REPORT OF THE

NCAA OLYMPIC SPORTS LIAISON COMMITTEE

1. ACTION ITEMS.

Association-wide.

a. Review of Bylaw 16.1.7.3 (special recognition by governmental bodies).

(1) Recommendation. Amend Bylaw 16.1.7.3 to permit the U.S. Olympic Committee (USOC), national governing bodies or the appropriate national governing body in the sport (or the equivalent organization of a nation for foreign student-athletes) to provide actual and necessary expenses when a team (or its senior student-athletes) is being accorded special recognition by the President, governor or legislative body of the state in which the institution is located (or the equivalent governmental body of the foreign student-athlete’s home nation).

(2) Rationale. The committee reviewed the ARS blanket waiver regarding expenses provided to student-athletes or a team by the USOC when recognized by the President of the United States, governor of the state or legislative body of the state per Bylaw 16.1.7.3. Bylaw 16.1.7.3 indicates that an institution may provide actual and necessary expenses when a team (or its senior student-athletes) is accorded special recognition by the President or by the governor or legislative body of the state in which the member institution is located. The committee reviewed this issue and believes that the USOC and the national governing bodies should be able to provide this benefit to student-athletes of an institution. Furthermore, the committee believes that this benefit should apply internationally to student-athletes from foreign countries who are participating at member institutions. While there are wonderful benefits of being recognized by governmental entities, member institutions should not always have to bear the cost when other entities (e.g., USOC or national governing bodies) would be willing to pay for the expenses.

(3) Budget Impact. None.

Division I only.

b. Review of NCAA Division I Bylaws 14.2.3.2 (tennis and swimming and diving) and 14.2.3.2.1 (matriculation after 20th birthday – tennis).

(1) Recommendation. Create an exception to Bylaws 14.2.3.2 and 14.2.3.2.1 that would prevent participation in elite tennis and swimming and diving events (i.e., Olympics, Pan Am, World Championships, World Cup and World University Games) triggering the application of said bylaws.

(2) Rationale. In the sports of tennis and swimming and diving, Bylaw 14.2.3.2 indicates that a student-athlete who competes in a tennis or swimming and diving event more than one year after the expected graduation date of the student-athlete’s class, but prior to initial full-time enrollment, will use a season for each calendar year of competition and must serve a year in residence on enrollment at an Division I institution. Further, in Bylaw 14.2.3.2.1, an enrolled or prospective student-athlete who participates in organized tennis events after his/her 20th birthday will have to serve an academic year in residence on enrolling at a Division I institution, unless he/she presents 24-semester hours of transferable-degree credit. Neither bylaw includes exceptions for participation in elite athletics events. The NCAA Division I Management Council Administrative Review Subcommittee (ARS) granted a blanket waiver of Bylaw 14.2.3.2 that prevented participation in the 2004 Olympic Games from triggering the application of this bylaw. The committee reviewed this issue and believes that participation in elite events (i.e., Olympics, Pan Am, World Championships, World Cup and World University Games) is such a unique and enriching experience for student-athletes that triggering the application of bylaws for participation in such events is inappropriate. Furthermore, it believes that this would be consistent with the treatment of elite events in other areas of NCAA legislation.

(3) Budget Impact. None.

2. INFORMATIONAL ITEMS.

Association-wide.

a. Update regarding the USOC task force. Kyle Kallander updated the committee on the USOC Task Force meetings held in July and September 2004. The committee reaffirmed its support for the task force in its efforts to assist endangered sports at the collegiate level.

b. Participation report of 2004 Olympic Games. Don Whittle of the USOC provided a report of Olympic athletes and the collegiate institutions they have attended. The report indicated that a high percentage of the Athens Olympians are current or former student-athletes at NCAA schools. The research staff will analyze the data from the report along with the data from NCAA school affiliation report from 1980-2004 Summer Olympics. Furthermore, Mr. Whittle will submit to the NCAA staff, participation data from the 2002 Winter Olympic Games.

a. Strategic Plan. The committee reviewed the most recent changes to its strategic plan and made appropriate changes. The revised strategic plan involves its two subcommittees (i.e., NCAA Olympic Sports Liaison Committee Education and Outreach Subcommittee and NCAA Olympic Sports Liaison Committee Endangered Sports and Current Issues Subcommittee). The committee members met with their respective subcommittee and discussed ways to implement some of the steps of the strategic plan. [Attachment]

d. Review of athletics-activity waiver process. The committee reviewed the athletics-activity waiver process and guidelines employed by the student-athlete reinstatement staff. Additionally, the committee reviewed the number of athletics-activity waivers filed over the past 16 years. The committee requested that staff continue to track the number of waivers filed in each academic year and provide a report at a future meeting.

