REPORT OF THE

REPORT OF THE

NCAA DIVISION I CHAMPIONSHIPS/COMPETITION CABINET

The NCAA Division I Championships/Competition Cabinet submits this report from its February 6-7, 2007, in-person meeting in Indianapolis, Indiana. [Note: All votes were unanimous voice votes unless otherwise indicated. Subcommittee positions are noted unless part of the consent package.]

ACTION ITEMS.

· Legislative Items.

[Note: See Attachment for the full test of the proposals forwarded to the Management Council as noncontroversial or emergency.]

1. NCAA Bylaw 31.4.6.3 – Official Traveling Parties.

(a) Recommendation. That the NCAA Division I Management Council adopt noncontroversial legislation that would permit the cabinet to make changes to traveling parties as a matter of cabinet policy, rather than requiring legislative action.

(b) Effective Date. Immediate.

(c) Rationale. If adopted, this proposal will eliminate the bureaucracy of requiring the travel party to go through the legislative process. Currently, to be effective such changes are dependent on both budget allocations and legislative changes. Since the budget and legislative cycles do not always coincide, the potential for inconsistencies and confusion exists. For example, if the budget for a travel party increase is only partially approved, the legislative proposal must be amended (or withdrawn if the budget request is not approved at all). The cabinet believes that removing the travel party changes from the legislative process will lead to less confusion regarding the changes and reduce the level of bureaucracy.

(d) Estimated Budget Impact. None.

(e) Student-Athlete Impact. None.

2. Bylaw 31.02.3 – Misconduct.

(a) Recommendation. That for all sports, the Management Council adopt emergency or noncontroversial legislation that would allow sports committees to apply the misconduct bylaw from the time the

(b) Effective Date. August 1, 2007.

(c) Rationale. Due to inconsistencies in the calendar, the 14-weekend championship segment inadvertently will be cut to 13 weekends of competition in some years. This will occur initially in 2008, followed again in 2009, 2013, 2014 and 2015. The current championship segment starting date of the second Thursday in February was determined by counting back 14 weeks from the Thursday proceeding the first weekend of NCAA regional play and this change will ensure that the championship segment will include 14 weekends in every calendar year. The cabinet noted that the length of the softball season will continue to be limited to 132 days. The cabinet is recommending this as emergency legislation so that institutions know the first contest date as soon as possible to accommodate scheduling for the 2008 spring season.

(d) Estimated Budget Impact. None.

(e) Student-Athlete Impact. None.

4. NCAA Proposal No. 2006-121 - Playing and Practice Seasons – Women's Soccer – First Contest Date.

(a) Recommendation. That the Management Council adopt Proposal No. 2006-121 as emergency legislation. Proposal No. 2006-121 would specify that, beginning with the 2008 soccer season, the date for the first permissible contest in women's soccer would be the Friday prior to weekend twelve proceeding the start of the NCAA Division I Women's Soccer Championship, except that an alumni contest may be played the previous weekend.

(b) Effective Date. August 1, 2008.

(c) Rationale. The cabinet noted that it previously supported this proposal as emergency legislation at its September 2006 meeting. The Management Council recently adopted a change to the first contest date in men's soccer and the cabinet continues to believe it is equitable to provide the same opportunity for the women's soccer season to include 12 weeks when the men's soccer season also includes 12 weeks. The subcommittee also noted that the women's soccer playing season would continue to be limited to 132 days and that a full 12-week season would only occur in four of the next nine years (2008 through 2016). This proposal is being

recommended as emergency legislation to accommodate scheduling for the 2008 fall season.

(d) Estimated Budget Impact. In years that the first contest is 12 weeks before the championship, student-athletes may be required to return for the first preseason practice a few days earlier.

(e) Student-Athlete Impact. In years that the first contest is 12 weeks before the championship, student-athletes may be required to return for the first preseason practice a few days earlier.

INFORMATIONAL ITEMS.

1. Legislative Informational Items.

a. Comments on Proposals Currently in the 2006-07 Legislative Cycle.

