The future of CACMS is bright because leaders are usually open to change

CACMS Implementation Means Changing of Mindset and Demonstration of Bold Leadership

Success Comes to Those Who Aren’t Afraid to Change

Sparing your college or university from facing potential fines for noncompliance with NCAA rules and regulations is not the only goal of our Proactive Sports Compliance team. We surely also want to see you succeed by gaining the trust and confidence of the NCAA, your conference and your own institution.

Integrating a CACMS into your strategic approach to your NCAA compliance obligations will, no doubt, draw a lot of success into your institution.

Why You Should Want A CACMS?

Prior to the introduction of CACMS recently, colleges and universities did not have — and most still do not have — a structured approach in the manner in which NCAA compliance is handled. This is not necessarily a bad thing.

The lack of a deliberate strategic approach, proper guidance, and structure, and the potential added costs of creating a collegiate athletic compliance management system approach will result in the hesitation of some colleges and universities to implement a CACMS until they learn more.

However, within a few months or years, it is expected that this will dramatically change. It is anticipated that most colleges and universities will begin to explore and establish a CACMS framework and will soon consider this initiative a necessary NCAA compliance priority.

Pre-Structured CACMS

Most of you over the years have been searching for ways to wrap your arms around your NCAA compliance obligations. You have come up with creative ideas and continues to implement various approaches to reducing the risk of NCAA compliance. While many have been successful, help is needed. Software and CRM technologies are being used, but while these tools have utility since they improve efficiencies and reduced paperwork, infractions are still occurring at a high rate.

In recent years, NCAA rules have become more stringent and more complex and their enforcement strategies have been reformed. This has forced your institutions to explore strategies to change your method of NCAA compliance from being reactive to becoming more proactive.

As a result, the cost of NCAA compliance has dramatically increased. This price increase has motivated your institutions to look for ways to reduce noncompliance as well as the cost associated with infractions. Your efforts have resulted in one college moving it's athletic compliance office out from under it's athletic department umbrella with the stated purpose of maximizing objectivity by separating its athletic compliance staff from its coaches.

The First Steps to CACMS Implementation

It is anticipated that CACMS will get off to a slow start, but within a few months after the approach is made known and colleges and universities realize its many benefits, it is anticipated that many colleges and universities will begin to implement some aspects of a CACMS. It is also anticipated that colleges and universities will pursue CACMS for one or more of the following reasons:

The institution is proactive, athletically responsible or is being heavily scrutinized.
Larger colleges or universities set a goal of implementation to the CACMS framework.
Some aspects of a CACMS is already in place that could be converted easily to a CACMS framework.
The college or university wanted to gain recognition for its CACMS and leadership in the industry.

It is anticipated that a leader will emerge in the implementation of a CACMS. It is also anticipated that this institution will be bold in implementing the entire CACMS framework. This institution will become a trendsetter and will advocate for the implementation of a CACMS by other colleges and universities.

It is expected that the director of athletics or a top administrator for the institution will explain the reasons for implementing the CACMS. Among these are to anticipate an improvement in NCAA compliance, save money, and reduce other potential noncompliance issues. As a result, the institution will be recognized for its efforts and will win prestigious NCAA compliance merit awards.

Market Pressure Will Soon Dominate

It is anticipated that market pressure will become the dominant force that will drive CACMS implementation once it catches on. This will not be surprising, especially if the NCAA and colleges and universities see the value in this new initiative. It is the hope that many institutions will take a proactive approach to implement a CACMS.

Within a few months or years, we hope to have numerous examples of what colleges and universities have done. It is anticipated that by the end of 2020 colleges and universities will agree to begin implementing a CACMS. In the near future, it is also anticipated that the system will increase in popularity and most colleges and universities will have explored its implementation with us.

The cumulative nature of these requests will start to be felt. By early June 2021, Proactive Sports Compliance anticipates that approximately 75 colleges and universities will have confirmed that they have started or completed some aspects of CACMS implementation. By June 2022, Proactive Sports Compliance anticipates that the numbers will increase to approximately 150.

By June 2023, Proactive Sports Compliance anticipates that over 200 colleges and universities will have pursued implementation. Within a few years thereafter, Proactive Sports Compliance anticipates that 30-50% of all colleges and universities will have pursued implementation.

Even though market pressure will be the primary reason why most colleges and universities will consider CACMS implementation, NCAA compliance, negative news reports, and costs control will still be the compelling reasons.

NCAA compliance and cost control are the lifeblood of every college or university athletic operations. Colleges and universities fight for every drop because NCAA compliance and strong sports programs help the entire university with enrollment, alumni engagement, and donations.

In the face of increasing competitive pressure, media scrutiny, and public skepticism, the importance of NCAA compliance oversight in intercollegiate athletics administration has become paramount to long-term success in this volatile industry. In order to avoid facing allegations, sanctions, and a tarnished brand, administrators need to be informed, involved, and heavily invested in government and NCAA rules compliance.

The sentiment moving forward will be that in order to maximize departmental functionality, NCAA compliance must be everyone's responsibility - and an integral part of the institution’s culture.

Proactive Sports Compliance anticipates that many colleges and universities will believe they can make a difference by leading the NCAA compliance industry in a responsible direction by exploring a CACMS approach as the framework continues to evolve.

The Future of CACMS

For the foreseeable future, institutional demand will be the dominant reason for implementing a CACMS. In addition to this, it is anticipated that oversight agencies will start to use initiatives and reductions in fines to encourage colleges and universities to adopt a CACMS.

Proactive Sports Compliance will continue to evaluate and confirm the usefulness of a CACMS and share relevant data and information about its effectiveness. Aggressive education and outreach will soon begin.

Case studies, pilot projects, and research will continue to be conducted, and data will be collected to demonstrate the impact a CACMS has had on athletic compliance among colleges and universities that have implemented them.

In short, we’re anticipating more questions such as:

"Do CACMSs offer a less bothersome way to achieve compliance with athletic rules, legislation and infractions?"
"Can a CACMS produce 'high performers' that merit less regulatory attention?"
"Should a CACMS institution be considered different (in terms of audit immunity or unintended infractions) than an institution without a CACMS?"

The answers to these questions and the athletic compliance performance data will be discussed at future athletic compliance meetings sponsored by Proactive Sports Compliance and interested trade associations. It is anticipated that the general consensus will be that CACMSs should be used in collegiate athletic compliance reinvention.

In the end, it is anticipated that colleges and universities will find that implementation of a CACMS will be beneficial in changing their approach to athletic compliance.

A Report on Pioneering Changes in NCAA Compliance

As a follow-up to case studies, pilot projects, and research, Proactive Sports Compliance will prepare a report that makes recommendations on how athletic compliance will be encouraged. The report will be titled, "Pioneering Changes in Collegiate Athletic Compliance--Actions to Encourage Proactive Reinvention and Accelerate Athletic Compliance Progress Among Colleges and Universities.”

The report will encourage oversight bodies, regulatory agencies, and collegiate athletic trade associations to promote the implementation of a CACMS throughout colleges and universities nationwide. Requiring the implementation of a CACMS will hopefully become popular in settlements with oversight bodies and government agencies in the case of rules violations.

With the introduction of a CACMS approach to collegiate athletic compliance, it is anticipated that colleges and universities will proactively explore the implementation of CACMSs for various reasons, including increased collegiate athletic compliance and better control of athletic spending, especially considering the tight budget many colleges and universities are working with.

Once implemented, it is anticipated that colleges and universities will realize that a CACMS has many athletic compliance and financial benefits. These increased athletic compliance and financial benefits will become the impetus for keeping the system operating well.

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