The Division I Legislative Council sustained its approval of proposals adding sand volleyball to the emerging sports list and adding a week to the beginning of the baseball season. Unless the Board of Directors takes different action at its August 6 meeting, the Division I membership will vote on the proposals at the 2010 NCAA Convention in Atlanta.

The NCAA national office received enough override requests to require the Legislative Council to reconsider proposal 2008-46, which added a fourteenth week to the beginning of the baseball season, and proposal 2008-59, which added sand volleyball to the emerging sports for women list.

About 58 percent of the votes were in favor of the additional week to the baseball season. The vote was split geographically, with most Northern schools opposing the proposal and Southern schools supporting it. Intended to address concerns about missed class time by baseball student-athletes, the rule allows coaches to spread a maximum of 56 games over a 14-week period instead of a 13-week period. Northern schools argued that weather in the North forces teams to travel south to begin their seasons, resulting in increased expenses and additional missed class time.

About 65 percent of the votes were in favor of adding sand volleyball to the emerging sports list, a proposal that the Committee on Women’s Athletics originated as a way to increase participation opportunities for women. Institutions objecting to the legislation cited a competitive advantage to schools with large budgets and those located in warmer climates.  Several Division I cabinets have begun working on legislation to create the structure for the sport, as has Division II.

If the Board decides to allow the Legislative Council’s action to stand, it will be the fifth consecutive year that Division I has conducted override votes. For a successful override, a five-eighths majority of those Division I delegates present and voting must cast votes to overturn the legislation.

Both pieces of legislation remain in effect. If the baseball measure is overturned at Convention, the Board may be asked to allow schools that have already completed their schedules to operate under the rule for the 2010 season.

Members with questions about the process may e-mail NCAA staff members Steve Mallonee or Lynn Holzman.