Jan 6, 2010 9:20:55 AM

Division II delegates will have a lot to vote about, talk about and think about at the 2010 Convention next week in Atlanta.

Highlighted by a four-proposal "Life in the Balance" legislative package, Division II members will consider a total of 16 legislative proposals at the January 16 business session.

The Life in the Balance grouping is the marquee issue. Sponsored by the Division II Presidents Council, the four proposals aim to streamline seasons and reduce contests in 10 sports, including basketball. The package represents Phase I on a more comprehensive effort from the presidents to align Division II's playing and practice seasons with the division's strategic-positioning platform. Members already are working on a review of exempted contest and nontraditional seasons for the 2011 Convention.

But in addition to the Life in the Balance measures, Division II delegates also will weigh in on a proposed change to the organized-competition rule that sets more black-and-white restrictions on what constitutes competition that is "organized" but allows a year-long grace period for prospects to engage in it before enrolling in college. The Presidents Council, which backs the proposal, says it resolves an existing eligibility tripping point in recruiting without shutting off the older, nontraditional students unique to Division II.

All the legislative proposals can be found in the Division II Official Notice.

There's plenty going on besides legislation at the January 14-16 Convention. The Division II Student-Athlete Advisory Committee, and the Division II Management and Presidents Councils meet to prep for the business session and conduct other business. Presidents and chancellors also have two important sessions January 15, where they will hear from NCAA Interim President Jim Isch and Executive Committee chair Michael Adams on how the economy is affecting higher education, and in turn intercollegiate athletics.

Also on January 15, all Division II attendees will have a unique opportunity to hear Division II's first keynote speaker at a Convention. She is retired Brig. Gen. Sheila Baxter, a former star basketball player at Virginia State who went on to blaze trails as a medical officer in the military. She will talk about how her background as a student-athlete prepared her to balance success in her civilian and military life.

And, as in the past, Division II will offer a menu of educational sessions, including one coordinated by the Division II SAAC that focuses on educational efforts regarding sports wagering.

Participants will hear from Michael Franzese, whom local, state and federal law enforcement agencies previously considered as one of the biggest money earners for organized crime since Al Capone. Franzese, the son of legendary Colombo family underboss John "Sonny" Franzese, now uses a provocative presentation to educate audiences. He has appeared before several NCAA groups in the past, including Division I basketball student-athletes.

A special session on January 14 addresses "the value" of Division II as a membership destination. Another one that day focuses on membership growth in all three divisions.

Other Division II-specific sessions (all on January 15) include two communication-based efforts – one regarding how to engage campuses in developing gender-equity plans and another on how to communicate Division II strategic initiatives (such as the "I Chose" branding campaign and the community-engagement and game-environment efforts) to specific audiences. NCAA Director of Gender Initiatives Karen Morrison leads the session on gender plans while Division II consultant Jill Willson heads the one on communication.

The NCAA News will publish daily hard-copy summaries of Convention actions from the previous day's business, as well as additional material online at www.ncaa.org. 

For a complete Convention schedule, click here.