November 2020

Changes in College Athletics

As we have said in previous newsletters, we have been working with 20+ institutions over the last several months to help them address the changing environment in college athletics.

All institutions have responded in their own way to the changing environment of college athletics due to COVID-19. We have worked on developing new strategic plans, operational reviews, feasibility studies and scheduling projects to help institutions continue to make the most of their response.

We understand that there is not a one-size-fits-all solution and we have been busy ensuring that each institution gets a unique set of deliverables within their study.

 

 

Batting 1.000

During our 15-year tenure, we have completed 33 Division II Feasibility Studies. Of those studies, 15 of our partners have applied for Division II membership and all 15 have been accepted. The other 18 partners decided not to make the transition. Here is a list of our partners that have transitioned to Division II:

University of Auburn at Montgomery
California Baptist University
Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University
Emmanuel College
Lee University
Minot State University
University of Illinois, Springfield
Mississippi College
Rogers State University
Savannah State University
Shorter University
Simon Fraser University
Southern Wesleyan University
Union University
University of Virginia at Wise

 

Appalachian State FBS Study

Appalachian State has been a member of the Sun Belt since 2014. Collegiate Consulting completed an initial FBS benchmarking comparison in 2010 and was brought back and retained to conduct a comprehensive FBS Feasibility Study in 2011-12 to assist App State with this transition. At the FCS level, App State won three straight national championships from 2005-2007, being the only team to do so. In 2008, App State was the first FCS team to receive votes in the Associated Press Top 25 poll.

At the FCS level, App State won three straight national championships from 2005-2007, being the only team to do so. In 2008, App State was the first FCS team to receive votes in the Associated Press Top 25 poll.

It did not take long for Appalachian State to see success and many firsts at the FBS level.

In 2015, it was the first Sun Belt team in history to win 11 games in one season.
It became the first former-FCS team to win a bowl game in the first season of bowl eligibility.
In 2018, App State was nationally ranked in the Associated Press Top 25 Poll at #25. In the same year, the Mountaineers won the Sun Belt Conference.
In 2018, App State became 3-peat conference champions and 4-peat bowl game champions.
App State has increased its university revenue by $77.4 million since 2014.
Since 2014, App State has increased enrollment by 4,846.
Combining its time as an FCS and FBS school, App State has won three national titles, appeared in 20 playoffs and won a conference championship 19 times. We are so glad that we could be a part of Appalachian State’s football legacy and look forward to watching their success continue.

Quick Bytes

  • The chart below reflects staffing adjustments for all 27 universities:
    • 10 institutions have laid off staff
    • 13 institutions have furloughed staff
    • Seven institutions have unfilled positions
    • Seven institutions have eliminated positions
    • 13 institutions have made pay cuts

What's The Word?

As we enter the last two months of the year, our office has been increasingly busy. We expected that many institutions would be seeking services to help them prepare for the new year and stabilize their departments. In the last month alone, we have sent out 10+ proposals for feasibility studies, strategic plans and operational reviews.

 

Into January, we anticipate to be continuously engaged as we help our partners prepare for upcoming basketball seasons and the spring semester. We would love to chat about how we could help your institution prepare for the forthcoming year.

Connect with us on LinkedIn

If you partnered with us in the past, are a current partner or are considering a partnership with us, please connect with us on LinkedIn and share your experience!

Managing Director
Russell Wright
Collegiate Consulting

1040 Grant St SE, Atlanta
GA 30315 United States