EMERGENCY AND NONCONTROVERSIAL LEGISLATION

 

REQUESTS FOR ADOPTION BY THE

BOARD OF DIRECTORS

 

2006-3 AMATEURISM -- INVOLVEMENT WITH PROFESSIONAL TEAMS -- TRYOUT BEFORE ENROLLMENT -- PREDRAFT BASKETBALL CAMP EXCEPTION

Status: Board of Directors Consideration


Intent: In basketball, to permit a prospective student-athlete to accept actual and necessary expenses from a professional sports organization to attend that organization's predraft basketball camp regardless of the length of the camp.


Bylaws: Amend 12.2.1.1 by adding new 12.2.1.1.1, page 74, as follows:

"12.2.1.1 Tryout Before Enrollment. A student-athlete remains eligible in a sport even though, prior to enrollment in a collegiate institution, the student-athlete may have tried out with a professional athletics team in a sport or received not more than one expense-paid visit from each professional team (or a combine including that team), provided such a visit did not exceed 48 hours and any payment or compensation in connection with the visit was not in excess of actual and necessary expenses. A self-financed tryout may be for any length of time.

"12.2.1.1.1 Exception for Predraft Basketball Camp. In basketball, prior to full-time enrollment in a collegiate institution, a prospective student-athlete may accept actual and necessary expenses from a professional sports organization to attend that organization's predraft basketball camp regardless of the length of the camp."

Source: NCAA Division I Academics/Eligibility/Compliance Cabinet (Subcommittee on Agents and Amateurism).


Effective Date: Immediate.


Proposal Category: Amendment


Topical Area: Amateurism


Rationale: Currently, enrolled basketball student-athletes are permitted to receive expenses from a professional sports organization to attend the organization's predraft camp regardless of the length of the camp. Historically, for men's basketball, predraft camps occur over a four-day period. However, prospective student-athletes may only participate in an expense-paid tryout, including a predraft camp, for up to 48 hours, even if the camp occurs over a longer period of time. In June 2005, the NCAA Division I Administrative Review Subcommittee granted a waiver filed by the NCAA Division I Academics/Eligibility/Compliance Cabinet Subcommittee on Amateurism/Agents to permit prospective student-athletes to receive expenses to attend the full four-day camp. Prospective basketball student-athletes should be afforded the same opportunity as currently enrolled basketball student-athletes to attend and receive expenses for the full predraft camp without jeopardizing their eligibility.


Estimated Budget Impact: None.


Impact on Student Athlete's Time: None.


2006-4 RECRUITING -- CONTACTS AND EVALUATIONS -- CONTACT PERIOD EXCEPTION -- INSTITUTIONS WITH OFFICIAL ADMISSIONS NOTIFICATION DATES AFTER FINAL CONTACT PERIOD

Status: Board of Directors Consideration


Intent: To eliminate the waiver of contact periods for institutions with established admissions acceptance dates that occur after the normal contact deadline; further, to establish an exception to permit an institution that does not subscribe to the National Letter of Intent in a particular sport and has an official admissions notification date that occurs subsequent to the end of the final contact period of the academic year, to extend the final contact period of the academic year through 30 days after the institution's official admissions notification date.


Bylaws: Amend 13.1.4.1, page 95, as follows:

"13.1.4.1 Waiver of Contact Period Exception.The Management Council shall have the authority, by a two-thirds majority of its members present and voting, to waive provisions of the football and basketball contact periods for institutions with established admissions acceptance dates that occur after the normal contact deadline. An institution that does not subscribe to the National Letter of Intent in a particular sport and has an official admissions notification date (i.e., the date when all applicants are notified whether they are admitted) that occurs subsequent to the end of the final contact period of the academic year, may extend the final contact period of the academic year through 30 days after the institution's official admissions notification date. The institution remains subject to all dead periods that occur during the extended contact period and may not exceed the maximum number of contacts permitted in the particular sport."

Source: NCAA Division I Management Council [Academics/Eligibility/Compliance Cabinet (Subcommittee on Recruiting)].


Effective Date: Immediate


Proposal Category: Amendment


Topical Area: Recruiting


Rationale: This proposal will permit affected institutions to apply an exception to address a situation that has required an annual waiver request of the NCAA Division I Management Council. It is reasonable and practical to establish this exception for institutions that do not subscribe to the National Letter of Intent in the applicable sport. Prospective student-athletes who are recruited by institutions with late admissions notification dates are not typically notified they have been admitted until late March or early April. Once the prospects are notified they generally have 30 days to reply. The proposed extension beyond the official admissions notification date will allow ample time after the NLI signing date for prospects to make critical decisions.


