Division I-AAA Athletic Director's Association Annual Meeting Minutes

Wednesday, June 15, 2005

Coronado Springs Resort - Orlando, Florida

1. Meeting Called To Order - Cheryl Levick, President, Saint Louis University

2. Introductions - Members in Attendance: Please see attached listing

Cheryl recognized Pat Manak (NACDA's Associate Executive Director) for his on-going support and efforts for our organization.

3.                   Approval of June 12, 2004 Annual Meeting Minutes

MOTION: Jim Jarrett (Old Dominion) Seconded: Jim Schaus (Wichita State) ALL IN FAVOR

4.                   Financial/Membership Update - Ken Kavanagh, Treasurer, Bradley University

Financial Statement Attached (For the period January 1 - April 30, 2005)

Cash on Hand of $53,557.21 ($40,468.81 on 4/30/04)

For `04-'05 we had 76 out of 93 Institutions (82 percent) and 4 of 9 Commissioners as Paid Members (compared to 74 of 89 and 6 Commissioners in `03-'04)

This is still a continued GREAT result given our goal for the first year in 2001 -02 was 50 Paid Members and in comparison to active participation of I-A and I-AA.

Expressed goal to still get all nine I-AAA Commissioners as paid members for `05-'06. More importantly, to get them actively engaged with the mission of our organization.

5. Committee Updates - Cheryl Levick, President, Saint Louis University

Legislative Review Committee:

Introduced Chuck Smrt of The Compliance Group (TCG), Kansas City, MO

The Executive Committee has proposed to continue to contract TCG's services on a year-to-year basis. Serving as a liaison to our Association, their regular "I-AAA Legislative Headlines" newsletter continues to be positively received with its updates on issues that affect institutions within our membership. TCG continues to remain a resource on who to contact at the NCAA (Chuck previously oversaw the NCAA Enforcement Staff).

Purpose for utilizing TCG:

1)       to become a player in the Governance Structure most feel disenfranchised from

2)       instill a perception that other segments of the NCAA matter and that legislation just does not impact I-A institutions

MOTION made by Gary Cunningham (UC, Santa Barbara), Seconded by Mike Herman (Niagara) to maintain our agreement with The Compliance Group on a year-to-year basis for $250 per month ($3000 annually). ALL IN FAVOR

Please note the TCG attachment outlining Chuck's presentation.

Discussed recent Management Council (MANCO) meeting highlights and other items of interest:

Governance Structure - MANCO update basically centered around the fact that I-AAA many times doesn't have much of a voice at the table unless the I-A's are in disagreement. Along these lines, a recommendation was made for I-AAA and I-AA Executive Committee groups to meet and discuss like concerns such as the pending Override questions 100 of 140 pieces of proposed legislation have been approved since our last meeting in June, 2004.

Presidential Advisory Group (PAG) for I-AAA/I-AA has been formed. This body will hopefully be successful in advocating for our I-AAA membership. Of particular importance for those institutions and/or conferences that do not have a seat on the Board of Directors in a given year(s).

There are currently five major issues that the PAG is addressing:

*Legislative Deregulation

*Role of CEO's in the Governance Structure

*Negative Fan Behavior

*Fiscal Responsibility

*Academic Performance

The group was reminded that Dr. Walt Harrison, President of I-AAA member the University of Hartford, currently serves as the Chair of the Board of Directors.

APR - will start to demonstrate impact when contemporaneous penalties kick in. The Committee hasn't taken on how to treat those who transfer or depart for the pros in good standing. However, this will be addressed in the near future. A concern was raised regarding students being "locked" into certain majors in order to retain eligibility - a concern about tying to retention. That more focus should be on eligibility, less to retention.

Baseball, in particular, has issues related to their annual draft of juniors.

Executive Committee member Jim Schaus currently serves on the Committee on Academic Performance (CAP) and will take our concerns forward, including one regarding the 6-hour rule for frosh/sophs and its potential ramifications on this younger population still trying to get their feet wet.

