Division of Intercollegiate Athletics by Alex Reavy

The Division of Intercollegiate Athletics is responsible for everything involving varsity athletics at the University of Illinois. It is run out of the Bielfeldt Athletic Administration Building here on the U of I campus. The DIA has three primary responsibilities that which include helping their athletes receive the highest education in the best possible environment, keeping the public confidence, and competing at the highest level of athletics within the Big Ten Conference and the NCAA.

The Athletic Director, Ron Guenther, oversees the Division of Intercollegiate Athletics. The mission statement of the DIA is “To have the highest quality athletic program in all sports that allows the University of Illinois teams to compete for championships in the Big Ten Conference and the National Collegiate Athletic Association.” The criteria for excellence used by the DIA includes: integrity, academic performance, balanced budget, championship program, gender and ethnic equity, facilities, and a caring community. All decisions regarding sanctioned varsity sports at the U of I are made by the DIA.

The DIA provides jobs for faculty and students in over twenty nine different fields. As a former football player, I have witnessed first hand the opportunities that the DIA provides for its students, athletes, and faculty. I was able to interact with students who worked as trainers, equipment managers, and academic counselors just to name a few. The Career Services Network provides an easy and accessible way for people to apply for jobs.

The Division of Intercollegiate Athletics is growing and becoming more diverse every year. Upgrades in DIA facilities points to recent success. The $7.2 million, 43,000-square-foot Bielfeldt Building is the main offices of for the DIA. There has also been a recent renovation of Irwin Academic Center and an expansion of Memorial Stadium and the football offices. The U of I has established itself as a contender in the Big Ten and the NCAA over the last ten years.

The DIA’s definition of leisure stems from the goals of the agency. The DIA is responsible for providing their student-athletes the highest education in the best possible environment, keeping the public confidence, and competing at the highest level within the Big Ten and the NCAA. The varsity sporting events provide leisure for the athletes as well as the public.

There are many positive to working for the Division of Intercollegiate Athletics. Students are given irreplaceable experience when working directly with the athletes and coaches on a daily basis. The DIA does a good job of creating a business like environment that will be beneficial for all involved. Working with the DIA is an opportunity to better the athletic department which will ultimately lead to positive attention for the university. The wide variety of job opportunities the DIA provides makes it appealing to potential employees. A downfall of applying to work for this agency is the competition among those applying for jobs. The success of the sports teams provides leisure for the entire community. The U of I athletic teams provide leisure to fans all around the country.