REPORT OF THE
NCAA DIVISION III
INTERPRETATIONS AND LEGISLATION COMMITTEE
1. ACTION
ITEMS.
a. Interpretation
of Admissions Office Announcements – NCAA Bylaw 13.11.7.
(1) Recommendation. Approve
the following interpretation relating to admission office announcements.
"The provisions of NCAA Bylaw 13.11.7 (announcement of acceptance) do not apply to admissions office announcements of all prospective students who will attend the institution, regardless of whether the paid acceptance of an institution's written offer of admission and/or financial aid has been received, provided the prospective students identified in the announcement are not identified as prospective student-athletes and the institution's athletics department is not involved in arranging the publicly. [Reference: Bylaw 13.11.7]"
(2) Rationale. The NCAA Division III Interpretations and Legislation Committee agreed that announcements placed by the office of admissions with no involvement of the institution's athletics department are outside the intended scope of Bylaw 13.11.7 and should be permitted.
(3) Budget Impact. None.
b. Interpretation
of Preseason Football Practice Formula Exemptions – Bylaw 17.11.2.1.1.
(1) Recommendation. Approve
the following interpretation relating to preseason football practice formula
exemptions.
"If an institution has an official policy that precludes any athletics or other extracurricular activities from occurring on Sunday, the institution may exempt Sundays prior to the first day of class from counting in the preseason practice formula to determine the first permissible practice date in football. [Reference: Bylaw 17.11.2.1.1]."
(2) Rationale. Some institutions have official policies that preclude any athletics or other extracurricular activities from occurring on Sunday for religious reasons. The committee determined that if an institution has an official policy that precludes practice on Sunday for a religious reason, that institution may exempt Sundays from counting in the preseason practice counting formula. The committee noted that the intent of the 25-practice opportunity counting method was to establish a counting system that reflected actual practice opportunities, and that if an institution's football team could not practice on Sunday due to an official institutional policy, that team was at a competitive disadvantage.
(3) Budget Impact. None.
c. Editorial
Revision – Bylaw 17.14.5.3 – Annual Contest Exemptions –
Women's Ice Hockey.
(1) Recommendation. Editorially revise Bylaw 17.14.5.3 to extend the exemption in women's ice hockey to include all Winter Olympic Games.
(2) Rationale. Bylaw 17.14.5.3 exempts women's ice hockey contests for the 2002 winter Olympics. The committee noted that NCAA Divisions I and II have made editorial revisions to include all Winter Olympic games and that Division III Bylaw 17.14.5.3 should be editorially revised to extend the exemption in women's ice hockey to include all Winter Olympic Games.
(3) Budget Impact. None.
d. Editorial
Revision – Bylaw 17.11.6 – Out-of-Season Athletically Related
Activities.
(1) Recommendation. Editorially revise Bylaw 17.11.6 to replace "nontraditional segment" with "outside of the regular playing season."
(2) Rationale. The committee reviewed Bylaw 17.11.6 and the reference to the nontraditional segment in football. The committee considered that this is the only reference to a nontraditional segment in football and because there are no contests permitted during this period, it should not be called a nontraditional segment.
(3) Budget Impact. None.
e. Editorial Revision
– Bylaw 14.7.1 – Outside Competition.
(1) Recommendation. Editorially revise Bylaw 14.7.1 to reflect the outside competition regulations for National Collegiate Championship sports.
(2) Rationale. NCAA regulations pertaining to outside competition for National Collegiate Championships and NCAA championship sports are not the same. This difference is reflected in Bylaw 17, but was not reflected in 14.7.1 (outside competition, sports other than basketball).
(3) Budget Impact. None.
f. Modification
Based on Intent –Bylaw 15.4.3 – Written Offers of Financial Aid.
(1) Recommendation. Modify Bylaw 15.4.3 to preclude institutions from providing verbal offers of financial aid to a prospective student-athlete prior to the prospective student-athlete being accepted for admission to the institution.
(2) Rationale. The intent of Bylaw 15.4.3 was to permit only financial aid directors (or comparable campus officials) to offer financial aid to prospective student-athletes and that verbal offers of financial aid prior to the prospect being admitted to the institution are not permissible.
(3) Budget Impact. None.
g. Modification
Based on Intent – Bylaw 14.5.4.1 – Two-Year College Transfers to
Division III Institutions.
