NCAA OLYMPIC SPORTS LIAISON COMMITTEE

Summary of Recommendations

ACTION ITEMS ? MANAGEMENT COUNCIL ONLY

1. ISSUE:		Waiver United States Olympic Committee/National Governing Bodies.
Committee Recommendation:
	Sponsor noncontroversial legislation to amend Bylaw 14.1.8.1.6 (Waiver ? U.S. Olympic Committee/National Governing Bodies) to permit student-athletes with eligibility remaining and who are not enrolled full-time to participate in practices in team sports. One of the criteria for granting the current waiver specifies that the practice sessions must involve an individual sport, rowing or synchronized swimming.
Management Council Action:
	Agreed to adopt noncontroversial legislation.
2. ISSUE:		Formation of Joint United States Olympic Committee (USOC)/NCAA Task Force to Develop Strategies to Maintain Olympic Sports at the NCAA Level.
Committee Recommendation:
	Create a joint task force with the USOC to study the decline in sponsorship of Olympic sports at NCAA institutions and develop strategies to maintain sponsorship at the NCAA level. Further, the OSLC will serve as the vehicle for the task force to bring any recommendations to the NCAA membership. The formation of the task force was a recommendation made by the USOC, and the committee strongly supports this concept, believing it is a necessary step to work with the USOC toward possible solutions.
Management Council Action:
	Approved the creation of a joint task force with USOC and the Association-wide two-year budget allocation of $25,000.
3. ISSUE:		Travel of OSLC Members to Attend National Governing Body (NGB) Events.
Committee Recommendation:
	Allocate annual funding for OSLC members to attend a limited number of NGB events to foster relationships and work with the NGBs to resolve issues.
Management Council Action:
	Approved the recommendation.

INFORMATIONAL ITEMS

1. ISSUE:		Statement of Purpose for the Olympic Sports Liaison Committee.
Committee Action:
	Approved a statement of the committee?s purpose: ?The purpose of the Olympic Sports Liaison Committee is to facilitate communication and understanding between the NCAA, the USOC and the national governing bodies. Through this communication, the Olympic Sports Liaison Committee will assist the USOC and national governing bodies in facilitating the best possible development of elite athletes within the contact of the NCAA?s commitment to education and a broad-based development of all student-athletes. The Olympic Sports Liaison Committee will provide an avenue of communication and access for the USOC and national governing bodies into the NCAA process and, where appropriate, make recommendations to the NCAA membership. Finally, the Olympic Sports Liaison Committee will strive to provide education to the USOC, national governing bodies and student-athletes regarding NCAA rules and regulations as they apply to world-class athletes.?
Management Council Action:
	Accepted the information.
2. ISSUE:		Strategic Plan.
Committee Action:
	Reviewed and approved the OSLC strategic plan. This plan outlines activities that will address the committee?s goals of education, communication, facilitation and representation.
Management Council Action:
	Accepted the information.

3. ISSUE:		Update Regarding the USOC's Board Meeting and Structure.
Committee Action:
	Received an update regarding the structure of the USOC board and the future direction of the USOC. The committee discussed the USOC?s recent decision to reduce the number of members on its board of directors from 123 to 11. The board will consist of four independent seats, two individuals selected by the NGBs, two individuals selected by the athletes? advisory council and the three current International Olympic Committee members.
Management Council Action:
	Accepted the information.
4. ISSUE:		Maintaining Olympic Sport Sponsorship at the NCAA Level.
Committee Action:
	Discussed the decline in sponsorship of Olympic sports at the intercollegiate level. The OSLC has been discussing the issue of maintaining Olympic sport sponsorship at NCAA institutions for the past several years. In this effort, the committee has been working with the USOC and the NGBs to develop strategies and solutions to the increasing problem. An NCAA analysis of sports lost between 1988-89 and 2001-02 shows, across all three divisions, wrestling has lost 99 teams, tennis has lost 53 teams, women?s gymnastics has lost 34 teams, rifle has lost 33 teams and men?s gymnastics has lost 32 teams. The committee noted the crisis many Olympic sports are facing and also the decrease in participation opportunities for NCAA student-athletes. The committee noted that this is an issue across all three divisions and that the decrease in sport sponsorship at all levels within the NCAA is of concern to the NGBs.
Management Council Action:
	Accepted the information.
5. ISSUE:		Meeting with NGBs.
Committee Action:
	Met with representatives from USA Swimming, USA Wrestling, USA Field Hockey, the US Tennis Association, US Water Polo, USA Team Handball, USA Hockey, USA Shooting and USA Bowling. USA Gymnastics submitted a written proposal. The committee listened to issues presented and provided the NGBs with relevant information regarding the NCAA.

Management Council Action:
	Accepted the information.