National Collegiate Athletic Association

The NCAA News - News and Features

April 27, 1998

Legislative assistance

1998 Column No. 17NCAA Bylaws 12.2.4.1, 12.2.4.2 and 12.2.4.2.1

Declaration for the draft

NCAA institutions should note that pursuant to NCAA Bylaw 12.2.4.1, an individual may inquire of a professional sports organization about eligibility for a professional-league player draft or request information about the individual's market value without affecting his or her amateur status. Please note that pursuant to 12.2.4.2, an individual loses amateur status in a particular sport when the individual asks to be placed on the draft list or supplemental draft list of a professional league in that sport, even though:

(a) The individual asks that his or her name be withdrawn from the draft list prior to the actual draft;

(b) The individual's name remains on the list but he or she is not drafted; or

Further, pursuant to 12.2.4.2.1, a student-athlete in the sport of basketball may enter a professional league's draft one time during his or her collegiate career without jeopardizing eligibility in that sport, provided the student-athlete is not drafted by any team in that league and the student-athlete declares his or her intention to resume intercollegiate participation within 30 days after the draft. The student-athlete's declaration of intent shall be in writing to the institution's director of athletics.

Please note that a student-athlete is not allowed to retain an agent without jeopardizing his or her eligibility. Accordingly, a student-athlete who enters a professional basketball league's draft would not be permitted to reach a verbal or written agreement with an agent without jeopardizing his or her eligibility at an NCAA institution. However, a student-athlete is permitted to have an advisor assist him or her in reviewing a proposed professional sports contract, provided the advisor does not represent the student-athlete directly in contract negotiations. In this regard, it is permissible for an advisor to discuss the merits of a proposed contract with a student-athlete and give suggestions about the type of offer the student should consider. In order to maintain eligibility at an NCAA institution, the advisor may not be used as a link between the student-athlete and the professional sports team or organization. If the advisor makes a direct contact with the professional team, the advisor shall be considered an agent and the student-athlete will have jeopardized future eligibility at an NCAA institution. For example, an advisor may not be present during discussions of a contract offer with a professional team or have any direct contact (i.e., in person, by telephone, by mail) with a professional sports team on the student's behalf.

In addition, it is important to note that in order to maintain eligibility at an NCAA institution, the student-athlete must compensate the advisor at his or her normal rate. Further, pursuant to 12.3.1.2 (benefits from prospective agents), a student-athlete will be ineligible if he or she accepts any transportation or other benefits from any person who wishes to represent him or her in the marketing of athletics ability. This rule does not prohibit a student-athlete from having a meal with someone who wishes to represent him or her, provided each pays for the actual cost of their meal and arranges for transportation separately.

Finally, pursuant to 12.2.1.2 (tryout after enrollment), a student-athlete may try out with a professional team in a sport only during the summer or during the academic year while not a full-time student, provided the student-athlete does not receive any form of expenses or other compensation from the professional organization.

Corrections

Coaches certification examinations -- NCAA Divisions I and II

NCAA Division I institutions should note that an error occurred in the publication of the 1998-99 NCAA Division I coaches certification examination. Accordingly, please replace the following pages of the 1998-99 NCAA Division I coaches test with the updated pages that were forwarded to the conferences offices via Federal Express April 13:

Updated Page No. 2 of Form A.

Updated Page No. 2 of Form B.

Updated Page No. 4 of Form B.

Division II institutions should note that an error occurred during the publication of the Division II coaches certification examination answer keys. Additionally, a change has been made to Page No. 6 of the Form A test. Accordingly, please replace previously distributed materials with the following that were forwarded to the conference offices via Federal Express April 16:

Updated Page No. 6 for Form A.

Updated answer keys for Forms A and B.

The Form B overlay for scoring the examination. Please note that the Form A overlay for scoring the examination is correct.

This material was provided by the membership services staff as an aid to member institutions. If an institution has a question or comment regarding this column, such correspondence should be directed to Kristen L. Davis or Lisa Roesler, membership services representatives, at the NCAA national office. This information is available on the Collegiate Sports Network.