National Collegiate Athletic Association |
The NCAA News - DigestJuly 22, 1996
LEGISLATIONMembership proposals focus on restructuring About one-third of the proposals properly submitted by the NCAA membership for the 1997 Convention in Nashville deal with restructuring issues. A total of 90 proposals were properly submitted. Most of 28 proposals that address restructuring seek to fine-tune details of the governance structure and legislative process -- particularly in Division I. Most of the proposals dealing with restructuring were submitted by Divisions I-AA and I-AAA conferences or institutions. Other areas of legislative activity by the membership include playing and practice seasons, which prompted 18 proposals; recruiting, with 16 proposals; and eligibility, with eight proposals. For the first time in several years, there are no proposals to modify the definition of a qualifier under the Association's initial-eligibility legislation. There are, however, proposals dealing with partial qualifiers. Staff contact: Stephen A. Mallonee.
MEN'S BASKETBALLCommittee identifies ways to speed tournament play The NCAA Division I Men's Basketball Committee will implement several changes designed to reduce the time necessary to play a game. The basketball committee adopted four policies centering mostly on officiating procedures. The policies will be in effect for the 1997 championship. Staff contact: William R. Hancock.
BASEBALLBaseball Rules Committee takes action on nonwood bats The NCAA Baseball Rules Committee has voted to implement initiatives that address safety and performance concerns it has with nonwood baseball bats and baseballs. At a recent meeting, the committee agreed that a five-unit length-to-weight differential will be allowed through the 1997 intercollegiate baseball season. In addition, the committee will recommend that the current interim standard -- the 1.14 Bat Performance Factor with a margin of error of .01 -- continue through at least the 1997 season. The rules committee will recommend to the NCAA Executive Committee a maximum nonwood baseball bat length-to-weight unit differential of 2.5 (without the grip) for all nonwood bats used during the 1998 intercollegiate baseball season, subject to the results of scientific tests and a six-month comment period for all interested parties. Currently, a nonwood bat must weigh, in ounces, within five units of the length of the bat, measured in inches. For example, a 34-inch-long bat cannot weigh less than 29 ounces. If the rules committee's recommendation is approved, a 34-inch-long bat in 1998 could not weigh less than 31.5 ounces without the grip. Staff contact: Theodore A. Breidenthal.
Federal appeals court issues stay in restricted-earnings case
A federal appeals court is in the process of
receiving briefs in the case involving the
NCAA's restricted-earnings coach legislation.
U.S. District Judge Kathryn H. Vratil had
ordered all NCAA Division I institutions to
submit information relating to coaches' salaries
to the plaintiffs' attorneys by July 5. For
every institution that did not comply by that
date, a fine of $100 per day was to be levied on
the NCAA and its legal counsel.
However, on July 5, the 10th U.S. Circuit Court
of Appeals, acting on a motion filed by the
Texas attorney general's office, temporarily
stayed Vratil's order and gave lawyers for the
state of Texas and the plaintiffs 20 days to
file briefs.
The motion was filed on behalf of Texas' 14
state-supported Division I institutions. It
claims that Vratil's order conflicts with the
state's right of sovereign immunity guaranteed
under the 11th Amendment of the United States
Constitution.
Staff contact:
Stephen R. Morgan.
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