INDIANAPOLIS---The NCAA will present a panel of experts and key speakers who will discuss Title IX and topics relevant to the federally mandated law when it hosts its annual NCAA Title IX seminar, May 17-18, at the Drake Hotel in Chicago.

Title IX of the Education Amendments of 1972 is a federal statute that was created to prohibit sex discrimination in education programs that receive federal financial assistance. Nearly every educational institution is a recipient of federal funds and is required to comply with Title IX. The NCAA Title IX seminar is held each year in an effort to meet demands for information and education from NCAA member schools in order to provide equal opportunities for male and female student-athletes. The seminar features a series of educational sessions and panel discussions to assist college and university administrators with Title IX compliance.

The seminar kicks off with a Title IX orientation for beginners followed by a Title IX advanced session with speakers Betsy Alden, founder of Alden & Associates, and Janet Judge, an attorney with Verrill & Dana LLP, respectively. Lynda Calkins, athletics director at Hollins University and chair of the NCAA Committee on Women's Athletics will be the mistress of ceremonies, moderating the opening and general sessions each day. Other speakers include Bernard Franklin, NCAA senior vice-president for governance and membership; Athena Yiamouyiannis, executive director, National Association for Girls and Women in Sport; Christine Grant, associate professor and former director of athletics, University of Iowa; Denise DeHass, NCAA assistant director of research; and Jocelyn Samuels, vice-president and director of educational opportunities, National Women's Law Center.

Speakers on day two include Myles Brand, NCAA president; Kenneth Marcus, authority of the assistant secretary of education for civil rights; Maria De Julio, consultant, NCAA research division; and Judy Sweet, NCAA senior vice-president for championships.

In addition to the daily speakers, this year's seminar features division-specific breakout sessions for athletics administrators in Division I, II and III. There also will be diversity training workshops and a networking and mentoring session for seminar participants.

Athletics administrators, educators, lawyers and media generally attend the Title IX seminar. The general public is also encouraged to attend and may register on the NCAA Web site at www.ncaa.org. The NCAA education services division coordinates the speakers and activities each year for the event.

[NOTE TO EDITORS: Media planning to attend the Title IX seminar will need to complete a media registration form and fax it to Kay Hawes, NCAA associate director of media relations, at 317/917-6982. The media registration form is available on the NCAA web site at www.ncaa.org (right side bar). The registration deadline is May 10, 2004. The NCAA Media and Public Relation Group will send a confirmation letter to media who are approved to receive a credential. Hotel information is also available on the NCAA Web site. Media should send their hotel information directly to the Drake Hotel in Chicago.

-30-