Kansas City Athletics Unveils New 'Impact Plan for Excellence'
5/6/2024 9:00:00 AM | Athletics
The plan will serve as the department's strategic direction moving forward
KANSAS CITY - On May 6, 2024, Kansas City Director of Athletics/Vice Chancellor Dr. Brandon Martin fully unveiled the Roos' Impact Plan for Excellence, a package that will serve as the strategic direction for Kansas City Athletics in the unique landscape of collegiate athletics.
"Without reservation, college athletics is in a crucible period of both challenge and opportunity. It is imperative that we continue to innovate, have a deeper commitment to our core values and redefine success in this ever-changing landscape," Martin said. "Our Impact Plan for Excellence provides a model to succeed in areas within our control and influence."
The plan was developed in tandem with MRJ Advisors across the past five-plus months through constructive engagement and input from student-athletes, coaches, staff, faculty and other influential community members. The planning process included multiple site visits, departmental climate surveys, open forum discussions and hand-crafted committee meetings.
"We applaud UMKC and Kansas City Athletics on this comprehensive plan," Mike Alden, Founder of MRJ Advisors, said. "The broad engagement and input by the campus and community leadership alongside the athletics coaches and staff resulted in a stronger plan that everyone can feel invested in."
The name, an 'Impact Plan for Excellence,' highlights the key vision of the strategic blueprint - Kansas City Athletics as "the model for excellence as Kansas City's Division One hometown team." That excellence begins with a foundation of five core values: Family, Integrity, Courage, Respect and Servant Leadership.
Built upon that foundation, the Impact Plan outlines five Pillar Areas that will stand tall as the department commits itself to elevating the student-athlete experience, broadening its engagement with the Kansas City community and continually striving for excellence. Embedded within each Pillar Area are clear and actionable goals and objectives.
"This plan focuses on attracting and developing the best student-athletes for Kansas City Athletics," Tim Hickman, MRJ's project leader for the Impact Plan, said. "Building a strong athletic program will enable KC Athletics to be a shining light for the institution and city."
The first Pillar Area is Student-Athlete Experience and Well-Being. Along with maintaining a status as one of the top athletic departments academically, this pillar focuses on providing personal and career development opportunities for student-athletes and maintaining relationships beyond graduation.
Pillar Area number two focuses on Competitive Excellence. This includes creating an space that will allow programs to compete at the highest level of the Summit League includes utilizing recruiting resources, developing 'home field' advantages and maximizing existing resources for student-athlete development and performance.
The third Pillar Area brings Brand Elevation and Community Engagement to the forefront. This will include improved campus engagement and an elevated strategic relationship between Athletics and University marketing driven towards increased brand awareness and cohesiveness within the Kansas City community.
Fourth, the Pillar Area of Culture and Staff Development focuses on establishing an environment that positions staff to succeed in both the present and the future. Encompassed within this pillar is the development of a mentoring program between staff and senior leadership and designing clear on-boarding and procedures manuals.
The final Pillar Area will focus on Resource Growth, Facility Enhancement and Revenue Generation. This pillar brings forward increasing and maximizing resources and facilities, creating competitive NIL opportunities and elevating ROI to the university as a whole.Â
"The Impact Plan for Excellence will serve as a fluid and adaptable guide for comprehensive success," Martin said. "We are wholeheartedly committed to updating our internal and external constituents as we advance our plan."
The unveiling and subsequent implementation of this Impact Plan signals a commitment from Kansas City Athletics to the UMKC campus and Kansas City community, and poises the department for excellence in the classroom, in competition and in life.
Click here for a comprehensive look at the Kansas City Athletics Impact Plan for Excellence.