SIOUX FALLS, S.D. – The Summit League announced today a partnership with College Sports Solutions (CSS) to conduct an operational review and help facilitate the creation of a strategic plan for the 10-member conference.
“The future is bright for the Summit League and the partnership with CSS is going to help us create a plan that will enhance the experiences of our student-athletes and fans, while serving as a road map for our future,” said Commissioner Josh Fenton. “We look forward to working with respected intercollegiate athletics veterans Jeff Schemmel and Kevin Weiberg to build a dynamic strategic plan that will strengthen the League as a whole.”
The CSS team is led by its founder and president, Jeff Schemmel. He has more than 30 years of intercollegiate athletics management experience at the highest levels, including a stint as the athletics director at San Diego State before he founded CSS.
“Our team at College Sports Solutions looks forward to working with Commissioner Fenton, his conference office team, and the member institutions of the Summit League,” said Schemmel. “This is an important time for Division I athletics and its conferences. Having a substantive and meaningful strategic plan, with the ability to adjust to and capitalize on the continuing changes in college athletics, is critical. We look forward to helping the Summit League grow and prosper.”
Joining Schemmel on this project is former Big 12 Commissioner Kevin Weiberg, who brings extensive knowledge and experience in the conference operations space after also serving in various roles at the Big Ten and Pac-12 throughout his career.
“Having experienced support is critical to the long-term success of the Summit League,” said Dr. Jeremy Haefner, Chancellor of the University of Denver and Chair of the Summit League’s Presidents Council. “I look forward to seeing the results of the partnership with College Sports Solutions, and all it will do to strengthen the programs of Summit League schools.”
The Summit League’s Presidents Council approved the hiring of CSS, who is scheduled to have its comprehensive work completed by late May and present those findings at the League’s annual meetings. Along with CSS, the League will integrate all member institutions within the strategic planning process.
About The Summit League
Through 41 years of Division I athletics, The Summit League offers 19 championship sports and has a combined enrollment of around 100,000 at 10 institutions, including five located in top 60 U.S. metropolitan populations and two land-grant universities. Member institutions include: the University of Denver, University of Missouri-Kansas City, University of North Dakota, North Dakota State University, University of Nebraska Omaha, Oral Roberts University, University of St. Thomas, University of South Dakota, South Dakota State University and Western Illinois University. The Summit League was previously known as the Mid-Continent Conference before undergoing a rebrand in 2007. The Summit League has produced 15 NCAA National Champions with over 125 All-Americans and 100 Academic All-Americans including numerous student-athletes competing at the highest professional level.
About College Sports Solutions
“College Sports Solutions (CSS) is a leading full-service and integrated provider of collegiate athletic consulting, strategies and solutions to universities, intercollegiate conferences, and collegiate organizations. Areas of service include comprehensive assessments and evaluations, including organization, staffing, operations, risk management, compliance, academics, fundraising, student-athlete welfare/experience, Title IX/equity, strategic branding/marketing, public relations, social media, crisis and media management, coach and administrator executive searches, championship event planning and execution, NCAA reclassification, and conference affiliation planning and execution. Its team of industry-leading professionals is unmatched in college athletics
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