The NCAA News - News & Features

Legislative assistance

1996 Column No. 35

Preseason practice

Division III basketball

NCAA Division III institutions should note that NCAA Bylaw 17.5.2.1 (and its subsections) is not stated accurately in the 1996-97 NCAA Manual. Accordingly, Division III institutions are encouraged to make the following changes to this regulation, which is found on page 280 of the 1996-97 NCAA Manual:

1. Bylaw 17.5.2.1 -- This bylaw should read "a Division III member institution shall not commence on-court preseason practice prior to the fourth Saturday preceding the first permissible contest date per Bylaw 17.5.3-(c)."

2. Bylaw 17.5.2.1.2 -- This bylaw should read "prior to the fourth Saturday preceding the first permissible contest date per 17.5.3-(c), members of the institution's coaching staff may not be involved with one or more team members at any location in any activities listed in this regulation."

3. Bylaw 17.5.2.1.2.1 -- This bylaw should read "team promotional activities (autograph sessions, fan picture sessions, meeting with fans) per Bylaw 12.5.1 are permissible prior to the fourth Saturday preceding the first permissible contest date per Bylaw 17.5.3-(c) provided these promotional arrangements do not involve any of the practice activities prohibited under the provisions of 17.5.2.1.2."

4. Bylaw 17.5.2.1.2.2 (exception -- officiating clinic) -- This bylaw should read "prior to the fourth Saturday preceding the first permissible contest date per 17.5.3-(c), student-athletes may observe an officiating clinic related to playing rules that is connected through a video conference, provided no student-athlete misses class time to observe the clinic."

Telephone calls during athletics contests

NCAA Divisions I and II should note that Bylaw 13.1.3.2.1 indicates that telephone calls to a prospect (or the prospect's parents or relatives) may not be made during the conduct of any of the institution's intercollegiate contests in that sport until the competition has concluded and the team has been dismissed by the coach. The NCAA Interpretations Committee has defined the conduct of an institution's contest to be from the time the institution's team reports on call at the site of the competition at the direction of the coach until the competition is concluded and the team has been dismissed by the coach. Accordingly, institutional staff members must abide by this principle in making telephone calls to prospects pursuant to Bylaw 13.1.3.2.1.

Medical expenses
Flu shots

NCAA member institutions are reminded that medical expense benefits incidental to a student's participation in intercollegiate athletics that may be financed by the institution include medication during the academic year to enable the individual to participate in intercollegiate athletics. Accordingly, member institutions are permitted to pay for any necessary immunizations (including preventative flu shots) for student-athletes.

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.