This is the sixth in a series of articles to review Division I proposals for the 2009-10 legislative cycle.

The Division I Legislative Council will consider several proposals modifying playing and practice season and amateurism rules at its October 19-20 meeting in Indianapolis, including a proposal that would reduce the women’s basketball playing and practice season and another that would give football teams 14 weeks in which to schedule the allowed competition.

Proposal No. 2009-78, sponsored by the Atlantic Coast Conference, would limit playing and practice seasons in women’s basketball.

The ACC proposal would limit women’s basketball teams to 26 regular-season contests and one qualifying regular-season multiple team event or 28 contests (if a team doesn’t participate in such a multiple-team event). 

In its rationale, the ACC noted that many conferences are scheduling their women’s basketball tournaments a week earlier in the season, which compresses the regular season and could lead to additional missed class time. Additionally, cutting a game would help contain costs, especially for institutions that are not located near other Division I nonconference opponents.

The Division I Basketball Academic Enhancement Group is recommending a similar one-game reduction in men’s basketball. That will not become a legislative proposal, however, until the Board of Directors reviews the Basketball Academic Enhancement Group’s recommendations in October.

Proposal No. 2009-80 would allow institutions to play the first football game on the Thursday preceding the 14th Saturday before December 1. Currently, the first football contests are allowed the Thursday before Labor Day.

Conference USA argues that allowing teams to play the season over 14 weeks provides more flexibility and consistency than the current rule, which (due to variations in the calendar) means that some years Football Bowl Subdivision schools have 13 weeks to play 12 games (as in 2009) and some years 14 weeks. The conference also believes that a standard playing season is in the best interests of student-athletes, allowing them to spend more time on academics.

In the amateurism area, the Council will vote on an Amateurism Cabinet-sponsored proposal that would amend rules for prospects who participate on a team with a teammate who receives more than actual and necessary expenses. Proposal No. 2009-22 would permit prospective student-athletes before collegiate enrollment to participate on professional teams without jeopardizing eligibility, provided they do not receive more than actual and necessary expenses. Issues related to competitive advantages gained by participating on such teams are addressed through an organized competition component, similar to the rule in Division II.

Other proposals of note:

• Proposal No. 2009-76, which would prohibit athletically related activities from occurring between midnight and 5 a.m. The proposal allows for several exceptions, including conference or NCAA championships, any competition that begins before midnight but concludes after midnight, or promotional practice activities (Midnight Madness practices).
• Proposal No. 2009-79, which would limit team travel in the nonchampionship segment of several sports to ground transportation only.
• Proposal No. 2009-83, which would create a playing and practice season and minimum number of contests necessary for sponsorship of sand volleyball.
• Proposal No. 2009-87, which would eliminate foreign tours.
• Proposal No. 2009-88, which would permit incoming basketball student-athletes (freshmen or transfers) to participate in foreign tours before initial full-time enrollment.