June 13, 2008
Center Valley, Pa. - The Patriot League Council of Presidents endorsed and finalized a set of recommendations for revising the League's academic index to provide more consistency in the application of the index and internal equity among member institutions. The revisions will go in place for student-athletes that will enter Patriot League institutions in the fall of 2009.
"The Patriot League is committed to being the ideal home for outstanding student-athletes," said Bucknell University President Brian C. Mitchell, Chair of the Council of Presidents. "These recommendations provide a higher level of consistency and clarity that strengthens not only the League but also the programs of every one of our member institutions."
The revised index will also enhance admissions and athletic competitiveness of programs externally while maintaining the integrity of the League's founding principles. Included in the revisions are the implementation of a common League admissions floor, the creation of a system of admissions bands for football and basketball (men's and women's), and a methodology for including transfer student-athletes into the academic index calculation.
"With these revisions, the Patriot League will continue its core value of emphasizing academic priority for student-athletes while maintaining integrity and internal equity and enhancing the League's competitiveness," said Patriot League Executive Director Carolyn Schlie Femovich.
The academic index is a core principle of the Patriot League that is designed to admit student-athletes that are academically representative of the institution. It is a formula derived from a combination of test scores and high school performance. The index had not undergone any significant review or adjustment since it was implemented in late 1980s.
The Presidents had previously approved the recommendations at their December meeting following a year-long comprehensive review of the academic index. The revisions were then fine-tuned by an advisory group made up of athletic directors, admissions representatives and the League's policy committee.
At the meeting, the Presidents also discussed the enhancement of the League's branding and identity. The League will look to increase its marketing through sponsorship, television and other multimedia opportunities in both League and institutional packages. Growth opportunities will be explored to strengthen the Patriot League's identity while maintaining its core values and integrity.