Special Groups/Influence on Legislative Issues - will continue as the NABC (25% success rate) and WBCA (50%) went directly to Myles Brand.

Enforcement - NCAA Staff is largest in history and will be more of a presence on campuses. More legal involvement as well.

TCG NEWSLETTER - Chuck's open to feedback about the content. Also, please note that a paid member can also request to have selected staff members to receive the monthly e-mail directly.

The Board of Directors (BOD) can sponsor, restore, or resurrect legislation which may have been defeated by MANCO.

OVERRIDE of 2004-21 (increase in scholarships for a number of women's sports)

Collectively, the A-10, Big Sky, Horizon, MVC, and WCC have already stated their support for this measure being enacted.

30 votes - requires the BOD to review. They can decide to kill the legislation.

100 votes - freezes the legislation and places the issue up for vote by the full membership at the Convention in January (need 2/3 to Override).

MOTION was made to send a letter to all I-AAA CEO's and AD's about the override process and to ask for their support.

Initiated by Jean Lenti-Ponsetto (DePaul), Seconded by Gary Cunningham (UCSB)

ALL IN FAVOR - correspondence will be forwarded by President Carlon.

Lee Reed (Cleveland State) is the Committee Chair for 2005-06

Other I-AAA member Management Council (MANCO) reps: Janet Cone (UNC-Asheville), Bob Driscoll (Providence), Mike Moore (IUPUI), John Suarez (LIU-Brooklyn).

Scholar-Athlete Team Committee:

Committee members for '04-`05: Jerry Baker (College of Charleston), Pete Carlon (Texas-Arlington), Gary Cunningham (UCSB), Don DiJulia (St. Joseph's), Bill Husak (LMU), Ken Kavanagh (Bradley), Pat Meiser-McKnett (Hartford), and John Planek (Loyola-CHI).

Chair, Pat Meiser-McKnett (University if Hartford)

We had a relatively good third year with forty-eight submissions (slightly down from the 54 and 57 in our first two years). Despite the lower overall nominations, we were up to 36 institutions submitting (was 30 in 2004). However, we still hope to generate more PR to elicit more applications from an increasing number of member institutions in the coming years. It was noted the change to limit institutions to no more than two nominees per gender was helpful. Hope to have information sent out in November to enhance awareness and to get the process started earlier. The Committee again elected ten member squads for both genders and the individual with the highest vote total was chosen the I-AAA Scholar-Athlete of the Year for each team. Seventeen (17) institutions were represented amongst those selected and plaques were presented to each of the institutions with a rep in attendance. Each honoree received a plaque - their institution received a second one for display purposes. Honorable Mention was accorded to those nominees that were named on at least half of the ballots that did not finish within the top ten. President Levick forwarded a letter of recognition to those in this category. Discussion ensued on possible enhancements to the process.

Jean Lenti-Ponsetto (DePaul) is the Chair for 2005-06.

Lifetime Achievement Award Committee -

Committee members for '04-`05: Jerry Baker (College of Charleston), Pete Carlon (Texas-Arlington), Gary Cunningham (UCSB), Don DiJulia (St. Joseph's), Bill Husak (LMU), Ken Kavanagh (Bradley), and John Planek (Loyola-CHI).

Chair, Ken Kavanagh (Bradley University)

Ken presented our first annual Lifetime Achievement Award to Gary Cunningham (UCSB) for his distinguished career. Honorees are individuals who are paid members, retirees, or individuals who were in "good standing" upon their departure from their most recent I-AAA institution. The recipient must have worked a minimum of fifteen years as a Director of Athletics and twenty-years or more within the field of intercollegiate athletics. Gary certainly epitomizes what the Award represents.

