Division I-AAA Athletics Directors Association
Membership Meeting

Wednesday, June 21, 2006
New Orleans Marriott Hotel -- New Orleans, Louisiana

1.)     Welcome and Opening Remarks

·         Pete Carlon welcomed everyone to New Orleans and expressed his feelings on the positive aspects of holding the meeting there this summer to help the city get back on its feet. He stated an overview of the year and said that it was interesting and beneficial. Explained that there was a combined I-AA and I-AAA executive committee meeting on Tuesday, June 20 that discussed common issues and concerns. He stated that the President of I-AA (John Parry, Butler University) is retiring and will submit a proposal to possibly become the executive director of both groups.

·         Mr. Carlon asked individuals to go around the room to introduce themselves.

2.)     Approval of 2005 Annual Meeting Minutes

·         Ken Kavanagh stated that there are some issues in the minutes that some of the sub-committees need to discuss during today's meeting.

·         A motion was made by Jim Jarrett and seconded by Stan Williamson to "approve the June 2005 meeting minutes as presented."

PASSED UNANIMOUSLY

3.)     Legislative Review

·         Pete Carlon stated that Lee Reed currently serves on the NCAA Management Council and will provide a legislative review report.

·         Lee provided a review of the January and April Management Council meetings. He stated that the basketball scheduling issue was confirmed.

·         Lee stated that June 26 is the deadline for any override votes.

·         Lee discussed Proposal #2005-54 and asked if anyone had heard about an override attempt? The legislation basically states that a student-athlete who graduates and still has a year left of eligibility can pursue a graduate degree at another institution while playing out his/her last year.

·         Jean Lenti Ponsetto stated concern about how disengaged individuals feel in the legislation process.

·         Lee Reed stated that July 15 is the deadline for new legislation and mentioned that the Management Council will not have a summer meeting this year. The next scheduled meeting will take place in October.

·         A brief discussion took place on the financial issues of student-athlete housing (on-campus vs. off-campus).

·         Jean Lenti Ponsetto gave an overview on what was discussed during the combined I-AA and I-AAA meeting the previous day. She discussed the concern with the disengagement of administrators from the compliance and governance process. She suggested that I-AA and I-AAA commit to having a meeting each year where issues and concerns can be discussed, much like I-A.

·         Jim Schaus stated the concerns of having only a small group of people decide on legislation rather than having the entire membership - as it was in the past. He suggested 3-4 meetings per year to review legislation.

·         A discussion took place about problems with the current decision-making process, the role that the Management Council plays and the NCAA staff structure.

·         Jean Lenti Ponsetto noted that there is too much decision making being done by NCAA staff members who are not qualified or educated enough about on-campus issues.

·         Pete Carlon mentioned Proposal #2005-77 -- coaching limitations in sports other than football.

·         He discussed the recent concern that evolved out of the Track and Field Championships in Sacramento amongst the track coaches. The concern and rules regarding this subject were discussed.

·         Jean Lenti Ponsetto stated that clarity is needed on this subject.

·         Gary Cunningham noted that the athletics directors need to be engaged in the process again.

·         Ken Kavanagh discussed his concern over the elimination of the "5&8 rule" and the reactions of athletes and coaches. He stated that a constructive waiver process should have been put in place before the rule was activated because now we are back to the old days.

·         Ken also informed the group that he was surprised that there was not a The Compliance Group (TCG) representative at the meeting to review all of these issues. After a brief discussion on the topic, a motion was made by Jim Jarrett and seconded by Judy Rose to "continue the annual use of TCG with a stipulation that the Executive Committee can terminate their services at any time if they deem it necessary. In addition, a request will be made to TCG that a representative be present at any I-AAA ADA meeting during the year, with the next one taking place in January 2007 in Orlando."

PASSED UNANIMOUSLY

·         Pete Carlon took a minute to recognize the four I-AAA Athletics Director of the Year winners who were honored earlier that day at the James J. Corbett Awards Luncheon - Pat Meiser, Cheryl Levick, Lynn Hickey and Joni Comstock.

4.)     Membership and Financial Report

·         Ken Kavanagh stated the Association is currently completing its fifth year of existence.

·         He reflected back on the membership numbers from the past, as well as where they currently stand:

·         Jim Jarrett expressed the importance of conference commissioners to get involved with this Association.

·         Ken stated there was over $65,000 in the account as of May 31, 2006, as opposed to $53,000 this time last year. The Executive Committee will discuss in the future possible ways to further utilize our funds (i.e., possible postgraduate scholarship). Ideas are welcome and encouraged.

5.) Nominating Committee Report

·         Cheryl Levick reviewed the proposed slate of 2006-07 committee members with the group.

·         Executive Committee:

·         A motion was made by Cheryl and seconded by Jean Lenti Ponsetto to "approve the recommended committee members for 2006-07."

PASSED UNANIMOUSLY

6.) College Basketball Partnership (CBP) Report

·         Gary Cunningham explained what the CBP organization is and who makes up the group - including the late addition of I-AAA reps Gary and Judy Rose to the original list. He stated what was done last year at the meeting and that everyone got the booklets that were put out before the basketball season started last year. Gary explained the group has decided to continue their work, as last year was a "test" year.