Estimated Budget Impact: None.


Impact on Student Athlete's Time: None.


2006-5 ETHICAL CONDUCT -- GAMBLING ACTIVITIES -- SANCTIONS -- TIMING OF REINSTATEMENT REQUEST

Status: Board of Directors Consideration


Intent: To eliminate the requirement that a request for reinstatement of a student-athlete's eligibility may be submitted only on fulfillment of the minimum one-year period of ineligibility for instances in which a student-athlete solicits or accepts a bet or participates in any gambling activity that involves intercollegiate athletics or professional athletics, through a bookmaker, a parlay card or any other method employed by organized gambling.


Bylaws: Amend 10.3.1, page 54, as follows:

"10.3.1 Sanctions.The following sanctions for violations of Bylaw 10.3 shall apply as follows:

[10.3.1 -(a) unchanged.]

"(b) A student-athlete who solicits or accepts a bet or participates in any gambling activity that involves intercollegiate athletics or professional athletics, through a bookmaker, a parlay card or any other method employed by organized gambling, shall be ineligible for all regular-season and postseason competition for a minimum of a period of one year from the date of the institution's determination that a violation has occurred and shall be charged with the loss of a minimum of one season of competition. A request for reinstatement may be submitted on behalf of a student-athlete who has participated in such activity only upon fulfillment of the minimum condition indicated above. If the student-athlete is determined to have been involved in a subsequent violation of any portion of Bylaw 10.3, the student-athlete shall permanently lose all remaining regular-season and postseason eligibility in all sports."

 

Source: NCAA Division I Management Council (Academics/Eligibility/Compliance Cabinet) (Committee on Student-Athlete Reinstatement).


Effective Date: Immediate


Proposal Category: Amendment


Topical Area: Ethical Conduct/Institutional Control


Rationale: This proposal does not reduce or provide any flexibility regarding the imposition of the minimum one-year ineligibility penalty in which a student-athlete solicits or accepts a bet or participates in any gambling activity that involves intercollegiate athletics or professional athletics, through a bookmaker, a parlay card or any other method employed by organized gambling. The change, however, does address the timing of processing a reinstatement request and allows an institution to submit a request prior to the completion of the minimum one-year period of ineligibility. It is in the student-athlete's best interests to be able to know as soon as possible whether he or she will be eligible at the completion of the minimum one-year period and whether additional conditions of reinstatement will be imposed. In addition, this change will allow for sufficient time for a case to be fully and thoughtfully reviewed without the added pressure of pending competition. This revision is consistent with the NCAA Division I Student-Athlete Reinstatement Committee's efforts to streamline the student-athlete reinstatement process.


Estimated Budget Impact: None.


Impact on Student Athlete's Time: None.


2006-6 RECRUITING -- UNOFFICIAL VISIT -- ACTIVITIES -- ELIGIBILITY RAMIFICATIONS

Status: Board of Directors Consideration


Intent: To specify that a prospective student-athlete's eligibility would be affected and that an institution would be required to seek reinstatement of the prospect's eligibility in cases involving violations related to the types of activities that may occur on an unofficial visit (e.g., personalized recruiting aids, game-day simulations).


A. Bylaws: Amend 13.7 by adding new 13.7.3, page 117, as follows:

"13.7.3 Activities during Unofficial Visit. An institution may not arrange miscellaneous, personalized recruiting aids (e.g., personalized jerseys, personalized audio/visual scoreboard presentations) and may not permit a prospect to engage in any game-day simulations (e.g., running onto the field with the team during pre-game introductions) during an unofficial visit. Personalized recruiting aids include any decorative items and special additions to any location the prospect will visit (e.g., hotel room, locker room, coach's office, conference room, arena) regardless of whether or not the items include the prospect's name or picture."

B. Bylaws: Amend 13.7.2.1.8, as follows:

"13.7.2.1.8 Activities. An institution may not arrange miscellaneous, personalized recruiting aids (e.g., personalized jerseys, personalized audio/video scoreboard presentations) and may not permit a prospect to engage in any game-day simulations (e.g., running onto the field with the team during pre-game introductions) during an unofficial visit. Personalized recruiting aids include any decorative items and special additions to any location the prospect will visit (e.g., hotel room, locker room, coach's office, conference room, arena) regardless of whether or not the items include the prospect's name or picture."

