Releases and Statements

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May 1 Meeting – Racial and Gender Diversity of Division I Football and Men’s and Women’s Basketball

The Knight Commission on Intercollegiate Athletics called for the College Football Playoff to invest some of its revenue for the first time in national initiatives supporting the health and safety of football players and in programs to increase diversity among football coaches. In addition, the Commission urged the College Football Playoff to follow the NCAA’s lead in adding current or former student-athletes to its board of managers.

Speed Up the Glacial Pace of NCAA Reform

By William E. (Brit) Kirwan and Arne Duncan. Published in the Chronicle of Higher Education. A report from the Knight Commission on Intercollegiate Athletics 15 years ago urged the NCAA to reduce time demands on college athletes and reward schools not just for their athletic performance but for meeting academic expectations. Many sports reporters, NCAA…

Knight Commission Applauds New NCAA Policy to Reward Schools for Meeting Academic Expectations

Related link: Financial Incentives Tied to Academic Success (Illustration created in 2020 to describe changes) The Knight Commission on Intercollegiate Athletics applauded the NCAA today for passing a groundbreaking new policy that will, for the first time, financially reward colleges and universities that meet academic expectations for sports teams and athletes. The policy approved Thursday…

Closing a Chapter in His ‘Never-Ending Mission’

The Washington Post published an article on October 24, 2016, about Knight Commission chairman William ‘Brit’ Kirwan, who is stepping down from the leadership post at the end of 2016. LINK HERE to read “Closing a chapter in his ‘never-ending mission’”

Knight Commission Urges NCAA to Pass Proposal to Reward Schools for Meeting Academic Expectations

[ Sessions and video with experts on college sports finances; and state and future of NCAA basketball ]

On the eve of a critical vote by the NCAA, the Knight Commission on Intercollegiate Athletics today urged passage of a new policy that would, for the first time, provide financial awards to schools that meet academic expectations for sports teams and athletes. During its fall meeting at the Newseum, the Commission also encouraged the NCAA to adopt policies under consideration that would reduce athletic time demands on college athletes.

Kirwan Retiring as Chair of Knight Commission

Knight Foundation announces changes in leadership and membership Knight Foundation President and CEO Alberto Ibargüen today announced leadership and membership changes to the Knight Commission on Intercollegiate Athletics, including the retirement of its chairman, Dr. William E. “Brit” Kirwan. Kirwan’s final meeting will be at the Commission’s session today at the Newseum in Washington, D.C.…

Knight Commission Statement on Supreme Court Declining to Take Up O’Bannon Case

Now that the case is resolved, Commission says it’s time for NCAA to step up reform to prioritize college athletes’ education, protect their health and safety The Knight Commission on Intercollegiate Athletics issued the following statement in response to the U.S. Supreme Court declining to review the appeals court ruling in O’Bannon v. NCAA. The…

Knight Commission Studies Interest in Alternative Division I Competition Models

Knight Commission Studies Interest in Alternative Division I Competition Models A Knight Commission on Intercollegiate Athletics study reveals interest among university presidents, athletics administrators, faculty and head coaches in exploring alternative models for Division I competition and administration of different sports that may reduce missed class time and travel costs. The study was conducted to…

Knight Commission Statements on NCAA Values-Based Revenue Distribution Working Group Recommendations

The Knight Commission on Intercollegiate Athletics has issued the following statements in response to the NCAA Values-Based Revenue Distribution Working Group recommendations, which have been the subject of a recent media report: September 30, 2016 Knight Commission Chair William E. “Brit” Kirwan, chancellor emeritus, University System of Maryland The Knight Commission on Intercollegiate Athletics enthusiastically…