Apr 27, 2010 8:26:40 PM

After receiving lengthy applause upon being announced to NCAA national office staff members Tuesday evening, NCAA President-Elect Mark Emmert opened with a sense of humor.

"That is a lot better than the reception we're used to from faculty senates," said Emmert, who will leave his position as the president of the University of Washington to become the fifth president of the NCAA.

He told the NCAA staff that in each of his positions in more than 30 years in higher education – from faculty member to administrator to provost to president – he immersed himself into integrating intercollegiate athletics into the campus community.

In retrospect, he said, being named president of the NCAA is a good fit.

"I have admired and respected the impact and power of what this experience provides for our student-athletes," he said. "I know what an integral part of their educational experience intercollegiate athletics is."

Emmert also praised the NCAA search committee chaired by Oregon State University President Ed Ray. Ray introduced Emmert and lauded the NCAA staff for maintaining its focus throughout the transition period.

"All of you have done extraordinary work to keep projects and initiatives going forward with great vigor and tremendous momentum," Ray said. "You have continued to move forward."

Emmert said he found it remarkable that while he was the 30th president at Washington, he is joining a more exclusive club in being only the fifth chief executive of an organization that is more than a century old.

"To have that continuity of leadership at the NCAA means that when you have a presidential change it is a consequential moment," Emmert said. "That is not lost on me. This is a task that I relish. I hope we can have a long run together and get great things done on the behalf of our membership."

He told the staff he plans to continue an active role for presidents in the leadership of intercollegiate athletics.

"The emphasis and success around academic performance of student-athletes has been exciting for Washington to participate in," Emmert said. "It represents the seriousness of the intent of the Association of having all the right kind of impact. We need to build momentum off of that."