Director of Athletics

Summary of Position

Reporting to the Vice President for Student Development and Athletics, the Director of Athletics’ primary responsibilities are to direct, support and supervise a comprehensive NAIA intercollegiate athletic program representing 24 teams with an appropriate level coaching staff, over 600 student athletes and the Campus Recreation Department which includes 6 club sports with plans for growth for more. The Director of Athletics is ultimately responsible for budgets, strategic planning, fields and facilities, policies, compliance, scholarships, promotion and leadership of the division.

The Director of Athletics is part of the Student Development team of leaders representing student life, student involvement, student success services, health and wellness, life‑calling and career services and spiritual formation.

• PUBLIC RELATIONS:
  • Oversee Associate Athletic Director of External Operations related to business, donor, alumni and family relations
  • Oversee the Associate Athletic Director in all media communications
  • Oversee the Associate Athletic Director of Internal Operations in maintaining schedules and negotiate contracts for use of all athletic facilities outside of the conference services season
  • Support, promote and work with conference services on sports camps conducted by Indiana Wesleyan University coaches or outside groups
  • Develop a way to promote, develop, organize, implement and often supervise various spirit clubs that support all IWU athletic teams
  • Develop a plan that will coordinate the entire game atmosphere at events (spirit club, half‑time groups, announcer, and pep band)
• MANAGEMENT:
  • Oversee compliance with all Crossroads League and NAIA regulations
  • Create short and long‑range strategic plans for the athletic program
  • Provide a systematic evaluation process to assess staff performance, constant program improvement, and student‑athlete satisfaction. Use the data to keep department functions consistent with the mission of Indiana Wesleyan University
  • Create and enforce athletic department policies, reviewing and updating a policy manual once per year
  • Meet with the Vice President for Student Development and Athletics routinely
  • Join the weekly Student Development and Athletics team meetings for information, collaboration and coordination
  • Work closely with the Chair of the Division of Health and Human Performance as well as the Vice President for Academic Affairs and Academic Dean to insure collaboration as many coaches are involved in teaching
    • Create and serve as a liaison with a faculty athletic committee
    • Work with academics on fair and appropriate policies regarding athlete’s class absences for contests
  • Represent Indiana Wesleyan University at conference, regional, and national athletic meetings
  • Develop and sustain sport ministry efforts and programs of the athletic department, especially as it relates to programs of discipleship and evangelism for student athletes
  • In concert with the S.I.D. , assure accurate record keeping for athletes including: sport, years played, years lettered, records, NAIA, conference, district and regional awards
  • Manage all aspects and create new options and ideas related to the Alumni support:
    • Develop a marketing plan, develop an organized plan to partner with current members and secure new support
  • Commence a study of best practice in terms of coaching support
    • This study would examine and recommend the resolution of the part time/full time role of coaches and assistant coaches, identify the historical connections with faculty status vs. administrative status, and make recommendations for salary and load parameters along with incentives for success as well as individual team incentives
  • Conduct a deep assessment regarding the role and employment of athletic scholarships, utilizing systems and strategies that work and appropriately reward without raising the tuition discount variables ectations regarding recruitment strategies, continuing scholarships and character enhancements need to be taken into consideration
  • Examine the critical role of all athletes related to campus leadership initiatives, community service, summer sports camps, and…