Report of the Division I Men’s Basketball

Academic Enhancement Group

Indianapolis, Indiana August 10, 2007

Participants:

Cy Alexander Tennessee State University

Kevin Anderson, U.S. Military Academy (Army)

Britton Banowsky, Conference USA

Percy Bates, University of Michigan

Jim Boeheim, Syracuse University

Pete Boone, University of Mississippi

Jack Evans, University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill

Cory Groth, University of Nevada

Dan Guerrero, University of California, Los Angeles (chair)

Walter Harrison, University of Hartford

Alan Hauser, Appalachian State University

Paul Hewitt, Georgia Institute of Technology

Ron Hunter, Indiana University-Purdue University of Indianapolis

Jeff Long, University of Pittsburgh

Phil Martelli, Saint Joseph’s University

Reggie Minton, , National Association of Basketball Coaches

Mario Moccia, Southern Illinois University at Carbondale

Lee Reed, Cleveland State University

Sidney Ribeau, Bowling Green State University

Herb Sendek, Arizona State University

Mike Slive, Southeastern Conference

Gene Smith, Ohio State University

Jon Steinbrecher, Ohio Valley Conference

John Watson, Pepperdine University

Steve Weber, San Diego State University

Debbie Yow, University of Maryland, College Park

S. David Berst, NCAA

Myles Brand, NCAA

Julie, Cromer, NCAA

Kevin Lennon, NCAA

Steve Mallonee, NCAA

Todd Petr, NCAA

[NOTE: Committee members Gretchen Bataille, University of North Texas; Robert Bruininks, University of Minnesota, Twin Cities; Bo Ryan and University of Wisconsin, Madison, were unable to participate in the meeting.]

NCAA staff members Gary Brown, Bernard Franklin, Tom Jernstedt, Greg Shaheen, Katie Street and Wallace Renfro were also present during the meeting.

The Division I Men’s Basketball Academic Enhancement convened in Indianapolis at the national office on Friday, August 10, 2007. The following information provides a summary of the pertinent discussion related to the meeting and action taken by the group.

(1) Reviewed the charge of the Division I Men’s Basketball Academic Enhancement Group as follows:

· Analyze available data, research and literature regarding the academic performance trends of Division I men’s basketball student-athletes

· Identify characteristics and factors in the sport that may be serving to impair the academic performance of Division I men’s basketball student-athletes

· Identify changes that would enhance academic performance and graduation rates in Division I men’s basketball

· *Submit to the Division I Board of Directors, no later than the end of 2008, a set of recommendations and proposals that would enhance the Academic Performance Rate [APR] and graduation rates in Division I men’s basketball

· Maintain ongoing communication with, and seek reactions from, the NCAA governance structure, the NABC membership and conference offices during the course of the project

2. Reviewed and analyzed data related to the academic performance of men’s basketball s-as, including academic outcomes related to transferring, trends in initial academic preparation and college academic outcomes and trends in graduation success rate and academic progress rate

3. Identified focus areas for the potential development of recommendations to improve the academic performance of men’s basketball s-a for consideration by the Division I  Board of Directors; Approved a motion to divide the groups into subgroups to more efficiently and effectively accomplish the goals and objectives as set forth in the group’s charge. The staff identified the following subgroups after the meeting:

· Transfers -- Both Incoming and Outgoing Transfers. Impact on retention and eligibility points. Should a program lose a retention point if the transferring student-athlete in good academic standing? Should the student-athlete transferring to another

institution be required to achieve a specific requisite GPA to receive financial aid? Should academic standards for incoming transfers, particularly 2-4 transfers be strengthened? Should a year of residence be imposed on all 2-4 transfers?

· 0 for 2 Phenomenon. Impact of the pursuit of professional careers, evaluate anecdotal data that a significantly high percentage of student-athletes pursue or realize professional playing careers, evaluate waivers for those who depart institution after the final season [eighth semester issue], gather data (i.e. short survey) related to reasons for 0 for 2s and of student-athletes’ perceptions. Review possible impact of coaching changes. How can academic improvement plans help? Deliver information to CAP and other subcommittees for consideration.

· Academic Preparation and Academic Support. Review issues related better academic preparedness prior to collegiate enrollment (remedial/developmental courses, selected academic red shirts, use of courses beyond high school), Consider work of the “at risk” committee in the consideration of recommendations.   Should it be mandatory for institutions to provide summer financial assistance to attend summer school before initial year and thereafter? Should it be a Division I membership requirement? Are institutions providing appropriate levels of academic support services [e.g., academic tutoring/study halls, academic personnel on road trips]? Should institutions be able to provide former student-athletes athletically related financial aid beyond six years? What are resource challenges? Does the five-year academic plan common in football have value in basketball or should basketball earn a fifth season?

· Coach/Player Relationships. Should coaches be allowed greater access to prospects to assist with better decision-making and to establish mentoring relationships? How can we counteract nonscholastic influences that are impacting prospective student-athletes and their educational commitment at the high school level? Would modifications of summer evaluation periods help the problem? Will greater access post enrollment during the summer impact academic performance positively? Should some period of skill instruction be allowed in the summer? Should skill instruction be eliminated after the Final Four until the end of the academic year with comparable allowances for the summer? Should a coach’s lifetime APR record be maintained? Should coaches be help accountable for graduation rates and how? Would an access reward system help?

· Playing and Practice Seasons. Should changes be made to the length of the season, maximum contest limits, maximum weekly contests, days when competition can occur, missed class time, national schedules?

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