National Collegiate Athletic Association
Executive Committee Working Group on
Membership Eligibility for International Institutions
History
In 1998, a Canadian university sought entrance into NCAA Division II. During the 1999 NCAA Convention, a Division II proposal that would have allowed institutions outside the United States, its territories and possessions to apply for membership under specified conditions was ruled out of order by the NCAA Executive Committee. The Committee noted that this issue was more appropriately acted on as an Association-wide issue rather than by a single division. Recently, a second Canadian university has expressed similar interest in exploring membership opportunities. During its April 2006 meeting, the Executive Committee agreed to establish a multidivisional working group to consider the issue of membership eligibility for international institutions from an Association-wide perspective.
The NCAA constitution and bylaws
provide for membership to colleges, universities, athletics conferences or
associations and other groups that have acceptable academic standards ?and that
are located in the
Guiding Principle
The working group has established as its guiding principle, ?The expansion of NCAA membership to include international colleges and universities must benefit the Association generally, and student-athletes specifically, and advance the Association?s strategic mission.?
Preliminary Recommendations
The working group noted several
possible benefits for the Association, including a significant cultural benefit
for student-athletes, as well as the potential that the addition of Canadian
institutions may strengthen some conferences and provide more reasonable travel
circumstances for institutions within certain regions of the country. The working group noted that in education,
business and communication, increasing globalization and advanced technology
have removed many of the barriers and boundaries that once existed between
countries. Further, trade liberalization
systems like the General Agreement on Tariffs and Trade/World Trade Organization
and the North American Free Trade Agreement have created environments that
encourage free trade
and free exchange of knowledge, goods and services. Higher education has expanded worldwide, with many American colleges and universities forming partnerships with international institutions or establishing branch campuses in foreign countries to provide a more global education. Intercollegiate athletics, as an integral part of higher education, also may benefit from some limited expansion that would permit greater interaction and collaboration with international institutions. The NCAA strategic plan speaks to better education and preparation for student-athletes for increased and lifelong achievement and success with a goal that student-athletes will be better prepared to achieve their potential because they have participated in intercollegiate athletics.
The working group, while acknowledging that a variety of issues are still to be considered, has indicated some interest in pursuing the development of a pilot program to determine how seamlessly international colleges and universities could integrate into the NCAA system. To date, discussions have centered primarily on Canadian institutions with the recognition that future policy also must account for potential interest from other countries. To this end, the working group has developed the following criteria to evaluate, on a case-by-case basis, an international institution?s interest in NCAA membership. These criteria are in addition to general standards for membership eligibility noted in NCAA Constitution 3 and NCAA Bylaw 20.
1. Impact on currently enrolled NCAA student-athletes.
a. Cultural impact. Unique attributes that may enhance the student-athlete experience and provide enhanced cultural exposure and development.
b. Educational impact. Diverse educational opportunities for NCAA student-athletes.
c. Student-athlete well-being. Increased opportunity for regional competition based on geographic proximity.
2. Impact on current NCAA member institutions.
● Strengthen existing conference. The ability to develop a conference alliance and to strengthen competition within that conference.