ODU--A TOUGH DECISION FOR THE FUTURE

This past week Old Dominion University announced its intention of moving from the Colonial Athletic Association to Conference USA.  The move was a perfect example of having to make a hard decision that was going to have a negative effect on some associates for whom you have a great deal of respect.  ODU had been a member of the CAA for 20 years and easily could be identified as one the flagship programs.  The Monarchs stood strong in their commitment to the CAA with fellow Virginia universities when the conference appeared in trouble with American U, Richmond and East Carolina departures in 2000.  They helped solidify and build a strong and successful “new CAA” that became financially successful while building a national reputation as a conference whose members “do things the right way”.  Success in the athletic arena became the rule as football teams won national championships and basketball squads reached the Final Four.  

Yet when ODU made a bold move and started football in 2008  everyone’s wildest expectations for success on the gridiron were significantly surpassed.  Now with football selling out every home game and major wins on the field, Old Dominion had to evaluate what is the future of football and how will football  help meet the mission of the University.  After a careful study of the situation, taking into consideration a myriad of factors, the answer was clear.  ODU’s only course of action was to position itself as a FBS  (1A) member and find the best possible conference to maximize the value of their tremendous quick success in football.

What that move meant was they would have to leave a longtime and valued partner, the Colonial Athletic Association.  Athletic Director Dr. Wood Selig understood that change is not easy and this move while great on many levels, still would have some downside.  Leaving fellow CAA members like George Mason University, William and Mary and James Madison would be extremely tough knowing the damage that would be caused to the CAA by their exodus. 

But ODU handled the re-alignment very straight-forward and direct.  They let the conference know that they were doing a study to see where their future would be with the reality that football was driving the bus.  Unlike many programs that indicated one thing and did another, ODU under the leadership of Dr. Selig and President John Broderick analyzed every potential positive and negative, received feedback from varied constituencies and then made the tough decision. 

For leaders, the ODU move to a new conference is a model on how to make a tough decision and do it with class.  Understand that while everyone will not be happy with your decisions,  if you make decisions based on solid research and information and are forthcoming and communicative about the process, reasonable people will understand.  Leadership is not about doing the comfortable thing, it is about making the decisions that helps the organization meet its mission.