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II Steering Committee wants additional study of Proposal No. 2-90

The Division II subcommittee of the NCAA Presidents Commission recently expressed concerns about the proposal (No. 2-90 in the Second Publication of Proposed Legislation). While it recognized the issues that led to the sponsorship of the proposal, it asked that the steering committee withdraw its sponsorship of the proposal so that the issues can be studied further.

The steering committee received the request during its October 7-9 meeting in Kansas City, Missouri.

The steering committee's proposal would require that an athlete who participates in organized competition after turning 21 but before enrolling in college for the first time be charged with a season of competition for any such competition during each 12-month period following that birthday.

The proposed rule's purpose is to minimize competitive advantages that certain student-athletes may gain as a result of participation in organized competition before enrolling in college. Such student-athletes may benefit from experience or physical strength gained in such competition.

In reviewing the proposal, the Commission's Division II subcommittee expressed doubts about whether such a rule is needed and noted philosophical concerns about legislation that could reduce what was termed a traditional Division II commitment to providing academically qualified student-athletes with access to opportunities for competition.

The Presidents Commission subcommittee asked that the matter be referred to the Division II Management Council and Presidents Council for further review and possible development of legislation for sponsorship at the 1998 (as opposed to the 1997) Convention.

The Division II Steering Committee wishes to present more information to the presidents addressing the question of whether the legislation is needed.

It is asking, therefore, for a meeting for that purpose between representatives of the Commission subcommittee and the steering committee.

Other actions

In other actions in Kansas City, the Division II Steering Committee also:

* Recommended, in response to a request by the Division II subcommittee of the Presidents Commission, that the Council require use of the recently enhanced Institutional Self-Study Guide by institutions that have an ISSG deadline after January 1, 1998. The steering committee also recommended that institutions with ISSG deadlines before that date be given the option of using either the current or enhanced study guide. The Council approved the recommendations.

* Recommended that the Council remove its opposition to and instead indicate "no position" on Proposal No. 2-121, which would permit Division II basketball teams to exempt up to two informal practice scrimmages from the annual maximum number of permissible contests. The steering committee noted that its earlier opposition to the proposal was based on an incorrect understanding that the exemptions would be permitted in addition to, rather than in place of, exemptions available for contests against foreign and AAU teams. The Council approved the recommendation.

* Reviewed reports from the Division II Financial Aid Project Team, which is developing financial aid options for consideration by the Division II membership, and the Division II Budget/Finance Committee, which is developing financial principles and philosophies (as well as options for distribution of Division II enhancement funds) for membership reaction. The steering committee began consideration of how to conduct discussion of these issues and of enhancement of rules compliance at the 1997 Convention.