News

NSC President Mick Deluca speaks to the value of the SIOC Pilot Program

By Mick Deluca, Director, UCLA Recreation, President, NSC BOD

As you are most likely aware, Sports Illustrated On Campus made the decision to no longer produce a hard copy magazine. While the news may have been surprising, I think we need to reflect and celebrate the success of our involvement. Let's remember, this was a Pilot Program, and after what must have been serious business review over two years of college newspaper distribution, and one semester of hard copy recreation center distribution, SIOC made the decision to no longer produce the magazine. This is certainly not a variable we had any control over. As indicated, they could not have been happier with the relationship with NIRSA, and the positive partner approach that was taken. I am optimistic that the relationships that have been developed, and the common awareness and understanding that were created, will yield opportunities in the future.

Additionally, I think we should focus on, and celebrate the successes we learned, such as:

• Our ability to discuss, review, assess, negotiate, and contract with speed and efficiency
• Our ability to operate at the pace of corporate America
• Our commitment to programs for our "Protocol" Schools
• Our ability to mobilize, coordinate, and "deliver" schools to a program in a very short period of time
• Our ability to develop systems for tracking and verifying information
• Our ability to get our name on the streets as a serious player
• Our ability to gather feedback from members and address issues representing our principles in a timely fashion
• Our ability to organize a systematic approach of both staff and marketing partners to represent our interests
• Our ability to review and better define the role of the NSC with lines of communication and delegation of responsibilities

To me, these are just a few of the valuable lessons gained from this pilot that will fuel our future initiatives.

Additionally, we also need to recognize the invaluable role and tireless efforts of our people involved in this pilot. Kent J. Blumenthal represented our Association with the highest degree of professionalism and credibility and spent countless hours in negotiation, and program review. Barry Brown and Mark Jacobson led the way with analysis, program design, and execution. Mary Callender and Valerie McCutchan took an all-hands-on-deck approach to fulfillment and program success. Steve Bodine and Tim Gray, College Connect, Inc. demonstrated total dedication and commitment as our marketing partner, to solicitation of school involvement, development of systems, program fulfillment, and a bridge of professional knowledge with the industry. And lastly, I want to point out the role of the NSC, and the total commitment of the NSC Board Members in the interest of NIRSA, and our Member schools. The dedication of all of these individuals, and the roles they played will also serve us well in future program negotiations and implementation.

All in all, I think we should be nothing but proud of our efforts, and the direction we are headed. We need to focus on the positives, and make sure Members understand the benefit of involvement and the attention and resources we are giving to future success. As they say, "nothing ventured, nothing gained!"

Thanks again for all of your support.