Calendar

GOVERNANCE

Division I remains on track on academic-reform issues

The Division I Board of Directors focused at its October 30 meeting on rates that track academic progress and the incentives/disincentives structure that will be implemented based on how well institutions measure up to those rates.

The package remains on track for review and discussion from the Division I membership at the NCAA Convention. A final vote from the Management Council and Board is expected in April.

Staff contact: David Berst (dberst@ncaa.org).

GOVERNANCE

Division II presidents support supplemental academic report

The Division II Presidents Council agreed October 30 to recommend that active Division II member institutions be required to complete a supplemental report to measure the academic success of their student-athletes.

The proposal will be considered at the 2005 NCAA Convention. If approved, the first reporting date for Division II members would be in spring 2006.

The presidents focused on a pair of pilot studies that helped frame the final proposal. Those pilots showed that the current reporting method required by the federal Student Right-to-Know Act unfavorably portrays the academic performance of Division II student-athletes because it counts only student-athletes who receive athletically related financial aid and because of the way it treats transfers.

Staff contact: Mike Racy (mracy@ncaa.org).

GOVERNANCE

Division III Presidents Council backs future-based legislation

The Division III Presidents Council recently advocated adoption of nine proposals relating to the "Future of Division III" at the 2004 Convention.

The Council, which met October 30, conducted an extensive review of the proposals, including in-depth discussions of measures to eliminate the waiver permitting institutions to grant financial aid for sports classified in another division and to end the practice of "redshirting."

Staff contact: Dan Dutcher (ddutcher@ncaa.org).

GOVERNANCE

Standard and Poor's elevates NCAA financial rating to AA

The NCAA Executive Committee learned at its October 31 meeting that the Association's financial rating has been upgraded by Standard and Poor's Ratings Services from an AA- to an AA.

The rating shift gives the NCAA additional financial flexibility and credibility.

NCAA President Myles Brand told Executive Committee members that "while the NCAA does not have plans to issue additional debt, the rating is an important indication of the Association's financial position."

Staff contact: Jim Isch (jisch@ncaa.org).

HONORS PROGRAM

Notre Dame's Hesburgh to receive NCAA President's Ford Award

The Rev. Theodore M. Hesburgh has been selected as the first recipient of the NCAA President's Gerald R. Ford Award.

Hesburgh is the president emeritus of the University of Notre Dame. The award, named in recognition of Gerald Ford, the 38th president of the United States, honors an individual who has provided significant leadership as an advocate for intercollegiate athletics on a continuous basis over the course of his or her career.

NCAA President Myles Brand will present the award to Hesburgh at the opening business session of the 2004 NCAA Convention January 11 in Nashville.

Ford, now 90 years old, is expected to attend the awards ceremony. He was vice- president when he took the oath of office in 1974 after Richard Nixon resigned. Ford served as president until 1977.

WOMAN OF THE YEAR

Rowatt first Division III winner of Woman of the Year award

Ashley Rowatt, a former swimming standout at Kenyon College, has been named 2003 NCAA Woman of the Year.

Rowatt is the first student-athlete from Kenyon and the first from Division III to earn the honor.

Rowatt graduated summa cum laude with highest honors last May with a degree in molecular biology. She earned distinction as a two-time Verizon Academic All-American and was named that program's Academic All-American of the Year in 2003.