The NCAA and the National Association of College and University Business Officers have collaborated to develop a professional-development opportunity for athletics business officers.

Designed to support the more effective management of athletic resources, the new program will help further integrate athletics within the university’s educational mission.

The NCAA is seeking a cross-section of Division I members of the College Athletics Business Management Association to participate in this pilot workshop created to enhance and expand the skill sets, resources and tools available to increase the professionalism and leadership of athletics business officers.

The program extends the efforts of the Presidential Task Force to focus Division I institutions’ attention on fiscal responsibility and more effective management of athletics resources.

Now that the financial “dashboard indicators” project is available for leaders at Division I colleges and universities to help make more informed decisions about their athletics budgets, the NCAA wants to help athletics business officers be better prepared to explain the dashboard data to internal and external constituents in ways that tell the athletics story.

Goals for the pilot program are:

•  To improve athletics business officers’ decision-making, communication and analytical/research skills.

• To increase athletics business officers’ professionalism and leadership.

• To increase transparency in communications among athletics business officers and other constituents.

• To enhance public and internal constituencies’ perception of the athletics business operations, particularly regarding long-term vs. short-term financial planning and program direction.

Applications for the program are due by September 15. To ensure a cross-section of Division I institutions, about 40 applicants will be selected. Applicants will be informed of their status by September 30. Click here for more information about the program.