NESCAC Case Study

Kristen Dockery Dustin Permann Laura Schnell Team Org. Man The common goals of the NESCAC include: Intercollegiate athletic programs were to be kept in harmony with the essential academic purpose of member institutions, competing players were to be representatives of the student body, and the academic authority in each college was to control intercollegiate athletic policy. The president's decision kept the academic purpose of the institutions intact since the ruling lessened conflicts with academic scheduling. Students, faculty, and trustees were some of the important stake holders that were affected. The compromise gave one team a chance to compete in the postseason for the students to participate in which gave them a goal to work for competitively. Faculty did not have to worry about a long postseason that conflicted with academics, but with that trustees were given a competitive structure that kept academic integrity. The decision did however create a structure that could drive potential student athletes to schools that had a structure that included a standard post-season. The team and the institution would lack national exposure that could persuade student athletes to the conference. The faculty could be disproven by the claim that athletes that have competed in post-season play have had no evidence of reduced academic achievement. We believe the structure should become more decentralized from the centralized structure that gives the president all the power. Trustees, AD, faculty, and a student board should all have a representative that meets for a vote on key issues. One person cannot make a decision while taking everyone's priorities into question. We believe a small bracketed playoff would be the best solution to the problem. While the regular season may have to be shortened which would mean a few teams would lose a few games, the best teams could compete for a true champion while still not conflicting with finals. We decided that the divisional model would be best to decide future policy issues. While the presidents could oversee major policy changes, the athletic directors and possible a board made up of the important stake holders could come up with policies and decide on them. The presidents would be in charge of making sure the policies hold serve with the goals of the NESCAC.