National Collegiate Athletic Association

The NCAA News Digest

January 5, 1998

FIVE-YEAR REVIEW OF NCAA EXPENSES


Almost $149 million was distributed directly to the NCAA membership in the 1996-97 fiscal year, an increase of more than $6 million from the previous year and a 74 percent increase from the 1992-93 fiscal year. The amount of money allocated to NCAA championships increased also, growing from $40.9 million in 1995-96 to almost $44 million last year. Costs for committee and administrative services grew by about $2.7 million, with program services increasing by about $2.1 million.

FOOTBALL


Growth in Division I-A crowds leads way to attendance mark

NCAA college football attendance set an all-time record of almost 37 million fans in 1997, mostly due to the continuing expansion of fans in Division I-A.

The University of Tennessee, Knoxville, became the new No. 1 in college football home attendance, averaging more than 106,000 per game. It was the first time in 24 years that a team other than the University of Michigan captured the national team attendance title.

Home-game attendance totals for 1997 were 36,857,849 for Divisions I-A, I-AA, II and III -- a jump of nearly 775,000 fans from 1996. Division I-A totaled a record 27,565,959 home fans, an average of 42,085 per game, and a jump of nearly one million in total attendance from the previous mark.

The 581 NCAA teams experienced a jump of 774,796 from last season in overall attendance and surpassed the previous record total of 36,459,896, set in 1994. It was only the third time in history over the 36 million mark.

Home-game attendance in Division I-A accounted for almost 75 percent of the 1997 national totals.

Staff contact: Richard M. Campbell.

DIVISION II

New call for nominations made for September '98 vacancies

The Division II Nominating Committee has approved another call for nominations for committees that will have vacancies in September 1998, as well as for committees with current interim vacancies.

The deadline for submission of additional nominations is January 20, 1998.

The call is necessary because of the low number of nominations submitted by the December 5 deadline.

In an effort to increase the pool of eligible nominees, a memorandum from the Nominat- ing Committee was mailed to all Division II conference commissioners during the week of December 29. Commissioners have been urged to place the topic of conference vacancies on the meeting agendas of conference meetings during the NCAA Convention.

Staff contact: Nancy L. Mitchell.

LIFE SKILLS


Registration deadline nears for February conference

The registration deadline is approaching for the annual conference for NCAA CHAMPS/ Life Skills coordinators.

Completed registration forms must be submitted to Kaily Sola at the NCAA by January 7. Those submitting registrations after the deadline cannot be guaranteed a room. If rooms are available, they will be provided at a higher rate than for those who met the deadline. The conference will be conducted February 14-17 at the Ritz-Carlton Hotel in Atlanta.

Staff contact: Lori Hendricks.

HONORS DINNER

Top VIII winners to be recognized at Convention

Eight outstanding student-athletes will be recognized at the honors dinner January 11 during the NCAA Convention in Atlanta.

The Today's Top VIII, selected by the NCAA Honors Committee, recognizes distinguished student-athletes from the preceding calendar year for athletics, academic achievement, character and leadership.

Those chosen are swimmer Lisa Coole of the University of Georgia; volleyball/basketball athletes Carrie E. Ferguson of Capital University and Kasey A. Morlock of North Dakota State University; track and field standout Obadele O. Thompson of the University of Texas at El Paso; gymnast Meredith Willard of the University of Alabama, Tuscaloosa; and football players Brian Griese of the University of Michigan; Peyton Manning of the University of Tennessee, Knoxville; and Grant Wistrom of the University of Nebraska, Lincoln.

In addition, the Association will honor the late Shannon Shea Smith with the Award of Valor.

The Award of Valor is presented to an individual who, when confronted with a situation involving personal danger, averted or minimized potential disaster by courageous action or noteworthy bravery. Smith, a placekicker for the University of Hawaii, Manoa, football team, died saving the life of 6-year-old Cody vonAppen. VonAppen is the son of Hawaii's head football coach, Fred vonAppen.

Also at the honors dinner, former U.S. Sen. Robert J. Dole will be presented with the Theodore Roosevelt Award and five Silver Anniversary Award winners will be recognized.

Staff contact: James A. Marchiony.