National Collegiate Athletic Association

Division I

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Override dates set

By Michelle Brutlag Hosick
NCAA.org

Active Division I schools and conferences will vote June 17-21 to determine the future of in-person scouting of opponents.

Earlier this year, 94 schools asked the Board of Directors to reconsider its adoption of a proposal prohibiting live scouting of opponents in all sports. The Board declined to change its mind on the proposal’s adoption, believing that the rule change accomplishes a goal of simplifying and streamlining the Division I Manual.

The prohibition on live scouting, originally proposed because of the vast improvements in video technology and the belief that live scouting could have a direct impact on fair competition, generated some concern because coaches in several sports believe they will not have the same access to quality video. Other schools said they believe the ban is contrary to the deregulation effort.

“It is inconsistent with the NCAA deregulation theme and is biased against certain sports, particularly large field sports such as soccer, lacrosse and field hockey,” a representative from one school wrote. “Finally, it would call for added administrative oversight.”

The voting process will open with a discussion period, which allows coaches associations and other affiliate groups to participate in the process, beginning at 12:01 a.m. June 10 and ending at 11:59 p.m. on June 16. Voting begins at 12:01 a.m. June 17. The polls will close at 5 p.m. Eastern on June 21.

Members should note that a “Yes” vote favors the override and thus supports allowing current scouting rules to remain in place. A “No” vote opposes the override and supports the ban on live scouting.

For the override to be successful, a five-eighths majority of those voting must vote in favor of it. For example, if only 150 institutions and conferences cast votes, at least 94 (five-eighths of 150 is 94) must vote yes on the override for the rule to be rescinded. Abstentions are the equivalent of an institution or conference not casting a vote.