Source: NCAA Division I Management Council (Academics/Eligibility/Compliance Cabinet) (Committee on Student-Athlete Reinstatement).


Effective Date: Immediate


Proposal Category: Amendment


Topical Area: Recruiting


Rationale: Currently, a violation of Bylaw 13.6.6.9, which prohibits miscellaneous personalized recruiting aids and a prospect's involvement in any game-day simulations on an official visit, affects the prospect's eligibility while a violation of Bylaw 13.7.2.1.8, which prohibits the same activities on an unofficial visit, does not. The results of violations of these two provisions should be consistent. Violations of these regulations should affect prospect's eligibility regardless of whether the impermissible activities occur on an official or unofficial visit.
Estimated Budget Impact: None.


Impact on Student Athlete's Time: None.


2006-7 COMMITTEES -- WOMEN'S LACROSSE COMMITTEE -- COMPOSITION

Status: Board of Directors Consideration


Intent: To specify that the Women's Lacrosse Committee shall consist of one representative from each of the four regions (Northeast, Mid-Atlantic, South and West/Midwest) and two representatives selected at-large; further, to specify that no more than two committee members shall be from any single region.


Bylaws: Amend 21.7.6.3.3.5.3.13, pages 389-390, as follows:

"21.7.6.3.3.5.3.13 Lacrosse Committee, Division I Women's. The Women's Lacrosse Committee shall consist of six members, including two one representatives from each of the three four regions (Northeast, Mid-Atlantic, and South and West/Midwest) and two representatives selected at-large. No more than two committee members shall be from any single region."

 

Source: NCAA Division I Management Council (Championships/Competition Cabinet) (Women's Lacrosse Committee).


Effective Date: Immediate (Composition will be achieved through normal attrition).


Proposal Category: Amendment


Topical Area: Committees


Rationale: The current women's lacrosse committee is comprised of six members and two representatives who have been assigned from each of the three regions. Realignment to four regions was approved for 2005-06 and thereafter. This recommendation will ensure equitable representation from all regions.


Estimated Budget Impact: None.


Impact on Student Athlete's Time: None.


2006-8 COMMITTEES -- WOMEN'S BASKETBALL COMMITTEE -- COMPOSITION

Status: Board of Directors Consideration


Intent: To specify that the Women's Basketball Committee shall consist of one member from each of the four women's basketball regions and six members selected at large; further, to specify that no more than three committee members shall be from any single region.


Bylaws: Amend 21.7.6.3.3.5.3.4, pages 389-390, as follows:

"21.7.6.3.3.5.3.4 Basketball Committee, Division I Women's. The Division I Women's Basketball Committee shall consist of 10 members, including two one members from each of the four Division I women's basketball regions and two six members selected at large. No more than three committee members shall be from any single region. Six members shall be representatives from Division I-A institutions, and four members shall be representatives from Division I-AA or I-AAA institutions."

 

Source: NCAA Division I Management Council (Championships/Competition Cabinet) (Women's Basketball Committee).


Effective Date: Immediate (Composition will be achieved through normal attrition).


Proposal Category: Amendment


Topical Area: Committees


Rationale: This change will ensure representation from each of the four women's basketball regions and also allow for more flexibility for committee appointments when the group experiences multiple departures or resignations. In addition, the change will mirror the current composition requirements of the NCAA Division I Men's Basketball Committee.


Estimated Budget Impact: None.


Impact on Student Athlete's Time: None.


2006-9 LEGISLATIVE PROCESS -- PROCESS FOR ADOPTION OR AMENDMENT OF BYLAWS -- MANAGEMENT COUNCIL ACTION -- INITIAL REVIEW -- SINGLE VOTE

Status: Board of Directors Consideration


Intent: To specify that the Management Council, on initial review of a legislative proposal, shall conduct a single vote to accomplish one of the following actions: (a) approve and forward the proposal directly to the Division I Board of Directors for possible adoption; (b) forward the proposal to the membership for review and comment; or (c) defeat the proposal.


