April 3, 2007
Dear Gamecock Nation:
One of the greatest predictors of the future has been the past. With that in mind, over the past 18 months we have looked at the history of the Carolina Athletics Department. Among those internal areas under review have been our compliance office, ticket operations, information technology, budget procedures, marketing department, departmental policies and procedures, the recognition of our history and traditions, game presentation and long-range personnel and facility plans. From this review and analysis we have worked to build on the current successes in these areas and have made significant changes where we deemed necessary to make the department more efficient and better able to serve our student-athletes, coaches, administrators and fans.
Currently, two extremely important areas of the South Carolina Athletics Department are on the front burner. First and foremost is the academic support for our student-athletes. As you know, the Academic Enrichment Center is the unquestioned priority atop the list of the department’s facility needs. It is imperative that we provide all of our student-athletes the proper resources so they can achieve academic goals. We all realize there is life after intercollegiate sports and it is critical for our young people to be prepared to fulfill their career aspirations when they graduate from Carolina. With much of the funding in place, we are moving forward to build this center as quickly as possible.
The second priority has been the Gamecock Club, which will always be one of the most visible areas of the South Carolina Athletics Department. In spring 2006, a cross-section of Gamecock Club members from all giving levels was asked to identify areas of concern regarding the club’s operation. Their responses prompted us to form a Benefits Committee that included two members from each giving level to discuss the Gamecock Club’s most critical needs. Gamecock Club executive staff met with the committee members individually last summer and traveled to peer SEC and ACC institutions for additional input. In early fall, the Benefits Committee identified 10 critical needs within the Gamecock Club and set to work on proposals to address each item. These 10 proposals were forwarded to the Gamecock Club Board of Directors, and after some revisions, were approved.
The second part of the Gamecock Club evaluation included the formation of the Special Committee on Athletics, which includes two members of the University’s Board of Trustees and three members of the Gamecock Club Board of Directors. The Special Committee on Athletics has reviewed and approved the work of the Benefits Committee and continues to assist the club in policy changes; the committee also serves as the liaison with the University’s Board of Trustees. I am convinced that the recent changes and benefit enhancements put forth by the Gamecock Club are for the best, not only for our members, but also for our student-athletes. Remember that the Gamecock Club’s main purpose is to provide academic aid in the form of scholarships to our student-athletes.
I am grateful for the generous support of the Gamecock Nation and assure you that no changes in the university’s Athletics Department policies and procedures are made until careful and appropriate study and research have been completed. Any change in direction or focus is done fairly and for the success of Gamecock Athletics. The loyalty of Gamecock fans is legendary and a vital asset when joined with ticket sales, bowl destinations and even the hiring of coaches. Your loyalty will help Carolina Athletics move faster toward both its short and long-range goals.
Go Gamecocks,
South Carolina Athletics Director
P.S. Soon we will be announcing a date for an on-line video chat on our website, www.uscsports.com, where you and other members of the Gamecock Nation will have the opportunity to ask questions and provide additional feedback.
