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Athletics Information - Mission Statement
Mission/Philosophy Statement
The Athletic Program at the University of Wisconsin-La Crosse is committed
to excellence. It is an integral part of the overall educational program and
sustained by basic principles of ethical behavior. It is embraced by a set of
principles intended to:
* Enhance the goals and mission of the University.
* Strongly support the non-scholarship philosophy.
* Emphasize and promote the academic success and graduation of student-athletes.
* Provide for student development within a positive learning environment versus
a win-at-all-cost philosophy.
* Strive to enroll and retain student-athletes with the potential to succeed
academically.
* Provide broad-based participation opportunities through a large number of
sport offerings within the parameters of gender equity and limits of facilities
and resources.
* Promote the UW-La Crosse tradition of excellence for the student-athletes,
the student body, the faculty, the alumni, and the community.
* Provide an opportunity for interaction between the university, the alumni,
and the community.
* Promote equitable treatment of all participants and staff.
* Provide clearly defined expectations for coaches, staff, and participants
by outlining university policy, intercollegiate program goals, practices and
evaluation procedures.
* Provide pre-professional training and experience for student-athletes to support
the teacher/coach profession. These experiences can be obtained in Athletic
Training, Administration, Coaching, Sports Information, and Strength Training
and Conditioning.
* Abide by UW-L and UW-System Policies and procedures
* Abide by WIAC Conference Constitution and By-laws.
* Adhere to the NCAA Division III Philosophy, Constitution, and Bylaws.
NCAA DIVISION III PHILOSOPHY STATEMENT
Colleges and universities in Division III place highest priority on the overall
quality of the educational experience and on successful completion of all students’
academic programs. They seek to establish and maintain an environment in which
a student-athlete’s athletics activities are conducted as an integral part
of the student-athlete’s educational experience. They also seek to establish
and maintain an environment that values cultural diversity and gender equity
among their student-athletes and athletics staff.
To achieve this end, Division III institutions:
(a) Place special importance on the impact of athletics on the participants
rather than on the spectators and place greater emphasis on the internal constituency
(students, alumni, institution personnel) than on the general public and its
entertainment needs;
(b) Award no athletically related financial aid to any student;
(c) Encourage the development of sportsmanship and positive societal attitudes
in all constituents, including student-athletes, coaches, administrative personnel
and spectators;
(d) Encourage participation by maximizing the number and variety of athletics
opportunities for their students;
(e) Assure that the actions of coaches and administrators exhibit fairness,
openness and honesty in their relationships with student-athletes;
(f) Assure that athletics participants are not treated differently from other
members of the student body;
(g) Assure that the athletic programs support the institution’s educational
mission by financing, staffing and controlling the programs through the same
general procedures as other departments of the institution;
(h) Provide equitable athletic opportunities for males and females and provide
equal emphasis to men’s and women’s sports;
(i) Support ethnic and gender diversity for all constituents;
(j) Give primary emphasis to regional in-season competition and conference championships;
and
(k) Support student-athletes in their efforts to reach high levels of athletic
performance, which may include opportunities for participation in national championships,
by providing all teams with adequate facilities, competent coaching and appropriate
opportunities.
The purpose of the NCAA is to assist its members in developing the basis for
consistent, equitable competition while minimizing infringement on the freedom
of individual institutions to determine their own special objectives and programs.
The above statement articulates principles that represent a commitment to Division
III membership and shall serve as a guide for the preparation of legislation
by the division and for planning and implementation of programs by institutions
and conferences.
