The 2024 NCAA Convention starts Wednesday in Phoenix, kicking off a busy week for all three divisions that includes education sessions on important topics, action on legislative proposals and celebrations to honor the achievements of many people in college athletics.
The event runs through Saturday. Nearly 3,000 attendees from member schools and conferences across the country are expected to attend.
Division I
The Division I Council is slated to act on a package of legislative proposals intended to enhance student-athlete protections regarding name, image and likeness rights. Along with several other legislative items on the docket, the council also is slated to vote on proposals that would increase penalties in the infractions process for individuals responsible for violations. If approved, the Division I Board of Directors would need to ratify the proposals during its Thursday meeting before the changes would be official. (View the full slate of Division I proposals here.)
Division II
Division II's Convention week is packed with committee meetings, education sessions, 50th anniversary celebrations and its business session.
At the Division II business session Saturday, five proposals — two membership-sponsored proposals and three sponsored by the Division II Presidents Council — are slated to be voted on via the division's one-school, one-vote legislative process. If approved, the proposals would impact areas such as playing and practice seasons for football and softball, the minimum number of sponsoring schools required to establish and maintain a Division II championship, automatic qualification for all team sports outside of football, and earned access in football. Dive into the proposal details here.
The winner of the 2024 Division II Award of Excellence will also be announced during the business session. The 27 finalists were revealed last week.
Additionally, the Division II Management Council, Presidents Council and national Student-Athlete Advisory Committee will meet during the Convention week. The three groups also will gather for a joint breakfast and meeting Thursday, which will include an opportunity to discuss key topics.
At the Division II Keynote Session and 50th Anniversary Celebration on Friday, the two overall winners of the Division II 50th Anniversary Gold Award will be announced. As part of the event, a Division II Student-Athlete Advisory Committee member will moderate a panel discussion with five of the Gold Award finalists.
Two Division II education sessions will take place Thursday: "Mental Wellness Tools to Support Coaches, Staff and Student-Athletes" and "Developing a Strong Division II Campus or Conference Student-Athlete Advisory Committee." Several other Division II-specific education sessions will take place Friday, covering topics such as "Diversity, Equity and Inclusion at Division II Schools," "FAR Programming and Resources in Division II" and "Name, Image and Likeness in Division II." See the full Convention schedule for the times and location of those sessions.
Additionally, George Taylor of Southwest Minnesota State was selected as the recipient of the 2023 Dr. Dave Pariser Faculty Mentor Award and will be recognized at a reception Friday.
Division III
At the 2024 NCAA Convention, Division III is celebrating its past and planning for its future. The NCAA's largest division will continue its yearlong 50th anniversary celebration while also focusing on the betterment of student-athletes and its schools.
Key legislative proposals for Saturday's Business Session are Division III's philosophy statement, reducing minimum participants in tennis from six to four and establishing stunt as an emerging sport for women. Dive deeper into the legislative proposals for additional information.
Information regarding the newly created Inclusive Leaders Program also will be shared during the business session. This program, guided by the Division III Diversity and Inclusion Working Group, is a train the trainer program. Trained facilitators will oversee programs on campus that will help coaches and administrators identify strategies and best practices to enhance their recruitment and retention of student-athletes of color. The inaugural facilitator training will be held during the Convention, and the program will be available after the close of the Convention.
During the week, the Presidents and Management Councils and national Student-Athlete Advisory Committee will all gather in person for their meetings. During these meetings, as well as Friday's Issues Forum, delegates will engage in discussions centered around important issues facing the division, such as the recruiting and retention of athletic trainers and the impact of sportsmanship on officiating.
On Thursday evening, the fourth annual Division III LGBTQ of the Year Award Celebration will recognize a student-athlete, administrator/coach and athletics/conference department for their LGBTQ service, leadership and inclusion.
Additional 50th anniversary celebrations will occur throughout the week with 2024 NCAA President's Gerald R. Ford Award winner and former Olympian and Division III student-athlete Anita DeFrantz speaking at Friday's Issues Forum and the national SAAC showing a celebratory video during the business session.
For more information, visit the Division III Convention resource page.
Featured Education Sessions
The Convention will include four featured sessions among other Association-wide education sessions and division-specific sessions throughout the week. Two featured sessions will occur Wednesday, with the other two taking place Thursday. Below are brief details on each, as well as links to stream the sessions live. All times are Mountain.
Mental Health (1:45-2:45 p.m. Wednesday): In this featured session, panelists will share insights on implementing mental health best practices by creating healthy environments that support student-athlete mental health and well-being. (Livestream)
Sports Betting Harm Prevention (3-4 p.m. Wednesday): This featured session will provide insight into the growing prevalence of sports betting in society and the risks it creates for higher education institutions across all three divisions, as well as practical safeguards to consider. (Livestream)
Safeguarding the Future of College Sports: Congressional Advocacy Tools for Campuses and Conferences (2:15-3:15 p.m. Thursday): This session will include information and discussions from diverse intercollegiate athletics voices to help you gain a greater understanding of the current college sports name, image and likeness and policy environments, and how these issues are being addressed by legislatures across the country. A diverse group of panelists will discuss ways they have advocated and shared their voices to make sure their stories are heard among lawmakers. (Livestream)
Name, Image and Likeness (3:30-4:30 p.m. Thursday): In this session, student-athletes will provide their perspective on the current name, image and likeness environment and also share personal stories related to NIL. The session also will include an update on recent changes to NCAA legislation related to NIL activities. (Livestream)
View the Convention schedule for a complete view of the education sessions offered.
Awards
Several student-athletes, coaches, administrators and schools will be celebrated during the Convention for their success on and off the field, as well as their positive contributions to college sports and society.
The NCAA Convention Welcome and Awards Presentation will feature several award winners and will be livestreamed here from 5-6:30 p.m. Mountain time Wednesday. The following award winners will be recognized during the event, which will also include the State of College Sports address.
The NCAA Woman of the Year Awards Presentation, from 4:45-5:45 p.m. Mountain time Thursday, will celebrate the Top 30 finalists and the winner. Bonnie Bernstein, one of the most accomplished female sports journalists in history, will serve as host of the event, which can be livestreamed here.
