The NCAA Convention from the eyes of a SCAC Student-Athlete - Day Two

INDIANAPOLIS, Ind. - The Southern Collegiate Athletic Conference is being represented by 18 student-athletes at the 2012 NCAA Convention this week. Made possible through the NCAA Division III Strategic Initiative Grant, the 18 student-athletes will participate in activities ranging from education sessions to business sessions to the NCAA Honors Celebration.

It was the first full day for all the SCAC student-athletes in Indianapolis, and it was jam-packed with activities. One of the highlights of the day came after the Keynote Luncheon, when NCAA Vice-President of Division III, Dan Dutcher, spent a few moments with the group. He told everyone how pleased he was that they were at the Convention and how the SCAC was functioning somewhat as a trailblazer in sponsoring this many student-athletes to attend the annual event.

With the league's 18 student-athletes sporting conference gear thoroughout the day, the SCAC was the buzz of the Convention and the league's youngest ambassadors represented the conference well.

Junior volleyball player Raven Scott of Millsaps College (pictured left) will write a daily blog, recapping some of the activities that she and her fellow student-athletes are experiencing. Below is her entry for Wednesday: 

7:15 a.m...roommate's alarm goes off. Roll over, back to sleep. 7:50 my alarm goes off.... snooze. 8:00...breakfast in 30 minutes and this bed is so comfy and warm....snooze. 8:10, alright already, I'll get up.

The NCAA Convention is no small ordeal. Three major hotels are filled with people from different positions in the NCAA from across the country. Speakers, forums, and schedules fill the Convention guide and I realize that this is a non-stop event for the next few days. I scope out the clothes in the NCAA shop as we register and watch people sign in for activities for the rest of the week. Some receive red or green lanyards that signify they have a vote and voice in the proposed legislation, whereas others, like us, get white lanyards that basically mean we are here to learn, network, and observe. We are all bright-eyed and bushy-tailed as we scour the program for forums we want to attend. We start with a panel on partnering for student-athlete success and nod in agreement as the speakers call for a building of relationships between athletics and academics. We take notes, write ideas, and evaluate our own schools and programs with new eyes.

Next we head to the Keynote Luncheon and stare at our well-manicured salads wondering, "am I using the right fork? You mean that waxy flower looking thing is butter? Can a cook really make food for this many people?" We laugh as I continue taking pictures of every minute detail and share more about where we are from and our respective schools. 

Arne Duncan, the United States Secretary of Education quickly quieted the crowd with his opening quote, "It was the best of times and it was the worst of times for collegiate athletics in 2011." The NCAA Convention is an inside look at all the happenings in collegiate athletics across the nation. The increased number of student athletes and positives of Title IX along with many other topics show the positive side of the organization, yet retention rates, tight finances, and the commodification of athletes displays room for improvement. The Secretary highlighted these issues, all that are pertinent, yet not often discussed amongst student-athletes. As a student-athlete, I listened as Mr. Duncan highlighted the issues facing DI and DII athletics: focusing on winning rather than student success, not devoting enough money to academics, making sure the balance between academics and athletics does not fall out of line. We, the handful of athletes representing the SCAC and DIII student athletes, can say that we are ahead of the game. While we are not often showered with new gear, overwhelming media praise, or state of the art supplies; I have realized from my peers attending the convention that we have gained so much more. Many in our group have studied abroad, gotten involved on campus, and will graduate on time. A breakfast with any of the SCAC delegates would show the diversity and positivity found in DIII and our true commitment to the athlete and education. In DIII we aren't "all about the deal," we are all about the student-athlete.

We closed the day with a reception and other voluntary sessions; some on social media, tweeting, and telling the story of the student athlete, and others on the future and making sure student-athletes get the class time they deserve and need. After a pleasant dinner downtown, we are back to our rooms for another night in our snuggly beds before tomorrow's jam-packed Day 3 at the 2012 NCAA Convention.

Check back each day for more updates from Raven. You can also follow along for updates on twitter - @SCAC_Sports.