Storm Clouds Over College Athletics — Three Takeaways For Independent Schools

A recent poll by the Chronicle of Higher Education showed that almost 60% of college leaders think Division I sports are "going in the wrong direction." Most of the talk is about worries about sustainability, mission drift, and rising costs. The article gives leaders of independent schools a good reason to stop and think about their own programs.

Three things independent school leaders can do:

Look again at the "why" of athletics at your school. If college leaders are worried about fairness and business models, then independent schools need to stay focused on their purpose. Ask yourself why we put these teams together. What does our sports program do for the culture, community, and character of our students? When strategy is based on a clear goal, the program is less likely to be affected by outside forces and changes.

Invest in coaching alignment. Coaches spend about as much time with students over the course of a season as a classroom teacher does in a complete school year. Treat coaches like educators. Make sure they are completely in line with your school's mission and philosophy, and provide them the same support you give to teachers: hire them on purpose, train them around the vision, and evaluate them regularly. When coaching is held to the same standards as teaching, the quality of the program, the culture, and the growth of the students all get better.

Pay attention to impact, not just outcomes. Independent schools should and can use a broader definition of success. Programs that focus on helping students grow, keeping alumni involved, and connecting people in the community will stand out. When sports are seen as an important part of building leadership skills and the school's identity, they become a pillar instead of a line item.

The difficulties in college athletics remind independent schools to look at their own programs. Clarifying purpose, giving whole-person development top priority, and ensuring coaching alignment are all necessary for schools to create a strategic, sustainable, and mission-aligned future. Programs thrive when these foundations are solid.