The NCAA News - News Features

Delany: Faculty reps may play major role in new structure

Faculty athletics representatives who have had an active role in their conferences in the past are likely to have a more significant role in the new governance structure, Big Ten Conference Commissioner James E. Delany told members of the Faculty Athletics Representatives Association November 21-22.

Conversely, Delany said, those conferences that have not had faculty involvement in the past may not have it in the future structure.

Delany was the keynote speaker at the opening session of the FARA Fall Forum in Atlanta. More than 200 members of the organization gathered to review legislation for the 1997 NCAA Convention and to hear from various speakers on intercollegiate athletics issues.

Delany said that intercollegiate athletics needs the discipline that faculty athletics representatives offer. He noted that the traditional role of faculty has been as advisors and overseers, but he said that as faculty representatives assume positions in the new structure, they will take on a policy-making role. The new role requires a different set of skills than were previously required, he said.

"If you don't think you are being involved as much as before in your conference or as much as you would like, then seek improvement," Delany said. "But be prepared to take on some new attributes."

The first day of the forum was devoted to information sessions for new faculty athletics representatives and conference liaisons, along with division breakout sessions on the NCAA governance structure. In addition, Divisions I and II representatives heard reports on the operation of the NCAA Initial-Eligibility Clearinghouse.

On the second day, delegates heard reports in all three divisions from the FARA legislative review committee, reviewed the slate of new officers and received the first draft of revisions to the organization's constitution.

Other speakers who appeared before the group included Southeastern Conference Commissioner Roy F. Kramer, who spoke to the conference liaisons; the NCAA chiefs of staff for all three divisions; and NCAA Executive Director Cedric W. Dempsey.

Dempsey spoke to the group on a number of issues, including student-athlete welfare, gambling, and agents and amateurism.