Eastern Michigan Athletics
EMU Receives $15,000 in NCAA Women's Basketball Grant Program
6/16/2009 5:21:34 PM | Women's Basketball
The grant program is designed to foster the growth of women’s basketball
INDIANAPOLIS, Ind. — Eastern Michigan University received one of 18 grants as part of the NCAA Division I Women's Basketball Grant Program. Approximately $750,000 in grant money was given to schools and conferences by the NCAA. EMU received $15,000 as part of the program.
The grant program is designed to foster increased awareness, exposure and increase attendance of women's basketball on NCAA member campuses and within NCAA member conferences.
“We are delighted that the NCAA has awarded EMU a grant to enhance our marketing efforts and increase attendance,” said Dr. Derrick Gragg, Director of Intercollegiate Athletics. “This is a very exciting time for our women's basketball program and this money will allow us to extend our reach and introduce new fans to our team.”
A total of 75 member schools and conferences submitted proposals in the second year of the pilot program. National office staff and representatives from the NCAA women's basketball marketing consultant firm, Hawkeye Sports and Entertainment, evaluated the proposals.
“We are pleased with the success of many of last year's grant recipients and are excited to see what these new recipients are able to achieve with this assistance,” said NCAA Division I Women's Basketball Vice President Sue Donohoe. “When resources are allocated and efforts are focused to promote women's basketball, it can provide a meaningful return on the investment.”
Joining EMU as 2009-10 grant recipients are: Auburn University; Big South Conference; Cornell University; East Tennessee State University; Iowa State University; Patriot League; San Diego State University, University of California, Los Angeles; University of California, Riverside; University of California, Santa Barbara; University of Hartford; University of Kansas; University of Miami (Florida); University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill; University of South Carolina, Columbia; West Coast Conference and Western Athletic Conference.
The first year of the grant program went very well and we are anticipating more success in year two,” said Donohoe. “The membership has had a tremendous interest in securing grant resources to advance women's basketball. It is important that we continue to work to grow women's basketball from the inside out and at the grass roots level.”
2008-09 grant recipient success stories included Texas Tech University, which doubled its student attendance for women's basketball home games; Florida State University increased season ticket sales by 63 percent, with a 55 percent increase in overall attendance for women's basketball; East Tennessee State University increased its average attendance by 231 percent and several grant recipients set record single game attendance marks.
The program will be evaluated following its second year to determine if the objectives are being met. Grants are awarded on a one-year basis and are not automatically renewed. East Tennessee State University, Patriot League and San Diego State University each received a grant for the second straight year.
This marketing initiative concept was generated from the NCAA Division I Women's Basketball Discussion Group, chaired by NCAA President Myles Brand. The group consisted of head coaches, media representatives, former student-athletes and conference, institutional and Women's Basketball Coaches Association administrators. This initiative has been strongly supported by the NCAA Division I Women's Basketball Committee, and the NCAA Division I Women's Basketball Issues Committee.
About EMU Women's Basketball
The 2008-09 campaign was a rebuilding year for Eastern Michigan, as the Eagles finished with an 8-21 overall record and a 4-12 mark in the Mid-American Conference. Eastern finished fifth in the MAC West Division after winning four of their final eight games of the season.
Under the tutelage of second year head coach AnnMarie Gilbert, sophomore Cassie Schrock and freshman Tavelyn James earned All-MAC accolades. Schrock was selected honorable mention All-MAC while James earned All-Freshman team accolades. Additionally, James became the all-time EMU leader in points by a freshman with 426 points and the first freshman to lead the Eagles in scoring since Holly Mitchell did so in 1997-98.
About the NCAA and Division I Women's Basketball
The NCAA is a membership-led nonprofit association of colleges and universities committed to supporting academic and athletic opportunities for more than 400,000 student-athletes at more than 1,000 member colleges and universities. Each year, more than 54,000 student-athletes compete in NCAA championships in Divisions I, II and III sports. Visit ncaa.org and ncaa.com for more details about the Association, its goals, members and corporate partnerships that help support programs for student-athletes.
NCAA women's basketball is characterized by strong fundamentals, high quality of play, sportsmanship, role model student-athletes and family oriented entertainment.
