HONORS PROGRAM

Deadline to submit nominees for Honors Program August 1

Only two weeks remain to nominate former outstanding student-athletes for the 41st annual NCAA Honors Program. This year, nominations will be accepted through the Internet only at www.ncaa. org/awards. Nominations are due August 1.

The NCAA annually honors current and former student-athletes who have brought distinction to themselves, their institutions and intercollegiate athletics.

Nomination information for the Winter and Spring Top VII awards and Theodore Roosevelt, Silver Anniversary, Award of Valor and Inspiration awards recently was e-mailed to officials at member institutions. The nominating schedule has changed slightly from previous years -- nominations for the Award of Valor and Inspiration Award will be accepted in the first nominating period. Only nominees for the Fall Top VIII will be accepted during the second nominating period later this year.

Nomination forms and information about past honorees and the history of the honors program also are available at the online location.

The Honors Program will be presented January 7 during the NCAA Convention.

Staff contact: Melody Lawrence (mlawrence@ncaa.org).

DIVISION I

Schools suspend grant-in-aid increase with override votes

A total of 116 Division I institutions have submitted override votes for a legislative proposal adopted in April that would increase maximum scholarship levels in several women's sports.

The 116 total exceeds the 100 needed for the legislation to be suspended until further review by the Division I Board of Directors.

It is the first time since Division I went to a representative governance structure in 1997 that the membership has exercised its override option to the extent of suspending legislation.

The proposal in question -- No. 04-21 -- would increase the maximum grant-in-aid limitations in women's gymnastics to 14, in women's cross country/track and field to 20, and in women's soccer to 14.

The Board of Directors will review its legislative decision at its August meeting

Staff contact: Beth DeBauche (bdebauche@ncaa.org).

DIVISION II

Football Task Force initiates discussions to produce equity

began its examination of a new football structure when the Division II Football Task Force met July 6 in Indianapolis.

The core question involves what can be done to produce more competitive equity in football. Division II permits up to 36 financial aid equivalencies in football, but many institutions offer few or no scholarships in the sport.

In April, the Division II Presidents Council established the Football Task Force to examine what can be done to enhance competitive equity, improve the student-athlete experience and possibly reduce the number of reclassifications from Division II to Division I.

The task force will conduct its next meeting August 15 via teleconference.

For more information, see page 13.

Staff contact: Mike Racy (mracy@ncaa.org).

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