FRISCO, Texas – The Southland Conference has engaged with Eastman & Beaudine, Inc., a trusted and recognized leader in executive search and athletics consulting services, to assist the league’s presidential Board of Directors in its plan to strategically and aggressively review the future alignment of the association, including formulating a process to examine new regional membership possibilities. Eastman & Beaudine, based in Plano, Texas, and led by CEO and President Bob Beaudine, has provided support to Southland leaders by developing a comprehensive framework to address objectives and successful outcomes, identification and evaluation methods of potential institutions, determination of timeline, and other necessary criteria.
“Recently, the Southland Conference’s Board of Directors and our campus athletic leaders have come together in an unprecedented show of unity to develop strategic, visionary and innovative planning that will effectively advance the league, its institutions and future members,” said Northwestern State University President Dr. Chris Maggio, who also serves as the Chair of the Southland Board. “With a focus on superior student-athlete achievement and overall program success, colleagues around the league have recently engaged in enthusiastic and meaningful conversations focused on a strengthened association with academic and competitive accomplishments at the forefront. We look forward to a productive process and beneficial outcome with the assistance of Eastman & Beaudine.”
“Our administrators have recognized the high level of institutional and athletic value they provide, and have further committed to the standard that change is good and the accord that the league’s best days are ahead,” added Southland Commissioner Tom Burnett. “In partnering with a renowned organization like Eastman & Beaudine, along with the unified commitment put forth by our presidents and athletic directors, we are heartened by the thought that our membership is inspired to continue building a successful future for themselves and the Southland Conference. We greatly anticipate a thorough process that identifies potential members that provide great strategic value, superior academic and strong athletic profiles, and an important geographic fit to our organization.”
“We are honored to serve the Southland Conference in this exciting time of re-imagination and growth,” added Beaudine. “Having known Commissioner Burnett and several of the presidents for years, it is no surprise they are using this opportunity to take decisive action to ensure that the best days are still ahead for the student-athletes and member institutions of this storied conference.”
The Southland Conference, founded in Dallas in 1963, and with member institutions in major metropolitan destinations Houston, San Antonio and New Orleans, sponsors 19 NCAA Division I sports, including FCS football. The Southland Conference is headquartered in Frisco, Texas, one of America’s fastest-growing cities and recently named by
Money Magazine as the No. 1 Place to Live in the U.S. Each January, the Southland annually serves as the host conference for the NCAA Division I Football Championship Game, with this year’s contest delayed until May. The league has long term broadcast agreements with ESPN and other regional television partners, and corporate sales effort is represented nationally by Van Wagner Sports and Entertainment.