Frank Messina, DBA, has represented UAB and Conference USA through numerous NCAA appointments.Frank Messina, DBA, UAB’s National Collegiate Athletic Association faculty athletics representative (FAR), is the only one to be appointed to its Division I Football Oversight Committee for a four-year term that started July 1.
The NCAA oversight committee works to ensure appropriate supervision of the sport for both the Football Bowl and Football Championship subdivisions, enhances the development of the sport and makes recommendations related to regular season and postseason football. The committee prioritizes enhancement of the educational experience and promotes personal growth and leadership development for student-athletes and works with appropriate entities to resolve issues affecting the health and safety of student-athletes.
“This appointment to such a prestigious top committee in the NCAA is an unbelievable honor,” said Messina, Endowed Alumni and Friends Professor of Accounting in the UAB Collat School of Business. “As always, I will do my best to represent with integrity and honor UAB, C-USA and Division IA football.”
“He is a valued member of our faculty and our athletics staff. This is a tremendous honor, and we are excited to know that UAB will have representation on this committee.”~ Mark Ingram |
The NCAA requires each of its member institutions to appoint an FAR who must be on the faculty or administrative staff and may not hold a position in the athletics department. Their role to ensure the academic integrity of the athletics program, to advocate for well-beings of student-athletes and to play a part in maintaining institutional control of the athletics program.
Messina, who is a board member of NCAA’s 1A Faculty Athletics Representatives group, has represented UAB and Conference USA through numerous NCAA appointments. He has been a member of the NCAA Committee on Academics and its data subcommittee that handles the academic progress rate and graduation success rate and chaired the association’s Progress Toward Degree Committee. He also served on the NCAA Division I Awards, Benefits, Expenses and Financial Aid Cabinet.
Reigning champs are readyUAB Football opens the 2019 season against Alabama State 7 p.m. Aug. 29 in Legion Field. A pre-game celebration of its C-USA championship starts 30 minutes prior to kickoff. |
“Dr. Messina shows great care and concern for our student-athletes and their well-being,” said UAB Director of Athletics Mark Ingram. “He is a valued member of our faculty and our athletics staff. This is a tremendous honor, and we are excited to know that UAB will have representation on this committee.”
The Football Oversight Committee also supervises procedures for licensing of postseason bowls and qualifications and/or selection procedures for the FCS Championship. The committee reviews recommendations from the NCAA Division I Football Championship Committee, processes other issues related to the administration of the FCS Championship and provides direction to the NCAA Football Rules Committee.