· Proposal Nos. 2006-63-A and 2006-63-B (Eligibility – Criteria for Determining Season of Eligibility – Tennis and Swimming and Diving – Participation in Elite Events). The cabinet received information from the NCAA Olympic Sports Liaison Committee regarding its support for Proposal Nos. 2006-63-A and 2006-63-B. The committee recommends adoption of Proposal No. 2006-63-A, which would specify that a student-athlete's participation in Olympic Games, Pan American Games, World Championships, World Cup and World University Games is exempt from the application of the legislation governing seasons of competition and residency in tennis and swimming and diving. However, if the membership defeats Proposal No. 2006-63-A, the committee supports Proposal No. 2006-63-B, which provides an exemption only for participation in Olympic Games.

b. Proposals Sponsored by the Cabinet for the 2007-08 Legislative Cycle.

(1) Awards and Benefits – Coaching and Athletics Administration Career Educational Programs.

(a) Recommendation. The cabinet agreed to sponsor legislation to permit an institution or conference to provide student-athletes who are entering their fourth year (seventh semester or tenth quarter) of

collegiate enrollment, actual and necessary expenses to attend coaching and athletics administration career educational programs.

(b) Effective Date. August 1, 2008.

(c) Rationale. Educational programs related to coaching and athletics administration career opportunities present an opportunity for student-athletes to learn more about coaching and athletics administration professions and to explore the possibility of these career options. To satisfy this provision, such programs would need to provide seminars and workshops that provide instruction on coaching and administrative skills and principles, as well as provide mentoring programs for the participants. Programs also would be designed to instruct participants on the creation of a coaching and administrative philosophy, the roles and responsibilities of a coach and/or athletics administrator, effective communication skills, teaching techniques, safety issues, development of practice plans, skill analysis, skill development and physical preparation of players. Changing this legislation would allow institutions and conferences to provide expenses for student-athletes to participate in programs similar to the "So You Want to be a Coach" conducted by the Women's Basketball Coaches Association.

(d) Estimated Budget Impact. Minimal.

(e) Student-Athlete Impact. The legislation would increase opportunities for student-athletes to receive coaching education and gain valuable experience that could lead to the expansion of female coaches in intercollegiate athletics.

(2) Personnel – Coaching Limitations – Replacement of Coach.

(a) Recommendation. The cabinet agreed to sponsor legislation to permit an institution to replace, on a temporary or limited basis, a coach who takes a leave of absence to participate on or coach the national team or Olympic team of another nation.

(b) Effective Date. August 1, 2008.

(c) Rationale. Current legislation permits an institution to replace a coach temporarily or on a limited basis when that coach takes a leave of absence to participate on or to coach either the U.S. national team or U.S. Olympic team, provided the replacement is limited to a one-year period and the coach who is replaced performs no recruiting or other duties on behalf of the institution. The cabinet believes it is reasonable to extend the rule to allow an institution to replace coaches who are coaching national or Olympic teams of another nation. This would afford coaches the same opportunity to coach national or Olympic teams, regardless of the nation represented, without penalizing the institution.

(d) Estimated Budget Impact. Variable. The institution may choose to compensate the replacement coach.

(e) Student-Athlete Impact. The legislation would increase opportunities for student-athletes to receive elite-level coaching from international coaches who also coach collegiately.

(3) Membership – Scheduling – Sports other than Football, Basketball, Men's Swimming and Diving, and Men's Indoor and Outdoor Track and Field.

(a) Recommendation. The cabinet agreed to sponsor legislation to include wrestling as a sport that must schedule and play at least 50 percent of its contests against Division I opponents to satisfy the minimum number of contests.

(b) Effective Date. August 1, 2008.

(c) Rationale. Current legislation requires an institution to schedule and play 100 percent of its wrestling contests against Division I opponents to meet the minimum number of contests legislation (i.e., 13 wrestling contests with a minimum of seven student-athletes). Beyond this minimum number of contests, an institution shall schedule and play at least 50 percent of its wrestling contests against Division I opponents. Bylaw 20.9.5.1.1 specifies that, in men's swimming and diving and men's indoor and outdoor track and field, an institution shall schedule and play at least 50 percent of its contests against Division I opponents to satisfy the minimum number of contests specified in Bylaw 20.9.4.3. The cabinet

believes that the addition of wrestling to this exception will ease the budgetary burden many sponsoring institutions face when scheduling wrestling contests. In many regions of the country, nearby institutions are classified in a different division or are members of the National Association of Intercollegiate Athletics. Specifically, institutions will have the ability to schedule contests against nearby institutions, regardless of their division or organizational affiliation, in order to decrease travel costs. Furthermore, the cabinet believes this would provide many institutions the budgetary relief needed to maintain sponsorship of wrestling.

