October 5, 2015
In the coming weeks, I will complete my second term on the
Nominations Committee of the NCAA. This committee coordinates nominations for the
Division III Management Council, all general committees that report to the
Management Council, all Division III sports committees and all Division III
positions on the Association-wide and common committees.
During my 24 years as a college president, service to six
conferences and the NCAA have been among my most satisfying experiences. In
particular, the past 17 years I have served NCAA Division III colleges.
For the most part, I don't think that the general public
realizes that nearly all decisions are made by committees within the NCAA
governance structure and not by bureaucrats in an office complex in
Indianapolis. Association-wide
committees deal with issues that affect all members of the Association and perform
duties necessary to the ongoing operation of the Association. Association-wide
committees are comprised of members from each of the Association's divisions
and subdivisions of Division I.
According to the NCAA, more than 180,000 student-athletes
at 450 institutions make up Division III, the largest NCAA division both in
number of participants and number of schools. The Division III experience
offers participation in a competitive athletic environment that pushes
student-athletes to excel on the field and build upon their potential by
tackling new challenges across campus.
As part of our Division III membership, we pledge to make
academics the primary focus for student-athletes. The division minimizes the
conflicts between athletics and academics and helps student-athletes progress
toward graduation through shorter practice and playing seasons and regional
competition that reduces time away from academic studies. Participants are
integrated on campus and treated like all other members of the student body,
keeping them focused on being a student first.
The NCAA
Division III Philosophy Statement closely parallels my thoughts on the role
of intercollegiate athletics at Virginia Wesleyan College and our outstanding
peers in the Old Dominion Athletic Conference. The ODAC is regarded as one of the best Division III conferences in the
country.
We plan to celebrate our membership in the NCAA as a part
of NCAA Division III
Week in April. Division III Week is an opportunity for all individuals
associated with Division III to observe and celebrate the impact of athletics
and of student-athletes on the campus and surrounding community. During the
week, every Division III school and conference office is encouraged to conduct
a type of outreach activity that falls into one of three categories: academic
accomplishment, athletic experience, or leadership/community service/campus
involvement.
Virginia Wesleyan College is fortunate to have a very good
NCAA Division III program led by an outstanding Director of Athletics, Joanne
Renn. Our program is competitive, but it
also supports the mission and purpose of the College.
