XAVIERHISTORY
2013 2010 Hoff Quad opens including Smith Hall of the Williams College of Business and the Conaton Learning Commons.
1991 Sister Rose Ann Fleming earns “Most Valuable Player” for her support towards graduation rates for Xavier athletes.
1970
1969 Xavier University becomes fully coeducational. 1960’s McDonald Library, Alter Hall, Bellarmine Chapel, Husman Hall and Kuhlman Hall are constructed. 1946-1947 Veterans return to swell campus enrollment (1,780 in 1947, including 1,250 veterans).
1930 St. Xavier College changes its name to Xavier University.
2010 2008 Men’s Basketball reaches the “Elite 8” for the second time.
2000
2010 Women’s Basketball reaches the “Elite 8” for the second time. 2000 Cintas Center opens.
1995 Xavier joins the Atlantic 10 Conference.
1990
1980
2013 Xavier joins the BIG EAST.
1984 Cincinnati Gardens becomes home to Xavier Men’s Basketball. 1979 Xavier joins the MCC.
1972 First Season of Women’s Varsity Sports.
1960 1958 Men’s Basketball wins the National Invitation Tournament Championship.
1950
1940
1930
1920
1920 First Season of Men’s Basketball.
1900
1840
1831 Bishop Edward Fenwick founds the Athenaeum, the precursor of St. Xavier College.
1830
1925 Xavier adopts the nickname ‘Musketeers’ and the motto ‘All For One and One For All.’
1928 Dedication of Schmidt Fieldhouse.
MAGIS Magis: (pronounced “màh-gis”) is a Latin word that means ”doing more” or “doing better.” It is taken from “Ad Majorem Dei Gloriam” meaning “For the greater glory of God.” Magis refers to the philosophy of doing more, for Christ, and therefore for others. It is a Jesuit ideal used to promote continuous growth and improvement. Xavier Athletics must always strive for continuous growth and improvement, to do more and do better: for our student-athletes, for our University, for our alumni, for our community and for the Jesuit tradition that we represent.
Office of the President 3800 Victory Parkway Cincinnati, Ohio 45207-2222
www.xavier.edu
Xavier University’s move to the BIG EAST Conference is a once in a generation opportunity. The impact of Xavier’s affiliation, to compete at a higher level, to be exposed to a broader audience, to be counted among schools that include some of the nation’s greatest and most storied collegiate basketball programs, will be felt for decades and in a variety of ways. To insure the strategic execution of this opportunity, the Xavier University Board of Trustees requested the development of a comprehensive strategic plan in the summer of 2013 to guide the Athletics Department in the quest for excellence in academics and athletic competition. This action is very much in line with how we’ve gotten to this point. Strategically building and nurturing an athletic program through a strategic planning process works. In the late 1970’s, Xavier University made an institutional commitment to create a successful athletic program. We joined our first conference in 1979 then in 1995 we moved to the Atlantic 10 conference. This strategy, embedded in Jesuit values including academic excellence and forming men and women for others, has fueled Xavier’s growth and prestige, provided national recognition and continues to bring tremendous benefits to our entire University and all of our students. As other schools of Xavier’s size face uncertain futures and struggle to find a place in an increasingly competitive market, the benefits derived from our Jesuit tradition and a strategic direction for Xavier Athletics gives us an undeniable edge. We cannot rest on the laurels of the past. We must continue the journey and build on the vision and determination of those who came before us. The move to the BIG EAST is the next big step forward for the future of Xavier University and Jesuit education.
