As we consider the current state of intercollegiate athletics, I would like to share six observations with the NCAA membership.

First, it is important to remember that the NCAA is a voluntary organization composed of member institutions. NCAA rules are enacted by its membership. Often, the NCAA is portrayed as an outside entity that has no accountability and is unresponsive to its member institutions. This is simply not true. We -- the member institutions -- are the NCAA.

Second, the general public has the perception that there are many major rules violations in recruiting in which cars, cash and other extra benefits are provided to sought-after student-athletes. Immediately after the death penalty was administered to Southern Methodist University in 1985, I noticed that major violations practically disappeared in recruiting.

There still may be some cheating; however, it has been significantly reduced, and I personally did not see a player who was "bought" during the last 12 years of my coaching career. Most schools currently have clauses in their coaches' contracts that would lead to automatic dismissal for a known violation of NCAA rules. This also has served as a deterrent.

Third, the requirement that graduation rates be publicized has been significant. The athlete is counted as a graduate only if he or she has graduated from the institution at which he or she first enrolled within six years of enrollment. Often athletes transfer to another institution and subsequently graduate. However, they are recorded as non-graduates as far as the institution of initial enrollment is concerned.

There is tremendous pressure on some of the more-gifted athletes to go to another city to train under the supervision of an agent once his or her eligibility is completed. For this reason, there are many gifted athletes who are on the verge of graduation but do not graduate because of the pressure to perform well in tryout camps in order to be drafted higher by a professional team. In spite of those factors, I believe that most data would

indicate that NCAA athletes graduate at a higher rate than the general student body.

Fourth, whereas at one time there was a definite abuse of athletes' time, requiring student-athletes to spend 20 hours or less in practice and preparation for an athletics contest has been a step in the right direction. This provision that athletes' time in the weight room and in practice must be accomplished within a 20-hour limit during the week enables student-athletes to have sufficient time to complete their studies.

Fifth, the NCAA catastrophic-injury insurance has been a tremendous benefit to athletes who are severely injured. This coverage has been made possible by the NCAA television contract with CBS. For many years, athletes who had severe injuries were inadequately cared for. This was particularly true for smaller schools lacking deep financial resources. My experience has been that athletes in most Division I schools are given the very best medical care, and I am certain that the NCAA is doing what it can to promote the health and welfare of athletes.

Finally, the media scrutiny that is focused on intercollegiate athletics has increased dramatically in recent years. There is very little negative behavior that occurs in an athletics program without being recounted in news articles the next morning. At one time, athletes who misbehaved often escaped notice, particularly those who were not prominent players. The tendency to focus on negative behavior rather than positive behavior has led to an inaccurate portrayal of what occurs with the great majority of NCAA athletes and the programs they represent.

I am no longer regulated by NCAA rules. And, at times I have disagreed with some policies of the NCAA. However, I think that, on balance, the NCAA performs much more efficiently and responsibly than the general public realizes.

Tom Osborne represents Nebraska's 3rd district in the United States House of Representatives. He previously coached football at the University of Nebraska, Lincoln.