Over its 96-year history, the NCAA has conducted Conventions all the way from San Diego to New York, but the Association never has conducted its annual meeting in the city where it is headquartered.

Until now.

On January 11, about 1,600 delegates are expected to convene in Indianapolis for the Association's 96th annual Convention. As of mid-December, 1,457 delegates had registered for the event.

Divisions II and III will vote on a total of 66 legislative proposals -- 40 in Division II and 26 in Division III. The legislative agendas for the two divisions are varied, although both will be considering important modifications to membership requirements.

Division I will not act on legislation but will conduct a January 14 issues forum focusing on football issues, initial- and continuing-eligibility standards, and a report from a Division I Board of Directors subgroup that is working to identify a reform agenda for the coming years.

The Convention also will feature a number of Association-wide educational sessions, a popular addition to last year's program. Topics for the January 12 sessions will include sexual orientation and homophobia, Title IX, recommitting to the student-athlete, safety issues involving van travel and nutritional supplements, the catastrophic-injury insurance program, hazing and out-of-control fans, information technology initiatives, race and gender issues, how to strengthen a management team through greater involvement of the senior woman administrator, opportunities and challenges brought about by the new CBS and ESPN agreements, and emergency preparedness for athletics.

The delegates reception, traditionally conducted in a hotel ballroom, this time will take place in the national office and Hall of Champions. The reception will begin at 6:30 p.m. January 12.

NCAA President Cedric W. Dempsey will provide the annual State of the Association address during the opening business session, which will begin at 4:30 p.m. January 13. The opening business session also will feature the Convention's keynote address, to be delivered by National Security Advisor Condoleezza Rice.

The annual Honors Dinner will begin at 7:30 p.m. January 13. At that dinner, the NCAA will honor Eunice Kennedy Shriver -- a humanitarian who founded the Special Olympics -- with the Theodore Roosevelt Award, the Association's highest honor.

During the Honors Dinner, the Association also will recognize the Today's Top VIII (current student-athletes) and Silver Anniversary Award winners (former student-athletes). Also, a pair of student-athletes will be honored with the first NCAA Inspiration Award, presented to those who have overcome life-altering situations and now serve as role models.