National Collegiate Athletic Association

NCAA News Archive - 2010

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Jan 6, 2010 9:14:48 AM

Men's basketball issues will be a centerpiece of Division I discussions at the 2010 NCAA Convention next week in Atlanta.

The Division I Legislative Council will get its first look at a series of proposals aimed at cleaning up the recruiting environment, and a session of the Division I Issues Forum will be devoted to clarifying proposals from the Basketball Academic Enhancement Working Group.

At its October meeting, the Board of Directors introduced into the 2009-10 legislative cycle a package of proposals designed to curb compensatory relationships with people associated with men's basketball. The presidents identified men's basketball recruiting as a top priority.

The men's basketball recruiting proposals that the Legislative Council will review include:

• Proposal No. 2009-99, which would prohibit institutions from hiring for a non-coaching staff position of an individual associated with a prospect for a two-year period before or after that prospect enrolls.
• Proposal No. 2009-100, which would prohibit institutions from hosting, sponsoring or conducting a nonscholastic event in its facilities or in facilities regularly used by the institution.
• Proposal No. 2009-101, which would allow men's basketball coaches to recruit prospects during an institution's camp or clinic.
• Proposal No. 2009-102, which would restrict institutions to hiring only enrolled students or men's basketball coaches at institutional camps and clinics.

Also at the October meeting, the Board endorsed a tighter definition of "recruited student-athlete" in men's basketball and adopted a series of interpretations aimed at the practice of funneling money to people associated with prospects.

The interpretations prevent coaches from paying for recruiting services with limited value or using 1-900 numbers for telephone contact with a recruit, among other limitations. The Board also endorsed the ability of the NCAA enforcement staff or the Division I Committee on Infractions to suspend coaches from regular- and postseason games for violations of the rules.

The Council members will also see for the first time legislation codifying the work of the Basketball Academic Enhancement Group, formed by late NCAA President Myles Brand to address the academic challenges of Division I men's basketball players. Among the most notable recommendations of the group recommended was a cut in the total number of games to 28 (or 26 plus a multiple-team event).

These proposals are also sponsored by the Board.

• Proposal No. 2009-98, which would limit the number of regular-season games to 28 (or 26 plus a multiple-team event) and establish a "staggered" preseason practice model in men's basketball that includes an official practice start date of October 1 with increases in practice time through the current 20-hour week beginning October 15.
• Proposal No. 2009-97, which would change the counter status for men's basketball student-athletes on athletically related financial aid who wish to stay at an institution after a coach's departure but not participate in basketball. The proposal would allow student-athletes to remain on aid and graduate but not count toward financial aid team limits.
• Proposal No. 2009-96, which would prohibit more than two physical education credit hours from fulfilling the two-year college transfer requirements (or up to the minimum number required for degrees in the subject).

A fourth recommendation that would require summer school for incoming men's basketball student-athletes who need an academic head start will be discussed at the Division I issues forum on Friday, January 15. The recruiting proposals also will be discussed there.

The Council has the opportunity to approve, defeat or send each of the proposals it will review out for comment. At its October meeting, the Council reviewed other proposals in the cycle and took initial positions on some, including supporting a proposal that would limit the number of recruits per year a coach can sign to a National Letter of Intent.

In other Division I Convention news, the membership will vote on two override proposals, one adding sand volleyball to the list of emerging sports for women and a second adding a week to the beginning of the baseball season.

The Leadership Council will meet January 14 to finish up its report on Division I membership standards, with the goal of sending recommendations to the Board of Directors this spring.