(1) Recommendation. Modify Bylaw 14.5.4.1 to clarify that a student-athlete with exhausted junior-college athletics ability is permitted to use the transfer exception if the student-athlete was otherwise academically and athletically eligible for competition at the junior college.
(2) Rationale. Currently, Division III legislation requires a student-athlete that transfers from a two-year college to have been academically and athletically eligible at the two-year college in order to be immediately eligible on transfer to a Division III institution. As a result, student-athletes who participate in two seasons of competition at the two-year college exhaust eligibility thus are no longer athletically eligible to participate at the junior college. This ineligibility should not keep the student-athlete from using the transfer exception.
(3) Budget Impact. None.
h. Bylaws
13.12.2.5.1 (Medical Examinations During Campus Visit) and 13.12.2.5.2 (Medical
Examinations After Signing or Acceptance for Enrollment).
(1) Recommendation. Sponsor legislation to eliminate Bylaw 13.12.2.5.1 and modify Bylaw 13.12.2.5.2 to remove reference to the National Letter of Intent.
(2) Rationale. Medical examinations during campus visits rarely, if ever, occur in Division III, thus, in the spirit of deregulation, Bylaw 13.12.2.5.1 should be eliminated. Bylaw 13.12.2.5.2 should be modified to remove the reference to the National Letter of Intent.
(3) Budget Impact. None.
i. Bylaw
13.13.1.4 (Employment of Prospects/No Free or Reduced Admission Privileges).
(1) Recommendation. Sponsor legislation to permit prospective student-athletes to be employed at institutional sports camps after the prospect's high-school graduation and paid acceptance of the institution's written offer of admission and/or financial aid.
(2) Rationale. Because an institution may arrange employment for a prospective student-athlete (provided such employment does not begin prior to completion of the prospect's senior year in high school) and because the prospective student-athlete would not be permitted to engage in athletically related activities at the direction of the institutional coach, it appears no competitive or recruiting advantage would be gained by permitting prospective student-athletes to work at institutional sports camps under specified conditions. This proposal should have an immediate effective date.
(3) Budget Impact. None.
j. Bylaw 12
Deregulation.
(1) Recommendation. Sponsor legislation to:
(a) Amend Bylaw 12.4.1 and remove Bylaws 12.4.1.1 and 12.4.1.2 to streamline employment legislation and treat all types of employment in a similar manner;
(b) Amend Bylaw 12.5.1.1 and eliminate Bylaw 12.5.1.1.1 to remove the 100-mile radius restriction related to promotional activities;
(c) Eliminate Bylaws 12.3.4.1 and 12.3.4.2 to grant institutional autonomy to campuses for the appointment and composition of professional sports counseling panels;
(d) Permit institutions to receive donations from professional sports organizations for institutional fundraisers; and
(e) Permit individuals to engage in modeling and nonathletically related promotional activities subsequent to full-time enrollment.
(2) Rationale. In the spirit of deregulation, each these legislative concepts grant additional institutional autonomy or remove legislation that is not functionally relevant to Division III.
(3) Budget Impact. None.
k. Sponsorship of NCAA Division I Proposal Nos. 2002-46-1, 2002-49 and 2002-29 as Noncontroversial Proposals.
(1) Recommendation. Sponsor noncontroversial legislation of NCAA Division I Proposal Nos. 2002-46-1, 2002-49 and 2002-29 (Attachment A) amended to include baseball.
(2) Rationale. The committee agreed that this legislation is applicable to Division III and should be sponsored as noncontroversial legislation.
(3) Budget Impact. None.
l. Sponsorship
of NCAA Division I Proposal Nos. 2002-64, 2002-65, 2003-1 and 2003-2.
(1) Recommendation. Sponsor legislation of Division I Proposal Nos. 2002-64, 2002-65, 2003-1 and 2003-2 (Attachment B).
(2) Rationale. The committee agreed that this legislation is applicable to Division III and should be sponsored as legislation.
(3) Budget Impact. None.
2. INFORMATIONAL
ITEMS.
a. Incorporations of Interpretations. The committee reviewed interpretations issued since April 1, 2002, as well as the March 19, 1987, official interpretation regarding institutional club teams and determined that the following interpretations should be incorporated into the NCAA Division III Manual to clarify existing legislation.
(1) Institution's Club Team – Case No. 291, 3/19/87 official interpretation.
(2) Football – Strength and Conditioning Activities During the Nontraditional Segment (III), 2/27/03 official interpretation, Item No. 3.
