REPORT OF THE

NCAA OLYMPIC SPORTS LIAISON COMMITTEE

ACTION ITEMS.

· None.

INFORMATIONAL ITEMS.

Association-wide.

1. Updates from the fall NCAA Olympic Sports Liaison Committee Meeting. The Olympic Sports Liaison Committee was informed that the November 2006 meeting will occur in Colorado Springs since the committee was unable to meet in conjunction with the U.S. Olympic Committee (USOC) assembly meeting. In the future, the committee will meet during the USOC assembly meeting so that it is able to meet with all of the national governing bodies (NGBs). Additionally, the staff provided an update regarding a few interpretative issues regarding the sports of equestrian, bowling and field hockey.

2. Discussion regarding the recommendation of the NCAA/USOC Task Force. The NCAA/USOC Task Force created several recommendations designed to help institutions maintain Olympic sports. The task force recommendations called for the committee to develop a package of legislative recommendations designed to protect and expand endangered and at-risk sports. The committee reviewed and discussed various recommendations in the areas of amateurism, expenses, playing and practice seasons as well as financial aid. In addition, it discussed that some sports are, in fact, endangered while others are at risk of being endangered. As the committees understanding of the issues evolved, so did its appreciation for the magnitude and complexity of the issues. Based on extensive discussion at the committee level, it is considering a package of recommendations designed to decrease the expenses associated with endangered and at-risk sports, and it is creating a summary document of possible legislative changes in order to solicit feedback and input. This summary document will be forwarded for comment to the NGBs, the USOC and other entities within the NCAA governance structure. This feedback will be reviewed by the committee at its November meeting, with the goal of creating a legislative proposal by the 2007 proposal submission deadline.

3. Update from the USOC. The USOC was represented by Jef [w1] f Howard. Mr. Howard provided the committee with an update from the second annual USOC assembly

meeting and indicated that the U.S. Olympic Committee has increased its focus on issues related to the Olympic ideal which espouses blending sport with culture and education, and creating a way of life based on the joy found in effort, the educational value of good example and respect for universal fundamental ethical principles.

4. Strategic plan. The committee reviewed its strategic plan and provided updates regarding the status of many items.

5. [w2] Meeting with NGBs. The committee met with representatives from USA Track & Field, US Soccer Federation, USA Table Tennis Association, USA Triathlon, US Curling Association, United States Diving and USA Gymnastics.

a. USA Track & Field. The committee met with Craig Masback. He stressed the importance of continued interaction between USA Track & Field and the committee. Also, he provided information about a youth outreach program called "Be A Champion" and the development of initiatives with the Black Coaches Association to increase opportunities for coaches of color. Further, the USA Track & Field board is continuing to monitor the issue of dropping Olympic sports at the collegiate level.

b. US Soccer Federation. The committee met with Forrest Eber, and he provided an overview of programming and national teams. In the past, there have been some issues with events and the provision of expenses, which were not permissible under NCAA legislation. US Soccer will be more diligent in reviewing such events and the provision of expenses with membership services prior to the involvement of any prospective student-athletes or student-athletes.

c. USA Table Tennis Association. The committee met with Dennis Davis. Much of the discussion centered around the criteria for becoming an emerging sport for women and the growth of the sport on the collegiate level. He provided extensive information on the structure of table tennis tournaments and the costs associated with sponsoring table tennis. He was referred to the National Intramural-Recreational Sports Association as a resource for development on the club level.

d. USA Triathlon. The committee met with Skip Gilbert. Much of the discussion centered around the criteria for becoming an emerging sport for women and the growth of the sport on the collegiate-club level. He also was referred to the National Intramural-Recreational Sports Association as a resource for development on the club level.

e. US Curling Association. The committee met with David Garber. Much of the discussion centered around the criteria for becoming an emerging sport for women and the growth of the sport on the collegiate level. He provided extensive information on the structure of curling events and the costs associated with sponsoring curling. He also was referred to the National Intramural-Recreational Sports Association as a resource for development on the club level.

f. United States Diving. The committee met with Todd Smith. He discussed two issues:

(1) Mr. Smith reviewed the two-step selection process for the national team. At the first selection camp, divers complete a list of specific dives and the top 20 participants move on to a second selection camp. The national team is selected from the participants in the second selection camp. United States Diving would like for collegiate coaches to be able to coach their athletes during the selection camps. It is unclear whether these camps take place in or out of the collegiate-playing season. The liaisons to the committee will work with Mr. Smith to further review this issue and acquire more details.

(2) NCAA Division I Bylaw 30.11.9.1.1 provides that when the dead period for recruiting occurs during the U.S. Diving National Championships, it shall be permissible to observe prospective student-athletes participating in that event. United States Diving indicated that they have changed the name of the event to the US Open and would like to have the legislation changed to reflect the name change; however, the US Open is not a national championship. Per United States Diving regulations, the US Open may not be considered a national championship in that international athletes are allowed to participate in the event. The liaisons to the committee will research the history of Bylaw 30.11.9.1.1 and continue discussions with Mr. Smith.

g. USA Gymnastics. The committee met with Ron Galimore. He discussed three items:

(1) The organization would like to use collegiate coaches as volunteers at various events in which prospective student-athletes may be participating. The coaches would not participate in coaching duties but would serve as floor managers and other similar activities. Currently, Bylaw 13.11.3.4 precludes collegiate coaches from participating in this manner at such events. The committee will refer this issue to the gymnastics committee and the committees which focus on recruiting for each division.

(2) Mr. Galimore also discussed the ability for an institution to provide expenses for a former student-athlete who has exhausted eligibility to tryout or participate in an event. There was a reference to an NCAA restriction that would preclude this activity if the student-athlete exhausted eligibility more than one year ago. The liaisons to the committee will work with Mr. Galimore to acquire more detail and understanding of the issue.

(3) The USA Gymnastic Collegiate Event for women has been changed in that it occurs after the end of the playing season, as defined in Division III. The liaisons of the committee will work with Mr. Galimore to gather more information on this issue.

Divisions I and II only.

6. Update regarding NCAA amateurism certification process. The committee received an update regarding the status of the amateurism certification process through the NCAA Initial-Eligibility Clearinghouse.

Committee Chair: Kyle Kallander, Big South Conference

Staff Liaisons: Jennifer F. Strawley, Student-Athlete Reinstatement

Wendy A. Walters, Membership Services