Dan's Convention Recap

The MIAC staff just returned from sunny San Diego, Calif., which was the site of the 2014 NCAA Convention. Each will share their thoughts from a great week of learning, networking and fun, starting today with MIAC Executive Director Dan McKane.

2014 NCAA Convention Recap

By Dan McKane

Dan McKane

Every year I look forward to attending the NCAA Convention. I always take a lot away from the many meetings I get to attend and the conversations I have with many great athletic administrators throughout the association. This year was no exception, my convention experience lived up to everything I was hoping for, including some fantastic San Diego weather.

One of the highlights from the trip was taking part in the Division III Special Olympics event. Special Olympians from the San Diego area were mixed in with Division III student-athletes and administrators, taking part in soccer and bocce ball competition. Due to my soccer background, I naturally gravitated to the soccer games and had a fantastic experience. The games were competitive and fun. One of the best parts was watching our NCAA National SAAC Rep (Domenic Fraboni from Concordia football) playing soccer. Another highlight from the event was gathering four Gustavus graduates for a photo with Gustavus President Jack Ohle (Chair of the NCAA Division III Presidents Council).

The D-III Special Olympics clinic was featured in the NCAA
Convention Newsletter. MIAC SAAC rep Domenic Fraboni
is pictured chest-bumping a student-athlete, and he and
Augsburg's Kelly Anderson Diercks are in the group shot.

The annual Division III Commissioners Association meeting during convention is always valuable, as it is a time to discuss important issues pertaining to conferences, but also take time to have conversations with people around the division that play similar roles in conferences. I always learn so many new best practices from my exchange with the 44 conference commissioners. Another highlight for me is attending the NADIIIAA (division III administrators) session each year. The topic this year was on campus emergencies, covering horrifying stories of campus emergencies. The speakers discussed some of the things they learned to help prepare their campuses for future emergencies.

Every year during convention, Friday is dedicated to the Division III Issues Forum and the MIAC administrator meeting. The Issues Forum allows me to really hear from administrators around the division on several key topics. This year the main topic was recruiting reform. We discussed many concepts that could alter the way the division recruits. I am very interested to see which concepts develop into proposals for next year’s convention. The recruiting topic is one that I have spoken to most coaches groups throughout the conference and have heard many passionate responses on a number of ideas. Friday afternoon featured our MIAC administrator meeting, where we covered NCAA legislation, several hot topics in the NCAA and MIAC. Former MIAC Executive Director Carlyle Carter also stopped at the meeting to catch up with our many long time administrators. We also congratulated Gerald Young (Carleton AD) on his appointment to the NCAA Management Council and JoAnn Andregg (St. Thomas Associate AD) on her upcoming retirement.

Gustavus President Jack Ohle presides over the
NCAA Division III Business Session.

Saturday, the final day of convention, features the Division III Business Meeting where we hear several key updates and vote on proposals. There were nine proposals and one resolution. All items were approved, with the exception of a proposal dealing with football helmets in the spring conditioning period which was withdrawn on the convention floor. We celebrate the 40^th Anniversary of Division III this year.  Division III has a lot of positive things going for it, as we look to keep our student-athletes safe and provide them not only great athletic experiences, but also keep them focused on their academic pursuits.

Overall, I came away from the NCAA Convention more energized than ever before. I wasn’t excited to enter back into freezing temperatures after experiencing 80 degrees each day in San Diego, but I am ready for the winter sports season and excited for our upcoming championships.