The NCAA News - News and Features

January 27, 1997

Bylaw 17

Legislative reference: 17.01.2

Proposal No. 143: Playing and Practice Seasons -- College-Professional Contests

Intent: To delete the general principle set forth in 17.01.2 that precludes an institution from scheduling intercollegiate athletics contests in conjunction with professional sports contests or exhibitions (e.g., as a preliminary event).

Effective date: August 1, 1997

Result: Adopted (Paddle)

Legislative reference: 17.01.3

Proposal No. 144: Playing and Practice Seasons -- Camps and Clinics

Intent: To delete the general principle set forth in 17.01.3 that the Association's legislation may prescribe limits on the number of student-athletes in a particular sport who may be employed (e.g., as counselors or lecturers) or otherwise participate in camps and clinics.

Effective date: August 1, 1997

Result: I -- Adopted (Paddle). II -- Adopted (Paddle). III -- Adopted (Paddle).

Legislative reference: 17.02.1.1

Proposal No. 74-A: Weekly Hour Limitations -- Skill Instruction -- Division II Sports Other Than Football

Intent: In Division II sports other than football, to permit coaches to be involved in two hours of skill-related instruction per week involving no more than three student-athletes at any one time during the permissible eight hours of countable athletically related activities that may occur outside the playing season during the academic year, provided the student-athlete requests the instruction.

Effective date: August 1, 1997

Result: Adopted 147-88-7

Legislative reference: 17.1.5.2.1

Proposal No. 74-B: Weekly Hour Limitations -- Skill Instruction -- Division II Sports Other Than Football

Intent: In Division II sports other than football, to permit coaches to be involved in two hours of skill-related instruction per week involving no more than three student-athletes at any one time during the permissible eight hours of countable athletically related activities that may occur outside the playing season during the academic year, provided the student-athlete requests the instruction.

Effective date: August 1, 1997

Result: Adopted 147-88-7

Legislative reference: 17.1.7

Proposal No. 145-A: Playing and Practice Seasons -- Divisions I and II

Intent: In Divisions I and II, to simplify the legislation related to the length of playing seasons, the beginning of preseason practice, first date of competition and the end of the regular season by deleting all references to traditional and nontraditional playing seasons in Bylaw 17 and establishing a single date for the start of preseason practice, competition and the end of the regular season in each sport; further, to eliminate the weekly option and establish a single option using a specific number of days in determining the length of an institution's playing season [i.e., 132 days in Divisions I and II team sports (other than football and basketball); 144 days in Divisions I and II individual sports; 156 days for Divisions I and II institutions that sponsor both indoor and outdoor track and count both sports in meeting division membership requirements; and 156 days in Divisions I and II women's rowing].

Effective date: August 1, 1997

Result: I -- Adopted (Paddle). II -- Adopted (Paddle).

Legislative reference: 17.1.8

Proposal No. 145-B: Playing and Practice Seasons -- Divisions I and II

Intent: In Divisions I and II, to simplify the legislation related to the length of playing seasons, the beginning of preseason practice, first date of competition and the end of the regular season by deleting all references to traditional and nontraditional playing seasons in Bylaw 17 and establishing a single date for the start of preseason practice, competition and the end of the regular season in each sport; further, to eliminate the weekly option and establish a single option using a specific number of days in determining the length of an institution's playing season [i.e., 132 days in Divisions I and II team sports (other than football and basketball); 144 days in Divisions I and II individual sports; 156 days for Divisions I and II institutions that sponsor both indoor and outdoor track and count both sports in meeting division membership requirements; and 156 days in Divisions I and II women's rowing].

Effective date: August 1, 1997

Result: I -- Adopted (Paddle). II -- Adopted (Paddle).

Legislative reference: 17.1.9

Proposal No. 145-C: Playing and Practice Seasons -- Divisions I and II

Intent: In Divisions I and II, to simplify the legislation related to the length of playing seasons, the beginning of preseason practice, first date of competition and the end of the regular season by deleting all references to traditional and nontraditional playing seasons in Bylaw 17 and establishing a single date for the start of preseason practice, competition and the end of the regular season in each sport; further, to eliminate the weekly option and establish a single option using a specific number of days in determining the length of an institution's playing season [i.e., 132 days in Divisions I and II team sports (other than football and basketball); 144 days in Divisions I and II individual sports; 156 days for Divisions I and II institutions that sponsor both indoor and outdoor track and count both sports in meeting division membership requirements; and 156 days in Divisions I and II women's rowing].

