To this point, USF second-year athletic director Mark Harlan has been diplomatic — if not specific — when discussing the Bulls' hot-button issues, including a possible on-campus football stadium and conference realignment.

But those topics and more are addressed to varying degrees in a 44-page, five-year athletic strategic plan that Harlan will present today to a USF board of trustees work group.

The document, outlining the strengths, weaknesses, vision, values and five "focus areas" of Bulls athletics, was made available online Wednesday. Harlan, among a handful of university department heads who will speak to the board, is expected to discuss the extensive plan to the media immediately afterward.

Sure to generate a question or two will be this line item from the focus area titled "Facility Renovation/Construction:" Complete feasibility study to strategically analyze the benefits, associated costs, and potential funding plan for an on-campus football stadium.

So far, Harlan has said little publicly about a stadium, other than it's a possibility being explored. But the "potential funding plan," which he could address to trustees, remains a stadium sticking point.

According to the document, USF's $46.9 million athletics budget for the 2014-15 academic year was slightly smaller than the average budget of six American Athletic Conference schools ($50.9 million) and considerably less than the average of four "aspirant" institutions ($75.8 million).

Aspirant institutions listed were Georgia Tech, Pitt, West Virginia and North Carolina State. Additionally, the $2.5 million USF received in philanthropic support in 2014-15 paled next to the average of the six AAC schools ($7.7 million) and aspirant institutions ($19.6 million).

Donor investment was among USF's three weaknesses identified in the strategic plan, along with adapting to conference realignment, and market-share presence in the Tampa Bay region.

Any pursuit of membership in a Power Five conference wasn't specifically addressed, but the document indicates: "As goals are accomplished, they will likely be replaced with greater aspirations. As new, unforeseen opportunities are realized, they will be added where appropriate."

Other strategies indicated in the plan are to add a female sport sponsored by the conference; and establish a business legal entity in which USF Athletics becomes a Direct Support Organization (DSO) — or non-profit arm — of the USF System. The Florida and UCF athletic departments operate as DSOs.

Also listed as part of the renovation/construction strategy are a tennis facility, student-athlete enrichment center, all-staff/football team meeting room and baseball/softball clubhouse.

 

Source : tampabay.com

Report Abuse