The recommendations of a 20-member advisory panel that studied the feasibility of Division I athletics at Wayne State University will be made public at a news conference at noon, Friday, June 12, at WSU's Matthaei athletic complex.

The report is expected to include a recommendation that Wayne State enter Division I level competition in the National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) and to enter competition in several additional sports that would attract the interest of Detroit area sports fans.

Athletic facilities and their suitability also came under the scrutiny of the Blue Ribbon Panel.

Bill Brooks, chair of the Detroit Regional Chamber, who also chaired the panel, will present the panel's recommendations to WSU President Irvin D. Reid. Members of the panel and the administrative staff to the committee will be on hand to help answer questions.

The panel, which includes well known business and community leaders, members of the Board of Governors, students, staff, and alumni, was named in February to provide a phase I study that will determine the future of athletics at Wayne State University.

President Reid said at the time, "This initiative represents one of the 10 challenges that the Board of Governors and I have identified for quick action. In many ways, the decision concerning the future of athletics at Wayne State University affects our direction on a number of the other challenges which I have committed to pursue over the next two years."

The committee, Reid continued, would help "the University formulate a vision for the future of athletics. Committee members are responsible for the first step in what I see as a necessary two-step process to fully analyze this issue," President Reid said.

Wayne State University currently competes in Division II of the National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) and participates in the Great Lakes Intercollegiate Athletic Conference and the Midwest Intercollegiate Football Conference.

Editor's Note: Special parking arrangements for media have been arranged at the Matthaei complex and lunch will be provided following the news conference. Please call the athletic department at (313) 577-4280 or media relations for more information.