Effective date: August 1, 1997

Result: I -- Adopted (Paddle). II -- Adopted (Paddle).

Legislative reference: 17.1.10

Proposal No. 117-A: Playing and Practice Seasons -- Divisions I and II Golf

Intent: In Divisions I and II, to permit an institution that conducts its traditional segment in the sport of golf during the fall to commence practice sessions on August 24 or the institution's first day of classes for the fall term, whichever occurs first; further, to permit such an institution to engage in its first date of competition in the sport of golf on September 1 or the preceding Friday if September 1 falls on a Saturday or Sunday.

Effective date: August 1, 1997

Result: Moot

Legislative reference: 17.1.10

Proposal No. 145-D: Playing and Practice Seasons -- Divisions I and II

Intent: In Divisions I and II, to simplify the legislation related to the length of playing seasons, the beginning of preseason practice, first date of competition and the end of the regular season by deleting all references to traditional and nontraditional playing seasons in Bylaw 17 and establishing a single date for the start of preseason practice, competition and the end of the regular season in each sport; further, to eliminate the weekly option and establish a single option using a specific number of days in determining the length of an institution's playing season [i.e., 132 days in Divisions I and II team sports (other than football and basketball); 144 days in Divisions I and II individual sports; 156 days for Divisions I and II institutions that sponsor both indoor and outdoor track and count both sports in meeting division membership requirements; and 156 days in Divisions I and II women's rowing].

Effective date: August 1, 1997

Result: I -- Adopted (Paddle). II -- Adopted (Paddle).

Legislative reference: 17.2 through 17.28

Proposal No. 145-F: Playing and Practice Seasons -- Divisions I and II

Intent: In Divisions I and II, to simplify the legislation related to the length of playing seasons, the beginning of preseason practice, first date of competition and the end of the regular season by deleting all references to traditional and nontraditional playing seasons in Bylaw 17 and establishing a single date for the start of preseason practice, competition and the end of the regular season in each sport; further, to eliminate the weekly option and establish a single option using a specific number of days in determining the length of an institution's playing season [i.e., 132 days in Divisions I and II team sports (other than football and basketball); 144 days in Divisions I and II individual sports; 156 days for Divisions I and II institutions that sponsor both indoor and outdoor track and count both sports in meeting division membership requirements; and 156 days in Divisions I and II women's rowing].

Effective date: August 1, 1997

Result: I -- Adopted (Paddle). II -- Adopted (Paddle).

Legislative reference: 17.3 through 17.27

Proposal No. 146: Playing and Practice Seasons -- Divisions I and II Extraordinary Personnel Losses

Intent: To delete the legislation that permits the NCAA Council to approve waivers to the length of the playing season for an institution that has suffered extraordinary personnel losses to its team due to an accident or illness of a disastrous nature.

Effective date: August 1, 1997

Result: I -- Adopted (Paddle). II -- Adopted (Paddle).

Legislative reference: 17.4 through 17.27

Proposal No. 145-E: Playing and Practice Seasons -- Divisions I and II

Intent: In Divisions I and II, to simplify the legislation related to the length of playing seasons, the beginning of preseason practice, first date of competition and the end of the regular season by deleting all references to traditional and nontraditional playing seasons in Bylaw 17 and establishing a single date for the start of preseason practice, competition and the end of the regular season in each sport; further, to eliminate the weekly option and establish a single option using a specific number of days in determining the length of an institution's playing season [i.e., 132 days in Divisions I and II team sports (other than football and basketball); 144 days in Divisions I and II individual sports; 156 days for Divisions I and II institutions that sponsor both indoor and outdoor track and count both sports in meeting division membership requirements; and 156 days in Divisions I and II women's rowing].

Effective date: August 1, 1997

Result: I -- Adopted (Paddle). II -- Adopted (Paddle).

Legislative reference: 17.4 through 17.28

Proposal No. 148-A: Playing and Practice Seasons -- Division III -- Contest/Date of Competition Exemptions

Intent: To delete the legislation applicable in each Division III sport in which a Division III championship is conducted, which prohibits a Division III institution located outside of Hawaii, Alaska or Puerto Rico from exempting from counting toward the maximum number of contests or dates of competition those contests or dates scheduled on a foreign tour taken in a sport in the same four-year period that the institution participated in contests or dates of competition in that sport on a single regular-season trip to Hawaii, Alaska or Puerto Rico.

Effective date: August 1, 1997

Result: Adopted (Paddle).

