National Collegiate Athletic Association

Latest News

« back to 2013 | Back to NCAA News Archive Index

NCAA Convention approaches; Division I leaders set to vote on reform package

INDIANAPOLIS – The NCAA Division I Board of Directors will take its first votes at the NCAA Convention in Grapevine, Texas, on a series of proposals designed to make the rules meaningful, enforceable and supportive of student-athlete success.

The proposals are a result of NCAA President Mark Emmert’s reform agenda announced in August 2011 and will refocus the rules-making process on a group of commitments that speak to the values and principles of Division I members.

The NCAA Convention, scheduled for Jan. 16-19, will feature more than 3,200 attendees, and representatives from all three NCAA divisions will discuss and vote on key topics in higher education and intercollegiate athletics. The convention will include educational sessions, governance decisions and celebrations of student-athlete success. Convention highlights and links to more information can be found below.

A full calendar of events is available online at www.ncaa.org/convention.

Keynote Luncheon

Shaquille O’Neal will be interviewed by President Emmert during this year’s keynote luncheon on Jan. 16. O’Neal will focus on the importance of education in his life and the value his three degrees bring in his post-NBA career.

Association Luncheon

During the Association luncheon on Jan. 17, Paralympian Bonnie St. John will speak and North Coast Athletic Conference Presidents' Council will be honored with the inaugural Award for Diversity and Inclusion.  The luncheon is presented by the NCAA Office of Inclusion.

Opening Business Session and State of the Association

On Jan. 17, President Emmert will deliver his State of the Association remarks during the Opening Business Session. During this session, President Emmert will also present the Gerald R. Ford Award to Donna Lopiano, a longtime advocate for gender equality.

NCAA Honors Celebration

On Friday, Jan. 18, the NCAA will honor former student- athletes during the NCAA Honors Celebration by presenting Tony Dungy with the Theodore Roosevelt Award, recognizing outstanding recent graduates with the Today’s Top 10 Award and celebrating former student-athletes on the 25^th anniversary of the completion of their collegiate careers with the Silver Anniversary Award. Additionally, Hampden-Sydney’s Kirk Rohle will receive the Award of Valor and David Borden of Kutztown University will be recognized as the Inspiration Award winner.

Division I Governance Meetings

The Board of Directors meeting is the final event of the 2013 Convention for Division I on Jan. 19, and the presidents expect to continue the reform effort begun by President Emmert in August 2011. The proposals would make changes in personnel, amateurism, recruiting, eligibility, and awards, benefits and expenses rules.

Division II Governance Meetings

Division II delegates will meet for their business session on Jan. 19 and two of the proposals could generate debate on the floor. Those proposals would extend a pilot program for international membership to schools in Mexico and revamp rules for recruiting visits.

Division III Governance Meetings

Legislative proposals on the docket for the Division III business session on Jan. 19 include a measure  to require confirmation of sickle cell trait status for all Division III student-athletes no later than the 2014-15 academic year, including mandatory confirmation of status for all incoming student-athletes (first-year and transfers) in 2013-14.