(3) Running Pass Patters/Drills During Football Strength and Conditioning Training Sessions (III), 2/22/02 official interpretation, Item No. 4-(f).
(4) Academic Year-in-Residence Requirement is Sport-Specific (III), 4/22/02 official interpretation, Item No. 4-(f).
b. Definition of an Outside Team. The committee reviewed Bylaw 17.02.10 as a result of a request from the NCAA Division III Administrative Review Subcommittee. The committee agreed to include the term "club team" in the Division III Manual glossary of terms and index.
c. Pool Workouts. The committee discussed whether pool workouts are counted in the hourly practice limitations for preseason football. The committee agreed that pool workouts are to be considered on-field activities for purpose of applying the legislation, inasmuch as the only exception to the hourly limitations identified in the legislation is weightlifting. Further, the committee agreed that the issue was not interpretive in nature and can be addressed by the NCAA membership services staff.
d. Breaks in the Five-Day Acclimatization Period. The committee discussed whether an institution could take a day off (i.e., no athletically related activities take place) during the required five-day acclimatization period in preseason football and agreed including a day off is permissible, provided the five-day period resumes following the day(s) off. The committee agreed that the issue is not interpretive in nature and similar questions may be addressed by membership services staff.
e. Eligibility
Standards and Good Academic Standing.
The committee discussed Division III eligibility standards and the
definition of good academic standing.
Specifically, the committee discussed institutional autonomy in
interpreting and applying good academic standing at the institution. It was the sense of the committee that
not all institutions understand the application of Bylaw 14.01.2.1, thus a
Legislative Assistance Column will be issued on this topic. The column will include a question and answer section.
f. Election of New Chair. Travis Feezell was selected as chair-elect to succeed Garnett Purnell. Mr. Feezell's term will begin at the close of the 2004 NCAA Convention.
Status: Adopted, 60-Day Override Period Process Diagram
Intent: In basketball, to eliminate the 30-day requirement for a two-year college prospect to declare his or her intention to resume intercollegiate competition.
A. Bylaws: Amend 12.1.1, page 70, as follows:
"12.1.1
Amateur Status. An individual loses amateur status and thus shall not be
eligible for intercollegiate competition in a particular sport if the
individual:
[12.1.1-(a)
through 12.1.1-(e), unchanged.]
"(f)
Enters into a professional draft or an agreement with an agent (see also Bylaws
12.2.4.2.1 and 12.2.4.2.2)."
B. Bylaws: Amend Proposal No. 2002-46, 12.4.2.1, as follows:
"12.2.4.2.1 Exception --
Professional Basketball Draft -- Four-Year College Student-Athlete. An enrolled student-athlete or a
prospective student-athlete enrolled at a two-year collegiate institution
in the sport of basketball may enter a professional league's draft one time
during his or her collegiate career without jeopardizing eligibility in that
sport, provided the student-athlete is not drafted by any team in that league
and the student-athlete declares his or her intention to resume intercollegiate
participation within 30 days after the draft. The student-athlete's declaration
of intent shall be in writing to the institution's director of athletics.
"12.2.4.2.2 Exception --
Professional Basketball Draft -- Two-year College Prospective
Student-Athlete. A prospective
student-athlete enrolled at a two-year collegiate institution in the sport of
basketball may enter a professional league's draft one time during his or her
collegiate career without jeopardizing eligibility in that sport, provided the
prospective student-athlete is not drafted by any team in that league."
Source: NCAA Division I Board of Directors [Management Council (Academics/Eligibility/Compliance Cabinet)(Amateurism and Agents Subcommittee)(Mountain West Conference)].
Effective Date: August 01, 2003; for student-athletes entering a collegiate institution on or after August 01, 2003.
Proposal Category: Amendment
Topical Area: Amateurism
Rationale: Current legislation permits an enrolled student-athlete in basketball to enter a professional league's draft one time during his or her collegiate career without jeopardizing eligibility in that sport, provided the student-athlete is not drafted by any team in that league and the student-athlete declares his or her intention to resume intercollegiate participation within 30 days after the draft. Proposal No. 2002-46 provides a two-year college prospect with the same opportunity. This amendment to Proposal No. 2002-46 eliminates the 30-day declaration of intent to resume intercollegiate competition requirement for the two-year college prospect. The removal of the 30-day requirement imposes a standard on two-year college prospects that is more consistent with high-school prospects who have not enrolled full-time in a four-year collegiate institution. In addition, two-year college prospects do not have the same access to NCAA rules and, thus, may not be aware of the 30-day requirement. Finally, the removal of the 30-day requirement makes it unnecessary to require a two-year college prospect to declare intent to resume intercollegiate participation.
