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SIUE Ruler

April 25, 2007

SIUE Chancellor Announces Division I Reclassification Work Group
         EDWARDSVILLE, Ill. - Southern Illinois University Edwardsville Chancellor Vaughn Vandegrift has announced the members of the newly formed Intercollegiate Athletics Reclassification Work Group, which will perform much of the behind-the-scenes tasks needed as the University makes the transition to NCAA Division I athletics.
         Vandegrift made the announcement Wednesday in a communication to SIUE faculty and staff.
         "Southern Illinois University Edwardsville is committed to reclassifying its athletics programs to NCAA Division I status," Vandegrift wrote. "During the coming five-year, exploratory and transition period, much planning and work will be required to submit applications, prepare reports, and generate information requested by the NCAA and select conferences. It is critical that timely and substantive responses be forthcoming," he said.
         Among the nine-member panel are two students, the NCAA-required Faculty Athletics Representative (FAR) and representatives of the Intercollegiate Athletics Council (ICAC).
         Work Group members include:

  • Kay Covington (ICAC Member, Faculty Senate president-elect, and associate professor of Kinesiology and Health Education
  • Kim Durr (executive assistant to the Chancellor)
  • Brad Hewitt (director of Intercollegiate Athletics)
  • Courtney Mall (sophomore, College of Arts and Sciences)
  • Jeff McLellan (senior associate general counsel and special assistant to the Chancellor)
  • John Meisel (Faculty Athletics representative and professor of Economics and Finance)
  • Ankur Patel (junior, School of Engineering)
  • Paul Pitts (director of Institutional Compliance)
  • Anne Powell (ICAC chair and associate professor of Computer Management and Information Systems)

             Meisel will serve as the Work Group's chair.
             Vandegrift said the responsibilities of the Work Group include abiding by the Guiding Principles put forth by the Intercollegiate Athletics Task Force, while ensuring compliance with all guidelines, policies, rules, deadline for NCAA reclassification and conference affiliation.
             "We have much to be proud of at SIUE," Vandegrift wrote. "In the coming years, I believe we will see increased excitement among our alumni and within the campus community as we move Cougar Athletics to Division I competition."
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