·         Judy Rose stated that there are now two groups, one each for men's and for women's basketball.

·         Pat Meiser asked if the group put together a means to evaluate concerns, issues and projects? Judy noted there was a brief evaluation that was done at the Final Four, but their poor attendance at the meeting since it was conducted on the afternoon of the Championship Game.

·         Gary mentioned that if individuals have any questions or comments to please email Judy or himself and they would take them to the next committee meeting.

·         Jean Lenti Ponsetto stated concern for the APR issue and asked individuals to consider what is happening and to be aware of sending an inappropriate message since this has been activated with very limited data after only 2 years of research.

7.)     Salary Survey

·         Pat Manak explained that the NACDA office is currently working on a salary survey that will be provided to the entire membership. Discussions have taken place with a number of groups on what the makeup of the survey should entail. A sub-committee will be formed that includes all levels of the NACDA membership to gain further insight and knowledge on the final product. There is no confirmed completion date at this point.

·         Ken Kavanagh offered to try and distribute a general compensation survey that was utilized by our Association in the Fall of 2002. He will hopefully find time to do this during the coming months to satisfy requests from members in recent years.

8.)     Diversity Training & Women's Basketball Task Force

·         Judy Rose stated the makeup of the committee (40 members) and said they have less than a year to come forward with recommendations to implement change in regards to diversity.

·         The committee met for the first time at the 2006 NCAA convention, followed by a meeting in April at the Final Four. There are sub-committee meetings scheduled for July and full committee meetings planned for August and October.

·         Judy informed the group that on Thursday, June 22 there will be a session on diversity and that members of the committee will be on the panel.

·         Jean Lenti Ponsetto briefly updated the group on the Women's Basketball Task Force. She stated a concern about championship participation opportunities after the NCAA purchased the NIT. She stated the two initiatives of the group are marketing of women's college basketball and the championship opportunities

9.)     Awards Presentation (Jean Lenti Ponsetto)

Scholar-Athlete Awards

·         Ms. Ponsetto recognized this year's Men's and Women's Scholar-Athlete Team Members with plaques bestowed to those institution's with honorees who had representatives in attendance. The 2005-06 Male and Female Scholar-Athletes of the Year respectively were Anthony Tolliver of Creighton and Allie Quigley of DePaul. A record sixty-nine nominatins were received this year.

All-Sports Award

·         Pete Carlon announced that Pepperdine University was the repeat winner of the I-AAA ADA All-Sports Award. Santa Clara University was the 2005-06 runner-up. It was noted that Gary Cunningham would make the official trophy presentation to John Watson, AD, Pepperdine at an on-campus event this Fall.

Lifetime Achievement Award

·         Ken Kavanagh announced that from this point forward, the award will be known as the Gary Cunningham Lifetime Achievement Award.

·         Gary Cunningham presented the award to Jim Jarrett (Old Dominion University) for his outstanding career and numerous contributions to our profession.

·         Jim thanked all those in attendance, Old Dominion University and NACDA for their support over the years.

10.) Passing of the Gavel

·         Pete Carlon thanked everyone for their help and assistance this past year and then handed over the presidency to Pat Meiser.

·         Pat thanked Pete for his leadership this past year and presented him with an engraved clock in appreciation for all his time and efforts - in particular the milestone moment of the year with our Override success at the NCAA Convention. Pat also expressed her excitement about becoming the new president (Pat is to be commended for her brokering our NCAA Convention meeting with her University of Hartford President Dr. Walt Harrison. Chair of the NCAA's Board of Directors' Executive Committee).

11.) Old Business

·         Jean Lenti Ponsetto gave an overview of the NCAA Clearinghouse and how it deals with information on incoming student-athletes. She also stated the issues currently taking place with high schools that are not accredited.

·         Jim Schaus gave a quick update on the Committee on Academic Performance - specifically about graduation rates and concerns within academics. He mentioned it was not a perfect system, rather an evolving process and welcomed any feedback from our membership that he could share.

·         Ken. Kavanagh expressed his feelings toward the subject of potential incentives and stated that the focus should be on gaining more publicity when it comes to rewarding programs....help institutions that have limited resources.

·         Jean Lenti Ponsetto expressed concerns about retaining student-athletes each year because of several issues such as becoming professional, coaching changes, transfers, etc.

12.) New Business

·         Pat Meiser noted their would be a January meeting with I-AA at the NCAA convention. She also mentioned the 2007 NACDA Convention will be held June 7-10 at the Orlando World Center Marriott.

·         Ken Kavanagh expressed his feelings on making the past presidents part of bylaws - becoming Ex-Officio members of the Executive Committee. They would not have voting privileges but that it would allow us to take advantage of these contributing individuals in a more inviting manner.

·         Ken noted that in order to make such a change, there would need to be a vote of the membership. An email would be sent out by Ken regarding this possible change.

·         A motion was made by Jim Jarrett and seconded by Jean Lenti Ponsetto to "approve the concept of adding the past presidents to the bylaws as Ex-Officio members of the Executive Committee."

PASSED UNANIMOUSLY

13.) Adjournment