Process Steps 2.11.1-3

Attending: Members of the NCAA Divisions I, II and III Student-Athlete Advisory Committees. Facilitator: Paul Meyer, Tecker Consultants.

Among the key ideas from Division I were:

To educate the student-athlete both on the playing field and in the classroom with the ultimate goal of creating well-prepared leaders for the future. The NCAA should never stop taking into account the vital interests of the student-athlete.

To provide increased opportunities for student-athletes to compete in a fair and safe atmosphere.

To provide student-athletes the opportunity to serve others and to improve themselves.

To provide the opportunity for individuals to participate in the college athletics experience.

To provide the structure, organization and guidance for member institutions to create a safe haven for equitable competition.

To recognize the overall success of students as the premier purpose of colleges.

To provide an opportunity for a quality student-athlete experience, and to promote, protect and support student-athletes.

Division II's ideas included:

To protect student-athlete welfare.

To promote athletics and academic excellence, equality and opportunity.

They noted that student-athletes are the core of the NCAA.

Division III articulated the following:

To adapt to the ever-changing needs and desires of student-athletes.

To make participation in college athletics available, equitable and safe for student-athletes.

To provide opportunities to students who wish to pursue athletics in college.

To provide opportunities for student-athletes to be successful students as well as successful athletes.

To look out for the best interests of all student-athletes.

Division I's ideas about the NCAA's core values were:

To promote, protect and support student-athletes.

To strive for excellence on all levels.

To establish polices and procedures that protect the well-being of student-athletes.

To live the values of flexibility, adaptability, basic honesty and integrity, selfless leadership, altruism, trust, integrity and equality.

To encourage personal development and growth.

To ensure competitive equity.

To withstand the siren song of financial wealth at the expense of the well-being of the student-athlete; never lose sight of the central purpose of intercollegiate athletics -- the student-athletes.

To promote positive action through the media to educate the public on the purpose and goals of the NCAA.

To be an association with integrity and a commitment to equality.

Division II articulated the following ideals as possible NCAA core values:

Actions based on integrity.

Making student-athletes the No. 1 priority.

Fairness for all.

A combination of athletics and academic success for student-athletes.

Gender and racial equality for student-athletes.

Education, integrity, trust, flexibility, sportsmanship, freedom of school choice, communication, respect and diversity.

Division III suggested these core values:

Getting past our differences and working toward a common goal.

Transparency.

Consistency in the treatment of all student-athletes.

Integrity, initiative and honesty.

Supporting diversity.

Sensitivity to student-athlete concerns and needs.

Making a commitment degree completion.

To enhance the college athletics experience.

Integrity -- understanding and celebrating differences.

Envisioned future

Division I suggested a number of desirable future outcomes for the NCAA:

The NCAA will be the sole leader in intercollegiate athletics throughout the world; it will achieve status as the world's prime advocate for student academic and amateur athletics success.

Student-athletes will have ownership in their experience.

The NCAA will protect the welfare and interests of student-athletes while continuing to provide elite-level amateur competition.

Student-athletes will look back at their college careers with pride and gratitude.

College athletics, led by the NCAA, will produce a pipeline of distinguished leaders in business, government and academics. A mass of youth once again would recognize the classic Greek ideal of "arête" and strive for altruistic athletics goals.

As an association, the NCAA will lead student-athletes through their intercollegiate athletics careers by providing safe and equitable competition, and an environment for academic achievement.

The media will portray college athletes in a positive light.

The size of the NCAA Manual will decrease.

The world will view the NCAA as a premier source of athletics entertainment.

Division II's suggestions included the following:

The NCAA will produce graduating student-athletes whose characteristics are widely respected.

Athletics administrators will have student-athletes' best interests at heart.

Intercollegiate athletics will become less about marketing, promotion fees and endorsements.

The pursuit of academic excellence will be the norm.

Athletics departments will be able to break even.

The NCAA will promote athletics success while pursuing a 90 percent graduation rate.

Division III articulated the following as desired envisioned futures:

The NCAA will improve upon the everyday welfare, public image and diversity of student-athletes.

The NCAA will gain credibility from outside organizations.

Graduation rates will increase.

The NCAA will provide the services, education and enforcement mechanisms to allow student-athletes at member institutions to achieve greater academic success while at the same time providing them with the opportunity to participate in the highest-quality athletics programs.

Five- to 10-year future

In their dialogue about the five- to 10-year future, the following themes emerged from student-athlete participants.

In the area of demographic trends:

Division I recognized that the Hispanic population is now the largest minority group. By 2025, minorities will exceed the Caucasian population in the United States. Globalization will continue to increase the number of international student-athletes. The number of African-American males entering college is declining. Most college students are now women; they are controlling much more of the market, and they are wanting more opportunities. Athletics budgets are being cut. Better insurance is needed, but costs must be controlled. American families are incurring more debt; the NCAA will need to have more resources available to help athletes meet their expenses. More people will attend two-year colleges because they cannot afford the cost of a four-year school. There will be more older students returning to school to finish their education. The number of injuries caused by overtraining is increasing; such injuries are occurring at an earlier age.

