(Story courtesy of Trinity University)
SAN ANTONIO, Texas - The President of the NCAA,
Dr. Mark Emmert, was in San Antonio recently for the NCAA Division
III Men’s and Women’s Soccer Championships, but was
also able to visit his first Division III campus in Trinity
University.
Dr. Emmert has been the NCAA President since November 2010, but had never previously visited a Division III campus, or attended a Division III Championship event. Dr. Emmert was the President at the University of Washington from 2004-2010, and has held faculty or administration positions at several other Division I schools over the years.
Trinity President Dr. Dennis Ahlburg welcomed Dr. Emmert with a luncheon at Trinity, which was also attended by members of the NCAA and Trinity staffs. Included in the luncheon were Trinity Vice President Michael Fischer, Director of Athletics Bob King, Senior Women’s Administrator/Head Volleyball Coach Julie Jenkins, NCAA Vice President for Division III Dan Dutcher, and NCAA Director of Championships John Williams.
The lunch allowed Dr. Emmert to hear about Division III issues from the Trinity representatives, and they were all able to discuss the vision of Division III on both the school and national level.
Prior to lunch, Dr. Emmert greeted a large group of Special Olympians participating in clinics and other activities with the participating teams of the soccer championships. The community-outreach event has become a favorite for the players and coaches in San Antonio over the past three years, and this year marks the beginning of the NCAA relationship with Special Olympics.
Later in the afternoon, Dr. Emmert was able to tour Trinity’s outstanding academic and athletic facilities, and was greeted in the Bell Athletic Center by members of Trinity’s Student Athlete Advisory Committee, and other members of Trinity’s staff.
That evening, Dr. Emmert was able to interact with players, coaches, and administrators at the NCAA Division III Men’s and Women’s Soccer Championship Banquet, and was also joined by the Division III Men’s and Women’s Soccer National Committees.
