Welcome back DU fans, supporters and students!
We met as a Division on October 29 and honored Joy Burns, Stu Halsall and the many DU Difference Maker Award winners from this past year.
I presented Joy with a Pioneer hockey jersey and special chair for her lifetime committment to DU athletics. Joy's generous support helped make our move to NCAA Division I in 1998 a reality. Joy recently stepped down as Chair of the DU Board of Trustees, but will stay on as an active member.
Our soccer coaches Jeff Hooker and Bobby Muuss and strength and conditioning coach Mike Sanders presented Assistant Vice Chancellor Stu Halsall with a framed soccer jersey for his outstanding management of the construction of the DU Soccer Stadium and Strength and Conditioning Complex. Stu's tireless efforts keeping the project on time and on budget were outstanding. Stu also presented the Division's Critical Incident Plan prior to my Division Address.
The purpose of my sixth Division Address was to emphasize communication, education and motivation. Our ultimate goals are for everyone to buy-in to the strategic plan, take pride and ownership of their work and create accountability for individual performance.
Here is a recap of of the Division Address:
The staff realignment, budget crunch and the economy were a 1, 2, 3 punch in the gut that tested the resilience and strength of every one of us. We were asked to take an active leadership role in the University's efforts to realign resources and we did it. We gave the university back $900,000, we had 10 individuals leave our division and we were asked to do more with less. We were all asked to take on additional responsibilities, and to find new ways to do our jobs better. Even today we miss those staff members who have left, but we have found ways to improve our day to day operations reconfirming that we as a division were up to the challenge. We faced it head on and we will continue to reach the goals we have established for ourselves. The economy has affected each one of us, both personally as well as professionally, and will continue to have an effect on our daily lives. We have all learned the reality that much of our business operations are focused on generating revenue, exposure and good will for our university. Given the current economic climate the first challenge of generating revenue has become "EVERYONE'S JOB." We must continue to find ways to generate revenue while reducing un-necessary expenses.
Our other weakness/challenge was that we have not made the progress needed in increasing our Endowed Scholarship and Endowed Programs - this is our future. We are all dependent on growth and development in this area.
2008-09 Accomplishments:
1. We've continued to improve our efficiencies, communication and practices
2. Office relocation
3. Revised Organizational Chart and Reporting Lines
4. Improvement in our Customer Service
5. Shared Vision and Voice - ONE DU
- Strategic Plan - has created opportunities and synergies for our staff to collaborate and work together...and IT'S WORKING!
- Marketing and Branding of DENVER and DU
- Increased visibility and success of ALL Programs - Athletic and Recreation
6. Soon to be completed.... OUR DENVER Soccer Stadium and Training Complex
- We secured the university matched funding
- A Collective team approach - Coaches, Staff, BOT secured the funding
- The result is a state of the art, beautiful facility that will be open in mid to late December
7. Continued growth, development, success and visibility in our sport programs
- We finished No. 54 in the Director's Cup standing for overall outstanding athletic achievement
- We finished No. 1 in the Director's Cup for NCAA Division I-AAA, Sun Belt and Front Range schools.
- We won our 20th NCAA Skiing Championship
- We sent 11 teams to the NCAA Tournament, won five conference titles, nine coaches of the year and 11 All-America honors.
- We also won the SBC Academic Award for the ninth consecutive year.
Other highlights from 2008-09 included:
- Coaches and Staff in national leadership roles/positions/boards - clearly demonstrating national leadership - "leaders and best"
- Sold out "Pass Camp"
- Customer service and global approach in management and supervision
- Taking on additional responsibilities and duties via Ritchie Center Events
- Continued efforts leading to other conference affiliation (Men's Lacrosse to ECAC and visits to West Coast Conference and Western Athletic Conference), while strengthening our position in the Sun Belt Conference.
- We made good strides with our Student Engagement - involvement, participation and school spirit has increased. Examples of is evident in Stub Club, Camp-Out, Spirit Program, Orientation and First Night with the Pioneer.
Our GOALS this year are:
1. Balance our BUDGET - make the goals outlined in our budget
2. Increase our overall competitiveness
3. Retain our national title as Division I-AAA Champion
4. Increase our Endowed Scholarships Program -
5. Number of and amount of funding
6. Explore options to fund positions/programs
7. Create options regarding Conference Affiliation with concrete date, costs, and sport membership clarification
8. Concrete Evidence of Success in our Divisional Strategic Plan
9. Overall success of programs in W/L and post season exposure
- Increased paid attendance - increased revenue in concessions, sales and apparel
10. Increased visibility and respect
- Increased media exposure - regionally and nationally
- Better utilization of technology to tell the great DU story
- Continued success in our recruitment of students, coaches and staff
11. Increased Buy-In of Strategic Plan - Secured Funding Needed for Conference Affiliation
12. Secure of best assets - staff and coaching - provide stability
2009-10 Fall Sports Updates
The women's soccer team won its four consecutive SBC championship and advanced to its fourth consecutive NCAA Tournament. The Pioneers were ousted 4-0 by Portland, but finished another successful season with a 17-6-1 record.
The DU men's soccer team battled injuries all season, but advanced to the MPSF Tournament, which was hosted at the DU Soccer Stadium. DU lost 1-0 to No. 2 New Mexico in the semifinal. A special thanks goes out to Coach Muuss and the rest of the DU family who worked tirelessly at the tournament.
Our volleyball team is headed to the Sun Belt Conference championship and our hockey team is No. 3 in the nation and off to a 6-3-1 start. Our swimming and diving teams have enjoyed a successful fall season and the men's and women's basketball program have started their seasons. We look forward to a successful winter athletic season.
Thank you for your continued support. We NEED you!
Go Pioneers!
Peg Bradley-Doppes
