Dec. 1, 2010

CLEVELAND - The National Association of Collegiate Directors of Athletics (NACDA) announced today that former White House press secretary (2001-03) Ari Fleischer, president of Ari Fleischer Sports Communications, will be one of the Association's featured speakers at the 46th Annual NACDA Convention presented by Fox Sports, which will be held Thursday-Saturday, June 16-18, 2011, at the World Center Marriott Resort in Orlando, Fla. Fleischer will address attendees on Friday, June 17 at 8 a.m.

In addition to addressing all Convention attendees, Fleischer will conduct a media/strategic planning seminar for Division I directors of athletics at 9 a.m. on June 17. He will also attend the annual NACDA Mid-Winter Meetings in January to discuss the importance of having a communications plan.

"NACDA and its affiliate associations are honored to have Ari Fleischer on hand to address our members," noted NACDA President Dave Roach, director of athletics at Colgate University. "Ari has been on the forefront of the communications world for many years and we look forward to hearing his thoughts on the changing communications strategies we are facing in the digital age."

As former White House press secretary, Ari Fleischer was the primary spokesperson for President Bush. He served as spokesman during the historic presidential recount, September 11th, two wars and the anthrax attack. His best-selling book, "Taking Heat," details his years in the White House and reached #7 on The New York Times best-seller list.

"Athletics directors today often have to handle red-hot controversies that come with intense media interest and scrutiny," stated Fleischer. "While ADs would rather focus on much more routine matters, I look forward to talking with them about the role of sports on campus today and how to handle the toughest communications crisis. I look forward to being there."

Since leaving the White House, Fleischer has worked with various sports organizations, including Major League Baseball, the NFL, U.S. Olympic Committee and the BCS. He also helps advise several major corporations about their communications issues.

About NACDA: NACDA, now in its 46th year, is the professional and educational association for more than 6,500 college athletics administrators at more than 1,600 institutions throughout the United States, Canada and Mexico. NACDA administers 11 professional associations for the separate business units that report directly to the athletics director. Additionally, more than 2,200 athletics administrators annually attend the NACDA Convention presented by Fox Sports. For more information on NACDA, visit www.nacda.com.