The NCAA News - News Features

CABMA annual convention scheduled for January 11-14

The 47th annual convention of the College Athletic Business Management Association (CABMA) will focus on current athletics business management issues affecting colleges and universities at all levels.

The convention will be January 11-14, 1997, in Nashville, Tennessee.

For the second consecutive year, the convention will lead off with the CABMA Management Institute, which is coordinated by Jim Francis, professor of management at Colorado State University. The management institute will use a two-level approach to emphasize the importance of managing intercollegiate athletics in a changing environment.

Charles M. Neinas, executive director of the College Football Association, will assist Francis in the one-day institute. John D. Twining, assistant athletics director at West Virginia University and CABMA president, said he encourages all members -- including business managers, ticket managers, facility managers and all other athletics administrators -- to participate. Those who desire more information about the institute may contact Francis at 970/491-6265.

The keynote speaker for the convention will be Carl Ullrich, former director of athletics at the U.S. Military Academy and currently the athletics director at St. Andrews Presbyterian College. He will speak on fiscal integrity and athletics certification.

Other topics that will be addressed throughout the convention include crowd management, an Internal Revenue Service update on tax issues affecting intercollegiate athletics, and the Internet and intercollegiate athletics. Summer camps, ticket policies, football and basketball game operations, sponsorships, concessions, and other topics also will be addressed in roundtable discussions.

A record number of exhibitors are expected to attend the convention, Twining said. Among those who are playing major roles in underwriting the program are Marriott Hotels; Hilton Hotels; Weldon, Williams and Lick; Paciolan Systems; National Motorcoach; Delta Airlines; Globe Ticket and Label Company; and National Ticket Company.

CABMA officers include Twining; Carol Bush, assistant athletics director at Army, first vice-president; Peter Fields, director of business affairs at the University of Missouri, Columbia, second vice-president; Dennis Helsel, assistant athletics director at Syracuse University, third vice-president; Janet LaCasse, secretary-treasurer; and Al Carlson, associate athletics director at Columbia University, past president.

The program also will include the election of a new slate of officers, the announcement of the CABMA business manager of the year, and discussion of a number of constitutional and legislative issues.

Those who desire more information about the convention may contact any of the officers or LaCasse at 310/637-0560.