The NCAA Executive Committee has announced it will form a succession plan to replace NCAA President Cedric W. Dempsey, who has decided to retire when his current contract expires at the end of the year.

Bob Lawless, president of the University of Tulsa and chair of the NCAA Executive Committee, made the announcement after the Executive Committee's January 15 meeting in Indianapolis.

"We've been fortunate to have Ced's leadership for the last seven years," Lawless said. "He is dedicated to the principles of higher education and intercollegiate athletics, and provides the standard for all who administer college sports.

"Ced has identified key issues critical to the future of the Association. Some of those have been very tough issues and not easy or popular to confront, but he has challenged the Association to take action. There is no question this Association would not be in the good health it is today or as prepared for the future without Ced's strong leadership."

Dempsey, who became the Association's third president in January 1994, said he talked with his wife, June, before making his decision.

"I'm extremely proud of the progress we've made in intercollegiate athletics in the last seven years, from the new federated system we have in place to our new contracts with CBS and ESPN," Dempsey said. "I truly believe that real, presidential-led reform is here, and this is the right time to help the Executive Committee with a plan that creates a smooth transition to new leadership."

Lawless said Dempsey has worked tirelessly to improve the Association.

"Ced has changed the way people look at the Association. He has transformed the NCAA from an organization that is associated solely with college sports to one that is known today as a partner with higher education. And his efforts to link the NCAA with other education organizations are critical to the future of intercollegiate athletics," said Lawless. "The NCAA is assured financial stability over the next decade with our agreements with CBS and ESPN, and Ced has overseen the creation of a new home for the Association. His legacy is likely to be one marked by challenging intercollegiate athletics and the NCAA to new levels of excellence."

The Executive Committee has not set a timetable or a search process for appointment of a successor, but Lawless said a new president will be in place by January 2003.

"We knew Ced's retirement could be a possibility a year ago," Lawless said. "We already had planned to consider a search in April 2002. I don't think we'll be lacking for people interested in the job. We won't have to beat the bushes, and we should be able to conclude our search in the fall."

Lawless indicated that the search committee will be looking for a CEO/leadership person who "reinforces the primacy of the academic component of intercollegiate athletics."

Dempsey said he is satisfied that the spirit of reform is taking root in the Association.

"I'm confident that my successor will build upon that momentum," he said. "My challenge over the remainder of my term is to counsel those engaged in creating change -- both in terms of reform and bringing in new leadership. I look forward to that challenge."