REPORT OF THE

NCAA JOINT MEETING OF THE

COMMITTEE ON WOMEN’S ATHLETICS (CWA) AND THE

MINORITY OPPORTUNITIES AND INTERESTS COMMITTEE (MOIC)

ACTION ITEMS.

None.

INFORMATIONAL ITEMS.

Association-wide.

1. Association-Wide committee biennial budget process update. The committees received a summary of all currently allocated Committee on Women’s Athletics (CWA) and Minority Opportunities and Interests Committee (MOIC) programs and discussed budget requests for programs, as well as reallocations and requests for new programs. The committees reviewed the Women’s Summit (Grants) program and inquired about the program’s effectiveness. Staff reported on the history, progress and future enhancements to the program. The committees requested an improved evaluative tool to include tracking of participants’ progress over a five-year period. Staff noted that the Office for Diversity and Inclusion (ODI) will be hiring a full-time staff member by March 1, 2006, to oversee the grants program. Staff reported on the budget request for the Life-Work Balance program, noting the success of the recent NCAA Convention session examining the challenges confronting athletics personnel attempting to balance professional and personal commitments within collegiate athletics. The committees expressed support for this issue and suggested the legislative process as a means to move from awareness to action. The committees support the request for senior woman administrator (SWA) education, as well as the request for education on Prong III of Title IX.

2. Committee restructuring. The committees received an update on the recommendations of the NCAA Executive Committee Work Group established to examine the committee structure and devise a means to reduce expenditures. Staff noted the Executive Committee’s approved policies were to review the legislative cycle; reduce in-person committee meeting frequency; increase the percentage of meetings held in Indianapolis; reduce the committee budget by 25 percent, modify the budget system to provide greater accountability; and develop a standard of review for committee membership. Staff indicated a three-year timeline for implementation. The committees questioned whether the budget reduction would impact committee interests, and staff noted that this issue is under review by the work group. The committees referenced videoconferencing as a

technological means to address issues but also noted its limitations, indicating that
personal connection may be jeopardized.

3. NCAA Centennial Convention. The committees expressed gratitude for the staff’s
effort in making the Centennial Celebration memorable. Staff indicated the success of programming designed to highlight diversity and women’s initiatives, such as the ODI luncheon as well as the Glory Road reception and movie premier. Staff also noted participants’ appreciation of sessions on Life-Work Balance, Groundbreaking Feats of Women and Minorities in Athletics and Education, 25 Years of NCAA Women's Championships and SWA education.

4. Review of 2003-04 Race and Gender Demographics of Member Institutions’ Athletic Personnel Report. Charlotte Westerhaus reviewed the 2003-04 Race and Gender Demographics of NCAA member institutions’ athletics personnel. Staff pointed out that the numbers for student-athletes of color are increasing, whereas coaches of color are not and noted that, although there are better opportunities for assistant coaches, they are not advancing to head coaching positions. The committee reviewed the results and discussed ways to address the disappointing statistics. The committee requested that staff determine how many membership presidents include people of color on their boards and/or executive committees and also expressed interest in trying to understand and address the pressures felt by presidents, athletics directors and conference commissioners in hiring decisions.

5. Committee on Women’s Athletics update. Staff provided an update on the Gender
Equity and Issues Forum, which took place in Cleveland, Ohio, April 30 to May 2. It was noted that this year’s forum will highlight the 25^th Anniversary of Women’s Championships. The staff provided an update on the educational efforts being taken by CWA on behalf of the NCAA to inform the membership on the changes to the definition of the SWA. Funding has been requested to support this initiative. The committees received an update on the issue of women’s teams that use male practice players. The committee collected anecdotal research and feedback to a 10-question survey that was distributed to the national student-athlete advisory committees, divisional sport committees and divisional Management Councils, as well as coaches and administrators that expressed concern. CWA drafted a statement that will appear in the committee reports prepared for the divisional Management Councils. The committees received an update on the changes being made to the 2006 Woman of the Year selection process. Schools now will submit nominations through their conference offices, and all conference offices are eligible to participate. Conference offices were notified of the changes through a March 10
mailing about the availability of the nomination forms. An update also was provided on the Women Coaches Academy (WCA) and the National Association of Collegiate Women Athletics Administrators/Higher Education Resource Services (NACWAA/HERS) programs. It was stressed to both committees that these programs are important to the CWA and that support will be maintained for the positive impact they are making. Both committees were informed that the WCA has expanded the number of academies and dimensions they provide and they recently conducted a winter academy in conjunction with the Division I women's volleyball championship. A budgetary increase is being requested on behalf of the NACWAA/HERS programs to assist NACWAA in continuing to provide opportunities for experienced administrators to recruit women and people of color to the profession and ensure their retention.

6. Minority Opportunities and Interests Committee update. Staff provided an update on the NCAA Fellows Program, noting that the program will be concluding in seven months. The committees received an update on the NCAA Men’s Coaches Academy and American Football Coaches Association (AFCA)/Black Coaches Association (BCA) survey conducted at the January 2006 meeting to determine participants’ perceptions about the Academy. The staff provided an update on the NCAA Internship Program and noted that 15 interns were chosen in February 2006, and the internship commenced in June 2006. Staff reported on the newly formed NCAA Student-Athlete Coaching Program that seeks to increase interest in coaching as a career amongst upper-level student-athletes. The committees suggested that the program also emphasize careers in officiating and athletics administration. The committees received an update on the new Division I head football coaches of color, and staff provided statistical information on the coaching changes noting that there was a decrease in the number of head coaches of color when compared to the 2003-04 season.

7. NCAA Executive Committee Subcommittee on Gender and Diversity Issues Update. Staff provided the committees with an update on an issue being discussed by the NCAA Executive Committee Subcommittee regarding the lack of participation by student-athletes of color in NCAA-sponsored/institutional leadership opportunities such as the National Student-Athlete Advisory Committee. Staff indicated that the high concentration of student-athletes of color in certain sports may not allow for involvement in these programs and indicated that the subcommittee plans to address this issue via subcommittee forum next year.

8. Title IX teleconference. Staff solicited input from the committees on the January 2006 Title IX videoconference to determine its effectiveness. The committees noted their
appreciation of the videoconference and noted its value in transmitting education and information. Committee members also provided constructive feedback on ways to use the technology in the areas of marketing and program format.

Committee Chairs: Darlene Bailey, Missouri State University; and Robert C. Vowels,
Southwestern Athletic Conference.

Staff Liaisons: Corey Jackson, Office for Diversity and Inclusion; Rosie Stallman, Education Services; Dea Shipps, Enforcement; Curtis Hollomon, Education Services; Kimberly Ford, Office for Diversity and Inclusion and Matthew Stach, Education Services.