National Collegiate Athletic Association

The NCAA News - News and Features

March 30, 1998

Minority opportunities panel reviews initial-eligibility data

Initial-eligibility data and their impact on minority student-athletes continues to be a priority for the NCAA Minority Opportunities and Interests Committee.

The committee was presented with new data from the 1998 Academic Performance Study, Graduation-Rates Reports and the Initial-Eligibility Clearinghouse during its March 8-9 meeting in San Diego.

The data reaffirmed the committee's belief that current initial-eligibility standards may create a disparate impact on minority student-athletes' access to higher educational opportunities.

The new data also point out a correlation between the student-athlete's family income level and initial eligibility in that student-athletes from families with low income levels are more likely to be denied initial eligibility when compared to their higher income family counterparts.

In continuing to monitor the situation, the committee asked the NCAA research staff to provide the following: (1) profiles of institutions that have achieved higher graduation rates; (2) effects of initial-eligibility rules on two-year college transfers and their progression toward obtaining a degree; (3) effects of the satisfactory-progress legislation; (4) what areas of study are being chosen as majors in order for student-athletes to retain their eligibility; and (5) profiles of institutions with life-skills programs.

Strategic plan

The committee also heard reports from subcommittees it had charged with reviewing goals within the committee's strategic plan. Those goals include enhancing the committee's visibility within the membership, creating opportunities that encourage diversity, and developing innovative methods of promoting ethnic-minority enhancement at all academic and professional levels.

The committee agreed to develop a public relations plan that would facilitate awareness of minority issues through the following initiatives:

  • Creating public-service announcements that target nontraditional sports and are aired during high-profile NCAA championships.

  • Developing messages aimed at minority youth that encourage academic enrichment, sportsmanship and ethical conduct.

  • Targeting public relations efforts for prospective student-athletes through media outlets such as Black Entertainment Network, Music Television, and ethnic-minority radio stations and magazines.

  • Developing a town hall meeting concept with a focus on career information and minority issues.

    In addition, the committee agreed to build awareness of minority issues through increased communication with various constituents, including the Collegiate Commissioners Association, the Women's Sports Foundation, the Black Women in Sport Foundation and the National Association of Collegiate Women Athletic Administrators.

    Football hiring

    In other actions, the committee reviewed data regarding hiring procedures in Divisions I-A and I-AA football and expressed concern that of the 25 coaching positions available over the past several months, none were filled by ethnic minorities. In fact, the number of ethnic-minority head coaches in Division I-A dropped from eight to five.

    It was the sense of the committee that Division I presidents need to be more involved in the hiring process to ensure an increased level of diversity.

    "The committee is quite concerned about the lack of involvement in this area," said Charles Whitcomb, faculty athletics representative at San Jose State University and chair of the committee. "It's clear that more attention needs to come from CEOs and other athletics administrators in order to bring about greater diversity in the coaching and administrative ranks."

    The committee also reviewed a request from the Division I Committee on Athletics Certification to develop, for the second cycle of the certification process, a checklist for analyzing an institution's status/commitment in the area of minority issues.

    The committee will forward a checklist that encourages an institution's commitment to diversity in hiring athletics administrators, increased graduation rates for minorities and an increased role in the decision-making process within the athletics department for minorities.

    Other highlights

    Minority Opportunities and Interests Committee
    March 8-9/San Diego

  • Reviewed a request to study the restricted-earnings coach as a position to enhance opportunities for minority coaches. The committee saw merit in developing such a position, but believes there are limitations placed on the position that would not allow an individual to gain the experience necessary to obtain a career as a head coach. The committee also cited the lack of upward mobility that has occurred within intercollegiate athletics for minorities at all levels of coaching and administration. The committee would like to see these issues addressed before creating a new position.

  • Agreed to release the committee's two-year study of race demographics of NCAA member institutions to the Division I Board of Directors, the Divisions II and III Presidents Councils, and the Divisions I, II and III Management Councils, as well as athletics directors and presidents at member institutions. The committee will ask that this report be a topic of discussion on the agenda at the 1999 Convention.

  • Heard a report on discussions at a March 5, 1998, meeting of the Division II Management Council's Project Team to Review Issues Related to Diversity. The charge of the project team is to review issues related to enhancing gender and ethnic diversity in the Division II membership and at all levels of the Division II governance structure. The committee thanked the Management Council for being proactive and discussed ways the groups could work together to enhance opportunities. Also, the committee expressed concern regarding the potential for redundancy between the two groups and agreed to work closely with the project team to avoid duplication.

  • Received reports regarding the NCAA Enhancement Programs, including the scholarship, internship, Fellows, National Girls Sports Camp and Diversity Education Program components.

  • Received a request to review the use of ethnic mascots at member institutions. The committee noted that each institution should honor the Association's principles of nondiscrimination, which promote an atmosphere of respect for and sensitivity to the dignity of every person; however, the committee is mindful of each institution's authority over such areas and encourages each institution to study the issue with sensitivity toward the elimination of stereotyping and cultural disrespect.

  • Received a report regarding legal cases around the country involving affirmative action. The committee cited the rise in the number of cases that may affect minority enrollment as well as minority athletics participation.

  • Denied a request to allow the use of the NCAA Ethnic-Minority Postgraduate Scholarship for a Leadership Development Certificate Program. The committee reiterated that these scholarships were aimed at assisting individuals with obtaining a master's degree in sports administration at an NCAA institution.

  • Received an overview of the Black Coaches Association Convention, scheduled May 20-24 at the Walt Disney World Village in Orlando, Florida. The committee agreed that the chair will attend and discuss with the BCA Board of Directors issues pertinent to minority enhancement. The committee also will encourage conference commissioners, athletics directors and their staffs to attend.