Inspire, Summer 2012

Some of that DI money trickles down into DII and DIII to ensure quality and excellence among all the NCAA member schools. Our annual dues went down tremendously when we became provisional members last year, and if we go to a championship game, we will be reimbursed for our travel costs. Balance is a watchword for DII, and the NCAA has made changes to support this. They’ve cut back the number of games that baseball and basketball teams can play and increased the time off with no practice or games over Christmas break. The NCAA is in the process of simplifying its manual, making it easier for coaches and athletes to understand and follow recruiting policies. How much of a factor was enrollment in this decision? We didn’t do this for enrollment. We did this because it was the right thing to do. Enrollment — and the revenue associated with it — is an ancillary benefit. Athletics draws people’s attention to your university, that’s why it’s important to do it the right way. We currently have 320 athletes on campus that likely would not be here without athletics, and we’re attracting prospective student-athletes who can compete at higher levels. Students and parents are looking at Cedarville for the first time who would not have considered coming here before. Can Cedarville compete at this new level? If this last year is any indication, we will hold our own. As provisional members, last year was our first year to play a DII schedule, and we were competitive in just about every sport. Who will our rivals be? So far, there are eight teams in the G-MAC. Central State and Urbana will likely grow into natural rivals as they are both nearby. In basketball, Kentucky Wesleyan will be a team to beat. How will NCAA affiliation change the fan experience? We are being intentional about raising our level of quality in the total athletic experience — from a higher level of play in the game to halftime entertainment to the general environment around the game. We are consulting with the Dayton Dragons baseball franchise and learning how to make our games a great experience, the way our college athletic events should be: fun, family friendly, and uniquely Cedarville. A local college president told us that Cedarville games are the only away games she attends because the experience is “what college athletic events should be.” Students and families come out to cheer on the teams, the competition is exciting, and fans are respectful. It’s just a good time. And now for the million dollar question: Will Cedarville start a football team? That is probably the question students and alumni ask us the most. This move certainly makes it easier for us to consider that. You didn’t say no … We have begun a study about adding sports to our athletic program. A sport like football carries tremendous start-up costs as well as ongoing costs. If we started a football team, we’d gain at least 80 athletes who would not otherwise be coming to school here. In accordance with Title IX, we’d have to look at what women’s sports we could add, such as lacrosse and women’s golf. We won’t add any sports programs that take money away from the University or negatively influence our mission. Suppose we did add football — we’d need a proper fight song. And a marching band. It would take an entire halftime to spell out a script Cedarville … but wouldn’t it be fun to see Mike DiCuirci on his trombone dotting the “i”! A Gift So Meaningful, You’ll Want to Give It Twice! Designate your children and your charity as beneficiaries and do twice as much good. The Give It Twice Trust is often funded with an IRA or other taxable retirement plan. When your trust is invested, it produces new income you can designate to your children. After a number of years, your gift transfers back to Cedarville to accomplish your giving goals for students — endowing a scholarship or supporting an academic program, for example. This plan enables you to provide your children with an inheritance while enjoying valuable income and estate tax savings from your charitable gift. Get started today by calling 1-800-766-1115 or visit cedarville.edu/giftlegacy . Dr. Bill Brown has served as Cedarville’s president since 2003, and he now chairs the Great Midwest Athletic Conference President’s Council. You may contact him at bbrown@cedarville.edu. Dr. Alan Geist ’83 has served as Cedarville’s athletic director since 2008 and has been working to develop the Yellow Jackets’ new conference, the Great Midwest Athletic Conference (G-MAC). You may contact him at geista@cedarville.edu .