National Collegiate Athletic Association

NCAA News Archive - 2010

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May 6, 2010 10:56:27 AM

Florida Tech recently announced a detailed plan that it will use to explore development of a football program.

If the pieces fall in place, the institution could have a football team competing as early as fall 2013.

Sunshine State Conference Commissioner Jay Jones said the decision is limited only to Florida Tech, which plans to compete as an NAIA member in football, should it choose to sponsor the sport.

"No other conference schools are exploring football at this time," Jones said. "To be an SSC sport, our bylaws require a majority of our schools − five in the present case − sponsor a particular sport. So, the SSC will not have football in the foreseeable future, and it is not under consideration."

Florida Tech President Anthony J. Catanese (pictured) said the institution could launch non-scholarship NAIA football by fall 2011 after a year of fund-raising. The institution hopes to raise  $821,000 for fiscal year 2011 and $1.9  million for 2012 to avoid using other revenues.

The goals are to increase enrollment, increase campus spirit and to boost community involvement.

UIndy coach supports children's hospital: UIndy coach Gary Vaught made a personal donation of $1,000 to Riley Hospital for Children before the Greyhounds' April 22 doubleheader sweep of Kentucky State. 

Vaught had promised earlier in the season to donate $500 to Riley Hospital for every home run that hit a large target positioned just past the left field fence of Greyhound Park. Of the many homers the Hounds hit this season, several came close but none hit the mark. Vaught paid anyway, however, presenting a check to Riley Children's Foundation Development Coordinator Robyn Wood.

SAAC member finishes with a flourish: Pitt-Johnstown's Abby Gearhart, who represents the West Virginia Intercollegiate Athletic Conference on the Division II Student-Athlete Advisory Committee, concluded her senior year in style this spring.

First, she was selected as the "Person of the Week" by the Johnstown Tribune-Democrat for the role she played with the local Alternative Community Resource Program. Pitt-Johnstown student-athletes, along with other youths, installed more than 700 smoke detectors in Johnstown, rejuvenated a baseball field in nearby Tanneryville, built a fire pit in a park in Sidman, and decorated Kernville at Halloween and Christmas. Student-athletes from all of the university's 12 sports also participated in an Earth Day cleanup of sections of Johnstown in April.

Gearhart told the newspaper that she and other athletes have enjoyed the experiences and making friends along the way.

"The ACRP staff and students have come to our games," she said, "so the fact that they are there rooting for us has had a positive effect on us. It's been a win-win collaboration."

The student-athletes' contributions also were noted in another local online publication.

To wrap up a successful spring, Gearhart spoke on behalf of the class of 2010 at Pitt-Johnstown's commencement May 1.

Idea that works: From the game-environment section of www.diicommunity.org:

Lynn University and its athletics department hosted their first "Family Fun Day" earlier this year. The free event welcomed the surrounding South Florida community to Lynn with activities for kids of all ages and their parents in an effort to promote a fun, positive and family-friendly community environment. The athletics department teamed with admissions, student involvement, the conservatory of music, marketing and communications, development, and alumni affairs to sponsor the event.

The Family Fun Day was created to support the NCAA Division II community-engagement initiative, and more than 700 community members took part. Everyone attending received a free barbecue lunch, and refreshments were provided all day long. Various activities were offered,  including bounce houses, an obstacle course, a rock wall, bungee trampolines, face painting and outdoor games. The community also interacted with Lynn student-athletes playing soccer, tennis and basketball.

 "This was a fantastic way for our campus to reach out to the local community," said Athletics Director Kristen Moraz. "It was particularly special for me to see so many families taking part in all of the activities together. I truly believe a good time was had by all and look forward to furthering the community-engagement effort."