Conversation on the Double-A Zone turned to college football last week, as student-athletes and fans shared opinions about rules changes that will go into effect this fall.

While many agreed that football games are too long, most felt that the rules changes were too extreme. One post said college football now emulates the professional game by letting the clock run after a first down. Student-athletes who commented felt that the changes could drain some of the excitement out of the waning minutes of close games.

The Double-A Zone also continued its discussion about the academic scandal at Auburn University and whether the NCAA should be concerned with increasing academic standards for student-athletes.

The New England Small College Athletic Conference was highlighted on the blog because of its participation in Swim Across America, an ocean swim that raises money for cancer research. More than 50 current and former NESCAC student-athletes took part in the event, raising more than $40,000 for the Dana-Farber Cancer Institute in Boston. One blogger shared a community-service story about Grand Valley State University in the comments section.

The Double-A Zone had two new podcasts in its Faces of the NCAA feature, as Tyra Whittaker, coordinator of human resources, and Mary Wilfert, associate director of education outreach for health and safety, shared some of their professional experiences.

California University of Pennsylvania baseball coach Mike Conte stopped by Coaches’ Corner to share some thoughts about the annual spring trip that kicks off the baseball season.

The NCAA’s official blog can be found at www.doubleazone.com. To find out how to submit a guest post, contact Josh Centor (jcentor@ncaa.org).