The NCAA News - Digest

December 23, 1996

• NATIONAL OFFICE -- Four cities identified as finalists for NCAA headquarters site
• MARKETING -- Association, Host agree on $75 million marketing deal
• RESEARCH -- New research reports examine eligibility by demographic region
• DIVISION II -- Presidents to share 'educational-assessment' plan

NATIONAL OFFICE

Four cities identified as finalists for NCAA headquarters

The NCAA has selected four communities as finalists in its review of potential future locations for the NCAA's headquarters facility.

The communities include the metropolitan areas of Dallas/Fort Worth, Denver, Indian-apolis and Kansas City.

A working group of university presidents and athletics administrators selected the communities from a list of 10 that were invited in August to respond to a request for proposal. The working group met December 11-12 in Kansas City, Missouri.

NCAA Executive Director Cedric W. Dempsey said that the proposals from the four finalists stood out because of the impact on cost of operation combined with the potential for a successful relationship between the communities and the NCAA.

Although a specific schedule has not been set, site visits to the four communities are planned for after the first of the year. The working group expects to make its recommendations in the spring of 1997 with a decision shortly thereafter by the NCAA's Joint Policy Board.

Staff contact: Frank E. Marshall.

MARKETING

Association, Host agree on $75 million marketing deal

The NCAA has reached an agreement with Host Communications, Inc., that covers exclusive rights for NCAA corporate marketing programs from 1997 through 2002.

HCI will pay the Association a minimum of $75 million over this five-year period for exclusive rights to NCAA corporate partners programs, management of selected championship radio broadcasts, and publication and distribution of selected championship event programs and associated materials. In addition, Host will exclusively market NCAA fan festivals that are conducted in conjunction with championship events.

Staff contact: Alfred B. White.

RESEARCH

New research reports examine eligibility by demographic groups

Two new research reports, based on data acquired by the NCAA Initial-Eligibility Clearinghouse, focus on the eligibility of student-athletes in several different demographic groups from the 1994 and 1995 entering classes.

The studies are intended to provide basic information on current high-school academic performances of student-athletes, as well as on the impact of selection effects within and between the 1994 and 1995 cohorts.

Staff contact: Todd A. Petr.

DIVISION II

Presidents to share 'educational-assessement' plan

Division II members of the NCAA Presidents Commission are expected to receive and share with delegates to the 1997 Convention a plan for the creation of an anticipated "educational assessment" program for provisional members.

Division II delegates will be asked at the Convention to adopt proposed legislation (Proposal No. 56) that would require provisional members to complete such an assessment before achieving active membership. Division II presidents asked the Division II Management Council Transition Team in September to present a plan in time for delegates to discuss it at the Convention.

The Division II Presidents Council Transition Team will review the plan during its pre-Convention meeting, and could accept it as presented or make modifications.

It is anticipated that if the plan is accepted by the Presidents Council Transition Team, its elements could be shared with the membership during discussion of Proposal No. 56.

In another Division II matter, delegates to the Convention will be asked to review a set of proposed principles/guidelines that could direct decisions on the use of funds allocated to the division in the new NCAA governance structure.

Staff contacts: Nancy L. Mitchell.