Strengthening Schedules & Supporting Athletes
(Omaha, NE) – Ohio Valley Conference Commissioner Beth DeBauche is leading the conference into some important and forward-thinking ways. The league will be announcing elements of a strategic growth plan. During the league basketball tournament, a working group of university presidents, chancellors and directors of athletics met to work on the plan.
Debauche tells Valley Hoops Insider that the Board of Presidents has approved, what might be called ‘phase one’ of a strategic growth plan. Parts of that plan include scheduling changes and and enhanced benefits for OVC student athletes.
After playing last season with an unbalanced schedule (18 games), the OVC is implementing a 20-game league schedule where every team plays every other squad twice. This allows the OVC to crown a more true champion and reduces the number of possible games against non-Division 1 opponents.
DeBauche says the plan also addresses enhanced benefits for the players.
Strategic Growth Plan – Scheduling & Benefits
The scheduling changes will allow the league to get creative in the scheduling world. OVC leaders will look for creative ways to partner with other conferences to arrange mutually beneficial matchups. DeBauche says these scheduling efforts will include several leagues, rather than a ‘challenge’ between two conferences.
When adding some former Division 2 teams to the OVC, the league softened its demand that conference members play only two non-D1 teams. The Commissioner says they are limiting the number of non-D1 opponents. The league’s commitment to the ability of student athletes to receive more full benefits is important.
A league-wide, comprehensive scheduling approach is on the way.
DeBauche sees a growing Ohio Valley Conference. The recent OVC basketball championships revealed a great synergy within the league. She also believes the growth of women’s basketball nationally will only enhance the OVC’s very strong women’s programs.
The OVC is being aggressive. A full press release will be sent out next week. Enhanced benefits and stronger schedules signal significant improvements for the OVC.
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