National Collegiate Athletic Association

The NCAA News Digest

November 24, 1997

PERCENTAGE OF FOREIGN ATHLETES


Research conducted recently in Division II demonstrated which Divisions I and II sports have the highest percentages of foreign student-athletes. The research showed that in the 1996 academic year, the highest percentage was in Division I men's ice hockey. Other sports with more than five percent foreign participation in either division are shown in the graphic above. Researchers also gathered information on the age of participants, which revealed that the average age for top teams in Division II was only slightly higher than for all other teams. Largely because of the outcome of this research, Division II chose not to change its rules regarding the age of participants.

LEADERSHIP


Nominations being sought for student conference in May

Nominations are being solicited for student-athletes to attend the 1998 NCAA Foundation Leadership Conference May 25-28 in Lake Buena Vista, Florida.

Nomination forms for the event have been mailed from the NCAA national office to 400 institutions in all three membership divisions. The forms were mailed to all Division I members participating in the CHAMPS/Life Skills Program and to 60 institutions each in Divisions II and III, selected randomly. The application deadline is January 30. Nominations must be postmarked no later than that date.

Selected student-athletes will be notified March 13.

Staff contact: Ronald J. Stratten.

BASKETBALL

Plans taking shape for NCAA's interactive fan festivals

Tickets will go on sale December 1 in Kansas City, Missouri, and San Antonio for NCAA Hoop City, the Association's first interactive fan festival.

Hoop City will debut March 26-29 with the Division I Women's Basketball Championship in Kansas City. For the Division I Men's Basketball Championship in San Antonio, Hoop City will run March 26-30.

Both Hoop Cities will be conducted over about 100,000 feet of space in downtown convention centers.

Both sites also will feature several mini-Youth Education through Sports (YES) clinics. These clinics, which will feature instruction from Division I coaches and student-athletes, will be available for kids ages 7 through 18.

Those interested may register once inside Hoop City. Space is limited in the mini-sessions, but larger YES clinics will be conducted off-site in both cities.

Staff contact: Will Rudd.

CLEARINGHOUSE


Committee recommends increase in registration fee

The NCAA Initial-Eligibility Clearinghouse Committee is recommending a fee increase for prospective student-athletes who register with the clearinghouse for certification.

Noting that clearinghouse costs have increased from an original estimate of $500,000 annually to approximately $1.5 million in 1997, the committee recommended incremental increases in the registration fee of $2 per year over a five-year period.

A fee-waiver provision would remain in effect for prospective student-athletes who can demonstrate a need for financial assistance. Last year, such fee waivers were granted to 8,000 of the clearinghouse's 150,000 registrants.

Staff contact: Robert A. Oliver.