Forging resilient leaders of character through transformational competitive athletic experiences

Forging resilient leaders of character through transformational competitive athletic experiences

LETTER FROM THE DIRECTOR OF ATHLETICS This is an exciting time at the Air Force Academy and in the Department of Athletics; Air Force Academy Athletics is on the move! Our team has developed a strategic plan which is nested within the recently published USAFA Strategic Plan. The plan is a road map for the department as we continue to produce leaders of character for our Air Force and nation. We are capitalizing on the momentum the Academy and Air Force Academy Athletics have gained recently and have set an ambitious goal of becoming the best athletic department in the country. Going from good to great will take commitment from people, platforms and resources. The first step is to make sure we cement ourselves as Colorado Springs hometown team. It is also important to continue moving forward with our facilities, such as the new Blue Silver Club, football scoreboard and stadium renovations plus plans for the Falcon s Nest in Clune Arena. Likewise, we will stay consistent with our new model of community outreach to our strategic partners, the Air Force and community. With both near and long team goals, we will make Air Force Academy Athletics a catalyst for progress, a national treasure and indispensable contributor to a national and international brand. As stakeholders, we ask you to join us in making Air Force Academy Athletics a world class department. Go Falcons! Jim Knowlton Director of Athletics U.S. Air Force Academy 2

OUR VISION STATEMENT Forging resilient leaders of character through transformational competitive athletic experiences. OUR MISSION STATEMENT Provide all cadets realistic leadership experience in a mentally and physically challenging environment. Prepare and motivate leaders of character for a lifetime of service through physical education, fitness training and testing, and intramural and Division I intercollegiate athletic competition. Promote the Academy to the nation through athletics. Strategic Goals 1. Championship Culture: Develop character and leadership through unparalleled competitive and educational athletic experiences. 2. Sustain the Enterprise: Enhance department cooperation with the Air Force Academy Athletic Corporation. 3. Communicate our Brand: Globally communicate Air Force Athletics reputation as a premier athletic program and proud symbol of the Air Force Academy. 4. Embrace Diversity: Attract, develop and motivate highly-qualified and diverse athletic teams and workforces. 5. Build and Nurture Strategic Partnerships. 6. Invest and Sustain Elite State-of-the-Art Athletic and Physical Education Facilities. VIsion MisSion STRATEGIC GOALS 3

USAFA S STRATEGIC GOALS AD STRATEGIC PLAN ATHLETICS Athletic Department Strategic Goals Focus Institutional efforts on character & leadership development United States Air Force Academy Strategic Plan 2015 Supported USAFA Strategic Goals Produce highly educated & trained Air Force officers Strengthen USAFA s communication & reputation Enhance faculty, staff, & cadet diversity Develop & motivate the workforce Build & maintain strategic partnerships Championship Culture: Develop character and leadership through unparalleled competitive and educational athletic experiences. Sustain the Enterprise: Enhance department cooperation with the Air Force Academy Athletic Corporation. Communicate our Brand: Globally communicate Air Force Athletics reputation as a premier athletic program and proud symbol of the Air Force Academy. Embrace Diversity: Attract, develop and motivate highly qualified and diverse athletic teams and workforces. Build and Nurture Strategic Partnerships. Invest and Sustain Elite State-of-the-Art Athletic and Physical Education Facilities. 4

Goal 1: Championship Culture We create our Championship Culture by developing character and leadership through unparalleled competitive and educational athletic experiences. As the Air Force s Academy, we strive to BEAT ARMY and SINK NAVY while aiming for competitive excellence. This includes setting benchmark NCAA compliance standards and empowering our cadet athletes to excel in all aspects of their lives. To build our Championship Culture, we compete at the Division I level for individual and team-oriented successes throughout the athletic department. Measures of performance include conference championships, academic and athletic All-Conference and All- Americans, NCAA post-graduate scholarships, military leadership, community service, and coaching awards that promote accountability and a cohesive environment that facilitates successful teamwork. In partnership with our Air Force Academy Athletic Corporation (AFAAC) 501c3, we responsibly utilize funding from government, private donors, and corporate sponsors to set the conditions necessary for championship performance. Another aspect that makes us unique from any other athletic department in the country is our all-inclusive physical education division. Not only is this division responsible for basic physical education, it also includes competitive intramural programs and rigorous physical fitness testing. The Physical Education division excels in developing world-class instructors who also coach extramural teams that compete at the national level, all while fostering fitness skills and habits that offer cadets an opportunity to meet and exceed fitness standards throughout their lives. Over a cadet s four years, the athletic department requires 10 physical education courses for the entire cadet wing. The lifeblood of the curriculum is nested in six mandated core classes and culminates with four elective courses. Combatives and aquatics classes serve as courage gates and push cadets outside of their comfort zone. The challenging PE curriculum is also a significant contributor to the warrior ethos institutional outcome. Upon successful completion of the physical education curriculum, cadets are far better prepared to serve as resilient leaders of character in our Air Force. STRATEGIC GOAL 1 5

