SAN ANTONIO – Former University of Pittsburgh at Bradford swimmer Jamal Davis attended the 2016 NCAA Convention in San Antonio last week, after earning the Division III Ethnic Minority Scholarship. 

Davis graduated in December with a degree in sports and recreational management and is now an assistant coach for the Pitt-Bradford swimming program.

He was able to get a behind-the-scenes look at how the NCAA operates, including how new legislation is passed and how conference administrators make key decisions. 

"It was really amazing to see how the NCAA operates on the inside," Davis said. "It really opened my eyes to the opportunities there are to work in collegiate athletics."

The students started out by attending the Opening Business Session on Thursday afternoon to hear the state of the association from NCAA President Mark Emerett and followed that up with the Division III Student-Athlete Education Session. Davis and the other attendees spent Friday morning at the Division III Issues Forum, where they had the opportunity to sit among Division III administrators and discuss hot topics affecting the division across the country.

The students spent Friday afternoon at the AMCC athletic administrators meeting and listened to their own conference leaders discuss key factors affecting the student-athletes on a daily basis. Friday evening featured the NCAA Honors Celebration, where top former and current student-athletes were recognized for their highly impressive academic, athletic, and professional accomplishments.

The week wrapped up with Saturday morning's business session, where delegates debated and voted on the proposed changes to legislation.

The Philadelphia native plans to pursue a career in collegiate athletics and hopes to start his coaching career by obtaining a graduate assistant swimming position.

"After attending the convention in San Antonio it really furthered my passion for collegiate athletics," Davis said. "Since we got home I have been searching the Internet for a graduate assistant job in swimming, but I also don't want to limit myself to just coaching. There are plenty of opportunities throughout the NCAA, and I definitely plan on exploring all of my options." 

Bret Butler, director of athletics and recreation sports, has no doubts that Davis would find great success with a career in collegiate athletics.

"I am very pleased that Jamal was able to attend the NCAA Convention in San Antonio.  It was a great opportunity for him to see the NCAA in action and also to learn about the many opportunities that exist in college athletics," Butler said. "I trust that this experience will spring board him into considering a career in collegiate athletics; specifically, coaching swimming. I am certain he would excel."