CLEVELAND – In conjunction with the new year, NACDA has announced the launch of "
NACDA U" – a new professional development initiative to support member athletics directors and senior level administrators as the collegiate enterprise continues to evolve.
NACDA U will provide the means for 100 athletics directors and 100 senior level administrators to attend specified NACDA meetings in 2022 through a $2,000 professional development stipend.
After more than two years apart, NACDA recognizes the importance of its members returning to in-person meetings to share ideas and best practices and carry the industry forward. This is especially true as there are many individuals who are new to the AD chair and senior level positions, navigating unprecedented change and working to usher in a new era of intercollegiate athletics. NACDA U reflects the Association's mission to provide educational opportunities and serve as a vehicle for networking, the exchange of information, and advocacy on behalf of the profession.
"On behalf of the NACDA Officers and Board of Directors, we are very excited to be part of the launch of NACDA U," said NACDA President
Jamie Pollard, director of athletics at Iowa State University. "NACDA U is a strategic investment in the professional development of athletics directors and senior level athletics administrators that will be led by the NACDA staff. The investment is being made at a critical time in our industry when so many institutions are facing cutbacks in professional development budgets. This is another example of the many services that the NACDA staff initiates and operates on behalf of our membership."
"NACDA U is an important next step for our members on campus in leadership positions who are navigating the sea of change happening in college athletics," said NACDA Chief Executive Officer,
Bob Vecchione. "We are fortunate to be able to give back to the membership in this way, through financial support and providing relevant programming, to assist in the career advancement of athletics administrators at all levels of competition across the country."
A total of 200 NACDA U participants will be selected (100 athletics directors and 100 senior level administrators).
The deadline to apply for the grant is Monday, Jan. 24. Applicants must be current NACDA dues paying members to be considered. Administrators from all divisions can utilize the links below to apply:
The grant will be managed on a reimbursement basis to the recipient's institution and will allocate $1,000 for each in-person meeting ($2,000 total per individual). Applicants should be aware of the intended distribution of funds and prepared to attend both meetings as outlined below should they be selected as a NACDA U participant.
- For Athletics Directors:
- $1,000 will be dedicated to 2022 NACDA Spring Symposium registration and travel expenses to San Diego, Calif. (April 10-12)
- $1,000 will be dedicated to 2022 NACDA & Affiliates Convention registration and travel expenses to Las Vegas, Nev. (June 26-29)
- For Senior Level Administrators:
- $1,000 will be dedicated to 2022 NACDA & Affiliates Convention registration and travel expenses to Las Vegas, Nev. (June 26-29)
- Participants must also register for the Senior Administrators Mentoring Institute as part of this program (June 29-30)
- $1,000 will be dedicated to 2022 NACDA & Affiliates Fall Forum registration and travel expenses (Location and Dates TBD)
Questions regarding the NACDA U program and process should be directed to
Jason Galaska in the NACDA National Office at
jgalaska@nacda.com.
About NACDA: NACDA, now in its 57th year, is the professional and educational Association for more than 22,000 college athletics administrators at more than 2,200 institutions throughout the United States, Canada and Mexico. More than 6,500 athletics administrators annually attend NACDA & Affiliates Convention Week. Additionally, NACDA manages 17 professional associations and four foundations. For more information on NACDA, visit
www.nacda.com.