A. Constitution: Amend 5.3.2.2, page 38, as follows:

"5.2.2.3 Process for Adoption or Amendment of Bylaws

"5.3.2.2.1 Management Council Action -- Initial Review. On initial review of a legislative proposal, the Management Council may take the shall conduct a single vote to accomplish one of the following actions:

"(a) Full Approval -- Forward to Board of Directors. A proposal that receives approval at least a two-thirds majority vote of the Management Council members present and voting shall be forwarded directly to the Board of Directors for consideration and possible adoption at its next meeting;

"(b) Initial Approval -- Distribute for Membership Review with Support. A proposal that receives approval by a majority vote but less than a two-thirds majority vote of the Management Council members present and voting for which a majority of the Management Council members present and voting choose to forward the proposal to the Board of Directors or to the membership shall be forwarded to the membership for review and comment pursuant to Constitution 5.3.2.4.2; or

"(c) Failure to Initially Approve -- Option to Distribute for Membership Review Defeat. A proposal that fails to receive initial approval by a majority vote of Management Council members present and voting may be subject to a motion to forward the proposal to the membership for review and comment. By a majority vote of its members present and voting, the Management Council may forward such a proposal to the membership to solicit review and comment pursuant to Constitution 5.3.2.4.2 without taking a formal position of support or opposition. If a motion to forward the proposal to the membership for review and comment fails to receive a majority vote or if no such motion is made, the proposal as set forth in Constitution 5.3.2.2.1-(b) shall be considered defeated."

B. Constitution: Amend 5.3.2.2, page 39, as follows:

"5.3.2.4.2 Membership Review and Comment. Proposed changes in legislation that receive the initial approval of the Management Council and proposed changes for which the Management Council recommends membership review shall be published within 15 days of adjournment of the Board of Directors' meeting immediately following the Management Council's actions for the information of the membership and to solicit the membership's review and comment. To be considered by the Management Council in its final review of the proposed change, any comment from the membership shall be received in the national office within 60 days of the adjournment of the Board of Directors' meeting immediately following the Management Council's actions. Conferences/cabinets may amend any proposal during the 60-day comment period, provided any amendment does not increase the modification specified in the original proposal."

Source: NCAA Division I Management Council (Goverance Subcommittee).


Effective Date: Immediate


Proposal Category: Amendment


Topical Area: Membership/Legislative Process


Rationale: The new process to initially consider legislation was successful in helping to winnow the Division I legislative agenda, but had an unintended consequence of Management Council members sometimes casting strategic votes rather than voting on the merits of a proposal. These strategic votes, which resulted in multiple votes on many proposals, did not provide helpful guidance to the membership. This change will allow the Management Council, with the help of voting machines, to have the option of voting on whether a proposal should be forwarded to the Board for consideration, be forwarded to the membership for comment or be defeated. Under this process the Management Council members can vote their true intentions regarding a proposal and not strategically. Accordingly, it will be the actual Management Council vote rather than the process used by the Council that will provide the membership with guidance.


Estimated Budget Impact: None.


Impact on Student Athlete's Time: None.


2006-10 PLAYING AND PRACTICE SEASONS -- ANNUAL EXEMPTIONS -- GRIDIRON CLASSIC -- DIVISION I-AA FOOTBALL

Status: Board of Directors Consideration


Intent: To eliminate the ECAC Football Classic as an annual contest exemption and establish the Gridiron Classic as an annual exemption for representatives from the Northeast Conference and the Pioneer Football League.


Bylaws: Amend 17.11.5.2, pages 277-278, as follows:

The maximum number of football contests shall exclude the following (see Figure 17-13):

[17.11.5.2-(a) through 17.11.5.2-(h) unchanged.]

"(i) ECAC Football Gridiron Classic. Participation in the ECAC Football Gridiron Classic held between representatives from the Northeast Conference and the Metro Atlantic Athletic Conference Pioneer Football League."

[Remainder of 17.11.5.2 unchanged.]

Source: NCAA Division I Management Council (Division I-AA Governance Committee).


Effective Date: Immediate


Proposal Category: Amendment


Topical Area: Playing and Practice Seasons


Rationale: The Pioneer Football League and the Northeast Conference wish to participate in a postseason championship game in lieu of participating in the Division I-AA playoffs. With no NCAA sponsored postseason championship for conferences offering a limited or no football scholarships, this represents the only viable postseason opportunity for the champions of these two leagues at this time. The Metro Atlantic Athletic Conference is no longer committed to participate in a postseason championship game with the Northeast Conference. The Gridiron Classic would replace the ECAC Football Classic, which is currently an exempted event that is no longer being conducted.


Estimated Budget Impact: Impact for participating institutions.


Impact on Student Athlete's Time: Impact for student-athletes at participating institutions.