Division II recognized an increase in racial and gender diversity. College tuition is increasing faster than scholarships, budgets and tax breaks. Performance pressures will increase the need to address health and safety issues. The role of conference and campus SAACs will improve, as will the role of SAACs in NCAA governance. "Voluntary time" will be better defined. Student-athletes will become more aware about NCAA legislation. Athletics departments will have to deal with the increasing cost of insurance, the outfitting of teams, scholarships and general funding. Academic requirements for athletes will increase and will result in an increasing graduation rate. There will be more nontraditional athletes in Division II. Regional demographics will make national diversity policies difficult, or even unfair, to apply on a local level. The media will ignore sports and news in general from some regions of the country.

Division III believed there will be an increasing number of nontraditional students competing in athletics and that those students will be more susceptible to injury. Campuses will become more diverse in all ways, and college athletics staffs will be challenged to keep pace with this change. More people will go to college because of a poor economy and a more competitive job market. More people will return to school. Students are beginning families at a younger age. Rapidly changing government regulations on student visas may change the mix of the international student population.

In the area of business and economics:

Division I recognized that the increasing "professionalization" of sports will continue to put pressure on amateur athletes. The NCAA will have to react to the international market for sports. "Echo Boomers" kids will be entering college. Budget cuts will take away opportunities. Endorsements will continue to change the nature of sports. As a result of changing trends in health fitness, there will be sports-training programs for young children. The cost of education will increase faster than many family incomes. There will be increased corporate influence on student-athletes. The decreasing number of jobs for people without college degrees is increasing the importance of a college education. Coaching salaries will increase greatly. There will be a money race in revenue-producing sports. Pay-for-play issues are increasing and will need to be addressed by the NCAA. Some universities and conferences, driven by revenue factors, may leave the NCAA.

Division II observed that the student population is growing faster than the number of jobs for college graduates. The costs of fielding a team will approach the limit of what many institutions are willing to pay. The cost of health insurance will rise faster than income. There will continue to be a lack of funding/scholarships. Mandatory fund-raising for student-athletes will be the norm. Weak alumni donorship will continue.

Division III believed that intercollegiate athletics will continue to be seen as a business. Decreasing state budgets will reduce in-state higher education opportunities. Increasing state government deficits will result in a significant reduction in educational funding. Budget cuts at state schools will create gaps between public and private institutions. Athletics departments will have less money. Media coverage will decline for college athletics. Fund-raising, budget cuts and tuition increases will be used to cover financial shortfalls. More people will enroll in school because of a poor job market. The current generation's inability to find high-paying jobs and pay off debt will affect its ability to afford its children's college education.

In the areas of legislation and regulation:

Division I noted that states may follow the lead of California, which is considering an "Athletes' Bill of Rights." The California precedent conceivably could alter the national political landscape with regard to paying athletes. Potential for lawsuits will continue. The intrusion of government on amateur athletics will continue. Sports marketing and endorsements will begin to become increasingly evident in college. Institutional control will continue to get stronger; as a result, the NCAA control may diminish or disappear. Amateurism will diminish as the caliber of college athletes increases. More state/federal legislators will want to regulate student-athlete welfare. There will be a push from the media, public and government for the NCAA to address safety issues. Congress will play more of a role in NCAA affairs.

Division II noted that changes in Title IX will occur. There will be more proposals to pay students. Health and safety issues regarding transportation will continue. The general public will better understand the NCAA and its legislative process. Student-athletes will have greater involvement in legislation. The Division II Convention process will be regarded as an efficient way of doing business.

Division III noted a trend toward over-regulation in response to negative situations. There will be a reduction in state funding for higher education and elementary and high-school programming (especially physical education programming). Within the NCAA, there will be an increased distinction among Divisions I, II, and III.

In the area of technology and science,

Division I said that the NCAA will need to monitor biotech advances (stem-cell research and cloning, for instance) to see if they may produce a class of "super athletes." Performance-enhancing drugs will become safer and perhaps legal. Drug-testing will progress, but drugs and supplements will remain a step ahead of drug-testing technology. Innovations in technology will affect training (type and volume). There will be an increasing amount of sports-performance equipment. It will be increasingly possible to broadcast around the world and increase exposure for college athletics. Technology will become more important in training.

Division II noted that there will be more online classes. The NCAA will communicate with its membership by using advanced technology.

Division III believed that students will have increasing access to to technology. Online courses will result in more nontraditional students. New supplements, safety equipment and technology will require regulation. Recruiting communication standards will change. Equipment will improve (for example, Nike's "waffle design").

In the area of political and social values,

Division I noted that the NCAA will face increasing pressure from various constituent groups. Women will seek to compete in men's sports. Money will become more important than education for some people. Athletes will become better trained, and parents will be more involved.

