National Collegiate Athletic Association

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The NCAA News -- December 20, 1999

Panelists appointed to select first set of diversity grant winners

A panel of four individuals with close ties to Division II has been chosen to review applications and eventually select the first set of winners in the Strategic Alliance Matching Grant Enhancement Program.

The members of the blue-ribbon committee will be Alfreeda Goff, associate commissioner of the Midwestern Collegiate Conference; Adam Herbert, chancellor of the State University System of Florida; Stanley D. Johnson of Stan Johnson and Associates; and Nancy L. Mitchell.

Before joining the Midwestern Collegiate Conference staff in 1998, Goff served as director of athletics at Virginia State University for four years. Herbert previously was president of the University of North Florida. Johnson formerly served as NCAA director of professional development, while Mitchell was NCAA Division II chief of staff.

The concept of a blue-ribbon committee was discussed at the October meeting of the Division II Presidents Council. The presidents were concerned that a selection body made up of Division II representatives would be faced with conflict-of-interest appearances, no matter how well-motivated the group might be. As an alternative, the presidents suggested a selection group composed of individuals who have a history, but no current relationship, with Division II.

The diversity grant program is designed to promote and support ethnic and gender diversity within Division II athletics programs. Interested institutions or conference offices may submit proposals that encourage ethnic minority and gender participation in employment, educational opportunities, scholarships or through such activities as training sessions or workshops.

The grants are funded for three years with diminishing funding contributions by the NCAA. The Association will fund 75 percent of the grant for the first year, 50 percent in the second year and 25 percent in the third. Total funding for the first year is $250,000.

The deadline for applications is February 6, 2000.

The following criteria will be used to evaluate submissions for eligibility:

  • Support from the institution's executive staff.

  • Overall quality, adequacy of design and methods for implementation and program evaluation plans.

  • Innovation and creativity.

  • Potential funding viability.

  • Degree of impact (potential or ongoing effectiveness).

  • Plans for continuation or expansion upon expiration of NCAA funding.

  • Factors to increase diversity where diversity was underrepresented or did not previously exist.

  • Quantifiable measurement tools to assess overall effectiveness.

  • Ability to evaluate methods for quantifiably measuring program success before funding the second and third year of the grant.

    Application guidelines

    All submissions to be considered for the Division II Strategic Alliance Matching Grant Enhancement Program must include all of the following information:

    1. The title of the proposed project.

    2. The cover page must include:

  • Institution or conference name.

  • Address.

  • Grant contact's name, address, phone number, facsimile number and e-mail address.

  • Signatures from CEO, AD and SWA or conference commissioner.

    3. Summary of principal program developers' and implementers' qualifications and brief biographical sketches.

    4. List of all campus organizations and community organizations to be involved with the program and a list of students to be involved with the development and implementation of the proposed project, if applicable.

    5. A description of the ethnic and gender breakdown of the community, faculty, athletics department and student body.

    6. A detailed summary of the program, specifically relating to increasing ethnic and gender diversity where previously nonexistent or underrepresented, should include the following:

    n Target audiences, methods, procedures and practical application of the results of the proposed program.

    n Needs or opportunity statement describing the need, problem or opportunity requiring a grant. Specific aspects of diversity being addressed and the relationship to the institution or conference's overall mission should be stated.

    n State specific program objectives, which should include desired outcomes or activity results rather than the actual activities.

    n Describe the program's planned activities designed to achieve the program objectives. The relationship between the planned activity and the objectives and the budget should be included.

    n Outline the time frame of the vision and year-by-year objectives and outcomes for this ongoing program.

    7. An itemized budget with narrative describing the use of the enhancement grant and the institution or conference office's contribution and the following components:

  • Personnel

  • Equipment

  • Supplies

  • Travel

  • Evaluation expenses

  • Other expenses specified.

    8. A description of the plan to be implemented to ensure continued funding for two years after the grant enhancement expires.

    9. A description of how the program will be monitored and quantifiable measures to determine success.

    Applying for the grant

    Any active member institution or conference in Division II is eligible to apply. All of the following application materials must be returned to the national office to the attention of Donnetta Moorman, NCAA, P.O. Box 6222, Indianapolis, Indiana 46206-6222 by February 6, 2000.