e. ARS waiver review. The committee reviewed previously submitted ARS waivers regarding the number of student-athletes who may compete out of season as part of an amateur team and coaches' interaction with outside teams, as they specifically relate to outside teams created to compete against national teams. Based on the limited number of such waivers filed, the committee believes that the ARS is the appropriate avenue to have such situations reviewed. Furthermore, the committee noted that the level of scrutiny required under the ARS process is appropriate for such circumstances.

f. Update regarding educational efforts from the NCAA Committee on Competitive Safeguards and Medical Aspects of Sports. The staff updated the committee on the progress that the Committee on Competitive Safeguards and Medical Aspects of Sports is making regarding the educational efforts to communicate to student-athletes and institutions the difference between the manner in which medications for attention deficit disorder and attention deficit hyperactivity disorder are handled by the NCAA and the World Anti-Doping Agency.

g. Olympic Sports Liaison Committee Web Page. Staff reviewed the technological advances that have been made with regard to the content and communication of the committee's Web page.

h. National governing body interpretation requests. The revisions to the process for interpretive requests from the national governing bodies to the membership services staff at the national office were approved.

i. National governing body liaison list. The committee filled the liaison spots for four sports.

(1) Archery. Christine Hoyles, effective immediately.

(2) Athletics. Janet Kittell, effective immediately.

(3) Badminton. Christine Hoyles, effective immediately.

(4) Equestrian. Curtis Outlaw Jr., effective immediately.

j. Meeting with national governing bodies. The committee met with representatives from USA Wrestling, USA Water Polo, USA Field Hockey, US Fencing, USA Volleyball and USA Team Handball. The committee listened to issues presented and provided the national governing bodies with relevant information regarding the NCAA.

(1) USA Wrestling. Gary Abbott provided an overview of participation during the 2004 Olympic Games of which all six medalists were current or former student-athletes at NCAA member schools. Mr. Abbott recognized the importance of the NCAA to the future of Olympic wrestling. Furthermore, Mr. Abbott applauded the statements made by Myles Brand on behalf of Olympic (non-revenue) sports at the NCAA level. Mr. Abbott discussed a myriad of issues associated with the maintenance of men’s wrestling, as well as the development and addition of women’s wrestling. He discussed the fact that in order for women’s wrestling to become an emerging sport there needs to be 20 programs established. Mr. Abbott also discussed some of the NCAA Division I rules that USA wrestling views as adversely affecting men’s wrestling (e.g., coaching limitations, waiting period for championship access for new programs, minimum sports-sponsorship requirements, number of competition dates and scheduling restrictions for Division I schools).

(2) USA Water Polo. Tom Seitz and Mike Lewis from USA Water Polo spoke to the committee about current issues facing the sport. One issue facing water polo at the collegiate level is student-athletes' involvement in the club level once the college season ends. They also expressed concerns regarding the legislation related to contest and hour restrictions and how those restrictions negatively impact the development of potential national team members.

(3) USA Field Hockey. Sheila Walker and Kate Reisinger from USA Field Hockey discussed the compatibility between the national/junior teams and the NCAA teams. Furthermore, they discussed the “Elite Performance Training Centers Program” that USA Field Hockey has recently developed to grow the sport and increase the talent for the selection of the United States national team. The committee requested that they forward detailed information regarding training centers to the membership services staff to ensure compliance with NCAA rules.

(4) US Fencing. Jeffery Cohen from US Fencing spoke with the committee about the rise of fencing at the national and collegiate level. Mr. Cohen discussed the high pressure on elite student-athletes during the academic year. Mr. Cohen also discussed the methods by which individuals qualify for the Olympic Games. Mr. Cohen also mentioned the possibility of recognizing within the NCAA fencing championships a women’s championship, NCAA Division II and NCAA Division III championships.

(5) USA Volleyball. Tom Pingel, John Kessel and Doug Beal from USA Volleyball discussed what constitutes national team programming within their specific national governing body for women’s volleyball. Mr. Beal expressed his concern with the number of men’s volleyball programs sponsored by the NCAA. Furthermore, the NCAA rules may adversely affect men’s volleyball student-athletes surrounding the number of competitions, practice accessibility with coaches and participation in events with professionals in tournaments.

(6) USA Team Handball. Michael Cavanaugh from USA Team Handball updated the committee on the progress of team handball and the growth of interest in the sport within the United States.

Division I only.

k. Update regarding the USOC's board meeting and structure. The USOC general counsel updated the committee on the structure and representation of the NCAA Division I Board of Directors on the USOC.

l. Review of referred Division I proposals. The committee reviewed the two legislative proposals regarding coaching at Olympic qualifying events. The committee requested the staff get clarification from the Division I Championships/ Competition Cabinet with regard to academic requirements and the exclusion of national championships from the proposals.

Committee Chair: Kyle Kallander, Big South Conference

Staff Liaisons: Corey Bray, Research

Jennifer Strawley, Student-Athlete Reinstatement

Wendy Walters, Membership Services

Josh White, Membership Services