Releases and Statements

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Knight Commission to meet June 17 to discuss academic reforms, penalties for major rules violations

FOR RELEASE—May 14, 2008. CONTACT AND RSVP: Brian Wachur, Widmeyer Communications, 202.667.0901 or brian.wachur@widmeyer.com Media Advisory Georgia Tech men’s basketball coach Paul Hewitt and University of Hartford President Walt Harrison to discuss the academic challenges in men’s basketball and the impact of academic reforms Who: R. Gerald Turner, President of Southern Methodist University and Co-Chairman…

Knight Commission to Meet Oct. 27 to Discuss Publicity Rights, Fantasy Games, and Commercialism

FOR RELEASE —October 1, 2008 CONTACT AND RSVP: Katie Reardon, Widmeyer Communications, 202.667.0901 x150 or katie.reardon@widmeyer.com Media Advisory KNIGHT COMMISSION TO MEET OCT. 27 AT NATIONAL PRESS CLUB IN WASHINGTON, D.C. TO DISCUSS ATHLETES’ PUBLICITY RIGHTS, COLLEGE SPORTS FANTASY GAMES, COMMERCIALISM AND FINANCES Who: Knight Commission on Intercollegiate Athletics chaired by William E. “Brit” Kirwan,…

Tackling college football fantasy leagues

Knight Commission on Intercollegiate Athletics co-chairs William E. Kirwan and R. Gerald Turner authored an opinion piece, below, published in the Los Angeles Times on August 30, 2008. This weekend, Terrapins, Trojans, Mustangs and more take to the gridiron, kicking off the college football season. This week also marks the start of a new era…

A Tribute to Former Knight Commission Chairman Thomas K. Hearn

We are deeply saddened by the news that our friend and colleague Thomas K. Hearn passed away yesterday at his home in Winston-Salem. Hearn was a founding member of the Knight Commission on Intercollegiate Athletics and served as the Commission’s chairman in 2005 and 2006. Recognized as one of the nation’s top university presidents during…

Knight Commission Calls on NCAA to Shorten Basketball Season

[ Sessions and audio with experts and researchers on academic performance in men's basketball; and NCAA infractions ]

The Knight Commission on Intercollegiate Athletics held discussions on academic reform, potential changes in the basketball playing season, and changes to penalties for violating National Collegiate Athletic Association rules. The Commission called on the NCAA to shorten the season to reduce the number of missed classes and stress on players. It also commended the association’s academic performance program, but noted that a complex waiver process is threatening to weaken standards designed to hold programs responsible for the academic progress of their players.

Faculty Summit on Intercollegiate Athletics

[ Sessions and audio with faculty on athletics issues; faculty governance; academic integrity; and strategies ]

The summit included a presentation of findings from the Faculty Perceptions of Intercollegiate Athletics Survey. The survey presentation served as the context for panelists and interactive sessions relating to the role of faculty engagement in athletics issues, faculty governance, academic integrity, case studies of athletics crises, and strategies for faculty to consider.