Michael J. Graham President, Xavier University
THE POWER OF X
Xavier Nation, There is no better story of Athletics helping a university reach for its potential than here at Xavier. Fr. Hoff’s vision to use Athletics as a tool for growth and expansion has played out just as planned more than three decades ago. And now, as Xavier enters the BIG EAST and is positioned at another critical juncture for university growth, Athletics is prepared to play an important role in helping Xavier reach its goals. Thus the MAGIS title for our strategic plan. Nothing captures the aspirational goals of the institution of our 280 student-athletes better than MAGIS. Continuous growth and improvement. Always striving to be better. Xavier’s student-athletes live this daily, achieving at a high level academically, serving the Greater Cincinnati community and chasing championships while representing Xavier. While the enclosed plan represents a road map, the vision rests with everyone in Xavier Nation. Coaches and student-athletes can’t make this happen by themselves. Your support - in the stands, in the community and through your generosity - are vital to future success. In short, Xavier arrived at this important moment thanks to a collective commitment. Commitment to both a plan and the resource commitment from the loyal alumni and fans of Xavier. Our new plan is aspirational and absolutely necessary to take the entire university to new levels. It will again require commitment from everyone - as we continuously strive to be better. Go X!
Greg Christopher Director of Athletics
Xavier University Department of Athletics 3800 Victory Parkway Cincinnati, Ohio 45207-7530 Phone 513-745-3413 Fax 513-745-4390 www.xavier.edu
OURPROCESS
THOROUGH, TRANSPARENT AND INCLUSIVE • 18 member committee including faculty, staff, students and alumni led by Greg Christopher and Lynda Kilbourne, Chair of the Faculty Committee • Thorough benchmarking comparing Xavier Athletics against other BIG EAST Institutions and the overall landscape of college athletics • Extensive data collection compiled through research, focus groups, interviews and surveys representing each Xavier team along with stakeholders internal and external • Evaluation of aggregated assessment data, detailed SWOT and core competency analyses • Identifying and developing our vision for the future and the goals we want to accomplish • Each goal accompanied by tangible objectives to annually measure our progress and hold ourselves accountable • Development of Athletics Facility Plan that compliments the larger University Master Plan and supports the strategic plan • Creation of a detailed financial plan designed to advance the strategic plan and continually improve Athletics’ financial health and sustainability
To enhance Xavier’s identity, visibility and brand by building the premier athletics program in the BIG EAST.
MISSION Xavier Athletics empowers student-athletes to excel academically, athletically and spiritually. Athletics serves as a platform for national exposure and a vehicle for student, faculty and staff, alumni and community pride and engagement.
“I wish I could talk to young people looking at colleges and tell them what a great place Xavier is. When you need help, key people all over the campus are always accessible to help you. The support you get makes this a much less stressful place to succeed. People here care about helping you excel.”
DAVID WEST
XAVIERATHLETICS
VISION
JESUITCOREVALUES
The vision and mission of Xavier Athletics are grounded in the University vision that all Xavier men and women become people of learning, reflection, integrity and achievement in solidarity for and with others. These Jesuit, core values are integrated into each annual goal outlined in the Athletic Strategic Plan – Student-Athlete Success, Athletic Success, Visibility and Branding, Engagement, Financial Sustainability and Integrity, Equity and Diversity.
LEARNING We provide the guidance necessary for all student-athletes to pursue their academic area of interest and reach their academic goals. Concurrently, we embrace a culture of learning and continuous improvement by developing and deepening our knowledge and skills of our people throughout the University.
REFLECTION We utilize intercollegiate athletics to enhance opportunities for individual reflection targeted toward personal development and individual growth of our students. We support and model behaviors that are in the spirit of Magis. As a corollary, we recognize our unique position as the window through which a significant number of people view our University. The image of Xavier that we reflect to the world is a responsibility that we fully embrace and will continually work to enhance.
INTEGRITY Our unwavering commitment to integrity, honesty and accountability serves as the foundation for an environment conducive to long-term sustainable success. We demand successful programs that are fully aligned with Xavier’s Mission and contribute to the success of the University.
ACHIEVEMENT The goal is for each student-athlete to graduate and be prepared for a life of service and success. Measurable achievement is a driving force behind all of our efforts. Our primary purpose is three-fold; to educate student-athletes consistent with Xavier’s Mission, to field quality teams that win championships and to promote all Xavier University programs.
SOLIDARITY FOR AND WITH OTHERS Teamwork and collaboration create a better organization and improve results. As a component of Xavier University, we strive to build and maintain productive long-term relationships with the campus community, business partners, donors, alumni and fans.
