IAC Meeting
March 21, 2019
Attendance: Mayer, Mulvaney, Gummelt, Carroll, Chu, DuPre’, Thill, Born, Bradley, Jones, Spoeri, Spina, Wright, Zaloom, Conley
Guests (Volleyball): Coaches Michelle Kuester, Haley Eckerman; Student Athletes Bre’Ala Box, Erin Pequeno
Dr. Chu welcomed everyone and remarked about the large crowd. He asked Marco to introduce the Volleyball coach.
Marco welcomed Michelle Kuester.
Coach Kuester introduced her new assistant coach, Haley Eckerman. Haley played college-level at the University of Texas and professionally overseas. Michelle commented on the new vision and perspective Haley brings, and mentioned that they work really well together. They currently have eight kids in our gym currently, with nine incoming freshmen in the fall. Michelle introduced sophomore Bre’Ala Box and senior Erin Pequeno.
Erin is a red-shirted senior studying Exercise Science. She came to Lamar to be close to home. She likes Lamar because the campus is small, and getting around is easy.
Bre’Ala is a sophomore studying Kinesiology. She chose Lamar for the smaller class sizes.
Ms. Mulvaney asked Erin about her red-shirt status.
- Erin stated she recently had surgery on her shoulder. She has one more year of eligibility. When asked about her choice of Exercise Science, Erin stated that she enjoys it. Discussion about the studies and type of math with Dr. Spina and Erin brought laughs.
Dr. Chu asked if the University can help improve their experience.
- Both athletes mentioned they like the smaller class size and the proximity of the dorms to the campus.
Dr. Chu mentioned to the athletes that this council is a good avenue to pass along information. The council answers to the President.
He congratulated Michelle Kuester for the Head Coaching position.
Ms. Gummelt asked when the season starts.
- Michelle – The first tournament is August 30. Students report the weekend before the second summer session.
Dr. Chu asked if there are ever problems with scheduling practices or classes
- Michelle – We work around the senior schedules and make it work. We have good communication with the professors. The staff does a good job of accommodating us.
Ms. Mulvaney asked Haley to introduce herself.
- Haley – Originally from Iowa. At UT, she was player of the year four years. Big 12.
She played in Azerbaijan, Italy, and Russia in the Pro league. Overseas life is tough. She had trouble getting money and has a child who stayed in the States. Last fall she decided to move to the U.S. She coached in high school and moved to college.
She gets along well with Michelle, and loves Texas. She said it’s nice to work in the college level. She pulls from her experience in professional leagues.
Coach Kuester asked the group for introductions.
Each member introduced himself or herself around the table.
Dr. Chu passed out minutes to read. Mr. DuPre’ moved to accept them as written. Dr. Spina seconded and the group passed the motion to approve.
Dr. Chu – Transcript information
Marco
- We have experienced a turnover of staff and are trying to fill a couple of positions
- Marketing Assistant. Zach moved to Austin
- Development – Major Gifts person
- Peak Sports has been on campus one month
- Colton Renner and Heath Schatz have met with every corporate sponsor
- Colton, Heath, their president, and Marco recently met with a local hospital to discuss sponsorship
- The apparel contract and ticket sales contract goes before the board in May for approval. The new contract will go into effect September 1.
- Baseball turf and shot put for track and field improvements are complete.
- Men’s Basketball finished the season. Had a good run.
- Women’s Basketball will host WNIT game at home versus Southern Alabama. Winner will play Northern Colorado.
- Softball is doing well. 5/1 overall. Coach Hooks is doing very well.
- Baseball is 1/5 overall in league.
- The athletic directors met last week in Katy; discussed basketball and how to improve. LU 30/32; trying to improve ranking.
- The next meeting is in May to discuss improvements. We are trying to play less non-D1 teams.
- We play four each year, but they don’t count.
- All Staff meeting was a good meeting. Meets once a quarter. Dr. Evans spoke.
- Head Coaches meeting is next Monday.
- Marco stated he gives frequent updates on things going on in our industry. Discussed the recent academic scandals with staff and coaches. Shared the articles with staff via email and hard copies.
- Spring Football March 30 – 10:00 a.m.
- Athletic Yard Sale at 9:00 a.m. – We have a lot of leftover apparel: shoes, jerseys, polos.
- New Idea, will sell them at a discounted rate
- Benefits team budgets
Question about changing our apparel contract:
- Using Under Armor and not Nike
Three things to consider with the new contract
- Service: Issues with the current vendor.
- New vendor is Athletic Supply
- Discounts on our purchases
- Nike was 35% off Shoes, 40% off Apparel
- New vendor 45% off Shoes, 40% for Apparel
- Amount of free product
- Prior – about 40-50K of product with Nike and Under Armor
- Now – about 3-4 x that
- Men’s Basketball will wear Nike for one more year, then transition
- Under Armor will help with the transition by providing free product – We have a lot of Nike leftover
- Under Armor will with the branding in our facilities too
Spoeri asked about Athletic Council Polos! Much laughter and comments. There was even a request to get early access to the Yard Sale.
Spina asked about Football recruiting
Marco:
- Quarterback; good starting possibility
- Linemen – getting bigger
- Mike (Coach Schultz) recruits until the very end to get kids here
- Coaching change: Hired Larry Edmondson to replace Dan Dodd
- Also: Moved the opening Football Game to Thursday.
- Playing Bethel – Labor Day Weekend – Thursday, 7:00 p.m. kickoff. Hoping for more student involvement – First week of school
- Next three games at 6:00, last two at 3:00
- Texas A&M is the last Power 5 game until 2024
- Commissioner’s cup – We lead the league – up by 6pts on all sports
- Never been in this strong of position. Exciting! Gives us bragging rights.
- Shows we are competing in every sport at the highest level overall
- Jokingly call it the “James Dixon Commissioner’s Cup”
Moses:
- NCAA Conference is sending in a review firm – April 23-34
- Some of you may get an email to meet with them
- Think we will do well
- Hired new staff – Assistant Compliance: Blaire Brevel
- Improves our Efficiency and Effectiveness
- Helps us get info out to coaches
- Thanks to Marco, Jon, Helene for providing assistance
- Vital to department
Helene:
- April 16, NCAA Grant Renewal
- Meet – Spring Visit
- Going to New Orleans for national renewal of the grant
Mr. Bradley asked how scholarship spending relates to the number of students.
- Marco stated that all sports are fully funded plus the cost of attendance. There is not another school at our level in the Southland that does cost of attendance.
Dr. Chu asked if anyone has any issues or comments. No one answered
Next meeting is the third Thursday of the month – April 18, 2019.
Dr. Chu thanked everyone for coming and dismissed the group at 2:45 p.m.