NCAA set to revise constitution at annual convention in Indianapolis

The NCAA this week will take on several major topics during its annual convention, including efforts to cement a revised constitution that would give more autonomy to each of its three divisions.

The Indianapolis-based college sports organization is set to begin formal meetings on Wednesday in downtown Indianapolis, as part of what is typically an annual four-day event to discuss rule changes and trends in collegiate athletics.

This year’s event will be split between three downtown hotels—the JW Marriott, the Indianapolis Marriott Downtown and The Westin—and the Indiana Convention Center, with about 3,500 people expected to attend.

Julie Roe Lach, commissioner of the Indianapolis-based Horizon League, said this year’s convention will likely be a milestone for the NCAA because of the most prominent piece of business on the agenda: a trimming of its constitution to give schools and conferences more governance and control.

“This new constitution is really just opening the door for each division to have even more autonomy and the way they govern themselves, while still recognizing there are some principles that [NCAA members] should agree to and uphold,” she said. “In terms of operations, I think you’ll see even more autonomy among the divisions following this vote on Thursday.”

Each of the NCAA’s divisions already operate mostly independently from one another, with the exception of major votes that affect the entire membership body. But the new constitution would further that, with an emphasis on placing athletic operations under further control of member schools, rather than dealing with red tape often created by the association.

It also contains specific language for compensating athletes for the use of their name, image and likeness, but still prohibits schools from adopting a “pay for play” model. Further, the new bylaws would include parameters for diversity and inclusion efforts by member schools and conferences.

Lach said she is supportive of the changes to the constitution, as are the schools in the Horizon League, which includes IUPUI. 

In addition to Thursday’s full vote, the convention gives schools in Division II and Division III their sole opportunity to convene in a given year, while Division I—consisting of generally the NCAA’s largest and most financially lucrative member schools—now meets quarterly.

The convention includes various discussions, business sessions and committee meetings, along with rule votes by each of the divisions. For example, the Division I Council is set to reevaluate recruiting periods for men’s and women’s basketball, along with scrimmage limitations for spring football practices.

Lach said she will be involved in several committee meetings related to women’s basketball, including a joint session with the men’s basketball committee and various talks about how to increase equity between the men’s and women’s seasons and tournaments.

She said one thing she doesn’t expect will be resolved this week is the question of whether the men’s and women’s Division I Final Fours will be played at a single site starting as early as 2027, as has been proposed.

“It’s going to take some more time,” she said. “I’m on one committee, but there’s several different groups looking at this and giving input.”