A record number of attendees have registered to attend the 2008 NCAA Convention, January 10-14 in Nashville. When registration closed December 18, 3,158 people had registered to attend the event, up significantly from 2007, when 2,696 people attended the Convention in Orlando.

Organizers attribute the increase in attendance to a variety of factors, including the geographic proximity of Nashville to the population density of NCAA membership - Nashville is close, convenient and cost-effective for a large majority of the NCAA membership.

Damon Schoening, NCAA director of brand strategies and events, said a combination of important Convention business, including the Association-wide vote on January 12, the Division I override votes also on January 12 and legislative decisions in Divisions II and III during the January 14 business sessions also contributed to a large number of people interested in this year's event.

Finally, Schoening said that a number of new events scheduled before the traditional start of Convention are also attracting more people than usual to the event.

The inaugural Scholarly Colloquium on College Sports will be January 10-11 and promises to provide educational opportunities for those interested in intercollegiate athletics and stimulate further research among faculty.

The Hazing Prevention Summit on January 10 will provide the membership with research, prevention strategies and resources for developing policies and programs regarding hazing on campus.

The Symposium of Women of Color in Intercollegiate Athletics will inform attendees about the opportunities and challenges for women of color pursuing careers in intercollegiate athletics.

Other highlights of this year's events include the Honors Celebration and the State of the Association Address delivered by NCAA President Myles Brand during the Opening Business Session.

Projected attendance has increased over 2007 figures in all divisions, most notably in Division I. More than 100 more Division I delegates have registered for the 2008 Convention than attended in 2007. Additionally, nearly 80 more presidents or chancellors have indicated they will be in Nashville for a total of 279.

The NCAA Web site will updated throughout Convention with information about the business of the Association. The NCAA News is also providing daily printed updates to Convention delegates on site.

In 2009, the NCAA Convention will be January 14-17 at the Gaylord National Resort and Convention Center in Washington, D.C. The new property is expected to open early this year.