67th Annual NAIA National Convention
Committees and Associations
Athletic Directors Association: Bruce Parker, Carroll College, was elected to serve as ADA Secretary, effective at the conclusion of the NACDA convention in June. The 2007-08 academic year is the final year for Region AD of the Year Recognition. The nomination process will continue to be processed through region administration.
The ADA conducted two panel workshops during the convention. Presentation handouts for “Conducting Peer Reviews in your Department” and “Conference Best Practices” are available on the NAIA website. In addition there will be several NAIA-ADA workshops during the June NACDA conference, including:
- Direct Qualification – What does it mean for my institution?
- Developing a Game Plan for Facility Improvements
- NAIA Standards – Progress Report
NAIA staff contact: Ruth Stein
Conference Commissioners Association: The following slate of officers was elected to two-year terms: Chair – Rick Sanders, Midwest Collegiate Conference; Vice-Chair – Lowell Pitzer, American Midwest Conference; Secretary – Scott Crawford, Kansas Collegiate Athletic Conference.
The group agreed that it would be helpful to create a “commissioners’ calendar” for the group to better prepare for the upcoming academic year and new policies/procedures that will be implemented in the direct-qualification model.
Commissioners agreed that a recommendation should be forwarded to the National Administrative Council for clarification and consistency in terminology used to denote newly-created initial round of national tournament play in the direct qualification model.
The association established the following survey topics:
- Officials’ pay for all sports
- Conference expenses/budgets
- Commissioners’ duties/job description
- Responsibilities and salaries for all conference employees.
The group agreed that the CCA will meet twice annually, at the NAIA National Convention and in September at the NAIA headquarters.
It was suggested that NAIA conference liaisons attend the next scheduled meetings of NAIA conferences, given upcoming changes in governance and qualification structures.
Discussion centered on setting policy (similar to NAIA recruitment guidelines) dealing with lines of communication when a member school from another NAIA conference contacts another conference about potential membership.
The association reviewed a motion from the 2007 NAIA-NABC basketball coaches’ business meeting in support of an NAIA Showcase tournament at the beginning of the season that would include “crossover” games from all NAIA conferences. The NAC will initially look at this proposal in June at NACDA and could refer to CCA for further study.
NAIA staff contacts: Kevin Dee and Scott McClure
Gender Equity Committee: This year marked the third year for the Women of the NAIA Social, an event designed to promote networking for women in the NAIA membership. The committee also sponsored an educational workshop on Title IX that was very well attended.
IIn addition to future convention workshops, the committee will reinstate the Career Symposium at the 2009 NAIA Convention. Work continues on development of a web-based tool kit institutions can use to stimulate interest in coaching and/or sports administration careers among female student-athletes.
NAIA staff contact: Ruth Stein
Association of Independent Institutions:
Association members heard a report of the Transition and Implementation Committee regarding direct qualification and discussed the distinction between “true” independents and unaffiliated institutions.
The group reviewed proposed Bylaws Amendment # 6 (expanded definition of the Association of Independent Institutions) was reviewed. The group documented some of the pressing tasks that would need to be ironed out if the amendment was approved by the membership. Those tasks included:
- Establishing an interim Administrative Committee
- Establishing a constitution and by-laws
- Assigning sport chairs and raters in sports where independents will have automatic qualifiers for national championships
- Establishing plans for determination of national qualifiers for independents
The association also highlighted some challenges it will face as it makes the transition (e.g., ranking independent institutions with no head-to-head competition or common opponents, travel considerations when scheduling).
NAIA staff contact: Scott McClure
National Eligibility Committee: The committee approved language for four interpretations to be sent to the membership after the Convention. Two of the interpretations dealt with the competitive experience rule, one was regarding hardship waivers and the final interpretation clarified transfer eligibility for students transferring from institutions that are in transition from two-year to four-year institutions.
During the transition approved by CFAR, the NEC recommended that the current chair of the committee serve the longest term to ensure consistency.
NAIA staff contact: Israel Negron
Transition and Implementation Committee: The committee has met 12 times via telephone conference, and the convention meeting marked the second and final face-to-face meeting. The committee reviewed qualification for Cross Country, sports motions from Baseball and Softball and focused on specific areas for the National Championship Series first-round competition.
NAIA staff contact: Lori Thomas
