In a move designed to improve efficiency and reduce frustration for users, NCAA.org and NCAAConnect will merge on Jan. 1. The new NCAA.org will feature better navigation and improved search, as well as be more visually appealing. The improvements will also eliminate the need to segregate membership-directed materials to a separate, password-protected side of the website. Everything members need to conduct their business will be available on one site. While some familiar options — such as the NCAAConnect e-mail update — may temporarily function differently as new features are fully developed, the changes are a necessary part of a strategic initiative to better meet the needs of the NCAA’s various audiences.
“We’ve been working on this change for some time now,” said Dana Thomas, director of web communication. “We knew we needed to improve the site. So, we did our homework and came up with a plan that we think will make ncaa.org more visually appealing and easier to use for all of our audiences.
“We’re excited about where we are going and believe our users will like what they see.”
The merge will bring about some big changes and some small ones – here are the most important:
The new NCAA.org will combine the public and password-protected sides (NCAAConnect) of the Website into one site that does not require a login. The single-source login will still be used to access applications (LSDBI, RSRO, etc).
The site is being designed with a membership viewpoint in mind, so that content will be organized either by each division or by student-athlete interest that will direct visitors to the Eligibility Center, information on maintaining eligibility, and a new section of the site designed to connect with former student-athletes.
The merge will bring together relevant pages and other content currently on the public side and NCAAConnect in a way that provides better navigation and easier search functions.
