REPORT OF THE

NCAA DIVISION I MEN’S AND WOMEN’S TRACK AND FIELD SUBCOMMITTEE

1. ACTION ITEMS.

a. Unattached Athletes and Track and Field Championships Qualifying Marks.

(1) Recommendation. That institutions may not submit marks for qualification to the championships for student-athletes who are not “representing the institution” in intercollegiate competition [as defined by NCAA Bylaw 14.02.6-(b) and (c)] at the time the mark was achieved.

(2) Rationale. The committee believes that Division I track and field will be best served by excluding “unattached” student-athletes from obtaining qualifying marks due to:

(a) Concerns about institutional support of programs, e.g., the possibility that student-athletes could/would be directed to compete as unattached student-athletes, creating serious concerns about liability, travel, etc.

(b) Concerns about enforcing whether or not the stipulations of competing unattached in intercollegiate competition [Bylaw 14.02.6-(b) and (c)]; e.g., student-athlete paying for own travel, lodging; wearing institutional uniform etc., were being met.

(Note: The committee believes the exemptions provided by Bylaw 14.02.6.1 should be maintained.)

(3) Estimated Budget Impact. None.

(4) Student-Athlete Impact. None.

b. Regional Host Stipend.

(1) Recommendation. To increase the stipend for the outdoor track and field regional hosts from $10,000 to $15,000 effective with the 2009 championships.

(2) Rationale. The committee believes that the increased expenses associated with hosting a regional meet make this request essential in assisting member institutions to commit to hosting. The reported costs for conducting the 2007 regionals averaged $46,925 with ticket revenue and the NCAA stipend providing $34,500 in revenue. The $5,000 increase at each regional site will specifically assist with officiating costs as it takes between 80-110 officials to conduct the regional events.

(3) Estimated Budget Impact. Additional $20,000 ($5,000 increase for four regional hosts.)

(4) Student-Athlete Impact. None.

c. Video Review Technology.

(1) Recommendation. To invest in video review technology to assist in the officiating of events at the indoor and outdoor track and field championships effective with the 2009 championships. The committee estimates that to provide video review at the field event sites (two shot put circles, two long jump/triple jump runways, one discus circle, one hammer/weight throw circle) would cost approximately $6,000 for the necessary cameras and review hardware. Additional cameras and hardware to effectively cover the track events are estimated to cost an additional $4,000.

(2) Rationale. Video review is becoming a standard in most sporting events and the current technology would benefit the track and field championships. The ability to review performances at or near foul lines in field events as well as more coverage on the track to assist with fouls can be critical to advancing/placing student-athletes in the championships. Video technology currently exists at the finish line for events held on the track. Supporting this recommendation would put technology in place to assist with video reviews on other areas of the track as well as the field events.

(3) Estimated Budget Impact. $10,000. This estimate is based upon purchase of hardware to assist in the video review with the intent of adapting the equipment for both the indoor and outdoor track and field championships, and for use in multiple years. Estimates are based on the following requirements:

Six field event setups (camera, monitor, additional hardware): $1,000 each

Additional cameras/hardware for track coverage $4,000

Total $10,000

(4) Student-Athlete Impact. A more accurately officiated track and field meet means a better experience for student-athletes.

d. Team Awards at the Outdoor Regional Meets.

(1) Recommendation. To provide team awards to the top four men’s and women’s teams at the outdoor regional meets effective with the 2009 championships.

(2) Rationale. The committee believes that it is time to recognize with award hardware the top four teams by gender at each of the four regional outdoor track meets. Team scores are accumulated during the two-day regional meet, and the top four teams are announced at the end of the meet, but the top four teams currently do not collect any awards for their efforts. The committee believes it is an important enhancement for the teams to be recognized at the site as well as when they return to campus where the award can be placed in the trophy case.

(3) Estimated Budget Impact. $17,600. This estimate is based upon the cost of 32 team awards (four per gender at each of four regional sites.) The current team trophies cost the Association $550 each.

(4) Student-Athlete Impact. The student-athlete experience is greatly enhanced with the recognition that goes with taking home team hardware.

e. Officials Fees.

(1) Recommendation. To provide lodging (double occupancy) and fees for 90 indoor track officials and 110 outdoor officials, effective with the 2009 championships. This request is in addition to the 12 key officials for indoor and 15 officials for outdoor track who currently receive fees, per diem, transportation and lodging.

(2) Rationale. While the track committee designates the 12 key officials for the indoor championships and the 15 key officials for the outdoor championships, the host institution is responsible for securing the remaining officials for the championships. That includes approximately 90 officials for the indoor championships and approximately 110 officials for the outdoor championships. Currently, all of these officials volunteer their own transportation, time and lodging to work the championships. Host institutions are encouraged to secure officials from their local association, but the request is made each year to include quality officials from a national perspective as well. In order to secure quality officials and to foster a positive relationship with the officials, some host institutions have absorbed some lodging costs. This is not a requirement of the hosts, but a commitment from the host to ensure quality officials for the championships as well as to make the officials feel that their professionalism and services are respected, appreciated and recognized for the amount of time worked at the championships.

Recently, there have been discussions among the track officials about unionizing for compensation. All three committees are well aware of the issues surrounded by this unionization and would like to be proactive in providing the officials at least lodging and a minimum fee for their services for their commitment to the NCAA Track and Field Championships. Meals are currently provided at the championships for the officials in lieu of per diem and as a part of the hospitality provided by the host. The Division II and Division III Track and Field Committees have already instituted this payment structure.

