National Collegiate Athletic Association

NCAA News Archive - 2010

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Jun 17, 2010 8:39:17 AM

The Division II Legislation Committee recently developed several notable legislative proposals that will be considered at governance meetings later this summer and possibly advanced for membership consideration at the January Convention in San Antonio.

Among them are three proposals that relate directly or indirectly to the playing and practice seasons legislation that are being considered outside the ongoing examination of Phase II of Division II's Life in the Balance initiative.

Perhaps most significantly, the committee has recommended legislation that would add two dates of competition to the nonchampionship segment in baseball and softball, with no more than two contests played on each of those dates. Another proposal would add a maximum of five dates of competition for men's lacrosse in the nonchampionship segment.

In both cases, the rationale cites weather challenges that spring sports currently face in preparing for the championship segment. Equity arguments also support the proposals, with baseball and softball interests saying the legislation would create nonchampionship participation opportunities similar to those afforded to student-athletes in other sports (for example, women's volleyball and soccer). The men's lacrosse proposal cites a desire to equalize nonchampionship segment opportunities with those of women's lacrosse, which currently allows a maximum of five dates of competition during the nonchampionship segment. Both proposals emphasize that student-athletes may not miss class time for competition during the nonchampionship segment, and competition is limited to the 24 days within the 45-day period.

A related proposal would stipulate that baseball, softball, and men's and women's lacrosse student-athletes would not be charged with the use of a season of competition for participation in competition conducted in the nonchampionship segment, provided that such student-athletes are academically eligible for the beginning of the fall term of that academic year.

Those proposals and others will be forwarded to the Division II Management Council, which will discuss them at its July 19-20 meeting. Presidents Council discussion will take place in an August 12 conference call (the presidents will be advised of the proposals at their in-person meeting Friday before the Chancellors and Presidents Summit, but formal consideration would come after Management Council examination).

Other notable Legislation Committee proposals relate to testing student-athletes for sickle-cell trait and to the organized-competition rule in Division II men's ice hockey.

The sickle-cell trait proposal states that student-athletes who are beginning their initial season of eligibility and students who are trying out for a team must undergo a sickle-cell solubility test before participating in any athletically related activity, unless documented results of a previous test are provided to the institution. The proposal is similar to Division I legislation, except that the Division II version would not provide an opportunity for any student-athlete to opt out of the testing.

In men's ice hockey, the proposed legislation would amend Bylaw 14.2.4.2 to specify that for a maximum of one year, participation in organized ice hockey competition will be excepted, provided the competition is sanctioned by United States Ice Hockey or its international counterparts. The extra year, which would be in addition to the grace year already provided by the new organized-competition legislation, would affect only six Division II institutions that do not take part in championship competition. It was brought about by the approval of Proposal No. 2010-11 at the 2010 Convention, which eliminated the fee exception for participation in organized competition prior to initial-collegiate enrollment. The Division II programs that sponsor hockey compete primarily against Division III programs and do not offer athletically related financial aid.

The June 7-8 meeting was the final one for chair Ann Martin of Regis (Colorado). She will be replaced by Diana Kling, assistant commissioner for the Peach Belt Conference, whose duties begin September 1.