(d) Estimated Budget Impact. Variable. May decrease travel costs in some cases.

(e) Student-Athlete Impact. None.

2. Nonlegislative Informational Items.

a. Approval of Report from September 19-20, 2006, Cabinet Meeting. The report from the cabinet's September 19-20, 2006, in-person meeting was approved as previously distributed.

b. Reports from Management Council, NCAA Division I Board of Directors and the NCAA Executive Committee October 2006 and 2007 Meetings. The cabinet received informational reports from the staff regarding a variety of topics including proposed changes to the Division I governance structure. It was noted that additional discussions would take place at 2007 spring conference meetings and at the cabinet's June 2007 meeting.

In addition, the cabinet was updated on the status of a survey sent to the Division I membership regarding the use of male practice players. It was noted that additional discussions would take place when the survey results have been received and tabulated. It was agreed that a subgroup of cabinet members would be appointed to review and summarize the findings in preparation for the cabinet's June 2007 meeting.

c. Report of the NCAA Division I Championships/Competition Cabinet Administrative Committee.

(1) NCAA Division I Field Hockey Committee – Rules Interpreter. On behalf of the cabinet, the Administrative Committee approved a recommendation that will allow the Field Hockey Committee to appoint a rules interpreter for the sport of field hockey. It was noted that the interpreter will serve on a volunteer basis. Any funding related to the rules interpreter would have to be approved by the cabinet through the normal budgeting process.

(2) Budgeting Principles and Philosophies. The Administrative Committee discussed the cabinet's budgeting process and agreed to continue to prioritize requests in groups of "like" requests. The Administrative Committee requested that staff provide information that will show how the cabinet has allocated money in previous years in several key areas. A group consisting of Administrative Committee members and cabinet subcommittee chairs will develop budgeting principles and philosophies for the full cabinet to consider prior to the next round of budget discussions. In addition, the committee directed the staff to compile high school participation rates (by sport) and present that information to the NCAA Division I Championships/Competition Cabinet Bracket/Format Subcommittee.

d. Reports of Sports and Sports Issues Committees.

(1) Men's Golf. Based on recommendations from the Bracket/
Format Subcommittee the cabinet approved a recommendation that to be considered for at-large selection, a team must have a .500 or better record versus Division I opponents, effective with the 2007-08 championships. (For 48, Against 0, Abstentions 1)

(2) Men's and Women's Skiing. Based on recommendations from the Bracket/Format Subcommittee the cabinet approved a change to the date formula for regional competition of the National Collegiate Men's and Women's Skiing championships. Regional competition may start not earlier than three Thursdays prior to the NCAA skiing championships and must conclude not later than two Sundays prior to the NCAA skiing championships.

(3) "Last Chance" Meets. Based on recommendations from the Bracket/
Format Subcommittee, NCAA Division I Men's and Women's Track and

Field Committees, and NCAA Division I Men's and Women's Swimming and Diving Committees, the cabinet agreed not to establish additional parameters for "last chance" meets. The cabinet requested that relevant entities begin labeling such events as "NCAA championship qualification" meets rather than "last chance" meets. It was noted that appropriate editorial revisions will be made to the sports committee handbooks.

(4) Women's Rowing. Based on recommendations from the Bracket/Format Subcommittee and the NCAA Division I Women's Rowing Committee, the cabinet agreed to categorize women's rowing as a team sport for purposes of championship bracketing policies. The cabinet noted that it would be willing to review, along with other budget requests, a budget request from the Women's Rowing Committee for bracket expansion at its September 2007 meeting. The cabinet noted that Proposal No. 2006-112 addresses the separate issue of automatic qualification and is currently in the membership-comment stage of the legislative process.

e. Bracket/Format Subcommittee.

(1) Bracket Expansion. Based on a recommendation from the cabinet's Bracket/Format Subcommittee and a review of sports sponsorship numbers/percentages, the cabinet agreed to invite the following three committees to submit information related to bracket expansion: NCAA Division I Men's Volleyball Committee, NCAA Division I Men's Water Polo Committee and the Women's Rowing Committee. It was noted that such an invitation is consistent with cabinet policies but does not include a guarantee of funding.

