National Collegiate Athletic Association

The NCAA News Digest

November 8, 1999

Division I-A Coaches Salary Comparison



GOVERNANCE

Division I: Board eliminates Sunday waiver provision

The Division I Board of Directors has voted to eliminate a waiver provision regarding Sunday competition .

The Board, which met October 28, approved a proposal that eliminates the opportunity for a sports committee to obtain a waiver of the Sunday competition rule if it feels that moving the dates of competition to accommodate an institution with a restrictive religious policy would unduly disrupt the championship.

Because the proposal deals with Bylaw 31 provisions, it is not subject to the membership comment period and is effective immediately.

Staff contact: Dave Berst

Division II: Presidents Council considers grant selection process

The Division II Presidents Council has asked the Division II Project Team to Review Issues Related to Diversity to provide recommendations about how to screen and select winners of the new Division II Strategic Alliance Matching Grants.

At its October 28 meeting, the presidents discussed several possibilities, including judges from outside the division or a blue-ribbon panel containing former Division II Presidents Council members. Discussion also occurred on what role the staff should play in the screening and selection processes. The first grants are to be awarded in the summer of 2000.

Staff contact: Mike Racy

Division III: Association-wide issue concerns governance groups

The Division III Management Council and Presidents Council have expressed concern regarding proposed legislation to establish an Association-wide women's ice hockey championship.

At their October meetings, the Councils agreed to reconsider their sponsorship of the proposed legislation to establish the championship and its related sports committee. Both Councils agreed to defer their decisions -- either to support or oppose the legislation -- to their pre-Convention meetings in January.

Both groups are concerned that Division III women's ice hockey interests would be inadequately represented in the proposal under consideration.

Staff contact: Daniel Dutcher.

CHOICES

CHOICES grants boost potential participation past one million

Grants awarded in 1999 have elevated the NCAA CHOICES program past the one million mark in terms of student participation.

Grants were awarded to 10 schools in May, bringing to 94 the total number of grants awarded since the program's inception in 1991. The number of participants is based on the total enrollment at schools receiving grants because the program has the potential to reach that many people.

The NCAA Foundation awards CHOICES grants with support from the Anheuser-Busch Companies, Inc. The grants allow schools to focus on campus-wide strategies to reduce alcohol abuse. The programs usually feature peer-education components in which student-athletes and other students receive training to lead teammates and classmates in discussions promoting alcohol education.

Application forms for CHOICES grants to be awarded in 2000 were mailed in October. The forms and grant guidelines were sent to athletics directors, chief executive officers and directors of student affairs. The deadline for applications to be returned is February 2000.

Staff contact: Mary Wilfert.

COMPLIANCE

Video conferences scheduled for November and December

Two upcoming video conferences will give the membership a chance to learn more about NCAA legislation and other issues.

Division I and II athletics administrators and coaches will be offered "Staying on Track," a legislative update, on November 12, from noon to 2 p.m. Eastern Standard Time.

This video conference will include hot topics, a legislation review, and a question-and-answer session. Materials for the video conference will be located on the NCAA Web site at www.ncaa.org in the membership section.

Satellite coordinates are: Galaxy 7, transponder 2 (C-Band satellite); downlink frequency 3740 MHz (v); audio frequency 6.2/6.8 mixed program. Troubleshooting numbers, available only on the day of the program, are: 317/633-7410 and 317/633-7413.

The Division III membership will be offered "Facts and Issues" on December 3 at 2 p.m. Eastern Standard Time. Representatives from the the Division III Membership Committee, Financial Aid and Awards Committee, and Interpretations and Legislation Committee will present information on Division III legislation, financial aid and other issues. The call-in number for questions will be 800/289-0437.

Satellite coordinates for the video conference are: C-Band Galaxy 6; transponder 11; downlink frequency 3920 MHz (H). Troubleshooting numbers, available only on December 3, are: 317/633-7410 and 317/633-7413.

Staff contact: Gordon Finch.