The NCAA News - News and Features

May 18, 1998

Legislative assistance

1998 Column No. 20Division I Proposal 97-1

Restricted-Earnings Coach -- Division I Basketball

Division I institutions should note that with the adoption of Proposal 97-1 (effective August 1, 1998) the employment restrictions related to length of service and previous employment as head or assistant basketball coach in Division I as set forth in NCAA Bylaws 11.02.3.1 and 11.02.3.1.1 have been eliminated. Institutions should be advised, however, that pursuant to Bylaw 11.7.4.3, off-campus contact and evaluation of prospects in the sport of Division I basketball is limited to the head or assistant coach.

Preseason Football Exemptions -- Conference Limitations

Division I institutions should note that during its April 21-22 meeting, the NCAA Division I Board of Directors determined that Bylaw 30.10.2.10, which permitted only one team from a conference to participate in the exempted preseason football games each year, be deleted from the NCAA Manual, effective immediately. Accordingly, more than one institution from the same conference may participate in an exempted preseason football contest during an academic year. Further, the Board requested the Championships/Competition Cabinet to include in its review of this issue (referred to it by the NCAA Division I Management Council) a recommendation as to whether the rule should be reinstated and evaluation of the rationale for the rule and of the value of the games themselves, and to report to the Management Council and Board at the October meetings.

Correction --Telephone Contact -- Division I-AA Football

Division I institutions should note that in the April 20, 1998, edition of the NCAA News, Legislative Assistance Column No. 16 incorrectly stated that pursuant to Bylaw 13.1.3.1.1, in Division I-AA football, institutional staff members may not telephone a prospect (or the prospect's parents or legal guardians) prior to August 15 following the completion of the prospect's junior year in high school. Please note that with the adoption of Proposal 97-5 (effective immediately), institutions that sponsor Division I-AA football are permitted to make one telephone call to a football prospective student-athlete (or prospect's relatives or legal guardians) during the month of May of the prospect's junior year in high school. Further, additional telephone calls may not be made until September 1 at the beginning of the prospect's senior year in high school.

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 College Sports Network.