By A. Brooke Whitley 04.25.2014

The student development committee met for their semi-annual board meeting yesterday to report on progress and discuss future visions of Milligan athletics.

 

The discussion contained 3 points: campus athletic facilities, Milligan’s athletic associations and athlete-alumni relations.

 

“Our (athletic) facilities are antiquated but they’re adequate,” said Mark Fox, vice president of student development. “As we continue to manage our facilities, we have a need to do the same with athletics.”

 

Milligan’s athletic facilities are currently sufficient, but difficult for both intercollegiate and intramural sports to share.

 

“Very rough conceptual drawings of new facilities are in the works, as well as improving existing facilities, primarily in the Anglin Field area,” said Fox. “Like all capital improvement projects, this will depend on available funding and how the facilities fit with other projects on campus.”

 

The board also talked about the benefits and costs of various collegiate affiliations including Milligan’s current conferences, the NAIA and the NCAA.

 

“Currently we are happy with the NAIA,” said Fox, “but intercollegiate athletics is a rapidly evolving area.”

 

For now, discussions about changing associations are unofficial, but something that will be evaluated in light of the college’s mission in the future.

 

A new emphasis will also be put on continuing relationships with alumni athletes. Fox described the topic as both a challenge and an opportunity.