NAIA Unveils 2004 Convention Theme, Presenting Sponsors

OLATHE, Kan. – The National Association of Intercollegiate Athletics (NAIA) is pleased to announce the theme and presenting sponsors for its 2004 NAIA National Convention.

As the annual event theme, "Building for the Future" is incorporated into each of the seminar topics Drug Testing, Title IX Compliance, Enrollment and Sponsorships, the association breaks from its traditional convention format to place greater emphasis on professional growth seminars for attendees.

Lee’s Summit-based National Research Center for College & University Admissions (NRCCUA), and insurance company Mutual of Omaha, recently committed to presenting sponsorship for the convention next March—each organization’s identity highlighted throughout the convention and expressed through name association; special promotions; signage and announcement at the prestigious yearly Awards Luncheon; and as complementary convention exhibitors. NRCCUA is a leading non-profit educational research organization and corporate sponsor of the NAIA. Mutual of Omaha is the Official Catastrophic Athletics Injury Insurance Carrier of the NAIA.

"NRCCUA is excited to offer its support and to share decades of recruitment education with the NAIA, its college and university presidents, athletic directors and coaches during the upcoming NAIA National Convention," said Don Munce, NRCCUA President. "It’s a fantastic way for us to assist the entire association in ‘Building for the Future,’ while showing continued encouragement of the NAIA’s unique initiatives and mission."

The NAIA National Convention will take place March 26-29, 2004, at the Westin Crown Center in Kansas City, Mo. The Westin Crown Center is located within Hallmark’s Crown Center, an 85-acre complex of shops, restaurants and theatres. The award-winning hotel is just minutes from the Country Club Plaza and Downtown Kansas City.

Each year, the NAIA National Convention serves as the 307-member college-sports organization’s most important gathering, and is an opportunity for all NAIA councils and committees to discuss new legislation, honor those who have excelled throughout the previous year and plan for the future. Attendees primarily include Presidents, Athletics Directors, Faculty Athletics Representatives, Registrars and Campus Character Representatives of the NAIA.

New legislation matters for discussion at the 63rd Annual NAIA National Convention include: Competitive Experience Amendment, 24-Week Practice/Competition Season Amendment, and the Contest Limitations Amendment. A chat room and message board will be posted closer to the convention so that readers may post their viewpoints.

As more convention topics are confirmed, expect periodic updates to the NAIA Web site, www.naia.org, also offering scheduling and contact information for the National Convention.

# # #

Founded as a small-college basketball tournament in 1937, the NAIA is a leader in the world of intercollegiate athletics. The NAIA was the first intercollegiate organization to offer athletic opportunities to all student-athletes, regardless of race or ethnic background, and the first intercollegiate organization to conduct championships for both men and women. The NAIA currently offers 23 separate championships in 13 sports, and has 307 colleges and universities in 44 states and three Canadian provinces as member institutions.