National Collegiate Athletic Association

The NCAA News Digest

December 22, 1997

DIVISION I


Cabinet assesses proposed core-course review policies

The Division I Academics/Eligibility/Com-pliance Cabinet recently received an update on core-course review from its Subcommittee on Initial-Eligibility Issues.

The cabinet had been asked in August by the Division I Board of Directors to develop implementation plans for a significantly greater involvement of high schools in the review process.

Under the plan, high-school principals annually would review the list of approved core courses for their high schools, delete any that they believe no longer meet the criteria and indicate additions that do meet the NCAA standards.

The cabinet also reviewed issues relating to 1997 Convention Proposal No. 62 and possible changes in recruiting for Division I men's basketball.

Staff contact: Kevin C. Lennon.

WRESTLING

NCAA, USA Wrestling review deaths related to weight loss

The deaths of three student-athlete wrestlers at NCAA institutions during the past two months during weight-loss activities has prompted NCAA committees and the sport's national governing body to review the issue.

The NCAA Committee on Competitive Safe-guards and Medical Aspects of Sports, the NCAA Wrestling Committee, USA Wrestling and other concerned parties participated in a conference call December 16 to determine if changes in the rules and guidelines regarding weight loss are necessary.

The student-athletes -- Billy Saylor of Camp-bell University; Joe LaRossa of the University of Wisconsin, La Crosse; and Jefferey Reese of the University of Michigan -- died between the dates of November 7 and December 9. Each collapsed after workouts. Medical personnel were not able to revive them.

Staff contact: Randall W. Dick.

DIVISION I

New NCAA Online service tracks progress of legislation

The NCAA has implemented a new feature that makes it possible for any interested individual to check the status of proposed legislation via the Internet.

The information can be accessed through the membership services selection on the NCAA Online home page (www.ncaa.org).

Updates will be made as necessary by the Division I governance staff. The service became available December 9.

Staff contact: Stephen R. Morgan - Division I or Wallace I. Renfro - Internet.

HONORS PROGRAM

Teddy, Silver Anniversary honorees are selected

Former Sen. Robert J. Dole has been selected as this year's recipient of the Theodore Roosevelt Award, the most prestigious honor bestowed on an individual by the NCAA.

He will be presented with the award at the annual NCAA honors dinner January 11 in Atlanta.

Dole was a three-sport athlete at the Univers-ity of Kansas in the 1940s. He played basketball under the legendary Phog Allen, lettered in track and played football before being called to service in World War II.

Also, six former collegiate stars who have enjoyed prominent professional careers in journalism, medicine, sports and science will receive NCAA Silver Anniversary Awards.

This year's honorees are Gary Hall, Indiana University, Bloomington, swimming; Lawrie Mifflin, Yale University, field hockey; Drew Pearson, University of Tulsa, football; Cynthia Potter, Indiana, diving; Sally K. Ride, Stanford University, tennis; and Harry Smith, Central College, football.

Staff contact: James A. Marchiony.

BASEBALL

Division I committee recommends bracket expansion

The NCAA Division I Baseball Committee has endorsed increasing the bracket for the Division I Baseball Championship to 64 teams.

Under the committee's proposal, the format would consist of 16 four-team regionals, eight two-team super regionals and the College World Series. The committee noted that it believes bracket expansion to 64 teams would generate additional revenue while cutting per diem and travel costs for the regionals. The proposal goes to the Division I Championships/Competition Cabinet.

The committee also is in the process of reviewing a survey on moving the dates of the championship.

Staff contact: Dennis L. Poppe.