Excerpt from the Wright State Guardian
Wright State University’s Board of Trustees weighed possible changes to the university’s athletics program at the Special Committee on Intercollegiate Athletics meeting.
WSU formed a contract with MRJ Advisors, a company that gives support and advice to universities based on the data they collect. This contract had MRJ collect data on Divisions I, II and III schools over the fall 2021 semester, according to MRJ’s digital report presented to the board during the meeting.
Board members agree that WSU should stay a Division I athletics university. This is because of data collected through a contract that WSU has with MRJ.
Factored into MRJ’s analysis was WSU Athletics financial data. According to the presentation, the program brought in $12,010,000 in 2020, while expenditures for that same year were $12,100,000.
WSU is currently a Division I school in the Horizon League for all its sports, including basketball. Divisions are split based on the size of the athletic program, with Division I being the largest division and Division III being the smallest.
WSU would only fall to Division II if they were to drop out of Division I. Division III would not offer athletic scholarships to students, according to Tim Hickman, an MRJ advisor.
Due to the financial analysis, the university’s athletic success, its current competitive sports and its role in student life and recruitment, MRJ recommended WSU stay as a Division I athletic program.
However, WSU must reinstate or introduce three sports programs per NCAA regulations to remain Division I. The advisors also suggested that an Athletics merger with Campus Recreation and high-performing club sports could provide operational efficiency and feeder opportunities for new Division I sport programs.
