Blog

Overview:
All intercollegiate athletic (ICA) programs—large and small—must develop and implement systems (manual and/or technological) to manage increasingly complex operations, desired outcomes, and planned experiences.
Technology offers the promise of increased efficiency and effectiveness on various functions. For example, information systems can greatly aid in offering flexible and timely ticketing operations as well as maximizing donor options and alumni contacts. Further, many coaches now regularly use recruitment, player development, athletic training, and game analysis systems. Finally, consider the more immediate and specific communication with recruits or fans enabled by email, text messaging, Instagram, Facebook, blogs, YouTube, Twitter, et al.
However, technology itself is not the answer. Sometimes, an information system requires too much time, effort, and training to implement or use effectively. Sometimes a technology system is not adaptable to local unique or approaches. And sometimes, a simple, manual solution is equally effective and preferable.
So, where does your intercollegiate athletic program stand in terms of effective and efficient management of information? What systems are currently in place, how satisfied are the main users, and what options should be considered or investigated in the future? These questions are the focus of this assignment.
Now is the time for you to put the course materials to use. You don’t necessarily need to cite anything, but think about the work we’ve done. Does the Long Tail apply? Do the systems require strong passwords? Does the Security Mirage apply? Do they supply just data, or do they convey information? Thinking back on information-seeking behavior, does the system seem to lend itself to a good User Experience? Is it good design?
Some of the topics we studied in this course might influence the lens through which you examine these systems.
Requirements: There are 4 parts to the assignment:
Part I: Context: Briefly describe the ICA program and the school you are involved in.
Part II: Current Status of Systems: Describe systems and processes (broadly) used for the 3 major functional areas and specifically 1 sub-function for each major area. Note: if you don’t currently have access to these systems, you can do one of the alternatives below. Or contact me if you have an idea for something similar.
Part III: Analysis: Conduct a SWOT analysis of the systems and processes used for each of the 3 sub-functions. Note: you can do this from memory if you want, or you can read some online reviews about the system(s). OR, you can make up what you THINK might be the case, just be careful to say, “probably,” or, “It seems likely that…” You don’t want to submit a report to the boss that isn’t accurate.
Part IV: Conclusions: Make overall recommendations for improvement of the overall program and specific recommendations for improvement in each of the 3 sub-functions.
Part I sets the broad context of the environment. Identify broad opportunities and constraints.
Part II narrows the focus to the information & technology systems and process. Explain how 3 major functions are accomplished and a specific system used for 1 sub-function under each.
Part III involves detailed analysis of the strengths, weaknesses, opportunities, and threats of the 3 specific systems. Remember the user perspective and refer to the models and other tools used in the class.
Part IV pulls everything together in overall recommendations for information & technology in the

ICA program and specific recommendations for 3 functions/sub-functions.
The 3 major functional areas of collegiate athletics programs and the sub-functions:
Team Management
Game preparation (including scouting and analysis)
Player performance/video editing analysis/Wearable Technology
Statistics and record-keeping
Game and coaching strategy
Student-Athlete Services
Recruiting
Student-athlete support services
Player conditioning and training
Athletics Operations
Ticketing and Season Ticket Management
Equipment Management
Facilities Management
Sport Information and Public Relations
Game Day Experience and Spectator Services
Fund-raising, alumni/donor relations
Compliance (NCAA, NIAA, etc.)
Marketing and public relations
Sports Merchandizing
Rec Sports
For example, you may choose to focus on (1) Game Preperation under Team Management, (2) Recruiting under Student-Athlete Services, and (3) NCAA compliance under Athletic Operations.
It does not matter whether your school uses sophisticated integrated systems or a combination of homegrown and manual processes. Your task is to describe and document how these information functions are accomplished, analyze strengths and weaknesses, and make recommendations as to what needs improvement and systems possibilities for those improvements.
ALTERNATE – B: For those of you currently not involved with a college athletics program, you could assume the role of an outside consultant asked to advise an athletics department on these functions. You can create a fictitious school and department or choose an existing one. In the past, a successful strategy was to interview an student-athlete about their program and use that as the basis for the assignment.
ALTERNATIVE – C: If you are not currently involved with collegiate athletics, please propose another context for the assignment related to sport (professional or amateur) or education (K-12, community-based).
ALTERNATE – D: If you are not currently involved with collegiate athletics, You can create a fictitious school and department or choose an existing one. In this scenario, you are a new manager within an athletics department with virtually no current information or technological resources. Research and recommend systems that meet the requirements noted above.
Format:
This assignment should be in the form of a formal management report to the Athletic Director or equivalent leadership. Length is approximately 6 pages of text, single-spaced (no indents) with double spacing between paragraphs. Summary charts or tables are recommended (and not counted as part of the length). Also, include a brief executive summary at the top. The assignment should be submitted via Canvas.
Completeness (25%): Thorough and relevant (i.e., addresses the assignment and includes all parts of the assignment: description, analysis of performance, recommendations for improvement); on time.
Quality of content (50%): Shows insight, analytical abilities, creativity, originality, logical reasoning, and well-supported points. It is able to offer comparisons of competing products.
Presentation: (15%) Solid communication, (i.e., clear and coherent, easy to follow, well-structured, with meaningful transitions and a logical conclusion or summary). Also, professional in appearance (headings or subheadings used if appropriate), legible, and good technically (spelling, punctuation, and grammar).
References: (10%) Supported facts and arguments through outside sources (including your own knowledge), references to readings, presentations, and other resources.