Mission Statement

The mission of the athletics program is to create and maintain sports and recreation opportunities that conform to the highest principles of integrity, fairness, and competitiveness in a manner consistent with and in support of the mission of Indiana University South Bend.

Fundamental Goals

1. To serve the whole person. The foremost criterion of success for the athletics program at IU South Bend is the well-being of its student-athletes. Athletics is a natural extension of the university's educational goal. Through the athletics program, IU South Bend endeavors to provide student athletes with the proper direction and motivation to help them grow academically, athletically, morally, and socially.



2. To foster academic success. The athletics program at IU South Bend strives to create an environment in which students can succeed in their academic work as well as in their athletic competition. An intercollegiate athletic program best serves the mission of the university and the well-being of the students when it encourages and helps participants to develop a sound academic plan leading toward graduation.
   
   The athletics program at IU South Bend subscribes to the belief that academic achievement ought to be the primary concern of every student-athlete, and that this achievement ought to culminate in the earning of an IU degree. Because varsity athletes are students first of all, their participation in sports must be understood as a privilege that is dependent on their continued academic achievement.



3. To teach skills and values. Intercollegiate athletics, like other extracurricular activities sponsored by the university, offers participants opportunities to enjoy themselves and to develop personal and interpersonal skills and values such as dedication, perseverance, responsibility, team effort and cooperation, discipline, self-confidence, leadership, and other attributes of human development and citizenship.



4. To promote excellence. IU South Bend strives for excellence in its intercollegiate athletics program as it does in its academic programs. The excellence of the athletics program must be measured not only by achievement in athletic competition, but also by the academic and personal accomplishments of its student-athletes, as well as by the highest standards of integrity and honesty.



5. To serve the university and regional community. Intercollegiate athletics enhance the university experience of all students, participants and non-participants alike, by promoting school spirit and community feeling. By providing spectator entertainment to the larger Michiana community as well, intercollegiate athletic events contribute to the university's outreach mission. Athletics fosters interaction between citizens and the university, promoting widespread public identity with and pride in Indiana University South Bend and its many programs. In much the same way, it engages the loyalty of alumni. The athletics program helps to build the goodwill and public support that any university needs in order to serve its varied missions in all of its activities.



6. To ensure fairness and equity. The athletics program and all programs in sports and recreation at IU South Bend are dedicated to the maintenance of balance and fairness between the demands of men's and women's sports in terms of opportunities and funding. The university is committed to providing equal opportunity for all students, including women and minorities, to participate in its intercollegiate athletic programs and in all of its sports and recreational activities.