PHILOSOPHY AND OBJECTIVES

The goal of The University of Oregon is to provide a comprehensive and preeminent university environment where teaching, research and public service are of the highest quality.  The University considers intercollegiate athletics to be an integral part of the University, as its existence provides students, faculty, alumni and friends an opportunity to share in the life of the collegiate community.

Departmental Mission

The Department of Intercollegiate Athletics believes that participation in athletics provides an arena whereby the student-athlete can be developed, tested and encouraged to reach his/her maximum potential.  The opportunities athletics offers to the individual through training, practice and competition contribute in a unique way to the development of that individual as a citizen of the future.

Moreover, the existence of athletics produces ancillary services, which include but are not necessarily limited to providing:

o       Resources for research in such academic areas as sports psychology, physiology of exercise and athletic medicine;

o      Events and activities which enrich and support the University and local and State economy both directly and indirectly;

o        A showcase for equality of opportunity, offering affirmative experiences and access for excellence to males and females;

o       Increased institutional visibility through camps, clinics and the hosting of major national and international events and contests; and

o A major focus by which the general public, alumni and students come together to participate in pro-social activities of a bonding and identifying nature.

Objectives

Integrating the mandates of the University, the Pacific-10 Conference and the NCAA, the Department of Intercollegiate Athletics is guided by the following objectives:

o       To employ coaches and other administrative staff members who are capable of performing as professionals in an educational community where high standards of integrity and ethical behavior, as well as sportsmanship, are expected of its members. 

o    To recruit student-athletes who are academically prepared  for University work. 

o       To support the educational goals of student-athletes through verbal encouragement and a variety of academic support programs which help student-athletes achieve their maximum academic potential.

o     To operate its athletics program in a manner that does not detract from the student-athletes' educational opportunities.

o       To provide financial aid to a student-athlete who is offered and accepts an athletically related scholarship, as long as the student-athlete is a team member and continues to make normal progress towards graduation, as defined by existing standards. 

o     To operate its sports programs at the highest possible level of intercollegiate athletics competition and seek to affiliate with institutions demonstrating a similar commitment to academic excellence and institutional integrity.

o   To improve communication and understanding between the students and the faculty and staff of the University in order to help develop recognition of the educational opportunities provided student-athletes and to create an advocacy for intercollegiate athletics on campus.

o To promote character development in student-athletes,  including the qualities of cooperation, teamwork, leadership, group loyalty and clean living. 

o       To train student-athletes in legitimate methods of good sportsmanship, competition and the will to win, and thereby contribute to the development of institutional morale, loyalty and school spirit.

o  To produce the revenue necessary to offer and maintain a comprehensive intercollegiate athletics program that utilizes both high quality facilities and state-of-the-art equipment.

o    To maintain the necessary facilities and medical personnel to enhance the physical fitness and skill of the student-athletes, as well as to promote the recovery of those who are ill or injured. 

o     To provide programs for counseling student-athletes who abuse alcohol or controlled substances.

o        To provide educational opportunities for those interested in athletics-related careers, such as coaching, teaching or administration.

o  To supply wholesome recreational activity and entertainment for the participants, the student body and the public.

o     To provide a means by which institutional alumni and the  public at large identify with the University for mutually beneficial purposes.

o       To monitor booster groups that support the intercollegiate athletics program, maintaining control of all donations and expenditures of funds that are handled by the booster groups and following appropriate audit and information procedures consistent with Pacific-10 Conference and NCAA guidelines.