• University Leadership Support: There is an opportunity for President Akakpo and members of his senior leadership team to demonstrate strong and visible support for the athletics program by utilizing the observations and recommendations identified throughout this Report.
• Alumni and Donor Engagement: Developing and implementing a unified approach to building relationships, fundraising and stewarding gifts from alumni, parents and friends to increase engagement and philanthropic support for the athletics program is critical.

program. Creating relationships with the local business community and engaging them through naming rights for venues, contest promotions, advertising messages, billboard signage, athletic websites, social media and sponsorship of special events are opportunities to be pursued.

Threats for Kentucky State Athletics:

• Risk Management: Risk management issues in athletics facilities/venues must be addressed immediately.
• Declining Enrollment: College enrollment has been declining in recent years and has become an issue for some institutions of higher education. Smaller institutions are closing at a rate of about one per week. Over the next decade colleges are seeing a smaller market for several reasons including fewer international students studying in the United States, the number of young Americans is declining, and young people are not sure if higher education is worth the cost.
• Gender Equity: Gender equity issues continue to be an issue in college athletics. There are equity issues that must be prioritized and addressed in the athletics program at Kentucky State. Having more women in leadership positions is important to provide female role models.
• Financial Resources: Kentucky State Athletics is not blind to the fact that some colleagues and faculty on campus would rather see funds allocated for non-athletics purposes and have strongly advocated for the University to not provide institutional subsidy to the athletics program. Continuing an inadequate financial investment by the University leadership for the athletics program only exacerbates a lack of competitive success and will adversely affect admissions, fundraising, school spirit and overall student and alumni satisfaction.

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