National Collegiate Athletic Association

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The NCAA News -- September 13, 1999

Student-athlete group meets with Council to review issues

The Division III Student-Athlete Advisory Committee, which met July 23-24 in Hilton Head, South Carolina, hosted a reception with the Division III Management Council that let the two groups discuss issues in a unique way.

While the reception -- the first of its kind in Division III -- provided an opportunity for a more informal exchange of ideas, there were formal presentations to spark discussion.

Members of the SAAC presented to the Council on four different topics: the Division III philosophy, a Division III SAAC enhancement fund, Division III conference student-athlete advisory committees and Division III nontraditional seasons.

"Both parties were able to put names with faces and ask questions of each other," said Mira J. Colman, NCAA membership services representative and SAAC liaison. "There was a lot of meaningful dialogue. I think both groups would like to make this an annual event."

At its regular meeting before the reception, the SAAC had several action items it forwarded on to the Management Council (and ultimately the Presidents Council) for action. Perhaps the most notable was its recommendation that the Division III nontraditional-season legislation remain the same, a position the Management Council did not recommend and the Presidents Council ultimately did not accept. (The Presidents Council drafted legislation for the 2000 Convention that will put the issue of nontraditional seasons to a vote of the membership.)

The SAAC's position is that the current nontraditional seasons legislation is consistent with the Division III philosophy of providing opportunity and encouraging participation for student-athletes.

SAAC members also believe that the current legislation is effective and provides an opportunity for institutional flexibility.

In another action, the SAAC recommended that Division III institutions continue to regulate "captain's practices." These practices, which are in addition to the 20-hour-a-week practice rule, are becoming a concern for student-athletes on many Division III campuses. While the intent of the legislation is that the practices not be mandatory, student-athletes feel pressured to participate, in effect making the practices mandatory.

The SAAC, which had been asked by the Division III Interpretations and Legislation Committee to review the issue of captain's practices, agreed that there is cause for concern. SAAC members declined to recommend NCAA action, though, noting that the issue is really one of institutional control and expressing belief that the practices might continue anyway.

In other actions, the committee:

  • Reviewed a request from the Association-wide Committee on Competitive Safeguards and Medical Aspects of Sport to discuss the issue of body piercing as it pertains to student-athlete health and safety. The SAAC recommended that the Management Council refer the following statement to Division III sports and rules committees for their review: "To mandate that Division III student-athletes remove all jewelry and pierced items prior to practice and competition, with additional rules/sanctions to be determined by individual Division III sports and rules committees."

  • Discussed the creation of a Division III Student-Athlete Advisory Committee Enhancement Fund, which would be designed to enhance the operations of campus and conference student-athlete advisory committees. Further discussion is planned on this topic at the SAAC's next in-person meeting at the NCAA Convention.

  • Expressed support for three Division III legislative proposals. SAAC supported Proposal No. 1-6: Season of Eligibility -- Minimum Amount of Competition; No. 1-7: International Competition -- Summers; and No. 1-8: Two Year College Transfers -- Two-Year Nonparticipation Exception.