Troy AD John Hartwell Appointed to NCAA Division I Council

TROY, Alabama – Troy University Athletics Director John Hartwell has been selected to represent the Sun Belt Conference on the newly formed NCAA Division I Council.

The 40-member council has one representative from each of the 32 conferences as well as two student-athletes, conference commissioners, and faculty athletics representatives. The Council is charged with conducting the day-to-day business of Division I. At its first meeting in January 2015, the Council will elect an athletics director to chair the group. That person will also serve on the board.

"The new NCAA Division I Council will play a significant role in guiding the structure of the NCAA," Sun Belt Commissioner Karl Benson said. "With his expertise and proven leadership, John Hartwell will be an excellent advocate for the Sun Belt and its member universities."

"I am both honored and excited to represent the Sun Belt Conference on the NCAA Division I Council," Hartwell said.

In his brief time at Troy, Hartwell has spearheaded several significant upgrades to Troy's athletic facilities:

The Troy golf program began playing on a new six-hole, on-campus practice facility last year that will also include a state-of-the-art clubhouse.
The Troy Softball Complex underwent a $3 million renovation prior to the 2014 season.
Veterans Memorial Stadium underwent a $2.1 million improvement with the addition of a 1,250 square-foot video board, 200 yards of ribbon boards and a state-of-the-art sound system that was installed prior to the 2014 season.
Lights were installed at the Troy Soccer & Track Complex in September.

Hartwell's tenure at Troy has seen a record number of student-athletes earn a 3.0 grade-point-average, an upward trend in APR scores and additional staff positions in Troy's academic support department. Troy's success in the classroom has been substantial, as student-athletes have been named to three Capital One Academic All-America Teams over the past two years.

Troy has seen a significant enhancement in fund raising and external relations during Hartwell's time as Athletic Director. He completely overhauled Troy's External Affairs division of the Athletics Department to increase revenues and enhance the fan and game day experience. Included in this makeover was the creation of a new external model, which included the addition of a Senior Associate Athletic Director for External Affairs; bringing corporate sponsorships in house with a partnership with Rockbridge Sports Group; and the development of the Troy Affinity Program to further engage Troy students in athletics.

The Council was appointed at the recommendation of a board subcommittee, formed after the original slate of nominees for the group lacked an appropriate level of diversity.

The Council replaces the current Legislative and Leadership councils, and 60 percent of Council members must be athletics directors. Any rules adopted by the Council will be subject to a review by the board.

The group's first order of business will be to design the subgroups that will assist in developing legislation, running championships and performing other necessary functions.

The Council will cast votes on new rules for the first time in the 2015-16 legislative cycle.

Troy University Athletics

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