Athletics Report Presented to EWU Board of Trustees

The Eastern Washington University Board of Trustees (BOT) received the long-awaited Athletics Review final report during its regular meeting on Friday, Feb 26.

The report, conducted and delivered by the independent consulting firm The PICTOR Group, includes a thorough analysis of athletics relating to its organizational and financial structure, and division status within the NCAA. The six-month-long review included an examination of documents, on-site visits, and internal and external surveys with students, faculty, staff and various EWU volunteer boards.

The presentation to the BOT outlined multiple options the university can consider as it plans for the future. The full analysis can be found on the Athletics Review website. Eastern now invites interested parties to participate in the public comment phase of the process, which can be done by submitting a form through a portal on the review website through March 26.

“I want to thank The PICTOR Group for its diligent work over the past several months on the Athletics Review process, as well as everyone who took part in providing feedback,” says interim EWU President David May. “The next step in the process of determining what athletics will look like at EWU will be for me to examine the data presented and to ensure that it is contextualized within the structure of Eastern’s overall mission.”

In addition to public comments, May will meet with various student and faculty leadership groups, staff and volunteer boards to seek input. He will then make a recommendation at the end of April to the Board of Trustees – which will make the final decision at its June meeting based on May’s input.

“We are thankful for the many EWU fans and alumni who have advocated for athletics during this time, and look forward to a final recommendation this spring,” says EWU Director of Athletics Lynn Hickey. “While recognizing this can be a difficult time as we await the conclusion of this process, my department is in full support of the university’s efforts to complete a fair review.”

BOT Chairwoman Vicki Wilson notes this has been a long and sometimes anxious process for everyone involved and is appreciative of everyone’s input. “This is truly a university-wide issue, and we are thankful for the many students, faculty, staff and supporters who have taken the time to be involved with the athletics review. The full board looks forward to the next phase as we complete this process.”

Contact:

• Dave Meany – Director of Communications & Media Relations (dmeany@ewu.edu or 509.359.6335).
• Dave Cook – Sports Information Director (dcook@ewu.edu or 509.359.6334).