The new President requested that a study be undertaken to assess the athletics program at Fairfield, broadly defined to include intercollegiate athletics, club sports, and intramural sports, with the goals of:
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articulating the role of intercollegiate athletics at Fairfield University;
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benchmarking the athletics program against University suggested athletic and academic peers and aspirants,
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assessing strengths and weaknesses of the athletics programs,
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evaluating the overall capability and effectiveness of the current athletics fund raising efforts,
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considering NCAA divisional status, either Division IAAA or Division III as alternatives, and
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reflecting on possible implications to Fairfield and the Metro Atlantic Athletic Conference of the conference realignments occurring elsewhere in Division I.
The results of the study supported the concurrent University strategic planning and allowed the University to make strategic decisions about the athletic program and set overall priorities within the University's planned context.
It was understood that Fairfield University's strategic planning and decision-making regarding its intercollegiate, intramural, and recreation programs:
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should be consistent with and supportive of the University's academic goals and mission.
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should complement and be consistent with the University's academic reputation and stature geographically and among its peer and aspirant institutions.
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should promote comparable program quality and opportunities to compete across all sports.
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should have a positive impact on student and campus life for students and student-athletes, the University community, and alumni.
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should enhance admissions and the overall undergraduate profile, consistent with the goals of the University.
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should balance effectively the athletic facility needs of the University with those of Fairfield Prep.
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should reflect a clear understanding of required resources and realistic expectations for new funding sources.
One of the major questions confronting the University as it undertook this athletics study was, "After such a significant investment in our ICA program and facilities, why are we not more successful in competing?" What ICAC found was that, although the University had made a substantial investment, the overall support for the ICA program was not consistent with the expectations for its success. Assuming that Fairfield wanted to compete at a Division I level comparable to its academic competitors, peers, and aspirant institutions, more grants-in-aid and more support for the team operating expenses were needed, and adequate access to indoor and outdoor athletic facilities would be required. The University must also recognize and quantify the unique impact Fairfield Prep has on the use of facilities and on the varsity student-athletes' access. Lack of timely access to practice facilities, preferences given to Fairfield Prep students and recreation activities, sharing of uniforms and equipment, constrained access to strength and conditioning coaches were just a few elements that did not contribute to a positive student-athlete experience.
At the same time, for the general student, the Fairfield club sport and recreation experiences were terrific, except for the overcrowded conditions in the Rec-Plex and limited access for certain club sports to needed strength and conditioning coaching and sports medicine services. ICAC concluded that the University should continue to maintain these programs and keep them responsive to student interests and needs. Finally, the presence and impact of Fairfield Prep athletics on the University's athletic facilities and programs had historically been only tangentially referenced but never evaluated. With the priority scheduling afforded this program, this unique factor in planning the future of Fairfield University's athletic programs and facilities could not be ignored in the planning process. Its impact is significant and contributes substantially to overuse of facilities and diminishing the ICA student-athlete experience.
Four general recommendations were provided, with one specifically related to the development and implementation of an athletic facilities master plan with two elements.
a.) Complete an athletic facilities master plan that looks, among other things, to the possible replacement of Alumni Hall or an appropriate renovation/addition project.
This facilities master plan should be based on a thorough, data driven facilities needs assessment incorporating the ICA program, club sports and recreation, and Fairfield Prep, evaluating the building condition and functionality of Alumni Hall, and establishing clear facility planning goals, such as providing sufficient facilities for the three constituencies that will allow the ICA teams to practice between 3:00 p.m. and 7:00 p.m. time period.
ICAC believed that the viability of Alumni Hall as a cost effective candidate for a renovation/addition project was not realistic. With its age, architectural style, building structure, and low site utilization, retrofitting this facility into a usable, accessible facility meeting the University's needs did not seem to justify the expense, although verification was required.
Fairfield University Alumni Hall
From a facility needs perspective, ICAC felt that the next indoor athletic field house should contain 1,200 to 1,500 seat venue for basketball and volleyball to be used by Fairfield Prep for its games, women's volleyball for practice and games, and selected women's basketball games not played at the Harbor Yard Arena. Another option for this venue would be to increase seating to 2,500 to 3,000 and play some early season men's basketball games on campus to build spirit and momentum, rather than at Harbor Yard. The field house should also contain a 200-meter indoor track on a second level. It should be sized to fit the long jump, pole vault, and high jump areas on the outside of the track. While FFU does not field indoor track and field, it is one of the more inexpensive teams to field, compliments the cross country team, and is popular among not only the MAAC but also the Patriot League, Big East, and Atlantic 10, among others. This track could also be used to host local high school contests, bringing students and families to FFU's campus. The interior of the track should be sufficient to hold four tennis, basketball, or volleyball courts, which would support intramurals and general recreation, as well as use by the ICA program during the winter months and inclement weather for practices. Inclusion of such a facility would reduce the wear and tear on the single court in Walsh Athletic Center currently supporting these ICA functions. Additional facilities to be planned for this facility would be fitness and conditioning areas, multipurpose rooms for aerobics, dance, and combative arts, locker rooms and a pair of small visiting locker rooms, lounge and food service venues to encourage socialization and support game day needs, and a small ticket office, as well as appropriate building support spaces.
A temporary alternative while a new building is being planned and constructed would be to provide an air-supported bubble over one of the existing turf fields, alleviating overcrowding of the Walsh court during January, February, and early March. If men's lacrosse, and possibly women's lacrosse, were to be nationally ranked, then a large indoor practice area is required for the winter.
The University should also evaluate carefully the existing pool and the Aquatics Center. If it is near the end of its lifecycle, consideration should be given to including a 50-meter natatorium. The existing facility could be converted to other uses within the Rec-Plex.
At a minimum the University should plan for two additional soccer-sized fields, one for Recreation and one for Fairfield Prep. These two additional fields would then allow FFU varsity teams better access to fields at more traditional times of day (i.e., 2:00 pm to 7:00 pm). A 400-meter track should also be installed around one of the existing fields. Even though FFU does not have an outdoor track and field team, the track could be used by many University constituencies. Whether for a team practice run, faculty and staff members walking or jogging, or general student fitness, a track would be a positive campus addition.
Fairfield University Aquatics Center
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