National Collegiate Athletic Association

The NCAA News Digest

November 3, 1997

SPECIAL ASSISTANCE FUND ANALYSIS -- ACTUAL EXPENDITURE


The amount of money provided through the NCAA's special assistance fund has increased by seven times since the fund's inception in the 1991-92 fiscal year. In 1996-97, the NCAA distributed $7.7 million to qualified Division I student-athletes with unmet financial needs. That figure was more than double the outlay from the previous year. In addition, the average per recipient also increased sharply, rising from about $229 per recipient to $415.

At its most recent meeting, the Division I Management Council approved a recommendation from the Business/Finance Cabinet to make the fund available to all qualifying Division I student-athletes receiving any athletically related aid. In addition, the Management Council requested research on the financial ramifications of providing access to the fund for all Division I student-athletes, regardless of whether they receive athletics aid.

REGIONAL SEMINARS

Dates and Sites selected for '98 rules-compliance seminar

Dates and sites have been determined for the three 1998 NCAA regional rules-compliance seminars. They are:

* May 6-8, Anaheim Hilton Hotel, Anaheim, California.

* May 27-29, Hyatt Regency, Dallas.

* June 10-12, Pittsburgh Hilton, Pittsburgh.

Staff contact: Carolayne Henry.

DIVISION II


Management Councils delay membership moratorium action

The Divisions II and III Management Councils have delayed making formal recommendations on whether to end a two-year-old moratorium on accepting new members into the Association.

The moratorium was enacted in August 1995 to place a freeze on membership growth until after the completion of restructuring. Although the question of when to end the moratorium is an Association-wide issue, it has the greatest effect on Divisions II and III since most new members would end up in those classifications.

The Division II Management Council discussed the possible impact that ending the moratorium will have on revisions in membership criteria and the Division II revenue-distribution plan that currently are being considered.

It agreed to seek a legal opinion regarding implications of not lifting the moratorium before making a recommendation to the Division II Presidents Council.

The Division III Management Council, noting the action in Division II, agreed that it is best not to formally recommend termination of the moratorium at this time. It did, however, express the opinion that the moratorium should be lifted after the 1998 Convention, unless there are compelling reasons not to do so.

Staff contact: Nancy L. Mitchell.

DIVISION III


Financial aid issue to focus on education and clarification

The Division III Management Council has decided to postpone distribution of a proposed survey of Division III members regarding current financial aid philosophies.

The Management Council instead recommended that greater emphasis be placed on education and clarification of existing financial aid legislation during the Division III business session at the 1998 NCAA Convention.

The Management Council also reviewed the draft of principles for automatic qualification to Division III championships. The principles are based on an emphasis on the Division III philosophy statement, the importance of access of championship opportunities for conference champions in all team sports and equitable access for independent institutions.

Staff contact: Daniel T. Dutcher.

NATIONAL OFFICE


Nationally known architect to design new NCAA building

Nationally known architect Michael Graves has been selected to design the new NCAA national office and Hall of Champions in Indianapolis.

Graves, an Indianapolis native, is especially known for his bold interior designs.

An Indianapolis firm, Schmidt Associates, also will work on the project. Schmidt specializes in historical preservation and will work with the "Superintendent's Building," a historically significant structure that sits on the NCAA site.

The superintendent's building will be renovated and used as part of the NCAA facility.

Demolition of other structures on the building site is expected to begin within 30 days.

Staff contact: Frank E. Marshall.

WOMEN'S ATHLETICS


Committee endorses annual report on gender-equity status

The NCAA Committee on Women's Athletics has recommended that each institution submit an annual report to the Division I Committee on Athletics Certification to better monitor progress in implementing gender-equity plans.

The women's athletics committee, while acknowledging the progress that has been made in achieving gender equity through implementation of the certification program, suggested that a component be added to certification that would require institutions to give an annual accounting of their progress in implementing their gender-equity plans.

Staff contact: Janet M. Justus.