Athletic Council Meeting 1/25/2021 @3:30pm
Those in attendance:
Dr. Spina, Trina Nolan, Liv Haselbach, John McCollough, John Bello-Ogunu, Joe Nordgren, Jeff Spoeri, Golden Wright, Ginger Gummelt, Dan French, Brad Mayer, Berna Tokgoz, Jull Killough, Marco Born, Helene Thill, Moses Dupre, Karla Lopez
Dr. Spina
- We are meeting today instead of February due to the WAC announcement.
Marco Born
- The announcement was made a couple weeks ago (January 14). We planned on staying with the Southland until 2022, the date has moved to summer 2021.
- Shared WAC document
- This is an opportunity to join a strong conference and puts us on a good financial future.
- WAC has some of the fastest growing institutions.
- Travel expense will decrease.
- Member institutions are well known, and the states are top 3 where people are moving to.
- Basketball Championship will be in Las Vegas. This opens opportunity for new sponsors.
- All sports are broadcasted in the WAC.
- Jon Haarlow left us, is now in Washington State.
- New academic advisor starts on February 1.
- We are rebranding the Cardinal Club Room
- Open for questions
Questions asked by members
- Do we have a male soccer team?
- Why are we leaving the Southland in 2021 instead of 2022?
- Southland voted on it after we sent the separation letter. We no longer have a vote
- Will we have opportunity to schedule non-championship games?
- Yes, we’re staying more regionally
- Will we be able to host championships? Ex. Tennis Conference
- Will the cost in attendance change?
- What can we do to help you?
- Be an advocate to campus. I will be giving this presentation around campus
- Will we need to update road signs that signal entrance to Lamar University?
- Has the athletic department had bad cases of COVID?
- Yes, two cases. Both athletes are recovered and practicing after going through the “Back to Play” protocol
- How many athletes pursue their master’s?
- We would have to get back to you with an answer.
- (Liv) I have 3 in my classes, Helene and staff do a good job with athletes and their education.
Dr. Spina
- Next meeting will be in March.