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Show UVSC athletics looking at future alternatives lege to Division By BOB HUDSON The Daily Herald Assistant Sports Editor As an educational institution, Utah Valley State College is unique. and four-yeIt is both a two-yeschool. Today UVSC offers 50 two-yeadegrees and three four-yedegrees. Because of the demand from its students and from the taxpayers of Utah County, UVSC will likely offer more four-yedegrees in the near future. Athletically, UVSC is a junior college. It is a member of the National Athletic Junior Collegiate Association. But, as the school progresses toward four-yestatus, that association may no longer be viable. "Educationally, it's going to happen." said Mike Jacobsen. the school's athletic director. "We need to look for alternatives because we may not be allowed to be a member of the NJCAA (in the future)." What exactly is in the future for the school's athletic programs? The best answer is. nobody is sure. Ideally, the athletic program would become Division I. equal to all schools in the the other four-yestate. That would provide the Wolverines with some viable competition alternatives. But, such a move from junior col ar I is unheard of. But. that's nothing new for UVSC. The ar rs ar ar ar ar school has undergone two name changes in five years and has also changed school colors. Both are unheard-o- f things. "Athletically, it's kind of a unique situation we're in." Jacobsen said. "Right now we're having a tough time competing in junior college athletics. It's not like we're dominating everything." UVSC competes in the Scenic West Athletic Conference. Its members are junior colleges from Coeur d'Alene. Idaho to St. George. Enrollments range from 5(X) to 14.000. The student populations of Salt Lake Community UVSC, College and Ricks College are at least double that of the other schools. In fact, the enrollments at those three schools are greater than at some of the members of the Western Athletic Conference. "The size of our enrollment and of our community are positives," Jacobsen said. "And simply having (a ) arena is a plus for us. new 8.000-sea- t " (But) it will take a total commitment from our community (to upgrade the athletic program, should the need arise)." Jacobsen said. While Jacobsen and other UVSC officials aren't dissatisfied with their current situation, they're realistic enough to know that it won't last for- - Utah Valley Sympbony... seven for men and another seven for women. It now has four and four, for a total of eight. "Our scholarship budget for the eight programs is $150,000 a year," Jacobsen said. "For 14 programs, we would need $750,000 (six times as much as now available). "Travel would be another expensive proposition." Jacobsen said. "Now we go everywhere on buses for $45.(KX). In Division 1. we would need $250.(XX) a year to travel by air." Those figures are viable only if UVSC could become a member of a conference, however. II it were an independent, as Southern Utah University has been, travel costs could be much greater because its teams would have to go from coast to coast in search of competition. Geographically. UVSC's best option for a conference is probably the Big Sky. which is headquartered in Ogden. But the Big Sky has rebuffed Southern Utah twice and is likely to be inclined to add a member which doesn't play football. UVSC dtwsn't, nor is it likely to any time in the near future. "The best fit for us conference-wis- e would be the Big West." Jacobsen said. "Half their schools don't play football, but have basketball and the other sports we already (See UVSC, Page 86) ever. "We're trying to be ready if an opportunity comes." Jacobsen said of Division I dreams. "We need to be aggressive and do some things. "If you're going to move, the near future might be the time because there's a lot of restructuring (of Division I athletics) going on right now." he said. Upgrading one's athletic programs isn't simply a matter of snapping one's fingers and saying, "hey. we're Division I." According to Jacobsen. the college would need to upgrade in three main areas personnel, scholarships and travel. "It's a very, very expensive proposition," he said. "It would not be easy to generate the kind of dollars needed, although it is possible." The kind of dollars Jacobsen is speaking of is approximately $1.25 million a year. Much of that money would go toward improving the staffing situation in the athletic department. "We e coaches and have a lot of volunteers coaches right now." Jacobsen said. "We would need at least eight more coaches, and additional support personnel, such as trainers, and in sports information and academic advisement." To become Division I, UVSC would need 14 athletic programs. part-tim- f Meets at Shoney's Restaurant 1st & 3rd 39 Thursdays 12:00 Noon f Reason i President Cfno Caudio 1st Vice Chair Brian Long Shari Holweg Clyn D. Barrus Conductor and Musical Director Concept Schedule 2nd Vice Chair Secretary Ai or Season Spring Concert 20&21 March 1996 17 7:30 PBOVO Pops Concert & 18 April 1996 P.M. TAbEBXACLE General Admission s5. s4. For More Information Call Utah Valley Symphony Tune 345-TUN- E (8863) Parking avaaiubie at the NUskin parking terrace. 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