UNIVERSITY PARK, Pa. -- Penn State Intercollegiate Athletics hosted its second strategic planning town hall meeting this evening, giving faculty and staff the opportunity to hear an update and ask questions of the Athletics leadership team.
Penn State Director of Athletics Sandy Barbour presented some of the initial findings from the strategic planning process, which began in June, and answered questions from the audience for 45 minutes. The town-and-gown relationship, student-athlete experience, facilities, Athletics technology program, metrics to gauge success and self-supporting programs were among the topics addressed during the question and answer period.
The town hall meeting was held in the Thomas Building on the University Park campus.
In addition to answering questions after the “Proud Past, Bright Future” presentation, Barbour used the meeting to provide the community with information on the recently launched Facilities Master Plan study that will analyze all of the Nittany Lions’ athletic facilities and spaces.
“Penn State is a place that has done things really, really well for a long time,” Barbour stated. “We want to set the standard for comprehensive excellence and I believe we are uniquely positioned to lead nationally.”
Barbour spoke glowingly when asked about the town-and-gown relationship between Penn State and the State College and Centre County communities.
“Penn State is unique and a very, very special place,” Barbour said. “We are going to support and enhance the community. Penn State is a positive and powerful driver. There is a recognition of the University being a spirit driver and an economic driver.”
Barbour said that once the strategic plan is completed and implemented, benchmarking, data and best practices will be among the metrics that will help gauge the department’s success.
More than 1,100 people have been engaged and provided feedback during the wide-ranging strategic planning project, that will help determine priorities for the period of 2016-20 and beyond for the Nittany Lions’ comprehensive 31-sport program.
The third and final public town hall meeting hosted by Intercollegiate Athletics will be at 7 p.m. on Nov. 4 in Rec Hall. Members of the local and Penn State communities are invited to attend. The ICA bag policy will be in effect. The Nov. 4 town hall meeting will be streamed live at GoPSUsports.com.
Penn State offers one of the nation's most comprehensive and successful athletic programs, featuring 800 student-athletes, who have an 89 percent NCAA Graduation Success Rate and have won 74 national championships and 92 Big Ten titles all-time.