NAIA Convention Kicks Off Friday in KC
NAIA Convention Information
KANSAS CITY -- The NAIA has 60,000+ reasons to celebrate at the 2011 NAIA National Convention. The NAIA National Convention will take place Friday through Tuesday at the Hyatt Regency Crown Center in Kansas City, Missouri.
More than 350 attendees, sponsors and exhibitors have registered already! Below are some highlights at the 2011 NAIA National Convention presented by Scoutware:
• Saturday, April 16, 1 p.m. – 2 p.m. - General Session I: Convention Kick-off. Join the NAIA in celebrating its 60,000+ student-athletes and why they are important to our association. You don’t want to miss this new session! A panel consisting of past and current student-athletes will tell you why the NAIA experience is special.
• Saturday, April 16, 7 p.m. – 8:30 p.m. – NAIA Eligibility Center Open House. Come visit the NAIA National Office and see the inner workings of the NAIA Eligibility Center. The NAIA Eligibility Center staff will be on hand to answer questions on different topics.
• Sunday, April 17, 12:30 p.m. – 2 p.m. NAIA Luncheon and Keynote Speaker. Take a break from all sessions and join us for the opening luncheon. Dan Sanders, President of ACME markets, A SUPERVALU Company and former baseball student-athlete at Lubbock Christian University (Texas), will address convention attendees.
• Sunday, April 17, 4:30 p.m. – 5:30 p.m. State of the Association. NAIA President and CEO, Jim Carr, will address convention attendees on the state of the NAIA.
• Sunday, April 17, 6 p.m. – 9 p.m. Off-site event at the National World War I Museum. The American Red Cross, American Midwest Conference, Heart of America Athletic Conference and Master's Transportation is sponsoring this reception for all convention attendees and guests. An American Red Cross and Champions of Character presentation highlight the evening of food, networking and touring of the National WWI Museum.
• Monday, April 18, 7 p.m. - 9 p.m. NAIA Awards Banquet. Join the NAIA in honoring these award winners: Rick Sanders, Charles Morris Award; Dr. Paul Sadler, Wally Schwartz Award; Gary Picone, NAIA-Athletics Director of the Year; Bryan Wilkins, Coach of Character Award and Dylan Smith (Concordia University, Ore.), Dr. Leroy Walker Champions of Character Award. The NAIA will also induct these individuals into the NAIA Hall of Fame for Meritorious Service: Royal Goheen, John Friend and James Wilson.
• Tuesday, April 19, 11:30 a.m. – 12:30 p.m. General Session VII: 70th Annual Business Meeting. The NAIA will conduct it 70th annual business meeting and close the 2011 NAIA National Convention.