Announcing Changes to Vermont State University Athletics and Libraries

Two major transformation decisions have been made regarding athletics and our libraries. In making these decisions, our goal is to strengthen and expand access to our athletics offerings and provide greater equity of access to our library services. To become a thriving hybrid university, we must make strategic decisions in many different areas to preserve and enhance the quality of our education, create an engaging student experience, and revitalize our campuses and their communities. Like everything we do, these two decisions bring us closer to financial sustainability.

ATHLETICS PROGRAM CHANGES 

Vermont State University is changing its athletics program, starting in 2024. In the year ahead, we will engage with our community to determine the strongest array of athletics teams. We made this decision by evaluating competitive opportunities for students, investment opportunities at each campus, and contributions to the student experience.

  • Castleton and Lyndon campus teams will continue to compete in the NCAA.    
  • Johnson campus will move to the USCAA. The array of teams for this transition will be announced in the coming weeks as we make our application for this transition.
    • Johnson will also have club sports that compete in the Vermont State system
    • Johnson student-athletes can expect a smooth transition to the new conference
    • Johnson teams have longstanding traditions and relationships with the community and beyond. Student-athletes will have the ability to continue these traditions and look to achieve excellence in the new conference.  
  • Randolph campus teams will move to a club sports model. Williston campus students may participate on these teams.  
  • Club sports have always been a strong component at all Vermont State campuses and will continue to be going forward. Per tradition, club sports are determined by student interest, and we will engage the community in selecting the sports we may offer. Additionally, club sports will host home and away games across Vermont State University, giving students the opportunity to visit the various campuses as part of their college experience.  
  • Esports continues to grow at our Randolph campus, where there are nearly 50 student-athletes who train and compete in a state-of-the-art facility.

We recognize that some of these changes are difficult. We arrived at these decisions with careful thought and collaborative deliberation. This decision is not about achieving immediate financial savings, rather this is a decision grounded in moving forward on a path of sustainability.  The current state of athletics puts us at risk with the NCAA and our conference.

In weighing all factors, including operational and financial we arrived at a place of needing to make a change.

Rather than eliminate athletics at all campuses where the current NCAA model is not sustainable, we are instead wanting to maintain access to athletics at all locations, in competition tiers that align with the institution.

Our goal is to provide a mix of athletic opportunities that give incoming students choice and an ability to play their sports while also trying to match the scale and character of the programs with the unique identities we are trying to strengthen at each of our campuses.

Athletics FAQ

When will this change begin?  

July 1, 2024.   

What are the changes to conferences and divisions?  

  • Castleton and Lyndon campus teams will continue to compete in the NCAA.    
  • Johnson campus will move to the USCAA. The array of teams for this transition will be announced in the coming weeks as we make our application for this transition.
    • Johnson will also have club sports that compete in the Vermont State system
    • Johnson student-athletes can expect a smooth transition to the new conference
    • Johnson teams have longstanding traditions and relationships with the community and beyond. Student-athletes will have the ability to continue these traditions and look to achieve excellence in the new conference.  
  • Randolph campus teams will move to a club sports model. Williston campus students may participate on these teams.  
  • Club sports have always been a strong component at all Vermont State campuses and will continue to be going forward. Per tradition, club sports are determined by student interest, and we will engage the community in selecting the sports we may offer. Additionally, club sports will host home and away games across Vermont State University, giving students the opportunity to visit the various campuses as part of their college experience.  
  • Esports continues to grow at our Randolph campus, where there are nearly 50 student-athletes who train and compete in a state-of-the-art facility.

Why did you make this decision?

We made this decision after an evaluation of division and conference requirements. We are not meeting requirements for participation and the number of competitive events hosted at our Johnson and Randolph campuses.

At Johnson, we are at risk with the NCAA. Due to the history of not filling roster spots, achieving “sports sponsorship” has been a challenge in recent years. Students are often recruited late in the process to play a second sport or play a sport for the first time. NCAA requires 10 teams, which is not sustainable. USCAA is more flexible and will allow for fewer teams. Rather than eliminate athletics at all campuses where the current NCAA model is not sustainable, we are instead wanting to maintain competitive programs where it makes sense.

What impact will this have on Athletics staff?  

There is no immediate staff impact at the Johnson and the Randolph campuses. Vermont State University will work with athletics staff as we implement changes in divisions and conferences.

What impact will this have on student athletes?  

Student-athletes will see no impact in the 2023-2024 academic year. Vermont State University will work with student-athletes to ensure they secure placement within the University’s sports teams and programs in such a way that aligns with their talents, interests, and academic studies.   

Will my SHAPE membership be affected?  

This change will have no impact on SHAPE memberships, which will continue as they currently exist. Vermont State is also working on a new virtual fitness program to offer to every student who is taking classes in person, hybrid, or online starting fall 2023.  

What will happen to the athletics facilities for the impacted sports teams?   

There is no impact currently on our athletics facilities.   

I’m a community member who loves going to games. How will this affect me?  

We encourage our community to continue to support our sports teams and student-athletes. We are grateful for the local support and hope our local fans will continue to join us for games.   

I’m an alum of an impacted sports team. How will this affect me?  

We encourage alumni to support teams and participate in alumni sports events. 

We value the support of our alumni athletes and will continue to hold alumni games in order to bring our former athletes back to campus to compete against our varsity or club teams or against their alumni teams. While you might not be able to cheer on the varsity team you played on, we hope that you will cheer on the club teams and the teams at all Vermont State campuses. 

I’m a donor to an impacted sports team. How will this affect me?  

Thank you for your donation! Our teams will continue to need your support, and we welcome donor contributions, which help our student-athletes feel recognized and provide resources to help our teams remain competitive.  

NEW LIBRARY MODEL, EFFECTIVE JULY 1, 2023 

Updated library information has been posted here: https://transformation.vsc.edu/refined-plan-for-the-vermont-state-university-libraries/