NCAA

On #WorldBasketballDay, we're celebrating the former hoopers amongst our staff! 🏀

The holidays are a special time at the NCAA national office. Our staff made this season memorable, from giving back through community service events to spreading cheer with festive traditions. 💙 We’re grateful for their dedication and spirit—not just during the holidays, but all year long. Wishing you all a joyful and restful holiday season.

During the #NCAAWVB semifinals, NCAA Senior Vice President of Championships Lynda Tealer spoke with former FSU beach volleyball athlete and current ESPN reporter Madison Fitzpatrick!

Join us in congratulating our very own Director of Academic and Membership Affairs, Binh Nguyen, on being one of seven women to be honored with the Guardians of the Game Award from the MID-EASTERN ATHLETIC CONFERENCE! Your work to advance the sports community does not go unnoticed, Binh, and we are grateful for you!

As the volleyball national championships kick off this week, we’re celebrating the lasting impact the sport has on athletes—both on and off the court. Former student-athletes like Jaelyn Arndt, M.A., Olivia Baumhoer, and Kylann Ward reflect on how volleyball shaped their careers and continues to inspire their work at the NCAA. Check out the full article to learn more about the power of volleyball in shaping the future of college sports. 🙌 🏐

Congratulations to Jean Merrill, director in the Office of Inclusion, on being named the 2024 Disability EEG Friend of the Year! Recognized during the International Day of Persons With Disabilities celebration, Jean was honored for her leadership, advocacy, and dedication to disability inclusion across the Association and the national office. Jean’s impact includes leading initiatives like the USOPC Para-College Inclusion Project, supporting adaptive sports at NCAA championships, and creating resources to enhance opportunities and awareness for student-athletes with disabilities. Her work ensures accessibility and inclusion remain a priority for our members, student-athletes, and communities. 💙 Thank you, Jean, for your leadership and commitment to this important work. #NCAAInclusion

🏆 Congratulations to Dawn Buth, NCAA Managing Director of Government Relations, for being named one of The Hill’s Top Lobbyists! 🎾 A former Florida Gators tennis star, Dawn earned two NCAA team titles, seven All-America honors, and a top-100 WTA ranking, competing in all four Grand Slams. 💼 Now in her 11th year at the NCAA, Dawn’s leadership journey spans leadership development, the Sport Science Institute, and eight years driving impactful work in government relations. 👏 Join us in celebrating Dawn’s well-deserved recognition!

Felicia Martin, our Senior Vice President for Inclusion, was a keynote speaker at the USA Basketball Foundation Torch Leadership program, and spoke to the audience about sports career mapping!

Our NCAA x Meta NIL Empower Spring Program, centered on helping women Student-Athletes to maximize personal branding and NIL opportunities, is now open! 📤 Applications are due January 1st!⏳ 🔗 on.ncaa.com/nilempower

Today our communications team helped pack over 2,600 pounds of food at Gleaners Food Bank of Indiana which helped provide 2,177 meals to our local community. 💙