The NCAA News Digest

November 10, 1997

• FOOTBALL STRENGTH OF SCHEDULE
• DIVISION I - Board of Directors OKs first legislation in new system
• DIVISION II -- Presidents Council identifies seven proposals for CEOs
• DIVISION III -- CEOs select topics for Convention program
• LEARNING DISABILITIES -- NCAA reviewing letter from Justice Department
• FARA -- Nominations being accepted for FARA executive committee

FOOTBALL STRENGTH OF SCHEDULE

Among Division I-A undefeated football teams, Michigan has the biggest challenge in front of it. The Wolverines' remaining opponents have a .880 winning percentage, the toughest of the six undefeated, untied teams. Penn State, which played Michigan on November 8, is next. Among those same teams, Nebraska faced the hardest schedule for the first half of the season, with its opponents winning at a .525 clip. At this point, Colorado has the hardest overall schedule (.687 winning percentage for its opponents).

Among I-AA unbeaten teams, the toughest remaining schedule belongs to Dayton. Yale has the hardest schedule overall.

DIVISION I

The Division I Board of Directors took action at its October 28 meeting on 12 proposals that moved through the new legislative process and were recommended by the Division I Management Council.

The Board approved 10 of the proposals, including legislation that will permit a Division I-A football program to count under certain circumstances a win against a I-AA opponent toward the number of victories needed to qualify for a bowl game. That change will take effect for the 1998 season.

The Board voted down a proposal that would have eliminated the restriction on the amount of time an individual can spend in the restricted-earnings coaching position (five years), along with the restriction on previous coaching experience. It also tabled another proposal.

Staff contact: Stephen R. Morgan.

DIVISION II

Presidents Council identifies seven proposals for CEOs

The Division II Presidents Council, which met October 28, has designated seven legislative proposals for chief executive officers' attention at the 1998 Convention in Atlanta.

The Presidents Council also is arranging a program for the 1998 Convention that seeks to inform institutional chief executive officers about Division II financial matters, championships policies and procedures, and current key issues in intercollegiate athletics.

Staff contact: Nancy L. Mitchell.

DIVISION III

The Division III Presidents Council, which met October 28, has selected topics for discussion during the Division III business sessions at the Convention.

In reviewing the tentative Convention schedule, the Council approved a two-day format for the Division III business sessions, with five major issues to be addressed. Those are implementation of the division's new strategic plan; discussion of expansion of the football championship; presentation of a draft of the principles and guidelines for automatic qualification to division championships for conference champions and independents; a review of Title IX/gender equity issues related to Division III; and Division III financial aid legislation.

Staff contact: Daniel T. Dutcher.

LEARNING DISABILITIES

The NCAA staff is reviewing a letter from the U.S. Department of Justice that claims that the Association discriminates against student-athletes with learning disabilities.

After an initial review, it appears that several of the Justice Department's suggestions for changes already have been implemented by the NCAA.

In an October 17 letter, the Justice Department notified the NCAA that on the basis of two years of discussion with the Association, the department finds the NCAA to be in violation of the Americans with Disabilities Act in regard to accommodating learning disabilities of student-athletes.

Staff contact: Kevin C. Lennon.

FARA

Nominations will be accepted until November 28 for candidates to serve on the executive committee of the Faculty Athletics Representatives Association.

A story in the October 27 issue of The NCAA News incorrectly reported an earlier deadline.

The FARA nominating committee also is providing a slate of nominees for the executive committee. Voting will occur at the FARA meeting during the 1998 NCAA Convention in Atlanta.

Questions about the nomination process can be directed to Jennifer Heppel, NCAA membership services representative.