The NCAA News - News and Features

February 3, 1997

Legislative assistance
1997 Column No. 5
NCAA Council actions

NCAA Bylaw 13.7.5.5 -- partial qualifier -- student host

NCAA Divisions I and II institutions should note that during its January 10-11, 1997, meeting, the NCAA Council agreed to use its authority pursuant to NCAA Constitution 5.4.1.1.1 (modification of wording) to permit a partial qualifier to serve as a student host during his or her first academic year in residence. This modification is effective immediately. Additionally, a nonqualifier continues to be prohibited from serving as a student host during his or her first academic year in residence.

NCAA Bylaw 13.6.2.3 -- air transportation -- coach accompanying prospect

NCAA institutions should note that during its January 10-11, 1997, meeting, the Council agreed to withdraw from incorporation into the NCAA Manual interpretation No. I-8 (official visit -- transportation), which appears on page 243 of the Official Notice for the 1997 Convention. In withdrawing this provision, the Council agreed to modify the interpretation to specify that coaching staff members shall not travel on the same flight with a prospect in the coach's sport, unless the travel is on a regularly scheduled commercial flight, is not prearranged, is not for the purpose of accompanying the prospect and there is no contact with the prospect. This interpretation is effective immediately.

NCAA Bylaws 17.5.3.1-(c) and 17.5.3.1-(d) -- first contest -- on or after November 1

NCAA institutions should note that the provisions of Bylaws 17.5.3.1-(c) and 17.5.3.1-(d) indicate that certain preseason basketball contests may be played after November 1. At its January 10-11, 1997, meeting, the Council agreed to adopt noncontroversial legislation to indicate that those contests specified under Bylaws 17.5.3.1-(c) and 17.5.3.1-(d) (and any other Bylaw 17 basketball provisions with the same language) may be played "on or after" November 1 rather than "after" November 1. This change is effective for those contests that will be played during the 1997-98 academic year.

1997 Convention Proposal No. 68 -- partial qualifier -- fourth season of competition

During its January 10-11, 1997, meeting, the Council reviewed 1997 Convention Proposal No. 68, which permits a partial qualifier to earn a fourth season of competition, provided the student-athlete receives a baccalaureate degree prior to the beginning of the fifth academic year following the student-athlete's initial full-time enrollment. The Council discussed how the effective date would apply to student-athletes currently enrolled in a collegiate institution, and determined that all partial qualifiers currently enrolled in a collegiate institution who have eligibility remaining (i.e., five-year period of eligibility per Bylaw 14.2.1), would be permitted to earn a fourth season of competition as specified under Proposal No. 68.

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.