Following is part of a series that previews Division I proposals for the 2008-09 legislative cycle. This article focuses on proposals related to amateurism, personnel and division membership.

The NCAA’s emerging-sports list could change dramatically and the acceptance of prize money could be sanctioned in specific cases if legislative proposals modifying amateurism, personnel and division membership are adopted this academic year.

Proposal No. 2008-13 would allow student-athletes in individual sports to accept prize money based on performance in an open athletics event if it occurs outside the declared playing and practice season and during an official vacation period. The prize money must not exceed actual and necessary expenses for participation.

Sponsored by the Pacific-10 Conference, the measure is meant to address a perceived inconsistent application that allows student-athletes participating in events as members of teams (which often pay for travel and other expenses) from benefiting from the event participation while barring student-athletes in individual sports like track and field or tennis that do not benefit from team travel.

Proposal No. 2008-59 would add sand volleyball as an emerging sport for women and eliminate archery, badminton, synchronized swimming and team handball from the same list. Proposed initially by the Committee on Women’s Athletics and sponsored by the now-defunct Division I Management Council, the measure is the result of research showing a large increase in the number of girls playing sand volleyball and the minimal sponsorship growth in the other sports since the emerging-sports list was created 14 years ago.

Other proposals of note that modify Bylaw 11 (Conduct and Employment of Athletics Personnel)

• Proposal 2008-10, which would establish a program to award a minority graduate assistant coaching position to each FCS conference.

• Proposal 2008-11, which would allow student managers in baseball to be involved in on-field activities and not be countable coaches.

Other reviews of legislation:

Proposal seeks aid expansion in baseball, women’s volleyball

Proposals address baseball season length

Electronic communication, recruiting rules top docket

Electronic coursework a legislative focus