The University of Alabama at Birmingham Athletics
Messina Named To Division I Committee on Academics
10/7/2015 12:00:00 AM | General
BIRMINGHAM, Ala. ---- Frank Messina, who has served as UAB’s Faculty Athletics Representative since 2008 and been instrumental in the athletic program’s turnaround of its Academic Performance Rate (APR), has been named to the NCAA’s prestigious Division I Committee on Academics.
Dr. Messina is one of seven individuals on the committee who serves as his institution’s FAR. The Committee on Academics is chaired by a Division I president and consists of university presidents, a provost, faculty athletics representatives, directors of athletics, senior woman administrators, conference administrators and a student-athlete.
“It is an honor to represent UAB and our university on this prestigious committee,” Messina said. “I am pleased to be a part of such a prestigious group of university leaders who make up the membership of the committee. I want to thank Dr. (Ray) Watts and the faculty senate for allowing me the opportunity to serve on the committee.”
In addition to his role on the Committee on Academics, Dr. Messina also serves on the data subcommittee which deals specifically with APR and GSR as well.
“Dr. Messina’s commitment to UAB and UAB Athletics – particularly the academic success of our student athletes – has greatly benefited them and the Athletic Department, and I am pleased he will have the opportunity to expand that reach to all the student athletes that the NCAA supports,” said UAB President Ray L. Watts. “The leadership team and I congratulate Frank on this honor and thank him for his efforts.”
Over the past several years, he has served in numerous roles within the NCAA (Chair, Progress Towards Degree Committee; NCAA Financial Aid; Benefits and Scholarship Cabinet and in other various capacities).
“We are excited for Dr. Messina and his appointment to the prestigious NCAA Division I Committee on Academics,” said UAB Director of Athletics Mark Ingram. “This is a well-deserved honor for Frank who has done an outstanding job serving as our Faculty Athletics Representative (for the past seven years).”
The Division I Committee on Academics supports the primacy of the Association’s academic mission through the management of Division I academics matters, including policy, eligibility standards, and the NCAA Division I Academic Performance Program (APP).
The Committee on Academics subsumes the roles served by the Committee on Academic Performance and the Academic Cabinet in former Division I structure.
