INDIANAPOLIS---Campuses across the country will recognize the positive aspects of athletics and student-athlete contributions to society on Tuesday, April 6, during the 17th annual National Student-Athlete Day, a day celebrating student-athletes for their academic and athletic accomplishments, as well as their community involvement.

The NCAA works in partnership with the National Consortium of Academics and Sports (NCAS) to provide the financial assistance and administrative support needed for colleges and universities to participate in this nationwide celebration. In a joint letter to all NCAA member institution athletics directors, Myles Brand, president of the NCAA, and Richard Lapchick, executive director of NCAS, suggested organizations particularly honor student-athletes who have achieved at least a 3.0 GPA and who are actively involved in the community.

NCAA student-athletes, most notably the Student-Athlete Advisory Committees (SAACs), have scheduled an array of programs in honor of the day. Although the day of recognition for National Student-Athlete Day is April 6, activities and events will take place on college campuses throughout the month of April.

Some of this year's activities include:

• A Sports Festival for local children, hosted by Lynn University [Boca Raton, Florida; Division II], which includes relay races, obstacle courses, games, and individual skill time with Lynn University student-athletes. Afterwards, student-athletes who are on the university's academic honor roll will be recognized at a barbeque for the visiting children and their parents.
• Prior to a baseball game with cross-town rival, San Diego State University [Division I] will provide lunch to all student-athletes and announce the 16 finalists for the USD Man and Woman Athletes of the Year Award. The finalists, nominated by their team and coaches, will receive a framed Student-Athlete Day certificate and be recognized during the pregame ceremony.
• Baldwin-Wallace College [Berea, Ohio; Division III] is celebrating the day with a luncheon for all student-athletes, who are asked to bring a teacher, administrator, or mentor who has made a positive impact on their collegiate lives. All of the student-athletes and their guests from the campus community will be recognized during the program.

In addition, the NCAA national office and the Indiana University-Purdue University at Indianapolis volleyball team celebrated National Student-Athlete Day this year by presenting an educational program to students at Merle Sidener Middle School. The program included information on academic achievement, the importance of teamwork and how to keep a healthy mind and body.

In conjunction with National Student-Athlete Day, the NCAS will host the Giant Steps Awards, which will be given on the national level in the categories of courageous student-athletes, coaches, civic leaders, athletics administrators, parents, and teachers. The winners, chosen by a national selection committee, characterize what National Student-Athlete Day is about.

National Student-Athlete Day was created by the NCAS and Northeastern University's Sport in Society. It is co-sponsored by the NCAA and the National Federation of State High School Associations. For a complete list of NCAA colleges and universities that are planning National Student-Athlete Day activities, please visit the NCAA Web site at http://www.ncaa.org/edout/student_athlete_day.html, or contact NCAA schools in your area.

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