Estimated Budget Impact: None.
Impact on Student Athlete's Time: None.
Position Statement(s)
Academics/Eligibility/Compliance Cabinet: The cabinet unanimously recommends that the Management Council unanimously support Proposal No. 2002-46-1, an amendment to Proposal No. 2002-46 that eliminates the 30-day requirement for a two-year college basketball prospect to declare his or her intention to resume intercollegiate competition and eliminates the requirement that a two-year college prospective student-athlete declare intent to resume intercollegiate participation.
Status: Adopted, 60-Day Override Period Process Diagram
Intent: To clarify that providing players other reasonable expenses incidental to participation (in addition to actual and necessary expenses) shall not cause a team to be considered professional.
Bylaws: Amend 12.02.4, pages 69-70, as follows:
"12.02.4
Professional Athletics Team. A professional team is any organized team
that:
[12.02.4-(a)
unchanged.]
[12.02.4-(a)-(1) through 12.02.4-(a)-(7) unchanged.]
"(8) Facility usage; and
"(9) Entry fees; or and
"(10)
Other reasonable expenses incidental to participation; or "
[12.02.4-(b)
unchanged.]
Source: NCAA Division I Board of Directors Management Council (Academics/Eligibility/Compliance Cabinet)(Agents and Amateurism Subcommittee) (Ivy Group)].
Effective Date: Immediate
Proposal Category: Amendment
Topical Area: Amateurism
Rationale: Under NCAA rules, any team that provides an expense not listed as an actual and necessary expense under the definition of a professional team is considered a professional team. For example, any team that provides its members with telephone calls on a team trip would be considered a professional team, regardless of whether or not anything else is provided. It seems that the intent of the legislation was to clarify that only teams providing substantial funding to its team members, not merely expense money, should be classified as professional. This amendment clarifies that the provision of other reasonable expenses (such as telephone calls and local entertainment) does not cause the team to be considered professional under NCAA rules.
Estimated Budget Impact: None.
Impact on Student Athlete's Time: None.
Status: Adopted - Final Process Diagram
Intent: In softball, to exempt both games of a doubleheader between a member institution and a foreign team played in the United States.
Bylaws: Amend 17.20.5.2, page 276, as follows:
"17.20.5.2
Annual Exemptions. The maximum number of softball contests and dates of
competition shall exclude the following (see Figure 17-22):
[17.20.5.2-(a)
through 17.20.5.2-(e) unchanged.]
"(f)
Foreign team in U.S. One softball
contest or both games of a doubleheader each year with a foreign
opponent in the United States."
[Remainder
of 17.20.5.2 unchanged.]
Source: NCAA Division I Board of Directors [Management Council (Championships/Competition Cabinet) (Playing and Practice Seasons Subcommittee)].
Effective Date: August 1, 2003
Proposal Category: Amendment
Topical Area: Playing and Practice Seasons
Rationale: Current legislation exempts a single game against a foreign team in the United States. This proposal will standardize the legislation with the current practice in the sport of softball, in which doubleheaders are the usual competition format. Further, foreign teams travel a great distance to participate against institutions in the United States. Exempting a second game on the same day is a reasonable accommodation.
Estimated Budget Impact: Expenses related to a second game.
Impact on Student Athlete's Time: Minimal.
Status: Adopted, 60-Day Override Period Process Diagram
Intent: To permit a student-athlete to retain frequent flyer points and/or miles earned during team travel.
Bylaws: Amend 16.12.1.11, page 212, as follows:
"16.12.1.11 Miscellaneous Benefits. An institution may provide or arrange
for the following benefits for a student-athlete:
[16.12.1.11-(a)
unchanged.]
"(b)
Receipt of frequent flyer points
and/or miles earned while traveling to and from intercollegiate practice and/or competition;"
[16.12.1.11-(b)
through 16.12.1.11-(g) relettered as 16.12.1.11-(c) through 16.12.1.11-(h),
unchanged.]
Source: NCAA Division I Board of Directors [Management Council (Academics/Eligibility/Compliance Cabinet)(Agents and Amateurism Subcommittee) (Conference USA)].
