Sport Structure

  • Think Tank
  • Think Tank Members

The sport structure working group explored current and potential policies to protect broad-based varsity sport offerings and reimagine the NCAA sport structure through flexible sport management strategies. As part of the sport structure work, several subcommittees were formed to further explore remedies that would lead to greater sustainability and sport growth. Specifically, the group leaned on the expertise of the collegiate men’s volleyball sustainability committee, which included representation from the American Volleyball Coaches Association, and the men’s gymnastics sustainability committee, which included representation from the College Gymnastics Association.


On a sport-by-sport basis, the groups dove into existing policies and membership requirements that both facilitated and hindered sport sustainability. The groups discussed the need for cross-divisional scheduling, flexible conference affiliation and flexible postseason management. A survey was conducted across 15 college-centric National Governing Body leaders to explore their appetite to further partner on sport management. Through their work, underlying themes surfaced as focus areas for recommendation building, including piloting a flexible membership category and deepening structural alignment.



Rich Bender

Rich Bender

USA Wrestling

Executive Director and USOPC Board Member


Jennifer Fraser

Jennifer Fraser

NCAA

Director of Division I Governanrce


Robyn Harris

Robyn Harris

Ivy League

Executive Director


Martin Jarmond

Martin Jarmond

University of California, Los Angeles

Director of Athletics


Joe Karlgaard

Joe Karlgaard

Rice University

Director of Athletics, Recreation & Lifetime Fitness


Adam Krikorian

Adam Krikorian

USA Water Polo

Women's Senior National Team Head Coach


Gene Smith

Gene Smith

The Ohio State University

Senior Vice President and Athletic Director


Kendall Spencer

Kendall Spencer

University of New Mexico

National Team Athlete (Track and Field)


Kyle Snyder

Kyle Snyder

The Ohio State University

Olympian (Wrestling)


Stephanie Wheeler

Stephanie Wheeler

University of Illinois

Women's Wheelchair Basketball Coach and Paralympian (Wheelchair Basketball)


  • Coach Matt Scoggin high fives someone
  • Matt Scoggin, Texas swim & dive coach

    "Competing Collegiately helps you learn how to gain positive motivation from failure or set back."