Conversation with NCAA President Mark Emmert
As president of the NCAA, Mark Emmert leads one of the most influential and far-reaching organizations in all of sports. Nearly 1,100 universities and colleges with more than 19,000 teams and 480,000 athletes in three divisions are members of the NCAA, whose policies and practices impact the lives of people – and not just fans – in every community in United States.
Today, more than $2.7 billion in athletic scholarship aid is distributed annually, up from $250 million in the early 1990s. The opportunity to play, and receive the benefits of participation in, college sports has reshaped the landscape of youth and high school sports over the past generation. Under Emmert since 2010, the NCAA has made health and wellness of young athletes at all levels a stated priority, along with the opportunity to receive a quality education.
Sports & Society Program executive director Tom Farrey engaged Emmert in conversation about the role of the NCAA in building productive citizens and communities. How can it best promote mental and physical health from the college level down to the youth leagues? How can it provide athletic and educational opportunities for students from all communities, regardless of zip code? How much influence can it have at a time when the organization is being tested in the courts on a variety of issues, including athlete welfare?
The wide-ranging, moderated conversation with Emmert was followed by audience Q&A.
Video of the conversation with Mark Emmert.
News Coverage
“NCAA prez concerned by Texas swimming paid $740K for winning Olympic gold,” by Jon Solomon, CBS Sports
“Mark Emmert says NCAA might rethink Olympic payouts to student-athletes,” by Steve Berkowitz, USA Today
“Leave it be NCAA; let collegiate Olympians keep the cash,” by Nicole Auerbach, USA Today
“Katie Ledecky earned $355,000 in medal bonuses from Rio Olympics performance,” by Christine Brennan and Steve Berkowitz, USA Today
Event photos on flickr
About Mark Emmert
Mark Emmert became the fifth president of the NCAA in 2010. Before then, Emmert was president of his alma mater, the University of Washington, beginning in 2004. He also served as chancellor of Louisiana State University (1999-2004), provost and chancellor of the University of Connecticut (1995-1999), provost and vice president for academic affairs at Montana State University-Bozeman (1992-1995) and associate vice chancellor for academic affairs at the University of Colorado, Boulder (1985-1992). Emmert graduated from Washington with a degree in political science and has both a master’s degree and Ph.D. in public administration from Syracuse University. Emmert and his wife DeLaine have two adult children and three grandchildren.