Our Approach to Assessment & Research
Assessment is about the effectiveness of people and programs based on intended outcomes.
We believe there are many elements to effective athletics programs, and many institutions provide outstanding experiences for student-athletes. Mission statements, values, guiding principles and goals establish a framework for assessment; however, many institutions do not incorporate a plan for regular assessment of the athletics program. While sound mission statements define purpose, most institutions stop before the hard work begins: How to measure if they are doing what they say they do. 
Assessment provides feedback for continual growth. Can your program point to evidence that demonstrate the impact on students? In extremely tight and competitive budget climates, how do you justify resources? Athletics presents unique challenges, and opportunities, to traditional campus assessment programs. We help you discover and interpret essential data.
From gaining an understanding of the current climate for student-athletes to developing a comprehensive, outcomes-based assessment plan, we keep you focused on what matters most: student-athletes.
The Student-Athlete Experience
Assessment projects center on conducting focus groups with your student-athletes, as well as a survey instrument and interviews as needed. Using this process, student-athletes are given a meaningful voice, and administrators receive honest feedback. On many campuses we’ve found the process of engaging student-athletes provides them with a greater sense of appreciation for the work the athletics program does.
How do your student-athletes really feel about their experieces? What issues exist with academic scheduling and priorities that unecessarily complicate a student-athlete's daily or weekly self-management? Are recruiting messages translating into practical application for student-athletes? What is the one things student-athletes wish they could do? We get at these issues with carefully planned and executed focus groups that supplement quantitative data collection.
Student-Athlete Success
Many definitions of success can exist for athletics programs, but ultimately for student-athletes it means graduation. In what ways does athletics support this objective? Academic progress and graduation rates tell part of the story. But do student-athletes receive what they really need to support their academic success?
Campus Integration
A fundamental principle of collegiate athletics suggests that athletics participation is an integral part of the overall educational experience. Today’s climate, with its voracious appetite for winning, revenue generation and prolific recruiting, can do more to divide and distance student-athletes from their peers on campus. How effectively athletics programs integrate student-athletes into the overall educational culture impacts their experiences, and ultimately their success.
Anecdotal Stories Are Not Enough
While occasional and informal discussions with student-athletes provide anecdotal feedback, a thorough and formal inquiry into their experiences allows athletic departments to better understand and meet their needs. An objective third party provides a safe forum for student-athletes to voice their opinions without fear of judgment or retribution.
Assessment Development
We can help you design, implement and collect your annual athletics assessment program. The ability to demonstrate clearly how athletics participation enhances the students' overall educational experience is critical to budget rationale, donor communications and recruitment efforts. We can help build your toolbox.