(3) Estimated Budget Impact. $93,450. This estimate is based on maximum room costs as determined by administrative services. (Note: In most cases, the committee believes lodging costs will be significantly less that $150 per night, including in some instances using campus housing of less than $75 per night.)

Indoor Championships: 90 officials

Lodging (double occupancy) 45 rooms x $150 x 3 nights = $20,250

Fee 90 officials x $45 x 3 days = $12,150

Total $32,400

Outdoor Championships: 110 officials

Lodging (double occupancy) 55 rooms x $150 x 5 nights = $41,250

Fee 110 officials x $45 x 4 days = $19,800

Total $61,050

Grand Total $93,450

(4) Student-Athlete Impact. None.

f. Track and Field Officiating Improvement Program.

(1) Recommendation. That a Track and Field Officiating Improvement Program be created with oversight by the Track and Field Secretary-Rules Editor, effective with the 2008-2009 academic calendar.

(2) Rationale. In an effort to improve the quality of track and field officiating, the NCAA Track and Field Committee requests funding for training of officials for all three divisions. The initial program includes eight NCAA Training Clinics throughout the country with the NCAA paying for facilities and clinicians. The training clinics would be held in conjunction with large regular season meets (e.g., Penn Relays, Drake Relays, Texas Relays, Florida Relays, Prefontaine Classic, NCAA Indoor Track and Field Championships and NCAA Outdoor Track and Field Regional meets, etc.) which officials already attend.

Another benefit of the program is the training and development of younger officials. Currently a preponderance of track and field officials are over the age of 50. Soliciting younger officials to attend the program would continue to enhance the overall quality of officiating in the track and field community for years to come.

Finally, having quality, well-trained and consistent officials would enhance the student-athlete experience.

(3) Estimated Budget Impact. $32,000 ($4,000 per site to include clinician travel, per diem, lodging, rental of facility, materials and hospitality.)

(4) Student-Athlete Impact. The long-term impact for the student athletes would be better officiated track meets.

g. Altitude Adjustment Research.

(1) Recommendation. That funds be provided to gather research data on the effect of altitude on student-athletes in regards to enhancing/impeding performances.

(2) Rationale. The committee continues to discuss the need for altitude conversions for performances obtained above 3,000 feet. The committee believes it is time to research the available data to assist in the evaluation of the current adjustments. Approval of this recommendation will positively benefit all three divisions because the altitude conversions are used by all three divisions for both indoor and outdoor championships.

(3) Estimated Budget Impact. $10,000. Funds would be distributed to researchers to gather the available data and report back to the committee.

(4) Student-Athlete Impact. None.

h. Individual Awards at the Outdoor Regional Meets.

(1) Recommendation. To provide individual awards to the top five finishers in each individual event and the top three finishers in each relay event at the outdoor regional meets, effective with the 2009 championships.

(2) Rationale. The committee believes that it is time to recognize with award hardware the top individual in each event at each of the four regional outdoor track meets. The top five individuals and the top three relay teams are the automatic qualifiers to the championships meets (assuming the declare for that event.) There are no national championship caliber events that do not recognize individual performance with some kind of award. The committee believes it is an important enhancement for the individuals and relay teams to be recognized as at the site as well.

(3) Estimated Budget Impact. $40,392. This estimate is based upon the cost of a total 792 individual awards ([15 individual events x five athletes x four regional meets] + [the top three four-person relay x two relays x four regional meets] = 300 + 96 = 396 per gender.) The current team trophies cost the Association $51 each.

(4) Student-Athlete Impact. The student-athlete experience is greatly enhanced with the recognition that goes with taking home individual hardware.

i. Automatic Qualification.

(1) Recommendation. That the following conferences receive automatic qualification for their individual event champions into their respective regional championship meets:

Men’s Track and Field (28 conferences): America East Conference, Atlantic Coast Conference, Atlantic 10 Conference, Big East Conference, Big Sky Conference, Big South Conference, Big Ten Conference, Big 12 Conference, Big West Conference, Colonial Athletic Association, Conference USA, Horizon League, Ivy Group, Mid-American Conference, Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference, Missouri Valley Conference, Mountain West Conference, Northeast Conference, Ohio Valley Conference, Pacific-10 Conference, Southeastern Conference, Southern Conference, Southland Conference, Southwestern Athletic Conference, The Summit League, Sun Belt Conference, Patriot League, and Western Athletic Conference.

Women’s Track and Field (30 conferences): America East Conference, Atlantic Coast Conference, Atlantic 10 Conference, Atlantic Sun Conference, Big East Conference, Big Sky Conference, Big South Conference, Big Ten Conference, Big 12 Conference, Big West Conference, Colonial Athletic Association, Conference USA, Horizon League, Ivy Group, Metro Atlantic Athletic Conference, Mid-American Conference, Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference, Missouri Valley Conference, Mountain West Conference, Northeast Conference, Ohio Valley Conference, Pacific-10 Conference, Southeastern Conference, Southern Conference, Southland Conference, Southwestern Athletic Conference, The Summit League, Sun Belt Conference, Patriot League, and Western Athletic Conference.

(2) Rationale. These conferences meet the legislated requirements to receive automatic qualification into the championship process.

(3) Budget Impact. None.

(4) Student-Athlete Impact. None.

j. Committee Chair.

(1) Recommendation. That Alecia Shields-Gadson, Senior Woman Administrator at Coppin State University serve as chair of the committee, replacing DeTrease Harrison, Virginia Commonwealth University, who has completed her term.