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Legislative assistance

1996 Column No. 33
NCAA Bylaw 21.3.3
Administrative Review Panel

NCAA institutions should note that, pursuant to Bylaw 21.3.3.2, the Administrative Review Panel is responsible for reviewing appeals by NCAA institutions of decisions made by an NCAA committee (excluding actions of the NCAA Eligibility Committee and the NCAA Committee on Infractions) or the NCAA staff regarding the application of NCAA legislation to a particular situation. The panel reviews the complete record in order to determine whether there is sufficient basis to grant relief from the application of the legislation. During its April 18-21, 1993, meeting, the NCAA Council approved the following guidelines and procedures for the panel to follow when considering an appeal:

1. All appeals must be submitted to the NCAA national office by an NCAA institution. Completed appeals and inquires should be directed to Carrie A. Doyle, director of eligibility.

2. The institution shall submit the appeal to the national office. The appeal shall be signed by the institution's chief executive, faculty athletics representative or director of athletics. The written request shall set forth the background of the matter and the reasons the institution believes relief from the application of the appropriate legislation, interpretation or decision is warranted.

3. When appropriate, the involved committee or staff may be asked to submit a written report concerning the matter to the panel (and the involved institution).

4. All documentation relevant to the appeal should be included with the appeal (e.g., medical documentation, educational transcripts, game schedules).

5. Every effort will be made to ensure the timely consideration of appeals. However, please note that decisions generally are made within two to three weeks. Facsimiles are encouraged in cases that require immediate responses.

6. The panel will consider all written materials submitted to reach a decision.

7. In reaching a decision, the panel shall consider the purpose and intent of any involved NCAA legislation, the welfare of the involved student-athlete(s), possible competitive or recruiting advantages and other factors it considers relevant. The panel shall strive for consistency in treating issues involving similar circumstances.

8. The panel will not consider appeals of decisions of an NCAA committee with legislative authority to act.

9. Once the panel has made its decision to grant or deny an appeal, the decision shall be communicated to the involved institution. A summary of the decisions of the panel is provided to the Council and published in The NCAA Register on a regular basis.

10. All actions of the panel are final and are not subject to appeal to the Council.

NCAA Bylaw 30.16
Basketball event certification

NCAA Division I institutions should note that in the sport of basketball, coaches may evaluate prospective student-athletes at an event (e.g., camp, league, tournament or festival) only if the event has been certified by the NCAA national office. If an event was certified for the 1996 July evaluation period, it would not automatically be certified during the 1996 fall evaluation period. The sponsors of an event must submit an application to the national office for each event conducted by that organization. Division I men's basketball coaches may attend a certified event this fall only during the September 9-26 contact period and during any of the 40 evaluation days selected by an institution between November 21, 1996, and March 15, 1997. A Division I women's basketball coach may attend a certified event this fall only during the September 10-29 contact period and during any of the 40 evaluation days selected by an institution between October 8, 1996, and February 28, 1997.

This material was provided by the legislative services staff as an aid to member institutions. If an institution has a question or comment regarding this column, such correspondence should be directed to Richard C. Perko, legislative assistant, at the NCAA national office. This information is available on the Collegiate Sports Network.