The NCAA News - News and Features

The NCAA News -- February 15, 1999

Committee Information

Minority Opportunities and Interests Committee

Formed: 1991

Mission: To review issues related to the interests of ethnic-minority student-athletes, NCAA minority programs and NCAA policies that affect ethnic minorities.

Structure: Association-wide.

Composition: Twelve members, six from Division I, three each from Divisions II and III. Committee membership shall include a minimum of eight ethnic minorities, including at least four males and four females. In addition, two student-athletes serve in an advisory capacity.

Chair: Charles Whitcomb, San Jose State University.

Ongoing issues: The education and welfare of the minority student-athlete; enhancement of opportunities for minorities in coaching, athletics administration, officiating, the NCAA committee structure and conference governance structures.

Committee on Women's Athletics

Formed: 1987

Mission: To provide assistance to the NCAA membership in its efforts to provide equitable opportunities, fair treatment and respect for all women in all aspects of intercollegiate athletics.

Structure: Association-wide.

Composition: Twelve members, six from Division I, three each from Divisions II and III. Four positions are allocated for men, four are allocated for women and four are unallocated. In addition, two student-athletes serve in an advisory capacity.

Chair: Cheryl L. Levick, Stanford University.

Ongoing issues: Opportunities for women in athletics administration, coaching and student-athlete participation; gender-equity in hiring; marketing women's sports, including media, television exposure and championships administration.

Division I Student-Athlete Advisory Committee

Formed: 1997

Mission: To enhance the total student-athlete experience by promoting opportunity, protecting student-athlete welfare and fostering a positive student-athlete image.

Structure: Division I.

Composition: One student-athlete from each of the conferences identified in Constitution 4.2.1.

Chair: Kerry McCoy, Pennsylvania State University.

Ongoing issues: Sport-equity issues; study of relationships between revenue and nonrevenue sports; establishing conference student-athlete advisory committees; increasing input on issues at the conference level; increasing representation within the NCAA governance structure; maintaining a positive student-athlete image with media and with other constituents.

Division II Student-Athlete Advisory Committee

Formed: 1997

Mission: To enhance the total student-athlete experience by promoting opportunity, protecting student-athlete welfare and fostering a positive student-athlete image.

Structure: Division II.

Composition: One student-athlete from each of Division II multisport voting conferences, one representative of Division II independent institutions, two at-large positions and two members of the Division II Management Council.

Chair: Stormie Wells, University of Northern Colorado.

Ongoing issues: Gender-equity concerns, particularly how to add opportunities for women without compromising men's sports; enforcement of 20-hour rule with coaches; issues relating to missed class time while participating in away contests.

Division III Student-Athlete Advisory Committee

Formed: 1997

Mission: To enhance the total student-athlete experience by promoting opportunity, protecting student-athlete welfare and fostering a positive student-athlete image.

Structure: Division III.

Composition: Twenty-four members (12 men, 12 women), including at least four members from each of the four geographical regions per Constitution 4.12.2.2 and eight members serving at large. At least three members must be ethnic minorities.

Chair: Kerry Gotham, Nazareth College.

Ongoing issues: Gaining representation on Division III and Association-wide committees; creating opportunities for input at campus and conference levels; study of issues regarding sportsmanship and ethical conduct; concerns related to gambling on college campuses.