NCAA Convention Kicks Off This Week

The NCAA Convention kicks off on Wednesday in San Antonio, Texas. Representatives from all three NCAA divisions will discuss and vote on key topics in higher education and college athletics. More than 3,500 people will attend educational sessions and celebrations of student success. Convention highlights and links to more information can be found below.

Attendees can access regular news updates, daily schedules, speaker information, hotel maps, logistical information and more by downloading the “NCAA Events” app. The app also enables users to take notes and download presentations directly on mobile devices and integrates Twitter activity around the convention hashtag, #NCAAConv.

To get the 2016 mobile app:

· iPhone and iPad users click here or search "NCAA Events" on the Apple Store

· Android users click here or search "NCAA Events" on the Google Play Store

· Other devices — follow this link: https://ncaaevents.gatherdigital.com

A full calendar of events also is available online at http://www.ncaa.org/convention.

Keynote Luncheon: On Jan. 14, Condoleezza Rice – current member of the College Football Playoff Selection Committee and 2016 NCAA Ford Award honoree – will speak at the Keynote Luncheon and participate in a question and answer session with NCAA President Mark Emmert. Attendees at the luncheon will have the opportunity to submit questions for discussion.

Northern Illinois University also will receive the Award for Diversity and Inclusion at this time.

Opening Business Session and State of the Association: On Jan. 14, President Emmert will deliver his State of the Association remarks during the Opening Business Session. The Opening Business Session also will include remarks from the chairs of the presidential governing bodies and Student-Athlete Advisory Committee chairs for Divisions I, II and III.

NCAA Honors Celebration: On Jan. 15, the NCAA will honor former athletes during the NCAA Honors Celebration. The awardees include the following:

• Theodore Roosevelt Award: Peter Ueberroth

• Today’s Top 10 Award: Ten outstanding recent graduates

• Silver Anniversary Award: Six former players on the 25^th anniversary of the completion of their college careers

• Inspiration Awards: Awarded to former football player O.J. Brigance and posthumously awarded to Mount St. Joseph women’s basketball player Lauren Hill.

Division I Governance Meetings: The autonomy conferences will vote on a variety of proposals on Jan. 15. The Division I Issues Forum will address division-wide legislation and emphasize key initiatives of the division’s Student-Athlete Advisory Committee.

Division II Governance Meetings: This marks the first year that will include a Division II student-athlete vote – the result of a rule adopted at last year’s Convention. The Division II Student-Athlete Advisory Committee will cast one vote on each proposal on behalf of their peers. Division II members will vote on proposals that address strength and conditioning coach certification; automatic qualification for NCAA championships; and requirements for student-athletes who may compete “unattached” in sports such as track and field without representing their schools.

Division III Governance Meetings: Division III members will vote on 10 proposals this year. Most notably, members will weigh in on raising membership dues, deregulating electronic transmissions between coaches and recruits, and permitting full pads and contact during football’s spring segment.