The Division I Board of Directors will receive reports and updates from a variety of working groups and task forces, including the Task Force on Commercial Activities in Intercollegiate Athletics, at its January 17 meeting at the NCAA Convention in Washington, D.C.

Updates are also expected from the Basketball Academic Enhancement Working Group, the Football Academic Enhancement Working Group and the Division I Working Group to Review “At-Risk” Student-Athlete Issues. The Board could also act on any legislative proposals in the current cycle, though members are expected to allow the governance structure to work through most issues that do not rise to the level of presidential concern.

The commercial activities group, formed at the 2008 Convention, is expected to deliver a report that outlines principles regarding commercial activity in college sports, including the use of student-athletes names and likenesses and how the names and likenesses can be used to promote both athletics programs and the values of the NCAA and higher education. The principles will also help guide institutions in making future decisions in the area of commercial activity.

Once the Board reviews the report, the governance structure will determine both legislation and best practices that can be applied.

The basketball and football working groups will provide updates on their efforts to the Board. The basketball group is expected to suggest a summer-school concept for men’s basketball student-athletes, with life-skills training and access to coaches included in the recommendations. Any legislative change will be vetted by the Division I membership through the regular legislative process.

The football group, not as far along in the process, is identifying academic factors that affect student-athletes in the sport. At the group’s early meetings, members learned that incoming freshmen have lower high school grades and test scores than any other group except men’s basketball, and they earn fewer credit hours, lower grade-point averages and lower eligibility rates during their freshman year than student-athletes in any other sport.

The Board will also hear from a group looking at risk factors for student-athletes. Chaired by Middle Tennessee State President Sidney McPhee, the group will present recommendations to help “at-risk” student-athletes on campuses. The report will also be reviewed by the Division I Academics Cabinet.

Finally, the Board will have the opportunity to review legislation approved by a two-thirds majority of the Legislative Council. While not required to take any action on the proposals, the Board can identify pieces of legislation for its review.