STRATEGIC GOAL 2 Goal 2: Sustain the Enterprise We will grow the Athletic Department s enterprise through enhanced cooperation with the Air Force Academy Athletic Corporation. As part of our relationship with the AFAAC, we will responsibly utilize funding from government, private donors and corporate sponsors to ensure fiscal support necessary to sustain and enhance the cadet experience for decades to come. Additionally, we must maintain the necessary level of support from appropriated funds to support our Championship Culture and remain responsible stewards of taxpayer funds. Two major strategies that will allow us to thrive in the future are: Sustaining institutional support for core athletic department mission activities through USAFA corporate processes Developing codified institutional program guidance to define the Air Force Academy Athletic Corporation and Athletic Department operational battle rhythm 6

Goal 3: Communicate our Brand We will do this by globally promoting the Air Force Academy with a recognizable, consistent and high quality brand. We are committed to enhancing USAFA s image in the local community and abroad by highlighting the positive impacts of our athletic programs. Driving change and innovation through various social media outlets and other online platforms will enable success. Our newly designed website and enhanced live streaming capabilities will lead the Mountain West Conference and provide steady, reliable worldwide exposure. STRATEGIC GOAL 3 Globally communicate Air Force Athletics reputation as one of the nation s premier athletic programs and a proud symbol of the Air Force Academy and the United States Air Force. We are strong in our resolve to build the brand not only for our athletic department but also for the Air Force Academy and our Air Force. We will enhance the Air Force Academy s image globally and in the local community through our inspiring cadet athletes. We will also assist local, national, and global media outlets with compelling video and story lines, which showcase our athletic programs, and in so doing, promote the Academy s essence. We have always been the nation s Air Force Academy, but we are also proud to be Southern Colorado s hometown team! We will support our local community with wide-ranging outreach, to include strategic partners and improved integration with our vast local military population. 7

STRATEGIC GOAL 4 Goal 4: Embracing Diversity Our goal is to attract, develop and motivate highly qualified and diverse cadet athletes and department staff to lead a multicultural Air Force. By celebrating the strengths and advantages a multicultural workforce brings to our graduates, we embrace diversity as a key tenet to develop leaders of integrity in the 21st century. partnerships in recruiting and expanding our hiring pools for future employees. Because diversity without inclusion is meaningless, we are devoted to cultivating a culture that promotes inclusivity for all members of our work force through mentoring programs, recurring department gatherings and relevant professional development. As a department, we want to be recognized as a great place to work because we are effective, efficient and inclusive. Our daily operational tempo is incredibly high; therefore, it is imperative we develop and execute an accurate battle rhythm to promote continued success and recognized efficiencies. We are committed to providing character and leadership training programs for our cadet athletes and staff. We have developed innovative and cutting edge Healthy Relationship Training for all of our 27 intercollegiate teams to continue to foster a climate of mutual respect and effective communication amongst our teams in an interactive setting. Because we appreciate the benefits of a highly diverse workforce, we are committed to creating new 8

Goal 5: Build and Nurture Strategic Partnerships We will strengthen beneficial relationships with USAFA mission elements, Air Force leadership, season ticket holders, private donors and corporate partners. Likewise, we will continue to engage Air Force Academy Athletics stakeholders on a regular basis as steadfast advocates for our requirements. We will always look for new opportunities to tell the Academy story across the nation through internally created community engagements and national events. We will continually highlight the best of the Academy and our commitment to our neighbors. STRATEGIC GOAL 5 9

STRATEGIC GOAL 6 Goal 6: Invest and Sustain Stateof-the-Art Facilities It is necessary to develop and maintain a facilities master plan. This master plan will identify our future facility needs while integrating projects into the Air Force Academy priority list. Essential to keeping our facilities at elite levels includes identifying Athletic Department military construction projects, advocating requirements through corporate processes, utilizing private funding, tracking our life-cycle replacements, and ensuring our facilities meet or exceed all mission requirements. Falcon Stadium 5 -Year Goals Falcon Nest 10

10 -Year Goals Indoor Tennis Courts Soccer Stadium STRATEGIC GOAL 6 Baseball Stadium Lacrosse Stadium 11

The Third Verse of the Air Force song is sung after competition to honor fallen airmen and our Air Force legacy. The Third Verse Here s a toast to the host Of those who love the vastness of the sky, To a friend we send a message of his brother men who fly. We drink to those who gave their all of old Then down we roar to score the rainbow s pot of gold. A toast to the host of men we boast, the U.S. Air Force! Falcon Athletic Center 2168 Field House Drive USAF Academy, CO 80840 719-333-4008 GOAIRFORCEFALCONS.COM