Within the first few months as a new commissioner of an NCAA conference in 1991, I was provided what appeared to be some obvious and sound advice from more experienced commissioners from all three divisions. They advised me of the professional protocol concerning membership movement from one conference to another. I have followed that advice, and have encouraged others in similar roles to do the same.

There have been, and always will be, times when institutions will consider options in conference membership. Movement is inevitable, and sometimes even healthy, if done properly. I was told, however, that it was considered a professional courtesy, both to the member's conference office as well as to the potential new conference office, that more than just a simple inquiry be communicated. That communication should occur first with the member school's current conference commissioner. Lately, though, in all three NCAA divisions, such communication hasn't been happening.

What has happened to the professional protocol, or unwritten rules of ethics, when considering a change in conferences? In most cases, the membership and leadership of a school's current "home" conference don't have problems with a member institution making overtures to another league as long as the member has extended that professional communication courtesy.