National Collegiate Athletic Association

The NCAA News Digest

December 1, 1997

MOST IMPROVED FOOTBALL TEAMS


INITIAL ELIGIBILITY


NCAA, high-school groups discuss core-course certification

Representatives from the NCAA and several high-school education associations met for a second time November 19 in Atlanta and agreed on three major points regarding core-course certification.

They noted:

  • That there is strong support for the NCAA to establish academic standards that must be met before a student-athlete can compete in intercollegiate athletics in Divisions I and II.

  • That high-school principals are in the best position to evaluate high-school offerings against the standards that the NCAA has set.

  • That the NCAA should play a role in monitoring certain courses listed by high-school principals and that the NCAA should work in partnership with the secondary school community and be active in seeking its involvement in the initial-eligibility certification process.

    Representatives from seven education associations attended the meeting. They included the National Association of Secondary School Principals, the National Federation of State High School Associations, the American School Counselors Association, the National Association for College Admission Counseling, the National Association of State Boards of Education and the Minnesota State High School League.

    Staff contact: Kevin C. Lennon.

    COMMITTEES

    Nominations being acdepted for September 1998 vacancies

    Nominations are being accepted for vacancies that will occur in September 1998 on Divisions I and II general committees and Divisions I, II and III sports committees, as well as Association-wide and common committees.

    A total of 121 vacancies are anticipated on NCAA committees in September 1998, including 83 vacancies on division-specific committees and 38 vacancies on Association-wide and common committees.

    Each divisions' nominees for division-specific and Association-wide and common committees will be considered through the processes established in each division for filling vacancies.

    In all cases, the deadline for submitting nomination forms is December 5.

    For more information, see the October 20 issue of The NCAA News.

    Staff contact: Julie Quickel.

    SPORTMANSHIP

    Committee to rely on 'influence makers'

    The committee, which met for the first time November 12-13, will rely on groups such as coaches' associations and other related groups to assist it in its efforts to enhance sportsmanship and ethical conduct in intercollegiate athletics.

    The committee will use a five-pronged approach that will include:

  • Educational programs.

  • Awards programs to recognize and reinforce positive behavior.

  • Encouraging media and corporations with which the NCAA and related organizations have relationships to communicate sportsmanship messages and recognize commendable behavior.

  • Building constituent relationships with groups such as the Citizenship Through Sports Alliance (CTSA).

  • Improving sportsmanship and ethical-conduct behavior through implementation of its five-year plan.

    Staff contact: Ronald J. Stratten.

    NATIONAL OFFICE


    Current Hall of Champions to close in September 1998

    The NCAA Hall of Champions in Overland Park, Kansas, will close after Labor Day 1998.

    The action is necessary because of the Association's move to Indianapolis in 1999.

    After a review of how to make the transition for the Hall of Champions from Overland Park to Indianapolis, the staff determined that:

  • A full commitment of resources will be necessary to develop the new facility.

  • Financial resources should be directed at the new facility rather than the current one.

  • Equipment in the current facility is nearing the end of its life span.

  • Staff will be required to spend significant time in Indianapolis over the next two years, which would make it difficult to administer the current facility.

    The Hall of Champions in Indianapolis is scheduled to open in March 2000.

    Staff contact: Jeff Hiller.