Genshaft Named to NCAA Board of Directors

TAMPA, Fla. (May 7, 2009) – University of South Florida President Judy Genshaft was appointed to the NCAA Division I Board of Directors earlier this week.

"We are very fortunate to have a leader with the passion, talent and initiative of President Genshaft," athletic director Doug Woolard said in a statement. "Her appointment will pay dividends within our university, the Big East and throughout the NCAA membership."

Genshaft will replace former BIG EAST representative Nancy Zimpher, who recently left her post as President at Cincinnati. Genshaft will join 17 other Chancellors and Presidents from other NCAA Division I Conferences.

The Board of Directors owns the final vote on legislation that affects the Division I membership.

In the most recent April meeting, the Board approved a new rule that requires early entrants to withdraw from the NFL Draft by May 8. Current rules allow players to make that decision by June 15.

The change will take effect this fall.

The University of South Florida is one of the nation's top 63 public research universities and one of 39 community-engaged, four-year public universities as designated by the Carnegie Foundation for the Advancement of Teaching. USF was awarded more than $360 million in research contracts and grants in FY 2007/2008. The university offers 219 degree programs at the undergraduate, graduate, specialist and doctoral levels, including the doctor of medicine. The university has a $1.8 billion annual budget, an annual economic impact of $3.2 billion, and serves more than 46,000 students on institutions/campuses in Tampa, St. Petersburg, Sarasota-Manatee and Lakeland. USF is a member of the Big East Athletic Conference.

-USF-

Story written by Chris Freet, USF Athletics

Lara Wade
News Director
University Communication & Marketing
813-974-9060
lwade@admin.usf.edu