The NCAA will continue to reinforce the strong connection between higher education and intercollegiate athletics at a keynote luncheon January 11. The event is part of the NCAA Convention, January 10-14 in Nashville.

Moderated by NCAA President Myles Brand, the panel will be introduced by NCAA Vice President for Diversity and Inclusion Charlotte Westerhaus. Panelists include Gene Smith athletics director at Ohio State; Nancy Zimpher, president of Cincinnati; and Bill Rhoden, The New York Times.

The panel will also discuss the value of diversity to both higher education and athletics, with emphasis on the NCAA mission to educate all student-athletes.

The 2008 NCAA Convention is now underway. The 2009 Convention will be January 15-19 in Washington, D.C. It will be the first NCAA Convention in the national capitol since 1975. The 2010 Convention will be January 14-18 in Atlanta. Atlanta last hosted the NCAA Convention in 1998.