Legislative reference: 17.4.5.3

Proposal No. 122-A: Playing and Practice Seasons -- Annual Exemptions -- Baseball, Field Hockey, Ice Hockey, Lacrosse, Soccer and Softball

Intent: In the sports of baseball, field hockey, lacrosse, soccer and softball, to permit Division I institutions to exempt annually one season-ending tournament (that does not require certification) from the maximum number of contests/dates of competition; further, in the sport of ice hockey, to permit institutions in all divisions to exempt annually one season-ending tournament (that does not require certification) from the maximum number of contests.

Effective date: August 1, 1997

Result: Not moved

Legislative reference: 17.5.2.1

Proposal No. 75: Playing and Practice Seasons -- Preseason Practice -- Division III Basketball

Intent: To permit Division III institutions to commence on-court preseason basketball practice sessions on October 15.

Effective date: August 1, 1997

Result: Defeated 74-212-11

Legislative reference: 17.5.2.1

Proposal No. 118: Playing and Practice Seasons -- Preseason Practice -- Division I Basketball

Intent: To permit Division I institutions to begin on-court preseason basketball practice sessions on the Saturday nearest to October 15.

Effective date: August 1, 1997

Result: Adopted 187-124-2

Legislative reference: 17.5.3

Proposal No. 119: Playing and Practice Seasons -- First Contest Date -- Division I Basketball

Intent: In Division I men's basketball, to permit the first permissible contest to be played one week earlier than currently scheduled (i.e., 136 days prior to the Division I men's basketball championship).

Effective date: August 1, 1997

Result: Adopted (Paddle)

Legislative reference: 17.5.3

Proposal No. 120: Playing and Practice Seasons -- First Contest Date -- Division I Women's Basketball

Intent: In Division I women's basketball, to permit the first permissible contest to be played one week earlier than currently scheduled (i.e., 136 days prior to the Division I men's basketball championship).

Effective date: August 1, 1997

Result: Adopted (Paddle)

Legislative reference: 17.5.3.1

Proposal No. 121: Playing and Practice Seasons -- First Contest Date -- Division I Basketball

Intent: To permit the Top of the World Classic men's basketball tournaments sponsored by an active member institution located in Alaska to be played after November 8.

Effective date: August 1, 1997

Result: Adopted (Paddle)

Legislative reference: 17.5.3.1

Proposal No. 123-A: Contest Exemptions -- Division II Basketball

Intent: To permit Division II institutions to exempt annually not more than two informal practice scrimmages from the maximum number of permissible contests as specified.

Effective date: August 1, 1997

Result: Adopted (Paddle)

Legislative reference: 17.5.5.1.3

Proposal No. 76: Maximum Contest Limitations -- Division III Basketball

Intent: In Division III basketball, to specify a student-athlete may participate in not more than 50 halves of basketball competition.

Effective date: August 1, 1997

Result: Withdrawn

Legislative reference: 17.5.5.2.3

Proposal No. 123-B: Contest Exemptions -- Division II Basketball

Intent: To permit Division II institutions to exempt annually not more than two informal practice scrimmages from the maximum number of permissible contests as specified.

Effective date: August 1, 1997

Result: Adopted (Paddle)

Legislative reference: 17.5.6

Proposal No. 147: Playing and Practice Seasons -- Out-of-Season Practice -- Basketball

Intent: To delete the exception to out-of-season basketball practice that permits members of an institution's basketball team to participate in a wheelchair basketball game against an established wheelchair team following the close of the institution's regular basketball season.

Effective date: August 1, 1997

Result: I -- Adopted (Paddle). II -- Adopted (Paddle).

Legislative reference: 17.5.8.2

Proposal No. 97-B: Exceptions To Outside Competition -- Summer Basketball -- Division II

Intent: In Division II, to remove the restrictions on outside basketball competition that occurs during the summer.

Effective date: August 1, 1997

Result: Adopted 137-91-5

Legislative reference: 17.10.5.3

Proposal No. 122-B: Playing and Practice Seasons -- Annual Exemptions -- Baseball, Field Hockey, Ice Hockey, Lacrosse, Soccer and Softball

Intent: In the sports of baseball, field hockey, lacrosse, soccer and softball, to permit Division I institutions to exempt annually one season-ending tournament (that does not require certification) from the maximum number of contests/dates of competition; further, in the sport of ice hockey, to permit institutions in all divisions to exempt annually one season-ending tournament (that does not require certification) from the maximum number of contests.

