The welfare and development of today's student-athlete is central to the administration of Big Ten Conference intercollegiate athletics. Providing opportunity for young men and women to mature in a wholesome and healthy way is critically important to our universities. A commitment exists at all levels of our universities to providing the resources to support the welfare of Big Ten student-athletes. At the 1996 NCAA Convention, the Division I membership debated a number of issues related to …showed first 75 words of 1167 total…

…showed last 75 words of 1167 total…faculty representative meeting of the Western Conference (the former name of the Big Ten) was scheduled to discuss "a firm stand for purity in athletics and eradication of professionalism...." While the pay-for-play issue affects only a minority of student-athletes in the Big Ten, its ultimate resolution will lay the foundation for the 21st century paradigm for intercollegiate athletics, just as its resolution in the late 19th century laid the foundation for the 20th century experience.