Division II said there will be an increasing number and variety of interest groups. Consumer expectations will change. Lifestyles and expectations will change if athletes are allowed to be paid. Efforts will need to be made to bridge trust gaps among athletes, coaches, administrators and fans.

Division III said gender equality and awareness will increase. The four-year degree plan will become a thing of the past as students take more time. Undergraduate degrees will be expected. The importance of winning championships may push schools to win at any cost. There will be a growing acceptance of an athletics culture that values success at any cost and that celebrates athletics heroes. The value on postgraduate education will increase. There will be increased pressure on secondary and post-secondary institutions to produce athletes for high-profile and successful U.S. programs on a global stage.

One piece of advice

Participants were asked to provide one piece of advice for NCAA leadership as it embarks on planning strategically for the organization's future.

Division I:

Endorse a Robin Hood plan to provide a more equal playing field for all schools; also, listen to requests from all student-athletes and do as they wish because without them, you would not have a job.

Provide more scholarships. Stop wasting money on things like expensive paper and color printing for things like handouts we got today. There are many student-athletes who need money for necessities for college. Use the money for that.

Keep in mind that diversity and creating equal opportunity is the essence of collegiate athletics. We cannot keep creating rules that will eliminate chances for people to succeed in the college atmosphere.

Keep an open mind. Appreciate what you have and use it wisely, honestly and fairly. Never forget that student-athletes make up the core of this association. Cater to our needs.

Listen to as many people as possible and come up with a solution. Don't let some people who "rank" higher have more say. I feel like you do listen, but don't act upon it as much. We understand the time demands, financial issues and other things, so we can provide valid insight.

Before the NCAA leadership makes a decision, stop and think for a moment. Put yourselves in the shoes of the student-athlete and then see if your answers still remain the same.

* I think the NCAA should focus on the haves and the have-nots because we all make up the NCAA.

Find ways to decrease the trust gaps. In the future it would be beneficial to have a small committee (15 to 20 people) composed of athletics directors, coaches, student-athletes, senior woman administrators and conference administrators to discuss a plan for the future.

Don't let money cloud your eyes and be the issue. Listen to your SAAC. Bring together the different diverse groups in everything you do. Continue to rely on student-athletes for input, direction and guidance when planning improvements and goals for the future.

Never lose sight of our core values; strive for integrity. Every time you make a decision or comment, always keep student-athletes and what's best for them in mind.

Look at the overall big picture of student-athletes and how we can become better assets to society. When planning, always think of the student-athlete's welfare and the value of their experience first. Do not marginalize the student-athlete viewpoint. We are the valuable resource that should never be overlooked. Remember that to student-athletes, it's not business.

Increase student-athlete involvement in the governance structure to ensure student-athlete welfare. Always keep in mind student-athlete welfare, benefits and enjoyment.

Division II:

Focus on inclusion and looking at how we are alike, rather than focusing on our differences.

Find more ways to bridge the communication gap between student-athletes and the national office.

The NCAA must find ways to hold its administrators accountable.

Put as much focus on academics as you do on athletics issues.

What will work for the whole pie and not just one piece? What makes us come together rather than draw us apart?

Continue the communication lines from the NCAA to the student-athletes through the SAACs from all three levels.

The marriage of sport and academics is what separates the NCAA from other organizations. Remember that student-athletes not only have to go to school full time, but some have to work as well.

Listen with an open mind without interruption to what the student-athletes think is best for other student-athletes. Rather than tolerate differences, celebrate them.

The NCAA should be commended for its efforts and should continue the journey for excellence. Continue to listen and represent the student-athlete accurately as time goes by.

Make academics the core focus. Too many academic "horror stories" tarnish the NCAA's image.

Division III:

The NCAA was established with the goal of creating a safe environment for its student-athletes. With that in mind, more should be done for student-athletes in terms of medical coverage. The NCAA was created to protect the safety of student-athletes, and let's not forget that role.

Celebrate our diversity while strengthening our community. Listen to the student-athletes, the people you were hired to support.

The NCAA does many wonderful things but the only thing many people hear is about rules violations, AAU coaches not being able to talk to college coaches, etc. The NCAA needs to get the message out that the rules are implemented to protect student-athletes.

Education should come first, which should conveyed through television interviews and in newspapers.

To understand where you are going, you must understand where you come from. Go back to the beginning, back to the basics. In 1906, football players were dying and it was about student-athlete welfare like it should be today and tomorrow and in 2026 and beyond.

Student-athletes should always come first. That means decisions should be based on what can improve them as athletes and students. Remember the constituency: student-athletes.

Trust us.

Never give up. Remember to consider the needs of all student-athletes now and in the future and continue to enhance the overall student-athlete experience. The responsibility you carry is enormous. You are directly responsible for shaping the lives of young people -- from whom they are in college through whom they will become later in life.