Effective date: August 1, 1997

Result: Not moved

Legislative reference: 17.11.2.3

Proposal No. 78: Playing and Practice Seasons -- Preseason Practice -- Division III Football

Intent: In Division III, to permit student-athletes to wear shoulder pads during the three-day, noncontact, conditioning practice period.

Effective date: August 1, 1997

Result: Defeated (football) 40-146-2

Legislative reference: 17.11.4

Proposal No. 124-A: Contest Exemptions -- Division II Football -- Pioneer Bowl

Intent: To permit the champions of the Central Intercollegiate Athletic Association and the Southern Intercollegiate Athletic Conference to participate in the Pioneer Bowl and to exempt such participation from the limitations governing the end of the playing season and the permissible number of contests; further, to mandate that the Pioneer Bowl shall be conducted not earlier than one week after the conclusion of the NCAA Division II Football Championship.

Effective date: August 1, 1997

Result: Adopted (Paddle)

Legislative reference: 17.11.5.1.2

Proposal No. 77: Maximum Contests Limitations -- Division III Football

Intent: In Division III football, to specify that a student-athlete may participate in not more than 20 halves of football contests.

Effective date: August 1, 1997

Result: Motion to refer to ad hoc committee of the Division III Management Council adopted 229-51-12

Legislative reference: 17.11.5.2

Proposal No. 124-B: Contest Exemptions -- Division II Football -- Pioneer Bowl

Intent: To permit the champions of the Central Intercollegiate Athletic Association and the Southern Intercollegiate Athletic Conference to participate in the Pioneer Bowl and to exempt such participation from the limitations governing the end of the playing season and the permissible number of contests; further, to mandate that the Pioneer Bowl shall be conducted not earlier than one week after the conclusion of the NCAA Division II Football Championship.

Effective date: August 1, 1997

Result: Adopted (Paddle)

Legislative reference: 17.11.6

Proposal No. 125: Playing and Practice Seasons -- Spring Practice -- Divisions I and II Football

Intent: In Divisions I and II football, to specify that no contact shall occur during the first two spring football practice sessions, to reduce the number of practice sessions that may involve contact from 10 to five and to preclude the use of shoulder pads during all noncontact practice sessions.

Effective date: August 1, 1997

Result: I-A -- Motion to refer to Championships Cabinet adopted (Paddle). I-AA -- Motion to refer to Championships Cabinet adopted (Paddle). II -- Motion to refer to Division II Management Council adopted (Paddle).

Legislative reference: 17.12.2

Proposal No. 117-B: Playing and Practice Seasons -- Divisions I and II Golf

Intent: In Divisions I and II, to permit an institution that conducts its traditional segment in the sport of golf during the fall to commence practice sessions on August 24 or the institution's first day of classes for the fall term, whichever occurs first; further, to permit such an institution to engage in its first date of competition in the sport of golf on September 1 or the preceding Friday if September 1 falls on a Saturday or Sunday.

Effective date: August 1, 1997

Result: Moot

Legislative reference: 17.12.3.1

Proposal No. 117-C: Playing and Practice Seasons -- Divisions I and II Golf

Intent: In Divisions I and II, to permit an institution that conducts its traditional segment in the sport of golf during the fall to commence practice sessions on August 24 or the institution's first day of classes for the fall term, whichever occurs first; further, to permit such an institution to engage in its first date of competition in the sport of golf on September 1 or the preceding Friday if September 1 falls on a Saturday or Sunday.

Effective date: August 1, 1997

Result: Moot

Legislative reference: 17.14.5.3

Proposal No. 122-C: Playing and Practice Seasons -- Annual Exemptions -- Baseball, Field Hockey, Ice Hockey, Lacrosse, Soccer and Softball

Intent: In the sports of baseball, field hockey, lacrosse, soccer and softball, to permit Division I institutions to exempt annually one season-ending tournament (that does not require certification) from the maximum number of contests/dates of competition; further, in the sport of ice hockey, to permit institutions in all divisions to exempt annually one season-ending tournament (that does not require certification) from the maximum number of contests.

Effective date: August 1, 1997

Result: I -- Not moved. II -- Adopted (Paddle). III -- Adopted (Paddle).

Legislative reference: 17.15.5.1

Proposal No. 126: Maximum Dates of Competition -- Women's Lacrosse -- Division I

Intent: In Division I, to permit member institutions in the sport of women's lacrosse to engage in 17 dates of competition during the traditional segment and five dates of competition during the nontraditional segment.

