Arizona Athletics Releases Strategic Plan: The Bear Down Blueprint
06/18/2025 | General
TUCSON, Ariz. — Arizona Athletics has released The Bear Down Blueprint, a bold and comprehensive five-year strategic plan that will guide the department through 2030. Built through a collaborative, data-informed process, the plan reflects Arizona's core values and outlines clear priorities that will drive continued excellence on the field, in the classroom, and throughout the community.
Rooted in the values of Respect, Integrity, Community, Excellence, and Resilience, The Bear Down Blueprint is organized around four strategic pillars:
Guided by the Eller College of Management, The Bear Down Blueprint was shaped by extensive input from student-athletes, staff, coaches, faculty, alumni, donors, and fans. Engagement methods included department-wide SWOT analysis, SAAC and campus advisory meetings, fan surveys, a statewide listening tour, and input from fan council members.
The plan arrives at a pivotal moment. In the wake of the House settlement and increased expectations around revenue-sharing, roster management, and NIL support, Arizona Athletics has crafted a strategy that embraces change while holding firm to its mission.
Key goals of The Bear Down Blueprint include:
The full plan is available at: Bear Down Blueprint
Rooted in the values of Respect, Integrity, Community, Excellence, and Resilience, The Bear Down Blueprint is organized around four strategic pillars:
- Graduating Leaders – elevating the holistic student-athlete experience through academic support, career readiness and performance development.
- Winning Championships – achieving sustained success in the Big 12 Conference and nationally through excellence in performance and preparation.
- Galvanizing Community – strengthening relationships with alumni, fans, and partners across the state and beyond.
- Organizational Strength – enhancing operations, financial sustainability, and professional development through a values-based culture.
Guided by the Eller College of Management, The Bear Down Blueprint was shaped by extensive input from student-athletes, staff, coaches, faculty, alumni, donors, and fans. Engagement methods included department-wide SWOT analysis, SAAC and campus advisory meetings, fan surveys, a statewide listening tour, and input from fan council members.
The plan arrives at a pivotal moment. In the wake of the House settlement and increased expectations around revenue-sharing, roster management, and NIL support, Arizona Athletics has crafted a strategy that embraces change while holding firm to its mission.
Key goals of The Bear Down Blueprint include:
- Establishing Arizona as a Top 25 athletics department nationally and a top three program in the Big 12 Conference
- Developing a long-term, sustainable business model aligned with future revenue-sharing frameworks
- After implementing the department's 5-Point Plan, the department's deficit reduced from $39M to $5M, with a goal to balance the budget by FY26.
- Growing total fundraising to the top third in the Big 12 Conference, with long-term targets for major gifts, annual giving, and donor base expansion
- Increasing season ticket retention and group sales across all sports, with fan engagement as a revenue-growth driver
- Enhancing revenue-sharing infrastructure and athlete brand-building through integrated internal operations and strategic third-party partnerships
- Maintaining top-tier academic performance, with a 3.25+ department GPA and 100% post-graduation goal attainment for student-athletes
The full plan is available at: Bear Down Blueprint
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