National Collegiate Athletic Association

The NCAA News - News and Features

November 10, 1997

First legislation emerges from new process

The news from the recent Division I Board of Directors meeting was not so much what changes occurred but rather how they occurred.

Using Division I's new representative system of approving legislation, the Board took action at its October 28 meeting on 12 proposals that had moved through the new legislative process and been recommended by the Division I Management Council. The Board approved 10 of the proposals, including legislation that will permit a Division I-A football program to count under certain circumstances a win against a I-AA opponent toward the number of victories needed to qualify for a bowl game. That change will take effect for the 1998 season.

It was the first time in Association history that legislation has been created through the new membership notice-and-comment approach without use of the one-institution/one-vote process.

The first item to be considered was the first and only legislative proposal to be defeated. The Board voted down a proposal that would have eliminated the restriction on the amount of time an individual can spend in the restricted-earnings coaching position (five years), along with the restriction on previous coaching experience.

Proponents argued that the five-year period is approaching for individuals who were hired when the legislation first became effective. Given the previous elimination of the salary restriction, they argued that individuals stand to lose their jobs, only to be replaced by people with similar experience who could receive identical pay.

However, Board members expressed concern that the change would push the legislation too far from its original intent, which was to provide entry-level coaching jobs at the Division I level. They also expressed concern that the change would essentially create a fourth full-time coaching position for Division I men's basketball.

Another action that was not approved by the Board involved establishment of an NCAA Core-Course Review Committee. That legislation was tabled, pending an examination of other elements of the core-course review process.

Otherwise, the Board passed the remaining 10 legislative proposals forwarded to it by the Division I Management Council. The most notable legislation approved related to the change in how a team may qualify for a Division I-A football bowl game. The new legislation will permit a Division I-A team to count a victory over a Division I-AA opponent toward the six wins needed to qualify for a bowl. The Division I-A team can use the exception only once every four years, and the Division I-AA opponent must have provided an average of at least 60 grants-in-aid over the preceding three years.

Two other pieces of approved legislation related to expansion of the Division I Men's and Women's Golf Committee and the Division I Football Issues Committee. Although the Board approved both proposals, it expressed a strong desire to make certain that the number of NCAA Division I committees, along with the size of their memberships, is carefully controlled.

Other business

The Board also received reports from Division I Management Council chair Robert A. Bowlsby on several major Division I issues.

Regarding the student-athlete employment issue, Bowlsby advised the Board of the formation of a Management Council subcommittee that is to develop recommendations to address the concerns that have been expressed about the legislation, which would permit Division I athletes to earn up to the cost of attendance during the academic year. The Management Council's report is to be provided to the Board in January.

The Board also received a report on possible changes in the recruiting and prospect-evaluation process for Division I men's basketball. The Academics/Eligibility/Compliance Cabinet has supported a change proposed by the National Association of Basketball Coaches (NABC) that would establish a set of regional camps that would be conducted for that purpose by USA Basketball. Other changes also are being considered. The Board expressed concern about the current state of summer camps, noting that they are not compatible with the NCAA mission. It expressed its belief that this issue needs to be handled expeditiously and wisely, and it also commended the NABC for its role in attempting to improve the situation.

Reports also were provided to the Board on the effects of the new academic initial-eligibility standards in Division I and on the state of discussion for amending the method of reviewing the high-school core courses that are need to establish initial eligibility.

In other actions:

  • The Board approved several administrative "action items," but it declined to approve a recommendation from the Championships/Competition Cabinet that funding be restored for championships mementos in Division I. Whether such mementos should be paid for division-by-division or on an Association-wide basis is a matter that was left pending after the August Executive Committee meeting and is still under review. Providing the mementos at NCAA expense had been suspended until the matter was resolved, and the Board's decision had the effect of maintaining the status quo.

  • Heard a presentation from representatives from the University of Idaho and the Big West Conference regarding that university's efforts to gain Division I-A membership status. The Board will act on Idaho's waiver request at its January meeting.

  • Voted for Division I to lift the existing moratorium on membership growth, effective in fall 1998.

  • Considered the Division I program for the 1998 Convention.