When a major Division I athletic department struggled with ineffective post-season assessments yielding minimal actionable data and disappointing participation rates, they recognized the need for systematic transformation. The challenge required reimagining assessment from a compliance exercise into a strategic tool for organizational excellence.
Situation Overview
A prominent Pacific Northwest athletic program had invested in post-season assessment processes, but self-administration produced limited useful information. Student-athletes showed low engagement, viewing assessments as bureaucratic requirements rather than opportunities for meaningful input. The department’s student-athlete support staff and athletics administration recognized that without valid, reliable feedback mechanisms, they couldn’t identify areas for improvement or protect successful practices. The existing system failed to align with departmental goals or provide the specific, actionable intelligence needed for strategic decision-making in an increasingly competitive collegiate athletics landscape.
The Challenge
The department faced a multifaceted assessment crisis. Years of ineffective surveys had created assessment fatigue among student-athletes, who questioned whether their feedback mattered. The self-administered approach lacked methodological rigor, producing data that couldn’t reliably inform strategic decisions or justify resource allocation.
Key Complexity Factors:
- Historical assessment fatigue requiring cultural transformation
- Need for independence to ensure candid feedback
- Alignment with evolving departmental strategic goals
- Sustainability and knowledge transfer requirements
Without reliable assessment data, the department risked perpetuating ineffective practices, missing critical student-athlete welfare issues, and losing competitive advantage. The stakes included recruitment success, retention rates, academic achievement, and ultimately, the department’s ability to fulfill its dual mission of athletic excellence and student development.
The SCI Approach
SCI implemented a comprehensive assessment transformation over multiple academic years, combining instrument design expertise with sustainable capacity building. The approach prioritized validity, reliability, and actionability while ensuring student-athlete voice genuinely influenced departmental decision-making.
Implementation Methodology
Phase 1: Instrument Design & Alignment
Collaborated with support staff and administration to develop assessment instruments directly aligned with departmental goals. Applied validated survey design principles and interview protocols to ensure data quality and actionability.
Phase 2: Independent Implementation
Staffed initial assessment cycles directly, ensuring independence from evaluated areas. Conducted interviews and surveys with methodological rigor while building student-athlete trust through demonstrated responsiveness to feedback.
Phase 3: Capacity Building & Sustainability
Trained internal staff on interview techniques and survey administration, emphasizing independence requirements. Established three-cycle annual assessment rhythm with continuous improvement protocols and feedback loops to student-athletes.
Outcomes & Impact
The transformed assessment system produced dramatic improvements in both participation and organizational performance:
Significant increase in response rates with student-athletes actively embracing the opportunity to shape their experience
Multiple national championships achieved during implementation period, with assessment data informing strategic decisions
Substantial increase in Academic All-American selections, reflecting improved support systems identified through assessments
The three-times-annual assessment cycle remains operational, providing continuous intelligence for organizational improvement. Student-athletes report deep appreciation for genuine input opportunities and visible responsiveness to their feedback, creating a virtuous cycle of engagement and excellence.
Strategic Insight
This transformation demonstrates that assessment systems fail not from lack of effort but from fundamental design flaws. Success requires methodological rigor, genuine independence, and visible responsiveness to feedback. When student-athletes see their input driving meaningful change, participation becomes enthusiastic rather than obligatory. The investment in proper assessment design and implementation yields returns far exceeding costs through improved retention, performance, and organizational learning.
Related SCI Capabilities
This case exemplifies SCI’s integrated approach to sports conflict resolution. Learn more about our systematic methodologies:
Research and Evaluation
Evidence-based assessment design and organizational intelligence systems
Strategic Planning
Aligning assessment systems with organizational goals and priorities
Team Culture Assessment
Building championship culture through systematic feedback and improvement
The Sports Playbook
Building championship culture through character and clarity
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