RRAC Strategic Plan

Strategic Plan
2023-24

August 1, 2021

VISION

The Red River Athletic Conference strives to be a premier National Association of Intercollegiate Athletics Conference.

MISSION

The Red River Athletic Conference is an association of four-year institutions of higher learning devoted to its student-athletes by promoting excellence in intercollegiate athletic competition, academic performance and the five core values of the NAIA Champions of Character program: Integrity, Respect, Responsibility, Sportsmanship and Servant Leadership.

GOALS/PRIORITIES

GOAL 1 – MEMBERSHIP

Ensure consideration of the challenges and needs of current member institutions and continue to keep retention a high priority.

Priority 1

Obtain commitment from all current member institutions – emphasis on the importance of retaining current conference members that support the philosophy of NAIA athletics.

• COP – Commissioner

Priority 2

Identify additional NAIA schools that could join the conference to help improve travel time, class time and missed school for student-athletes.

GOAL 2 – GOVERNANCE

Ensure intercollegiate athletics take place in a well-rounded athletic program with integrity, ethical behavior, sportsmanship and cooperative effort among member institutions. Following the NAIA Champions of Character Policy.

Priority 1

Promote ethical conduct, rules adherence, and compliance with Title IX and NAIA rules and regulations.

• COP – Commissioner – Athletic Directors

Priority 2

Promote appropriate institutional involvement from the President, Athletic Director, Faculty Athletic Representative, Coaches and Sport Information Directors with the five core values of the NAIA Champions of Character Program; Integrity, Respect, Responsibility, Sportsmanship and Servant Leadership.

• COP – Commissioner – Athletic Directors

Priority 3

Ensure yearly reviews of Conference Policies, Sport Operating Procedures, and all other conference documents.

• COP – Commissioner – Athletic Directors – Sports Information Director – FAR (on-going)

GOAL 3 – ACADEMICS AND STUDENT ATHLETE EXPERIENCE

Ensure an appropriate balance between academics and athletics with an emphasis on improving aspects of health, safety and well-being for all student athletes.

Priority 1

Strengthen the commitment to the recruitment and retention of academically successful student-athletes.

• COP – Institutional Coaches – Athletic Directors

Priority 2

___ Stress the importance of academic achievement, the pursuit of and desire for knowledge and progress toward graduation.

• COP – Institutional Coaches – Athletic Directors – FARs

Priority 3

Prioritize the minimizing of missed class time for student-athletes.

• COP – Institutional Coaches – Athletic Directors – FARs

Priority 4

Support the NAIA Champions of Character program and encourage participation in servant leadership development, career enhancement, and life skills programming for student-athletes.

• COP – Institutional Coaches – Athletic Directors – FARs

Priority 5

Develop and enhance student-athlete academic recognition programs.

• COP – Commissioner – Athletic Directors – FARs

GOAL 4 – COMPETITION AND GAME EXPERIENCE

Create an expectation of high caliber programs and competitive game environments which operate under the highest standards of safety, sportsmanship, ethics and personal behavior while embracing the NAIA Champions of Character initiatives.

Priority 1

Ensure a safe quality championship experience for all sponsored sports enhanced by on-site designated game management.

• COP – Athletic Directors – designated game management – SIDs

Priority 2

Promote the NAIA Champions of Character initiatives.

• COP – Commissioner – Athletic Directors

GOAL 5 – MARKETING AND COMMUNICATION

Utilize strategies, tools and personnel to maximize exposure and visibility of the RRAC and its member institutions on a regional and national level.

Priority 1

Create and implement a public relations and marketing plan that promotes championships and the academic and athletic success of member institutions.

• Commissioner – SID

Priority 2

Attract corporate sponsorship and advertising revenue for the conference.

• Commissioner – SID

Priority 3

Enhance the RRAC website to ensure efficient and effective communication methods.

• Commissioner – SID

GOAL 6 - CHAMPIONSHIPS

Priority 1

Expand postseason tournaments to provide students with best experience.

GOAL 6 – DEI AND RISE INITIATIVES

Increase DEI/RISE representation on each campus.

RESOURCES

1. Governance:
   • 1: Promote ethical conduct
   • 2: Institutional involvement in Champions of Character values
   • 3: Annual reviews of policies and Sport Procedure Manuals
2. Academics and Student-Athlete Experience:
   • 1: Commitment to recruit academically-successful student-athletes
   • 2: Stress the importance of academic achievement
   • 3: Minimizing missed class time
   • 4: Support Champions of Character goals and objectives
   • 5: Support Academic recognition programs
3. Competition and Game Experience:
   • 1: Ensure a quality championship experience enhanced by on-site designated game management
   • 2: Promote Champions of Character initiatives
4. Marketing and Communication:
   • 1: Create public relations and marketing plan within the Conference