The NCAA Executive Committee ruled August 4 on two more appeals of the policy it adopted a year ago regarding the use of Native American mascots, nicknames and imagery.

Presidents on the Executive Committee sustained decisions by a staff committee to retain the College of William and Mary and McMurry University on the list of colleges and universities subject to restrictions on the use of mascots, names and imagery at NCAA championships.

In denying the appeals, the Executive Committee concluded that Native American references used by each institution could lead to hostile or abusive environments inconsistent with the NCAA constitution and inconsistent with the Association’s commitment to diversity, respect and sportsmanship.

The decision means that the two schools will only be invited to participate in NCAA championships if they elect to do so without Native American references on their uniforms and in associated activities. It also means the institutions will not be allowed to host NCAA championship events.

Since the Executive Committee established the policy in August 2005, five institutions have been removed from the restricted list because they have received approval from specific Native American "namesake" tribes for use of their names. They are Central Michigan University, Florida State University, Mississippi College, the University of Utah, and Catawba College.

Five schools have been removed from the list based on announced nickname changes: Carthage College, Chowan College, the University of Louisiana at Monroe, Midwestern State University and Southeastern Oklahoma State University.

Eight institutions remain on the list, including William and Mary, and McMurry. The other schools are Alcorn State University; Arkansas State University; the University of Illinois, Champaign; Indiana University of Pennsylvania; Newberry College; and the University of North Dakota.

Another institution, Bradley University, was removed from the list in recognition of actions to manage activities surrounding its athletics events to ensure an environment that is neither hostile or abusive to Native Americans, but the institution was placed on a "watch list" to ensure that circumstances do not change.

Applications are being accepted for the NCAA Division I Degree-Completion Award program.

The program was established in 1989 to assist student-athletes who could not complete their education during their five-year eligibility period. To be eligible to apply for an award, a student-athlete must have competed at a Division I institution and received athletics-related aid, and must be within 30 hours of completion of a degree.

The program is accepting applications for the 2007 winter, spring and summer terms.

Since the program’s inception, nearly $12.5 million has been awarded to approximately 1,950 student-athletes. About 95 percent of the recipients have obtained undergraduate degrees using the awards.

Further information is available at NCAA Online, under the "academics and athletes" tab and "education and research" link on the home page. The deadline for submitting applications is September 29.

The NCAA staff will conduct informational conference calls August 21 through September 1 in an effort to assist member institutions in understanding the Academic Performance Program and to support the data-collection process.

In addition, the staff will provide updates on the work of the Division I Committee on Academic Performance.

These calls are open to all staff members employed by an NCAA member institution or conference (for example, athletics administrators, presidents and chancellors, and faculty).

The calls are scheduled for 11 a.m. August 21, 2:30 p.m. August 23, 10:30 a.m. August 29 and 1:30 p.m. September 1 (all Eastern time).

Participants should dial into the conference call telephone number approximately five to 10 minutes before the start of the call. The operator will ask for a confirmation code.

The telephone numbers (with confirmation code) are: August 21 — 800/500-0311 (8790461); August 23 — 800/967-7141 (4562437); August 29 — 800/500-0311 (5456161); and September 1 — 800/967-7141 (7980614).

The six-member committee charged with selecting teams for the postseason National Invitation Tournament recommended a 32-team field during the recent meeting of NIT, L.L.C., which is owned by the NCAA.

The action reverses a change in 2002 when the committee was expanded to 40 teams. A study of team and fan feedback concluded that the tournament is best structured with four eight-region teams.

"After examining the structure and operation of the event, the committee determined that a 32-team field is in the best interest of the championship," said C.M. Newton, committee chair. "It is more logical in terms of structure, easier to follow for fans and participants, more workable in bracketing, allows more scheduling flexibility and also eases the burden on travel.

"We studied different options very carefully and having been through the postseason tournament last March, we are confident that a 32-team NIT is the way to go," he said.

The 2006 postseason NIT field was the first ever chosen by an independent, at-large committee. The NIT, L.L.C., took over the tournament reigns in August 2005.

Other members of the committee are Dean Smith, Don DeVoe, Reggie Minton, Carroll Williams and Jack Powers — all former head basketball coaches.

Earlier this year, the committee also revised the format of the NIT Season Tip-Off, returning to a "common site" doubleheader format in which four teams will play at each of four regional sites in first-round action. Regional winners will advance to semifinals and the final in New York City November 22 and 24.