Effective Date: August 1, 2003
Proposal Category: Amendment
Topical Area: Expenses/Awards/Benefits
Rationale: Current NCAA legislation, adopted in April 2001, permits student-athletes to receive miscellaneous benefits that have little or no cost to the institution. This proposal allows student-athletes to retain frequent flyer miles earned while traveling to and from intercollegiate competition and/or practice and is consistent with the intent of 2001 legislation. Student-athletes who travel for intercollegiate competition and/or practice experience the same difficulties and burdens of all travelers. As such, student-athletes should have the same opportunity to receive the benefits of frequent flyer programs. Furthermore, few institutions can accrue and use miles earned through student-athlete travel. Consequently, neither institutions nor student-athletes are able to take advantage of frequent flyer programs. Finally, this proposal is consistent with Division I deregulation efforts as it permits student-athletes to accept reasonable benefits incidental to participation. These benefits are similar in nature to benefits recently approved by the membership with the adoption of proposals recommended by the Bylaw 16 Deregulation Subcommittee of the Championships/Competition Cabinet.
Estimated Budget Impact: None.
Impact on Student Athlete's Time: None.
Status: Adopted, 60-Day Override Period Process Diagram
Intent: To permit an institution to pay reasonable entertainment costs associated with required practice during vacation periods (e.g., preseason period), provided such entertainment occurs within a 30-mile radius of the institution's campus or practice site and classes are not in session.
Bylaws: Amend 16.7.1, page 206, as follows:
"16.7.1
Away-from-Home Contests and Vacation Periods. The institution may pay
the actual costs (but may not provide cash) for reasonable entertainment that
takes place within a 100-mile radius of where a team plays or practices in
connection with an away-from-home contest or en route to or from such a
contest. In addition, an institution may pay the actual costs (but may
not provide cash) for reasonable entertainment that takes place within a
30-mile radius of the institution's campus or practice site during vacation
periods when the team is required to reside on campus (or at a practice site
normally used by the institution) and classes are not in session."
Source: NCAA Division I Board of Directors [Management Council (Academics/Eligibility/Compliance Cabinet)(Agents and Amateurism Subcommittee) (Big Ten Conference)].
Effective Date: August 1, 2003
Proposal Category: Amendment
Topical Area: Expenses/Awards/Benefits
Rationale: Currently, an institution is permitted to pay for reasonable entertainment in conjunction with an away-from-home contest, but not for entertainment that is associated with practice during a vacation period (e.g., preseason period). An institution should be permitted to provide reasonable entertainment for student-athletes during those times when they are required to be on campus for campus activities but the general student body is not on campus.
Estimated Budget Impact: Permissive legislation, costs would vary based on institutional discretion.
Impact on Student Athlete's Time: Minimal.
Status: Adopted, 60-Day Override Period Process Diagram
Intent: To permit an institution to conduct an official visit at an off-campus location within a 30-mile radius of the campus; further, for official and unofficial visits, to permit an institution to provide three complimentary admissions to a prospect for any regular-season home contest that has been scheduled at an off-campus facility, provided the facility is located within a 30-mile radius of the institution.
A. Bylaws: Amend 13.7.1.4, page 107, as follows:
"13.7.1.4 Visit to Off-Campus
Contest. The official visit shall
be made to the campus and not, for example, to an off-campus site outside
a 30-mile radius of the member institution's main campus where the
institution may be appearing in an athletics contest. However, if an
institution is required to play all of its home games in a given sport at a
site located in a community other than its own because of conditions beyond its
own control (e.g., fire, windstorm, earthquake or other disaster), the
Management Council, by a two-thirds majority of its members present and voting,
may grant permission to the institution to consider games played at the
substitute site as on-campus competition."
B. Bylaws: Amend 13.7.5.2, pages 108-109, as follows:
"13.7.5.2 Complimentary Admissions. During the official visit, a maximum of three complimentary admissions to a campus home athletics event at any facility within a 30-mile radius of the institution's main campus in which the institution's intercollegiate team practices or competes may be provided to a prospect. Such complimentary admissions are for the exclusive use of the prospect and those persons accompanying the prospect on the visit and must be issued only through a pass list on an individual-game basis. Such admissions may provide seating only in the general seating area of the facility utilized for conducting the event. Providing seating during the conduct of the event (including intermission) for the prospect or those persons accompanying the prospect in the facility's press box, special seating box(es) or bench area is specifically prohibited. For violations of this bylaw in which the individual receives an excessive number of complimentary admissions, and the value of the excessive admissions is $100 or less, the eligibility of the individual (i.e., prospective or enrolled student-athlete) shall not be affected conditioned upon the individual repaying the value of the benefit to a charity of his or her choice. The individual, however, shall remain ineligible from the time the institution has knowledge of the receipt of the impermissible benefit until the individual repays the benefit. Violations of this bylaw remain institutional violations per Constitution 2.8.1, and documentation of the individual's repayment shall be forwarded to the enforcement services staff with the institution's self-report of the violation."
