in support of the move to Division II. We are always appreciative of the outstanding financial and community support that our alumni and region give to MSU Athletics. There is already a plan in place to reach out to more of our alumni, to encourage those who aren’t currently giving to show their support in whatever ways possible.