September 25, 2009|By Jeff Barker | Jeff Barker,jeff.barker@baltsun.com
This season, the school has been hurt financially by unsold premium seating inside Byrd Stadium. It had long-term commitments for 41 of 64 new suites as it unveiled the stadium's upgraded Tyser Tower on Sept. 12. The football team has a record of 1-2 after going 8-5 last season.
Among the report's goals is to sell out the remaining suites and consider creating a new club level on the stadium's north side. The report also says Maryland should consider adding more premium seats for men's and women's basketball at Comcast Center.
The report, titled "Transforming Maryland Athletics: 2009-14," offered a number of other proposals. The 41-page report, a year in the making, was done largely to make sure the athletic department's long-range goals match those of the university. Athletics staff, coaches, students, alumni, donors and others had input.
The goals include:
* Working to get men's basketball to a score of 925 or higher in the Academic Progress Rate, which measures how well schools are keeping players on track to graduate. In May, the team's score was 912, which was below the average of 924 for all Division I men's basketball programs at public institutions.
* Improving the graduation rates of "individual admit" athletes who didn't meet the standard admissions criteria required of the general student body. Their current graduation rate is between 50 and 60 percent.
* Offering prizes for best "opponent-specific cheer" at games to encourage students not to be lewd. The report said students should be "effective and creative."
RUTGERS@ MARYLAND
Saturday, 3:30 p.m.
TV: ESPN360
Radio: 105.7 FM, 1300 AM
Line: Rutgers
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