Penn Athletics Director M. Grace Calhoun has been appointed chair of the NCAA Division I Council. She will also hold a seat on the NCAA Division I Board of Directors, where, alongside college presidents, she will have ultimate decision-making responsibility for Division I. She will begin her time in these roles in June.
The Council serves as the chief legislative body of the Division, and is comprised of all 32 Division I conferences.
“I'm honored to serve the NCAA, its institutions, and most importantly the student-athletes as the chair of the NCAA Council," Calhoun wrote in a statement. “I continue to be passionate about the holistic development of young adults through athletics participation, and I believe that the educational value of intercollegiate athletics and the mental and physical well-being of our student-athletes should be paramount in our decision-making.”
Calhoun has played several roles in the NCAA before. She is currently chair of the NCAA Strategic Vision and Planning Committee. She has also previously held the positions of chair of the NCAA Division I Awards, Benefits and Financial Aid Cabinet, chair of the NCAA Research Committee, and vice chair of the NCAA Olympic Sports Liaison Committee.
Additionally, she has been a member of the NCAA Committee on Academic Performance, the NCAA Competitive Safeguards and Medical Aspects of Sport Committee, and the NCAA Division I Track and Field Committee.
In her new position, she will be the first chair from a non-Power Five conference. Previous chairs include Jim Phillips of Northwestern and Blake James of Miami (Fla.).
“I look forward to the opportunity to lead the Council as we work to shape the future of the rapidly-changing NCAA Division I landscape," Calhoun wrote.
RELATED:
M. Grace Calhoun promoted to chair of NCAA Strategic Vision and Planning Committee
Three takeaways from the DP's meeting with Associate AD for Sports Performance Andrea Wieland
