MINUTES OF THE
NATIONAL COLLEGIATE ATHLETIC ASSOCIATION
WALTER BYERS SCHOLARSHIP COMMITTEE
Teleconference March 15, 2005
Participants:
Beth Chapman, Southland Conference, chair
Robert Frank, Oregon State University
Richard Gropper, University of North Florida
Karen Johnson, Alfred University
Robert Thomas, University of Missouri, Kansas City
Corey Bray, NCAA, recording secretary
[Note: These minutes contain only actions taken (formal votes or stated "sense of the meeting") in accordance with NCAA policy regarding minutes of all Association entities. While certain items on the committee’s agenda were acted on at various times throughout the meeting, all final actions within a given topic are combined in these minutes for convenience of reference.]
The meeting was called to order at 3:30 p.m. Eastern Standard Time by the chair, Mrs. Chapman. All members were present as noted above.
1. Opening Remarks. Those in attendance introduced themselves and then Mr. Bray reviewed the purpose of the telephone conference and the process for selecting the finalists.
2. Selection of Finalists. The candidates were narrowed to three finalists and one alternate each for the men and women.
a. The male finalists were:
(1) Craig Krenzel, Ohio State University;
(2) Caesar Garcia, Auburn University; and
(3) Joaquin Zalacain, University of Puerto Rico, Rio Piedras Campus.
b. The male alternate was Matthew Altman, Stanford University.
c. The female finalists were:
(1) Rebekah Potts, Furman University;
(2) Corrin Drakulich, University of Georgia; and
(3) Melissa Stults, University of New England.
d. The female alternate was Karen Prazar, Brown University.
3. Interview Questions. The committee determined the topic areas for the interview questions and who would ask the question for each topic. The same committee member will ask the same question of each candidate. The interview question topics are:
a. Community service;
b. Academics;
c. Vision for the future;
d. Athletics; and
e. Distinguishing characteristic(s) that lead to overcoming an obstacle.
4. Update the Application Packet. Mr. Bray and the committee suggested the following changes to the application for the 2004-05 academic year:
a. Request that the Faculty Athletics Representative (FAR) or Chief Academics Officer make five copies of the official transcript and include them with the application material instead of including just one as in the past.
b. Request that the FAR or Chief Academics Officer black out the candidate’s Social Security Number on all five copies of the official transcripts.
c. Request that the candidate submit the essay on a separate piece of paper and not on the application form.
5. Review of Byers Scholar Recognition at the 2004 NCAA Convention. Mr. Bray and Mr. Gropper briefly reviewed the efforts to recognize the Byers Scholars at the 2004 NCAA Convention Delegates’ Reception. The committee agreed that the Delegates’ Reception is not the appropriate venue to attempt to recognize the Byers Scholars.
6. Recognition of the Byers Scholars at the Faculty Athletics Representatives Association (FARA) Fall Forum Awards Banquet. Mr. Bray explained the current plans to recognize the Byers Scholars at the FARA Fall Forum Awards Banquet. The committee directed Mr. Bray to also pursue adding recognition of the Byers Scholars at the annual National Association of Collegiate Directors of Athletics Convention and/or to the opening business session of the NCAA Convention.
7. Budget Requests. The committee reviewed the following budget requests and Mr. Bray explained the next steps in the budget process.
a. Finalist grants.
b. Convention banners.
c. Video.
d. Travel.
8. Agenda for the April 24-26 meeting. Mr. Bray reviewed the agenda for the April 24-26 meeting during which the committee will interview the six scholarship finalists.
9. Adjournment. The telephone conference adjourned at 4:30 p.m.
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