Westminster College President Named To NCAA Presidents Council
Westminster College President Dr. George B. Forsythe was named to the NCAA Division III Presidents Council Jan. 20. "I am honored to assume a leadership role in an organization that plays such a significant role in the lives of so many of our Westminster students," says President Forsythe. "Our student-athletes compete fiercely because they are so passionate about their sport, yet they bring that same passion and discipline to their studies, making them some of our most outstanding students."
The Presidents Council provides leadership for the National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) organization. Athletics administrative professionals, faculty athletic representatives and student-athlete representatives compose an extensive committee structure that examines issues and makes legislative and policy recommendations to the Council.
The NCAA itself is made up of three membership classifications: Divisions I, II and III. Each division creates its own rules governing personnel, amateurism, recruiting, eligibility, benefits, financial aid and playing and practice seasons-consistent with the overall governing principles of the Association.
President Forsythe will serve a four-year term. Presidents from eighteen of the different conferences represented in Division III serve on the Council.
President Forsythe has devoted his professional life to the fields of education and leadership training. He came to Westminster College in Fulton, MO, as Dean of Faculty in 2005 as a retired Brigadier General in the U.S. Army after 35 years of commissioned service at the U.S. Military Academy at West Point. He was appointed 20th President of Westminster in 2008. During his Presidency, this private undergraduate liberal arts college has been transformed into a global leadership community nationally ranked for its diversity.
Recently President Forsythe's blog from The Huffington Post on college athletic programs, "Time to Refocus on the Whole Student," was reprinted by the NCAA on its website. Click on the following link to view the article. "Time to Refocus on the Whole Student"
NCAA Division III is comprised of 436 active member schools with more than 17,000 student athletes. Overall membership in the organization, including schools, conferences and related associations is 1,273.
Founded more than 100 years ago as a way to protect student athletes, the NCAA is a member association composed mostly of higher education institutions that emphasizes both athletics and academic excellence. The NCAA administers 89 national championships in 23 sports. In addition, the Association administers regulations that govern recruiting, eligibility, financial aid and benefits among other things. The NCAA also establishes rules of play for most sports.
Division III athletes play for the love of the game in programs where the overwhelming focuses is the total educational value and benefit of the sport. Division III athletics allows students to still have time to enjoy other opportunities and pursue the full spectrum of college life.
Courtesy Westminster College