Calendar

DIVISION I

Board of Directors OKs series of academic reform measures

The Division I Board of Directors at its October 31 meeting approved a package of proposals to enhance the academic performance of Division I student-athletes.

Among other things, the new rules will increase the high-school core-course requirement from 13 to 14; establish a sliding scale that maintains the 2.000 grade-point average cut but eliminates the test-score cut; revise the percentages of progress toward degree a student-athlete must achieve from 25/50/75 to 40/60/80; and require student-athletes to achieve an increasing percentage of the institution's minimum overall grade-point average necessary to graduate, starting with year two.

STAFF CONTACT: David Berst

DIVISION II

Presidents endorse football-expansion proposals

The Division II Presidents Council approved an expansion of the field for the Division II Football Championship from 16 to 24 teams effective with the 2004 season at its October 31 meeting and also endorsed measures to enhance the safety of the sport during fall preseason and spring practices.

STAFF CONTACT: Mike Racy

DIVISION III

Council wants more CEOs involved in 'future' discussion

The Division III Presidents Council has agreed to wage a comprehensive campaign to engage presidents in discussions about the future of Division III.

The Presidents Council, which met October 31 in Indianapolis, is concerned that too few presidents have discussed the issue to this point. Because of the importance of the issues under review, the Council believes that the dialogue must include large numbers of Division III chief executive officers.

STAFF CONTACT: Dan Dutcher

CONVENTION

December 2 deadline nears for registration discount

Delegates to the 2003 NCAA Convention in Anaheim, California, have until December 2 to preregister for the Convention at a discounted rate.

Those who register by December 2 may do so at a discounted price of $110 ($210 for commercial entities). After December 2, the price increases to $175 ($275 for commercial).

Those interested in registering may do so through NCAA Online. Go to www.ncaa.org and click on the "Convention Registration" button on the right side of the page. Information about hotel reservations also is available at that site.

STAFF CONTACT: Juanita Sheely

AWARDS

UC Davis track student-athlete wins Woman of the Year award

Tanisha E. Silas, an indoor and outdoor track and field student-athlete from the University of California, Davis, was named November 2 as the NCAA Woman of the Year.

Silas was the second UC Davis student-athlete to win the award in three years. In 1999, Jamila Demby, also a track and field participant, was honored.

The NCAA Woman of the Year award recognizes academic and athletics excellence, as well as community service and leadership.

Silas was chosen from about 350 nominations. The NCAA Committee on Women's Athletics selected Silas from among 10 finalists selected from 50 states and the District of Columbia.