Strategic Edge Athletic Consultants Visit Frostburg State to Discuss Conference Affiliation

This past Tuesday, May 1, the Frostburg State University athletic department and student-athletes from the Student Athletic Advisory Committee (SAAC) met with Nancy Mitchell and Debbie Chin, representatives from Strategic Edge Athletic Consulting. The meeting coincides with Frostburg State considering transferring their 21 University sports to compete in NCAA Division II.

Frostburg State has expressed interest in joining the Mountain East Conference (MEC). The transition would occur July 1, 2019. The University of Virginia College’s at Wise is exiting the conference in July of 2019 and Frostburg State would help the MEC maintain 12-member institutions.

Mitchell served on the NCAA staff for 14 years. She worked as the Director of Legislative Services and as the Division II Chief of Staff. During her time with NCAA, Mitchell served as a liaison to many NCAA committees. Chin came to Strategic Edge Athletic Consulting after serving a long term as the University of New Haven’s Associate Vice President and Director of Athletics and Recreation. Both Chin and Mitchell credit the student-athletes as the reason they love doing what they do.

Strategic Edge Athletic Consultants work with institutions on strategic planning and assist in guiding institutions that are looking or are in the process of changing divisional affiliation.

The primary goal of the consultants was to do an assessment of Frostburg’s athletic department and provide feedback of FSU’s viability as a candidate in the possible transition to Division II.

Over the lunch hour, Mitchell and Chin discussed the possible transition with representatives from SAAC. Sidonie Brown, a sophomore sprinter on the Women’s Track and Field team and SAAC VP of Media, Rylee Learn, a sophomore defender on the Women’s Soccer team and SAAC VP of Community Service, Cori Smothers, a defensive specialist on the Women’s Volleyball team and a SAAC rep, and Morgan Cavey, a junior attack on the Women’s Lacrosse team and SAAC VP of Legislation, participated in the meeting as representatives of the student-athletes.

The student representatives asked questions about the provisional period, the student-athlete experience, and Frostburg’s current standing in the potential transition. Affiliate conferences for Men’s Lacrosse and Field Hockey were briefly discussed, as it would only come into further conversation if the transition were to take place.

The provisional period raises concerns for student-athletes, as during the three-year period they would be ineligible to compete in the NCAA tournament. As members of the Mountain East, Frostburg would be eligible to compete for MEC conference championships. The consultants told the SAAC representatives that each conference in Division II has different rules regarding post-season competition. The provisional period would allow time for growth.

A question regarding recruiting arose. Brown asked how the provisional period would impact recruiting, and the consultants said that athletic scholarships would be offered as an extra incentive and those recruited and competing during the three-year provisional period would be able to “build a legacy” for the program.

Furthermore, student-athletes hope to maintain the same experience if competing in Division II as they do competing in Division III. Student-athletes at Frostburg chose the institution for the experience that Division III offers and the ability to be involved in activities outside of their sport. The consultants reassured the SAAC representatives that Division II offers the mantra, “Life in the Balance” in which they can compete at a high level while achieving high academic success.

Frostburg State University is currently in a strong position to join the Mountain East. To be further considered, Frostburg must be able to fund scholarships and hire an Assistant Athletic Director for Compliance. Currently, Guy Robertson fulfills the role as well as the serving as the Head Baseball Coach. According to the consultants, the volume of work constitutes the position of Assistant Athletic Director for Compliance to be served only by a single individual. In addition, Frostburg must be able to fund the NCAA Division II minimum amount of scholarships which is $250,000. Due to Title IX, $125,000 of that amount must go towards female sports. These are two requirements that Frostburg must fulfill before moving forward in the transition process.

Once the consultants complete their feasibility report regarding Frostburg’s ability to transition to Division II, President Nowaczyk and Troy Dell, the Head Athletic Director, plan to share a summary with the campus community and hold an open session.