(2) Rating Percentage Index. It was noted that the Bracket/Format Subcommittee directed sports committees that employ a bonus and/or penalty system with its rating percentage index to publish general information regarding the system used in its championships handbook.

(3) First-Round Match Ups. The Bracket/Format Subcommittee agreed to review bracketing issues at its June 2007 meeting. Specifically, the subcommittee agreed to discuss situations in which, due to geographical restrictions, the same teams tend to meet each other in the first round on a regular basis. The subcommittee agreed to review historical data relative to the following championships: women's volleyball, women's soccer, men's soccer, field hockey, baseball and softball to see how prevalent this concern is and to discuss possible solutions to help alleviate this issue.

f. Olympic Sports Liaison Committee. It was noted that the Olympic Sports Liaison Committee met with representatives from USA Swimming, USA Field Hockey, USA Volleyball, U.S. Bowling Congress, USA Cycling, USA Wrestling, USA Water Polo and U.S. Team Handball. Issues related to a variety of topics were discussed and it was agreed by all participants that ongoing communication would be beneficial.

The cabinet referred back to the Olympic Sports Liaison Committee's recommendation to create an exception to Bylaw 14.2.3.5 (21st birthday) for a student-athlete's participation in elite events (i.e., Olympic Games, Pan American Games, World Championships, World Cup and World University Games). The cabinet directed the Olympic Sports Liaison Committee to consider further whether it is appropriate to include qualifying competition in its recommendation. The cabinet expressed concern that it may not be reasonable for an individual to have competed in only the elite events after his or her 21st birthday without having also competed in qualifying competition for the event after his or her 21st birthday.

g. NCAA Division I Championships/Competition Cabinet Playing and Practice Seasons Subcommittee. It was reported that the Playing and Practice Seasons Subcommittee directed the staff to provide additional education to member institutions, conferences and coaches associations regarding the intent of the legislation that addresses qualifying multiple team events in the sport of basketball. The cabinet noted that the Playing and Practice Seasons Subcommittee will continue to monitor the formats of these events and discuss concerns, as appropriate.

h. NCAA Division I Championships/Competition Cabinet Awards/Travel Policies/Bylaw 16 Subcommittee. The cabinet was informed that the Awards/Travel Policies/Bylaw 16 Subcommittee supports reviewing a budget request to increase the women's gymnastics per diem reimbursement. The recent per diem reimbursement reduction was an unintended consequence of the recent changes made to reimbursement for individual/team championships.

The cabinet also noted that the Awards/Travel Policies/Bylaw 16 Subcommittee is supportive of reviewing a budget request to change the NCAA awards program to award only a national championship trophy and regional championship awards to participating schools in all sports.

Finally, the cabinet was updated on the Awards/Travel Policies/Bylaw 16 Subcommittee's recent and ongoing discussions with the NCAA Division I

Academics/Eligibility/Compliance Cabinet Financial Aid Subcommittee regarding the Management Council's October 2006 charge to review current legislation regarding meals that are provided to student-athletes. The cabinet noted that the recommendations from this joint effort will be provided to the Management Council at its April 2007 meeting.

i. Informational Reports. The cabinet received informational reports from the NCAA Division I Championships/Competition Cabinet Certified Contests Subcommittee and NCAA Division I Championships/Competition Cabinet Postseason Football Licensing Subcommittee without taking action.

j. Committee Appointments. The cabinet took the following action related to committees and cabinet subcommittees:

(1) Men's Baseball. Appointed John Anderson, University of Minnesota, Twin Cities, and Bobby Staub, University of Lousiana at Monroe, effective September 1.

(2) Baseball Rules. Appointed Elvis Dominguez, Eastern Kentucky University, effective September 1.

(3) Men's Basketball. Appointed Tom O'Connor, George Mason University, as chair effective September 1. Also appointed Jeffrey Hathaway, University of Connecticut, and Lynn Hickey, University of Texas at San Antonio, effective September 1.

(4) Men's Basketball Issues. Appointed Ron Bertovich, Colonial Athletic Association; Dean Lee, Arkansas State University; and Michael Thomas, University of Cincinnati, effective September 1.

(5) Men's Basketball Rules. Appointed Mike Brey, University of Notre Dame, and Rick Hartzell, University of Northern Iowa, effective September 1.

(6) Women's Basketball. Appointed Judy Southard, Louisiana State University, as chair effective June 1. Also appointed Bill Nepfel, University of San Francisco, and James Phillips, Northern Illinois University, effective September 1.

