The Big South Conference has unveiled its updated strategic plan for the next five years.
While the plan’s overall strategic objective continues the vision of the Big South Conference’s becoming the premier non-FBS conference in the Southeast, the five primary areas of focus are now student-athlete experience, branding/messaging, competition, finance, and membership.
The updated plan reaffirms the Big South’s mission statement of providing programs and services that support the league’s member institutions in developing student-athletes to achieve their full potential as students, athletes, and citizens. It also upholds the conference’s stated core values of athletic excellence, academic centrality, equity, diversity and inclusion, integrity, sportsmanship and fair play, and student-athlete well-being.
“The significance of the Big South’s updated strategic plan is the affirmation by the membership of the bold steps taken previously to enhance our athletics excellence and the support of our student-athletes,” said Big South Commissioner Kyle Kallander. “Big South members are more committed than ever to the promise of a strong and vibrant future in the Big South Conference, and the benefits that come from it. The strategic planning process also reiterated the values we live by every day, the importance of place, and the warm culture of mutual respect and close fellowship enjoyed by Big South members.”
The Student-Athlete Experience
Providing opportunities for student-athletes to achieve their full potential through creating an environment predicated on the health and safety of the student-athletes with a focus on mental and physical well-being; promoting and celebrating academic excellence towards the ultimate goal of graduation; encouraging co-curricular activities and supporting a holistic student-athlete experience; supporting equity, diversity and inclusion through leadership and impactful programming.
Branding/Messaging
Actively promoting the Big South mission and achievements to be recognized as a Division I leader by sharing the outstanding accomplishments of student-athletes and member institutions through development of pride, appreciation, and greater awareness of the Big South teams, students, and campus community; aggressively promoting the Big South and its members through digital and social platforms; increasing the exposure of Big South institutions, teams, and student-athletes through TV broadcasts and enhanced school productions; and development of programs and tactics to position the Big South as a distinctive conference and brand.
Competition
Providing quality championship experiences to position teams for postseason success, such as establishing policies/procedures for basketball success with minimum standards to consistently achieve a 12-seed or better in the NCAA Basketball Championships and position as many teams as possible for postseason consideration; ensuring the Big South Basketball Championships are the signature events for the conference; maximizing postseason success for Big South teams in all sports; and enhancing the overall experience for every student-athlete at each Big South championship.
Finance
Focus on increased revenue generation annually while sustaining responsible fiscal policies to allow the management of resources and cost reductions, which will provide the maximum support for Big South member institutions; the increase of revenue through the corporate partner program; and the increase of revenue through the marketing and promotion of Big South and member’s athletic events.
Membership
Continue to provide an environment that ensures stability and strength that positions the Big South Conference as a viable option for institutions in the Southeast Region that are committed to the league’s mission, vision and core values, which will ensure the Big South receives automatic qualifying spots to NCAA Championships in all sponsored sports and will strengthen the Conference’s position/influence in emerging trends and discussions at the national level.
