The NCAA News - News and Features

May 25, 1998

Panel to look at Prop 98-33

Group will examine makeup of Division I committees

The Division I Management Council has appointed a subcommittee to address Proposal No. 98-33 regarding Division I committee representation.

The Council, during a May 14 conference call, appointed the six-member ad hoc group composed of three representatives from Division I-A and three from Divisions I-AA and I-AAA.

The subcommittee, which will report back to the Management Council at its July meeting, includes Percy Bates, faculty athletics representative at the University of Michigan (chair); Linda Bruno, commissioner of the Atlantic 10 Conference; Alan Hauser, faculty athletics representative at Appalachian State University; Michael L. Slive, commissioner of Conference USA; Eugene D. Smith, director of athletics at Iowa State University; and Lynda V. Tealer, senior woman administrator at Santa Clara University.

The group will review the membership-generated proposal that would eliminate the provision that no Division I subdivision may have more than 50 percent representation on Division I committees. Sponsors of the proposal advocate that no representation requirements should be placed at the committee level, and that the most qualified people should be placed on committees, regardless of the divisional status.

The proposal was discussed at the Management Council's April meeting and referred to the subcommittee for review. The Council also referred the matter to the four Division I cabinets for further study.

The Division I Board of Directors also reviewed the issue and expressed some concern regarding the blanket approach prescribed by the proposal, but noted that a compromise may be developed to remedy particular problems.