SUPPLEMENT
NO. 6
Executive Comm 10/03
The Celebration of the
Student-Athlete: The NCAA?s First 100
Years
NCAA staff has been charged with
developing a strategy to celebrate the Association?s Centennial in 2006. The following information outlines the objective,
process and general concepts for the Executive Committee.
Objective: To commemorate 100 years of intercollegiate
athletics in a year-long (calendar year 2006) celebration that focuses on
honoring the past, highlighting the advocacy and reform initiatives of the
present while looking toward the future.
The
commemorative will include various events (e.g., championships, Convention);
broadcast opportunities (e.g., monthly television programs, special documentary)
and the use of ?tangibles? (e.g., commemorative book, championship
publications, merchandise) to help memorialize a special period in the history
of the NCAA and to educate the public regarding the significant role the NCAA plays in society and
sports.
A cross-functional team of
national office staff and membership will collaborate (three representatives
from each division) to plan and execute the year long celebration, with final
approval by the Executive Committee.
Planning and budget to be
substantially complete by September, 2004.
Overview:
- One element of the Centennial celebration that has
moved beyond concept to execution is the commemorative coffee table book
that will highlight 100 years of the NCAA, with an emphasis on the last 25
years. A writer has been
commissioned to begin work in order to meet the 2006 deadline.
- The 2006 NCAA Convention will kick off the
celebration. Selected former
Theodore Roosevelt and Silver Anniversary Award honorees and key figures
from the past will be invited to participate in forums, panel discussions
and the Honors program. Convention
programming will consist of discussions on current day issues, and reflections
on moments in history that significantly affected student-athletes. Several special events will be held in
conjunction with the Convention.
- All NCAA championships will play a role in the calendar
year celebration. Thirty NCAA championships
will celebrate noteworthy anniversaries throughout the Centennial year, 28
of which are women?s championships commemorating their 25th
anniversary. Special ancillary
events will be held in conjunction with selected championships throughout
2006 (e.g. Track and Field, Field Hockey, Men?s and Women?s Final Fours)
culminating in December 2006 to conclude the Centennial celebration. The NCAA staff Centennial Project Team
has worked in conjunction with the Championship Anniversaries Project Team
to identify budget efficiencies between both initiatives (e.g., recognition
on championship trophies, championship signage).
- All student-athletes participating in championships
for the calendar year will receive a commemorative coin or medallion. Commemorative uniform patches could be
worn during the Centennial year.
- A master database will be built to include all former
Honors, Walter Byers and Woman of the Year honorees. This ongoing evidence of student-athlete
excellence will be used strategically (e.g., appearances at championships,
participation in clinics, events) during the Centennial year and
beyond. Town hall discussions on
current day issues will be held in conjunction with championships in
selected markets to raise the awareness of the role and value of the NCAA.
- Member institutions, conferences as well as affiliate
members will be encouraged to use a ?Centennial Promotion/Activation Kit?
that will be developed by NCAA national office staff and will include
items such as signage, shell print ads and radio/television ads.
- NCAA charter members may be involved by having them
choose the greatest moment/greatest student-athlete in their 100 year
history. Investigate the options in
reaching out to affiliate member organizations (e.g., NACDA, coaches
associations) and encourage their participation by highlighting their
organizations? contributions to the NCAA?s first 100 years.
- The NCAA will identify one site from each of the 88
championships and develop a ?legacy? program that makes a contribution to
the local community in conjunction with the host institution, providing
further evidence that the NCAA is more than just athletics (e.g., contribution
to local school systems).
- In the fall of the 2006 Centennial year, the NCAA
will host a weekend of events, perhaps in conjunction with the Woman of
the Year celebration that utilizes the NCAA Hall of Champions and
showcases the achievements of student-athletes.
- Seek support from NCAA?s broadcast partners, CBS and
ESPN, to co-produce new NCAA programming, a documentary or multi-part
series and engage non-sports broadcast support (e.g., MTV tour). Additionally, NCAA corporate champions
and partners will have an opportunity to ?present? selected elements of
the celebration year and thus, help underwrite the expense while helping
raise the awareness of the value that the NCAA provides to society.
Recommendation: The Executive Committee is requested to
provide input regarding the components, budget parameters and appropriate level
of commercial sponsorship for the NCAA Centennial celebration.
The National Collegiate Athletic Association
October 15, 2003
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