Frank Messina, DAB, CPA, was selected for a four-year term as the only faculty athletics representative to the NCAA Division I Football Oversight CommitteeFrank M. Messina, DBA, CPA, the University of Alabama at Birmingham’s NCAA faculty athletics representative since 2008, has been appointed as the only FAR in the nation to the NCAA Division I Football Oversight Committee. His four-year term started July 1.
The Football Oversight Committee ensures that appropriate supervision of the sport for both the Football Bowl Subdivision and Football Championship Subdivision is maintained, enhances the development of the sport, and makes recommendations related to regular-season and postseason football. The committee prioritizes enhancement of the student-athlete educational experience, both academically and athletically, and in doing so, promotes student-athletes’ personal growth and leadership development. It works in conjunction with appropriate governance entities to provide solutions to issues affecting the health and safety of football student-athletes.
“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 regarding playing rules governing FBS and FCS football.
Messina, Endowed Alumni and Friends Professor of Accounting in the UAB Collat School of Business, has represented UAB and Conference USA on numerous NCAA appointments. He has served as a member on the NCAA Committee on Academics, where he served on the data subcommittee that handles the academic progress rate and graduation success rate, and has chaired the NCAA’s Progress Toward Degree Committee. He has also served on the NCAA Division I Awards, Benefits, Expenses and Financial Aid Cabinet and currently serves as a board member of the 1A Faculty Athletics Representatives group.
“This appointment to such a prestigious top committee in the NCAA is an unbelievable honor,” Messina said. “As always, I will do my best to represent with integrity and honor UAB, C-USA and Division IA football.”