Importance of doing a feasibility study
The feasibility study should help answer the essential question of “should we proceed with a proposed transition from NCAA Division II to Division I (FCS)?” The feasibility study should provide an overview of the primary issues related to the Division I transition process and to identify any “make or break” issues that would prevent Tuskegee University from being successful. The feasibility study should determine whether a transition to NCAA Division I (FCS) makes sense.
• Evaluate NCAA Division I membership requirements including an analysis of Tuskegee University’s current position regarding such requirements.
• Determine financial impact on alumni, personnel, scholarships, operations, and facilities
• Identify Title IX issues and their implications
• Identify Division I legislation that would impact Tuskegee University if reclassification occurs
• Determine if adding football at the Division I level would be in the best interest of Tuskegee University. Evaluate finances, facilities, personnel issues, public relations, impact on other sports, etc.
• Recommend what level of competition each current sport should be competing and if sports should be added under the umbrella of intercollegiate athletics.
• Evaluate University and Athletics support systems regarding their possible readiness for reclassification to Division I
• Identify a Conference that would be the best fit for Tuskegee University
•A four-year reclassification process would be created for new members.
•An application fee would be established commensurate with the estimated annual average value of direct benefits of Division I membership through distributions and championships (approximately $1.3 million currently).
•No school subject to a historically based penalty under the Academic Performance Program would be elected to active membership.
•Preliminary certification would be required in the first year of reclassification, and a full compliance review would be required before election to active membership.
•New members would be eligible for revenue distributions related to sport sponsorship and grants-in-aid after three years as an active member. Institutions would qualify immediately for Student-Athlete Opportunity, Special Assistance and Academic Enhancement Funds, as well as basketball grant funds as determined by its conference.
•The practice of allowing schools to sponsor a single sport in a different division would be eliminated, except in sports where no championship is conducted in its division. Divisions II and III schools currently taking advantage of this opportunity would not affected unless they fail to conduct the sport in Division I for any ensuing year.
•The Administration Cabinet would be responsible for review of the reclassification process and appropriate benchmarks.
•The Board would vote to elect institutions to active membership (not the Leadership Council).
The feasibility study will have a conclusion to serve as a framework on which to base discussions. These discussions will ultimately lead the Board of Trustees and the administration to a recommended course of action that will be in the best interest of Tuskegee University and its athletics program.
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Possible feasibility study objectives and goals
Primary objectives and goals of this study could include the following:
• Evaluate NCAA Division I membership requirements including an analysis of Tuskegee University’s current position regarding such requirements.
• Determine financial impact on alumni, personnel, scholarships, operations, and facilities
• Identify Title IX issues and their implications
• Identify Division I legislation that would impact Tuskegee University if reclassification occurs
• Determine if adding football at the Division I level would be in the best interest of Tuskegee University. Evaluate finances, facilities, personnel issues, public relations, impact on other sports, etc.
• Recommend what level of competition each current sport should be competing and if sports should be added under the umbrella of intercollegiate athletics.
• Evaluate University and Athletics support systems regarding their possible readiness for reclassification to Division I
• Identify a Conference that would be the best fit for Tuskegee University
• Timeline
• Make recommendations to reclassify to Division I or to remain in Division II
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What the NCAA requires to move from Division II to Division I
The Division I Leadership Council recommends that potential new members of Division I shall enter the division through a four-year “reclassification” process following no less than five-years of membership in Division II.
An application fee of between $900,000-$1,300,000 will be required before entering the “reclassification” process. Upon beginning the “reclassification” process, the institution must meet Division I sports sponsorship requirements (i.e., 50 percent of the grants-in-aid maximums in the conference sponsored sports in which the institution will participate).
A preliminary NCAA certification shall be required in year 1 of the four-year “reclassification” period and a full compliance review shall be required before final election to Division I membership. A member institution in Division I will qualify to begin receiving revenue distributions related to sports sponsorship and grants-in-aid upon serving three calendar years as an “active” Division I member.
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•A requirement that all new Division I members first spend at least five years as active members in Division II.
•New Division I members must have a bonafide offer of membership from a Division I multi-sport voting conference.
•A four-year reclassification process would be created for new members.
•An application fee would be established commensurate with the estimated annual average value of direct benefits of Division I membership through distributions and championships (approximately $1.3 million currently).
•No school subject to a historically based penalty under the Academic Performance Program would be elected to active membership.
•Preliminary certification would be required in the first year of reclassification, and a full compliance review would be required before election to active membership.
•New members would be eligible for revenue distributions related to sport sponsorship and grants-in-aid after three years as an active member. Institutions would qualify immediately for Student-Athlete Opportunity, Special Assistance and Academic Enhancement Funds, as well as basketball grant funds as determined by its conference.
•The practice of allowing schools to sponsor a single sport in a different division would be eliminated, except in sports where no championship is conducted in its division. Divisions II and III schools currently taking advantage of this opportunity would not affected unless they fail to conduct the sport in Division I for any ensuing year.
•The Administration Cabinet would be responsible for review of the reclassification process and appropriate benchmarks.
•The Board would vote to elect institutions to active membership (not the Leadership Council).
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NCAA Division I Demographics
The NCAA data is self-reported annually by each NCAA member institution and conference and shared with the NCAA.
Below are just a few demographic to showing student athletes at the largest revenue generating sports (football and basketball).
Click images below to enlarge for better viewing
NCAA Division I Demographics 2015-2016
Football
Baseketball
TUD1Explore 