(7) Women's Basketball Issues. Appointed Ceal Barry; University of Colorado, Boulder; Jean Berger, Drake University; and Marie Tuite, University of Washington, effective September 1.

(8) Women's Basketball Rules. Appointed Shimmy Gray-Miller, Saint Louis University, and Lee Ann Riley, Stephen F. Austin State University, effective September 1.

(9) Women's Bowling. Appointed Barbara Lewis, Grambling State University, effective September 1.

(10) Competitive Safeguards and Medical Aspects of Sports Committee. Appointed Randy Eichner, University of Oklahoma, and Brenna Ellis, University of Texas at San Antonio, effective September 1.

(11) Football Championships. Appointed Robert Bernardi, Nicholls State University, and Bruce McCutcheon, Lafayette College, effective September 1.

(12) Football Rules. Appointed Rich Rodriquez, West Virginia University, effective September 1. One-year term extension for Mike Bellotti, University of Oregon.

(13) Men's Golf. Appointed Jack Key, Southland Conference, and Darin Spease, University of North Carolina, Charlotte, effective September 1.

(14) Women's Golf. Appointed Sharon Hanson, Creighton University, and Mary Lou Mulflur, University of Washington, effective September 1.

(15) Men's Gymnastics. Reappointed Ragine Dvorak, University of Michigan, effective September 1.

(16) Men's Ice Hockey. Appointed Robert Driscoll, Providence College, effective September 1.

(17) Men's Lacrosse. Appointed Dermot Coll, U.S. Air Force Academy, and Robert Scalise, Harvard University, effective September 1.

(18) Women's Lacrosse Rules. Reappointed Danie Caro, Quinnipiac University, effective September 1.

(19) Olympic Sports Liaison Committee. Appointed Lynn King, University of the Pacific, effective September 1.

(20) Women's Rowing. Appointed Lauren Venarchik, Metro Atlantic Athletic Conference, effective September 1.

(21) Men's and Women's Skiing. Appointed Cory Schwartz, University of New Hampshire, effective September 1.

(22) Men's and Women's Soccer Rules. Appointed Janet Oberle, Saint Louis University, and Charles Yrigoyen, Ivy Group, effective September 1.

(23) Women's Soccer. Appointed Melissa Conti, Colonial Athletic Association; Rena Richardson, University of Tulsa; and Marianne Vydra, Oregon State University, effective September 1.

(24) Softball. Appointed Mary Bowman, University of Utah, and Robin Petrini, Pennsylvania State University, effective September 1.

(25) Softball Rules. Appointed Ken Eriksen, University of South Florida, and Gwendolyn Lewis, University of Evansville, effective September 1.

(26) Men's and Women's Swimming and Diving. Appointed Pamela Overton, Florida State University, and Rickey Perkins, University of Evansville, effective September 1.

(27) Men's and Women's Tennis. Appointed Beth Goode, Stanford University, effective September 1.

(28) Men's and Women's Track and Field. Appointed Elizabeth Donohue, Marist College; Robyne Johnson, Boston University; and Maisha Palmer, Rutgers, The State University of New Jersey, New Brunswick, effective September 1.

(29) Women's Volleyball. Appointed Cindy Gannon, Southeast Missouri State University; Regina Sullivan, University of Minnesota, Twin Cities; and Lauren Tietjen, Kansas State University, effective September 1.

(30) Women's Volleyball Rules. Appointed Michael Haley, University of Southern California, effective September 1.

(31) Men's Water Polo. Appointed Jeff Heidmous, U.S. Air Force Academy, effective September 1.

(32) Women's Water Polo. Appointed John Tanner, Stanford University, effective September 1.

(33) Wrestling. Appointed Steve Garland, University of Virginia, and Jim Zalesky, Oregon State University, effective September 1.

k. Automatic Qualification. The cabinet awarded automatic qualification as follows:

· Men's Lacrosse. The following two conferences were granted automatic qualification for their conference into the 2007 NCAA Division I Men's Lacrosse Championship: Eastern College Athletic Conference and Great Western Lacrosse League.

Committee Chair: Carolyn Schlie Femovich, Patriot League

Staff Liaisons: R. Wayne Burrow, Championships

Thomas A. Jacobs, Championships

David W. Schnase, Membership Services