Issue link: http://catalog.e-digitaleditions.com/i/180321
A Look Back Before Charging Forward By Gary Barta L ate in September, the University of Iowa Athletics Department closed one book and opened another. The first was its strategic plan for the last five years. The second is a similar document created for implementation over the next five years. Strategic plans are important road maps. As a department, we discuss where we want to be in five years, establish and confirm our priorities, determine how to get where we want to be, and determine our resources and how to allocate them. We then commit it to writing and use the document as our road map. the first page… The new plan was introduced on the heels of a 2012-13 athletics year that saw the UI Athletics Department set records for the graduation rate of its student-athletes and fund-raising, and make substantial moves forward in terms of the facilities available to its student-athletes. The Hawkeyes closed the book on 2012-13 as an elite class when it came to fans in the stands. According to the NCAA, student-athletes that entered the University of Iowa in the fall of 2005 graduated at a rate of 77 percent. That mark — which uses the federal government benchmark for graduation success — was three points better than a year ago when Iowa tied the former school record of 74 percent set first in 1994-95. It was also six points better than the UI student body and 12 points better than that achieved by student-athletes nationally. The UI also set a record by posting a score of 87 percent in the NCAA's "Graduation Success Rate" or GSR. It marked the seventh time in the eight years of the GSR's existence that Iowa's student-athletes scored 80 percent or better. With respect to fund-raising, the National I-Club received pledges and gifts totaling more than $28 million in 2012-13. Much of that are commitments made to support the construction of the Iowa football program's operations center which is slated for occupancy late next summer. The giving total includes gifts to other capital projects of the UI Athletics Department, like the Hoak Family Golf Facility and "Hawkeye Visions," the UI Athletics Department's campaign that creates endowed scholarships in addition to support of annual expenses like team travel, equipment, and recruiting. Personal financial support of the intercollegiate athletics program is one way to measure the passion fans of the Hawkeyes have for their teams. Another barometer is fans in the stands, and the 2012-13 year was an excellent one for the UI. The Hawkeyes joined Tennessee, Michigan State, and Wisconsin as one of only four programs across the country to have teams in the sports of football, men's basketball, and women's basketball rank among the top 25 in attendance. Iowa again ranked No. 1 in attendance in wrestling. The UI had 69 different teams participate in NCAA championship competition or postseason bowl games during the last five years. The highlights of that list include victories in the 2010 Fed Ex Orange Bowl and 2009 Outback Bowl, national championships in wrestling in 2009 and 2010, and six straight NCAA Tournament appearances for the women's basketball program. Continued on page 12 4