In January 2005, the NCAA Division II Presidents Council approved a supplemental distribution of $3,000 to every NCAA Division II institution.

The primary purpose for the grant was to benefit student-athletes. I am extremely pleased to say that many Division II institutions have already used, or are planning to use, the $3,000 to enhance the student-athlete experience.

A number of institutions are using the money to help send administrators to the CHAMPS/Life Skills Orientation and Continuing Education Conferences. When administrators attend these conferences, they are better equipped to provide academic and athletics excellence, personal and career development, and community service opportunities that enhance the educational opportunities offered to student-athletes. The number of programs offering CHAMPS/Life Skills also is increased.

Institutions are also making commitments with these funds to start Traveling Tutors and Adopt-a-Team Projects. Traveling Tutors will provide opportunities for professors to travel with teams on trips to ensure that the academic needs of student-athletes are met while they are competing. The Adopt-a-Team model is where one team is assigned to another team on campus to help with fund-raising, community service, fan appreciation.

Some institutions have committed to improve facilities to help ensure proper health and safety for student-athletes. With more advanced facilities, student-athletes are able to maintain proper strength and conditioning to meet the rigors of collegiate competition. This includes upgrades to training-room facilities to help aid student-athletes prevent injuries.

The funding also has made it possible for institutions to bring in guest speakers to discuss gambling, drug and alcohol use and abuse, mental health, and stress management.

One health and safety concern of the NCAA Division II Student-Athlete Advisory Committee (SAAC) has been the use of 15-passenger vans. A few campuses have used the $3,000 to move away from the vans and toward bus travel, a sign that institutions increasingly are looking after the well-being of student-athletes.

The $3,000 also is helping develop a stronger Division II and campus SAAC identity. Institutions have bought championship banners, SAAC apparel and student-athlete agenda books. One institution enlarged photos of athletics teams and placed portraits of each team around the athletics office and gym.

Student-athlete awards banquets, National Student-Athlete Day and National Women and Girls in Sports projects also have been funded with the extra $3,000.

Increasing opportunities for student-athlete achievement, enhancing the student-athlete experience, promoting educational resources, improving health and safety, and developing a strong Division II identity -- all concepts that are identified in the Division II strategic plan -- have been improved across nation by the use of this grant.

I encourage all individuals at institutions who are still contemplating how to use the funds to consider these examples so we can continue to provide student-athletes with rewarding experiences.

On behalf of the Division II SAAC, I want to thank the Division II Presidents Council, the membership and the national office for allowing these surplus funds to benefit student-athletes.

John Semeraro is a former golf student-athlete at Saint Leo University and is chair of the Division II Student-Athlete Advisory Committee.