• Loading stock data...
Saturday, July 12, 2025

#NACDA17 from a NACDA Intern’s Perspective

After many 15 hour days, it is fun to reflect on the opportunity.

Pictured with my former coworker from my Navy internship, Terence McGowan, who was attending the NAADD Convention.

As a NACDA intern for the 2016–17 year, myself and the three other interns (Hannah Mordica, Grace Falkenbach and Nathan Anderson) have been gearing up for the 2017 NACDA & Affiliates Convention at the World Center Marriott in Orlando, Florida since our first day at the national office.

Back in September, it seemed that the Convention was never going to arrive. Flash forward about 10 months and here I am having arrived back in “The Land” after the 52nd NACDA & Affiliates Convention. For those unfamiliar, NACDA is the professional trade and development organization for college athletics administrators. Under the NACDA umbrella are 17 affiliate associations serving all corners of college athletics. The associations are as follows:

CABMA — College Athletic Business Management Association

CEFMA — Collegiate Events and Facilities Management Association

I-AAA ADA — Division I-AAA Athletics Directors Association

D2 ADA — Division II Athletics Directors Association

D2 CCA — Division II Conference Commissioners Association

FCS ADA — Football Championship Subdivision Athletics Directors Association

ICLA — International Collegiate Licensing Association

MOAA — Minority Opportunities Athletic Association

N4A — The National Association of Academic and Student-Athlete Development Professionals

NAAC — The National Association for Athletics Compliance

NAADD — The National Association of Athletic Development Directors

NAATSO — National Association of Athletic Ticket Sales and Operations

NACMA — National Association of Collegiate Marketing Administrators

NADIIIAA — National Association of Division III Athletic Administrators

NAIA — National Association of Intercollegiate Athletics Administrators

NATYCAA — National Alliance of Two Year College Athletic Administrators

NACDA — National Association of Collegiate Directors of Athletics


In addition to the associations, NACDA helps manage the distribution of eight awards:

The CDW-G NACDA Best Game Day Technology Experience Award

James J. Corbett Award

Learfield Directors’ Cup

NACDA Community Service Award presented by The Fiesta Bowl

NACDA Hall of Fame

NACDA/USOC Olympic Achievement Award

Under Armour AD of the Year

USG NACDA Sustainability Award


As part of the internship program, each intern is assigned a number of associations based on career interests and previous experience. As a communications intern this year, I worked with both the I-AAA ADA and FCS ADA as well as assisted with the Learfield Directors’ Cup and Under Armour AD of the Year awards.

Utilizing my communications background, I also distribute the NACDA Daily Review each day and have written a number of pieces for Athletics Administration, NACDA’s quarterly magazine publication.

https://frontofficesports.com/division-ii-lynn-university-to-challenge-six-division-i-schools-efd3caff64b4

Now that I have provided some background on NACDA and my experience there, let’s dive into the week that was at Convention. I had only heard about the number of people who attend Convention from those who had previously been and the NACDA staff.

I do not think I truly wrapped my head around it until registration opened in February and the phones in the office were ringing off the hook.

Usually, the phone duties alternate from intern to intern each week, but the week that registration opened it was all hands on deck. The block of rooms at the Marriott World Center sold out in seven minutes. Seven. Minutes. Once I heard that, I finally was able to grasp how big this event would be.

A staff of 14 full-time employees and the four interns (as well as some volunteers with ties to NACDA) effectively ran the Convention which saw around 6,500 attendees this year in Orlando. When we arrived at the World Center Marriott on Thursday, June 8, we dropped our bags in our hotel rooms and got right to work.

Luckily, there were only a few Conventions beginning at the time so we had plenty of time to prepare for the four biggest Conventions which kicked off on Monday (NACDA, NAADD, NACMA and ICLA). My duties varied each day, but on weekdays I would get as much information prepared for the Daily Review to be sent out as I could in stints while in the office. I would also float around and help the association managers as needed.

As more and more attendees showed up, it was truly special to see the effect that NACDA has had on each person and hearing their high praise for the organization.

Some of the most powerful names in college athletics were in attendance networking, learning, and taking advantage of the opportunities NACDA provides.

Once everything was set up, and the main Convention days rolled around, it was full steam ahead.

The NACDA staff held meetings at 6:30 am each morning to set out a game plan for the day, and once adjourned, we got to work to ensure that our members and attendees had a great experience.

https://frontofficesports.com/division-ii-lynn-university-to-challenge-six-division-i-schools-efd3caff64b4

Whether I was posting press releases from the various associations, helping out at the registration desk, setting up NACMA’s Collateral Corner (an exhibit of sorts where colleges send in materials for attendees to grab), taking minutes for my association’s membership meetings or transporting the various awards to be given out, there were always tons of people networking, going to sessions or just congregating in the halls.

CoSIDA’s Convention was going on simultaneously, so there were even more people shuffling around the halls of the convention center trying to learn and build their networks.

On Monday and Tuesday the exhibit hall was open, which showcased various companies and what they could provide for an athletics department, such as Under Armour (a NACDA sponsor that outfitted the staff for the week), various lighting companies, turf companies, etc. Goodie bags aplenty were handed out as attendees could pick up some free swag to take back to their respective campuses.

Monday was also my big day for Association meetings. I sat in on and helped facilitate the DI-AAA membership meeting, the DI-AAA and FCS ADA joint governance meeting, and the FCS ADA and Football Coaches meeting.

After a week in Orlando of working 15 hour days, reconnecting with former classmates and colleagues, and seeing the who’s who in college athletics, it is hard to believe that the culmination of my internship year is rapidly approaching.