All Sports Trophy Committee -

Chair, Mike Carter (Oral Roberts University)

In light of the fact that it is unrealistic for any institution within our Association to have the resources to contend for the current NACDA version that is dominated by I-A programs, a recommendation was made at our 2003 annual meeting to develop such recognition for our membership. Continued discussion demonstrated interest in such a possibility but to do so while working within the existing NACDA structure. In June, 2004 it was voted to award an annual I-AAA All Sports Trophy to the member institution that is ranked highest within the annual NACDA Standings. Such presentation would be made at our annual meeting.

Our first All Sports Trophy will be presented to Pepperdine University.

The University of Denver will also be publicly recognized in our release for their runner-up finish, amongst all I-AAA programs.

The Committee will now undertake an examination of whether or not we should also recognize the best I-AAA institution in various sports.

College Basketball Partnership Report -

I-AAA Committee Reps - Gary Cunningham (UCSB) and Judy Rose (UNC-Charlotte)

This informal group was put together by Myles Brand to promote and improve men's college basketball. It is hoped that it will center around values and that a quality PR campaign will develop to properly get the message out to the masses. When the Committee was original formulated I-AAA was left out of the mix. We are indeed now fortunate to have two great ambassadors covering for us in experienced vets Gary and Judy.

6. ELECTION OF OFFICERS & EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE

It was voted: To accept the slate of nominated officers for the 2005-06 academic year.

Cheryl Levick was presented a clock in appreciation for her assumption of the Presidential Gavel in the fourth year of our Association. The gavel was then passed to Incoming President Pete Carlon

It was voted: To accept the slate of nominated trustees for the 2005-06 academic year

Trustees Nominated: See attached listing

Ken Kavanagh (Bradley University) - Moved Motion

Mike Moore (I.U.P.U.I.) - Seconded the Motion ALL IN FAVOR

Ken will update and distribute the "I-AAA Institutional Contact Tree" (copy attached) which assigns to various Executive Committee members "constituent institutions" within all of I-AAA. This is an attempt to enhance communication to all paid members and to encourage those not yet on Board to join our ranks.

7. OLD BUSINESS

·         Men's Basketball Exempted Event legislation

-          still no answer as it remains in Court as the NCAA has a stay on the lawsuit

brought forth by the various exempted event organizers - expected July decision.

-          concerns still exists about NCAA losing another anti-trust case versus those worried

about the power conferences securing all the desirable exempted tourney slots.

I-AAA Association consensus was to continue to SUPPORT limiting restrictions on the events given the proliferation of new tournaments (some providing "4 for 1" exemptions) and the critical opportunities these games provide to upset power conference foes on neutral floors.

·         Website - Reminder that our I-AAA Website (includes updated information on Committees, TCG Newsletters, Association Calendar, Meeting Minutes, and other I-AAA activities and items of interest). Please share any ideas that you might have to improve our page reached via: www.nacda.collegesports.com

·         Compensation Survey - Last conducted in October, 2002 (44 respondents), it was felt that this was a useful tool and worth doing again this year. Ken Kavanagh originally offered to coordinate this process once again. However, NACDA is now offering to do so for all its member Associations and will hopefully have an on-line version available soon. It should include previous I-AAA inquiries detailing standard compensation packages within our Division (salaries, benefits, length of contracts, etc.), reporting lines, etc. Anyone with further suggestions should contact Pat Manak or Ken Kavanagh.

8. NEW BUSINESS

Amateurism Clearinghouse - Dawn Rogers (Xavier) and Jean Lenti-Ponsetto (DePaul) have been asked to serve on the Committee. More to come. In the meantime, please share any feedback with them.

9. FUTURE MEETING DATES

It was determined that the 2006 NCAA Convention would necessitate a Meeting due to the potential for a "one school, one vote" on Proposal 2004-40 and the opportunity to convene with Dr. Walt Harrison, Chancellor, University of Hartford and the reigning President of the NCAA Board of Directors.

NCAA Convention TBA, January 7-10, 2006 Indianapolis, IN

NACDA - Annual Meeting Wednesday, June 21, 2006 New Orleans. LA

Meeting adjourned at 3:43pm