1982 -- The NCAA hires its first full-time researcher, Eric Zemper, who is named research coordinator.

1983 -- The membership adopts 1983 Convention Proposal No. 48, implementing more stringent initial-eligibility requirements for student-athletes effective in 1986.

1985 -- The Association hires Ursula Walsh, who brings experience in educational research to the position of director of research.

1991 -- The membership adopts 1991 Convention Proposal No. 16, introducing the sliding-scale approach into initial-eligibility standards.

1994 -- The Association creates the Initial-Eligibility Clearinghouse, which generates unprecedented data about the academic performance of high-school students.

1996 -- Equity in Athletics Disclosure Act passed in Congress and signed into law, resulting in the first national look at finances of intercollegiate athletics.

2000 -- Creation of the Division I Board of Directors Task Force, signaling more detailed attention to research by presidents. Francis Lawrence, then president at Rutgers, The State University of New Jersey, New Brunswick, is selected to chair the task force.