SDSU President David Chicoine has been chosen to fill one of 20 chairs in an NCAA Division I group.

President David Chicoine is now representing the Summit League on the NCAA Presidential Advisory Group, beginning this year.

The group, formerly led by Chancellor Charles Bantz of Indiana University-Purdue University-Indianapolis, is a collection of 20 college and university presidents and chancellors that provide input and direction to the NCAA Board of Directors. It is also the most influential group in the governance of Division I.

League Commissioner Tom Douple said the group has been in existence for approximately 15 years and primarily discusses issues that face Division I athletics.

“I am honored to represent SDSU and the Summit League with my appointment to the PAG,” Chicoine said. “It is our obligation as presidents or chancellors to provide leadership to the governance process of the NCAA.”

Chicoine said it is almost a common practice for university presidents to serve on the board.

“This appointment is a responsibility that all presidents and chancellors of Division I schools will probably go though at some point in their career,” he said.

The Summit League decided Chicoine would be a good choice for the position because of his 11 years as faculty athletics representative at the University of Illinois. The executive committee nominated Chicoine in March 2011, a nomination he accepted.

Specifically, the PAG includes one president or chancellor from each of the 20 Division I and Football Championship Subdivision conferences, seven of which are current conference representatives on the board of directors.

“Being front and center in providing direction to the board of directors makes all of the members really want to do a good job to represent their conference and school in the best light possible and to better the NCAA as a whole,” said Chicoine.

The appointment offers no compensation and appointees are required to attend four meetings throughout the year, two through teleconferencing and the remaining at NCAA headquarters in Indianapolis, Ind.

According to Douple, Chicoine’s experience in athletics made him the most qualified candidate.

“President Chicoine will provide a great benefit to the League by providing a voice at the table on our behalf on matters which affect the League and in turn SDSU,” Douple said. “We, the Summit League, are very pleased to have his representation.”

Along with his new appointment on the PAG, Chicoine will begin a two-year term as a chair of the Summit League’s Council of Presidents.