James W. Shaffer, who administered the opening of the NCAA Hall of Champions in Indianapolis, has announced he will leave the Association on August 31.

"Jim and his staff did an extraordinary job under tremendous pressure to ensure the Hall was completed and open for its scheduled grand opening March 30, 2000," said NCAA President Cedric W. Dempsey.

The Hall of Champions has hosted more than 100,000 visitors and more than 600 external events in conjunction with the adjacent NCAA Conference Center over the last two years. Among many other things, the Hall has hosted CBS Sports' "Selection Sunday" Show the past two years to announce the tournament bracket for the Division I Men's Basketball Championship. The Hall also administers the new "Stay in Bounds" character-education program, which is becoming a popular outreach program for youth in central Indiana.

Before rejoining the NCAA, Shaffer served two years as vice-president for public affairs at Butler University, where he was responsible for the departments of athletics, communications, institutional relations, marketing and promotions, publications and sports information, as well as government and neighborhood relations. Shaffer also was the first full-time commissioner of the Midwestern Collegiate Conference and was a vice-president for IWC Resources in Indianapolis.