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Mark Emmert announced Tuesday that he is stepping down from his long-held role as NCAA president. The decision comes just one year after Emmert’s contract was extended until 2025.
Emmert, 69, has led the organization since 2010 and has overseen a decade of momentous change in collegiate athletics.
“Throughout my tenure I’ve emphasized the need to focus on the experience and priorities of student-athletes,” Emmert said in theNCAA release. “I am extremely proud of the work of the Association over the last 12 years and especially pleased with the hard work and dedication of the national office staff here in Indianapolis.”
The NCAA has undergone some turmoil during Emmert’s term, most recently facing controversy during the 2021 NCAA women’s basketball tournament, when stark contrasts between the women’s and men’s facilities were highlighted on social media.
Last March, Oregon University basketball playerSedona Prince posted a videoon social media that compared the equipment the NCAA provided for the women’s and men’s teams. The video showed the obvious differences in facilities — particularly the weight room and practice courts. The social media backlashprompted an apology from NCAASenior Vice President of Basketball Dan Gavitt and Vice President of Women’s Basketball Lynn Holzman.
The NCAA later shared a copy of a previous tournament’s budget with ESPN andThe New York Timeswhich showed a$13.5 million gap between the men’s and women’stournaments.
An outside law firm was hired in April 2021 to lead anorganization-wide gender equity analysisin response.
Emmert, who has served as president and chancellor at various other universities, will remain at the helm of the NCAA until a replacement is found, or until June 30, 2023.
“With the significant transitions underway within college sports, the timing of this decision provides the Association with consistent leadership during the coming months plus the opportunity to consider what will be the future role of the president,” said NCAA Board of Governors Chair John J. DeGioia. “It also allows for the selection and recruitment of the next president without disruption.”
source: people.com
