Legendary CBS News anchor Walter Cronkite will share his observations and opinions with NCAA President Myles Brand and 2006 Convention delegates at a special event Sunday, January 8, in Indianapolis. Entitled "A Conversation with Walter Cronkite -- American Icon," the program will take place at 7:30 p.m. in the Sagamore Ballroom at the Indiana Convention Center. Brand will serve as moderator.

The event will follow the annual delegates reception, scheduled from 5 to 7 p.m. at the NCAA national office. Delegates registered for the Convention received information about tickets for the event earlier this month. Those attending will have an opportunity to submit questions for Cronkite.

John Johnson, NCAA director of promotions and events, said Cronkite's depth of life experience will be an asset to the NCAA Centennial celebration.

"Walter Cronkite has been a part of American history and thus, American society," Johnson said. "He has reported on countless major news events throughout his career and his thorough, even reporting style has made him one of America's most trusted individuals."

Cronkite was born in St. Joseph, Missouri, but raised in Houston. He attended the University of Texas at Austin from 1933 to 1935, working for both the student paper, The Daily Texan, and for various newspaper bureaus in the Texas statehouse.

In his 65 years in journalism, the last 54 with CBS News, Cronkite covered virtually every major news event that occurred, including most notably the assassination of President John F. Kennedy, the Vietnam War, Watergate and the flight of Apollo 11, for which he was on air 27 of the 30 hours it took to complete that mission.

He stepped down as anchor and managing editor of CBS Evening News on March 6, 1981, to become special correspondent for the network. In addition to that role, he also makes many public appearances and hosts public affairs and cultural programs. He also serves as a contributor for National Public Radio, commenting on topics such as politics, civil rights, World War II and the Cold War.

In a March 2005 interview with CNN, Cronkite told CNN personality Wolf Blitzer that he believed today's broadcast journalists were asked to entertain too much. He said his main source of news is daily newspapers because they have the opportunity to go into depth on complicated stories.

Cronkite's appearance is part of the NCAA's Centennial Celebration, which will kick off at the 2006 Convention. He last appeared at the NCAA Convention in 1982, when he served as master of ceremonies for the Honors Dinner. At that event, Cronkite presented comedian Bill Cosby with the Theodore Roosevelt Award. This year's winner is New England Patriots owner and businessman Bob Kraft.

Convention registration closes December 19, but participants still will be able to register on-site if necessary. For more information about the Convention and the Centennial, visit www.ncaa.org.