The University of South Carolina Upstate Athletic Department has released its 5-year strategic plan following over a year of study, evaluation, and interviews of coaches, student-athletes, administrators, alumni, University leadership and key stakeholders.  The document, revealed to the department staff this week, is entitled "Adapt. Evolve. Grow. The Path UP." The plan was developed in partnership with Collegiate Consulting and provides unified strategic priorities, a road map for departmental goals and strategic initiatives through 2025, and aligns with the University's strategic plan, Up. Together.
 
"I am so excited to release our first-ever athletic department strategic plan," said Vice Chancellor and Director of Athletics, Daniel Feig.  "A clear and well-reasoned plan is essential for our short and long term success.  This plan is the culmination of a lot of study and review from our staff over the past year, as well as feedback from our alumni and community. The six Strategic Priorities developed through this process, along with the accompanying Goals, align with our Mission of developing champions on the field, building scholars in the classroom, and preparing leaders for life through their participation in intercollegiate athletics.  We have ambitious goals for our department, and The Path UP will help guide us to unprecedented success."      

Within the plan, six core values are identified which include integrity, servant leadership, passion, equity, innovation and collaboration. Those values guide the department through six strategic priorities

• Competitive success
• Student-athlete experience and success
• Campus and community outreach and engagement
• Fiscal sustainability and growth-focused funding
• Facilities management and professionalism
• Program integrity

The department has also implemented several personnel and administrative changes.

Sarah Gildersleeve has been promoted to associate athletic director for student-athlete enrichment and senior woman administrator (SWA). In addition to becoming SWA, Sarah will take on the additional duties including sport administration, the official athletics Title IX designee, oversight of the department's gender equity plan, as well as other leadership responsibilities.  In addition, the department has announced the implementation of sport administrators that will work directly with programs in a variety of ways to support coaches and student-athletes in order to better facilitate their on and off-the-field successes.  The individual sport assignments are as outlined below.

Daniel Feig, vice chancellor for intercollegiate athletics/director of athletics
            men's basketball, softball, men's and women's tennis

Sarah Gildersleeve, associate athletic director for student-athlete enrichment/SWA
            women's basketball, women's soccer

Dr. Robbie Davis, associate athletic director for compliance
            men's and women's cross country and men's and women's track and field

Chris Hawkins, associate athletic director/head softball coach
            men's soccer and volleyball

Lenny Mathis, senior associate athletic director for external operations
            baseball, men's and women's golf