BC seeks to boost standing

Boston College is launching a $150 million campaign to enhance its institutional standing in athletics and academics.

The ambitious undertaking is called “The Heights: The Campaign for Boston College Athletics.”

The strategic plan is being unveiled today by BC athletic director Martin Jarmond to a gathering of celebrity benefactors inside the newly constructed Fish Field House. The proposal, which is a first at BC and the largest athletics campaign of any Atlantic Coast Conference school, has many criteria with two that standout: BC wants its programs rated in the Top 25 nationally, especially in the revenue sports of football and men’s basketball, and wants its student-athletes prepared to join the workforce upon graduation.

“Our time is now,” Jarmond said. “If we want to make BC athletics into even greater heights then we need to build on the current energy and momentum and get the buy-in of our alumni, parents, former athletes and corporate partners to support our efforts. We can’t succeed by resting on our laurels. We need to constantly look for ways to make BC attractive to student athletes, coaches and fans so that we can achieve competitive excellence.”

BC consistently ranks in the top 10 in student-athlete graduation rankings, most notably football’s 90 percent graduation rate. Jarmond wants BC to rank in the top three among ACC schools on the playing field and in NCAA academic performance metrics.

The plan further develops the athletic support programs and expands athletic, academic and personal growth opportunities for the 750 students participating in varsity programs. The plan relies on the support of BC’s alumni network within the Boston business community to facilitate “career readiness and post graduate opportunities.”

BC’s football team cracked the Top 25 for the first time in eight years following its 41-34 win at Wake Forest on Sept. 13.