AMES, Iowa -- Iowa State University President Gregory L. Geoffroy has been appointed to a two-year term on the NCAA's Executive Committee, the organization's highest governance body. All 16 committee members are presidents of member institutions.
The Executive Committee is responsible for approving and overseeing the NCAA budget, hiring the president and setting strategic direction for the organization.
In addition, Geoffroy has accepted an invitation to serve on a special purpose committee -- the Division I Men's Basketball Academic Enhancement Group. Geoffroy will represent the Big 12 Conference on the committee, which is charged with completing its study by the end of 2008.
Specifically, the Division I Men's Basketball Academic Enhancement Group will:
- Analyze available data, research and literature regarding the academic performance trends of Division I men's basketball student-athletes.
- Identify characteristics and factors in the sport that may be serving to impair the academic performance of Division I men's basketball student-athletes.
- Identify changes that would enhance academic performance and graduation rates in Division I men's basketball.
- Submit to the Division I Board of Directors, no later than the end of 2008, a set of recommendations and proposals that would enhance APR and graduation rates in Division I men's basketball.
- Maintain ongoing communication with, and seek reactions from, the NCAA governance structure, the NABC membership and conference offices during the course of the project.
"I look forward to serving on the Executive Committee and the academic enhancement group, along with my ongoing membership on the NCAA Division I Board of Directors," Geoffroy said. "These are assignments with significant influence on a number of intercollegiate athletic issues of national importance.
"The question of how to improve the academic performance of Division I men's basketball is extremely important, and I appreciate the opportunity to help find answers."
A similar NCAA study group recently focused on academic performance of student-athletes involved in baseball.
Geoffroy's terms on the Executive Committee and the Division I Board of Directors end in April 2009.
