Collegiate Consulting finalized football feasibility studies for both the University of New Orleans and Chicago State University as they consider adding FCS football, women’s sport(s) and marching band.
UNO’s study benchmarked the institution to the Southland Conference as a part of the 119-page report. In addition to administrative and coaching increases, Collegiate Consulting projected football and women’s soccer additions, as a first year of competition in Fall 2024, with total projected expenditures of $4.6 million. The formation of a 125-person marching band would generate approximately $1.5 million per annum in net tuition revenue.
Collegiate Consulting also completed a football feasibility study for Chicago State, with analyses of the addition of beach volleyball, softball and a marching band. The 116-page report projected total expenditures of $5.2 million for the three new sports programs with revenues from the launch of a 200-member marching band, would generate more than $1.7 million in annual net tuition revenue for CSU in coordination with the start of a football program.
After Collegiate Consulting assisted Thomas More University with a comprehensive DII Feasibility Study and support on its DII Athletic Strategic Plan and Membership Application, the university was accepted, along with two other schools, by the NCAA Division II Membership Committee in mid-July.
The final report included in-depth analysis of membership in the Great Midwest Athletic Conference, including sponsored sports, operating budgets, student-athlete academic performances, staffing, salaries and a five-year pro forma. Following an on-campus visit in June of 2021, the University was unanimously approved for provisional membership in the GMAC.
After tumultuous fluctuation of conferences in the offseason/summer, it is important to ask what gains or changes do student-athletes have to return to. New resources, meal plans, travel, workout and practice scheduling take more than a few months to facilitate.
What is mandated to take years under NCAA regulations will benefit potential recruits, but not necessarily current players who can be overlooked and under-considered. While universities must plan for bigger, broader pictures for sustainability and growth, the revolving door of four or five years (or less) for student-athletes does not cease to keep turning.
Collegiate Consulting prioritizes the student-athlete experience and applauds those many administrators, staffs and coaches who fight to balance responsibility to the present SAs, while building something more for future athletes.
Athletic departments are preparing and fine-tuning to welcome student-athletes back to campus in a matter of days.
As we continue to partner with universities of varying size and sports sponsorships, Collegiate Consulting is excited to acknowledge the accomplishments by the student-athletes, coaches and support staffs of our past and present clients.
We thrive on connection with our college athletic community and we seek to champion the notable actions and achievements.
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