Board of Directors | Current Board Members | Bylaws | Strategic Planning | Past Board Meeting Minutes | Submit a Proposal to the Board | UPA Conduct Policy | UPA Public Statements

Posted 3/5/2009

TWO POTENTIAL PLANS FOR RESTRUCTURING THE UPA COLLEGE SERIES - CALL FOR MEMBERS TO READ, DISCUSS, AND PROVIDE FEEDBACK

Background

In early December 2008, the UPA convened the College Restructure Task Force (composed of 18 individuals representing a wide variety of constituencies in College Ultimate – women/men, small/large schools, elite/non-elite teams, geographies, coaches/players, etc.) to identify detailed plans for implementing changes to the UPA College Series during the 2009-2011 seasons. The changes considered had been directly or indirectly supported by UPA members through several surveys conducted during 2007 and 2008.

A small number of changes are being made for the 2009 College Series, while the majority of changes are likely being ‘saved’ for the 2010-2011 (with a likely emphasis on 2010). The changes being made for 2009 were specified in our press release dated January 22nd. 

Context for potential 2010-2011 plans

Surveys conducted in 2007 and 2008 specified select, fundamental changes to the UPA College Series that would be supported by a majority of members. These include:

• Initiation of a UPA-sanctioned regular season, the results of which would influence team placement for post-season play
• Implementation of divisional post-season, with divisional placement based at least in part on level of play

In addition, the surveys identified several characteristics of potential new ‘models’ for the UPA College Series that should be prioritized, as the major changes above are put into place. These prioritized characteristics included:

• To provide opportunities to play for teams at all levels.
• To create meaningful games occurring throughout the spring season
• To crown a clear, unambiguous national champion through direct competition
• To qualify the top teams in championship event including allowing the top regional team in each division
• To allow teams to have increased playing opportunities against teams at their level in post-season play
• To allow teams from similarly-sized institutions to compete for a National Championship, with the ability to move up
• To provide playing opportunities which reduce/minimize travel time and expenses for teams
• To ensure geographic representation at the championship event
• To ensure that all games that have significant (any game that affects more than just seeding) impact on the final standing of a team are played with eligible players
• To bring the benefits of observing, including potential enhancements, to more of the college post-season
• To increase quality of events for participants (including competition) at a good value ($$, time, travel)
• To ensure that necessary changes happen quickly but in a well thought-out manner, with differentiation between elements that can be developed/implemented quickly and those that need more time
• Additional priorities used in developing these plans are listed on the College Restructure Plan website

From December 2008-February 2009, the Restructure Task Force worked very hard to understand viable options for implementing the major changes described above, while keeping members’ key priorities front and center. Although we recognize that an unlimited of potential structures are possible, we arrived at two detailed, potential plans that we believe represent two excellent options for the evolution of College Ultimate in the next several years.

The plan known as the “Super Regional” plan represents a moderate change to the current UPA Series structure. By contrast, the “Conference” plan is a radical departure from the current approach. We will not go into further detail on either plan here, since a great deal of information on each is presented on the UPA’s new “College Restructure Plan” website.

We have not made any final commitment to either plan. Rather, we are releasing draft versions of both plans for our members to read, discuss, and provide feedback on.

• Read: We have published both plans on the UPA website, along with a series of educational materials (maps, sample seasons, FAQ, calendar, flowchart) designed to make it easier for you to understand the details of each plan.
• Discuss: Additionally, we have established a blog where members can discuss aspects of each plan, and have questions answered by members of the College Restructure Task Force. The blog will be available for comment throughout the month of March.
• Feedback: Finally, we plan to release a web survey in early April that will allow members to provide final feedback on each plan. (Remember, the blog is for discussion and to ensure that members understand the plans, while the feedback survey is intended to  provide the Task Force with input as they identify the final plan for implementation)

Based on feedback from the survey, the Task Force will draft a final plan, which will then be submitted to the UPA Board of Directors for a vote. We have not committed to adopting either of the current plans wholesale (nor is it precluded). If feedback from our members suggests that bits of each should be combined, or that completely new elements should be included, a new plan will be drafted.

We anticipate that the final plan will be voted on by the Board of Directors during this summer. Assuming the feedback survey supports the types of changes contained in one or both of the draft plans, you can anticipate changes beginning in the 2010 College season.

Please click here to access the College Restructure Plans website on the UPA’s site.

In summary, we’re very proud to bring you these two draft plans, and excited to get your feedback. These plans represent the culmination of a huge amount of member input to date, as well as countless hours spent by representatives of every major Collegiate Ultimate stakeholder. And, we believe that either of these plans would position College Ultimate for yet another stage of exciting growth.

Thanks for your time,

Peri Kurshan, President of the Board
Mike Payne, At-large Board member, College Restructure Task Force Planning Committee
Sandie Hammerly, Executive Director
Will Deaver, Championships Director, College Restructure Task Force Planning Committee