Athletics director appointed to newly formed NCAA Division I Council

Judy Rose, the University’s director of athletics, is among the first members appointed by the NCAA Board of Directors to the Division I Council, which is the newest level of leadership in Division I. She is one of 27 athletic directors named to the 40-person council, which holds its first meetings today in Washington, D.C.

“I am honored to be selected to serve on the NCAA Division I Council,” Rose said. “Our industry is changing and to be able to be a part of the new governance system is both exciting and challenging. I appreciate the opportunity to represent both the 49ers and Conference USA in this role.”

The council is charged with conducting the day-to-day business of the NCAA Division I. At its first meeting, the council will elect an athletics director to chair the group. That person will also serve on the NCAA board.

Rose was the first woman to serve on the NCAA Division I Men’s Basketball Committee and was one of five finalists for the 2013-14 Sports Business Journal’s Athletic Director of the Year Award.

The council membership also includes student-athletes, marking the first time that student-athletes will cast votes on NCAA rules.

Devon Tabata, who competes in women’s soccer at Duquesne University, and Dustin Page, who competes in men’s soccer at Northern Illinois University, are among the council members; they are vice-chairs of the Division I Student-Athlete Advisory Committee (SAAC).

Tabata called the move to the new governance structure an “exciting” time for students and a “huge step in the right direction” that will allow better communication among national, conference and school Student-Athlete Advisory Committees.

The Council replaces the current Legislative and Leadership councils, and 60 percent of council members must be athletics directors. Any rules adopted by the council will be subject to a review by the NCAA board.