Effective date: August 1, 1997

Result: Adopted (Paddle)

Legislative reference: 17.15.5.2

Proposal No. 122-D: Playing and Practice Seasons -- Annual Exemptions -- Baseball, Field Hockey, Ice Hockey, Lacrosse, Soccer and Softball

Intent: In the sports of baseball, field hockey, lacrosse, soccer and softball, to permit Division I institutions to exempt annually one season-ending tournament (that does not require certification) from the maximum number of contests/dates of competition; further, in the sport of ice hockey, to permit institutions in all divisions to exempt annually one season-ending tournament (that does not require certification) from the maximum number of contests.

Effective date: August 1, 1997

Result: Withdrawn

Legislative reference: 17.18.5.2

Proposal No. 122-E: Playing and Practice Seasons -- Annual Exemptions -- Baseball, Field Hockey, Ice Hockey, Lacrosse, Soccer and Softball

Intent: In the sports of baseball, field hockey, lacrosse, soccer and softball, to permit Division I institutions to exempt annually one season-ending tournament (that does not require certification) from the maximum number of contests/dates of competition; further, in the sport of ice hockey, to permit institutions in all divisions to exempt annually one season-ending tournament (that does not require certification) from the maximum number of contests.

Effective date: August 1, 1997

Result: Withdrawn

Legislative reference: 17.18.8.1.1.2 [New]

Proposal No. 96-B: Outside Competition -- Division I Soccer and Women's Volleyball

Intent: To permit student-athletes in the sports of men's and women's soccer and women's volleyball to compete on outside teams during the spring outside of the institution's playing and practice season as specified.

Effective date: August 1, 1997

Result: Adopted (Paddle)

Legislative reference: 17.19.5.3.2

Proposal No. 122-F: Playing and Practice Seasons -- Annual Exemptions -- Baseball, Field Hockey, Ice Hockey, Lacrosse, Soccer and Softball

Intent: In the sports of baseball, field hockey, lacrosse, soccer and softball, to permit Division I institutions to exempt annually one season-ending tournament (that does not require certification) from the maximum number of contests/dates of competition; further, in the sport of ice hockey, to permit institutions in all divisions to exempt annually one season-ending tournament (that does not require certification) from the maximum number of contests.

Effective date: August 1, 1997

Result: Not moved

Legislative reference: 17.26.17.1.1.2 [New]

Proposal No. 96-C: Outside Competition -- Division I Soccer and Women's Volleyball

Intent: To permit student-athletes in the sports of men's and women's soccer and women's volleyball to compete on outside teams during the spring outside of the institution's playing and practice season as specified.

Effective date: August 1, 1997

Result: Adopted (Paddle)

Legislative reference: 17.27.7.1.3.1

Proposal No. 128: Playing and Practice Seasons -- Outside Teams -- Water Polo

Intent: To permit student-athletes in the sport of water polo to be involved on an outside water polo team that includes the student-athletes' coaches during the summer months.

Effective date: August 1, 1997

Result: I -- Adopted (Paddle). II -- Adopted (Paddle). III -- Adopted (Paddle).

Legislative reference: 17.28.5

Proposal No. 127: Maximum Dates of Competition -- Wrestling -- Division III

Intent: In Division III wrestling, to specify that not more than two two-day meets shall count as a single date of competition.

Effective date: August 1, 1997

Result: Adopted (Paddle)

Legislative reference: 17.30.1

Proposal No. 148-B: Playing and Practice Seasons -- Division III -- Contest/Date of Competition Exemptions

Intent: To delete the legislation applicable in each Division III sport in which a Division III championship is conducted, which prohibits a Division III institution located outside of Hawaii, Alaska or Puerto Rico from exempting from counting toward the maximum number of contests or dates of competition those contests or dates scheduled on a foreign tour taken in a sport in the same four-year period that the institution participated in contests or dates of competition in that sport on a single regular-season trip to Hawaii, Alaska or Puerto Rico.

Effective date: August 1, 1997

Result: Adopted (Paddle)

Legislative reference: 17.30.2

Proposal No. 149: Playing and Practice Seasons -- Outside Competition -- Basketball

Intent: To delete the requirement that the NCAA Council must approve participation of sanctioned outside-team tours in the sport of basketball.

Effective date: August 1, 1997

Result: I -- Adopted (Paddle). II -- Adopted (Paddle). III -- Adopted (Paddle).