NC State University Director of Athletics Deborah A. Yow announced the release of the department’s five-year strategic plan today. (July 2)

In 2010, the NC State Department of Intercollegiate Athletics embarked on a comprehensive and inclusive strategic planning process. The objective was to outline the goals and strategies specific to Intercollegiate Athletics (ICA) for the next five years, as well as guiding the department’s decision-making and prioritization during this period.

It appears to be strong document that will be a good guide for the University athletics program. However, the first goal is to “Achieve national recognition for competitive excellence, as measured by ACC finishes and the national Director’s Cup competition.” An important and admirable goal but the second goal, since we are talking about student-athletes here, should be listed as the No. 1 goal. The second goal reads, “Graduate student-athletes at rates that compare favorably to our ACC public peer institutions and achieve same for the NCAA Academic Progress Rates.”

Several years ago, NC State worked very hard to rid itself of the image that its athletes weren’t bright or focused on academics. The athletics did suffer for a while but it is coming back. However, the University should balance athletic success with academic success and image. While the report itself actually seems to do a good job of that, by putting what should be goal No. 1 as goal No. 2 doesn’t set the right tone.

The Seven Strategic Goals are:

1. Achieve national recognition for competitive excellence, as measured by ACC finishes and the national Director’s Cup competition.

2. Graduate student-athletes at rates that compare favorably to our ACC public peer institutions and achieve same for the NCAA Academic Progress Rates.

3. Cultivate an environment where NCAA rules compliance, the pursuit of excellence, gender equity, respect for diversity and recognition of achievement are fundamental values held by staff, coaches and student-athletes.

4. Allocate the financial resources required to achieve the Department’s vision of excellence, while operating successfully as a self-supporting auxiliary unit of the University.

5. Recruit and retain the caliber of student-athletes, coaches, and staff who are committed to the achievement of the Department’s vision of competitive and academic excellence.

6. GENERATE the funds required to pay the annual scholarship bill, facility debt and operating costs.

7. Create an innovative branding program that will promote the Department’s vision and tell the NC State story.

To view the entire report, please click here.