International

Panel to study promotional use of student-athletes

The NCAA has formed a Division I presidential task force to examine limitations on the future use of student-athlete names, images and likenesses in college sports promotions.

NCAA Division I members are currently reviewing a legislative package containing three proposals generated by a study group.

The three proposals (2007-25, 2007-26 and 2007-28) would update NCAA bylaws related to the use of student-athlete names, likenesses and images in promotional materials at the institutional, conference and national levels. The current bylaws are approximately 20 years old and were written before the growth and use of new media technology.

The proposals are designed to provide flexibility without allowing student-athletes to endorse products or services.

The presidential task force will specifically review these proposals and develop guidelines and principles for advertising and broadcasts surrounding athletic events with the idea of limiting images and footage of student athletes.

The Division I Management Council will be asked to table Proposal 2007-26 during its initial review of the proposals at its January meeting.

Today’s Top VIII

Student-athletes selected for honors in Nashville

The NCAA Honors Committee has selected eight current student-athletes as the 2008 NCAA Today’s Top VIII. They will be recognized for their athletics success, academic accomplishments, community service and leadership during the NCAA Honors Celebration January 11 at the NCAA Convention in Nashville.

The 2008 Today’s Top VIII are Rachel Buehler, Stanford University, soccer; Roberto Castro, Georgia Institute of Technology, golf; Dennis Dixon, University of Oregon, football; Ben Wildman-Tobriner, Stanford University, swimming; Lisa Winkle, Calvin College, basketball and outdoor track; Jamie Wolf, Clarion University of Pennsylvania, diving; Sarah Pavan, University of Nebraska, Lincoln, volleyball; and Sarah Zerzan, Willamette University, cross country and outdoor track.

Convention

Forums scheduled to discuss possible NCAA restructuring

The background and status of current discussions about the possibility of creating a fourth NCAA division will be the topic of an Association-wide forum at the 2008 Convention in Nashville. The forum at 2:30 p.m. January 12 will feature remarks by Daniel Curran, president of the University of Dayton and chair of the NCAA Executive Committee Membership Issues Working Group, and other working-group members.

Also, restructuring models proposed by a Division III working group studying membership issues will be the focus of a Division III issues forum scheduled for January 13. Time also will be set aside during the January 14 Division III business session to exchange views about structural issues.