The NCAA News - News and Features

The NCAA News -- January 4, 1999

DIVISION III forums

Division III delegates attending the Convention will be able to attend a variety of forums and programs this year.

All Division III delegates are invited to attend all forums and discussion sessions.

At 1:30 p.m. January 9, the National Association of Division III Athletic Administrators (NAD3AA) Professional Development Programming will be begin in the Gonzales Convention Center. An NAD3AA business session will be followed by a discussion of the role of the senior woman administrator. After that, joint programming by NAD3AA and FARA will review the role of the faculty athletics representative.

The Division III discussion forums begin January 10 with a forum on sportsmanship and student-athlete issues at 2:45 p.m. in the Marriott Riverwalk Alamo Ballroom. This forum will feature a panel discussion focusing on student-athletes' roles in fostering sportsmanship and ethical conduct.

Also featured will be a discussion addressing the issues of alcohol, binge drinking and hazing.

Both of those discussions will include special emphasis on the role of campus student-athlete advisory committees in dealing with those issues.

The Division III business session January 11 from 9:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. in Grand Salon I of the Marriott Rivercenter will be devoted to Management Council and President Council reports, legislative voting and a strategic planning update.

At 2 p.m., the Division III business session will resume with a nontraditional seasons forum. The discussion will include a history of NCAA nontraditional-season legislation, a review of the Division III philosophy and a variety of speakers offering different perspectives. The session will conclude with an open discussion and a straw vote. Participants can indicate a preference for no change, modification or elimination.

After the forum on nontraditional seasons, a discussion on Division III financial aid and awards will take place. The discussion will include an update on the award review process and presentations regarding financial aid from outside sources. The Division III philosophy as it relates to athletically related financial aid also will be discussed.

The Division III business session will resume at 8 a.m. January 12 with a forum on gambling and its impact on Division III campuses. The NCAA staff will provide a review of applicable NCAA legislation, and a student-athlete will speak from experience about sports wagering activities. The Division III campus perspective will be discussed as well.

At 9:30 a.m., a deregulation discussion forum will occur. This will include the identification of specific bylaws for possible elimination. The governance structure is seeking input and thought-provoking discussion.

After the close of the business session at 11 a.m., a luncheon and orientation for provisional members will take place. Topics will include an overview of the Division III philosophy, Division III financial aid and the Institutional Self-Study Guide.

Division III leadership changes

The continuing chair of the Division III Management Council will be John S. Biddiscombe, director of athletics at Wesleyan University (Connecticut). The new vice-chair will be Lynda J. Calkins, director of athletics at Hollins University.

Outgoing Management Council members are: Stanley Caine, president, Adrian College; Mary Jo Gunning, director of athletics, Marywood University; Christy Pearson, student-athlete, Nebraska Wesleyan University; and Richard Rasmussen, executive secretary, University Athletic Association.

Incoming Management Council members are: Amy Huchthausen, student-athlete, University of Wisconsin, La Crosse; Katherine Keough, president, St. John Fisher College; Leslie Poolman, director of athletics, Dickinson College; and Christopher Walker, professor of communicative disorders, University of Redlands.

The new chair of the Division III Presidents Council will be Ann H. Die, president of Hendrix College, and the new vice-chair will be Thomas B. Courtice, president of Ohio Wesleyan University.

Outgoing Presidents Council members are: David Beckley, president, Rust College; Judith Kuipers, chancellor, University of Wisconsin, La Crosse; and Robert Neff, president, Juniata College.

Incoming Presidents Council members are: Ronald Applbaum, president, Kean University; Bette Landman, president, Beaver College; M. Lee Pelton, president, Willamette University; and Marlene Springer, president, College of Staten Island.