The NCAA News - News & Features

Canavan resigns group executive director's position

Francis M. Canavan, NCAA group executive director for public affairs since October 1992, resigned from the Association staff effective May 1.

Canavan was responsible for directing the public information, licensing, promotions, marketing and broadcast services, corporate partner, The NCAA News, publishing, statistics, Hall of Champions, and constituent-communications staffs. In addition, he oversaw the NCAA's Washington, D.C., office, which was formed during his tenure.

In recent months, Canavan has served as the Association's voice concerning NCAA academic requirements as they impact learning-disabled students. He appeared on several national television shows, including ABC's "Good Morning America" and "The CBS Evening News." Also during his tenure, Canavan served as primary staff liaison to the NCAA Presidents Commission.

Canavan joined the NCAA after serving for three years as associate vice-president for public affairs at Clemson University. From 1981 to 1989, he worked on the staff of the U.S. House of Representatives Committee on Ways and Means in various capacities, including press secretary for the committee during his last two years there.

A 1974 graduate of the University of Massachusetts, Amherst, Canavan earned a law degree from the University of South Carolina, Columbia, in 1979, and is a member of the South Carolina Bar.