Delegates to the 2009 NCAA Convention in Washington, D.C., can anticipate more than the energy surrounding the nation’s capital days before a new president  is sworn into office.

They can also anticipate the latest enhancements to two long-held Convention traditions – the Honors Celebration and the delegates reception – which have been combined this year into one “can’t-miss” event at a prime location in downtown D.C.

The NCAA Honors and Delegates Celebration will be Thursday, January 15, at the Newseum, a sprawling 250,000-square-foot museum that blends five centuries of news history with cutting-edge technology and hands-on exhibits.

While the traditional Honors Celebration will live on, it will do so in a significantly different way. “Blue carpet” entrances are planned for honors recipients, specially designed temporary museum exhibits will feature video tributes of the honorees during the evening and live entertainment will be provided by nearby member schools.

During a 45-minute program in the museum’s Annenberg Theatre, honors recipients (the Theodore Roosevelt Award winner, the Today’s Top VIII, the Silver Anniversary Award winners and the Inspirational Award winners) will be recognized and the Theodore Roosevelt winner will offer the evening’s keynote address. After the program, recipients will participate in interviews before adjourning to a private VIP dinner hosted by NCAA President Myles Brand.

Because seating in the Annenberg Theatre will be limited, the NCAA will make full use of one of the Newseum’s central exhibits, a 40-foot video screen in the atrium, to broadcast the entire  program live. Recipients’ arrivals at the venue also will be shown live on the screen.

Throughout the evening, delegates and Honors Celebration guests will have full access to the Newseum. Located between the White House and the Capitol with views of both landmarks, the Newseum features a 74-foot marble engraving of the First Amendment and several galleries, including one dedicated to 9/11 and another that displays the daily front pages of newspapers from across the nation and world.

Heather Kenny, NCAA director of brand strategies and events, said the Newseum is a fitting tribute to the academic orientation of the membership and the newsworthiness of the Honors Awards recipients.

“Our selection of the Newseum speaks to where we are as an organization,” said Kenny. “We are evolving from a very traditional organization into one that is far more leadership focused. This event makes that transition in a public and fun way.”

Kenny said a desire to increase attendance and offer delegates something different provided the initial impetus for the change. The new format also offers Convention attendees more flexibility to explore D.C. or participate in other Convention-related activities and events.

Buses will begin running continuously between the Gaylord Hotel and the Newseum at 6 p.m. after the opening business session. The Honors program begins at 7:30 p.m.

“This will be an experience for delegates and honorees,” Kenny said. “This will be something to see.”