East Central Texas News

Former University of Texas at Dallas student-athlete Isaiah Swann BS’20 has been selected as one of 16 members on the newly reorganized NCAA Board of Governors.

In January, the NCAA adopted a new constitution, and Swann’s selection makes him one of only three graduated student-athletes on the board — one each from a Division I, II or III institution. They are the first former student-athletes to serve on the board. Other board members include several university presidents, the surgeon general of the U.S. Army, athletic directors from each division and the NCAA president.

Swann, while at UT Dallas, was an infielder for the Comets baseball team and a Collegium V Honors graduate in neuroscience. He is now in the Medical Scientist Training Program at the University of Virginia School of Medicine, where he is working toward an MD/PhD.

“I am honored and excited to be joining the board,” Swann said. “The opportunity to represent the voice of student-athletes at the highest level of governance is a privilege I do not take lightly. I look forward to working my hardest on behalf of student-athletes at all levels, but particularly on behalf of Division III student-athletes.”

While at UTD, Swann served on the University’s Student-Athlete Advisory Committee (SAAC), the NCAA Division III SAAC, the NCAA Committee on Competitive Safeguards and Medical Aspects of Sports, and the NCAA COVID-19 Advisory Panel, for which he was one of four college athlete liaisons.

For the latter two groups, Swann provided the perspective of student-athletes and was also involved in the critical assessment of data and in discussions related to various issues that arose within the committees.

“During this time, I was grateful to learn from several brilliant minds at the intersection of sports, science and medicine,” he said.

He also served on a mental health panel at the 2020 NCAA Convention, which he described as “a special experience.”

“That reinforced my desire to advocate for mental health resources for all student-athletes — and people generally,” Swann said. “Mental wellness is a topic incredibly close to my heart, and I hope that my time on the Board of Governors will see an increased focus on and action related to mental health.”

“Isaiah epitomizes the UTD student-athlete, and I am so proud of the young man he is. He continues to represent UTD with class, integrity and hard work.”

UTD athletic director Angela Marin

Swann joins athletic director Angela Marin in representing UT Dallas on the national committees within the NCAA. Marin holds a seat on the Division III Management Council.

“Isaiah’s selection to serve on the NCAA Board of Governors is a high honor, not just for our athletic department, but also for our institution, conference and division as a whole,” Marin said. “His experience working with the SAAC at the institutional, conference and national levels provides him a unique perspective for the important work at hand. Isaiah epitomizes the UTD student-athlete, and I am so proud of the young man he is. He continues to represent UTD with class, integrity and hard work.”

“Mental wellness is a topic incredibly close to my heart, and I hope that my time on the Board of Governors will see an increased focus on and action related to mental health.”

Isaiah Swann BS’20

Dr. Kurt Beron, UT Dallas faculty athletics representative (FAR) and professor of economics in the School of Economic, Political and Policy Sciences, is also a member of the national FAR Association.

“I have had the good fortune to work with Isaiah both at UT Dallas and on various national NCAA committees. He is an outstanding choice to be on the highest NCAA body at what is a turbulent time for the NCAA,” Beron said. “His understanding of NCAA Division III, and his temperament and intelligence, are exactly what is needed to help move the NCAA forward, while always maintaining a focus on the well-being of student-athletes.”

Dr. Anna Taylor, assistant professor of instruction in neuroscience in the School of Behavioral and Brain Sciences, said Swann made the best of every opportunity that he had at UT Dallas.

“With Isaiah’s strong work ethic, profound scientific inquiry and passion for helping others, I know that he will succeed in whatever role life throws at him,” she said.

Swann said Comet Athletics and the broader UT Dallas community prepared him well for his new role.

“In short, UTD and UTD athletics are responsible for forging me into the citizen I am today — someone who wants to make an impact nationally, but who understands that the work begins locally, closest to the people I hope to serve.”

The new NCAA Board of Governors will assume its duties Aug. 1. In August, one of the three graduated student-athletes will be selected as a voting member of the board, while the other two will serve in an ex-officio capacity.

Original source can be found here