If image is everything, as the advertisement claims, how does Division II stand in this all-important measure?

The division has remade itself in a number of positive ways, so the image is better than ever before if you are on the inside looking out. However, concerns still exist about how outsiders feel about Division II.

"It's better within the division," said Ralph W. McFillen, commissioner of the Mid-America Intercollegiate Athletics Association. "The overall image, that's a focus that Division II is concerned about. I know the Management Council and Presidents Council have talked about that."

Doug Echols, commissioner of the South Atlantic Conference, said Division II is still "struggling a little" to form its own identity.

"One thing that will help is the strategic plan that is continuing to be worked on for Division II, which includes marketing, exposure and increased championships opportunities," he said. "That really enhances Division II membership. Developing those kinds of strategic initiatives is a way to bind us tighter together."

Jerry Hughes, director of athletics at Central Missouri State University, said: "We're always talking about getting our message out and determining what our image is. I think it's important that our student-athletes are very typical of our campuses, that they're not that different from the students they go to class with."

Like Hughes, Anthony F. Ceddia, president of Shippensburg University of Pennsylvania, believes that Division II needs to look inward in building its image.

"Years ago in Dallas, as one of the presidents called upon to speak at the restructuring Convention, I talked about Division II being caught in between Divisions I and III and not knowing what to be when we grew up," he said. "I have encouraged Division II to develop its own identity and not always be chasing Division I. We should be making decisions more solidly based on our mission."