The NCAA News - News and Features

July 20, 1998

NCAA News to emphasize enhanced Internet delivery

Printed version goes to permanent biweekly schedule

Effective with the beginning of the 1998-99 academic year, The NCAA News will increase its reliance on online delivery and will reduce its printed frequency.

The News' online site will feature material that will be posted as it is available rather than information that is updated with each printing cycle. It also will feature a new approach to classified advertising that should assist member institutions in posting position vacancies in a more timely manner.

The News has been printed 46 times annually since 1983. Under the new arrangement, it will be printed every other week.

"This is a major departure from our previous way of delivering the News," said David Pickle, News editor-in-chief. "However, after examining the situation, we have concluded that we can achieve several positive outcomes with this new approach."

First, he said the change will permit the News to post significant information on a more timely basis through use of the Internet. This is especially important for reporting developments such as those from the Division I governance structure, where legislative actions now are able to take place year-round. The new online version also will include searchability that is not currently available. The printed News will include almost all of the news stories that will have been provided online. Certain other types of stories and features, such as the comment page, will appear in print before they appear online.

Second, the reduction in printed frequency will mean a significant annual savings to the Association. Pickle noted that although the News is a break-even proposition for the NCAA as it is, the technological advantages of the Internet promise reduced expense and heightened service.

Third, member institutions and conferences now will be able to post position openings as they are available rather than having to comply with the print cycle.

In fact, the new advertising mechanism is among the most appealing parts of the change, Pickle said.

Those who wish to advertise online will be directed to a template, which will prompt them to supply the copy for the advertisement, along with billing information. After the requested information has been provided by the advertiser, a computation of the cost will be provided. The customer then will confirm acceptance of the price. The ads will be posted once daily after review by the staff.

The time gained by the membership will be significant.

"With the current arrangement, customers must have their advertisement to us six or seven days in advance of publication and seven or eight days in advance of its earliest availability on the Internet," Pickle said. "It could take almost two weeks from the time an ad is placed until the printed News reaches all readers."

Still, Pickle said that many readers and advertisers value the benefits that printed information can provide -- most notably, the ability of the reader to access the material at his or her convenience. For that reason, the option for print advertising will be retained.

The cost for online advertising will be 75 cents per word for an ad that will appear online for a minimum of one week. Printed advertising must be purchased separately. At the moment, display advertising will be available only in the printed version of the News.

A prototype for the new system will be available for use in August.

The cost for print advertising will continue to be 75 cents per word. Print advertising no longer will be posted online at no additional charge.