Perceptions by Faculty, Staff, and Administrators of the Role of Intercollegiate Athletics at a Metropolitan University as a NCAA Division II Athletics Program Reclassifies to a NCAA Division I Athletics Program

Abstract

This article provides empirical findings associated with the perceptions of faculty, staff, and administrators regarding a decision to reclassify a metropolitan university's athletics program from NCAA Division II to NCAA Division /. A survey is developed that asks respondents about their perceptions of the current state of the athletics program, how the reclassification decision affected those perceptions, and about the process and outcomes of the reclassification decision. In general, the results indicate a generally favorable view by these stakeholders with the reclassification decision.