“A key thing at Xavier is the word excellence. The athletic department has always emphasized, from the leadership down, the need for excellence in academics and athletics throughout every program.”
SISTER ROSE ANN FLEMING
STUDENTATHLETESUCCESS
XAVIER ATHLETICS FOSTERS PERSONAL DEVELOPMENT AND GRADUATES STUDENT-ATHLETES PREPARED FOR A LIFE OF SERVICE AND SUCCESS. OBJECTIVES • Achieve a minimum Graduation Success Rate (GSR) of 95%, while always striving for a rate of 100% • Achieve an overall student-athlete grade point average of 3.0 or higher each semester • Earn NCAA public recognition awards for Academic Progress Rate (APR) excellence for all Xavier teams by achieving a score ranked among the top ten percent • Achieve an Employment Graduate Rate for student-athletes that is at least equal to the rate for all Xavier students
CONFERENCE STUDENT-ATHLETE GRADUATION RATES XAVIER Creighton Georgetown Villanova Seton Hall DePaul Marquette St. John’s Providence Butler
97 95 94 93 92 91 91 91 89 85
E THREDES ACCESS DEOC F SU lar Regu n s Sea o ps Cham
rence Confeament Tournamps Ch
NCAAnces ara Appe
2 5 7 6 1 3
OBJECTIVES • Xavier will win an NCAA Championship in either a flagship or BIG EAST priority sport in the next decade • Xavier’s flagship sports (Men’s and Women’s Basketball) and BIG EAST priority sports are expected to regularly compete for BIG EAST Championships and compete in the post-season • All Xavier teams are expected to improve to consistently finish in the top half of the BIG EAST
ATHLETICSUCCESS
XAVIER ATHLETICS IS PERFORMANCE-DRIVEN AND WE EXPECT COMPETITIVE SUCCESS.
VISIBILITYANDBRANDING
XAVIER ATHLETICS STRENGTHENS AND EXTENDS THE XAVIER BRAND THROUGH VISIBILITY FROM ITS EVENTS.
OBJECTIVES • Improve performance measures for television, print media and web/internet exposures • Increase annual attendance in Cintas Center with a total attendance of at least 500,000 visitors annually • Increase presence of Xavier merchandise in off-campus retail stores; measured by growth in licensing revenue • Televise or stream all home events for BIG EAST priority sports
B BASKE IG EAST TB 7X LAALL HAS A R AUDIE GER NCE
S N A F 4 10,01
XAVIER ATHLETICS CONNECTS THE UNIVERSITY AND OUTSIDE COMMUNITY. OBJECTIVES • Increase faculty, staff and student attendance at athletic events • Sell out all regular season Men’s Basketball games and grow paid attendance for other ticketed sports by 10% • Improve overall fan satisfaction survey results • Grow fan participation across social media platforms
ENGAGEMENT
RAGED E V A R HAS XAVIE AMES TER G 5 1 EN S2 FOR IT E CINTAS C 0, D 0 D INSI NING IN 20 E Y A L P UT OPE SINCE E SELLING O ’S WHIL MES. THAT A 116 G TY I C A P CA 0 SEATS. % 7 . 7 9 F ITS 10,25 O
FINANCIALSUSTAINABILITY
XAVIER ATHLETICS STRIVES TO BE SELF-SUFFICIENT IN ACHIEVING ITS VISION. OBJECTIVES • Achieve five percent growth in external revenues • Reduce reliance on University subsidy by ten percent, leading toward Athletics operational self-sufficiency
OBJECTIVES • No Level I (severe) or Level II (significant) NCAA rules violations • Monitor and maintain equity and diversity objectives • Coach, staff and student-athlete conduct will reflect Xavier values and tenets
INTEGRITYEQUITYDIVERSITY
XAVIER ATHLETICS IS COMMITTED TO ETHICAL DECISION-MAKING, NCAA RULES COMPLIANCE, EQUITY, DIVERSITY AND SPORTSMANSHIP.