CLEVELAND (April 10, 2025) – The National Association of Collegiate Directors of Athletics (NACDA) announced NCAA President Charlie Baker as a featured speaker at the 60^th Annual NACDA & Affiliates Convention at the World Center Marriott Resort in Orlando, Fla. Baker will address all attendees on Tuesday, June 10, at 4 p.m. ET, in the Association-Wide Featured Session sponsored by Unify.Health.
 
Baker returns for his third NACDA & Affiliates Convention as a Featured Speaker, providing attendees with an in-depth look into his work at the National Office and the current landscape of intercollegiate athletics.
 
Baker assumed the duties as the NCAA's sixth president on March 1, 2023. During his tenure over the last two years, Baker has pursued a mission to improve the student-athlete experience, increase national office efficiency and advocate for college sports. 
 
Under his leadership, the NCAA has expanded support for student-athletes by launching a post-eligibility insurance program for all three divisions and worked with membership to enact Division I core guarantees — mandatory health and wellness benefits for student-athletes and new academic protections such as guaranteed scholarships if a student-athlete stops competing. He led the negotiation of a landmark media rights agreement with ESPN, increasing visibility for college athletes as they compete for a national championship. Additionally, Baker initiated the development of a fan database that will enhance the championship experience for all. 
 
Baker and college sports leaders continue to enact an array of policy changes enhancing collegiate athletics oversight – including Baker's leadership in advocating for the banning of prop bets on college sports to protect the health, safety and well-being of over 500,000 student-athletes and the integrity of NCAA competition.
 
On his first day in the position, Baker committed to meet with individuals from every conference office annually — a first for any NCAA president — and he has been intentional about soliciting feedback from student-athletes, coaches, administrators, athletics directors and conference commissioners. Baker thinks college sports are a uniquely American treasure, provide unmatched opportunity for young people to access higher education and in turn serve as one of the greatest human development programs in the world.
 
NACDA & Affiliates Convention attendees from all Associations are encouraged to attend Baker's Featured Session, which will also include recognition for several of NACDA's prestigious awards: the Robert Vecchione Corporate Partner Award, NACDA Athletics Directors of the Year (ADOY), and the 2024-25 Learfield Directors' Cup Winners.
 
Hotel and Convention registration for #NACDA25 is now live. Visit nacda.com/convention for more information.
 
About NACDA: Now in its 60th year, NACDA is the professional and educational Association for more than 24,000 college athletics administrators at more than 2,300 institutions throughout the United States, Canada and Mexico. NACDA manages 19 professional associations and four foundations. In addition to virtual programming, NACDA hosts and/or has a presence at seven major professional development events in-person annually. The NACDA & Affiliates Convention is the largest gathering of collegiate athletics administrators in the country. For more information, visit www.nacda.com.