C. Bylaws: Amend 13.8.2.1, pages 110, as follows:
"13.8.2.1 General
Restrictions. During an unofficial
visit, the institution may not pay any expenses or provide any entertainment
except a maximum of three complimentary admissions (issued only through a pass
list) to a campus home athletics event at any facility within a
30-mile radius of a member institution's main campus in which the
institution's intercollegiate team practices or competes. Such complimentary
admissions are for the exclusive use of the prospect and those persons
accompanying the prospect on the visit and must be issued on an individual-game
basis. Such admissions may provide seating only in the general seating area of
the facility utilized for conducting the event. Providing seating during the
conduct of the event (including intermission) for the prospect or the
prospect's parents [or legal guardian(s)] or spouse in the facility's press
box, special seating box(es) or bench area is specifically prohibited."
Source: NCAA Division I Board of Directors [Management Council (Academics/Eligibility/Compliance Cabinet)(Recruiting Subcommittee) (Western Athletic Conference)].
Effective Date: Immediate
Proposal Category: Amendment
Topical Area: Recruiting
Rationale: On some occasions, member institutions conduct contests at a neutral facility off-campus. There is no competitive or recruiting advantage gained by scheduling such a contest. As an institution's athletics team gains more local, regional and national exposure, builds rivalries, and schedules high-profile teams, it may have to relocate contests to an alternate facility for specific reasons (e.g., the opposing team may demand the game to be moved or the current home facility may not accommodate the local fan base). In addition, an alternate facility's management may attempt to attract the institution by offering a favorable financial package to move the contest to its facility. Currently, a recruiting disadvantage occurs when an institution moves a contest to an alternate facility because it may not provide prospects complimentary admissions to attend the contest. In the past, the Administrative Review Subcommittee (ARS) has approved waivers for institutions to provide three complimentary tickets to prospective student-athletes who are making an official visit to attend such a contest. However, the ARS has indicated that the issue should be addressed legislatively, and future requests may not be granted.
Estimated Budget Impact: Member institutions may be required to pay a rental fee to use the alternate facility.
Impact on Student Athlete's Time: None.
Status: Adopted, 60-Day Override Period Process Diagram
Intent: To permit an institution to provide any prospective student-athlete on an unofficial visit three complimentary admissions to any regular-season home contest at an off-campus facility.
Bylaws: Amend 13.8.2.2, page 111, as follows:
"13.8.2.2 Home Games outside the Community at site other than regular home facility. If an institution schedules any regular-season home games at a site located in a community other than its own not designated as its regular home facility, the host institution may provide a maximum of three complimentary admissions to only one any such game for the exclusive use of a prospect and those persons accompanying the prospect. Tournament and postseason games are excluded. The institution shall not arrange or permit any other entertainment or payment of expenses, including transportation."
Source: NCAA Division I Board of Directors [Management Council (Academics/Eligibility/Compliance Cabinet)(Recruiting Subcommittee) (Western Athletic Conference)].
Effective Date: Immediate
Proposal Category: Amendment
Topical Area: Recruiting
Rationale: On some occasions, member institutions play contests at a neutral facility. There is no competitive or recruiting advantage gained by scheduling such a contest. As an institution's athletics team gains more local, regional and national exposure, build rivalries, and schedules high-profile teams, it may have to relocate contests to an alternate facility for specific reasons (e.g., the opposing team may demand the contest to be moved or the current home facility may not accommodate the local fan base). In addition, an alternate facility's management may attempt to attract the institution by offering a favorable financial package to move the contest to its facility. Currently, a recruiting disadvantage occurs when an institution moves a contest to an alternate facility within its community because it may not provide prospects complimentary admissions to attend the contest.
Estimated Budget Impact: May require member institutions to pay a rental fee to use the alternate facility.
Impact on Student Athlete's Time: None.