The NCAA News Digest

March 23, 1998

• DIVISION I SOFTBALL TEAMS OF THE '90s
• STUDENT-ATHLETES -- More than 370 student-athletes to participate in conference
• RECRUITING -- National Student-Athlete Day falls in recruiting dead period
• SPORTS SCIENCES -- Study shows decline in knee surgery, increase in concussions
• TITLE IX -- Seminar scheduled for May 12-13 in Chicago
• INITIAL ELIGIBILITY -- Nominations solicited for new core-course committee

When it comes to winning in Division I women's softball, no team has done it quite like Arizona. The Wildcats not only had the most wins in the '90s at the beginning of this season (456), but they also had the best winning percentage (.865). The Wildcats have won five of the eight national championships contested in the '90s. The others went to UCLA, the second winningest team in percentage.

STUDENT-ATHLETES

More than 370 student-athletes to participate in conference

More than 370 student-athletes have been selected to participate in the second annual NCAA Foundation Leadership Conference.

The conference will be held May 25-28 at Disney's Coronado Springs Resort in Lake Buena Vista, Florida.

The forum, presented by the Entergy Corporation, will provide the opportunity for NCAA student-athletes to discuss and explore viable solutions to critical issues facing their peers around the country; to enhance their leadership skills; and to promote better communication among student-athletes, coaches, administrators, faculty and communities.

Staff contact: Ronald J. Stratten.

RECRUITING

National Student-Athlete Day falls in recruiting dead period

The 1998 celebration of National Student-Athlete Day is set for April 6, a Monday that occurs at the beginning of a recruiting dead period.

In Division I men's and women's basketball, that dead period extends from April 6-9. The dead period surrounds the signing day for the national letter of intent (April 8).

Ronald J. Stratten, NCAA group executive director for education services, encouraged NCAA member institutions to celebrate the event on their own campuses April 6 and to participate in the outreach activities on the weekend preceding April 6 or on the one occurring after April 9.

Staff contact: Ronald J. Stratten.

SPORTS SCIENCES

Study shows decline in knee surgery, increas in concussions

The fall 1997 NCAA Injury Surveillance System shows lower knee-surgery rates and higher concussion rates in football.

The system, in its 15th year, monitors injuries in 16 different sports.

Football practice- and game-injury rates were similar to the 13-year averages for the sport. This year's data showed 3.8 injuries per 1,000 athlete-exposures (A-E) for practice and 34.1 injuries per 1,000 A-E for games.

Game-related knee surgeries remained below the 13-year average for the sport for the second straight year. Rates of game-related concussions (2.4 per 1,000 A-E) were the highest recorded in the sport since 1986. The average for NCAA schools sponsoring football was more than one game-related concussion during the season.

Staff contact: Randall W. Dick.

TITLE IX

Seminar scheduled for May 12-13 in Chicago

The 1998 NCAA Title IX Seminar, which will be conducted May 12-13 in Chicago, is designed to assist the membership in complying with Title IX regulations.

This is the first year for the seminar to be conducted in only one location. It will be at the Westin Hotel on Michigan Avenue.

Although the seminars are designed for the membership, the general public also may attend. The seminars are free for NCAA institutional personnel, $75 for students and $150 for the general public.

Rooms are available at the Westin for $135 a night if reservations are made before April 13.

Staff contact: Janet M. Justus.

INITIAL ELIGIBILITY

Nominations solicited for new core-course committee

Nominations are being sought from Divisions I and II for members of the new NCAA Core-Course Review Committee.

The standing committee was established by action in January of the Division I Board of Directors and the Division II membership. The committee is designated as a common committee because it will review courses denied by the NCAA Initial-Eligibility Clearinghouse for use in meeting Divisions I and II initial-eligibility requirements.

The committee will assume duties performed by a subcommittee of the former NCAA Academic Requirements Committee in the previous governance structure. In addition to reviewing core-course decisions, the committee will assist in the development of policies related to the identification of core courses.

Divisions I and II each will have at least one representative on each subcommittee.

Staff contact: Julie Quickel.