September 11, 2001, is a date we will remember forever -- not because of what occurred in intercollegiate athletics but because of the atrocities that were waged upon our nation.

After terror seized New York City and Washington, D.C., on September 11, the games we play became insignificant. Our focus within the NCAA immediately turned away from competition and toward the safety of student-athletes, administrators and fans throughout the nation.

The NCAA's Executive Committee convened September 12 and urged conferences and institutions throughout the Association's three divisions to make decisions about playing contests based on what was best for their students, their staffs and fans.

Different conferences made different decisions about conducting their contests, but I am certain that our membership reached conclusions only after having participated in respectful, thoughtful discussions. No easy answers were available; in this worst of all cases, our role was to provide guidance, not a mandate.

During its September 12 conference call, the Executive Committee voted to donate $5 million to disaster-relief efforts on behalf of all NCAA member institutions, a decision of which I am most proud. We hope this donation will assist those in need and help demonstrate how Americans look out for one another.

By now, the college sports schedule has resumed under as much normalcy as can be expected. The games will go on this year, but our hearts will be heavy.

The NCAA encourages its member institutions to focus on the individual circumstances of student-athletes who may be personally affected by this tragedy and to offer whatever assistance they can. After all, our primary role is to protect the welfare of all student-athletes.

That part of our mission never has been more important than it is now.

Cedric W. Dempsey
NCAA President