The addition of intercollegiate football to the University of Texas at San Antonio (UTSA) has broad implications for the University and the Athletics Department. To establish a collective agreement on the environment in which UTSA Athletics operates, CSA developed a basic set of Study Assumptions.

These Assumptions evolved from the Consultants' on-campus interviews and assessment of University, NCAA, Southland Conference and applicable benchmarking materials. UTSA Athletics' Strategic Plan and Athletics Vision 2010 were integral to this process.

1. The UTSA Athletics: Vision 2010 developed by UTSA's Athletics Department is consistent with both UTSA and the Board of Regents' focus on intercollegiate athletics as an important aspect of campus life.


2. The reclassification of Athletics' NCAA membership from Division I-AAA to I-AA and then to I-A will require substantial University and public support to sustain the Athletics Program at a competitive level.


3. The UTSA Athletics Department will comply with all University, State of Texas, University of Texas at San Antonio Board of Regents, NCAA and Conference requirements.


4. The University and the Athletics Department are committed to the welfare of their student-athletes to include academic success leading to graduation.


5. The University and the Athletics Department are dedicated to the principles of equal opportunity and non-discrimination.


6. The University and Athletics Department are committed to compliance with Title IX and will make programmatic adjustments as appropriate.


7. It is the University's desire to sponsor a broad-based, selectively competitive NCAA Intercollegiate Athletics Program. Primary performance measures are NCAA and Conference Championships, annual Sports Academy Directors' Cup rankings as well as national recognition for UTSA's student-athletes.


8. As a member of the NCAA and the Southland Conference, UTSA has no near-term plans to alter its current number of 16 Intercollegiate Sports (including Women's Soccer in Fall 2006): 9 for women and 7 for men.


9. Identifying alternatives and obtaining membership in a suitable Division I-A conference are fundamental to the University's possible move to I-A.


10. The University recognizes that upgrading its Athletics facilities is essential to its strengthening its position within NCAA Division I-AAA as well as successful advancement to Division I-AA and then to I-A.


11. Future Athletics facilities will be designed and managed to accommodate Intercollegiate Athletics as well as other University and community events and services.
12. The sponsorship of intercollegiate football will require a long-term commitment of Institutional funding, to include student fees, for UTSA Athletics.


13. The University and Athletics Department Support Systems (infrastructure) will be operating at a functional level necessary for NCAA Division I-AA and then I-A.


14. Enhancements or additions to the Intercollegiate Athletics Department will be dependent on available resources and will be implemented strategically.