My last day in the office is June 23, and then it is on to the next step of my career as I continue to build my personal brand and develop as a professional.

As we wind down from our week, and look ahead to the last couple weeks of the internship before we all begin the next step in our journeys, it is almost as hard to believe that the Convention has come and gone as it is that it has been nearly 10 months since our initial conversation regarding the event.

I have been writing for FOS for almost a year, and have been very fortunate to interact with some of the #FOSsquad on Twitter and other forms of social media throughout my time, but I finally met my first colleague in person down at Convention. Will Baggett and I connected during the early days of the Convention (of course we did not get a picture), but I hope to connect with more in the near future!


Front Office Sports is a leading multi-platform publication and industry resource that covers the intersection of business and sports.

Want to learn more, or have a story featured about you or your organization? Contact us today.

https://upscri.be/f32ae1

If you liked this, click the???? below so other people will see this here on Medium.


Linkedin
Whatsapp
Copy Link
Link Copied
Link Copied

What to Read

Jul 9, 2025; Frisco, TX, USA; Head coaches Willie Fritz of Houston, Mike Gundy of Oklahoma State, Rich Rodriguez of West Virginia, Lance Leipold of Kansas, Sonny Dykes of TCU, Kyle Whittingham of Utah, Brent Brennan of Arizona and Deion Sanders of Colorado all sit on stage for a Coaches Roundtable during 2025 Big 12 Football Media Days at The Star.

Big 12 Commish: Conference Is ‘All In’ on International Expansion

The conference had once planned a large initiative in Mexico.
A helmt is seen during the Texas Tech football team's spring game, Saturday, April 19, 2025, at Jones AT&T Stadium.

CFB’s Revenue-Sharing Era Muddles Future of NIL, Adds PE Questions

Athletic departments can pay college athletes a combined $20.5 million this year.
Nov 30, 2024; Lubbock, Texas, USA; Texas Tech Red Raiders running back Tahj Brooks (28) runs the ball against West Virginia Mountaineers defensive back Anthony Wilson Jr. (12) in the second half at Jones AT&T Stadium and Cody Campbell Field.

Felix Ojo’s Agent Says Texas Tech Offered $5.1M At Start of Rev-Share..

Texas Tech secured Ojo with a seven-figure NIL commitment.

Revenue-Sharing Chaos Begins as Texas Tech Secures Five-Star OT

The Red Raiders spent more than $10 million in the winter transfer portal.

Featured Today

Bobbleheads are seen at Vintage Indy Sports, Tuesday, April 29, 2025 in Speedway. The local sports memorabilia store opened recently.

Baseball’s Bobbleheads Are the Center of the Collectibles Universe

Baseball’s most important keepsake drives long lines—and big business.
Rimouski, QC - JUNE 1: Final Game of the 2025 Memorial Cup between the Medicine Hats Tigers and the London Knights on June 1, 2025, at the Colisée Financière Sun Life in Rimouski, Qc.
July 11, 2025

CHL Is Facing a ‘Pandora’s Box’ of Questions Amid NCAA Talent Departure

As players defect to college, the Canadian Hockey League won’t cede ground.
Jun 28, 2025; Arlington, Texas, USA; Seattle Mariners catcher Cal Raleigh (29) bats during the game between the Texas Rangers and the Seattle Mariners at Globe Life Field.
July 9, 2025

The Torpedo Bat Business Is Still Going Strong: ‘Here to Stay’

Demand for the oddly shaped bats has stayed strong across the sport.
July 6, 2025

American Celebs Want to Be Sports Owners. Soccer Is Where They Start

As U.S. team prices climb, investors set their sights abroad.

NCAA: March Madness Expansion to 76 Teams ‘Still Viable’ for 2026

Negotiations continue with media rights holder CBS and TNT Sports.
July 10, 2025

Deion Sanders Rips ‘Bulljunk’ in CFB, Calls for NFL-Style Salary Cap

Coach Prime is frustrated with the new revenue-sharing era.
The Florida State Seminoles hosted the Florida Gators at Doak Campbell Stadium on Saturday, Nov. 30, 2024.
July 10, 2025

Athletic Departments Express Renewed Interest in PE in Wake of House Settlement

Schools now have more expenses—and are looking for creative solutions.
Sponsored

Game On: Portfolio Players Stories, Brought to You by E*TRADE from Morgan Stanley

Dealmaker Jeffrey Kaplan maps the evolution of sports as an asset class
Apr 4, 2025; Tampa, FL, USA; Connecticut Huskies guard KK Arnold (2)1 dribbles against UCLA Bruins forward Angela Dugalic (32) during the third quarter in a semifinal of the women's 2025 NCAA tournament at Amalie Arena.
July 10, 2025

‘Kind of a Joke’: Frustrations Mount As New NIL Deal Approval Process..

Delays have already led to athletes losing NIL opportunities.
Sebastian Rivera (R) tf. Danny Coles 6:47 (20-3). Rutgers University Wrestling vs Princeton in Piscataway, NJ on February 18, 2022.
July 9, 2025

The House Settlement Is Being Appealed. It Won’t Stop Revenue-Sharing—for Now

The settlement’s approval on June 6 triggered an appeals process.
July 9, 2025

Big Ten, Big 12 Commissioners Remain Far Apart on CFP’s Future

A decision on expansion must be made by December.
TSU Hockey at Bridgestone
July 8, 2025

Tennessee State’s HBCU Hockey Ambitions Delayed at Least a Year

The school will not launch the first-of-its-kind program as intended.