The NCAA News - News and Features

The NCAA News -- January 4, 1999

Interpretations

Division III

December 11 and 21, 1998,
telephone conferences

Acting for the Division III Management Council, the Division III Interpretations and Legislation Committee issued the following interpretations:

Proposal No. 28

1. Division III Financial Aid -- Athletically Related Financial Aid. The committee reviewed 1999 NCAA Convention Proposal No. 28 that precludes a provisional member from awarding athletically related financial aid during the second year of provisional membership. The committee confirmed that a student-athlete who first enrolls and attends classes in year two of provisional membership may not be awarded "new" athletically related financial aid. Further, the committee confirmed that a student-athlete who was recruited and awarded financial aid in the second year of provisional membership, but who first enrolled and attended classes in the third year of provisional membership, may not be awarded "new" athletically related financial aid. [Reference: Proposal No. 28.]

Proposal No. 38

2. Division III Championships Selection Principles and Automatic-Qualification Requirements. The committee reviewed 1999 Convention Proposal No. 38 that would establish championship selection principles and automatic championship qualification for conferences that meet specified legislative requirements. The committee determined that the amendment cited in NCAA Bylaw 31.3.5 (selection of balance of championship field) would not eliminate an institution from championship consideration if that institution belongs to a conference that does not receive automatic qualification. Further, the committee recommended that the Division III Management Council editorially revise the proposal to include "representatives of conferences not receiving automatic qualification." [References: Proposal No. 38 and Bylaw 31.3.1 (selection of balance of championship field).]

Proposal No. 38

3. Division III Championships Selection Principles and Automatic-Qualification Requirements. The committee reviewed Proposal No. 38 that would establish championship selection principles and automatic championship qualification for conferences that meet specified legislative requirements and confirmed that the amendment to Bylaw 31.3.4.2-(c) that cites a seven-member requirement refers to seven "active" members of the Association. The committee recommended that the Division III Management Council editorially revise the proposal to indicate this language. [References: Proposal No. 38 and Bylaw 31.3.4.2-(c) (additional requirements, sports other than Division I men's basketball).]

Proposal No. 48

4. Nonpermissible Medical Expenses -- Dietary Supplements. The committee reviewed 1999 NCAA Convention Proposal No. 48, which, in Division III, would prohibit dietary supplements that may be financed by an institution as permissible medical benefits incidental to a student-athlete's participation in intercollegiate athletics.

The committee determined that the prohibition against providing dietary supplements (e.g., weight-gain muscle/
strength-building supplements) does not preclude an institution from providing electrolyte/fluid replacements (e.g., Gatorade, Powerade) to student-athletes.

The committee was hesitant to issue an interpretation that would preclude an institution from providing protein bars/protein candy bars (e.g., PowerBars); however, the committee recommended that this issue continue to be reviewed by the NCAA Committee on Competitive Safeguards and Medical Aspects of Sports. In particular, the committee requested feedback relating to the product efficiency, product safety, institutional liability and cost of nutritional supplements such as protein bars. [Reference: Proposal No. 48 and former NCAA Interpretations Committee 06/12/97, Item No. 3.]