Strategic Plan

Fort Lewis College athletics would like to thank Mammoth Sports Consulting for its diligent efforts and guidance in the creation of our strategic plan.

Students are at the center of Fort Lewis College, where we create inclusive, experiential learning environments that foster innovation, growth, and community engagement.

Fort Lewis College Athletics is dedicated to graduating champions with GRIT while mentoring, supporting, and helping develop educated, caring, well-rounded, productive citizens who are highly employable and equipped to succeed in life.

Fort Lewis College Athletics will provide an NCAA Division II program of excellence that continues graduating champions in the classroom, in competition, and in the community.

The Skyhawks are committed to GRIT or the ability to preserve, overcome and move forward in spite of challenges or obstacles that might arise. GRIT also breaks down into a set of core values for the department - Greatness, Respect, Innovation, and Tradition.

Fort Lewis College also seeks to build a program of excellence that takes the Skyhawks #ToTheTop. FLC Athletics will serve as a rallying point and area of pride for all constituents creating a vibrant campus experience. The Skyhawks will accomplish this by instilling the following areas of focus.

1. STUDENT-ATHLETES AT THE CENTER

The Skyhawks will support the College mission by putting student-athletes at the center and continuing to enhance the experience for all involved. This portion of the plan will include key areas such as:

Continued offerings of a robust Life Skills program
Understanding the student-athlete experience through dialogue and surveys
Placing an emphasis on GPA, retention, and graduation rates
Focusing on being a leader in wellness, sports medicine, performance, mental health, and nutrition
Establishing a network for internships, career readiness, and job placement
Continuing transportation initiatives
Providing Name, Image, and Likeness (NIL) education
Promoting the success of the program
Providing programming to attract indigenous students and Tribal Nations to athletic events
Continuing to improve the competitiveness of teams

2. CONTRIBUTIONS TO GROWTH AND STABILITY OF THE COLLEGE

The Skyhawks will continue to grow enrollment and be a key campus partner while putting an emphasis on competitive excellence. This includes:

Managing student-athlete enrollment and roster goals
Enhancing facilities to enable and promote enrollment growth
Producing increases in scholarship offerings
Continuing to evaluate and consider growth opportunities
Regularly discuss the plans in this section with Cabinet and key leaders to gain input and achieve continual support

3. COMPETITIVENESS AND IMPACT

The Skyhawks will compete annually for championships while enhancing the student-athlete experience. A key element of this section is orchestrating facility enhancements and a master facility plan that aligns with the overall College plan. This area of focus will also include:

Win percentage and RMAC All-Sports Cup goals
Operating budgets
Multi-year scholarship plans
Retention and hiring of high-caliber talent
Professional development
Improved outreach to Durango and the Four Corners region
Enhanced fundraising and community connections
Alumni relations with an emphasis on former student-athletes

4. OPTIMAL DEPARTMENTAL OPERATIONS

The Skyhawks strive to be a program of excellence that remains in alignment with the College while creating an enhanced athletics culture, school spirit, and traditions. Key initiatives in this section include:

Advancing and supporting FLC's commitment to diversity, equity, and inclusion
Innovative solutions for personnel growth
Departmental policies and procedures
Student-athlete code of conduct
Industry standards in compliance
Enhanced campus integration