Knight Commission on Intercollegiate Athletics Reacts to NCAA Task Force Report Published Today

The Knight Commission on Intercollegiate Athletics commends the National Collegiate Athletic Association and the 50 current and former presidents and higher education leaders who served on the NCAA Presidential Task Force on the Future of Division I Intercollegiate Athletics. The report published today by the task force builds on the principles emphasized by the Knight Commission in its 1991 and 2001 reports—presidential control and reconnecting athletics with the university mission.

"This is a major step forward for presidential leadership in intercollegiate athletics," said Clifton R. Wharton Jr., co-chairman of the Commission and president emeritus of Michigan State University. "We applaud this distinguished group and hope that its work will provide the impetus for campus-based reforms throughout the country."

"The task force should be commended particularly for its ground-breaking work to collect more accurate financial data and provide better transparency. The information will serve presidents well in their decision-making and also should better inform trustees, faculty, athletics administrators and the public about the true costs of college sports." Wharton added, "Collective action ultimately will be required in a number of significant areas highlighted in this report in order to achieve the desired goal of properly integrating athletics into the academic enterprise."

To view full statement by the Knight Commission, please click here.