If it’s possible for a press release to downplay something positive, I think this one qualifies.

Mike Young was chosen to be the student-athlete repesentative on the NCAA D1 Men’s Basketball Oversight Committee. What is the Oversight Committee?

The Men’s Basketball Oversight Committee will ensure that appropriate oversight of men’s basketball is maintained, will enhance the development and public perception of the sport and make recommendations related to regular-season and postseason men’s basketball. The committee will prioritize enhancement of the student-athlete educational experience (academically and athletically), and in doing so, promote student-athletes’ personal growth and leadership development.

The Men’s Basketball Oversight Committee will supervise qualifications and/or selection procedures for the NCAA Division I Men’s Basketball Championship. The committee will review recommendations from the NCAA Division I Men’s Basketball Committee and process other issues related to the administration of the championship. The committee will assume many of the duties of the former NCAA Division I Men’s Basketball Issues Committee and will provide direction to the NCAA Division I Men’s Basketball Rules Committee regarding playing rules. The committee will be comprised of representatives from each divisional subgroup.

The OC is made up of 12 members and an additional 4 non-voting members.

Of the sixteen members, only 2 are student-athletes. The other is University of Northern Colorado forward, Cody McDavis. The rest are athletic directors, conference commissioners and coaches.

It’s a hell of a responsibility and honor.

Pitt’s Mike Young has been selected by the NCAA to serve as a student-athlete representative on the Division I Men’s Basketball Oversight Committee. Young will serve a two-year term on the committee, running through June 2017.

A native of Duquesne, Pa., and graduate of New Jersey’s St. Benedict’s Prep, Young is entering his junior season at Pitt. A forward, he has started all 70 games of his collegiate career and last year was the Panthers’ leading rebounder (7.3 rpg) and second-leading scorer (13.4 ppg).

Young is also a past honoree on the Atlantic Coast Conference’s All-Academic Basketball Team.

“I’m truly honored and excited to serve on the Men’s Basketball Oversight Committee,” Young said. “It is an incredible responsibility that I welcome. I know I’m not only representing Pitt but also basketball student-athletes throughout the country. I’m really looking forward to the meetings and discussion.”

“Mike Young’s selection to the Men’s Basketball Oversight Committee is a tremendous compliment to what he has accomplished as a student, athlete and person while at Pitt.” University of Pittsburgh athletic director Scott Barnes said. “It is a great opportunity for him to have influence and gain insight on the direction of college basketball. We’re very proud of Mike and know he will be a great asset for the committee.”

“Mike’s selection to this very important committee is a great reflection of both him and Pitt,” Panthers head men’s basketball coach Jamie Dixon said. “As a student-athlete, he will have some invaluable perspectives on the issues surrounding college basketball. We’re thrilled and honored that a Pitt student-athlete has been selected for this responsibility.”

You can say this for Pitt’s student-athletes. They do the work outside the court and field. From the football side, Artie Rowell is one of the ACC’s reps for the advisory group on D1 autonomy.