Athletics Meeting April 18, 2024
The Athletics Meeting was held on Thursday, April 18, 2024 at 1:30 p.m. in Meeting Room 201 of the Freeman Center with the Chair of the Meeting Rector Lindsey Carney Smith, presiding.
- Rector Lindsey Carney Smith, Esq., Chair
- Regina Brayboy
- William Estrada
- John R. Lawson
- Sean D. Miller
- LTC (R) Boris G. Robinson
- The Honorable Ronald L. Tillett
Present from the University
- Kenneth Kidd, Deputy Chief of Staff
- John Krikorian (Coach)
- Jennifer Latour, Chief of Staff
- Kyle McMullin, Director of Athletics
- Adelia P. Thompson, VP of Advancement, External Engagement and the Arts
Others Present
- Deborah Roundtree
- Mary-Margaret Wells
At 1:30 p.m. Chair Lindsey Carney Smith, Rector called the meeting to order and welcomed everyone present.
Chair Lindsey Carney Smith called for a motion to approve the minutes from the February 8, 2024 Athletics Committee meeting. Ron Tillett provided the motion, seconded by John R. Lawson. The minutes were unanimously approved.
Kyle McMullin began by talking about the National Championship that the Cheerleading team won, led by Coach Erica Flanigan, a Captain for Life.
Kyle McMullin shared pictures of and talked about the Golf Center and the Vic Zodda Training Center which will be utilized by baseball and softball teams.
Mr. McMullin provided a recap of competitive success with the winter sports and an update on the current state of sports competing during the spring season.
Mr. McMullin provided a brief update on progress towards the annual fundraising goal for the department of athletics and indicated that he is confident the internal goal of $1.2 million will be reached by the end of the fiscal year.
The committee discussed additional possibilities for generating revenue to support the athletics budget.
Chair Lindsey Carney Smith shared the yield on student-athletes is 75% for admissions. This is significantly higher than any other segment of the freshman class and compares to 11% yield for non student-athletes.
Mr. McMullin introduced Head Men’s Basketball Coach, John Krikorian who spoke about the importance of providing a championship-caliber experience to attract high-achieving students.
The committee discussed the impact of in-state versus out-of-state recruitment of student-athletes.
Mr. McMullin provided the committee with an update on the membership of the Coast-to-Coast Athletics conference and specific impacts on field hockey and women’s lacrosse.
The committee inquired about how the university engages alumni around championship events. Mr. McMullin and Ms. Wells discussed how engaged coaches and athletic staff have been in pursuing financial support for their programs.
At 2:47 p.m. Chair Lindsey Carney Smith called for a motion to adjourn the meeting. Will Estrada made the motion for the meeting to be adjourned and it was seconded by Boris Robinson.